TESTING SOLIDS SETTING APPARATUSES FOR DESIGN AND OPERATION OF WET-WEATHER FLOW SOLIDS-LIQUID SEPARATION PROCESSES

EPA Science Inventory

This study was a side-by-side comparison of two settling evaluation methods: one traditional and one new. The project investigated whether these column tests were capable of capturing or representing the rapidly settling particles present in wet-weather flows (WWF). The report r...

Comparison of Two Types of Double-J Ureteral Stents that Differ in Diameter and the Existence of Multiple Side Holes along the Straight Portion in Malignant Ureteral Strictures

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

Song, Myung Gyu, E-mail: acube808@naver.com; Seo, Tae-Seok, E-mail: g1q1papa@korea.ac.kr; Lee, Chang Hee, E-mail: chlee86@korea.ac.kr

PurposeThis study was decided to evaluate the impact of diameter and the existences of multiple side holes along the straight portion of double-J ureteral stents (DJUS) on early dysfunction of stents placed for malignant ureteral strictures.MethodsBetween April 2007 and December 2011, 141 DJUSs were placed via a percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) tract in 110 consecutive patients with malignant ureteral strictures. 7F DJUSs with multiple side holes in the straight portion were placed in 58 ureters of 43 patients (Group 1). 8F DJUSs with three side holes in the proximal 2-cm of the straight portion were placed in 83 ureters of 67more » patients (Group 2). The incidence of early DJUS dysfunction was compared between the two groups, and nephrostographic findings were evaluated in the cases of early dysfunction.ResultsEarly dysfunction of the DJUS was noted in 14 of 58 patients (24.1 %) in Group 1, which was significantly higher (p = 0.001) than in Group 2 in which only 1 of 83 patients (1.2 %) had early dysfunction of the DJUS. Nephrostographic findings of early dysfunction included dilatation of the pelvicalyceal system, filling defects in the ureteral stent, and no passage of contrast media into the urinary bladder.ConclusionsIn malignant ureteral strictures, multiple side holes in the straight portion of the 7-F DJUS seem to cause early dysfunction. The 8F DJUSs with three side holes in the proximal 2-cm of the straight portion may be superior at preventing early dysfunction.« less

Effects of visual cue and response assignment on spatial stimulus coding in stimulus-response compatibility.

PubMed

Nishimura, Akio; Yokosawa, Kazuhiko

2012-01-01

Tlauka and McKenna ( 2000 ) reported a reversal of the traditional stimulus-response compatibility (SRC) effect (faster responding to a stimulus presented on the same side than to one on the opposite side) when the stimulus appearing on one side of a display is a member of a superordinate unit that is largely on the opposite side. We investigated the effects of a visual cue that explicitly shows a superordinate unit, and of assignment of multiple stimuli within each superordinate unit to one response, on the SRC effect based on superordinate unit position. Three experiments revealed that stimulus-response assignment is critical, while the visual cue plays a minor role, in eliciting the SRC effect based on the superordinate unit position. Findings suggest bidirectional interaction between perception and action and simultaneous spatial stimulus coding according to multiple frames of reference, with contribution of each coding to the SRC effect flexibly varying with task situations.

Comparison of software models for energy savings from cool roofs

DOE PAGES

New, Joshua; Miller, William A.; Huang, Yu; ...

2015-06-07

For this study, a web-based Roof Savings Calculator (RSC) has been deployed for the United States Department of Energy as an industry-consensus tool to help building owners, manufacturers, distributors, contractors and researchers easily run complex roof and attic simulations. RSC simulates multiple roof and attic technologies for side-by-side comparison including reflective roofs, different roof slopes, above sheathing ventilation, radiant barriers, low-emittance roof surfaces, duct location, duct leakage rates, multiple substrate types, and insulation levels. Annual simulations of hour-by-hour, whole-building performance are used to provide estimated annual energy and cost savings from reduced HVAC use. While RSC reported similar cooling savingsmore » to other simulation engines, heating penalty varied significantly. RSC results show reduced cool roofing cost-effectiveness, thus mitigating expected economic incentives for this countermeasure to the urban heat island effect. This paper consolidates comparison of RSC's projected energy savings to other simulation engines including DOE-2.1E, AtticSim, Micropas, and EnergyPlus. Also included are comparisons to previous simulation-based studies, analysis of RSC cooling savings and heating penalties, the role of radiative heat exchange in an attic assembly, and changes made for increased accuracy of the duct model. Finally, radiant heat transfer and duct interaction not previously modeled is considered a major contributor to heating penalties.« less

Comparing State-Space Multivariable Controls to Multi-SISO Controls for Load Reduction of Drivetrain-Coupled Modes on Wind Turbines through Field-Testing: Preprint

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

Fleming, P. A.; van Wingerden, J. W.; Wright, A. D.

2011-12-01

This paper presents the structure of an ongoing controller comparison experiment at NREL's National Wind Technology Center; the design process for the two controllers compared in this phase of the experiment, and initial comparison results obtained in field-testing. The intention of the study is to demonstrate the advantage of using modern multivariable methods for designing control systems for wind turbines versus conventional approaches. We will demonstrate the advantages through field-test results from experimental turbines located at the NWTC. At least two controllers are being developed side-by-side to meet an incrementally increasing number of turbine load-reduction objectives. The first, a multiplemore » single-input, single-output (m-SISO) approach, uses separately developed decoupled and classicially tuned controllers, which is, to the best of our knowledge, common practice in the wind industry. The remaining controllers are developed using state-space multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) techniques to explicity account for coupling between loops and to optimize given known frequency structures of the turbine and disturbance. In this first publication from the study, we present the structure of the ongoing controller comparison experiment, the design process for the two controllers compared in this phase, and initial comparison results obtained in field-testing.« less

A longitudinal, mixed methods investigation of newly qualified nurses' workplace stressors and stress experiences during transition.

PubMed

Halpin, Yvonne; Terry, Louise M; Curzio, Joan

2017-11-01

To investigate transition in newly qualified nurses through an exploration of their stressors and stress experiences during their first 12 months postqualifying. Globally, thousands of new nurses qualify annually. They are crucial for the profession and healthcare service delivery. Work-related stress has multiple serious consequences, yet there is a lack of robust, empirical evidence that directly analyses newly qualified nurses and the stress they feel and experience in the workplace. Understanding what causes newly qualified nurses' stress is vital to retaining and nurturing this vital component of the workforce. Longitudinal, explanatory sequential mixed methods, cohort study. At the point of qualification (n = 288), 6 months postqualifying (n = 107) and 12 months postqualifying (n = 86), newly qualified nurses completed the Nursing Stress Scale, with 14 completing a one-to-one interview at 12 months postqualifying. Data were collected from 2010 - 2012. Inferential statistics, "thematic analysis" and "side-by-side comparisons in a discussion" were used for analysis. Workload was consistently the highest reported stressor with inadequate staffing and managing multiple role demands given as explanations. Incivility within the workplace was a noted stressor. Conversely, being part of "a good team" provided a civil, supportive, facilitative work environment. Entering nurse education with previous healthcare experience had a mediating effect on the reported frequency of stressors. Newly qualified nurses encounter multiple work-related stressors over their first 12 months postqualifying, which are intrinsically entwined with their transition. Employing organizations need to be more proactive in managing their workload and addressing workplace incivility. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Mode of transmission of schizophrenia.

PubMed

Ponnudurai, R; Jayakar, J

2010-06-01

Although the evidences for the phenomenon of "anticipation" and parental "imprinting" have been shown in schizophrenia, they are inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to test these hypotheses by examining three successive generations. 58 schizophrenic patients who had their maternal or paternal parent or grandparent, or both, affected with schizophrenia or related disorders were analyzed. Chi-square test was used to assess the association of the sex of the parent with more than one of the affected proband families. The differences in the age of onset of the illness between the successive three generations was calculated using the t-test. In comparison to mothers' affected families, a large proportion of the father side affected families had more than one of their offspring affected with the illness. The age of onset in probands was lower in comparison to that of those on the parental side and the difference was more significant when the paternal side was affected. Interestingly, when the age of onset in the grandparents was compared with either of the parental sides of the probands no difference emerged, indicating lack of support from this study for the theory of anticipation. At any rate, the age of onset of probands was significantly lower in comparison to that of the paternal grandfather side. Further, skipping of a generation in the process of transmission was noted in some families. It is hard to ignore our findings that suggest paternal side transmission. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Comparison of Sexual Side Effects of Antidepressants With and Without Naltrexone.

PubMed

Thapa, Mona; Petrakis, Ismene; Ralevski, Elizabeth

2017-01-01

The aim of the study was to compare the rate of sexual side effects of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor paroxetine versus the tricyclic antidepressant desipramine and to examine the effect of co-prescription of naltrexone on sexual side effects among participants in a randomized clinical trial. This was a secondary analysis (N = 88) of veterans who participated in a 12-week trial. All veterans were randomized into one of four treatment groups: (a) desipramine/naltrexone, (b) desipramine/placebo, (c) paroxetine/naltrexone, and (d) paroxetine/placebo. The main outcome measure was the frequency of sexual side effects consisting of "decreased sex drive" and/or "impotence" reported by veterans at each weekly visit. Approximately 61% of the veterans reported sexual side effects at least once during the trial, and 26.4% reported sexual side effects throughout the study. There were no significant differences in the frequency of sexual side effects among the four treatment groups. The results were similar when the comparison was made between the two antidepressant groups. There were no significant differences in the reporting of sexual side effects between those receiving desipramine and paroxetine. Also, the comparison between naltrexone and placebo did not alter the results. This is the first study to compare frequency of sexual side effect reporting between paroxetine and desipramine. We found no statistically significant differences in sexual side effect reporting between the two antidepressants. Also, the addition of naltrexone did not show any beneficial effect on the sexual side effect profile.

Comparing policies to enhance prescribing efficiency in Europe through increasing generic utilization: changes seen and global implications.

PubMed

Godman, Brian; Shrank, William; Andersen, Morten; Berg, Christian; Bishop, Iain; Burkhardt, Thomas; Garuoliene, Kristina; Herholz, Harald; Joppi, Roberta; Kalaba, Marija; Laius, Ott; McGinn, Diane; Samaluk, Vita; Sermet, Catherine; Schwabe, Ulrich; Teixeira, Inês; Tilson, Lesley; Tulunay, F Cankat; Vlahović-Palčevski, Vera; Wendykowska, Kamila; Wettermark, Björn; Zara, Corinne; Gustafsson, Lars L

2010-12-01

The aim of this article was to evaluate the influence of different demand-side measures to enhance the prescribing of generics in ambulatory care based on cross-national comparisons. An observational retrospective study was conducted using administrative databases from across Europe, documenting changes in reimbursed utilization and expenditure of different proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and statins between 2001 and 2007, alongside different reforms to enhance prescribing efficiency. Utilization was converted to defined daily doses (DDDs) and expenditures were converted to euros. Demand-side measures were collated under the '4 Es'--education, engineering, economics and enforcement--to enable comparisons on the nature and intensity of reforms between countries. There were considerable differences in the utilization of generics and patent-protected PPIs and statins among Western European countries. Decreased utilization of omeprazole and simvastatin, alongside increased utilization of esomeprazole, atorvastatin and rosuvastatin, was seen in countries with limited demand-side measures to counteract commercial pressures. Prescribing restrictions, or a combination of education, prescribing targets and financial incentives, had the greatest influence on enhancing the utilization of omeprazole and simvastatin. For example, there was a threefold reduction in the utilization of atorvastatin in Austria following prescribing restrictions. Multiple demand-side interventions generally had a greater influence than single interventions, with the impact appearing additive. Multiple interventions coupled with initiatives to lower prices of generics considerably enhanced prescribing efficiency. This cross-national study has demonstrated considerable variation in the utilization and expenditure of PPIs and statins across Europe, providing opportunities to further improve prescribing efficiency. The '4 Es' do provide an understandable methodology to document and compare the influence of different demand-side measures, with the influence varying by their extent and intensity. Further reforms are essential given current financial pressures. Consequently, further research will concentrate on the potential to develop a scoring system to help predict the possible impact of different demand-side measures on future utilization patterns.

Phylo.io: Interactive Viewing and Comparison of Large Phylogenetic Trees on the Web.

PubMed

Robinson, Oscar; Dylus, David; Dessimoz, Christophe

2016-08-01

Phylogenetic trees are pervasively used to depict evolutionary relationships. Increasingly, researchers need to visualize large trees and compare multiple large trees inferred for the same set of taxa (reflecting uncertainty in the tree inference or genuine discordance among the loci analyzed). Existing tree visualization tools are however not well suited to these tasks. In particular, side-by-side comparison of trees can prove challenging beyond a few dozen taxa. Here, we introduce Phylo.io, a web application to visualize and compare phylogenetic trees side-by-side. Its distinctive features are: highlighting of similarities and differences between two trees, automatic identification of the best matching rooting and leaf order, scalability to large trees, high usability, multiplatform support via standard HTML5 implementation, and possibility to store and share visualizations. The tool can be freely accessed at http://phylo.io and can easily be embedded in other web servers. The code for the associated JavaScript library is available at https://github.com/DessimozLab/phylo-io under an MIT open source license. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution.

Does Renal Artery Supply Indicate Treatment Success of Renal Denervation?

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

Schmid, Axel, E-mail: axel.schmid@uk-erlangen.de; Ditting, Tilmann, E-mail: tilmann.ditting@uk-erlangen.de; Sobotka, Paul A., E-mail: sobotka@alumni.stanford.edu

PurposeRenal denervation (RDN) emerged as an innovative interventional antihypertensive therapy. With the exception of pretreatment blood pressure (BP) level, no other clear predictor for treatment efficacy is yet known. We analyzed whether the presence of multiple renal arteries has an impact on BP reduction after RDN.MethodsFifty-three patients with treatment-resistant hypertension (office BP {>=} 140/90 mmHg and 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring ({>=}130/80 mmHg) underwent bilateral catheter-based RDN. Patients were stratified into one-vessel (OV) (both sides) and at least multivessel (MV) supply at one side. Both groups were treated on one vessel at each side; in case of multiple arteries, only themore » dominant artery was treated on each side.ResultsBaseline clinical characteristics (including BP, age, and estimated glomerular filtration rate) did not differ between patients with OV (n = 32) and MV (n = 21). Office BP was significantly reduced in both groups at 3 months (systolic: OV -15 {+-} 23 vs. MV -16 {+-} 20 mmHg; diastolic: OV -10 {+-} 12 vs. MV -8 {+-} 11 mmHg, both p = NS) as well as 6 months (systolic: OV -18 {+-} 18 vs. MV -17 {+-} 22 mmHg; diastolic: OV -10 {+-} 10 vs. -10 {+-} 12 mmHg, both p = NS) after RDN. There was no difference in responder rate (rate of patients with office systolic BP reduction of at least 10 mmHg after 6 months) between the groups.ConclusionIn patients with multiple renal arteries, RDN of one renal artery-namely, the dominant one-is sufficient to induce BP reduction in treatment-resistant hypertension.« less

GBLD10+: a compact low-power 10 Gb/s VCSEL driver

DOE PAGES

Zhang, T.; Kulis, S.; Gui, P.; ...

2016-01-13

We report the design and implementation of the GBLD10+, a low-power 10 Gb/s VCSEL driver for High Energy Physics (HEP) applications. With new circuit techniques, the driver consumes only 31 mW and occupies a small area of 400 μm × 1750 μm including the IO PADs and sealrings. These characteristics allow for multiple GBLD10+ ICs to be assembled side by side in a compact module, with each one directly wire bonded to one VCSEL diode. Finally, this makes the GBLD10+ a suitable candidate for the Versatile Link PLUS (VL +) project, offering flexibility in configuring multiple transmitters and receivers.

Integrated packaging of multiple double sided cooling planar bond power modules

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

Liang, Zhenxian

An integrated double sided cooled power module has one or multiple phase legs configuration including one or more planar power packages, each planar power package having an upper power switch unit and a lower power switch unit directly bonded and interconnected between two insulated power substrates, and further sandwiched between two heat exchangers via direct bonds. A segmented coolant manifold is interposed with the one or more planar power packages and creates a sealed enclosure that defines a coolant inlet, a coolant outlet and a coolant flow path between the inlet and the outlet. A coolant circulates along the flowmore » path to remove heat and increase the power density of the power module.« less

An Evaluation of One-Sided and Two-Sided Communication Paradigms on Relaxed-Ordering Interconnect

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

Ibrahim, Khaled Z.; Hargrove, Paul H.; Iancu, Costin

The Cray Gemini interconnect hardware provides multiple transfer mechanisms and out-of-order message delivery to improve communication throughput. In this paper we quantify the performance of one-sided and two-sided communication paradigms with respect to: 1) the optimal available hardware transfer mechanism, 2) message ordering constraints, 3) per node and per core message concurrency. In addition to using Cray native communication APIs, we use UPC and MPI micro-benchmarks to capture one- and two-sided semantics respectively. Our results indicate that relaxing the message delivery order can improve performance up to 4.6x when compared with strict ordering. When hardware allows it, high-level one-sided programmingmore » models can already take advantage of message reordering. Enforcing the ordering semantics of two-sided communication comes with a performance penalty. Furthermore, we argue that exposing out-of-order delivery at the application level is required for the next-generation programming models. Any ordering constraints in the language specifications reduce communication performance for small messages and increase the number of active cores required for peak throughput.« less

Motor unit number estimation and quantitative needle electromyography in stroke patients.

PubMed

Kouzi, Ioanna; Trachani, Eftichia; Anagnostou, Evangelos; Rapidi, Christina-Anastasia; Ellul, John; Sakellaropoulos, George C; Chroni, Elisabeth

2014-12-01

To evaluate the effect of upper motor neuron damage upon motor units' function by means of two separate and supplementary electrophysiological methods. The abductor digiti minimi muscle of the non-paretic and the paretic side was studied in forty-six stroke patients with (a) motor unit number estimation (MUNE) - adapted multiple point stimulation method and (b) computerized quantitative needle electromyography (EMG) assessing the configuration of voluntary recruited motor unit potentials. Main outcome comparisons were focused on differences between non-paretic and paretic side. On the affected hands mean MUNE value was significantly lower and mean area of the surface recorded single motor unit potentials was significantly larger than the corresponding ones on the non-paretic hands. EMG findings did not reveal remarkable differences between the two sides. Neither severity nor chronicity of stroke was related to MUNE or EMG parameters. MUNE results, which suggested reduced motor unit numbers in stroke patients, in conjunction with the normal EMG features in these same muscles has given rise to different interpretations. In a clinical setting, reinnervation type changes in the EMG similar to that occurring in neuronopathies or axonal neuropathies should not be expected in muscles with central neurogenic lesion. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Multiple-Sequence Variant of the Multiple-Baseline Design: A Strategy for Analysis of Sequence Effects and Treatment Comparison.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Noell, George H.; Gresham, Frank M.

2001-01-01

Describes design logic and potential uses of a variant of the multiple-baseline design. The multiple-baseline multiple-sequence (MBL-MS) consists of multiple-baseline designs that are interlaced with one another and include all possible sequences of treatments. The MBL-MS design appears to be primarily useful for comparison of treatments taking…

A comprehensive review of the therapeutic and pharmacological effects of ginseng and ginsenosides in central nervous system.

PubMed

Kim, Hee Jin; Kim, Pitna; Shin, Chan Young

2013-03-01

Ginseng is one of the most widely used herbal medicines in human. Central nervous system (CNS) diseases are most widely investigated diseases among all others in respect to the ginseng's therapeutic effects. These include Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, cerebral ischemia, depression, and many other neurological disorders including neurodevelopmental disorders. Not only the various types of diseases but also the diverse array of target pathways or molecules ginseng exerts its effect on. These range, for example, from neuroprotection to the regulation of synaptic plasticity and from regulation of neuroinflammatory processes to the regulation of neurotransmitter release, too many to mention. In general, ginseng and even a single compound of ginsenoside produce its effects on multiple sites of action, which make it an ideal candidate to develop multi-target drugs. This is most important in CNS diseases where multiple of etiological and pathological targets working together to regulate the final pathophysiology of diseases. In this review, we tried to provide comprehensive information on the pharmacological and therapeutic effects of ginseng and ginsenosides on neurodegenerative and other neurological diseases. Side by side comparison of the therapeutic effects in various neurological disorders may widen our understanding of the therapeutic potential of ginseng in CNS diseases and the possibility to develop not only symptomatic drugs but also disease modifying reagents based on ginseng.

A comprehensive review of the therapeutic and pharmacological effects of ginseng and ginsenosides in central nervous system

PubMed Central

Kim, Hee Jin; Kim, Pitna; Shin, Chan Young

2013-01-01

Ginseng is one of the most widely used herbal medicines in human. Central nervous system (CNS) diseases are most widely investigated diseases among all others in respect to the ginseng’s therapeutic effects. These include Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, cerebral ischemia, depression, and many other neurological disorders including neurodevelopmental disorders. Not only the various types of diseases but also the diverse array of target pathways or molecules ginseng exerts its effect on. These range, for example, from neuroprotection to the regulation of synaptic plasticity and from regulation of neuroinflammatory processes to the regulation of neurotransmitter release, too many to mention. In general, ginseng and even a single compound of ginsenoside produce its effects on multiple sites of action, which make it an ideal candidate to develop multi-target drugs. This is most important in CNS diseases where multiple of etiological and pathological targets working together to regulate the final pathophysiology of diseases. In this review, we tried to provide comprehensive information on the pharmacological and therapeutic effects of ginseng and ginsenosides on neurodegenerative and other neurological diseases. Side by side comparison of the therapeutic effects in various neurological disorders may widen our understanding of the therapeutic potential of ginseng in CNS diseases and the possibility to develop not only symptomatic drugs but also disease modifying reagents based on ginseng. PMID:23717153

Shifting from clonal to sexual reproduction in aphids: physiological and developmental aspects.

PubMed

Le Trionnaire, Gaël; Hardie, Jim; Jaubert-Possamai, Stéphanie; Simon, Jean-Christophe; Tagu, Denis

2008-08-01

Developmental biology is one of the fastest growing and fascinating research fields in life sciences. Among the wide range of embryonic development, a fundamental difference exists between organisms with sexual or asexual development. Aphids are unusual organisms which display alternative pathways of sexual and asexual development, the orientation of the pathway being determined by environmental conditions. These insects offer an adapted system in which to study developmental plasticity, because a side-by-side comparison of sexual and asexual development can be made in individuals with the same genotype. In this review, we describe the developmental mechanisms that have evolved in aphids for alternative sexual and asexual reproduction. In particular, we discuss how environmental cues orientate the reproductive mode of aphids from signal perception to endocrine regulation, and propose a comparative analysis of sexual and asexual gametogenesis and embryogenesis, which has been possible due to the development of molecular methods. As a result of the recent development of genomic resources in aphids, we expect these species will permit major advances in the study of the genomic basis underlying the choice of developmental fate and multiple reproduction strategies.

Multiple-dose safety study of ibuprofen/codeine and aspirin/codeine combinations.

PubMed

Friedman, H; Seckman, C; Stubbs, C; Oster, H; Royer, G

1990-01-01

This multiple-dose, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, normal volunteer study compared formulations of ibuprofen/codeine and aspirin/codeine for systemic safety. Vital signs, hematologic, biochemical and urinary parameters, side effects, mood and mental alertness, were monitored. The placebo group had less gastrointestinal side effects and more frequent stools than the active treatment groups. There was statistical evidence for greater adverse effects of aspirin/codeine on mood and mental alertness in comparison to ibuprofen/codeine and placebo. Ibuprofen/codeine had a more favorable adverse effect profile than aspirin/codeine. A mild respiratory and cardiac depressant effect attributable to codeine was evident in all active treatment groups after 7 days of frequent therapy. More work needs to be done to elucidate the factors regulating the development of tolerance to the respiratory and cardiovascular depressant effects of opiates in general, and for codeine in particular.

Acquisition of delayed matching in the pigeon.

PubMed

Berryman, R; Cumming, W W; Nevin, J A

1963-01-01

Pigeons were exposed to three successive matching-to-sample procedures. On a given trial, the sample (red, green or blue light) appeared on a center key; observing responses to this key produced the comparison stimuli on two side keys. Seven different experimental conditions could govern the temporal relations between the sample and comparison stimuli. In the "simultaneous" condition, the center key response was followed immediately by illumination of the side key comparison stimuli, with the center key remaining on. In "zero delay" the center key response simultaneously turned the side keys on and the center key off, while in the "variable delay" conditions, intervals of 1, 2, 4, 10, and 24 sec were interposed between the offset of the sample and the appearance of the comparison stimuli on the side keys. In all conditions, a response to the side key of matching hue produced reinforcement, while a response to the non-matching side key was followed by a blackout. In procedure I all seven experimental conditions were presented in randomly permutated order. After nine sessions of exposure (at 191 trials per session, for a total of 1719 trials) the birds gave no evidence of acquisition in any of the conditions. They were therefore transferred to Procedure II, which required them to match only in the "simultaneous" condition, with both the sample and comparison stimuli present at the same time. With the exception of one bird, all subjects acquired this performance to near 100% levels. Next, in Procedure III, they were once more exposed to presentation of all seven experimental conditions in random order. In contrast to Procedure I, they now acquired the delay performance, and were able to match effectively at delays of about 4 sec.

Cognitive Load in Algebra: Element Interactivity in Solving Equations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ngu, Bing Hiong; Chung, Siu Fung; Yeung, Alexander Seeshing

2015-01-01

Central to equation solving is the maintenance of equivalence on both sides of the equation. However, when the process involves an interaction of multiple elements, solving an equation can impose a high cognitive load. The balance method requires operations on both sides of the equation, whereas the inverse method involves operations on one side…

Central neurotoxicity of immunomodulatory drugs in multiple myeloma.

PubMed

Patel, Urmeel H; Mir, Muhammad A; Sivik, Jeffrey K; Raheja, Divisha; Pandey, Manoj K; Talamo, Giampaolo

2015-02-24

Immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) currently used in the treatment of multiple myeloma, are thalidomide, lenalidomide and pomalidomide. One of the most common side effects of thalidomide is neurotoxicity, predominantly in the form of peripheral neuropathy. We report 6 cases of significant central neurotoxicity associated with IMiD therapy. Treatment with thalidomide (1 patient), lenalidomide (4 patients), and pomalidomide (1 patient) was associated with various clinical manifestations of central neurotoxicity, including reversible coma, amnesia, expressive aphasia, and dysarthria. Central neurotoxicity should be recognized as an important side effect of IMiD therapy.

Central Neurotoxicity of Immunomodulatory Drugs in Multiple Myeloma

PubMed Central

Patel, Urmeel H.; Mir, Muhammad A.; Sivik, Jeffrey K.; Raheja, Divisha; Pandey, Manoj K.; Talamo, Giampaolo

2015-01-01

Immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) currently used in the treatment of multiple myeloma, are thalidomide, lenalidomide and pomalidomide. One of the most common side effects of thalidomide is neurotoxicity, predominantly in the form of peripheral neuropathy. We report 6 cases of significant central neurotoxicity associated with IMiD therapy. Treatment with thalidomide (1 patient), lenalidomide (4 patients), and pomalidomide (1 patient) was associated with various clinical manifestations of central neurotoxicity, including reversible coma, amnesia, expressive aphasia, and dysarthria. Central neurotoxicity should be recognized as an important side effect of IMiD therapy. PMID:25852850

System and method for 2D workpiece alignment

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

Weaver, William T.; Carlson, Charles T.; Smith, Scott A.

2015-07-14

A carrier capable of holding one or more workpieces is disclosed. The carrier includes movable projections located along the sides of each cell in the carrier. This carrier, in conjunction with a separate alignment apparatus, aligns each workpiece within its respective cell against several alignment pins, using a multiple step alignment process to guarantee proper positioning of the workpiece in the cell. First, the workpieces are moved toward one side of the cell. Once the workpieces have been aligned against this side, the workpieces are then moved toward an adjacent orthogonal side such that the workpieces are aligned to twomore » sides of the cell. Once aligned, the workpiece is held in place by the projections located along each side of each cell. In addition, the alignment pins are also used to align the associated mask, thereby guaranteeing that the mask is properly aligned to the workpiece.« less

A novel alternating current multiple array electrothermal micropump for lab-on-a-chip applications.

PubMed

Salari, A; Navi, M; Dalton, C

2015-01-01

The AC electrothermal technique is very promising for biofluid micropumping, due to its ability to pump high conductivity fluids. However, compared to electroosmotic micropumps, a lack of high fluid flow is a disadvantage. In this paper, a novel AC multiple array electrothermal (MAET) micropump, utilizing multiple microelectrode arrays placed on the side-walls of the fluidic channel of the micropump, is introduced. Asymmetric coplanar microelectrodes are placed on all sides of the microfluidic channel, and are actuated in different phases: one, two opposing, two adjacent, three, or all sides at the same time. Micropumps with different combinations of side electrodes and cross sections are numerically investigated in this paper. The effect of the governing parameters with respect to thermal, fluidic, and electrical properties are studied and discussed. To verify the simulations, the AC MAET concept was then fabricated and experimentally tested. The resulted fluid flow achieved by the experiments showed good agreement with the corresponding simulations. The number of side electrode arrays and the actuation patterns were also found to greatly influence the micropump performance. This study shows that the new multiple array electrothermal micropump design can be used in a wide range of applications such as drug delivery and lab-on-a-chip, where high flow rate and high precision micropumping devices for high conductivity fluids are needed.

Despeckling Ligea Mare

NASA Image and Video Library

2015-02-12

Presented here are side-by-side comparisons of a traditional Cassini Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) view and one made using a new technique for handling electronic noise that results in clearer views of Titan's surface. The technique, called despeckling, produces images that can be easier for researchers to interpret. The view is a mosaic of SAR swaths over Ligeia Mare, one of the large hydrocarbons seas on Titan. In particular, despeckling improves the visibility of channels flowing down to the sea. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA19052

[Comparison of dissolution profile and plasma concentration-time profile of the thalidomide formulations made by Japanese, Mexican and British companies].

PubMed

Fujita, Yukiyoshi; Yamamoto, Koujirou; Aomori, Tohru; Murakami, Hirokazu; Horiuchi, Ryuya

2008-10-01

Thalidomide is an important advance in the treatment of multiple myeloma. In Japan thalidomide is now on the approval step for the treatment of multiple myeloma. The drug has some bothersome side effects such as defect of organogenesis, neuropathy, constipation and fatigue, but is likely more effective than standard chemotherapy and is changing multiple myeloma treatment. At this moment, Japanese patients must import the thalidomide preparations from Mexico, Britain and elsewhere, but after approval, they patients will be able to get the new Japanese thalidomide capsules. In order to determine appropriate amounts of Japanese thalidomide capsules in the treatment of multiple myeloma, we compared the dissolution profile and plasma thalidomide concentrations of Japanese and British capsules and Mexican tablets. The dissolution test was performed according to the Japanese and the United States Pharmacopoeia. The pharmacokinetic data for Japanese capsules were obtained from the clinical trial in Japanese subjects and compared with those data published for other formulations. The dissolution rate of the Japanese capsule was the fastest, followed by British and Mexican formulations. The pharmacokinetic profiles of Japanese and British capsules were similar, while the 100 mg Japanese thalidomide capsule demonstrated a 1.6-fold higher maximum plasma concentration than the 200 mg Mexican thalidomide tablet (1.7 vs. 1.1 microg/ml), greatly shortened t(max) (4.5 vs. 6.2 h), and the apparent half life was only one-third of the Mexican tablet (4.8 vs. 13.5 h). A comparison of the dissolution and the pharmacokinetic absorption profiles demonstrated a rank-order correlation. Physicians and pharmacists should be aware of the probable alteration in plasma thalidomide concentration when switching to the Japanese capsule, especially from the Mexican tablet, and should monitor clinical response carefully.

QA /QC of European NOx measurements by round robin and side by side experiment at the Meteorological Observatory Hohenpeissenberg in the framework of ACTRIS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gilge, Stefan; Plass-Dülmer, Christian; Weyrauch, Dietmar; Rohrer, Franz

2013-04-01

The European ACTRIS (Aerosols, Clouds, and Trace gases Research InfraStructure Network) project, Work Package 4, aims at harmonization and improvement of the measurement of volatile organic carbon and nitrogen oxides. Central tools to assess and compare the performance of European NOx monitoring stations and labs within ACTRIS are a round robin experiment (2012) and side-by-side intercomparisons (Nov 2012). While the first checked the used laboratories' scales versus a common scale, the latter investigated weather same samples are identically and artefact-free analyzed by collocated instruments. The ACTRIS-NOx-side-by-side intercomparison was realised by instruments sampling from a common manifold which was fed by zero gas, synthetic air mixtures, ambient air, and spiked ambient air. Thus, the side-by-side experiments enabled a full characterization of the detection limit, the linear range, the span, and of potential artefacts due to interfering species for each of the contributing instruments. Generally, CLD type NOx instruments were used in the comparisons supplemented by four new optical techniques, comprising LIF and cavity enhanced techniques. In the round robin exercise, some 20 monitoring sites participated, and 14 instruments were running side-by-side in the one week Nov comparison. The results of both experiments will be presented and discussed with respect to the data quality objectives of GAW and ACTRIS.

Numerical analysis of the effect of side holes of a double J stent on flow rate and pattern.

PubMed

Kim, Kyung-Wuk; Choi, Young Ho; Lee, Seung Bae; Baba, Yasutaka; Kim, Hyoung-Ho; Suh, Sang-Ho

2015-01-01

A double J stent has been used widely these days for patients with a ureteral stenosis or with renal stones and lithotripsy. The stent has multiple side holes in the shaft, which supply detours for urine flow. Even though medical companies produce various forms of double J stents that have different numbers and positions of side holes in the stent, the function of side holes in fluid dynamics has not been studied well. Here, the flow rate and pattern around the side holes of a double J stent were evaluated in curved models of a stented ureter based on the human anatomy and straight models for comparison. The total flow rate was higher in the stent with a greater number of side holes. The inflow and outflow to the stent through the side holes in the curved ureter was more active than in the straight ureter, which means the flow through side holes exists even in the ureter without ureteral stenosis or occlusion and even in the straight ureter. When the diameter of the ureter changed, the in-stent flow rate in the ureter did not change and the extraluminal flow rate was higher in the ureter with a greater diameter.

Whole-body patterns of the range of joint motion in young adults: masculine type and feminine type.

PubMed

Moromizato, Keiichi; Kimura, Ryosuke; Fukase, Hitoshi; Yamaguchi, Kyoko; Ishida, Hajime

2016-10-01

Understanding the whole-body patterns of joint flexibility and their related biological and physical factors contributes not only to clinical assessments but also to the fields of human factors and ergonomics. In this study, ranges of motion (ROMs) at limb and trunk joints of young adults were analysed to understand covariation patterns of different joint motions and to identify factors associated with the variation in ROM. Seventy-eight healthy volunteers (42 males and 36 females) living on Okinawa Island, Japan, were recruited. Passive ROM was measured at multiple joints through the whole body (31 measurements) including the left and right side limbs and trunk. Comparisons between males and females, dominant and non-dominant sides, and antagonistic motions indicated that body structures influence ROMs. In principal component analysis (PCA) on the ROM data, the first principal component (PC1) represented the sex difference and a similar covariation pattern appeared in the analysis within each sex. Multiple regression analysis showed that this component was associated with sex, age, body fat %, iliospinale height, and leg extension strength. The present study identified that there is a spectrum of "masculine" and "feminine" types in the whole-body patterns of joint flexibility. This study also suggested that body proportion and composition, muscle mass and strength, and possibly skeletal structures partly explain such patterns. These results would be important to understand individual variation in susceptibility to joint injuries and diseases and in one's suitable and effective postures and motions.

Cross-validation of the osmotic pressure based on Pitzer model with air humidity osmometry at high concentration of ammonium sulfate solutions.

PubMed

Wang, Xiao-Lan; Zhan, Ting-Ting; Zhan, Xian-Cheng; Tan, Xiao-Ying; Qu, Xiao-You; Wang, Xin-Yue; Li, Cheng-Rong

2014-01-01

The osmotic pressure of ammonium sulfate solutions has been measured by the well-established freezing point osmometry in dilute solutions and we recently reported air humidity osmometry in a much wider range of concentration. Air humidity osmometry cross-validated the theoretical calculations of osmotic pressure based on the Pitzer model at high concentrations by two one-sided test (TOST) of equivalence with multiple testing corrections, where no other experimental method could serve as a reference for comparison. Although more strict equivalence criteria were established between the measurements of freezing point osmometry and the calculations based on the Pitzer model at low concentration, air humidity osmometry is the only currently available osmometry applicable to high concentration, serves as an economic addition to standard osmometry.

Vehicle performance evaluation in side impact (MDB) using ES-II dummy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ganessh, T. S.; Bansode, Praveen; Revankar, Vidyakant; Kumar, Sunil

2018-02-01

Side impact collision is one of the leading causes of death. Protection of people during lateral collision is challenging because of relatively small space available to restraint occupant compared to front. Hence, it is imperative to protect the occupants in side collision. It is a function of vehicle type and restraints for side protection. This paper focuses on evaluation of injury parameters of the ES II dummy during the lateral collision of different vehicles with different spaces, sections and materials. Thus the comparison will enable us to understand the sensitivity of space, B-pillar section and material which affects the injury parameters. This study will help automotive engineers to design side impact crashworthy vehicles.

Laser Line Scan System for UXO Characterization

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-04-01

they geometrically rectified. The Year 2 survey collected LLSS images from seven passes over two separate calibration strings and six passes over two...Microsoft DOS-based software tool. According to the side- by-side comparisons shown in Figure 9, the morphometrics were relatively equal between...survey. Note: The imagery in this figure is not presented at full resolution nor geometrically rectified. LLSS Targets, Pass One 1. Danforth

Reduction of Flap Side Edge Noise - the Blowing Flap

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hutcheson, Florence V.; Brooks, THomas F.

2005-01-01

A technique to reduce the noise radiating from a wing-flap side edge is being developed. As an airplane wing with an extended flap is exposed to a subsonic airflow, air is blown outward through thin rectangular chord-wise slots at various locations along the side edges and side surface of the flap to weaken and push away the vortices that originate in that region of the flap and are responsible for important noise emissions. Air is blown through the slots at up to twice the local flow velocity. The blowing is done using one or multiple slots, where a slot is located along the top, bottom or side surface of the flap along the side edge, or also along the intersection of the bottom (or top) and side surfaces.

Kruskal-Wallis test: BASIC computer program to perform nonparametric one-way analysis of variance and multiple comparisons on ranks of several independent samples.

PubMed

Theodorsson-Norheim, E

1986-08-01

Multiple t tests at a fixed p level are frequently used to analyse biomedical data where analysis of variance followed by multiple comparisons or the adjustment of the p values according to Bonferroni would be more appropriate. The Kruskal-Wallis test is a nonparametric 'analysis of variance' which may be used to compare several independent samples. The present program is written in an elementary subset of BASIC and will perform Kruskal-Wallis test followed by multiple comparisons between the groups on practically any computer programmable in BASIC.

Composite scores in comparative effectiveness research: counterbalancing parsimony and dimensionality in patient-reported outcomes.

PubMed

Schwartz, Carolyn E; Patrick, Donald L

2014-07-01

When planning a comparative effectiveness study comparing disease-modifying treatments, competing demands influence choice of outcomes. Current practice emphasizes parsimony, although understanding multidimensional treatment impact can help to personalize medical decision-making. We discuss both sides of this 'tug of war'. We discuss the assumptions, advantages and drawbacks of composite scores and multidimensional outcomes. We describe possible solutions to the multiple comparison problem, including conceptual hierarchy distinctions, statistical approaches, 'real-world' benchmarks of effectiveness and subgroup analysis. We conclude that comparative effectiveness research should consider multiple outcome dimensions and compare different approaches that fit the individual context of study objectives.

Classification-Based Spatial Error Concealment for Visual Communications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Meng; Zheng, Yefeng; Wu, Min

2006-12-01

In an error-prone transmission environment, error concealment is an effective technique to reconstruct the damaged visual content. Due to large variations of image characteristics, different concealment approaches are necessary to accommodate the different nature of the lost image content. In this paper, we address this issue and propose using classification to integrate the state-of-the-art error concealment techniques. The proposed approach takes advantage of multiple concealment algorithms and adaptively selects the suitable algorithm for each damaged image area. With growing awareness that the design of sender and receiver systems should be jointly considered for efficient and reliable multimedia communications, we proposed a set of classification-based block concealment schemes, including receiver-side classification, sender-side attachment, and sender-side embedding. Our experimental results provide extensive performance comparisons and demonstrate that the proposed classification-based error concealment approaches outperform the conventional approaches.

Resting-state fMRI data reflects default network activity rather than null data: A defense of commonly employed methods to correct for multiple comparisons.

PubMed

Slotnick, Scott D

2017-07-01

Analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data typically involves over one hundred thousand independent statistical tests; therefore, it is necessary to correct for multiple comparisons to control familywise error. In a recent paper, Eklund, Nichols, and Knutsson used resting-state fMRI data to evaluate commonly employed methods to correct for multiple comparisons and reported unacceptable rates of familywise error. Eklund et al.'s analysis was based on the assumption that resting-state fMRI data reflect null data; however, their 'null data' actually reflected default network activity that inflated familywise error. As such, Eklund et al.'s results provide no basis to question the validity of the thousands of published fMRI studies that have corrected for multiple comparisons or the commonly employed methods to correct for multiple comparisons.

Corner heating in rectangular solid oxide electrochemical cell generators

DOEpatents

Reichner, Philip

1989-01-01

Disclosed is an improvement in a solid oxide electrochemical cell generator 1 having a rectangular design with four sides that meet at corners, and containing multiplicity of electrically connected fuel cells 11, where a fuel gas is passed over one side of said cells and an oxygen containing gas is passed into said cells, and said fuel is burned to form heat, electricity, and an exhaust gas. The improvement comprises passing the exhaust gases over the multiplicity of cells 11 in such a way that more of the heat in said exhaust gases flows at the corners of the generator, such as through channels 19.

Effects of Text-Belief Consistency and Reading Task on the Strategic Validation of Multiple Texts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maier, Johanna; Richter, Tobias

2016-01-01

In the comprehension of multiple controversial scientific texts, readers with strong prior beliefs tend to construct a one-sided mental representation that is biased towards belief-consistent information. In the present study, we examined whether an argument in contrast to a summary task instruction can increase the resource allocation to and…

Comprehension of Multiple Documents with Conflicting Information: A Two-Step Model of Validation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Richter, Tobias; Maier, Johanna

2017-01-01

In this article, we examine the cognitive processes that are involved when readers comprehend conflicting information in multiple texts. Starting from the notion of routine validation during comprehension, we argue that readers' prior beliefs may lead to a biased processing of conflicting information and a one-sided mental model of controversial…

Multiple cavernous malformations presenting in a patient with Poland syndrome: A case report

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Introduction Poland syndrome is a congenital disorder related to chest and hand anomalies on one side of the body. Its etiology remains unclear, with an ipsilateral vascular alteration (of unknown origin) to the subclavian artery in early embryogenesis being the currently accepted theory. Cavernous malformations are vascular hamartomas, which have been linked to a genetic etiology, particularly in familial cases, which commonly present with multiple lesions. Our case report is the first to describe multiple cavernous malformations associated with Poland syndrome, further supporting the vascular etiology theory, but pointing to a genetic rather than a mechanistic factor disrupting blood flow in the corresponding vessels. Case presentation A 41-year-old Caucasian man with Poland syndrome on the right side of his body presented to our hospital with a secondary generalized seizure and was found to have multiple cavernous malformations distributed in his brain, cerebellum, and brain stem, with a predominance of lesions in the left hemisphere. Conclusion The distribution of cavernous malformations in the left hemisphere and the right-sided Poland syndrome in our patient could not be explained by a mechanistic disruption of one of the subclavian arteries. A genetic alteration, as in familial cavernous malformations, would be a more appropriate etiologic diagnosis of Poland syndrome in our patient. Further genetic and pathological studies of the involved blood vessels in patients with Poland syndrome could lead to a better understanding of the disease. PMID:21933407

High-efficiency neutron detectors and methods of making same

DOEpatents

McGregor, Douglas S.; Klann, Raymond

2007-01-16

Neutron detectors, advanced detector process techniques and advanced compound film designs have greatly increased neutron-detection efficiency. One embodiment of the detectors utilizes a semiconductor wafer with a matrix of spaced cavities filled with one or more types of neutron reactive material such as ¹⁰B or ⁶LiF. The cavities are etched into both the front and back surfaces of the device such that the cavities from one side surround the cavities from the other side. The cavities may be etched via holes or etched slots or trenches. In another embodiment, the cavities are different-sized and the smaller cavities extend into the wafer from the lower surfaces of the larger cavities. In a third embodiment, multiple layers of different neutron-responsive material are formed on one or more sides of the wafer. The new devices operate at room temperature, are compact, rugged, and reliable in design.

A Comparison of the Tube-Side Performance of Enhanced Heat Transfer Tubing for Naval Condensers.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-12-01

AD-A126 938 A COMPARISON OF THE TUBE-SIDE PERFORMANCE OF ENHANCEDAD 12693! HEAT TRANSFER TUBING FOR NAVAL CONDENSERS U) NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOD...COMPARISON OF THE TUBE-SIDE PERFORMANCE OF ENHANCED HEAT TRANSFER TUBING FOR NAVAL CONDENSERS by Ronald Keith Alexander December 1982 Thesis Advisor: P. J...Comparison of the Tube-Side Master’s Thesis Performance of Enhanced Heat Transfer Pma""nG kpA lne Tubing for Naval Condensers ~PU~UN 4 iotwug 1. AU Y..NW41 6

PACIFIC NORTHWEST SIDE-BY-SIDE PROTOCOL COMPARISON TEST

EPA Science Inventory

Eleven state, tribal, and federal agencies participated during summer 2005 in a side-by-side comparison of protocols used to measure common in-stream physical attributes to help determine which protocols are best for determining status and trend of stream/watershed condition. Th...

A comparison of mesial molar root canal preparations using two engine-driven instruments and the balanced-force technique.

PubMed

Imura, N; Kato, A S; Novo, N F; Hata, G; Uemura, M; Toda, T

2001-10-01

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two engine-driven, nickel-titanium instrument systems with hand files in the final shape of slight and moderately curved canals. A total of 72 mesial roots of extracted human mandibular molars were divided into three groups: ProFile .04 taper, Pow-R rotary systems, and Flex-R hand-filing technique. The roots were mounted and cross-sectioned at two different horizontal levels using a modified Bramante technique. Pre- and postinstrumented cross-sectional roots were imaged, recorded, and computer analyzed. Results showed that, at the middle third, in almost all groups, there was a tendency of cutting more toward the mesial side with only one exception: Pow-R cut more to the distal side (danger zone) (p < 0.02). At the apical third, Flex-R (p < 0.03) and ProFile (0.001) transported to the mesial side (danger zone) when the curvature increased. When the three techniques were compared analyzing each side and considering the two groups of curvature, at the middle third in the moderately curved-canal group, Flex-R cut statistically more than Pow-R toward the lingual side. The other comparisons showed no statistically significant difference. When the techniques were compared in relation with the degree of curvature, in the apical third, ProFile .04 cut statistically more toward the mesial side in the moderately curved canal group than in the slightly curved canal group. The other comparisons showed no statistically significant difference. Canal preparation time was shorter with hand instrumentation (p < .05) in a few instances.

A default Bayesian hypothesis test for mediation.

PubMed

Nuijten, Michèle B; Wetzels, Ruud; Matzke, Dora; Dolan, Conor V; Wagenmakers, Eric-Jan

2015-03-01

In order to quantify the relationship between multiple variables, researchers often carry out a mediation analysis. In such an analysis, a mediator (e.g., knowledge of a healthy diet) transmits the effect from an independent variable (e.g., classroom instruction on a healthy diet) to a dependent variable (e.g., consumption of fruits and vegetables). Almost all mediation analyses in psychology use frequentist estimation and hypothesis-testing techniques. A recent exception is Yuan and MacKinnon (Psychological Methods, 14, 301-322, 2009), who outlined a Bayesian parameter estimation procedure for mediation analysis. Here we complete the Bayesian alternative to frequentist mediation analysis by specifying a default Bayesian hypothesis test based on the Jeffreys-Zellner-Siow approach. We further extend this default Bayesian test by allowing a comparison to directional or one-sided alternatives, using Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques implemented in JAGS. All Bayesian tests are implemented in the R package BayesMed (Nuijten, Wetzels, Matzke, Dolan, & Wagenmakers, 2014).

[Brain plastic alterations in subjects with chronic right-sided sensorineural hearing loss: a resting-state MRI study].

PubMed

Zhang, L L; Gong, J P; Xu, Y W; Liu, B

2016-06-21

To investigate the nodal properties and reorganization of whole-brain functional network in subjects with severe right-sided SNHL. From June 2012 to June 2013, a total of 19 patients with severe right-sided SNHL were collected from Zhongda Hospital or the recruitment advertising along with 31 healthy controls.Based on the graph-theoretical analysis, the whole-brain functional networks were constructed using the BOLD-fMRI data of all subjects.Two sample two-tailed t-tests were used to investigate the differences between two groups in nodal metrics, such as node degree, node betweenness, node global efficiency and node local efficiency.All metrics were corrected by multiple comparisons.Partial correlation analysis was used to estimate the relationship between the significant metrics and the duration or severity of hearing loss. The right-sided SNHL showed significantly increased betweenness centrality in left supramarginal gyrus and right fusiform.However, other nodal parameters showed no statistical difference.Besides, patients exhibited no significant association between the altered metrics and clinical variables. Alterations of local topological properties may underlie cerebral cross-modal plastic reorganization in visual or speech-related regions in severe right-sided SNHL patients.

Explore the high-density QCD medium via particle correlations in pPb collisions at CMS

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

Li, Wei, E-mail: wl33@rice.edu

2015-01-15

The observation of a long-range, near-side two-particle correlation (“ridge”) in very high multiplicity proton–proton and proton–lead collisions has opened up new opportunity of studying novel QCD phenomena in small collision systems. In 2013, high luminosity pPb data were collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC. New results of two- and multi-particle correlations in pPb collisions from CMS are presented over a wide event multiplicity and transverse momentum range. A direct comparison of pPb and PbPb systems is provided. Physics implications, especially in the context of color glass condensate and hydrodynamics models are also discussed.

Opportunities and Challenges in Supply-Side Simulation: Physician-Based Models

PubMed Central

Gresenz, Carole Roan; Auerbach, David I; Duarte, Fabian

2013-01-01

Objective To provide a conceptual framework and to assess the availability of empirical data for supply-side microsimulation modeling in the context of health care. Data Sources Multiple secondary data sources, including the American Community Survey, Health Tracking Physician Survey, and SK&A physician database. Study Design We apply our conceptual framework to one entity in the health care market—physicians—and identify, assess, and compare data available for physician-based simulation models. Principal Findings Our conceptual framework describes three broad types of data required for supply-side microsimulation modeling. Our assessment of available data for modeling physician behavior suggests broad comparability across various sources on several dimensions and highlights the need for significant integration of data across multiple sources to provide a platform adequate for modeling. A growing literature provides potential estimates for use as behavioral parameters that could serve as the models' engines. Sources of data for simulation modeling that account for the complex organizational and financial relationships among physicians and other supply-side entities are limited. Conclusions A key challenge for supply-side microsimulation modeling is optimally combining available data to harness their collective power. Several possibilities also exist for novel data collection. These have the potential to serve as catalysts for the next generation of supply-side-focused simulation models to inform health policy. PMID:23347041

Comparison of Software Models for Energy Savings from Cool Roofs

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

New, Joshua Ryan; Miller, William A; Huang, Yu

2014-01-01

A web-based Roof Savings Calculator (RSC) has been deployed for the United States Department of Energy as an industry-consensus tool to help building owners, manufacturers, distributors, contractors and researchers easily run complex roof and attic simulations. This tool employs modern web technologies, usability design, and national average defaults as an interface to annual simulations of hour-by-hour, whole-building performance using the world-class simulation tools DOE-2.1E and AtticSim in order to provide estimated annual energy and cost savings. In addition to cool reflective roofs, RSC simulates multiple roof and attic configurations including different roof slopes, above sheathing ventilation, radiant barriers, low-emittance roofmore » surfaces, duct location, duct leakage rates, multiple substrate types, and insulation levels. A base case and energy-efficient alternative can be compared side-by-side to estimate monthly energy. RSC was benchmarked against field data from demonstration homes in Ft. Irwin, California; while cooling savings were similar, heating penalty varied significantly across different simulation engines. RSC results reduce cool roofing cost-effectiveness thus mitigating expected economic incentives for this countermeasure to the urban heat island effect. This paper consolidates comparison of RSC s projected energy savings to other simulation engines including DOE-2.1E, AtticSim, Micropas, and EnergyPlus, and presents preliminary analyses. RSC s algorithms for capturing radiant heat transfer and duct interaction in the attic assembly are considered major contributing factors to increased cooling savings and heating penalties. Comparison to previous simulation-based studies, analysis on the force multiplier of RSC cooling savings and heating penalties, the role of radiative heat exchange in an attic assembly, and changes made for increased accuracy of the duct model are included.« less

Consumer confusion between prescription drug precautions and side effects.

PubMed

Amoozegar, Jacqueline B; Rupert, Douglas J; Sullivan, Helen W; O'Donoghue, Amie C

2017-06-01

Multiple studies have identified consumers' difficulty correctly interpreting risk information provided about prescription drugs, whether in printed format or online. This study's purpose was to explore whether consumers can distinguish between prescription drug precautions and side effects presented on brand-name drug websites. Participants (n=873) viewed fictitious drug websites that presented both precautions and side effects for one of four drugs, and they completed a survey assessing recall and comprehension. We coded open-ended recall data to identify whether drug precautions were mentioned and, if so, how they were interpreted. Approximately 15% of participants mentioned at least one drug precaution. The majority (59.7%) misinterpreted precautions as potential side effects. Participants who misinterpreted precautions rated the drugs as significantly more likely to cause side effects than participants who accurately interpreted the precautions. Age, education, literacy, and other factors did not appear to predict precaution interpretation. At least some consumers are likely to interpret precautions on drug websites as potential side effects, which might affect consumer preferences, treatment decisions, and medication safety. Healthcare providers should be aware of this potential confusion, assess patients' understanding of precautions and potential side effects, and address any misunderstandings. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Deficits in medio-lateral balance control and the implications for falls in individuals with multiple sclerosis.

PubMed

Morrison, S; Rynders, C A; Sosnoff, J J

2016-09-01

A major health concern faced by individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the heightened risk of falling. Reasons for this increased risk can often be traced back to declines in neurophysiological mechanisms underlying balance control and/or muscular strength. The aim of this study was to assess differences between persons with MS and age-matched healthy adults in regards to their falls risk, strength, reactions and directional control of balance. Twenty-two persons with multiple sclerosis (mean age 56.3±8.9 years) and 22 age-matched healthy adults (mean age 59.1±7.1 years) participated in the study. Assessments of falls risk, balance, fear of falling, lower limb strength, and reaction time were performed. Balance control was assessed under four conditions where the combined effects of vision (eyes open/closed) and standing surface (firm/pliable surface) were evaluated. Results demonstrated that, in comparison to healthy older adults, persons with MS had a significantly higher falls risk, slower reaction times, and weaker lower- limb strength. For balance, persons with MS exhibited greater overall COP motion in both the medio-lateral (ML) and anterior-posterior (AP) directions compared to older adults. Additionally, during more challenging balance conditions, persons from the MS group exhibited greater ML motion compared to sway in the AP direction. Overall, the results confirm that persons with MS are often at a heightened risk of falling, due to the multitude of neuromuscular changes brought about by this disease process. However, the increased ML sway for the MS group could reflect a decreased ability to control side-to-side motion in comparison to controlling AP sway. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of Progressive Body Weight Support Treadmill Forward and Backward Walking Training on Stroke Patients' Affected Side Lower Extremity's Walking Ability.

PubMed

Kim, Kyunghoon; Lee, Sukmin; Lee, Kyoungbo

2014-12-01

[Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of progressive body weight supported treadmill forward and backward walking training (PBWSTFBWT), progressive body weight supported treadmill forward walking training (PBWSTFWT), progressive body weight supported treadmill backward walking training (PBWSTBWT), on stroke patients' affected side lower extremity's walking ability. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 36 chronic stroke patients were divided into three groups with 12 subjects in each group. Each of the groups performed one of the progressive body weight supported treadmill training methods for 30 minute, six times per week for three weeks, and then received general physical therapy without any other intervention until the follow-up tests. For the assessment of the affected side lower extremity's walking ability, step length of the affected side, stance phase of the affected side, swing phase of the affected side, single support of the affected side, and step time of the affected side were measured using optogait and the symmetry index. [Results] In the within group comparisons, all the three groups showed significant differences between before and after the intervention and in the comparison of the three groups, the PBWSTFBWT group showed more significant differences in all of the assessed items than the other two groups. [Conclusion] In the present study progressive body weight supported treadmill training was performed in an environment in which the subjects were actually walked, and PBWSTFBWT was more effective at efficiently training stroke patients' affected side lower extremity's walking ability.

The Influence of Physical Forces on Progenitor Cell Migration, Proliferation and Differentiation in Fracture Repair

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-11-01

accelerated healing patterns in the loaded specimens. Periosteal callus formation appears more robust with more chondrocytes present in loaded... periosteal callus formation on one side of the fracture gap. It is hypothesized that callus development may occur first on the medial side of the femoral...Figure 10: Comparison of periosteal callus formation (trichrome stain) between a loaded limb at section levels 1 (a), 3 (b), and 5 (c), and

Dynamics of multiple bodies in a corotation resonance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

A'Hearn, Joseph; Hedman, Matthew

2018-04-01

The orbital evolution of multiple massive bodies trapped in the same corotation resonance site has not yet been studied in depth, but could be relevant to the origins and history of small moons like Saturn's moon Aegaeon. We conduct numerical simulations of multiple bodies trapped within a corotation resonance and examine what happens to these bodies when they have close encounters. Compared to simulations with equal mass bodies, simulations with one body more massive than the others may be more likely to feature an asymmetry in the phase space of semi-major axis and mean longitude. That is, bodies on one side of phase space have a slightly greater tendency to lose angular momentum, while bodies on the other side gain angular momentum. With this asymmetry, the transfer of angular momentum during gravitational encounters makes it more likely for the most massive body rather than other bodies to approach the center of the corotation site. More work is needed to determine if this sort of process can significantly affect the orbital evolution of small moons like Aegaeon.

Enzyme catalysis captured using multiple structures from one crystal at varying temperatures.

PubMed

Horrell, Sam; Kekilli, Demet; Sen, Kakali; Owen, Robin L; Dworkowski, Florian S N; Antonyuk, Svetlana V; Keal, Thomas W; Yong, Chin W; Eady, Robert R; Hasnain, S Samar; Strange, Richard W; Hough, Michael A

2018-05-01

High-resolution crystal structures of enzymes in relevant redox states have transformed our understanding of enzyme catalysis. Recent developments have demonstrated that X-rays can be used, via the generation of solvated electrons, to drive reactions in crystals at cryogenic temperatures (100 K) to generate 'structural movies' of enzyme reactions. However, a serious limitation at these temperatures is that protein conformational motion can be significantly supressed. Here, the recently developed MSOX (multiple serial structures from one crystal) approach has been applied to nitrite-bound copper nitrite reductase at room temperature and at 190 K, close to the glass transition. During both series of multiple structures, nitrite was initially observed in a 'top-hat' geometry, which was rapidly transformed to a 'side-on' configuration before conversion to side-on NO, followed by dissociation of NO and substitution by water to reform the resting state. Density functional theory calculations indicate that the top-hat orientation corresponds to the oxidized type 2 copper site, while the side-on orientation is consistent with the reduced state. It is demonstrated that substrate-to-product conversion within the crystal occurs at a lower radiation dose at 190 K, allowing more of the enzyme catalytic cycle to be captured at high resolution than in the previous 100 K experiment. At room temperature the reaction was very rapid, but it remained possible to generate and characterize several structural states. These experiments open up the possibility of obtaining MSOX structural movies at multiple temperatures (MSOX-VT), providing an unparallelled level of structural information during catalysis for redox enzymes.

An open-access microfluidic model for lung-specific functional studies at an air-liquid interface.

PubMed

Nalayanda, Divya D; Puleo, Christopher; Fulton, William B; Sharpe, Leilani M; Wang, Tza-Huei; Abdullah, Fizan

2009-10-01

In an effort to improve the physiologic relevance of existing in vitro models for alveolar cells, we present a microfluidic platform which provides an air-interface in a dynamic system combining microfluidic and suspended membrane culture systems. Such a system provides the ability to manipulate multiple parameters on a single platform along with ease in cell seeding and manipulation. The current study presents a comparison of the efficacy of the hybrid system with conventional platforms using assays analyzing the maintenance of function and integrity of A549 alveolar epithelial cell monolayer cultures. The hybrid system incorporates bio-mimetic nourishment on the basal side of the epithelial cells along with an open system on the apical side of the cells exposed to air allowing for easy access for assays.

Bortezomib, a newly approved proteasome inhibitor for the treatment of multiple myeloma: nursing implications.

PubMed

Colson, Kathleen; Doss, Deborah S; Swift, Regina; Tariman, Joseph; Thomas, Teri E

2004-10-01

Multiple myeloma (MM), a malignancy of the plasma cells, accounts for an estimated 14% of all newly diagnosed hematologic malignancies. Advances in chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation have improved survival rates, but MM remains incurable. Bortezomib (Velcade, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA), a first-in-class proteasome inhibitor, has been approved for patients with MM who have received at least two prior treatments and have demonstrated disease progression on the most recent one. During clinical trials, most side effects were manageable with standard interventions. The most common toxicities were asthenic conditions (fatigue, malaise, and weakness), gastrointestinal disturbances (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation), thrombocytopenia, peripheral neuropathy, pyrexia, and anemia. Supportive therapies and strategies for side-effect management can prevent worsening of these symptoms, thereby avoiding dose reductions and treatment delays. Oncology nurses play a key role in ensuring the proper and safe administration of bortezomib and often are the first to identify the signs of side effects. Patient education about anticipated side effects and close monitoring of patients can lead to symptom management interventions that are essential to patient comfort and safety.

Multiple pass and multiple layer friction stir welding and material enhancement processes

DOEpatents

Feng, Zhili [Knoxville, TN; David, Stan A [Knoxville, TN; Frederick, David Alan [Harriman, TN

2010-07-27

Processes for friction stir welding, typically for comparatively thick plate materials using multiple passes and multiple layers of a friction stir welding tool. In some embodiments a first portion of a fabrication preform and a second portion of the fabrication preform are placed adjacent to each other to form a joint, and there may be a groove adjacent the joint. The joint is welded and then, where a groove exists, a filler may be disposed in the groove, and the seams between the filler and the first and second portions of the fabrication preform may be friction stir welded. In some embodiments two portions of a fabrication preform are abutted to form a joint, where the joint may, for example, be a lap joint, a bevel joint or a butt joint. In some embodiments a plurality of passes of a friction stir welding tool may be used, with some passes welding from one side of a fabrication preform and other passes welding from the other side of the fabrication preform.

High-frequency ultrasonic methods for determining corrosion layer thickness of hollow metallic components.

PubMed

Liu, Hongwei; Zhang, Lei; Liu, Hong Fei; Chen, Shuting; Wang, Shihua; Wong, Zheng Zheng; Yao, Kui

2018-05-16

Corrosion in internal cavity is one of the most common problems occurs in many hollow metallic components, such as pipes containing corrosive fluids and high temperature turbines in aircraft. It is highly demanded to non-destructively detect the corrosion inside hollow components and determine the corrosion extent from the external side. In this work, we present two high-frequency ultrasonic non-destructive testing (NDT) technologies, including piezoelectric pulse-echo and laser-ultrasonic methods, for detecting corrosion of Ni superalloy from the opposite side. The determination of corrosion layer thickness below ∼100 µm has been demonstrated by both methods, in comparison with X-CT and SEM. With electron microscopic examination, it is found that with multilayer corrosion structure formed over a prolonged corrosion time, the ultrasonic NDT methods can only reliably reveal outer corrosion layer thickness because of the resulting acoustic contrast among the multiple layers due to their respective different mechanical parameters. A time-frequency signal analysis algorithm is employed to effectively enhance the high frequency ultrasonic signal contrast for the piezoelectric pulse-echo method. Finally, a blind test on a Ni superalloy turbine blade with internal corrosion is conducted with the high frequency piezoelectric pulser-receiver method. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

On Multiple Hall-Like Electron Currents and Tripolar Guide Magnetic Field Perturbations During Kelvin-Helmholtz Waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sturner, Andrew P.; Eriksson, Stefan; Nakamura, Takuma; Gershman, Daniel J.; Plaschke, Ferdinand; Ergun, Robert E.; Wilder, Frederick D.; Giles, Barbara; Pollock, Craig; Paterson, William R.; Strangeway, Robert J.; Baumjohann, Wolfgang; Burch, James L.

2018-02-01

Two magnetopause current sheet crossings with tripolar guide magnetic field signatures were observed by multiple Magnetosphere Multiscale (MMS) spacecraft during Kelvin-Helmholtz wave activity. The two out-of-plane magnetic field depressions of the tripolar guide magnetic field are largely supported by the observed in-plane electron currents, which are reminiscent of two clockwise Hall current loop systems. A comparison with a three-dimensional kinetic simulation of Kelvin-Helmholtz waves and vortex-induced reconnection suggests that MMS likely encountered the two Hall magnetic field depressions on either side of a magnetic reconnection X-line. Moreover, MMS observed an out-of-plane current reversal and a corresponding in-plane magnetic field rotation at the center of one of the current sheets, suggesting the presence of two adjacent flux ropes. The region inside one of the ion-scale flux ropes was characterized by an observed decrease of the total magnetic field, a strong axial current, and significant enhancements of electron density and parallel electron temperature. The flux rope boundary was characterized by currents opposite this axial current, strong in-plane and converging electric fields, parallel electric fields, and weak electron-frame Joule dissipation. These return current region observations may reflect a need to support the axial current rather than representing local reconnection signatures in the absence of any exhausts.

Design and Delivery of Multiple Server-Side Computer Languages Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wang, Shouhong; Wang, Hai

2011-01-01

Given the emergence of service-oriented architecture, IS students need to be knowledgeable of multiple server-side computer programming languages to be able to meet the needs of the job market. This paper outlines the pedagogy of an innovative course of multiple server-side computer languages for the undergraduate IS majors. The paper discusses…

Comparison of the discontinuation rates and side-effect profiles of pilocarpine and cevimeline for xerostomia in primary Sjögren's syndrome.

PubMed

Noaiseh, Ghaith; Baker, Joshua F; Vivino, Frederick B

2014-01-01

There are currently no head-to-head comparisons of sialagogues for Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). We compared the tolerability and side effect profile of pilocarpine and cevimeline in patients with pSS and determined clinical, laboratory and pathological variables associated with therapeutic failure. We retrospectively reviewed the use of pilocarpine and cevimeline in 118 patients with pSS who fulfilled the 2002 American European Consensus Group criteria in a University-based setting. Clinical, laboratory and pathological baseline variables were collected. Failure of therapy was defined as the clinician or patient's decision to stop treatment either due to lack of efficacy or side effects. Cevimeline was associated with lower failure rates compared to pilocarpine among first-time users: 27% vs. 47% (p=0.02), and all users: 32% vs. 61% (p<0.001). Severe sweating was the most frequent side effect leading to cessation of therapy and occurred more frequently in pilocarpine (25%) than cevimeline (11%) users (p=0.02). Patients who previously failed one secretagogue were less likely to discontinue treatment with the other agent, 52% of first-time users vs. 27% of second-time users (p=0.004). Only ANA positivity was associated with failure: [59% vs. 38%] (p=0.03). pSS patients were more likely to continue cevimeline than pilocarpine long-term due to fewer reported side effects with cevimeline. Therapeutic failure of one secretagogue did not predict similar results with the other since second time users were more likely to continue long-term treatment.

Embolic stroke associated with injection of buprenorphine tablets.

PubMed

Lim, C C Tchoyoson; Lee, Sze Haur; Wong, Yee-Choon; Hui, Francis

2009-09-15

Drug users who crush, dissolve, and inject buprenorphine tablets parenterally may be at risk of severe thromboembolic complications or death. We describe patients with neurologic complications after injecting buprenorphine tablets. Brain MRI including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in patients admitted to the neurologic department after injecting buprenorphine tablets were reviewed. Seven men had neurologic complications after buprenorphine tablet injection. In 5 patients, multiple small scattered hyperintense lesions were detected on DWI in the cortex, white matter, and basal ganglia of the cerebral hemisphere; one patient had a single small lesion. The side of MRI abnormality corresponded to the side of needle marks on the neck except in one patient who had bilateral injections. One patient, who denied injecting into the neck, had DWI abnormalities in the middle cerebral artery territory on one side and occlusion of the ipsilateral internal carotid artery. Buprenorphine tablets can be intentionally or inadvertently injected into the carotid artery, causing a characteristic appearance on diffusion-weighted imaging, consistent with embolic cerebral infarction.

Multiple arthroscopic debridement and graft retention in septic knee arthritis after ACL reconstruction: a prospective case-control study.

PubMed

Abdel-Aziz, Ahmed; Radwan, Yasser A; Rizk, Ahmed

2014-01-01

This study was undertaken to prospectively analyse, at a mean five-year follow-up, the clinical, functional, and radiographic outcomes in patients who developed postoperative acute septic knee arthritis following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using hamstring autograft. We also assessed the effect of multiple arthroscopic debridement and graft retention on the functional outcomes in comparison with the matched control group. From a consecutive case series of 2,560 ACL-injured patients who were treated with arthroscopic ACL reconstruction, we report on 24 cases with postoperative septic knee arthritis. These patients were individually matched for age, sex, comorbidity, body mass index (BMI) and preinjury Tegner activity scale in a ratio of 1/1. Clinical, laboratory, synovial fluid analysis and culture were performed. Arthroscopic debridement and graft retention was done for all cases, in addition to antibiotic therapy i.v.. A detailed physical examination, KT1000 laxity testing, Lysholm knee score, Tegner activity level scale, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) were completed. In all cases, treatment of infection was successful after a median of three (range one to six) repeated arthroscopic graft debridement and retention, in addition to antibiotic therapy i.v.. At an average of five years follow-up, two patients had over five millimetres manual maximum side-to-side difference in laxity. There were no significant differences between groups regarding Lysholm score, IKDC and KOOS. Median final Tegner activity score was 5.5 versus 7 in the control group (p = 0.004). Complications included graft rupture in three patients, loss of range of motion in five, Sudeck's atrophy in one and moderate joint narrowing in two. There were no recurrences of septic arthritis or bone infection. Graft retention seems not only possible but appropriate in view of the experience presented in this article for postoperative septic knee arthritis using hamstring autograft. A potential residual complication is arthrofibrosis, which deserves maximum attention.

A SAS(®) macro implementation of a multiple comparison post hoc test for a Kruskal-Wallis analysis.

PubMed

Elliott, Alan C; Hynan, Linda S

2011-04-01

The Kruskal-Wallis (KW) nonparametric analysis of variance is often used instead of a standard one-way ANOVA when data are from a suspected non-normal population. The KW omnibus procedure tests for some differences between groups, but provides no specific post hoc pair wise comparisons. This paper provides a SAS(®) macro implementation of a multiple comparison test based on significant Kruskal-Wallis results from the SAS NPAR1WAY procedure. The implementation is designed for up to 20 groups at a user-specified alpha significance level. A Monte-Carlo simulation compared this nonparametric procedure to commonly used parametric multiple comparison tests. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Direct Comparison of Amino Acid and Salt Interactions with Double-Stranded and Single-Stranded DNA from Explicit-Solvent Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

PubMed

Andrews, Casey T; Campbell, Brady A; Elcock, Adrian H

2017-04-11

Given the ubiquitous nature of protein-DNA interactions, it is important to understand the interaction thermodynamics of individual amino acid side chains for DNA. One way to assess these preferences is to perform molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Here we report MD simulations of 20 amino acid side chain analogs interacting simultaneously with both a 70-base-pair double-stranded DNA and with a 70-nucleotide single-stranded DNA. The relative preferences of the amino acid side chains for dsDNA and ssDNA match well with values deduced from crystallographic analyses of protein-DNA complexes. The estimated apparent free energies of interaction for ssDNA, on the other hand, correlate well with previous simulation values reported for interactions with isolated nucleobases, and with experimental values reported for interactions with guanosine. Comparisons of the interactions with dsDNA and ssDNA indicate that, with the exception of the positively charged side chains, all types of amino acid side chain interact more favorably with ssDNA, with intercalation of aromatic and aliphatic side chains being especially notable. Analysis of the data on a base-by-base basis indicates that positively charged side chains, as well as sodium ions, preferentially bind to cytosine in ssDNA, and that negatively charged side chains, and chloride ions, preferentially bind to guanine in ssDNA. These latter observations provide a novel explanation for the lower salt dependence of DNA duplex stability in GC-rich sequences relative to AT-rich sequences.

Microwell arrays with nanoholes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kosar, Turgut Fettah (Inventor); Folch, Albert (Inventor)

2009-01-01

A device for conducting parallel analysis or manipulation of multiple cells or biomolecules is disclosed. In one embodiment, the device comprises a silicon chip with a microwell, and at least one membrane suspended at the bottom opening of the microwell. The suspended portion of the membrane defines a nanohole that provides access to the material on the other side of the membrane.

Side illuminated optical fiber as a multiplexing element for spectroscopic systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Egalon, Claudio O.; Matta, Michael P.; Lavezzari, Delbert C.; Insley, Robert Y.; Jaring, Carolyn C.; Quiday, Marie F.

2013-09-01

A new type of colorimeter with multiple channels was demonstrated using a side illuminated optical fiber. When different spots of a properly modified fiber are side illuminated, multiple signals are generated and guided by the waveguide: the essence of multiplexing. This configuration is simple, low cost, does not require a sensitive coating and can analyze several samples along the fiber with a single detector: the most expensive component. Since regular colorimeters use one detector per sample, our new configuration considerably lowers the cost of analyzing multiple samples. This system consists of a fiber mounted over a support, three LEDs, an LED driver, a photo diode and a read-out: to increase the signal, the fiber was tapered. For calibration purposes, six solutions of different concentrations of food dye were prepared, placed inside cuvettes along the fiber length and illuminated by the LEDs. This light passes through the solution, strikes the fiber and is guided to the detector: the darker the solution the lower the signal intensity. Several calibration curves were obtained using different light intensities: it was found that the greater the intensity, the higher the colorimeter sensitivity. This simple capability can be used to easily control the device's sensitivity and its resolution. Although built for three samples only, this device can be modified to accommodate more. With cuvettes measuring 1 cm, it is possible to accommodate one sample per cm of fiber. Also, with minor modifications, this colorimeter can be used for fluorescence, scattering and index of refraction measurements.

Laser Welding and Syncristallization Techniques Comparison: In Vitro Study

PubMed Central

Fornaini, C.; Merigo, E.; Vescovi, P.; Meleti, M.; Nammour, S.

2012-01-01

Background. Laser welding was first reported in 1967 and for many years it has been used in dental laboratories with several advantages versus the conventional technique. Authors described, in previous works, the possibility of using also chair-side Nd : YAG laser device (Fotona Fidelis III, λ = 1064 nm) for welding metallic parts of prosthetic appliances directly in the dental office, extra- and also intra-orally. Syncristallisation is a soldering technique based on the creation of an electric arc between two electrodes and used to connect implants to bars intra-orally. Aim. The aim of this study was to compare two different laser welding devices with a soldering machine, all of these used in prosthetic dentistry. Material and Methods. In-lab Nd : YAG laser welding (group A = 12 samples), chair-side Nd : YAG laser welding (group B = 12 samples), and electrowelder (group C = 12 samples) were used. The tests were performed on 36 CrCoMo plates and the analysis consisted in evaluation, by microscopic observation, of the number of fissures in welded areas of groups A and B and in measurement of the welding strength in all the groups. The results were statistically analysed by means of one-way ANOVA and Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison tests. Results. The means and standard deviations for the number of fissures in welded areas were 8.12 ± 2.59 for group A and 5.20 ± 1.38 for group B. The difference was statistical significant (P = 0.0023 at the level 95%). On the other hand, the means and standard deviations for the traction tests were 1185.50 ± 288.56 N for group A, 896.41 ± 120.84 N for group B, and 283.58 ± 84.98 N for group C. The difference was statistical significant (P = 0.01 at the level 95%). Conclusion. The joint obtained by welding devices had a significant higher strength compared with that obtained by the electrowelder, and the comparison between the two laser devices used demonstrated that the chair-side Nd : YAG, even giving a lower strength to the joints, produced the lowest number of fissures in the welded area. PMID:22778737

DeepSkeleton: Learning Multi-Task Scale-Associated Deep Side Outputs for Object Skeleton Extraction in Natural Images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Wei; Zhao, Kai; Jiang, Yuan; Wang, Yan; Bai, Xiang; Yuille, Alan

2017-11-01

Object skeletons are useful for object representation and object detection. They are complementary to the object contour, and provide extra information, such as how object scale (thickness) varies among object parts. But object skeleton extraction from natural images is very challenging, because it requires the extractor to be able to capture both local and non-local image context in order to determine the scale of each skeleton pixel. In this paper, we present a novel fully convolutional network with multiple scale-associated side outputs to address this problem. By observing the relationship between the receptive field sizes of the different layers in the network and the skeleton scales they can capture, we introduce two scale-associated side outputs to each stage of the network. The network is trained by multi-task learning, where one task is skeleton localization to classify whether a pixel is a skeleton pixel or not, and the other is skeleton scale prediction to regress the scale of each skeleton pixel. Supervision is imposed at different stages by guiding the scale-associated side outputs toward the groundtruth skeletons at the appropriate scales. The responses of the multiple scale-associated side outputs are then fused in a scale-specific way to detect skeleton pixels using multiple scales effectively. Our method achieves promising results on two skeleton extraction datasets, and significantly outperforms other competitors. Additionally, the usefulness of the obtained skeletons and scales (thickness) are verified on two object detection applications: Foreground object segmentation and object proposal detection.

Egg structure and ultrastructure of Paterdecolyus yanbarensis (Insecta, Orthoptera, Anostostomatidae, Anabropsinae).

PubMed

Mashimo, Yuta; Fukui, Makiko; Machida, Ryuichiro

2016-11-01

The egg structure of Paterdecolyus yanbarensis was examined using light, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy. The egg surface shows a distinct honeycomb pattern formed by exochorionic ridges. Several micropyles are clustered on the ventral side of the egg. The egg membrane is composed of an exochorion penetrated with numerous aeropyles, an endochorion, and an extremely thin vitelline membrane. The endochorion is thickened at the posterior egg pole, probably associated with water absorption. A comparison of egg structure among Orthoptera revealed that the micropylar distribution pattern is conserved in Ensifera and Caelifera and might be regarded as a groundplan feature for each group; in Ensifera, multiple micropyles are clustered on the ventral side of the egg, whereas in Caelifera, micropyles are arranged circularly around the posterior pole of the egg. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Examination of the high-frequency capability of carbon nanotube FETs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pulfrey, David L.; Chen, Li

2008-09-01

New results are added to a recent critique of the high-frequency performance of carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNFETs). On the practical side, reduction of the number of metallic tubes in CNFETs fashioned from multiple nanotubes has allowed the measured fT to be increased to 30 GHz. On the theoretical side, the opinion that the band-structure-determined velocity limits the high-frequency performance has been reinforced by corrections to recent simulation results for doped-contact CNFETs, and by the ruling out of the possibility of favourable image-charge effects. Inclusion in the simulations of the features of finite gate-metal thickness and source/drain contact resistance has given an indication of likely practical values for fT. A meaningful comparison between CNFETs with doped-contacts and metallic contacts has been made.

Crack-Free, Soft Wrinkles Enable Switchable Anisotropic Wetting.

PubMed

Rhee, Dongjoon; Lee, Won-Kyu; Odom, Teri W

2017-06-01

Soft skin layers on elastomeric substrates are demonstrated to support mechano-responsive wrinkle patterns that do not exhibit cracking under applied strain. Soft fluoropolymer skin layers on pre-strained poly(dimethylsiloxane) slabs achieved crack-free surface wrinkling at high strain regimes not possible by using conventional stiff skin layers. A side-by-side comparison between the soft and hard skin layers after multiple cycles of stretching and releasing revealed that the soft skin layer enabled dynamic control over wrinkle topography without cracks or delamination. We systematically characterized the evolution of wrinkle wavelength, amplitude, and orientation as a function of tensile strain to resolve the crack-free structural transformation. We demonstrated that wrinkled surfaces can guide water spreading along wrinkle orientation, and hence switchable, anisotropic wetting was realized. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

The crystal structures of the psychrophilic subtilisin S41 and the mesophilic subtilisin Sph reveal the same calcium-loaded state.

PubMed

Almog, Orna; González, Ana; Godin, Noa; de Leeuw, Marina; Mekel, Marlene J; Klein, Daniela; Braun, Sergei; Shoham, Gil; Walter, Richard L

2009-02-01

We determine and compare the crystal structure of two proteases belonging to the subtilisin superfamily: S41, a cold-adapted serine protease produced by Antarctic bacilli, at 1.4 A resolution and Sph, a mesophilic serine protease produced by Bacillus sphaericus, at 0.8 A resolution. The purpose of this comparison was to find out whether multiple calcium ion binding is a molecular factor responsible for the adaptation of S41 to extreme low temperatures. We find that these two subtilisins have the same subtilisin fold with a root mean square between the two structures of 0.54 A. The final models for S41 and Sph include a calcium-loaded state of five ions bound to each of these two subtilisin molecules. None of these calcium-binding sites correlate with the high affinity known binding site (site A) found for other subtilisins. Structural analysis of the five calcium-binding sites found in these two crystal structures indicate that three of the binding sites have two side chains of an acidic residue coordinating the calcium ion, whereas the other two binding sites have either a main-chain carbonyl, or only one acidic residue side chain coordinating the calcium ion. Thus, we conclude that three of the sites are of high affinity toward calcium ions, whereas the other two are of low affinity. Because Sph is a mesophilic subtilisin and S41 is a psychrophilic subtilisin, but both crystal structures were found to bind five calcium ions, we suggest that multiple calcium ion binding is not responsible for the adaptation of S41 to low temperatures. Copyright 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Adjunctive use of a facial moisturizer SPF 30 containing ceramide precursor improves tolerability of topical tretinoin 0.05%: a randomized, investigator-blinded, split-face study.

PubMed

Schorr, Ethlynn S; Sidou, Farzi; Kerrouche, Nabil

2012-09-01

To assess the benefit of adjunctive use of a SPF 30 moisturizing lotion in reducing local side effects associated with atopical tretinoin cream. This was a randomized, investigator/evaluator-blinded, split-face comparison in subjects with healthy skin. Subjects applied tretinoin cream 0.05% once daily to the whole face and Cetaphil 174; Dermacontrol Moisturizer (CDM) once daily to one side of the face based on randomization. Tolerability, perference and skin hydration were evaluated at each week, and a cosmetic acceptability questionnaire regarding CDM was completed at the end of the study. The majority (about 83% to 86%) of subjects experienced skin irritations on both sides of their face, though predominantly mild for the CDM + tretinoin treated side. Tolerability preferences favored the CDM+tretinoin sides. Adjunctive use of CDM with a topical tretinoin cream improves tolerance of the treatment.

Waste management under multiple complexities: inexact piecewise-linearization-based fuzzy flexible programming.

PubMed

Sun, Wei; Huang, Guo H; Lv, Ying; Li, Gongchen

2012-06-01

To tackle nonlinear economies-of-scale (EOS) effects in interval-parameter constraints for a representative waste management problem, an inexact piecewise-linearization-based fuzzy flexible programming (IPFP) model is developed. In IPFP, interval parameters for waste amounts and transportation/operation costs can be quantified; aspiration levels for net system costs, as well as tolerance intervals for both capacities of waste treatment facilities and waste generation rates can be reflected; and the nonlinear EOS effects transformed from objective function to constraints can be approximated. An interactive algorithm is proposed for solving the IPFP model, which in nature is an interval-parameter mixed-integer quadratically constrained programming model. To demonstrate the IPFP's advantages, two alternative models are developed to compare their performances. One is a conventional linear-regression-based inexact fuzzy programming model (IPFP2) and the other is an IPFP model with all right-hand-sides of fussy constraints being the corresponding interval numbers (IPFP3). The comparison results between IPFP and IPFP2 indicate that the optimized waste amounts would have the similar patterns in both models. However, when dealing with EOS effects in constraints, the IPFP2 may underestimate the net system costs while the IPFP can estimate the costs more accurately. The comparison results between IPFP and IPFP3 indicate that their solutions would be significantly different. The decreased system uncertainties in IPFP's solutions demonstrate its effectiveness for providing more satisfactory interval solutions than IPFP3. Following its first application to waste management, the IPFP can be potentially applied to other environmental problems under multiple complexities. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sample size determination for equivalence assessment with multiple endpoints.

PubMed

Sun, Anna; Dong, Xiaoyu; Tsong, Yi

2014-01-01

Equivalence assessment between a reference and test treatment is often conducted by two one-sided tests (TOST). The corresponding power function and sample size determination can be derived from a joint distribution of the sample mean and sample variance. When an equivalence trial is designed with multiple endpoints, it often involves several sets of two one-sided tests. A naive approach for sample size determination in this case would select the largest sample size required for each endpoint. However, such a method ignores the correlation among endpoints. With the objective to reject all endpoints and when the endpoints are uncorrelated, the power function is the production of all power functions for individual endpoints. With correlated endpoints, the sample size and power should be adjusted for such a correlation. In this article, we propose the exact power function for the equivalence test with multiple endpoints adjusted for correlation under both crossover and parallel designs. We further discuss the differences in sample size for the naive method without and with correlation adjusted methods and illustrate with an in vivo bioequivalence crossover study with area under the curve (AUC) and maximum concentration (Cmax) as the two endpoints.

Rereading Columbus: Critical Multicultural Analysis of Multiple Historical Storylines

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bothelho, Maria Jose; Young, Sara Lewis-Bernstein; Nappi, Tara

2014-01-01

One prevalent practice of multicultural education is enlisting multiple perspectives for teaching. Oftentimes, these perspectives enter classrooms via digital texts, simulations/scenarios, primary documents, and debates. Children's and young adult literature play a critical role in these comparisons. However, these multiple perspectives are…

Inspection of cup-shaped steel parts from the I.D. side using eddy current

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Griffiths, Erick W.; Pearson, Lee H.

2018-04-01

An eddy current method was developed to inspect cup-shaped steel parts from the I.D. side. During the manufacturing process of these parts, a thin Al tape foil is applied to the I.D. side of the part. One of the critical process parameters is that only one foil layer can be applied. An eddy current inspection system was developed to reject parts with more than one foil layer. The Al tape foil is cut to length to fit the inner diameter, however, after application of the foil there is a gap created between the beginning and end of the foil. It was found that this gap interfered with the eddy current inspection causing a false positive indication. To solve this problem a sensor design and data analysis process were developed to overcome the effects of these gaps. The developed system incorporates simultaneous measurements from multiple eddy current sensors and signal processing to achieve a reliable inspection.

Emergency surgery for obstructing colonic cancer: a comparison between right-sided and left-sided lesions.

PubMed

Faucheron, J-L; Paquette, B; Trilling, B; Heyd, B; Koch, S; Mantion, G

2018-02-01

Few studies compare management and outcomes of obstructive colonic cancer, depending on the tumor site. We aim to evaluate the differences in patient characteristics, tumor characteristics, and outcomes of emergency surgery for obstructive right-sided versus left-sided colonic cancers. Between 2000 and 2009, 71 consecutive patients had an emergency colectomy following strict and clear definition of obstruction in a single institution. We retrospectively analyzed pre, per, and postoperative data that were prospectively collected. There were 31 and 40 patients in the right and left group, respectively. Patients aged over 80 were more frequent in the right group (p = 0.03). At operation, ileocecal valve was less often competent in the right group (p = 0.03). The one-stage strategy was more frequent in the right group (p = 0.008). Patients in the right group had a higher rate of nodes invasion (p = 0.04). One- and two-year mortality rate in the right group had a tendency to be higher. Patients presenting with a right obstructive colonic cancer are older, have a more advanced locoregional disease, and are more often treated in a one-stage strategy than patients with a left obstructive tumor.

Treatment with acetazolamide of brain-stem and spinal paroxysmal disturbances in multiple sclerosis.

PubMed Central

Voiculescu, V; Pruskauer-Apostol, B; Alecu, C

1975-01-01

Nine cases of multiple sclerosis with paroxysmal disorders were treated with acetazolamide. In most cases a brain-stem origin of the seizures was suggested by their particular pattern: crossed syndromes (facial spasm associated with contralateral weakness of the arm and leg, paroxysmal paraesthesiae in one side of the face and weakness of the contralateral leg), paroxysmal dysarthria, and ataxia. One patient with a Brown-Sequard syndrome complained of paroxysmal paraesthesiae in the lower limbs, for which a spinal origin was admitted. In all patients the paroxysmal disorders were promptly suppressed or markedly reduced by acetazolamide. PMID:1151400

Compressed Sensing mm-Wave SAR for Non-Destructive Testing Applications Using Multiple Weighted Side Information.

PubMed

Becquaert, Mathias; Cristofani, Edison; Van Luong, Huynh; Vandewal, Marijke; Stiens, Johan; Deligiannis, Nikos

2018-05-31

This work explores an innovative strategy for increasing the efficiency of compressed sensing applied on mm-wave SAR sensing using multiple weighted side information. The approach is tested on synthetic and on real non-destructive testing measurements performed on a 3D-printed object with defects while taking advantage of multiple previous SAR images of the object with different degrees of similarity. The tested algorithm attributes autonomously weights to the side information at two levels: (1) between the components inside the side information and (2) between the different side information. The reconstruction is thereby almost immune to poor quality side information while exploiting the relevant components hidden inside the added side information. The presented results prove that, in contrast to common compressed sensing, good SAR image reconstruction is achieved at subsampling rates far below the Nyquist rate. Moreover, the algorithm is shown to be much more robust for low quality side information compared to coherent background subtraction.

Effect of a semi-annular thermal acoustic shield on jet exhaust noise

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goodykoontz, J.

1980-01-01

The effect of a semi-annular acoustic shield on jet exhaust noise is investigated with the rationale that such a configuration would reduce or eliminate the multiple reflection mechanism. A limited range of flow conditions for one nozzle/shield configuration were studied at model scale. Noise measurements for a 10 cm conical nozzle with a semi-annular acoustical shield are presented in terms of lossless free field data at various angular locations with respect to the nozzle. Measurements were made on both the shielded and unshielded sides of the nozzle. Model scale overall sound pressure level directivity patterns and comparisons of model scale spectral data are provided. The results show that a semi-annular thermal acoustic shield consisting of a low velocity, high temperature gas stream partially surrounding a central jet exhibits lower noise levels than when the central jet is operated alone. The results are presented parametrically, showing the effects of various shield and central system velocities and temperatures.

Side-by-side comparisons of evacuated compound parabolic concentrator and flat plate solar collector systems at temperatures of 90 to 100C

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Allen, J. W.; Schertz, W. W.; Wantroba, A. S.

1987-03-01

This collector system study is an extension of a previous system study in which Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) compared the performance of three solar energy systems operated side by side for over a year. In the present system study, four solar energy systems were operated side by side for part of a year. Two of the collector systems used commercially available compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) collectors, one used a commercially available flat plate collector, and one used an experimental CPC collector built by The University of Chicago. The collectors were mounted in fixed positions; they did not track the Sun, and their tilt angles were not seasonally adjusted. All of the collector arrays faced south and were tilted at 42 deg with respect to the horizon (to match the 42 deg N latitude at ANL). All four collector systems started each day with their storage temperatures at 90 C. During the day, each system was operated by its own solar controller. At the end of the day, the tanks were mixed and the temperature changes in the tanks were measured. The change in storage energy was calculated from the temperature change, the heat capacity of the storage system, and the pump energy.

Azathioprine versus Beta Interferons for Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: A Multicentre Randomized Non-Inferiority Trial

PubMed Central

Massacesi, Luca; Tramacere, Irene; Amoroso, Salvatore; Battaglia, Mario A.; Benedetti, Maria Donata; Filippini, Graziella; La Mantia, Loredana; Repice, Anna; Solari, Alessandra; Tedeschi, Gioacchino; Milanese, Clara

2014-01-01

For almost three decades in many countries azathioprine has been used to treat relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. However its efficacy was usually considered marginal and following approval of β interferons for this indication it was no longer recommended as first line treatment, even if presently no conclusive direct β interferon-azathioprine comparison exists. To compare azathioprine efficacy versus the currently available β interferons in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, a multicenter, randomized, controlled, single-blinded, non-inferiority trial was conducted in 30 Italian multiple sclerosis centers. Eligible patients (relapsing-remitting course; ≥2 relapses in the last 2 years) were randomly assigned to azathioprine or β interferons. The primary outcome was annualized relapse rate ratio (RR) over 2 years. Key secondary outcome was number of new brain MRI lesions. Patients (n = 150) were randomized in 2 groups (77 azathioprine, 73 β interferons). At 2 years, clinical evaluation was completed in 127 patients (62 azathioprine, 65 β interferons). Annualized relapse rate was 0.26 (95% Confidence Interval, CI, 0.19–0.37) in the azathioprine and 0.39 (95% CI 0.30–0.51) in the interferon group. Non-inferiority analysis showed that azathioprine was at least as effective as β interferons (relapse RRAZA/IFN 0.67, one-sided 95% CI 0.96; p<0.01). MRI outcomes were analyzed in 97 patients (50 azathioprine and 47 β interferons). Annualized new T2 lesion rate was 0.76 (95% CI 0.61–0.95) in the azathioprine and 0.69 (95% CI 0.54–0.88) in the interferon group. Treatment discontinuations due to adverse events were higher (20.3% vs. 7.8%, p = 0.03) in the azathioprine than in the interferon group, and concentrated within the first months of treatment, whereas in the interferon group discontinuations occurred mainly during the second year. The results of this study indicate that efficacy of azathioprine is not inferior to that of β interferons for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Considering also the convenience of the oral administration, and the low cost for health service providers, azathioprine may represent an alternative to interferon treatment, while the different side effect profiles of both medications have to be taken into account. Trial Registration EudraCT 2006-004937-13 PMID:25402490

Double Pass 595 nm Pulsed Dye Laser Does Not Enhance the Efficacy of Port Wine Stains Compared with Single Pass: A Randomized Comparison with Histological Examination.

PubMed

Yu, Wenxin; Zhu, Jiafang; Wang, Lizhen; Qiu, Yajing; Chen, Yijie; Yang, Xi; Chang, Lei; Ma, Gang; Lin, Xiaoxi

2018-03-27

To compare the efficacy and safety of double-pass pulsed dye laser (DWL) and single-pass PDL (SWL) in treating virgin port wine stain (PWS). The increase in the extent of vascular damage attributed to the use of double-pass techniques for PWS remains inconclusive. A prospective, side-by-side comparison with a histological study for virgin PWS is still lacking. Twenty-one patients (11 flat PWS, 10 hypertrophic PWS) with untreated PWS underwent 3 treatments at 2-month intervals. Each PWS was divided into three treatment sites: SWL, DWL, and untreated control. Chromametric and visual evaluation of the efficacy and evaluation of side effects were conducted 3 months after final treatment. Biopsies were taken at the treated sites immediately posttreatment. Chromametric and visual evaluation suggested that DWL sites showed no significant improvement compared with SWL (p > 0.05) in treating PWS. The mean depth of photothermal damage to the vessels was limited to a maximum of 0.36-0.41 mm in both SWL and DWL sides. Permanent side effects were not observed in any patients. Double-pass PDL does not enhance PWS clearance. To improve the clearance of PWS lesions, either the depth of laser penetration should be increased or greater photothermal damage to vessels should be generated.

Long-range multiplicity correlations in proton-proton collisions

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

Bzdak, Adam

The forward-backward long-range multiplicity correlations in proton-proton collisions are investigated in the model with two independent sources of particles: one left- and one right-moving wounded nucleon. A good agreement with the UA5 Collaboration proton-antiproton data at the c.m. energy of 200 GeV is observed. For comparison the model with only one source of particles is also discussed.

Bilateral acoustic neuromas.

PubMed

Anand, V T; Byrnes, D P; Walby, A P; Kerr, A G

1993-10-01

This article reviews 12 patients with bilateral acoustic neuromas. The sex incidence was equal and the mean age at diagnosis was 26.2 years. The family history was positive in nine of the patients. Five patients have had incomplete surgical removal of acoustic neuromas on both sides. Two of them are completely deaf and the other three have severe sensorineural hearing loss in one ear and no hearing in the other ear. In five patients the tumour on one side has been operated on and the other side is being observed with at least short-term preservation of good hearing. The remaining two patients died of intra-cranial complications, one of them post-operatively. Four patients developed facial palsy immediately following surgery and one developed facial weakness 6 months after surgery. Guidelines are discussed for the care of these patients including the timing of surgery and alternative treatment options (observation, radio-surgery and chemotherapy). This is essentially a group of young individuals who have had multiple operations for bilateral acoustic tumours and associated manifestations and for whom the disease and the sequelae of treatment can be tragic.

Policies to Enhance Prescribing Efficiency in Europe: Findings and Future Implications

PubMed Central

Godman, Brian; Shrank, William; Andersen, Morten; Berg, Christian; Bishop, Iain; Burkhardt, Thomas; Garuoliene, Kristina; Herholz, Harald; Joppi, Roberta; Kalaba, Marija; Laius, Ott; Lonsdale, Julie; Malmström, Rickard E.; Martikainen, Jaana E.; Samaluk, Vita; Sermet, Catherine; Schwabe, Ulrich; Teixeira, Inês; Tilson, Lesley; Tulunay, F. Cankat; Vlahović-Palčevski, Vera; Wendykowska, Kamila; Wettermark, Bjorn; Zara, Corinne; Gustafsson, Lars L.

2010-01-01

Introduction: European countries need to learn from each other to address unsustainable increases in pharmaceutical expenditures. Objective: To assess the influence of the many supply and demand-side initiatives introduced across Europe to enhance prescribing efficiency in ambulatory care. As a result provide future guidance to countries. Methods: Cross national retrospective observational study of utilization (DDDs – defined daily doses) and expenditure (Euros and local currency) of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and statins among 19 European countries and regions principally from 2001 to 2007. Demand-side measures categorized under the “4Es” – education engineering, economics, and enforcement. Results: Instigating supply side initiatives to lower the price of generics combined with demand-side measures to enhance their prescribing is important to maximize prescribing efficiency. Just addressing one component will limit potential efficiency gains. The influence of demand-side reforms appears additive, with multiple initiatives typically having a greater influence on increasing prescribing efficiency than single measures apart from potentially “enforcement.” There are also appreciable differences in expenditure (€/1000 inhabitants/year) between countries. Countries that have not introduced multiple demand side measures to counteract commercial pressures to enhance the prescribing of generics have seen considerably higher expenditures than those that have instigated a range of measures. Conclusions: There are considerable opportunities for European countries to enhance their prescribing efficiency, with countries already learning from each other. The 4E methodology allows European countries to concisely capture the range of current demand-side measures and plan for the future knowing that initiatives can be additive to further enhance their prescribing efficiency. PMID:21833180

Variable-focus side-firing endoscopic device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lemberg, Vladimir G.; Black, Michael

1996-05-01

Conventional side-firing fiber technology exhibits performance limitations and utilizes expensive single-use only devices which often require multiple fibers for laser prostatectomy. Another limitation of existing side-firing fiber technology is its inability to focus the beam to create incisions for urologic applications such as laser TURP (transurethral resectional prostatectomy), tumor necrosis, lithotripsy, genital warts, and photodynamic therapy. Newly introduced variable-focus side-firing endoscopic device utilizes either one or two lenses and a mirror, onto a single cylinder of molded glass. The laser beam exits the optical fiber, passes through the lens, strikes the cylindrical mirror, and traverses the cylindrical surface. Depending on the design, the laser beam is reflected at the angles ranging from 30 degrees to 120 degrees out of the cylindrical lens. A second lens can be formed onto the side of the cylindrical surface at the beam's exit point. Another advantage of the innovative side-firing device is its capability to provide versatile matching to multiple laser wavelengths from 360 nm to 2.5 microns, and achieve power densities great enough to perform vaporization, incision and coagulation of tissue. Precise focusing of the laser beam results in reduced tissue necrosis of surrounding the treatment area as well as in decreased laser radiation back-scattering. Surgeons can very the focus by adjusting the distance from the tip to the target area. The variable focus side-firing device provides a focused beam at the range of 1.0 to 1.5 mm, for incision. Outside this range, it produces a defocused beam for coagulation.

Quantitative Comparison of Three Standardization Methods Using a One-Way ANOVA for Multiple Mean Comparisons

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barrows, Russell D.

2007-01-01

A one-way ANOVA experiment is performed to determine whether or not the three standardization methods are statistically different in determining the concentration of the three paraffin analytes. The laboratory exercise asks students to combine the three methods in a single analytical procedure of their own design to determine the concentration of…

A single-sided representation for the homogeneous Green's function of a unified scalar wave equation.

PubMed

Wapenaar, Kees

2017-06-01

A unified scalar wave equation is formulated, which covers three-dimensional (3D) acoustic waves, 2D horizontally-polarised shear waves, 2D transverse-electric EM waves, 2D transverse-magnetic EM waves, 3D quantum-mechanical waves and 2D flexural waves. The homogeneous Green's function of this wave equation is a combination of the causal Green's function and its time-reversal, such that their singularities at the source position cancel each other. A classical representation expresses this homogeneous Green's function as a closed boundary integral. This representation finds applications in holographic imaging, time-reversed wave propagation and Green's function retrieval by cross correlation. The main drawback of the classical representation in those applications is that it requires access to a closed boundary around the medium of interest, whereas in many practical situations the medium can be accessed from one side only. Therefore, a single-sided representation is derived for the homogeneous Green's function of the unified scalar wave equation. Like the classical representation, this single-sided representation fully accounts for multiple scattering. The single-sided representation has the same applications as the classical representation, but unlike the classical representation it is applicable in situations where the medium of interest is accessible from one side only.

A visualization tool to support decision making in environmental and biological planning

USGS Publications Warehouse

Romañach, Stephanie S.; McKelvy, James M.; Conzelmann, Craig; Suir, Kevin J.

2014-01-01

Large-scale ecosystem management involves consideration of many factors for informed decision making. The EverVIEW Data Viewer is a cross-platform desktop decision support tool to help decision makers compare simulation model outputs from competing plans for restoring Florida's Greater Everglades. The integration of NetCDF metadata conventions into EverVIEW allows end-users from multiple institutions within and beyond the Everglades restoration community to share information and tools. Our development process incorporates continuous interaction with targeted end-users for increased likelihood of adoption. One of EverVIEW's signature features is side-by-side map panels, which can be used to simultaneously compare species or habitat impacts from alternative restoration plans. Other features include examination of potential restoration plan impacts across multiple geographic or tabular displays, and animation through time. As a result of an iterative, standards-driven approach, EverVIEW is relevant to large-scale planning beyond Florida, and is used in multiple biological planning efforts in the United States.

A Step in the Right Direction: Learning Walk Brings Districts Together to Examine Teacher Evaluation and Support Roles

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Armstrong, Anthony

2012-01-01

In a private room at the back of a busy restaurant just outside of Tampa, Florida, drinks and appetizers went unnoticed as 12 diners sat around one large table and engaged in multiple rapid-fire conversations about professional learning. On one side of each conversation were representatives of Memphis (Tennessee) City Schools. The district was in…

Multiple Mechanisms for the Thermal Decomposition of Metallaisoxazolin-5-ones from Computational Investigations.

PubMed

Zhou, Chen-Chen; Hawthorne, M Frederick; Houk, K N; Jiménez-Osés, Gonzalo

2017-08-18

The thermal decompositions of metallaisoxazolin-5-ones containing Ir, Rh, or Co are investigated using density functional theory. The experimentally observed decarboxylations of these molecules are found to proceed through retro-(3+2)-cycloaddition reactions, generating the experimentally reported η 2 side-bonded nitrile complexes. These intermediates can isomerize in situ to yield a η 1 nitrile complex. A competitive alternative pathway is also found where the decarboxylation happens concertedly with an aryl migration process, producing a η 1 isonitrile complex. Despite their comparable stability, these η 1 bonded species were not detected experimentally. The experimentally detected η 2 side bound species are likely involved in the subsequent C-H activation reactions with hydrocarbon solvents reported for some of these metallaisoxazolin-5-ones.

Universal Common Communication Substrate (UCCS) Specification; Universal Common Communication Substrate (UCCS) Implementation

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

Universal Common Communication Substrate (UCCS) is a low-level communication substrate that exposes high-performance communication primitives, while providing network interoperability. It is intended to support multiple upper layer protocol (ULPs) or programming models including SHMEM,UPC,Titanium,Co-Array Fortran,Global Arrays,MPI,GASNet, and File I/O. it provides various communication operations including one-sided and two-sided point-to-point, collectives, and remote atomic operations. In addition to operations for ULPs, it provides an out-of-band communication channel required typically required to wire-up communication libraries.

A Microfluidic Localized, Multiple Cell Culture Array using Vacuum Actuated Cell Seeding: Integrated Anticancer Drug Testing

PubMed Central

Gao, Yan; Li, Peng

2013-01-01

In this study, we introduced a novel and convenient approach to culture multiple cells in localized arrays of microfluidic chambers using one-step vacuum actuation. In one device, we integrated 8 individually addressable regions of culture chambers, each only requiring one simple vacuum operation to seed cells lines. Four cell lines were seeded in designated regions in one device via sequential injection with high purity (99.9%-100%) and cultured for long-term. The on-chip simultaneous culture of HuT 78, Ramos, PC-3 and C166-GFP cells for 48 h was demonstrated with viabilities of 92%+/−2%, 94%+/−4%, 96%+/−2% and 97%+/−2%, respectively. The longest culture period for C166-GFP cells in this study was 168 h with a viability of 96%+/−10%. Cell proliferation in each individual side channel can be tracked. Mass transport between the main channel and side channels was achieved through diffusion and studied using fluorescein solution. The main advantage of this device is the capability to perform multiple cell-based assays on the same device for better comparative studies. After treating cells with staurosporine or anti-human CD95 for 16 h, the apoptotic cell percentage of HuT 78, CCRF-CEM, PC-3 and Ramos cells were 36%+/−3%, 24%+/−4%, 12%+/−2%, 18%+/−4% for staurosporine, and 63%+/−2%, 45%+/−1%, 3%+/−3%, 27%+/−12% for anti-human CD95, respectively. With the advantages of enhanced integration, ease of use and fabrication, and flexibility, this device will be suitable for long-term multiple cell monitoring and cell based assays. PMID:23813077

Effect of traffic density on drivers' lane change and overtaking maneuvers in freeway situation - A driving simulator based study.

PubMed

Yang, Liu; Li, Xiaomeng; Guan, Wei; Zhang, H Michael; Fan, Lingling

2018-05-14

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of traffic density on drivers' lane change and overtaking maneuvers. The differences between drivers' left and right lane-changing/overtaking maneuvers were also investigated. A driving simulator experiment was conducted and 24 participants took part in this experiment. Based on the driving simulation data, lane change frequency, time duration, average speed and acceleration were extracted as key variables of lane change maneuvers; overtaking frequency, overtaking duration, initial overtaking distance and headway, instantaneous speed and acceleration before overtaking were analyzed as the key overtaking variables. One-way repeated measures ANOVA, Friedman test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were adopted for hypothesis tests with significance level of 0.05. Further pairwise comparisons were performed with a Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Some significant differences in lane change and overtake behaviors were observed among different traffic densities: 1) both lane change and overtaking frequencies significantly increase with traffic density; 2) the average lane change acceleration and instantaneous overtaking acceleration significantly increase with traffic density; 3) as the traffic density increases, the initial overtaking distance and headway decrease. As for the effect of the directions of maneuvers: 1) the time duration of lane change and overtaking from right side was significantly shorter than that from left side; 2) the right initial overtaking distance/headway was smaller than that of left side; 3) the right instantaneous overtaking acceleration was significantly higher than the left instantaneous acceleration. The results showed that as traffic density increases, drivers' intention for lane change and overtaking is enhanced. Both initial overtaking distance and headway decrease with traffic density, which might influence road safety. In addition, drivers do not show a preference on the directions of lane change or overtaking according to the frequency. However, drivers tend to be more decisive and reckless when conducting the right overtaking because of a smaller distance/headway before overtaking, higher instantaneous acceleration and also a more restricted field of view compared with left overtaking.

Isolation and identification of the first C-17 limonin epimer, epilimonin.

PubMed

Breksa, Andrew P; Dragull, Klaus; Wong, Rosalind Y

2008-07-23

Limonoids are a family of highly oxygenated triterpenoid secondary metabolites found in significant quantities in Citrus and reported to possess multiple health promoting properties. This is the first known report of the isolation and characterization of an epimer of limonin. The epimer, named epilimonin, was isolated by fractional crystallization from a mixture consisting mainly of limonin and epilimonin obtained as byproduct from our efforts to isolate limonin glucoside. Side-by-side comparison of the MS, IR, and (1)H and (13)C NMR data of epilimonin and limonin lead to the assignment of C-17 as the site of epimerization. An earlier study on the bioavailability of limonin glucoside in humans had indicated that limonin glucoside was metabolized to give limonin and a second limonin metabolite. Results from analyzing epilimonin by the same chromatographic conditions used for the bioavailability study suggest that the second limonin metabolite was epilimonin.

Salient concerns in using analgesia for cancer pain among outpatients: A cluster analysis study.

PubMed

Meghani, Salimah H; Knafl, George J

2017-02-10

To identify unique clusters of patients based on their concerns in using analgesia for cancer pain and predictors of the cluster membership. This was a 3-mo prospective observational study ( n = 207). Patients were included if they were adults (≥ 18 years), diagnosed with solid tumors or multiple myelomas, and had at least one prescription of around-the-clock pain medication for cancer or cancer-treatment-related pain. Patients were recruited from two outpatient medical oncology clinics within a large health system in Philadelphia. A choice-based conjoint (CBC) analysis experiment was used to elicit analgesic treatment preferences (utilities). Patients employed trade-offs based on five analgesic attributes (percent relief from analgesics, type of analgesic, type of side-effects, severity of side-effects, out of pocket cost). Patients were clustered based on CBC utilities using novel adaptive statistical methods. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify predictors of cluster membership. The analyses found 4 unique clusters: Most patients made trade-offs based on the expectation of pain relief (cluster 1, 41%). For a subset, the main underlying concern was type of analgesic prescribed, i.e ., opioid vs non-opioid (cluster 2, 11%) and type of analgesic side effects (cluster 4, 21%), respectively. About one in four made trade-offs based on multiple concerns simultaneously including pain relief, type of side effects, and severity of side effects (cluster 3, 28%). In multivariable analysis, to identify predictors of cluster membership, clinical and socioeconomic factors (education, health literacy, income, social support) rather than analgesic attitudes and beliefs were found important; only the belief, i.e ., pain medications can mask changes in health or keep you from knowing what is going on in your body was found significant in predicting two of the four clusters [cluster 1 (-); cluster 4 (+)]. Most patients appear to be driven by a single salient concern in using analgesia for cancer pain. Addressing these concerns, perhaps through real time clinical assessments, may improve patients' analgesic adherence patterns and cancer pain outcomes.

Bento Boxes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hasio, Cindy

2010-01-01

Bento boxes are common objects in Japanese culture, designed to hold enough lunch for one person. They have individual compartments and sometimes multiple tiers for rice, vegetables, and other side dishes. They are made of materials ranging from wood, cloth, aluminum, or plastic. In general, the greater the number of foods, the better the box is…

Comparison of Transformer Winding Methods for Contactless Power Transfer Systems of Electric Vehicle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaneko, Yasuyoshi; Ehara, Natsuki; Iwata, Takuya; Abe, Shigeru; Yasuda, Tomio; Ida, Kazuhiko

This paper describes the comparison of the characteristics of double- and single-sided windings of contactless power transfer systems used in electric vehicles. The self-inductance changes with the electric current when the gap length is fixed in single-sided windings. The issue is resolved by maintaining the secondary voltage constant. In the case of double-sided windings, the transformer can be miniaturized in comparison with the single-sided winding transformer. However, the coupling factor is small, and appropriate countermeasures must be adopted to reduce the back leakage flux. The leakage flux is reduced by placing an aluminum board behind the transformer. Thus, the coupling factor increases.

Behavioral Influence Modeling and Simulation

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-06-30

Researching Categorization and Stereotyping ..................................................................... 3 4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION...that could determine strong links between elements and help discover patterns of stereotypes . 3.2.2. Scenario Tools In order to fully use the data...Session Comparison, Dual Session Comparison, and Dual Side By Side Comparison. 3.3 Researching Categorization and Stereotyping Research was conducted

Protein-ligand docking with multiple flexible side chains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Yong; Sanner, Michel F.

2008-09-01

In this work, we validate and analyze the results of previously published cross docking experiments and classify failed dockings based on the conformational changes observed in the receptors. We show that a majority of failed experiments (i.e. 25 out of 33, involving four different receptors: cAPK, CDK2, Ricin and HIVp) are due to conformational changes in side chains near the active site. For these cases, we identify the side chains to be made flexible during docking calculation by superimposing receptors and analyzing steric overlap between various ligands and receptor side chains. We demonstrate that allowing these side chains to assume rotameric conformations enables the successful cross docking of 19 complexes (ligand all atom RMSD < 2.0 Å) using our docking software FLIPDock. The number of side receptor side chains interacting with a ligand can vary according to the ligand's size and shape. Hence, when starting from a complex with a particular ligand one might have to extend the region of potential interacting side chains beyond the ones interacting with the known ligand. We discuss distance-based methods for selecting additional side chains in the neighborhood of the known active site. We show that while using the molecular surface to grow the neighborhood is more efficient than Euclidian-distance selection, the number of side chains selected by these methods often remains too large and additional methods for reducing their count are needed. Despite these difficulties, using geometric constraints obtained from the network of bonded and non-bonded interactions to rank residues and allowing the top ranked side chains to be flexible during docking makes 22 out of 25 complexes successful.

Proceedings of the Conference on the Design of Experiments in Army Research, Development, and Testing (33rd)

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-05-01

Evaluation Directorate (ARMTE) was tasked to conduct a "side- by-side" comparison of EMPS vs . DATMs and to conduct a human factors evaluation of the EMPS...performance ("side-by-side") comparison of EMPS vs . DATMs and to conduct a human factors evaluation. The performance evaluation was based on the speed... independent targets over time. To acquire data for this research, the BRL conducted a statistically designed exper- iment, the Firepower Control Experiment

Range resolution improvement in passive bistatic radars using nested FM channels and least squares approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arslan, Musa T.; Tofighi, Mohammad; Sevimli, Rasim A.; ćetin, Ahmet E.

2015-05-01

One of the main disadvantages of using commercial broadcasts in a Passive Bistatic Radar (PBR) system is the range resolution. Using multiple broadcast channels to improve the radar performance is offered as a solution to this problem. However, it suffers from detection performance due to the side-lobes that matched filter creates for using multiple channels. In this article, we introduce a deconvolution algorithm to suppress the side-lobes. The two-dimensional matched filter output of a PBR is further analyzed as a deconvolution problem. The deconvolution algorithm is based on making successive projections onto the hyperplanes representing the time delay of a target. Resulting iterative deconvolution algorithm is globally convergent because all constraint sets are closed and convex. Simulation results in an FM based PBR system are presented.

Apparent diffusion coefficient as it relates to histopathology findings in post-chemotherapy nephroblastoma: a feasibility study.

PubMed

Littooij, Annemieke S; Nikkels, Peter G; Hulsbergen-van de Kaa, Christina A; van de Ven, Cees P; van den Heuvel-Eibrink, Marry M; Olsen, Øystein E

2017-11-01

Nephroblastomas represent a group of heterogeneous tumours with variable proportions of distinct histopathological components. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether direct comparison of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements with post-resection histopathology subtypes is feasible and whether ADC metrics are related to histopathological components. Twenty-three children were eligible for inclusion in this retrospective study. All children had MRI including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) after preoperative chemotherapy, just before tumour resection. A pathologist and radiologist identified corresponding slices at MRI and postoperative specimens using tumour morphology, the upper/lower calyx and hilar vessels as reference points. An experienced reader performed ADC measurements, excluding non-enhancing areas. A pathologist reviewed the corresponding postoperative slides according to the international standard guidelines. We tested potential associations with the Spearman rank test. Side-by-side comparison of MRI-DWI with corresponding histopathology slides was feasible in 15 transverse slices in 9 lesions in 8 patients. Most exclusions were related to extensive areas of necrosis/haemorrhage. In one lesion correlation was not possible because of the different orientation of sectioning of the specimen and MRI slices. The 25% ADC showed a strong relationship with percentage of blastema (Spearman rho=-0.71, P=0.003), whereas median ADC was strongly related to the percentage stroma (Spearman rho=0.74, P=0.002) at histopathology. Side-by-side comparison of MRI-DWI and histopathology is feasible in the majority of patients who do not have massive necrosis and hemorrhage. Blastemal and stromal components have a strong linear relationship with ADC markers.

Compact, Two-Sided Structural Cold Plate Configuration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zaffetti, Mark

2011-01-01

In two-sided structural cold plates, typically there is a structural member, such as a honeycomb panel, that provides the structural strength for the cold plates that cool equipment. The cold plates are located on either side of the structural member and thus need to have the cooling fluid supplied to them. One method of accomplishing this is to route the inlet and outlet tubing to both sides of the structural member. Another method might be to supply the inlet to one side and the outlet to the other. With the latter method, an external feature such as a hose, tube, or manifold must be incorporated to pass the fluid from one side of the structural member to the other. Although this is a more compact design than the first option, since it eliminates the need for a dedicated supply and return line to each side of the structural member, it still poses problems, as these external features can be easily damaged and are now new areas for potential fluid leakage. This invention eliminates the need for an external feature and instead incorporates the feature internally to the structural member. This is accomplished by utilizing a threaded insert that not only connects the cold plate to the structural member, but also allows the cooling fluid to flow through it into the structural member, and then to the cold plate on the opposite side. The insert also employs a cap that acts as a cover to seal the open area needed to install the insert. There are multiple options for location of o-ring style seals, as well as the option to use adhesive for redundant sealing. Another option is to weld the cap to the cold plate after its installation, thus making it an integral part of the structural member. This new configuration allows the fluid to pass from one cold plate to the other without any exposed external features.

Comparison of Olfactory Function before and After Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

PubMed Central

Seyed Toutounchi, Seyed Javad; Yazdchi, Mohamad; Asgari, Rana; Seyed Toutounchi, Negisa

2018-01-01

Introduction: Olfactory loss in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis has been measured by different methods. However, the results have been variable, and it is not clear whether endoscopic sinus surgery significantly improves olfactory function. This study was performed to evaluate the influence of endoscopic sinus surgery on olfactory function in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Materials and Methods: In this prospective analytic study, 73 patients (mean age, 39.63±12.94 years) with a diagnosis of polyps and sinusitis during 2011 were studied. The olfaction test was performed with three solutions; one with no odor (water) and two with phenylethyl alcohol (50% and 90% dilution, respectively). The patients’ olfaction state were graded as no olfaction, or low, moderate or good olfaction before and 1 and 3 months after surgery, and was given scores between 0 and 3 and evaluated quantitatively. Results: Right-side olfaction was improved in 68.5% and left side in 67.1% of patients. Mean olfaction score on the right and left side was significantly improved after surgery in comparison with basic scores (before and after on the right side: 0.95±0.88 and 2.02±1.04; before and after on the left side: 1.02±0.84 and 2.00±1.21; both P<0.001). Improvement after surgery in cases with left- and right-side anosmia was 66.7% and 61.9%, in low olfaction was 82.3% and 72.7% and in moderate olfaction was 66.7% and 80%. Conclusion: In patients with rhinosinusitis, endoscopic sinus surgery has considerable effect in improving olfactory function. PMID:29387662

Multiple Use One-Sided Hypotheses Testing in Univariate Linear Calibration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krishnamoorthy, K.; Kulkarni, Pandurang M.; Mathew, Thomas

1996-01-01

Consider a normally distributed response variable, related to an explanatory variable through the simple linear regression model. Data obtained on the response variable, corresponding to known values of the explanatory variable (i.e., calibration data), are to be used for testing hypotheses concerning unknown values of the explanatory variable. We consider the problem of testing an unlimited sequence of one sided hypotheses concerning the explanatory variable, using the corresponding sequence of values of the response variable and the same set of calibration data. This is the situation of multiple use of the calibration data. The tests derived in this context are characterized by two types of uncertainties: one uncertainty associated with the sequence of values of the response variable, and a second uncertainty associated with the calibration data. We derive tests based on a condition that incorporates both of these uncertainties. The solution has practical applications in the decision limit problem. We illustrate our results using an example dealing with the estimation of blood alcohol concentration based on breath estimates of the alcohol concentration. In the example, the problem is to test if the unknown blood alcohol concentration of an individual exceeds a threshold that is safe for driving.

Efficacy of long pulse Nd:YAG laser versus fractional Er:YAG laser in the treatment of hand wrinkles.

PubMed

Robati, Reza M; Asadi, Elmira; Shafiee, Anoosh; Namazi, Nastaran; Talebi, Atefeh

2018-04-01

There are different modalities for hand rejuvenation. Fractional Er:YAG laser and long pulse Nd:YAG laser were introduced for treating hand wrinkles. We plan to compare fractional Er:YAG laser and long pulse Nd:YAG laser in a randomized controlled double-blind design with multiple sessions and larger sample size in comparison with previous studies. Thirty-three participants with hand wrinkles entered this study. They were randomly allocated to undergo three monthly laser treatments on each hand, one with a fractional Er:YAG laser and the other with a long pulse Nd:YAG laser. The evaluations included assessment of clinical improvement determined by two independent dermatologists not enrolled in the treatment along with measuring skin biomechanical property of hands using a sensitive biometrologic device with the assessment of cutaneous resonance running time (CRRT). Moreover, potential side effects and patients' satisfaction have been documented at baseline, 1 month after each treatment, and 3 months after the final treatment session. Clinical evaluation revealed both modalities significantly reduce hand wrinkles (p value < 0.05), with no significant difference between two lasers. Mean CRRT values also decreased significantly after the laser treatment compared to those of the baseline in both laser groups. There was no serious persistent side effect after both laser treatments. Both fractional Er:YAG and long pulse Nd:YAG lasers show substantial clinical improvement of hand skin wrinkles with no serious side effects. However, combination treatment by these lasers along with the other modalities such as fat transfer could lead to better outcomes in hand rejuvenation. IRCT2016032020468N4.

Comparison of Virginia's 2009 Mathematics Standards of Learning with the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Virginia Department of Education, 2011

2011-01-01

This first draft of the "Comparison of Virginia's 2009 Mathematics Standards of Learning (SOL) with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for Mathematics" provides a side-by-side overview demonstrating how the 2009 Mathematics SOL are aligned to the CCSS. The comparison was made using Virginia's complete standards program for supporting…

Electron microscopic quantification of collagen fibril diameters in the rabbit medial collateral ligament: a baseline for comparison.

PubMed

Frank, C; Bray, D; Rademaker, A; Chrusch, C; Sabiston, P; Bodie, D; Rangayyan, R

1989-01-01

To establish a normal baseline for comparison, thirty-one thousand collagen fibril diameters were measured in calibrated transmission electron (TEM) photomicrographs of normal rabbit medial collateral ligaments (MCL's). A new automated method of quantitation was used to compare statistically fibril minimum diameter distributions in one midsubstance location in both MCL's from six animals at 3 months of age (immature) and three animals at 10 months of age (mature). Pooled results demonstrate that rabbit MCL's have statistically different (p less than 0.001) mean minimum diameters at these two ages. Interanimal differences in mean fibril minimum diameters were also significant (p less than 0.001) and varied by 20% to 25% in both mature and immature animals. Finally, there were significant differences (p less than 0.001) in mean diameters and distributions from side-to-side in all animals. These mean left-to-right differences were less than 10% in all mature animals but as much as 62% in some immature animals. Statistical analysis of these data demonstrate that animal-to-animal comparisons using these protocols require a large number of animals with appropriate numbers of fibrils being measured to detect small intergroup differences. With experiments which compare left to right ligaments, far fewer animals are required to detect similarly small differences. These results demonstrate the necessity for rigorous control of sampling, an extensive normal baseline and statistically confirmed experimental designs in any TEM comparisons of collagen fibril diameters.

Novel four-sided neural probe fabricated by a thermal lamination process of polymer films.

PubMed

Shin, Soowon; Kim, Jae-Hyun; Jeong, Joonsoo; Gwon, Tae Mok; Lee, Seung-Hee; Kim, Sung June

2017-02-15

Ideally, neural probes should have channels with a three-dimensional (3-D) configuration to record the activities of 3-D neural circuits. Many types of 3-D neural probes have been developed; however, most of them were designed as an array of multiple shanks with electrodes located along one side of the shanks. We developed a novel liquid crystal polymer (LCP)-based neural probe with four-sided electrodes. This probe has electrodes on four sides of the shank, i.e., the front, back and two sidewalls. To generate the proposed configuration of the electrodes, we used a thermal lamination process involving LCP films and laser micromachining. The proposed novel four-sided neural probe, was used to successfully perform in vivo multichannel neural recording in the mouse primary somatosensory cortex. The multichannel neural recording showed that the proposed four-sided neural probe can record spiking activities from a more diverse neuronal population than single-sided probes. This was confirmed by a pairwise Pearson correlation coefficient (Pearson's r) analysis and a cross-correlation analysis. The developed four-sided neural probe can be used to record various signals from a complex neural network. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Strategy Combining Higher Energy C-Trap Dissociation with Neutral Loss- and Product Ion-Based MSn Acquisition for Global Profiling and Structure Annotation of Fatty Acids Conjugates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bi, Qi-rui; Hou, Jin-jun; Yang, Min; Shen, Yao; Qi, Peng; Feng, Rui-hong; Dai, Zhuo; Yan, Bing-peng; Wang, Jian-wei; Shi, Xiao-jian; Wu, Wan-ying; Guo, De-an

2017-03-01

Fatty acids conjugates (FACs) are ubiquitous but found in trace amounts in the natural world. They are composed of multiple unknown substructures and side chains. Thus, FACs are difficult to be analyzed by traditional mass spectrometric methods. In this study, an integrated strategy was developed to global profiling and targeted structure annotation of FACs in complex matrix by LTQ Orbitrap. Dicarboxylic acid conjugated bufotoxins (DACBs) in Venenum bufonis (VB) were used as model compounds. The new strategy (abbreviated as HPNA) combined higher-energy C-trap dissociation (HCD) with product ion- (PI), neutral loss- (NL) based MSn (n ≥ 3) acquisition in both positive-ion mode and negative-ion mode. Several advantages are presented. First, various side chains were found under HCD in negative-ion mode, which included both known and unknown side chains. Second, DACBs with multiple side chains were simultaneously detected in one run. Compared with traditional quadrupole-based mass method, it greatly increased analysis throughput. Third, the fragment ions of side chain and steroids substructure could be obtained by PI- and NL-based MSn acquisition, respectively, which greatly increased the accuracy of the structure annotation of DACBs. In all, 78 DACBs have been discovered, of which 68 were new compounds; 25 types of substructure formulas and seven dicarboxylic acid side chains were found, especially five new side chains, including two saturated dicarboxylic acids [(azelaic acid (C9) and sebacic acid (C10)] and three unsaturated dicarboxylic acids (u-C8, u-C9, and u-C10). All these results greatly enriched the structures of DACBs in VB.

Effectiveness of 308-nm Excimer Laser Therapy in Treating Alopecia Areata, Determined by Examining the Treated Sides of Selected Alopecic Patches.

PubMed

Byun, Ji Won; Moon, Jong Hyuk; Bang, Chan Yl; Shin, Jeonghyun; Choi, Gwang Seong

2015-01-01

Some studies have reported the use of 308-nm excimer laser therapy for treating alopecia areata (AA); however, the effectiveness of this therapy on a theoretical basis has not yet been comparatively analyzed. To determine the therapeutic effect of excimer laser therapy on AA. One alopecic patch was divided into control and treated sides in 10 patients with AA. Then, 308-nm excimer laser therapy was administered twice a week for 12 weeks. Photograph and phototrichogram analyses were performed. Photographic assessments by both dermatologists and individuals of the general population showed objective improvements after excimer laser therapy. On the treated side, the hair count and hair diameter had statistically increased after treatment. However, only the hair diameter was found to be significantly high in the treated half when it was compared with the control side. The 308-nm excimer laser has a therapeutic effect on AA, which is proven by photograph and phototrichogram analysis by a side-by-side comparison. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Visualizing request-flow comparison to aid performance diagnosis in distributed systems.

PubMed

Sambasivan, Raja R; Shafer, Ilari; Mazurek, Michelle L; Ganger, Gregory R

2013-12-01

Distributed systems are complex to develop and administer, and performance problem diagnosis is particularly challenging. When performance degrades, the problem might be in any of the system's many components or could be a result of poor interactions among them. Recent research efforts have created tools that automatically localize the problem to a small number of potential culprits, but research is needed to understand what visualization techniques work best for helping distributed systems developers understand and explore their results. This paper compares the relative merits of three well-known visualization approaches (side-by-side, diff, and animation) in the context of presenting the results of one proven automated localization technique called request-flow comparison. Via a 26-person user study, which included real distributed systems developers, we identify the unique benefits that each approach provides for different problem types and usage modes.

Quality Multiple-Choice Test Questions: Item-Writing Guidelines and an Analysis of Auditing Testbanks.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hansen, James D.; Dexter, Lee

1997-01-01

Analysis of test item banks in 10 auditing textbooks found that 75% of questions violated one or more guidelines for multiple-choice items. In comparison, 70% of a certified public accounting exam bank had no violations. (SK)

Evidence, Fidelity, and Organisational Rationales: Multiple Uses of Motivational Interviewing in a Social Services Agency

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Björk, Alexander

2016-01-01

In discussions and empirical investigations of the implementation of evidence-based interventions there is often a narrow focus on treatment fidelity. Studying a social services agency trying to incorporate Motivational Interviewing (MI), commonly regarded as evidence-based, this paper problematises a one-sided attention to treatment fidelity by…

The Development of the CMS Zero Degree Calorimeters to Derive the Centrality of AA Collisions

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

Wood, Jeffrey Scott

The centrality of РЬРЬ collisions is derived using correlations from the zero degree calorimeter (ZDC) signal and pixel multiplicity at the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) Experiment using data from the heavy ion run in 2010. The method to derive the centrality takes the two-dimensional correlation between the ZDC and pixels and linearizes it for sorting events. The initial method for deriving the centrality at CMS uses the energy deposit in the HF detector, and it is compared to the centrality derived Ьу the correlations in ZDC and pixel multiplicity. This comparison highlights the similarities between the results of both methodsmore » in central collisions, as expected, and deviations in the results in peripheral collisions. The ZDC signals in peripheral collisions are selected Ьу low pixel multiplicity to oЬtain а ZDC neutron spectrum, which is used to effectively gain match both sides of the ZDC« less

Novel windowing technique realized in FPGA for radar system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Escamilla-Hernandez, E.; Kravchenko, V. F.; Ponomaryov, V. I.; Ikuo, Arai

2006-02-01

To improve the weak target detection ability in radar applications a pulse compression is usually used that in the case linear FM modulation can improve the SNR. One drawback in here is that it can add the range side-lobes in reflectivity measurements. Using weighting window processing in time domain it is possible to decrease significantly the side-lobe level (SLL) and resolve small or low power targets those are masked by powerful ones. There are usually used classical windows such as Hamming, Hanning, etc. in window processing. Additionally to classical ones in this paper we also use a novel class of windows based on atomic functions (AF) theory. For comparison of simulation and experimental results we applied the standard parameters, such as coefficient of amplification, maximum level of side-lobe, width of main lobe, etc. To implement the compression-windowing model on hardware level it has been employed FPGA. This work aims at demonstrating a reasonably flexible implementation of FM-linear signal, pulse compression and windowing employing FPGA's. Classical and novel AF window technique has been investigated to reduce the SLL taking into account the noise influence and increasing the detection ability of the small or weak targets in the imaging radar. Paper presents the experimental hardware results of windowing in pulse compression radar resolving several targets for rectangular, Hamming, Kaiser-Bessel, (see manuscript for formula) functions windows. The windows created by use the atomic functions offer sufficiently better decreasing of the SLL in case of noise presence and when we move away of the main lobe in comparison with classical windows.

Talent identification in youth soccer.

PubMed

Unnithan, Viswanath; White, Jordan; Georgiou, Andreas; Iga, John; Drust, Barry

2012-01-01

The purpose of this review article was firstly to evaluate the traditional approach to talent identification in youth soccer and secondly present pilot data on a more holistic method for talent identification. Research evidence exists to suggest that talent identification mechanisms that are predicated upon the physical (anthropometric) attributes of the early maturing individual only serve to identify current performance levels. Greater body mass and stature have both been related to faster ball shooting speed and vertical jump capacity respectively in elite youth soccer players. This approach, however, may prematurely exclude those late maturing individuals. Multiple physiological measures have also been used in an effort to determine key predictors of performance; with agility and sprint times, being identified as variables that could discriminate between elite and sub-elite groups of adolescent soccer players. Successful soccer performance is the product of multiple systems interacting with one another. Consequently, a more holistic approach to talent identification should be considered. Recent work, with elite youth soccer players, has considered whether multiple small-sided games could act as a talent identification tool in this population. The results demonstrated that there was a moderate agreement between the more technically gifted soccer player and success during multiple small-sided games.

Comparison of Virginia's 2010 English Standards of Learning with the Common Core State Standards for English and Literacy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Virginia Department of Education, 2010

2010-01-01

The "Comparison of Virginia's 2010 English Standards of Learning (SOL) with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts and Literacy (ELAL)" provides a side-by-side overview demonstrating how the 2010 English SOL are aligned to the CCSS for ELAL. The comparison was made using Virginia's complete standards program for…

A Multidimensional Strategy to Detect Polypharmacological Targets in the Absence of Structural and Sequence Homology

PubMed Central

Durrant, Jacob D.; Amaro, Rommie E.; Xie, Lei; Urbaniak, Michael D.; Ferguson, Michael A. J.; Haapalainen, Antti; Chen, Zhijun; Di Guilmi, Anne Marie; Wunder, Frank; Bourne, Philip E.; McCammon, J. Andrew

2010-01-01

Conventional drug design embraces the “one gene, one drug, one disease” philosophy. Polypharmacology, which focuses on multi-target drugs, has emerged as a new paradigm in drug discovery. The rational design of drugs that act via polypharmacological mechanisms can produce compounds that exhibit increased therapeutic potency and against which resistance is less likely to develop. Additionally, identifying multiple protein targets is also critical for side-effect prediction. One third of potential therapeutic compounds fail in clinical trials or are later removed from the market due to unacceptable side effects often caused by off-target binding. In the current work, we introduce a multidimensional strategy for the identification of secondary targets of known small-molecule inhibitors in the absence of global structural and sequence homology with the primary target protein. To demonstrate the utility of the strategy, we identify several targets of 4,5-dihydroxy-3-(1-naphthyldiazenyl)-2,7-naphthalenedisulfonic acid, a known micromolar inhibitor of Trypanosoma brucei RNA editing ligase 1. As it is capable of identifying potential secondary targets, the strategy described here may play a useful role in future efforts to reduce drug side effects and/or to increase polypharmacology. PMID:20098496

A multidimensional strategy to detect polypharmacological targets in the absence of structural and sequence homology.

PubMed

Durrant, Jacob D; Amaro, Rommie E; Xie, Lei; Urbaniak, Michael D; Ferguson, Michael A J; Haapalainen, Antti; Chen, Zhijun; Di Guilmi, Anne Marie; Wunder, Frank; Bourne, Philip E; McCammon, J Andrew

2010-01-22

Conventional drug design embraces the "one gene, one drug, one disease" philosophy. Polypharmacology, which focuses on multi-target drugs, has emerged as a new paradigm in drug discovery. The rational design of drugs that act via polypharmacological mechanisms can produce compounds that exhibit increased therapeutic potency and against which resistance is less likely to develop. Additionally, identifying multiple protein targets is also critical for side-effect prediction. One third of potential therapeutic compounds fail in clinical trials or are later removed from the market due to unacceptable side effects often caused by off-target binding. In the current work, we introduce a multidimensional strategy for the identification of secondary targets of known small-molecule inhibitors in the absence of global structural and sequence homology with the primary target protein. To demonstrate the utility of the strategy, we identify several targets of 4,5-dihydroxy-3-(1-naphthyldiazenyl)-2,7-naphthalenedisulfonic acid, a known micromolar inhibitor of Trypanosoma brucei RNA editing ligase 1. As it is capable of identifying potential secondary targets, the strategy described here may play a useful role in future efforts to reduce drug side effects and/or to increase polypharmacology.

Efficient RNA structure comparison algorithms.

PubMed

Arslan, Abdullah N; Anandan, Jithendar; Fry, Eric; Monschke, Keith; Ganneboina, Nitin; Bowerman, Jason

2017-12-01

Recently proposed relative addressing-based ([Formula: see text]) RNA secondary structure representation has important features by which an RNA structure database can be stored into a suffix array. A fast substructure search algorithm has been proposed based on binary search on this suffix array. Using this substructure search algorithm, we present a fast algorithm that finds the largest common substructure of given multiple RNA structures in [Formula: see text] format. The multiple RNA structure comparison problem is NP-hard in its general formulation. We introduced a new problem for comparing multiple RNA structures. This problem has more strict similarity definition and objective, and we propose an algorithm that solves this problem efficiently. We also develop another comparison algorithm that iteratively calls this algorithm to locate nonoverlapping large common substructures in compared RNAs. With the new resulting tools, we improved the RNASSAC website (linked from http://faculty.tamuc.edu/aarslan ). This website now also includes two drawing tools: one specialized for preparing RNA substructures that can be used as input by the search tool, and another one for automatically drawing the entire RNA structure from a given structure sequence.

A study of cycle control, side effects and client's satisfaction of a low dose combined contraceptive containing ethinylestradiol/drospirenone (24/4 regimen).

PubMed

Chaiyasit, Noppadol; Taneepanichskul, Surasak

2010-05-01

To study cycle control, side effects, and satisfaction of low dose 24-day combined contraceptive containing 20 microg of Ethinylestradiol and 3 mg of Drospirenone. This was an open label, non-comparative study. The healthy females from the family planning clinic at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital were assigned to receive six cycles of combined oral contraceptive containing 20 microg of ethinylestradiol and 3 mg of drospirenone administered daily for 24 days followed by 4-day hormone-free interval. Data were collected on cycle control, side effects, and satisfaction. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics for descriptive data and Paired t test for comparison. One hundred fifty four women were assigned the study medication, including one (0.64%) who did not start medication. In the second reference period, the occurrence of frequent and infrequent bleeding was low (2.1% and 4.9%). Only one woman (0.65%) discontinued medication because of irregular bleeding. There was no pregnancy reported during the present study. Overall, the study medication was well tolerated and five subjects (3.24%) discontinued study because of side effects. No serious side effects related to the study medication were reported. The majority of women (84.2%) were satisfied and very satisfied with the treatment and most (73.3%) would continue the medication if it were available. The low dose combined contraceptive containing Ethinylestradiol/Drospirenone (24/4 regimen) has acceptable cycle control and good tolerability.

Adapting Poisson-Boltzmann to the self-consistent mean field theory: Application to protein side-chain modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koehl, Patrice; Orland, Henri; Delarue, Marc

2011-08-01

We present an extension of the self-consistent mean field theory for protein side-chain modeling in which solvation effects are included based on the Poisson-Boltzmann (PB) theory. In this approach, the protein is represented with multiple copies of its side chains. Each copy is assigned a weight that is refined iteratively based on the mean field energy generated by the rest of the protein, until self-consistency is reached. At each cycle, the variational free energy of the multi-copy system is computed; this free energy includes the internal energy of the protein that accounts for vdW and electrostatics interactions and a solvation free energy term that is computed using the PB equation. The method converges in only a few cycles and takes only minutes of central processing unit time on a commodity personal computer. The predicted conformation of each residue is then set to be its copy with the highest weight after convergence. We have tested this method on a database of hundred highly refined NMR structures to circumvent the problems of crystal packing inherent to x-ray structures. The use of the PB-derived solvation free energy significantly improves prediction accuracy for surface side chains. For example, the prediction accuracies for χ1 for surface cysteine, serine, and threonine residues improve from 68%, 35%, and 43% to 80%, 53%, and 57%, respectively. A comparison with other side-chain prediction algorithms demonstrates that our approach is consistently better in predicting the conformations of exposed side chains.

Improving LC-MS sensitivity through increases in chromatographic performance: comparisons of UPLC-ES/MS/MS to HPLC-ES/MS/MS.

PubMed

Churchwell, Mona I; Twaddle, Nathan C; Meeker, Larry R; Doerge, Daniel R

2005-10-25

Recent technological advances have made available reverse phase chromatographic media with a 1.7 microm particle size along with a liquid handling system that can operate such columns at much higher pressures. This technology, termed ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), offers significant theoretical advantages in resolution, speed, and sensitivity for analytical determinations, particularly when coupled with mass spectrometers capable of high-speed acquisitions. This paper explores the differences in LC-MS performance by conducting a side-by-side comparison of UPLC for several methods previously optimized for HPLC-based separation and quantification of multiple analytes with maximum throughput. In general, UPLC produced significant improvements in method sensitivity, speed, and resolution. Sensitivity increases with UPLC, which were found to be analyte-dependent, were as large as 10-fold and improvements in method speed were as large as 5-fold under conditions of comparable peak separations. Improvements in chromatographic resolution with UPLC were apparent from generally narrower peak widths and from a separation of diastereomers not possible using HPLC. Overall, the improvements in LC-MS method sensitivity, speed, and resolution provided by UPLC show that further advances can be made in analytical methodology to add significant value to hypothesis-driven research.

An online model composition tool for system biology models

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background There are multiple representation formats for Systems Biology computational models, and the Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML) is one of the most widely used. SBML is used to capture, store, and distribute computational models by Systems Biology data sources (e.g., the BioModels Database) and researchers. Therefore, there is a need for all-in-one web-based solutions that support advance SBML functionalities such as uploading, editing, composing, visualizing, simulating, querying, and browsing computational models. Results We present the design and implementation of the Model Composition Tool (Interface) within the PathCase-SB (PathCase Systems Biology) web portal. The tool helps users compose systems biology models to facilitate the complex process of merging systems biology models. We also present three tools that support the model composition tool, namely, (1) Model Simulation Interface that generates a visual plot of the simulation according to user’s input, (2) iModel Tool as a platform for users to upload their own models to compose, and (3) SimCom Tool that provides a side by side comparison of models being composed in the same pathway. Finally, we provide a web site that hosts BioModels Database models and a separate web site that hosts SBML Test Suite models. Conclusions Model composition tool (and the other three tools) can be used with little or no knowledge of the SBML document structure. For this reason, students or anyone who wants to learn about systems biology will benefit from the described functionalities. SBML Test Suite models will be a nice starting point for beginners. And, for more advanced purposes, users will able to access and employ models of the BioModels Database as well. PMID:24006914

Sensitivity comparison of sequential monadic and side-by-side presentation protocols in affective consumer testing.

PubMed

Colyar, Jessica M; Eggett, Dennis L; Steele, Frost M; Dunn, Michael L; Ogden, Lynn V

2009-09-01

The relative sensitivity of side-by-side and sequential monadic consumer liking protocols was compared. In the side-by-side evaluation, all samples were presented at once and evaluated together 1 characteristic at a time. In the sequential monadic evaluation, 1 sample was presented and evaluated on all characteristics, then returned before panelists received and evaluated another sample. Evaluations were conducted on orange juice, frankfurters, canned chili, potato chips, and applesauce. Five commercial brands, having a broad quality range, were selected as samples for each product category to assure a wide array of consumer liking scores. Without their knowledge, panelists rated the same 5 retail brands by 1 protocol and then 3 wk later by the other protocol. For 3 of the products, both protocols yielded the same order of overall liking. Slight differences in order of overall liking for the other 2 products were not significant. Of the 50 pairwise overall liking comparisons, 44 were in agreement. The different results obtained by the 2 protocols in order of liking and significance of paired comparisons were due to the experimental variation and differences in sensitivity. Hedonic liking scores were subjected to statistical power analyses and used to calculate minimum number of panelists required to achieve varying degrees of sensitivity when using side-by-side and sequential monadic protocols. In most cases, the side-by-side protocol was more sensitive, thus providing the same information with fewer panelists. Side-by-side protocol was less sensitive in cases where sensory fatigue was a factor.

[Anatomy character of renal artery and treatment of living-donor renal transplantation].

PubMed

Zhang, Lei; Fei, Ji-guang; Chen, Li-zhong; Wang, Chang-xi; Deng, Su-xiong; Qiu, Jiang; Li, Jun; Chen, Guo-dong; Huang, Gang

2009-12-15

To study the anatomy characters of renal artery and the treatment of multiple arteries in living donor renal grafts. Records of 142 living donors were analyzed in our center. We analyzed the anatomic structure of renal arteries by DSA and CTA pre-transplantation. Thirty-one kidneys with multiple arteries were transplanted after reconstruction. Then clinical effects were compared between multiple-renal-arteries group (n=31) and single-renal-artery group (n=111). The incidence of multiple renal artery was 30.99%, and there was no difference between both sides (left kidney 22.54%, right kidney 22.13%). If the multiple artery occurred in left or right kidney, the incidence of the multiple artery occurred in the other side was 56.25% and 60.00%, respectively. The diameter of left main renal artery was more magnanimous (P=0.001) and the first branch was more closed to abdominal aorta (P=0.004). Operation time and warm/cool ischemia time were longer in the multiple-renal-arteries group. However, estimated blood loss, delayed graft function, acute rejection and flow rate of arcuate artery were similar in both groups, the same as serum creatinine and serum creatinine clearance rate on day 7, 1 month and 3 month post-operation. It was shown by repeated measures ANOVA that graft with multiple arteries didn't affect the tendency of renal function at early time post-operation. Comprehending the character of renal artery and accurate treatment of multiple artery anastomosis are critical for the effect of the living kidney transplantation.

Multiplexed target detection using DNA-binding dye chemistry in droplet digital PCR.

PubMed

McDermott, Geoffrey P; Do, Duc; Litterst, Claudia M; Maar, Dianna; Hindson, Christopher M; Steenblock, Erin R; Legler, Tina C; Jouvenot, Yann; Marrs, Samuel H; Bemis, Adam; Shah, Pallavi; Wong, Josephine; Wang, Shenglong; Sally, David; Javier, Leanne; Dinio, Theresa; Han, Chunxiao; Brackbill, Timothy P; Hodges, Shawn P; Ling, Yunfeng; Klitgord, Niels; Carman, George J; Berman, Jennifer R; Koehler, Ryan T; Hiddessen, Amy L; Walse, Pramod; Bousse, Luc; Tzonev, Svilen; Hefner, Eli; Hindson, Benjamin J; Cauly, Thomas H; Hamby, Keith; Patel, Viresh P; Regan, John F; Wyatt, Paul W; Karlin-Neumann, George A; Stumbo, David P; Lowe, Adam J

2013-12-03

Two years ago, we described the first droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) system aimed at empowering all researchers with a tool that removes the substantial uncertainties associated with using the analogue standard, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). This system enabled TaqMan hydrolysis probe-based assays for the absolute quantification of nucleic acids. Due to significant advancements in droplet chemistry and buoyed by the multiple benefits associated with dye-based target detection, we have created a "second generation" ddPCR system compatible with both TaqMan-probe and DNA-binding dye detection chemistries. Herein, we describe the operating characteristics of DNA-binding dye based ddPCR and offer a side-by-side comparison to TaqMan probe detection. By partitioning each sample prior to thermal cycling, we demonstrate that it is now possible to use a DNA-binding dye for the quantification of multiple target species from a single reaction. The increased resolution associated with partitioning also made it possible to visualize and account for signals arising from nonspecific amplification products. We expect that the ability to combine the precision of ddPCR with both DNA-binding dye and TaqMan probe detection chemistries will further enable the research community to answer complex and diverse genetic questions.

Decadal trends in Indian Ocean ambient sound.

PubMed

Miksis-Olds, Jennifer L; Bradley, David L; Niu, Xiaoyue Maggie

2013-11-01

The increase of ocean noise documented in the North Pacific has sparked concern on whether the observed increases are a global or regional phenomenon. This work provides evidence of low frequency sound increases in the Indian Ocean. A decade (2002-2012) of recordings made off the island of Diego Garcia, UK in the Indian Ocean was parsed into time series according to frequency band and sound level. Quarterly sound level comparisons between the first and last years were also performed. The combination of time series and temporal comparison analyses over multiple measurement parameters produced results beyond those obtainable from a single parameter analysis. The ocean sound floor has increased over the past decade in the Indian Ocean. Increases were most prominent in recordings made south of Diego Garcia in the 85-105 Hz band. The highest sound level trends differed between the two sides of the island; the highest sound levels decreased in the north and increased in the south. Rate, direction, and magnitude of changes among the multiple parameters supported interpretation of source functions driving the trends. The observed sound floor increases are consistent with concurrent increases in shipping, wind speed, wave height, and blue whale abundance in the Indian Ocean.

Three-dimensional steady flow computations in manifold-type junctions and a comparison with experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuo, Tang-Wei; Chang, Shengming

Results of three-dimensional steady flow calculations are compared with existing pressure and velocity measurements of two manifold-type junctions. The junctions consist of a main duct and a side branch, both with the same rectangular cross section, with the side branch joining the main duct at an angle of either 90 or 45 degrees. Both combining and dividing flow configurations are considered for different total mass flow rates and different side-branch-to-main-duct mass flow ratios. One objective of this investigation was to assess the effects of numerical differencing scheme and mesh refinement on solution accuracy, and both parameters showed strong influences on the computed results. It is shown that calculations should be made with the highest possible level of numerical accuracy and grid resolution in regions of flow recirculation. Comparisons of computed and measured velocities, static pressures, and flow loss coefficients are presented in this paper. For most cases considered, the model predictions are in good agreement with the measurements. Results can be used as input loss coefficients to an engine-simulation code, in addition to being used to evaluate a specific junction design.

Managing imperfect competition by pay for performance and reference pricing.

PubMed

Mak, Henry Y

2018-01-01

I study a managed health service market where differentiated providers compete for consumers by choosing multiple service qualities, and where copayments that consumers pay and payments that providers receive for services are set by a payer. The optimal regulation scheme is two-sided. On the demand side, it justifies and clarifies value-based reference pricing. On the supply side, it prescribes pay for performance when consumers misperceive service benefits or providers have intrinsic quality incentives. The optimal bonuses are expressed in terms of demand elasticities, service technology, and provider characteristics. However, pay for performance may not outperform prospective payment when consumers are rational and providers are profit maximizing, or when one of the service qualities is not contractible. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparison of Inner Ear Contrast Enhancement among Patients with Unilateral Inner Ear Symptoms in MR Images Obtained 10 Minutes and 4 Hours after Gadolinium Injection.

PubMed

Kim, T Y; Park, D W; Lee, Y J; Lee, J Y; Lee, S H; Chung, J H; Lee, S

2015-12-01

Recently 4-hour delayed-enhanced 3D-FLAIR MR imaging has been used in pathophysiologic analysis of the inner ear in many auditory diseases, including sudden sensorineural hearing loss, but comparison among different time points is not clear in patients with unilateral inner ear symptoms. We compared the signal-intensity ratios of the inner ears in patients with unilateral inner ear symptoms on 10-minute delayed-enhanced and 4-hour delayed-enhanced 3D-FLAIR MR images after IV gadolinium injection. The 10-minute delayed-enhanced and 4-hour delayed-enhanced 3D-FLAIR MR images were retrospectively analyzed. Signal-intensity ratios between the cerebellum and inner ear structures, such as the cochleae, vestibules, and vestibulocochlear nerve were assessed. Multiple comparisons were performed. Signal-intensity ratios of the affected cochleae, vestibules, and vestibulocochlear nerve were higher than those of unaffected sides in both 10-minute delayed-enhanced and 4-hour delayed-enhanced images. At the affected side, signal-intensity ratios of the vestibulocochlear nerve were higher in patients with nonsudden sensorineural hearing loss than in those with sudden sensorineural hearing loss on both 10-minute delayed-enhanced and 4-hour delayed-enhanced images. The signal-intensity ratios of some affected inner ear structures were higher than those of the unaffected sides in a group of 30 patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss and 20 patients with nonsudden sensorineural hearing loss on 10-minute delayed-enhanced and 4-hour delayed-enhanced images. Signal-intensity ratios of the inner ear show statistically significant increases in many diseases, especially neuritis, in 10-minute delayed-enhanced and 4-hour delayed-enhanced images. The 4-hour delayed-enhanced images may be superior in neural inflammatory-dominant conditions, while 10-minute delayed-enhanced images may be superior in neural noninflammatory-dominant conditions. © 2015 by American Journal of Neuroradiology.

The Language Skill Change Project (LSCP): Background, Procedures, and Preliminary Findings

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-12-01

word in the dictionary so I can understand what I am reading. 49. I use flashcards (with the new word or phrase on one side and the definition or...mostly on a term paper rather than multiple choice tests. 6. I would rather watch a heated debate on a controversial topic than a popular music program

Multiple comparison analysis testing in ANOVA.

PubMed

McHugh, Mary L

2011-01-01

The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test has long been an important tool for researchers conducting studies on multiple experimental groups and one or more control groups. However, ANOVA cannot provide detailed information on differences among the various study groups, or on complex combinations of study groups. To fully understand group differences in an ANOVA, researchers must conduct tests of the differences between particular pairs of experimental and control groups. Tests conducted on subsets of data tested previously in another analysis are called post hoc tests. A class of post hoc tests that provide this type of detailed information for ANOVA results are called "multiple comparison analysis" tests. The most commonly used multiple comparison analysis statistics include the following tests: Tukey, Newman-Keuls, Scheffee, Bonferroni and Dunnett. These statistical tools each have specific uses, advantages and disadvantages. Some are best used for testing theory while others are useful in generating new theory. Selection of the appropriate post hoc test will provide researchers with the most detailed information while limiting Type 1 errors due to alpha inflation.

Effects of Example Variability and Prior Knowledge in How Students Learn to Solve Equations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guo, Jian-Peng; Yang, Ling-Yan; Ding, Yi

2014-01-01

Researchers have consistently demonstrated that multiple examples are better than one example in facilitating learning because the comparison evoked by multiple examples supports learning and transfer. However, research outcomes are unclear regarding the effects of example variability and prior knowledge on learning from comparing multiple…

Childhood Diagnoses and Later Risk for Multiple Suicide Attempts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rudd, M. David; Joiner, Thomas E.; Rumzek, Harold

2004-01-01

The relationship between childhood diagnosis, personality psychopathology and suicidal behavior in young adulthood was explored in a sample of 327 suicide ideators, single attempters, and multiple attempters. Of the total sample, 174 received at least one childhood diagnosis; the 153 without a diagnosis provided a comparison group. Results suggest…

Asymmetric vitreomacular traction and symmetrical full thickness macular hole formation.

PubMed

Woon, Wai H; Greig, Denis; Savage, Mike D; Wilson, Mark C T; Grant, Colin A; Bishop, Fiona; Mokete, Bataung

2015-11-01

A Full Thickness Macular Hole (FTMH) is often associated with vitreomacular traction, and this can be asymmetric with vitreomacular traction on one side of the hole but not the other. In cross-section, the elevated retinal rim around a developed FTMH is seen as a drawbridge elevation, and this drawbridge elevation may be used as a measure of morphological change. Examination of the drawbridge elevation of the retinal rim in FTMH with asymmetric vitreomacular traction may help to clarify the role of vitreomacular traction in the development of FTMH. Cases of FTMH were identified with an initial OCT scan showing vitreomacular traction on one side of the hole only and that had a follow-up OCT scan showing progression of the hole. A tangent to the retinal surface at a distance of 700 microns from the axis of the hole was used as a marker of the drawbridge elevation of the retinal rim around the macular hole. Comparisons of the drawbridge elevation and change in drawbridge elevation between the sides with and without initial vitreomacular traction were made. There was no significant difference between the drawbridge elevation, or change in drawbridge elevation, on the side of the hole with initial vitreomacular traction compared to the side without initial traction. There is some intrinsic mechanism within the retina to link the morphological changes on the two sides of a FTMH. A bistable hypothesis of FTMH formation and closure is postulated to explain this linkage.

Multifunctionality in coating films including Nb-doped TiO2 and Cs x WO3: near infrared shielding and photocatalytic properties.

PubMed

Asakura, Yusuke; Anada, Yuto; Hamanaka, Ryo; Sato, Tsugio; Katsumata, Ken-Ichi; Wu, Xiaoyong; Yin, Shu

2018-06-01

Various types of coating films were obtained from hydrothermally synthesized Nb-doped TiO 2 (NTO) and Cs x WO 3 (CWO) nanoparticles. The coating films possessed multifunctionality including near infrared (NIR) absorption and photocatalysis abilities. The NTO and CWO nanoparticles were synthesized by a unique solvothermal reaction in which water induced by an esterification reaction between alcohol and carboxylic acid can act as a hydrolyzing agent for metal precursors. NTO was synthesized by the unique solvothermal reaction for the first time. The reaction accompanied by the reduction of Ti 4+ to Ti 3+ led to the formation of nanoparticles with both NIR absorption and photocatalytic properties. The effect of the ethanol-acetic acid ratio on the morphology of the obtained NTO was investigated, and the larger amount of acetic acid led to a larger nanoparticle size, indicating the size controllability. The two types of coating film, including CWO and NTO nanoparticles, were obtained for comparison: (1) coexistent coating film: one side of the quartz glass was coated with a dispersion, including both CWO and NTO nanoparticles, and (2) double-sided coating film: a quartz glass coated with a CWO dispersion on one side and an NTO dispersion on the other side. The double-sided coating led to higher multifunctionality. Furthermore, the optimized condition for the double-sided coating was investigated by using various NTO particles obtained using different ethanol-acetic acid ratios.

Multifunctionality in coating films including Nb-doped TiO2 and Cs x WO3: near infrared shielding and photocatalytic properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asakura, Yusuke; Anada, Yuto; Hamanaka, Ryo; Sato, Tsugio; Katsumata, Ken-ichi; Wu, Xiaoyong; Yin, Shu

2018-06-01

Various types of coating films were obtained from hydrothermally synthesized Nb-doped TiO2 (NTO) and Cs x WO3 (CWO) nanoparticles. The coating films possessed multifunctionality including near infrared (NIR) absorption and photocatalysis abilities. The NTO and CWO nanoparticles were synthesized by a unique solvothermal reaction in which water induced by an esterification reaction between alcohol and carboxylic acid can act as a hydrolyzing agent for metal precursors. NTO was synthesized by the unique solvothermal reaction for the first time. The reaction accompanied by the reduction of Ti4+ to Ti3+ led to the formation of nanoparticles with both NIR absorption and photocatalytic properties. The effect of the ethanol–acetic acid ratio on the morphology of the obtained NTO was investigated, and the larger amount of acetic acid led to a larger nanoparticle size, indicating the size controllability. The two types of coating film, including CWO and NTO nanoparticles, were obtained for comparison: (1) coexistent coating film: one side of the quartz glass was coated with a dispersion, including both CWO and NTO nanoparticles, and (2) double-sided coating film: a quartz glass coated with a CWO dispersion on one side and an NTO dispersion on the other side. The double-sided coating led to higher multifunctionality. Furthermore, the optimized condition for the double-sided coating was investigated by using various NTO particles obtained using different ethanol–acetic acid ratios.

Learning to throw on a rotating carousel: recalibration based on limb dynamics and projectile kinematics.

PubMed

Bruggeman, Hugo; Pick, Herbert L; Rieser, John J

2005-05-01

Skilled actions exhibit adjustment in calibration to bring about their goals. The sought-after calibrations change as a function of the environmental situation that stages the actions. In these experiments participants sat on one side of a rotating carousel and threw beanbags underhanded at a target fixed on the opposite side. Logically, aimed throwing in this situation involves adjustment to fit changes in limb dynamics (originating from Coriolis forces) and changes in perceived projectile kinematics (originating from the tangential velocity of thrower and target). We studied whether such adjustment involved one or multiple components of recalibration. An initial experiment showed that exposure to rotation while throwing beanbags produced a robust recalibration in the direction of underhanded throws as manifest in throwing at stationary targets from a stationary position. Following some initial decay this recalibration persisted and approached an asymptote. Subsequent experiments suggested two independent components of recalibration. One is based on limb dynamics and accounts for the initial decay. The other is based on the perceived projectile kinematics and accounts for the stable change in throwing direction. These results raised the question of how multiple components of recalibration of an action are related. We propose that movement components are independent and calibrated separately at different levels in the organization of an action.

Comparison of the nutrient content of children's menu items at US restaurant chains, 2010-2014.

PubMed

Deierlein, Andrea L; Peat, Kay; Claudio, Luz

2015-08-15

To determine changes in the nutritional content of children's menu items at U.S. restaurant chains between 2010 and 2014. The sample consisted of 13 sit down and 16 fast-food restaurant chains ranked within the top 50 US chains in 2009. Nutritional information was accessed in June-July 2010 and 2014. Descriptive statistics were calculated for nutrient content of main dishes and side dishes, as well as for those items that were added, removed, or unchanged during the study period. Nutrient content of main dishes did not change significantly between 2010 and 2014. Approximately one-third of main dishes at fast-food restaurant chains and half of main dishes at sit down restaurant chains exceeded the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommended levels for sodium, fat, and saturated fat in 2014. Improvements in nutrient content were observed for side dishes. At sit down restaurant chains, added side dishes contained over 50% less calories, fat, saturated fat, and sodium, and were more likely to contain fruits/vegetables compared to removed sides (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). Added side dishes at fast-food restaurant chains contained less saturated fat (p < 0.05). The majority of menu items, especially main dishes, available to children still contain high amounts of calories, fat, saturated fat, and sodium. Efforts must be made by the restaurant industry and policy makers to improve the nutritional content of children's menu items at restaurant chains to align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Additional efforts are necessary to help parents and children make informed choices when ordering at restaurant chains.

Flow and Noise From Septa Nozzles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zaman, Khairul; Bridges, James

2017-01-01

This investigation pertains to distributed propulsion system. Basically, the jet exhaust is divided and channeled through multiple compartments or septa. In one version of the concept each septum is to be driven by an electric fan, the power being supplied by engines suitably mounted on the airframe. In the latter hybrid case the need for heavy power trains is eliminated and system studies indicate a net benefit in efficiency. From aeroacoustics point of view, however, there are concerns. An immediate question is whether the noise from the multiple jets would be equal to or greater than that from an equivalent single jet. When multiple jets are placed side by side sometimes they resonate and produce more noise. In order to address these issues a fundamental model-scale experiment is being carried out at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC). Preliminary results from this study have been presented recently. One of the key findings is that the noise from the septa nozzle can actually be less than that from the equivalent single nozzle. Continued studies make it clear that the flow from the septa nozzle may be quite sensitive to upstream passage geometry in each septum. This can have a profound impact on the evolution of the flow downstream as well as noise. These issues are currently being researched. The proposed paper is to summarize the results from the mainly experimental study that is to be aided by limited numerical simulation.

Paper and Plastic in Daily Diary Research: Comment on Green, Rafaeli, Bolger, Shrout, and Reis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tennen, Howard; Affleck, Glenn; Coyne, James C.; Larsen, Randy J.; DeLongis, Anita

2006-01-01

The authors applaud A. S. Green, E. Rafaeli, N. Bolger, P. E. Shrout, and H. T. Reis's (2006) response to one-sided comparisons of paper versus electronic (plastic) diary methods and hope that it will stimulate more balanced considerations of the issues involved. The authors begin by highlighting areas of agreement and disagreement with Green et…

75 FR 41560 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC and NYSE Amex LLC; Notice of Filing...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-16

... date (``T+2'') any open balance in any of the omnibus accounts they use to compare trades to either a... U.S. To facilitate the comparison process, the Exchanges utilize omnibus account designations to record trade data.\\6\\ Using omnibus account designations allows for universal contras for one trade side...

A Comparison of Heuristic and Human Performance on Open Versions of the Traveling Salesperson Problem

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

MacGregor, James N.; Chronicle, Edward P.; Ormerod, Thomas C.

2006-01-01

We compared the performance of three heuristics with that of subjects on variants of a well-known combinatorial optimization task, the Traveling Salesperson Problem (TSP). The present task consisted of finding the shortest path through an array of points from one side of the array to the other. Like the standard TSP, the task is computationally…

Dynamic Assessment and Response to Intervention: Two Sides of One Coin

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grigorenko, Elena L.

2009-01-01

This article compares and contrasts the main features of dynamic testing and assessment (DT/A) and response to intervention (RTI). The comparison is carried out along the following lines: (a) historical and empirical roots of both concepts, (b) premises underlying DT/A and RTI, (c) terms used in these concepts, (d) use of these concepts, (e)…

A Vorticity-preserving Hydrodynamical Scheme for Modeling Accretion Disk Flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seligman, Darryl; Laughlin, Gregory

2017-10-01

Vortices, turbulence, and unsteady nonlaminar flows are likely both prominent and dynamically important features of astrophysical disks. Such strongly nonlinear phenomena are often difficult, however, to simulate accurately, and are generally amenable to analytic treatment only in idealized form. In this paper, we explore the evolution of compressible two-dimensional flows using an implicit dual-time hydrodynamical scheme that strictly conserves vorticity (if applied to simulate inviscid flows for which Kelvin’s Circulation Theorem is applicable). The algorithm is based on the work of Lerat et al., who proposed it in the context of terrestrial applications such as the blade-vortex interactions generated by helicopter rotors. We present several tests of Lerat et al.'s vorticity-preserving approach, which we have implemented to second-order accuracy, providing side-by-side comparisons with other algorithms that are frequently used in protostellar disk simulations. The comparison codes include one based on explicit, second-order van Leer advection, one based on spectral methods, and another that implements a higher-order Godunov solver. Our results suggest that the Lerat et al. algorithm will be useful for simulations of astrophysical environments in which vortices play a dynamical role, and where strong shocks are not expected.

Forward Λ production and nuclear stopping power in d+Au collisions at sNN=200 GeV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abelev, B. I.; Aggarwal, M. M.; Ahammed, Z.; Anderson, B. D.; Arkhipkin, D.; Averichev, G. S.; Bai, Y.; Balewski, J.; Barannikova, O.; Barnby, L. S.; Baudot, J.; Baumgart, S.; Belaga, V. V.; Bellingeri-Laurikainen, A.; Bellwied, R.; Benedosso, F.; Betts, R. R.; Bhardwaj, S.; Bhasin, A.; Bhati, A. K.; Bichsel, H.; Bielcik, J.; Bielcikova, J.; Bland, L. C.; Blyth, S.-L.; Bombara, M.; Bonner, B. E.; Botje, M.; Bouchet, J.; Brandin, A. V.; Bravar, A.; Burton, T. P.; Bystersky, M.; Cai, X. Z.; Caines, H.; Sánchez, M. Calderón De La Barca; Callner, J.; Catu, O.; Cebra, D.; Cervantes, M. C.; Chajecki, Z.; Chaloupka, P.; Chattopadhyay, S.; Chen, H. F.; Chen, J. H.; Chen, J. Y.; Cheng, J.; Cherney, M.; Chikanian, A.; Christie, W.; Chung, S. U.; Clarke, R. F.; Codrington, M. J. M.; Coffin, J. P.; Cormier, T. M.; Cosentino, M. R.; Cramer, J. G.; Crawford, H. J.; Das, D.; Dash, S.; Daugherity, M.; Moura, M. M. De; Dedovich, T. G.; Dephillips, M.; Derevschikov, A. A.; Didenko, L.; Dietel, T.; Djawotho, P.; Dogra, S. M.; Dong, X.; Drachenberg, J. L.; Draper, J. E.; Du, F.; Dunin, V. B.; Dunlop, J. C.; Mazumdar, M. R. Dutta; Eckardt, V.; Edwards, W. R.; Efimov, L. G.; Emelianov, V.; Engelage, J.; Eppley, G.; Erazmus, B.; Estienne, M.; Fachini, P.; Fatemi, R.; Fedorisin, J.; Feng, A.; Filip, P.; Finch, E.; Fine, V.; Fisyak, Y.; Fu, J.; Gagliardi, C. A.; Gaillard, L.; Ganti, M. S.; Garcia-Solis, E.; Ghazikhanian, V.; Ghosh, P.; Gorbunov, Y. N.; Gos, H.; Grebenyuk, O.; Grosnick, D.; Grube, B.; Guertin, S. M.; Guimaraes, K. S. F. F.; Gupta, N.; Haag, B.; Hallman, T. J.; Hamed, A.; Harris, J. W.; He, W.; Heinz, M.; Henry, T. W.; Heppelmann, S.; Hippolyte, B.; Hirsch, A.; Hjort, E.; Hoffman, A. M.; Hoffmann, G. W.; Hofman, D. J.; Hollis, R. S.; Horner, M. J.; Huang, H. Z.; Hughes, E. W.; Humanic, T. J.; Igo, G.; Iordanova, A.; Jacobs, P.; Jacobs, W. W.; Jakl, P.; Jia, F.; Jones, P. G.; Judd, E. G.; Kabana, S.; Kang, K.; Kapitan, J.; Kaplan, M.; Keane, D.; Kechechyan, A.; Kettler, D.; Khodyrev, V. Yu.; Kiryluk, J.; Kisiel, A.; Kislov, E. M.; Klein, S. R.; Knospe, A. G.; Kocoloski, A.; Koetke, D. D.; Kollegger, T.; Kopytine, M.; Kotchenda, L.; Kouchpil, V.; Kowalik, K. L.; Kravtsov, P.; Kravtsov, V. I.; Krueger, K.; Kuhn, C.; Kulikov, A. I.; Kumar, A.; Kurnadi, P.; Kuznetsov, A. A.; Lamont, M. A. C.; Landgraf, J. M.; Lange, S.; Lapointe, S.; Laue, F.; Lauret, J.; Lebedev, A.; Lednicky, R.; Lee, C.-H.; Lehocka, S.; Levine, M. J.; Li, C.; Li, Q.; Li, Y.; Lin, G.; Lin, X.; Lindenbaum, S. J.; Lisa, M. A.; Liu, F.; Liu, H.; Liu, J.; Liu, L.; Ljubicic, T.; Llope, W. J.; Longacre, R. S.; Love, W. A.; Lu, Y.; Ludlam, T.; Lynn, D.; Ma, G. L.; Ma, J. G.; Ma, Y. G.; Mahapatra, D. P.; Majka, R.; Mangotra, L. K.; Manweiler, R.; Margetis, S.; Markert, C.; Martin, L.; Matis, H. S.; Matulenko, Yu. A.; McClain, C. J.; McShane, T. S.; Melnick, Yu.; Meschanin, A.; Millane, J.; Miller, M. L.; Minaev, N. G.; Mioduszewski, S.; Mischke, A.; Mitchell, J.; Mohanty, B.; Morozov, D. A.; Munhoz, M. G.; Nandi, B. K.; Nattrass, C.; Nayak, T. K.; Nelson, J. M.; Nepali, C.; Netrakanti, P. K.; Nogach, L. V.; Nurushev, S. B.; Odyniec, G.; Ogawa, A.; Okorokov, V.; Oldenburg, M.; Olson, D.; Pachr, M.; Pal, S. K.; Panebratsev, Y.; Pavlinov, A. I.; Pawlak, T.; Peitzmann, T.; Perevoztchikov, V.; Perkins, C.; Peryt, W.; Phatak, S. C.; Planinic, M.; Pluta, J.; Poljak, N.; Porile, N.; Poskanzer, A. M.; Potekhin, M.; Potrebenikova, E.; Potukuchi, B. V. K. S.; Prindle, D.; Pruneau, C.; Pruthi, N. K.; Putschke, J.; Qattan, I. A.; Raniwala, R.; Raniwala, S.; Ray, R. L.; Relyea, D.; Ridiger, A.; Ritter, H. G.; Roberts, J. B.; Rogachevskiy, O. V.; Romero, J. L.; Rose, A.; Roy, C.; Ruan, L.; Russcher, M. J.; Sahoo, R.; Sakrejda, I.; Sakuma, T.; Salur, S.; Sandweiss, J.; Sarsour, M.; Sazhin, P. S.; Schambach, J.; Scharenberg, R. P.; Schmitz, N.; Seger, J.; Selyuzhenkov, I.; Seyboth, P.; Shabetai, A.; Shahaliev, E.; Shao, M.; Sharma, M.; Shen, W. Q.; Shimanskiy, S. S.; Sichtermann, E. P.; Simon, F.; Singaraju, R. N.; Smirnov, N.; Snellings, R.; Sorensen, P.; Sowinski, J.; Speltz, J.; Spinka, H. M.; Srivastava, B.; Stadnik, A.; Stanislaus, T. D. S.; Staszak, D.; Stock, R.; Strikhanov, M.; Stringfellow, B.; Suaide, A. A. P.; Suarez, M. C.; Subba, N. L.; Sumbera, M.; Sun, X. M.; Sun, Z.; Surrow, B.; Symons, T. J. M.; Toledo, A. Szanto De; Takahashi, J.; Tang, A. H.; Tarnowsky, T.; Thomas, J. H.; Timmins, A. R.; Timoshenko, S.; Tokarev, M.; Trainor, T. A.; Trentalange, S.; Tribble, R. E.; Tsai, O. D.; Ulery, J.; Ullrich, T.; Underwood, D. G.; Buren, G. Van; Kolk, N. Van Der; Leeuwen, M. Van; Molen, A. M. Vander; Varma, R.; Vasilevski, I. M.; Vasiliev, A. N.; Vernet, R.; Vigdor, S. E.; Viyogi, Y. P.; Vokal, S.; Voloshin, S. A.; Wada, M.; Waggoner, W. T.; Wang, F.; Wang, G.; Wang, J. S.; Wang, X. L.; Wang, Y.; Webb, J. C.; Westfall, G. D.; , C. Whitten, Jr.; Wieman, H.; Wissink, S. W.; Witt, R.; Wu, J.; Wu, Y.; Xu, N.; Xu, Q. H.; Xu, Z.; Yepes, P.; Yoo, I.-K.; Yue, Q.; Yurevich, V. I.; Zawisza, M.; Zhan, W.; Zhang, H.; Zhang, W. M.; Zhang, Y.; Zhang, Z. P.; Zhao, Y.; Zhong, C.; Zhou, J.; Zoulkarneev, R.; Zoulkarneeva, Y.; Zubarev, A. N.; Zuo, J. X.

2007-12-01

We report the measurement of Λ and Λ¯ yields and inverse slope parameters in d+Au collisions at sNN=200 GeV at forward and backward rapidities (y=±2.75), using data from the STAR forward time projection chambers. The contributions of different processes to baryon transport and particle production are probed exploiting the inherent asymmetry of the d+Au system. Comparisons to model calculations show that baryon transport on the deuteron side is consistent with multiple collisions of the deuteron nucleons with gold participants. On the gold side, HIJING-based models without a hadronic rescattering phase do not describe the measured particle yields, while models that include target remnants or hadronic rescattering do. The multichain model can provide a good description of the net baryon density in d+Au collisions at energies currently available at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, and the derived parameters of the model agree with those from nuclear collisions at lower energies.

Comparison of stethoscope bell and diaphragm, and of stethoscope tube length, for clinical blood pressure measurement.

PubMed

Liu, Chengyu; Griffiths, Clive; Murray, Alan; Zheng, Dingchang

2016-06-01

This study investigated the effect of stethoscope side and tube length on auscultatory blood pressure (BP) measurement. Thirty-two healthy participants were studied. For each participant, four measurements with different combinations of stethoscope characteristics (bell or diaphragm side, standard or short tube length) were each recorded at two repeat sessions, and eight Korotkoff sound recordings were played twice on separate days to one experienced listener to determine the systolic and diastolic BPs (SBP and DBP). Analysis of variance was carried out to study the measurement repeatability between the two repeat sessions and between the two BP determinations on separate days, as well as the effects of stethoscope side and tube length. There was no significant paired difference between the repeat sessions and between the repeat determinations for both SBP and DBP (all P-values>0.10, except the repeat session for SBP using short tube and diaphragm). The key result was that there was a small but significantly higher DBP on using the bell in comparison with the diaphragm (0.66 mmHg, P=0.007), and a significantly higher SBP on using the short tube in comparison with the standard length (0.77 mmHg, P=0.008). This study shows that stethoscope characteristics have only a small, although statistically significant, influence on clinical BP measurement. Although this helps understand the measurement technique and resolves questions in the published literature, the influence is not clinically significant.

Comparison of stethoscope bell and diaphragm, and of stethoscope tube length, for clinical blood pressure measurement

PubMed Central

Griffiths, Clive; Murray, Alan; Zheng, Dingchang

2016-01-01

Objective This study investigated the effect of stethoscope side and tube length on auscultatory blood pressure (BP) measurement. Methods Thirty-two healthy participants were studied. For each participant, four measurements with different combinations of stethoscope characteristics (bell or diaphragm side, standard or short tube length) were each recorded at two repeat sessions, and eight Korotkoff sound recordings were played twice on separate days to one experienced listener to determine the systolic and diastolic BPs (SBP and DBP). Analysis of variance was carried out to study the measurement repeatability between the two repeat sessions and between the two BP determinations on separate days, as well as the effects of stethoscope side and tube length. Results There was no significant paired difference between the repeat sessions and between the repeat determinations for both SBP and DBP (all P-values>0.10, except the repeat session for SBP using short tube and diaphragm). The key result was that there was a small but significantly higher DBP on using the bell in comparison with the diaphragm (0.66 mmHg, P=0.007), and a significantly higher SBP on using the short tube in comparison with the standard length (0.77 mmHg, P=0.008). Conclusion This study shows that stethoscope characteristics have only a small, although statistically significant, influence on clinical BP measurement. Although this helps understand the measurement technique and resolves questions in the published literature, the influence is not clinically significant. PMID:26741415

Proteus syndrome: a case report.

PubMed

Pangkanon, S; Limpongsanurak, W; Sangtawesin, V

2001-05-01

Proteus syndrome is a rare genetic disorder, characterized by partial gigantism of the hands and/or feet, asymmetry of the limbs, plantar hyperplasia, multiple hamartomatous subcutaneous tumors, hyperostoses, and long bone overgrowth. A one day old Thai male infant is reported with macrosomia, hemihypertrophy of the left side of the face and left leg, large feet, macrodactyly of toes, plantar hyperplasia, large subcutaneous mass with a violet-red surface over the left side of the chest wall and a large port-wine stain involving the lateral aspect of the right chest wall. The clinical findings, diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis, and management of the Proteus syndrome are reviewed.

A new sensitizer DVDMS combined with multiple focused ultrasound treatments: an effective antitumor strategy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiong, Wenli; Wang, Pan; Hu, Jianmin; Jia, Yali; Wu, Lijie; Chen, Xiyang; Liu, Quanhong; Wang, Xiaobing

2015-12-01

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) was developed as a promising noninvasive approach. The present study investigated the antitumor effect of a new sensitizer (sinoporphyrin sodium, referred to as DVDMS) combined with multiple ultrasound treatments on sarcoma 180 both in vitro and in vivo. The combined treatment significantly suppressed cell viability, potentiated apoptosis, and markedly inhibited angiogenesis in vivo. In vivo, the tumor weight inhibition ratio reached 89.82% fifteen days after three sonication treatments plus DVDMS. This effect was stronger than one ultrasound alone (32.56%) and than one round of sonication plus DVDMS (59.33%). DVDMS combined with multiple focused ultrasound treatments initiated tumor tissue destruction, induced cancer cell apoptosis, inhibited tumor angiogenesis, suppressed cancer cell proliferation, and decreased VEGF and PCNA expression levels. Moreover, the treatment did not show obvious signs of side effects or induce a drop in body weight. These results indicated that DVDMS combined with multiple focused ultrasounds may be a promising strategy against solid tumor.

Metal cation dependence of interactions with amino acids: bond dissociation energies of Rb(+) and Cs(+) to the acidic amino acids and their amide derivatives.

PubMed

Armentrout, P B; Yang, Bo; Rodgers, M T

2014-04-24

Metal cation-amino acid interactions are key components controlling the secondary structure and biological function of proteins, enzymes, and macromolecular complexes comprising these species. Determination of pairwise interactions of alkali metal cations with amino acids provides a thermodynamic vocabulary that begins to quantify these fundamental processes. In the present work, we expand a systematic study of such interactions by examining rubidium and cesium cations binding with the acidic amino acids (AA), aspartic acid (Asp) and glutamic acid (Glu), and their amide derivatives, asparagine (Asn) and glutamine (Gln). These eight complexes are formed using electrospray ionization and their bond dissociation energies (BDEs) are determined experimentally using threshold collision-induced dissociation with xenon in a guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer. Analyses of the energy-dependent cross sections include consideration of unimolecular decay rates, internal energy of the reactant ions, and multiple ion-neutral collisions. Quantum chemical calculations are conducted at the B3LYP, MP2(full), and M06 levels of theory using def2-TZVPPD basis sets, with results showing reasonable agreement with experiment. At 0 and 298 K, most levels of theory predict that the ground-state conformers for M(+)(Asp) and M(+)(Asn) involve tridentate binding of the metal cation to the backbone carbonyl, amino, and side-chain carbonyl groups, although tridentate binding to the carboxylic acid group and side-chain carbonyl is competitive for M(+)(Asn). For the two longer side-chain amino acids, Glu and Gln, multiple structures are competitive. A comparison of these results to those for the smaller alkali cations, Na(+) and K(+), provides insight into the trends in binding energies associated with the molecular polarizability and dipole moment of the side chain. For all four metal cations, the BDEs are inversely correlated with the size of the metal cation and follow the order Asp < Glu < Asn < Gln.

Response of Fibroblasts MRC-5 to Flufenamic Acid-Grafted MCM-41 Nanoparticles.

PubMed

Lara, Giovanna Gomes; Cipreste, Marcelo Fernandes; Andrade, Gracielle Ferreira; Silva, Wellington Marcos da; Sousa, Edésia Martins Barros de

2018-01-09

Recently, flufenamic acid (FFA) was discovered among fenamates as a free radical scavenger and gap junction blocker; however, its effects have only been studied in cancer cells. Normal cells in the surroundings of a tumor also respond to radiation, although they are not hit by it directly. This phenomenon is known as the bystander effect, where response molecules pass from tumor cells to normal ones, through communication channels called gap junctions. The use of the enhanced permeability and retention effect, through which drug-loaded nanoparticles smaller than 200 nm may accumulate around a tumor, can prevent the local side effect upon controlled release of the drug. The present work, aimed at functionalizing MCM-41 (Mobil Composition of Matter No. 41) silica nanoparticles with FFA and determining its biocompatibility with human fibroblasts MRC-5 (Medical Research Council cell strain 5). MCM-41, was synthesized and characterized structurally and chemically, with multiple techniques. The biocompatibility assay was performed by Live/Dead technique, with calcein and propidium-iodide. MRC-5 cells were treated with FFA-grafted MCM-41 for 48 h, and 98% of cells remained viable, without signs of necrosis or morphological changes. The results show the feasibility of MCM-41 functionalization with FFA, and its potential protection of normal cells, in comparison to the role of FFA in cancerous ones.

A Handbook for Alcohol and Drug Control Officers. Volume II. Appendices.

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-02-01

informed respondent is regarding drug/alcohol side - effects , what respondent has learned from a given program or experience, etc.). There are a number...appearance, can list side effects of each and can score Z% on a multiple-choice test concerning federal and state laws and Armed Services Regulations...at least X% on a multiple- choice test regarding the major side effects of substance abuse. * The number of enlisted men found unfit for duty because

Wide-Field-of-View, High-Resolution, Stereoscopic Imager

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prechtl, Eric F.; Sedwick, Raymond J.

2010-01-01

A device combines video feeds from multiple cameras to provide wide-field-of-view, high-resolution, stereoscopic video to the user. The prototype under development consists of two camera assemblies, one for each eye. One of these assemblies incorporates a mounting structure with multiple cameras attached at offset angles. The video signals from the cameras are fed to a central processing platform where each frame is color processed and mapped into a single contiguous wide-field-of-view image. Because the resolution of most display devices is typically smaller than the processed map, a cropped portion of the video feed is output to the display device. The positioning of the cropped window will likely be controlled through the use of a head tracking device, allowing the user to turn his or her head side-to-side or up and down to view different portions of the captured image. There are multiple options for the display of the stereoscopic image. The use of head mounted displays is one likely implementation. However, the use of 3D projection technologies is another potential technology under consideration, The technology can be adapted in a multitude of ways. The computing platform is scalable, such that the number, resolution, and sensitivity of the cameras can be leveraged to improve image resolution and field of view. Miniaturization efforts can be pursued to shrink the package down for better mobility. Power savings studies can be performed to enable unattended, remote sensing packages. Image compression and transmission technologies can be incorporated to enable an improved telepresence experience.

NDE application of ultrasonic tomography to a full-scale concrete structure.

PubMed

Choi, Hajin; Popovics, John S

2015-06-01

Newly developed ultrasonic imaging technology for large concrete elements, based on tomographic reconstruction, is presented. The developed 3-D internal images (velocity tomograms) are used to detect internal defects (polystyrene foam and pre-cracked concrete prisms) that represent structural damage within a large steel reinforced concrete element. A hybrid air-coupled/contact transducer system is deployed. Electrostatic air-coupled transducers are used to generate ultrasonic energy and contact accelerometers are attached on the opposing side of the concrete element to detect the ultrasonic pulses. The developed hybrid testing setup enables collection of a large amount of high-quality, through-thickness ultrasonic data without surface preparation to the concrete. The algebraic reconstruction technique is used to reconstruct p-wave velocity tomograms from the obtained time signal data. A comparison with a one-sided ultrasonic imaging method is presented for the same specimen. Through-thickness tomography shows some benefit over one-sided imaging for highly reinforced concrete elements. The results demonstrate that the proposed through-thickness ultrasonic technique shows great potential for evaluation of full-scale concrete structures in the field.

Advances in Moire interferometry for thermal response of composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brooks, E. W., Jr.; Herakovich, C. T.; Post, D.; Hyer, M. W.

1982-01-01

An experimental technique for the precise measurement of the thermal response of both sides of a laminated composite coupon specimen uses Moire interferometry with fringe multiplication which yields a sensitivity of 833 nm (32.8 micro in.) per fringe. The reference gratings used are virtual gratings and are formed by partially mirrorized glass prisms in close proximity to the specimen. Results are compared with both results obtained from tests which used Moire interferometry on one side of composite laminates, and with those predicted by classical lamination theory. The technique is shown to be capable of producing the sensitivity and accuracy necessary to measure a wide range of thermal responses and to detect small side to side variations in the measured response. Tests were conducted on four laminate configurations of T300/5208 graphite epoxy over a temperature range of 297 K (75 F) to 422 K (300 F). The technique presented allows for the generation of reference gratings for temperature regimes well outside that used in these tests.

Multiple direction vibration fixture

DOEpatents

Cericola, Fred; Doggett, James W.; Ernest, Terry L.; Priddy, Tommy G.

1991-01-01

An apparatus for simulating a rocket launch environment on a test item undergoing centrifuge testing by subjecting the item simultaneously or separately to vibration along an axis of centripetal force and along an axis perpendicular to the centripetal force axis. The apparatus includes a shaker motor supported by centrifuge arms and a right angle fixture pivotally connected to one of the shaker motor mounts. When the shaker motor vibrates along the centripetal force axis, the vibrations are imparted to a first side of the right angle fixture. The vibrations are transmitted 90 degrees around the pivot and are directed to a second side of the right angle fixture which imparts vibrations perpendicular to the centripetal force axis. The test item is in contact with a third side of the right angle fixture and receives both centripetal-force-axis vibrations and perpendicular axis vibrations simultaneously. A test item can be attached to the third side near the flexible coupling or near the air bag to obtain vibrations along the centripetal force axis or transverse to the centripetal force axis.

Carrier multiplication and charge transport in artificial quantum-dot solids probed by ultrafast photocurrent spectroscopy (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klimov, Victor I.

2017-05-01

Understanding and controlling carrier transport and recombination dynamics in colloidal quantum dot films is key to their application in electronic and optoelectronic devices. Towards this end, we have conducted transient photocurrent measurements to monitor transport through quantum confined band edge states in lead selenide quantum dots films as a function of pump fluence, temperature, electrical bias, and surface treatment. Room temperature dynamics reveal two distinct timescales of intra-dot geminate processes followed by non-geminate inter-dot processes. The non-geminate kinetics is well described by the recombination of holes with photoinjected and pre-existing electrons residing in mid-gap states. We find the mobility of the quantum-confined states shows no temperature dependence down to 6 K, indicating a tunneling mechanism of early time photoconductance. We present evidence of the importance of the exciton fine structure in controlling the low temperature photoconductance, whereby the nanoscale enhanced exchange interaction between electrons and holes in quantum dots introduces a barrier to charge separation. Finally, side-by-side comparison of photocurrent transients using excitation with low- and high-photon energies (1.5 vs. 3.0 eV) reveals clear signatures of carrier multiplication (CM), that is, generation of multiple excitons by single photons. Based on photocurrent measurements of quantum dot solids and optical measurements of solution based samples, we conclude that the CM efficiency is unaffected by strong inter-dot coupling. Therefore, the results of previous numerous spectroscopic CM studies conducted on dilute quantum dot suspensions should, in principle, be reproducible in electronically coupled QD films used in devices.

High yield of secondary B-side electron transfer in mutant Rhodobacter capsulatus reaction centers

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

Kressel, Lucas; Faries, Kaitlyn M.; Wander, Marc J.

2014-08-01

From the crystal structures of reaction centers (RCs) from purple photosynthetic bacteria, two pathways for electron transfer (ET) are apparent but only one pathway (the A side) operates in the native protein-cofactor complex. Partial activation of the B-side pathway has unveiled the true inefficiencies of ET processes on that side in comparison to analogous reactions on the A side. Of significance are the relative rate constants for forward ET and the competing charge recombination reactions. On the B side, these rate constants are nearly equal for the secondary charge-separation step (ET from bacteriopheophytin to quinone), relegating the yield of thismore » process to < 50%. Herein we report efforts to optimize this step. In surveying all possible residues at position 131 in the M subunit, we discovered that when glutamic acid replaces the native valine the efficiency of the secondary ET is nearly two-fold higher than in the wild-type RC. The positive effect of M131 Glu is likely due to formation of a hydrogen bond with the ring V keto group of the B-side bacteriopheophytin leading to stabilization of the charge-separated state involving this cofactor. In conclusion, this change slows charge recombination by roughly a factor of two and affords the improved yield of the desired forward ET to the B-side quinone terminal acceptor.« less

Maternal side-effects after multiple courses of antenatal corticosteroids (MACS): the three-month follow-up of women in the randomized controlled trial of MACS for preterm birth study.

PubMed

Murphy, Kellie E; Hannah, Mary E; Willan, Andrew R; Ohlsson, Arne; Kelly, Edmond N; Matthews, Stephen G; Saigal, Saroj; Asztalos, Elizabeth; Ross, Sue; Delisle, Marie-France; Tomat, Laura; Amankwah, Kofi; Guselle, Patricia; Gafni, Amiram; Lee, Shoo K; Armson, B Anthony

2011-09-01

A single course of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) is associated with a reduction in respiratory distress syndrome and neonatal death. Multiple Courses of Antenatal Corticosteroids Study (MACS), a study involving 1858 women, was a multicentre randomized placebo-controlled trial of multiple courses of ACS, given every 14 days until 33+6 weeks or birth, whichever came first. The primary outcome of the study, a composite of neonatal mortality and morbidity, was similar for the multiple ACS and placebo groups (12.9% vs. 12.5%), but infants exposed to multiple courses of ACS weighed less, were shorter, and had smaller head circumferences. Thus for women who remain at increased risk of preterm birth, multiple courses of ACS (every 14 days) are not recommended. Chronic use of corticosteroids is associated with numerous side effects including weight gain and depression. The aim of this postpartum assessment was to ascertain if multiple courses of ACS were associated with maternal side effects. Three months postpartum, women who participated in MACS were asked to complete a structured questionnaire that asked about maternal side effects of corticosteroid use during MACS and included the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Women were also asked to evaluate their study participation. Of the 1858 women randomized, 1712 (92.1%) completed the postpartum questionnaire. There were no significant differences in the risk of maternal side effects between the two groups. Large numbers of women met the criteria for postpartum depression (14.1% in the ACS vs. 16.0% in the placebo group). Most women (94.1%) responded that they would participate in the trial again. In pregnancy, corticosteroids are given to women for fetal lung maturation and for the treatment of various maternal diseases. In this international multicentre randomized controlled trial, multiple courses of ACS (every 14 days) were not associated with maternal side effects, and the majority of women responded that they would participate in such a study again.

Aerobic power and field test results of amateur 15-a-side rugby union players.

PubMed

Sant'anna, Ricardo T; de Souza Castro, Flávio A

2017-12-01

The aim of the present study was to verify whether it is possible to predict aerobic power in amateur 15-a-side rugby union players through the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-Yo IRT1) and the 5-meter Multiple Shuttle Test (5-m MST). Forty-two amateur players - 22 forwards and 20 backs - were evaluated in three phases: 1) maximum treadmill test in the laboratory; 2) field test set by a drawing in the first phase; and 3) second field test. Descriptive, comparison, correlation, regression and level of agreement analyses were performed. Backs, when compared to forwards, showed a higher VO2max (61.7±15 mL/kg/min and 51.6±10.1 mL/kg/min, respectively), Yo-Yo IRT1 final level (16.4±0.8 and 14.9±0.9, respectively) and Yo-Yo IRT1 total distance (1283.3±312.5 m and 792±277.6 m, respectively), and a higher final distance in the 5-m MST (686.8±36.6 and 642.9±46.5, respectively). Significant correlations were found between the result and the total distance on the Yo-Yo IRT1 and the VO2max (r=0.425 and r=0.459, respectively). Using the total distance covered in the Yo-Yo IRT1, the VO2max of amateur 15-a-side rugby union players can be estimated through the equation VO2max = 0.016 × (DIST Yo‑Yo) + 40.578. Yo-Yo IRT1 is most useful when the objective is to evaluate the aerobic power of amateur RU players in comparison with the 5-m MST.

Voxelwise multivariate analysis of multimodality magnetic resonance imaging

PubMed Central

Naylor, Melissa G.; Cardenas, Valerie A.; Tosun, Duygu; Schuff, Norbert; Weiner, Michael; Schwartzman, Armin

2015-01-01

Most brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies concentrate on a single MRI contrast or modality, frequently structural MRI. By performing an integrated analysis of several modalities, such as structural, perfusion-weighted, and diffusion-weighted MRI, new insights may be attained to better understand the underlying processes of brain diseases. We compare two voxelwise approaches: (1) fitting multiple univariate models, one for each outcome and then adjusting for multiple comparisons among the outcomes and (2) fitting a multivariate model. In both cases, adjustment for multiple comparisons is performed over all voxels jointly to account for the search over the brain. The multivariate model is able to account for the multiple comparisons over outcomes without assuming independence because the covariance structure between modalities is estimated. Simulations show that the multivariate approach is more powerful when the outcomes are correlated and, even when the outcomes are independent, the multivariate approach is just as powerful or more powerful when at least two outcomes are dependent on predictors in the model. However, multiple univariate regressions with Bonferroni correction remains a desirable alternative in some circumstances. To illustrate the power of each approach, we analyze a case control study of Alzheimer's disease, in which data from three MRI modalities are available. PMID:23408378

Effect of Pin Tool Shape on Metal Flow During Friction Stir Welding

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McClure, J. C.; Coronado, E.; Aloor, S.; Nowak, B.; Murr, L. M.; Nunes, Arthur C., Jr.; Munafo, Paul M. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

It has been shown that metal moves behind the rotating Friction Stir Pin Tool in two separate currents or streams. One current, mostly on the advancing side, enters a zone of material that rotates with the pin tool for one or more revolutions and eventually is abandoned behind the pin tool in crescent-shaped pieces. The other current, largely on the retreating side of the pin tool is moved by a wiping process to the back of the pin tool and fills in between the pieces of the rotational zone that have been shed by the rotational zone. This process was studied by using a faying surface copper trace to clarify the metal flow. Welds were made with pin tools having various thread pitches. Decreasing the thread pitch causes the large scale top-to-bottorn flow to break up into multiple vortices along the pin and an unthreaded pin tool provides insufficient vertical motion for there to be a stable rotational zone and flow of material via the rotational zone is not possible leading to porosity on the advancing side of the weld.

Multiple animal studies for medical chemical defense program in soldier/patient decontamination and drug development on task order 86-25: Evaluation of the effectiveness of two ROHM and HAAS candidate decontamination systems against percutaneous application of undiluted TGD, Gd, VX HD, and L on the laboratory albino rabbit. Final report, 1 September 1986-1 February 1987

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

Joiner, R.L.; Keys, W.B.; Harroff, H.H.

1988-02-18

A task was assigned to Battelle's Medical Research and Evaluation Facility(MREF) to evaluate the effectiveness of two candidate decontamination systems when compared to the standard dual component M258A1 decontamination system currently fielded by the U.S. Army. The chemical surety material (CSM) used in the evaluation were the organophosphates Soman (GD), polymer thickened GD (TGD), and VX, and the vesicants sulfur mustard (HD) and Lewisite (LS). The efficacies of the two candidate decontamination systems were evaluated in such a manner as to determine the LD50 and protective ratio (PR) for each decontaminant against each organophosphate CSM as compared to the standardmore » M258A1 decontamination system LD50. The PR constituted a comparison for each candidate system against the M258A1 standard. In the vesicant phase of the screen, the efficacies of the candidate systems were evaluated in a side-by-side comparison to the M258A1 decontamination system to determine whether the candidates were as good as or better than the standard dual component system.« less

Comparison of cellulosic ethanol yields from midwestern maize and reconstructed tallgrass prairie systems managed for bioenergy

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Maize- and prairie-based systems were investigated as cellulosic feedstocks by conducting a 9 ha side-by-side comparison on fertile soils in the Midwestern United States. Maize was grown continuously with adequate fertilization over years both with and without a winter rye cover crop, and the 31-spe...

A methodological comparison of customer service analysis techniques

Treesearch

James Absher; Alan Graefe; Robert Burns

2003-01-01

Techniques used to analyze customer service data need to be studied. Two primary analysis protocols, importance-performance analysis (IP) and gap score analysis (GA), are compared in a side-by-side comparison using data from two major customer service research projects. A central concern is what, if any, conclusion might be different due solely to the analysis...

The utilization of a commercial gloss spray in stabilization of incinerated dental structures.

PubMed

Berketa, John; Fauzi, Ahmad; James, Helen; Lake, Anthony; Langlois, Neil

2015-07-01

Incinerated human remains may require dental comparison to establish identity. The remains are often fragile and minor forces can damage teeth and facial bones, disrupting anatomical relationships, and impairing the ability to compare with antemortem records. This study evaluated the ability of a commercially available gloss spray to stabilize teeth in incinerated remains. Lower anterior teeth of scavenged sheep mandibles were incinerated in a furnace at a temperature of 500 °C for 35 min. Before a series of vibration tests, the left side of each sample was treated with the spray, with the right side acting as a control. Significant retention of dental data was achieved utilizing the spray in comparison to the non-stabilized sides. This study showed that a commercial clear gloss spray did not affect the ability to document or perform radiographic assessment of restorations, and statistically improved the stability and anatomical relationships of incinerated dental remains in scavenged sheep mandibles. Commercial products, such as the one tested in this study, are readily available and could be deployed at a mass disaster situation. However, the spray should not be used if there is any suspicion that accelerants might be involved at the scene. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.

Comparison of hair removal efficacy and side effect of neodymium:Yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser and intense pulsed light systems (18-month follow-up).

PubMed

Szima, Georgina Zita; Janka, Eszter Anna; Kovács, Anikó; Bortély, Blanka; Bodnár, Edina; Sawhney, Irina; Szabó, Éva; Remenyik, Éva

2017-06-01

Photothermal destruction of hair shaft melanin with intense pulsed light (IPL) and neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser has become an effective treatment of hair removal. Our aim was to compare efficacy, satisfactory levels, safety, and side effects of Nd:YAG and IPL in hair reduction. This was a prospective randomized intrapatient, right-left, assessor-blinded comparison of Nd:YAG vs IPL. There were 38 volunteers recruited. Seven sessions were performed. Hair count, efficacy, and side effects were compared before and after each treatment and 6 months after the last treatment. In respect of 12 volunteers, we have examined the reduction in hair after 18 months. Initially, there was no significant difference between the numbers of hair follicles. There was significant hair reduction after each treatment on the Nd:YAG-treated side. The hair reduction became significant after the third treatment with IPL. Comparison of the efficacy of the two devices on each visits showed no significant difference. There was statistically lower pain score on the IPL-treated side and statistically higher erythema, burning sensation, and edema on the Nd:YAG-treated side. Statistically lower side effect score was observed on the IPL-treated side. Eight months after the last treatment, there was significant hair reduction both on the Nd:YAG and on the IPL-treated side, and there was no difference between the efficacy. The patient satisfaction scores were higher with the IPL. Unwanted hair can be reduced by both systems safely and effectively; however, IPL has less side effects and higher satisfaction scores. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[Experimental study on erysipeloid arthritis in the rabbit after blockage of lymph drainage].

PubMed

Canders, J; Brunner, H; Walter, S; Bernhardt-Huth, D; Huth, F

1979-01-01

The lymph drainage was radically blocked in 29 rabbits. One to three days after the operation Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae was inoculated subcutaneously into the animals. Some control animals were injected with agents of erysipelas and some only with the sterile solution without additional blockade of the lymph drainage. Light and electron microscopy as well as immuno-histological tests showed that the erysipelas arthritis developing in rabbits closely resembles human rheumatoid arthritis with exsudative-necrotising changes of the synovial membrane, proliferation of synovial cells and subsynovial, perivascular plasmacell, and lymphocyte infiltration. The changes were not intensified by the additional blockade of the lymph drainage, when comparing the side with lymph drainage blockade and the non-operated side. The results may be explained by a marked pathogenetic importance of the erysipelas infection in comparison to the relatively mild, lymphostate dependent alterations as well as by mobilisation of macrophages on the operated side.

Inter-comparison of Seasonal Variation, Chemical Characteristics, and Source Identification of Atmospheric Fine Particles on Both Sides of the Taiwan Strait

PubMed Central

Li, Tsung-Chang; Yuan, Chung-Shin; Huang, Hu-Ching; Lee, Chon-Lin; Wu, Shui-Ping; Tong, Chuan

2016-01-01

The spatiotemporal distribution and chemical composition of atmospheric fine particles in areas around the Taiwan Strait were firstly investigated. Fine particles (PM2.5) were simultaneously collected at two sites on the west-side, one site at an offshore island, and three sites on the east-side of the Taiwan Strait in 2013–2014. Field sampling results indicated that the average PM2.5 concentrations at the west-side sampling sites were generally higher than those at the east-side sampling sites. In terms of chemical composition, the most abundant water-soluble ionic species of PM2.5 were SO42−, NO3−, and NH4+, while natural crustal elements dominated the metallic content of PM2.5, and the most abundant anthropogenic metals of PM2.5 were Pb, Ni and Zn. Moreover, high OC/EC ratios of PM2.5 were commonly observed at the west-side sampling sites, which are located at the downwind of major stationary sources. Results from CMB receptor modeling showed that the major sources of PM2.5 were anthropogenic sources and secondary aerosols at the both sides, and natural sources dominated PM2.5 at the offshore site. A consistent decrease of secondary sulfate and nitrate contribution to PM2.5 suggested the transportation of aged particles from the west-side to the east-side of the Taiwan Strait. PMID:26973085

The design of a simulated in-line side-coupled 6 MV linear accelerator waveguide.

PubMed

St Aubin, Joel; Steciw, Stephen; Fallone, B G

2010-02-01

The design of a 3D in-line side-coupled 6 MV linac waveguide for medical use is given, and the effect of the side-coupling and port irises on the radio frequency (RF), beam dynamics, and dosimetric solutions is examined. This work was motivated by our research on a linac-MR hybrid system, where accurate electron trajectory information for a clinical medical waveguide in the presence of an external magnetic field was needed. For this work, the design of the linac waveguide was generated using the finite element method. The design outlined here incorporates the necessary geometric changes needed to incorporate a full-end accelerating cavity with a single-coupling iris, a waveguide-cavity coupling port iris that allows power transfer into the waveguide from the magnetron, as well as a method to control the RF field magnitude within the first half accelerating cavity into which the electrons from the gun are injected. With the full waveguide designed to resonate at 2998.5 +/- 0.1 MHz, a full 3D RF field solution was obtained. The accuracy of the 3D RF field solution was estimated through a comparison of important linac parameters (Q factor, shunt impedance, transit time factor, and resonant frequency) calculated for one accelerating cavity with the benchmarked program SUPERFISH. It was found that the maximum difference between the 3D solution and SUPERFISH was less than 0.03%. The eigenvalue solver, which determines the resonant frequencies of the 3D side-coupled waveguide simulation, was shown to be highly accurate through a comparison with lumped circuit theory. Two different waveguide geometries were examined, one incorporating a 0.5 mm first side cavity shift and another with a 1.5 mm first side cavity shift. The asymmetrically placed side-coupling irises and the port iris for both models were shown to introduce asymmetries in the RF field large enough to cause a peak shift and skewing (center of gravity minus peak shift) of an initially cylindrically uniform electron beam accelerating within the waveguide. The shifting and skewing of the electron beam were found to be greatest due to the effects of the side-coupling irises on the RF field. A further Monte Carlo study showed that this effect translated into a 1% asymmetry in a 40 x 40 cm2 field dose profile. A full 3D design for an in-line side-coupled 6 MV linear accelerator that emulates a common commercial waveguide has been given. The effect of the side coupling on the dose distribution has been shown to create a slight asymmetry, but overall does not affect the clinical applicability of the linac. The 3D in-line side-coupled linac model further provides a tool for the investigation of linac performance within an external magnetic field, which exists in an integrated linac-MR system.

A comparison of the marginal adaptation of cathode-arc vapor-deposited titanium and cast base metal copings

PubMed Central

Wu, JC; Lai, LC; Sheets, CG; Earthman, J; Newcomb, R

2011-01-01

Statement of problem A new fabrication process has been developed where a titanium coping, which has a gold colored titanium nitride outer layer can be reliably fused to porcelain, but the marginal adaptation characteristics are still undetermined. Purpose The primary purpose of this study is to compare the rate of Clinically Acceptable Marginal Adaptation (CAMA-defined as a marginal gap mean ≤60 μm) of cathode-arc vapor-deposited titanium with the CAMA rate for the cast base metal copings. In addition, the study will evaluate the marginal gap scores themselves to assess their mean difference between the two study groups. Finally, the study will present two analyses of group differences in variability to support the contention that the titanium copings perform more consistently than their base metal counterparts. Material and methods Thirty-seven cathode-arc vapor-deposited titanium copings and 40 cast base metal copings were evaluated by computer-based image analysis using an optical microscope. The conventional lost wax technique was used to fabricate the 40 cast base metal copings that were 0.3 mm thick. The titanium copings were 0.3 mm thick and were formed by a collection of atomic titanium vapor onto a refractory die duplicate in a high vacuum chamber. Fifty vertical marginal gap measurements were collected from each of the 77 copings and the mean of these measurements was computed to form a gap score for each coping. Next, the gap score was compared to the 60 μm criterion to classify each coping as to whether it did or did not achieve Clinically Acceptable Marginal Adaption (CAMA). A comparison of the CAMA rates for each type of coping was used to address the primary purpose of this study. In addition, the gap scores themselves were used to test the (one-sided) hypothesis that the mean of the titanium gap scores is smaller than the mean of the base metal gap scores. Finally, the assertion that the titanium copings provide more consistency in their marginal gap performance was tested in two ways. First, the means of the titanium gap scores were compared to the means of the marginal gap scores for the base metal copings. Second, the standard deviations of the marginal gap scores for the titanium copings were compared with those for the base metal copings. Results Statistical comparison of the CAMA rates for each type of coping showed that the CAMA criterion was achieved by 24 of the 37 (64.86%) titanium copings, while 19 of the 40 (47.50%) base metal copings met this same standard. Noninferiority of the titanium copings was established by the 2-sided 90% Confidence Interval for the 17.36% difference in these rates (−0.95%, 35.68%) and noninferiority of titanium coping adaption was also demonstrated by the Wald Test rejection of the tentative hypothesis of inferiority (Z-score=1.9191, one-sided p=0.0275). The mean of the vertical marginal gap scores for the titanium copings (56.9025) was significantly less than the mean of the marginal gap scores for the base metal copings (71.9041) as shown by the Satterthwaite t-score=−2.29 (one-sided p=0.0126). To compare the adaption consistency of the titanium copings to the base metal counterparts the difference between the variance of the marginal gap scores for the titanium copings (594.843) and the variance of the marginal gap scores for the base metal copings (1510.901) was found to be statistically significant (Folded-F test score=2.63, p=0.0042). Our second method for showing that the titanium copings performed more consistently than the base metal comparisons was to use a one-sided test to show that the mean of the standard deviations of the vertical gap measurements for each titanium coping (29.9835) was significantly lower than the mean of the standard deviations of the vertical gap measurements for each base metal coping (36.1332). This test produced a Satterthwaite’s t-score of −2.24 (one-sided p=0.0141), indicating the titanium adaption was significantly more consistent. Conclusions Cathode-arc vapor deposited titanium copings exhibited a higher rate of Clinically Acceptable Marginal Adaption (CAMA) than the comparison base metal copings. Comparison of the coping marginal adaption score variances and direct assessment of the coping marginal adaption scores provided additional evidence that the titanium copings performed better and with more consistency than their base metal counterparts. PMID:21640242

Waste management under multiple complexities: Inexact piecewise-linearization-based fuzzy flexible programming

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

Sun Wei; Huang, Guo H., E-mail: huang@iseis.org; Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainable Communities, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 0A2

2012-06-15

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Inexact piecewise-linearization-based fuzzy flexible programming is proposed. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer It's the first application to waste management under multiple complexities. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer It tackles nonlinear economies-of-scale effects in interval-parameter constraints. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer It estimates costs more accurately than the linear-regression-based model. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Uncertainties are decreased and more satisfactory interval solutions are obtained. - Abstract: To tackle nonlinear economies-of-scale (EOS) effects in interval-parameter constraints for a representative waste management problem, an inexact piecewise-linearization-based fuzzy flexible programming (IPFP) model is developed. In IPFP, interval parameters for waste amounts and transportation/operation costs can be quantified; aspiration levels for net system costs, as well as tolerancemore » intervals for both capacities of waste treatment facilities and waste generation rates can be reflected; and the nonlinear EOS effects transformed from objective function to constraints can be approximated. An interactive algorithm is proposed for solving the IPFP model, which in nature is an interval-parameter mixed-integer quadratically constrained programming model. To demonstrate the IPFP's advantages, two alternative models are developed to compare their performances. One is a conventional linear-regression-based inexact fuzzy programming model (IPFP2) and the other is an IPFP model with all right-hand-sides of fussy constraints being the corresponding interval numbers (IPFP3). The comparison results between IPFP and IPFP2 indicate that the optimized waste amounts would have the similar patterns in both models. However, when dealing with EOS effects in constraints, the IPFP2 may underestimate the net system costs while the IPFP can estimate the costs more accurately. The comparison results between IPFP and IPFP3 indicate that their solutions would be significantly different. The decreased system uncertainties in IPFP's solutions demonstrate its effectiveness for providing more satisfactory interval solutions than IPFP3. Following its first application to waste management, the IPFP can be potentially applied to other environmental problems under multiple complexities.« less

Coordinately Co-opted Multiple Transposable Elements Constitute an Enhancer for wnt5a Expression in the Mammalian Secondary Palate

PubMed Central

Kimura-Yoshida, Chiharu; Yan, Kuo; Bormuth, Olga; Ding, Qiong; Nakanishi, Akiko; Sasaki, Takeshi; Hirakawa, Mika; Sumiyama, Kenta; Furuta, Yasuhide; Tarabykin, Victor; Matsuo, Isao; Okada, Norihiro

2016-01-01

Acquisition of cis-regulatory elements is a major driving force of evolution, and there are several examples of developmental enhancers derived from transposable elements (TEs). However, it remains unclear whether one enhancer element could have been produced via cooperation among multiple, yet distinct, TEs during evolution. Here we show that an evolutionarily conserved genomic region named AS3_9 comprises three TEs (AmnSINE1, X6b_DNA and MER117), inserted side-by-side, and functions as a distal enhancer for wnt5a expression during morphogenesis of the mammalian secondary palate. Functional analysis of each TE revealed step-by-step retroposition/transposition and co-option together with acquisition of a binding site for Msx1 for its full enhancer function during mammalian evolution. The present study provides a new perspective suggesting that a huge variety of TEs, in combination, could have accelerated the diversity of cis-regulatory elements involved in morphological evolution. PMID:27741242

Effect of Topical Anesthesia with Lidocaine-prilocaine (EMLA) Cream and Local Pressure on Pain during Infiltration Injection for Maxillary Canines: A Randomized Double-blind clinical trial.

PubMed

Milani, Amin S; Zand, Vahid; Abdollahi, Amir A; Froughreyhani, Mohammad; Zakeri-Milani, Parvin; Jafarabadi, Mohammad A

2016-07-01

This study compared the effect of local pressure and topical lidocaine-prilocaine (EMLA) cream on pain during infiltration injection for maxillary canine teeth. A total of 140 volunteer students participated in this split-mouth design randomized clinical trial. The subjects were randomly divided into four groups (n = 35). Before administration of anesthesia, in each group, one side was randomly selected as the experimental and the opposite side as the control. In group 1, finger pressure was applied on the alveolar mucosa on the experimental side and on the tooth crown on the control side. In group 2, 5% EMLA cream and placebo; in group 3, finger pressure and 5% EMLA cream; and in group 4, 5% EMLA cream and 20% benzocaine gel were applied. In all the groups, a buccal infiltration procedure was carried out. Pain during injection was recorded with visual analog scale (VAS). Wilcoxon and McNemar tests were used for statistical analysis of the results. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The results showed that EMLA reduced the injection pain significantly more than benzocaine (p = 0.02). Also, injection pain was significantly lower with the use of EMLA in comparison to placebo (p = 0.00). Application of local pressure reduced the injection pain, but the difference from the control side was not significant (p = 0.05). Furthermore, the difference between application of local pressure and EMLA was not statistically significant (p = 0.08). Topical anesthesia of 5% EMLA was more effective than 20% benzocaine in reducing pain severity during infiltration injection. However, it was not significantly different in comparison to the application of local pressure.

Proceedings of the Conference on the Design of Experiments in Army Research Development and Testing (26th) Held at New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico on 22-24 October 1980.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-06-01

normality and several types of nonnormality. Overall the rank transformation procedure seems to be the best. The Fisher’s LSD multiple comparisons procedure...the rank transformation procedure appears to maintain power better than Fisher’s LSD or the randomization proce- dures. The conclusion of this study...best. The Fisher’s LSD multiple comparisons procedure in the one way and two way layouts iv compared with a randomization procedure and with the same

Use of GPS ASHTECH Z12T receivers for accurate time and frequency comparisons.

PubMed

Petit, G; Thomas, C; Jiang, Z; Uhrich, P; Taris, F

1999-01-01

The GPS phase measurements described in this paper were obtained using two similar multichannel GPS ASHTECH Z12T receivers belonging to the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures, BIPM, and the Laboratoire Primaire du Temps et des Frequences, BNM-LPTF. These receivers are based on the conventional geodetic ASHTECH Z12 unit, which has been modified to meet the stability requirements of time and frequency comparisons. Comparison of the two receivers operated side by side in different antenna configurations shows typical short-term noise of 1.1 to 3.5 ps. Longer term variations indicate a temperature sensitivity in the equipment, which limits the performance of the GPS phase method. One of the receivers was successfully operated using a temperature-stabilized antenna TSA from 3S Navigation, and the ASHTECH antenna, which feeds the second receiver, was placed in a home-built oven maintained at a constant temperature. These precautions made it possible to reduce a number of systematic effects. A separate study of frequency comparison was carried out between two hydrogen-masers located at the BNM-LPTF (Paris, France) and the PTB (Braunschweig, Germany) using receivers similar to ASHTECH Z12T receivers. The relative frequency stability obtained was about 3.3x10(-15) for an average time of 15 000 s, an interesting result comparable with the outstanding performance of new ultrastable frequency standards.

An update on the safety of current therapies for Alzheimer's disease: focus on rivastigmine.

PubMed

Khoury, Rita; Rajamanickam, Jayashree; Grossberg, George T

2018-03-01

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of major neurocognitive disorders worldwide. Despite all research efforts, therapeutic options for AD are still limited to two drug classes: cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) and the NMDA-receptor antagonist memantine. Donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine are the three ChEIs FDA-approved as first-line treatment for AD. Although they share the same mode of action, they differ in terms of their pharmacologic characteristics and route of administration, which can impact their safety and tolerability profile. Rivastigmine, available in both oral and transdermal patch formulations, is a slowly reversible dual inhibitor of acetyl and butyryl cholinesterase, selective for the G1 isoform of acetylcholinesterase, without hepatic metabolism by the CYP-450 system. Despite its unique features, it has been associated with a higher incidence of adverse events in comparison to other ChEIs. The oral form, approved for the treatment of mild to moderate AD, is associated with a higher incidence of gastrointestinal side effects. The transdermal patch formulation approved for use across all stages of AD has been shown to have a better tolerability profile in comparison to both the oral form and even other ChEIs. One important tolerability concern is adverse dermatologic reactions, which are mostly benign, and can be either preventable or manageable. One important safety concern is the risk of treatment overdose by administering multiple patches at the same time, potentially leading to fatal outcomes. This can be prevented by educating patients and caregivers about the proper use of the patch. The goal for the future would be to optimize the patch formulation to increase both efficacy and safety.

Management of Side Effects of Novel Therapies for Multiple Myeloma: Consensus Statements Developed by the International Myeloma Foundation’s Nurse Leadership Board

PubMed Central

Bertolotti, Page; Bilotti, Elizabeth; Colson, Kathleen; Curran, Kathleen; Doss, Deborah; Faiman, Beth; Gavino, Maria; Jenkins, Bonnie; Lilleby, Kathy; Love, Ginger; Mangan, Patricia A.; McCullagh, Emily; Miceli, Teresa; Miller, Kena; Rogers, Kathryn; Rome, Sandra; Sandifer, Stacey; Smith, Lisa C.; Tariman, Joseph D.; Westphal, Jeanne

2014-01-01

Nurses play an essential role in managing the care of patients with multiple myeloma, who require education and support to receive and adhere to optimal therapy. The International Myeloma Foundation created a Nurse Leadership Board comprised of oncology nurses from leading cancer centers and community practices. An assessment survey identified the need for specific recommendations for managing key side effects of novel antimyeloma agents. Myelosuppression, thromboembolic events, peripheral neuropathy, steroid toxicities, and gastrointestinal side effects were selected for the first consensus statements. The board developed recommendations for healthcare providers in any medical setting, including grading of side-effect toxicity and strategies for managing the side effects in general, with specific recommendations pertaining to the novel agents. PMID:18490252

A normative study of cervical range of motion measures including the flexion-rotation test in asymptomatic children: side-to-side variability and pain provocation.

PubMed

Budelmann, Kim; von Piekartz, Harry; Hall, Toby

2016-09-01

Cervical movement impairment has been identified as a core component of cervicogenic headache evaluation. However, normal range of motion values in children has been investigated rarely and no study has reported such values for the flexion-rotation test (FRT). The purpose of this study was to identify normal values and side-to-side variation for cervical spine range of motion (ROM) and the FRT, in asymptomatic children aged 6-12 years. Another important purpose was to identify the presence of pain during the FRT. Thirty-four asymptomatic children without history of neck pain or headache (26 females and 8 males, mean age 125.38 months [SD 13.14]) were evaluated. Cervical spine cardinal plane ROM and the FRT were evaluated by a single examiner using a cervical ROM device. Values for cardinal plane ROM measures are presented. No significant gender difference was found for any ROM measure. Mean difference in ROM for rotation, side flexion, and the FRT were less than one degree. However, intra-individual variation was greater, with lower bound scores of 9.32° for rotation, 5.30° for side flexion, and 10.89° for the FRT. Multiple linear regression analysis indicates that movement in the cardinal planes only explains 19% of the variance in the FRT. Pain scores reported following the FRT were less than 2/10. Children have consistently greater cervical spine ROM than adults. In children, side-to-side variation in rotation and side flexion ROM and range recorded during the FRT indicates that the clinician should be cautious when using range in one direction to determine impairment in another. Range recorded during the FRT is independent of cardinal movement variables, which further adds to the importance of the FRT, as a test that mainly evaluates range of movement of the upper cervical spine.

Safety and Efficacy of Fingolimod and Natalizumab in Multiple Sclerosis After the Failure of First-Line Therapy: Single Center Experience Based on the Treatment of Forty-Four Patients.

PubMed

Puz, Przemysław; Lasek-Bal, Anetta

2016-11-10

BACKGROUND In Poland, natalizumab or fingolimod treatment can be delivered as a second-line therapy to those patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) who demonstrated no response to interferon or glatiramer acetate treatment for a minimum of one year. MATERIAL AND METHODS Analysis covered 44 RRMS patients switched from first- to second-line therapy. The annualized relapse rate, disability progression (assessed with Expanded Disability Status Scale, EDSS) and MRI results (new or enlarged T2 lesions and new Gd-positive lesions) before and after switching were compared. The occurrence of adverse events was also assessed. RESULTS The annualized relapse rate for second-line therapy was significantly lower than for first-line therapy (0.35±0.74 vs. 2.13±0.87, p=0.00005). Median of EDSS progression with first-line therapy was significantly higher than that with natalizumab or fingolimod treatment (p=0.00002). The mean number of new or enlarged T2 and Gd+ lesions in MRI after one-year second-line treatment was significantly lower in comparison to lesions in MRI performed at the end of the first-line therapy (for T2: 0.61 vs. 4.56, p=0.0004; for Gd+: 0.13 vs. 1.98, p=0.0009). No significant differences in the clinical data, MRI results, and side effects between fingolimod and natalizumab patients have been observed. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with natalizumab or fingolimod as a second-line therapy in RRMS patients is safe and effective. Less restrictive criteria for switching should be considered.

Substrate noise coupling: a pain for mixed-signal systems (Keynote Address)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wambacq, Piet; Van der Plas, Geert; Donnay, Stephane; Badaroglu, Mustafa; Soens, Charlotte

2005-06-01

Crosstalk from digital to analog in mixed-signal ICs is recognized as one of the major roadblocks for systems-on-chip (SoC) in future CMOS technologies. This crosstalk mainly happens via the semiconducting silicon substrate, which is usually treated as a ground node by analog and RF designers. The substrate noise coupling problem leads more and more to malfunctioning or extra design iterations. One of the reasons is that the phenomenon of substrate noise coupling is difficult to model and hence difficult to understand. It can be caused by the switching of thousands or millions of gates and depends on layout details. From the generation side (the digital domain), coping with the large amount of noise generators can be solved by macromodeling. On the other hand, the impact of substrate noise on the analog circuits requires careful modeling at the level of transistors and parasitics of layout, power supply, package, PCB, Comparison to measurements of macromodeling at the digital side and careful modeling at the analog side, shows that both the generation and the impact of substrate noise can be predicted with an accuracy of a few dB. In addition, this combination of macromodeling at the digital side and careful modeling at the analog side leads to an understanding of the problem, which can be used for digital low-noise design techniques to minimize the generation of noise, and substrate noise immune design of analog/RF circuits.

[Effects of pamidronate disodium (Bonin) combined with chemotherapy on bone pain in multiple myeloma].

PubMed

Leng, Yun; Chen, Shi-lun; Shi, Hong-zhi

2002-10-01

Objective. To evaluate the therapeutic effects of Disodium Pamidronate (Bonin) on bone pain in multiple myeloma. Method. 18 patients received only chemotherapy and 16 patients with addition of Bonin were compared. Result. The bone pain was significantly relieved both in chemotherapy alone group and in the combination group of Bonin with chemotherapy after treatment (P<0.01, as compared with before therapy). However, the effects of combination group were more dramatical than that of the other group (P<0.05). No obvious side-effects were observed except mild fever in one patient in the combination group. Conclusion. Bonin, as a safe and effective Bisphosphonates preparation, could relieve bone pain in multiple myeloma more effectively when combined with chemotherapy.

A Circular Surgical Stapler Designed to Anastomose Aorta and Dacron Tube Graft: Validation of the Concept and Comparison to Hand-Sewn Anastomosis in Bench Experiments.

PubMed

Raza, Syed T

2013-06-01

A circular aortic stapler has been developed to anastomose the open end of the aorta to a size-matched Dacron tube graft in one quick motion and without having to pull sutures through the aortic wall. A prototype was developed, and its design and function were tested in bench experiments and compared with hand-sewn anastomosis. The basic design of the stapler is a central rod (anvil) surrounded by 10 stapling limbs, which can be closed over the anvil in a full circle, with staples extruded by turning a knob at the back. To test its function, a Dacron tube graft was inserted in the middle of a length of bovine aorta. One side was anastomosed with the stapler and the other hand-sewn in each of 10 experiments. Bovine blood was infused under increasing pressure. It took considerably less time to complete the stapled anastomosis than the hand-sewn side (3 minutes, 46 seconds versus 15 minutes, 42 seconds). Initial leak occurred at low pressures on the hand-sewn side (mean pressure 40 mm Hg) compared with the stapled side (mean pressure 70 mm Hg). In 7 of 10 experiments, the leak became too brisk on the hand-sewn side to sustain pressure, compared with 3 of 10 with stapled anastomoses. The stapling device performed well in all cases except when the bovine aorta was too thick for the staples (two cases) or when there was a missed branch at the anastomotic site (one case). These experiments validate the concept and the design of this aortic stapler. There are some limitations in the current design, which will need to be modified before its use in live animals or clinically.

Visual judgment of similarity across shape transformations: evidence for a compositional model of articulated objects.

PubMed

Barenholtz, Elan; Tarr, Michael J

2008-06-01

A single biological object, such as a hand, can assume multiple, very different shapes, due to the articulation of its parts. Yet we are able to recognize all of these shapes as examples of the same object. How is this invariance to pose achieved? Here, we present evidence that the visual system maintains a model of object transformation that is based on rigid, convex parts articulating at extrema of negative curvature, i.e., part boundaries. We compared similarity judgments in a task in which subjects had to decide which of the two transformed versions of a 'base' shape-one a 'biologically valid' articulation and one a geometrically similar but 'biologically invalid' articulation-was more similar to the base shape. Two types of comparisons were made: in the figure/ground-reversal, the invalid articulation consisted of exactly the same contour transformation as the valid one with reversed figural polarity. In the axis-of-rotation reversal, the valid articulation consisted of a part rotated around its concave part boundaries, while the invalid articulation consisted of the same part rotated around the endpoints on the opposite side of the part. In two separate 2AFC similarity experiments-one in which the base and transformed shapes were presented simultaneously and one in which they were presented sequentially-subjects were more likely to match the base shape to a transform when it corresponded to a legitimate articulation. These results suggest that the visual system maintains expectations about the way objects will transform, based on their static geometry.

Comparison of two thinning systems. Part 2. Productivity and costs

Treesearch

Bobby Lanford; Bryce J. Stokes

1996-01-01

A side-by-side comparison of two popular thinning systems, a skidder system and a forwarder system, was made during winter logging conditions in southern Alabama. The first report of this study addressed stand and site impacts of these two thinning systems. This report focuses on productivity and costs while thinning an 18-year-old loblolly pine plantation. The skidder...

Is the Medium Really the Message? A Comparison of Face-to-Face, Telephone, and Internet Focus Group Venues

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gothberg, June; Applegate, Brooks; Reeves, Patricia; Kohler, Paula; Thurston, Linda; Peterson, Lori

2013-01-01

With increased use of technology in qualitative research, it is important to understand unintended, unanticipated, and unobvious consequences to the data. Using a side-by-side comparison of face-to-face, telephone, and Internet with video focus groups, we examined the yield differences of focus group venue (medium) to the data (message) rendered…

Comparison of two thinning systems. Part 1. Stand and site impacts

Treesearch

Bobby L. Lanford; Bryce J. Stokes

1995-01-01

During the winter of 1991, a side-by-side comparison was made between two popular thinning systems:a feller-buncher, grapple skidder, loader/slasher system and a harvester, forwarder system. A first commercial thinning was conducted in an 18-year-old loblolly pine stand Test areas were cruised prior to thinning and remeasured after operations were completed The target...

Effective hybrid teaching-learning-based optimization algorithm for balancing two-sided assembly lines with multiple constraints

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Qiuhua; Li, Zixiang; Zhang, Liping; Floudas, C. A.; Cao, Xiaojun

2015-09-01

Due to the NP-hardness of the two-sided assembly line balancing (TALB) problem, multiple constraints existing in real applications are less studied, especially when one task is involved with several constraints. In this paper, an effective hybrid algorithm is proposed to address the TALB problem with multiple constraints (TALB-MC). Considering the discrete attribute of TALB-MC and the continuous attribute of the standard teaching-learning-based optimization (TLBO) algorithm, the random-keys method is hired in task permutation representation, for the purpose of bridging the gap between them. Subsequently, a special mechanism for handling multiple constraints is developed. In the mechanism, the directions constraint of each task is ensured by the direction check and adjustment. The zoning constraints and the synchronism constraints are satisfied by teasing out the hidden correlations among constraints. The positional constraint is allowed to be violated to some extent in decoding and punished in cost function. Finally, with the TLBO seeking for the global optimum, the variable neighborhood search (VNS) is further hybridized to extend the local search space. The experimental results show that the proposed hybrid algorithm outperforms the late acceptance hill-climbing algorithm (LAHC) for TALB-MC in most cases, especially for large-size problems with multiple constraints, and demonstrates well balance between the exploration and the exploitation. This research proposes an effective and efficient algorithm for solving TALB-MC problem by hybridizing the TLBO and VNS.

Functional lesional neurosurgery for tremor-a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Schreglmann, Sebastian R; Krauss, Joachim K; Chang, Jin Woo; Bhatia, Kailash P; Kägi, Georg

2017-05-09

The recent introduction of incision-less lesional neurosurgery using Gamma Knife and MRI-guided focused ultrasound has revived interest in lesional treatment options for tremor disorders. Preliminary literature researches reveal that the consistency of treatment effects after lesional neurosurgery for tremor has not formally been assessed yet. Similarly, the efficacy of different targets for lesional treatment and incidence of persistent side effects of lesional neurosurgical interventions has not been comprehensively assessed. This work therefore aims to describe a suitable process how to review the existing literature on efficacy and persistent side effects of lesional neurosurgical treatment for tremor due to Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, multiple sclerosis and midbrain/rubral tremor. We will search electronic databases (Medline, Cochrane) and reference lists of included articles for studies reporting lesional interventions for tremor in cohorts homogeneous for tremor aetiology and intervention (technique and target). We will include cohorts with a minimum number of five subjects and follow-up of 2 months. One investigator will perform the initial literature search and two investigators then independently decide which references to include for final efficacy and safety analysis. After settling of disagreement, data will be extracted from articles using a standardised template. We will perform a random-effect meta-analysis calculating standardised mean differences (Hedge's g) for comparison in Forest plots and subgroup analysis after assessment of heterogeneity using I 2 statistics. This study will summarise the available evidence on the efficacy of lesional interventions for the most frequent tremor disorders, as well as for the incidence rate of persisting side effects after unilateral lesional treatment. This data will be useful to guide future work on incision-less lesional interventions for tremor. This study has been registered with the PROSPERO database (no. CRD42016048049). © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Bonding of contemporary glass ionomer cements to dentin.

PubMed

Yip, H K; Tay, F R; Ngo, H C; Smales, R J; Pashley, D H

2001-09-01

The objective of this study was to investigate the microtensile bond strength (microTBS) of contemporary glass ionomer cements (GIC) to sound coronal dentin. Three specimen teeth were prepared for each material tested: Fuji IX GP (GC), ChemFlex (Dentsply) and Ketac-Molar Aplicap (ESPE). GIC buildups were made according to the manufacturers' instructions. After being stored at 37 degrees C, 100% humidity for 24h, the teeth were vertically sectioned into 1x1mm beams for microTBS evaluation. Representative fractured beams were prepared for scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) examination. Results of the microTBS test were: Fuji IX GP (12.4+/-8.6MPa), ChemFlex (15.0+/-9.3MPa) and Ketac-Molar Aplicap (11.4+/-7.7MPa). One-way ANOVA and a multiple comparison test showed that ChemFlex had a statistically higher microTBS (p<0.05). SEM fractographic analysis showed that the predominant failure modes were interfacial and mixed failures. The GIC side of the fractured beams revealed dehydration cracks, a high level of porosity, and voids with an eggshell-like crust. TEM analysis of the demineralized dentin sides of the fractured beams revealed the presence of an intermediate layer along the GIC-dentin interface. This zone was present on the fractured dentin surface in the case of interfacial failure, and beneath GIC remnants in specimens that exhibited a mixed failure mode. The findings suggest that the bonding of GIC to dentin is not weak and that the microTBS values probably represent the weak yield strengths of GICs under tension.

Pattern of venous collateral development after splenic vein occlusion in an extended Whipple procedure : comparison with collateral vein pattern in cases of sinistral portal hypertension.

PubMed

Strasberg, Steven M; Bhalla, Sanjeev; Sanchez, Luis A; Linehan, David C

2011-11-01

The risks of developing sinistral portal hypertension as a result of occlusion of the splenic vein close to its termination during a Whipple procedure are unclear. Our purpose was to compare the pattern of venous collateral development after splenic vein ligation in an extended Whipple procedure with the pattern of collateral development in cases of sinistral portal hypertension. Five patients underwent an extended Whipple procedure in which the splenic vein was divided and not reconstructed. Six to eight months later detailed mapping of venous return from the spleen was determined by contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography or in one case by 3D contrast-enhanced MRI. Spleen size and length of residual patent splenic vein were also measured. The literature on sinistral portal hypertension was evaluated to ascertain whether the venous collateral pattern in cases of left-sided portal hypertension was similar to the pattern that developed when the splenic vein was ligated at its termination in the Whipple procedure. A length of splenic vein remained patent in all five patients, measuring 4.5 to 11.5 cm from the spleen. Splenomegaly did not develop. Blood returned from the spleen by multiple collaterals including collaterals in the omentum and mesocolon. These types of collaterals do not develop in sinistral portal hypertension, nor is residual patent splenic vein seen. Ligation of the splenic vein close to its termination in five patients resulted in a pattern of venous return different from patients that have developed left-sided portal hypertension.

Vibration and Vibration-Torsion Levels of the S_{1} and Ground Cationic D_{0}^{+} States of Para-Fluorotoluene and Para-Xylene Below 1000 \\wn

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tuttle, William Duncan; Gardner, Adrian M.; Whalley, Laura E.; Wright, Timothy G.

2017-06-01

We have employed resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionisation (REMPI) spectroscopy and zero-kinetic-energy (ZEKE) spectroscopy to investigate the first excited electronic singlet (S_{1}) state and the cationic ground state (D_{0}^{+}) of para-fluorotoluene (pFT) and para-xylene (pXyl). Spectra have been recorded via a large number of selected intermediate levels, to support assignment of the vibration and vibration-torsion levels in these molecules and to investigate possible couplings. The study of levels in this region builds upon previous work on the lower energy regions of pFT and pXyl and here we are interested in how vibration-torsion (vibtor) levels might combine and interact with vibrational ones, and so we consider the possible couplings which occur. Comparisons between the spectra of the two molecules show a close correspondence, and the influence of the second methyl rotor in para-xylene on the onset of intramolecular vibrational redistribution (IVR) in the S_{1} state is a point of interest. This has bearing on future work which will need to consider the role of both more flexible side chains of substituted benzene molecules, and multiple side chains. A. M. Gardner, W. D. Tuttle, L. Whalley, A. Claydon, J. H. Carter and T. G. Wright, J. Chem. Phys., 145, 124307 (2016). A. M. Gardner, W. D. Tuttle, P. Groner and T. G. Wright, J. Chem. Phys., (2017, in press). W. D. Tuttle, A. M. Gardner, K. O'Regan, W. Malewicz and T. G. Wright, J. Chem. Phys., (2017, in press).

Comparison of spatial frequency domain features for the detection of side attack explosive ballistics in synthetic aperture acoustics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dowdy, Josh; Anderson, Derek T.; Luke, Robert H.; Ball, John E.; Keller, James M.; Havens, Timothy C.

2016-05-01

Explosive hazards in current and former conflict zones are a threat to both military and civilian personnel. As a result, much effort has been dedicated to identifying automated algorithms and systems to detect these threats. However, robust detection is complicated due to factors like the varied composition and anatomy of such hazards. In order to solve this challenge, a number of platforms (vehicle-based, handheld, etc.) and sensors (infrared, ground penetrating radar, acoustics, etc.) are being explored. In this article, we investigate the detection of side attack explosive ballistics via a vehicle-mounted acoustic sensor. In particular, we explore three acoustic features, one in the time domain and two on synthetic aperture acoustic (SAA) beamformed imagery. The idea is to exploit the varying acoustic frequency profile of a target due to its unique geometry and material composition with respect to different viewing angles. The first two features build their angle specific frequency information using a highly constrained subset of the signal data and the last feature builds its frequency profile using all available signal data for a given region of interest (centered on the candidate target location). Performance is assessed in the context of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves on cross-validation experiments for data collected at a U.S. Army test site on different days with multiple target types and clutter. Our preliminary results are encouraging and indicate that the top performing feature is the unrolled two dimensional discrete Fourier transform (DFT) of SAA beamformed imagery.

The timeliness of patients reporting the side effects of chemotherapy.

PubMed

Olver, Ian; Carey, Mariko; Boyes, Allison; Hall, Alix; Noble, Natasha; Bryant, Jamie; Walsh, Justin; Sanson-Fisher, Rob

2018-05-03

To explore the actions cancer patients reported they would take in response to a range of common side effects of chemotherapy and whether these were considered appropriate based on current guidelines and evidence; and to explore the sociodemographic and cancer-related variables associated with patients selecting the appropriate action (immediate medical attention or reporting) for two potentially life-threatening side effects: fever, and unusual bleeding and bruising. Four hundred thirty-six medical oncology and haematology patients receiving chemotherapy completed two surveys to provide demographic, disease and treatment characteristics, and details on how they would respond if they experienced a range of specified side effects of chemotherapy (for example, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, and skin rash or nail changes). The proportion of patients reporting the appropriate action for each side effect was calculated. Multiple logistic regressions examined the patient demographic and cancer characteristics associated with selecting the appropriate action (seeking immediate medical attention) for two potentially life-threatening side effects of chemotherapy: high fever of 38 °C or more, and unusual bleeding or bruising. Two thirds of patients indicated that they would seek immediate medical attention for high fever (67%), but only 41% would seek immediate attention for bleeding or bruising. Cancer type and time since diagnosis were significantly associated with patients indicating that they would seek immediate medical attention for high fever; while time since diagnosis was the only variable significantly associated with patients reporting that they would seek immediate medical attention for unusual bleeding or bruising. For chronic side effects, like skin rash or nail changes, and tingling or numbness, which usually do not require urgent reporting, only between 12 and 16% would report them immediately. A significant proportion of patients reported that they would "do nothing" about fatigue or tiredness (24%). By comparison, less than 10% patients reported that they would do nothing for the other side effects investigated. Tools need to be created so that patients better understand the side effects after being treated with chemotherapy and what action they should take.

Army Institutional Training: Current Status and Future Research

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-03-01

one-group posttest 2. two-group posttest only with nonequivalent comparison group 3. two-group pretest - posttest with nonequivalent comparison group...multiple posttests ii. What problems have you encountered in conducting this type of experimental/quasi-experimental research ? 10. If you were...U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Report 1921 Army Institutional Training: Current

Double air-fuel ratio sensor system having double-skip function

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

Katsuno, T.

1988-01-26

A method for controlling the air-fuel ratio in an internal combustion engine is described having a catalyst converter for removing pollutants in the exhaust gas thereof, and upstream-side and downstream-side air-fuel ratio sensors disposed upstream and downstream, respectively, of the catalyst converter for detecting a concentration of a specific component in an exhaust gas, comprising the steps of: comparing the output of the upstream-side air-fuel ratio sensor with a first predetermined value; gradually changing a first air-fuel ratio correction amount in accordance with a result of the comparison of the output of the upstream-side air-fuel ratio sensor with the predeterminedmore » value; shifting the first air-fuel ratio correction amount by a first skip amount during a predetermined time period after the result of the comparison of the upstream-side air-fuel ratio sensor is changed; shifting the first air-fuel ratio correction amount by a second skip amount smaller than the first skip amount after the predetermined time period has passed; comparing the output of the downstream-side air-fuel ratio with a second predetermined value, calculating a second air-fuel ratio correction amount in accordance with the comparison result of the output of the downstream-side air-fuel ratio sensor with the second predetermined value; and adjusting the actual air-fuel ratio in accordance with the first and second air-fuel ratio correction amounts; wherein the gradually-changing step comprises the steps of: gradually decreasing the first air-fuel ratio correction amount when the output of the upstream-side air-fuel sensor is on the rich side with respect to the first predetermined value; and gradually increasing the first air-fuel ratio correction amount when the output of the upstream-side air-fuel sensor is on the lean side with respect to the first predetermined value.« less

[321 multiple myelomas (Kahler's syndrome) studied in relation to age, race and sex in Cuba].

PubMed

Mas Martin, J C

1978-01-01

Three hundred and twenty one patients with multiple myeloma were studied. The most frequent age at presentation was between 60--69 years both in males and females. A predominance in white patients as well as in males in comparison to females was found. These findings are compared with those reported in the reviewed world medical literature.

Online or not? A comparison of students' experiences of an online and an on-campus class.

PubMed

Mgutshini, Tennyson

2013-03-18

Educational discourse has long portrayed online, or e-based, learning and all non-campus-based learning options as second best to traditional face-to-face options. Critically much of the research and debate in this area of study has focused on evidence relating to student performance, attrition and retention with little consideration of the total learning experience, which values both the traditional learning outcome measures side-by-side with student-centered factors, such as students' satisfaction with their learning experience. The objective of this study was to present a synchronous head-to-head comparison between online and campus-based students' experiences of an undergraduate course. This paper reports on a qualitative comparative cross-sectional study, which used multiple data collection approaches to assess student learning and student satisfaction of 61 students who completed a semester of an undergraduate course. Of the 61 students, 34 were enrolled purely as online students, whilst the remaining 27 students studied the same material entirely through the traditional face-to-face medium. Methods included a standardised student satisfaction survey and an 'achievement of learning outcomes' measurement tool. Students on the online cohort performed better in areas where 'self-direction' in learning was indicated, for example self-directed problem-based tasks within the course. Online students gave less positive self-assessments of their perceived content mastery than their campus-based counterparts, despite performing just as well in both summative and formative assignments. A multi-factorial comparison shows online students to have comparable educational success and that, in terms of student satisfaction, online learners reported more satisfaction with their learning experience than their campus-based counterparts.

Cone-beam computed tomography evaluation of dentoskeletal changes after asymmetric rapid maxillary expansion.

PubMed

Baka, Zeliha Muge; Akin, Mehmet; Ucar, Faruk Izzet; Ileri, Zehra

2015-01-01

The aims of this study were to quantitatively evaluate the changes in arch widths and buccolingual inclinations of the posterior teeth after asymmetric rapid maxillary expansion (ARME) and to compare the measurements between the crossbite and the noncrossbite sides with cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). From our clinic archives, we selected the CBCT records of 30 patients with unilateral skeletal crossbite (13 boys, 14.2 ± 1.3 years old; 17 girls, 13.8 ± 1.3 years old) who underwent ARME treatment. A modified acrylic bonded rapid maxillary expansion appliance including an occlusal locking mechanism was used in all patients. CBCT records had been taken before ARME treatment and after a 3-month retention period. Fourteen angular and 80 linear measurements were taken for the maxilla and the mandible. Frontally clipped CBCT images were used for the evaluation. Paired sample and independent sample t tests were used for statistical comparisons. Comparisons of the before-treatment and after-retention measurements showed that the arch widths and buccolingual inclinations of the posterior teeth increased significantly on the crossbite side of the maxilla and on the noncrossbite side of the mandible (P <0.05). Comparison of the 2 sides showed statistically significant differences in both the maxilla and the mandible (P <0.05). After ARME treatment, the crossbite side of the maxilla and the noncrossbite side of the mandible were more affected than were the opposite sides. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Comparison Of Methods Used In Cartography For The Skeletonisation Of Areal Objects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szombara, Stanisław

2015-12-01

The article presents a method that would compare skeletonisation methods for areal objects. The skeleton of an areal object, being its linear representation, is used, among others, in cartographic visualisation. The method allows us to compare between any skeletonisation methods in terms of the deviations of distance differences between the skeleton of the object and its border from one side and the distortions of skeletonisation from another. In the article, 5 methods were compared: Voronoi diagrams, densified Voronoi diagrams, constrained Delaunay triangulation, Straight Skeleton and Medial Axis (Transform). The results of comparison were presented on the example of several areal objects. The comparison of the methods showed that in all the analysed objects the Medial Axis (Transform) gives the smallest distortion and deviation values, which allows us to recommend it.

Comparison of macroinvertebrate community structure between two riffle-based sampling protocols in Wyoming, Colorado, and Montana, 2000-2001

USGS Publications Warehouse

Peterson, David A.; Zumberge, Jeremy R.

2006-01-01

Samples of benthic macroinvertebrates were collected side-by-side from riffles at 12 stream sites in Wyoming, Colorado, and Montana during 2000-2001, following protocols established by the U.S. Geological Survey National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP). Samples from riffles were collected following NAWQA protocols, using a sampler with 425-micron net mesh-opening size from a total area of 1.25 m2 per sample in multiple riffles. Samples also were collected following EMAP protocols, using a sampler with 500-micron net mesh-opening size from a total area of 0.72 m2 per sample in multiple riffles. The taxonomic identification and enumeration of the samples followed procedures established for each program. Benthic macroinvertebrate community structure was compared between the data sets using individual metrics, a multimetric index, and multivariate analysis. Comparisons between the macroinvertebrate community structures were made after sequentially adjusting both data sets for: (1) ambiguous taxa, (2) taxonomic inconsistencies, and (3) differences in laboratory subsampling. After removal of ambiguous taxa, pair-wise differences in total taxa richness and Ephemeroptera taxa richness were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Differences between the data sets generally were not significant for richness of other taxa, tolerant taxa, semi-voltine taxa, functional feeding groups, diversity, and dominance. Sample scores calculated using the Wyoming Stream Integrity Index were not significantly different between the two data sets. After reconciling both data sets for taxonomic inconsistencies, total taxa richness and Ephemeroptera taxa richness remained significantly different between the data sets. After adjusting the data for differences in laboratory subsampling, the differences in taxa richness were no longer significant. Bray-Curtis similarity coefficients and non-metric multi-dimensional scaling were used to examine macroinvertebrate community structure. Similarity in community structure between sites was affected to a greater extent by taxa reconciliation than by adjustment for subsampling.

Comparison of Helioseismic Far-Side Active Region Detections with STEREO Far-Side EUV Observations of Solar Activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liewer, P. C.; Qiu, J.; Lindsey, C.

2017-10-01

Seismic maps of the Sun's far hemisphere, computed from Doppler data from the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) are now being used routinely to detect strong magnetic regions on the far side of the Sun (http://jsoc.stanford.edu/data/farside/). To test the reliability of this technique, the helioseismically inferred active region detections are compared with far-side observations of solar activity from the Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO), using brightness in extreme-ultraviolet light (EUV) as a proxy for magnetic fields. Two approaches are used to analyze nine months of STEREO and HMI data. In the first approach, we determine whether new large east-limb active regions are detected seismically on the far side before they appear Earth side and study how the detectability of these regions relates to their EUV intensity. We find that while there is a range of EUV intensities for which far-side regions may or may not be detected seismically, there appears to be an intensity level above which they are almost always detected and an intensity level below which they are never detected. In the second approach, we analyze concurrent extreme-ultraviolet and helioseismic far-side observations. We find that 100% (22) of the far-side seismic regions correspond to an extreme-ultraviolet plage; 95% of these either became a NOAA-designated magnetic region when reaching the east limb or were one before crossing to the far side. A low but significant correlation is found between the seismic signature strength and the EUV intensity of a far-side region.

Comparison of two stand-alone CADe systems at multiple operating points

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sahiner, Berkman; Chen, Weijie; Pezeshk, Aria; Petrick, Nicholas

2015-03-01

Computer-aided detection (CADe) systems are typically designed to work at a given operating point: The device displays a mark if and only if the level of suspiciousness of a region of interest is above a fixed threshold. To compare the standalone performances of two systems, one approach is to select the parameters of the systems to yield a target false-positive rate that defines the operating point, and to compare the sensitivities at that operating point. Increasingly, CADe developers offer multiple operating points, which necessitates the comparison of two CADe systems involving multiple comparisons. To control the Type I error, multiple-comparison correction is needed for keeping the family-wise error rate (FWER) less than a given alpha-level. The sensitivities of a single modality at different operating points are correlated. In addition, the sensitivities of the two modalities at the same or different operating points are also likely to be correlated. It has been shown in the literature that when test statistics are correlated, well-known methods for controlling the FWER are conservative. In this study, we compared the FWER and power of three methods, namely the Bonferroni, step-up, and adjusted step-up methods in comparing the sensitivities of two CADe systems at multiple operating points, where the adjusted step-up method uses the estimated correlations. Our results indicate that the adjusted step-up method has a substantial advantage over other the two methods both in terms of the FWER and power.

Side effect profile similarities shared between antidepressants and immune-modulators reveal potential novel targets for treating major depressive disorders.

PubMed

Sun, Yu; Narayan, Vaibhav A; Wittenberg, Gayle M

2016-10-21

Side effects, or the adverse effects of drugs, contain important clinical phenotypic information that may be useful in predicting novel or unknown targets of a drug. It has been suggested that drugs with similar side-effect profiles may share common targets. The diagnostic class, Major Depressive Disorder, is increasingly viewed as being comprised of multiple depression subtypes with different biological root causes. One 'type' of depression generating substantial interest today focuses on patients with high levels of inflammatory burden, indicated by elevated levels of C-reactive proteins (CRP) and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 6 (IL-6). It has been suggested that drugs targeting the immune system may have beneficial effect on this subtype of depressed patients, and several studies are underway to test this hypothesis directly. However, patients have been treated with both anti-inflammatory and antidepressant compounds for decades. It may be possible to exploit similarities in clinical readouts to better understand the antidepressant effects of immune-related drugs. Here we explore the space of approved drugs by comparing the drug side effect profiles of known antidepressants and drugs targeting the immune system, and further examine the findings by comparing the human cell line expression profiles induced by them with those induced by antidepressants. We found 7 immune-modulators and 14 anti-inflammatory drugs sharing significant side effect profile similarities with antidepressants. Five of the 7 immune modulators share most similar side effect profiles with antidepressants that modulate dopamine release and/or uptake. In addition, the immunosuppressant rapamycin and the glucocorticoid alclometasone induces transcriptional changes similar to multiple antidepressants. These findings suggest that some antidepressants and some immune-related drugs may affect common molecular pathways. Our findings support the idea that certain medications aimed at the immune system may be helpful in relieving depressive symptoms, and suggest that it may be of value to test immune-modulators for antidepressant-like activity in future proof-of-concept studies.

Error control techniques for satellite and space communications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Costello, Daniel J., Jr.

1991-01-01

Shannon's capacity bound shows that coding can achieve large reductions in the required signal to noise ratio per information bit (E sub b/N sub 0 where E sub b is the energy per bit and (N sub 0)/2 is the double sided noise density) in comparison to uncoded schemes. For bandwidth efficiencies of 2 bit/sym or greater, these improvements were obtained through the use of Trellis Coded Modulation and Block Coded Modulation. A method of obtaining these high efficiencies using multidimensional Multiple Phase Shift Keying (MPSK) and Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) signal sets with trellis coding is described. These schemes have advantages in decoding speed, phase transparency, and coding gain in comparison to other trellis coding schemes. Finally, a general parity check equation for rotationally invariant trellis codes is introduced from which non-linear codes for two dimensional MPSK and QAM signal sets are found. These codes are fully transparent to all rotations of the signal set.

Managing Multiple Health Problems: Living with Multiple Health Problems

MedlinePlus

... treatments affect people with multiple health problems. Guiding Principles on Caring for Older Adults with Multiple Health ... interactions and other side effects. Each of the principles above is intended to help improve the health ...

Comparisons of MOVES Light-duty Gasoline NOx Emission Rates with Real-world Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, D.; Sonntag, D.; Warila, J.

2017-12-01

Recent studies have shown differences between air quality model estimates and monitored values for nitrogen oxides. Several studies have suggested that the discrepancy between monitored and modeled values is due to an overestimation of NOx from mobile sources in EPA's emission inventory, particularly for light-duty gasoline vehicles. EPA's MOtor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES) is an emission modeling system that estimates emissions for cars, trucks and other mobile sources at the national, county, and project level for criteria pollutants, greenhouse gases, and air toxics. Studies that directly measure vehicle emissions provide useful data for evaluating MOVES when the measurement conditions are properly accounted for in modeling. In this presentation, we show comparisons of MOVES2014 to thousands of real-world NOx emissions measurements from individual light-duty gasoline vehicles. The comparison studies include in-use vehicle emissions tests conducted on chassis dynamometer tests in support of Denver, Colorado's Vehicle Inspection & Maintenance Program and remote sensing data collected using road-side instruments in multiple locations and calendar years in the United States. In addition, we conduct comparisons of MOVES predictions to fleet-wide emissions measured from tunnels. We also present details on the methodology used to conduct the MOVES model runs in comparing to the independent data.

Comparison of cefuroxime axetil, cefaclor, and amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium suspensions in acute otitis media in infants and children.

PubMed

Pichichero, M; Aronovitz, G H; Gooch, W M; McLinn, S E; Maddern, B; Johnson, C; Darden, P M

1990-10-01

In this randomized, blinded, multicenter comparison study, 377 infants and children with acute otitis media (AOM) received a 10-day course of an oral suspension of one of the following: cefuroxime axetil (CAE), 30 mg/kg/day; cefaclor (CEC), 40 mg/kg/day; or amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium (AMX-CL), 40 mg/kg/day. Clinical efficacy was determined by pneumatic otoscopy and tympanometric testing 3 to 5, 11 to 14, and 22 to 26 days after the initiation of therapy. There was a statistically significant difference among the three treatment groups with respect to clinical outcome; more patients in the CAE group (62%) than in the CEC group (46%) or the AMX-CL group (52%) had complete resolution of signs and symptoms of AOM (including effusion). Paired comparisons revealed a significant difference in efficacy between CAE and CEC and a nearly significant difference between AMX-CL and CEC. Taste acceptability was highest for CEC and lowest for this formulation of CAE. Significantly more patients in the AMX-CL group than in the CAE or CEC group had a side effect, primarily diarrhea, vomiting, or diaper rash. We conclude that CAE suspension has greater clinical efficacy than CEC and fewer side effects than AMX-CL.

A neurophysiological study of facial numbness in multiple sclerosis: Integration with clinical data and imaging findings.

PubMed

Koutsis, Georgios; Kokotis, Panagiotis; Papagianni, Aikaterini E; Evangelopoulos, Maria-Eleftheria; Kilidireas, Constantinos; Karandreas, Nikolaos

2016-09-01

To integrate neurophysiological findings with clinical and imaging data in a consecutive series of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients developing facial numbness during the course of an MS attack. Nine consecutive patients with MS and recent-onset facial numbness were studied clinically, imaged with routine MRI, and assessed neurophysiologically with trigeminal somatosensory evoked potential (TSEP), blink reflex (BR), masseter reflex (MR), facial nerve conduction, facial muscle and masseter EMG studies. All patients had unilateral facial hypoesthesia on examination and lesions in the ipsilateral pontine tegmentum on MRI. All patients had abnormal TSEPs upon stimulation of the affected side, excepting one that was tested following remission of numbness. BR was the second most sensitive neurophysiological method with 6/9 examinations exhibiting an abnormal R1 component. The MR was abnormal in 3/6 patients, always on the affected side. Facial conduction and EMG studies were normal in all patients but one. Facial numbness was always related to abnormal TSEPs. A concomitant R1 abnormality on BR allowed localization of the responsible pontine lesion, which closely corresponded with MRI findings. We conclude that neurophysiological assessment of MS patients with facial numbness is a sensitive tool, which complements MRI, and can improve lesion localization. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Voxelwise multivariate analysis of multimodality magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Naylor, Melissa G; Cardenas, Valerie A; Tosun, Duygu; Schuff, Norbert; Weiner, Michael; Schwartzman, Armin

2014-03-01

Most brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies concentrate on a single MRI contrast or modality, frequently structural MRI. By performing an integrated analysis of several modalities, such as structural, perfusion-weighted, and diffusion-weighted MRI, new insights may be attained to better understand the underlying processes of brain diseases. We compare two voxelwise approaches: (1) fitting multiple univariate models, one for each outcome and then adjusting for multiple comparisons among the outcomes and (2) fitting a multivariate model. In both cases, adjustment for multiple comparisons is performed over all voxels jointly to account for the search over the brain. The multivariate model is able to account for the multiple comparisons over outcomes without assuming independence because the covariance structure between modalities is estimated. Simulations show that the multivariate approach is more powerful when the outcomes are correlated and, even when the outcomes are independent, the multivariate approach is just as powerful or more powerful when at least two outcomes are dependent on predictors in the model. However, multiple univariate regressions with Bonferroni correction remain a desirable alternative in some circumstances. To illustrate the power of each approach, we analyze a case control study of Alzheimer's disease, in which data from three MRI modalities are available. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Dissatisfaction with opioid maintenance treatment partly explains reported side effects of medications.

PubMed

Muller, Ashley Elizabeth; Bjørnestad, Ronny; Clausen, Thomas

2018-03-29

Drop-out is a core problem in opioid maintenance treatment (OMT), but patients' reactions to and acceptance of the various OMT medications are insufficiently investigated. In Norway, there has been vocal patient resistance to the newest medication, buprenorphine-naloxone (BNX), and complaints have focused on the side effect profile. There has been no comparison of patient satisfaction and side effects of the three most common OMT medications. To compare patient satisfaction with OMT and side effects of BNX, buprenorphine monopreparate (BUP), and methadone (MET) as reported by patients. Data were drawn from a national peer-to-peer survey developed by a patient advocacy group. The survey engaged more than 1000 OMT patients, corresponding to one seventh of OMT patients in Norway. The associations between side effects, treatment satisfaction, and patient characteristics were tested in multinomial logistic regressions. High patient satisfaction with OMT overall was reported despite lower satisfaction with medication itself and widely prevalent side effects. Among each medication group, dissatisfaction with medications or OMT in general along with poor health status increased the relative risk ratio of reporting the heaviest side effect burden. MET users reported the highest side effect burden and BNX users the lightest, but BNX users were more dissatisfied with their medication. Side effects are a concern for nearly all OMT patients, and they do not appear to accumulate with age or length of treatment. BNX users' dissatisfaction with their medication is of particular concern, and expectations and preferences of medication may be influencing their dissatisfaction. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Effect of volatile removal during molding on the properties of two phenolic-fiber composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Price, H. L.; Lucy, M. H.

1974-01-01

A comparison has been made of the effect of three volatile-removing techniques during molding on the properties of phenolic-fiber composites. The first technique involved heating the molding compound from one side, initiating the volatile-producing reactions, and driving these volatiles through the compound toward the cooler side. The second technique involved the application of a vacuum to the molding cavity before and during the cure cycle. The third technique was a combination of the first two. These techniques were used in the compression molding of phenolic-asbestos and phenolic-glass composites. The effects of both the individual and combined techniques on the mechanical, thermal, and sorption properties of the composites are reported.

Projectile Motion Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cordry, Sean

2003-10-01

Textbooks almost always have a stroboscopic photograph of a ball falling alongside of one with an initial horizontal speed. These photos are great for showing how the two objects experience the same vertical acceleration; however, the photos don't usually illustrate what happens if a projectile is launched at some angle. There are a number of ways to illustrate the effects of the launch angle: shooting a ball or stream of water through hoops, for example. Those demonstrations, though, do not allow for side-by-side comparison of the effects of various launch angles. Thus, a few years ago I constructed this three-dimensional projectile model to do just that. The model is composed of two three-dimensional "stroboscopic sculptures" representing the trajectory of two projectiles.

Perceived reachability in single- and multiple-degree-of-freedom workspaces.

PubMed

Gabbard, Carl; Ammar, Diala; Lee, Sunghan

2006-11-01

In comparisons of perceived (imagined) and actual reaches, investigators consistently find a tendency to overestimate. A primary explanation for that phenomenon is that individuals reach as a "whole-body engagement" involving multiple degrees of freedom (m-df). The authors examined right-handers (N = 28) in 1-df and m-df workspaces by having them judge the reachability of targets at midline, right, and left visual fields. Response profiles were similar for total error. Both conditions reflected an overestimation bias, although the bias was significantly greater in the m-df condition. Midline responses differed (greater overestimation) from those of right and left visual fields, which were similar. Although the authors would have predicted better performance in the m-df condition, it seems plausible that if individuals think in terms of m-df, they may feel more confident in that condition and thereby exhibit greater overestimation. Furthermore, the authors speculate that the reduced bias at the side fields may be attributed to a more conservative strategy based in part on perceived reach constraints.

Evidence for a left-over-right inhibitory mechanism during figural creative thinking in healthy nonartists.

PubMed

Huang, Peiyu; Qiu, Lihua; Shen, Lin; Zhang, Yong; Song, Zhe; Qi, Zhiguo; Gong, Qiyong; Xie, Peng

2013-10-01

As a complex mental process, creativity requires the coordination of multiple brain regions. Previous pathological research on figural creativity has indicated that there is a mechanism by which the left side of the brain inhibits the activities of the right side of the brain during figural creative thinking, but this mechanism has not been directly demonstrated. In this study, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to demonstrate the existence of this inhibitory mechanism in young adults (15 women, 11 men, mean age: 22 years) that were not artists. By making comparisons between brain activity during creative and uncreative tasks, we found increased activity in the left middle and inferior frontal lobe and strong decreases in activity in the right middle frontal lobe and the left inferior parietal lobe. As such, these data suggest that the left frontal lobe may inhibit the right hemisphere during figural creative thinking in normal people. Moreover, removal of this inhibition by practicing artistry or through specific damage to the left frontal lobe may facilitate the emergence of artistic creativity. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The Effect of One Session Low Level Laser Therapy of Extracted Follicular Units on the Outcome of Hair Transplantation.

PubMed

Tabaie, Seyed Mehdi; Berenji Ardestani, Hoda; Azizjalali, Mir Hadi

2016-01-01

Photobiostimulation with low level laser (LLL) has been used in medicine for a long time and its effects have been shown in many diseases. Some studies have evaluated the effect of LLL on androgenic alopecia. One of the most important limitations of the use of LLL in the treatment of alopecia is the requirement for multiple sessions, which is hardly accepted by patients. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the irradiation of extracted follicular hair units by LLL on the outcome of hair transplantation. We enrolled 10 patients with androgenic alopecia and after screening tests for infections and other diseases, we extracted hair follicular units. The hair units were divided in two groups. One group was irradiated by LLL 20 minutes before transplantation (660 nm, 80 Hz, 100 mW) and the other one was used as control. The containing plates were labeled as A and B and sent to the operation room. The surgeon was unaware of the therapy assigned to the plates and transplanted them randomly on the right or left side of the head. One hundred follicular units on each sides of the scalp were transplanted symmetrically. The follicles on both sides were evaluated at 3 and 6 months of transplantation for hair growth rate by another physician, blinded to the treatment assigned to each side. Ten patient with androgenic alopecia and mean (SD) age of 31.5 (6.6) years (range 25-45 years) completed the study. All patients had 100% hair growth at 3 and 6 months follow-up except one who had hair growth of 20% at three months of transplantation, which changed to 100% at sixth months. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding hair growth (P > 0.8). One session of LLL irradiation has no significant effect on the outcome of transplanted hair follicles. Studies with larger sample size are needed to draw a definite conclusion.

Drosophila pachea asymmetric lobes are part of a grasping device and stabilize one-sided mating.

PubMed

Rhebergen, Flor T; Courtier-Orgogozo, Virginie; Dumont, Julien; Schilthuizen, Menno; Lang, Michael

2016-09-01

Multiple animal species exhibit morphological asymmetries in male genitalia. In insects, left-right genital asymmetries evolved many times independently and have been proposed to appear in response to changes in mating position. However, little is known about the relationship between mating position and the interaction of male and female genitalia during mating, and functional analyses of asymmetric morphologies in genitalia are virtually non-existent. We investigated the relationship between mating position, asymmetric genital morphology and genital coupling in the fruit fly Drosophila pachea, in which males possess an asymmetric pair of external genital lobes and mate in an unusual right-sided position on top of the female. We examined D. pachea copulation by video recording and by scanning electron microscopy of genital complexes. We observed that the interlocking of male and female genital organs in D. pachea is remarkably different from genital coupling in the well-studied D. melanogaster. In D. pachea, the female oviscapt valves are asymmetrically twisted during copulation. The male's asymmetric lobes tightly grasp the female's abdomen in an asymmetric 'locking' position, with the left and right lobes contacting different female structures. The male anal plates, which grasp the female genitalia in D. melanogaster, do not contact the female in D. pachea. Experimental lobe amputation by micro-surgery and laser-ablation of lobe bristles led to aberrant coupling of genitalia and variable mating positions, in which the male was tilted towards the right side of the female. We describe, for the first time, how the mating position depends on coupling of male and female genitalia in a species with asymmetric genitalia and one-sided mating position. Our results show that D. pachea asymmetric epandrial lobes do not act as a compensatory mechanism for the change from symmetric to one-sided mating position that occurred during evolution of D. pachea's ancestors, but as holding devices with distinct specialized functions on the left and right sides.

Simulation of one-sided heating of boiler unit membrane-type water walls

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurepin, M. P.; Serbinovskiy, M. Yu.

2017-03-01

This study describes the results of simulation of the temperature field and the stress-strain state of membrane-type gastight water walls of boiler units using the finite element method. The methods of analytical and standard calculation of one-sided heating of fin-tube water walls by a radiative heat flux are analyzed. The methods and software for input data calculation in the finite-element simulation, including thermoelastic moments in welded panels that result from their one-sided heating, are proposed. The method and software modules are used for water wall simulation using ANSYS. The results of simulation of the temperature field, stress field, deformations and displacement of the membrane-type panel for the boiler furnace water wall using the finite-element method, as well as the results of calculation of the panel tube temperature, stresses and deformations using the known methods, are presented. The comparison of the known experimental results on heating and bending by given moments of membrane-type water walls and numerical simulations is performed. It is demonstrated that numerical results agree with high accuracy with the experimental data. The relative temperature difference does not exceed 1%. The relative difference of the experimental fin mutual turning angle caused by one-sided heating by radiative heat flux and the results obtained in the finite element simulation does not exceed 8.5% for nondisplaced fins and 7% for fins with displacement. The same difference for the theoretical results and the simulation using the finite-element method does not exceed 3% and 7.1%, respectively. The proposed method and software modules for simulation of the temperature field and stress-strain state of the water walls are verified and the feasibility of their application in practical design is proven.

Conformational analysis of capsaicin using 13C, 15N MAS NMR, GIAO DFT and GA calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siudem, Paweł; Paradowska, Katarzyna; Bukowicki, Jarosław

2017-10-01

Capsaicin produced by plants from genus Capsicum exerts multiple pharmacological effects and has found applications in food and pharmaceutical industry. The alkaloid was studied by a combined approach: solid-state NMR, GA conformational search and GIAO DFT methods. The 13C CPMAS NMR spectra were recorded using variable contact time and dipolar dephasing experiments. The results of cross-polarization (CP) kinetics, such as TCP values and long T1ρH (100-200 ms), indicated that the capsaicin molecule is fairly mobile, especially at the end of the aliphatic chain. The15N MAS NMR spectrum showed one narrow signal at -255 ppm. Genetic algorithm (GA) search with multi modal optimization was used to find low-energy conformations of capsaicin. Theoretical GIAO DFT calculations were performed using different basis sets to characterize five selected conformations. 13C CPMAS NMR was used as a validation method and the experimental chemical shifts were compared with those calculated for selected stable conformers. Conformational analysis suggests that the side chain can be bent or extended. A comparison of the experimental and the calculated chemical shifts indicates that solid capsaicin does not have the same structure as those established by PWXRD.

Residual Strength Analyses of Riveted Lap-Splice Joints

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seshadri, B. R.; Newman, J. C., Jr.

2000-01-01

The objective of this paper was to analyze the crack-linkup behavior in riveted-stiffened lap-splice joint panels with small multiple-site damage (MSD) cracks at several adjacent rivet holes. Analyses are based on the STAGS (STructural Analysis of General Shells) code with the critical crack-tip-opening angle (CTOA) fracture criterion. To account for high constraint around a crack front, the "plane strain core" option in STAGS was used. The importance of modeling rivet flexibility with fastener elements that accurately model load transfer across the joint is discussed. Fastener holes are not modeled but rivet connectivity is accounted for by attaching rivets to the sheet on one side of the cracks that simulated both the rivet diameter and MSD cracks. Residual strength analyses made on 2024-T3 alloy (1.6-mm thick) riveted-lap-splice joints with a lead crack and various size MSD cracks were compared with test data from Boeing Airplane Company. Analyses were conducted for both restrained and unrestrained buckling conditions. Comparison of results from these analyses and results from lap-splice-joint test panels, which were partially restrained against buckling indicate that the test results were bounded by the failure loads predicted by the analyses with restrained and unrestrained conditions.

Strategies for Coping in a Complex World: Adherence Behavior Among Older Adults with Chronic Illness

PubMed Central

Ross-Degnan, Dennis; Adams, Alyce S.; Safran, Dana Gelb; Soumerai, Stephen B.

2007-01-01

Background Increasing numbers of medicines increase nonadherence. Little is known about how older adults manage multiple medicines for multiple illnesses. Objectives To explore how older adults with multiple illnesses make choices about medicines. Design Semistructured interviews with older adults taking several medications. Accounts of respondents’ medicine-taking behavior were collected. Participants Twenty community-dwelling seniors with health insurance, in Eastern Massachusetts, aged 67–90, (4–12 medicines, 3–9 comorbidities). Approach Qualitative analysis using constant comparison to explain real choices made about medicines in the past (“historical”) and hypothetical (“future”) choices. Results Respondents reported both past (“historical”) choices and hypothetical (“future”) choices between medicines. Although people discussed effectiveness and future risk of the disease when prompted to prioritize their medicines (future choices), key factors leading to nonadherence (historical choices) were costs and side effects. Specific choices were generally dominated by 1 factor, and respondents rarely reported making explicit trade-offs between different factors. Factors affecting 1 choice were not necessarily the same as those affecting another choice in the same person. There was no evidence of “adherent” personalities. Conclusion Prescribing a new medicine, a change in provider or copayment can provoke new choices about both new and existing medications in older adults with multiple morbidities. PMID:17406952

The NASA Reanalysis Ensemble Service - Advanced Capabilities for Integrated Reanalysis Access and Intercomparison

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tamkin, G.; Schnase, J. L.; Duffy, D.; Li, J.; Strong, S.; Thompson, J. H.

2017-12-01

NASA's efforts to advance climate analytics-as-a-service are making new capabilities available to the research community: (1) A full-featured Reanalysis Ensemble Service (RES) comprising monthly means data from multiple reanalysis data sets, accessible through an enhanced set of extraction, analytic, arithmetic, and intercomparison operations. The operations are made accessible through NASA's climate data analytics Web services and our client-side Climate Data Services Python library, CDSlib; (2) A cloud-based, high-performance Virtual Real-Time Analytics Testbed supporting a select set of climate variables. This near real-time capability enables advanced technologies like Spark and Hadoop-based MapReduce analytics over native NetCDF files; and (3) A WPS-compliant Web service interface to our climate data analytics service that will enable greater interoperability with next-generation systems such as ESGF. The Reanalysis Ensemble Service includes the following: - New API that supports full temporal, spatial, and grid-based resolution services with sample queries - A Docker-ready RES application to deploy across platforms - Extended capabilities that enable single- and multiple reanalysis area average, vertical average, re-gridding, standard deviation, and ensemble averages - Convenient, one-stop shopping for commonly used data products from multiple reanalyses including basic sub-setting and arithmetic operations (e.g., avg, sum, max, min, var, count, anomaly) - Full support for the MERRA-2 reanalysis dataset in addition to, ECMWF ERA-Interim, NCEP CFSR, JMA JRA-55 and NOAA/ESRL 20CR… - A Jupyter notebook-based distribution mechanism designed for client use cases that combines CDSlib documentation with interactive scenarios and personalized project management - Supporting analytic services for NASA GMAO Forward Processing datasets - Basic uncertainty quantification services that combine heterogeneous ensemble products with comparative observational products (e.g., reanalysis, observational, visualization) - The ability to compute and visualize multiple reanalysis for ease of inter-comparisons - Automated tools to retrieve and prepare data collections for analytic processing

Hypersonic Navier-Stokes Comparisons to Orbiter Flight Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Candler, Graham V.; Campbell, Charles H.

2010-01-01

During the STS-119 flight of Space Shuttle Discovery, two sets of surface temperature measurements were made. Under the HYTHIRM program3 quantitative thermal images of the windward side of the Orbiter with a were taken. In addition, the Boundary Layer Transition Flight Experiment 4 made thermocouple measurements at discrete locations on the Orbiter wind side. Most of these measurements were made downstream of a surface protuberance designed to trip the boundary layer to turbulent flow. In this paper, we use the US3D computational fluid dynamics code to simulate the Orbiter flow field at conditions corresponding to the STS-119 re-entry. We employ a standard two-temperature, five-species finite-rate model for high-temperature air, and the surface catalysis model of Stewart.1 This work is similar to the analysis of Wood et al . 2 except that we use a different approach for modeling turbulent flow. We use the one-equation Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model8 with compressibility corrections 9 and an approach for tripping the boundary layer at discrete locations. In general, the comparison between the simulations and flight data is remarkably good

A side-by-side comparison of CPV module and system performance

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

Muller, Matthew; Marion, Bill; Kurtz, Sarah

A side-by-side comparison is made between concentrator photovoltaic module and system direct current aperture efficiency data with a focus on quantifying system performance losses. The individual losses measured/calculated, when combined, are in good agreement with the total loss seen between the module and the system. Results indicate that for the given test period, the largest individual loss of 3.7% relative is due to the baseline performance difference between the individual module and the average for the 200 modules in the system. A basic empirical model is derived based on module spectral performance data and the tabulated losses between the modulemore » and the system. The model predicts instantaneous system direct current aperture efficiency with a root mean square error of 2.3% relative.« less

Peripheral, functional and postural asymmetries related to the preferred chewing side in adults with natural dentition.

PubMed

Rovira-Lastra, B; Flores-Orozco, E I; Ayuso-Montero, R; Peraire, M; Martinez-Gomis, J

2016-04-01

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the preferred chewing side and whether chewing side preference is related to peripheral, functional or postural lateral preferences. One hundred and forty-six adults with natural dentition performed three masticatory assays, each consisting of five trials of chewing three pieces of silicon placed into a latex bag for 20 cycles, either freestyle or unilaterally on the right- or left-hand side. Occlusal contact area in the intercuspal position, maximum bite force, masticatory performance and cycle duration were measured and the lateral asymmetry of these variables was calculated. Laterality tests were performed to determine handedness, footedness, earedness and eyedness as functional preferences, and hand-clasping, arm-folding and leg-crossing as postural lateral preferences. The preferred chewing side was determined using three different methods: assessment of the first chewing cycle for each trial, calculation of the asymmetry index from all cycles and application of a visual analogue scale. Bivariate relationship and multiple linear regression analyses were performed. Among unilateral chewers, 77% of them preferred the right side for chewing. The factors most closely related to the preferred chewing side were asymmetry of bite force, asymmetry of masticatory performance and earedness, which explained up to 16% of the variance. Although several functional or postural lateral preferences seem to be related to the preferred chewing side, peripheral factors such as asymmetry of bite force and of masticatory performance are the most closely related to the preferred chewing side in adults with natural dentition. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Response of Fibroblasts MRC-5 to Flufenamic Acid-Grafted MCM-41 Nanoparticles

PubMed Central

Lara, Giovanna Gomes; Andrade, Gracielle Ferreira; da Silva, Wellington Marcos

2018-01-01

Recently, flufenamic acid (FFA) was discovered among fenamates as a free radical scavenger and gap junction blocker; however, its effects have only been studied in cancer cells. Normal cells in the surroundings of a tumor also respond to radiation, although they are not hit by it directly. This phenomenon is known as the bystander effect, where response molecules pass from tumor cells to normal ones, through communication channels called gap junctions. The use of the enhanced permeability and retention effect, through which drug-loaded nanoparticles smaller than 200 nm may accumulate around a tumor, can prevent the local side effect upon controlled release of the drug. The present work, aimed at functionalizing MCM-41 (Mobil Composition of Matter No. 41) silica nanoparticles with FFA and determining its biocompatibility with human fibroblasts MRC-5 (Medical Research Council cell strain 5). MCM-41, was synthesized and characterized structurally and chemically, with multiple techniques. The biocompatibility assay was performed by Live/Dead technique, with calcein and propidium–iodide. MRC-5 cells were treated with FFA-grafted MCM-41 for 48 h, and 98% of cells remained viable, without signs of necrosis or morphological changes. The results show the feasibility of MCM-41 functionalization with FFA, and its potential protection of normal cells, in comparison to the role of FFA in cancerous ones. PMID:29315235

Comparison of the SidePak personal monitor with the Aerosol Particle Sizer (APS).

PubMed

Sánchez Jiménez, Araceli; van Tongeren, Martie; Galea, Karen S; Steinsvåg, Kjersti; MacCalman, Laura; Cherrie, John W

2011-06-01

The aim of this study was to compare the performance of the TSI Aerodynamic Particle Sizer (APS) and the TSI portable photometer SidePak to measure airborne oil mist particulate matter (PM) with aerodynamic diameters below 10 μm, 2.5 μm and 1 μm (PM(10), PM(2.5) and PM(1)). Three SidePaks each fitted with either a PM(10), PM(2.5) or a PM(1) impactor and an APS were run side by side in a controlled chamber. Oil mist from two different mineral oils and two different drilling fluid systems commonly used in offshore drilling technologies were generated using a nebulizer. Compared to the APS, the SidePaks overestimated the concentration of PM(10) and PM(2.5) by one order of magnitude and PM(1) concentrations by two orders of magnitude after exposure to oil mist for 3.3-6.5 min at concentrations ranging from 0.003 to 18.1 mg m(-3) for PM(10), 0.002 to 3.96 mg m(-3) for PM(2.5) and 0.001 to 0.418 mg m(-3) for PM(1) (as measured by the APS). In a second experiment a SidePak monitor previously exposed to oil mist overestimated PM(10) concentrations by 27% compared to measurements from another SidePak never exposed to oil mist. This could be a result of condensation of oil mist droplets in the optical system of the SidePak. The SidePak is a very useful instrument for personal monitoring in occupational hygiene due to its light weight and quiet pump. However, it may not be suitable for the measurement of particle concentrations from oil mist.

Windowing technique in FM radar realized by FPGA for better target resolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ponomaryov, Volodymyr I.; Escamilla-Hernandez, Enrique; Kravchenko, Victor F.

2006-09-01

Remote sensing systems, such as SAR usually apply FM signals to resolve nearly placed targets (objects) and improve SNR. Main drawbacks in the pulse compression of FM radar signal that it can add the range side-lobes in reflectivity measurements. Using weighting window processing in time domain it is possible to decrease significantly the side-lobe level (SLL) of output radar signal that permits to resolve small or low power targets those are masked by powerful ones. There are usually used classical windows such as Hamming, Hanning, Blackman-Harris, Kaiser-Bessel, Dolph-Chebyshev, Gauss, etc. in window processing. Additionally to classical ones in here we also use a novel class of windows based on atomic functions (AF) theory. For comparison of simulation and experimental results we applied the standard parameters, such as coefficient of amplification, maximum level of side-lobe, width of main lobe, etc. In this paper we also proposed to implement the compression-windowing model on a hardware level employing Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) that offers some benefits like instantaneous implementation, dynamic reconfiguration, design, and field programmability. It has been investigated the pulse compression design on FPGA applying classical and novel window technique to reduce the SLL in absence and presence of noise. The paper presents simulated and experimental examples of detection of small or nearly placed targets in the imaging radar. Paper also presents the experimental hardware results of windowing in FM radar demonstrating resolution of the several targets for classical rectangular, Hamming, Kaiser-Bessel, and some novel ones: Up(x), fup 4(x)•D 3(x), fup 6(x)•G 3(x), etc. It is possible to conclude that windows created on base of the AFs offer better decreasing of the SLL in cases of presence or absence of noise and when we move away of the main lobe in comparison with classical windows.

Contraception with subdermal ST-1435 capsules: side-effects, endocrine profiles and liver function related to different lengths of capsules.

PubMed

Kurunmäki, H; Toivonen, J; Lähteenmäki, P; Luukkainen, T

1985-03-01

One Silastic capsule of 15 mm, 20 mm or 30 mm length was inserted subcutaneously into the ventral aspect of the left forearm or upper arm of 28 healthy women during menstrual bleeding or not later than on the seventh day of the menstrual cycle. A new capsule of the same length was inserted after six months and both capsules were removed twelve months after the first insertion. Side-effects, including changes in body weight, blood pressure, menstrual bleeding and liver function test results, were registered. Blood samples were taken from selected subjects twice a week during the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th and 12th month of use. Plasma concentrations of ST-1435 were measured by radioimmunoassay and the effects of treatment on pituitary and ovarian function were determined by assaying plasma concentrations of LH, FSH, estradiol and progesterone. There were no differences in hormonal side-effects between subjects who had a 30 mm capsule or subjects who had 20 mm or 15 mm capsules, but subjects who had 20 or 15 mm capsules had significantly longer bleeding or spotting periods in comparison with subjects who had a 30 mm capsule. There were no changes in blood pressure, body weight or liver function test results in comparison with pre-insertion values. The plasma level of ST-1435 was not significantly higher during the use of 30 mm capsules than during the use of 20 or 15 mm capsules. During the use of the shorter ST-1435 capsules, plasma estradiol elevation and slightly suppressed FSH were seen, while the use of longer capsules resulted in a slight suppression of LH. Progesterone concentrations during monitored cycles indicated anovulation. No pregnancies occurred during the study period of one year. The continuation rate at one year was 71% in the 30 mm capsule group and 57% in the 20 and 15 mm capsule groups taken together.

Foil Electron Multiplier

DOEpatents

Funsten, Herbert O.; Baldonado, Juan R.; Dors, Eric E.; Harper, Ronnie W.; Skoug, Ruth M.

2006-03-28

An apparatus for electron multiplication by transmission that is designed with at least one foil having a front side for receiving incident particles and a back side for transmitting secondary electrons that are produced from the incident particles transiting through the foil. The foil thickness enables the incident particles to travel through the foil and continue on to an anode or to a next foil in series with the first foil. The foil, or foils, and anode are contained within a supporting structure that is attached within an evacuated enclosure. An electrical power supply is connected to the foil, or foils, and the anode to provide an electrical field gradient effective to accelerate negatively charged incident particles and the generated secondary electrons through the foil, or foils, to the anode for collection.

Going Green and Using Less Paper to Print Exams: Student Performance, Completion Time, and Preference

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

O'Connor, Kevin J.

2014-01-01

Two studies measured the impact on student exam performance and exam completion time of strategies aimed to reduce the amount of paper used for printing multiple-choice course exams. Study 1 compared single-sided to double-sided printed exams. Study 2 compared a single-column arrangement of multiple-choice answer options to a space (and paper)…

Uncovering the determinants of a highly perturbed tyrosine pKa in the active site of ketosteroid isomerase.

PubMed

Schwans, Jason P; Sunden, Fanny; Gonzalez, Ana; Tsai, Yingssu; Herschlag, Daniel

2013-11-05

Within the idiosyncratic enzyme active-site environment, side chain and ligand pKa values can be profoundly perturbed relative to their values in aqueous solution. Whereas structural inspection of systems has often attributed perturbed pKa values to dominant contributions from placement near charged groups or within hydrophobic pockets, Tyr57 of a Pseudomonas putida ketosteroid isomerase (KSI) mutant, suggested to have a pKa perturbed by nearly 4 units to 6.3, is situated within a solvent-exposed active site devoid of cationic side chains, metal ions, or cofactors. Extensive comparisons among 45 variants with mutations in and around the KSI active site, along with protein semisynthesis, (13)C NMR spectroscopy, absorbance spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography, was used to unravel the basis for this perturbed Tyr pKa. The results suggest that the origin of large energetic perturbations are more complex than suggested by visual inspection. For example, the introduction of positively charged residues near Tyr57 raises its pKa rather than lowers it; this effect, and part of the increase in the Tyr pKa from the introduction of nearby anionic groups, arises from accompanying active-site structural rearrangements. Other mutations with large effects also cause structural perturbations or appear to displace a structured water molecule that is part of a stabilizing hydrogen-bond network. Our results lead to a model in which three hydrogen bonds are donated to the stabilized ionized Tyr, with these hydrogen-bond donors, two Tyr side chains, and a water molecule positioned by other side chains and by a water-mediated hydrogen-bond network. These results support the notion that large energetic effects are often the consequence of multiple stabilizing interactions rather than a single dominant interaction. Most generally, this work provides a case study for how extensive and comprehensive comparisons via site-directed mutagenesis in a tight feedback loop with structural analysis can greatly facilitate our understanding of enzyme active-site energetics. The extensive data set provided may also be a valuable resource for those wishing to extensively test computational approaches for determining enzymatic pKa values and energetic effects.

Uncovering the Determinants of a Highly Perturbed Tyrosine pKa in the Active Site of Ketosteroid Isomerase†

PubMed Central

Schwans, Jason P.; Sunden, Fanny; Gonzalez, Ana; Tsai, Yingssu; Herschlag, Daniel

2013-01-01

Within the idiosyncratic enzyme active site environment, side chain and ligand pKa values can be profoundly perturbed relative to their values in aqueous solution. Whereas structural inspection of systems has often attributed perturbed pKa values to dominant contributions from placement near to charged groups or within hydrophobic pockets, Tyr57 of a P. putida ketosteroid isomerase (KSI) mutant, suggested to have a pKa perturbed by nearly 4 units to 6.3, is situated within a solvent-exposed active site devoid of cationic side chains, metal ions, or cofactors. Extensive comparisons among 45 variants with mutations in and around the KSI active site, along with protein semi-synthesis, 13C NMR spectroscopy, absorbance spectroscopy, and x-ray crystallography, was used to unravel the basis for this perturbed Tyr pKa. The results suggest that the origin of large energetic perturbations are more complex than suggested by visual inspection. For example, the introduction of positively charged residues near Tyr57 raises its pKa rather than lowers it; this effect, and part of the increase in the Tyr pKa from introduction of nearby anionic groups arise from accompanying active site structural rearrangements. Other mutations with large effects also cause structural perturbations or appear to displace a structured water molecule that is part of a stabilizing hydrogen bond network. Our results lead to a model in which three hydrogen bonds are donated to the stabilized ionized Tyr, with these hydrogen bond donors, two Tyr side chains and a water molecule, positioned by other side chains and by a water-mediated hydrogen bond network. These results support the notion that large energetic effects are often the consequence of multiple stabilizing interactions, rather than a single dominant interaction. Most generally, this work provides a case study for how extensive and comprehensive comparisons via site-directed mutagenesis in a tight feedback loop with structural analysis can greatly facilitate our understanding of enzyme active site energetics. The extensive dataset provided may also be a valuable resource for those wishing to extensively test computational approaches for determining enzymatic pKa values and energetic effects. PMID:24151972

Spaceborne lidar for cloud monitoring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Werner, Christian; Krichbaumer, W.; Matvienko, Gennadii G.

1994-12-01

Results of laser cloud top measurements taken from space in 1982 (called PANTHER) are presented. Three sequences of land, water, and cloud data are selected. A comparison with airborne lidar data shows similarities. Using the single scattering lidar equation for these spaceborne lidar measurements one can misinterpret the data if one doesn't correct for multiple scattering.

Does visual working memory represent the predicted locations of future target objects? An event-related brain potential study.

PubMed

Grubert, Anna; Eimer, Martin

2015-11-11

During the maintenance of task-relevant objects in visual working memory, the contralateral delay activity (CDA) is elicited over the hemisphere opposite to the visual field where these objects are presented. The presence of this lateralised CDA component demonstrates the existence of position-dependent object representations in working memory. We employed a change detection task to investigate whether the represented object locations in visual working memory are shifted in preparation for the known location of upcoming comparison stimuli. On each trial, bilateral memory displays were followed after a delay period by bilateral test displays. Participants had to encode and maintain three visual objects on one side of the memory display, and to judge whether they were identical or different to three objects in the test display. Task-relevant memory and test stimuli were located in the same visual hemifield in the no-shift task, and on opposite sides in the horizontal shift task. CDA components of similar size were triggered contralateral to the memorized objects in both tasks. The absence of a polarity reversal of the CDA in the horizontal shift task demonstrated that there was no preparatory shift of memorized object location towards the side of the upcoming comparison stimuli. These results suggest that visual working memory represents the locations of visual objects during encoding, and that the matching of memorized and test objects at different locations is based on a comparison process that can bridge spatial translations between these objects. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI: Prediction and Attention. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Big data in multiple sclerosis: development of a web-based longitudinal study viewer in an imaging informatics-based eFolder system for complex data analysis and management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Kevin; Wang, Ximing; Lerner, Alex; Shiroishi, Mark; Amezcua, Lilyana; Liu, Brent

2015-03-01

In the past, we have developed and displayed a multiple sclerosis eFolder system for patient data storage, image viewing, and automatic lesion quantification results stored in DICOM-SR format. The web-based system aims to be integrated in DICOM-compliant clinical and research environments to aid clinicians in patient treatments and disease tracking. This year, we have further developed the eFolder system to handle big data analysis and data mining in today's medical imaging field. The database has been updated to allow data mining and data look-up from DICOM-SR lesion analysis contents. Longitudinal studies are tracked, and any changes in lesion volumes and brain parenchyma volumes are calculated and shown on the webbased user interface as graphical representations. Longitudinal lesion characteristic changes are compared with patients' disease history, including treatments, symptom progressions, and any other changes in the disease profile. The image viewer is updated such that imaging studies can be viewed side-by-side to allow visual comparisons. We aim to use the web-based medical imaging informatics eFolder system to demonstrate big data analysis in medical imaging, and use the analysis results to predict MS disease trends and patterns in Hispanic and Caucasian populations in our pilot study. The discovery of disease patterns among the two ethnicities is a big data analysis result that will help lead to personalized patient care and treatment planning.

Functional equivalency inferred from "authoritative sources" in networks of homologous proteins.

PubMed

Natarajan, Shreedhar; Jakobsson, Eric

2009-06-12

A one-on-one mapping of protein functionality across different species is a critical component of comparative analysis. This paper presents a heuristic algorithm for discovering the Most Likely Functional Counterparts (MoLFunCs) of a protein, based on simple concepts from network theory. A key feature of our algorithm is utilization of the user's knowledge to assign high confidence to selected functional identification. We show use of the algorithm to retrieve functional equivalents for 7 membrane proteins, from an exploration of almost 40 genomes form multiple online resources. We verify the functional equivalency of our dataset through a series of tests that include sequence, structure and function comparisons. Comparison is made to the OMA methodology, which also identifies one-on-one mapping between proteins from different species. Based on that comparison, we believe that incorporation of user's knowledge as a key aspect of the technique adds value to purely statistical formal methods.

Functional Equivalency Inferred from “Authoritative Sources” in Networks of Homologous Proteins

PubMed Central

Natarajan, Shreedhar; Jakobsson, Eric

2009-01-01

A one-on-one mapping of protein functionality across different species is a critical component of comparative analysis. This paper presents a heuristic algorithm for discovering the Most Likely Functional Counterparts (MoLFunCs) of a protein, based on simple concepts from network theory. A key feature of our algorithm is utilization of the user's knowledge to assign high confidence to selected functional identification. We show use of the algorithm to retrieve functional equivalents for 7 membrane proteins, from an exploration of almost 40 genomes form multiple online resources. We verify the functional equivalency of our dataset through a series of tests that include sequence, structure and function comparisons. Comparison is made to the OMA methodology, which also identifies one-on-one mapping between proteins from different species. Based on that comparison, we believe that incorporation of user's knowledge as a key aspect of the technique adds value to purely statistical formal methods. PMID:19521530

Radiosurgery for cerebral arteriovenous malformations in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

PubMed

Maarouf, M; Runge, M; Kocher, M; Zähringer, M; Treuer, H; Sturm, V

2004-07-27

The authors evaluated the efficacy of radiosurgery (RS) for cerebral arteriovenous malformations in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT AVMs). Two patients with seven HHT AVMs were treated by linear accelerator-RS. Complete obliteration was achieved 18 to 24 months post-treatment without side effects. Because HHT AVMs are small and multiple, RS is superior to microsurgery because it is noninvasive and all AVMs can be treated in one session regardless of their location.

Different initiatives across Europe to enhance losartan utilization post generics: impact and implications.

PubMed

Moon, James C; Godman, Brian; Petzold, Max; Alvarez-Madrazo, Samantha; Bennett, Kathleen; Bishop, Iain; Bucsics, Anna; Hesse, Ulrik; Martin, Andrew; Simoens, Steven; Zara, Corinne; Malmström, Rickard E

2014-01-01

There is an urgent need for health authorities across Europe to fully realize potential savings from increased use of generics to sustain their healthcare systems. A variety of strategies were used across Europe following the availability of generic losartan, the first angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) to be approved and marketed, to enhance its prescribing vs. single-sourced drugs in the class. Demand-side strategies ranged from 100% co-payment for single-sourced ARBs in Denmark to no specific measures. We hypothesized this heterogeneity of approaches would provide opportunities to explore prescribing in a class following patent expiry. Contrast the impact of the different approaches among European countries and regions to the availability of generic losartan to provide future guidance. Retrospective segmented regression analyses applying linear random coefficient models with country specific intercepts and slopes were used to assess the impact of the various initiatives across Europe following the availability of generic losartan. Utilization measured in defined daily doses (DDDs). Price reductions for generic losartan were also measured. Utilization of losartan was over 90% of all ARBs in Denmark by the study end. Multiple measures in Sweden and one English primary care group also appreciably enhanced losartan utilization. Losartan utilization actually fell in some countries with no specific demand-side measures. Considerable differences were seen in the prices of generic losartan. Delisting single-sourced ARBs produced the greatest increase in losartan utilization. Overall, multiple demand-side measures are needed to change physician prescribing habits to fully realize savings from generics. There is no apparent "spill over" effect from one class to another to influence future prescribing patterns even if these are closely related.

Distribution of collagenous colitis: utility of flexible sigmoidoscopy.

PubMed Central

Tanaka, M; Mazzoleni, G; Riddell, R H

1992-01-01

We investigated the distribution of the collagen band in 33 patients with collagenous colitis to estimate the likelihood of the disease being diagnosed in biopsy specimens from the left side of the colon, such as those obtained using flexible sigmoidoscopy. To be included in this study patients had a subepithelial collagen band greater than or equal to 10 microns, an increase in chronic inflammatory cells in the same specimen, and diarrhoea for which there was no other apparent cause. In 17 patients undergoing full colonoscopy with a thickened collagen band, collagenous colitis was frequently patchy, even though overall the thickened collagen band was almost equally distributed throughout the colon. Rectal biopsy specimens showed a normal collagen band in 73% of patients, while a thickened collagen band was found in 82% of patients in at least one specimen from the left side of the colon. Three patients had a thickened collagen band only in the caecum. In three of eight rectal biopsy specimens with a normal collagen band there was no mucosal inflammation to raise the possibility of proximal disease, although all but one specimen with a normal collagen band from the sigmoid and descending colon were inflamed. Rectal biopsy alone is therefore a relatively poor method of making the diagnosis. Flexible sigmoidoscopy with multiple biopsy specimens from several sites is a reasonable initial investigation but not sufficient to exclude collagenous colitis when based on the presence of a thickened collagen band alone. Should left sided biopsy specimens show a normal collagen band but an inflamed mucosa, total colonoscopy with multiple specimens including the caecum may be required to establish the diagnosis. Images Figure 1 Figure 2 PMID:1740280

Different initiatives across Europe to enhance losartan utilization post generics: impact and implications

PubMed Central

Moon, James C.; Godman, Brian; Petzold, Max; Alvarez-Madrazo, Samantha; Bennett, Kathleen; Bishop, Iain; Bucsics, Anna; Hesse, Ulrik; Martin, Andrew; Simoens, Steven; Zara, Corinne; Malmström, Rickard E.

2014-01-01

Introduction: There is an urgent need for health authorities across Europe to fully realize potential savings from increased use of generics to sustain their healthcare systems. A variety of strategies were used across Europe following the availability of generic losartan, the first angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) to be approved and marketed, to enhance its prescribing vs. single-sourced drugs in the class. Demand-side strategies ranged from 100% co-payment for single-sourced ARBs in Denmark to no specific measures. We hypothesized this heterogeneity of approaches would provide opportunities to explore prescribing in a class following patent expiry. Objective: Contrast the impact of the different approaches among European countries and regions to the availability of generic losartan to provide future guidance. Methodology: Retrospective segmented regression analyses applying linear random coefficient models with country specific intercepts and slopes were used to assess the impact of the various initiatives across Europe following the availability of generic losartan. Utilization measured in defined daily doses (DDDs). Price reductions for generic losartan were also measured. Results: Utilization of losartan was over 90% of all ARBs in Denmark by the study end. Multiple measures in Sweden and one English primary care group also appreciably enhanced losartan utilization. Losartan utilization actually fell in some countries with no specific demand-side measures. Considerable differences were seen in the prices of generic losartan. Conclusion: Delisting single-sourced ARBs produced the greatest increase in losartan utilization. Overall, multiple demand-side measures are needed to change physician prescribing habits to fully realize savings from generics. There is no apparent “spill over” effect from one class to another to influence future prescribing patterns even if these are closely related. PMID:25339902

The microassay on a card: A rugged, portable immunoassay

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kidwell, David

1991-01-01

The Microassay on a Card (MAC) is a portable, hand-held, non-instrumental immunoassay that can test for the presence of a wide variety of substances in the environment. The MAC is a simple device to use. A drop of test solution is placed on one side of the card and within five minutes a color is developed on the other side in proportion to the amount of substance in the test solution, with sensitivity approaching 10 ng/ml. The MAC is self-contained and self-timed; no reagents or timing is necessary. The MAC may be configured with multiple wells to provide simultaneous testing for multiple species. As envisioned, the MAC will be employed first as an on-site screen for drugs of abuse in urine or saliva. If the MAC can be used as a screen of saliva for drugs of abuse, it could be applied to driving while intoxicated, use of drugs on the job, or testing of the identity of seized materials. With appropriate modifications, the MAC also could be used to test for environmental toxins or pollutants.

Marizomib, a potent second generation proteasome inhibitor from natural origin.

PubMed

Ma, Long; Diao, Aipo

2015-01-01

The malignance of cancers reinforces the need to find potent antineoplastic agents. In the past decades, proteasome has been witnessed as a potential target to fulfil this purpose, as evidenced by the fact that the first-in-class proteasome inhibitor Bortezomib was marketed in 2003. Marizomib (Salinosporamide A, NPI-0052), as a marine natural product, promises to be of high efficacy against multiple myeloma (MM), relapsed/refractory MM and other types of solid tumours. Compared with Bortezomib, it arguably has fewer severe side effects. Marizomib has been termed as orphan drug against multiple myeloma by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2013 and by European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2014. As one of the second generation proteasome inhibitors (PIs), Marizomib is expected to bring about a sustained and complete therapeutic to extend cancer patients' life span. In this article, we intended to briefly review the historical developments, mechanisms, pharmacology, biosynthesis and side effects of this agent, aiming to provide concise coverage for a broad readership. In the end, we proposed our perspective for its futuristic applications.

Uncovering the cognitive processes underlying mental rotation: an eye-movement study.

PubMed

Xue, Jiguo; Li, Chunyong; Quan, Cheng; Lu, Yiming; Yue, Jingwei; Zhang, Chenggang

2017-08-30

Mental rotation is an important paradigm for spatial ability. Mental-rotation tasks are assumed to involve five or three sequential cognitive-processing states, though this has not been demonstrated experimentally. Here, we investigated how processing states alternate during mental-rotation tasks. Inference was carried out using an advanced statistical modelling and data-driven approach - a discriminative hidden Markov model (dHMM) trained using eye-movement data obtained from an experiment consisting of two different strategies: (I) mentally rotate the right-side figure to be aligned with the left-side figure and (II) mentally rotate the left-side figure to be aligned with the right-side figure. Eye movements were found to contain the necessary information for determining the processing strategy, and the dHMM that best fit our data segmented the mental-rotation process into three hidden states, which we termed encoding and searching, comparison, and searching on one-side pair. Additionally, we applied three classification methods, logistic regression, support vector model and dHMM, of which dHMM predicted the strategies with the highest accuracy (76.8%). Our study did confirm that there are differences in processing states between these two of mental-rotation strategies, and were consistent with the previous suggestion that mental rotation is discrete process that is accomplished in a piecemeal fashion.

Gecko-inspired bidirectional double-sided adhesives.

PubMed

Wang, Zhengzhi; Gu, Ping; Wu, Xiaoping

2014-05-14

A new concept of gecko-inspired double-sided adhesives (DSAs) is presented. The DSAs, constructed by dual-angled (i.e. angled base and angled tip) micro-pillars on both sides of the backplane substrate, are fabricated by combinations of angled etching, mould replication, tip modification, and curing bonding. Two types of DSA, symmetric and antisymmetric (i.e. pillars are patterned symmetrically or antisymmetrically relative to the backplane), are fabricated and studied in comparison with the single-sided adhesive (SSA) counterparts through both non-conformal and conformal tests. Results indicate that the DSAs show controllable and bidirectional adhesion. Combination of the two pillar-layers can either amplify (for the antisymmetric DSA, providing a remarkable and durable adhesion capacity of 25.8 ± 2.8 N cm⁻² and a high anisotropy ratio of ∼8) or counteract (for the symmetric DSA, generating almost isotropic adhesion) the adhesion capacity and anisotropic level of one SSA (capacity of 16.2 ± 1.7 N cm⁻² and anisotropy ratio of ∼6). We demonstrate that these two DSAs can be utilized as a facile fastener for two individual objects and a small-scale delivery setup, respectively, complementing the functionality of the commonly studied SSA. As such, the double-sided patterning is believed to be a new branch in the further development of biomimetic dry adhesives.

Gas-phase spectroscopy of synephrine by laser desorption supersonic jet technique.

PubMed

Ishiuchi, Shun-ichi; Asakawa, Toshiro; Mitsuda, Haruhiko; Miyazaki, Mitsuhiko; Chakraborty, Shamik; Fujii, Masaaki

2011-09-22

In our previous work, we found that synephrine has six conformers in the gas phase, while adrenaline, which is a catecholamine and has the same side chain as synephrine, has been reported to have only two conformers. To determine the conformational geometries of synephrine, we measured resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization, ultraviolet-ultraviolet hole burning, and infrared dip spectra by utilizing the laser desorption supersonic jet technique. By comparing the observed infrared spectra with theoretical ones, we assigned geometries except for the orientations of the phenolic OH group. Comparison between the determined structures of synephrine and those of 2-methylaminno-1-phenylethanol, which has the same side chain as synephrine but no phenol OH group, leads to the conclusion that the phenolic OH group in synephrine does not affect the conformational flexibility of the side chain. In the case of adrenaline, which is expected to have 12 conformers if there are no interactions between the catecholic OH groups and the side chain, some interactions possibly exist between them because only two conformations are observed. By estimation of the dipole-dipole interaction energy between partial dipole moments of the catecholic OH groups and the side chain, it was concluded that the dipole-dipole interaction stabilizes specific conformers which are actually observed. © 2011 American Chemical Society

Universal model of slow pyrolysis technology producing biochar and heat from standard biomass needed for the techno-economic assessment.

PubMed

Klinar, Dušan

2016-04-01

Biochar as a soil amendment and carbon sink becomes in last period one of the vast, interesting product of slow pyrolysis. Simplest and most used industrial process arrangement is a production of biochar and heat at the same time. Proposed mass and heat balance model consist of heat consumers (heat demand side) and heat generation-supply side. Direct burning of all generated uncondensed volatiles from biomass provides heat. Calculation of the mass and heat balance of both sides reveals the internal distribution of masses and energy inside process streams and units. Thermodynamic calculations verified not only the concept but also numerical range of the results. The comparisons with recent published scientific and vendors data prove its general applicability and reliability. The model opens the possibility for process efficiency innovations. Finally, the model was adapted to give more investors favorable results and support techno-economic assessments entirely. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Land development under regulation: comparison between the east and the west sides of the Cascade Range in Oregon, Washington, and California.

Treesearch

Seong-Hoo Cho; JunJie Wu; Ralph J. Alig

2005-01-01

We compare how socioeconomic factors, physical landscape, profit uncertainty, and local land use policies have affected land development on the east and west sides of the Cascade Range in Oregon, Washington, and California. It is found that the west side has more actively planned and regulated land use than the east side. Consequently, the more intense land use...

DL-ADR: a novel deep learning model for classifying genomic variants into adverse drug reactions.

PubMed

Liang, Zhaohui; Huang, Jimmy Xiangji; Zeng, Xing; Zhang, Gang

2016-08-10

Genomic variations are associated with the metabolism and the occurrence of adverse reactions of many therapeutic agents. The polymorphisms on over 2000 locations of cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP) due to many factors such as ethnicity, mutations, and inheritance attribute to the diversity of response and side effects of various drugs. The associations of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), the internal pharmacokinetic patterns and the vulnerability of specific adverse reactions become one of the research interests of pharmacogenomics. The conventional genomewide association studies (GWAS) mainly focuses on the relation of single or multiple SNPs to a specific risk factors which are a one-to-many relation. However, there are no robust methods to establish a many-to-many network which can combine the direct and indirect associations between multiple SNPs and a serial of events (e.g. adverse reactions, metabolic patterns, prognostic factors etc.). In this paper, we present a novel deep learning model based on generative stochastic networks and hidden Markov chain to classify the observed samples with SNPs on five loci of two genes (CYP2D6 and CYP1A2) respectively to the vulnerable population of 14 types of adverse reactions. A supervised deep learning model is proposed in this study. The revised generative stochastic networks (GSN) model with transited by the hidden Markov chain is used. The data of the training set are collected from clinical observation. The training set is composed of 83 observations of blood samples with the genotypes respectively on CYP2D6*2, *10, *14 and CYP1A2*1C, *1 F. The samples are genotyped by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. A hidden Markov chain is used as the transition operator to simulate the probabilistic distribution. The model can perform learning at lower cost compared to the conventional maximal likelihood method because the transition distribution is conditional on the previous state of the hidden Markov chain. A least square loss (LASSO) algorithm and a k-Nearest Neighbors (kNN) algorithm are used as the baselines for comparison and to evaluate the performance of our proposed deep learning model. There are 53 adverse reactions reported during the observation. They are assigned to 14 categories. In the comparison of classification accuracy, the deep learning model shows superiority over the LASSO and kNN model with a rate over 80 %. In the comparison of reliability, the deep learning model shows the best stability among the three models. Machine learning provides a new method to explore the complex associations among genomic variations and multiple events in pharmacogenomics studies. The new deep learning algorithm is capable of classifying various SNPs to the corresponding adverse reactions. We expect that as more genomic variations are added as features and more observations are made, the deep learning model can improve its performance and can act as a black-box but reliable verifier for other GWAS studies.

Extending substructure based iterative solvers to multiple load and repeated analyses

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Farhat, Charbel

1993-01-01

Direct solvers currently dominate commercial finite element structural software, but do not scale well in the fine granularity regime targeted by emerging parallel processors. Substructure based iterative solvers--often called also domain decomposition algorithms--lend themselves better to parallel processing, but must overcome several obstacles before earning their place in general purpose structural analysis programs. One such obstacle is the solution of systems with many or repeated right hand sides. Such systems arise, for example, in multiple load static analyses and in implicit linear dynamics computations. Direct solvers are well-suited for these problems because after the system matrix has been factored, the multiple or repeated solutions can be obtained through relatively inexpensive forward and backward substitutions. On the other hand, iterative solvers in general are ill-suited for these problems because they often must restart from scratch for every different right hand side. In this paper, we present a methodology for extending the range of applications of domain decomposition methods to problems with multiple or repeated right hand sides. Basically, we formulate the overall problem as a series of minimization problems over K-orthogonal and supplementary subspaces, and tailor the preconditioned conjugate gradient algorithm to solve them efficiently. The resulting solution method is scalable, whereas direct factorization schemes and forward and backward substitution algorithms are not. We illustrate the proposed methodology with the solution of static and dynamic structural problems, and highlight its potential to outperform forward and backward substitutions on parallel computers. As an example, we show that for a linear structural dynamics problem with 11640 degrees of freedom, every time-step beyond time-step 15 is solved in a single iteration and consumes 1.0 second on a 32 processor iPSC-860 system; for the same problem and the same parallel processor, a pair of forward/backward substitutions at each step consumes 15.0 seconds.

Genomic Changes Associated with Reproductive and Migratory Ecotypes in Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)

PubMed Central

Veale, Andrew J.

2017-01-01

Mechanisms underlying adaptive evolution can best be explored using paired populations displaying similar phenotypic divergence, illuminating the genomic changes associated with specific life history traits. Here, we used paired migratory [anadromous vs. resident (kokanee)] and reproductive [shore- vs. stream-spawning] ecotypes of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) sampled from seven lakes and two rivers spanning three catchments (Columbia, Fraser, and Skeena) in British Columbia, Canada to investigate the patterns and processes underlying their divergence. Restriction-site associated DNA sequencing was used to genotype this sampling at 7,347 single nucleotide polymorphisms, 334 of which were identified as outlier loci and candidates for divergent selection within at least one ecotype comparison. Sixty-eight of these outliers were present in two or more comparisons, with 33 detected across multiple catchments. Of particular note, one locus was detected as the most significant outlier between shore and stream-spawning ecotypes in multiple comparisons and across catchments (Columbia, Fraser, and Snake). We also detected several genomic islands of divergence, some shared among comparisons, potentially showing linked signals of differential selection. The single nucleotide polymorphisms and genomic regions identified in our study offer a range of mechanistic hypotheses associated with the genetic basis of O. nerka life history variation and provide novel tools for informing fisheries management. PMID:29045601

Multiple model predictive control for optimal drug administration of mixed immunotherapy and chemotherapy of tumours.

PubMed

Sharifi, N; Ozgoli, S; Ramezani, A

2017-06-01

Mixed immunotherapy and chemotherapy of tumours is one of the most efficient ways to improve cancer treatment strategies. However, it is important to 'design' an effective treatment programme which can optimize the ways of combining immunotherapy and chemotherapy to diminish their imminent side effects. Control engineering techniques could be used for this. The method of multiple model predictive controller (MMPC) is applied to the modified Stepanova model to induce the best combination of drugs scheduling under a better health criteria profile. The proposed MMPC is a feedback scheme that can perform global optimization for both tumour volume and immune competent cell density by performing multiple constraints. Although current studies usually assume that immunotherapy has no side effect, this paper presents a new method of mixed drug administration by employing MMPC, which implements several constraints for chemotherapy and immunotherapy by considering both drug toxicity and autoimmune. With designed controller we need maximum 57% and 28% of full dosage of drugs for chemotherapy and immunotherapy in some instances, respectively. Therefore, through the proposed controller less dosage of drugs are needed, which contribute to suitable results with a perceptible reduction in medicine side effects. It is observed that in the presence of MMPC, the amount of required drugs is minimized, while the tumour volume is reduced. The efficiency of the presented method has been illustrated through simulations, as the system from an initial condition in the malignant region of the state space (macroscopic tumour volume) transfers into the benign region (microscopic tumour volume) in which the immune system can control tumour growth. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Comparison of the Performance on Three Multiple Choice Question Papers in Obstetrics and Gynecology Over a Period of Three Years Administered at Five London Medical Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stevens, J. M.; And Others

1977-01-01

Five of the medical schools in the University of London collaborated in administering one multiple choice question paper in obstetrics and gynecology, and results showed differences in performance between the five schools on questions and alternatives within questions. The rank order of the schools may result from differences in teaching methods.…

The comparison between intradermal injection of abobotulinumtoxinA and normal saline for face-lifting: a split-face randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Wanitphakdeedecha, Rungsima; Ungaksornpairote, Chanida; Kaewkes, Arisa; Rojanavanich, Viboon; Phothong, Weeranut; Manuskiatti, Woraphong

2016-12-01

Botulinum toxin type A (BTA) has been approved for the treatment of strabismus, blepharospasm, muscle spasm, cervical dystonia, pain syndrome, glabella wrinkles, and severe primary axillary hyperhidrosis. Intradermal injection of BTA has been used off-label by many clinicians for the purpose of face-lifting effect. Few studies on onabotulinumtoxinA (ONA) demonstrated no clinical efficacy on face-lifting effect when comparing to normal saline solution (NSS). So far, there is no split-face comparison study on face-lifting effect of abobotulinumtoxinA (ABO). To determine the face-lifting effect of ABO intradermal injection and NSS. Twenty-two subjects with symmetrical faces on both facial expression and expressionless were randomly injected with ABO at 1:7 cc dilution (500 unit or one vial in 7 cc of NSS) on one side and NSS on the other side using intradermal injection technique. Standardized photographic documentation was obtained at baseline, and at 2 weeks after treatment. The face-lifting effect was graded by two blinded dermatologists using photographic comparison and rated by the patients. Side effects were also recorded at the end of the study. Face-lifting effect was demonstrated in 40.9% and 4.5% of patients with ABO and NSS, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in face-lifting effect when comparing between ABO and NSS (P = 0.021). The face-lifting was reported in 50.0% of patients receiving ABO injection. The patients with oval-face shape tended to respond better with ABO (P = 0.046). The odd of face-lifting effect for patients aged younger than 32 was higher than patients aged older than 32 with the odds ratio of 7.9 and 95% confidence interval of 1.1-56.1. Facial asymmetry was found in 22.7% of subjects. This study demonstrated the face-lifting effect of ABO intradermal injection. Patients with oval-face shape and aged younger than 32 tended to respond better. Therefore, patient selection should be emphasized to improve efficacy of this technique. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Side chain-side chain interactions of arginine with tyrosine and aspartic acid in Arg/Gly/Tyr-rich domains within plant glycine-rich RNA binding proteins.

PubMed

Kumaki, Yasuhiro; Nitta, Katsutoshi; Hikichi, Kunio; Matsumoto, Takeshi; Matsushima, Norio

2004-07-01

Plant glycine-rich RNA-binding proteins (GRRBPs) contain a glycine-rich region at the C-terminus whose structure is quite unknown. The C-terminal glycine-rich part is interposed with arginine and tyrosine (arginine/glycine/tyrosine (RGY)-rich domain). Comparative sequence analysis of forty-one GRRBPs revealed that the RGY-rich domain contains multiple repeats of Tyr-(Xaa)h-(Arg)k-(Xaa)l, where Xaa is mainly Gly, "k" is 1 or 2, and "h" and "l" range from 0 to 10. Two peptides, 1 (G1G2Y3G4G5G6R7R8D9G10) and 2 (G1G2R3R4D5G6G7Y8G9G10), corresponding to sections of the RGY-rich domain in Zea mays RAB15, were selected for CD and NMR experiments. The CD spectra indicate a unique, positive band near 228 nm in both peptides that has been ascribed to tyrosine residues in ordered structures. The pH titration by NMR revealed that a side chain-side chain interaction, presumably an H-Nepsilon...O=Cgamma hydrogen bonding interaction in the salt bridge, occurs between Arg (i) and Asp (i + 2). 1D GOESY experiments indicated the presence of NOE between the aromatic side chain proton and the arginine side chain proton in the two peptides suggesting strongly that the Arg (i) aromatic side chain interacts directly with the Tyr (i +/- 4 or i +/- 5) side chain.

Chimpanzees and the mathematics of battle.

PubMed

Wilson, Michael L; Britton, Nicholas F; Franks, Nigel R

2002-06-07

Recent experiments have demonstrated the importance of numerical assessment in animal contests. Nevertheless, few attempts have been made to model explicitly the relationship between the relative number of combatants on each side and the costs and benefits of entering a contest. One framework that may be especially suitable for making such explicit predictions is Lanchester's theory of combat, which has proved useful for understanding combat strategies in humans and several species of ants. We show, with data from a recent series of playback experiments, that a model derived from Lanchester's 'square law' predicts willingness to enter intergroup contests in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Furthermore, the model predicts that, in contests with multiple individuals on each side, chimpanzees in this population should be willing to enter a contest only if they outnumber the opposing side by a factor of 1.5. We evaluate these results for intergroup encounters in chimpanzees and also discuss potential applications of Lanchester's square and linear laws for understanding combat strategies in other species.

Chimpanzees and the mathematics of battle.

PubMed Central

Wilson, Michael L; Britton, Nicholas F; Franks, Nigel R

2002-01-01

Recent experiments have demonstrated the importance of numerical assessment in animal contests. Nevertheless, few attempts have been made to model explicitly the relationship between the relative number of combatants on each side and the costs and benefits of entering a contest. One framework that may be especially suitable for making such explicit predictions is Lanchester's theory of combat, which has proved useful for understanding combat strategies in humans and several species of ants. We show, with data from a recent series of playback experiments, that a model derived from Lanchester's 'square law' predicts willingness to enter intergroup contests in wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Furthermore, the model predicts that, in contests with multiple individuals on each side, chimpanzees in this population should be willing to enter a contest only if they outnumber the opposing side by a factor of 1.5. We evaluate these results for intergroup encounters in chimpanzees and also discuss potential applications of Lanchester's square and linear laws for understanding combat strategies in other species. PMID:12061952

Leilah Fluctus Despeckled

NASA Image and Video Library

2015-02-12

Presented here are side-by-side comparisons of a traditional Cassini Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) view, at left, and one made using a new technique for handling electronic noise that results in clearer views of Titan's surface, at right. The technique, called despeckling, produces images that can be easier for researchers to interpret. The terrain seen here is in the flow region named Leilah Fluctus (55 degrees north, 80 degrees west). With the speckle noise suppressed, the overall pattern of bright and dark in the scene becomes more apparent. In particular, cone-shaped features near lower right stand out, which could be alluvial analogues on Titan -- features produced by the action of rivers or floods. North is toward right in this image, which shows an area about 50 miles (80 kilometers) wide. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA19054

RF-Phos: A Novel General Phosphorylation Site Prediction Tool Based on Random Forest.

PubMed

Ismail, Hamid D; Jones, Ahoi; Kim, Jung H; Newman, Robert H; Kc, Dukka B

2016-01-01

Protein phosphorylation is one of the most widespread regulatory mechanisms in eukaryotes. Over the past decade, phosphorylation site prediction has emerged as an important problem in the field of bioinformatics. Here, we report a new method, termed Random Forest-based Phosphosite predictor 2.0 (RF-Phos 2.0), to predict phosphorylation sites given only the primary amino acid sequence of a protein as input. RF-Phos 2.0, which uses random forest with sequence and structural features, is able to identify putative sites of phosphorylation across many protein families. In side-by-side comparisons based on 10-fold cross validation and an independent dataset, RF-Phos 2.0 compares favorably to other popular mammalian phosphosite prediction methods, such as PhosphoSVM, GPS2.1, and Musite.

In-orbit performance of the ITOS improved attitude control system with Hall generator brushless motor and earth-splitting technique

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Peacock, W. M.

1973-01-01

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), launched ITOS-D with an improved attitude control system. A Hall generator brushless dc torque motor replaced the brush dc torque motor on Tiros-M and ITOS-A. Two CO2 attitude horizon sensors and one mirror replaced the four wideband horizon sensors and two mirrors on ITOS-1 and NOAA-1. Redundant pitch-control electronic boxes containing additional electronic circuitry for earth-splitting and brushless motor electronics were used. A method of generating a spacecraft earth-facing side reference for comparison to the time occurrence of the earth-splitting pulse was used to automatically correct pitch-attitude error. A single rotating flywheel, supported by a single bearing, provided gyroscopic stability and the required momentum interchange to keep one side of the satellite facing the earth. Magnetic torquing against the earth's magnetic field eliminated the requirement for expendable propellants which would limit satellite life in orbit.

Efficacy and side effects of dacarbazine in comparison with temozolomide in the treatment of malignant melanoma: a meta-analysis consisting of 1314 patients.

PubMed

Teimouri, Fatemeh; Nikfar, Shekoufeh; Abdollahi, Mohammad

2013-10-01

The widespread prevalence of melanoma, one of the most malignant forms of skin cancer, is increasing rapidly. Two chemotherapeutic regimens are commonly used for the palliative treatment of malignant melanoma: intravenous administration of single-agent dacarbazine or oral administration of temozolomide. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness and side effects of dacarbazine with those of temozolomide through a meta-analysis. A thorough literature bibliography search was conducted up to 2012 to gather and review all randomized clinical trials comparing the use of dacarbazine with that of temozolomide in the treatment of malignant melanoma. Three head-to-head randomized clinical trials comprising 1314 patients met the criteria and were included. Comparison of temozolomide with dacarbazine yielded a nonsignificant relative risk (RR) of 0.83 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.26-2.64, P = 0.76] for complete response, a nonsignificant RR of 1.05 (95% CI = 0.85-1.3, P = 0.65) for stable disease, and a nonsignificant RR of 2.64 (95% CI = 0.97-1.36, P = 0.11) for disease control rate. The RR for nonhematologic side effects and hematologic side effects, such as anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia, of temozolomide compared with dacarbazine in patients with malignant melanoma was nonsignificant in all cases, but the RR for lymphopenia of temozolomide compared with dacarbazine was 3.79 (95% CI = 1.38-10.39, P = 0.01), which was significant. Although it is easier to administer oral medication, according to the results, there is no significant difference in the efficacy and side effects of these two drugs. Owing to the higher cost of treatment with temozolomide and the increased prevalence of lymphopenia on using temozolomide, use of dacarbazine as the first choice treatment for malignant melanoma is suggested.

Estimation of total Length of Femur From Its Fragments in South Indian Population.

PubMed

Solan, Shweta; Kulkarni, Roopa

2013-10-01

Establishment of identity of deceased person also assumes a great medicolegal importance. To establish the identity of a person, stature is one of the criteria. To know stature of individual, length of long bones is needed. To determine the lengths of the femoral fragments and to compare with the total length of femur in south Indian population, which will help to estimate the stature of the individual using standard regression formulae. A number of 150, 72 left and 78 right adult fully ossified dry processed femora were taken. The femur bone was divided into five segments by taking predetermined points. Length of five segments and maximum length of femur were measured to the nearest millimeter. The values were obtained in cm [mean±S.D.] and the mean total length of femora on left and right side was measured. The proportion of segments to the total length was also calculated which will help for the stature estimation using standard regression formulae. The mean total length of femora on left side was 43.54 ± 2.7 and on right side it was 43.42 ± 2.4. The measurements of the segments-1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 were 8.06± 0.71, 8.25± 1.24, 10.35 ± 2.21, 13.94 ± 1.93 and 2.77 ± 0.53 on left side and 8.09 ± 0.70, 8.30 ± 1.34, 10.44 ± 1.91, 13.50 ± 1.54 and 3.09 ± 0.41 on right side of femur. The sample size was 150, 72 left and 78 right and 'p' value of all the segments was significant (‹0.001). When comparison was made between segments of right and left femora, the 'p' value of segment-5 was found to be ‹0.001. Comparison between different segments of femur showed significance in all the segments.

Distributed parallel messaging for multiprocessor systems

DOEpatents

Chen, Dong; Heidelberger, Philip; Salapura, Valentina; Senger, Robert M; Steinmacher-Burrow, Burhard; Sugawara, Yutaka

2013-06-04

A method and apparatus for distributed parallel messaging in a parallel computing system. The apparatus includes, at each node of a multiprocessor network, multiple injection messaging engine units and reception messaging engine units, each implementing a DMA engine and each supporting both multiple packet injection into and multiple reception from a network, in parallel. The reception side of the messaging unit (MU) includes a switch interface enabling writing of data of a packet received from the network to the memory system. The transmission side of the messaging unit, includes switch interface for reading from the memory system when injecting packets into the network.

Are national policies on global health in fact national policies on global health governance? A comparison of policy designs from Norway and Switzerland.

PubMed

Jones, Catherine M; Clavier, Carole; Potvin, Louise

2017-01-01

Since the signing of the Oslo Ministerial Declaration in 2007, the idea that foreign policy formulation should include health considerations has gained traction on the United Nations agenda as evidenced by annual General Assembly resolutions on global health and foreign policy. The adoption of national policies on global health (NPGH) is one way that some member states integrate health and foreign policymaking. This paper explores what these policies intend to do and how countries plan to do it. Using a most similar systems design, we carried out a comparative study of two policy documents formally adopted in 2012. We conducted a directed qualitative content analysis of the Norwegian White Paper on Global health in foreign and development policy and the Swiss Health Foreign Policy using Schneider and Ingram's policy design framework. After replicating analysis methods for each document, we analysed them side by side to explore the commonalities and differences across elements of NPGH design. Analyses indicate that NPGH expect to influence change outside their borders. Targeting the international level, they aim to affect policy venues, multilateral partnerships and international institutions. Instruments for supporting desired changes are primarily those of health diplomacy, proposed as a tool for negotiating interests and objectives for global health between multiple sectors, used internally in Switzerland and externally in Norway. Findings suggest that NPGH designs contribute to constructing the global health governance system by identifying it as a policy target, and policy instruments may elude the health sector actors unless implementation rules explicitly include them. Research should explore how future NPGH designs may construct different kinds of targets as politicised groups of actors on which national governments seek to exercise influence for global health decision-making.

Are national policies on global health in fact national policies on global health governance? A comparison of policy designs from Norway and Switzerland

PubMed Central

Clavier, Carole; Potvin, Louise

2017-01-01

Background Since the signing of the Oslo Ministerial Declaration in 2007, the idea that foreign policy formulation should include health considerations has gained traction on the United Nations agenda as evidenced by annual General Assembly resolutions on global health and foreign policy. The adoption of national policies on global health (NPGH) is one way that some member states integrate health and foreign policymaking. This paper explores what these policies intend to do and how countries plan to do it. Methods Using a most similar systems design, we carried out a comparative study of two policy documents formally adopted in 2012. We conducted a directed qualitative content analysis of the Norwegian White Paper on Global health in foreign and development policy and the Swiss Health Foreign Policy using Schneider and Ingram's policy design framework. After replicating analysis methods for each document, we analysed them side by side to explore the commonalities and differences across elements of NPGH design. Results Analyses indicate that NPGH expect to influence change outside their borders. Targeting the international level, they aim to affect policy venues, multilateral partnerships and international institutions. Instruments for supporting desired changes are primarily those of health diplomacy, proposed as a tool for negotiating interests and objectives for global health between multiple sectors, used internally in Switzerland and externally in Norway. Conclusion Findings suggest that NPGH designs contribute to constructing the global health governance system by identifying it as a policy target, and policy instruments may elude the health sector actors unless implementation rules explicitly include them. Research should explore how future NPGH designs may construct different kinds of targets as politicised groups of actors on which national governments seek to exercise influence for global health decision-making. PMID:28589007

A numerical study of some potential sources of error in side-by-side seismometer evaluations

USGS Publications Warehouse

Holcomb, L. Gary

1990-01-01

This report presents the results of a series of computer simulations of potential errors in test data, which might be obtained when conducting side-by-side comparisons of seismometers. These results can be used as guides in estimating potential sources and magnitudes of errors one might expect when analyzing real test data. First, the derivation of a direct method for calculating the noise levels of two sensors in a side-by-side evaluation is repeated and extended slightly herein. This bulk of this derivation was presented previously (see Holcomb 1989); it is repeated here for easy reference.This method is applied to the analysis of a simulated test of two sensors in a side-by-side test in which the outputs of both sensors consist of white noise spectra with known signal-tonoise ratios (SNR's). This report extends this analysis to high SNR's to determine the limitations of the direct method for calculating the noise levels at signal-to-noise levels which are much higher than presented previously (see Holcomb 1989). Next, the method is used to analyze a simulated test of two sensors in a side-by-side test in which the outputs of both sensors consist of bandshaped noise spectra with known signal-tonoise ratios. This is a much more realistic representation of real world data because the earth's background spectrum is certainly not flat.Finally, the results of the analysis of simulated white and bandshaped side-by-side test data are used to assist in interpreting the analysis of the effects of simulated azimuthal misalignment in side-by-side sensor evaluations. A thorough understanding of azimuthal misalignment errors is important because of the physical impossibility of perfectly aligning two sensors in a real world situation. The analysis herein indicates that alignment errors place lower limits on the levels of system noise which can be resolved in a side-by-side measurement It also indicates that alignment errors are the source of the fact that real data noise spectra tend to follow the earth's background spectra in shape.

A comparison of mangrove canopy height using multiple independent measurements from land, air, and space

Treesearch

David Lagomasino; Temilola Fatoyinbo; SeungKuk Lee; Emanuelle Feliciano; Carl Trettin; Marc Simard

2016-01-01

Canopy height is one of the strongest predictors of biomass and carbon in forested ecosystems. Additionally, mangrove ecosystems represent one of the most concentrated carbon reservoirs that are rapidly degrading as a result of deforestation, development, and hydrologic manipulation. Therefore, the accuracy of Canopy Height Models (CHM) over mangrove forest...

The Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (FNMOC) - Naval

Science.gov Websites

Prediction Charts (EFS). WxMAP depictions of NAVGEM predictions for side-by-side comparison with NCEP global NWP model (GFS) are also available. Oceanography Products This area provides Global & Regional

Reduced somatosensory impairment by piezosurgery during orthognathic surgery of the mandible.

PubMed

Brockmeyer, Phillipp; Hahn, Wolfram; Fenge, Stefan; Moser, Norman; Schliephake, Henning; Gruber, Rudolf Matthias

2015-09-01

This clinical trial aimed to test the hypothesis that piezosurgery causes reduced nerval irritations and, thus, reduced somatosensory impairment when used in orthognathic surgery of the mandible. To this end, 37 consecutive patients with Angle Class II and III malocclusion were treated using bilateral sagittal split osteotomies (BSSO) of the mandible. In a split mouth design, randomized one side of the mandible was operated using a conventional saw, while a piezosurgery device was used on the contralateral side. In order to test the individual qualities of somatosensory function, quantitative sensory testings (QSTs) were performed 1 month, 6 months and 1 year after surgery. A comparison of the data using a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant reduction in postoperative impairment in warm detection threshold (WDT) (P = 0.046), a decreased dynamic mechanical allodynia (ALL) (P = 0.002) and a decreased vibration detection threshold (VDT) (P = 0.030) on the piezosurgery side of the mandible as opposed to the conventionally operated control side. In the remaining QSTs, minor deviations from the preoperative baseline conditions and a more rapid regression could be observed. Piezosurgery caused reduced somatosensory impairment and a faster recovery of somatosensory functions in the present investigation.

Liquid crystal polymers: evidence of hairpin defects in nematic main chains, comparison with side chain polymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, M. H.; Brûlet, A.; Keller, P.; Cotton, J. P.

1996-09-01

This article describes the conformation of two species of liquid crystalline polymers as revealed by small angle neutron scattering. The results obtained with side chain polymers are recalled. The procedure used to analyze the scattering data of main chains in the nematic phase is reported in this paper. It permits a demonstration of the existence of hairpins. Comparison of both polymer species shows that in the isotropic phase, the two polymers adopt a random coil conformation. In the nematic phase, the conformations are very different; the side chains behave as a melt of penetrable random coils whereas the main chains behave as a nematic phase of non penetrable cylinders.

Evaluation of Side Stream Filtration Technology at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

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

Boyd, Brian K.

2014-08-01

This technology evaluation was performed by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory on behalf of the Federal Energy Management Program. The objective was to quantify the benefits side stream filtration provides to a cooling tower system. The evaluation assessed the performance of an existing side stream filtration system at a cooling tower system at Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Spallation Neutron Source research facility. This location was selected because it offered the opportunity for a side-by-side comparison of a system featuring side stream filtration and an unfiltered system.

Evolutionary Analysis of Functional Divergence among Chemokine Receptors, Decoy Receptors, and Viral Receptors

PubMed Central

Daiyasu, Hiromi; Nemoto, Wataru; Toh, Hiroyuki

2012-01-01

Chemokine receptors (CKRs) function in the inflammatory response and in vertebrate homeostasis. Decoy and viral receptors are two types of CKR homologs with modified functions from those of the typical CKRs. The decoy receptors are able to bind ligands without signaling. On the other hand, the viral receptors show constitutive signaling without ligands. We examined the sites related to the functional difference. At first, the decoy and viral receptors were each classified into five groups, based on the molecular phylogenetic analysis. A multiple amino acid sequence alignment between each group and the CKRs was then constructed. The difference in the amino acid composition between the group and the CKRs was evaluated as the Kullback–Leibler (KL) information value at each alignment site. The KL information value is considered to reflect the difference in the functional constraints at the site. The sites with the top 5% of KL information values were selected and mapped on the structure of a CKR. The comparisons with decoy receptor groups revealed that the detected sites were biased on the intracellular side. In contrast, the sites detected from the comparisons with viral receptor groups were found on both the extracellular and intracellular sides. More sites were found in the ligand binding pocket in the analyses of the viral receptor groups, as compared to the decoy receptor groups. Some of the detected sites were located in the GPCR motifs. For example, the DRY motif of the decoy receptors was often degraded, although the motif of the viral receptors was basically conserved. The observations for the viral receptor groups suggested that the constraints in the pocket region are loose and that the sites on the intracellular side are different from those for the decoy receptors, which may be related to the constitutive signaling activity of the viral receptors. PMID:22855685

Evolutionary Analysis of Functional Divergence among Chemokine Receptors, Decoy Receptors, and Viral Receptors.

PubMed

Daiyasu, Hiromi; Nemoto, Wataru; Toh, Hiroyuki

2012-01-01

Chemokine receptors (CKRs) function in the inflammatory response and in vertebrate homeostasis. Decoy and viral receptors are two types of CKR homologs with modified functions from those of the typical CKRs. The decoy receptors are able to bind ligands without signaling. On the other hand, the viral receptors show constitutive signaling without ligands. We examined the sites related to the functional difference. At first, the decoy and viral receptors were each classified into five groups, based on the molecular phylogenetic analysis. A multiple amino acid sequence alignment between each group and the CKRs was then constructed. The difference in the amino acid composition between the group and the CKRs was evaluated as the Kullback-Leibler (KL) information value at each alignment site. The KL information value is considered to reflect the difference in the functional constraints at the site. The sites with the top 5% of KL information values were selected and mapped on the structure of a CKR. The comparisons with decoy receptor groups revealed that the detected sites were biased on the intracellular side. In contrast, the sites detected from the comparisons with viral receptor groups were found on both the extracellular and intracellular sides. More sites were found in the ligand binding pocket in the analyses of the viral receptor groups, as compared to the decoy receptor groups. Some of the detected sites were located in the GPCR motifs. For example, the DRY motif of the decoy receptors was often degraded, although the motif of the viral receptors was basically conserved. The observations for the viral receptor groups suggested that the constraints in the pocket region are loose and that the sites on the intracellular side are different from those for the decoy receptors, which may be related to the constitutive signaling activity of the viral receptors.

Comparison of joint designs for laser welding of cast metal plates and wrought wires.

PubMed

Takayama, Yasuko; Nomoto, Rie; Nakajima, Hiroyuki; Ohkubo, Chikahiro

2013-01-01

The purpose of the present study was to compare joint designs for the laser welding of cast metal plates and wrought wire, and to evaluate the welded area internally using X-ray micro-focus computerized tomography (micro-CT). Cast metal plates (Ti, Co-Cr) and wrought wires (Ti, Co-Cr) were welded using similar metals. The specimens were welded using four joint designs in which the wrought wires and the parent metals were welded directly (two designs) or the wrought wires were welded to the groove of the parent metal from one or both sides (n = 5). The porosity and gap in the welded area were evaluated by micro-CT, and the maximum tensile load of the welded specimens was measured with a universal testing machine. An element analysis was conducted using an electron probe X-ray microanalyzer. The statistical analysis of the results was performed using Bonferroni's multiple comparisons (α = 0.05). The results included that all the specimens fractured at the wrought wire when subjected to tensile testing, although there were specimens that exhibited gaps due to the joint design. The wrought wires were affected by laser irradiation and observed to melt together and onto the filler metal. Both Mo and Sn elements found in the wrought wire were detected in the filler metal of the Ti specimens, and Ni was detected in the filler metal of the Co-Cr specimens. The four joint designs simulating the designs used clinically were confirmed to have adequate joint strength provided by laser welding.

Incorporating multiple secondary targets into learning trials for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

PubMed

Nottingham, Casey L; Vladescu, Jason C; Kodak, Tiffany; Kisamore, April N

2017-07-01

The current study examined the outcome of presenting multiple secondary targets in learning trials for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. We compared conditions in which (a) a secondary target was presented in the antecedent and consequence of trials, (b) two secondary targets were presented in the consequence of trials, (c) one secondary target was presented in the consequence of each trial, and (d) no additional targets were presented trials. The participants acquired the majority of secondary targets. Presenting one or multiple secondary targets per trial, regardless of the location of these secondary targets, increased the efficiency of instruction in comparison to a condition with no secondary target. © 2017 Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior.

Low Cost, Wide Angle Infinity Optics Visual System.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-09-01

identify one of the four possible quadrants of the line of sight. Signal and power to the Probe are transmitted by means of three cables into three...on all four sides. This design was expected to remove any sag from the glass and any strain from nonuni- form suoport, (Figure 18). With these...recorded, four or five will be recorded. These phenomena are due to the multiple reflection off the plane glass surfaces, which now have enough intensity

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.

Comparative study between cold air analgesia and supraorbital and supratrochlear nerve block for the management of pain during photodynamic therapy for actinic keratoses of the frontotemporal zone.

PubMed

Serra-Guillen, C; Hueso, L; Nagore, E; Vila, M; Llombart, B; Requena Caballero, C; Botella-Estrada, R; Sanmartin, O; Alfaro-Rubio, A; Guillen, C

2009-08-01

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an effective treatment for actinic keratoses, Bowen's disease and basal cell carcinoma. The main drawback of PDT is pain during application. To compare the efficacy of supratrochlear and supraorbital nerve block with cold air analgesia to control the pain experienced during PDT. A controlled open clinical trial was conducted in 34 patients having multiple actinic keratoses in the frontal region treated with PDT. On one side of the frontal region the supratrochlear and supraorbital nerves were blocked, while on the other side cold air was used as the method of analgesia. Pain was recorded on a visual analogue scale after treatment. Thirty-one of 34 patients reported less pain in the zone treated with nerve block. This difference was statistically significant. Nerve block is superior to cold air and is an easy, safe, effective means of controlling the pain associated with PDT.

Grating droplets with a mesh

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soto, Dan; Le Helloco, Antoine; Clanet, Cristophe; Quere, David; Varanasi, Kripa

2016-11-01

A drop thrown against a mesh can pass through its holes if impacting with enough inertia. As a result, although part of the droplet may remain on one side of the sieve, the rest will end up grated through the other side. This inexpensive method to break up millimetric droplets into micrometric ones may be of particular interest in a wide variety of applications: enhancing evaporation of droplets launched from the top of an evaporative cooling tower or preventing drift of pesticides sprayed above crops by increasing their initial size and atomizing them at the very last moment with a mesh. In order to understand how much liquid will be grated we propose in this presentation to start first by studying a simpler situation: a drop impacting a plate pierced with a single off centered hole. The study of the role of natural parameters such as the radius drop and speed or the hole position, size and thickness allows us to discuss then the more general situation of a plate pierced with multiple holes: the mesh.

Investigation of Supercurrent in the Quantum Hall Regime in Graphene Josephson Junctions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Draelos, Anne W.; Wei, Ming Tso; Seredinski, Andrew; Ke, Chung Ting; Mehta, Yash; Chamberlain, Russell; Watanabe, Kenji; Taniguchi, Takashi; Yamamoto, Michihisa; Tarucha, Seigo; Borzenets, Ivan V.; Amet, François; Finkelstein, Gleb

2018-06-01

In this study, we examine multiple encapsulated graphene Josephson junctions to determine which mechanisms may be responsible for the supercurrent observed in the quantum Hall (QH) regime. Rectangular junctions with various widths and lengths were studied to identify which parameters affect the occurrence of QH supercurrent. We also studied additional samples where the graphene region is extended beyond the contacts on one side, making that edge of the mesa significantly longer than the opposite edge. This is done in order to distinguish two potential mechanisms: (a) supercurrents independently flowing along both non-contacted edges of graphene mesa, and (b) opposite sides of the mesa being coupled by hybrid electron-hole modes flowing along the superconductor/graphene boundary. The supercurrent appears suppressed in extended junctions, suggesting the latter mechanism.

Generator configuration for solid oxide fuel cells

DOEpatents

Reichner, Philip

1989-01-01

Disclosed are improvements in a solid oxide fuel cell generator 1 having a multiplicity of electrically connected solid oxide fuel cells 2, where a fuel gas is passed over one side of said cells and an oxygen-containing gas is passed over the other side of said cells resulting in the generation of heat and electricity. The improvements comprise arranging the cells in the configuration of a circle, a spiral, or folded rows within a cylindrical generator, and modifying the flow rate, oxygen concentration, and/or temperature of the oxygen-containing gases that flow to those cells that are at the periphery of the generator relative to those cells that are at the center of the generator. In these ways, a more uniform temperature is obtained throughout the generator.

Genetics and evolution of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis O-specific polysaccharides: a novel pattern of O-antigen diversity

PubMed Central

Kenyon, Johanna J.; Cunneen, Monica M.

2017-01-01

Abstract O-antigen polysaccharide is a major immunogenic feature of the lipopolysaccharide of Gram-negative bacteria, and most species produce a large variety of forms that differ substantially from one another. There are 18 known O-antigen forms in the Yersinia pseudotuberculosis complex, which are typical in being composed of multiple copies of a short oligosaccharide called an O unit. The O-antigen gene clusters are located between the hemH and gsk genes, and are atypical as 15 of them are closely related, each having one of five downstream gene modules for alternative main-chain synthesis, and one of seven upstream modules for alternative side-branch sugar synthesis. As a result, many of the genes are in more than one gene cluster. The gene order in each module is such that, in general, the earlier a gene product functions in O-unit synthesis, the closer the gene is to the 5΄ end for side-branch modules or the 3΄ end for main-chain modules. We propose a model whereby natural selection could generate the observed pattern in gene order, a pattern that has also been observed in other species. PMID:28364730

[Is there any correlation between the strength of pronation and supination of the dominant hand and that of the non-dominant one in right-handed healthy adults: preliminary results].

PubMed

Rey, P-B; Jardin, E; Uhring, J; Obert, L

2014-02-01

We searched the existence of a link between the strength of pronation and supination of the dominant forearm and those of the non-dominant one. Ninety-seven volunteers were tested in pronation and supination with an analog dynamometer. Gender, age, dominance, height and weight were recorded. The measurement position was: 90° of elbow flexion, 0° of shoulder abduction, wrist slightly extended and neutral pronation-supination. We took four measurements per patient: strength in pronation and supination, in both the dominant and non-dominant sides. Fifteen subjects were evaluated twice. The left-handed (4) were removed from the statistical analysis. There were 38 men (37 years, 18-66) and 55 women (45 years, 21-71). Torques were higher (P<0.05) in men than in women, higher in supination than in pronation and in the dominant side compared to the non-dominant one (average ratio "non-dominant/dominant": 0.85; σ=0.16). There was a strong correlation between non-dominant hand strength and dominant hand strength (Pearson>0.6). Relating to the 15 subjects evaluated twice, the value of the forces varied during the day, but the ratio "non-dominant/dominant" was constant. The left-handed people were excluded, their values may be different from those of right-handers, as has been shown for grip strength. There was a strength variation during the day, but the ratio "non-dominant/dominant" was constant, making it more relevant intra-individual comparison (non-dominant side versus dominant side) rather inter-individual (based on charts of gender, age, weight and height). In the right-handed, the ratio "strength non-dominant side/dominant" is constant, defining easily in consultation the expected value of recovery of an injured forearm. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

A modern era comparison of right versus left sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia outcomes.

PubMed

Collin, Michael; Trinder, Sarah; Minutillo, Corrado; Rao, Shripada; Dickinson, Jan; Samnakay, Naeem

2016-09-01

This study aims to retrospectively review outcomes, including neurodevelopmental outcomes, of neonatal right sided congenital diaphragmatic hernias (RCDH) compared with left sided congenital diaphragmatic hernias (L-CDH) treated surgically at our institute. A retrospective review was undertaken of all cases of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) treated at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children (PMH), Perth, born between 1st January 2002 and 1st August 2012. The outcomes of R-CDH cases were compared with L-CDH cases. We examined duration of ventilatory support, use of patch versus primary closure, the CDH recurrence rates, the number of reoperations and neurodevelopmental follow-up at one year of age. Forty-nine cases of CDH were operated on at PMH during the 10-year period. Of these, ten cases were R-CDH with 39 L-CDH cases. Of 49 cases, 34 were diagnosed antenatally, 5 R-CDH versus 29 L-CDH. Only 8/39 cases of L-CDH required patch repair for larger defects, while 5/10 R-CDH required patch repair. Postoperative mortality was 6/49 (1/10 right sided versus 5/39 left sided). Recurrence was observed in 5/10 R-CDH versus 6/39 L-CDH with p=0.03. Thirty-three of 43 surviving patients received one-year follow-up with Griffiths general quotient (GQ) assessment demonstrating a median score of 98 for L-CDH (IQR 86 to 104.25) and 91 for R-CDH (IQR 76.5 to 93). R-CDH required patch repair more commonly than L-CDH because of larger defect size or complete agenesis. The rate of recurrent herniation was the only morbidity significantly higher in the R-CDH group. Survivors of R-CDH did not have a significant difference in neurodevelopmental outcome compared to L-CDH cases, with both groups exhibiting normal median GQ scores at one year of age. Crown Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Marks of Laser Exam on Martian Soil

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-08-30

The Chemistry and Camera ChemCam instrument on NASA Mars rover Curiosity used its laser to examine side-by-side points in a target patch of soil, leaving the marks apparent in this before-and-after comparison.

Signature of Hematite in Confidence Hills Martian Rock

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-11-04

This side-by-side comparison shows the X-ray diffraction patterns of two different samples collected from rocks on Mars by NASA Curiosity rover. The images present data obtained by Curiosity Chemistry and Mineralogy instrument CheMin.

Comparison of Experimental Data and Computations Fluid Dynamics Analysis for a Three Dimensional Linear Plug Nozzle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ruf, J. H.; Hagemann, G.; Immich, H.

2003-01-01

A three dimensional linear plug nozzle of area ratio 12.79 was designed by EADS Space Transportation (former Astrium Space Infrastructure). The nozzle was tested within the German National Technology Program 'LION' in a cold air wind tunnel by TU Dresden. The experimental hardware and test conditions are described. Experimental data was obtained for the nozzle without plug side wall fences at a nozzle pressure ratio of 116 and then with plug side wall fences at NPR 110. Schlieren images were recorded and axial profiles of plug wall static pressures were measured at several spanwise locations and on the plug base. Detailed CFD analysis was performed for these nozzle configurations at NPR 116 by NASA MSFC. The CFD exhibits good agreement with the experimental data. A detailed comparison of the CFD results and the experimental plug wall pressure data are given. Comparisons are made for both the without and with plug side wall fence configurations. Numerical results for density gradient are compared to experimental Schlieren images. Experimental nozzle thrust efficiencies are calculated based on the CFD results. The CFD results are used to illustrate the plug nozzle fluid dynamics. The effect of the plug side wall is emphasized.

Efficient optical analysis of surface texture combinations for silicon solar cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tucher, Nico; Eisenlohr, Johannes; Kiefel, Peter; Gebrewold, Habtamu; Höhn, Oliver; Hauser, Hubert; Müller, Claas; Goldschmidt, Jan Christoph; Bläsi, Benedikt

2016-04-01

Surface textures can significantly improve anti-reflective and light trapping properties of silicon solar cells. Combining standard pyramidal front side textures with scattering or diffractive rear side textures has the potential to further increase the light path length inside the silicon and thereby increase the solar cell efficiency. In this work we introduce the OPTOS (Optical Properties of Textured Optical Sheets) simulation formalism and apply it to the modelling of silicon solar cells with different surface textures at front and rear side. OPTOS is a matrix-based method that allows for the computationally-efficient calculation of non-coherent light propagation within textured solar cells, featuring multiple textures that may operate in different optical regimes. After calculating redistribution matrices for each individual surface texture with the most appropriate technique, optical properties like angle dependent reflectance, transmittance or absorptance can be determined via matrix multiplications. Using OPTOS, we demonstrate for example that the integration of a diffractive grating at the rear side of solar cells with random pyramids at the front results in an absorptance gain that corresponds to a photocurrent density enhancement of 0.73 mA/cm2 for a 250 μm thick cell. The re-usability of matrices enables the investigation of different solar cell thicknesses within minutes. For thicknesses down to 50 μm the simulated gain increases up to 1.22 mA/cm2. The OPTOS formalism is furthermore not restricted with respect to the number of textured interfaces. By combining two or more textured sheets to effective interfaces, it is possible to optically model a complete photovoltaic module including EVA and potentially textured glass layers with one calculation tool.

Binding cooperativity between a ligand carbonyl group and a hydrophobic side chain can be enhanced by additional H-bonds in a distance dependent manner: A case study with thrombin inhibitors.

PubMed

Said, Ahmed M; Hangauer, David G

2015-01-01

One of the underappreciated non-covalent binding factors, which can significantly affect ligand-protein binding affinity, is the cooperativity between ligand functional groups. Using four different series of thrombin inhibitors, we reveal a strong positive cooperativity between an H-bond accepting carbonyl functionality and the adjacent P3 hydrophobic side chain. Adding an H-bond donating amine adjacent to the P3 hydrophobic side chain further increases this positive cooperativity thereby improving the Ki by as much as 546-fold. In contrast, adding an amidine multiple H-bond/salt bridge group in the distal S1 pocket does not affect this cooperativity. An analysis of the crystallographic B-factors of the ligand groups inside the binding site indicates that the strong cooperativity is mainly due to a significant mutual reduction in the residual mobility of the hydrophobic side chain and the H-bonding functionalities that is absent when the separation distance is large. This type of cooperativity is important to encode in binding affinity prediction software, and to consider in SAR studies. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

A Bunch Compression Method for Free Electron Lasers that Avoids Parasitic Compressions

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

Benson, Stephen V.; Douglas, David R.; Tennant, Christopher D.

2015-09-01

Virtually all existing high energy (>few MeV) linac-driven FELs compress the electron bunch length though the use of off-crest acceleration on the rising side of the RF waveform followed by transport through a magnetic chicane. This approach has at least three flaws: 1) it is difficult to correct aberrations--particularly RF curvature, 2) rising side acceleration exacerbates space charge-induced distortion of the longitudinal phase space, and 3) all achromatic "negative compaction" compressors create parasitic compression during the final compression process, increasing the CSR-induced emittance growth. One can avoid these deficiencies by using acceleration on the falling side of the RF waveformmore » and a compressor with M 56>0. This approach offers multiple advantages: 1) It is readily achieved in beam lines supporting simple schemes for aberration compensation, 2) Longitudinal space charge (LSC)-induced phase space distortion tends, on the falling side of the RF waveform, to enhance the chirp, and 3) Compressors with M 56>0 can be configured to avoid spurious over-compression. We will discuss this bunch compression scheme in detail and give results of a successful beam test in April 2012 using the JLab UV Demo FEL« less

Stroke secondary to multiple spontaneous cholesterol emboli.

PubMed

Pascual, M; Baumgartner, J M; Bounameaux, H

1991-01-01

We describe one male, 49-year-old diabetic patient in whom regressive stroke with aphasia and right-sided hemiparesia was related to multiple small emboli in the left paraventricular cortex. Simultaneous presence of several cholesterol emboli in the left eye ground and detection of an atheromatous plaque at the homolateral carotid bifurcation let assume that the cerebral emboli originated from that plaque and also consisted of cholesterol crystals. The patient was discharged on low-dose aspirin (100 mg/day) after neurologic improvement. Follow-up at one year revealed clinical stability, recurrence of the cholesterol emboli at the eye ground examination and no change of the carotid plaque. Cholesterol embolization with renal failure, hypertension and peripheral arterial occlusions causing skin ulcerations is classical in case of atheromatous aortic disease but stroke has rarely been reported in this syndrome. However, more frequent use of invasive procedures (arteriography, transluminal angioplasty, vascular surgery) or thrombolytic treatment might increase its incidence in the near future.

The use of lisuride in the treatment of multiple system atrophy with autonomic failure (Shy-Drager syndrome).

PubMed Central

Lees, A J; Bannister, R

1981-01-01

In a controlled trial lisuride, an ergolene derivative with dopamine receptor agonist properties was given maximum tolerated doses (2.4 mg/day) to seven patients with multiple system atrophy with autonomic failure (Shy-Drager syndrome). Improvement in Parkinsonian features occurred in only one patient and another patient who had been deriving marked benefit from levodopa treatment before the study began failed to respond to large doses of lisuride. Psychiatric side effects (including nightmares, isolated visual hallucinations and toxic confusional states) were the dose-limiting factor in six patients. A modest reduction in orthostatic hypotension occurred in two patients, one of whom had experienced an aggravation of this disturbance on levodopa and bromocriptine. Destruction of post-synaptic dopamine receptors and damage to central noradrenergic systems may offer an explanation for the lack of therapeutic effect of lisuride. PMID:7241162

Traumatic brain injury shows better functional recovery than brain tumor: a rehabilitative perspective.

PubMed

Bilgin, S; Kose, N; Karakaya, J; Mut, M

2014-02-01

The similar symptoms seen in the brain tumor (BT) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) population. However, functional comparisons between these two diagnostic groups have been limited. To compare functional outcomes in patients with supratentorial BT and TBI after early rehabilitation. This was a retrospective database analysis. Setting. Patients admitted to an Acute Care Unit as inpatient (Hacettepe Hospital, Ankara-Turkey). Population. The population included patients with BT and TBI. Thirty-four patients with BT and TBI were matched one-to-one by lesion side and sex. The Barthel Index was used to assess functional status at the pre- and postrehabilitation. The change rate and efficiency in BI were also calculated. The time between injury onset and admission to rehabilitation (the onset to admission interval, OAI) and length of stay in rehabilitation (LOS rehab) were recorded. In addition, the influence of lesion side (left and right) and age on functional outcome were analyzed. The functional level was significantly lower in TBI patients than in patients BT before rehabilitation (P<0.05). The post-rehabilitation BI score was similar in patients with BT and TBI (P>0.05). Patients with TBI had greater the change rate and efficiency in BI (P<0.05). The OAI and LOS rehab was longer in patients with TBI (P<0.05). In terms of lesion side comparisons, no differences were found (P>0.05). The age had no effect on functional outcome in patients with TBI and BT (P>0.05), expect the age group 45-59 (P<0.05). The early rehabilitation program improved functional ability of patients with brain tumors, as well as patients with traumatic brain injury. Despite the lower functional status, patients with TBI displayed better functional recovery than patients with BT. Lesion side had no effect on functional outcome in patients with TBI and BT. Differences in functional status begin to appear even in patients with TBI between 45 and 59 years. Further investigations with more detailed outcome instruments are required to better understand the qualitative limitations of a patient's recovery. Patients with TBI will make functional gains comparable with patients with brain tumors in a similar rehabilitation setting.

Assessment and Evaluation of Anatomic Variations of Retromolar Pad: A Cross Sectional Study

PubMed Central

Deep, Anchal; Siwach, Amit; Singh, Manas; Bhargava, Akshay; Siwach, Reenu

2016-01-01

Introduction The retromolar pad also called piriformis papilla is a mucosal elevation located in the retromolar area covering the retromolar triangle. After molar loss, the bony alveolar process and surrounding soft periodontal tissue remodel, mainly resorb and blend with retromolar pad. It is a key intraoral landmark in prosthodontics. Aim The aim of this in-vitro study was to analyze the various anatomical shapes and sizes of retromolar pad in 150 completely edentulous patients between 55 to 70 years of age group. Materials and Methods The study was conducted on 150 completely edentulous patients. The shapes of retromolar pad on the left and right side were seen and divided into pear, triangular and round shape. The comparison of the mean longitudinal diameter and transverse diameter on the right and left sides was done. The data was evaluated statistically. The chi-square test was used for the comparison between the proportions with the help of standard deviation, t-test was used for comparison between the left and the right side and ANOVA test was used for comparison between the various shapes of the retromolar pads. Results The result showed that there was statistically significant difference among different shapes of retromolar pad and there was significant difference in mean transverse and longitudinal diameter on right and left side, the mean value of the longitudinal diameter on left and right side was 8.81 and 8.69 whereas the mean value of the transverse diameter on left and right side was 6.79 and 6.82 respectively and p-value obtained for both was 0.550 and 0.814 respectively. Conclusion The study conclude that there are three different shapes of retromolar pad among which pear and triangular shaped retomolar pad provides more stability in lower denture because of increase surface area. PMID:27437350

Difference in dummy responses in matched side impact tests of vehicles with and without side airbags.

PubMed

Viano, David C; Parenteau, Chantal S

2016-07-03

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) high-hooded side impacts were analyzed for matched vehicle tests with and without side airbags. The comparison provides a measure of the effectiveness of side airbags in reducing biomechanical responses for near-side occupants struck by trucks, SUVs, and vans at 50 km/h. The IIHS moving deformable barrier (MDB) uses a high-hooded barrier face. It weighs 1,500 kg and impacts the driver side perpendicular to the vehicle at 50 km/h. SID IIs dummies are placed in the driver and left second-row seats. They represent fifth percentile female occupants. IIHS tests were reviewed for matches with one test with a side airbag and another without it in 2003-2007 model year (MY) vehicles. Four side airbag systems were evaluated: (1) curtain and torso side airbags, (2) head and torso side airbag, (3) curtain side airbag, and (4) torso side airbag. There were 24 matched IIHS vehicle tests: 13 with and without a curtain and torso side airbags, 4 with and without a head and torso side airbag, 5 with and without a side curtain airbag, and 2 with and without a torso airbag. The head, chest, and pelvis responses were compared for each match and the average difference was determined across all matches for a type of side airbag. The average reduction in head injury criterion (HIC) was 68 ± 16% (P < .001) with curtain and torso side airbags compared to the HIC without side airbags. The average HIC was 296 with curtain and torso side airbags and 1,199 without them. The viscous response (VC) was reduced 54 ± 19% (P < .005) with curtain and torso side airbags. The combined acetabulum and ilium force (7 ± 15%) and pelvic acceleration (-2 ± 17%) were essentially similar in the matched tests. The head and torso side airbag reduced HIC by 42 ± 30% (P < .1) and VC by 32 ± 26% compared to vehicles without a side airbag. The average HIC was 397 with the side head and torso airbag compared to 729 without it. The curtain airbag and torso airbag only showed lower head responses but essentially no difference in the chest and pelvis responses. The curtain and torso side airbags effectively reduced biomechanical responses for the head and chest in 50 km/h side impacts with a high-hooded deformable barrier. The reductions in the IIHS tests are directionally the same as estimated fatality reductions in field crashes reported by NHTSA for side airbags.

Improving the side-to-side stapled anastomosis: comparison of staplers for robust crotch formation.

PubMed

Kimura, Masahiro; Kuwabara, Yoshiyuki; Taniwaki, Satoshi; Mitsui, Akira; Shibata, Yasuyuki; Ueno, Shuhei

2018-01-01

Few studies have investigated the burst pressure of side-to-side anastomoses comparing different stapling devices that are commercially available. We conducted side-to-side anastomoses with a variety of staplers and compared burst pressure in the crotch of the anastomoses. Nagoya City East Medical Center. We conducted side-to-side anastomoses with 9 staplers with different shapes and forms. Fresh pig small intestines were used. A side-to-side anastomosis was performed between 2 intestine specimens using a linear stapler. The burst pressure of the anastomosis was recorded. In total, 45 staplers were used for this experiment. The site of leakage in all cases was the crotch. Regarding the influence of the number of staple rows, the burst pressure in 3-row staplers was significantly higher than in 2-row staplers. With regard to the relationship between staple height and burst pressure, staples with a height slightly shorter than the intestinal thickness showed the highest burst pressure. In a comparison of staplers with uniform staple heights and stamplers with staples of 3 different heights, the latter had significantly lower burst pressures. Neoveil significantly increased the burst pressure in the crotch and contributed to the highest burst pressure of all the staplers used in this experiment. In this experiment, we defined the important factors that influence burst pressure at the crotch of a stapled, side-to-side anastomosis. These factors include the number of staple rows, the height of the staple compared with the thickness of the tissue, uniformity of staple height, and reinforcement of the staple line. In any surgical case requiring intestinal anastomosis, selection of a stapler is a critical step. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Lower-extremity strength ratios of professional soccer players according to field position.

PubMed

Ruas, Cassio V; Minozzo, Felipe; Pinto, Matheus D; Brown, Lee E; Pinto, Ronei S

2015-05-01

Previous investigators have proposed that knee strength, hamstrings to quadriceps, and side-to-side asymmetries may vary according to soccer field positions. However, different results have been found in these variables, and a generalization of this topic could lead to data misinterpretation by coaches and soccer clubs. Thus, the aim of this study was to measure knee strength and asymmetry in soccer players across different field positions. One hundred and two male professional soccer players performed maximal concentric and eccentric isokinetic knee actions on the preferred and nonpreferred legs at a velocity of 60° · s. Players were divided into their field positions for analysis: goalkeepers, side backs, central backs, central defender midfielders, central attacking midfielders, and forwards. Results demonstrated that only goalkeepers (GK) differed from most other field positions on players' characteristics, and concentric peak torque across muscles. Although all players presented functional ratios of the preferred (0.79 ± 0.14) and nonpreferred (0.75 ± 0.13) legs below accepted normative values, there were no differences between positions for conventional or functional strength ratios or side-to-side asymmetry. The same comparisons were made only between field players, without inclusion of the GK, and no differences were found between positions. Therefore, the hamstrings to quadriceps and side-to-side asymmetries found here may reflect knee strength functional balance required for soccer skills performance and game demands across field positions. These results also suggest that isokinetic strength profiles should be considered differently in GK compared with other field positions due to their specific physiological and training characteristics.

Inferior Vena Cava Filter from Left-Sided Superior Vena Cava

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

Nair, Sujit, E-mail: drsnnair@hotmail.com; Ettles, Duncan; Robinson, Graham

We describe the unusual case of a 71-year-old male with a history of deep vein thrombosis and recurrent multiple pulmonary embolism (PE) despite adequate anticoagulation. Computed tomography (CT) and brachiocephalic venography revealed a left-sided superior vena cava. We describe successful placement of an inferior vena cava filter via a left-sided superior vena cava.

Influenza vaccination in healthcare workers; comparison of side effects and preferred route of administration of intradermal versus intramuscular administration.

PubMed

Meijer, W J; Wensing, A M J; Bos, A A; Kuiphuis, J C F; Hagelen, E M M; Wilschut, J C; de Vries, M J T; Riezebos-Brilman, A

2017-03-13

To explore the nature and severity of side effects and future preference of intradermal versus intramuscular influenza vaccination in healthcare workers. Prospective cohort study. Two University Medical Centers in The Netherlands. Healthcare workers receiving an influenza vaccination. Healthcare workers that were vaccinated during the influenza vaccination season of 2012-2013 were approached for participation in a questionnaire study. The questionnaire was divided into two parts. The first part had to be answered directly after vaccination and the second part two weeks after vaccination. The motivation for vaccine uptake, whether or not the HCWs had direct contact with patients and the prevalence and severity of local and systemic side effects of influenza vaccination were explored. In addition, it was assessed how participants experienced the vaccination and which type of administration they preferred for future vaccination. Side effects of vaccination were more prevalent in the intradermal group versus the intramuscular group (56% versus 26%, p<0.001). Local side effects were perceived as more severe in healthcare workers receiving the intradermal vaccine. Directly after vaccination, healthcare workers preferred the intradermal vaccination. Two weeks after vaccination both types of vaccine were equally appreciated. This study shows that there are significant differences in the nature and severity of side effects upon intramuscular and intradermal influenza vaccination. This difference did not result in a preference among the vaccinated subjects for one type of vaccine. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Vicinal 1H-1H NMR coupling constants from density functional theory as reliable tools for stereochemical analysis of highly flexible multichiral center molecules.

PubMed

López-Vallejo, Fabian; Fragoso-Serrano, Mabel; Suárez-Ortiz, Gloria Alejandra; Hernández-Rojas, Adriana C; Cerda-García-Rojas, Carlos M; Pereda-Miranda, Rogelio

2011-08-05

A protocol for stereochemical analysis, based on the systematic comparison between theoretical and experimental vicinal (1)H-(1)H NMR coupling constants, was developed and applied to a series of flexible compounds (1-8) derived from the 6-heptenyl-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one framework. The method included a broad conformational search, followed by geometry optimization at the DFT B3LYP/DGDZVP level, calculation of the vibrational frequencies, thermochemical parameters, magnetic shielding tensors, and the total NMR spin-spin coupling constants. Three scaling factors, depending on the carbon atom hybridizations, were found for the (1)H-C-C-(1)H vicinal coupling constants: f((sp3)-(sp3)) = 0.910, f((sp3)-(sp2)) = 0.929, and f((sp2)-(sp2))= 0.977. A remarkable correlation between the theoretical (J(pre)) and experimental (1)H-(1)H NMR (J(exp)) coupling constants for spicigerolide (1), a cytotoxic natural product, and some of its synthetic stereoisomers (2-4) demonstrated the predictive value of this approach for the stereochemical assignment of highly flexible compounds containing multiple chiral centers. The stereochemistry of two natural 6-heptenyl-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-ones (14 and 15) containing diverse functional groups in the heptenyl side chain was also analyzed by application of this combined theoretical and experimental approach, confirming its reliability. Additionally, a geometrical analysis for the conformations of 1-8 revealed that weak hydrogen bonds substantially guide the conformational behavior of the tetraacyloxy-6-heptenyl-2H-pyran-2-ones.

[In situ suture repair procedure of knee dislocation with multiple-ligament injury at acute stage].

PubMed

Ye, Jingbing; Luo, Dahui; Fu, Weili; He, Xin; Li, Jian

2009-09-01

To investigate the method and the short term clinical effectiveness of in situ suture repair procedure of knee dislocation with multiple-ligament injury at acute stage. From February 2006 to November 2007, 9 patients suffering from single knee closed dislocation with multiple-ligament injury underwent open in situ suture repair procedure with non-absorbable thread and managements of other combined injuries simultaneously. Nine patients included 6 males and 3 females, aged 34-52 years old. The injured knees were left side in 4 cases and right side in 5 cases. Injuries were caused by traffic accident in 8 cases and heavy-weight crushing in 1 case. EMRI and arthroscopic examination showed that all patients suffered from the avulsion injuries of anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament. The time from injury to operation was 4 to 7 days with an average of 5.1 days. No bacterial arthritis occurred after operation. Subcutaneous ligated fat occurred and cured after symptomatic treatment in 2 cases, other incisions healed by first intension. All patients were followed up 12 months. At 12 months postoperatively, 2 patients' flexion range of the suffering knees lost 10 degrees when to compared with normal knees, and the range of motion was from 0 to 125 degrees. The Lysholm knee scores were 83-92 (average 86.3), the results were excellent in 3 cases and good in 6 cases. The posterior drawer test and anterior drawer test were one-degree positive in 3 cases respectively; the Lachman tests were one-degree positive in 5 cases, lateral stress tests were negative in all cases. In situ suture repair procedure of knee dislocation with multiple-ligament injury at acute stage has the advantages such as reliable fixation, simultaneous management of other combined injuries and satisfactory short term effect.

An improved approach to the analysis of drug-protein binding by distance geometry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldblum, A.; Kieber-Emmons, T.; Rein, R.

1986-01-01

The calculation of side chain centers of coordinates and the subsequent generation of side chain-side chain and side chain-backbone distance matrices is suggested as an improved method for viewing interactions inside proteins and for the comparison of protein structures. The use of side chain distance matrices is demonstrated with free PTI, and the use of difference distance matrices for side chains is shown for free and trypsin-bound PTI as well as for the X-ray structures of trypsin complexes with PTI and with benzamidine. It is found that conformational variations are reflected in the side chain distance matrices much more than in the standard C-C distance representations.

Comparison of the Audio and Video Elements of Instructional Films; (Rapid Mass Learning). Technical Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nelson, H. E.; And Others

Two experiments which compare the effectiveness of the auditory and visual elements in instructional films in order to study their relative contributions to learning are described in this paper. Two films dealing with aerodynamics were used in one experiment, and one film dealing with desert survival was used in the other. Multiple choice item…

Side-by-side comparison of an open-chamber (TM 300) and a closed-chamber (Vapometer™) transepidermal water loss meter.

PubMed

Steiner, Markus; Aikman-Green, Sylvie; Prescott, Gordon J; Dick, Finlay D

2011-08-01

The measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) is used to monitor changes in the stratum corneum's permeability to water vapor. This measurement is widely used in the cosmetics industry and in dermatology research. However, only limited work has been undertaken to assess the comparability of results from different TEWL meters over an extended range of measurements. This study compared the results of TEWL measurements between two commonly used open-chamber and closed-chamber TEWL devices. Five hundred and forty measurements were taken in 17 participants on the dorsum and palm of both hands on two different days and the order of the devices was randomized. The results showed that the open TEWL meter's capacity for measuring high values of TEWL was restricted, and that the closed-chamber TEWL meter was less sensitive to differences in the lower range of measurements. Both devices have their strengths for different applications, but their results cannot be directly compared. We were unable to find a statistical model that would allow us to transform the measurements made on one device for a comparison with the results generated by the other device. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

The Effect of One Session Low Level Laser Therapy of Extracted Follicular Units on the Outcome of Hair Transplantation

PubMed Central

Tabaie, Seyed Mehdi; Berenji Ardestani, Hoda; Azizjalali, Mir Hadi

2016-01-01

Introduction: Photobiostimulation with low level laser (LLL) has been used in medicine for a long time and its effects have been shown in many diseases. Some studies have evaluated the effect of LLL on androgenic alopecia. One of the most important limitations of the use of LLL in the treatment of alopecia is the requirement for multiple sessions, which is hardly accepted by patients. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the irradiation of extracted follicular hair units by LLL on the outcome of hair transplantation. Methods: We enrolled 10 patients with androgenic alopecia and after screening tests for infections and other diseases, we extracted hair follicular units. The hair units were divided in two groups. One group was irradiated by LLL 20 minutes before transplantation (660 nm, 80 Hz, 100 mW) and the other one was used as control. The containing plates were labeled as A and B and sent to the operation room. The surgeon was unaware of the therapy assigned to the plates and transplanted them randomly on the right or left side of the head. One hundred follicular units on each sides of the scalp were transplanted symmetrically. The follicles on both sides were evaluated at 3 and 6 months of transplantation for hair growth rate by another physician, blinded to the treatment assigned to each side. Results: Ten patient with androgenic alopecia and mean (SD) age of 31.5 (6.6) years (range 25-45 years) completed the study. All patients had 100% hair growth at 3 and 6 months follow-up except one who had hair growth of 20% at three months of transplantation, which changed to 100% at sixth months. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding hair growth (P > 0.8). Conclusion: One session of LLL irradiation has no significant effect on the outcome of transplanted hair follicles. Studies with larger sample size are needed to draw a definite conclusion. PMID:27330694

Phacoemulsification tip vacuum pressure: Comparison of 4 devices.

PubMed

Payne, Marielle; Georgescu, Dan; Waite, Aaron N; Olson, Randall J

2006-08-01

To determine the vacuum pressure generated by 4 phacoemulsification devices measured at the phacoemulsification tip. University ophthalmology department. The effective vacuum pressures generated by the Sovereign (AMO), Millennium (Bausch & Lomb), Legacy AdvanTec (Alcon Laboratories), and Infiniti (Alcon Laboratories) phacoemulsification machines were measured with a device that isolated the phacoemulsification tip in a chamber connected to a pressure gauge. The 4 machines were tested at multiple vacuum limit settings, and the values were recorded after the foot pedal was fully depressed and the pressure had stabilized. The AdvanTec and Infiniti machines were tested with and without occlusion of the Aspiration Bypass System (ABS) side port (Alcon Laboratories). The Millennium machine was tested using venturi and peristaltic pumps. The machines generated pressures close to the expected at maximum vacuum settings between 100 mm Hg and 500 mm Hg with few intermachine variations. There was no significant difference between pressures generated using 19- or 20-gauge tips (Millennium and Sovereign). The addition of an ABS side port decreased vacuum by a mean of 12.1% (P < .0001). Although there were some variations in vacuum pressures among phacoemulsification machines, particularly when an aspiration bypass tip was used, these discrepancies are probably not clinically significant.

Associations of the plasma lipidome with mortality in the acute respiratory distress syndrome: a longitudinal cohort study.

PubMed

Maile, Michael D; Standiford, Theodore J; Engoren, Milo C; Stringer, Kathleen A; Jewell, Elizabeth S; Rajendiran, Thekkelnaycke M; Soni, Tanu; Burant, Charles F

2018-04-10

It is unknown if the plasma lipidome is a useful tool for improving our understanding of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Therefore, we measured the plasma lipidome of individuals with ARDS at two time-points to determine if changes in the plasma lipidome distinguished survivors from non-survivors. We hypothesized that both the absolute concentration and change in concentration over time of plasma lipids are associated with 28-day mortality in this population. Samples for this longitudinal observational cohort study were collected at multiple tertiary-care academic medical centers as part of a previous multicenter clinical trial. A mass spectrometry shot-gun lipidomic assay was used to quantify the lipidome in plasma samples from 30 individuals. Samples from two different days were analyzed for each subject. After removing lipids with a coefficient of variation > 30%, differences between cohorts were identified using repeated measures analysis of variance. The false discovery rate was used to adjust for multiple comparisons. Relationships between significant compounds were explored using hierarchical clustering of the Pearson correlation coefficients and the magnitude of these relationships was described using receiver operating characteristic curves. The mass spectrometry assay reliably measured 359 lipids. After adjusting for multiple comparisons, 90 compounds differed between survivors and non-survivors. Survivors had higher levels for each of these lipids except for five membrane lipids. Glycerolipids, particularly those containing polyunsaturated fatty acid side-chains, represented many of the lipids with higher concentrations in survivors. The change in lipid concentration over time did not differ between survivors and non-survivors. The concentration of multiple plasma lipids is associated with mortality in this group of critically ill patients with ARDS. Absolute lipid levels provided more information than the change in concentration over time. These findings support future research aimed at integrating lipidomics into critical care medicine.

T-Craft Seabase Ramp Loads Model Test Data Report

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-12-01

INTRODUCTION 1 TEST CONDITION MATRIX 2 MODEL DESCRIPTIONS 9 LMSR Model 15 Ramp Models 17 MODEL TEST SETUP 18 Side-by-Side Hull Configuration 19... INTRODUCTION The Office of Naval Research (ONR) sponsored a multiple bodied seakeeping model test designed to investigate vessel motions and loads on the hinge...C. 3. Side-by-Side configuration 137 Ramp Load cell 1.88 27.49 -CG ft I ^ -Hinged Connection 3.00 from CL to jauge • oad ce LMSR

Body-drug assemblages: theorizing the experience of side effects in the context of HIV treatment.

PubMed

Gagnon, Marilou; Holmes, Dave

2016-10-01

Each of the antiretroviral drugs that are currently used to stop the progression of HIV infection causes its own specific side effects. Despite the expansion, multiplication, and simplification of treatment options over the past decade, side effects continue to affect people living with HIV. Yet, we see a clear disconnect between the way side effects are normalized, routinized, and framed in clinical practice and the way they are experienced by people living with HIV. This paper builds on the premise that new approaches are needed to understand side effects in a manner that is more reflective of the subjective accounts of people living with HIV. Drawing on the work of Deleuze and Guattari, it offers an original application of the theory of 'assemblage'. This theory offers a new way of theorizing side effects, and ultimately the relationship between the body and antiretroviral drugs (as technologies). Combining theory with examples derived from empirical data, we examine the multiple ways in which the body connects not only to the drugs but also to people, things, and systems. Our objective is to illustrate how this theory dares us to think differently about side effects and allows us to originally (re)think the experience of taking antiretroviral drugs. © 2016 The Authors. Nursing Philosophy Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Dust disks around Vega-type stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chini, R.; Kruegel, E.; Kreysa, E.; Shustov, B.; Tutukov, A.

1991-12-01

This study presents 1300-micron observations of the circumstellar dust around Vega-type stars. A comparison of the new data (24-arcsec HPBW) for Alpha PsA, Tau-1 Eri and Epsilon Eri with previous measurements made at an angular resolution of 11-arcsec shows that the dust emission is extended. From measurements at different positions it is concluded that the circumstellar dust around Beta Pic does not exceed the size of the optical disk of 500 AU. A model for Beta Pic that fits optical as well as IR data is discussed. Finally, a scenario for the evolution of circumstellar grains is suggested where, on one side, the Poynting-Robertson effect removes the small particles and, on the other side, collisions lead to the formation of larger bodies. Time-dependent IR spectra in reasonable agreement with observations are presented.

Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) preliminary findings: LEO space effects on the space plasma-voltage drainage experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Blakkolb, Brian K.; Yaung, James Y.; Henderson, Kelly A.; Taylor, William W.; Ryan, Lorraine E.

1992-01-01

The Space Plasma-High Voltage Drainage Experiment (SP-HVDE) provided a unique opportunity to study long term space environmental effects on materials because it was comprised of two identical experimental trays; one tray located on the ram facing side (D-10), and the other on the wake facing side (B-4) of the LDEF. This configuration allows for the comparison of identical materials exposed to two distinctly different environments. The purpose of this work is to document an assessment of the effects of five and three quarters years of low Earth orbital space exposure on materials comprising the SP-HVDE (experiment no. A0054). The findings of the materials investigation reported focus on atomic oxygen effects, micrometeor and debris impact site documentation, thermal property measurements, and environmentally induced contamination.

Chair-side detection of Prevotella Intermedia in mature dental plaque by its fluorescence.

PubMed

Nomura, Yoshiaki; Takeuchi, Hiroaki; Okamoto, Masaaki; Sogabe, Kaoru; Okada, Ayako; Hanada, Nobuhiro

2017-06-01

Prevotella intermedia/nigrescens is one of the well-known pathogens causing periodontal diseases, and the red florescence excited by the visible blue light caused by the protoporphyrin IX in the bacterial cells could be useful for the chair-side detection. The aim of this study was to evaluated levels of periodontal pathogen, especially P. intermedia in clinical samples of red fluorescent dental plaque. Thirty two supra gingival plaque samples from six individuals were measured its fluorescence at 640nm wavelength excited by 409nm. Periodontopathic bacteria were counted by the Invader PLUS PCR assay. Co-relations the fluorescence intensity and bacterial counts were analyzed by Person's correlation coefficient and simple and multiple regression analysis. Positive and negative predictive values of the fluorescence intensities for with or without P. intermedia in supragingival plaque was calculated. When relative fluorescence unit (RFU) were logarithmic transformed, statistically significant linear relations between RFU and bacterial counts were obtained for P. intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia. By the multiple regression analysis, only P. intermedia had statistically significant co-relation with fluorescence intensities. All of the fluorescent dental plaque contained P. intermedia m. In contrast, 28% of non-fluorescent plaques contained P. intermedia. To check the fluorescence dental plaque in the oral cavity could be the simple chair-side screening of the mature dental plaque before examining the periodontal pathogens especially P. intermedia by the PCR method. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[SOX2 defect and anophthalmia and microphthalmia].

PubMed

Ye, Fu-xiang; Fan, Xian-qun

2012-11-01

As a severe congenital developmental disorder, anophthalmia and microphthalmia are usually accompanied with vision impairment and hypoevolutism of the orbit in the affected side. Many genes are involved in anophthalmia and microphthalmia, in which, SOX2 is an important one. The defect of SOX2 causes multiple system disorders, including anophthalmia and microphthalmia. We describe the relationship between the SOX2 defect and anophthalmia/microphthalmia, in order to offer some proposals for the differential diagnosis, treatment and research of anophthalmia and microphthalmia.

Roberts-SC phocomelia syndrome.

PubMed

Maheshwari, A; Kumar, P; Dutta, S; Narang, A

2001-06-01

A severely growth retarded baby was born at 38 weeks gestation. He had multiple craniofacial anomalies, microbrachycephaly, phocomelia in the upper limbs and renal cysts visible on ultrasound. He died of recurrent apneas. The autopsy showed left sided multicystic dysplastic kidney and absence of one testis. Cytogenetic studies did not reveal any abnormality. The phenotypic features match those described in the Roberts-SC phocomelia syndrome. A literature review revealed that 50% of these patients have chromosomal defects and antenatal detection is possible on ultrasound and by chromosome analysis of the amniocytes.

Golden Rays - July 2016 | Solar Research | NREL

Science.gov Websites

. See the video or read the NREL news release. Must Reads Side-by-Side Comparison of CPV Module and installations across the country, and the next million systems are expected to be installed during the next 2

Comparison of skid resistance testing to stopping distance testing.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1998-01-01

This report is intended to statistically summarize the results of a side-by-side test of the skid resistance testing trailer utilized by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), and the stopping distance car utilized by the Oregon State Police...

An Evaluation of Explicit Receptor Flexibility in Molecular Docking Using Molecular Dynamics and Torsion Angle Molecular Dynamics.

PubMed

Armen, Roger S; Chen, Jianhan; Brooks, Charles L

2009-10-13

Incorporating receptor flexibility into molecular docking should improve results for flexible proteins. However, the incorporation of explicit all-atom flexibility with molecular dynamics for the entire protein chain may also introduce significant error and "noise" that could decrease docking accuracy and deteriorate the ability of a scoring function to rank native-like poses. We address this apparent paradox by comparing the success of several flexible receptor models in cross-docking and multiple receptor ensemble docking for p38α mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. Explicit all-atom receptor flexibility has been incorporated into a CHARMM-based molecular docking method (CDOCKER) using both molecular dynamics (MD) and torsion angle molecular dynamics (TAMD) for the refinement of predicted protein-ligand binding geometries. These flexible receptor models have been evaluated, and the accuracy and efficiency of TAMD sampling is directly compared to MD sampling. Several flexible receptor models are compared, encompassing flexible side chains, flexible loops, multiple flexible backbone segments, and treatment of the entire chain as flexible. We find that although including side chain and some backbone flexibility is required for improved docking accuracy as expected, docking accuracy also diminishes as additional and unnecessary receptor flexibility is included into the conformational search space. Ensemble docking results demonstrate that including protein flexibility leads to to improved agreement with binding data for 227 active compounds. This comparison also demonstrates that a flexible receptor model enriches high affinity compound identification without significantly increasing the number of false positives from low affinity compounds.

An Evaluation of Explicit Receptor Flexibility in Molecular Docking Using Molecular Dynamics and Torsion Angle Molecular Dynamics

PubMed Central

Armen, Roger S.; Chen, Jianhan; Brooks, Charles L.

2009-01-01

Incorporating receptor flexibility into molecular docking should improve results for flexible proteins. However, the incorporation of explicit all-atom flexibility with molecular dynamics for the entire protein chain may also introduce significant error and “noise” that could decrease docking accuracy and deteriorate the ability of a scoring function to rank native-like poses. We address this apparent paradox by comparing the success of several flexible receptor models in cross-docking and multiple receptor ensemble docking for p38α mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. Explicit all-atom receptor flexibility has been incorporated into a CHARMM-based molecular docking method (CDOCKER) using both molecular dynamics (MD) and torsion angle molecular dynamics (TAMD) for the refinement of predicted protein-ligand binding geometries. These flexible receptor models have been evaluated, and the accuracy and efficiency of TAMD sampling is directly compared to MD sampling. Several flexible receptor models are compared, encompassing flexible side chains, flexible loops, multiple flexible backbone segments, and treatment of the entire chain as flexible. We find that although including side chain and some backbone flexibility is required for improved docking accuracy as expected, docking accuracy also diminishes as additional and unnecessary receptor flexibility is included into the conformational search space. Ensemble docking results demonstrate that including protein flexibility leads to to improved agreement with binding data for 227 active compounds. This comparison also demonstrates that a flexible receptor model enriches high affinity compound identification without significantly increasing the number of false positives from low affinity compounds. PMID:20160879

Genetic algorithm optimization of a film cooling array on a modern turbine inlet vane

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, Jamie J.

In response to the need for more advanced gas turbine cooling design methods that factor in the 3-D flowfield and heat transfer characteristics, this study involves the computational optimization of a pressure side film cooling array on a modern turbine inlet vane. Latin hypersquare sampling, genetic algorithm reproduction, and Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) as an evaluation step are used to assess a total of 1,800 film cooling designs over 13 generations. The process was efficient due to the Leo CFD code's ability to estimate cooling mass flux at surface grid cells using a transpiration boundary condition, eliminating the need for remeshing between designs. The optimization resulted in a unique cooling design relative to the baseline with new injection angles, compound angles, cooling row patterns, hole sizes, a redistribution of cooling holes away from the over-cooled midspan to hot areas near the shroud, and a lower maximum surface temperature. To experimentally confirm relative design trends between the optimized and baseline designs, flat plate infrared thermography assessments were carried out at design flow conditions. Use of flat plate experiments to model vane pressure side cooling was justified through a conjugate heat transfer CFD comparison of the 3-D vane and flat plate which showed similar cooling performance trends at multiple span locations. The optimized flat plate model exhibited lower minimum surface temperatures at multiple span locations compared to the baseline. Overall, this work shows promise of optimizing film cooling to reduce design cycle time and save cooling mass flow in a gas turbine.

Genomic Changes Associated with Reproductive and Migratory Ecotypes in Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka).

PubMed

Veale, Andrew J; Russello, Michael A

2017-10-01

Mechanisms underlying adaptive evolution can best be explored using paired populations displaying similar phenotypic divergence, illuminating the genomic changes associated with specific life history traits. Here, we used paired migratory [anadromous vs. resident (kokanee)] and reproductive [shore- vs. stream-spawning] ecotypes of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) sampled from seven lakes and two rivers spanning three catchments (Columbia, Fraser, and Skeena) in British Columbia, Canada to investigate the patterns and processes underlying their divergence. Restriction-site associated DNA sequencing was used to genotype this sampling at 7,347 single nucleotide polymorphisms, 334 of which were identified as outlier loci and candidates for divergent selection within at least one ecotype comparison. Sixty-eight of these outliers were present in two or more comparisons, with 33 detected across multiple catchments. Of particular note, one locus was detected as the most significant outlier between shore and stream-spawning ecotypes in multiple comparisons and across catchments (Columbia, Fraser, and Snake). We also detected several genomic islands of divergence, some shared among comparisons, potentially showing linked signals of differential selection. The single nucleotide polymorphisms and genomic regions identified in our study offer a range of mechanistic hypotheses associated with the genetic basis of O. nerka life history variation and provide novel tools for informing fisheries management. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution.

The possibility of left dominant activation of the sensorimotor cortex during lip protrusion in men.

PubMed

Fukunaga, Atsushi; Ohira, Takayuki; Kamba, Masayuki; Ogawa, Seiji; Akiyama, Takenori; Kawase, Takeshi

2009-09-01

Lip protrusion requires bilateral symmetrical movements of the facial muscles, but the laterality of the activated sensorimotor cortex corresponding to the area of the face activated during lip protrusion remains under discussion. In this study, blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) responses in the sensorimotor cortex during non-verbal lip protrusion were evaluated in a 3T magnetic field in twenty healthy right-handed subjects. The results showed that the activated sensorimotor area on the left side was larger than that on the right side, and there was a statistically significant difference in the number of activated voxels between the left and right sensorimotor cortex in an individual study of the male group, although approximately symmetrical motor action potentials of facial muscles were recorded during lip protrusion. There was a statistically significant difference in interaction between the hemisphere (right and left) and sex (men and women) and multiple comparison test showed statistical significant differences between "men and right" and "men and left", and between "men and left" and "women and left". The peak value of the percent changes in BOLD signal responses on the left side was approximately twice as high as that on the right side in the males of the group, though the bilateral sensorimotor cortex was almost equally activated in the females in the group. In addition, the left primary sensory area related to the face area was significantly activated as a region where Male was more active than Female in a general linear model (multi-study, multisubject) analysis. This study revealed the possibility that the left sensorimotor cortex was more closely involved in non-verbal mouth movement in men, suggesting sex-related differences in sensorimotor cortex activation.

Sided functions of an arginine-agmatine antiporter oriented in liposomes.

PubMed

Tsai, Ming-Feng; Fang, Yiling; Miller, Christopher

2012-02-28

The arginine-dependent extreme acid resistance system helps enteric bacteria survive the harsh gastric environment. At the center of this multiprotein system is an arginine-agmatine antiporter, AdiC. To maintain cytoplasmic pH, AdiC imports arginine and exports its decarboxylated product, agmatine, resulting in a net extrusion of one "virtual proton" in each turnover. The random orientation of AdiC in reconstituted liposomes throws up an obstacle to quantifying its transport mechanism. To overcome this problem, we introduced a mutation, S26C, near the substrate-binding site. This mutant exhibits substrate recognition and pH-dependent activity similar to those of the wild-type protein but loses function completely upon reaction with thiol reagents. The membrane-impermeant MTSES reagent can then be used as a cleanly sided inhibitor to silence those S26C-AdiC proteins whose extracellular portion projects from the external side of the liposome. Alternatively, the membrane-permeant MTSEA and membrane-impermeant reducing reagent, TCEP, can be used together to inhibit proteins in the opposite orientation. This approach allows steady-state kinetic analysis of AdiC in a sided fashion. Arginine and agmatine have similar Michaelis-Menten parameters for both sides of the protein, while the extracellular side selects arginine over argininamide, a mimic of the carboxylate-protonated form of arginine, more effectively than does the cytoplasmic side. Moreover, the two sides of AdiC have different pH sensitivities. AdiC activity increases to a plateau at pH 4 as the extracellular side is acidified, while the cytoplasmic side shows an optimal pH of 5.5, with further acidification inhibiting transport. This oriented system allows more precise analysis of AdiC-mediated substrate transport than has been previously available and permits comparison to the situation experienced by the bacterial membrane under acid stress.

Estimate of temperature change due to ice and snow accretion in the boreal forest regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sugiura, K.; Nagai, S.; Suzuki, R.; Eicken, H.; Maximov, T. C.

2016-12-01

Previous research has demonstrated that there is a wide difference between the surface albedo in winter/spring in snow-covered forest regions in various global climate models. If the forest is covered with snow, the surface albedo would increase. In this study, we carried out field observations to monitor the frequency of ice and snow accretion in the boreal forest regions. The time-lapse digital camera was set up on each side of the observation towers at the site located to the north of Fairbanks (USA) and at the site located to the north of Yakutsk (Russia). It was confirmed that both forests were not necessarily covered with snow without a break from the start of continuous snow cover until the end. In addition, the boreal forest at the Yakutsk site is covered with snow in comparison with the boreal forest at the Fairbanks site for a long term such as for about five month. Using a one-dimensional mathematics model about the energy flow including atmospheric multiple scattering, we estimated temperature change due to ice and snow accretion in the boreal forest regions. The result show that the mean surface temperature rises approximately 0.5 [oC] when the boreal forest is not covered with snow. In this presentation, we discuss the snow albedo parameterization in the boreal forest regions and the one-dimensional mathematics model to provide a basis for a better understanding of the role of snow in the climate system.

Muscle-related side-effects of statins: from mechanisms to evidence-based solutions.

PubMed

Taylor, Beth A; Thompson, Paul D

2015-06-01

This article highlights the recent findings regarding statin-associated muscle side effects, including mechanisms and treatment as well as the need for more comprehensive clinical trials in statin myalgia. Statin myalgia is difficult to diagnose and treat, as major clinical trials have not routinely assessed muscle side-effects, there are few clinically relevant biomarkers and assessment tools for the symptoms, many apparent statin-related muscle symptoms may be nonspecific and related to other drugs or health conditions, and prevalence estimates vary widely. Data thus suggest that only 30-50% of patients with self-reported statin myalgia actually experience muscle pain on statins during blinded, placebo-controlled trials. In addition, evidence to date involving mechanisms underlying statin myalgia and its range of symptoms and presentations supports the hypothesis that there are multiple, interactive and potentially additive mechanisms underlying statin-associated muscle side-effects. There are likely multiple and interactive mechanisms underlying statin myalgia, and recent studies have produced equivocal data regarding prevalence of statin-associated muscle side-effects, contributing factors and effectiveness of common interventions. Therefore, more clinical trials on statin myalgia are critical to the field, as are systematic resources for quantifying, predicting and reporting statin-associated muscle side-effects.

Managing the oral side-effects of medications used to treat multiple sclerosis.

PubMed

Cockburn, N; Pateman, K; Taing, M W; Pradhan, A; Ford, P J

2017-09-01

Many medications used to manage multiple sclerosis (MS) affect oral health. This review aimed to identify the oral side-effects of the current drugs recommended in Australia to treat MS and make dental practitioners aware of the range of symptoms. The Australian Therapeutic Guidelines and the Australian Medicines Handbook were searched for medications used to treat MS. For each medication, the generic name, class, route of administration, dosage and drug company reported side-effects were extracted from the online Monthly Index of Medical Specialties (MIMs) database. Meyler's Side-effect of Drugs Encyclopaedia was used to identify any additional oral adverse reactions to medications used to treat MS. Fourteen drugs were identified for the treatment of MS progression and 13 drugs for the treatment of MS symptoms. For these medications, 18 oral side-effects were documented: xerostomia was the most common, followed by dysgeusia, dysphagia, mouth ulceration and sinusitis. Anticholinergic drugs caused xerostomia while immunosuppressants resulted in more infection-related side-effects. Dental practitioners should be aware of the range of symptoms likely to be reported by this population. Clinicians are encouraged to continue providing dental care for their patients who develop MS and refer complex cases to specialists. © 2017 Australian Dental Association.

Comparison of five automated hematology analyzers in a university hospital setting: Abbott Cell-Dyn Sapphire, Beckman Coulter DxH 800, Siemens Advia 2120i, Sysmex XE-5000, and Sysmex XN-2000.

PubMed

Bruegel, Mathias; Nagel, Dorothea; Funk, Manuela; Fuhrmann, Petra; Zander, Johannes; Teupser, Daniel

2015-06-01

Various types of automated hematology analyzers are used in clinical laboratories. Here, we performed a side-by-side comparison of five current top of the range routine hematology analyzers in the setting of a university hospital central laboratory. Complete blood counts (CBC), differentials, reticulocyte and nucleated red blood cell (NRBC) counts of 349 patient samples, randomly taken out of routine diagnostics, were analyzed with Cell-Dyn Sapphire (Abbott), DxH 800 (Beckman Coulter), Advia 2120i (Siemens), XE-5000 and XN-2000 (Sysmex). Inter-instrument comparison of CBCs including reticulocyte and NRBC counts and investigation of flagging quality in relation to microscopy were performed with the complete set of samples. Inter-instrument comparison of five-part differential was performed using samples without atypical cells in blood smear (n=292). Automated five-part differentials and NRBCs were additionally compared with microscopy. The five analyzers showed a good concordance for basic blood count parameters. Correlations between instruments were less well for reticulocyte counts, NRBCs, and differentials. The poorest concordance for NRBCs with microscopy was observed for Advia 2120i (Kendall's τb=0.37). The highest flagging sensitivity for blasts was observed for XN-2000 (97% compared to 65%-76% for other analyzers), whereas overall specificity was comparable between different instruments. To the best of our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive side-by-side comparison of five current top of the range routine hematology analyzers. Variable analyzer quality and parameter specific limitations must be considered in defining laboratory algorithms in clinical practice.

CASPT2 study of inverse sandwich-type dinuclear Cr(I) and Fe(I) complexes of the dinitrogen molecule: significant differences in spin multiplicity and coordination structure between these two complexes.

PubMed

Nakagaki, Masayuki; Sakaki, Shigeyoshi

2014-02-20

Inverse sandwich-type complexes (ISTCs), (μ-N2)[M(AIP)]2 (AIPH = (Z)-1-amino-3-imino-prop-1-ene; M = Cr and Fe), were investigated with the CASPT2 method. In the ISTC of Cr, the ground state takes a singlet spin multiplicity. However, the singlet to nonet spin states are close in energy to each other. The thermal average of effective magnetic moments (μeff) of these spin multiplicities is close to the experimental value. The η(2)-side-on coordination structure of N2 is calculated to be more stable than the η(1)-end-on coordination one. This is because the d-orbital of Cr forms a strong dπ-π* bonding interaction with the π* orbital of N2 in molecular plane. In the ISTC of Fe, on the other hand, the ground state takes a septet spin multiplicity, which agrees well with the experimentally reported μeff value. The η(1)-end-on structure of N2 is more stable than the η(2)-side-on structure. In the η(1)-end-on structure, two doubly occupied d-orbitals of Fe can form two dπ-π* bonding interactions. The negative spin density is found on the bridging N2 ligand in the Fe complex but is not in the Cr complex. All these interesting differences between ISTCs of Cr and Fe are discussed on the basis of the electronic structure and bonding nature.

Multiple piece turbine rotor blade

DOEpatents

Jones, Russell B; Fedock, John A

2013-05-21

A multiple piece turbine rotor blade with a shell having an airfoil shape and secured between a spar and a platform with the spar including a tip end piece. a snap ring fits around the spar and abuts against the spar tip end piece on a top side and abuts against a shell on the bottom side so that the centrifugal loads from the shell is passed through the snap ring and into the spar and not through a tip cap dovetail slot and projection structure.

Microsystem Cooler Development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moran, Matthew E.; Wesolek, Danielle M.; Berhane, Bruk T.; Rebello, Keith J.

2004-01-01

A patented microsystem Stirling cooler is under development with potential application to electronics, sensors, optical and radio frequency (RF) systems, microarrays, and other microsystems. The microsystem Stirling cooler is most suited to volume-limited applications that require cooling below the ambient or sink temperature. Primary components of the planar device include: two diaphragm actuators that replace the pistons found in traditional-scale Stirling machines; and a micro-regenerator that stores and releases thermal energy to the working gas during the Stirling cycle. The use of diaphragms eliminates frictional losses and bypass leakage concerns associated with pistons, while permitting reversal of the hot and cold sides of the device during operation to allow precise temperature control. Three candidate microregenerators were custom fabricated for initial evaluation: two constructed of porous ceramic, and one made of multiple layers of nickel and photoresist in an offset grating pattern. An additional regenerator was prepared with a random stainless steel fiber matrix commonly used in existing Stirling machines for comparison to the custom fabricated regenerators. The candidate regenerators were tested in a piezoelectric-actuated test apparatus designed to simulate the Stirling refrigeration cycle. In parallel with the regenerator testing, electrostatically-driven comb-drive diaphragm actuators for the prototype device have been designed for deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) fabrication.

Pair Cascades and Deathlines in Magnetic Fields with Offset Polar Caps

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Harding, Alice K.; Muslimov, Alex G.

2012-01-01

We present results of electron-positron pair cascade simulations in a dipole magnetic field whose polar cap is offset from the dipole axis. In such a field geometry, the polar cap is displaced a small fraction of the neutron star radius from the star symmetry axis and the field line radius of curvature is modified. Using the modified parallel electric field near the offset polar cap, we simulate pair cascades to determine the pair deathlines and pair multiplicities as a function of the offset. We find that the pair multiplicity can change dr;unatically with a modest offset, with a significant increase on one side of the polar cap. Lower pair deathlines allow a larger fraction of the pulsar population, that include old and millisecond pulsars, to produce cascades with high multiplicity. The results have some important implications for pulsar particle production, high-energy emission and cosmic-ray contribution.

NewProt - a protein engineering portal.

PubMed

Schwarte, Andreas; Genz, Maika; Skalden, Lilly; Nobili, Alberto; Vickers, Clare; Melse, Okke; Kuipers, Remko; Joosten, Henk-Jan; Stourac, Jan; Bendl, Jaroslav; Black, Jon; Haase, Peter; Baakman, Coos; Damborsky, Jiri; Bornscheuer, Uwe; Vriend, Gert; Venselaar, Hanka

2017-06-01

The NewProt protein engineering portal is a one-stop-shop for in silico protein engineering. It gives access to a large number of servers that compute a wide variety of protein structure characteristics supporting work on the modification of proteins through the introduction of (multiple) point mutations. The results can be inspected through multiple visualizers. The HOPE software is included to indicate mutations with possible undesired side effects. The Hotspot Wizard software is embedded for the design of mutations that modify a proteins' activity, specificity, or stability. The NewProt portal is freely accessible at http://newprot.cmbi.umcn.nl/ and http://newprot.fluidops.net/. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Multi-mesh gear dynamics program evaluation and enhancements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boyd, L. S.; Pike, J.

1985-01-01

A multiple mesh gear dynamics computer program was continually developed and modified during the last four years. The program can handle epicyclic gear systems as well as single mesh systems with internal, buttress, or helical tooth forms. The following modifications were added under the current funding: variable contact friction, planet cage and ring gear rim flexibility options, user friendly options, dynamic side bands, a speed survey option and the combining of the single and multiple mesh options into one general program. The modified program was evaluated by comparing calculated values to published test data and to test data taken on a Hamilton Standard turboprop reduction gear-box. In general, the correlation between the test data and the analytical data is good.

Comparison of mesospheric sodium layers at different latitudes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yingjie

With the support of the Chinese Meridional project in the eastern hemisphere, two brand new sodium fluorescence lidars with the same configuration were respectively set up at Yanqing (40.46(°) N, 115.98(°) E) and Haikou (20.04(°) N, 110.34(°) E) in April, 2010. Based on the observations obtained from 2010 to 2012, comparison of the Na layer at these two latitudes was performed. It reveals a strong correlation in the topside layer between these two sites. Independently of their seasonal characteristics at lower altitudes, they both show an extension to 120 km and above, predominantly during summer. Simultaneous observations at these two sites show that the correlation above 102 km is remarkable in contrast to their different seasonal characteristics below 98 km. It indicates that different processes dominate different height ranges in the Na layer. Meanwhile, it indicates that the topside extension effect is global, combined with the observations at other latitudes. Besides, when the topside layer has an extension, the bottom side layer extends slightly downward, too. Comparison with known meteor showers shows that most of these extensions correspond well to one or more meteor showers, although not one by one. Meteor showers with velocities less than 35 km/s appear to have more influence on these extensions.

Microgap flat panel display

DOEpatents

Wuest, C.R.

1998-12-08

A microgap flat panel display is disclosed which includes a thin gas-filled display tube that utilizes switched X-Y ``pixel`` strips to trigger electron avalanches and activate a phosphor at a given location on a display screen. The panel utilizes the principal of electron multiplication in a gas subjected to a high electric field to provide sufficient electron current to activate standard luminescent phosphors located on an anode. The X-Y conductive strips of a few micron widths may for example, be deposited on opposite sides of a thin insulating substrate, or on one side of the adjacent substrates and function as a cathode. The X-Y strips are separated from the anode by a gap filled with a suitable gas. Electrical bias is selectively switched onto X and Y strips to activate a ``pixel`` in the region where these strips overlap. A small amount of a long-lived radioisotope is used to initiate an electron avalanche in the overlap region when bias is applied. The avalanche travels through the gas filled gap and activates a luminescent phosphor of a selected color. The bias is adjusted to give a proportional electron multiplication to control brightness for given pixel. 6 figs.

Comparative study on collaborative interaction in non-immersive and immersive systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shahab, Qonita M.; Kwon, Yong-Moo; Ko, Heedong; Mayangsari, Maria N.; Yamasaki, Shoko; Nishino, Hiroaki

2007-09-01

This research studies the Virtual Reality simulation for collaborative interaction so that different people from different places can interact with one object concurrently. Our focus is the real-time handling of inputs from multiple users, where object's behavior is determined by the combination of the multiple inputs. Issues addressed in this research are: 1) The effects of using haptics on a collaborative interaction, 2) The possibilities of collaboration between users from different environments. We conducted user tests on our system in several cases: 1) Comparison between non-haptics and haptics collaborative interaction over LAN, 2) Comparison between non-haptics and haptics collaborative interaction over Internet, and 3) Analysis of collaborative interaction between non-immersive and immersive display environments. The case studies are the interaction of users in two cases: collaborative authoring of a 3D model by two users, and collaborative haptic interaction by multiple users. In Virtual Dollhouse, users can observe physics law while constructing a dollhouse using existing building blocks, under gravity effects. In Virtual Stretcher, multiple users can collaborate on moving a stretcher together while feeling each other's haptic motions.

Use of ultrasonic array method for positioning multiple partial discharge sources in transformer oil.

PubMed

Xie, Qing; Tao, Junhan; Wang, Yongqiang; Geng, Jianghai; Cheng, Shuyi; Lü, Fangcheng

2014-08-01

Fast and accurate positioning of partial discharge (PD) sources in transformer oil is very important for the safe, stable operation of power systems because it allows timely elimination of insulation faults. There is usually more than one PD source once an insulation fault occurs in the transformer oil. This study, which has both theoretical and practical significance, proposes a method of identifying multiple PD sources in the transformer oil. The method combines the two-sided correlation transformation algorithm in the broadband signal focusing and the modified Gerschgorin disk estimator. The method of classification of multiple signals is used to determine the directions of arrival of signals from multiple PD sources. The ultrasonic array positioning method is based on the multi-platform direction finding and the global optimization searching. Both the 4 × 4 square planar ultrasonic sensor array and the ultrasonic array detection platform are built to test the method of identifying and positioning multiple PD sources. The obtained results verify the validity and the engineering practicability of this method.

One-sided ultrasonic determination of third order elastic constants using angle-beam acoustoelasticity measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muir, Dave D.

This thesis describes procedures and theory for a family of one-sided ultrasonic methods for determining third order elastic constants (TOEC) using sets of angle-beam wedges mounted on one side of a specimen. The methods are based on the well-known acoustoelastic effect, which is the change of wave speed with applied loads and is a consequence of the mechanical nonlinearity of a material. Increases in material nonlinearity have been correlated to the progression of damage, indicating that tracking changes in TOECs may provide a practical means of monitoring damage accumulation at the microstructural level prior to formation of macroscopic defects. Ultrasonic methods are one of the only ways to measure TOECs, and most prior techniques have utilized wave propagation paths parallel and perpendicular to the loading directions. A few additional ultrasonic techniques reported in the literature have employed oblique paths but with immersion coupling. These reported techniques are generally unsuitable for field implementation. The one-sided contact approach described here is applicable for in situ measurements of TOECs and thus lays the foundation for tracking of TOECs with damage. Theory is reviewed and further developed for calculating predicted velocity changes, and thus time shifts, as a function of uniaxial tensile loading for longitudinal, shear vertical, and shear horizontal waves in the context of angle-beam transducers mounted on the surface of the specimen. A comparison is made to published results where possible. The inverse problem of determining the three TOECs of an isotropic material from three measurements employing three different angle beam configurations is comprehensively analyzed. Four configurations providing well-posed solutions are identified and examined. A detailed sensitivity analysis is carried out to identify the best mounting configuration, wave mode combinations, refracted angles and geometry requirements for recovering the three TOECs. Two transducer mounting configurations are considered: (1) attached (glued-on) transducers potentially suitable for in situ monitoring, and (2) floating (oil-coupled) transducers potentially suitable for single measurements. Limited experimental results are presented for the attached case using two longitudinal measurements and one shear vertical measurement. The floating case experiments utilized three of the four well-posed solutions, and measurements were made on several aluminum alloys and low carbon steel. Key experimental issues are identified and discussed for both transducer mounting configurations. The specific contributions of this thesis are: (1) Development of the general theory for determining TOECs of isotropic materials with a one-sided approach using contact angle-beam transducers. This development includes identification of four valid measurement configurations that result in a well-posed problem for recovering the three TOECs. (2) Development of the specific theory as applied to attached (i.e., glued-on) angle-beam transducers that have a variable separation distance with load. This coupling method is potentially suitable for in situ monitoring applications. (3) Development of the specific theory as applied to floating (i.e., liquid-coupled) angle-beam transducers where the separation distance does not change with load. This method is potentially suitable for single field or laboratory measurements. (4) Comparison of the eight valid TOEC recovery methods (four wave mode configurations, each having two mounting techniques) via numerical simulations and a detailed sensitivity analysis in which the effect of all expected measurement and parameter errors on determination of the TOECs is quantified. (5) Development of experimental methods that provide insight as to the relative merits of the attached vs. floating coupling methods.

Inclinometer - Time Domain Reflectometry Comparative Study

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2004-12-01

Four pairs of inclinometers and time domain reflectometry (TDR) cables were set up to make a side-by-side : comparison of the performance of these systems in detecting slippage of soils in the shoulders of State Route 124 : and State Route 338 in Mei...

Inclinometer--time-domain reflectometry comparative study.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2004-12-01

Four pairs of inclinometers and time domain reflectometry (TDR) cables were set up to make a side-by-side : comparison of the performance of these systems in detecting slippage of soils in the shoulders of State Route 124 : and State Route 338 in Mei...

Comparison of immediate effects between two medical stretching techniques on Hamstrings flexibility

PubMed Central

Aye, Thanda; Kuramoto-Ahuja, Tsugumi; Han, Heonsoo; Maruyama, Hitoshi

2017-01-01

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to compare immediate effects between new medical stretching (NMS) and conventional medical stretching (CMS) techniques on Hamstrings flexibility. [Subjects and Methods] Thirteen healthy adult males, with finger floor distance (FFD) less than zero centimeter, without known musculoskeletal and neurological impairment in spine or lower extremities, were included. The subjects were randomly allocated to two groups. The subjects were instructed to perform NMS and CMS (hold for 30 seconds once, twice for each side of lower extremity) for both sides (total two minutes, only one session for one day). The interval between the two techniques was one week. FFD was measured with digital standing trunk flexion meter at the pre-intervention and post-intervention of both techniques. [Results] The mean values of FFD improved at the post-interventions of both techniques. The tests of within subject effects indicated that the main effect of treatment was not significant but the main effect of time was significant and the interaction of treatment and time was also significant. [Conclusion] The results of this study indicated that both medical stretching techniques were effective on Hamstrings flexibility immediately after the intervention and NMS technique was more effective on improving flexibility. PMID:28931979

Comparison of immediate effects between two medical stretching techniques on Hamstrings flexibility.

PubMed

Aye, Thanda; Kuramoto-Ahuja, Tsugumi; Han, Heonsoo; Maruyama, Hitoshi

2017-09-01

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to compare immediate effects between new medical stretching (NMS) and conventional medical stretching (CMS) techniques on Hamstrings flexibility. [Subjects and Methods] Thirteen healthy adult males, with finger floor distance (FFD) less than zero centimeter, without known musculoskeletal and neurological impairment in spine or lower extremities, were included. The subjects were randomly allocated to two groups. The subjects were instructed to perform NMS and CMS (hold for 30 seconds once, twice for each side of lower extremity) for both sides (total two minutes, only one session for one day). The interval between the two techniques was one week. FFD was measured with digital standing trunk flexion meter at the pre-intervention and post-intervention of both techniques. [Results] The mean values of FFD improved at the post-interventions of both techniques. The tests of within subject effects indicated that the main effect of treatment was not significant but the main effect of time was significant and the interaction of treatment and time was also significant. [Conclusion] The results of this study indicated that both medical stretching techniques were effective on Hamstrings flexibility immediately after the intervention and NMS technique was more effective on improving flexibility.

Why We (Usually) Don't Have to Worry about Multiple Comparisons

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gelman, Andrew; Hill, Jennifer; Yajima, Masanao

2012-01-01

Applied researchers often find themselves making statistical inferences in settings that would seem to require multiple comparisons adjustments. We challenge the Type I error paradigm that underlies these corrections. Moreover we posit that the problem of multiple comparisons can disappear entirely when viewed from a hierarchical Bayesian…

Managing the side effects of multiple sclerosis therapy: pharmacotherapy options for patients.

PubMed

Rommer, Paulus S; Zettl, Uwe K

2018-04-01

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated and neurodegenerative disease with an unpredictable outcome. Immune-modulatory treatment aims at decreasing long-term disability. With the increasing number of treatment options, it is essential to fully digest the possible side effects of the available therapeutics and to monitor patients is essential. Areas covered: All approved disease-modifying drugs (DMD) for MS are discussed in this review. Mode of action, adverse effects, reported risks for infections and malignancies, and pregnancy related issues are discussed in the review. The authors also provide suggestions for monitoring therapy. For all approved DMDs the pivotal studies have been included for possible side effects, as well as reports by health authorities. For this manuscript, PubMed was checked for reports on side effects for various drugs. Expert opinion: Treatment options in MS are manifold, each carrying different risks. The safety-risk profile for approved agents is favorable. Knowing and monitoring these possible side effects is essential to minimize risks associated with treatment. Presently, the long-term experience for some of these therapies is missing and this must be addressed.

Modifications of the One-More-Than Technique: A Comparison of Two Strategies for Teaching Purchasing Skills to Students with Intellectual Disability in Taiwan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hsu, Guo-Liang; Tang, Jung-Chang; Hwang, Wu-Yuin; Li, Yung-Chang; Hwang, Wu-Yuin; Li, Yung-Chang; Hung, Jung-Chao; Wei, Chun-Hwa

2016-01-01

The demands of money-counting skills potentially limit individuals with intellectual disability (ID) to master the one-more-than technique, particularly in Taiwan, which requires high daily minimum living expense for supporting an individual's daily life. Employing a multiple treatment design across price ranges and settings, this study compared…

Comparing Performances of Multiple Comparison Methods in Commonly Used 2 × C Contingency Tables.

PubMed

Cangur, Sengul; Ankarali, Handan; Pasin, Ozge

2016-12-01

This study aims at mentioning briefly multiple comparison methods such as Bonferroni, Holm-Bonferroni, Hochberg, Hommel, Marascuilo, Tukey, Benjamini-Hochberg and Gavrilov-Benjamini-Sarkar for contingency tables, through the data obtained from a medical research and examining their performances by simulation study which was constructed as the total 36 scenarios to 2 × 4 contingency table. As results of simulation, it was observed that when the sample size is more than 100, the methods which can preserve the nominal alpha level are Gavrilov-Benjamini-Sarkar, Holm-Bonferroni and Bonferroni. Marascuilo method was found to be a more conservative than Bonferroni. It was found that Type I error rate for Hommel method is around 2 % in all scenarios. Moreover, when the proportions of the three populations are equal and the proportion value of the fourth population is far at a level of ±3 standard deviation from the other populations, the power value for Unadjusted All-Pairwise Comparison approach is at least a bit higher than the ones obtained by Gavrilov-Benjamini-Sarkar, Holm-Bonferroni and Bonferroni. Consequently, Gavrilov-Benjamini-Sarkar and Holm-Bonferroni methods have the best performance according to simulation. Hommel and Marascuilo methods are not recommended to be used because they have medium or lower performance. In addition, we have written a Minitab macro about multiple comparisons for use in scientific research.

The relationship between health-related fitness and quality of life in postmenopausal women from Southern Taiwan

PubMed Central

Hsu, Wei-Hsiu; Chen, Chi-lung; Kuo, Liang Tseng; Fan, Chun-Hao; Lee, Mel S; Hsu, Robert Wen-Wei

2014-01-01

Background Health-related fitness has been reported to be associated with improved quality of life (QoL) in the elderly. Health-related fitness is comprised of several dimensions that could be enhanced by specific training regimens. It has remained unclear how various dimensions of health-related fitness interact with QoL in postmenopausal women. Objective The purpose of the current study was to investigate the relationship between the dimensions of health-related fitness and QoL in elderly women. Methods A cohort of 408 postmenopausal women in a rural area of Taiwan was prospectively collected. Dimensions of health-related fitness, consisting of muscular strength, balance, cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, muscle endurance, and agility, were assessed. QoL was determined using the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Differences between age groups (stratified by decades) were calculated using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple comparisons using a Scheffé test. A Spearman’s correlation analysis was performed to examine differences between QoL and each dimension of fitness. Multiple linear regression with forced-entry procedure was performed to evaluate the effects of health-related fitness. A P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Age-related decreases in health-related fitness were shown for sit-ups, back strength, grip strength, side steps, trunk extension, and agility (P<0.05). An age-related decrease in QoL, specifically in physical functioning, role limitation due to physical problems, and physical component score, was also demonstrated (P<0.05). Multiple linear regression analyses demonstrated that back strength significantly contributed to the physical component of QoL (adjusted beta of 0.268 [P<0.05]). Conclusion Back strength was positively correlated with the physical component of QoL among the examined dimensions of health-related fitness. Health-related fitness, as well as the physical component of QoL, declined with increasing age. PMID:25258526

Comparison of post-tonsillectomy pain with two different types of bipolar forceps: low temperature quantum molecular resonance device versus high temperature conventional electrocautery.

PubMed

Chang, Hyun; Hah, J Hun

2012-06-01

The low temperature device did not show any advantages over the conventional high temperature electrocautery in terms of the postoperative pain, operation time, and complications in pediatric tonsillectomy. To compare post-tonsillectomy pain following the use of two different instruments with the same bipolar forceps techniques: low temperature quantum molecular resonance (QMR) device versus conventional high temperature electrocautery. Pediatric patients admitted from July 2008 through January 2009 were included. The participants underwent bilateral tonsillectomy; one side by the QMR device and the other by the bipolar electrocautery. The sides for each instrument were counterbalanced by the order of presentation. The postoperative pain was measured using the faces pain rating scale. In all, 33 patients with a mean age of 7.6 years were enrolled. The postoperative pain, operation time, and complications in 33 sides dissected by the electrocautery and 33 sides by the QMR device were compared. The average operation times with each device were not statistically different. The mean ratings of the perception of pain related to each instrument were not different on operation day and postoperative day 1, day 4, and day 7 (p = 0.133, 0.057, 0.625, and 1.0, respectively). There was no postoperative complication in any of the patients.

Precise side-chain conformation analysis of L-phenylalanine in α-helical polypeptide by quantum-chemical calculation and 13C CP-MAS NMR measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Niimura, Subaru; Suzuki, Junya; Kurosu, Hiromichi; Yamanobe, Takeshi; Shoji, Akira

2010-04-01

To clarify the positive role of side-chain conformation in the stability of protein secondary structure (main-chain conformation), we successfully calculated the optimization structure of a well-defined α-helical octadecapeptide composed of L-alanine (Ala) and L-phenylalanine (Phe) residues, H-(Ala) 8-Phe-(Ala) 9-OH, based on the molecular orbital calculation with density functional theory (DFT/B3LYP/6-31G(d)). From the total energy and the precise secondary structural parameters such as main-chain dihedral angles and hydrogen-bond parameters of the optimized structure, we confirmed that the conformational stability of an α-helix is affected dominantly by the side-chain conformation ( χ1) of the Phe residue in this system: model A ( T form: around 180° of χ1) is most stable in α-helix and model B ( G + form: around -60° of χ1) is next stable, but model C ( G - form: around 60° of χ1) is less stable. In addition, we demonstrate that the stable conformation of poly( L-phenylalanine) is an α-helix with the side-chain T form, by comparison of the carbonyl 13C chemical shift measured by 13C CP-MAS NMR and the calculated one.

Making scents: improvement of olfactory profile after botulinum toxin-A treatment in healthy individuals.

PubMed

Heckmann, Marc; Kütt, Sandra; Dittmar, Sabine; Hamm, Henning

2007-01-01

The axilla is particularly associated with body odor and putative pheromone production in humans. Although botulinum toxin type A (BT-A) is injected increasingly into the axillary skin to stop excessive sweating, its potential to control body odor is largely unexplored. The objective was to measure the impact of BT-A on human axillary odor in an objective and reproducible fashion. This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 51 healthy volunteers receiving 50 U of BOTOX (Allergan, Inc.) in one axilla and placebo in the other. Odor quality was assessed by treated subjects (questionnaire) as well as by independent raters who were exposed to blinded T-shirt samples. No major side effects occurred, and no subject withdrew from the study for medical reasons. Samples from the BT-A-treated side smelled less intense (p<.001) and better (p<.001) according to self-assessments. Likewise, independent raters found the BT-A-treated samples to smell less intense and better (p<.001). They preferred "to work together with the respective person" and found the odor "more erotic" (p<.001). Side-by-side comparison of odor samples (T-shirt sniff test) by independent raters showed that axillary odor in healthy individuals is significantly more appealing after BT-A injection.

Model Prediction Results for 2007 Ultrasonic Benchmark Problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Hak-Joon; Song, Sung-Jin

2008-02-01

The World Federation of NDE Centers (WFNDEC) has addressed two types of problems for the 2007 ultrasonic benchmark problems: prediction of side-drilled hole responses with 45° and 60° refracted shear waves, and effects of surface curvatures on the ultrasonic responses of flat-bottomed hole. To solve this year's ultrasonic benchmark problems, we applied multi-Gaussian beam models for calculation of ultrasonic beam fields and the Kirchhoff approximation and the separation of variables method for calculation of far-field scattering amplitudes of flat-bottomed holes and side-drilled holes respectively In this paper, we present comparison results of model predictions to experiments for side-drilled holes and discuss effect of interface curvatures on ultrasonic responses by comparison of peak-to-peak amplitudes of flat-bottomed hole responses with different sizes and interface curvatures.

Renal thrombotic microangiopathy caused by interferon beta-1a treatment for multiple sclerosis

PubMed Central

Mahe, Julien; Meurette, Aurélie; Moreau, Anne; Vercel, Caroline; Jolliet, Pascale

2013-01-01

Interferon beta-1a is available as an immunomodulating agent for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. Common side effects include flu-like symptoms, asthenia, anorexia, and administration site reaction. Kidney disorders are rarely reported. In this study we describe the case of a woman who has been undergoing treatment with interferon beta-1a for multiple sclerosis for 5 years. She developed a hemolytic-uremic syndrome with intravascular hemolysis in a context of severe hypertension. A kidney biopsy showed a thrombotic microangiopathy. This observation highlights an uncommon side effect of long-term interferon beta-1a therapy. Pathophysiological mechanisms leading to this complication might be explained by the antiangiogenic activity of interferon. PMID:23950639

Rethinking Side Effects of Accountability in Education: Insights from a Multiple Methods Study in Four German School Systems

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thiel, Corrie; Bellmann, Johannes

2017-01-01

Based on a research project comprising data from an interview study and a survey with teachers and school principals in four German federal states ("Bundesländer"), this paper questions the claim that the side effects of accountability in education are bound to high-stakes contexts, and also provides evidence of side effects occurring in…

Comparison of dexpanthenol and zinc oxide ointment with ointment base in the treatment of irritant diaper dermatitis from diarrhea: a multicenter study.

PubMed

Wananukul, Siriwan; Limpongsanuruk, Wanida; Singalavanija, Srisupalak; Wisuthsarewong, Wanee

2006-10-01

Severity of irritant diaper dermatitis (IDD) from diarrhea varies from patient to patient depending on the nature of feces and the number of bowel movements. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of dexpanthenol and zinc oxide ointment with ointment base in the treatment of irritant diaper dermatitis from acute diarrhea in children by measuring transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Forty-six children with diarrhea were prospectively, block randomized, investigator-blinded to receive dexpanthenol and zinc oxide ointment on one side and ointment base on the other side. TEWL was measured before and on days 1, 3, and 7 of treatment together with the assessment of severity score. The efficacy of treatment was defined by complete clearance of the lesion. TEWL in the treated and control side was not different before the application of the topical medication. In the present study, the efficacy of 5% dexpanthenol and zinc oxide ointment on D3 was 39% (18from 46 patients) compared to 32% in the ointment base side. On D7, the efficacy of the treated side was 58.7% and the ointment base side was 56%. The patients who still had skin lesions were those who had prolonged diarrhea. On the treated side, the mean of TEWL was lower than the control side on DI (p = 0.18) and had significant improvement on D3 (p = 0. 002). At the end of the present study, TEWL on the treated side was less than TEWL of the control side but it did not have statistical significance (p = 0.07). There was no rash or sign of abnormality on the treated side at the end of D7. In the treatment of lDD from acute diarrhea, 5% dexpanthenol and zinc oxide ointment significantly decreased TEWL in the treated side more than the ointment base on day 3 but the severity score was not significantly different on days 1, 3 and 7.

Cover crop water quality benefits in intensive production

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Fresh market tomatoes are typically grown in in raised beds covered in polyethylene mulch with bare-soil furrows between the beds. Field experiments were conducted over five years to examine two alternative management strategies. In side-by-side comparison with the traditional management practice, t...

Multiple policies to enhance prescribing efficiency for established medicines in Europe with a particular focus on demand-side measures: findings and future implications.

PubMed

Godman, Brian; Wettermark, Bjorn; van Woerkom, Menno; Fraeyman, Jessica; Alvarez-Madrazo, Samantha; Berg, Christian; Bishop, Iain; Bucsics, Anna; Campbell, Stephen; Finlayson, Alexander E; Fürst, Jurij; Garuoliene, Kristina; Herholz, Harald; Kalaba, Marija; Laius, Ott; Piessnegger, Jutta; Sermet, Catherine; Schwabe, Ulrich; Vlahović-Palčevski, Vera V; Markovic-Pekovic, Vanda; Vončina, Luka; Malinowska, Kamila; Zara, Corinne; Gustafsson, Lars L

2014-01-01

The appreciable growth in pharmaceutical expenditure has resulted in multiple initiatives across Europe to lower generic prices and enhance their utilization. However, considerable variation in their use and prices. Assess the influence of multiple supply and demand-side initiatives across Europe for established medicines to enhance prescribing efficiency before a decision to prescribe a particular medicine. Subsequently utilize the findings to suggest potential future initiatives that countries could consider. An analysis of different methodologies involving cross national and single country retrospective observational studies on reimbursed use and expenditure of PPIs, statins, and renin-angiotensin inhibitor drugs among European countries. Nature and intensity of the various initiatives appreciably influenced prescribing behavior and expenditure, e.g., multiple measures resulted in reimbursed expenditure for PPIs in Scotland in 2010 56% below 2001 levels despite a 3-fold increase in utilization and in the Netherlands, PPI expenditure fell by 58% in 2010 vs. 2000 despite a 3-fold increase in utilization. A similar picture was seen with prescribing restrictions, i.e., (i) more aggressive follow-up of prescribing restrictions for patented statins and ARBs resulted in a greater reduction in the utilization of patented statins in Austria vs. Norway and lower utilization of patented ARBs vs. generic ACEIs in Croatia than Austria. However, limited impact of restrictions on esomeprazole in Norway with the first prescription or recommendation in hospital where restrictions do not apply. Similar findings when generic losartan became available in Western Europe. Multiple demand-side measures are needed to influence prescribing patterns. When combined with supply-side measures, activities can realize appreciable savings. Health authorities cannot rely on a "spill over" effect between classes to affect changes in prescribing.

Multiple policies to enhance prescribing efficiency for established medicines in Europe with a particular focus on demand-side measures: findings and future implications

PubMed Central

Godman, Brian; Wettermark, Bjorn; van Woerkom, Menno; Fraeyman, Jessica; Alvarez-Madrazo, Samantha; Berg, Christian; Bishop, Iain; Bucsics, Anna; Campbell, Stephen; Finlayson, Alexander E.; Fürst, Jurij; Garuoliene, Kristina; Herholz, Harald; Kalaba, Marija; Laius, Ott; Piessnegger, Jutta; Sermet, Catherine; Schwabe, Ulrich; Vlahović-Palčevski, Vera V.; Markovic-Pekovic, Vanda; Vončina, Luka; Malinowska, Kamila; Zara, Corinne; Gustafsson, Lars L.

2014-01-01

Introduction: The appreciable growth in pharmaceutical expenditure has resulted in multiple initiatives across Europe to lower generic prices and enhance their utilization. However, considerable variation in their use and prices. Objective: Assess the influence of multiple supply and demand-side initiatives across Europe for established medicines to enhance prescribing efficiency before a decision to prescribe a particular medicine. Subsequently utilize the findings to suggest potential future initiatives that countries could consider. Method: An analysis of different methodologies involving cross national and single country retrospective observational studies on reimbursed use and expenditure of PPIs, statins, and renin-angiotensin inhibitor drugs among European countries. Results: Nature and intensity of the various initiatives appreciably influenced prescribing behavior and expenditure, e.g., multiple measures resulted in reimbursed expenditure for PPIs in Scotland in 2010 56% below 2001 levels despite a 3-fold increase in utilization and in the Netherlands, PPI expenditure fell by 58% in 2010 vs. 2000 despite a 3-fold increase in utilization. A similar picture was seen with prescribing restrictions, i.e., (i) more aggressive follow-up of prescribing restrictions for patented statins and ARBs resulted in a greater reduction in the utilization of patented statins in Austria vs. Norway and lower utilization of patented ARBs vs. generic ACEIs in Croatia than Austria. However, limited impact of restrictions on esomeprazole in Norway with the first prescription or recommendation in hospital where restrictions do not apply. Similar findings when generic losartan became available in Western Europe. Conclusions: Multiple demand-side measures are needed to influence prescribing patterns. When combined with supply-side measures, activities can realize appreciable savings. Health authorities cannot rely on a “spill over” effect between classes to affect changes in prescribing. PMID:24987370

Combined atresia of one left-sided and one right-sided cardiac valve in a premature newborn.

PubMed

Roberts, William C; Sing, Alan C; Guileyardo, Joseph M

2017-10-01

Described herein is the heart of a 2-day-old newborn, the product of a 25-week gestation, with atresia of two cardiac valves, one on the right side and one on the left side, apparently a previously undescribed entity.

Decomposition of the Total Effect in the Presence of Multiple Mediators and Interactions.

PubMed

Bellavia, Andrea; Valeri, Linda

2018-06-01

Mediation analysis allows decomposing a total effect into a direct effect of the exposure on the outcome and an indirect effect operating through a number of possible hypothesized pathways. Recent studies have provided formal definitions of direct and indirect effects when multiple mediators are of interest and have described parametric and semiparametric methods for their estimation. Investigating direct and indirect effects with multiple mediators, however, can be challenging in the presence of multiple exposure-mediator and mediator-mediator interactions. In this paper we derive a decomposition of the total effect that unifies mediation and interaction when multiple mediators are present. We illustrate the properties of the proposed framework in a secondary analysis of a pragmatic trial for the treatment of schizophrenia. The decomposition is employed to investigate the interplay of side effects and psychiatric symptoms in explaining the effect of antipsychotic medication on quality of life in schizophrenia patients. Our result offers a valuable tool to identify the proportions of total effect due to mediation and interaction when more than one mediator is present, providing the finest decomposition of the total effect that unifies multiple mediators and interactions.

Hydraulic characterization and optimization of total nitrogen removal in an aerated vertical subsurface flow treatment wetland.

PubMed

Boog, Johannes; Nivala, Jaime; Aubron, Thomas; Wallace, Scott; van Afferden, Manfred; Müller, Roland Arno

2014-06-01

In this study, a side-by-side comparison of two pilot-scale vertical subsurface flow constructed wetlands (6.2 m(2)×0.85 m, q(i)=95 L/m(2) d, τ(n)=3.5 d) handling primary treated domestic sewage was conducted. One system (VA-i) was set to intermittent aeration while the other was aerated continuously (VAp-c). Intermittent aeration was provided to VA-i in an 8 h on/4 h off pattern. The intermittently aerated wetland, VA-i, was observed to have 70% less nitrate nitrogen mass outflow than the continuously aerated wetland, VAp-c. Intermittent aeration was shown to increase treatment performance for TN while saving 33% of running energy cost for aeration. Parallel tracer experiments in the two wetlands showed hydraulic characteristics similar to one Continuously Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR). Intermittent aeration did not significantly affect the hydraulic functioning of the system. Hydraulic efficiencies were 78% for VAp-c and 76% for VA-i. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparison of Experimental Surface and Flow Field Measurements to Computational Results of the Juncture Flow Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roozeboom, Nettie H.; Lee, Henry C.; Simurda, Laura J.; Zilliac, Gregory G.; Pulliam, Thomas H.

2016-01-01

Wing-body juncture flow fields on commercial aircraft configurations are challenging to compute accurately. The NASA Advanced Air Vehicle Program's juncture flow committee is designing an experiment to provide data to improve Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling in the juncture flow region. Preliminary design of the model was done using CFD, yet CFD tends to over-predict the separation in the juncture flow region. Risk reduction wind tunnel tests were requisitioned by the committee to obtain a better understanding of the flow characteristics of the designed models. NASA Ames Research Center's Fluid Mechanics Lab performed one of the risk reduction tests. The results of one case, accompanied by CFD simulations, are presented in this paper. Experimental results suggest the wall mounted wind tunnel model produces a thicker boundary layer on the fuselage than the CFD predictions, resulting in a larger wing horseshoe vortex suppressing the side of body separation in the juncture flow region. Compared to experimental results, CFD predicts a thinner boundary layer on the fuselage generates a weaker wing horseshoe vortex resulting in a larger side of body separation.

Validation of accelerated ageing of Thales rotary Stirling cryocoolers for the estimation of MTTF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seguineau, C.,; Cauquil, J.-M.; Martin, J.-Y.; Benschop, T.

2016-05-01

The cooled IR detectors are used in a wide range of applications. Most of the time, the cryocoolers are one of the components dimensioning the lifetime of the system. The current market needs tend to reliability figures higher than 15,000hrs in "standard conditions". Field returns are hardly useable mostly because of the uncertain environmental conditions of use, or the differences in user profiles. A previous paper explains how Thales Cryogenics has developed an approach based on accelerated ageing and statistical analysis [1]. The aim of the current paper is to compare results obtained on accelerated ageing on one side, and on the other side, specific field returns where the conditions of use are well known. The comparison between prediction and effective failure rate is discussed. Moreover, a specific focus is done on how some new applications of cryocoolers (continuous operation at a specific temperature) can increase the MTTF. Some assumptions are also exposed on how the failure modes, effects and criticality analysis evolves for continuous operation at a specific temperature and compared to experimental data.

In-silico analysis of gymnemagenin from Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) R.Br. with targets related to diabetes.

PubMed

Rathore, Poonam K; Arathy, V; Attimarad, Vijaylaxmi S; Kumar, Pramod; Roy, Subarna

2016-02-21

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by higher than normal glucose in the blood. Most oral hypoglycemic drugs available in market produce adverse side effects which have resulted in continued search for new therapeutic agents with little or no side effects. Herbal drugs are considered relatively safer alternatives and Gymnema sylvestre is one of the most well established natural remedy for diabetes and is traded worldwide under several brands. In the present study an attempt has been made to use in silico techniques to understand and predict the drug likeliness of gymnemagenin, one of the key constituents of G. sylvestre against 15 proteins having key role in carbohydrate metabolism. Gymnemagenin was found to dock well with crystallographic structures of 7 of the 15 selected targets and was found even better than the two known clinically used antidiabetic compounds, repaglinide and sitagliptin taken in the study for comparison. Gymnemagenin therefore can be considered further for development into a potent anti-diabetic drug. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

In vitro comparative analysis of the fit of gold alloy or commercially pure titanium implant-supported prostheses before and after electroerosion.

PubMed

Sartori, Ivete Aparecida de Mattias; Ribeiro, Ricardo Faria; Francischone, Carlos Eduardo; de Mattos, Maria da Gloria Chiarello

2004-08-01

For implant-supported prostheses, passive fit is critical for the success of rehabilitation, especially when alternative materials are used. The purpose of this study was to compare interfacial fit of implant-supported prostheses cast in titanium to those cast in gold alloy. Five 3-unit fixed partial dentures were fabricated in gold alloy (Degudent U) as 1-piece castings, and 5 others were similarly cast in commercially pure titanium (Grade 1). The interfacial gaps between the prostheses and the abutments were evaluated with an optical microscope, before and after electroerosion. Readings were made with both screws tightened (10 N.cm torque), and with only 1 side tightened, so as to also evaluate the passive fit of the prostheses. Data were compared statistically by 2-way analysis of variance and the post hoc Tukey multiple range test (alpha=.05). Before electroerosion, the interfacial gaps for the 1-piece prostheses were significantly smaller (P<.001) in the gold alloy group when the screws were tightened (Au=12.6 +/- 3.0 microm, compared to Ti=30.1 +/- 6.4 microm). When the side opposite the tightened side was analyzed, there was no significant difference between the gold alloy and titanium groups (Au=69.2 +/- 24.9 microm and Ti=94.2 +/- 39.6 microm). The electroerosion procedure significantly (P<.001) reduced the gaps at the interfaces for both groups under all conditions. Comparison between groups after electroerosion did not present significant differences when the side opposite the tightened side was analyzed, but the gold alloy group showed better fit when the tightened side was analyzed (12.8 +/- 1.4 microm for gold alloy; 29.6 +/- 4.4 microm for titanium) and when both screws were tightened (5.4 +/- 2.3 microm for gold alloy; 16.1 +/- 5.5 microm for titanium). Cast titanium prostheses, despite showing larger interfacial gaps between the prosthesis and abutment than those obtained with gold alloy, had improved fit after being subjected to electroerosion.

Fractionated microneedle radiofrequency for treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis: A sham control study.

PubMed

Fatemi Naeini, Farahnaz; Abtahi-Naeini, Bahareh; Pourazizi, Mohsen; Nilforoushzadeh, Mohammad Ali; Mirmohammadkhani, Majid

2015-11-01

Primary axillary hyperhidrosis (PAH) creates social stress in patients. Although there are several options for treating PAH, only surgical modalities have conferred a permanent solution. This study evaluated the clinical effectiveness of fractionated microneedle radiofrequency (FMR) treatment for PAH. This study is based on a single-blind, sham control comparative design. In all, 25 patients with severe PAH underwent three sessions of FMR at 3-week intervals. One side was treated with FMR while the other was sham controlled. Efficacy was evaluated using the hyperhidrosis disease severity scale (HDSS), sweating intensity visual analogue scale (VAS) and patient satisfaction at baseline, 3 weeks after each session and at 3 months after the last. Skin biopsies were obtained from two enrolled patients. The HDSS and VAS demonstrated significant improvement after treatment on the treated side in comparison with the control side. The mean ± SD of the HDSS after 21 weeks were 1.87 ± 0.61 and 3.38 ± 0.49 (P < 0.001) for the treated and the controlled side, respectively. The follow-up evaluation revealed that 79% of the patients showed a 1 or 2-score decrease in HDSS. In total, 80% of patients reported more than 50% satisfaction at the end of the study. Histopathological findings showed a decrease of the number of the sweat glands in the treated side, confirming the above findings. Treatment of PAH with FMR as a non-invasive modality can be a safe option with positive therapeutic effects on HDSS without any long-lasting side effects. © 2014 The Australasian College of Dermatologists.

Intraoperative Comparison of Anatomical versus Round Implants in Breast Augmentation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Hidalgo, David A; Weinstein, Andrew L

2017-03-01

The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to determine whether anatomical implants are aesthetically superior to round implants in breast augmentation. Seventy-five patients undergoing primary breast augmentation had a round silicone implant of optimal volume, projection, and diameter placed in one breast and an anatomical silicone device of similar volume and optimal shape placed in the other. After intraoperative photographs were taken, the anatomical device was replaced by a round implant to complete the procedure. A survey designed to measure breast aesthetics was administered to 10 plastic surgeon and 10 lay reviewers for blind evaluation of the 75 cases. No observable difference in breast aesthetics between anatomical and round implants was reported by plastic surgeons in 43.6 percent or by lay individuals in 29.2 percent of cases. When a difference was perceived, neither plastic surgeons nor lay individuals preferred the anatomical side more often than the round side. Plastic surgeons judged the anatomical side superior in 51.1 percent of cases and the round side superior in 48.9 percent of cases (p = 0.496). Lay individuals judged the anatomical side superior in 46.7 percent of cases and the round side superior in 53.3 percent (p = 0.140). Plastic surgeons identified implant shape correctly in only 26.5 percent of cases. This study provides high-level evidence supporting no aesthetic superiority of anatomical over round implants. Given that anatomical implants have important and unique disadvantages, a lack of proven aesthetic superiority argues against their continued use in breast augmentation. Therapeutic, I.

Sea level side loads in high-area-ratio rocket engines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nave, L. H.; Coffey, G. A.

1973-01-01

An empirical separation and side load model to obtain applied aerodynamic loads has been developed based on data obtained from full-scale J-2S (265K-pound-thrust engine with an area ratio of 40:1) engine and model testing. Experimental data include visual observations of the separation patterns that show the dynamic nature of the separation phenomenon. Comparisons between measured and applied side loads are made. Correlations relating the separation location to the applied side loads and the methods used to determine the separation location are given.

Veterinary software application for comparison of thermograms for pathology evaluation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pant, Gita; Umbaugh, Scott E.; Dahal, Rohini; Lama, Norsang; Marino, Dominic J.; Sackman, Joseph

2017-09-01

The bilateral symmetry property in mammals allows for the detection of pathology by comparison of opposing sides. For any pathological disorder, thermal patterns differ compared to the normal body part. A software application for veterinary clinics has been under development to input two thermograms of body parts on both sides, one normal and the other unknown, and the application compares them based on extracted features and appropriate similarity and difference measures and outputs the likelihood of pathology. Here thermographic image data from 19° C to 40° C was linearly remapped to create images with 256 gray level values. Features were extracted from these images, including histogram, texture and spectral features. The comparison metrics used are the vector inner product, Tanimoto, Euclidean, city block, Minkowski and maximum value metric. Previous research with the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) pathology in dogs suggested any thermogram variation below a threshold of 40% of Euclidean distance is normal and above 40% is abnormal. Here the 40% threshold was applied to a new ACL image set and achieved a sensitivity of 75%, an improvement from the 55% sensitivity of the previous work. With the new data set it was determined that using a threshold of 20% provided a much improved 92% sensitivity metric. However, this will require further research to determine the corresponding specificity success rate. Additionally, it was found that the anterior view provided better results than the lateral view. It was also determined that better results were obtained with all three feature sets than with just the histogram and texture sets. Further experiments are ongoing with larger image datasets, and pathologies, new features and comparison metric evaluation for determination of more accurate threshold values to separate normal and abnormal images.

A Comparison of Techniques for Camera Selection and Hand-Off in a Video Network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yiming; Bhanu, Bir

Video networks are becoming increasingly important for solving many real-world problems. Multiple video sensors require collaboration when performing various tasks. One of the most basic tasks is the tracking of objects, which requires mechanisms to select a camera for a certain object and hand-off this object from one camera to another so as to accomplish seamless tracking. In this chapter, we provide a comprehensive comparison of current and emerging camera selection and hand-off techniques. We consider geometry-, statistics-, and game theory-based approaches and provide both theoretical and experimental comparison using centralized and distributed computational models. We provide simulation and experimental results using real data for various scenarios of a large number of cameras and objects for in-depth understanding of strengths and weaknesses of these techniques.

Spatially dependent responses of a large-river fish assemblage to bank stabilization and side channels

USGS Publications Warehouse

Reinhold, Ann Marie; Bramblett, Robert G.; Zale, Alexander V.; Poole, Geoffrey C.; Roberts, David W.

2017-01-01

The alteration of rivers by anthropogenic bank stabilization to prevent the erosion of economically valuable lands and structures has become commonplace. However, such alteration has ambiguous consequences for fish assemblages, especially in large rivers. Because most large, temperate rivers have impoundments, it can be difficult to separate the influences of bank stabilization structures from those of main-stem impoundments, especially because both stabilization structures and impoundments can cause side-channel loss. Few large rivers are free flowing and retain extensive side channels, but the Yellowstone River (our study area) is one such river. We hypothesized that in this river (1) bank stabilization has changed fish assemblage structure by altering habitats, (2) side-channel availability has influenced fish assemblage structure by providing habitat heterogeneity, and (3) the influences of bank stabilization and side channels on fish assemblages were spatially scale dependent. We developed a spatially explicit framework to test these hypotheses. Fish assemblage structure varied with the extent of bank stabilization and the availability of side channels; however, not all assemblage subsets were influenced. Nevertheless, bank stabilization and side channels had different and sometimes opposite influences on the fish assemblage. The effects of side channels on fish were more consistent and widespread than those of bank stabilization; the catches of more fishes were positively correlated with side-channel availability than with the extent of bank stabilization. The influences of bank stabilization and side channels on the relative abundances of fish also varied, depending on species and river bend geomorphology. The variation in river morphology probably contributed to the assemblage differences between stabilized and reference river bends; stabilized alluvial pools were deeper than reference alluvial pools, but the depths of stabilized and reference bluff pools did not differ. The strengths of the relationships among fish assemblages, bank stabilization, and side channels were spatially scale dependent; optimum spatial scales ranged from less than 200 m to 3,200 m up- and downstream, suggesting that bank stabilization and side channels influenced fish assemblages across multiple spatial scales.

Passive ranging redundancy reduction in diurnal weather conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cha, Jae H.; Abbott, A. Lynn; Szu, Harold H.

2013-05-01

Ambiguity in binocular ranging (David Marr's paradox) may be resolved by using two eyes moving from side to side behind an optical bench while integrating multiple views. Moving a head from left to right with one eye closed can also help resolve the foreground and background range uncertainty. That empirical experiment implies redundancy in image data, which may be reduced by adopting a 3-D camera imaging model to perform compressive sensing. Here, the compressive sensing concept is examined from the perspective of redundancy reduction in images subject to diurnal and weather variations for the purpose of resolving range uncertainty at all weather conditions such as the dawn or dusk, the daytime with different light level or the nighttime at different spectral band. As an example, a scenario at an intersection of a country road at dawn/dusk is discussed where the location of the traffic signs needs to be resolved by passive ranging to answer whether it is located on the same side of the road or the opposite side, which is under the influence of temporal light/color level variation. A spectral band extrapolation via application of Lagrange Constrained Neural Network (LCNN) learning algorithm is discussed to address lost color restoration at dawn/dusk. A numerical simulation is illustrated along with the code example.

Multiple description distributed image coding with side information for mobile wireless transmission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Min; Song, Daewon; Chen, Chang Wen

2005-03-01

Multiple description coding (MDC) is a source coding technique that involves coding the source information into multiple descriptions, and then transmitting them over different channels in packet network or error-prone wireless environment to achieve graceful degradation if parts of descriptions are lost at the receiver. In this paper, we proposed a multiple description distributed wavelet zero tree image coding system for mobile wireless transmission. We provide two innovations to achieve an excellent error resilient capability. First, when MDC is applied to wavelet subband based image coding, it is possible to introduce correlation between the descriptions in each subband. We consider using such a correlation as well as potentially error corrupted description as side information in the decoding to formulate the MDC decoding as a Wyner Ziv decoding problem. If only part of descriptions is lost, however, their correlation information is still available, the proposed Wyner Ziv decoder can recover the description by using the correlation information and the error corrupted description as side information. Secondly, in each description, single bitstream wavelet zero tree coding is very vulnerable to the channel errors. The first bit error may cause the decoder to discard all subsequent bits whether or not the subsequent bits are correctly received. Therefore, we integrate the multiple description scalar quantization (MDSQ) with the multiple wavelet tree image coding method to reduce error propagation. We first group wavelet coefficients into multiple trees according to parent-child relationship and then code them separately by SPIHT algorithm to form multiple bitstreams. Such decomposition is able to reduce error propagation and therefore improve the error correcting capability of Wyner Ziv decoder. Experimental results show that the proposed scheme not only exhibits an excellent error resilient performance but also demonstrates graceful degradation over the packet loss rate.

A Comparison of Findings from Projects Employing User-Side Subsidies for Taxi and Bus Travel

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1979-08-01

This paper presents results from 13 applications of user-side subsidies; in most cases as a means of improving the mobility of transit dependent persons. Examples of public and private providers, paratransit and fixed-route services, small to medium ...

A Comparison of Various MRA Methods Applied to Longitudinal Evaluation Studies in Vocational Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kapes, Jerome T.; And Others

Three models of multiple regression analysis (MRA): single equation, commonality analysis, and path analysis, were applied to longitudinal data from the Pennsylvania Vocational Development Study. Variables influencing weekly income of vocational education students one year after high school graduation were examined: grade point averages (grades…

Comparison of mosaicking techniques for airborne images from consumer-grade cameras

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Images captured from airborne imaging systems have the advantages of relatively low cost, high spatial resolution, and real/near-real-time availability. Multiple images taken from one or more flight lines could be used to generate a high-resolution mosaic image, which could be useful for diverse rem...

Determining Sample Sizes for Precise Contrast Analysis with Heterogeneous Variances

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jan, Show-Li; Shieh, Gwowen

2014-01-01

The analysis of variance (ANOVA) is one of the most frequently used statistical analyses in practical applications. Accordingly, the single and multiple comparison procedures are frequently applied to assess the differences among mean effects. However, the underlying assumption of homogeneous variances may not always be tenable. This study…

Internal combustion engine supercharging: turbocharger vs. pressure wave compressor. Performance comparison

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

George, Atanasiu Catalin; Chiru, Anghel

2014-06-01

This paper aims on comparison between a turbocharged engine and a pressure wave charged engine. The comparison was accomplished using the engine simulation software AVL Boost, version 2010. The grahps were extracted using AVL Impress, version 2010. The performance increase is limited by the mechanical side of the simulated engine.

Energy harvesting from torsions of patterned piezoelectrics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cha, Youngsu; You, Hangil

2018-03-01

In this paper, we investigate the feasibility of energy harvesting from the torsions using a piezoelectric beam. The piezoelectric beam is partially patterned and is tested in an experimental setup to force pure torsional deformation. In particular, the beam consists of two identical piezoelectric parts attached on one side of a supporting substrate. We propose a model for the energy harvesting system through the equations for a slender composite beam with the physical properties and the electromechanical coupling equations of the piezoelectric material. The theoretical predictions are validated by the comparison with the experimental results.

Comparison of the Price and Volatility of Current and Alternative Models for the Acquisition of Direct Supply Natural Gas for the Department of Defense

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-06-01

xv DEFINITIONS Arbitrage : Buying a futures month on one exchange and selling the same month on another Exchange by buying both sides...Strategies for Volatile Times” study “…before 2000, energy end users seldom considered hedging practices as a means of protecting themselves against...turned out to be a poor idea, especially since that supplier was Enron. Jon Engers of KTM said, “We recommend that end users do their hedging on a

Treatment- and Disease-Related Complications of Prostate Cancer

PubMed Central

Simoneau, Anne R

2006-01-01

One of the highlights of the 16th International Prostate Cancer Update was a session on treatment- and disease-related complications of prostate disease. It began with presentation of a challenging case of rising prostate-specific antigen levels after radical prostatectomy, followed by an overview of the use of zoledronic acid in prostate cancer, a review of side effects of complementary medicines, an overview of complications of cryotherapy, an assessment of complications of brachytherapy and external beam radiation therapy, and a comparison of laparoscopy versus open prostatectomy. PMID:17021643

[Instability of the distal radioulnar joint: Treatment options for ulnar lesions of the triangular fibrocartilage complex].

PubMed

Spies, C K; Prommersberger, K J; Langer, M; Müller, L P; Hahn, P; Unglaub, F

2015-08-01

Injuries of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) may be fatal to the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). This structure is one of the crucial stabilizers and guarantees unrestricted pronosupination of the forearm. A systematic examination is mandatory to diagnose DRUJ instability reliably. A clinical examination in comparison to the contralateral side is obligatory. Plain radiographs are required to exclude osseous lesions or deformities. Computed tomography of both wrists in neutral, pronation and supination is necessary to verify DRUJ instability in ambiguous situations. Based on a systematic examination wrist and DRUJ arthroscopy identify lesions clearly. Injuries of the radioulnar ligaments which entail DRUJ instability, should be reconstructed preferably anatomically. Ulnar-sided TFCC lesions may often cause DRUJ instability. Osseous ligament avulsions are mostly treated osteosynthetically. Ligament tears may be refixated using anchor or transosseous sutures. Tendon transplants are necessary for an anatomical reconstruction in cases of irreparable ruptures.

RSQRT: AN HEURISTIC FOR ESTIMATING THE NUMBER OF CLUSTERS TO REPORT.

PubMed

Carlis, John; Bruso, Kelsey

2012-03-01

Clustering can be a valuable tool for analyzing large datasets, such as in e-commerce applications. Anyone who clusters must choose how many item clusters, K, to report. Unfortunately, one must guess at K or some related parameter. Elsewhere we introduced a strongly-supported heuristic, RSQRT, which predicts K as a function of the attribute or item count, depending on attribute scales. We conducted a second analysis where we sought confirmation of the heuristic, analyzing data sets from theUCImachine learning benchmark repository. For the 25 studies where sufficient detail was available, we again found strong support. Also, in a side-by-side comparison of 28 studies, RSQRT best-predicted K and the Bayesian information criterion (BIC) predicted K are the same. RSQRT has a lower cost of O(log log n) versus O(n(2)) for BIC, and is more widely applicable. Using RSQRT prospectively could be much better than merely guessing.

RSQRT: AN HEURISTIC FOR ESTIMATING THE NUMBER OF CLUSTERS TO REPORT

PubMed Central

Bruso, Kelsey

2012-01-01

Clustering can be a valuable tool for analyzing large datasets, such as in e-commerce applications. Anyone who clusters must choose how many item clusters, K, to report. Unfortunately, one must guess at K or some related parameter. Elsewhere we introduced a strongly-supported heuristic, RSQRT, which predicts K as a function of the attribute or item count, depending on attribute scales. We conducted a second analysis where we sought confirmation of the heuristic, analyzing data sets from theUCImachine learning benchmark repository. For the 25 studies where sufficient detail was available, we again found strong support. Also, in a side-by-side comparison of 28 studies, RSQRT best-predicted K and the Bayesian information criterion (BIC) predicted K are the same. RSQRT has a lower cost of O(log log n) versus O(n2) for BIC, and is more widely applicable. Using RSQRT prospectively could be much better than merely guessing. PMID:22773923

Resonant quantum efficiency enhancement of midwave infrared nBn photodetectors using one-dimensional plasmonic gratings

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

Nolde, Jill A., E-mail: jill.nolde@nrl.navy.mil; Kim, Chul Soo; Jackson, Eric M.

2015-06-29

We demonstrate up to 39% resonant enhancement of the quantum efficiency (QE) of a low dark current nBn midwave infrared photodetector with a 0.5 μm InAsSb absorber layer. The enhancement was achieved by using a 1D plasmonic grating to couple incident light into plasmon modes propagating in the plane of the device. The plasmonic grating is composed of stripes of deposited amorphous germanium overlaid with gold. Devices with and without gratings were processed side-by-side for comparison of their QEs and dark currents. The peak external QE for a grating device was 29% compared to 22% for a mirror device when themore » illumination was polarized perpendicularly to the grating lines. Additional experiments determined the grating coupling efficiency by measuring the reflectance of analogous gratings deposited on bare GaSb substrates.« less

Deflection corridors of abdomen and thorax in oblique side impacts using equal stress equal velocity approach: comparison with other normalization methods.

PubMed

Yoganandan, Narayan; Arun, Mike W J; Humm, John; Pintar, Frank A

2014-10-01

The first objective of the study was to determine the thorax and abdomen deflection time corridors using the equal stress equal velocity approach from oblique side impact sled tests with postmortem human surrogates fitted with chestbands. The second purpose of the study was to generate deflection time corridors using impulse momentum methods and determine which of these methods best suits the data. An anthropometry-specific load wall was used. Individual surrogate responses were normalized to standard midsize male anthropometry. Corridors from the equal stress equal velocity approach were very similar to those from impulse momentum methods, thus either method can be used for this data. Present mean and plus/minus one standard deviation abdomen and thorax deflection time corridors can be used to evaluate dummies and validate complex human body finite element models.

Multiple Exciton Generation in Colloidal Nanocrystals

PubMed Central

Smith, Charles; Binks, David

2013-01-01

In a conventional solar cell, the energy of an absorbed photon in excess of the band gap is rapidly lost as heat, and this is one of the main reasons that the theoretical efficiency is limited to ~33%. However, an alternative process, multiple exciton generation (MEG), can occur in colloidal quantum dots. Here, some or all of the excess energy is instead used to promote one or more additional electrons to the conduction band, potentially increasing the photocurrent of a solar cell and thereby its output efficiency. This review will describe the development of this field over the decade since the first experimental demonstration of multiple exciton generation, including the controversies over experimental artefacts, comparison with similar effects in bulk materials, and the underlying mechanisms. We will also describe the current state-of-the-art and outline promising directions for further development. PMID:28348283

Influence of Additive and Multiplicative Structure and Direction of Comparison on the Reversal Error

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

González-Calero, José Antonio; Arnau, David; Laserna-Belenguer, Belén

2015-01-01

An empirical study has been carried out to evaluate the potential of word order matching and static comparison as explanatory models of reversal error. Data was collected from 214 undergraduate students who translated a set of additive and multiplicative comparisons expressed in Spanish into algebraic language. In these multiplicative comparisons…

Wind Tunnel Measurements of Shuttle Orbiter Global Heating with Comparisons to Flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Berry, Scott A.; Merski, N. Ronald; Blanchard, Robert C.

2002-01-01

An aerothermodynamic database of global heating images was acquired of the Shuttle Orbiter in the NASA Langley Research Center 20-Inch Mach 6 Air Tunnel. These results were obtained for comparison to the global infrared images of the Orbiter in flight from the infrared sensing aeroheating flight experiment (ISAFE). The most recent ISAFE results from STS-103, consisted of port side images, at hypersonic conditions, of the surface features that result from the strake vortex scrubbing along the side of the vehicle. The wind tunnel results were obtained with the phosphor thermography system, which also provides global information and thus is ideally suited for comparison to the global flight results. The aerothermodynamic database includes both windward and port side heating images of the Orbiter for a range of angles of attack (20 to 40 deg), freestream unit Reynolds number (1 x 10(exp 6))/ft to 8 x 10(exp 6)/ft, body flap deflections (0, 5, and 10 deg), speed brake deflections (0 and 45 deg), as well as with boundary layer trips for forced transition to turbulence heating results. Sample global wind tunnel heat transfer images were extrapolated to flight conditions for comparison to Orbiter flight data. A windward laminar case for an angle of attack of 40 deg was extrapolated to Mach 11.6 flight conditions for comparison to STS-2 flight thermocouple results. A portside wind tunnel image for an angle of attack of 25 deg was extrapolated for Mach 5 flight conditions for comparison to STS-103 global surface temperatures. The comparisons showed excellent qualitative agreement, however the extrapolated wind tunnel results over-predicted the flight surface temperatures on the order of 5% on the windward surface and slightly higher on the portside.

Estimation of total Length of Femur From Its Fragments in South Indian Population

PubMed Central

Solan, Shweta; Kulkarni, Roopa

2013-01-01

Introduction: Establishment of identity of deceased person also assumes a great medicolegal importance. To establish the identity of a person, stature is one of the criteria. To know stature of individual, length of long bones is needed. Aims and Objectives: To determine the lengths of the femoral fragments and to compare with the total length of femur in south Indian population, which will help to estimate the stature of the individual using standard regression formulae. Material and Methods: A number of 150, 72 left and 78 right adult fully ossified dry processed femora were taken. The femur bone was divided into five segments by taking predetermined points. Length of five segments and maximum length of femur were measured to the nearest millimeter. The values were obtained in cm [mean±S.D.] and the mean total length of femora on left and right side was measured. The proportion of segments to the total length was also calculated which will help for the stature estimation using standard regression formulae. Results: The mean total length of femora on left side was 43.54 ± 2.7 and on right side it was 43.42 ± 2.4. The measurements of the segments-1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 were 8.06± 0.71, 8.25± 1.24, 10.35 ± 2.21, 13.94 ± 1.93 and 2.77 ± 0.53 on left side and 8.09 ± 0.70, 8.30 ± 1.34, 10.44 ± 1.91, 13.50 ± 1.54 and 3.09 ± 0.41 on right side of femur. Conclusion: The sample size was 150, 72 left and 78 right and ‘p’ value of all the segments was significant (‹0.001). When comparison was made between segments of right and left femora, the ‘p’ value of segment-5 was found to be ‹0.001. Comparison between different segments of femur showed significance in all the segments. PMID:24298451

Quasi Eighth-Mode Substrate Integrated Waveguide (SIW) Fractal Resonator Filter Utilizing Gap Coupling Compensation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Sheng; Rao, Jia-Yu; Tai, Wen-Si; Wang, Ting; Liu, Fa-Lin

2016-09-01

In this paper, a kind of quasi eighth substrate integrated waveguide resonator (QESIWR) with defected fractal structure (DFS) is proposed firstly. Compared with the eighth substrate integrated waveguide resonator (ESIWR), this kind of resonator has lower resonant frequency (f0), acceptable unloaded quality (Qu) value and almost unchanged electric field distribution. In order to validate the properties of QESIWR, a cascaded quadruplet QESIWRs filter is designed and optimized. By using cross coupling and gap coupling compensation, this filter has two transmission zeros (TZs) at each side of the passband. Meanwhile, in comparison with the conventional ones, its size is cut down over 90 %. The measured results agree well with the simulated ones.

Deep-level stereoscopic multiple traps of acoustic vortices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yuzhi; Guo, Gepu; Ma, Qingyu; Tu, Juan; Zhang, Dong

2017-04-01

Based on the radiation pattern of a planar piston transducer, the mechanisms underlying the generation of axially controllable deep-level stereoscopic multiple traps of acoustic vortices (AV) using sparse directional sources were proposed with explicit formulae. Numerical simulations for the axial and cross-sectional distributions of acoustic pressure and phase were conducted for various ka (product of the wave number and the radius of transducer) values at the frequency of 1 MHz. It was demonstrated that, for bigger ka, besides the main-AV (M-AV) generated by the main lobes of the sources, cone-shaped side-AV (S-AV) produced by the side lobes were closer to the source plane at a relatively lower pressure. Corresponding to the radiation angles of pressure nulls between the main lobe and the side lobes of the sources, vortex valleys with nearly pressure zero could be generated on the central axis to form multiple traps, based on Gor'kov potential theory. The number and locations of vortex valleys could be controlled accurately by the adjustment of ka. With the established eight-source AV generation system, the existence of the axially controllable multiple traps was verified by the measured M-AV and S-AVs as well as the corresponding vortex valleys. The favorable results provided the feasibility of deep-level stereoscopic control of AV and suggested potential application of multiple traps for particle manipulation in the area of biomedical engineering.

Holographic Solar Photon Thrusters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Les; Matloff, Greg

2006-01-01

A document discusses a proposal to incorporate holographic optical elements into solar photon thrusters (SPTs). First suggested in 1990, SPTs would be systems of multiple reflective, emissive, and absorptive surfaces (solar sails) that would be attached to spacecraft orbiting the Earth to derive small propulsive forces from radiation pressures. An SPT according to the proposal would include, among other things, a main sail. One side of the sail would be highly emissive and would normally face away from the Earth. The other side would be reflective and would be covered by white-light holographic images that would alternately become reflective, transmissive, and absorptive with small changes in the viewing angle. When the spacecraft was at a favorable orbital position, the main sail would be oriented to reflect sunlight in a direction to maximize the solar thrust; when not in a favorable position, the main sail would be oriented to present a substantially absorptive/emissive aspect to minimize the solar drag. By turning the main sail slightly to alternate between the reflective and absorptive/ emissive extremes, one could achieve nearly a doubling or halving of the radiational momentum transfer and, hence, of the solar thrust.

Multiple burr hole surgery as a treatment modality for pediatric moyamoya disease

PubMed Central

Kapu, Ravindranath; Symss, Nigel Peter; Cugati, Goutham; Pande, Anil; Vasudevan, Chakravarthy M.; Ramamurthi, Ravi

2010-01-01

Objective: To re-emphasize that indirect revascularization surgery alone, where multiple burr holes and arachnoid openings are made over both cerebral hemispheres, is beneficial in the treatment of moyamoya disease (MMD) in children. Clinical Presentation: We report a 10-year-old boy who presented with complaints of episodic headache for the last 5 years. At the peak of his headache he had visual disturbances and acute onset weakness of left-sided limbs, recovering within a few minutes. He had no focal neurological deficits. Radiological investigations revealed abnormal findings, demonstrating the features of MMD. Surgical Management: He underwent bilateral multiple burr holes, dural and arachnoid opening over the frontal, parietal and temporal regions of each hemisphere. The elevated periosteal flap was placed in contact with the exposed brain through each burr hole. Results: On 6-months follow-up he had only one episode of transient ischemic attack. Postoperative four vessel angiogram demonstrated excellent cerebral revascularization around the burr hole sites, and single photon emission computerized tomography imaging showed hypoperfusion in the right temporo-occipital area suggestive of an old infarct with no other perfusion defect in the rest of the brain parenchyma. Conclusion: In children with MMD this relatively simple surgical technique is effective and safe, and can be used as the only treatment without supplementary revascularization procedures. This procedure can be done in a single stage on both sides and the number of burr holes made over each hemisphere depends on the extent of the disease. PMID:21559155

PTSD's factor structure and measurement invariance across subgroups with differing count of trauma types.

PubMed

Contractor, Ateka A; Caldas, Stephanie V; Dolan, Megan; Lagdon, Susan; Armour, Chérie

2018-06-01

To investigate the effect of the count of traumatizing event (TE) types on post-trauma mental health, several studies have compared posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity between individuals experiencing one versus multiple TE types. However, the validity of these studies depends on the establishment of measurement invariance of the construct(s) of interest. The current study examined the stability of the most optimal PTSD Model symptom cluster constructs (assessed by the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 [PCL-5]) across subgroups experiencing one versus multiple TE types. The sample included university students (n = 556) endorsing at least one TE (Stressful Life Events Screening Questionnaire). Using data from the entire sample, results suggest that the PCL-5-assessed Hybrid Model provided a significantly better fit compared to other models. Results also indicated invariance of factor loadings (metric), and intercepts (scalar) for the PCL-5-assessed Hybrid Model factors across subgroups endorsing one (n = 191) versus multiple TE types (n = 365). Our findings thus support the stability, applicability, and meaningful comparison of the PCL-assessed Hybrid Model factor structure (including subscale severity scores) across subgroups experiencing one versus multiple TE types. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Side effects of beta-blocker treatments as related to the central nervous system.

PubMed

Dahlöf, C; Dimenäs, E

1990-04-01

During the last decade beta-adrenoceptor antagonists have become one of the first-line treatments for hypertension. Generally, they have been shown to be safe with a low frequency of serious side effects. However, minor subjective symptoms, usually considered to be CNS-related, have been reported for all beta-blockers used. Thus, all beta-blockers on the market seem to have a high benefit:risk ratio; independent of their physicochemical properties and pharmacodynamic profile, however, they seem to cause CNS-related side effects to about the same extent. These minor side effects, the mechanisms of which are unclear, consist of subtle effects on general well being, decreased initiative, a depressed frame of mind, and disturbed sleep. Generally, however, beta-blockers in therapeutic dosages do not affect the qualitative functions of the brain. The results so far available have been obtained primarily by using objective methods. Further comparison has now been initiated using documented subjective methods to investigate whether the objectively documented differences are of any clinical relevance to the patient's quality of life. Although it cannot be claimed with certainty, nonselective beta-blockers seem to cause CNS-related side effects to a greater extent than beta 1-selective blockers. Differences in the degree of hydrophilicity of the beta-blocker are apparently of no clinical relevance in this respect. Rather, the plasma concentration of the beta-blocking drug (degree of beta-blockade) seems to be the major determinant of whether or not CNS-related symptoms appear in susceptible patients.

Baha implant as a hearing solution for single-sided deafness after retrosigmoid approach for the vestibular schwannoma: audiological results.

PubMed

Bouček, Jan; Vokřál, Jan; Černý, Libor; Chovanec, Martin; Zábrodský, Michal; Zvěřina, Eduard; Betka, Jan; Skřivan, Jiří

2017-01-01

Skull base tumors and, in particular, vestibular schwannoma (VS) are among the etiological reasons for single-sided deafness (SSD). Patients with SSD have problems in understanding speech in a noisy environment and cannot localize the direction of sounds. For the majority, this is the handicap for which they try to find a solution. Apart from CROS hearing aids, Baha is one of the most frequently used systems for SSD compensation. 38 patients with single-sided deafness after retrosigmoid removal of a vestibular schwannoma underwent testing with a Baha softband from September 2010 to August 2014. Sixteen patients (42 %) finally decided to accept Baha implantation. Subjective experience with the Baha softband was evaluated by patients using the BBSS questionnaire immediately after testing. Objective evaluation of the effect was performed as a measurement of the sentence discrimination score in noise and side horizontal discrimination without a Baha and 6 weeks and 12 months after a sound processor fitting. There was a significant improvement in sentence discrimination in the 6 week (64.0 %) and 1 year (74.6 %) interval of follow-up in comparison with understanding without Baha (24.0 %, p = 0.001) in situations when sentences are coming from the side of the non-hearing ear and noise contralaterally with SNR -5 dB. Baha can significantly improve sentence discrimination in complex-listening situation in patients with SSD after the VS surgery.

Effect of implementing instructional videos in a physical examination course: an alternative paradigm for chiropractic physical examination teaching.

PubMed

Zhang, Niu; Chawla, Sudeep

2012-01-01

This study examined the effect of implementing instructional video in ophthalmic physical examination teaching on chiropractic students' laboratory physical examination skills and written test results. Instructional video clips of ophthalmic physical examination, consisting of both standard procedures and common mistakes, were created and used for laboratory teaching. The video clips were also available for student review after class. Students' laboratory skills and written test results were analyzed and compared using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc multiple comparison tests among three study cohorts: the comparison cohort who did not utilize the instructional videos as a tool, the standard video cohort who viewed only the standard procedure of video clips, and the mistake-referenced video cohort who viewed video clips containing both standard procedure and common mistakes. One-way ANOVA suggested a significant difference of lab results among the three cohorts. Post hoc multiple comparisons further revealed that the mean scores of both video cohorts were significantly higher than that of the comparison cohort (p < .001). There was, however, no significant difference of the mean scores between the two video cohorts (p > .05). However, the percentage of students having a perfect score was the highest in the mistake-referenced video cohort. There was no significant difference of written test scores among all three cohorts (p > .05). The instructional video of the standard procedure improves chiropractic students' ophthalmic physical examination skills, which may be further enhanced by implementing a mistake-referenced instructional video.

Comparison of non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli detection systems

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Category: methodology improvements Objective: To identify strengths and weaknesses of commercial Shiga toxin-producing E. coli detection systems and kits in a side by side fashion. Experimental Design: Three commercial Shiga toxin-producing E. coli detection tests (BAX, GDS, and GeneDisc) and two t...

YRE Program Guide.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

California State Dept. of Education, Sacramento. Div. of School Facilities Planning.

This report examines single- and multi-track educational programs as found in California's public school system, explores the pros and cons of using year-round education (YRE) programs, and how to implement these programs. Each year-round tracking system is detailed using each of their calendars in a side-by-side comparison along with the…

Comparison and Assessment of Mechanical and Herbicide-Chemical Side-Trimming Methods of Managing Roadside Vegetation by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-09-01

The project compared and assessed the mechanical and herbicide-chemical side-trimming methods : that TxDOT uses to manage roadside vegetation. This report discusses safety, effectiveness, and economic : costs of these methods. It also shares industry...

Scalable Algorithms for Parallel Discrete Event Simulation Systems in Multicore Environments

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-05-01

consolidated at the sender side. At the receiver side, the messages are deconsolidated and delivered to the appropriate thread. This approach bears some...Jiang, S. Kini, W. Yu, D. Buntinas, P. Wyckoff, and D. Panda . Performance comparison of mpi implementations over infiniband, myrinet and quadrics

JCOG0911 INTEGRA study: a randomized screening phase II trial of interferonβ plus temozolomide in comparison with temozolomide alone for newly diagnosed glioblastoma.

PubMed

Wakabayashi, Toshihiko; Natsume, Atsushi; Mizusawa, Junki; Katayama, Hiroshi; Fukuda, Haruhiko; Sumi, Minako; Nishikawa, Ryo; Narita, Yoshitaka; Muragaki, Yoshihiro; Maruyama, Takashi; Ito, Tamio; Beppu, Takaaki; Nakamura, Hideo; Kayama, Takamasa; Sato, Shinya; Nagane, Motoo; Mishima, Kazuhiko; Nakasu, Yoko; Kurisu, Kaoru; Yamasaki, Fumiyuki; Sugiyama, Kazuhiko; Onishi, Takanori; Iwadate, Yasuo; Terasaki, Mizuhiko; Kobayashi, Hiroyuki; Matsumura, Akira; Ishikawa, Eiichi; Sasaki, Hikaru; Mukasa, Akitake; Matsuo, Takayuki; Hirano, Hirofumi; Kumabe, Toshihiro; Shinoura, Nobusada; Hashimoto, Naoya; Aoki, Tomokazu; Asai, Akio; Abe, Tatsuya; Yoshino, Atsuo; Arakawa, Yoshiki; Asano, Kenichiro; Yoshimoto, Koji; Shibui, Soichiro

2018-07-01

This study explored the superiority of temozolomide (TMZ) + interferonβ (IFNβ) to standard TMZ as treatment for newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM) via randomized phase II screening design. Eligibility criteria included histologically proven GBM, with 50% of the tumor located in supratentorial areas, without involvement of the optic, olfactory nerves, and pituitary gland and without multiple lesions and dissemination. Patients in the TMZ + radiotherapy (RT) arm received RT (2.0 Gy/fr/day, 30 fr) with TMZ (75 mg/m 2 , daily) followed by TMZ maintenance (100-200 mg/m 2 /day, days 1-5, every 4 weeks) for 2 years. Patients in the TMZ + IFNβ + RT arm intravenously received IFNβ (3 MU/body, alternative days during RT and day 1, every 4 weeks during maintenance period) and TMZ + RT. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). The planned sample size was 120 (one-sided alpha 0.2; power 0.8). Between Apr 2010 and Jan 2012, 122 patients were randomized. The median OS with TMZ + RT and TMZ + IFNβ + RT was 20.3 and 24.0 months (HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.65-1.55; one-sided log rank P = 0.51). The median progression-free survival times were 10.1 and 8.5 months (HR 1.25, 95% CI 0.85-1.84). The incidence of neutropenia with the TMZ + RT and the TMZ + IFNβ + RT (grade 3-4, CTCAE version 3.0) was 12.7 versus 20.7% during concomitant period and was 3.6 versus 9.3% during maintenance period. The incidence of lymphopenia was 54.0 versus 63.8% and 34.5 versus 41.9%. TMZ + IFNβ + RT is not considered as a candidate for the following phase III trial, and TMZ + RT remained to be a most promising treatment. This trial was registered with the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry: UMIN000003466.

Interferograms, schlieren, and shadowgraphs constructed from real- and ideal-gas, two- and three-dimensional computed flowfields

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yates, Leslie A.

1993-01-01

The construction of interferograms, schlieren, and shadowgraphs from computed flowfield solutions permits one-to-one comparisons of computed and experimental results. A method of constructing these images from both ideal- and real-gas, two and three-dimensional computed flowfields is described. The computational grids can be structured or unstructured, and multiple grids are an option. Constructed images are shown for several types of computed flows including nozzle, wake, and reacting flows; comparisons to experimental images are also shown. In addition, th sensitivity of these images to errors in the flowfield solution is demonstrated, and the constructed images can be used to identify problem areas in the computations.

Interferograms, Schlieren, and Shadowgraphs Constructed from Real- and Ideal-Gas, Two- and Three-Dimensional Computed Flowfields

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yates, Leslie A.

1992-01-01

The construction of interferograms, schlieren, and shadowgraphs from computed flowfield solutions permits one-to-one comparisons of computed and experimental results. A method for constructing these images from both ideal- and real-gas, two- and three-dimensional computed flowfields is described. The computational grids can be structured or unstructured, and multiple grids are an option. Constructed images are shown for several types of computed flows including nozzle, wake, and reacting flows; comparisons to experimental images are also shown. In addition, the sensitivity of these images to errors in the flowfield solution is demonstrated, and the constructed images can be used to identify problem areas in the computations.

Experimental Validation of a Fast Forward Model for Guided Wave Tomography of Pipe Elbows.

PubMed

Brath, Alex J; Simonetti, Francesco; Nagy, Peter B; Instanes, Geir

2017-05-01

Ultrasonic guided wave tomography (GWT) methods for the detection of corrosion and erosion damage in straight pipe sections are now well advanced. However, successful application of GWT to pipe bends has not yet been demonstrated due to the computational burden associated with the complex forward model required to simulate guided wave propagation through the bend. In a previous paper [Brath et al., IEEE Trans. Ultrason., Ferroelectr., Freq. Control, vol. 61, pp. 815-829, 2014], we have shown that the speed of the forward model can be increased by replacing the 3-D pipe bend with a 2-D rectangular domain in which guided wave propagation is formulated based on an artificially inhomogeneous and elliptically anisotropic (INELAN) acoustic model. This paper provides further experimental validation of the INLEAN model by studying the traveltime shifts caused by the introduction of shallow defects on the elbow of a pipe bend. Comparison between experiments and simulations confirms that a defect can be modeled as a phase velocity perturbation to the INLEAN velocity field with accuracy that is within the experimental error of the measurements. In addition, it is found that the sensitivity of traveltime measurements to the presence of damage decreases as the damage position moves from the interior side of the bend (intrados) to the exterior one (extrados). This effect is due to the nonuniform ray coverage obtainable when transmitting the guided wave signals with one ring array of sources on one side of the elbow and receiving with a second array on the other side.

Protein oxidation and peroxidation

PubMed Central

Davies, Michael J.

2016-01-01

Proteins are major targets for radicals and two-electron oxidants in biological systems due to their abundance and high rate constants for reaction. With highly reactive radicals damage occurs at multiple side-chain and backbone sites. Less reactive species show greater selectivity with regard to the residues targeted and their spatial location. Modification can result in increased side-chain hydrophilicity, side-chain and backbone fragmentation, aggregation via covalent cross-linking or hydrophobic interactions, protein unfolding and altered conformation, altered interactions with biological partners and modified turnover. In the presence of O2, high yields of peroxyl radicals and peroxides (protein peroxidation) are formed; the latter account for up to 70% of the initial oxidant flux. Protein peroxides can oxidize both proteins and other targets. One-electron reduction results in additional radicals and chain reactions with alcohols and carbonyls as major products; the latter are commonly used markers of protein damage. Direct oxidation of cysteine (and less commonly) methionine residues is a major reaction; this is typically faster than with H2O2, and results in altered protein activity and function. Unlike H2O2, which is rapidly removed by protective enzymes, protein peroxides are only slowly removed, and catabolism is a major fate. Although turnover of modified proteins by proteasomal and lysosomal enzymes, and other proteases (e.g. mitochondrial Lon), can be efficient, protein hydroperoxides inhibit these pathways and this may contribute to the accumulation of modified proteins in cells. Available evidence supports an association between protein oxidation and multiple human pathologies, but whether this link is causal remains to be established. PMID:27026395

Template based protein structure modeling by global optimization in CASP11.

PubMed

Joo, Keehyoung; Joung, InSuk; Lee, Sun Young; Kim, Jong Yun; Cheng, Qianyi; Manavalan, Balachandran; Joung, Jong Young; Heo, Seungryong; Lee, Juyong; Nam, Mikyung; Lee, In-Ho; Lee, Sung Jong; Lee, Jooyoung

2016-09-01

For the template-based modeling (TBM) of CASP11 targets, we have developed three new protein modeling protocols (nns for server prediction and LEE and LEER for human prediction) by improving upon our previous CASP protocols (CASP7 through CASP10). We applied the powerful global optimization method of conformational space annealing to three stages of optimization, including multiple sequence-structure alignment, three-dimensional (3D) chain building, and side-chain remodeling. For more successful fold recognition, a new alignment method called CRFalign was developed. It can incorporate sensitive positional and environmental dependence in alignment scores as well as strong nonlinear correlations among various features. Modifications and adjustments were made to the form of the energy function and weight parameters pertaining to the chain building procedure. For the side-chain remodeling step, residue-type dependence was introduced to the cutoff value that determines the entry of a rotamer to the side-chain modeling library. The improved performance of the nns server method is attributed to successful fold recognition achieved by combining several methods including CRFalign and to the current modeling formulation that can incorporate native-like structural aspects present in multiple templates. The LEE protocol is identical to the nns one except that CASP11-released server models are used as templates. The success of LEE in utilizing CASP11 server models indicates that proper template screening and template clustering assisted by appropriate cluster ranking promises a new direction to enhance protein 3D modeling. Proteins 2016; 84(Suppl 1):221-232. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Circumferential pressure probe

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holmes, Harlan K. (Inventor); Moore, Thomas C. (Inventor); Fantl, Andrew J. (Inventor)

1989-01-01

A probe for measuring circumferential pressure inside a body cavity is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, a urodynamic pressure measurement probe for evaluating human urinary sphincter function is disclosed. Along the length of the probe are disposed a multiplicity of deformable wall sensors which typically comprise support tube sections with flexible side wall areas. These are arranged along the length of the probe in two areas, one just proximal to the tip for the sensing of fluid pressure inside the bladder, and five in the sensing section which is positioned within the urethra at the point at which the urinary sphincter constricts to control the flow of urine. The remainder of the length of the probe comprises multiple rigid support tube sections interspersed with flexible support tube sections in the form of bellows to provide flexibility.

CERESVis: A QC Tool for CERES that Leverages Browser Technology for Data Validation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chu, C.; Sun-Mack, S.; Heckert, E.; Chen, Y.; Doelling, D.

2015-12-01

In this poster, we are going to present three user interfaces that CERES team uses to validate pixel-level data. Besides our home grown tools, we will aslo present the browser technology that we use to provide interactive interfaces, such as jquery, HighCharts and Google Earth. We pass data to the users' browsers and use the browsers to do some simple computations. The three user interfaces are: Thumbnails -- it displays hundrends images to allow users to browse 24-hour data files in few seconds. Multiple-synchronized cursors -- it allows users to compare multiple images side by side. Bounding Boxes and Histograms -- it allows users to draw multiple bounding boxes on an image and the browser computes/display the histograms.

The effect of hip abduction on the EMG activity of vastus medialis obliquus, vastus lateralis longus and vastus lateralis obliquus in healthy subjects

PubMed Central

Bevilaqua-Grossi, Débora; Monteiro-Pedro, Vanessa; de Vasconcelos, Rodrigo Antunes; Arakaki, Juliano Coelho; Bérzin, Fausto

2006-01-01

Study design Controlled laboratory study. Objectives The purposes of this paper were to investigate (d) whether vastus medialis obliquus (VMO), vastus lateralis longus (VLL) and vastus lateralis obliquus (VLO) EMG activity can be influenced by hip abduction performed by healthy subjects. Background Some clinicians contraindicate hip abduction for patellofemoral patients (with) based on the premise that hip abduction could facilitate the VLL muscle activation leading to a VLL and VMO imbalance Methods and measures Twenty-one clinically healthy subjects were involved in the study, 10 women and 11 men (aged X = 23.3 ± 2.9). The EMG signals were collected using a computerized EMG VIKING II, with 8 channels and three pairs of surface electrodes. EMG activity was obtained from MVIC knee extension at 90° of flexion in a seated position and MVIC hip abduction at 0° and 30° with patients in side-lying position with the knee in full extension. The data were normalized in the MVIC knee extension at 50° of flexion in a seated position, and were submitted to ANOVA test with subsequent application of the Bonferroni multiple comparisons analysis test. The level of significance was defined as p ≤ 0.05. Results The VLO muscle demonstrated a similar pattern to the VMO muscle showing higher EMG activity in MVIC knee extension at 90° of flexion compared with MVIC hip abduction at 0° and 30° of abduction for male (p < 0.0007) and MVIC hip abduction at 0° of abduction for female subjects (p < 0.02196). There were no statistically significant differences in the VLL EMG activity among the three sets of exercises tested. Conclusion The results showed that no selective EMG activation was observed when comparison was made between the VMO, VLL and VLO muscles while performing MVIC hip abduction at 0° and 30° of abduction and MVIC knee extension at 90° of flexion in both male and female subjects. Our findings demonstrate that hip abduction do not facilitated VLL and VLO activity in relation to the VMO, however, this study included only healthy subjects performing maximum voluntary isometric contraction contractions, therefore much remains to be discovered by future research PMID:16817971

Abuse of Methylamphetamine

PubMed Central

Hawks, David; Mitcheson, Martin; Ogborne, Alan; Edwards, Griffith

1969-01-01

Seventy-four regular users of methylamphetamine injections were interviewed in four settings by use of a relatively structured standardized questionary. All but two had injected methylamphetamine within the previous 48 hours and had on average been using methylamphetamine continuously for 19 months. Significant features found in those interviewed were British nationality, single status, under 25 years of age, and a history of parental separation, absence, or bereavement. Educational standards were poor and a history of consistent truancy from secondary school was frequently reported. Comparison of their best and present occupations showed that downward drift had occurred. Forty-one per cent. of the sample had some definite or tentative evidence of neurotic disturbance in childhood. Twenty-three per cent. had been sentenced to detention centre, approved school, or Borstal training, and 20% had been sentenced to prison. Sixty-five per cent. had been charged with offences of one sort and 24% had been convicted of both drug and non-drug offences. A significant number had been heavy drinkers in the past, while most had been, and in many cases still were, multiple-drug users who had first started to use drugs between the ages of 16 and 20 years. They tended to have obtained methylamphetamine initially from people they knew or from sellers. While the majority were currently getting methylamphetamine from doctors, the fact that 40% gave non-medical agents as their major source of drugs suggests that a significant number were supplementing their supplies from illicit sources. More than one-half were rated as being continually involved in the “drug scene.” Most of those interviewed accepted frequent psychotic episodes as a side-effect of their use of methylamphetamine. Malnutrition, weight loss, and sleep disturbance were frequent. PMID:5786759

Metal halogen battery system with multiple outlet nozzle for hydrate

DOEpatents

Bjorkman, Jr., Harry K.

1983-06-21

A metal halogen battery system, including at least one cell having a positive electrode and a negative electrode contacted by aqueous electrolyte containing the material of said metal and halogen, store means whereby halogen hydrate is formed and stored as part of an aqueous material, means for circulating electrolyte through the cell and to the store means, and conduit means for transmitting halogen gas formed in the cell to a hydrate former whereby the hydrate is formed in association with the store means, said store means being constructed in the form of a container which includes a filter means, said filter means being inoperative to separate the hydrate formed from the electrolyte, said system having, a hydrate former pump means associated with the store means and being operative to intermix halogen gas with aqueous electrolyte to form halogen hydrate, said hydrate former means including, multiple outlet nozzle means connected with the outlet side of said pump means and being operative to minimize plugging, said nozzle means being comprised of at least one divider means which is generally perpendicular to the rotational axes of gears within the pump means, said divider means acting to divide the flow from the pump means into multiple outlet flow paths.

Optical trapping and binding of particles in an optofluidic stable Fabry-Pérot resonator with single-sided injection.

PubMed

Gaber, Noha; Malak, Maurine; Marty, Frédéric; Angelescu, Dan E; Richalot, Elodie; Bourouina, Tarik

2014-07-07

In this article, microparticles are manipulated inside an optofluidic Fabry-Pérot cylindrical cavity embedding a fluidic capillary tube, taking advantage of field enhancement and multiple reflections within the optically-resonant cavity. This enables trapping of suspended particles with single-side injection of light and with low optical power. A Hermite-Gaussian standing wave is developed inside the cavity, forming trapping spots at the locations of the electromagnetic field maxima with a strong intensity gradient. The particles get arranged in a pattern related to the mechanism affecting them: either optical trapping or optical binding. This is proven to eventually translate into either an axial one dimensional (1D) particle array or a cluster of particles. Numerical simulations are performed to model the field distributions inside the cavity allowing a behavioral understanding of the phenomena involved in each case.

4-Aminoquinolines Active against Chloroquine-Resistant Plasmodium falciparum: Basis of Antiparasite Activity and Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship Analyses▿

PubMed Central

Hocart, Simon J.; Liu, Huayin; Deng, Haiyan; De, Dibyendu; Krogstad, Frances M.; Krogstad, Donald J.

2011-01-01

Chloroquine (CQ) is a safe and economical 4-aminoquinoline (AQ) antimalarial. However, its value has been severely compromised by the increasing prevalence of CQ resistance. This study examined 108 AQs, including 68 newly synthesized compounds. Of these 108 AQs, 32 (30%) were active only against CQ-susceptible Plasmodium falciparum strains and 59 (55%) were active against both CQ-susceptible and CQ-resistant P. falciparum strains (50% inhibitory concentrations [IC50s], ≤25 nM). All AQs active against both CQ-susceptible and CQ-resistant P. falciparum strains shared four structural features: (i) an AQ ring without alkyl substitution, (ii) a halogen at position 7 (Cl, Br, or I but not F), (iii) a protonatable nitrogen at position 1, and (iv) a second protonatable nitrogen at the end of the side chain distal from the point of attachment to the AQ ring via the nitrogen at position 4. For activity against CQ-resistant parasites, side chain lengths of ≤3 or ≥10 carbons were necessary but not sufficient; they were identified as essential factors by visual comparison of 2-dimensional (2-D) structures in relation to the antiparasite activities of the AQs and were confirmed by computer-based 3-D comparisons and differential contour plots of activity against P. falciparum. The advantage of the method reported here (refinement of quantitative structure-activity relationship [QSAR] descriptors by random assignment of compounds to multiple training and test sets) is that it retains QSAR descriptors according to their abilities to predict the activities of unknown test compounds rather than according to how well they fit the activities of the compounds in the training sets. PMID:21383099

Protein Supplement Usage Among Male University Students: Comparisons Between Current and Previous Users.

PubMed

Sung, Youngmo; Choi, Jinkyung

2018-02-01

Interest in specialized dietary supplements is leading market growth, and protein supplements are popular for increasing muscle mass among young males. Therefore, this study investigated the attitudes toward and satisfaction with protein supplements to identify detailed consumer behaviors related to the consumption of protein supplements. The study sample includes male university students in their 20s in South Korea. In total, 223 responses were entered for analysis. Questions related to attitudes, satisfaction, and future behavioral intentions were asked using 5-point Likert scales. The responses were divided into two groups, current and previous users, to identify significant differences in terms of attitudes, satisfaction, and future behavioral intentions. A descriptive analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multiple regression were run. The majority of respondents prefer the powdered form of supplements in bulk with a price range between 30,000 won and 60,000 won. Online shopping was preferred, while word of mouth and friends/family were considered credible information sources. The most common side effects experienced were problems with digestion and hives, although more than 78% did not experience side effects. In comparison between current and previous users in terms of attitudes and satisfaction, the following areas showed significances. Regarding attitudes, the importance of brand, preference for products from overseas, the search for nutritional facts, and reading carefully all product information were significant, while regarding satisfaction, price, effectiveness, and ease of consumption were significant. All significances showed that current users had more positive attitudes and greater satisfaction. Overall, consumers' satisfaction regarding ease of consumption influenced future behavioral intentions. The market for protein supplements has been growing, so measuring consumers' attitudes and satisfaction would help attract potential consumers. In addition, analyzing previous users' opinions on products could guide product development and encourage customers to return for repurchase.

Did Project Liberty displace community-based medicaid services in New York?

PubMed

Gomes, Carla; McGuire, Thomas G; Foster, M Jameson; Donahue, Sheila A; Felton, Chip J; Essock, Susan M

2006-09-01

This study analyzed how the introduction of Project Liberty services after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks affected agencies' provision of community-based Medicaid mental health services in the New York metropolitan area. Provision of Medicaid mental health services was tracked between January 2000 and June 2003 for provider agencies participating in Project Liberty (N=164) and for a comparison group of mental health provider agencies that did not participate in this program (N=94). Overall, participation in Project Liberty did not significantly affect the volume of Medicaid services provided. However, for agencies with one site, a statistically significant difference was seen; compared with agencies in the comparison group, agencies that participated in Project Liberty claimed a mean+/-SE decrease of $4.66+/-3.57 less in Medicaid services per month per Project Liberty visit. Project Liberty permitted rapid expansion of the total volume of services provided by community-based organizations without interfering with the provision of traditional services, although a modest effect was seen for smaller agencies. Although the results do not imply that "supply side" planning for disaster needs would not improve system response, they do imply that implementation of flexible "demand side" financing can call forth a large volume of new services rapidly and without interfering with other community services.

Laterality of repetitive finger movement performance and clinical features of Parkinson's disease.

PubMed

Stegemöller, Elizabeth; Zaman, Andrew; MacKinnon, Colum D; Tillman, Mark D; Hass, Chris J; Okun, Michael S

2016-10-01

Impairments in acoustically cued repetitive finger movement often emerge at rates near to and above 2Hz in persons with Parkinson's Disease (PD) in which some patients move faster (hastening) and others move slower (bradykinetic). The clinical features impacting this differential performance of repetitive finger movement remain unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare repetitive finger movement performance between the more and less affected side, and the difference in clinical ratings among performance groups. Forty-one participants diagnosed with idiopathic PD completed an acoustically cued repetitive finger movement task while "on" medication. Eighteen participants moved faster, 10 moved slower, and 13 were able to maintain the appropriate rate at rates above 2Hz. Clinical measures of laterality, disease severity, and the UPDRS were obtained. There were no significant differences between the more and less affected sides regardless of performance group. Comparison of disease severity, tremor, and rigidity among performance groups revealed no significant differences. Comparison of posture and postural instability scores revealed that the participants that demonstrated hastening had worse posture and postural instability scores. Consideration of movement rate during the clinical evaluation of repetitive finger movement may provide additional insight into varying disease features in persons with PD. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

BEACON: automated tool for Bacterial GEnome Annotation ComparisON.

PubMed

Kalkatawi, Manal; Alam, Intikhab; Bajic, Vladimir B

2015-08-18

Genome annotation is one way of summarizing the existing knowledge about genomic characteristics of an organism. There has been an increased interest during the last several decades in computer-based structural and functional genome annotation. Many methods for this purpose have been developed for eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Our study focuses on comparison of functional annotations of prokaryotic genomes. To the best of our knowledge there is no fully automated system for detailed comparison of functional genome annotations generated by different annotation methods (AMs). The presence of many AMs and development of new ones introduce needs to: a/ compare different annotations for a single genome, and b/ generate annotation by combining individual ones. To address these issues we developed an Automated Tool for Bacterial GEnome Annotation ComparisON (BEACON) that benefits both AM developers and annotation analysers. BEACON provides detailed comparison of gene function annotations of prokaryotic genomes obtained by different AMs and generates extended annotations through combination of individual ones. For the illustration of BEACON's utility, we provide a comparison analysis of multiple different annotations generated for four genomes and show on these examples that the extended annotation can increase the number of genes annotated by putative functions up to 27%, while the number of genes without any function assignment is reduced. We developed BEACON, a fast tool for an automated and a systematic comparison of different annotations of single genomes. The extended annotation assigns putative functions to many genes with unknown functions. BEACON is available under GNU General Public License version 3.0 and is accessible at: http://www.cbrc.kaust.edu.sa/BEACON/ .

Unmasking the effects of masking on performance: The potential of multiple-voice masking in the office environment.

PubMed

Keus van de Poll, Marijke; Carlsson, Johannes; Marsh, John E; Ljung, Robert; Odelius, Johan; Schlittmeier, Sabine J; Sundin, Gunilla; Sörqvist, Patrik

2015-08-01

Broadband noise is often used as a masking sound to combat the negative consequences of background speech on performance in open-plan offices. As office workers generally dislike broadband noise, it is important to find alternatives that are more appreciated while being at least not less effective. The purpose of experiment 1 was to compare broadband noise with two alternatives-multiple voices and water waves-in the context of a serial short-term memory task. A single voice impaired memory in comparison with silence, but when the single voice was masked with multiple voices, performance was on level with silence. Experiment 2 explored the benefits of multiple-voice masking in more detail (by comparing one voice, three voices, five voices, and seven voices) in the context of word processed writing (arguably a more office-relevant task). Performance (i.e., writing fluency) increased linearly from worst performance in the one-voice condition to best performance in the seven-voice condition. Psychological mechanisms underpinning these effects are discussed.

Airfoil for a gas turbine engine

DOEpatents

Liang, George [Palm City, FL

2011-05-24

An airfoil is provided for a turbine of a gas turbine engine. The airfoil comprises: an outer structure comprising a first wall including a leading edge, a trailing edge, a pressure side, and a suction side; an inner structure comprising a second wall spaced from the first wall and at least one intermediate wall; and structure extending between the first and second walls so as to define first and second gaps between the first and second walls. The second wall and the at least one intermediate wall define at least one pressure side supply cavity and at least one suction side supply cavity. The second wall may include at least one first opening near the leading edge of the first wall. The first opening may extend from the at least one pressure side supply cavity to the first gap. The second wall may further comprise at least one second opening near the trailing edge of the outer structure. The second opening may extend from the at least one suction side supply cavity to the second gap. The first wall may comprise at least one first exit opening extending from the first gap through the pressure side of the first wall and at least one second exit opening extending from the second gap through the suction side of the second wall.

SIRE: a MIMO radar for landmine/IED detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ojowu, Ode; Wu, Yue; Li, Jian; Nguyen, Lam

2013-05-01

Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar systems have been shown to have significant performance improvements over their single-input multiple-output (SIMO) counterparts. For transmit and receive elements that are collocated, the waveform diversity afforded by this radar is exploited for performance improvements. These improvements include but are not limited to improved target detection, improved parameter identifiability and better resolvability. In this paper, we present the Synchronous Impulse Reconstruction Radar (SIRE) Ultra-wideband (UWB) radar designed by the Army Research Lab (ARL) for landmine and improvised explosive device (IED) detection as a 2 by 16 MIMO radar (with collocated antennas). Its improvement over its SIMO counterpart in terms of beampattern/cross range resolution are discussed and demonstrated using simulated data herein. The limitations of this radar for Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) suppression are also discussed in this paper. A relaxation method (RELAX) combined with averaging of multiple realizations of the measured data is presented for RFI suppression; results show no noticeable target signature distortion after suppression. In this paper, the back-projection (delay and sum) data independent method is used for generating SAR images. A side-lobe minimization technique called recursive side-lobe minimization (RSM) is also discussed for reducing side-lobes in this data independent approach. We introduce a data-dependent sparsity based spectral estimation technique called Sparse Learning via Iterative Minimization (SLIM) as well as a data-dependent CLEAN approach for generating SAR images for the SIRE radar. These data-adaptive techniques show improvement in side-lobe reduction and resolution for simulated data for the SIRE radar.

Electric drive systems including smoothing capacitor cooling devices and systems

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

Dede, Ercan Mehmet; Zhou, Feng

An electric drive system includes a smoothing capacitor including at least one terminal, a bus bar electrically coupled to the at least one terminal, a thermoelectric device including a first side and a second side positioned opposite the first side, where the first side is thermally coupled to at least one of the at least one terminal and the bus bar, and a cooling element thermally coupled to the second side of the thermoelectric device, where the cooling element dissipates heat from the thermoelectric device.

Comparison of carrier multiplication yields in PbS and PbSe nanocrystals: the role of competing energy-loss processes.

PubMed

Stewart, John T; Padilha, Lazaro A; Qazilbash, M Mumtaz; Pietryga, Jeffrey M; Midgett, Aaron G; Luther, Joseph M; Beard, Matthew C; Nozik, Arthur J; Klimov, Victor I

2012-02-08

Infrared band gap semiconductor nanocrystals are promising materials for exploring generation III photovoltaic concepts that rely on carrier multiplication or multiple exciton generation, the process in which a single high-energy photon generates more than one electron-hole pair. In this work, we present measurements of carrier multiplication yields and biexciton lifetimes for a large selection of PbS nanocrystals and compare these results to the well-studied PbSe nanocrystals. The similar bulk properties of PbS and PbSe make this an important comparison for discerning the pertinent properties that determine efficient carrier multiplication. We observe that PbS and PbSe have very similar biexciton lifetimes as a function of confinement energy. Together with the similar bulk properties, this suggests that the rates of multiexciton generation, which is the inverse of Auger recombination, are also similar. The carrier multiplication yields in PbS nanocrystals, however, are strikingly lower than those observed for PbSe nanocrystals. We suggest that this implies the rate of competing processes, such as phonon emission, is higher in PbS nanocrystals than in PbSe nanocrystals. Indeed, our estimations for phonon emission mediated by the polar Fröhlich-type interaction indicate that the corresponding energy-loss rate is approximately twice as large in PbS than in PbSe. © 2011 American Chemical Society

[Alemtuzumab for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Results of two randomized controlled phase III studies].

PubMed

Klotz, L; Meuth, S G; Kieseier, B; Wiendl, H

2013-08-01

In November 2012 the results of 2 clinical phase III trials were published which addressed the effects of alemtuzumab in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). In the CARE-MS-I study patients with early untreated MS (EDSS ≤ 3.0, disease duration < 5 years) were included, whereas CARE-MS-II investigated the effects of alemtuzumab in patients with persisting disease activity under standard disease-modifying treatment (EDSS ≤ 5.0, disease duration < 10 years). These groups were compared to patients under treatment with frequently applied interferon β 1a (3 times  44 µg subcutaneous). Both studies clearly demonstrated a superiority of alemtuzumab compared to interferon in terms of reduction of relapse rate as well as the number of new or enlarging T2 lesions and gadolinium-enhancing lesions. Moreover, the CARE-MS-II study showed a significant delay in disease progression by alemtuzumab. The portfolio and the frequency of relevant side effects, such as infusion-related reactions, development of secondary autoimmunity or infections were within the expected range. Taken together these studies confirm the high anti-inflammatory efficacy of alemtuzumab and hence provide the first evidence of superiority of a monotherapy in direct comparison to standard disease-modifying treatment in two phase III trials in relapsing-remitting MS. These data in the context of the mode of action of alemtuzumab provide evidence for the relevance of immune cells, especially T cells, in the pathophysiology of MS. Experience with long-term effects of alemtuzumab, e.g. from the phase II extension trial as well as the side effect profile argue in favor of a sustained reprogramming of the immune system as a consequence of immune cell depletion by alemtuzumab.

IMAAAGINE: a webserver for searching hypothetical 3D amino acid side chain arrangements in the Protein Data Bank

PubMed Central

Nadzirin, Nurul; Willett, Peter; Artymiuk, Peter J.; Firdaus-Raih, Mohd

2013-01-01

We describe a server that allows the interrogation of the Protein Data Bank for hypothetical 3D side chain patterns that are not limited to known patterns from existing 3D structures. A minimal side chain description allows a variety of side chain orientations to exist within the pattern, and generic side chain types such as acid, base and hydroxyl-containing can be additionally deployed in the search query. Moreover, only a subset of distances between the side chains need be specified. We illustrate these capabilities in case studies involving arginine stacks, serine-acid group arrangements and multiple catalytic triad-like configurations. The IMAAAGINE server can be accessed at http://mfrlab.org/grafss/imaaagine/. PMID:23716645

Drug accumulation by means of noninvasive magnetic drug delivery system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chuzawa, M.; Mishima, F.; Akiyama, Y.; Nishijima, S.

2011-11-01

The medication is one of the most general treatment methods, but drugs diffuse in the normal tissues other than the target part by the blood circulation. Therefore, side effect in the medication, particularly for a drug with strong effect such as anti-cancer drug, are a serious issue. Drug Delivery System (DDS) which accumulates the drug locally in the human body is one of the techniques to solve the side-effects. Magnetic Drug Delivery System (MDDS) is one of the active DDSs, which uses the magnetic force. The objective of this study is to accumulate the ferromagnetic drugs noninvasively in the deep part of the body by using MDDS. It is necessary to generate high magnetic field and magnetic gradient at the target part to reduce the side-effects to the tissues with no diseases. The biomimetic model was composed, which consists of multiple model organs connected with diverged blood vessel model. The arrangement of magnetic field was examined to accumulate ferromagnetic drug particles in the target model organ by using a superconducting bulk magnet which can generate high magnetic fields. The arrangement of magnet was designed to generate high and stable magnetic field at the target model organ. The accumulation experiment of ferromagnetic particles has been conducted. In this study, rotating HTS bulk magnet around the axis of blood vessels by centering on the target part was suggested, and the model experiment for magnet rotation was conducted. As a result, the accumulation of the ferromagnetic particles to the target model organ in the deep part was confirmed.

Comparison between non-modulation four-sided and two-sided pyramid wavefront sensor.

PubMed

Wang, Jianxin; Bai, Fuzhong; Ning, Yu; Huang, Linhai; Wang, Shengqian

2010-12-20

Based on the diffraction theory the paper analyzes non-modulation Pyramid wavefront sensor (PWFS, namely, four-sided pyramid) and two-sided pyramid wavefront sensor (TSPWFS), and expresses the detected signals as a function of the measured wavefront. The expressions of the detected signals show that non-modulation PWFS and TSPWFS hold the same properties of both slope and direct phase sensors. We compare both sensors working in slope and phase sensing by theory and numerical simulations. The results demonstrate that the performance of TSPWFS excels that of PWFS. Additionally, the influence of interference between adjacent pupils is discussed.

Extending the eigCG algorithm to nonsymmetric Lanczos for linear systems with multiple right-hand sides

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

Abdel-Rehim, A M; Stathopoulos, Andreas; Orginos, Kostas

2014-08-01

The technique that was used to build the EigCG algorithm for sparse symmetric linear systems is extended to the nonsymmetric case using the BiCG algorithm. We show that, similarly to the symmetric case, we can build an algorithm that is capable of computing a few smallest magnitude eigenvalues and their corresponding left and right eigenvectors of a nonsymmetric matrix using only a small window of the BiCG residuals while simultaneously solving a linear system with that matrix. For a system with multiple right-hand sides, we give an algorithm that computes incrementally more eigenvalues while solving the first few systems andmore » then uses the computed eigenvectors to deflate BiCGStab for the remaining systems. Our experiments on various test problems, including Lattice QCD, show the remarkable ability of EigBiCG to compute spectral approximations with accuracy comparable to that of the unrestarted, nonsymmetric Lanczos. Furthermore, our incremental EigBiCG followed by appropriately restarted and deflated BiCGStab provides a competitive method for systems with multiple right-hand sides.« less

Investigation of the antioxidant status in multiple myeloma patients: effects of therapy.

PubMed

Mehdi, Wesen A; Zainulabdeen, Jwan A; Mehde, Atheer A

2013-01-01

Multiple myeloma is a malignant silent incurable plasma cell disorder. The present study aimed to assessed the activation of the oxidative stress pathway in affected patients. Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), malondialdehyde (MDA), adenosine deaminase (ADA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels, glutathione, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), α-tocopherol (vitamin E) in addition to related enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GSH-R) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were analyzed in sixty patients with multiple myeloma before and after one month treatment with induction therapy. The results of the study showed a significant elevation in AOPPs, MDA, ADA levels in patients with multiple myeloma before and after treatment in comparison to healthy control samples In contrast TAC glutathione, vitamin C and E, and the antioxidant enzymes levels were decreased significantly. On comparing samples of MM patients after treatment, there was significant increase of TAC glutathione, vitamin C and E, and the antioxidant enzymes in parallel with decreasing AOPPs, MDA and ADA levels in comparison with samples of patients before treatment. The results indicate oxidative stress and DNA damage activity increase in MM and are alleviated in response to therapy.

The optimal hormonal replacement modality selection for multiple organ procurement from brain-dead organ donors

PubMed Central

Mi, Zhibao; Novitzky, Dimitri; Collins, Joseph F; Cooper, David KC

2015-01-01

The management of brain-dead organ donors is complex. The use of inotropic agents and replacement of depleted hormones (hormonal replacement therapy) is crucial for successful multiple organ procurement, yet the optimal hormonal replacement has not been identified, and the statistical adjustment to determine the best selection is not trivial. Traditional pair-wise comparisons between every pair of treatments, and multiple comparisons to all (MCA), are statistically conservative. Hsu’s multiple comparisons with the best (MCB) – adapted from the Dunnett’s multiple comparisons with control (MCC) – has been used for selecting the best treatment based on continuous variables. We selected the best hormonal replacement modality for successful multiple organ procurement using a two-step approach. First, we estimated the predicted margins by constructing generalized linear models (GLM) or generalized linear mixed models (GLMM), and then we applied the multiple comparison methods to identify the best hormonal replacement modality given that the testing of hormonal replacement modalities is independent. Based on 10-year data from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), among 16 hormonal replacement modalities, and using the 95% simultaneous confidence intervals, we found that the combination of thyroid hormone, a corticosteroid, antidiuretic hormone, and insulin was the best modality for multiple organ procurement for transplantation. PMID:25565890

Rotator cuff strength in recurrent anterior shoulder instability.

PubMed

Edouard, Pascal; Degache, Francis; Beguin, Laurent; Samozino, Pierre; Gresta, Giorgio; Fayolle-Minon, Isabelle; Farizon, Frédéric; Calmels, Paul

2011-04-20

Although rotator-cuff muscle contraction plays an important role in stabilizing the glenohumeral joint, little is known about the role of these muscles in the pathophysiology of recurrent anterior instability. We intended to analyze the association between isokinetic internal rotator and external rotator muscle strength and glenohumeral joint instability in patients with recurrent anterior instability that was not previously treated surgically. We enrolled thirty-seven patients with unilateral recurrent anterior posttraumatic shoulder dislocation and eleven healthy nonathletic subjects in this controlled study. The association between internal rotator and external rotator strength and shoulder instability was analyzed by side-to-side comparisons and comparisons with a control group. Isokinetic internal rotator and external rotator strength was evaluated with a Con-Trex dynamometer, with the subject seated and the shoulder abducted 45° in the scapular plane. Tests were performed at 180°/s, 120°/s, and 60°/s in concentric mode for both sides. Peak torque normalized to body weight and external rotator to internal rotator ratio were calculated for each angular velocity. Clinical and isokinetic evaluation was done by the same rehabilitation physician. The association between shoulder instability and internal rotator and external rotator strength was associated with side-to-side differences (p < 0.05). Compared with a control group, strength values were lower on the pathological shoulder side of the patients with shoulder instability than on the healthy contralateral shoulder of control subjects at 180°/s and 120°/s (p < 0.05). The side-to-side differences were increased when the nondominant upper-extremity side was involved and were decreased when the dominant side was involved. There was no association between glenohumeral joint instability and external rotator to internal rotator ratio. Internal rotator and external rotator weakness was associated with recurrent anterior instability, and side-to-side differences depended on the side of hand dominance. Use of a control group may help in the analysis of the influence of constraints on shoulder strength. Further prospective studies are necessary to determine whether the weakness is a cause or an effect of the instability.

A novel statistical method for quantitative comparison of multiple ChIP-seq datasets.

PubMed

Chen, Li; Wang, Chi; Qin, Zhaohui S; Wu, Hao

2015-06-15

ChIP-seq is a powerful technology to measure the protein binding or histone modification strength in the whole genome scale. Although there are a number of methods available for single ChIP-seq data analysis (e.g. 'peak detection'), rigorous statistical method for quantitative comparison of multiple ChIP-seq datasets with the considerations of data from control experiment, signal to noise ratios, biological variations and multiple-factor experimental designs is under-developed. In this work, we develop a statistical method to perform quantitative comparison of multiple ChIP-seq datasets and detect genomic regions showing differential protein binding or histone modification. We first detect peaks from all datasets and then union them to form a single set of candidate regions. The read counts from IP experiment at the candidate regions are assumed to follow Poisson distribution. The underlying Poisson rates are modeled as an experiment-specific function of artifacts and biological signals. We then obtain the estimated biological signals and compare them through the hypothesis testing procedure in a linear model framework. Simulations and real data analyses demonstrate that the proposed method provides more accurate and robust results compared with existing ones. An R software package ChIPComp is freely available at http://web1.sph.emory.edu/users/hwu30/software/ChIPComp.html. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Haloperidol, risperidone, olanzapine and aripiprazole in the management of delirium: A comparison of efficacy, safety, and side effects.

PubMed

Boettger, Soenke; Jenewein, Josef; Breitbart, William

2015-08-01

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and side-effect profile of the typical antipsychotic haloperidol with that of the atypical antipsychotics risperidone, olanzapine, and aripiprazole in the management of delirium. The Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS), the Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scale, and a side-effect rating were recorded at baseline (T1), after 2-3 days (T2), and after 4-7 days (T3). Some 21 cases were case-matched by age, preexisting dementia, and baseline MDAS scores, and subsequently analyzed. The baseline characteristics of the medication groups were not different: The mean age of the patients ranged from 64.0 to 69.6 years, dementia was present in between 23.8 and 28.6%, and baseline MDAS scores were 19.9 (haloperidol), 18.6 (risperidone), 19.4 (olanzapine), and 18.0 (aripiprazole). The doses of medication at T3 were 5.5 mg haloperidol, 1.3 mg risperidone, 7.1 mg olanzapine, and 18.3 mg aripiprazole. Over one week, the decline in MDAS scores between medications was equal, and no differences between individual MDAS scores existed at T2 or T3. After one week, the MDAS scores were 6.8 (haloperidol), 7.1 (risperidone), 11.7 (olanzapine), and 8.3 (aripiprazole). At T2, delirium resolution occurred in 42.9-52.4% of cases and at T3 in 61.9-85.7%; no differences in assessments between medications existed. Recorded side effects were extrapyramidal symptoms (EPSs) in haloperidol- and risperidone-managed patients (19 and 4.8%, respectively) and sedation with olanzapine (28.6%). Haloperidol, risperidone, aripiprazole, and olanzapine were equally effective in the management of delirium; however, they differed in terms of their side-effect profile. Extrapyramidal symptoms were most frequently recorded with haloperidol, and sedation occurred most frequently with olanzapine.

Recognition and localization of speech by adult cochlear implant recipients wearing a digital hearing aid in the nonimplanted ear (bimodal hearing).

PubMed

Potts, Lisa G; Skinner, Margaret W; Litovsky, Ruth A; Strube, Michael J; Kuk, Francis

2009-06-01

The use of bilateral amplification is now common clinical practice for hearing aid users but not for cochlear implant recipients. In the past, most cochlear implant recipients were implanted in one ear and wore only a monaural cochlear implant processor. There has been recent interest in benefits arising from bilateral stimulation that may be present for cochlear implant recipients. One option for bilateral stimulation is the use of a cochlear implant in one ear and a hearing aid in the opposite nonimplanted ear (bimodal hearing). This study evaluated the effect of wearing a cochlear implant in one ear and a digital hearing aid in the opposite ear on speech recognition and localization. A repeated-measures correlational study was completed. Nineteen adult Cochlear Nucleus 24 implant recipients participated in the study. The participants were fit with a Widex Senso Vita 38 hearing aid to achieve maximum audibility and comfort within their dynamic range. Soundfield thresholds, loudness growth, speech recognition, localization, and subjective questionnaires were obtained six-eight weeks after the hearing aid fitting. Testing was completed in three conditions: hearing aid only, cochlear implant only, and cochlear implant and hearing aid (bimodal). All tests were repeated four weeks after the first test session. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to analyze the data. Significant effects were further examined using pairwise comparison of means or in the case of continuous moderators, regression analyses. The speech-recognition and localization tasks were unique, in that a speech stimulus presented from a variety of roaming azimuths (140 degree loudspeaker array) was used. Performance in the bimodal condition was significantly better for speech recognition and localization compared to the cochlear implant-only and hearing aid-only conditions. Performance was also different between these conditions when the location (i.e., side of the loudspeaker array that presented the word) was analyzed. In the bimodal condition, the speech-recognition and localization tasks were equal regardless of which side of the loudspeaker array presented the word, while performance was significantly poorer for the monaural conditions (hearing aid only and cochlear implant only) when the words were presented on the side with no stimulation. Binaural loudness summation of 1-3 dB was seen in soundfield thresholds and loudness growth in the bimodal condition. Measures of the audibility of sound with the hearing aid, including unaided thresholds, soundfield thresholds, and the Speech Intelligibility Index, were significant moderators of speech recognition and localization. Based on the questionnaire responses, participants showed a strong preference for bimodal stimulation. These findings suggest that a well-fit digital hearing aid worn in conjunction with a cochlear implant is beneficial to speech recognition and localization. The dynamic test procedures used in this study illustrate the importance of bilateral hearing for locating, identifying, and switching attention between multiple speakers. It is recommended that unilateral cochlear implant recipients, with measurable unaided hearing thresholds, be fit with a hearing aid.

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

Kaplan, Ruth; Mamrosh, Darryl; Salih, Hafiz H.

Brine extraction is a promising strategy for the management of increased reservoir pressure, resulting from carbon dioxide (CO 2) injection in deep saline reservoirs. The extracted brines usually have high concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS) and various contaminants, and require proper disposal or treatment. In this article, first by conducting a critical review, we evaluate the applicability, limits, and advantages or challenges of various commercially available and emerging desalination technologies that can potentially be employed to treat the highly saline brine (with TDS values >70.000 ppm) and those that are applicable to a ~200,000 ppm TDS brine extracted frommore » the Mt. Simon Sandstone, a potential CO 2 storage site in Illinois, USA. Based on the side-by-side comparison of technologies, evaporators are selected as the most suitable existing technology for treating Mt. Simon brine. Process simulations are then conducted for a conceptual design for desalination of 454 m 3/h (2000 gpm) pretreated brine for near-zero liquid discharge by multi-effect evaporators. In conclusion, the thermal energy demand is estimated at 246kWh perm 3 of recoveredwater, ofwhich 212kWh/m 3 is required for multiple-effect evaporation and the remainder for salt drying. The process also requires additional electrical power of ~2 kWh/m 3.« less

Strong geometrical effects in submillimeter selective area growth and light extraction of GaN light emitting diodes on sapphire

DOE PAGES

Tanaka, Atsunori; Chen, Renjie; Jungjohann, Katherine L.; ...

2015-11-27

Advanced semiconductor devices often utilize structural and geometrical effects to tailor their characteristics and improve their performance. Our detailed understanding of such geometrical effects in the epitaxial selective area growth of GaN on sapphire substrates is reported here, and we utilize them to enhance light extraction from GaN light emitting diodes. Systematic size and spacing effects were performed side-by-side on a single 2” sapphire substrate to minimize experimental sampling errors for a set of 144 pattern arrays with circular mask opening windows in SiO 2. We show that the mask opening diameter leads to as much as 4 times increasemore » in the thickness of the grown layers for 20 μm spacings and that spacing effects can lead to as much as 3 times increase in thickness for a 350 μm dot diameter. We also observed that the facet evolution in comparison with extracted Ga adatom diffusion lengths directly influences the vertical and lateral overgrowth rates and can be controlled with pattern geometry. Lastly, such control over the facet development led to 2.5 times stronger electroluminescence characteristics from well-faceted GaN/InGaN multiple quantum well LEDs compared to non-faceted structures.« less

A comparison between monophasic levonorgestrel-ethinyl estradiol 150/30 and triphasic levonorgestrel-ethinyl estradiol 50-75-125/30-40-30 contraceptive pills for side effects and patient satisfaction: a study in Iran.

PubMed

Kashanian, Maryam; Shahpourian, Farangis; Zare, Omolbanin

2010-05-01

Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) are one of the most effective reversible and accessible contraceptives, and patient acceptance for their use depends partly on the unfavorable adverse effects. The present study compared the two kinds of OCPs (monophasic; levonorgestrel (LNG)-ethinyl estradiol (EE) 150/30 versus triphasic; LNG-EE 50-75-125/30-40-30) for adverse effects and patient satisfaction. A randomized clinical trial was performed on 314 women who used OCPs for the first time, as their contraception, for 6 months. Overall, 1884 cycles were studied. In the monophasic group (n=159 who finally finished the study), monophasic pills LNG-EE 150/30mcg, and in the triphasic group (n=155 who finally finished the study), triphasic pills LNG-EE 50-75-125/30-40-30 mcg were used. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 10: Chi square test, Fisher exact test and Student's t-test were used. There were no significant differences between the two groups for common side effects, including nausea, headache, nervousness, facial hyperpigmentation (chloasma), and body weight (increase or decrease) but breakthrough bleeding and spotting (BTB/S) were less in the triphasic group, occurring in 30 cycles (18.86%) versus 10 cycles (6.45%), P=0.009*. Patient satisfaction for the two OCPs was similar and high. The rates of side effects were low. It seems that the monophasic and triphasic pills are similar according to patient satisfaction and side effects; therefore there is no benefit of one over the other except for BTB/S, for which triphasic is superior. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Localization Performance of Multiple Vibrotactile Cues on Both Arms.

PubMed

Wang, Dangxiao; Peng, Cong; Afzal, Naqash; Li, Weiang; Wu, Dong; Zhang, Yuru

2018-01-01

To present information using vibrotactile stimuli in wearable devices, it is fundamental to understand human performance of localizing vibrotactile cues across the skin surface. In this paper, we studied human ability to identify locations of multiple vibrotactile cues activated simultaneously on both arms. Two haptic bands were mounted in proximity to the elbow and shoulder joints on each arm, and two vibrotactile motors were mounted on each band to provide vibration cues to the dorsal and palmar side of the arm. The localization performance under four conditions were compared, with the number of the simultaneously activated cues varying from one to four in each condition. Experimental results illustrate that the rate of correct localization decreases linearly with the increase in the number of activated cues. It was 27.8 percent for three activated cues, and became even lower for four activated cues. An analysis of the correct rate and error patterns show that the layout of vibrotactile cues can have significant effects on the localization performance of multiple vibrotactile cues. These findings might provide guidelines for using vibrotactile cues to guide the simultaneous motion of multiple joints on both arms.

75 FR 76058 - Options Price Reporting Authority; Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-07

... facilities are in use. However, there are no codes in Sections 4.04 and 4.15 to indicate that one side of a... the affected exchange and OPRA could indicate that one side of a quote is firm and the other side is... would incorrectly indicate that neither side of the quote is firm. In the absence of a one-side only non...

A Comparison of Joint Model and Fully Conditional Specification Imputation for Multilevel Missing Data

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mistler, Stephen A.; Enders, Craig K.

2017-01-01

Multiple imputation methods can generally be divided into two broad frameworks: joint model (JM) imputation and fully conditional specification (FCS) imputation. JM draws missing values simultaneously for all incomplete variables using a multivariate distribution, whereas FCS imputes variables one at a time from a series of univariate conditional…

A comparison study of one-and two-dimensional hydraulic models for river environments : technical summary.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-05-01

Findings in this report include: differences in the flow divisions for multiple opening bridges for all : three models, less subjectivity in the construction of the 2D models than for the 1D, differences in the : sensitivity of each 2D model to the M...

Development and comparison of multiple regression models to predict bankfull channel dimensions for use in hydrologic models

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Bankfull hydraulic geometry relationships are used to estimate channel dimensions for streamflow simulation models, which require channel geometry data as input parameters. Often, one nationwide curve is used across the entire United States (U.S.) (e.g., in Soil and Water Assessment Tool), even tho...

Common Language Effect Size for Multiple Treatment Comparisons

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liu, Xiaofeng Steven

2015-01-01

Researchers who need to explain treatment effects to laypeople can translate Cohen's effect size (standardized mean difference) to a common language effect size--a probability of a random observation from one population being larger than a random observation from the other population. This common language effect size can be extended to represent…

Experimental problem solving: An instructional improvement field experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ross, John A.; Maynes, Florence J.

An instructional program based on expert-novice differences in experimental problem-solving performance was taught to grade 6 students (N = 265). Classes of students were randomly assigned to conditions in a delayed treatment design. Performance was assessed with multiple-choice and open-ended measures of specific transfer. Between group comparisons using pretest scores as a covariate showed that treatment condition students consistently outperformed controls; similar results were revealed in the within group comparisons. The achievement of the early treatment group did not decline in tests administered one month after the posttest.

A Comparison of the Single-sided (Gen II) and Double-sided (Gen I) Combat Arms Earplugs (CAE): Acoustic Properties, Human Performance, and User Acceptance

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-12-01

results of steady-state and impulse noise attenuation objective and real-ear measurements; localization and speech intelligibility human performance... Intelligibility 12 6.1 Method...12 Figure 8. Speech intelligibility testing of Gen I CAE and Gen II CAE

A Comparison of Psychotropic Drug Side Effect Profiles in Adults Diagnosed with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hess, Julie; Matson, Johnny; Neal, Daniene; Mahan, Sara; Fodstad, Jill; Bamburg, Jay; Holloway, Jodie

2010-01-01

Forty-eight adults diagnosed with intellectual disabilities and Autistic Disorder or Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified were examined with regard to psychotropic medication side effects. Participants were divided into 4 groups: no psychotropic medication group (n = 9); atypical antipsychotic medication group (n = 13);…

A Comparison of Speech Sound Intervention Delivered by Telepractice and Side-by-Side Service Delivery Models

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grogan-Johnson, Sue; Schmidt, Anna Marie; Schenker, Jason; Alvares, Robin; Rowan, Lynne E.; Taylor, Jacquelyn

2013-01-01

Telepractice has the potential to provide greater access to speech-language intervention services for children with communication impairments. Substantiation of this delivery model is necessary for telepractice to become an accepted alternative delivery model. This study investigated the progress made by school-age children with speech sound…

Volume Comparison of Pine, Spruce, and Aspen Growing Side by Side

Treesearch

David H. Alban

1985-01-01

Red pine produced significantly more volume than the other species on all five sites in the Lake States. By age 40 to 50 white spruce was second to red pine and beyond this age it is expected that these two species will increase their lead over the other especies even more.

Effect of graded InGaN drain region and 'In' fraction in InGaN channel on performances of InGaN tunnel field-effect transistor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duan, Xiaoling; Zhang, Jincheng; Wang, Shulong; Quan, Rudai; Hao, Yue

2017-12-01

An InGaN-based graded drain region tunnel field-effect transistor (GD-TFET) is proposed to suppress the ambipolar behavior. The simulation results with the trade-off between on-state current (Ion) and ambipolar current (Iambipolar) show decreased Iambipolar (1.9 × 10-14 A/μm) in comparison with that of conventional TFETs (2.0 × 10-8 A/μm). Furthermore, GD-TFET with high 'In' fraction InxGa1-xN source-side channel (SC- GD-TFET) is explored and exhibits 5.3 times Ion improvement and 60% average subthreshold swing (SSavg) reduction in comparison with GD-TFET by adjusting 'In' fraction in the InxGa1-xN source-side channel. The improvement is attributed to the confinement of BTBT in the source-side channel by the heterojunction. And then, the optimum value for source-side channel length (Lsc) is researched by DC performances results, which shows it falls into the range between Lsc = 10 nm and 20 nm.

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Calbindin D9k in Apo, Singly and Doubly Loaded States in Various Side-Chains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thapa, Mahendra Bahadur

Calbindin D9k (CAB) is a single domain calcium-binding protein and is the smallest members of the calmodulin superfamily, possessing a pair of calcium-binding EF-hands, and structures for all four states have been determined and extensively characterized experimentally. Because of the tremendous advancement in hardware and software computer technologies in recent years, longer and more realistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of a protein are possible now in reasonable periods of time. These advances were exploited to generate multiple, all-atom MD simulations of CAB via the AMBER software package, and the resulting trajectories were employed to calculate backbone order parameters of the apo, the singly and the doubly loaded states of calcium in CAB. The results are in very good agreement with corresponding experimental NMR-based (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy) results, and are improved in comparison to those calculated over a decade ago; use of modified force fields played a key role in the observed improvements. The apo state is the most flexible, and the singly loaded and the doubly loaded states are similar, thus supporting positive cooperativity in line with the experimental results. Further, B-factor calculations of backbone atoms for these calcium-binding states of calbindin D9k also support such cooperativity. Although changes in side-chain motions are not necessarily correlated to changes in protein backbone mobility, past studies on the comparison of experimental and simulated methyl side-chain NMR relaxation parameters of CAB for the doubly-loaded state reported significant improvements in the quantitative representation of side-chain motion by MD simulation. In this project, the order parameters for various side chains in apo, singly loaded and doubly loaded states of CAB were calculated. The primary goal of this work was to determine whether or not the allosteric effect of calcium binding, as observed via the backbone order parameters, also extended to the amino acid side chains, and if so, to what extent. Such information could be useful in better understanding the physical basis of cooperative calcium binding in CAB. Most of the residues which provide ligands to bind calcium at the binding sites support positive cooperativity, as observed when Ca-Cß, Cß-C?, C-C bond and C-O bonds of COO groups of aspartic and glutamic acid residues, the C-N bond of the side-chain amide group in asparagine and glutamine residues, and the N-H bonds of amide (NH2) group order parameters were studied. There are only a few residues containing methyl groups that are involved in providing ligands to the calcium, and the studies of order parameters of C-C bond and C-H bond of these methyl groups did not exhibit the cooperativity effect upon calcium binding; the simulated C-C bond order parameter of the methyl group symmetry axis did correlate well with the experimental results for the fully loaded state of CAB (4ICB). Analysis of the MD trajectories using GSATools and MutInf, provided valuable insights into possible pathways for communicating allosteric effects between the two calcium-binding sites of CAB.

Cornu Ammonis Regions–Antecedents of Cortical Layers?

PubMed Central

Mercer, Audrey; Thomson, Alex M.

2017-01-01

Studying neocortex and hippocampus in parallel, we are struck by the similarities. All three to four layered allocortices and the six layered mammalian neocortex arise in the pallium. All receive and integrate multiple cortical and subcortical inputs, provide multiple outputs and include an array of neuronal classes. During development, each cell positions itself to sample appropriate local and distant inputs and to innervate appropriate targets. Simpler cortices had already solved the need to transform multiple coincident inputs into serviceable outputs before neocortex appeared in mammals. Why then do phylogenetically more recent cortices need multiple pyramidal cell layers? A simple answer is that more neurones can compute more complex functions. The dentate gyrus and hippocampal CA regions—which might be seen as hippocampal antecedents of neocortical layers—lie side by side, albeit around a tight bend. Were the millions of cells of rat neocortex arranged in like fashion, the surface area of the CA pyramidal cell layers would be some 40 times larger. Even if evolution had managed to fold this immense sheet into the space available, the distances between neurones that needed to be synaptically connected would be huge and to maintain the speed of information transfer, massive, myelinated fiber tracts would be needed. How much more practical to stack the “cells that fire and wire together” into narrow columns, while retaining the mechanisms underlying the extraordinary precision with which circuits form. This demonstrably efficient arrangement presents us with challenges, however, not the least being to categorize the baffling array of neuronal subtypes in each of five “pyramidal layers.” If we imagine the puzzle posed by this bewildering jumble of apical dendrites, basal dendrites and axons, from many different pyramidal and interneuronal classes, that is encountered by a late-arriving interneurone insinuating itself into a functional circuit, we can perhaps begin to understand why definitive classification, covering every aspect of each neurone's structure and function, is such a challenge. Here, we summarize and compare the development of these two cortices, the properties of their neurones, the circuits they form and the ordered, unidirectional flow of information from one hippocampal region, or one neocortical layer, to another. PMID:29018334

Stationary Size Distributions of Growing Cells with Binary and Multiple Cell Division

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rading, M. M.; Engel, T. A.; Lipowsky, R.; Valleriani, A.

2011-10-01

Populations of unicellular organisms that grow under constant environmental conditions are considered theoretically. The size distribution of these cells is calculated analytically, both for the usual process of binary division, in which one mother cell produces always two daughter cells, and for the more complex process of multiple division, in which one mother cell can produce 2 n daughter cells with n=1,2,3,… . The latter mode of division is inspired by the unicellular algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The uniform response of the whole population to different environmental conditions is encoded in the individual rates of growth and division of the cells. The analytical treatment of the problem is based on size-dependent rules for cell growth and stochastic transition processes for cell division. The comparison between binary and multiple division shows that these different division processes lead to qualitatively different results for the size distribution and the population growth rates.

Oxygen consumption, heart rate and oxygen pulse associated with selected exercise-to-muscle class elements.

PubMed Central

Abernethy, P; Batman, P

1994-01-01

The purpose of the investigation was to determine the relative oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate and oxygen pulse associated with the constituent elements of an exercise-to-music class. Six women exercise-to-music leaders with a mean(s.d.) age, weight and height of 33.2(5.2) years, 51.0(2.8) kg and 157.9(5.6) cm respectively, completed five distinct exercise-to-music movement elements. The movement elements were of a locomoter (circuit, jump and low impact) and callisthenic (prone and side/supine) nature. The movement elements were distinguishable from one another in terms of their movement patterns, posture and tempo. Relative VO2 values were greatest for the circuit element (40.6 ml kg-1 min-1) and least for the side/supine element (20.0 ml kg-1 min-1). The differences in VO2 between the locomotrr and callisthenic elements were significant (circuit approximately jump approximately low impact > prone approximately side/supine). However, effect size data suggested that the differences between the low impact and jump elements and the prone and side/supine elements were of practical significance (circuit approximately jump > low impact > prone > side/supine). With a single exception similar parametric statistics and effect size trends were identified for absolute heart rate. Specifically, the heart rate associated with the low impact element was not significantly greater than the prone element. The oxygen pulse associated with the locomotor elements was significantly greater than the callisthenic elements (circuit approximately jump approximately low impact > prone > side/supine). This suggested that heart rate may be an inappropriate index for making comparisons between exercise-to-music elements. Reasons for differences in oxygen uptake values between movement elements are discussed. PMID:8044493

Discovery and Utilization of Nanoscale and Mesoscale Enabling Materials and Processes for Optoelectronics and Electronic Interconnects

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-12-01

Heating and Cooling Device 42 5.2.3 Multiple Tip STM ~ 43 5.2.3.1 Novel Nanomanipulator MM3 43 5.2.3.2 Four Tip STM Assembly 44 5.2.3.3 Vibration ...Analysis of Eddy Current Damping System of Multiple TIP STM " 44 5.2.3.4 Active Vibration Damping System 46 5.3 First Results 47 5.3.1 UHV-SEM...side: Actual device side and top view. 44 46. Setup for the vibration analysis experiment. 45 47. Relaxation of the STM unit, (a) without the eddy

Role of multiple cusps in tooth fracture.

PubMed

Barani, Amir; Bush, Mark B; Lawn, Brian R

2014-07-01

The role of multiple cusps in the biomechanics of human molar tooth fracture is analysed. A model with four cusps at the bite surface replaces the single dome structure used in previous simulations. Extended finite element modelling, with provision to embed longitudinal cracks into the enamel walls, enables full analysis of crack propagation from initial extension to final failure. The cracks propagate longitudinally around the enamel side walls from starter cracks placed either at the top surface (radial cracks) or from the tooth base (margin cracks). A feature of the crack evolution is its stability, meaning that extension occurs steadily with increasing applied force. Predictions from the model are validated by comparison with experimental data from earlier publications, in which crack development was followed in situ during occlusal loading of extracted human molars. The results show substantial increase in critical forces to produce longitudinal fractures with number of cuspal contacts, indicating a capacity for an individual tooth to spread the load during mastication. It is argued that explicit critical force equations derived in previous studies remain valid, at the least as a means for comparing the capacity for teeth of different dimensions to sustain high bite forces. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Treatments of Missing Values in Large National Data Affect Conclusions: The Impact of Multiple Imputation on Arthroplasty Research.

PubMed

Ondeck, Nathaniel T; Fu, Michael C; Skrip, Laura A; McLynn, Ryan P; Su, Edwin P; Grauer, Jonathan N

2018-03-01

Despite the advantages of large, national datasets, one continuing concern is missing data values. Complete case analysis, where only cases with complete data are analyzed, is commonly used rather than more statistically rigorous approaches such as multiple imputation. This study characterizes the potential selection bias introduced using complete case analysis and compares the results of common regressions using both techniques following unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. Patients undergoing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty were extracted from the 2005 to 2015 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. As examples, the demographics of patients with and without missing preoperative albumin and hematocrit values were compared. Missing data were then treated with both complete case analysis and multiple imputation (an approach that reproduces the variation and associations that would have been present in a full dataset) and the conclusions of common regressions for adverse outcomes were compared. A total of 6117 patients were included, of which 56.7% were missing at least one value. Younger, female, and healthier patients were more likely to have missing preoperative albumin and hematocrit values. The use of complete case analysis removed 3467 patients from the study in comparison with multiple imputation which included all 6117 patients. The 2 methods of handling missing values led to differing associations of low preoperative laboratory values with commonly studied adverse outcomes. The use of complete case analysis can introduce selection bias and may lead to different conclusions in comparison with the statistically rigorous multiple imputation approach. Joint surgeons should consider the methods of handling missing values when interpreting arthroplasty research. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

One-side riddled basin below and beyond the blowout bifurcation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, H. L.

2000-10-01

In this Rapid Comunication we report a phenomenon of a one-side riddled basin where one side of the basin of attraction of an attractor on an invariant subspace (ISS) is globally riddled, while the other side is only locally riddled. This kind of basin appears due to the symmetry breaking with respect to the ISS. This one-side riddled basin can even persist beyond the blowout bifurcation, contrary to the previously reported riddled basins which exist only below the blowout transition. An experimental situation where this phenomenon can be expected is proposed.

Tumor boards and the quality of cancer care.

PubMed

Keating, Nancy L; Landrum, Mary Beth; Lamont, Elizabeth B; Bozeman, Samuel R; Shulman, Lawrence N; McNeil, Barbara J

2013-01-16

Despite the widespread use of tumor boards, few data on their effects on cancer care exist. We assessed whether the presence of a tumor board, either general or cancer specific, was associated with recommended cancer care, outcomes, or use in the Veterans Affairs (VA) health system. We surveyed 138 VA medical centers about the presence of tumor boards and linked cancer registry and administrative data to assess receipt of stage-specific recommended care, survival, or use for patients with colorectal, lung, prostate, hematologic, and breast cancers diagnosed in the period from 2001 to 2004 and followed through 2005. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess associations of tumor boards with the measures, adjusting for patient sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. All statistical tests were two-sided. Most facilities (75%) had at least one tumor board, and many had several cancer-specific tumor boards. Presence of a tumor board was associated with only seven of 27 measures assessed (all P < .05), and several associations were not in expected directions. Rates of some recommended care (eg, white blood cell growth factors with cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine, and prednisone in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma) were lower in centers with hematologic-specialized tumor boards (39.4%) than in centers with general tumor boards (61.3%) or no tumor boards (56.4%; P = .002). Only one of 27 measures was statistically significantly associated with tumor boards after applying a Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. We observed little association of multidisciplinary tumor boards with measures of use, quality, or survival. This may reflect no effect or an effect that varies by structural and functional components and participants' expertise.

Comparison of Efficacy and Side Effects of Oral Baclofen Versus Tizanidine Therapy with Adjuvant Botulinum Toxin Type A in Children With Cerebral Palsy and Spastic Equinus Foot Deformity.

PubMed

Dai, Alper I; Aksoy, Sefika N; Demiryürek, Abdullah T

2016-02-01

This retrospective study aimed to compare the therapeutic response, including side effects, for oral baclofen versus oral tizanidine therapy with adjuvant botulinum toxin type A in a group of 64 pediatric patients diagnosed with static encephalopathy and spastic equinus foot deformity. Following botulinum toxin A treatment, clinical improvement led to the gradual reduction of baclofen or tizanidine dosing to one-third of the former dose. Gross Motor Functional Measure and Caregiver Health Questionnaire scores were markedly elevated post-botulinum toxin A treatment, with scores for the tizanidine (Gross Motor Functional Measure: 74.45 ± 3.72; Caregiver Health Questionnaire: 72.43 ± 4.29) group significantly higher than for the baclofen group (Gross Motor Functional Measure: 68.23 ± 2.66; Caregiver Health Questionnaire: 67.53 ± 2.67, P < .001). These findings suggest that the combined use of botulinum toxin A and a low dose of tizanidine in treating children with cerebral palsy appears to be more effective and has fewer side effects versus baclofen with adjuvant botulinum toxin A. © The Author(s) 2015.

Tuning the tunneling magnetoresistance by using fluorinated graphene in graphene based magnetic junctions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meena, Shweta; Choudhary, Sudhanshu

2017-12-01

Spin polarized properties of fluorinated graphene as tunnel barrier with CrO2 as two HMF electrodes are studied using first principle methods based on density functional theory. Fluorinated graphene with different fluorine coverages is explored as tunnel barriers in magnetic tunnel junctions. Density functional computation for different fluorine coverages imply that with increase in fluorine coverages, there is increase in band gap (Eg) of graphene, Eg ˜ 3.466 e V was observed when graphene sheet is fluorine adsorbed on both-side with 100% coverage (CF). The results of CF graphene are compared with C4F (fluorination on one-side of graphene sheet with 25% coverage) and out-of-plane graphene based magnetic tunnel junctions. On comparison of the results it is observed that CF graphene based structure offers high TMR ˜100%, and the transport of carrier is through tunneling as there are no transmission states near Fermi level. This suggests that graphene sheet with both-side fluorination with 100% coverages acts as a perfect insulator and hence a better barrier to the carriers which is due to negligible spin down current (I ↓ ) in both Parallel Configuration (PC) and Antiparallel Configuration (APC).

Torsional Growth Modulation of Long Bones by Oblique Plating in a Rabbit Model.

PubMed

Lazarus, David E; Farnsworth, Christine L; Jeffords, Megan E; Marino, Nikolas; Hallare, Jericho; Edmonds, Eric W

2018-02-01

There is evidence that oblique tension band plating can affect torsional growth in long bones. This study sought to determine if the torsional growth could be modulated based on the angles of the tension band plating and whether or not oblique plating affected overall longitudinal growth. New Zealand White rabbits (10.5 wk old) had one screw placed on the metaphyseal side and one on the epiphyseal side of both medial and lateral sides of the right knee distal femoral physis. The sham group (n=5) included screw placement only. For the plate group (n=13), unlocked plates, angled from 0 to 76 degrees, connected the screws and spanned the physis. Radiographs were taken at biweekly intervals. After 6 weeks of growth, hindlimbs were harvested and microCT scans performed. Femoral length, distances between screw heads and angle between the plates were measured on radiographs. Femoral length differences were compared between groups. Femoral version was measured from 3D microCT. Plate angle changes were correlated to the difference in femoral version between limbs using Pearson correlation (significance was set to P<0.05 for all comparisons). Femur length difference between the contralateral and the operative side was significantly greater in the plate group compared with the sham group over time (P=0.049). Medial and lateral screw distances changed significantly more in the sham group than the plate group on both sides (P<0.001). A greater initial angle between plates resulted in a greater change in the angle between plates (P<0.001). Significant correlations were found between right-left side femoral version differences and initial plate angle (P=0.003) and plate angle change (P=0.014). The torsional effect of oblique plating seems to correlate with the amount of initial plate angle, with an additional, not negligible, longitudinal growth effect. Placing plates at given angles across open physes may result in predictable changes in bone torsion allowing for a safer and less invasive option when treating childhood torsional deformities, but the resulting shortening of the ipsilateral femur must be considered.

Ablative fractional lasers (CO(2) and Er:YAG): a randomized controlled double-blind split-face trial of the treatment of peri-orbital rhytides.

PubMed

Karsai, Syrus; Czarnecka, Agnieszka; Jünger, Michael; Raulin, Christian

2010-02-01

Ablative fractional lasers were introduced for treating facial rhytides in an attempt to achieve results comparable to traditional ablative resurfacing but with fewer side effects. However, there is conflicting evidence on how well this goal has generally been achieved as well as on the comparative value of fractional CO(2) and Er:YAG lasers. The present study compares these modalities in a randomized controlled double-blind split-face study design. Twenty-eight patients were enrolled and completed the entire study. Patients were randomly assigned to receive a single treatment on each side of the peri-orbital region, one with a fractional CO(2) and one with a fractional Er:YAG laser. The evaluation included the profilometric measurement of wrinkle depth, the Fitzpatrick wrinkle score (both before and 3 months after treatment) as well as the assessment of side effects and patient satisfaction (1, 3, 6 days and 3 months after treatment). Both modalities showed a roughly equivalent effect. Wrinkle depth and Fitzpatrick score were reduced by approximately 20% and 10%, respectively, with no appreciable difference between lasers. Side effects and discomfort were slightly more pronounced after Er:YAG treatment in the first few days, but in the later course there were more complaints following CO(2) laser treatment. Patient satisfaction was fair and the majority of patients would have undergone the treatment again without a clear preference for either method. According to the present study, a single ablative fractional treatment session has an appreciable yet limited effect on peri-orbital rhytides. When fractional CO(2) and Er:YAG lasers are used in such a manner that there are comparable post-operative healing periods, comparable cosmetic improvement occurs. Multiple sessions may be required for full effect, which cancels out the proposed advantage of fractional methods, that is, fewer side effects and less down time.

Comparison of copper intrauterine device with levonorgestrel-bearing intrauterine system for post-abortion contraception.

PubMed

Bilgehan, Fatma; Dilbaz, Berna; Karadag, Burak; Deveci, Canan Dura

2015-09-01

The aim of this study was to compare the safety, bleeding pattern, effects, side-effects, complications and 6-month continuity rates of levonorgestrel-bearing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) with conventional copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD) inserted immediately after voluntary termination of pregnancy up to 10 weeks of gestation. One hundred women who underwent voluntary pregnancy termination and preferred IUD insertion as a contraceptive method after counseling were enrolled. The patients were randomly allocated to Cu-IUD or LNG-IUS and followed up at 10 days, and at 1, 3 and 6 months. The expulsion rates, continuation rates, side-effects, and bleeding patterns were compared. Fifty women in the Cu-IUD group and 44 women in the LNG-IUS group were followed up. The continuity and expulsion rate for Cu-IUD and LNG-IUS at the end of 6 months was 74%, 12%, and 75%, 11.3%, respectively. In LNG-IUS users, the incidence of amenorrhea and the number of spotting days were higher and hemoglobin increased throughout the follow-up period. The side-effects related to both methods were not different from interval insertions. Immediate post-abortion intrauterine contraception with Cu-IUD or LNG-IUS is a safe, reliable method. The incidence of side-effects is similar, and there is only a slightly higher rate of expulsion but an acceptable rate of method continuation. © 2015 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Hyperventilation with and without maintenance of isocapnia: a comparison of selected gasometric and respiratory parameters.

PubMed

Sein Anand, Jacek; Wiśniewski, Marek; Waldman, Wojciech

2014-09-15

The aims of this study were to examine selected respiratory and gasometric parameters during hyperventilation with and without isocapnia and to identify the possible mechanism by which isocapnic hyperventilation might be useful in the elimination of volatile substances, including CO. Ten healthy non-smoking volunteers were studied, and each underwent two procedures. During one session, CO2 was added to the respiratory circuit, and during the other session, only 100% O2 was used. The volunteers were coached to hyperventilate until the appearance of side effects. Isocapnic hyperventilation significantly increased alveolar minute ventilation and partial pressure of oxygen in arterialized capillary blood (paO2); to the best of our knowledge, these findings have not previously been reported. Isocapnic hyperventilation was associated with only mild side effects, such as dyspnea, increased respiratory effort and headache, in 30% of subjects. Side effects, including vertigo, paresthesias and muscle tremor, were present in 70% of the volunteers during hyperventilation with 100% O2, and these side effects forced them to limit their respiratory rates and tidal volumes. These increases in alveolar ventilation and the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood may play crucial roles in decreasing the half-time of carboxyhemoglobin, which is the primary goal of the treatment of CO poisoning. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Increasing the Efficiency of a Thermoelectric Generator Using an Evaporative Cooling System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boonyasri, M.; Jamradloedluk, J.; Lertsatitthanakorn, C.; Therdyothin, A.; Soponronnarit, S.

2017-05-01

A system for reducing heat from the cold side of a thermoelectric (TE) power generator, based on the principle of evaporative cooling, is presented. An evaporative cooling system could increase the conversion efficiency of a TE generator. To this end, two sets of TE generators were constructed. Both TE generators were composed of five TE power modules. The cold and hot sides of the TE modules were fixed to rectangular fin heat sinks. The hot side heat sinks were inserted in a hot gas duct. The cold side of one set was cooled by the cooling air from a counter flow evaporative cooling system, whereas the other set was cooled by the parallel flow evaporative cooling system. The counter flow pattern had better performance than the parallel flow pattern. A comparison between the TE generator with and without an evaporative cooling system was made. Experimental results show that the power output increased by using the evaporative cooling system. This can significantly increase the TE conversion efficiency. The evaporative cooling system increased the power output of the TE generator from 22.9 W of ambient air flowing through the heat sinks to 28.6 W at the hot gas temperature of 350°C (an increase of about 24.8%). The present study shows the promising potential of using TE generators with evaporative cooling for waste heat recovery.

Nutrient and food group intakes of women with and without Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder during pregnancy

PubMed Central

Siega-Riz, Anna Maria; Haugen, Margaretha; Meltzer, Helle M; Von Holle, Ann; Hamer, Robert; Torgersen, Leila; Knopf-Berg, Cecilie; Reichborn-Kjennerud, Ted; Bulik, Cynthia M

2009-01-01

Background Little is known concerning the dietary habits of eating disordered women during pregnancy that may lie in the causal pathway of adverse birth outcomes. Objective To examine the nutrient and food group intake of women with bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED) during pregnancy and compare their intake to women with no eating disorders. Design Data on 30,040 mother-child pairs are from the prospective Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study was used in cross-sectional analyses. Dietary information was collected using a food frequency questionnaire during the first half of pregnancy. Statistical testing by eating disorder categories with the non-eating disorder category as the referent group were conducted using log (means) adjusted for confounding and multiple comparisons. Food group differences were conducted using a Wilcoxon two-sided normal approximation test also adjusting for multiple comparisons. Results Women with BED before and during pregnancy had higher intakes of total energy, total mono-saturated and saturated fat, and lower intakes of folate, potassium, and vitamin C compared to the referent (p<.02). Women with incident BED during pregnancy had higher total energy and saturated fat intake compared to the referent (p=.01). Several differences emerged in food group consumption between women with and without eating disorders including intakes of artificial sweeteners, sweets, juice, fruits and fats. Conclusions Women with BN before and during pregnancy and those with BED before pregnancy exhibit dietary patterns different from women without eating disorders, that are reflective of their symptomatology, and may influence pregnancy outcomes. PMID:18469258

Probing the conformation of a conserved glutamic acid within the Cl− pathway of a CLC H+/Cl− exchanger

PubMed Central

Vien, Malvin

2017-01-01

The CLC proteins form a broad family of anion-selective transport proteins that includes both channels and exchangers. Despite extensive structural, functional, and computational studies, the transport mechanism of the CLC exchangers remains poorly understood. Several transport models have been proposed but have failed to capture all the key features of these transporters. Multiple CLC crystal structures have suggested that a conserved glutamic acid, Gluex, can adopt three conformations and that the interconversion of its side chain between these states underlies H+/Cl− exchange. One of these states, in which Gluex occupies the central binding site (Scen) while Cl− ions fill the internal and external sites (Sint and Sext), has only been observed in one homologue, the eukaryotic cmCLC. The existence of such a state in other CLCs has not been demonstrated. In this study, we find that during transport, the prototypical prokaryotic CLC exchanger, CLC-ec1, adopts a conformation with functional characteristics that match those predicted for a cmCLC-like state, with Gluex trapped in Scen between two Cl− ions. Transport by CLC-ec1 is reduced when [Cl−] is symmetrically increased on both sides of the membrane and mutations that disrupt the hydrogen bonds stabilizing Gluex in Scen destabilize this trapped state. Furthermore, inhibition of transport by high [Cl−] is abolished in the E148A mutant, in which the Gluex side chain is removed. Collectively, our results suggest that, during the CLC transport cycle, Gluex can occupy Scen as well as the Sext position in which it has been captured crystallographically and that hydrogen bonds with the side chains of residues that coordinate ion binding to Scen play a role in determining the equilibrium between these two conformations. PMID:28246117

Statistical power for the comparative regression discontinuity design with a nonequivalent comparison group.

PubMed

Tang, Yang; Cook, Thomas D; Kisbu-Sakarya, Yasemin

2018-03-01

In the "sharp" regression discontinuity design (RD), all units scoring on one side of a designated score on an assignment variable receive treatment, whereas those scoring on the other side become controls. Thus the continuous assignment variable and binary treatment indicator are measured on the same scale. Because each must be in the impact model, the resulting multi-collinearity reduces the efficiency of the RD design. However, untreated comparison data can be added along the assignment variable, and a comparative regression discontinuity design (CRD) is then created. When the untreated data come from a non-equivalent comparison group, we call this CRD-CG. Assuming linear functional forms, we show that power in CRD-CG is (a) greater than in basic RD; (b) less sensitive to the location of the cutoff and the distribution of the assignment variable; and that (c) fewer treated units are needed in the basic RD component within the CRD-CG so that savings can result from having fewer treated cases. The theory we develop is used to make numerical predictions about the efficiency of basic RD and CRD-CG relative to each other and to a randomized control trial. Data from the National Head Start Impact study are used to test these predictions. The obtained estimates are closer to the predicted parameters for CRD-CG than for basic RD and are generally quite close to the parameter predictions, supporting the emerging argument that CRD should be the design of choice in many applications for which basic RD is now used. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Multi-Grid detector for neutron spectroscopy: results obtained on time-of-flight spectrometer CNCS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anastasopoulos, M.; Bebb, R.; Berry, K.; Birch, J.; Bryś, T.; Buffet, J.-C.; Clergeau, J.-F.; Deen, P. P.; Ehlers, G.; van Esch, P.; Everett, S. M.; Guerard, B.; Hall-Wilton, R.; Herwig, K.; Hultman, L.; Höglund, C.; Iruretagoiena, I.; Issa, F.; Jensen, J.; Khaplanov, A.; Kirstein, O.; Lopez Higuera, I.; Piscitelli, F.; Robinson, L.; Schmidt, S.; Stefanescu, I.

2017-04-01

The Multi-Grid detector technology has evolved from the proof-of-principle and characterisation stages. Here we report on the performance of the Multi-Grid detector, the MG.CNCS prototype, which has been installed and tested at the Cold Neutron Chopper Spectrometer, CNCS at SNS. This has allowed a side-by-side comparison to the performance of 3He detectors on an operational instrument. The demonstrator has an active area of 0.2 m2. It is specifically tailored to the specifications of CNCS. The detector was installed in June 2016 and has operated since then, collecting neutron scattering data in parallel to the He-3 detectors of CNCS. In this paper, we present a comprehensive analysis of this data, in particular on instrument energy resolution, rate capability, background and relative efficiency. Stability, gamma-ray and fast neutron sensitivity have also been investigated. The effect of scattering in the detector components has been measured and provides input to comparison for Monte Carlo simulations. All data is presented in comparison to that measured by the 3He detectors simultaneously, showing that all features recorded by one detector are also recorded by the other. The energy resolution matches closely. We find that the Multi-Grid is able to match the data collected by 3He, and see an indication of a considerable advantage in the count rate capability. Based on these results, we are confident that the Multi-Grid detector will be capable of producing high quality scientific data on chopper spectrometers utilising the unprecedented neutron flux of the ESS.