Effects of knowing the task duration on players' pacing patterns during soccer small-sided games.

PubMed

Ferraz, Ricardo; Gonçalves, Bruno; Van Den Tillaar, Roland; Jiménez Sáiz, Sergio; Sampaio, Jaime; Marques, Mário C

2018-01-01

The aim of this study was to identify the influence of prior knowledge of exercise duration on players' pacing patterns during soccer small-sided games. Twenty semi-professional male soccer players participated in this study. In the first game scenario, players were not informed how long they would be required to play the small-sided game and the activity was terminated after 20 min (Unknown Condition). In the second game scenario, players were told that they would play the small-sided game for 10 min, but immediately after completing the 10-min game, they were asked to complete another 10 min (Partially Condition). In the third game scenario, players were instructed that they would play the small-sided game for 20 min and then they completed the 20-min game (Known Condition). The results presented a tendency of higher values in all performance variables in the [0'-10'] min compared with the [10'-20'] min. As the players' previous knowledge about the tasks duration increased, the performance between two moments tended to be similar. Considering the entire 20-min game duration, the Partially Condition of the exercise was the most demanding condition. In conclusion, the knowledge of shorter durations of the exercise seems to lead to an increase of exercise duration demand, and longer exercise durations possibly tend to decrease differences between full knowledge and not knowing the exercise duration.

Privacy Vulnerability of Published Anonymous Mobility Traces

DOE PAGES

Ma, Chris Y. T.; Yau, David K. Y.; Yip, Nung Kwan; ...

2013-06-01

Mobility traces of people and vehicles have been collected and published to assist the design and evaluation of mobile networks, such as large-scale urban sensing networks. Although the published traces are often made anonymous in that the true identities of nodes are replaced by random identifiers, the privacy concern remains. This is because in real life, nodes are open to observations in public spaces, or they may voluntarily or inadvertently disclose partial knowledge of their whereabouts. Thus, snapshots of nodes’ location information can be learned by interested third parties, e.g., directly through chance/engineered meetings between the nodes and their observers,more » or indirectly through casual conversations or other information sources about people. In this paper, we investigate how an adversary, when equipped with a small amount of the snapshot information termed as side information, can infer an extended view of the whereabouts of a victim node appearing in an anonymous trace. Our results quantify the loss of victim nodes’ privacy as a function of the nodal mobility, the inference strategies of adversaries, and any noise that may appear in the trace or the side information. Generally, our results indicate that the privacy concern is significant in that a relatively small amount of side information is sufficient for the adversary to infer the true identity (either uniquely or with high probability) of a victim in a set of anonymous traces. For instance, an adversary is able to identify the trace of 30%-50% of the victims when she has collected 10 pieces of side information about a victim.« less

Art deco railing detail on SE side. Partial segment in ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Art deco railing detail on SE side. Partial segment in left foreground is same as center segment in photo WA-141-5. - Raging River Bridge No. 234A, Preston-Fall City Road & Southeast Forty-fourth Place, Fall City, King County, WA

4. PARTIAL WEST AND SOUTH SIDES. THE WING IN THE ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

4. PARTIAL WEST AND SOUTH SIDES. THE WING IN THE FOREGROUND IS NOT ORIGINAL, BUT WIDENED AND EXTENDED THE ORIGINAL SPACE AT THE LABORATORY'S WEST END. - U.S. Geological Survey, Rock Magnetics Laboratory, 345 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, San Mateo County, CA

Biomechanical analysis of articular-sided partial-thickness rotator cuff tear and repair.

PubMed

Mihata, Teruhisa; McGarry, Michelle H; Ishihara, Yoko; Bui, Christopher N H; Alavekios, Damon; Neo, Masashi; Lee, Thay Q

2015-02-01

Articular-sided partial-thickness rotator cuff tears are common injuries in throwing athletes. The superior shoulder capsule beneath the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons works as a stabilizer of the glenohumeral joint. To assess the effect of articular-sided partial-thickness rotator cuff tear and repair on shoulder biomechanics. The hypothesis was that shoulder laxity might be changed because of superior capsular plication in transtendon repair of articular-sided partial-thickness rotator cuff tears. Controlled laboratory study. Nine fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders were tested by using a custom shoulder-testing system at the simulated late-cocking phase and acceleration phase of throwing motion. Maximum glenohumeral external rotation angle, anterior translation, position of the humeral head apex with respect to the glenoid, internal impingement area, and glenohumeral and subacromial contact pressures were measured. Each specimen underwent 3 stages of testing: stage 1, with the intact shoulder; stage 2, after creation of articular-sided partial-thickness tears of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons; and stage 3, after transtendon repair of the torn tendons by using 2 suture anchors. Articular-sided partial-thickness tears did not significantly change any of the shoulder biomechanical measurements. In the simulated late-cocking phase, transtendon rotator cuff repair resulted in decreased maximum external rotation angle by 4.2° (P = .03), posterior shift of the humeral head (1.1-mm shift; P = .02), decreased glenohumeral contact pressure by 1.7 MPa (56%; P = .004), and decreased internal impingement area by 26.4 mm(2) (65%; P < .001) compared with values in the torn shoulder. In the acceleration phase, the humeral head shifted inferiorly (1.2-mm shift; P = .03 vs torn shoulder), and glenohumeral anterior translation (1.5-mm decrease; P = .03 vs torn shoulder) and subacromial contact pressure (32% decrease; P = .004 vs intact shoulder) decreased significantly after transtendon repair. Transtendon repair of articular-sided partial-thickness supraspinatus and infraspinatus tears decreased glenohumeral and subacromial contact pressures at time zero; these changes might lead to reduced secondary subacromial and internal impingements and consequently progression to full-thickness rotator cuff tear. However, repair of the tendons decreased anterior translation and external rotation and changed the positional relationship between the humeral head and the glenoid. Careful attention should be paid to shoulder laxity and range of motion when transtendon repair is chosen to treat articular-sided partial-thickness rotator cuff tears, specifically in throwing athletes. © 2014 The Author(s).

FH/MFSK performance in multitone jamming

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Levitt, B. K.

1985-01-01

The performance of frequency-hopped (FH) M-ary frequency-shift keyed (MFSK) signals in partial-band noise was analyzed in the open literature. The previous research is extended to the usually more effective class of multitone jamming. Some objectives researched are: (1) To categorize several different multitone jamming strategies; (2) To analyze the performance of FH/MSFK signaling, both uncoded with diversity, assuming a noncoherent energy detection metric with linear combining and perfect jamming state side information, in the presence of worst case interference for each of these multitone categories; and (3) To compare the effectiveness of the various multitone jamming techniques, and contrast the results with the partial band noise jamming case.

[Prevention of side effects and complications after operation for partial ileal bypass].

PubMed

Mirchuk, K K; Sedletskiĭ, Iu I

2014-01-01

Side effects and complications of the application of partial ileal bypass used for dislipidemia were analyzed in 162 patients with atherosclerosis. It was shown, that the partial ileal bypass operation could lead to the development of series of undesirable side effects such as diarrhea, hypovitaminosis B12, off-state intestine enteritis. The application of modification of partial ileal bypass such as formation of ileo-ileoanastomosis 5-6 cm long near ileocecal valve with the maintenance of its functions disposed the diarrhea and minimized the risk of the development of hypovitaminosis B12 after operation. It is possible to prevent the development of enteritis of off-state loop of the small intestine by using microanastomosis between off-state and functioning iliac intestine. The partial ileal bypass operation didn't influence on body weight, wouldn't increase the risk of stone formation in the gallbladder and kidneys. The risk of the development of hypovitaminosis B12 is minimal after operation.

Apparatus for the concurrent ultrasonic inspection of partially completed welds

DOEpatents

Johnson, John A.

2000-01-01

An apparatus for the concurrent nondestructive evaluation of partially completed welds is described and which is used in combination with an automated welder and which includes an ultrasonic signal generator mounted on the welder and which generates an ultrasonic signal which is directed toward one side of the partially completed welds; an ultrasonic signal receiver mounted on the automated welder for detecting ultrasonic signals which are transmitted by the ultrasonic signal generator and which are reflected or diffracted from one side of the partially completed weld or which passes through a given region of the partially completed weld; and an analysis assembly coupled with the ultrasonic signal receiver and which processes the ultrasonic signals received by the ultrasonic signal receiver to identify welding flaws in the partially completed weld.

Ultrasound and Functional Assessment of Transtendinous Repairs of Partial-Thickness Articular-Sided Rotator Cuff Tears.

PubMed

Ostrander, Roger V; Klauser, Jeffrey M; Menon, Sanjay; Hackel, Joshua G

2017-03-01

Partial-thickness articular-sided rotator cuff tears are a frequent source of shoulder pain. Despite conservative measures, some patients continue to be symptomatic and require surgical management. However, there is some controversy as to which surgical approach results in the best outcomes for grade 3 tears. The purpose of this study was to evaluate repair integrity and the clinical results of patients treated with transtendinous repair of high-grade partial-thickness articular-sided rotator cuff tears. Our hypothesis was that transtendinous repairs would result in reliable healing and acceptable functional outcomes. Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Twenty patients with a minimum follow-up of 2 years were included in the study. All patients underwent arthroscopic repair of high-grade partial-thickness rotator cuff tears utilizing a transtendinous technique by a single surgeon. At latest follow-up, the repair integrity was evaluated using ultrasound imaging, and functional scores were calculated. Ultrasound evaluation demonstrated that 18 of 20 patients had complete healing with a normal-appearing rotator cuff. Two patients had a minor residual partial tear. Sixteen of 20 patients had no pain on visual analog scale. Four patients complained of mild intermittent residual pain. All patients were rated as "excellent" by both the University of California at Los Angeles Shoulder Score and the Simple Shoulder Test. The transtendon technique for the repair of articular-sided high-grade partial rotator cuff tears results in reliable tendon healing and excellent functional outcomes.

Magnetic Heat Pump Containing Flow Diverters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Howard, Frank S.

1995-01-01

Proposed magnetic heat pump contains flow diverters for suppression of undesired flows. If left unchecked, undesired flows mix substantial amounts of partially heated and partially cooled portions of working fluid, effectively causing leakage of heat from heated side to cooled side. By reducing leakage of heat, flow diverters increase energy efficiency of magnetic heat pump, potentially offering efficiency greater than compressor-driven refrigerator.

Biomechanical effects of transverse partial sacrectomy on the sacroiliac joints: an in vitro human cadaveric investigation of the borderline of sacroiliac joint instability.

PubMed

Yu, Binsheng; Zheng, Zhaomin; Zhuang, Xinming; Chen, Hui; Xie, Denghui; Luk, K D K; Lu, W W

2009-06-01

In vitro laboratory study. To measure the effects of transverse partial sacrectomies on the compressive and torsional stiffness of the sacroiliac joints. Surgical treatment for sacral tumor of different location and nature includes partial or complete sacrectomy. Though the biomechanical investigations about the local destructive force of residual sacrum after partial sacrectomy have been reported, biomechanical properties of the residual sacroiliac joints after different transverse partial sacrectomies remain unknown. Seven fresh human cadaveric L5-pelves with normal bone mineral density were used in this study. Each specimen was tested in intact condition first, followed by a series of segmental transverse partial sacrectomies: under S2 partial sacrectomy (U-S2); U-(1/2)S2; U-S1; U-(1/2)S1; and right side sacroiliac joint resection (one-side). A material testing machine was used to apply 800 N compression and 7 Nm torsion loads through the L5/S1 joint. The resected dimensional area of sacroiliac joints and structural stiffness of the residual sacroiliac joints were analyzed. Average percentages of the resected area of sacroiliac joints were 8.4% in U-S2, 15.1% in U-(1/2)S2, 24.8% in U-S1, and 72.3% in U-(1/2)S1, respectively. In compression U-S2 approximately one-side preserved 98.7%, 97.1%, 94.4%, 82.9%, and 55.2% of the initial stiffness of the sacroiliac joint, respectively. No significant differences were detected among intact, U-S2, U-(1/2)S2, and U-S1 (P > 0.05). However, compressive stiffness of U-(1/2)S1 and one-side was markedly less than that of intact, U-S2, and U-(1/2)S2 (P < 0.05). In Torsion U-S2 approximately one-side preserved 90.7%, 88.5%, 81.9%, 71.9%, and 44.5% of the initial sacroiliac joint stiffness, respectively. No significant differences were demonstrated among intact, U-S2, and U-(1/2)S2 (P > 0.05); However, U-S1, U-(1/2)S1 and one-side exhibited significantly less torsional stiffness than intact and U-S2 (P < 0.05). In surgical treatment of distal sacral tumor, transverse partial sacrectomy involving S1 could result in rotational instability, and the resection level beyond (1/2)S1 further led to compressive instability. When the sacrectomy was at or above the S1/2 level, local reconstruction should be considered.

5. View West. West side and rear elevations of c. ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

5. View West. West side and rear elevations of c. 1890 first rear addition; partial north rear elevation of c. 1900 side ell addition; and north rear and west side elevation of final rear addition of c. 1940. - Vaughn Chevrolet Building, 101-109 East Main Street, Monongahela, Washington County, PA

Compliant walker

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kerley, James J. (Inventor); Eklund, Wayne D. (Inventor); Crane, J. Allen (Inventor)

1992-01-01

A compliant walker is provided for humans having limited use of their legs and lower back. It includes an upright wheel frame which at least partially surrounds an upright user wearing a partial body harness. It is attached to the frame by means of cable compliant apparatus consisting of sets of cable segments and angle bracket members connected between opposite side members of the frame and adjacent side portions of the harness. Novelty is believed to exist in the combination of a wheeled frame including a side support structure, a body harness, and compliance means connecting the body harness to the side support structure for flexibility holding and supporting a person in a substantially upright position when the user sags in the frame when taking weight off the lower extremities.

Arthroscopic transtendinous repair of articular-sided pasta (partial articular supraspinatus tendon avulsion) injury.

PubMed

Wang, Yi; Lu, Liangyu; Lu, Zhe; Xiao, Lei; Kang, Yifan; Wang, Zimin

2015-01-01

To evaluate clinical efficacy of arthroscopic transtendinous repair of partial articular-sided PASTA (partial articular supraspinatus tendon avulsion) injury. From February 2011 to July 2014, 12 cases of PASTA, aged 29 to 72 years with an average of 52.9 ± 13.3 years, were treated arthoscopically. To repair PASTA, articular-sided rotator cuff tear was explored, injury site was punctured and labeled with PDS absorbable monofilament suture (Ethicon, Somerville, NJ, USA) suture, subacromial bursa was cleaned up with acromioplasty, and integrity of bursa-side rotator cuff was assessed. Then with arthroscope in glenohumeral joint, footprint of the bursa-side supraspinatus tendon was preserved, rivets were introduced into the joint through supraspinatus tendon, joint-side partial tear was sutured, and anatomical reconstruction of the rotator cuff footprint was established. The patients were followed up post-operatively for 12-36 months, average 22 ± 7.3 months. The clinical outcomes were emulated with ASES (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons) Shoulder Score system and UCLA (University of California at Los Angeles) Shoulder rating scale. The post-operative ASES score was 89.7 ± 5.6, higher than the pre-operative one 49.8 ± 9.8 (t = 12.25, P <0.0001). While UCLA scale increased from the pre-operative 17.3, ± 3.3 to the post-operative 30.4 ± 3.2 points (t = 9.87, P <0.0001), with a satisfaction rate of 11/12 (91.7%). Trans-tendon repair is ideal for PASTA with advantage of maximal preservation of the normal rotator cuff tissue, anatomical reconstruction of the rotator cuff footprint and stable fixation of tendon-bone interface.

Effectiveness of Nissen fundoplication versus anterior and posterior partial fundoplications for treatment of gastro-esophageal reflux disease: a systematic review protocol.

PubMed

Marshall-Webb, Matthew; Peters, Micah D J; Bright, Tim; Watson, David I

2018-05-01

The objective of this review is to determine the relative effectiveness of Nissen fundoplication compared to anterior and posterior partial fundoplication in controlling the symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux disease and reducing their side effect profile in adults.The specific questions posed by this review are: what is the effectiveness of Nissen fundoplication in comparison to anterior partial fundoplication (90 degree, 120 degree and 180 degree) and posterior 270 degree fundoplication in terms of symptom control of gastro-esophageal reflux disease, and what are the side effects of these surgical interventions?

A randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study of a preparation containing undecylenoyl phenylalanine 2% in the treatment of solar lentigines.

PubMed

Katoulis, A C; Alevizou, A; Bozi, E; Makris, M; Zafeiraki, A; Mantas, N; Kousta, F; Mistidou, M; Kanelleas, A; Stavrianeas, N G

2010-07-01

Solar lentigines are common, benign, cosmetically disfiguring lesions. Available physical treatments are effective, but they are costly and carry risks of side-effects. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a preparation containing undecylenoyl phenylalanine 2% in the topical treatment of solar lentigines. In total, 36 patients with solar lentigines of the hands were randomly assigned to apply the active preparation on one side and the vehicle alone on the other side, twice daily for 12 weeks. Patients were evaluated monthly for efficacy and safety. In all, 30 patients (28 women and 2 men; age range 47-75 years) completed the study. The duration of lesions ranged from 8 months to > 10 years. All patients responded partially on the side of the active treatment. Of the partial responders, 19 (63.3%) had moderate improvement and 11 (36.6%) had marked improvement. Improvement was evident from the first follow-up visit. On the side of the vehicle, 26 remained stable (86.6%) and 4 (13.3%) had partial improvement. There was a significant difference (P < 0.01) in efficacy of the active preparation vs. the vehicle. Using patient assessment ratings, 80% were 'much more satisfied/more satisfied' with the result. The reported side-effects were minor and included erythema and itching or burning on the side of active treatment. Undecylenoyl phenylalanine 2% is a novel depigmenting agent, which possibly acts as an alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone antagonist, thus inhibiting melaninogenesis. It achieved a significant lightening of the lesions with minimal side-effects. Most patients were satisfied with the improvement. Undecylenoyl phenylalanine 2% may represent a safe, effective and inexpensive therapeutic alternative for solar lentigines.

Sprains, Strains, and Tears

MedlinePlus

... to-side • Tubing exercises in all motions (pain free) • Toe raises (advanced) • Hops – start forward and back, short hops (advanced) • Weights – Heavy tubing or cuff weights (advanced) JOINT POSITION (REGAINING BALANCE) • Standing with eyes closed – partial squats and side-to-side shifts • One-legged stand ...

Effect of partial covering of the visitor viewing area window on positioning and orientation of zoo orangutans: A preference test.

PubMed

Bloomfield, Rachel C; Gillespie, Graeme R; Kerswell, Keven J; Butler, Kym L; Hemsworth, Paul H

2015-01-01

The window of the visitor viewing area adjacent to an animal platform in an orangutan enclosure was altered to produce three viewing treatments in a randomized controlled experiment. These treatments were window uncovered, left side of the window covered or right side of the window covered. Observations were conducted on the orangutans present on the platform, and on their location (left or right side), and orientation (towards or away from the window) while on the platform. The partial covering of the window had little effect on the proportion of time orangutans spent on the viewing platform, or on the direction they faced when on the platform. When the orangutans were facing towards the window, and the right side was uncovered, irrespective of whether the left side was covered, they spent about three quarters of the time on the right side, suggesting a preference for the right side of the platform. However, when the right side was covered and the left side uncovered, the animals facing towards the window spent only about a quarter of the time on the right side, that is, they spent more time on the uncovered side. The results suggest that the orangutans have a preference to position themselves to face the window of the visitor viewing area. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Control of differential strain during heating and cooling of mixed conducting metal oxide membranes

DOEpatents

Carolan, Michael Francis

2007-12-25

Method of operating an oxygen-permeable mixed conducting membrane having an oxidant feed side and a permeate side, which method comprises controlling the differential strain between the oxidant feed side and the permeate side by varying either or both of the oxygen partial pressure and the total gas pressure on either or both of the oxidant feed side and the permeate side of the membrane while changing the temperature of the membrane from a first temperature to a second temperature.

Anatomical Variant of Atlas : Arcuate Foramen, Occpitalization of Atlas, and Defect of Posterior Arch of Atlas.

PubMed

Kim, Myoung Soo

2015-12-01

We sought to examine anatomic variations of the atlas and the clinical significance of these variations. We retrospectively reviewed 1029 cervical 3-dimensional (3D) CT images. Cervical 3D CT was performed between November 2011 and August 2014. Arcuate foramina were classified as partial or complete and left and/or right. Occipitalization of the atlas was classified in accordance with criteria specified by Mudaliar et al. Posterior arch defects of the atlas were classified in accordance with criteria specified by Currarino et al. One hundred and eight vertebrae (108/1029, 10.5%) showed an arcuate foramen. Bilateral arcuate foramina were present in 41 of these vertebrae and the remaining 67 arcuate foramina were unilateral (right 31, left 36). Right-side arcuate foramina were partial on 18 sides and complete on 54 sides. Left-side arcuate foramina were partial on 24 sides and complete on 53 sides. One case of atlas assimilation was found. Twelve patients (12/1029, 1.17%) had a defect of the atlantal posterior arch. Nine of these patients (9/1029, 0.87%) had a type A posterior arch defect. We also identified one type B, one type D, and one type E defect. Preoperative diagnosis of occipitalization of the atlas and arcuate foramina using 3D CT is of paramount importance in avoiding neurovascular injury during surgery. It is important to be aware of posterior arch defects of the atlas because they may be misdiagnosed as a fracture.

Practice Patterns Compared with Evidence-based Strategies for the Management of Androgen Deprivation Therapy-Induced Side Effects in Prostate Cancer Patients: Results of a European Web-based Survey.

PubMed

Bultijnck, Renée; Surcel, Cristian; Ploussard, Guillaume; Briganti, Alberto; De Visschere, Pieter; Fütterer, Jurgen; Ghadjar, Pirus; Giannarini, Gianluca; Isbarn, Hendrik; Massard, Christophe; Sooriakumaran, Prasanna; Valerio, Massimo; van den Bergh, Roderick; Ost, Piet

2016-12-01

Evidence-based recommendations are available for the management of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT)-induced side effects; however, there are no data on the implementation of the recommendations into daily practice patterns. To compare practice patterns in the management of ADT-induced side effects with evidence-based strategies. A European Web-based survey was conducted from January 16, 2015, to June 24, 2015. The 25-item questionnaire was designed with the aid of expert opinion and covered general respondent information, ADT preference per disease stage, patient communication on ADT-induced side effects, and strategies to mitigate side effects. All questions referred to patients with long-term ADT use. Reported practice patterns were compared with available evidence-based strategies. Following data collection, descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Frequency distributions were compiled and compared using a generalised chi-square test. In total, 489 eligible respondents completed the survey. Luteinising hormone-releasing hormone-agonist with or without an antiandrogen was the preferred method of ADT in different settings. Patients were well informed about loss of libido (90%), hot flushes (85%), fatigue (67%), and osteoporosis (63%). An osteoporotic and metabolic risk assessment prior to commencing ADT was done by one-quarter of physicians. The majority (85%) took preventive measures and applied at least one evidence-based strategy. Exercise was recommended by three-quarters of physicians who advocate its positive effects; however, only 25% of physicians had access to exercise programmes. Although the minimum sample size was set at 400 participants, the current survey remains susceptible to volunteer and nonresponder bias. Patients were well informed about several ADT-induced complications but uncommonly underwent an osteoporotic and metabolic risk assessment. Nevertheless, physicians partially provided evidence-based strategies for the management of the complications. Physicians often advised exercise to reduce ADT-induced side effects, but programmes were not widely available. Implementation of evidence-based strategies for androgen deprivation therapy-induced side effects in real-life practice patterns should be improved. Copyright © 2016 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Clinical Outcomes of Modified Mason-Allen Single-Row Repair for Bursal-Sided Partial-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears: Comparison With the Double-Row Suture-Bridge Technique.

PubMed

Shin, Sang-Jin; Kook, Seung-Hwan; Rao, Nandan; Seo, Myeong-Jae

2015-08-01

Various repair techniques have been reported for the operative treatment of bursal-sided partial-thickness rotator cuff tears. Recently, arthroscopic single-row repair using a modified Mason-Allen technique has been introduced. The arthroscopic, modified Mason-Allen single-row technique with preservation of the articular-sided tendon provides satisfactory clinical outcomes and similar results to the double-row suture-bridge technique after conversion of a partial-thickness tear to a full-thickness tear. Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. A retrospective study was conducted on 84 consecutive patients with symptomatic, bursal-sided partial-thickness rotator cuff tears involving more than 50% thickness of the tendon. A total of 47 patients were treated by the modified Mason-Allen single-row repair technique, preserving the articular-sided tendon, and 37 patients were treated by the double-row suture-bridge repair technique after conversion to a full-thickness tear. The clinical and functional outcomes were evaluated using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and Constant scores and a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and satisfaction of patients. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to analyze the integrity of tendons at 6-month follow-up. Patients were followed up for a mean of 32.5 months. In the 47 patients treated with the modified Mason-Allen suture technique, the VAS score decreased from a preoperative mean of 5.3 ± 0.3 to 0.9 ± 0.5 at the time of final follow-up. There was a statistically significant increase in the mean ASES score (from 45.4 ± 2.9 to 88.6 ± 4.5) and mean Constant score (from 66.9 ± 2.6 to 88.1 ± 2.4) (P < .001). Four of 47 patients (8.5%) demonstrated retears at 6-month postoperative MRI. There was no statistical difference in terms of functional outcomes and the retear rate compared with those of patients with the suture-bridge repair technique (3 patients, 8.1%). However, the mean number of suture anchors used in the patients with modified Mason-Allen suture repair (1.2 ± 0.4) was significantly fewer than that in the patients with suture-bridge repair (3.2 ± 0.4) (P < .01). The modified Mason-Allen single-row repair technique that preserved the articular-sided tendon provided satisfactory clinical outcomes in patients with symptomatic, bursal-sided partial-thickness rotator cuff tears. Despite a fewer number of suture anchors, the shoulder functional outcomes and retear rate in patients after modified Mason-Allen repair were comparable with those of patients who underwent double-row suture-bridge repair. Therefore, the modified Mason-Allen single-row repair technique using a triple-loaded suture anchor can be considered as an effective treatment in patients with bursal-sided partial-thickness rotator cuff tears. © 2015 The Author(s).

Side-chain conformational space analysis (SCSA): A multi conformation-based QSAR approach for modeling and prediction of protein-peptide binding affinities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Peng; Chen, Xiang; Shang, Zhicai

2009-03-01

In this article, the concept of multi conformation-based quantitative structure-activity relationship (MCB-QSAR) is proposed, and based upon that, we describe a new approach called the side-chain conformational space analysis (SCSA) to model and predict protein-peptide binding affinities. In SCSA, multi-conformations (rather than traditional single-conformation) have received much attention, and the statistical average information on multi-conformations of side chains is determined using self-consistent mean field theory based upon side chain rotamer library. Thereby, enthalpy contributions (including electrostatic, steric, hydrophobic interaction and hydrogen bond) and conformational entropy effects to the binding are investigated in terms of occurrence probability of residue rotamers. Then, SCSA was applied into the dataset of 419 HLA-A*0201 binding peptides, and nonbonding contributions of each position in peptide ligands are well determined. For the peptides, the hydrogen bond and electrostatic interactions of the two ends are essential to the binding specificity, van der Waals and hydrophobic interactions of all the positions ensure strong binding affinity, and the loss of conformational entropy at anchor positions partially counteracts other favorable nonbonding effects.

[Possible participation of nonimpulse factors in the increased excitability of partially deafferentated motor neurons].

PubMed

Makiĭ, E A; Mantulo, P M

1984-01-01

The dynamics of strengthening of monosynaptic segmental response (MSR) in white rats has been studied after bilateral sciatic nerves cuts nearer to the spinal cord (high cut) and farther from it (low cut). 24 hours after the operation the irritation of the posterior root on the side of the high cut stimulates anterior root MSR of authentically larger amplitude than on the side of the low cut and much greater than in intact animals. 48 h, 72 h and 120 h after the operation MSR amplitude on both sides is considerably increased in comparison with the intact animals amplitude but authentically does not differ on the side of the low and high cuts. A connection may be suggested between the excitability increase process of partially deafferented motoneurons with the disturbance of axoplasmatic flow in central sections of the cut afferent fibres.

Prosthodontic management of segmental mandibulectomy patient with guidance appliance and overlay denture.

PubMed

Aruna, U; Thulasingam, C

2013-12-01

Patients who undergo segmental or hemi-mandibulectomy suffer from various postoperative problems in esthetics and function. The solution to such problem is providing a mandibular guidance appliance to correct mandibular deviation to resected side due to loss of muscle action on the affected side. This article describes the treatment of a female patient who underwent segmental mandibulectomy on right side secondary to adenoid cystic carcinoma of the base of tongue. An acrylic guidance appliance was constructed to help control the mandibular deviation and co-ordinate masticatory movements. The prosthesis was worn continuously by the patient for 1 month which corrected the occlusion on the left side. To compensate for the open-bite caused due to rotation of mandible following partial mandibulectomy, an overlay removable partial denture was given. The patient was satisfied with the improvement in esthetics and mastication.

How long do most seizures last? A systematic comparison of seizures recorded in the epilepsy monitoring unit.

PubMed

Jenssen, Sigmund; Gracely, Edward J; Sperling, Michael R

2006-09-01

More information is needed regarding how long seizures typically last, since this influences treatment decisions. Seizure type and other factors could influence seizure duration. Data were collected from a random sample of patients being evaluated with continuous video and scalp EEG. Seizure duration was defined as time from early sign of seizure (clinical or EEG) until the end of seizure on EEG. Seizures were categorized as simple partial (SPS), complex partial (CPS), secondarily generalized tonic-clonic (SGTCS), primary generalized tonic-clonic (PGTCS) and tonic (TS). SGTCS were divided into a complex partial part (SGTCS/CP) and a tonic-clonic part (SGTCS/TC). Median and longest duration of each seizure type in each individual were used. Comparisons of seizure types, first and last seizure, area of onset, and state of onset were performed. Five hundred seventy-nine seizures were recorded in 159 adult patients. Seizures with partial onset spreading to both hemispheres had the longest duration. SGTCS were unlikely to last more than 660 s, CPS more than 600 s, and SPS more than 240 s. PGTCS and TS had shorter durations, but the number of subjects with those two types was small. CPS did not differ in duration according to sleep state at onset nor side of origin. A working definition of status epilepticus in adults with cryptogenic or symptomatic epilepsy can be drawn from these data for purposes of future epidemiologic research. More information is needed for the idiopathic epilepsies and in children.

Top of well partially covered by boards, looking down to ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Top of well partially covered by boards, looking down to west - Neville-Kanode Farmstead, Well, East side of U.S. Highway 81, 2.5 miles south of Kansas-Nebraska state line, Munden, Republic County, KS

Operation of mixed conducting metal oxide membrane systems under transient conditions

DOEpatents

Carolan, Michael Francis [Allentown, PA

2008-12-23

Method of operating an oxygen-permeable mixed conducting membrane having an oxidant feed side, an oxidant feed surface, a permeate side, and a permeate surface, which method comprises controlling the differential strain between the permeate surface and the oxidant feed surface at a value below a selected maximum value by varying the oxygen partial pressure on either or both of the oxidant feed side and the permeate side of the membrane.

Quantized Synchronization of Chaotic Neural Networks With Scheduled Output Feedback Control.

PubMed

Wan, Ying; Cao, Jinde; Wen, Guanghui

In this paper, the synchronization problem of master-slave chaotic neural networks with remote sensors, quantization process, and communication time delays is investigated. The information communication channel between the master chaotic neural network and slave chaotic neural network consists of several remote sensors, with each sensor able to access only partial knowledge of output information of the master neural network. At each sampling instants, each sensor updates its own measurement and only one sensor is scheduled to transmit its latest information to the controller's side in order to update the control inputs for the slave neural network. Thus, such communication process and control strategy are much more energy-saving comparing with the traditional point-to-point scheme. Sufficient conditions for output feedback control gain matrix, allowable length of sampling intervals, and upper bound of network-induced delays are derived to ensure the quantized synchronization of master-slave chaotic neural networks. Lastly, Chua's circuit system and 4-D Hopfield neural network are simulated to validate the effectiveness of the main results.In this paper, the synchronization problem of master-slave chaotic neural networks with remote sensors, quantization process, and communication time delays is investigated. The information communication channel between the master chaotic neural network and slave chaotic neural network consists of several remote sensors, with each sensor able to access only partial knowledge of output information of the master neural network. At each sampling instants, each sensor updates its own measurement and only one sensor is scheduled to transmit its latest information to the controller's side in order to update the control inputs for the slave neural network. Thus, such communication process and control strategy are much more energy-saving comparing with the traditional point-to-point scheme. Sufficient conditions for output feedback control gain matrix, allowable length of sampling intervals, and upper bound of network-induced delays are derived to ensure the quantized synchronization of master-slave chaotic neural networks. Lastly, Chua's circuit system and 4-D Hopfield neural network are simulated to validate the effectiveness of the main results.

A socio-technical investigation of the smart grid: Implications for demand-side activities of electricity service providers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Corbett, Jacqueline Marie

Enabled by advanced communication and information technologies, the smart grid represents a major transformation for the electricity sector. Vast quantities of data and two-way communications abilities create the potential for a flexible, data-driven, multi-directional supply and consumption network well equipped to meet the challenges of the next century. For electricity service providers ("utilities"), the smart grid provides opportunities for improved business practices and new business models; however, a transformation of such magnitude is not without risks. Three related studies are conducted to explore the implications of the smart grid on utilities' demand-side activities. An initial conceptual framework, based on organizational information processing theory, suggests that utilities' performance depends on the fit between the information processing requirements and capacities associated with a given demand-side activity. Using secondary data and multiple regression analyses, the first study finds, consistent with OIPT, a positive relationship between utilities' advanced meter deployments and demand-side management performance. However, it also finds that meters with only data collection capacities are associated with lower performance, suggesting the presence of information waste causing operational inefficiencies. In the second study, interviews with industry participants provide partial support for the initial conceptual model, new insights are gained with respect to information processing fit and information waste, and "big data" is identified as a central theme of the smart grid. To derive richer theoretical insights, the third study employs a grounded theory approach examining the experience of one successful utility in detail. Based on interviews and documentary data, the paradox of dynamic stability emerges as an essential enabler of utilities' performance in the smart grid environment. Within this context, the frames of opportunity, control, and data limitation interact to support dynamic stability and contribute to innovation within tradition. The main contributions of this thesis include theoretical extensions to OIPT and the development of an emergent model of dynamic stability in relation to big data. The thesis also adds to the green IS literature and identifies important practical implications for utilities as they endeavour to bring the smart grid to reality.

A&M. Hot liquid waste treatment building (TAN616), south side. Camera ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

A&M. Hot liquid waste treatment building (TAN-616), south side. Camera facing north. Personnel door at left side of wall. Partial view of outdoor stairway to upper level platform. Note concrete construction. Photographer: Ron Paarmann. Date: September 22, 1997. INEEL negative no. HD-20-1-3 - Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Test Area North, Scoville, Butte County, ID

Congenital Extrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts: Spectrum of Findings on Ultrasound, Computed Tomography, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

PubMed Central

Gupta, Pankaj; Sinha, Anindita; Sodhi, Kushaljit Singh; Lal, Anupam; Debi, Uma; Thapa, Babu R.; Khandelwal, Niranjan

2015-01-01

Congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt (CEPS) is a rare disorder characterised by partial or complete diversion of portomesenteric blood into systemic veins via congenital shunts. Type I is characterised by complete lack of intrahepatic portal venous blood flow due to an end to side fistula between main portal vein and the inferior vena cava. Type II on the other hand is characterised by partial preservation of portal blood supply to liver and side to side fistula between main portal vein or its branches and mesenteric, splenic, gastric, and systemic veins. The presentation of these patients is variable. Focal liver lesions, most commonly nodular regenerative hyperplasia, are an important clue to the underlying condition. This pictorial essay covers imaging characteristics in abdominopelvic region. PMID:26858845

Relationship among side channels, fish assemblages, and environmental gradients in the unimpounded Upper Mississippi River

USGS Publications Warehouse

Barko, V.A.; Herzog, D.P.

2003-01-01

We analyzed fish abundance and environmental data collected over nine years from six side channels of the unimpounded upper Mississippi River between river km 46.7 and 128.7. A partial canonical correspondence analysis revealed differences in fish assemblages and environmental factors correlated with the six side channels. Fishes correlated with open side channels represented large river species tolerant of current and/or turbidity. Fishes correlated with closed side channels represented assemblages preferring either moderate to low turbidity/current or pools.

Spatial Distribution of Oxygen Chemical Potential under Potential Gradients and Theoretical Maximum Power Density with 8YSZ Electrolyte

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lim, Dae-Kwang; Im, Ha-Ni; Song, Sun-Ju

2016-01-01

The maximum power density of SOFC with 8YSZ electrolyte as the function of thickness was calculated by integrating partial conductivities of charge carriers under various DC bias conditions at a fixed oxygen chemical potential gradient at both sides of the electrolyte. The partial conductivities were successfully taken using the Hebb-Wagner polarization method as a function of temperature and oxygen partial pressure, and the spatial distribution of oxygen partial pressure across the electrolyte was calculated based on Choudhury and Patterson’s model by considering zero electrode polarization. At positive voltage conditions corresponding to SOFC and SOEC, the high conductivity region was expanded, but at negative cell voltage condition, the low conductivity region near n-type to p-type transition was expanded. In addition, the maximum power density calculated from the current-voltage characteristic showed approximately 5.76 W/cm2 at 700 oC with 10 μm thick-8YSZ, while the oxygen partial pressure of the cathode and anode sides maintained ≈0.21 and 10-22 atm.

Spatial factors and muscle spindle input influence the generation of neuromuscular responses to stimulation of the human foot

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Layne, Charles S.; Forth, Katharine E.; Abercromby, Andrew F. J.

2005-05-01

Removal of the mechanical pressure gradient on the soles leads to physiological adaptations that ultimately result in neuromotor degradation during spaceflight. We propose that mechanical stimulation of the soles serves to partially restore the afference associated with bipedal loading and assists in attenuating the negative neuromotor consequences of spaceflight. A dynamic foot stimulus device was used to stimulate the soles in a variety of conditions with different stimulation locations, stimulation patterns and muscle spindle input. Surface electromyography revealed the lateral side of the sole elicited the greatest neuromuscular response in ankle musculature, followed by the medial side, then the heel. These responses were modified by preceding stimulation. Neuromuscular responses were also influenced by the level of muscle spindle input. These results provide important information that can be used to guide the development of a "passive" countermeasure that relies on sole stimulation and can supplement existing exercise protocols during spaceflight.

Microwave based civil structure inspection device

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

Sohns, C.W.; Bible, D.W.

1994-06-01

A microwave based ``wall probe`` has been developed which is capable of nondestructive evaluation of architectural structures. By using microwaves in the 8 to 12 GHz range this probing instrument can detect subsurface characteristics through concrete, brick, wood or other building materials to depths in excess of 12 inches. The instrument interrogates a structure from a single side by transmitting a microwave signal into the surface at some angle of incidence and receiving the reflected signal some distance away on the same side of the structure. The transmitted signal is partially reflected at each internal boundary of different dielectric constant,more » giving a composite reflection which contains information from each internal layer. The reflected composite signal is compared in phase and amplitude to the transmitted signal and that reading is considered the ``signature`` of the structure under test. Computer algorithms analyze the signature for recognizable features and nonstandard construction.« less

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection with suspected pulmonary hypertension in a cat.

PubMed

Nicolson, Geoff; Daley, Michael; Makara, Mariano; Beijerink, Niek

2015-12-01

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection has previously been reported in the dog, but never in a cat. A 14-month-old Devon Rex cat was presented for echocardiography to evaluate a heart murmur noticed during a routine examination. The pertinent finding was right-sided cardiomegaly in the absence of an atrial septal defect or tricuspid regurgitation; pulmonary hypertension was suspected. A thoracic computed tomographic angiography study identified a partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection with the lobar veins of the left caudal, right middle, right caudal and accessory lung lobes draining into the caudal vena cava. The resultant volume overload is an easily overlooked differential diagnosis for right-sided cardiac enlargement. This is the first such report of this anomaly in a cat. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Design and Experimental Performance of a Two Stage Partial Admission Turbine, Task B.1/B.4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sutton, R. F.; Boynton, J. L.; Akian, R. A.; Shea, Dan; Roschak, Edmund; Rojas, Lou; Orr, Linsey; Davis, Linda; King, Brad; Bubel, Bill

1992-01-01

A three-inch mean diameter, two-stage turbine with partial admission in each stage was experimentally investigated over a range of admissions and angular orientations of admission arcs. Three configurations were tested in which first stage admission varied from 37.4 percent (10 of 29 passages open, 5 per side) to 6.9 percent (2 open, 1 per side). Corresponding second stage admissions were 45.2 percent (14 of 31 passages open, 7 per side) and 12.9 percent (4 open, 2 per side). Angular positions of the second stage admission arcs with respect to the first stage varied over a range of 70 degrees. Design and off-design efficiency and flow characteristics for the three configurations are presented. The results indicated that peak efficiency and the corresponding isentropic velocity ratio decreased as the arcs of admission were decreased. Both efficiency and flow characteristics were sensitive to the second stage nozzle orientation angles.

Abnormal macropore formation during double-sided gas tungsten arc welding of magnesium AZ91D alloy

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

Shen Jun; You Guoqiang; Long Siyuan

2008-08-15

One of the major concerns during gas tungsten arc (GTA) welding of cast magnesium alloys is the presence of large macroporosity in weldments, normally thought to occur from the presence of gas in the castings. In this study, a double-sided GTA welding process was adopted to join wrought magnesium AZ91D alloy plates. Micropores were formed in the weld zone of the first side that was welded, due to precipitation of H{sub 2} as the mushy zone freezes. When the reverse side was welded, the heat generated caused the mushy zone in the initial weld to reform. The micropores in themore » initial weld then coalesced and expanded to form macropores by means of gas expansion through small holes that are present at the grain boundaries in the partially melted zone. Macropores in the partially melted zone increase with increased heat input, so that when a filler metal is used the macropores are smaller in number and in size.« less

Planning actions in robot automated operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Das, A.

1988-01-01

Action planning in robot automated operations requires intelligent task level programming. Invoking intelligence necessiates a typical blackboard based architecture, where, a plan is a vector between the start frame and the goal frame. This vector is composed of partially ordered bases. A partial ordering of bases presents good and bad sides in action planning. Partial ordering demands the use of a temporal data base management system.

Biomechanical comparison of double-row versus transtendon single-row suture anchor technique for repair of the grade III partial articular-sided rotator cuff tears.

PubMed

Zhang, Chun-Gang; Zhao, De-Wei; Wang, Wei-Ming; Ren, Ming-Fa; Li, Rui-Xin; Yang, Sheng; Liu, Yu-Peng

2010-11-01

For partial-thickness tears of the rotator cuff, double-row fixation and transtendon single-row fixation restore insertion site anatomy, with excellent results. We compared the biomechanical properties of double-row and transtendon single-row suture anchor techniques for repair of grade III partial articular-sided rotator cuff tears. In 10 matched pairs of fresh-frozen sheep shoulders, the infraspinatus tendon from 1 shoulder was repaired with a double-row suture anchor technique. This comprised placement of 2 medial anchors with horizontal mattress sutures at an angle of ≤ 45° into the medial margin of the infraspinatus footprint, just lateral to the articular surface, and 2 lateral anchors with horizontal mattress sutures. Standardized, 50% partial, articular-sided infraspinatus lesions were created in the contralateral shoulder. The infraspinatus tendon from the contralateral shoulder was repaired using two anchors with transtendon single-row mattress sutures. Each specimen underwent cyclic loading from 10 to 100 N for 50 cycles, followed by tensile testing to failure. Gap formation and strain over the footprint area were measured using a motion capture system; stiffness and failure load were determined from testing data. Gap formation for the transtendon single-row repair was significantly smaller (P < 0.05) when compared with the double-row repair for the first cycle ((1.74 ± 0.38) mm vs. (2.86 ± 0.46) mm, respectively) and the last cycle ((3.77 ± 0.45) mm vs. (5.89 ± 0.61) mm, respectively). The strain over the footprint area for the transtendon single-row repair was significantly smaller (P < 0.05) when compared with the double-row repair. Also, it had a higher mean ultimate tensile load and stiffness. For grade III partial articular-sided rotator cuff tears, transtendon single-row fixation exhibited superior biomechanical properties when compared with double-row fixation.

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: initial experience in Brazil and a review of the literature.

PubMed

Passerotti, Carlo Camargo; Pessoa, Rodrigo; da Cruz, Jose Arnaldo Shiomi; Okano, Marcelo Takeo; Antunes, Alberto Azoubel; Nesrallah, Adriano Joao; Dall'oglio, Marcos Francisco; Andrade, Enrico; Srougi, Miguel

2012-01-01

Partial nephrectomy has become the standard of care for renal tumors less than 4 cm in diameter. Controversy still exists, however, regarding the best surgical approach, especially when minimally invasive techniques are taken into account. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RALPN) has emerged as a promising technique that helps surgeons achieve the standards of open partial nephrectomy care while offering a minimally invasive approach. The objective of the present study was to describe our initial experience with robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy and extensively review the pertinent literature. Between August 2009 and February 2010, eight consecutive selected patients with contrast enhancing renal masses observed by CT were submitted to RALPN in a private institution. In addition, we collected information on the patients ' demographics, preoperative tumor characteristics and detailed operative, postoperative and pathological data. In addition, a PubMed search was performed to provide an extensive review of the robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy literature. Seven patients had RALPN on the left or right sides with no intraoperative complications. One patient was electively converted to a robotic-assisted radical nephrectomy. The operative time ranged from 120 to 300 min, estimated blood loss (EBL) ranged from 75 to 400 mL and, in five cases, the warm ischemia time (WIT) ranged from 18 to 32 min. Two patients did not require any clamping. Overall, no transfusions were necessary, and there were no intraoperative complications or adverse postoperative clinical events. All margins were negative, and all patients were disease-free at the 6-month follow-up. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic partial nephrectomy is a feasible and safe approach to small renal cortical masses. Further prospective studies are needed to compare open partial nephrectomy with its minimally invasive counterparts.

Contextual oblique view of north side and east rear, view ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Contextual oblique view of north side and east rear, view to southwest from Franklin Street showing partially cleared freeway right-of-way, and line of mature deodar cedar trees along North Fulton Avenue - Ira H. Brooks House, 350 North Fulton Avenue, Fresno, Fresno County, CA

[The influence of partial dorsal root rhizotomy on IGF-I expression in spared root ganglion and spinal cord].

PubMed

Wang, Wei-min; Guan, Yu-guang; Liu, Fen; Wang, Ting-hua; Xu, Xin-yun; Ke, Qing; Lu, Yong-chao; Yuan, Yuan

2005-01-01

To explore the temporospatial changes of IGF-I expression in the spared dorsal root ganglia (DRG, L6) on the operated side and un-operated side, in the spinal lamina II (L3, L5, L6) and Clarke's nucleus (L3) of the adult cats that have undergone partial dorsal rhizotomy, and compare them against those of the normal adult cats so as to unveil the relation between IGF-I and the plasticity of spinal cord. Fifteen male adult cats were divided into three groups. The cats of two groups were subjected to unilateral partial dorsal root rhizotomy (L1-L5, L7-S2 DRG were sectioned, but L6 was spared) and were sacrificed at 7 days and 14 days after operation. The bilateral L6 dorsal root ganglia and L3, L5, L6 spinal cord of all groups were made into frozen sections 20 microm thick. Then, the sections were stained by the immunohistochemistry ABC method using IGF-I (1:200, Santa Cruz) antibody. The distribution and the number of IGF-I positive neurons in bilateral spared DRG (L6) on the operated/un-operated side, in spinal lamina I (L3, L5, L6) and in Clarke' nucleus (L3) of each animal were observed and counted. All data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, SNK-q test and paired-t test. (1) Seven days after partial dorsal root rhizotomy, the number of IGF-I positive neurons in spared DRG on the operated side declined as compared with that of normal group (P<0.05), but it was not significantly different from that of L6 spared DRG on the un-operated side (P>0.05). On the 14th day, the IGF-I expression in neurons of L6 DRG on the operated side was significantly lower than that of normal group and that of L6 spared DRG on the unoperated side (P<0.01), but it was not significantly different from that of the 7th day group (P>0.05). (2) There was no difference in number of IGF-I positive neuron in L3, L5, L6 spinal lamina II between normal group, 7th day post-operation group and 14th day post-operation group (P>0.05). After operation, IGF-I expression in Clarke's nucleus declined on the 7th day (P<0.05) and came back to normal level on the 14th day (P>0.05). Partial dorsal root rhizotomy can lead to the change of IGF-I expression in bilateral DRG and Clarke's nucleus, which suggests that IGF-I be related with spinal cord plasticity.

Heart rate changes in partial seizures: analysis of influencing factors among refractory patients

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background We analyzed the frequency of heart rate (HR) changes related to seizures, and we sought to identify the influencing factors of these changes during partial seizures, to summarize the regularity of the HR changes and gain some insight into the mechanisms involved in the neuronal regulation of cardiovascular function. To date, detailed information on influencing factors of HR changes related to seizures by multiple linear regression analysis remains scarce. Methods Using video-electroencephalograph (EEG)-electrocardiograph (ECG) recordings, we retrospectively assessed the changes in the HR of 81 patients during a total of 181 seizures, including 27 simple partial seizures (SPS), 110 complex partial seizures (CPS) and 44 complex partial seizures secondarily generalized (CPS-G). The epileptogenic focus and the seizure type, age, gender, and sleep/wakefulness state of each patient were evaluated during and after the seizure onset. The HR changes were evaluated in the stage of epilepsy as time varies. Results Of the 181 seizures from 81 patients with ictal ECGs, 152 seizures (83.98%) from 74 patients were accompanied by ictal tachycardia (IT). And only 1 patient was accompanied by ictal bradycardia (IB). A patient has both IT and IB. We observed that HR difference was independently correlated with side, type and sleep/wakefulness state. In this analysis, the HR changes were related to the side, gender, seizure type, and sleep/wakefulness state. Right focus, male, sleep, and CPS-G showed more significant increases than that were observed in left, female, wakefulness, SPS and CPS. HR increases rapidly within 10 seconds before seizure onset and ictus, and typically slows to normal with seizure offset. Conclusion CPS-G, sleep and right focus led to higher ictal HR. The HR in the stage of epilepsy has regularly been observed to change to become time-varying. The risk factors of ictal HR need to be controlled along with sleep, CPS-G and right focus. Our study first explains that the HR in seizures has a regular evolution varying with time. Our study might help to further clarify the basic mechanisms of interactions between heart and brain, making seizure detection and closed-loop systems a possible therapeutic alternative in refractory patients. PMID:24950859

Higher-speed coronal mass ejections and their geoeffectiveness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, A. K.; Bhargawa, Asheesh; Tonk, Apeksha

2018-06-01

We have attempted to examine the ability of coronal mass ejections to cause geoeffectiveness. To that end, we have investigated total 571 cases of higher-speed (> 1000 km/s) coronal mass ejection events observed during the years 1996-2012. On the basis of angular width (W) of observance, events of coronal mass ejection were further classified as front-side or halo coronal mass ejections (W = 360°); back-side halo coronal mass ejections (W = 360°); partial halo (120°< W < 360°) and non-halo (W < 120°). From further analysis, we found that front halo coronal mass ejections were much faster and more geoeffective in comparison of partial halo and non-halo coronal mass ejections. We also inferred that the front-sided halo coronal mass ejections were 67.1% geoeffective while geoeffectiveness of partial halo coronal mass ejections and non-halo coronal mass ejections were found to be 44.2% and 56.6% respectively. During the same period of observation, 43% of back-sided CMEs showed geoeffectiveness. We have also investigated some events of coronal mass ejections having speed > 2500 km/s as a case study. We have concluded that mere speed of coronal mass ejection and their association with solar flares or solar activity were not mere criterion for producing geoeffectiveness but angular width of coronal mass ejections and their originating position also played a key role.

Dissolution of cement, root caries, fracture, and retrofit of post and cores.

PubMed

Rosen, H

1998-10-01

Fixed partial denture abutments severely damaged by dental caries or fracture present a challenge to the dentist. The fixed partial denture may need to be removed for endodontic treatment with post and core fabrication. Frequently, the existing fixed partial denture can be recycled as a provisional restoration. Retrofitting the post and core greatly improves the stabilization of the interim as well as the remake of the definitive fixed partial denture. This article describes a chair side procedure for retrofitting posts and cores and, at the same appointment, converting the original fixed partial denture to an effective provisional restoration.

[Evaluation of the clinical results in patients with symptomatic partial tears of the anterior cruciate ligament diagnosed arthroscopically].

PubMed

Zeman, P; Cibulková, J; Nepraš, P; Koudela, K; Matějka, J

2013-01-01

The study presents a retrospective evaluation of clinical data and arthroscopic findings in a group of our patients with symptomatic knee instability due to a partial tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The group included 31 patients diagnosed with symptomatic partial ACL tears, i.e. an isolated tear of the posterolateral (PL) or the anteromedial (AM) bundle. The patients' average age was 26.5 years. A side-to-side difference in ventral knee laxity was assessed using the anterior drawer test and the Lachman test under general anaesthesia before arthroscopy was commenced; rotational knee laxity was evaluated by the pivot shift test. An objective evaluation of side-to-side ventral laxity differences in both knees was performed on the GNRB® arthrometer with an applied pressure of 134 N and 250 N in the conscious patient. During arthroscopic examination, findings on the two ACL bundles were recorded. All 31 patients were diagnosed with symptomatic partial ACL tears, of them 22 had a PL bundle lesion and nine had an AM bundle tear. All patients with PL bundle lesions only reported problems in association with pivot sports, and all patients with AM bundle tears had problems regardless of any sports activities. In all patients with isolated AM bundle tears, the lesion was located close to its femoral attachment. In the patients with PL bundle tears, femoral location was found in 68% and tibial location in 32% of the patients. In the patients with partial PL bundle lesions, + and ++ results in the pivot shift test were recorded in 32% and 68% of the treated patients, respectively. The Lachman test showed + and ++ results in 71% and 9% of the patients, respectively. The anterior drawer test had negative results in 87% and positive + results in 13% of the patients. The side-to-side difference on the GNRB arthrometer ranged from 0.4 to 2.3 mm at a pressure of 134 N and from 1.2 to 4.2 mm at 250 N in the patients with isolated PL bundle lesions. In the patients with AM bundle lesions, the results were as follows: pivot shift test, 89% negative. 11% positive +; Lachman test, 56% negative, 44% positive +; anterior drawer test, 89% +, 11% ++; GNRB test, 2.2 to 4.4 mm at 134 N, and 4.3 to 7.1 at 250 N. The diagnosis of partial ACL lesions, i.e., isolated tears of the AM or the PL bundle, requires accurate knowledge of knee anatomy and its biomechanics. In accordance with other authors our results showed that an arthroscopic examination of both bundles of the ligament as well as knee laxity evaluation under general anaesthesia are most essential for making the definite diagnosis in partial ACL tears. They also confirmed that, in isolated AM bundle lesions, ventral laxity is present more often particularly at a higher degree of knee flexion while, in PL bundle lesions, rotational laxity is more frequent and ranges from 0 to 30 degrees of knee flexion. To make the definite diagnosis of partial ACL tears, patient medical history, clinical knee examination including instability type and degree assessment under general anaesthesia and, most importantly, arthroscopic findings on both ACL bundles are necessary.

Microstructure and Hydrogen-Induced Failure Mechanisms in Fe and Ni Alloy Weldments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fenske, J. A.; Robertson, I. M.; Ayer, Raghavan; Hukle, Martin; Lillig, Dan; Newbury, Brian

2012-09-01

The microstructure and fracture morphology of AISI 8630-IN625 and ASTM A182-F22-IN625 dissimilar metal weld interfaces were compared and contrasted as a function of postweld heat treatment (PWHT) duration. For both systems, the microstructure along the weld interface consisted of a coarse grain heat-affected zone in the Fe-base metal followed by discontinuous martensitic partially mixed zones and a continuous partially mixed zone on the Ni side of the fusion line. Within the partially mixed zone on the Ni side, there exists a 200-nm-wide transition zone within a 20- μm-wide planar solidification region followed by a cellular dendritic region with Nb-Mo-rich carbides decorating the dendrite boundaries. Although there were differences in the volume of the partially mixed zones, the major difference in the metal weld interfaces was the presence of M7C3 precipitates in the planar solidification region, which had formed in AISI 8630-IN625 but not in ASTM A182-F22-IN625. These precipitates make the weldment more susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement and provide a low energy fracture path between the discontinuous partially mixed zones.

Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes Simulations of Two Partial-Span Flap Wing Experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Takalluk, M. A.; Laflin, Kelly R.

1998-01-01

Structured Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes simulations of two partial-span flap wing experiments were performed. The high-lift aerodynamic and aeroacoustic wind-tunnel experiments were conducted at both the NASA Ames 7-by 10-Foot Wind Tunnel and at the NASA Langley Quiet Flow Facility. The purpose of these tests was to accurately document the acoustic and aerodynamic characteristics associated with the principle airframe noise sources, including flap side-edge noise. Specific measurements were taken that can be used to validate analytic and computational models of the noise sources and associated aerodynamic for configurations and conditions approximating flight for transport aircraft. The numerical results are used to both calibrate a widely used CFD code, CFL3D, and to obtain details of flap side-edge flow features not discernible from experimental observations. Both experimental set-ups were numerically modeled by using multiple block structured grids. Various turbulence models, grid block-interface interaction methods and grid topologies were implemented. Numerical results of both simulations are in excellent agreement with experimental measurements and flow visualization observations. The flow field in the flap-edge region was adequately resolved to discern some crucial information about the flow physics and to substantiate the merger of the two vortical structures. As a result of these investigations, airframe noise modelers have proposed various simplified models which use the results obtained from the steady-state computations as input.

Cold air performance of a tip turbine designed to drive a lift fan. 2: Partial admission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Haas, J. E.; Kofskey, M. G.; Hotz, G. M.; Futral, S. M., Jr.

1977-01-01

Partial admission performance was obtained for a 0.4 linear scale version of the LF460 lift fan turbine over a range of speed from 40 to 140 percent of design equivalent speed and a range of scroll inlet total to diffuser exit static pressure ratio from 2.2 to 5.0. The investigation was conducted in two parts, with each part using a different side of the turbine scroll to simulate loss of a gas generator. Each side had an arc of admission of 180. Results are presented in terms of specific work, torque, mass flow, and efficiency.

[Influence of acupunction on NT-4 expression in spared root ganglion and spinal cord].

PubMed

Long, Shuang-Lian; Liu, Fen; Wang, Ting-Hua; Wang, Te-Wei; Ke, Qing; Yuan, Yuan

2005-09-01

To explore the changes of the expression of NT-4 in spared dorsal root ganglia (DRG,L6) on both the operation/Acup side and the nonoperation/non-Acup side as well as in the spinal lamina II (L3, L5, L6) and Clarke' nucleus (L3) of the normal adult cats, partial dorsal rhizotomy cats, and Acup spared DRG cats so as to disclose the relation between NT-4 and the plasticity of spinal cord as well as the Acup promoting spinal cord plasticity. Twenty-five adult cats were divided into 5 groups; normal control group; unilateral partial root rhizotomy 7 d and 14 d groups (unilateral L1-L5, L7-S2 DRG were transected, but L6 DRG was spared); Acup spared DRG 7 d and 14 d groups (electro-needle stimulation was performed following unilateral partial root rhizotomy). The cats survived for 7 or 14 days after operation respectively. Bilateral L6 dorsal root ganglia and L3, L5, L6 spinal cord of every group were made into 20 microm frozen sections. Then, sections were stained under the same condition using specific NT-4 (1 : 200) antibody by the immunohistochemistry ABC method. The distribution and the number of NT-4 immunoreactive neurons in bilateral spared DRG (L6) on the operation/Acup side and the nonoperation/Acup side as well as in the, spinal lamina II (L3, L5, L6) and Clarke' nucleus (L3) of each cat were oberserved and counted. All data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, SNK-q test and paired-t test. Partial dorsal root rhizotomy led to continuous declination of total NT-4 immunoreactive neurons in spared ganglia, till the 14 d, while Acup reversed this tendency and made NT-4 immunoreactive neurons decrease firstly and then approach to normal level till the 14 d after Acup. In addition, Acup increased NT-4 expression in L5, L6 spinal lamina II. The above finding indicate that NT-4 plays an important role in the mechanism by which Acup promotes spinal cord plasticity. Partial dorsal root rhizotomy and Acup spared DRG may exert effects on the expression of NT-4 in the/non-operrtion non-Acup side of DRG.

Structural and kinetic mapping of side-chain exposure onto the protein energy landscape.

PubMed

Bernstein, Rachel; Schmidt, Kierstin L; Harbury, Pehr B; Marqusee, Susan

2011-06-28

Identification and characterization of structural fluctuations that occur under native conditions is crucial for understanding protein folding and function, but such fluctuations are often rare and transient, making them difficult to study. Native-state hydrogen exchange (NSHX) has been a powerful tool for identifying such rarely populated conformations, but it generally reveals no information about the placement of these species along the folding reaction coordinate or the barriers separating them from the folded state and provides little insight into side-chain packing. To complement such studies, we have performed native-state alkyl-proton exchange, a method analogous to NSHX that monitors cysteine modification rather than backbone amide exchange, to examine the folding landscape of Escherichia coli ribonuclease H, a protein well characterized by hydrogen exchange. We have chosen experimental conditions such that the rate-limiting barrier acts as a kinetic partition: residues that become exposed only upon crossing the unfolding barrier are modified in the EX1 regime (alkylation rates report on the rate of unfolding), while those exposed on the native side of the barrier are modified predominantly in the EX2 regime (alkylation rates report on equilibrium populations). This kinetic partitioning allows for identification and placement of partially unfolded forms along the reaction coordinate. Using this approach we detect previously unidentified, rarely populated conformations residing on the native side of the barrier and identify side chains that are modified only upon crossing the unfolding barrier. Thus, in a single experiment under native conditions, both sides of the rate-limiting barrier are investigated.

Structural and kinetic mapping of side-chain exposure onto the protein energy landscape

PubMed Central

Bernstein, Rachel; Schmidt, Kierstin L.; Harbury, Pehr B.; Marqusee, Susan

2011-01-01

Identification and characterization of structural fluctuations that occur under native conditions is crucial for understanding protein folding and function, but such fluctuations are often rare and transient, making them difficult to study. Native-state hydrogen exchange (NSHX) has been a powerful tool for identifying such rarely populated conformations, but it generally reveals no information about the placement of these species along the folding reaction coordinate or the barriers separating them from the folded state and provides little insight into side-chain packing. To complement such studies, we have performed native-state alkyl-proton exchange, a method analogous to NSHX that monitors cysteine modification rather than backbone amide exchange, to examine the folding landscape of Escherichia coli ribonuclease H, a protein well characterized by hydrogen exchange. We have chosen experimental conditions such that the rate-limiting barrier acts as a kinetic partition: residues that become exposed only upon crossing the unfolding barrier are modified in the EX1 regime (alkylation rates report on the rate of unfolding), while those exposed on the native side of the barrier are modified predominantly in the EX2 regime (alkylation rates report on equilibrium populations). This kinetic partitioning allows for identification and placement of partially unfolded forms along the reaction coordinate. Using this approach we detect previously unidentified, rarely populated conformations residing on the native side of the barrier and identify side chains that are modified only upon crossing the unfolding barrier. Thus, in a single experiment under native conditions, both sides of the rate-limiting barrier are investigated. PMID:21670244

Side Channel Attacks on STTRAM and Low Overhead Countermeasures

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-03-20

introduce security vulnerabilities and expose the cache memory to side channel attacks. In this paper, we propose a side channel attack (SCA) model...where the adversary can monitor the supply current of the memory array to partially identify the sensi- tive cache data that is being read or written. We...propose solutions such as short retention STTRAM, obfuscation of SCA using 1-bit parity, multi-bit random write, and, neutral- izing the SCA using

Juvenile anadromous salmonid production in upper Columbia River side channels with different levels of hydrological connection

USGS Publications Warehouse

Martens, Kyle D.; Connolly, Patrick J.

2014-01-01

We examined the contribution of three types of side channels based on their hydrologic connectivity (seasonally disconnected, partially connected, and connected) to production of juvenile anadromous salmonids. Juvenile steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss and Chinook Salmon O. tshawytscha were found in all three of these side channel types and in each year of the study. Upon connection with the main stem at high flows, the seasonally disconnected side channels experienced an emptying out of the previous year's fish while filling with young-of-year fish during the 2- to 4-month period of hydrologic connection. There were no differences between the densities of juvenile steelhead and Chinook Salmon and the rate of smolts produced among the three types of side channels. Recently reintroduced Coho Salmon O. kisutch had sporadic presence and abundance in partially and connected side channels, but the smolt production rate was over two times that of steelhead and Chinook Salmon in seasonally disconnected side channels. Within seasonally disconnected side channels, young-of-year salmonids in deep pools (≥100 cm) had greater survival than those in shallow pools (<100 cm). Densities of juvenile steelhead in all side channel types were similar to those in tributaries and were higher than in main-stem lateral margins. Juvenile Chinook Salmon densities were higher in side channels than in both tributary and main-stem lateral margins. Our results suggest that improving quality of pool habitat within seasonally disconnected side channels can result in improved survival for juvenile anadromous salmonids during the period of disconnection. Habitat improvement in these seasonally disconnected side channels should be recognized as a worthy restoration strategy, especially when full connectivity of side channels may not be a feasible target (e.g., through lack of water availability) or when full connectivity may present too high a risk (e.g., flooding, stream capture, bank destabilization).

Method for the concurrent ultrasonic inspection of partially completed welds

DOEpatents

Johnson, John A.; Larsen, Eric D.; Miller, Karen S.; Smartt, Herschel B.; McJunkin, Timothy R.

2002-01-01

A method for the concurrent ultrasonic inspection of partially completed welds is disclosed and which includes providing a pair of transducers which are individually positioned on the opposite sides of a partially completed weld to be inspected; moving the transducers along the length of and laterally inwardly and outwardly relative to the partially completed weld; pulsing the respective transducers to produce an ultrasonic signal which passes through or is reflected from the partially completed weld; receiving from the respective transducers ultrasonic signals which pass through or are reflected from the partially completed welds; and analyzing the ultrasonic signal which has passed through or is reflected from the partially completed weld to determine the presence of any weld defects.

Partial oxidation of methane (POM) assisted solid oxide co-electrolysis

DOEpatents

Chen, Fanglin; Wang, Yao

2017-02-21

Methods for simultaneous syngas generation by opposite sides of a solid oxide co-electrolysis cell are provided. The method can comprise exposing a cathode side of the solid oxide co-electrolysis cell to a cathode-side feed stream; supplying electricity to the solid oxide co-electrolysis cell such that the cathode side produces a product stream comprising hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide gas while supplying oxygen ions to an anode side of the solid oxide co-electrolysis cell; and exposing the anode side of the solid oxide co-electrolysis cell to an anode-side feed stream. The cathode-side feed stream comprises water and carbon dioxide, and the anode-side feed stream comprises methane gas such that the methane gas reacts with the oxygen ions to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The cathode-side feed stream can further comprise nitrogen, hydrogen, or a mixture thereof.

Strains Around Abutment Teeth with Different Attachments Used for Implant-Assisted Distal Extension Partial Overdentures: An In Vitro Study.

PubMed

ELsyad, Moustafa Abdou; Omran, Abdelbaset Omar; Fouad, Mohammed Mohammed

2017-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare strain around abutment teeth with different attachments used for implant-assisted distal extension partial overdentures (IADEPODs). A mandibular Kennedy class I acrylic model (remaining teeth from first premolar to first premolar) was constructed. A conventional partial denture was constructed over the model (control, group 1). Two laboratory implants were then placed bilaterally in the first molar areas parallel to each other and perpendicular to the residual ridge. Three additional experimental partial overdentures (PODs) were constructed and connected to the implants using ball (group 2), magnetic (group 3), and Locator (group 4) attachments. Three linear strain gauges were bonded buccal, lingual, and distal to the first premolar abutment tooth at the right (loading) and the left (nonloading) sides. For each group, a universal testing device was used to apply a unilateral vertical static load (50 N) on the first molar area, and the strain was recorded using a multichannel digital strainometer. Significant differences between groups and between sites of strain gauges were detected. Strains recorded for all groups were compressive (negative) in nature. Group 1 demonstrated the highest strain, followed by group 3 and group 4; group 2 recorded the lowest strain. For group 2, the highest strain was recoded at the lingual nonloading side. For group 1, group 3, and group 4, the highest strain was recorded at the buccal loading side. Within the limitation of the present study, ball attachments used to retain IADEPODs to the implants were associated with lower strains around abutment teeth than Locator and magnetic attachments. The highest strain was recorded with conventional partial dentures. © 2015 by the American College of Prosthodontists.

Non-iterative volumetric particle reconstruction near moving bodies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mendelson, Leah; Techet, Alexandra

2017-11-01

When multi-camera 3D PIV experiments are performed around a moving body, the body often obscures visibility of regions of interest in the flow field in a subset of cameras. We evaluate the performance of non-iterative particle reconstruction algorithms used for synthetic aperture PIV (SAPIV) in these partially-occluded regions. We show that when partial occlusions are present, the quality and availability of 3D tracer particle information depends on the number of cameras and reconstruction procedure used. Based on these findings, we introduce an improved non-iterative reconstruction routine for SAPIV around bodies. The reconstruction procedure combines binary masks, already required for reconstruction of the body's 3D visual hull, and a minimum line-of-sight algorithm. This approach accounts for partial occlusions without performing separate processing for each possible subset of cameras. We combine this reconstruction procedure with three-dimensional imaging on both sides of the free surface to reveal multi-fin wake interactions generated by a jumping archer fish. Sufficient particle reconstruction in near-body regions is crucial to resolving the wake structures of upstream fins (i.e., dorsal and anal fins) before and during interactions with the caudal tail.

Internal impingement in the etiology of rotator cuff tendinosis revisited.

PubMed

Budoff, Jeffrey E; Nirschl, Robert P; Ilahi, Omer A; Rodin, Dennis M

2003-10-01

The theory of internal impingement holds that, in overhead athletes, repeated contact between the undersurface of the rotator cuff and the posterosuperior glenoid rim leads to articular-sided partial-thickness rotator cuff tears and superior labral lesions. However, we have noted this same constellation of lesions in our general patient population. These recreational athletic patients do not routinely assume the position of extreme abduction and external rotation, and thus are unlikely to experience significant internal impingement forces. The goal of this study was to document the prevalence of superior labral lesions in patients being treated for partial-thickness undersurface rotator cuff tears. Retrospective case series. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 75 shoulders arthroscopically treated for partial-thickness articular-sided rotator cuff tears. With the exception of one professional tennis player, no patients were playing sports at a professional or major college level. No professional or collegiate throwing athletes were included. The prevalence of these lesions and their association with recreational athletics was noted. We found that 55 of 75 (73.3%) shoulders with articular-sided partial-thickness rotator cuff tears also had superior labral lesions. A statistically significant increased prevalence of superior labral lesions in the dominant shoulder was seen (P =.03). In addition, our patients who engaged in overhand throwing had significantly fewer superior labral lesions in the dominant shoulders than did nonthrowers (P =.017). The "kissing lesions" of undersurface rotator cuff tears and posterosuperior labral damage may be explained by mechanisms other than "internal impingement."

Knowledge of consequences of missing teeth in patients attending prosthetic clinic in u.C.h. Ibadan.

PubMed

Dosumu, O O; Ogunrinde, J T; Bamigboye, S A

2014-06-01

Various causes of tooth loss such as caries, trauma, periodontal diseases, and cancer have been documented in the literature. In addition, factors that can modify these causes such as level of education, age and sex have been studied. There is however paucity of information on whether patients or people with missing teeth are aware of the side effects of tooth loss on them or on the remaining teeth. This study investigated the knowledge of consequences of missing teeth among partially edentulous patients in a teaching hospital. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to the patients to collect information relating to demography, cause and duration of tooth loss, awareness of the consequences of tooth loss and their sources of information. Four clinical conditions including supra-eruption, mastication, teeth drifting, and facial collapse were used to assess the level of awareness of consequences of missing teeth. Two hundred and three participants were included in the study. Their mean age was 45.5±1.8 years. There was no significant difference between the knowledge of the consequences of missing teeth and sex or on level of education (p(·) 0.05). Dentists constituted the largest source of information to these patients (25.6%) while the media constituted the least (0.5%). The result of this study showed poor knowledge of the consequences of missing teeth among partially edentulous patients and the media that should be of assistance were equally unaware, signifying urgent need for public awareness on this subject.

New partial sequences of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase as molecular phylogenetic markers.

PubMed

Gehrig, H; Heute, V; Kluge, M

2001-08-01

To better understand the evolution of the enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) and to test its versatility as a molecular character in phylogenetic and taxonomic studies, we have characterized and compared 70 new partial PEPC nucleotide and amino acid sequences (about 1100 bp of the 3' side of the gene) from 50 plant species (24 species of Bryophyta, 1 of Pteridophyta, and 25 of Spermatophyta). Together with previously published data, the new set of sequences allowed us to construct the up to now most complete phylogenetic tree of PEPC, where the PEPC sequences cluster according to both the taxonomic positions of the donor plants and the assumed specific function of the PEPC isoforms. Altogether, the study further strengthens the view that PEPC sequences can provide interesting information for the reconstruction of phylogenetic relations between organisms and metabolic pathways. To avoid confusion in future discussion, we propose a new nomenclature for the denotation of PEPC isoforms. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.

STS-5 crew onboard portrait on port side middeck

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1982-01-01

Crew onboard portrait taken on port side middeck shows Commander Brand holding Ace Moving Co sign (partially obscured, near center) and surrounded by Pilot Overmyer (in light t-shirt), Mission Specialist (MS) Allen (center bottom) and MS Lenoir (center top). The sign refers to the successful deployment of two commercial communications satellites on the flight's first two days.

STS-5 crew onboard portrait on port side middeck

NASA Image and Video Library

1982-11-16

Crew onboard portrait taken on port side middeck shows Commander Brand holding Ace Moving Co sign (partially obscured, near center) and surrounded by Pilot Overmyer (in light t-shirt), Mission Specialist (MS) Allen (center bottom) and MS Lenoir (center top). The sign refers to the successful deployment of two commercial communications satellites on the flight's first two days.

Microstructure formation in partially melted zone during gas tungsten arc welding of AZ91 Mg cast alloy

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

Zhu Tianping; Chen, Zhan W.; Gao Wei

2008-11-15

During gas tungsten arc (GTA) welding of AZ91 Mg cast alloy, constitutional liquid forms locally in the original interdendritic regions in the partially melted zone (PMZ). The PMZ re-solidification behaviour has not been well understood. In this study, the gradual change of the re-solidification microstructure within PMZ from base metal side to weld metal side was characterised. High cooling rate experiments using Gleeble thermal simulator were also conducted to understand the morphological change of the {alpha}-Mg/{beta}-Mg{sub 17}Al{sub 12} phase interface formed during re-solidification after partial melting. It was found that the original partially divorced eutectic structure has become a moremore » regular eutectic phase in most of the PMZ, although close to the fusion boundary the re-solidified eutectic is again a divorced one. Proceeding the eutectic re-solidification, if the degree of partial melting is sufficiently high, {alpha}-Mg re-solidified with a cellular growth, resulting in a serrated interface between {alpha}-Mg and {alpha}-Mg/{beta}-Mg{sub 17}Al{sub 12} in the weld sample and between {alpha}-Mg and {beta}-Mg{sub 17}Al{sub 12} (fully divorced eutectic) in Gleeble samples. The morphological changes affected by the peak temperature and cooling rate are also explained.« less

[Walking with canes and forearm-crutches (author's transl)].

PubMed

Bergmann, G; Kölbel, R; Rauschenbach, N; Rohlmann, A

1978-02-01

Partial weight bearing is frequently prescribed but cannot be controlled adequately. In a previous paper the change of forces at the hip joint as effected by a one sided cane was determined by instrumentation of the cane and a mechanical analysis of gait on a walkway. In the present study we looked at the conditions for control of partial weightbearing when two forearm crutches are used. Instrumented crutches and a forceplate were used. In walking with two forearm crutches the total of the ground reaction forces and the force pattern differ from those in free walking. The total of two crutch forces plus the force at the leg with partial weightbearing exceeds that caused by body weight alone. This is due to mass accelerations in a changed gait pattern. When the maximal leg force is reduced from 100% body weight to zero, the additional dynamic forces exceed those caused by body weight alone by 4%-19%. Only 2% of the additional dynamic forces act on the controlateral crutch while the rest is transmitted through the ipsilateral crutch. The crutch force pattern on the ipsilateral side depends more on individual gait characteristics than does that on the controlateral side. Load reduction is more pronounced in the late stages of the stand phase than in the early ones.

Patterns of intrafractional motion and uncertainties of treatment setup reference systems in accelerated partial breast irradiation for right- and left-sided breast cancer.

PubMed

Yue, Ning J; Goyal, Sharad; Kim, Leonard H; Khan, Atif; Haffty, Bruce G

2014-01-01

This study investigated the patterns of intrafractional motion and accuracy of treatment setup strategies in 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy of accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) for right- and left-sided breast cancers. Sixteen right-sided and 17 left-sided breast cancer patients were enrolled in an institutional APBI trial in which gold fiducial markers were strategically sutured to the surgical cavity walls. Daily pre- and postradiation therapy kV imaging were performed and were matched to digitally reconstructed radiographs based on bony anatomy and fiducial markers, respectively, to determine the intrafractional motion. The positioning differences of the laser-tattoo and the bony anatomy-based setups with respect to the marker-based setup (benchmark) were determined to evaluate their accuracy. Statistical differences were found between the right- and left-sided APBI treatments in vector directions of intrafractional motion and treatment setup errors in the reference systems, but less in their overall magnitudes. The directional difference was more pronounced in the lateral direction. It was found that the intrafractional motion and setup reference systems tended to deviate in the right direction for the right-sided breast treatments and in the left direction for the left-sided breast treatments. It appears that the fiducial markers placed in the seroma cavity exhibit side dependent directional intrafractional motion, although additional data may be needed to further validate the conclusion. The bony anatomy-based treatment setup improves the accuracy over laser-tattoo. But it is inadequate to rely on bony anatomy to assess intrafractional target motion in both magnitude and direction. Copyright © 2014 American Society for Radiation Oncology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Status of the contralateral rotator cuff in patients undergoing rotator cuff repair.

PubMed

Ro, Kyung-Han; Park, Jong-Hoon; Lee, Soon-Hyuck; Song, Dong-Ik; Jeong, Ha-Joon; Jeong, Woong-Kyo

2015-05-01

Although the prevalence of rotator cuff tear (RCT) in the general population has been analyzed, little information is available on the status of the opposite-side rotator cuff in patients who have undergone arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. To identify the characteristics of the contralateral shoulder and to identify factors associated with RCT of the contralateral shoulder in patients who underwent surgery for symptomatic RCT. The hypothesis was that the prevalence of RCT in the contralateral shoulder would be higher in patients with increasingly larger cuff tears requiring surgical intervention. Case series; Level of evidence, 4. The study cohort consisted of 140 patients with RCT who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Opposite-shoulder rotator cuff tendons of all patients were evaluated by ultrasonography. Demographic information and factors related to contralateral RCT were investigated, and risk factors associated with contralateral RCT were assessed. Of the 140 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, 54 (38.6%) had an RCT of the contralateral shoulder. Of 51 patients with partial-thickness and small-sized full-thickness tears of the operated shoulder, 35 (68.6%) had no tears; 14 (27.5%) had partial-thickness tears; and 2 (3.9%) had small-sized full-thickness tears of the contralateral shoulder. Of 75 patients with medium-sized full-thickness tears, 43 (57.3%) had no tears; 12 (16%) had partial-thickness tears; and 20 (26.7%) had full-thickness tears of the contralateral shoulder. Of 14 patients with large to massive full-thickness tears, 8 (57.1%) had no tears; 1 (7.1%) had a partial-thickness tear; and 5 (35.7%) had full-thickness tears of the contralateral shoulder. The prevalence of RCT of the contralateral shoulder differed significantly among groups classified by tear size (P=.007). The mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score was significantly lower in the RCT than in the nontear group (55.8±16.9 vs 61.6±13.3; P=.03). Of 29 subjects with symptomatic tears involving the nondominant arm, 17 (58.6%) had contralateral asymptomatic RCT, compared with 37 of 111 (33.3%) subjects with symptomatic tears involving the dominant arm (P=.007). The prevalence of RCT of the contralateral asymptomatic shoulder tends to be higher in patients with more symptomatic RCT on one side, in patients with medium-sized or larger RCT in the operated shoulder, and in patients with symptomatic RCT in the nondominant arm. © 2015 The Author(s).

Geodetic exploration of strain along the El Pilar Fault in northeastern Venezuela

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reinoza, C.; Jouanne, F.; Audemard, F. A.; Schmitz, M.; Beck, C.

2015-03-01

We use Global Navigation Satellite Systems observations in northeastern Venezuela to constrain the El Pilar Fault (EPF) kinematics and to explore the effects of the variable elastic properties of the surrounding medium and of the fault geometry on inferred slip rates and locking depth. The velocity field exhibits an asymmetric velocity gradient on either side of the EPF. We use five different approaches to explore possible models to explain this asymmetry. First, we infer a 1.6 km locking depth using a classic elastic half-space dislocation model. Second, we infer a 1.5 km locking depth and a 0.33 asymmetry coefficient using a heterogeneous asymmetric model, including contrasting material properties on either side of a vertical fault, suggesting that the igneous-metamorphic terranes on the northern side are ~2 times more rigid than the sedimentary southern side. Third, we use a three-dimensional elastostatic model to evaluate the presence of a compliant zone, suggesting a 30% reduction of rigidity in the upper 3 km at the depth of a 1 to 5 km wide fault zone. Fourth, we evaluate the distribution of fault slip, revealing a widespread partial creep pattern in the eastern upper segment, while the upper western segment exhibits a partially locked area, which coincides with the rupture surface of the 1797 and 1929 earthquakes. To supplement these models, we upgrade the previously published displacement simulation method using nonvertical dislocations with data acquired between 2003 and 2013. The localized aseismic displacement pattern associated with creeping or partially creeping fault segments could explain the low level of historic seismicity.

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.

The presence and influence of posterior capsule tightness on different shoulder problems.

PubMed

Duzgun, Irem; Turgut, Elif; Çinar-Medeni, Özge; Kafa, Nihan; Tuna, Zeynep; Elbasan, Bulent; Oskay, Deran

2017-01-01

In the literature it has been shown that posterior capsule flexibility is a precursor to shoulder problems. However, no study thus far has shown the influence of the flexibility of posterior capsule in different shoulder pathologies. This study set about to compare the role of posterior capsule tightness in different shoulder problems. One-hundred-twenty-five patients diagnosed with shoulder subacromial impingement syndrome (n= 52), partial rotator cuff tear (n= 31) or frozen shoulder (n= 42) and 30 asymptomatic peers participated in the study. Horizontal adduction was assessed in side-lying position for posterior capsule tightness. Pain was measured via the visual analogue scale and shoulder range of motion and active total elevation was assessed with goniometer. Hand behind the back (HBB) test was assessed the active internal rotation by measuring the distance between T5 and the thumb. It was found that the affected side of the posterior capsules of the patients with subacromial impingement syndrome (p< 0.001), partial rotator cuff tear (p< 0.001) and frozen shoulder (p< 0.001) was stiffer than their healthy side. There were significant differences among groups in the level of tightness in the posterior capsule between the affected and the healthy sides (p< 0.001). All range of motion of the shoulder including HBB test and the posterior capsule tightness of the affected side are found to be correlated (p< 0.05). This study emphasized that the posterior capsule's susceptibility to tightness is most evident in frozen shoulder among different shoulder problems.

Contribution of Cage-Shaped Structure of Physalins to Their Mode of Action in Inhibition of NF-κB Activation.

PubMed

Ozawa, Masaaki; Morita, Masaki; Hirai, Go; Tamura, Satoru; Kawai, Masao; Tsuchiya, Ayako; Oonuma, Kana; Maruoka, Keiji; Sodeoka, Mikiko

2013-08-08

A library of oxygenated natural steroids, including physalins, withanolides, and perulactones, coupled with the synthetic cage-shaped right-side structure of type B physalins, was constructed. SAR studies for inhibition of NF-κB activation showed the importance of both the B-ring and the oxygenated right-side partial structure. The 5β,6β-epoxy derivatives of both physalins and withanolides showed similar profiles of inhibition of NF-κB activation and appeared to act on NF-κB signaling via inhibition of phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα. In contrast, type B physalins with C5-C6 olefin functionality inhibited nuclear translocation and DNA binding of RelA/p50 protein dimer, which lie downstream of IκBα degradation, although withanolides having the same AB-ring functionality did not. These results indicated that the right-side partial structure of these steroids influences their mode of action.

6. Partial view of rear elevations of shops building and ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

6. Partial view of rear elevations of shops building and Hangar 1301 with rear elevation of corridor (behind power plant) connecting the hangar and shops building. Side elevations of shops and hangar as well as upper rear story of power plant and stack are visible, looking south southwest - Dover Air Force Base, Hangar No. 1301, Dover, Kent County, DE

Partially unzipped carbon nanotubes as a superior catalyst support for PEM fuel cells.

PubMed

Long, Donghui; Li, Wei; Qiao, Wenming; Miyawaki, Jin; Yoon, Seong-Ho; Mochida, Isao; Ling, Licheng

2011-09-07

Partially unzipped carbon nanotubes prepared by strong oxidation and thermal expansion of carbon nanotubes were explored as an advanced catalyst support for PEM fuel cells. The unique hybrid structure of 1D nanotube and 2D double-side graphene resulted in an outstanding electrocatalytic performance. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011

Implicit memory for novel figure-ground displays includes a history of cross-border competition.

PubMed

Peterson, Mary A; Lampignano, Daniel W

2003-08-01

When configural cues specify that a figure lies on opposite sides of a repeated border in prime andprobe shapes, probe latencies are longer than when prime and probe borders are unrelated. Do such results reflect negative priming for the shape of the prime ground or cross-border competition from figure memory? The present study tested these alternatives by adding partial closure as a competing cue and reducing the similarity between the prime ground and the shape of the probe. Results supported the cross-border competition interpretation. Additional findings were that partial closure is a configural cue and that response effects can emerge from the potential shape on the ground side of a border. One prior experience was sufficient for these effects.

Implications of Vehicle Roll Direction on Occupant Ejection and Injury Risk

PubMed Central

Gloeckner, D. Claire; Moore, Tara L. A.; Steffey, Duane; Bare, Cleve; Corrigan, Catherine Ford

2006-01-01

Vehicle roll direction and occupant position have been shown to affect occupant kinematics. Data from NASS-CDS were analyzed for risk of serious or greater injuries and ejection with respect to the position of the occupant (near side or far side). The risk of AIS 3+ injuries was higher for unrestrained occupants, for ejected occupants, for occupants involved in rollovers with higher numbers of quarter turns, and for far side occupants. Near side occupants had an increased risk of partial ejection in rollovers consisting of one complete roll or less. Occupant roll direction did not affect risk of complete ejection. PMID:16968635

New statistical potential for quality assessment of protein models and a survey of energy functions

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background Scoring functions, such as molecular mechanic forcefields and statistical potentials are fundamentally important tools in protein structure modeling and quality assessment. Results The performances of a number of publicly available scoring functions are compared with a statistical rigor, with an emphasis on knowledge-based potentials. We explored the effect on accuracy of alternative choices for representing interaction center types and other features of scoring functions, such as using information on solvent accessibility, on torsion angles, accounting for secondary structure preferences and side chain orientation. Partially based on the observations made, we present a novel residue based statistical potential, which employs a shuffled reference state definition and takes into account the mutual orientation of residue side chains. Atom- and residue-level statistical potentials and Linux executables to calculate the energy of a given protein proposed in this work can be downloaded from http://www.fiserlab.org/potentials. Conclusions Among the most influential terms we observed a critical role of a proper reference state definition and the benefits of including information about the microenvironment of interaction centers. Molecular mechanical potentials were also tested and found to be over-sensitive to small local imperfections in a structure, requiring unfeasible long energy relaxation before energy scores started to correlate with model quality. PMID:20226048

A Projection free method for Generalized Eigenvalue Problem with a nonsmooth Regularizer.

PubMed

Hwang, Seong Jae; Collins, Maxwell D; Ravi, Sathya N; Ithapu, Vamsi K; Adluru, Nagesh; Johnson, Sterling C; Singh, Vikas

2015-12-01

Eigenvalue problems are ubiquitous in computer vision, covering a very broad spectrum of applications ranging from estimation problems in multi-view geometry to image segmentation. Few other linear algebra problems have a more mature set of numerical routines available and many computer vision libraries leverage such tools extensively. However, the ability to call the underlying solver only as a "black box" can often become restrictive. Many 'human in the loop' settings in vision frequently exploit supervision from an expert, to the extent that the user can be considered a subroutine in the overall system. In other cases, there is additional domain knowledge, side or even partial information that one may want to incorporate within the formulation. In general, regularizing a (generalized) eigenvalue problem with such side information remains difficult. Motivated by these needs, this paper presents an optimization scheme to solve generalized eigenvalue problems (GEP) involving a (nonsmooth) regularizer. We start from an alternative formulation of GEP where the feasibility set of the model involves the Stiefel manifold. The core of this paper presents an end to end stochastic optimization scheme for the resultant problem. We show how this general algorithm enables improved statistical analysis of brain imaging data where the regularizer is derived from other 'views' of the disease pathology, involving clinical measurements and other image-derived representations.

Materials for High-Temperature Hydrogen Fluorine Environments.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-03-04

an top and partially an the side. Top and bottom layers seeme d to be separating. 0.0 0.0 Top laye and portion of side became derk gray. Bonding of...burned away within 2 min. +1.3 to +3.0 40.13 to 40.33 Specimen had film built up on it which seeme flaky; specimen had a big crack. 40.96 to 40.1 to

Salvaged castings and methods of salvaging castings with defective cast cooling bumps

DOEpatents

Johnson, Robert Alan; Schaeffer, Jon Conrad; Lee, Ching-Pang; Abuaf, Nesim; Hasz, Wayne Charles

2002-01-01

Castings for gas turbine parts exposed on one side to a high-temperature fluid medium have cast-in bumps on an opposite cooling surface side to enhance heat transfer. Areas on the cooling surface having defectively cast bumps, i.e., missing or partially formed bumps during casting, are coated with a braze alloy and cooling enhancement material to salvage the part.

PPARγ partial agonist GQ-16 strongly represses a subset of genes in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

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

Milton, Flora Aparecida; Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX; Cvoro, Aleksandra

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonists that improve insulin resistance but trigger side effects such as weight gain, edema, congestive heart failure and bone loss. GQ-16 is a PPARγ partial agonist that improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in mouse models of obesity and diabetes without inducing weight gain or edema. It is not clear whether GQ-16 acts as a partial agonist at all PPARγ target genes, or whether it displays gene-selective actions. To determine how GQ-16 influences PPARγ activity on a gene by gene basis, we compared effects of rosiglitazone (Rosi) and GQ-16 in mature 3T3-L1more » adipocytes using microarray and qRT-PCR. Rosi changed expression of 1156 genes in 3T3-L1, but GQ-16 only changed 89 genes. GQ-16 generally showed weak effects upon Rosi induced genes, consistent with partial agonist actions, but a subset of modestly Rosi induced and strongly repressed genes displayed disproportionately strong GQ-16 responses. PPARγ partial agonists MLR24 and SR1664 also exhibit disproportionately strong effects on transcriptional repression. We conclude that GQ-16 displays a continuum of weak partial agonist effects but efficiently represses some negatively regulated PPARγ responsive genes. Strong repressive effects could contribute to physiologic actions of GQ-16. - Highlights: • GQ-16 is an insulin sensitizing PPARγ ligand with reduced harmful side effects. • GQ-16 displays a continuum of weak partial agonist activities at PPARγ-induced genes. • GQ-16 exerts strong repressive effects at a subset of genes. • These inhibitor actions should be evaluated in models of adipose tissue inflammation.« less

SOUTHEAST SIDE VIEW SHOWING CARPORT WITH STORAGE CLOSET ON THE ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

SOUTHEAST SIDE VIEW SHOWING CARPORT WITH STORAGE CLOSET ON THE LEFT AND MAIN HOUSE VISIBLE THROUGH CARPORT ON THE RIGHT. A PARTIAL HEIGHT TRASH ENCLOSURE CAN BE SEEN NEXT TO THE CARPORT - Camp H.M. Smith and Navy Public Works Center Manana Title VII (Capehart) Housing, U-Shaped Two-Bedroom Single-Family Type 6, Birch Circle, Elm Drive, Elm Circle, and Date Drive, Pearl City, Honolulu County, HI

Economic value of ionophores and propylene glycol to prevent disease and treat ketosis in Canada

PubMed Central

Gohary, Khaled; Overton, Michael W.; Von Massow, Michael; LeBlanc, Stephen J.; Lissemore, Kerry D.; Duffield, Todd F.

2016-01-01

A partial budget model was developed to evaluate the economic value of Rumensin Controlled Release Capsule (CRC) boluses when administered before calving to reduce disease and increase milk production. After accounting for disease incidences in a herd and the percentage by which Rumensin CRC can reduce them, and the increase in milk production attributable to administration of Rumensin CRC, the return on investment (ROI) per lactation was 4:1. Another partial budget model was developed to estimate the economic value of propylene glycol (PG) to treat ketosis when diagnosed by 3 different cow-side tests or when administered to all cows without using any cow-side testing. After accounting for the sensitivity and specificity of each test, ROI per lactation ranged from 2:1 to 4:1. The ROI was 2:1 when no cow-side testing was used. In conclusion, prevention of diseases that occur in the postpartum period and treatment of ketosis after calving yielded a positive ROI that varies based on disease incidence and method of diagnosis. PMID:27429461

Economic value of ionophores and propylene glycol to prevent disease and treat ketosis in Canada.

PubMed

Gohary, Khaled; Overton, Michael W; Von Massow, Michael; LeBlanc, Stephen J; Lissemore, Kerry D; Duffield, Todd F

2016-07-01

A partial budget model was developed to evaluate the economic value of Rumensin Controlled Release Capsule (CRC) boluses when administered before calving to reduce disease and increase milk production. After accounting for disease incidences in a herd and the percentage by which Rumensin CRC can reduce them, and the increase in milk production attributable to administration of Rumensin CRC, the return on investment (ROI) per lactation was 4:1. Another partial budget model was developed to estimate the economic value of propylene glycol (PG) to treat ketosis when diagnosed by 3 different cow-side tests or when administered to all cows without using any cow-side testing. After accounting for the sensitivity and specificity of each test, ROI per lactation ranged from 2:1 to 4:1. The ROI was 2:1 when no cow-side testing was used. In conclusion, prevention of diseases that occur in the postpartum period and treatment of ketosis after calving yielded a positive ROI that varies based on disease incidence and method of diagnosis.

Preservation of bursal-sided tendon in partial-thickness articular-sided rotator cuff tears: a novel arthroscopic transtendon anatomic repair technique.

PubMed

Shin, Sang-Jin; Jeong, Jae-Hoon; Jeon, Yoon Sang; Kim, Rag Gyu

2016-12-01

The purpose of this study was to introduce a novel arthroscopic transtendon anatomic repair technique that spares the intact bursal-sided tendon in articular-sided partial-thickness rotator cuff tears (PTRCT) and to present shoulder functional outcomes in patients with symptomatic articular-sided PCRCT that involves more than 50 % of its thickness after arthroscopic repair using a novel technique. Eighteen patients with symptomatic articular-sided PCRCT involving more than 50 % of the tendon's thickness underwent arthroscopic repair using a devised technique. The devised technique restores only the torn articular portion of the rotator cuff at the anatomical footprint using a suture anchor, and preserves the integrity of the corresponding bursal-sided tendon by tying knots at the most lateral bursal side on the subacromial space. Clinical and functional outcome using ASES and Constant scores were evaluated. The structural integrity of the rotator cuff was evaluated by MRI at 6 months postoperatively. Pain relief and shoulder functional outcomes were encouraging during the recovery phase after operation. ASES (preoperative 54.0 ± 10.3 to postoperative 92.6 ± 8.0), Constant score (61.2 ± 8.5-88.0 ± 5.3), VAS for pain (4.9 ± 2.6-0.6 ± 0.7) improved significantly after arthroscopic transtendon anatomic repair (p < 0.001). No patients had rotator cuff retears on 6-month MRI. No complications related to surgical procedures had occurred. The devised technique of arthroscopic transtendon repair provided satisfactory functional outcomes without postoperative discomforts. This technique minimizes over-tightening of the articular layer and reduces tension mismatches between the articular and bursal layers, which are considered as important factors for improvement of postoperative shoulder motion.

Mediators of a brief hypnosis intervention to control side effects in breast surgery patients: Response expectancies and emotional distress

PubMed Central

Montgomery, Guy H.; Hallquist, Michael N.; Schnur, Julie B.; David, Daniel; Silverstein, Jeffrey H.; Bovbjerg, Dana H.

2010-01-01

Hypnosis is widely recognized as an empirically supported intervention to improve postsurgical outcomes. However, to date, no research has examined mediators of hypnotic benefit among surgery patients. The present study was designed to test the hypotheses that response expectancies and emotional distress would mediate the effects of an empirically validated presurgical hypnosis intervention on postsurgical side effects (i.e., pain, nausea, and fatigue). In a sample of 200 women undergoing breast conserving surgery (mean age = 48.50 years), structural equation modeling revealed the following: 1) hypnotic effects on postsurgical pain were partially mediated by pain expectancy (p< .0001), but not by distress (p=.12); 2) hypnotic effects on postsurgical nausea were partially mediated by presurgical distress (p=.02), but not by nausea expectancy (p=.10); 3) hypnotic effects on postsurgical fatigue were partially mediated by both fatigue expectancy (p=.0001) and presurgical distress (p=.02). These results improve understanding of the underlying mechanisms responsible for hypnotic phenomena in the surgical setting, and suggest that future hypnotic interventions target patient expectancies and distress to improve postsurgical recovery. PMID:20099953

Helical unwinding and side-chain unlocking unravel the outward open conformation of the melibiose transporter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Li-Ying; Ravi, Vidhya M.; Leblanc, Gérard; Padrós, Esteve; Cladera, Josep; Perálvarez-Marín, Alex

2016-09-01

Molecular dynamics simulations have been used to study the alternate access mechanism of the melibiose transporter from Escherichia coli. Starting from the outward-facing partially occluded form, 2 out of 12 simulations produced an outward full open form and one partially open, whereas the rest yielded fully or partially occluded forms. The shape of the outward-open form resembles other outward-open conformations of secondary transporters. During the transporter opening, conformational changes in some loops are followed by changes in the periplasm region of transmembrane helix 7. Helical curvature relaxation and unlocking of hydrophobic and ionic locks promote the outward opening of the transporter making accessible the substrate binding site. In particular, FRET studies on mutants of conserved aromatic residues of extracellular loop 4 showed lack of substrate binding, emphasizing the importance of this loop for making crucial interactions that control the opening of the periplasmic side. This study indicates that the alternate access mechanism for the melibiose transporter fits better into a flexible gating mechanism rather than the archetypical helical rigid-body rocker-switch mechanism.

Further analysis of the structure and immunological activity of an RG-I type pectin from Panax ginseng.

PubMed

Zhang, Xu; Li, Shanshan; Sun, Lin; Ji, Li; Zhu, Jingjing; Fan, Yuying; Tai, Guihua; Zhou, Yifa

2012-06-20

In this paper, we further analysed the structure of a type I rhamnogalacturonan (RG-I) pectin (WGPA-2-RG) fractionated from ginseng polysaccharides. Methylation and periodate oxidation analyses showed that WGPA-2-RG has a backbone consisting of alternating rhamnose (Rha) and galacturonic acid (GalA) residues and side chains consisting of type II arabinogalactan (AG-II). Partial acidic hydrolysis for 6h completely removed arabinose (Ara), partial galactose (Gal), but little GalA and Rha. During partial hydrolysis, the molecular weight of WGPA-2-RG decreased smoothly, suggesting that the Ara and cleavable Gal residues exist on the surface of the molecule, while GalA and Rha residues exist in the core of the molecule. The bioactivity assay showed that the arabinogalactan side chains of WGPA-2-RG are essential structures for stimulating NO secretion and lymphocyte proliferation. However, removal of the Ara and Gal residues through hydrolysis did not appreciably affect the ability of WGPA-2-RG to enhance macrophage phagocytosis. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Determinants of immediate price impacts at the trade level in an emerging order-driven market

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Wei-Xing

2012-02-01

Common wisdom argues that, in general, large trades cause large price changes, whereas small trades cause small price changes. However, for extremely large price changes, the trade size and news play a minor role, while liquidity (especially price gaps on the limit order book) is a more influential factor. Hence, there might be other factors influencing the immediate price impacts of trades. In this paper, through mechanical analysis of price variations before and after a trade of arbitrary size, we identify that the trade size, the bid-ask spread, the price gaps and the outstanding volumes at the bid and ask sides of the limit order book have an impact on the changes in prices. We propose two regression models to investigate the influence of these microscopic factors on the price impact of buyer-initiated partially filled trades, seller-initiated partially filled trades, buyer-initiated filled trades and seller-initiated filled trades. We find that they have quantitatively similar explanatory powers and these factors can account for up to 44% of the price impacts. Large trade sizes, wide bid-ask spreads, high liquidity at the same side and low liquidity at the opposite side will cause a large price impact. We also find that the liquidity at the opposite side has a more influential impact than the liquidity at the same side. Our results shed new light on the determinants of immediate price impacts.

On contribution of known atomic partial charges of protein backbone in electrostatic potential density maps.

PubMed

Wang, Jimin

2017-06-01

Partial charges of atoms in a molecule and electrostatic potential (ESP) density for that molecule are known to bear a strong correlation. In order to generate a set of point-field force field parameters for molecular dynamics, Kollman and coworkers have extracted atomic partial charges for each of all 20 amino acids using restrained partial charge-fitting procedures from theoretical ESP density obtained from condensed-state quantum mechanics. The magnitude of atomic partial charges for neutral peptide backbone they have obtained is similar to that of partial atomic charges for ionized carboxylate side chain atoms. In this study, the effect of these known atomic partial charges on ESP is examined using computer simulations and compared with the experimental ESP density recently obtained for proteins using electron microscopy. It is found that the observed ESP density maps are most consistent with the simulations that include atomic partial charges of protein backbone. Therefore, atomic partial charges are integral part of atomic properties in protein molecules and should be included in model refinement. © 2017 The Protein Society.

On contribution of known atomic partial charges of protein backbone in electrostatic potential density maps

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Abstract Partial charges of atoms in a molecule and electrostatic potential (ESP) density for that molecule are known to bear a strong correlation. In order to generate a set of point‐field force field parameters for molecular dynamics, Kollman and coworkers have extracted atomic partial charges for each of all 20 amino acids using restrained partial charge‐fitting procedures from theoretical ESP density obtained from condensed‐state quantum mechanics. The magnitude of atomic partial charges for neutral peptide backbone they have obtained is similar to that of partial atomic charges for ionized carboxylate side chain atoms. In this study, the effect of these known atomic partial charges on ESP is examined using computer simulations and compared with the experimental ESP density recently obtained for proteins using electron microscopy. It is found that the observed ESP density maps are most consistent with the simulations that include atomic partial charges of protein backbone. Therefore, atomic partial charges are integral part of atomic properties in protein molecules and should be included in model refinement. PMID:28370507

Blindness and vision loss

MedlinePlus

... eye ( chemical burns or sports injuries) Diabetes Glaucoma Macular degeneration The type of partial vision loss may differ, ... tunnel vision and missing areas of vision With macular degeneration, the side vision is normal but the central ...

Objective assessment of mastication predominance in healthy dentate subjects and patients with unilateral posterior missing teeth.

PubMed

Yamasaki, Y; Kuwatsuru, R; Tsukiyama, Y; Oki, K; Koyano, K

2016-08-01

We aimed to investigate mastication predominance in healthy dentate individuals and patients with unilateral posterior missing teeth using objective and subjective methods. The sample comprised 50 healthy dentate individuals (healthy dentate group) and 30 patients with unilateral posterior missing teeth (partially edentulous group). Subjects were asked to freely chew three kinds of test foods (peanuts, beef jerky and chewing gum). Electromyographic activity of the bilateral masseter muscles was recorded. The chewing side (right side or left side) was judged by the level of root mean square electromyographic amplitude. Mastication predominance was then objectively assessed using the mastication predominant score and the mastication predominant index. Self-awareness of mastication predominance was evaluated using a modified visual analogue scale. Mastication predominance scores of the healthy dentate and partially edentulous groups for each test food were analysed. There was a significant difference in the distribution of the mastication predominant index between the two groups (P < 0·05). The mastication predominant score was weakly correlated with self-awareness of mastication predominance in the healthy dentate group, whereas strong correlation was observed in the partially edentulous group (P < 0·05). The results suggest that the individuals with missing unilateral posterior teeth exhibited greater mastication predominance and were more aware of mastication predominance than healthy dentate individuals. Our findings suggest that an objective evaluation of mastication predominance is more precise than a subjective method. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Design and fabrication of realistic adhesively bonded joints

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shyprykevich, P.

1983-01-01

Eighteen bonded joint test specimens representing three different designs of a composite wing chordwise bonded splice were designed and fabricated using current aircraft industry practices. Three types of joints (full wing laminate penetration, two side stepped; midthickness penetration, one side stepped; and partial penetration, scarfed) were analyzed using state of the art elastic joint analysis modified for plastic behavior of the adhesive. The static tensile fail load at room temperature was predicted to be: (1) 1026 kN/m (5860 1b/in) for the two side stepped joint; (2) 925 kN/m (5287 1b/in) for the one side stepped joint; and (3) 1330 kN/m (7600 1b/in) for the scarfed joint. All joints were designed to fail in the adhesive.

Identification of emotional intonation evaluated by fMRI.

PubMed

Wildgruber, D; Riecker, A; Hertrich, I; Erb, M; Grodd, W; Ethofer, T; Ackermann, H

2005-02-15

During acoustic communication among human beings, emotional information can be expressed both by the propositional content of verbal utterances and by the modulation of speech melody (affective prosody). It is well established that linguistic processing is bound predominantly to the left hemisphere of the brain. By contrast, the encoding of emotional intonation has been assumed to depend specifically upon right-sided cerebral structures. However, prior clinical and functional imaging studies yielded discrepant data with respect to interhemispheric lateralization and intrahemispheric localization of brain regions contributing to processing of affective prosody. In order to delineate the cerebral network engaged in the perception of emotional tone, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed during recognition of prosodic expressions of five different basic emotions (happy, sad, angry, fearful, and disgusted) and during phonetic monitoring of the same stimuli. As compared to baseline at rest, both tasks yielded widespread bilateral hemodynamic responses within frontal, temporal, and parietal areas, the thalamus, and the cerebellum. A comparison of the respective activation maps, however, revealed comprehension of affective prosody to be bound to a distinct right-hemisphere pattern of activation, encompassing posterior superior temporal sulcus (Brodmann Area [BA] 22), dorsolateral (BA 44/45), and orbitobasal (BA 47) frontal areas. Activation within left-sided speech areas, in contrast, was observed during the phonetic task. These findings indicate that partially distinct cerebral networks subserve processing of phonetic and intonational information during speech perception.

Disturbed holistic processing in autism spectrum disorders verified by two cognitive tasks requiring perception of complex visual stimuli.

PubMed

Nakahachi, Takayuki; Yamashita, Ko; Iwase, Masao; Ishigami, Wataru; Tanaka, Chitaru; Toyonaga, Koji; Maeda, Shizuyo; Hirotsune, Hideto; Tei, Yosyo; Yokoi, Koichi; Okajima, Shoji; Shimizu, Akira; Takeda, Masatoshi

2008-06-30

Central coherence is a key concept in research on autism spectrum disorders (ASD). It refers to the process in which diverse information is integrated and higher meaning is constructed in context. A malfunction in this process could result in abnormal attention to partial information in preference to the whole. To verify this hypothesis, we studied the performance of two visual tasks by 10 patients with autistic disorder or Asperger's disorder and by 26 (experiment 1) or 25 (experiment 2) normal subjects. In experiment 1, the subjects memorized pictures, some pictures with a change related to the main theme (D1) and others with a change not related to the main theme (D2); then the same pictures were randomly presented to the subjects who were asked to find the change. In experiment 2, the subjects were presented pictures of a normal (N) or a Thatcherized (T) face arranged side by side inversely (I) or uprightly (U) and to judge them as the same or different. In experiment 1, ASD subjects exhibited significantly lower rates of correct responses in D1 but not in D2. In experiment 2, ASD subjects exhibited significantly longer response times in NT-U but not in TN-I. These results showed a deficit in holistic processing, which is consistent with weak central coherence in ASD.

Insertion side, body position and circuit life during continuous renal replacement therapy with femoral vein access.

PubMed

Kim, In Byung; Fealy, Nigel; Baldwin, Ian; Bellomo, Rinaldo

2011-01-01

Choice of insertion side and patient position during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) with femoral vein vascular access may affect circuit life. We investigated if there is an association between choice of insertion side and body position and its changes and circuit life during CRRT with femoral vein access. We studied 50 patients receiving CRRT via femoral vein access with a sequential retrospective study in a tertiary intensive care unit. We defined two groups: patients with right or left femoral vein access. We then obtained information on age, gender, circuit life, total heparin dose, hemoglobin concentration and coagulation variables (platelet count, international normalized ratio, and activated partial thromboplastin time) and percentage of time each patient spent in the supine, left lying, right lying, and sitting position during treatment. We studied 341 circuits in 50 patients. Mean circuit life was 13.9 h. Of these circuits, 251 (73.6%) were treated with right femoral vein access. Mean circuit life in this group was significantly longer compared with left femoral vein access (15.0 ± 14.3 vs. 10.6 ± 7.4; p = 0.019). Percentage spent in a particular position during CRRT was not significantly different between two groups. On multivariable linear regression analysis, mean circuit life was significantly and positively correlated with right vascular access site (p = 0.03) and lower platelet count (p = 0.03), but not with patient position. Right-sided insertion but not time spent in a particular position significantly affects circuit life during CRRT with femoral vein access. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Process for recovering organic vapors from air

DOEpatents

Baker, Richard W.

1985-01-01

A process for recovering and concentrating organic vapor from a feed stream of air having an organic vapor content of no more than 20,000 ppm by volume. A thin semipermeable membrane is provided which has a feed side and a permeate side, a selectivity for organic vapor over air of at least 50, as measured by the ratio of organic vapor permeability to nitrogen permeability, and a permeability of organic vapor of at least 3.times.10.sup.-7 cm.sup.3 (STP) cm/cm.sup.2 sec.cm Hg. The feed stream is passed across the feed side of the thin semipermeable membrane while providing a pressure on the permeate side which is lower than the feed side by creating a partial vacuum on the permeate side so that organic vapor passes preferentially through the membrane to form an organic vapor depleted air stream on the feed side and an organic vapor enriched stream on the permeate side. The organic vapor which has passed through the membrane is compressed and condensed to recover the vapor as a liquid.

Trisomy 13

MedlinePlus

... the head may reveal a problem with the structure of the brain. The problem is called holoprosencephaly. It is the joining together of the 2 sides of the brain. Chromosome studies show trisomy 13, trisomy 13 mosaicism, or partial trisomy.

Alterations in knee kinematics after partial medial meniscectomy are activity dependent.

PubMed

Edd, Shannon N; Netravali, Nathan A; Favre, Julien; Giori, Nicholas J; Andriacchi, Thomas P

2015-06-01

Alterations in knee kinematics after partial meniscectomy have been linked to the increased risk of osteoarthritis in this population. Understanding differences in kinematics during static versus dynamic activities of increased demand can provide important information regarding the possible underlying mechanisms of these alterations. Differences in the following 2 kinematics measures will increase with activity demand: (1) the offset toward external tibial rotation for the meniscectomized limb compared with the contralateral limb during stance and (2) the difference in knee flexion angle at initial foot contact between the meniscectomized and contralateral limbs. Controlled laboratory study. This study compared side-to-side differences in knee flexion and rotation angles during static and dynamic activities. Thirteen patients (2 female) were tested in a motion capture laboratory at 6 ± 2 months after unilateral, arthroscopic, partial medial meniscectomy during a static reference pose and during 3 dynamic activities: walking, stair ascent, and stair descent. The meniscectomized limb demonstrated more external tibial rotation compared with the contralateral limb during dynamic activities, and there was a trend that this offset increased with activity demand (repeated-measures analysis of variance [ANOVA] for activity, P = .07; mean limb difference: static pose, -0.1° ± 3.3°, P = .5; walking, 1.2° ± 3.8°, P = .1; stair ascent, 2.0° ± 3.2°, P = .02; stair descent, 3.0° ± 3.5°, P = .005). Similarly, the meniscectomized knee was more flexed at initial contact than the contralateral limb during dynamic activities (repeated-measures ANOVA for activity P = .006; mean limb difference: reference pose, 1.0° ± 2.5°, P = .09; walking, 2.0° ± 3.9°, P = .05; stair ascent, 5.9° ± 5.3°, P = .009; stair descent, 3.5° ± 4.0°, P = .004). These results suggest both a structural element and a potential muscular element for the differences in kinematics after partial medial meniscectomy and highlight the importance of challenging the knee with activities of increased demands to detect differences in kinematics from the contralateral limb. With further investigation, these findings could help guide clinical rehabilitation of patients with torn meniscus tissue, especially in the context of the patients' increased risk of joint degeneration. © 2015 The Author(s).

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.

Maternal reasons for non-immunisation and partial immunisation in northern Nigeria.

PubMed

Babalola, Stella

2011-05-01

To compare maternal reasons for non-immunisation and for partial immunisation in northern Nigeria, and determine the link between specific reasons and future intentions to immunise. Responses to open-ended questions collected through a 2007 questionnaire survey were individually coded for key words using the regexm command in Stata (StataCorp, College Station, TX, USA). Simple percentages are used to analyse the differences in reasons for non-immunisation and partial immunisation. Logistic regression serves to assess the relationship between specific reasons for non-immunisation and future intentions to immunise. The reasons for non-immunisation generally differ from those advanced for partial immunisation. In general, reasons for non-immunisation have to do with ideational and normative factors. In contrast, supply-side factors are the reasons most often advanced for partial immunisation, although lack of knowledge also plays a strong role. Some reasons for non-immunisation are more compatible with future intention to immunise than others. Efforts to promote the uptake of immunisation need to address both demand- and supply-side factors. Increasing knowledge about immunisation, changing negative attitudes about immunisation, debunking myths and rumours about immunisation, and addressing religious, ethnic and political bases for resistance to immunisation are necessary to encourage parents to initiate child immunisation. To promote timely completion of immunisation schedule, programmes will need to improve vaccine supply, strengthen provider's capacity for quality service and increase community knowledge about immunisation. © 2011 The Author. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health © 2011 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (Royal Australasian College of Physicians).

22. VIEW OF NORTHEAST CORNER OF TECHWOOD DORMITORY, WITH PARKING ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

22. VIEW OF NORTHEAST CORNER OF TECHWOOD DORMITORY, WITH PARKING IN FOREGROUND. NORTH SIDE OF NORTH WING PARTIALLY OBSCURED BY SHADE TREES. - Techwood Homes, McDaniel Dormitory, 581-587 Techwood Drive, Atlanta, Fulton County, GA

End-to-side and end-to-end anastomoses give similar results in cervical oesophagogastrostomy.

PubMed

Pierie, J P; De Graaf, P W; Poen, H; Van Der Tweel, I; Obertop, H

1995-12-01

To find out if there were any differences in healing between end-to-end and end-to-side anastomoses for oesophagogastrostomy. Open study with historical controls. University hospital, The Netherlands. 28 patients with end-to-end and 90 patients with end-to-side anastomoses after transhiatal oesophagectomy and partial gastrectomy for cancer of the oesophagus or oesophagogastric junction, with gastric tube reconstruction and cervical anastomosis. Leak and stricture rates, and the number of dilatations needed to relieve dysphagia. There were no significant differences in leak rates (end-to-end 4/28, 14%, and end-to-side 13/90, 14%) or anastomotic strictures (end-to-end 9/28, 32%, and end-to-side 26/90, 29%). The median number of dilatations needed to relieve dysphagia was 7 (1-33) after end-to-end and 9 (1-113) after end-to-side oesophagogastrostomy. There were no differences between the two methods of suture of cervical oesophagogastrostomy when leakage, stricture, and number of dilatations were used as criteria of good healing.

Study on Tritium Removal Performance by Gas Separation Membrane with Reflux Flow for Tritium Removal System of Fusion Reactor

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

Iwai, Yasunori; Yamanishi, Toshihiko; Hayashi, Takumi

2005-07-15

Addition of gas separation membrane process into the usual tritium removal process from an indoor atmosphere is attractive for a fusion plant, where a large amount of atmosphere should be processed. As a manner to improve the partial pressure difference between feed and permeated side, intended reflux of vapor and the hydrogen concentrated at permeated side is conceived to enlarge the partial pressure difference. Membrane separation with reflux flow has been proposed as an attractive process to enhance the recovery ratio of tritium component. Effect of reflux on the recovery ratio of tritium component was evaluated by numerical analysis. Themore » effect of reflux on separation performance becomes striking as the target species have higher permeability coefficients. Hence, the gas separation by membrane with reflux flow is favorable for tritium recovery.« less

A new viscosupplement based on partially hydrophobic hyaluronic acid: a comparative study.

PubMed

Finelli, Ivana; Chiessi, Ester; Galesso, Devis; Renier, Davide; Paradossi, Gaio

2011-01-01

A novel partially hydrophobized derivative of hyaluronic acid (HYADD® 4), containing a low number of C16 side-chains per polysaccharide backbone, provides injectable hydrogels stabilized by side-chain hydrophobic interactions. The rheological properties of Hymovis®, a physical hydrogel based on the hyaluronic acid derivative HYADD® 4, were evaluated using as reference a solution of the parent natural polysaccharide, hyaluronic acid. The rheological measurements were performed both in flow and oscillation regimes at the physiological frequency values of the knee, typically spanning the range from 0.5 Hz (walking frequency) to 3 Hz (running frequency). Moreover, the viscoelastic features of Hymovis® were compared with the market-available viscosupplementation products in view of its use in joint diseases.The different behavior of the investigated materials in crossover frequency measurements and in structure recovery experiments can be explained on the basis of the structural and dynamic properties of the polymeric systems.

Severe soft tissue injuries of the upper extremity in motor vehicle crashes involving partial ejection: the protective role of side curtain airbags.

PubMed

Kaufman, Robert; Fraade-Blanar, Laura; Lipira, Angelo; Friedrich, Jeffrey; Bulger, Eileen

2017-05-01

Partial ejection (PE) of the upper extremity (UE) can occur in a motor vehicle crash (MVC) resulting in complex and severe soft tissue injuries (SSTI). This study evaluated the relationship between partial ejection and UE injuries, notably SSTIs, in MVCs focusing on crash types and characteristics, and further examined the role of side curtain airbags (SCABs) in the prevention of partial ejection and reducing SSTI of the UE. Weighted data was analyzed from the National Automotive Sampling System Crashworthiness Data System (NASS-CDS) from 1993 to 2012. Logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship of PE with SSTI of the UE and the effect of SCABs in both nearside impacts and rollover collisions. Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network (CIREN) case studies illustrated PE involving SSTI of the UE, and long term treatment. Rollover and nearside impact collisions had the highest percentages of partial ejection, with over half occurring in rollover collisions. Annually over 800 SSTIs of the UE occurred in all MVCs. For nearside lateral force impacts, a multivariable analysis adjusting for belt use and delta V showed a 15 times (OR 15.35, 95% CI 4.30, 54.79) greater odds of PE for occupants without SCABs compared to those with a SCAB deployment. No occupants (0 of 51,000) sustained a SSTI of the UE when a SCAB deployed in nearside impacts, compared to 0.01% (114 of 430,000) when SCABs were unavailable or did not deploy. In rollover collisions, a multivariable analysis adjusted for number of quarter turns and belt use showed 3 times the odds (OR 3.02, 95% CI 1.22, 7.47) of PE for occupants without SCABs compared to those with a SCAB deployment. Just 0.17% (32 of 19,000) of the occupants sustained a SSTI of the UE in rollovers with a SCAB deployment, compared to 0.53% (2294 of 431,000) of the occupants when SCABs were unavailable or did not deploy. CIREN case studies illustrated the injury causation of SSTI of the UE due to partial ejection, and the long term treatment and medical costs associated with a SSTI to the UE. The majority of severe soft tissue injuries (SSTI) of the upper extremity (UE) involved partial ejection out the nearside window of outboard seated occupants in nearside impacts and rollover collisions. Real world case studies showed that SSTIs of the upper extremity require extensive treatment, extended hospitalization and are costly. Occupants without a side curtain airbag (SCAB) deployment had an increase in the odds of partial ejection. SCAB deployments provided protection against partial ejection and prevented SSTIs of the UE, with none occurring in nearside impacts, and a small percentage and reduction occurring in rollover collisions compared to those where SCABs were unavailable or did not deploy. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Aripiprazole, A Drug that Displays Partial Agonism and Functional Selectivity.

PubMed

Tuplin, Erin W; Holahan, Matthew R

2017-11-14

The treatment of schizophrenia is challenging due to the wide range of symptoms (positive, negative, cognitive) associated with the disease. Typical antipsychotics that antagonize D2 receptors are effective in treating positive symptoms, but extrapyramidal side-effects (EPS) are a common occurrence. Atypical antipsychotics targeting 5-HT2A and D2 receptors are more effective at treating cognitive and negative symptoms compared to typical antipsychotics, but these drugs also result in side-effects such as metabolic syndromes. To identify evidence in the literature that elucidates the pharmacological profile of aripiprazole.s. We searched PubMed for peer reviewed articles on aripiprazole and its clinical efficacy, side-effects, pharmacology, and effects in animal models of schizophrenia symptoms. Aripiprazole is a newer atypical antipsychotic that displays a unique pharmacological profile, including partial D2 agonism and functionally selective properties. Aripiprazole is effective at treating the positive symptoms of schizophrenia and has the potential to treat negative and cognitive symptoms at least as well as other atypical antipsychotics. The drug has a favorable side-effect profile and has a low propensity to result in EPS or metabolic syndromes. Animal models of schizophrenia have been used to determine the efficacy of aripiprazole in symptom management. In these instances, aripiprazole resulted in the reversal of deficits in extinction, pre-pulse inhibition, and social withdrawal. Because aripiprazole requires a greater than 90% occupancy rate at D2 receptors to be clinically active and does not produce EPS, this suggests a functionally selective effect on intracellular signaling pathways. A combination of factors such as dopamine system stabilization via partial agonism, functional selectivity at D2 receptors, and serotonin-dopamine system interaction may contribute to the ability of aripiprazole to successfully manage schizophrenia symptoms. This review examines these mechanisms of action to further clarify the pharmacological actions of aripiprazole. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.

On the existence of a stationary measure for the stochastic system of the Lorenz model describing a baroclinic atmosphere

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

Klevtsova, Yu Yu

2013-09-30

The paper is concerned with a nonlinear system of partial differential equations with parameters. This system describes the two-layer quasi-solenoidal Lorenz model for a baroclinic atmosphere on a rotating two-dimensional sphere. The right-hand side of the system is perturbed by white noise. Sufficient conditions on the parameters and the right-hand side are obtained for the existence of a stationary measure. Bibliography: 25 titles.

Thin-Film Evaporative Cooling for Side-Pumped Laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stewart, Brian K. (Inventor)

2010-01-01

A system and method are provided for cooling a crystal rod of a side-pumped laser. A transparent housing receives the crystal rod therethrough so that an annular gap is defined between the housing and the radial surface of the crystal rod. A fluid coolant is injected into the annular gap such the annular gap is partially filled with the fluid coolant while the radial surface of the crystal rod is wetted as a thin film all along the axial length thereof.

3. Context view includes Building 78 (second from left) and ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

3. Context view includes Building 78 (second from left) and Building 59 (partially seen at right edge). Camera is pointed WSW along Farragut Avenue. Buildings on left side of street are, from left: Building 38, Building 78 and Building 431. Crane No. 80 is at Drydock No. 1. Buildings on right side of street are, from right: Building 59 (with porch posts) and Building 856 (two sections). - Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Administration Building, Farragut Avenue, Bremerton, Kitsap County, WA

75 FR 44003 - Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Comment Request; Mortgagee's Application for Partial...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-27

... Information Collection: Comment Request; Mortgagee's Application for Partial Settlement, Multifamily Mortgage..., Multifamily Claims Branch, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street, SW., Washington, DC... following information: Title of Proposal: Multifamily Mortgagee's Application for Partial Settlement. OMB...

Parameter estimation problems for distributed systems using a multigrid method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ta'asan, Shlomo; Dutt, Pravir

1990-01-01

The problem of estimating spatially varying coefficients of partial differential equations is considered from observation of the solution and of the right hand side of the equation. It is assumed that the observations are distributed in the domain and that enough observations are given. A method of discretization and an efficient multigrid method for solving the resulting discrete systems are described. Numerical results are presented for estimation of coefficients in an elliptic and a parabolic partial differential equation.

[Prelabour uterine torsion complicated by partial abruption and fetal death].

PubMed

Agar, N; Canis, M; Accoceberry, M; Bourdel, N; Lafaye, A-L; Gallot, D

2014-06-01

Uterine torsion is a rare obstetrical complication whose diagnosis remains challenging. We report a case of 180 degrees dextrogyre torsion at 36(+5) weeks of gestation complicated by partial abruption and in utero fetal death. Emergency cesarean section was performed through an unintentional posterior hysterotomy. Literature reports a few similar cases. Vertical hysterotomy should be advised in this context avoiding incision on lateral sides associated with increased risk of vascular or ureteral injury. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

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

Vogl, Christopher J.

Here, the Closest Point method, initially developed by Ruuth and Merriman, allows for the numerical solution of surface partial differential equations without the need for a parameterization of the surface itself. Surface quantities are embedded into the surrounding domain by assigning each value at a given spatial location to the corresponding value at the closest point on the surface. This embedding allows for surface derivatives to be replaced by their Cartesian counterparts (e.g. ∇ s=∇). This equivalence is only valid on the surface, and thus, interpolation is used to enforce what is known as the side condition away from themore » surface. To improve upon the method, this work derives an operator embedding that incorporates curvature information, making it valid in a neighborhood of the surface. With this, direct enforcement of the side condition is no longer needed. Comparisons in R 2 and R 3 show that the resulting Curvature-Augmented Closest Point method has better accuracy and requires less memory, through increased matrix sparsity, than the Closest Point method, while maintaining similar matrix condition numbers. To demonstrate the utility of the method in a physical application, simulations of inextensible, bi-lipid vesicles evolving toward equilibrium shapes are also included.« less

Ground Processing of Data From the Mars Exploration Rovers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wright, Jesse; Sturdevant, Kathryn; Noble, David

2006-01-01

A computer program implements the Earth side of the protocol that governs the transfer of data files generated by the Mars Exploration Rovers. It also provides tools for viewing data in these files and integrating data-product files into automated and manual processes. It reconstitutes files from telemetry data packets. Even if only one packet is received, metadata provide enough information to enable this program to identify and use partial data products. This software can generate commands to acknowledge received files and retransmit missed parts of files, or it can feed a manual process to make decisions about retransmission. The software uses an Extensible Markup Language (XML) data dictionary to provide a generic capability for displaying files of basic types, and uses external "plug-in" application programs to provide more sophisticated displays. This program makes data products available with very low latency, and can trigger automated actions when complete or partial products are received. The software is easy to install and use. The only system requirement for installing the software is a Java J2SE 1.4 platform. Several instances of the software can be executed simultaneously on the same machine.

Multiscale characterization of partially demineralized superficial and deep dentin surfaces.

PubMed

Pelin, Irina M; Trunfio-Sfarghiu, Ana-Maria; Farge, Pierre; Piednoir, Agnes; Pirat, Christophe; Ramos, Stella M M

2013-08-01

The objective of this study was to address the following question: 'Which properties are modified in partially demineralized surfaces, compared with non-demineralized dentin surfaces, following orthophosphoric acid-etching as performed in clinical procedures?'. For this purpose, the complementary techniques atomic force microscopy/spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and contact angle measurements were used to provide a multiscale characterization of the dentin substrate undergoing the acidic preconditioning designed to enhance wetting. Special attention was given to the influence of the etching pretreatment on the nanomechanical properties at different levels of dentin surfaces, in both dry and hydrated conditions. The four-sided pyramid model (extended Hertz contact model) proved to be accurate for calculating the apparent Young's modulus, offering new information on the elasticity of dentin. The modulus value notably decreased following etching and surface hydration. This study underlines that after the acid etching pretreatment the contribution of the nanomechanical, morphological, and physicochemical modifications has a strong influence on the dentin adhesion properties and thus plays a significant role in the coupling of the adhesive-resin composite build-up material at the dentin surface. © 2013 Eur J Oral Sci.

Perceived risk of tamoxifen side effects: a study of the use of absolute frequencies or frequency bands, with or without verbal descriptors.

PubMed

Knapp, Peter; Gardner, Peter H; Raynor, David K; Woolf, Elizabeth; McMillan, Brian

2010-05-01

To investigate the effectiveness of presenting medicine side effect risk information in different forms, including that proposed by UK guidelines [[1] Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Always read the leaflet-Getting the best information with every medicine. (Report of the Committee on Safety of Medicines Working Group on Patient Information). London: The Stationery Office, 2005.]. 134 Cancer Research UK (CRUK) website users were recruited via a 'pop-up'. Using a 2x2 factorial design, participants were randomly allocated to one of four conditions and asked to: imagine they had to take tamoxifen, estimate the risks of 4 side effects, and indicate a presentation mode preference. Those presented with absolute frequencies demonstrated greater accuracy in estimating 2 of 4 side effects, and of any side effect occurring, than those presented with frequency bands. Those presented with combined descriptors were more accurate at estimating the risk of pulmonary embolism than those presented with numeric descriptors only. Absolute frequencies outperform frequency bands when presenting side effect risk information. However, presenting such exact frequencies for every side effect may be much less digestible than all side effects listed under 5 frequency bands. Combined numerical and verbal descriptors may be better than numeric only descriptors when describing infrequent side effects. Information about side effects should be presented in ways that patients prefer, and which result in most accurate risk estimates. Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Secret Sharing and Shared Information

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rauh, Johannes

2017-11-01

Secret sharing is a cryptographic discipline in which the goal is to distribute information about a secret over a set of participants in such a way that only specific authorized combinations of participants together can reconstruct the secret. Thus, secret sharing schemes are systems of variables in which it is very clearly specified which subsets have information about the secret. As such, they provide perfect model systems for information decompositions. However, following this intuition too far leads to an information decomposition with negative partial information terms, which are difficult to interpret. One possible explanation is that the partial information lattice proposed by Williams and Beer is incomplete and has to be extended to incorporate terms corresponding to higher order redundancy. These results put bounds on information decompositions that follow the partial information framework, and they hint at where the partial information lattice needs to be improved.

Partial Picture Effects on Children's Memory for Sentences Containing Implicit Information.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, Gloria E.; Pressley, Michael

1987-01-01

Two experiments were conducted examining the effects of partial picture adjuncts on young children's coding of information implied in sentences. Developmental differences were found in whether (l) partial pictures facilitated inferencing and (2) pictures containing information not explicitly stated in sentences promoted cue recall of the…

Impact of the lower third molar presence and position on the fragility of mandibular angle and condyle: A Three-dimensional finite element study.

PubMed

Antic, Svetlana; Vukicevic, Arso M; Milasinovic, Marko; Saveljic, Igor; Jovicic, Gordana; Filipovic, Nenad; Rakocevic, Zoran; Djuric, Marija

2015-07-01

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influences of the presence and position of a lower third molar (M3) on the fragility of mandibular angle and condyle, using finite element analysis. From computed tomographic scans of a human mandible with normally erupted M3, two additional virtual models were generated: a mandibular model with partially impacted M3 and a model without M3. Two cases of impact were considered: a frontal and a lateral blow. The results are based on the chromatic analysis of the distributed von Mises and principal stresses, and calculation of their failure indices. In the frontal blow, the angle region showed the highest stress in the case with partially impacted M3, and the condylar region in the case without M3. Compressive stresses were dominant but caused no failure. Tensile stresses were recorded in the retromolar areas, but caused failure only in the case with partially impacted M3. In the lateral blow, the stress concentrated at the point of impact, in the ipsilateral and contralateral angle and condylar regions. The highest stresses were recorded in the case with partially impacted M3. Tensile stresses caused the failure on the ipsilateral side, whereas compressive stresses on the contralateral side. Copyright © 2015 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Are restored side channels sustainable aquatic habitat features? Predicting the potential persistence of side channels as aquatic habitats based on their fine sedimentation dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Riquier, Jérémie; Piégay, Hervé; Lamouroux, Nicolas; Vaudor, Lise

2017-10-01

The restoration of side channels (also referred to as abandoned channels, former channels, floodplain channels, or side arms) is increasingly implemented to improve the ecological integrity of river-floodplain systems. However, the design of side channel restoration projects remains poorly informed by theory or empirical observations despite the increasing number of projects. Moreover, feedback regarding the hydromorphological adjustment of restored channels is rarely documented, making it difficult to predict channel persistence as aquatic habitats. In this study, we analyze the spatial and temporal patterns of fine sediment deposition (< 2 mm) in 16 side channels of the Rhône River, France, restored in 1999-2006 by a combination of dredging and/or partial to full reconnection of their extremities and as a by-product of an increase in minimum flow through the bypassed main channels. We develop prediction tools to assess the persistence of restored channels as aquatic habitats, using between five and seven monitoring surveys per channel (spanning 7-15 years after restoration). Observed channel-averaged sedimentation rates ranged from 0 to 40.3 cm·y- 1 and reached 90.3 cm·y- 1 locally. Some channels exhibited a significant decline of sedimentation rates through time, whereas others maintained rather constant rates. Scouring processes (i.e., self-rejuvenation capacity) were occasionally documented in 15 channels. Six of the 16 studied channels appeared to be self-sustaining. The 10 others accumulated more and more fine sediment deposits after restoration. Parametric modeling of sedimentation rates suggested that among these 10 channels, four have long life-durations (i.e., more than a century), three have intermediate life-durations (i.e., likely between three and nine decades), and three others have short life-durations (i.e., likely between two and five decades). Observed channel-averaged sedimentation rates can be predicted from the frequency and magnitude (i.e., maximum shear stress) of upstream overflow events and the maximum intensity of backflow events (i.e., maximum backflow capacity). These predictors reflect the dominant role of side channel geometry (i.e., morphology of the upstream alluvial plug, slope conditions) in controlling their flooding regime. These models applied successfully to a wide range of channel morphologies and can be used to quantify a priori the likely effects and the sustainability of side channel restoration.

A comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of oxcarbazepine oral suspension between infants and children with epilepsy: a retrospective chart review at a single medical center in Taiwan.

PubMed

Wei, Shu-Hao; Liu, Cheng-Chao; Fan, Pi-Chuan

2014-02-01

Few clinical studies have assessed the efficacy and safety of oxcarbazepine (OXC) oral suspension in Asian pediatric patients and particularly in infants. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the efficacy, tolerability, and side effects of OXC oral suspension in Taiwanese infants and children with various types of epilepsy. A retrospective review of the efficacy, tolerability, and side effects of OXC oral suspension in a tertiary medical center in Taiwan was conducted and included children (1-9 years old) and infants (<1 year old) diagnosed with epilepsy, which was classified into idiopathic partial, symptomatic partial, or multifocal subtypes. The OXC oral suspension (Trileptal(®); Novartis) was given in a gradual dose titration, from an initial 7.5 mg/kg/day to 30 mg/kg/day within 1 month in all cases. A total of 20 infants and 38 children were identified. There were no statistically significant differences between the children and infants in efficacy (75 vs. 82 %, p = 0.734) and adverse effects (30 vs. 21 %, p = 0.525) after OXC oral suspension treatment. The efficacy was significantly correlated with the epilepsy subtype (p < 0.01) and the number of combined antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) before OXC treatment (p < 0.01) in both groups. The patients with idiopathic and symptomatic partial epilepsy responded better to OXC oral suspension than those with multifocal epilepsy. OXC oral suspension is effective and well tolerated in both infants and children with partial epilepsy in Taiwan. Treatment efficacy was related to epilepsy subtype and number of combined AEDs before OXC treatment. Monotherapy had an excellent therapeutic response in partial epilepsy but not in multifocal epilepsy.

South Pole-Aitken Sample Return Mission: Collecting Mare Basalts from the Far Side of the Moon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gillis, J. J.; Jolliff, B. L.; Lucey, P. G.

2003-01-01

We consider the probability that a sample mission to a site within the South Pole-Aitken Basin (SPA) would return basaltic material. A sample mission to the SPA would be the first opportunity to sample basalts from the far side of the Moon. The near side basalts are more abundant in terms of volume and area than their far-side counterparts (16:1), and the basalt deposits within SPA represent approx. 28% of the total basalt surface area on the far side. Sampling far-side basalts is of particular importance because as partial melts of the mantle, they could have derived from a mantle that is mineralogically and chemically different than determined for the nearside, as would be expected if the magma ocean solidified earlier on the far side. For example, evidence to support the existence of high-Th basalts like those that appear to be common on the nearside in the Procellarum KREEP Terrane has been found. Although SPA is the deepest basin on the Moon, it is not extensively filled with mare basalt, as might be expected if similar amounts of partial melting occurred in the mantle below SPA as for basins on the near side. These observations may mean that mantle beneath the far-side crust is lower in Th and other heat producing elements than the nearside. One proposed location for a sample-return landing site is 60 S, 160 W. This site was suggested to maximize the science return with respect to sampling crustal material and SPA impact melt, however, basaltic samples would undoubtedly occur there. On the basis of Apollo samples, we should expect that basaltic materials would be found in the vicinity of any landing site within SPA, even if located away from mare deposits. For example, the Apollo 16 mission landed in an ancient highlands region 250-300 km away from the nearest mare-highlands boundary yet it still contains a small component of basaltic samples (20 lithic fragments ranging is size from <1 to .01 cm). A soil sample from the floor of SPA will likely contain an assortment of basaltic fragments from surrounding regions. In terms both of selecting the best landing sites and understanding the geologic context for returned samples, it is important to understand the compositional distribution of basalts within SPA basin.

A protein-dependent side-chain rotamer library.

PubMed

Bhuyan, Md Shariful Islam; Gao, Xin

2011-12-14

Protein side-chain packing problem has remained one of the key open problems in bioinformatics. The three main components of protein side-chain prediction methods are a rotamer library, an energy function and a search algorithm. Rotamer libraries summarize the existing knowledge of the experimentally determined structures quantitatively. Depending on how much contextual information is encoded, there are backbone-independent rotamer libraries and backbone-dependent rotamer libraries. Backbone-independent libraries only encode sequential information, whereas backbone-dependent libraries encode both sequential and locally structural information. However, side-chain conformations are determined by spatially local information, rather than sequentially local information. Since in the side-chain prediction problem, the backbone structure is given, spatially local information should ideally be encoded into the rotamer libraries. In this paper, we propose a new type of backbone-dependent rotamer library, which encodes structural information of all the spatially neighboring residues. We call it protein-dependent rotamer libraries. Given any rotamer library and a protein backbone structure, we first model the protein structure as a Markov random field. Then the marginal distributions are estimated by the inference algorithms, without doing global optimization or search. The rotamers from the given library are then re-ranked and associated with the updated probabilities. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed protein-dependent libraries significantly outperform the widely used backbone-dependent libraries in terms of the side-chain prediction accuracy and the rotamer ranking ability. Furthermore, without global optimization/search, the side-chain prediction power of the protein-dependent library is still comparable to the global-search-based side-chain prediction methods.

The prevalence of proximal hamstring pathology on MRI in the asymptomatic population.

PubMed

Thompson, S M; Fung, S; Wood, D G

2017-01-01

Injury to the proximal hamstring complex (PHC) is becoming more frequently diagnosed. Patients attending our tertiary referral centre demonstrated 'pathological changes' in the unaffected normal contralateral PHC on MRI. The prevalence of PHC pathology, however, has not been previously documented in the literature in asymptomatic subjects. It is the hypothesis of this study that the natural history of asymptomatic pathological change on MRI in the PHC is not clear. The aim is to quantify the natural history of PHC degeneration. Two hundred and fifty-three consecutive patients with an asymptomatic PHC were reviewed retrospectively between 2009 and 2010. The PHC was assessed in multiple MRI planes by a specialist musculoskeletal consultant radiologist. Five hundred and six proximal hamstrings complexes were reviewed. Eighty-nine patients (35 %) were radiological normal both sides, median age 51 years (range 13-88). Thirty-four patients (13 %) had unilateral pathology, median age 55 years (range 25-89). Of these, 3 patients (1 %) had presence of a complete tear, median age 81 years (range 72-87). Sixteen patients (7 %) had tendinosis, median age 60 years (range 37-78). Fifteen patients (6 %) had a unilateral partial tear, median age 57 years (range 35-78). One hundred and thirty patients (52 %) had bilateral pathology, median age 65 years (range 25-89). Fifty-three patients (21 %) had the presence of bilateral tendinopathy alone, median age 56 years (range 25-89). Twenty-seven patients (11 %) had a partial tear on one side and tendinosis on the other, median age 68 years (range 38-89). Thirty-nine patients (15 %) had evidence of bilateral partial tears, median age 63 years (range 36-89), with 52 % demonstrating a torn conjoined and semi-membranosus tendon. The remaining 48 % had either an isolated tear of the conjoined or the semi-membranosus (the more commonly injured tendon 74 % of the time). Four patients (2 %) had bilateral complete ruptures with a median age of 68 years (range 59-78). Six patients (2 %) had a complete tear on one side and a partial tear on the other, median age 68 years (range 34-83). One patient had a complete tear on one side and tendinosis on the other, age 81 years. There is a higher prevalence of pathology in the asymptomatic population, 15 % have bilateral partial tears, and 2 % have bilateral complete tears. The semi-membranosus being the most affected, this may help clinically stratify the need for surgical intervention. I.

Outcome Comparison Between in Situ Repair Versus Tear Completion Repair for Partial Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears.

PubMed

Kim, Yang-Soo; Lee, Hyo-Jin; Bae, Sung-Ho; Jin, Hyonki; Song, Hyun Seok

2015-11-01

To compare the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic in situ repair with the tear completion repair technique for partial-thickness rotator cuff tears (PT-RCTs). We prospectively enrolled 100 cases with articular-sided and bursal-sided PT-RCTs exceeding 50% of tendon thickness and allocated them randomly. An in situ repair was performed in group 1 (n = 50). Completion of the remaining cuff tissue and repair were performed in group 2 (n = 50). The medial row was knotted as transosseous repair (suture-bridge technique) in all cases. American Shoulder Elbow Society (ASES) score, Constant shoulder (CS) score, Simple shoulder (SS) score, and Korean shoulder (KS) score, and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and range of motion were assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months and at the last visit. Repaired tendon integrity was determined at 6 to 12 months by magnetic resonance imaging. Eight cases were lost to follow-up. Ultimately, 92 cases were analyzed. The average follow-up was 19.1 months (range, 12 to 42 months). Significant improvements in the VAS for pain and functional outcomes were observed in both groups postoperatively (P = .001 for VAS; P < .001 for ASES score; P < .001 for CS score; P = .001 for SS score; P<.001 for KS score). No significant difference in the clinical results was observed at any time between the groups. No difference of retear rate on articular-sided PT-RCT was observed between the groups (P = .34). Retears on the bursal-sided PT-RCT were more frequent in group 2 (P = .02). Arthroscopic repair of PT-RCT exceeding 50% of the thickness provided functional improvements and pain relief regardless of the repair technique. The retear rate for bursal-sided PT-RCT was higher in group 2, although the retear rate for the articular-sided PT-RCT was not different. Level II, prospective comparative study. Copyright © 2015 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Sequential segmental terminal lenticular side-cut dissection for safe and effective small-incision lenticule extraction in thin lenticules.

PubMed

Jacob, Soosan; Agarwal, Amar; Mazzotta, Cosimo; Agarwal, Athiya; Raj, John Michael

2017-04-01

Small-incision lenticule extraction may be associated with complications such as partial lenticular dissection, torn lenticule, lenticular adherence to cap, torn cap, and sub-cap epithelial ingrowth, some of which are more likely to occur during low-myopia corrections. We describe sequential segmental terminal lenticular side-cut dissection to facilitate minimally traumatic and smooth lenticular extraction. Anterior lamellar dissection is followed by central posterior lamellar dissection, leaving a thin peripheral rim and avoiding the lenticular side cut. This is followed by sequential segmental dissection of the lenticular side cut in a manner that fixates the lenticule and provides sufficient resistance for smooth and complete dissection of the posterior lamellar cut without undesired movements of the lenticule. The technique is advantageous in thin lenticules, where the risk for complications is high, but can also be used in thick lenticular dissection using wider sweeps to separate the lenticular side cut sequentially. Copyright © 2017 ASCRS and ESCRS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Exploring consumer opinions on the presentation of side-effects information in Australian Consumer Medicine Information leaflets.

PubMed

Tong, Vivien; Raynor, David K; Blalock, Susan J; Aslani, Parisa

2016-06-01

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is a brand-specific and standardized source of written medicine information available in Australia for all prescription medicines. Side-effect information is poorly presented in CMI and may not adequately address consumer information needs. To explore consumer opinions on (i) the presentation of side-effect information in existing Australian CMI leaflets and alternative study-designed CMIs and (ii) side-effect risk information and its impact on treatment decision making. Fuzzy trace, affect heuristic, frequency hypothesis and cognitive-experiential theories were applied when revising existing CMI side-effects sections. Together with good information design, functional linguistics and medicine information expertise, alternative ramipril and clopidogrel CMI versions were proposed. Focus groups were then conducted to address the study objectives. Three focus groups (n = 18) were conducted in Sydney, Australia. Mean consumer age was 58 years (range 50-65 years), with equal number of males and females. All consumers preferred the alternative CMIs developed as part of the study, with unequivocal preference for the side-effects presented in a simple tabular format, as it allowed quick and easy access to information. Consumer misunderstandings reflected literacy and numeracy issues inherent in consumer risk appraisal. Many preferred no numerical information and a large proportion preferred natural frequencies. One single method of risk presentation in CMI is unable to cater for all consumers. Consumer misunderstandings are indicative of possible health literacy and numeracy factors that influence consumer risk appraisal, which should be explored further. © 2014 The Authors Health Expectations Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Planned nerve preservation to reduce positive surgical margins during robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

PubMed

Zorn, Kevin C; Gofrit, Ofer N; Steinberg, Gary P; Taxy, Jerome B; Zagaja, Gregory P; Shalhav, Arieh L

2008-06-01

The main objective of radical prostatectomy (RP) is optimal oncologic resection with preservation of sexual function (SF). During our initial experience with robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RLRP), we noted a high rate of posterolateral location of positive surgical margins (PSM) with nerve preservation (NP). With its magnified view of the surgical field and improved instrument precision, one potential advantage of RLRP is the ability to tailor the degree of NP. We evaluated the effect of a protocol for side-specific NP based on preoperative variables on PSM rates and SF outcomes. Between June and November 2006, 150 consecutive RLRPs were performed using a surgical protocol to select side-specific NP techniques (interfascial [IF], partial extrafascial [pEF], and wide extrafascial resection [WEFR]) based on preoperative risk factors (clinical stage, biopsy Gleason score, percentage of positive cores and maximal core cancer percentage, and preoperative PSA). Pathologic and SF outcomes in these patients were compared with those of a control group of 245 consecutive RLRPs in whom non-selective IF dissection was performed. All data were prospectively collected. Mean patient age, PSA, clinical stage, biopsy Gleason score and positive core involvement, pathologic Gleason score, and stage were comparable among the two groups. The overall PSM rate (12.6% nu 20.4%; P = 0.04) and posterolateral location of PSMs (37% nu 70%; P = 0.04) were significantly lower in the study group. At 12 months, potency was reported in 80%, 67%, and 11% of men undergoing bilateral IFNP, partial extrafascial nerve preservation (pEFNP), and WEFR, respectively (P = 0.27). Planning side-specific NP during RLRP, according to selected preoperative variables, can significantly reduce overall and posterolateral PSM rates. Furthermore, partial nerve sparing (pEFNP) also appears to confer favorable early SF outcomes.

Pulley lesions in rotator cuff tears: prevalence, etiology, and concomitant pathologies.

PubMed

Hawi, Nael; Liodakis, Emmanouil; Garving, Christina; Habermeyer, Peter; Tauber, Mark

2017-08-01

This study aimed to demonstrate the prevalence of lesions in the biceps pulley complex in a representative, consecutive series of rotator cuff tears and rotator cuff interval treatments. We also analyzed associated tear pattern of rotator cuff injuries and superior labrum anterior-posterior (SLAP) lesions. We evaluated the relationships of these lesions to traumatic genesis and the prevalence of pulley lesions in revision cases. This retrospective study analyzed all pre- and intra-operative documentation on arthroscopic rotator cuff reconstructions and isolated pulley lesion treatments performed by a single surgeon over 2 consecutive years. According to Habermeyer et al., we classified cases into four groups, based on the presence of additional or related complete or partial rotator cuff tears, SLAP lesions, trauma, and primary or revision surgery. Among 382 patients with rotator cuff tears, 345 (90.3%) had an injured pulley system; 151 (43.8%) had partial tears of the rotator cuff; out of these, 106 (30.6%) were articular-sided. All of these articular-sided partial tears showed extension into the pulley complex. In 154 cases (44.6%), history of shoulder trauma was associated with the beginning of symptoms. In addition, concomitant SLAP lesions occurred in 25-62% of pulley lesions, correlating with the severity of pulley lesions. Among the 345 cases, there have been 32 (9.3%) revision cases where a pulley lesion was intra-operatively identified and addressed. Pulley complex lesions are present in 90.3% of surgically treated rotator cuff lesions, particularly in articular-sided injuries. In addition, we found a significant relationship between the incidence of SLAP lesions and the severity of pulley lesions. It seems reasonable to assume an important role of pulley system injuries in the pathogenesis of rotator cuff lesions.

How does the side-effect information in patient information leaflets influence peoples' side-effect expectations? A cross-sectional national survey of 18- to 65-year-olds in England.

PubMed

Webster, Rebecca K; Weinman, John; Rubin, G James

2017-12-01

To establish how the terms recommended by the European Commission to describe side-effect risk in patient information leaflets (PILs) influences expectations of side-effects and to identify factors associated with these side-effect expectations. A cross-sectional online survey was carried out by a market research company. Data were collected in England between 18th March and 1st April 2016. A total of 1003 adults aged between 18 and 65. Self-reported expectation that the described side-effects would affect participants if they took the medicine, measured on a likelihood scale from 1 (very unlikely) to 5 (very likely). Participants formed high expectations of side-effects for "very common" and "common" side-effects, with 51.9% and 45.0% of participants rating these as "very likely" or "likely" to happen to them, respectively. This fell to 8.1% for "uncommon," 5.8% for "rare" and 4.1% for "very rare." For each descriptor, higher expectations of side-effects were more associated with women or being from an ethnic minority, or having less education, a household illness, high perceived sensitivity to medicines or negative beliefs about medicines. The current use of verbal descriptors to communicate side-effect risk in PILs leads to high side-effect expectations. These expectations could contribute to nocebo-induced medication side-effects experienced by patients. Additional work is required to identify ways to improve the way risk information is conveyed in PILs. © 2017 The Authors Health Expectations Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Dynamic Decision Making under Uncertainty and Partial Information

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-01-30

order to address these problems, we investigated efficient computational methodologies for dynamic decision making under uncertainty and partial...information. In the course of this research, we developed and studied efficient simulation-based methodologies for dynamic decision making under...uncertainty and partial information; (ii) studied the application of these decision making models and methodologies to practical problems, such as those

Heat transfer in a conical porous medium due to inner and top surface heating: Effect of radius ratio

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahamad, N. Ameer; Khan, T. M. Yunus

2018-05-01

The present study investigates the effect of radius ratio and Rayleigh number on beat transfer characteristics of an annular cone subjected to two side heating and one side cooling. Finite element method is used to convert the partial differential equations into algebraic equations. The resulting equations are solved with the help of in-house computer code developed for specific purpose of heat transfer in conical porous medium. The results are discussed with respect to the radius ratio and Rayleigh number.

[Efficient imaging of elbow injuries in children and adolescents].

PubMed

Kraus, R; Berthold, L D; von Laer, L

2007-01-01

The purpose of imaging of the elbow region in children after acute trauma is the diagnosis of injuries that require further treatment. Basic diagnostic consists of standard X-rays of the elbow in two planes. Exceptions can be made in the case of nursemaid's elbow lesion (subluxation of the radial head; pronation douloureuse; Chassaignac lesion) with unambiguous mechanism of the trauma where no X-ray imaging is needed and in heavily dislocated fractures for which one plane can be sufficient. X-ray imaging of the uninjured side is obsolete. Follow-up X-ray imaging is only allowed if consequences for the further treatment are expected. Ultrasound may partially replace X-rays in the future if further standardization of this technique can be achieved. MRI provides additional information in acute trauma which, however, remains currently without consequences for the further treatment strategy.

GAPS IN PROTOPLANETARY DISKS AS SIGNATURES OF PLANETS. II. INCLINED DISKS

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

Jang-Condell, Hannah; Turner, Neal J.

2013-07-20

We examine the observational appearance of partial gaps being opened by planets in protoplanetary disks, considering the effects of the inclination relative to the line of sight. We model the disks with static {alpha}-models with detailed radiative transfer, parameterizing the shape and size of the partially cleared gaps based on the results of hydrodynamic simulations. As in previous work, starlight falling across the gap leads to high surface brightness contrasts. The gap's trough is darkened by both shadowing and cooling, relative to the uninterrupted disk. The gap's outer wall is brightened by direct illumination and also by heating, which puffsmore » it up so that it intercepts more starlight. In this paper, we examine the effects of inclination on resolved images of disks with and without gaps at a wide range of wavelengths. The scattering surface's offset from the disk midplane creates a brightness asymmetry along the axis of inclination, making the disk's near side appear brighter than the far side in scattered light. Finite disk thickness also causes the projected distances of equidistant points on the disk surface to be smaller on the near side of the disk as compared to the far side. Consequently, the gap shoulder on the near side of the disk should appear brighter and closer to the star than on the far side. However, if the angular resolution of the observation is coarser than the width of the brightened gap shoulder, then the gap shoulder on the far side may appear brighter because of its larger apparent size. We present a formula to recover the scale height and inclination angle of an imaged disk using simple geometric arguments and measuring disk asymmetries. Resolved images of circumstellar disks have revealed clearings and gaps, such as the transitional disk in LkCa 15. Models created using our synthetic imaging attempting to match the morphology of observed scattered light images of LkCa 15 indicate that the H-band flux deficit in the inner {approx}0.''5 of the disk can be explained with a planet if mass is greater than 0.5 Jupiter mass.« less

Synthesis and in Vitro and in Vivo Characterization of Highly β1-Selective β-Adrenoceptor Partial Agonists

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

β-Adrenoceptor antagonists boast a 50-year use for symptomatic control in numerous cardiovascular diseases. One might expect highly selective antagonists are available for the human β-adrenoceptor subtype involved in these diseases, yet few truly β1-selective molecules exist. To address this clinical need, we re-evaluated LK 204-545 (1),1 a selective β1-adrenoceptor antagonist, and discovered it possessed significant partial agonism. Removal of 1’s aromatic nitrile afforded 19, a ligand with similar β1-adrenoceptor selectivity and partial agonism (log KD of −7.75 and −5.15 as an antagonist of functional β1- and β2-mediated responses, respectively, and 34% of the maximal response of isoprenaline (β1)). In vitro β-adrenoceptor selectivity and partial agonism of 19 were mirrored in vivo. We designed analogues of 19 to improve affinity, selectivity, and partial agonism. Although partial agonism could not be fully attenuated, SAR suggests that an extended alkoxyalkoxy side chain, alongside substituents at the meta- or para-positions of the phenylurea, increases ligand affinity and β1-selectivity. PMID:23614528

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

Wei, Zi-an; Ma, J. X., E-mail: jxma@ustc.edu.cn

Ion sheaths formed in the up- and downstream sides of a negatively biased metal plate/mesh in an ion-beam-background-plasma system were experimentally investigated in a double plasma device. Measured potential profiles near the plate exhibit asymmetric structure, showing thicker sheath in the downstream side. The presence of the ion beam causes the shrink of the sheaths on both sides. The sheath thickness decreases with the increase of beam energy and density. Furthermore, the sheaths near the mesh are substantially thinner than that near the plate because of the partial transmission of the mesh to the ions. In addition, the increase ofmore » neutral gas pressure leads to the reduction of the beam energy and density, resulting in the increase of the sheath thickness.« less

Research on Performance of Wire-controlled Hydraulic Steering System Based on Four-wheel Steering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tao, P.; Jin, X. H.

2018-05-01

In this paper, the steering stability and control strategy of forklift are put forward. Drive based on yawing moment distribution of rotary torque coordination control method, through analyzing the linear two degree of freedom model of forklift truck, forklift yawing angular velocity and mass center side-slip Angle of expectations, as the control target parameters system, using fuzzy controller output driving forklift steering the yawing moment, to drive rotary torque distribution, make the forklift truck to drive horizontal pendulum angular velocity and side-slip Angle tracking reference model very well. In this paper, the lateral stability control system were designed, the joint simulation in MATLAB/Simulink, the simulation results show that under the different partial load, the control system can effectively to control side forklift lateral stability, enhanced the forklift driving safety, for the side forklift steering stability study provides a theoretical basis.

Photovoltaic module and laminate

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

Bunea, Gabriela E.; Kim, Sung Dug; Kavulak, David F.J.

A photovoltaic module is disclosed. The photovoltaic module has a first side directed toward the sun during normal operation and a second, lower side. The photovoltaic module comprises a perimeter frame and a photovoltaic laminate at least partially enclosed by and supported by the perimeter frame. The photovoltaic laminate comprises a transparent cover layer positioned toward the first side of the photovoltaic module, an upper encapsulant layer beneath and adhering to the cover layer, a plurality of photovoltaic solar cells beneath the upper encapsulant layer, the photovoltaic solar cells electrically interconnected, a lower encapsulant layer beneath the plurality of photovoltaicmore » solar cells, the upper and lower encapsulant layers enclosing the plurality of photovoltaic solar cells, and a homogenous rear environmental protection layer, the rear environmental protection layer adhering to the lower encapsulant layer, the rear environmental protection layer exposed to the ambient environment on the second side of the photovoltaic module.« less

Significant partial response of metastatic intra-abdominal and pelvic round cell liposarcoma to a small-molecule VEGFR-2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor apatinib: A case report.

PubMed

Dong, Min; Bi, Jingwang; Liu, Xiaohong; Wang, Baocheng; Wang, Jun

2016-08-01

Myxoid/round cell liposarcoma is the second most common subtype of liposarcoma. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy have a limited efficacy for treating advanced myxoid/round cell liposarcoma, with relatively serious side effects. We herein present a 68-year-old Chinese woman initially diagnosed with advanced multiple intra-abdominal and pelvic round cell liposarcoma.She refused to receive cytotoxic chemotherapy and received apatinib as the first-line therapy, a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 that has been used in the treatment of patients with metastatic gastric cancer who progressed with 2 or more chemotherapy regimens. This patient was partially responsive to apatinib with a dose of 500 mg daily. No serious drug-related side effects were observed. Our findings indicate that some cases of liposarcoma may be responsive to antiangiogenic agent apatinib. Randomized clinical studies are needed to further confirm the efficacy and safety of apatinib in the clinical treatment of liposarcoma.

Performance Analysis of a Link-16/JTIDS Compatible Waveform With Noncoherent Detection, Diversity and Side Information

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-09-01

OF A LINK-16/JTIDS COMPATIBLE WAVEFORM WITH NONCOHERENT DETECTION, DIVERSITY AND SIDE INFORMATION by Ioannis Kagioglidis September 2009... Noncoherent Detection, Diversity and Side Information. 6. AUTHOR Ioannis Kagioglidis 5. FUNDING NUMBERS 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES...baseband waveforms and detected noncoherently . For noncoherent detection, only one five bit symbol is transmitted on both the I and Q components of

Experimental investigation on ignition schemes of partially covered cavities in a supersonic flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cai, Zun; Sun, Mingbo; Wang, Hongbo; Wang, Zhenguo

2016-04-01

In this study, ignition schemes of the partially covered cavity in a scramjet combustor were investigated under inflow conditions of Ma=2.1 with stagnation pressure P0=0.7 Mpa and stagnation temperature T0=947 K. It reveals that the ignition scheme of the partially covered cavity has a great impact on the ignition and flame stabilization process. There always exists an optimized global equivalence ratio of a fixed ignition scheme, and the optimized global equivalence ratio of ignition in the partially covered cavity is lower than that of the uncovered cavity. For tandem dual-cavities, ignition in the partially covered cavity could be enhanced with the optimization of global equivalence ratio. However, ignition in the partially covered cavity would be exacerbated with further increasing the global equivalence ratio. The global equivalence ratio and the jet penetration height have a strong coupling with the combustion flow-field. For multi-cavities, it is assured that fuel injection on the opposite side could hardly be ignited after ignition in the partially covered cavity even with the optimized global equivalence ratio. It is possible to realize ignition enhancement in the partially covered cavity with the optimization of global equivalence ratio, but it is not beneficial for thrust increment during the steady combustion process.

Impact of treatment on scale formation and lead release from aged LSLs

EPA Science Inventory

Background Municipalities have been replacing the public part of lead service lines (LSLs) by copper piping, which often leaves a lead section on the private side, resulting in partial LSL replacements. Depending on water chemistry, such practices may result in galvanic and depo...

The influence of partial timber harvesting in riparian buffers on macroinvertebrate and fish communities in small streams in Minnesota, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chizinski, Christopher J.; Vondracek, Bruce C.; Blinn, Charles R.; Newman, Raymond M.; Atuke, Dickson M.; Fredricks, Keith; Hemstad, Nathaniel A.; Merten, Eric C.; Schlesser, Nicholas

2010-01-01

Relatively few evaluations of aquatic macroinvertebrate and fish communities have been published in peer-reviewed literature detailing the effect of varying residual basal area (RBA) after timber harvesting in riparian buffers. Our analysis investigated the effects of partial harvesting within riparian buffers on aquatic macroinvertebrate and fish communities in small streams from two experiments in northern Minnesota northern hardwood-aspen forests. Each experiment evaluated partial harvesting within riparian buffers. In both experiments, benthic macroinvertebrates and fish were collected 1 year prior to harvest and in each of 3 years after harvest. We observed interannual variation for the macroinvertebrate abundance, diversity and taxon richness in the single-basin study and abundance and diversity in the multiple-basin study, but few effects related to harvest treatments in either study. However, interannual variation was not evident in the fish communities and we detected no significant changes in the stream fish communities associated with partially harvested riparian buffers in either study. This would suggest that timber harvesting in riparian management zones along reaches ≤200 m in length on both sides of the stream that retains RBA ≥ 12.4 ± 1.3 m2 ha−1 or on a single side of the stream that retains RBA ≥ 8.7 ± 1.6 m2 ha−1 may be adequate to protect macroinvertebrate and fish communities in our Minnesota study systems given these specific timber harvesting techniques.

The influence of partial timber harvest in riparian management zones on macroinvertebrate and fish communities on first- and second-order streams in northern Minnesota

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chizinski, Christopher J.; Vondracek, Bruce C.; Blinn, Charles R.; Newman, Raymond M.; Atuke, Dickson M.; Fredricks, Keith; Hemstad, Nathaniel A.; Merten, Eric; Schlesser, Nicholas

2010-01-01

Relatively few evaluations of aquatic macroinvertebrate and fish communities have been published in peer-reviewed literature detailing the effect of varying residual basal area (RBA) after timber harvesting in riparian buffers. Our analysis investigated the effects of partial harvesting within riparian buffers on aquatic macroinvertebrate and fish communities in small streams from two experiments in northern Minnesota northern hardwood-aspen forests. Each experiment evaluated partial harvesting within riparian buffers. In both experiments, benthic macroinvertebrates and fish were collected 1 year prior to harvest and in each of 3 years after harvest. We observed interannual variation for the macroinvertebrate abundance, diversity and taxon richness in the single-basin study and abundance and diversity in the multiple-basin study, but few effects related to harvest treatments in either study. However, interannual variation was not evident in the fish communities and we detected no significant changes in the stream fish communities associated with partially harvested riparian buffers in either study. This would suggest that timber harvesting in riparian management zones along reaches ≤200 m in length on both sides of the stream that retains RBA ≥ 12.4 ± 1.3 m2 ha−1 or on a single side of the stream that retains RBA ≥ 8.7 ± 1.6 m2 ha−1 may be adequate to protect macroinvertebrate and fish communities in our Minnesota study systems given these specific timber harvesting techniques.

A comparison of laser-welded titanium and conventional cast frameworks supported by implants in the partially edentulous jaw: a 3-year prospective multicenter study.

PubMed

Jemt, T; Henry, P; Lindén, B; Naert, I; Weber, H; Bergström, C

2000-01-01

The purpose of this prospective multicenter study was to evaluate and compare the clinical performance of laser-welded titanium fixed partial implant-supported prostheses with conventional cast frameworks. Forty-two partially edentulous patients were provided with Brånemark system implants and arranged into 2 groups. Group A was provided with a conventional cast framework with porcelain veneers in one side of the jaw and a laser-welded titanium framework with low-fusing porcelain on the other side. The patients in group B had an old implant prosthesis replaced by a titanium framework prosthesis. The patients were followed for 3 years after prosthesis placement. Clinical and radiographic data were collected and analyzed. Only one implant was lost, and all prostheses were still in function after 3 years. The 2 framework designs showed similar clinical performance with few clinical complications. Only one abutment screw (1%) and 9 porcelain tooth units (5%) fractured. Four prostheses experienced loose gold screws (6%). In group A, marginal bone loss was similar for both designs of prostheses, with a mean of 1.0 mm and 0.3 mm in the maxilla and mandible, respectively. No bone loss was observed on average in group B. No significant relationship (P > 0.05) was observed between marginal bone loss and placement of prosthesis margin or prosthesis design. The use of laser-welded titanium frameworks seems to present similar clinical performance to conventional cast frameworks in partial implant situations after 3 years.

76 FR 39845 - Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-07

... export controls applicable to information systems equipment and technology. Wednesday, July 27 Public... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Industry and Security Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting The Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee (ISTAC...

78 FR 63162 - Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-10-23

... of export controls applicable to information systems equipment and technology. Wednesday, November 6... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Industry and Security Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting The Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee (ISTAC...

75 FR 64258 - Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-19

... export controls applicable to information systems equipment and technology. Wednesday, November 3 Public... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Industry and Security Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting The Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee (ISTAC...

78 FR 42753 - Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-17

... of export controls applicable to information systems equipment and technology. Wednesday, July 31... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Industry and Security Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting The Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee (ISTAC...

Five on one side: personal and social information in spatial choice.

PubMed

Brown, Michael F; Saxon, Marie E; Bisbing, Teagan; Evans, Jessica; Ruff, Jennifer; Stokesbury, Andrew

2015-03-01

To examine whether the outcome of a rat's own choices ("personal information") and the choice behavior of another rat ("social information") can jointly control spatial choices, rats were tested in an open field task in which they searched for food. For the rats of primary interest (Subject Rats), the baited locations were all on one side of the arena, but the specific locations baited and the side on which they occurred varied over trials. The Subject Rats were sometimes tested together with an informed "Model" rat that had learned to find food in the same five locations (all on the same side of the arena) on every trial. Unintended perceptual cues apparently controlled spatial choices at first, but when perceptual cues to food location were not available, choices were controlled by both personal information (allowing the baited side of the arena to be determined) and social information (allowing baited locations to be determined more precisely). This shows that control by personal and social information are not mutually exclusive and supports the view that these two kinds of information can be used flexibly and adaptively to guide spatial choices. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: tribute to Tom Zentall. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Distinct frontal regions subserve evaluation of linguistic and emotional aspects of speech intonation.

PubMed

Wildgruber, D; Hertrich, I; Riecker, A; Erb, M; Anders, S; Grodd, W; Ackermann, H

2004-12-01

In addition to the propositional content of verbal utterances, significant linguistic and emotional information is conveyed by the tone of speech. To differentiate brain regions subserving processing of linguistic and affective aspects of intonation, discrimination of sentences differing in linguistic accentuation and emotional expressiveness was evaluated by functional magnetic resonance imaging. Both tasks yielded rightward lateralization of hemodynamic responses at the level of the dorsolateral frontal cortex as well as bilateral thalamic and temporal activation. Processing of linguistic and affective intonation, thus, seems to be supported by overlapping neural networks comprising partially right-sided brain regions. Comparison of hemodynamic activation during the two different tasks, however, revealed bilateral orbito-frontal responses restricted to the affective condition as opposed to activation of the left lateral inferior frontal gyrus confined to evaluation of linguistic intonation. These findings indicate that distinct frontal regions contribute to higher level processing of intonational information depending on its communicational function. In line with other components of language processing, discrimination of linguistic accentuation seems to be lateralized to the left inferior-lateral frontal region whereas bilateral orbito-frontal areas subserve evaluation of emotional expressiveness.

The Curvature-Augmented Closest Point method with vesicle inextensibility application

DOE PAGES

Vogl, Christopher J.

2017-06-06

Here, the Closest Point method, initially developed by Ruuth and Merriman, allows for the numerical solution of surface partial differential equations without the need for a parameterization of the surface itself. Surface quantities are embedded into the surrounding domain by assigning each value at a given spatial location to the corresponding value at the closest point on the surface. This embedding allows for surface derivatives to be replaced by their Cartesian counterparts (e.g. ∇ s=∇). This equivalence is only valid on the surface, and thus, interpolation is used to enforce what is known as the side condition away from themore » surface. To improve upon the method, this work derives an operator embedding that incorporates curvature information, making it valid in a neighborhood of the surface. With this, direct enforcement of the side condition is no longer needed. Comparisons in R 2 and R 3 show that the resulting Curvature-Augmented Closest Point method has better accuracy and requires less memory, through increased matrix sparsity, than the Closest Point method, while maintaining similar matrix condition numbers. To demonstrate the utility of the method in a physical application, simulations of inextensible, bi-lipid vesicles evolving toward equilibrium shapes are also included.« less

Information Transparency in Education: Three Sides of a Two-Sided Process

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mertsalova, T. A.

2015-01-01

Information transparency is the result of informational globalization and the avalanche of information and communication technologies: thus, these processes are natural for the whole modern society. Statistics show that during the past several years the transparency situation not just in education but in the entire society has expanded…

A self-affirmation exercise does not improve intentions to vaccinate among parents with negative vaccine attitudes (and may decrease intentions to vaccinate).

PubMed

Reavis, Rachael D; Ebbs, Jacob B; Onunkwo, Adaobi K; Sage, L Mariah

2017-01-01

Two studies investigated the effectiveness of a self-affirmation exercise on vaccine safety beliefs and intent to vaccinate future children. In Study 1, a sample of 585 parents with at least one child under the age of 18 in the home participated through Amazon's MTurk. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions in a 2 x 2 design. Participants read either correcting information refuting a link between the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism or a control passage about bird feeding. Additionally, participants either completed a self-affirmation exercise where they reflected on their personal values or in a control condition in which they reflected on least-personally-important values that might be important to others. Participants exposed to the correcting information were less likely to believe that vaccines cause serious side effects, but no less likely to believe that the MMR vaccine causes autism. For parents with initially positive vaccine attitudes, there was no effect of condition on intent to vaccinate a future child. For parents with initially negative vaccine attitudes, self-affirmation was ineffective in the presence of correcting information and resulted in less intention to vaccinate in the absence of correcting information. This effect was partially replicated in Study 2 (N = 576), which provided no correcting information but otherwise followed the same procedure as Study 1.

77 FR 37652 - Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-22

... that affect the level of export controls applicable to information systems equipment and technology... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Industry and Security Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting The Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee (ISTAC...

Electron detachment of the hydrogen-bonded amino acid side-chain guanine complexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jing; Gu, Jiande; Leszczynski, Jerzy

2007-07-01

The photoelectron spectra of the hydrogen-bonded amino acid side-chain-guanine complexes has been studied at the partial third order (P3) self-energy approximation of the electron propagator theory. The correlation between the vertical electron detachment energy and the charge distributions on the guanine moiety reveals that the vertical electron detachment energy (VDE) increases as the positive charge distribution on the guanine increases. The low VDE values determined for the negatively charged complexes of the guanine-side-chain-group of Asp/Glu suggest that the influence of the H-bonded anionic groups on the VDE of guanine could be more important than that of the anionic backbone structure. The even lower vertical electron detachment energy for guanine is thus can be expected in the H-bonded protein-DNA systems.

Nine color eleven parameter immunophenotyping using three laser flow cytometry.

PubMed

Bigos, M; Baumgarth, N; Jager, G C; Herman, O C; Nozaki, T; Stovel, R T; Parks, D R; Herzenberg, L A

1999-05-01

This study describes a three laser flow cytometer, reagents, and software used to simultaneously evaluate nine distinct fluorescent parameters on one cell sample. We compare the quality of data obtained with (1) full software compensation and (2) the use of partial spectral compensation of selected pairs of parameters in analog hardware, in combination with final software compensation. An application characterizing low frequency murine B cell subpopulations is given. The fluorochromes used are: fluorescein (FITC), phycoerythrin (PE), Cy5PE and Cy7PE, excited at 488 nm by an argon laser; Texas Red (TR), allophycocyanin (APC), and Cy7APC excited at 595 nm by a pumped dye laser; and cascade blue (CB) and cascade yellow (CY) excited at 407 nm by a violet-enhanced krypton laser. Custom additions to commercial electronics and an extended optical bench allow the measurement of these nine parameters plus forward and side scatter light signals. We find the use of partial analog compensation reduces the variation in the background staining levels introduced by the compensation process. Novel B cell populations with frequencies below 1% are characterized. Nine color flow cytometry is capable of providing measurements with high information content. The choice of reagent-dye combinations and the ability to compensate in multi-parameter measurement space are crucial to obtaining satisfactory results.

[Contribution of pelvic echography to the diagnosis of malformations of the utero-vaginal tract].

PubMed

Ellart, D; Houze de l'Aulnoit, H; Corette, L; Delcroix, M; Brabant, G

1990-01-01

Pelvic ultrasound has become very important in the diagnostic planning of utero-vaginal malformations. Having studies 93 congenital malformations of the utero-vaginal tract, the authors used ultrasound investigations as a first or second line of approach. They are able to describe the way ultrasound can be used for each type of malformation. Ultrasound is undeniably reliable for diagnosing bilateral incomplete aplasia of the uterus; so avoiding the need for laparoscopy. When failure of the uterus to develop on one side occurs it is possible to look for a closed or canalized rudimentary uterine nodule to confirm the diagnosis of a pseudo-unicorn uterus. The diagnosis by ultrasound of a bifid uterus shows up by the appearance of a "V" shape on the bladder. An intra-uterine septum can be diagnosed according to how serious the embryological abnormality is on ultrasound. Similarly the difference between a bicornuate uterus that is really just arcuate or partially septate cannot always be made with ultrasound because the embryological defect is a relatively minor one. Ultrasound examination is able to give a lot of information in diagnosing and calculating how much of the menstrual fluid is held back either on one side or completely. Its value is less when the two sides of the uterus communicate with one another. Although this way of examining patients may make it possible quite often to avoid carrying out hysterosalpingogram and laparoscopy, its greatest value is found when all methods of diagnosis are combined and interpreted in the context of a clinical situation.

Temperature actuated shutdown assembly for a nuclear reactor

DOEpatents

Sowa, Edmund S.

1976-01-01

Three identical bimetallic disks, each shaped as a spherical cap with its convex side composed of a layer of metal such as molybdenum and its concave side composed of a metal of a relatively higher coefficient of thermal expansion such as stainless steel, are retained within flanges attached to three sides of an inner hexagonal tube containing a neutron absorber to be inserted into a nuclear reactor core. Each disk holds a metal ball against its normally convex side so that the ball projects partially through a hole in the tube located concentrically with the center of each disk; at a predetermined temperature an imbalance of thermally induced stresses in at least one of the disks will cause its convex side to become concave and its concave side to become convex, thus pulling the ball from the hole in which it is located. The absorber has a conical bottom supported by the three balls and is small enough in relation to the internal dimensions of the tube to allow it to slip toward the removed ball or balls, thus clearing the unremoved balls or ball so that it will fall into the reactor core.

Medial and Lateral Discoid Menisci of Both Knees

PubMed Central

Kan, Hiroyuki; Arai, Yuji; Nakagawa, Shuji; Inoue, Hiroaki; Minami, Ginjiro; Ikoma, Kazuya; Fujiwara, Hiroyoshi; Kubo, Toshikazu

2016-01-01

Discoid menisci on both the medial and lateral sides are rare, and there are very few reports on cases involving both sides. We report a case of a 52-year-old female with medial and lateral discoid menisci in both knees. Arthroscopy revealed the lateral menisci of both knees were complete discoid menisci, and partial meniscectomy was performed. The medial menisci were incomplete discoid menisci, but there were no findings of abnormal mobility or injury; therefore, the medial menisci were observed without treatment. At six months postoperatively, her pain and range of motion restrictions disappeared. PMID:27894182

The translucency of dental composites investigated by UV-VIS spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dumitrescu, L. Silaghi; Pastrav, O.; Prejmerean, C.; Prodan, D.; Boboia, S.; Codruta, S.; Moldovan, M.

2013-11-01

Translucency is the property of a material to partially transmit and diffuse incident light, and can be described as a partial opacity or a state between complete opacity and complete transparency. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the translucency index of resin composites according to their chemical structure and to the light source used for curing. Our study was achieved on four commercial composite samples (30 mm × 2 mm) cured with two different lamps (Optilux - halogen bulb and Ultralight - LED). Measurements were made with a UV-VIS spectrophotometer, and the reflection spectrum was recorded in the 380-770 nm region on white and black, compared with a SPECTRALON standard white. For all materials cured with the LED lamp on the glossy sides, the best results were given by Tetric Evo Ceram followed by Filtek Supreme, RestacrilRO and Premise. The measurements made on samples cured with an Optilux lamp, to the smooth and rough sides of the samples, revealed that the highest index of translucency is provided by Tetric Evo Ceram on the smooth side, followed by Filtek Supreme, RestacrilRO and Premises. We can say that the translucency of the composites is mostly determined by the chemical composition of the material, which is observed from transmittance values recorded for each sample, and by the source of radiation applied on the sample.

Dependence of flow and transport through the Williamson River Delta, Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, on wind, river inflow, and lake elevation

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wood, Tamara M.

2012-01-01

The hydrodynamic model of Upper Klamath and Agency Lakes, Oregon, was used to run 384 realizations of a numerical tracer experiment in order to understand the relative effects of wind, lake elevation, and Williamson River inflow on flow and transport (the movement of water and passively transported constituents) through the Williamson River Delta. Significant findings from this study include: * The replacement rate of water increased in Tulana and Goose Bay with increasing lake elevation, Williamson River inflow, and wind speed. * The fraction of Williamson River inflow passing through either side of the Delta increased with lake elevation and Williamson River inflow. * The partial replacement rate of water in Goose Bay with water from the Williamson River increased with wind speed. * The partial replacement rate of water in Tulana with water from the Williamson River decreased with wind speed. * Strong wind forcing at the water surface caused more of the Williamson River inflow to pass through Goose Bay than through Tulana. * Westerly to northwesterly winds result in more of the Williamson River inflow passing through the Goose Bay side of the Delta than through the Tulana side. * Regression models developed from the tracer experiments can be used to quantify the dependencies between transport and the independent variables to obtain rough estimates of useful quantities such as residence time and steady-state solute concentrations.

The flow around circular cylinders partially coated with porous media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruck, Bodo; Klausmann, Katharina; Wacker, Tobias

2012-05-01

There are indications that the flow resistance of bodies can be reduced by a porous coating or porous sheath. A few numerical investigations exists in this field, however, experimental evidence is lacking. In order to investigate this phenomenon, the drag resistance of cylinders with porous coating has been investigated qualitatively and quantitatively in wind tunnel experiments. The Reynolds number was systematically varied in the range from 104 to 1.3*105. The results show that the boundary layer over the porous surface is turbulent right from the beginning and thickens faster because of the possible vertical momentum exchange at the interface. The region of flow detachment is widened resulting in a broader area with almost vanishing low flow velocities. All in all, the measurements show that a full porous coating of the cylinders increase the flow resistance. However, the measurements show that a partial coating only on the leeward side can decrease the flow resistance of the body. This effect seems due to the fact that the recirculating velocity and the underpressure in the wake is reduced significantly through a leeward porous coating. Thus, combining a smooth non-permeable windward side with a porous-coated leeward side can lead to a reduction of the body's flow resistance. These findings can be applied advantageously in many technical areas, such as energy saving of moving bodies (cars/trains/planes) or in reducing fluid loads on submersed bodies.

The translucency of dental composites investigated by UV-VIS spectroscopy

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

Dumitrescu, L. Silaghi; Pastrav, O.; Prejmerean, C.

Translucency is the property of a material to partially transmit and diffuse incident light, and can be described as a partial opacity or a state between complete opacity and complete transparency. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the translucency index of resin composites according to their chemical structure and to the light source used for curing. Our study was achieved on four commercial composite samples (30 mm × 2 mm) cured with two different lamps (Optilux - halogen bulb and Ultralight - LED). Measurements were made with a UV-VIS spectrophotometer, and the reflection spectrum was recorded in themore » 380-770 nm region on white and black, compared with a SPECTRALON standard white. For all materials cured with the LED lamp on the glossy sides, the best results were given by Tetric Evo Ceram followed by Filtek Supreme, Restacril{sup RO} and Premise. The measurements made on samples cured with an Optilux lamp, to the smooth and rough sides of the samples, revealed that the highest index of translucency is provided by Tetric Evo Ceram on the smooth side, followed by Filtek Supreme, Restacril{sup RO} and Premises. We can say that the translucency of the composites is mostly determined by the chemical composition of the material, which is observed from transmittance values recorded for each sample, and by the source of radiation applied on the sample.« less

Clusters of isoleucine, leucine, and valine side chains define cores of stability in high-energy states of globular proteins: Sequence determinants of structure and stability.

PubMed

Kathuria, Sagar V; Chan, Yvonne H; Nobrega, R Paul; Özen, Ayşegül; Matthews, C Robert

2016-03-01

Measurements of protection against exchange of main chain amide hydrogens (NH) with solvent hydrogens in globular proteins have provided remarkable insights into the structures of rare high-energy states that populate their folding free-energy surfaces. Lacking, however, has been a unifying theory that rationalizes these high-energy states in terms of the structures and sequences of their resident proteins. The Branched Aliphatic Side Chain (BASiC) hypothesis has been developed to explain the observed patterns of protection in a pair of TIM barrel proteins. This hypothesis supposes that the side chains of isoleucine, leucine, and valine (ILV) residues often form large hydrophobic clusters that very effectively impede the penetration of water to their underlying hydrogen bond networks and, thereby, enhance the protection against solvent exchange. The linkage between the secondary and tertiary structures enables these ILV clusters to serve as cores of stability in high-energy partially folded states. Statistically significant correlations between the locations of large ILV clusters in native conformations and strong protection against exchange for a variety of motifs reported in the literature support the generality of the BASiC hypothesis. The results also illustrate the necessity to elaborate this simple hypothesis to account for the roles of adjacent hydrocarbon moieties in defining stability cores of partially folded states along folding reaction coordinates. © 2015 The Protein Society.

Effect of oxcarbazepine on sleep architecture.

PubMed

Ayala-Guerrero, Fructuoso; Mexicano, Graciela; González, Valentín; Hernandez, Mario

2009-07-01

The most common side effects following administration of antiepileptic drugs involve alterations in sleep architecture and varying degrees of daytime sleepiness. Oxcarbazepine is a drug that is approved as monotherapy for the treatment of partial seizures and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. However, there is no information about its effects on sleep pattern organization; therefore, the objective of this work was to analyze such effects. Animals (Wistar rats) exhibited three different behavioral and electrophysiological states of vigilance: wakefulness, slow wave sleep (SWS), and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Oral treatment with oxcarbazepine (100 mg/kg) produced an increment in total sleep time throughout the recording period. This increment involved both SWS and REM sleep. Mean duration of the REM sleep phase was not affected. In contrast, the frequency of this sleep phase increased significantly across the 10-hour period. REM sleep latency shortened significantly. Results obtained in this work indicate that oxcarbazepine's acute effects point to hypnotic properties.

Joint registries as continuous surveillance systems: the experience of the Catalan Arthroplasty Register (RACat).

PubMed

Allepuz, Alejandro; Martínez, Olga; Tebé, Cristian; Nardi, Joan; Portabella, Frederic; Espallargues, Mireia

2014-03-01

The aim was to present results on prosthesis performance in Catalonia for the period 2005-2010. All publicly funded hospitals submit in an electronic format data on hip and knee arthroplasties: patients' insurance identification number, hospital, joint (hip/knee), type of arthroplasty (primary/revision), side (right/left), date of surgery and prosthesis (manufacturer name and catalogue number). A standard survival analysis based on Kaplan-Meier estimation was carried out. Fifty-two hospitals have sent information to the RACat which has data on 36,951 knee and 26,477 hip arthroplasties. Cumulative prostheses revision risks at 3 years were 3.3% (95% CI: 3.1-3.6) for knee, 2.9% (95% CI: 2.5-3.3) for total hip and 2.5% (95% CI: 2.0-3.1) for partial hip. When compared to other registries a higher risk of revision was observed. © 2013.

Effect of Communication Style on Perceptions of Medication Side Effect Risk among Pharmacy Students.

PubMed

Sawant, Ruta V; Beatty, Collin R; Sansgiry, Sujit S

2016-10-25

Objective. To assess the effect of communication style, and frequency and severity of medication side-effects, on pharmacy students' perception of risk of experiencing side effects. Methods. One hundred responses from pharmacy students were obtained using an online survey. Participants were presented with a drug information box containing drug name, drug usage, and one side-effect associated with the drug. Information on side-effect for each drug was presented in one of eight experimental conditions, in a 2 (side-effect frequency: low, high), X2 (side-effect severity: mild, severe) X2 (communication style: verbal, verbal + natural frequency) factorial design. Risk perception of experiencing side effects was measured. Results. Communication style was found to have a significant impact on risk perception depending on the context of frequency and severity associated with the side effect. Conclusion. Communication style plays a significant role in formulating risk perceptions of medication side effects. Training in pharmaceutical counseling should include special emphasis on effective language use.

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

Partial Müllerian Duct Retention in Smad4 Conditional Mutant Male Mice.

PubMed

Petit, Fabrice G; Deng, Chuxia; Jamin, Soazik P

2016-01-01

Müllerian duct regression is a complex process which involves the AMH signalling pathway. We have previously demonstrated that besides AMH and its specific type II receptor (AMHRII), BMPR-IA and Smad5 are two essential factors implicated in this mechanism. Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4 (Smad4) is a transcription factor and the common Smad (co-Smad) involved in transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signalling pathway superfamily. Since Smad4 null mutants die early during gastrulation, we have inactivated Smad4 in the Müllerian duct mesenchyme. Specific inactivation of Smad4 in the urogenital ridge leads to the partial persistence of the Müllerian duct in adult male mice. Careful examination of the urogenital tract reveals that the Müllerian duct retention is randomly distributed either on one side or both sides. Histological analysis shows a uterus-like structure, which is confirmed by the expression of estrogen receptor α. As previously described in a β-catenin conditional mutant mouse model, β-catenin contributes to Müllerian duct regression. In our mutant male embryos, it appears that β-catenin expression is locally reduced along the urogenital ridge as compared to control mice. Moreover, the expression pattern is similar to those observed in control female mice. This study shows that reduced Smad4 expression disrupts the Wnt/β-catenin signalling leading to the partial persistence of Müllerian duct.

Value of information in natural resource management: technical developments and application to pink-footed geese

USGS Publications Warehouse

Williams, Byron K.; Johnson, Fred A.

2015-01-01

The “value of information” (VOI) is a generic term for the increase in value resulting from better information to guide management, or alternatively, the value foregone under uncertainty about the impacts of management (Yokota and Thompson, Medical Decision Making 2004;24: 287). The value of information can be characterized in terms of several metrics, including the expected value of perfect information and the expected value of partial information. We extend the technical framework for the value of information by further developing the relationship between value metrics for partial and perfect information and describing patterns of their performance. We use two different expressions for the expected value of partial information to highlight its relationship to the expected value of perfect information. We also develop the expected value of partial information for hierarchical uncertainties. We highlight patterns in the value of information for the Svalbard population of the pink-footed goose (Anser brachyrhynchus), a population that is subject to uncertainty in both reproduction and survival functions. The framework for valuing information is seen as having widespread potential in resource decision making, and serves as a motivation for resource monitoring, assessment, and collaboration.

Comparison of effectiveness of electrocautery and phenol application in partial matricectomy after partial nail extraction in the treatment of ingrown nails.

PubMed

Misiak, Piotr; Terlecki, Artur; Rzepkowska-Misiak, Beata; Wcisło, Szymon; Brocki, Marian

2014-02-01

Ingrowing nail also known as onychocryptosis is a common health problem. This disease mostly affects young people, often carrying a considerable amount of socio-economic implications. It's foot problem that usually manifests as inflammation of tissue along the side of a toenail. The aim of the study was to asses and to compare effectiveness of electrocautery and phenol application in partial matrixectomy after partial nail extraction in the treatment of ingrown toenails. The group of 60 patients with ingrowing toenail which was randomized into two groups underwent partial matrixectomy in surgical outpatient clinic between 2009-2013. This group of patients was under surgical observation for 100 days in outpatient clinic. In all operated patients we obtained surgical success however we had 13 recurrences during the follow up period, 5 in the phenolization group and 8 in the electrocoagulation group. There was statistically significant difference between these two techniques, which indicated that matrix phenolization is connected with shortened healing time vs the matrix electrocoagulation.

Information Transfer Problems of the Partially Sighted: Recent Results and Project Summary.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Genensky, S. M.; And Others

The fourth in a series of Rand reports on information transfer problems of the partially sighted reviews earlier reports and describes an experimental secretarial closed circuit TV (CCTV) system which enables the partially sighted to type from a printed or handwritten manuscript. Discussed are experiments using a pseudocolor system to determine…

Exploring the associations between drug side-effects and therapeutic indications.

PubMed

Wang, Fei; Zhang, Ping; Cao, Nan; Hu, Jianying; Sorrentino, Robert

2014-10-01

Drug therapeutic indications and side-effects are both measurable patient phenotype changes in response to the treatment. Inferring potential drug therapeutic indications and identifying clinically interesting drug side-effects are both important and challenging tasks. Previous studies have utilized either chemical structures or protein targets to predict indications and side-effects. In this study, we compared drug therapeutic indication prediction using various information including chemical structures, protein targets and side-effects. We also compared drug side-effect prediction with various information sources including chemical structures, protein targets and therapeutic indication. Prediction performance based on 10-fold cross-validation demonstrates that drug side-effects and therapeutic indications are the most predictive information source for each other. In addition, we extracted 6706 statistically significant indication-side-effect associations from all known drug-disease and drug-side-effect relationships. We further developed a novel user interface that allows the user to interactively explore these associations in the form of a dynamic bipartitie graph. Many relationship pairs provide explicit repositioning hypotheses (e.g., drugs causing postural hypotension are potential candidates for hypertension) and clear adverse-reaction watch lists (e.g., drugs for heart failure possibly cause impotence). All data sets and highly correlated disease-side-effect relationships are available at http://astro.temple.edu/∼tua87106/druganalysis.html. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Nurses' discourse in contraceptive prescribing: an analysis using Foucault's 'procedures of exclusion'.

PubMed

Hayter, Mark

2007-05-01

This paper is a report of an analysis of the discourse about contraceptive efficacy and side effects used by nurses when prescribing contraception. All women seeking contraception should be informed of the efficacy and potential adverse effects of the particular method they are considering. This information facilitates an informed choice. Women also require this information in order to monitor for any side effects. Paradoxically, side effects are also a key factor in reducing adherence with contraceptive regimens. However, there is no literature that explores specifically how this issue is addressed in clinical consultations, or places these practices in a theoretical context. Forty-nine consultations between nurses and women in sexual health clinics were audio-recorded during 2002. Data were subject to a discourse analysis using Foucault's 'procedures of exclusion' to explore the discursive construction of contraceptive efficacy and side effects The nurses employed specific discursive strategies when discussing contraception. When addressing efficacy, discourse centred on medico-statistical facts, but side effects were described in lay terms that minimized their severity. Nurses contextualized contraceptive side effects within potential problems that women might experience in pregnancy, and also attempted to 'normalize' contraceptive-related problems. Discourse and its deployment play a key role in practitioner-client relationships that sexual health nurses need to become more aware of how they discuss clinical issues about contraception with women. Clinical data on contraceptive side-effects are present in the literature, and it is important that sexual health nurses use this to help women make truly informed decisions.

Effects of pyrazole partial agonists on HCA(2) -mediated flushing and VLDL-triglyceride levels in mice.

PubMed

Li, Zhaosha; Blad, Clara C; van der Sluis, Ronald J; de Vries, Henk; Van Berkel, Theo J C; Ijzerman, Adriaan P; Hoekstra, Menno

2012-10-01

Niacin can effectively treat dyslipidaemic disorders. However, its clinical use is limited due to the cutaneous flushing mediated by the nicotinic acid receptor HCA(2) . In the current study, we evaluated two partial agonists for HCA(2) , LUF6281 and LUF6283, with respect to their anti-dyslipidaemic potential and cutaneous flushing effect. In vitro potency and efficacy studies with niacin and the two HCA(2) partial agonists were performed using HEK293T cells stably expressing human HCA(2) . Normolipidaemic C57BL/6 mice received either niacin or the HCA(2) partial agonists (400 mg·kg(-1) ·day(-1) ) once a day for 4 weeks for evaluation of their effects in vivo. Radioligand competitive binding assay showed K(i) values for LUF6281 and LUF6283 of 3 and 0.55 µM. [(35) S]-GTPγS binding revealed the rank order of their potency as niacin > LUF6283 > LUF6281. All three compounds reduced plasma VLDL-triglyceride concentrations similarly, while LUF6281 and LUF6283, in contrast to niacin, did not also exhibit the unwanted flushing side effect in C57BL/6 mice. Niacin reduced the expression of lipolytic genes HSL and ATGL in adipose tissue by 50%, whereas LUF6281 and LUF6283 unexpectedly did not. In contrast, the decrease in VLDL-triglyceride concentration induced by LUF6281 and LUF6283 was associated with a parallel >40% reduced expression of APOB within the liver. The current study identifies LUF6281 and LUF6283, two HCA(2) partial agonists of the pyrazole class, as promising drug candidates to achieve the beneficial lipid lowering effect of niacin without producing the unwanted flushing side effect. © 2012 The Authors. British Journal of Pharmacology © 2012 The British Pharmacological Society.

Consumers' preferences for the communication of risk information in drug advertising.

PubMed

Davis, Joel J

2007-01-01

Research was conducted to identify consumers' preferences regarding the form, content, and placement of drug side-effect information in direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising. Specific questions explored preferences for the presence or absence of numeric information, the use of placebo and discontinuation groups as a context for understanding drug risk, the sequence in which side effects are presented, and the placement of side-effect statements on DTC Web sites. Consumers prefer detailed, readily accessible risk information--preferences that are a major departure from current advertiser practices and from what current and proposed Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations require.

Informed Consent (Clinical Trials)

MedlinePlus

... Cancer Treatment Types of Cancer Treatment Side Effects Clinical Trials Information A to Z List of Cancer ... Staging Prognosis Treatment Types of Treatment Side Effects Clinical Trials Cancer Drugs Complementary & Alternative Medicine Coping Feelings & ...

Identification of PPARgamma Partial Agonists of Natural Origin (I): Development of a Virtual Screening Procedure and In Vitro Validation

PubMed Central

Guasch, Laura; Sala, Esther; Castell-Auví, Anna; Cedó, Lidia; Liedl, Klaus R.; Wolber, Gerhard; Muehlbacher, Markus; Mulero, Miquel; Pinent, Montserrat; Ardévol, Anna; Valls, Cristina; Pujadas, Gerard; Garcia-Vallvé, Santiago

2012-01-01

Background Although there are successful examples of the discovery of new PPARγ agonists, it has recently been of great interest to identify new PPARγ partial agonists that do not present the adverse side effects caused by PPARγ full agonists. Consequently, the goal of this work was to design, apply and validate a virtual screening workflow to identify novel PPARγ partial agonists among natural products. Methodology/Principal Findings We have developed a virtual screening procedure based on structure-based pharmacophore construction, protein-ligand docking and electrostatic/shape similarity to discover novel scaffolds of PPARγ partial agonists. From an initial set of 89,165 natural products and natural product derivatives, 135 compounds were identified as potential PPARγ partial agonists with good ADME properties. Ten compounds that represent ten new chemical scaffolds for PPARγ partial agonists were selected for in vitro biological testing, but two of them were not assayed due to solubility problems. Five out of the remaining eight compounds were confirmed as PPARγ partial agonists: they bind to PPARγ, do not or only moderately stimulate the transactivation activity of PPARγ, do not induce adipogenesis of preadipocyte cells and stimulate the insulin-induced glucose uptake of adipocytes. Conclusions/Significance We have demonstrated that our virtual screening protocol was successful in identifying novel scaffolds for PPARγ partial agonists. PMID:23226391

WITHDRAWN: Oxcarbazepine add-on for drug-resistant partial epilepsy.

PubMed

Castillo, Sergio M; Schmidt, Dieter B; White, Sarah; Shukralla, Arif

2016-11-15

Most people with epilepsy have a good prognosis and their seizures can be well controlled with the use of a single antiepileptic drug, but up to 30% develop refractory epilepsy, especially those with partial seizures. In this review we summarize the current evidence regarding oxcarbazepine when used as an add-on treatment for drug-resistant partial epilepsy. To evaluate the effects of oxcarbazepine when used as an add-on treatment for drug-resistant partial epilepsy. We searched the Cochrane Epilepsy Group's Specialized Register (28 March 2006), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 1, 2006), MEDLINE (1966 to March 2006). No language restrictions were imposed. We checked the reference lists of retrieved studies for additional reports of relevant studies. We also contacted Novartis (manufacturers of oxcarbazepine) and experts in the field. Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, add-on trials of oxcarbazepine in patients with drug-resistant partial epilepsy. Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and extracted the relevant data. The following outcomes were assessed : (a) 50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency; (b) treatment withdrawal (any reason); (c) side effects. Primary analyses were intention-to-treat. Summary odds ratios were estimated for each outcome. Two trials were included representing 961 randomized patients.Overall Odds Ratio (OR) (95% Confidence Interval (CIs)) for 50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency compared to placebo 2.96 (2.20, 4.00).Treatment withdrawal OR (95% CIs) compared to placebo 2.17 (1.59, 2.97).Side effects: OR (99% CIs) compared to placebo, ataxia 2.93 (1.72, 4.99); dizziness 3.05 (1.99, 4.67); fatigue 1.80 (1.02, 3.19); nausea 2.88 (1.77, 4.69); somnolence 2.55 (1.84, 3.55); diplopia 4.32 (2.65, 7.04), were significantly associated with oxcarbazepine. Oxcarbazepine has efficacy as an add-on treatment in patients with drug-resistant partial epilepsy, both in adults and children. However, trials reviewed were of relatively short duration, and provide no evidence about the long-term effects of oxcarbazepine. Results cannot be extrapolated to monotherapy or to patients with other epilepsy types.

GLYX-13, a NMDA Receptor Glycine-Site Functional Partial Agonist, Induces Antidepressant-Like Effects Without Ketamine-Like Side Effects

PubMed Central

Burgdorf, Jeffrey; Zhang, Xiao-lei; Nicholson, Katherine L; Balster, Robert L; David Leander, J; Stanton, Patric K; Gross, Amanda L; Kroes, Roger A; Moskal, Joseph R

2013-01-01

Recent human clinical studies with the NMDA receptor (NMDAR) antagonist ketamine have revealed profound and long-lasting antidepressant effects with rapid onset in several clinical trials, but antidepressant effects were preceded by dissociative side effects. Here we show that GLYX-13, a novel NMDAR glycine-site functional partial agonist, produces an antidepressant-like effect in the Porsolt, novelty induced hypophagia, and learned helplessness tests in rats without exhibiting substance abuse-related, gating, and sedative side effects of ketamine in the drug discrimination, conditioned place preference, pre-pulse inhibition and open-field tests. Like ketamine, the GLYX-13-induced antidepressant-like effects required AMPA/kainate receptor activation, as evidenced by the ability of NBQX to abolish the antidepressant-like effect. Both GLYX-13 and ketamine persistently (24 h) enhanced the induction of long-term potentiation of synaptic transmission and the magnitude of NMDAR-NR2B conductance at rat Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses in vitro. Cell surface biotinylation studies showed that both GLYX-13 and ketamine led to increases in both NR2B and GluR1 protein levels, as measured by Western analysis, whereas no changes were seen in mRNA expression (microarray and qRT-PCR). GLYX-13, unlike ketamine, produced its antidepressant-like effect when injected directly into the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC). These results suggest that GLYX-13 produces an antidepressant-like effect without the side effects seen with ketamine at least in part by directly modulating NR2B-containing NMDARs in the MPFC. Furthermore, the enhancement of ‘metaplasticity' by both GLYX-13 and ketamine may help explain the long-lasting antidepressant effects of these NMDAR modulators. GLYX-13 is currently in a Phase II clinical development program for treatment-resistant depression. PMID:23303054

Knee Extensor Rate of Torque Development Before and After Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy, With Analysis of Neuromuscular Mechanisms.

PubMed

Cobian, Daniel G; Koch, Cameron M; Amendola, Annunziato; Williams, Glenn N

2017-12-01

Study Design Descriptive, prospective single-cohort longitudinal study. Background Though rapid torque development is essential in activities of daily living and sports, it hasn't been specifically tested by most physical therapists or incorporated into rehabilitation programs until late in the treatment process. Little evidence is available on quadriceps torque development capacity before and after arthroscopic knee surgery. Objectives To study knee extensor rate of torque development, contributing mechanisms, and associations with strength and patient-reported outcomes before and during the first 6 weeks after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. Methods Twenty subjects (mean ± SD age, 42.3 ± 13.7 years; body mass index, 26.6 ± 3.1 kg/m 2 ) were tested before surgery, and at 2 and 5 weeks after surgery. Quadriceps muscle volume, strength, activation, rate of torque development, and patient-reported outcomes were evaluated across the study period. Results Significant side-to-side differences in quadriceps strength and voluntary rate of torque development were observed at each time point (P<.05). Changes in muscle activity were associated with changes in rapid torque development capacity. Side-to-side rate of torque development deficits after surgery were associated with lower patient-reported outcomes scores. Conclusion Diminished rapid torque development capacity is common in arthroscopic meniscal debridement patients. This reduced capacity is associated with an inability to quickly recruit and drive the quadriceps muscles (neural mechanisms) and not muscle atrophy or other peripheral factors tested. Patient-reported outcomes are associated with quadriceps rate of torque development, but not strength or muscle size. Rapid torque development warrants greater attention in rehabilitation. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2017;47(12):945-956. Epub 9 Oct 2017. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.7310.

An imidazole functionalized pentameric thiophene displays different staining patterns in normal and malignant cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nilsson, Peter; Magnusson, Karin; Appelqvist, Hanna; Cieslar-Pobuda, Artur; Bäck, Marcus; Kågedal, Bertil; Jonasson, Jon; Los, Marek

2015-10-01

Molecular tools for fluorescent imaging of cells and their components are vital for understanding the function and activity of cells. Here, we report an imidazole functionalized pentameric oligothiophene, p-HTIm, that can be utilized for fluorescent imaging of cells. p-HTIm fluorescence in normal cells appeared in a peripheral punctate pattern partially co-localized with lysosomes, whereas a one-sided perinuclear Golgi associated localization of the dye was observed in malignant cells. The uptake of p-HTIm was temperature dependent and the intracellular target was reached within 1 h after staining. The ability of p-HTIm to stain cells was reduced when the imidazole side chain was chemically altered, verifying that specific imidazole side-chain functionalities are necessary for achieving the observed cellular staining. Our findings confirm that properly functionalized oligothiophenes can be utilized as fluorescent tools for vital staining of cells and that the selectivity towards distinct intracellular targets are highly dependent on the side-chain functionalities along the conjugated thiophene backbone.

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.

Recent advances in multiview distributed video coding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dufaux, Frederic; Ouaret, Mourad; Ebrahimi, Touradj

2007-04-01

We consider dense networks of surveillance cameras capturing overlapped images of the same scene from different viewing directions, such a scenario being referred to as multi-view. Data compression is paramount in such a system due to the large amount of captured data. In this paper, we propose a Multi-view Distributed Video Coding approach. It allows for low complexity / low power consumption at the encoder side, and the exploitation of inter-view correlation without communications among the cameras. We introduce a combination of temporal intra-view side information and homography inter-view side information. Simulation results show both the improvement of the side information, as well as a significant gain in terms of coding efficiency.

Partial root-zone drying and conventional deficit irrigation applied during the whole berry growth maintain yield and berry quality in 'Crimson Seedless' table grapes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pérez-Pastor, Alejandro; Domingo, Rafael; De la Rosa, Jose M.°; Rosario Conesa Saura, M.°

2016-04-01

To compare the effects of partial root-zone drying and conventional deficit irrigation applied during post-veraison and the whole berry growth on water relations, yield and berry quality, one experiment was conducted in a commercial vineyard of 'Crimson Seedless' table grapes. Five irrigation treatments were imposed: (i) Control (CTL) irrigated to 110% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc), (ii) regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) irrigated at 50% of CTL during the non- critical period of post-verasion, (iii) continuous deficit irrigation (DIc), irrigated at 50% of CTL throughout the whole berry growing season, (iv) partial root-zone drying (PRD), irrigated similar to RDI, but alternating the irrigation applied in the dry side every 10-14 days; and (v) continuous partial root-zone drying (PRDc), irrigated as DIc but alternating the irrigation in the dry side every 10-14 days. RDI and PRD received 24% and 28% less water than CTL, respectively. These reductions were higher in DIc and PRDc (65% and 53%, respectively). Total yield was not affected by any DI strategy. Only significantly lower values were observed in the weight and height's berries in respect to CTL. However, the colour parameters evaluated increased in all DI treatments, being slightly higher in DIc and PRDc compared with RDI and PRD. In addition, total soluble solids (TSS) were significantly higher in DIc, compared to other irrigated counterparts. Our findings showed that the application of water deficit during the whole berry growth through the use of DIc and PRDc, can be considered for irrigation scheduling in 'Crimson Seedless' table grapes. Acknowledgements This work has been funded by the European Union LIFE+ project IRRIMAN (LIFE13 ENV/ES/000539).

LIF measurements and chemical kinetic analysis of methylidyne formation in high-pressure counter-flow partially premixed and non-premixed flames

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naik, S. V.; Laurendeau, N. M.

2004-11-01

We report quantitative, spatially resolved, linear laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) measurements of methylidyne concentration ([CH]) in laminar, methane air, counter-flow partially premixed and non-premixed flames using excitation near 431.5 nm in the A X (0,0) band. For partially premixed flames, fuel-side equivalence ratios (ϕB) of 1.45, 1.6 and 2.0 are studied at pressures of 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 atm. For non-premixed flames, the fuel-side mixture consists of 25% CH4 and 75% N2; measurements are obtained at pressures of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 12 atm. The quantitative CH measurements are compared with predictions from an opposed-flow flame code utilizing two GRI chemical kinetic mechanisms (versions 2.11 and 3.0). LIF measurements of [CH] are corrected for variations in the quenching rate coefficient by using major species concentrations and temperatures generated by the code along with suitable quenching cross sections for CH available from the literature. A pathway analysis provides relative contributions from important elementary reactions to the total amount of CH produced at various pressures. Key reactions controlling peak CH concentrations are also identified by using a sensitivity analysis. For the partially premixed flames, measured CH profiles are reproduced reasonably well by GRI 3.0, although some quantitative disagreement exists at all pressures. Two CH radical peaks are observed for ϕB=1.45 and ϕB=1.6 at pressures above 3 atm. Peak CH concentrations for the non-premixed flames are significantly underpredicted by GRI 3.0. The latter agrees with previously reported NO concentrations, which are also underpredicted in these same high-pressure counter-flow diffusion flames.

Compliant Walker

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kerley, James J.; Eklund, Wayne; Crane, Alan

1992-01-01

Walker supports person with limited use of legs and back. Enables person to stand upright, move with minimum load, and rest at will taking weight off legs. Consists of wheeled frame with body harness connected compliantly to side structures. Harness supports wearer upright when wearer relaxes and takes weight off lower extremities. Assumes partial to full body weight at user's discretion.

75 FR 54116 - Notice of Intent To Grant Partially Exclusive License of the United States Patent Application No...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-03

... coatings, side dressing, lawn application and starter ground cover) and applications in the fields of soil... particulate removal, metal and inorganic chelation in soils and water, soil erosion, road stabilizer, and dust... synthetic, petroleum-based polymers for soil amendment applications to achieve increased soil strength...

EARLY WARNING IN DRINKING WATER INTAKE PROTECTION: CORRELATING CHEMICAL DATA AND BIOLOGICAL WARNING SYSTEMS

EPA Science Inventory

The WRK Water Works is responsible for the abstraction and partial purifcation of surface water for the drinking water production of some 2m people in the Netherlands. Two water winning stations, one at a side canal of the Rhine, the other at IJsselmeer lake provide an annual tot...

Lateral cervical cleft: a previously unreported anomaly resulting from incomplete disappearance of the second pharyngeal (branchial) cleft.

PubMed

Gürsoy, M H; Gedikoğlu, G; Tanyel, F C

1999-03-01

The authors present a 2-year-old boy with a skin defect located in the right lateral side of the neck. They suggest the defect is a partial failure of disappearance of the second pharyngeal (branchial) cleft and propose a name of lateral cervical cleft.

7 CFR Exhibit A to Subpart A of... - Estimated Breakdown of Dwelling Costs for Estimating Partial Payments

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... and ceiling framing, sheathing 6 6 5 7. Roofing 5 5 4 8. Siding, exterior trim, porches 7 7 6 9..., trim, doors 6 6 5 20. Cabinets and counter tops 1 1 1 21. Interior painting 4 4 3 22. Exterior painting...

7 CFR Exhibit A to Subpart A of... - Estimated Breakdown of Dwelling Costs for Estimating Partial Payments

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... and ceiling framing, sheathing 6 6 5 7. Roofing 5 5 4 8. Siding, exterior trim, porches 7 7 6 9..., trim, doors 6 6 5 20. Cabinets and counter tops 1 1 1 21. Interior painting 4 4 3 22. Exterior painting...

Remaining Sites Verification Package for the 100-F-50 Stormwater Runoff Culvert, Waste Site Reclassification Form 2007-001

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

J. M. Capron

2008-04-15

The 100-F-50 waste site, part of the 100-FR-2 Operable Unit, is a steel stormwater runoff culvert that runs between two railroad grades in the south-central portion of the 100-F Area. The culvert exiting the west side of the railroad grade is mostly encased in concrete and surrounded by a concrete stormwater collection depression partially filled with soil and vegetation. The drain pipe exiting the east side of the railroad grade embankment is partially filled with soil and rocks. The 100-F-50 stormwater diversion culvert confirmatory sampling results support a reclassification of this site to no action. The current site conditions achievemore » the remedial action objectives and corresponding remedial action goals established in the Remaining Sites ROD. The results of confirmatory sampling show that residual contaminant concentrations do not preclude any future uses and allow for unrestricted use of shallow zone soils. The results also demonstrate that residual contaminant concentrations are protective of groundwater and the Columbia River.« less

Tetrad pollen formation in Annona (Annonaceae): proexine formation andbinding mechanism.

PubMed

Tsou, Chih-Hua; Fu, Yu-Lan

2002-05-01

Meiotic tetrads of Annona glabra and A. montana build up a well-developed proexine (protectum, probaculum, and pronexine) at the proximal side but only a thin pronexine at the distal side during the tetrad stage. The callosic envelope is only partially digested by the end of tetrad stage. The remaining, undigested part is composed of the intersporal mass and thin peripheral layers, and the latter is conjunct with the distal pronexine of the microspore. In this remaining callosic structure celluloses are also present. Later on, due to the continuous slow decomposition of this callose-cellulose structure and microspore expansion, microspores break up the callose-cellulose envelope. Because all the four microspores are bound together by the callose-cellulose structure, they move out of the chamber in rotation. Eventually the thin pronexine is pulled toward the center of the tetrad and the well-developed proexine becomes the distal wall. These descriptions of the partial digestion of callosic envelope, the transformation from a callose-cellulose structure to the binding system of tetrad pollen, and microspore rotation in Annona are unusual in the angiosperms.

Significant partial response of metastatic intra-abdominal and pelvic round cell liposarcoma to a small-molecule VEGFR-2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor apatinib

PubMed Central

Dong, Min; Bi, Jingwang; Liu, Xiaohong; Wang, Baocheng; Wang, Jun

2016-01-01

Abstract Introduction: Myxoid/round cell liposarcoma is the second most common subtype of liposarcoma. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy have a limited efficacy for treating advanced myxoid/round cell liposarcoma, with relatively serious side effects. Case presentation: We herein present a 68-year-old Chinese woman initially diagnosed with advanced multiple intra-abdominal and pelvic round cell liposarcoma. She refused to receive cytotoxic chemotherapy and received apatinib as the first-line therapy, a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 that has been used in the treatment of patients with metastatic gastric cancer who progressed with 2 or more chemotherapy regimens. This patient was partially responsive to apatinib with a dose of 500 mg daily. No serious drug-related side effects were observed. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that some cases of liposarcoma may be responsive to antiangiogenic agent apatinib. Randomized clinical studies are needed to further confirm the efficacy and safety of apatinib in the clinical treatment of liposarcoma. PMID:27495042

High-dose phenobarbital with intermittent short-acting barbiturates for acute encephalitis with refractory, repetitive partial seizures.

PubMed

Uchida, Takashi; Takayanagi, Masaru; Kitamura, Taro; Nishio, Toshiyuki; Numata, Yurika; Endo, Wakaba; Haginoya, Kazuhiro; Ohura, Toshihiro

2016-08-01

Acute encephalitis with refractory, repetitive partial seizures (AERRPS) is characterized by repetitive seizures during the acute and chronic phases and has a poor neurological outcome. Burst-suppression coma via continuous i.v. infusion of a short-acting barbiturate is used to terminate refractory seizures, but the severe side-effects of short-acting barbiturates are problematic. We report on a 9-year-old boy with AERRPS who was effectively treated with very-high-dose phenobarbital (VHDPB) combined with intermittent short-acting barbiturates. VHDPB side-effects were mild, especially compared with those associated with continuous i.v. infusion of short-acting barbiturates (dosage, 40-75 mg/kg/day; maximum blood level, 290 μg/mL). Using VHDPB as the main treatment, short-acting barbiturates were used intermittently and in small amounts. This is the first report to show that VHDPB, combined with intermittent short-acting barbiturates, can effectively treat AERRPS. After treatment, convulsions were suppressed and daily life continued, but intellectual impairment and high-level dysfunction remained. © 2016 Japan Pediatric Society.

Optical and tomographic imaging of a middle ear malformation in the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana).

PubMed

Horowitz, Seth S; Simmons, Andrea Megela; Ketten, Darlene R

2005-08-01

Using a combination of in vivo computerized tomography and histological staining, a middle ear anomaly in two wild-caught American bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) is characterized. In these animals, the tympanic membrane, extrastapes, and pars media (shaft) of the stapes are absent on one side of the head, with the other side exhibiting normal morphology. The pars interna (footplate) of the stapes and the operculum are present in their normal positions at the entrance of the otic capsule on both the affected and unaffected sides. The pattern of deformity suggests a partial failure of development of tympanic pathway tissues, but with a preservation of the opercularis pathway. While a definitive proximate cause of the condition could not be determined, the anomalies show similarities to developmental defects in mammalian middle ear formation.

Optical and tomographic imaging of a middle ear malformation in the bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)

PubMed Central

Horowitz, Seth S.; Simmons, Andrea Megela; Ketten, Darlene R.

2005-01-01

Using a combination of in vivo computerized tomography and histological staining, a middle ear anomaly in two wild-caught American bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) is characterized. In these animals, the tympanic membrane, extrastapes, and pars media (shaft) of the stapes are absent on one side of the head, with the other side exhibiting normal morphology. The pars interna(footplate) of the stapes and the operculum are present in their normal positions at the entrance of the otic capsule on both the affected and unaffected sides. The pattern of deformity suggests a partial failure of development of tympanic pathway tissues, but with a preservation of theopercularis pathway. While a definitive proximate cause of the condition could not be determined, the anomalies show similarities to developmental defects in mammalian middle ear formation. PMID:16158670

System for supporting a bundled tube fuel injector within a combustor

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

LeBegue, Jeffrey Scott; Melton, Patrick Benedict; Westmoreland, III, James Harold

A combustor includes an end cover having an outer side and an inner side, an outer barrel having a forward end that is adjacent to the inner side of the end cover and an aft end that is axially spaced from the forward end. An inner barrel is at least partially disposed concentrically within the outer barrel and is fixedly connected to the outer barrel. A fluid conduit extends downstream from the end cover. A first bundled tube fuel injector segment is disposed concentrically within the inner barrel. The bundled tube fuel injector segment includes a fuel plenum that ismore » in fluid communication with the fluid conduit and a plurality of parallel tubes that extend axially through the fuel plenum. The bundled tube fuel injector segment is fixedly connected to the inner barrel.« less

21 CFR 20.22 - Partial disclosure of records.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL PUBLIC INFORMATION General Policy § 20.22 Partial disclosure of records. (a) If a record contains both disclosable and nondisclosable information, the nondisclosable information will be deleted and the remaining...

21 CFR 20.22 - Partial disclosure of records.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL PUBLIC INFORMATION General Policy § 20.22 Partial disclosure of records. (a) If a record contains both disclosable and nondisclosable information, the nondisclosable information will be deleted and the remaining...

21 CFR 20.22 - Partial disclosure of records.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL PUBLIC INFORMATION General Policy § 20.22 Partial disclosure of records. (a) If a record contains both disclosable and nondisclosable information, the nondisclosable information will be deleted and the remaining...

21 CFR 20.22 - Partial disclosure of records.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL PUBLIC INFORMATION General Policy § 20.22 Partial disclosure of records. (a) If a record contains both disclosable and nondisclosable information, the nondisclosable information will be deleted and the remaining...

Statistical Analysis of Crystallization Database Links Protein Physico-Chemical Features with Crystallization Mechanisms

PubMed Central

Fusco, Diana; Barnum, Timothy J.; Bruno, Andrew E.; Luft, Joseph R.; Snell, Edward H.; Mukherjee, Sayan; Charbonneau, Patrick

2014-01-01

X-ray crystallography is the predominant method for obtaining atomic-scale information about biological macromolecules. Despite the success of the technique, obtaining well diffracting crystals still critically limits going from protein to structure. In practice, the crystallization process proceeds through knowledge-informed empiricism. Better physico-chemical understanding remains elusive because of the large number of variables involved, hence little guidance is available to systematically identify solution conditions that promote crystallization. To help determine relationships between macromolecular properties and their crystallization propensity, we have trained statistical models on samples for 182 proteins supplied by the Northeast Structural Genomics consortium. Gaussian processes, which capture trends beyond the reach of linear statistical models, distinguish between two main physico-chemical mechanisms driving crystallization. One is characterized by low levels of side chain entropy and has been extensively reported in the literature. The other identifies specific electrostatic interactions not previously described in the crystallization context. Because evidence for two distinct mechanisms can be gleaned both from crystal contacts and from solution conditions leading to successful crystallization, the model offers future avenues for optimizing crystallization screens based on partial structural information. The availability of crystallization data coupled with structural outcomes analyzed through state-of-the-art statistical models may thus guide macromolecular crystallization toward a more rational basis. PMID:24988076

Statistical analysis of crystallization database links protein physico-chemical features with crystallization mechanisms.

PubMed

Fusco, Diana; Barnum, Timothy J; Bruno, Andrew E; Luft, Joseph R; Snell, Edward H; Mukherjee, Sayan; Charbonneau, Patrick

2014-01-01

X-ray crystallography is the predominant method for obtaining atomic-scale information about biological macromolecules. Despite the success of the technique, obtaining well diffracting crystals still critically limits going from protein to structure. In practice, the crystallization process proceeds through knowledge-informed empiricism. Better physico-chemical understanding remains elusive because of the large number of variables involved, hence little guidance is available to systematically identify solution conditions that promote crystallization. To help determine relationships between macromolecular properties and their crystallization propensity, we have trained statistical models on samples for 182 proteins supplied by the Northeast Structural Genomics consortium. Gaussian processes, which capture trends beyond the reach of linear statistical models, distinguish between two main physico-chemical mechanisms driving crystallization. One is characterized by low levels of side chain entropy and has been extensively reported in the literature. The other identifies specific electrostatic interactions not previously described in the crystallization context. Because evidence for two distinct mechanisms can be gleaned both from crystal contacts and from solution conditions leading to successful crystallization, the model offers future avenues for optimizing crystallization screens based on partial structural information. The availability of crystallization data coupled with structural outcomes analyzed through state-of-the-art statistical models may thus guide macromolecular crystallization toward a more rational basis.

Decomposition of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Signals Using Oblique Subspace Projections: Applications in Brain Hemodynamic Monitoring.

PubMed

Caicedo, Alexander; Varon, Carolina; Hunyadi, Borbala; Papademetriou, Maria; Tachtsidis, Ilias; Van Huffel, Sabine

2016-01-01

Clinical data is comprised by a large number of synchronously collected biomedical signals that are measured at different locations. Deciphering the interrelationships of these signals can yield important information about their dependence providing some useful clinical diagnostic data. For instance, by computing the coupling between Near-Infrared Spectroscopy signals (NIRS) and systemic variables the status of the hemodynamic regulation mechanisms can be assessed. In this paper we introduce an algorithm for the decomposition of NIRS signals into additive components. The algorithm, SIgnal DEcomposition base on Obliques Subspace Projections (SIDE-ObSP), assumes that the measured NIRS signal is a linear combination of the systemic measurements, following the linear regression model y = Ax + ϵ . SIDE-ObSP decomposes the output such that, each component in the decomposition represents the sole linear influence of one corresponding regressor variable. This decomposition scheme aims at providing a better understanding of the relation between NIRS and systemic variables, and to provide a framework for the clinical interpretation of regression algorithms, thereby, facilitating their introduction into clinical practice. SIDE-ObSP combines oblique subspace projections (ObSP) with the structure of a mean average system in order to define adequate signal subspaces. To guarantee smoothness in the estimated regression parameters, as observed in normal physiological processes, we impose a Tikhonov regularization using a matrix differential operator. We evaluate the performance of SIDE-ObSP by using a synthetic dataset, and present two case studies in the field of cerebral hemodynamics monitoring using NIRS. In addition, we compare the performance of this method with other system identification techniques. In the first case study data from 20 neonates during the first 3 days of life was used, here SIDE-ObSP decoupled the influence of changes in arterial oxygen saturation from the NIRS measurements, facilitating the use of NIRS as a surrogate measure for cerebral blood flow (CBF). The second case study used data from a 3-years old infant under Extra Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), here SIDE-ObSP decomposed cerebral/peripheral tissue oxygenation, as a sum of the partial contributions from different systemic variables, facilitating the comparison between the effects of each systemic variable on the cerebral/peripheral hemodynamics.

Intraatrial baffle repair of isolated ventricular inversion with left atrial isomerism.

PubMed

McElhinney, D B; Reddy, V M; Silverman, N H; Hanley, F L

1996-11-01

Isolated ventricular inversion with left atrial isomerism, partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection, and interruption of the inferior vena cava with azygos continuation to a right superior vena cava was diagnosed by echocardiography in a neonate. At 48 days of age, the patient underwent successful anatomic correction with redirection of flow from the superior vena cava and hepatic veins to the left-sided tricuspid valve, and flow from the pulmonary veins to the right-sided mitral valve. In the present report, the surgical techniques of this case are described, along with a survey of the surgical literature covering anatomic repair of isolated ventricular inversion.

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.

Fan-fold shielded electrical leads

DOEpatents

Rohatgi, Rajeev R.; Cowan, Thomas E.

1996-01-01

Fan-folded electrical leads made from copper cladded Kapton, for example, with the copper cladding on one side serving as a ground plane and the copper cladding on the other side being etched to form the leads. The Kapton is fan folded with the leads located at the bottom of the fan-folds. Electrical connections are made by partially opening the folds of the fan and soldering, for example, the connections directly to the ground plane and/or the lead. The fan folded arrangement produces a number of advantages, such as electrically shielding the leads from the environment, is totally non-magnetic, and has a very low thermal conductivity, while being easy to fabricate.

SIDECACHE: Information access, management and dissemination framework for web services.

PubMed

Doderer, Mark S; Burkhardt, Cory; Robbins, Kay A

2011-06-14

Many bioinformatics algorithms and data sets are deployed using web services so that the results can be explored via the Internet and easily integrated into other tools and services. These services often include data from other sites that is accessed either dynamically or through file downloads. Developers of these services face several problems because of the dynamic nature of the information from the upstream services. Many publicly available repositories of bioinformatics data frequently update their information. When such an update occurs, the developers of the downstream service may also need to update. For file downloads, this process is typically performed manually followed by web service restart. Requests for information obtained by dynamic access of upstream sources is sometimes subject to rate restrictions. SideCache provides a framework for deploying web services that integrate information extracted from other databases and from web sources that are periodically updated. This situation occurs frequently in biotechnology where new information is being continuously generated and the latest information is important. SideCache provides several types of services including proxy access and rate control, local caching, and automatic web service updating. We have used the SideCache framework to automate the deployment and updating of a number of bioinformatics web services and tools that extract information from remote primary sources such as NCBI, NCIBI, and Ensembl. The SideCache framework also has been used to share research results through the use of a SideCache derived web service.

[The importance of full graphic display in a graphic organizer to facilitate discourse comprehension].

PubMed

Akio, Suzuki; Shunji, Awazu

2010-04-01

In order to examine the importance of fully representing graphic information items in graphic aids to facilitate comprehension of explanatory texts, we established and randomly assigned fifty university students into the following four groups: (a) participants who study the text without the aid, (b) participants who study the text with the aid, whose literal (key words) and graphic (arrows, boxes, etc.) information items are fully displayed, (c) participants who study the text with the aid, whose graphic information items are fully displayed but whose literal information items are partially displayed, and (d) participants who study the text with the aid, whose literal and graphic information items are partially displayed. The results of two kinds of comprehension tests "textbase and situation model" revealed that groups (b) and (c) outperformed groups (a) and (d). These findings suggest that graphic aids can facilitate students' text comprehension when graphic information items are fully displayed and literal information items are displayed either fully or partially; however, the aid cannot facilitate comprehension when both literal and graphic elements are displayed partially.

Positive and negative tropic curvature induced by microbeam irradiation of protonemal tip cells of the moss Ceratodon purpureus.

PubMed

Lamparter, T; Kagawa, T; Brücker, G; Wada, M

2004-01-01

The photoreceptor phytochrome mediates tropic responses in protonemata of the moss Ceratodon purpureus. Under standard conditions the tip cells grow towards unilateral red light, or perpendicular to the electrical vector of polarized light. In this study the response of tip cells to partial irradiation of the apical region was analysed using a microbeam apparatus. The fluence response curve gave an unexpected pattern: whereas a 15-min microbeam with light intensities around 3 micro mol m (-2) s (-1) induced a growth curvature towards the irradiated side, higher light intensities around 100 micro mol m (-2) s (-1) caused a negative response, the cells grew away from the irradiated side. This avoidance response is explained by two effects: the light intensity is high enough to induce photoconversion into the active Pfr form of phytochrome, not only on the irradiated but also on the non-irradiated side by stray light. At the same time, the strong light on the irradiated side acts antagonistically to Pfr. As a result of this inhibition, the growth direction is moved to the light-avoiding side. Such a Pfr-independent mechanism might be important for the phototropic response to distinguish between the light-directed and light-avoiding side under unilateral light.

3D scene reconstruction based on multi-view distributed video coding in the Zernike domain for mobile applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palma, V.; Carli, M.; Neri, A.

2011-02-01

In this paper a Multi-view Distributed Video Coding scheme for mobile applications is presented. Specifically a new fusion technique between temporal and spatial side information in Zernike Moments domain is proposed. Distributed video coding introduces a flexible architecture that enables the design of very low complex video encoders compared to its traditional counterparts. The main goal of our work is to generate at the decoder the side information that optimally blends temporal and interview data. Multi-view distributed coding performance strongly depends on the side information quality built at the decoder. At this aim for improving its quality a spatial view compensation/prediction in Zernike moments domain is applied. Spatial and temporal motion activity have been fused together to obtain the overall side-information. The proposed method has been evaluated by rate-distortion performances for different inter-view and temporal estimation quality conditions.

Framing and personalizing informed consent to prevent negative expectations: An experimental pilot study.

PubMed

Heisig, Sarah R; Shedden-Mora, Meike C; Hidalgo, Pablo; Nestoriuc, Yvonne

2015-10-01

Informing patients about medical treatments and their possible side effects is ethically and legally obligatory but may trigger negative expectations and nocebo-related side effects. This pilot study aims to investigate the effect of different informed consent procedures on treatment expectations for adjuvant breast cancer treatments (Study 1: endocrine therapy; Study 2: chemotherapy). Using an experimental 2-factorial design, healthy women were informed about endocrine therapy (n = 60) or chemotherapy (n = 64) within a hypothetical scenario. Information was framed with or without treatment benefit information and delivered in a personalized or standardized interaction. Primary outcomes were necessity-concern beliefs about the treatment and side-effect expectations, secondary outcomes were decisional conflicts. In Study 1, side-effect expectations (η²p= .08) and decisional conflicts (η²p = .07) were lower when framed treatment information was given. Providing personalized information resulted in more functional necessity-concern beliefs (η²p = .06) and lower decisional conflicts (η²p = .07). Personalizing and framing of information resulted in more functional necessity-concern beliefs (η²p = .10) and lower decisional conflicts. In Study 2, necessity-concern beliefs were more functional with framing (η²p = .06). Participants in the personalized groups reported lower decisional conflicts (η²p = .06). No differences in side-effect expectations were revealed. This is the first study to provide evidence for optimized treatment expectations through altered informed consent strategies. The results emphasize that framing and personalizing informed consent can positively influence treatment expectations and reduce decisional conflicts. However, generalizations are impaired by the study's pilot character. The potential to prevent nocebo responses in clinical practice should be analyzed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved).

78 FR 1198 - Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-01-08

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Industry and Security Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting The Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee (ISTAC) will meet on January 23 and 24, 2013, 9:00 a.m., at Qualcomm Incorporated, 5775 Morehouse Drive...

77 FR 1666 - Information Systems, Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-11

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Industry and Security Information Systems, Technical Advisory Committee; Notice of Partially Closed Meeting The Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee (ISTAC) will meet on January 25 and 26, 2012, 9 a.m., at Qualcomm Incorporated, 5775 Morehouse Drive, Building...

75 FR 77894 - Notice of Submission of Proposed Information Collection to OMB Mortgagee's Application for...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-14

... Proposed Information Collection to OMB Mortgagee's Application for Partial Settlement (Multifamily Mortgage... subject proposal. Mortgagees who elect to assign multifamily property to HUD complete form HUD-2537, Mortgagee's Application for Partial Settlement, Multifamily Mortgage. HUD uses the information to process a...

Residue-Specific Side-Chain Polymorphisms via Particle Belief Propagation.

PubMed

Ghoraie, Laleh Soltan; Burkowski, Forbes; Li, Shuai Cheng; Zhu, Mu

2014-01-01

Protein side chains populate diverse conformational ensembles in crystals. Despite much evidence that there is widespread conformational polymorphism in protein side chains, most of the X-ray crystallography data are modeled by single conformations in the Protein Data Bank. The ability to extract or to predict these conformational polymorphisms is of crucial importance, as it facilitates deeper understanding of protein dynamics and functionality. In this paper, we describe a computational strategy capable of predicting side-chain polymorphisms. Our approach extends a particular class of algorithms for side-chain prediction by modeling the side-chain dihedral angles more appropriately as continuous rather than discrete variables. Employing a new inferential technique known as particle belief propagation, we predict residue-specific distributions that encode information about side-chain polymorphisms. Our predicted polymorphisms are in relatively close agreement with results from a state-of-the-art approach based on X-ray crystallography data, which characterizes the conformational polymorphisms of side chains using electron density information, and has successfully discovered previously unmodeled conformations.

Medication non-adherence and uncertainty: Information-seeking and processing in the Danish LIFESTAT survey.

PubMed

Kriegbaum, Margit; Lau, Sofie Rosenlund

2017-09-23

Statins are widely prescribed to lower cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, statin non-adherence is very high. The aim of this paper was to investigate reasons for stopping statin treatment in the general population and to study how aspects of information-seeking and processing is associated with statin non-adherence. This study used a population survey on 3050 Danish residents aged 45-65 years. Reasons for statin discontinuation was studied among those who were previous statin users. The association between information seeking and processing and statin discontinuation were analysed using multivariate logistical regression models. Experience of side effects and fear of side effects played an important role in the discontinuation of statin treatment. Feelings of uncertainty and confusion regarding information on statins predicted statin discontinuation. This applied to information from both mass media and from general practitioners. There was no clear pattern of information seeking and statin non-adherence. The article point to the impact of information-seeking on the decision to take cholesterol-lowering medication. This included contributions from information disseminated by media outlets. Side effects and fear of side effects should be addressed in clinical practice. Health care professionals should pay attention to emotional aspects of how information is disseminated and perceived by statin users. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

From globules to crystals: a spectral study of poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) crystallization in hot water.

PubMed

Sun, Shengtong; Wu, Peiyi

2015-12-28

One easy strategy to comprehend the complex folding/crystallization behaviors of proteins is to study the self-assembly process of their synthetic polymeric analogues with similar properties owing to their simple structures and easy access to molecular design. Poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) (PIPOZ) is often regarded as an ideal pseudopeptide with similar two-step crystallization behavior to proteins, whose aqueous solution experiences successive lower critical solution temperature (LCST)-type liquid-liquid phase separation upon heating and irreversible crystallization when annealed above LCST for several hours. In this paper, by microscopic observations, IR and Raman spectroscopy in combination with 2D correlation analysis, we show that the second step of PIPOZ crystallization in hot water can be further divided into two apparent stages, i.e., nucleation and crystal growth, and perfect crystalline PIPOZ chains are found to only develop in the second stage. While all the groups exhibit changes in initial nucleation, only methylene groups on the backbone participate in the crystal growth stage. During nucleation, a group motion transfer is found from the side chain to the backbone, and nucleation is assumed to be mainly driven by the cleavage of bridging C=O···D-O-D···O=C hydrogen bonds followed by chain arrangement due to amide dipolar orientation. Nevertheless, during crystal growth, a further chain ordering process occurs resulting in the final formation of crystalline PIPOZ chains with partial trans conformation of backbones and alternative side chains on the two sides. The underlying crystallization mechanism of PIPOZ in hot water we present here may provide very useful information for understanding the crystallization of biomacromolecules in biological systems.

[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.

Exploratory Investigation of Aerodynamic Characteristics of Helicopter Tail Boom Cross-Section Models with Passive Venting

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Banks, Daniel W.; Kelley, Henry L.

2000-01-01

Two large-scale, two-dimensional helicopter tail boom models were used to determine the effects of passive venting on boom down loads and side forces in hovering crosswind conditions. The models were oval shaped and trapezoidal shaped. Completely porous and solid configurations, partial venting in various symmetric and asymmetric configurations, and strakes were tested. Calculations were made to evaluate the trends of venting and strakes on power required when applied to a UH-60 class helicopter. Compared with the UH-60 baseline, passive venting reduced side force but increased down load at flow conditions representing right sideward flight. Selective asymmetric venting resulted in side force benefits close to the fully porous case. Calculated trends on the effects of venting on power required indicated that the high asymmetric oval configuration was the most effective venting configuration for side force reduction, and the high asymmetric with a single strake was the most effective for overall power reduction. Also, curves of side force versus flow angle were noticeable smoother for the vented configurations compared with the solid baseline configuration; this indicated a potential for smoother flight in low-speed crosswind conditions.

Protraction of mandibular second and third molars assisted by partial corticision and miniscrew anchorage.

PubMed

Mimura, Hiroshi

2013-08-01

A woman, aged 47 years 6 months, with an anterior open bite and a left-shifted mandible was treated with a mandibular right first molar extraction and without orthognathic surgery. However, her mandibular second molar did not move mesially during treatment because of the dense lamina dura; therefore, corticision was applied only on the mesial aspect of the mandibular second molar, and a miniscrew was inserted simultaneously. Corticision was introduced as a supplemental dentoalveolar surgery in orthodontic therapy to achieve accelerated tooth movement with minimal surgical intervention. In this technique, a reinforced scalpel was used as a thin chisel to separate the interproximal cortices transmucosally without a flap. This technique was applied not to accelerate tooth movement, but to protract the mandibular molars. One miniscrew was inserted on the mesiobuccal side of the mandibular right molar for protraction and intrusion. In addition, 2 miniscrews were inserted in the buccal sides of the maxillary first and second molars and the palatal side of the maxillary first molar to intrude them for correction of the mandibular shift and the cant of the occlusal plane. Excellent occlusion and correction of the anterior open bite were achieved without surgery. At the 2-year follow-up examination, the patient had a good occlusion and showed good stability with no opening of the extraction space. A partial corticision is an effective option for facilitating movement of mandibular molars. Copyright © 2013 American Association of Orthodontists. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

25. "CAST IRON HOWE TRUSS CARRYING PENNA STATE HIGHWAY ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

25. "CAST IRON HOWE TRUSS - CARRYING PENNA STATE HIGHWAY ROUTE #83 OVER READING CO. TRACKS - SOUTH OF READING, PENNA, Dwg. #6 - Sht. #1", dated November 20, 1956, shows partial side elevation of bridge truss, beginning at end post - Reading-Halls Station Bridge, U.S. Route 220, spanning railroad near Halls Station, Muncy, Lycoming County, PA

5. View of remaining rock ledge from construction of passage ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

5. View of remaining rock ledge from construction of passage to enter mill (Riverdale Cotton Mill was built into the side of a hill). Partially subterranean area was popular with employees trying to escape the heat of the mill, now an unofficial smoking area. - Riverdale Cotton Mill, Corner of Middle & Lower Streets, Valley, Chambers County, AL

Special forest products: an east-side perspective.

Treesearch

William E. Schlosser; Keith A. Blatner

1997-01-01

The special forest products industry has gained increasing attention, as timber harvest levels in the Pacific Northwest have declined, and has been heralded, at least by some, as a partial solution to the employment problems common throughout the rural areas of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana To date, relatively little work has been published on those portions...

A self-affirmation exercise does not improve intentions to vaccinate among parents with negative vaccine attitudes (and may decrease intentions to vaccinate)

PubMed Central

Ebbs, Jacob B.; Onunkwo, Adaobi K.; Sage, L. Mariah

2017-01-01

Two studies investigated the effectiveness of a self-affirmation exercise on vaccine safety beliefs and intent to vaccinate future children. In Study 1, a sample of 585 parents with at least one child under the age of 18 in the home participated through Amazon’s MTurk. Participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions in a 2 x 2 design. Participants read either correcting information refuting a link between the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism or a control passage about bird feeding. Additionally, participants either completed a self-affirmation exercise where they reflected on their personal values or in a control condition in which they reflected on least-personally-important values that might be important to others. Participants exposed to the correcting information were less likely to believe that vaccines cause serious side effects, but no less likely to believe that the MMR vaccine causes autism. For parents with initially positive vaccine attitudes, there was no effect of condition on intent to vaccinate a future child. For parents with initially negative vaccine attitudes, self-affirmation was ineffective in the presence of correcting information and resulted in less intention to vaccinate in the absence of correcting information. This effect was partially replicated in Study 2 (N = 576), which provided no correcting information but otherwise followed the same procedure as Study 1. PMID:28704520

Effects of riparian timber harvesting on instream habitat and fish assemblages in northern Minnesota streams

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chizinski, Christopher J.; Vondracek, Bruce C.; Blinn, Charles R.; Newman, Raymond M.; Atuke, Dickson M.; Fredricks, Keith; Hemstad, Nathaniel A.; Merten, Eric; Schlesser, Nicholas

2010-01-01

Relatively few evaluations of aquatic macroinvertebrate and fish communities have been published in peer-reviewed literature detailing the effect of varying residual basal area (RBA) after timber harvesting in riparian buffers. Our analysis investigated the effects of partial harvesting within riparian buffers on aquatic macroinvertebrate and fish communities in small streams from two experiments in northern Minnesota northern hardwood-aspen forests. Each experiment evaluated partial harvesting within riparian buffers. In both experiments, benthic macroinvertebrates and fish were collected 1 year prior to harvest and in each of 3 years after harvest. We observed interannual variation for the macroinvertebrate abundance, diversity and taxon richness in the single-basin study and abundance and diversity in the multiple-basin study, but few effects related to harvest treatments in either study. However, interannual variation was not evident in the fish communities and we detected no significant changes in the stream fish communities associated with partially harvested riparian buffers in either study. This would suggest that timber harvesting in riparian management zones along reaches ≤200 m in length on both sides of the stream that retains RBA ≥ 12.4 ± 1.3 m2 ha−1 or on a single side of the stream that retains RBA ≥ 8.7 ± 1.6 m2 ha−1 may be adequate to protect macroinvertebrate and fish communities in our Minnesota study systems given these specific timber harvesting techniques.

TMJ function after partial condylectomy in active mandibular condylar hyperplasia

PubMed Central

Olate, Sergio; Martinez, Felipe; Uribe, Francisca; Pozzer, Leandro; Cavalieri-Pereira, Lucas; de Moraes, Marcio

2014-01-01

Condylar hyperplasia is a frequent pathology that causes severe facial asymmetries. The partial condylectomy generally halts the disease. The aim of this research was to examine post-condylectomy TMJ function; 14 patients were included in this study, 6 male and 8 female. The average age was 21 years old. In all, the partial condylectomy was performed with preauricular or endaural access and the osteotomy were performed with drills, saw or an ultrasonic system. The patients were assessed with 3 or more time after surgery and were considering maximum mouth opening, right and left lateralities, presence of pain, noises, alterations in the facial nerve (VII) and esthetic alteration from the scar. The analysis was performed with the visual analog scale (VAS) and with a 7 cm metallic rule. Data analysis was descriptive plus chi-square test considering p value < 0.05 for statistical differences. With an average of 11 month after surgery, the results showed that the open mouth (over 35 mm) and lateralities (average 9 mm for the both right and left side) were normal and without statistical differences between the right or left side. Noise was observed in 3 patients and pain was observed in two patients with level 2 and 1 (VAS score). Scar was not related to problem with patient and the temporal branch of facial nerve was observed with limitations but without problem for patients. It can be concluded that the condylectomy is a safe and effective procedure with low morbidity for patients. PMID:24753777

Ecosystem Services and Opportunity Costs Shift Spatial Priorities for Conserving Forest Biodiversity

PubMed Central

Schröter, Matthias; Rusch, Graciela M.; Barton, David N.; Blumentrath, Stefan; Nordén, Björn

2014-01-01

Inclusion of spatially explicit information on ecosystem services in conservation planning is a fairly new practice. This study analyses how the incorporation of ecosystem services as conservation features can affect conservation of forest biodiversity and how different opportunity cost constraints can change spatial priorities for conservation. We created spatially explicit cost-effective conservation scenarios for 59 forest biodiversity features and five ecosystem services in the county of Telemark (Norway) with the help of the heuristic optimisation planning software, Marxan with Zones. We combined a mix of conservation instruments where forestry is either completely (non-use zone) or partially restricted (partial use zone). Opportunity costs were measured in terms of foregone timber harvest, an important provisioning service in Telemark. Including a number of ecosystem services shifted priority conservation sites compared to a case where only biodiversity was considered, and increased the area of both the partial (+36.2%) and the non-use zone (+3.2%). Furthermore, opportunity costs increased (+6.6%), which suggests that ecosystem services may not be a side-benefit of biodiversity conservation in this area. Opportunity cost levels were systematically changed to analyse their effect on spatial conservation priorities. Conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services trades off against timber harvest. Currently designated nature reserves and landscape protection areas achieve a very low proportion (9.1%) of the conservation targets we set in our scenario, which illustrates the high importance given to timber production at present. A trade-off curve indicated that large marginal increases in conservation target achievement are possible when the budget for conservation is increased. Forty percent of the maximum hypothetical opportunity costs would yield an average conservation target achievement of 79%. PMID:25393951

Ecosystem services and opportunity costs shift spatial priorities for conserving forest biodiversity.

PubMed

Schröter, Matthias; Rusch, Graciela M; Barton, David N; Blumentrath, Stefan; Nordén, Björn

2014-01-01

Inclusion of spatially explicit information on ecosystem services in conservation planning is a fairly new practice. This study analyses how the incorporation of ecosystem services as conservation features can affect conservation of forest biodiversity and how different opportunity cost constraints can change spatial priorities for conservation. We created spatially explicit cost-effective conservation scenarios for 59 forest biodiversity features and five ecosystem services in the county of Telemark (Norway) with the help of the heuristic optimisation planning software, Marxan with Zones. We combined a mix of conservation instruments where forestry is either completely (non-use zone) or partially restricted (partial use zone). Opportunity costs were measured in terms of foregone timber harvest, an important provisioning service in Telemark. Including a number of ecosystem services shifted priority conservation sites compared to a case where only biodiversity was considered, and increased the area of both the partial (+36.2%) and the non-use zone (+3.2%). Furthermore, opportunity costs increased (+6.6%), which suggests that ecosystem services may not be a side-benefit of biodiversity conservation in this area. Opportunity cost levels were systematically changed to analyse their effect on spatial conservation priorities. Conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services trades off against timber harvest. Currently designated nature reserves and landscape protection areas achieve a very low proportion (9.1%) of the conservation targets we set in our scenario, which illustrates the high importance given to timber production at present. A trade-off curve indicated that large marginal increases in conservation target achievement are possible when the budget for conservation is increased. Forty percent of the maximum hypothetical opportunity costs would yield an average conservation target achievement of 79%.

Effectiveness and side-effect profile of stimulant therapy as monotherapy and in combination in the central hypersomnias in clinical practice.

PubMed

Thakrar, Chiraag; Patel, Kishankumar; D'ancona, Grainne; Kent, Brian D; Nesbitt, Alexander; Selsick, Hugh; Steier, Joerg; Rosenzweig, Ivana; Williams, Adrian J; Leschziner, Guy D; Drakatos, Panagis

2017-10-19

Effectiveness and side-effect profile data on pharmacotherapy for daytime sleepiness in central hypersomnias are based largely upon randomized controlled trials. Evidence regarding the use of combination therapy is scant. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness and occurrence of drug-related side effects of these drugs in routine clinical practice. Adult patients diagnosed with a central hypersomnia during a 54-month period at a tertiary sleep disorders centre were identified retrospectively. Side effects were recorded at every follow-up visit. A total of 126 patients, with 3275 patient-months of drug exposure, were categorized into narcolepsy type 1 (n = 70), narcolepsy type 2 (n = 47) and idiopathic hypersomnia (n = 9). Modafinil was the most common drug used as a first-line treatment (93%) and in combination therapy (70%). Thirty-nine per cent of the patients demonstrated a complete, 25% partial and 36% a poor response to treatment. Combination treatment improved daytime sleepiness in 55% of the patients with residual symptoms despite monotherapy. Sixty per cent of patients reported side effects, and 30% reported treatment-limiting side effects. Drugs had similar side-effect incidence (P = 0.363) and their side-effect profile met those reported in the literature. Twenty-seven per cent of the patients received combination treatment and had fewer side effects compared to monotherapy (29.4% versus 60%, respectively, P = 0.001). Monotherapy appears to achieve satisfactory symptom control in most patients with central hypersomnia, but significant side effects are common. Combination therapy appears to be a useful and safe option in patients with refractory symptoms. © 2017 European Sleep Research Society.

Severe tricuspid regurgitation in the aged: atrial remodeling associated with long-standing atrial fibrillation.

PubMed

Yamasaki, Naohito; Kondo, Fumiaki; Kubo, Toru; Okawa, Makoto; Matsumura, Yoshihisa; Kitaoka, Hiroaki; Yabe, Toshikazu; Furuno, Takashi; Doi, Yoshinori

2006-12-01

Severe idiopathic tricuspid regurgitation (TR) occurs in the aged, but the mechanism of TR is unclear and there is little information on atrial abnormalities associated with this condition. This study retrospectively analyzed patients with severe functional TR presenting with common clinical features suggesting a distinct syndrome. Eleven patients with severe functional TR were identified by reviewing the records of 16,235 consecutive patients. All patients had undergone clinical evaluation including echocardiography, electrocardiography and laboratory data. The median age of patients with severe functional TR was 78 years. All had a long-standing history of atrial fibrillation (median duration, 23 years). Clinical features are characterized by severe functional TR due to annular dilation, markedly dilated right atrium, episodes of right-sided heart failure, absent or diminished fibrillation waves on electrocardiogram, bradycardia probably due to partial atrial standstill, and decreased atrial natriuretic peptide secretion. During long-term follow up, right atrial size progressively increased in association with worsening TR. Severe functional TR occurs with long-standing atrial fibrillation and causes right-sided heart failure. The TR is caused by tricuspid valve systolic coaptation loss due to tricuspid annular dilation associated with atrial dilation. This condition is associated with atrial abnormalities, such as atrial standstill and impaired atrial natriuretic peptide secretion. We propose that atrial remodeling associated with atrial fibrillation is central to the occurrence of the syndrome.

An explicit closed-form analytical solution for European options under the CGMY model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Wenting; Du, Meiyu; Xu, Xiang

2017-01-01

In this paper, we consider the analytical pricing of European path-independent options under the CGMY model, which is a particular type of pure jump Le´vy process, and agrees well with many observed properties of the real market data by allowing the diffusions and jumps to have both finite and infinite activity and variation. It is shown that, under this model, the option price is governed by a fractional partial differential equation (FPDE) with both the left-side and right-side spatial-fractional derivatives. In comparison to derivatives of integer order, fractional derivatives at a point not only involve properties of the function at that particular point, but also the information of the function in a certain subset of the entire domain of definition. This ;globalness; of the fractional derivatives has added an additional degree of difficulty when either analytical methods or numerical solutions are attempted. Albeit difficult, we still have managed to derive an explicit closed-form analytical solution for European options under the CGMY model. Based on our solution, the asymptotic behaviors of the option price and the put-call parity under the CGMY model are further discussed. Practically, a reliable numerical evaluation technique for the current formula is proposed. With the numerical results, some analyses of impacts of four key parameters of the CGMY model on European option prices are also provided.

Evaluation of two techniques of partial urethral obstruction in the male rat model of bladder outlet obstruction.

PubMed

Melman, Arnold; Tar, Moses; Boczko, Judd; Christ, George; Leung, Albert C; Zhao, Weixin; Russell, Robert G

2005-11-01

To perform a comparison to determine which of two methods of partial urethral ligation produces the most consistent outcome and fewest side effects. Such a study has not been previously reported. Partial urethral ligation is a means of causing reproducible bladder outlet obstruction. In the male rat model, partial urethral obstruction can be performed either by perineal incision and bulbous urethral ligation or retropubic incision and midprostatic obstruction. Fifteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were studied. Five were selected for bulbous urethral obstruction through a perineal incision, five for midprostatic obstruction using a retropubic approach, and five for a sham operation through a perineal incision. The operative time was shorter and morbidity lower with the perineal approach compared with the retropubic approach. Inflammation or infection, or both, were seen in the prostate, bladder, proximal urethra, ureters, and kidneys in the rats in which a midprostatic obstruction was performed. The proximal urethra and prostate were mildly inflamed in those rats that underwent bulbous obstruction. Sham-operated rats exhibited mild prostatitis only. The perineal approach to the bulbous urethra is the method of choice for creating a partial urethral obstruction model of bladder outlet obstruction in the male rat.

Side information in coded aperture compressive spectral imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Galvis, Laura; Arguello, Henry; Lau, Daniel; Arce, Gonzalo R.

2017-02-01

Coded aperture compressive spectral imagers sense a three-dimensional cube by using two-dimensional projections of the coded and spectrally dispersed source. These imagers systems often rely on FPA detectors, SLMs, micromirror devices (DMDs), and dispersive elements. The use of the DMDs to implement the coded apertures facilitates the capture of multiple projections, each admitting a different coded aperture pattern. The DMD allows not only to collect the sufficient number of measurements for spectrally rich scenes or very detailed spatial scenes but to design the spatial structure of the coded apertures to maximize the information content on the compressive measurements. Although sparsity is the only signal characteristic usually assumed for reconstruction in compressing sensing, other forms of prior information such as side information have been included as a way to improve the quality of the reconstructions. This paper presents the coded aperture design in a compressive spectral imager with side information in the form of RGB images of the scene. The use of RGB images as side information of the compressive sensing architecture has two main advantages: the RGB is not only used to improve the reconstruction quality but to optimally design the coded apertures for the sensing process. The coded aperture design is based on the RGB scene and thus the coded aperture structure exploits key features such as scene edges. Real reconstructions of noisy compressed measurements demonstrate the benefit of the designed coded apertures in addition to the improvement in the reconstruction quality obtained by the use of side information.

Phenylpropanoid 2,3-dioxygenase involved in the cleavage of the ferulic acid side chain to form vanillin and glyoxylic acid in Vanilla planifolia.

PubMed

Negishi, Osamu; Negishi, Yukiko

2017-09-01

Enzyme catalyzing the cleavage of the phenylpropanoid side chain was partially purified by ion exchange and gel filtration column chromatography after (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 precipitation. Enzyme activities were dependent on the concentration of dithiothreitol (DTT) or glutathione (GSH) and activated by addition of 0.5 mM Fe 2+ . Enzyme activity for ferulic acid was as high as for 4-coumaric acid in the presence of GSH, suggesting that GSH acts as an endogenous reductant in vanillin biosynthesis. Analyses of the enzymatic reaction products with quantitative NMR (qNMR) indicated that an amount of glyoxylic acid (GA) proportional to vanillin was released from ferulic acid by the enzymatic reaction. These results suggest that phenylpropanoid 2,3-dioxygenase is involved in the cleavage of the ferulic acid side chain to form vanillin and GA in Vanilla planifolia.

Inverted Fuel Cell: Room-Temperature Hydrogen Separation from an Exhaust Gas by Using a Commercial Short-Circuited PEM Fuel Cell without Applying any Electrical Voltage.

PubMed

Friebe, Sebastian; Geppert, Benjamin; Caro, Jürgen

2015-06-26

A short-circuited PEM fuel cell with a Nafion membrane has been evaluated in the room-temperature separation of hydrogen from exhaust gas streams. The separated hydrogen can be recovered or consumed in an in situ olefin hydrogenation when the fuel cell is operated as catalytic membrane reactor. Without applying an outer electrical voltage, there is a continuous hydrogen flux from the higher to the lower hydrogen partial pressure side through the Nafion membrane. On the feed side of the Nafion membrane, hydrogen is catalytically split into protons and electrons by the Pt/C electrocatalyst. The protons diffuse through the Nafion membrane, the electrons follow the short-circuit between the two brass current collectors. On the cathode side, protons and electrons recombine, and hydrogen is released. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Broadband and wide-angle light harvesting by ultra-thin silicon solar cells with partially embedded dielectric spheres.

PubMed

Yang, Zhenhai; Shang, Aixue; Qin, Linling; Zhan, Yaohui; Zhang, Cheng; Gao, Pingqi; Ye, Jichun; Li, Xiaofeng

2016-04-01

We propose a design of crystalline silicon thin-film solar cells (c-Si TFSCs, 2 μm-thick) configured with partially embedded dielectric spheres on the light-injecting side. The intrinsic light trapping and photoconversion are simulated by the complete optoelectronic simulation. It shows that the embedding depth of the spheres provides an effective way to modulate and significantly enhance the optical absorption. Compared to the conventional planar and front sphere systems, the optimized partially embedded sphere design enables a broadband, wide-angle, and strong optical absorption and efficient carrier transportation. Optoelectronic simulation predicts that a 2 μm-thick c-Si TFSC with half-embedded spheres shows an increment of more than 10  mA/cm² in short-circuit current density and an enhancement ratio of more than 56% in light-conversion efficiency, compared to the conventional planar counterparts.

Chemical crosslinking and mass spectrometry to elucidate the topology of integral membrane proteins

PubMed Central

Debelyy, Mykhaylo O.; Waridel, Patrice; Quadroni, Manfredo; Conzelmann, Andreas

2017-01-01

Here we made an attempt to obtain partial structural information on the topology of multispan integral membrane proteins of yeast by isolating organellar membranes, removing peripheral membrane proteins at pH 11.5 and introducing chemical crosslinks between vicinal amino acids either using homo- or hetero-bifunctional crosslinkers. Proteins were digested with specific proteases and the products analysed by mass spectrometry. Dedicated software tools were used together with filtering steps optimized to remove false positive crosslinks. In proteins of known structure, crosslinks were found only between loops residing on the same side of the membrane. As may be expected, crosslinks were mainly found in very abundant proteins. Our approach seems to hold to promise to yield low resolution topological information for naturally very abundant or strongly overexpressed proteins with relatively little effort. Here, we report novel XL-MS-based topology data for 17 integral membrane proteins (Akr1p, Fks1p, Gas1p, Ggc1p, Gpt2p, Ifa38p, Ist2p, Lag1p, Pet9p, Pma1p, Por1p, Sct1p, Sec61p, Slc1p, Spf1p, Vph1p, Ybt1p). PMID:29073188

How can hospitals better protect the privacy of electronic medical records? Perspectives from staff members of health information management departments.

PubMed

Sher, Ming-Ling; Talley, Paul C; Cheng, Tain-Junn; Kuo, Kuang-Ming

2017-05-01

The adoption of electronic medical records (EMR) is expected to better improve overall healthcare quality and to offset the financial pressure of excessive administrative burden. However, safeguarding EMR against potentially hostile security breaches from both inside and outside healthcare facilities has created increased patients' privacy concerns from all sides. The aim of our study was to examine the influencing factors of privacy protection for EMR by healthcare professionals. We used survey methodology to collect questionnaire responses from staff members in health information management departments among nine Taiwanese hospitals active in EMR utilisation. A total of 209 valid responses were collected in 2014. We used partial least squares for analysing the collected data. Perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy and cues to action were found to have a significant association with intention to protect EMR privacy, while perceived susceptibility and perceived severity were not. Based on the findings obtained, we suggest that hospitals should provide continuous ethics awareness training to relevant staff and design more effective strategies for improving the protection of EMR privacy in their charge. Further practical and research implications are also discussed.

[Parkinson therapy 1985].

PubMed

Kaeser, H E

1986-06-14

The problems of long term treatment with antiparkinson drugs are numerous, involving increased involuntary movements, painful dystonic cramps, decrease or loss of therapeutic benefit, wearing-off, episodes of akinesia (on-off) and long periods of "freezing". Important side effects are also mental changes with heavy dreams, hallucinations, nocturnal confusional states and paranoid psychosis. As most of these side effects are dose-related, they are postponed and lessened by small daily doses of L-dopa and decarboxylase inhibitor. Frequent small doses may decrease the wearing-off effect but may cause unpredictable episodes of on-off. The addition of or partial replacement by bromocriptine may decrease fluctuations and dyskinesias in many patients. To reduce the side effects such as nausea, orthostatic hypotension and mental disturbances, daily doses of 15-30 mg should be built up very slowly. Painful dystonias are related to the off period and respond well to baclofen. For the treatment of severe psychic disturbances tranquilizers with little or no extrapyramidal side effects, such as clomethiazole, benzodiazepine derivatives and (if necessary) thioridazine, are recommended. Bromocriptine may also be useful in occasional cases which do not, or no longer, respond to L-dopa.

Use of side-chain for rational design of n-type diketopyrrolopyrrole-based conjugated polymers: what did we find out?

PubMed

Kanimozhi, Catherine; Yaacobi-Gross, Nir; Burnett, Edmund K; Briseno, Alejandro L; Anthopoulos, Thomas D; Salzner, Ulrike; Patil, Satish

2014-08-28

The primary role of substituted side chains in organic semiconductors is to increase their solubility in common organic solvents. In the recent past, many literature reports have suggested that the side chains play a critical role in molecular packing and strongly impact the charge transport properties of conjugated polymers. In this work, we have investigated the influence of side-chains on the charge transport behavior of a novel class of diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) based alternating copolymers. To investigate the role of side-chains, we prepared four diketopyrrolopyrrole-diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP-DPP) conjugated polymers with varied side-chains and carried out a systematic study of thin film microstructure and charge transport properties in polymer thin-film transistors (PTFTs). Combining results obtained from grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD) and charge transport properties in PTFTs, we conclude side-chains have a strong influence on molecular packing, thin film microstructure, and the charge carrier mobility of DPP-DPP copolymers. However, the influence of side-chains on optical properties was moderate. The preferential "edge-on" packing and dominant n-channel behavior with exceptionally high field-effect electron mobility values of >1 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) were observed by incorporating hydrophilic (triethylene glycol) and hydrophobic side-chains of alternate DPP units. In contrast, moderate electron and hole mobilities were observed by incorporation of branched hydrophobic side-chains. This work clearly demonstrates that the subtle balance between hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity induced by side-chains is a powerful strategy to alter the molecular packing and improve the ambipolar charge transport properties in DPP-DPP based conjugated polymers. Theoretical analysis supports the conclusion that the side-chains influence polymer properties through morphology changes, as there is no effect on the electronic properties in the gas phase. The exceptional electron mobility is at least partially a result of the strong intramolecular conjugation of the donor and acceptor as evidenced by the unusually wide conduction band of the polymer.

Near-chip compliant layer for reducing perimeter stress during assembly process

DOEpatents

Schultz, Mark D.; Takken, Todd E.; Tian, Shurong; Yao, Yuan

2018-03-20

A heat source (single semiconductor chip or group of closely spaced semiconductor chips of similar height) is provided on a first side of a substrate, which substrate has on said first side a support member comprising a compressible material. A heat removal component, oriented at an angle to said heat source, is brought into proximity of said heat source such that said heat removal component contacts said support member prior to contacting said heat source. Said heat removal component is assembled to said heat source such that said support member at least partially absorbs global inequality of force that would otherwise be applied to said heat source, absent said support member comprising said compressible material.

Near-chip compliant layer for reducing perimeter stress during assembly process

DOEpatents

Schultz, Mark D.; Takken, Todd E.; Tian, Shurong; Yao, Yuan

2017-02-14

A heat source (single semiconductor chip or group of closely spaced semiconductor chips of similar height) is provided on a first side of a substrate, which substrate has on said first side a support member comprising a compressible material. A heat removal component, oriented at an angle to said heat source, is brought into proximity of said heat source such that said heat removal component contacts said support member prior to contacting said heat source. Said heat removal component is assembled to said heat source such that said support member at least partially absorbs global inequality of force that would otherwise be applied to said heat source, absent said support member comprising said compressible material.

Method for fabricating fan-fold shielded electrical leads

DOEpatents

Rohatgi, R.R.; Cowan, T.E.

1994-12-27

Fan-folded electrical leads made from copper cladded Kapton, for example, with the copper cladding on one side serving as a ground plane and the copper cladding on the other side being etched to form the leads. The Kapton is fan folded with the leads located at the bottom of the fan-folds. Electrical connections are made by partially opening the folds of the fan and soldering, for example, the connections directly to the ground plane and/or the lead. The fan folded arrangement produces a number of advantages, such as electrically shielding the leads from the environment, is totally non-magnetic, and has a very low thermal conductivity, while being easy to fabricate. 3 figures.

Two new species of Hexactinellida (Porifera) from the South China Sea.

PubMed

Gong, Lin; Li, Xinzheng; Qiu, Jian-Wen

2015-10-28

In this paper, two new sponge species, Semperella jiaolongae sp. nov. (Amphidiscosida, Pheronematidae) and Saccocalyx microhexactin sp. nov. (Lyssacinosida, Euplectellidae) are described based on materials from the South China Sea. Semperella jiaolongae sp. nov. is diagnosed mainly by the dermal areas present on both sides of the body, occurring together with atrial areas randomly distributed on one side, and the distinctive shape of micropentactins. Saccocalyx microhexactin sp. nov. is characterized by possession of two types of drepanocomes and one of microhexactins. An analysis based on partial sequence of the 16S rRNA gene was undertaken to show the congruence between morphological identification and phylogenetic classification of the two new species.

Method for fabricating fan-fold shielded electrical leads

DOEpatents

Rohatgi, Rajeev R.; Cowan, Thomas E.

1994-01-01

Fan-folded electrical leads made from copper cladded Kapton, for example, with the copper cladding on one side serving as a ground plane and the copper cladding on the other side being etched to form the leads. The Kapton is fan folded with the leads located at the bottom of the fan-folds. Electrical connections are made by partially opening the folds of the fan and soldering, for example, the connections directly to the ground plane and/or the lead. The fan folded arrangement produces a number of advantages, such as electrically shielding the leads from the environment, is totally non-magnetic, and has a very low thermal conductivity, while being easy to fabricate.

Fan-fold shielded electrical leads

DOEpatents

Rohatgi, R.R.; Cowan, T.E.

1996-06-11

Disclosed are fan-folded electrical leads made from copper cladded Kapton, for example, with the copper cladding on one side serving as a ground plane and the copper cladding on the other side being etched to form the leads. The Kapton is fan folded with the leads located at the bottom of the fan-folds. Electrical connections are made by partially opening the folds of the fan and soldering, for example, the connections directly to the ground plane and/or the lead. The fan folded arrangement produces a number of advantages, such as electrically shielding the leads from the environment, is totally non-magnetic, and has a very low thermal conductivity, while being easy to fabricate. 3 figs.

Induction soldering of photovoltaic system components

DOEpatents

Kumaria, Shashwat; de Leon, Briccio

2015-11-17

A method comprises positioning a pair of photovoltaic wafers in a side-by-side arrangement. An interconnect is placed on the pair of wafers such that the interconnect overlaps both wafers of the pair, solder material being provided between the interconnect and the respective wafers. A solder head is then located adjacent the interconnect, and the coil is energized to effect inductive heating of the solder material. The solder head comprises an induction coil shaped to define an eye, and a magnetic field concentrator located at least partially in the eye of the coil. The magnetic field concentrator defines a passage extending axially through the eye of the coil, and may be of a material with a high magnetic permeability.

A Note on the Equivalence between Observed and Expected Information Functions with Polytomous IRT Models

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Magis, David

2015-01-01

The purpose of this note is to study the equivalence of observed and expected (Fisher) information functions with polytomous item response theory (IRT) models. It is established that observed and expected information functions are equivalent for the class of divide-by-total models (including partial credit, generalized partial credit, rating…

Buspirone in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder.

PubMed

Wells, B G; Chu, C C; Johnson, R; Nasdahl, C; Ayubi, M A; Sewell, E; Statham, P

1991-01-01

Three patients with a DSM-III-R diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder were successfully treated with buspirone in final maximum dosages ranging from 35-60 mg daily. The onset of clinical efficacy ranged from 5-29 days. Symptoms that improved included anxiety, insomnia, flashbacks, and depressed mood. Patients experienced no side effects. Serotonin partial agonist effects are a possible mechanism underlying buspirone's efficacy.

Editorial Commentary: Subacromial Decompression Is Unnecessary in Most Routine Rotator Cuff Repairs.

PubMed

Solomon, Daniel J

2017-07-01

There is no need to perform subacromial decompression in partial bursal-sided rotator cuff repairs to obtain a good result. This, paired with the findings of previous studies of full-thickness rotator cuff repairs, suggests that extrinsic factors rarely affect the rotator cuff. Copyright © 2017 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

3. VIEW OF EMPIRE STATE MINE WITH TAILING PILE IN ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

3. VIEW OF EMPIRE STATE MINE WITH TAILING PILE IN BOTTOM LEFT AND COLLAPSED ADIT LOCATED BELOW DARK SHADOWS IN FAR RIGHT/LOWER THIRD. COLLAPSED BUILDING AND PARTIAL VIEW OF ORE CHUTE/BIN IS VISIBLE ON HILLSIDE ABOVE TAILINGS. CAMERA POINTED NORTH/NORTHWEST. - Florida Mountain Mining Sites, Empire State Mine, West side of Florida Mountain, Silver City, Owyhee County, ID

Structure-activity relationships of a-, ß1-, and d-Tomatines and Tomatidine Against Human Breast (MDA-MB-231), Gastric (KATO-III), and Prostate (PC3) Cancer Cells

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Partial acid hydrolysis of the tetrasaccharide (lycotetraose) side chain of the tomato glycoalkaloid a-tomatine resulted in the formation of four products with three (ß1-tomatine), two ('-tomatine), one (d-tomatine), and zero (tomatidine) sugar residues. These compounds were isolated by chromatogra...

Movement Disorders Induced by the "Atypical" Antipsychotic Aripiprazole.

PubMed

Selfani, Karim; Soland, Valérie L; Chouinard, Sylvain; Huot, Philippe

2017-01-01

Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic that acts as a partial agonist at dopamine D2 receptors. Because of its partial agonist activity, it was believed that aripiprazole would be less susceptible than typical antipsychotics to induce extrapyramidal side effects. However, a few case-reports and case-series detailing aripiprazole-induced movement disorders have been published, suggesting that aripiprazole-induced movement disorders may arise. Here, we seek to report further cases of aripiprazole-induced movement disorders to raise the awareness of clinicians on this adverse effect. Patients referred to the André-Barbeau Movement Disorder clinic treated with aripiprazole were enrolled in this study. Their charts were retrospectively reviewed and data regarding past psychiatric history, past antipsychotic medication, duration of aripiprazole treatment, daily dose of aripiprazole administered, and resulting movement disorders were collected. We report 14 cases of parkinsonism, tardive dyskinesia and akathisia induced by aripiprazole. Some of these, mostly the parkinsonian phenotype, abated spontaneously following drug discontinuation, whereas others, mostly related to tardive phenomena, persisted after aripiprazole was discontinued, and required treatment. This case-series adds to the existing literature that suggests that movement disorders may arise following treatment with aripiprazole. Clinicians should be aware of this potential side effect when prescribing aripiprazole to patients.

Nonlinear observation of internal states of fuel cell cathode utilizing a high-order sliding-mode algorithm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Liangfei; Hu, Junming; Cheng, Siliang; Fang, Chuan; Li, Jianqiu; Ouyang, Minggao; Lehnert, Werner

2017-07-01

A scheme for designing a second-order sliding-mode (SOSM) observer that estimates critical internal states on the cathode side of a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell system is presented. A nonlinear, isothermal dynamic model for the cathode side and a membrane electrolyte assembly are first described. A nonlinear observer topology based on an SOSM algorithm is then introduced, and equations for the SOSM observer deduced. Online calculation of the inverse matrix produces numerical errors, so a modified matrix is introduced to eliminate the negative effects of these on the observer. The simulation results indicate that the SOSM observer performs well for the gas partial pressures and air stoichiometry. The estimation results follow the simulated values in the model with relative errors within ± 2% at stable status. Large errors occur during the fast dynamic processes (<1 s). Moreover, the nonlinear observer shows good robustness against variations in the initial values of the internal states, but less robustness against variations in system parameters. The partial pressures are more sensitive than the air stoichiometry to system parameters. Finally, the order of effects of parameter uncertainties on the estimation results is outlined and analyzed.

Orbital reconstruction in the dog, cat, and horse.

PubMed

Wallin-Håkansson, Nils; Berggren, Karin

2017-07-01

To describe an adaptable method for reconstruction of the orbit following partial orbitectomy. One horse, one cat, and four dogs. Following partial orbitectomy for removal of bone and soft tissue affected by pathologic processes, reconstruction was achieved. Cerclage wires were used to reconstitute the orbital rim and other salient facial contours involved in excisions. These wires were then covered with a prolene mesh, first inside the orbit and then outwards over the affected extraorbital areas. Thereafter, a collagen sheet was placed over the mesh. Finally, subcutis and skin were closed over the construct. All operated eyes remained visual with normal position, direction, and mobility. Eyelid function, tear production, and nasolacrimal function were preserved. Side effects were mild and temporary, but animals requiring a lateral-posterior surgical approach experienced concavity to the side of the head posterior to the orbital ligament region. One bone tumor out of three recurred. The reconstruction method presented offers excellent results tectonically, cosmetically, and functionally, even following extensive orbitectomy. By adapted application of three reconstruction steps using readily available materials, large defects may be surgically repaired. Once orbitectomy is mastered, reconstruction requires no additional specialized techniques or equipment. © 2016 American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.

EVA view of the Zenith (-ZA/FGB Plane III) side of the Functional Cargo Block (FGB).

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-12-12

STS088-353-008 (4-15 Dec. 1998) --- Astronaut James H. Newman, mission specialist, translates along a hand rail on the Russian-built Zarya Module in this Extravehicular Activity (EVA) photograph taken by astronaut Jerry L. Ross, mission specialist. Ross and Newman shared three space walks altogether to perform cable connection tasks and to put finishing touches on the exteriors of the recently-joined Zarya and the United States-built Unity (Node 1) modules. Unity is partially visible beneath Zarya, as is most of the cargo bay of the Space Shuttle Endeavour. The Canadian-built Remote Manipulator System (RMS) arm is partially visible, also.

Antenatal diagnosis of anophthalmia by three-dimensional ultrasound: a novel application of the reverse face view.

PubMed

Wong, H S; Parker, S; Tait, J; Pringle, K C

2008-07-01

The prenatal diagnosis of anophthalmia can be made on the demonstration of absent eye globe and lens on the affected side(s) on two-dimensional ultrasound examination, but when the fetal head position is unfavorable three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound may reveal additional diagnostic sonographic features, including sunken eyelids and small or hypoplastic orbit on the affected side(s). We present two cases of isolated anophthalmia diagnosed on prenatal ultrasound examination in which 3D ultrasound provided additional diagnostic information. The reverse face view provides valuable information about the orbits and the eyeballs for prenatal diagnosis and assessment of anophthalmia.

Congenital portosystemic shunts in children: a new anatomical classification correlated with surgical strategy.

PubMed

Blanc, Thomas; Guerin, Florent; Franchi-Abella, Stéphanie; Jacquemin, Emmanuel; Pariente, Danièle; Soubrane, Olivier; Branchereau, Sophie; Gauthier, Frédéric

2014-07-01

To propose an anatomical classification of congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSs) correlating with conservative surgery. CPSs entail a risk of life-threatening complications because of poor portal inflow, which may be prevented or cured by their closure. Current classifications based on portal origin of the shunt are not helpful for planning conservative surgery. Twenty-three patients who underwent at least 1 surgical procedure to close the CPSs were included in this retrospective study (1997-2012). We designed a classification according to the ending of the shunt in the caval system. We analyzed the results and outcomes of surgery according to this classification. Two patients had an extrahepatic portosystemic shunt, 17 had a portacaval shunt [subdivided in 5 end-to-side-like portal-caval, 7 side-to-side-like portal-caval, and 5 H-shaped (H-type portal-caval)], 2 had portal-to-hepatic vein shunts (portohepatic), and 2 had a persistent ductus venosus. All extrahepatic portosystemic shunts, H-type portal-caval, portohepatic, and patent ductus venosus patients had a successful 1-stage ligation. All 5 end-to-side-like portal-caval patients had a threadlike intrahepatic portal venous system; a 2-stage complete closure was successfully achieved for 4 and a partial closure for 1. The first 2 side-to-side-like portal-caval patients had a successful 2-stage closure whereas the 5 others had a 1-stage longitudinal caval partition. All patients are alive and none needed a liver transplantation. Our classification correlates the anatomy of CPSs and the surgical strategy: outcomes are good provided end-to-side-like portal-caval shunts patients have a 2-stage closure, side-to-side portal-caval shunts patients have a 1-stage caval partition, and the others have a 1-stage ligation.

Adjuvant endocrine therapy after breast cancer: a qualitative study of factors associated with adherence

PubMed Central

Boulton, Mary; Fenlon, Debbie; Hulbert-Williams, Nick J; Walter, Fiona M; Donnelly, Peter; Lavery, Bernadette A; Morgan, Adrienne; Morris, Carolyn; Watson, Eila K

2018-01-01

Introduction Despite evidence of the efficacy of adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) in reducing the risk of recurrence and mortality after treatment for primary breast cancer, adherence to AET is suboptimal. This study aimed to explore factors that influence adherence and nonadherence to AET following breast cancer to inform the development of supportive interventions. Methods Interviews were conducted with 32 women who had been prescribed AET, 2–4 years following their diagnosis of breast cancer. Both adherers (n=19) and nonadherers (n=13) were recruited. The analysis was conducted using the Framework approach. Results Factors associated with adherence were as follows: managing side effects including information and advice on side effects and taking control of side effects, supportive relationships, and personal influences. Factors associated with nonadherence were as follows: burden of side effects, feeling unsupported, concerns about long-term AET use, regaining normality, including valuing the quality of life over length of life, and risk perception. Conclusion Provision of timely information to prepare women for the potential side effects of AET and education on medication management strategies are needed, including provision of timely and accurate information on the efficacy of AET in reducing breast cancer recurrence and on potential side effects and ways to manage these should they arise. Trust in the doctor–patient relationship and clear patient pathways for bothersome side effects and concerns with AET are important. Training and education on AET for GPs should be considered alongside novel care pathways such as primary care nurse cancer care review and community pharmacist follow-up. PMID:29497284

A Reliable Methodology for Determining Seed Viability by Using Hyperspectral Data from Two Sides of Wheat Seeds.

PubMed

Zhang, Tingting; Wei, Wensong; Zhao, Bin; Wang, Ranran; Li, Mingliu; Yang, Liming; Wang, Jianhua; Sun, Qun

2018-03-08

This study investigated the possibility of using visible and near-infrared (VIS/NIR) hyperspectral imaging techniques to discriminate viable and non-viable wheat seeds. Both sides of individual seeds were subjected to hyperspectral imaging (400-1000 nm) to acquire reflectance spectral data. Four spectral datasets, including the ventral groove side, reverse side, mean (the mean of two sides' spectra of every seed), and mixture datasets (two sides' spectra of every seed), were used to construct the models. Classification models, partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), and support vector machines (SVM), coupled with some pre-processing methods and successive projections algorithm (SPA), were built for the identification of viable and non-viable seeds. Our results showed that the standard normal variate (SNV)-SPA-PLS-DA model had high classification accuracy for whole seeds (>85.2%) and for viable seeds (>89.5%), and that the prediction set was based on a mixed spectral dataset by only using 16 wavebands. After screening with this model, the final germination of the seed lot could be higher than 89.5%. Here, we develop a reliable methodology for predicting the viability of wheat seeds, showing that the VIS/NIR hyperspectral imaging is an accurate technique for the classification of viable and non-viable wheat seeds in a non-destructive manner.

Side-Specificity of Olfactory Learning in the Honeybee: Generalization between Odors and Sides

PubMed Central

Sandoz, Jean-Christophe; Menzel, Randolf

2001-01-01

Honeybees (Apis mellifera) can be trained to associate an odor stimulus with a sucrose reward. The neural structures involved in the detection and integration of olfactory stimuli are represented bilaterally in the brain. Little is known about the respective roles of the two sides of the brain in olfactory learning. Does each side learn independently of the other, or do they communicate, and if so, to what extent and at what level of neural integration? We addressed these questions using the proboscis extension response (PER) conditioning paradigm applied in a preparation that allows the separation of the two input sides during olfactory stimulations. Bees conditioned to two odorants A and B, one being learned on each side (A+/B+ training), showed in extinction tests rather unspecific responses: They responded to both odorants on both sides. This could be attributable to either a transfer of the learned information between sides, or to a generalization between odorants on each side. By subjecting bees to conditioning on one side only (A+/0 training), we found that the learned information is indeed transferred between sides. However, when bees were trained explicitly to give opposite values to the two odorants on the two sides (A+B−/B+A− training), they showed clear side-specific response patterns to these odorants. These results are used in the elaboration of a functional model of laterality of olfactory learning and memory processing in the honeybee brain. PMID:11584076

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: An Innovation in Immunotherapy for the Treatment and Management of Patients with Cancer.

PubMed

Dine, Jennifer; Gordon, RuthAnn; Shames, Yelena; Kasler, Mary Kate; Barton-Burke, Margaret

2017-01-01

Cancer survival rates are generally increasing in the United States. These trends have been partially attributed to improvement in therapeutic strategies. Cancer immunotherapy is an example of one of the newer strategies used to fight cancer, which primes or activates the immune system to produce antitumor effects. The first half of this review paper concisely describes the cell mechanisms that control antitumor immunity and the major immunotherapeutic strategies developed to target these mechanisms. The second half of the review discusses in greater depth immune checkpoint inhibitors that have recently demonstrated tremendous promise for the treatment of diverse solid tumor types, including melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and others. More specifically, the mechanisms of action, side effects, and patient and family management and education concerns are discussed to provide oncology nurses up-to-date information relevant to caring for cancer-affected patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Future directions for cancer immunotherapy are considered.

Mapping Global Flows of Chemicals: From Fossil Fuel Feedstocks to Chemical Products.

PubMed

Levi, Peter G; Cullen, Jonathan M

2018-02-20

Chemical products are ubiquitous in modern society. The chemical sector is the largest industrial energy consumer and the third largest industrial emitter of carbon dioxide. The current portfolio of mitigation options for the chemical sector emphasizes upstream "supply side" solutions, whereas downstream mitigation options, such as material efficiency, are given comparatively short shrift. Key reasons for this are the scarcity of data on the sector's material flows, and the highly intertwined nature of its complex supply chains. We provide the most up to date, comprehensive and transparent data set available publicly, on virgin production routes in the chemical sector: from fossil fuel feedstocks to chemical products. We map global mass flows for the year 2013 through a complex network of transformation processes, and by taking account of secondary reactants and by-products, we maintain a full mass balance throughout. The resulting data set partially addresses the dearth of publicly available information on the chemical sector's supply chain, and can be used to prioritise downstream mitigation options.

The Localizing and Lateralizing Value of Auras in Lesional Partial Epilepsy Patients

PubMed Central

Ye, Byoung Seok; Cho, Yang-Je; Jang, Sang Hyun; Lee, Moon Kyu; Lee, Byung In

2012-01-01

Purpose We investigated the localizing and lateralizing values of auras in patients with lesional partial epilepsy on an outpatient basis. Materials and Methods A total of 276 subjects were retrospectively selected for this study if they had a unilateral single lobar lesion based on magnetic resonance image (MRI) results, and their scalp electroencephalography (EEG) findings were not discordant with the MRI-defined lobar localization and lateralization. According to the lesion locations, subjects were considered as having mesial temporal (MTLE), lateral temporal (LTLE), frontal (FLE), parietal (PLE), or occipital (OLE) lobe epilepsies. Auras were classified into 13 categories. Results A hundred and seventy-six subjects (63.8%) had experienced at least one aura. FLE subjects had the fewest number of auras. Epigastric and psychic auras were frequent among MTLE subjects, while visual auras were common in those with PLE and OLE. Somatosensory auras and whole body sensations were more frequent in the subjects with PLE than those without. Autonomic auras were more common in MTLE subjects than in LTLE subjects. Dysphasic auras were more frequently found in left-sided epilepsies. Five pairs of aura categories showed concurrent tendencies, which were the epigastric and autonomic auras, autonomic and emotional auras, visual and vestibular auras, auditory and vestibular auras, and whole-body sensation and auditory auras. Autonomic and emotional auras had a concurrent tendency in left-sided epilepsies, but not in right-sided epilepsies. Conclusion Our results support the previously known localizing value of auras, and suggest that dysphasic auras and the association of emotional and autonomic auras may have a lateralizing value. PMID:22476989

Detection of Multiple Budding Yeast Cells and a Partial Sequence of 43-kDa Glycoprotein Coding Gene of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis from a Case of Lacaziosis in a Female Pacific White-Sided Dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens).

PubMed

Minakawa, Tomoko; Ueda, Keiichi; Tanaka, Miyuu; Tanaka, Natsuki; Kuwamura, Mitsuru; Izawa, Takeshi; Konno, Toshihiro; Yamate, Jyoji; Itano, Eiko Nakagawa; Sano, Ayako; Wada, Shinpei

2016-08-01

Lacaziosis, formerly called as lobomycosis, is a zoonotic mycosis, caused by Lacazia loboi, found in humans and dolphins, and is endemic in the countries on the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean of Japanese coast. Susceptible Cetacean species include the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), the Indian Ocean bottlenose dolphin (T. aduncus), and the estuarine dolphin (Sotalia guianensis); however, no cases have been recorded in other Cetacean species. We diagnosed a case of Lacaziosis in a Pacific white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens) nursing in an aquarium in Japan. The dolphin was a female estimated to be more than 14 years old at the end of June 2015 and was captured in a coast of Japan Sea in 2001. Multiple, lobose, and solid granulomatous lesions with or without ulcers appeared on her jaw, back, flipper and fluke skin, in July 2014. The granulomatous skin lesions from the present case were similar to those of our previous cases. Multiple budding and chains of round yeast cells were detected in the biopsied samples. The partial sequence of 43-kDa glycoprotein coding gene confirmed by a nested PCR and sequencing, which revealed a different genotype from both Amazonian and Japanese lacaziosis in bottlenose dolphins, and was 99 % identical to those derived from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis; a sister fungal species to L. loboi. This is the first case of lacaziosis in Pacific white-sided dolphin.

Mapping the Idea: A Notetaking System.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Driskell, Jeanette

"Mapping" is a note-taking technique by which students use visual cues to isolate, emphasize, and group information meaningfully. Features of this technique include: organizing the note page laterally, so that general topics are on the left side and supportive information is on the right side; separating topics by horizontal lines;…

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

Factors associated with current and severe physical side-effects after prostate cancer treatment: What men report.

PubMed

Steentjes, L; Siesling, S; Drummond, F J; van Manen, J G; Sharp, L; Gavin, A

2018-01-01

We identified patient and disease characteristics associated with (1) "current" physical side-effects of any severity; and (2) "severe" physical side-effects "ever" experienced by 3,348 (54%) prostate cancer (PCa) survivors in Ireland diagnosed 2-18 years previously. Postal questionnaires collected symptoms at diagnosis, post-biopsy complications, comorbidities, primary treatments and physical side-effects post-treatment (urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, libido loss, bowel problems, breast changes, hot flushes, and fatigue, "ever" and "current" at time of questionnaire completion). Men were grouped by "early" (localised) and "late" (locally advanced/advanced) disease at diagnosis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified patient and disease-related factors associated with post-treatment side-effects. Complications post-biopsy were associated with higher risk of "current" libido loss and impotence. Radical prostatectomy was associated with higher risk of "current" and "severe" incontinence, libido loss and impotence in both early and late disease. In early disease, brachytherapy was associated with lower risk of "current" fatigue and "severe" impotence. Comorbidities were associated with higher risk of "current" experience of four side-effects (incontinence, libido loss, bowel problems, fatigue). Men on active surveillance/watchful-waiting reported lower risk of sexual dysfunction. These findings could inform development of tailored information on side-effects, which, in turn, could inform treatment decision-making and post-treatment monitoring. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Increased cognitive problem reporting after information about chemotherapy-induced cognitive decline: The moderating role of stigma consciousness.

PubMed

Jacobs, W; Das, E; Schagen, S B

2017-01-01

Information about treatment side effects can increase their occurrence; breast cancer (BC) patients showed increased cognitive problem reporting (CPR) and decreased memory performance after information about cognitive side effects. The current study extends previous research on adverse information effects (AIE) by investigating (a) risk factors, (b) underlying mechanisms and (c) an intervention to reduce AIE. In an online experiment, 175 female BC patients were randomly assigned to one of three conditions. In the two experimental groups, patients were informed about the possible occurrence of cognitive problems after chemotherapy with (intervention group) or without (experimental group) reassuring information that 'there are still patients who score well on memory tests'. In the control group, no reference to chemotherapy-related cognitive problems was made. Main dependent measure was CPR. Four moderating and five mediating processes were examined. CPR increased with higher levels of stigma consciousness in the two experimental groups, but not in the no-information control group. Merely informing patients about cognitive side effects may increase their occurrence, especially among individuals vulnerable to patient stereotypes. Adding reassuring information is not sufficient to reduce AIE.

Model-based approach to partial tracking for musical transcription

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sterian, Andrew; Wakefield, Gregory H.

1998-10-01

We present a new method for musical partial tracking in the context of musical transcription using a time-frequency Kalman filter structure. The filter is based upon a model for the evolution of a partial behavior across a wide range of pitch from four brass instruments. Statistics are computed independently for the partial attributes of frequency and log-power first differences. We present observed power spectral density shapes, total powers, and histograms, as well as least-squares approximations to these. We demonstrate that a Kalman filter tracker using this partial model is capable of tracking partials in music. We discuss how the filter structure naturally provides quality-of-fit information about the data for use in further processing and how this information can be used to perform partial track initiation and termination within a common framework. We propose that a model-based approach to partial tracking is preferable to existing approaches which generally use heuristic rules or birth/death notions over a small time neighborhood. The advantages include better performance in the presence of cluttered data and simplified tracking over missed observations.

Partial volume correction of magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Yao; Wu, Dee; Magnotta, Vincent A.

2007-03-01

The ability to study the biochemical composition of the brain is becoming important to better understand neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) can non-invasively provide quantification of brain metabolites in localized regions. The reliability of MRS is limited in part due to partial volume artifacts. This results from the relatively large voxels that are required to acquire sufficient signal-to-noise ratios for the studies. Partial volume artifacts result when a MRS voxel contains a mixture of tissue types. Concentrations of metabolites vary from tissue to tissue. When a voxel contains a heterogeneous tissue composition, the spectroscopic signal acquired from this voxel will consist of the signal from different tissues making reliable measurements difficult. We have developed a novel tool for the estimation of partial volume tissue composition within MRS voxels thus allowing for the correction of partial volume artifacts. In addition, the tool can localize MR spectra to anatomical regions of interest. The tool uses tissue classification information acquired as part of a structural MR scan for the same subject. The tissue classification information is co-registered with the spectroscopic data. The user can quantify the partial volume composition of each voxel and use this information as covariates for metabolite concentrations.

Upward spread of informational masking in normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alexander, Joshua M.; Lutfi, Robert A.

2003-04-01

Thresholds for pure-tone signals of 0.8, 2.0, and 5.0 kHz were measured in the presence of a simultaneous multitone masker in 15 normal-hearing and 8 hearing-impaired listeners. The masker consisted of fixed-frequency tones ranging from 522-8346 Hz at 1/3-octave intervals, excluding the 2/3-octave interval on either side of the signal. Masker uncertainty was manipulated by independently and randomly playing individual masker tones with probability p=0.5 or p=1.0 on each trial. Informational masking (IM) was estimated by the threshold difference (p=0.5 minus p=1.0). Decision weights were estimated from correlations of the listener's response with the occurrence of the signal and individual masker components on each trial. IM was greater for normal-hearing listeners than for hearing-impaired listeners, and most listeners had at least 10 dB of IM for one of the signal frequencies. For both groups, IM increased as the number of masker components below the signal frequency increased. Decision weights were also similar for both groups-masker frequencies below the signal were weighted more than those above. Implications are that normal-hearing and hearing-impaired individuals do not weight information differently in these masking conditions and that factors associated with listening may be partially responsible for the greater effectiveness of low-frequency maskers. [Work supported by NIDCD.

DeepMeSH: deep semantic representation for improving large-scale MeSH indexing

PubMed Central

Peng, Shengwen; You, Ronghui; Wang, Hongning; Zhai, Chengxiang; Mamitsuka, Hiroshi; Zhu, Shanfeng

2016-01-01

Motivation: Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) indexing, which is to assign a set of MeSH main headings to citations, is crucial for many important tasks in biomedical text mining and information retrieval. Large-scale MeSH indexing has two challenging aspects: the citation side and MeSH side. For the citation side, all existing methods, including Medical Text Indexer (MTI) by National Library of Medicine and the state-of-the-art method, MeSHLabeler, deal with text by bag-of-words, which cannot capture semantic and context-dependent information well. Methods: We propose DeepMeSH that incorporates deep semantic information for large-scale MeSH indexing. It addresses the two challenges in both citation and MeSH sides. The citation side challenge is solved by a new deep semantic representation, D2V-TFIDF, which concatenates both sparse and dense semantic representations. The MeSH side challenge is solved by using the ‘learning to rank’ framework of MeSHLabeler, which integrates various types of evidence generated from the new semantic representation. Results: DeepMeSH achieved a Micro F-measure of 0.6323, 2% higher than 0.6218 of MeSHLabeler and 12% higher than 0.5637 of MTI, for BioASQ3 challenge data with 6000 citations. Availability and Implementation: The software is available upon request. Contact: zhusf@fudan.edu.cn Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. PMID:27307646

Partial information decomposition as a spatiotemporal filter.

PubMed

Flecker, Benjamin; Alford, Wesley; Beggs, John M; Williams, Paul L; Beer, Randall D

2011-09-01

Understanding the mechanisms of distributed computation in cellular automata requires techniques for characterizing the emergent structures that underlie information processing in such systems. Recently, techniques from information theory have been brought to bear on this problem. Building on this work, we utilize the new technique of partial information decomposition to show that previous information-theoretic measures can confound distinct sources of information. We then propose a new set of filters and demonstrate that they more cleanly separate out the background domains, particles, and collisions that are typically associated with information storage, transfer, and modification in cellular automata.

Beyond Charity: Partial Narratives as a Metaphor for Basic Writing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Flores, Nelson

2010-01-01

In "A New World: Redefining the Legacy of Min-Zhan Lu"(JBW 27.2, Fall 2008), Brian Ray revisits the controversy that emerged in the early 1990s in response to critiques of the iconic Mina Shaughnessy made by Min-Zhan Lu. He offers a reading of the debate that focuses on common ground between the two sides through a metaphor of linguistic charity…

Cosolvent electrolytes for electrochemical devices

DOEpatents

Wessells, Colin Deane; Firouzi, Ali; Motallebi, Shahrokh; Strohband, Sven

2018-01-23

A method for stabilizing electrodes against dissolution and/or hydrolysis including use of cosolvents in liquid electrolyte batteries for three purposes: the extension of the calendar and cycle life time of electrodes that are partially soluble in liquid electrolytes, the purpose of limiting the rate of electrolysis of water into hydrogen and oxygen as a side reaction during battery operation, and for the purpose of cost reduction.

Oak regeneration following complete and partial harvesting in the Mississippi Bluff Hills: preliminary results

Treesearch

Brian Roy Lockhart; Rodney J. Wishard; Andrew W. Ezell; John D. Hodges; W. Norman Davis

2010-01-01

The Bluff Hills subregion encompasses about 4.5 million acres along the eastern side of the Mississippi Valley Loess Plains province, primarily in MS and TN. Soils are silt loams and are considered some of the most productive hardwood sites in the United States. Efforts to regenerate these forests to oak (Quercus spp.) has met with limited success....

Orofacial and respiratory tardive dyskinesia: potential side effects of 2-dimethylaminoethanol (deanol)?

PubMed

Haug, B A; Holzgraefe, M

1991-01-01

A case of essential tremor since early adultness is presented, which has been treated successfully with the acetylcholine precursor 2-dimethylaminoethanol (deanol) for 10 years. Development of a marked dyskinesia syndrome affecting predominantly orofacial and respiratory musculature has been noticed with this medication. Partial remission after discontinuation and a favorable response to anticholinergics are suggestive of an adverse drug effect.

Establishment of a Cre recombinase based mutagenesis protocol for markerless gene deletion in Streptococcus suis.

PubMed

Koczula, A; Willenborg, J; Bertram, R; Takamatsu, D; Valentin-Weigand, P; Goethe, R

2014-12-01

The lack of knowledge about pathogenicity mechanisms of Streptococcus (S.) suis is, at least partially, attributed to limited methods for its genetic manipulation. Here, we established a Cre-lox based recombination system for markerless gene deletions in S. suis serotype 2 with high selective pressure and without undesired side effects. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cosolvent electrolytes for electrochemical devices

DOEpatents

Wessells, Colin Deane; Firouzi, Ali; Motallebi, Shahrokh; Strohband, Sven

2018-02-13

A system and method for stabilizing electrodes against dissolution and/or hydrolysis including use of cosolvents in liquid electrolyte batteries for three purposes: the extension of the calendar and cycle life time of electrodes that are partially soluble in liquid electrolytes, the purpose of limiting the rate of electrolysis of water into hydrogen and oxygen as a side reaction during battery operation, and for the purpose of cost reduction.

Cosolvent electrolytes for electrochemical devices

DOEpatents

Wessells, Colin Deane; Firouzi, Ali; Motallebi, Shahrokh; Strohband, Sven

2018-05-15

A system and method for stabilizing electrodes against dissolution and/or hydrolysis including use of cosolvents in liquid electrolyte batteries for three purposes: the extension of the calendar and cycle life time of electrodes that are partially soluble in liquid electrolytes, the purpose of limiting the rate of electrolysis of water into hydrogen and oxygen as a side reaction during battery operation, and for the purpose of cost reduction.

A matched comparison of perioperative outcomes of a single laparoscopic surgeon versus a multisurgeon robot-assisted cohort for partial nephrectomy.

PubMed

Ellison, Jonathan S; Montgomery, Jeffrey S; Wolf, J Stuart; Hafez, Khaled S; Miller, David C; Weizer, Alon Z

2012-07-01

Minimally invasive nephron sparing surgery is gaining popularity for small renal masses. Few groups have evaluated robot-assisted partial nephrectomy compared to other approaches using comparable patient populations. We present a matched pair analysis of a heterogeneous group of surgeons who performed robot-assisted partial nephrectomy and a single experienced laparoscopic surgeon who performed conventional laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. Perioperative outcomes and complications were compared. All 249 conventional laparoscopic and robot-assisted partial nephrectomy cases from January 2007 to June 2010 were reviewed from our prospectively maintained institutional database. Groups were matched 1:1 (108 matched pairs) by R.E.N.A.L. (radius, exophytic/endophytic properties, nearness of tumor to collecting system or sinus, anterior/posterior, location relative to polar lines) nephrometry score, transperitoneal vs retroperitoneal approach, patient age and hilar nature of the tumor. Statistical analysis was done to compare operative outcomes and complications. Matched analysis revealed that nephrometry score, age, gender, tumor side and American Society of Anesthesia physical status classification were similar. Operative time favored conventional laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. During the study period robot-assisted partial nephrectomy showed significant improvements in estimated blood loss and warm ischemia time compared to those of the experienced conventional laparoscopic group. Postoperative complication rates, and complication distributions by Clavien classification and type were similar for conventional laparoscopic and robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (41.7% and 35.0%, respectively). Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy has a noticeable but rapid learning curve. After it is overcome the robotic procedure results in perioperative outcomes similar to those achieved with conventional laparoscopic partial nephrectomy done by an experienced surgeon. Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy likely improves surgeon and patient accessibility to minimally invasive nephron sparing surgery. Copyright © 2012 American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Commentary on "a matched comparison of perioperative outcomes of a single laparoscopic surgeon versus a multisurgeon robot-assisted cohort for partial nephrectomy." Ellison JS, Montgomery JS, Wolf Jr JS, Hafez KS, Miller DC, Weizer AZ, Department of Urology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA: J Urol 2012;188(1):45-50.

PubMed

Kane, Christopher

2013-02-01

Minimally invasive nephron sparing surgery is gaining popularity for small renal masses. Few groups have evaluated robot-assisted partial nephrectomy compared to other approaches using comparable patient populations. We present a matched pair analysis of a heterogeneous group of surgeons who performed robot-assisted partial nephrectomy and a single experienced laparoscopic surgeon who performed conventional laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. Perioperative outcomes and complications were compared. All 249 conventional laparoscopic and robot-assisted partial nephrectomy cases from January 2007 to June 2010 were reviewed from our prospectively maintained institutional database. Groups were matched 1:1 (108 matched pairs) by R.E.N.A.L. (radius, exophytic/endophytic properties, nearness of tumor to collecting system or sinus, anterior/posterior, location relative to polar lines) nephrometry score, transperitoneal vs retroperitoneal approach, patient age and hilar nature of the tumor. Statistical analysis was done to compare operative outcomes and complications. Matched analysis revealed that nephrometry score, age, gender, tumor side and American Society of Anesthesia physical status classification were similar. Operative time favored conventional laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. During the study period robot-assisted partial nephrectomy showed significant improvements in estimated blood loss and warm ischemia time compared to those of the experienced conventional laparoscopic group. Postoperative complication rates, and complication distributions by Clavien classification and type were similar for conventional laparoscopic and robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (41.7% and 35.0%, respectively). Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy has a noticeable but rapid learning curve. After it is overcome the robotic procedure results in perioperative outcomes similar to those achieved with conventional laparoscopic partial nephrectomy done by an experienced surgeon. Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy likely improves surgeon and patient accessibility to minimally invasive nephron sparing surgery. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Influence of Side Effects on ART Adherence Among PLWH in China: The Moderator Role of ART-Related Knowledge.

PubMed

Zhou, Guangyu; Li, Xiaoming; Qiao, Shan; Shen, Zhiyong; Zhou, Yuejiao

2018-03-01

Despite the medical advancements in HIV treatment, realities of side effects are faced by people living with HIV (PLWH) who receive antiretroviral therapy (ART). Mixed findings have been reported on the association between side effects and ART adherence. However, few studies have explored the combined side effects and behavior-related information on medication adherence. The aim of the current study is to examine moderator role of ART-related knowledge between side effects and ART adherence. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 2987 PLWH from October 2012 to August 2013 in China. Of the total sample, 2095 patients had received ART and provided ART adherence. Side effects, ART-related knowledge, and ART adherence, as well as potential covariates were assessed. The results revealed that there was a negative relationship of side effects and ART adherence existed among low and medium levels of ART-related knowledge, but not among high level of knowledge. Future interventions to promote HIV medication adherence should focus on providing behavior-related information education among PLWH.

Awareness, attitude, and expectations toward dental implants among removable prostheses wearers.

PubMed

Al-Dwairi, Ziad N; El Masoud, Bilal Mohammed; Al-Afifi, Sanaa A; Borzabadi-Farahani, Ali; Lynch, Edward

2014-04-01

To assess removable denture patient awareness, expectations, and source of information about dental implants (DIs). Three hundred patients [150 removable partial denture (RPD) wearers and 150 complete denture wearers (CDWs)] attended the removable prosthodontic clinic at Faculty of Dentistry, Jordan University of Science and Technology. Patients were evaluated using a pilot-tested, 21-question questionnaire. Ninety-six percent of participants were aware of DIs, with no difference between CDWs and RPD wearers (p > 0.05). The participants' friends and relatives were the main source of information (63.4%), followed by dentists (32.4%). Improvement in function was the predominant reason (55.7%) for patients to consider DIs. Fear of unknown side effects was the major factor in preventing patients from choosing DIs (11.7%), followed by high cost (9.7%) and surgical risk (8.7%). Approximately 89% had no information or were poorly informed about DIs. Over two-thirds of patients did not know about the care (78.3%) of DIs, causes of DI failure (69.7%), or DI duration of service (80.7%). Only 24.7% knew that DIs would be anchored to the jawbone; however, 27.3% and 56.7% of CDWs and RPD wearers, respectively, preferred (p < 0.05) to have their teeth replaced with DIs. High costs were considered the major disadvantage of DIs in 45% of participants, followed by fear of surgery (27.3%), and long treatment times (24.7%). There was a high awareness about DIs among removable denture patients; however, this awareness was associated with a low level of accurate information. © 2013 by the American College of Prosthodontists.

Multiple foci of spatial attention in multimodal working memory.

PubMed

Katus, Tobias; Eimer, Martin

2016-11-15

The maintenance of sensory information in working memory (WM) is mediated by the attentional activation of stimulus representations that are stored in perceptual brain regions. Using event-related potentials (ERPs), we measured tactile and visual contralateral delay activity (tCDA/CDA components) in a bimodal WM task to concurrently track the attention-based maintenance of information stored in anatomically segregated (somatosensory and visual) brain areas. Participants received tactile and visual sample stimuli on both sides, and in different blocks, memorized these samples on the same side or on opposite sides. After a retention delay, memory was unpredictably tested for touch or vision. In the same side blocks, tCDA and CDA components simultaneously emerged over the same hemisphere, contralateral to the memorized tactile/visual sample set. In opposite side blocks, these two components emerged over different hemispheres, but had the same sizes and onset latencies as in the same side condition. Our results reveal distinct foci of tactile and visual spatial attention that were concurrently maintained on task-relevant stimulus representations in WM. The independence of spatially-specific biasing mechanisms for tactile and visual WM content suggests that multimodal information is stored in distributed perceptual brain areas that are activated through modality-specific processes that can operate simultaneously and largely independently of each other. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Keep your hands crossed: the valence-by-left/right interaction is related to hand, not side, in an incongruent hand-response key assignment.

PubMed

de la Vega, Irmgard; Dudschig, Carolin; De Filippis, Mónica; Lachmair, Martin; Kaup, Barbara

2013-02-01

The body-specificity hypothesis (Casasanto, 2009) associates positive emotional valence and the space surrounding the dominant hand, and negative valence and the space surrounding the non-dominant hand. This effect has not only been found for manual responses, but also for the left and right side. In the present study, we investigated whether this compatibility effect still shows when hand and side carry incongruent information, and whether it is then related to hand or to side. We conducted two experiments which used an incongruent hand-response key assignment, that is, participants had their hands crossed. Participants were instructed to respond with their right vs. left hand (Experiment 1) or with the right vs. left key (Experiment 2). In both experiments, a compatibility effect related to hand emerged, indicating that the association between hand and valence overrides the one between side and valence when hand and side carry contradicting information. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

75 FR 81711 - Notice of Receipt of Petition for Decision That Nonconforming 1991 Rice Beaufort Double Trailers...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-28

... reflectors, tail lamps, license plate lamps, rear side marker lamps, front side marker lamps, intermediate... information provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading below. Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the... that you periodically search the Docket for new material. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Coleman...

Radiation therapy for people with cancer: what do written information materials tell them?

PubMed

Smith, S K; Yan, B; Milross, C; Dhillon, H M

2016-07-01

This study aimed to compare and contrast the contents of different types of written patient information about radiotherapy, namely (1) hospital radiotherapy departments vs. cancer control organisations and (2) generic vs. tumour-specific materials. A coding framework, informed by existing patients' information needs literature, was developed and applied to 54 radiotherapy information resources. The framework comprised 12 broad themes; cancer diagnosis, general information about radiotherapy, treatment planning, daily treatment, side effects, self-care management, external radiotherapy, internal radiotherapy, impact on daily activities, post-treatment, psychosocial health and other content, such as a glossary. Materials produced by cancer organisations contained significantly more information than hospital resources on diagnosis, general radiotherapy information, internal radiotherapy and psychosocial health. However, hospital materials provided more information about treatment planning, daily treatment and the impact on daily activities. Compared to generic materials, tumour-specific resources were superior in providing information about diagnosis, daily treatment, side effects, post-treatment and psychosocial health. Information about internal radiotherapy, prognosis and chronic side effects were poorly covered by most resources. Collectively, hospital and cancer organisation resources complement each other in meeting patients' information needs. Identifying ways to consolidate different information sources could help comprehensively address patients' medical and psychosocial information needs about radiotherapy. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Effects of shock-breakout pressure on ejection of micron-scale material from shocked tin surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zellner, M. B.; Grover, M.; Hammerberg, J. E.; Hixson, R. S.; Iverson, A. J.; Macrum, G. S.; Morley, K. B.; Obst, A. W.; Olson, R. T.; Payton, J. R.; Rigg, P. A.; Routley, N.; Stevens, G. D.; Turley, W. D.; Veeser, L.; Buttler, W. T.

2007-07-01

This effort investigates the relation between ejecta production and shock-breakout pressure (PSB) for Sn shocked with a Taylor shockwave (unsupported) to pressures near the solid-on-release/partial melt-on-release phase transition region. The shockwaves were created by detonation of high explosive (HE) PBX-9501 on the front side of Sn coupons. Ejecta production at the backside or free side of the Sn coupons was characterized through use of piezoelectric pins, optical shadowgraphy, x-ray attenuation radiography, and optical-heterodyne velocimetry. Ejecta velocities, dynamic volume densities, and areal densities were then correlated with the shock-breakout pressure of Sn surfaces characterized by roughness average of Ra=16 μin or Ra=32 μin.

Modification of 2-D Time-Domain Shallow Water Wave Equation using Asymptotic Expansion Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khairuman, Teuku; Nasruddin, MN; Tulus; Ramli, Marwan

2018-01-01

Generally, research on the tsunami wave propagation model can be conducted by using a linear model of shallow water theory, where a non-linear side on high order is ignored. In line with research on the investigation of the tsunami waves, the Boussinesq equation model underwent a change aimed to obtain an improved quality of the dispersion relation and non-linearity by increasing the order to be higher. To solve non-linear sides at high order is used a asymptotic expansion method. This method can be used to solve non linear partial differential equations. In the present work, we found that this method needs much computational time and memory with the increase of the number of elements.

Combining Static Analysis and Model Checking for Software Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brat, Guillaume; Visser, Willem; Clancy, Daniel (Technical Monitor)

2003-01-01

We present an iterative technique in which model checking and static analysis are combined to verify large software systems. The role of the static analysis is to compute partial order information which the model checker uses to reduce the state space. During exploration, the model checker also computes aliasing information that it gives to the static analyzer which can then refine its analysis. The result of this refined analysis is then fed back to the model checker which updates its partial order reduction. At each step of this iterative process, the static analysis computes optimistic information which results in an unsafe reduction of the state space. However we show that the process converges to a fired point at which time the partial order information is safe and the whole state space is explored.

What role do plain radiographs have in assessing the skeletally immature acromioclavicular joint?

PubMed

Lee, Seung Yeol; Kwon, Soon-Sun; Chung, Chin Youb; Lee, Kyoung Min; Park, Moon Seok

2014-01-01

Because of incomplete ossification of the coracoid process and acromion, acromioclavicular joint configuration in the skeletally immature patient differs from that of adults. Although comparison to radiographic standards for this joint is critical in the evaluation of acromioclavicular joint injuries, these standards are not well defined for children or adolescents. We therefore sought to determine (1) the reliability of numerous radiographic measurements of the skeletally immature acromioclavicular joint, including the vertical and shortest coracoclavicular interval, and the acromioclavicular joint offset; (2) the timing of ossification of the acromion and coracoid in males and females; and (3) the differences in the values of these radiographic measurements based on age and sex. This study was based on a total of 485 subjects, 8 to 18 years old, who underwent conventional AP view radiographs of both shoulders. The 485 subjects were included to assess normal configuration around the acromioclavicular joint and 466 of these subjects were evaluated for comparison between both sides. The vertical and shortest coracoclavicular interval, coracoclavicular clavicle width ratio, acromioclavicular joint offset, and difference of the coracoclavicular interval of both sides were measured. A reliability test was conducted before obtaining the main measurements. The relationship of measurements with sex, age, and stage of ossification was evaluated. The vertical and shortest coracoclavicular interval showed excellent reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient ([ICC], 0.918 and 0.934). The acromioclavicular joint offset showed low reliability (ICC, 0.543). The ossification centers of the acromion and the coracoid processes appeared and fused earlier in females than in males. The vertical coracoclavicular interval, which was not affected by partial ossification of the coracoid process, was less than 11 mm in the 90% quantile of total subjects in males and 10 mm in the 90% quantile in females. The difference of the vertical coracoclavicular interval of both sides was less than 50% in 436 of 466 (93.4%) patients. The vertical coracoclavicular interval was the best parameter to assess acromioclavicular joint dislocation in skeletally immature patients. Comparison of both sides of the acromioclavicular joint could help to inform physicians in predicting the need for additional evaluations.

Coulomb repulsion in short polypeptides.

PubMed

Norouzy, Amir; Assaf, Khaleel I; Zhang, Shuai; Jacob, Maik H; Nau, Werner M

2015-01-08

Coulomb repulsion between like-charged side chains is presently viewed as a major force that impacts the biological activity of intrinsically disordered polypeptides (IDPs) by determining their spatial dimensions. We investigated short synthetic models of IDPs, purely composed of ionizable amino acid residues and therefore expected to display an extreme structural and dynamic response to pH variation. Two synergistic, custom-made, time-resolved fluorescence methods were applied in tandem to study the structure and dynamics of the acidic and basic hexapeptides Asp6, Glu6, Arg6, Lys6, and His6 between pH 1 and 12. (i) End-to-end distances were obtained from the short-distance Förster resonance energy transfer (sdFRET) from N-terminal 5-fluoro-l-tryptophan (FTrp) to C-terminal Dbo. (ii) End-to-end collision rates were obtained for the same peptides from the collision-induced fluorescence quenching (CIFQ) of Dbo by FTrp. Unexpectedly, the very high increase of charge density at elevated pH had no dynamical or conformational consequence in the anionic chains, neither in the absence nor in the presence of salt, in conflict with the common view and in partial conflict with accompanying molecular dynamics simulations. In contrast, the cationic peptides responded to ionization but with surprising patterns that mirrored the rich individual characteristics of each side chain type. The contrasting results had to be interpreted, by considering salt screening experiments, N-terminal acetylation, and simulations, in terms of an interplay of local dielectric constant and peptide-length dependent side chain charge-charge repulsion, side chain functional group solvation, N-terminal and side chain charge-charge repulsion, and side chain-side chain as well as side chain-backbone interactions. The common picture that emerged is that Coulomb repulsion between water-solvated side chains is efficiently quenched in short peptides as long as side chains are not in direct contact with each other or the main chain.

Sclerotherapy with bleomycin for recurrent massive inguinal lymphoceles following partial vulvectomy and bilateral lymphadenectomy-Case report and literature review.

PubMed

Elsandabesee, D; Sharma, B; Preston, J; Ostrowski, J; Nieto, J

2004-02-01

Formation of lymphoceles following radical vulvectomy presents a formidable problem that is associated with high degree of morbidity. A variety of approaches have been described in the literature to treat this condition. An 82-year-old woman developed massive inguinal lymphoceles following partial vulvectomy and inguinal lymphadenectomy for cancer vulva. The lymphoceles involved wide surface areas extending to both flanks, and accumulation of lymph was very rapid at a rate of 1 l daily. The condition failed to respond to continuous drainage and compression for 6 weeks, but responded quickly to sclerotherapy using bleomycin without any significant side effects. Intracavitary bleomycin could be used safely and effectively in huge rapidly accumulating lymphoceles.

Shortcut nitrification/partial nitritation start-up for reject water treatment in a SBR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muszyński-Huhajło, Mateusz; Miodoński, Stanisław

2017-11-01

For many wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), side-stream treatment of reject water from digested sludge dewatering is a feasible opportunity to improve N-removal efficiency without costly plant expansion. Biological nitrogen removal over nitrite or combined partial nitritation (PN)-Anammox process has recently become a popular treatment method for such ammonium-rich streams. Shortcut nitrification and PN start-ups were successfully performed in a pilot-scale SBR treating real reject water. In all performed experiments, effective nitrate production inhibition occurred in less than 20 days due to operational conditions selection and without advanced control system. pH adjustment in the PN reactor allowed to achieve NO2-N /NH4-N ratio suitable for Anammox process (1.24±0.07).

Partial medial second toe pulp free flap and dermal substitute with skin graft for salvage reconstruction of a complete skin envelope degloving of the small finger.

PubMed

Calafat, V; Strugarek, C; Montoya-Faivre, D; Dap, F; Dautel, G

2018-04-04

Skin envelope degloving of fingers are rare injuries that require rapid care and surgical treatment. Mostly caused by ring finger injuries, these traumas include bone, tendon and neurovascular pedicle damage. The authors present an unusual case of finger degloving limited exclusively to the skin envelope, without skeletal, tendinous or vascular lesion. This rare case of skin envelope degloving rendered microsurgical revascularization impossible. The authors report the results at 12 months following salvage reconstruction combining a partial second toe pulp free flap for the volar side and a dermal substitute with a thin skin graft for the dorsum. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Stone formation from nonabsorbable clip migration into the collecting system after robot-assisted partial nephrectomy.

PubMed

Lee, Ziho; Reilly, Christopher E; Moore, Blake W; Mydlo, Jack H; Lee, David I; Eun, Daniel D

2014-01-01

We describe a case in which a Weck Hem-o-lok clip (Teleflex, Research Triangle Park, USA) migrated into the collecting system and acted as a nidus for stone formation in a patient after robot-assisted partial nephrectomy. The patient presented 2 years postoperatively with left-sided renal colic. Abdominal computed tomography scan showed a 10 millimeter renal calculus in the left middle pole. After using laser lithotripsy to fragment the overlying renal stone, a Weck Hem-o-lok clip was found to be embedded in the collecting system. A laser fiber through a flexible ureteroscope was used to successfully dislodge the clip from the renal parenchyma, and a stone basket was used to extract the clip.

Chemical shift assignments of the partially deuterated Fyn SH2-SH3 domain.

PubMed

Kieken, Fabien; Loth, Karine; van Nuland, Nico; Tompa, Peter; Lenaerts, Tom

2018-04-01

Src Homology 2 and 3 (SH2 and SH3) are two key protein interaction modules involved in regulating the activity of many proteins such as tyrosine kinases and phosphatases by respective recognition of phosphotyrosine and proline-rich regions. In the Src family kinases, the inactive state of the protein is the direct result of the interaction of the SH2 and the SH3 domain with intra-molecular regions, leading to a closed structure incompetent with substrate modification. Here, we report the 1 H, 15 N and 13 C backbone- and side-chain chemical shift assignments of the partially deuterated Fyn SH3-SH2 domain and structural differences between tandem and single domains. The BMRB accession number is 27165.

Preliminary Results of 3D-DDTC Pixel Detectors for the ATLAS Upgrade

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

La Rosa, Alessandro; /CERN; Boscardin, M.

2012-04-04

3D Silicon sensors fabricated at FBK-irst with the Double-side Double Type Column (DDTC) approach and columnar electrodes only partially etched through p-type substrates were tested in laboratory and in a 1.35 Tesla magnetic field with a 180 GeV pion beam at CERN SPS. The substrate thickness of the sensors is about 200 {mu}m, and different column depths are available, with overlaps between junction columns (etched from the front side) and ohmic columns (etched from the back side) in the range from 110 {mu}m to 150 {mu}m. The devices under test were bump bonded to the ATLAS Pixel readout chip (FEI3)more » at SELEX SI (Rome, Italy). We report leakage current and noise measurements, results of functional tests with Am{sup 241} {gamma}-ray sources, charge collection tests with Sr90 {beta}-source and an overview of preliminary results from the CERN beam test.« less

STS-26 MS Hilmers during egress training at JSC's MAIL full fuselage trainer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

STS-26 Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103, Mission Specialist (MS) David C. Hilmers, wearing a launch and entry suit (LES) and launch and entry helmet (LEH), tries out the new crew escape system (CES) inflated slide during an emergency egress training exercise in JSC's Shuttle Mockup and Integration Laboratory (MAIL) Bldg 9A. Technicians stand on either side of the slide ready to help Hilmers to his feet once he reaches the bottom. Watching from floor level at the far left is astronaut Steven R. Nagel. A second crewmember stands in the open side hatch of the Full Fuselage Trainer (FFT) awaiting his turn to slide to 'safety'. During Crew Station Review (CSR) #3, the crew donned the new (navy blue) partial pressure suits (LESs) and checked out CES slide and other CES configurations to evaluate crew equipment and procedures related to emergency egress methods and proposed crew escape options. The CES pole extends out the side hatch just above Hilmers' head.

Generation of four-wave mixing with highly sharp idlers using 2 mm home-made side-polished fiber deposited by ZnO nanorod

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Safaei, R.; Amiri, Iraj S.; Sorger, Volker J.; Azzuhri, SRB; Rezaei, M.; Ahmad, H.; Yupapin, P.

2018-07-01

A side-polished fiber with embedded zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO-NRs) is proposed, fabricated, and tested to generate four-wave-mixing (FWM). The side-polished fiber is manufactured by polishing a conventional single mode fiber to completely remove 2 mm of its cladding and its core partially, after which the fiber is simply immersed into a solution consisting of ZnO-NRs and allowing it to dry. A pump and a signal wavelength of 1550 and 1551 nm are injected into the fiber and generate idlers at 1549 and 1552 nm which agree well with theoretical values. Our experimental results show that the optimum FWM range is determined to be a 6 nm shifted away from the pump wavelength and occurs in the pump and wavelength spacing as narrow as 0.1 nm. The proposed system allows for the easy integration of optically active materials into a fiber.

Towards Automated Bargaining in Electronic Markets: A Partially Two-Sided Competition Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gatti, Nicola; Lazaric, Alessandro; Restelli, Marcello

This paper focuses on the prominent issue of automating bargaining agents within electronic markets. Models of bargaining in literature deal with settings wherein there are only two agents and no model satisfactorily captures settings in which there is competition among buyers, being they more than one, and analogously among sellers. In this paper, we extend the principal bargaining protocol, i.e. the alternating-offers protocol, to capture bargaining in markets. The model we propose is such that, in presence of a unique buyer and a unique seller, agents' equilibrium strategies are those in the original protocol. Moreover, we game theoretically study the considered game providing the following results: in presence of one-sided competition (more buyers and one seller or vice versa) we provide agents' equilibrium strategies for all the values of the parameters, in presence of two-sided competition (more buyers and more sellers) we provide an algorithm that produce agents' equilibrium strategies for a large set of the parameters and we experimentally evaluate its effectiveness.

Application of 2-chlorotrityl resin in solid phase synthesis of (Leu15)-gastrin I and unsulfated cholecystokinin octapeptide. Selective O-deprotection of tyrosine.

PubMed

Barlos, K; Gatos, D; Kapolos, S; Poulos, C; Schäfer, W; Yao, W Q

1991-12-01

The carboxyl terminal dipeptide amide, Fmoc-Asp-Phe-NH2, of gastrin and cholecystokinin (CCK) has been attached in high yield through its free side chain carboxyl group to the acid labile 2-chlorotrityl resin. The obtained peptide resin ester has been applied in the solid phase synthesis of partially protected (Leu15)-gastrin I utilising Fmoc-amino acids. Quantitative cleavage of this peptide from resin, with the t-butyl type side chain protection intact is achieved using mixtures of acetic acid/trifluoroethanol/dichloromethane. Under the same conditions complete detritylation of the tyrosine phenoxy function occurs simultaneously. Thus, the solid-phase synthesis of peptides selectively deprotected at the side chain of tyrosine is rendered possible by the use of 2-chlorotrityl resin and Fmoc-Tyr(Trt)-OH. The efficiency of this approach has been proved by the subsequent high-yield synthesis of three model peptides and the CCK-octapeptide.

The SRI NIST 2010 Speaker Recognition Evaluation System (PREPRINT)

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-01-01

of several subsystems with the use of adequate side information gives a 35% improvement on the standard telephone condition. We also show that a...ratio and amount of detected speech as side information . The SRI submissions were among the best-performing systems in SRE10. 2. COMMONALITIES This...Documentation Page Form ApprovedOMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response

Quantum information and the problem of mechanisms of biological evolution.

PubMed

Melkikh, Alexey V

2014-01-01

One of the most important conditions for replication in early evolution is the de facto elimination of the conformational degrees of freedom of the replicators, the mechanisms of which remain unclear. In addition, realistic evolutionary timescales can be established based only on partially directed evolution, further complicating this issue. A division of the various evolutionary theories into two classes has been proposed based on the presence or absence of a priori information about the evolving system. A priori information plays a key role in solving problems in evolution. Here, a model of partially directed evolution, based on the learning automata theory, which includes a priori information about the fitness space, is proposed. A potential repository of such prior information is the states of biologically important molecules. Thus, the need for extended evolutionary synthesis is discussed. Experiments to test the hypothesis of partially directed evolution are proposed. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Face-Scanning Behavior to Silently-Talking Faces in 12-Month-Old Infants: The Impact of Pre-Exposed Auditory Speech

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kubicek, Claudia; de Boisferon, Anne Hillairet; Dupierrix, Eve; Loevenbruck, Helene; Gervain, Judit; Schwarzer, Gudrun

2013-01-01

The present eye-tracking study aimed to investigate the impact of auditory speech information on 12-month-olds' gaze behavior to silently-talking faces. We examined German infants' face-scanning behavior to side-by-side presentation of a bilingual speaker's face silently speaking German utterances on one side and French on the other side, before…

General view of the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) assembly ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

General view of the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) assembly with the expansion nozzle removed and resting on a cushioned mat on the floor of the SSME Processing Facility. The most prominent features in this view are the Low-pressure Fuel Turbopump discharge Duct looping from the upper left side of the engine assembly to the lower left side of the assembly, the Low-Pressure Oxidizer Turbopump (LPOTP) is on the upper left of the assembly in this view and the LPOTP Discharge Duct loops from the upper left to upper right. The sphere in the middle right side of the assembly in this view is the POGO System Accumulator , the partial sphere to its left and slightly more toward the center of the assembly is the Heat Exchanger on the Oxidizer Preburner side of the Hot Gas Manifold, beneath that is the High-Pressure Oxidizer Turbopump (HPOTP) and the HPOTP Discharge duct loops from the pump around to the lower left of the assembly. The Pneumatic Control Assembly is in the approximate center of the engine assembly in this view. - Space Transportation System, Space Shuttle Main Engine, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX

Influence of the Location of Attractive Polymer-Pore Interactions on Translocation Dynamics.

PubMed

Ghosh, Bappa; Chaudhury, Srabanti

2018-01-11

We probe the influence of polymer-pore interactions on the translocation dynamics using Langevin dynamics simulations. We investigate the effect of the strength and location of the polymer-pore interaction using nanopores that are partially charged either at the entry or the exit or on both sides of the pore. We study the change in the translocation time as a function of the strength of the polymer-pore interaction for a given chain length and under the effect of an externally applied field. Under a moderate driving force and a chain length longer than the length of the pore, the translocation time shows a nonmonotonic increase with an increase in the attractive interaction. Also, an interaction on the cis side of the pore can increase the translocation probability. In the presence of an external field and a strong attractive force, the translocation time for shorter chains is independent of the polymer-pore interaction at the entry side of the pore, whereas an interaction on the trans side dominates the translocation process. Our simulation results are rationalized by a qualitative analysis of the free energy landscape for polymer translocation.

Rapid computation of directional wellbore drawdown in a confined aquifer via Poisson resummation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blumenthal, Benjamin J.; Zhan, Hongbin

2016-08-01

We have derived a rapidly computed analytical solution for drawdown caused by a partially or fully penetrating directional wellbore (vertical, horizontal, or slant) via Green's function method. The mathematical model assumes an anisotropic, homogeneous, confined, box-shaped aquifer. Any dimension of the box can have one of six possible boundary conditions: 1) both sides no-flux; 2) one side no-flux - one side constant-head; 3) both sides constant-head; 4) one side no-flux; 5) one side constant-head; 6) free boundary conditions. The solution has been optimized for rapid computation via Poisson Resummation, derivation of convergence rates, and numerical optimization of integration techniques. Upon application of the Poisson Resummation method, we were able to derive two sets of solutions with inverse convergence rates, namely an early-time rapidly convergent series (solution-A) and a late-time rapidly convergent series (solution-B). From this work we were able to link Green's function method (solution-B) back to image well theory (solution-A). We then derived an equation defining when the convergence rate between solution-A and solution-B is the same, which we termed the switch time. Utilizing the more rapidly convergent solution at the appropriate time, we obtained rapid convergence at all times. We have also shown that one may simplify each of the three infinite series for the three-dimensional solution to 11 terms and still maintain a maximum relative error of less than 10-14.

Public Education and Outreach for Observing Solar Eclipses and Transits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pasachoff, Jay M.

2015-08-01

The general public is often very interested in observing solar eclipses, with widespread attention from newspapers and other sources often available only days before the events. Recently, the 2012 eclipse's partial phases in Australia and the 2015 eclipse's partial phases throughout Europe as well as western Asia and northern Africa, were widely viewed. The 21 August 2017 eclipse, whose totality will sweep across the Continental United States from northwest to southeast, will have partial phases visible throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America, and into South America. The 2019 and 2020 partial phases of total eclipses will be visible throughout South America, and partial phases from annular eclipses will be visible from other parts of the world. The 9 May 2016 transit of Mercury will be best visible from the Western Hemisphere, Europe, and Africa. Many myths and misunderstandings exist about the safety of observing partial phases, and it is our responsibility as astronomers and educators to transmit accurate information and to attempt the widest possible distribution of such information. The Working Group on Public Education at Eclipses and Transits, formerly of Commission 46 on Education and Development and now of New Commission 11, tries to coordinate the distribution of information. In collaboration with the Solar Division's Working Group on Solar Eclipses, their website at http://eclipses.info is a one-stop shop for accurate information on how to observe eclipses, why it is interesting to do so, where they will be visible (with links to online maps and weather statistics), and how encouraging students to observe eclipses can be inspirational for them, perhaps even leading them to realize that the Universe can be understood and therefore renewing the strength of their studies. Links to information about transits of Mercury and Venus are also included.

Reirradiation on recurrent cervical cancer case: Treatment response and side effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siregar, M. F.; Supriana, N.; Nuranna, L.; Prihartono, J.

2017-08-01

Management of recurrent cervical cancer by reirradiation after radiation treatment remains controversial. In Indonesia, there is currently no data about reirradiation tumor response and side effects. This study aims to assess the tumor response to and side effects of reirradiation, the effect of time interval between first radiation treatment and cancer recurrence on the tumor response and side effects, and the effect of tumor size on tumor response. A cohort retrospective study with no comparison was done with the Radiotherapy Department at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, Jakarta. Participants were recurrent cervical cancer patients undergoing reirradiation. Data was collected from patients’ medical records and follow-up phone calls. Twenty-two patients participated in this study. Nine patients (40.9%) had complete responses, 10 patients (45.5%) had partial responses, 1 patient (4.5%) had a stable response, and 2 patients (9.1%) had tumor progressions. In general, 15 patients (68.2%) had no to light side effects (grade 0-2 RTOG) and 7 patients (31.8%) had severe side effects (grade 3-4 RTOG). Four patients (18.1%) had severe gastrointestinal acute side effects, 6 patients (27.3%) had severe gastrointestinal late side effects, 2 patients (9.1%) had severe urogenital side effects, and there were no patients had severe urogenital late side effects. There was no significant difference in tumor response between patients with time interval between first radiation treatment and recurrence of <12 months vs. ≥12 months. There was no significant difference in tumor response between patients with tumor size ≤4 cm vs. >4 cm. Reirradiation can be considered as a modality in recurrent cervical cancer management since good tumor response was achieved and the majority of patients had no to light side effects (grade 0-2 RTOG). This study found no correlation between tumor response, side effects, and time gap between first radiation treatment and recurrence of <12 months vs. ≥12 months. There was also no correlation between tumor response and tumor size of ≤4 cm vs. > 4 cm.

Integration of Partial Information within and across Modalities: Contributions to Spoken and Written Sentence Recognition

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Kimberly G.; Fogerty, Daniel

2015-01-01

Purpose: This study evaluated the extent to which partial spoken or written information facilitates sentence recognition under degraded unimodal and multimodal conditions. Method: Twenty young adults with typical hearing completed sentence recognition tasks in unimodal and multimodal conditions across 3 proportions of preservation. In the unimodal…

75 FR 45185 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC and NYSE Amex LLC; Order Approving...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-08-02

... side interest. DMM CCS interest would not be accessed to fill or partially fill an incoming odd-lot... lot.\\14\\ As is the case today, DMM CCS interest would be required to be for a minimum of a round lot. However, a DMM would be allowed to provide CCS interest in PRL quantities.\\15\\ \\14\\ See proposed Rule 1000...

Multichannel conformal blocks for scattering amplitudes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belitsky, A. V.

2018-05-01

By performing resummation of small fermion-antifermion pairs within the pentagon form factor program to scattering amplitudes in planar N = 4 superYang-Mills theory, we construct multichannel conformal blocks within the flux-tube picture for N-sided NMHV polygons. This procedure is equivalent to summation of descendants of conformal primaries in the OPE framework. The resulting conformal partial waves are determined by multivariable hypergeometric series of Lauricella-Saran type.

SPERTI Terminal Building (PER604) is under construction in foreground, with ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

SPERT-I Terminal Building (PER-604) is under construction in foreground, with vertical metal siding partially affixed to gable end of building. Utility lines are laid in shallow trench to Reactor Pit and Instrument Cell Buildings also under construction in distance. Photographer: R.G. Larsen. Date: April 22, 1955. INEEL negative no. 55-1001 - Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, SPERT-I & Power Burst Facility Area, Scoville, Butte County, ID

Changing Land Use: The Fens of England. A Case Study in Land Reclamation [And] Student Work Book.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Laws, Kevin

A social studies unit and student workbook explore changes in land use that have occurred in the Fenlands of England since the time it was first inhabited. Fens are lowlying land which is partially or completely covered with water. The English Fens are located on the eastern side of the British Isles and cover a total area of about 2,000 square…

Certified Reduced Basis Model Characterization: a Frequentistic Uncertainty Framework

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-01-11

14) It then follows that the Legendre coefficient random vector, (Z [0], Z [1], . . . , Z [I])(ω), is (I+1)– variate normally distributed with mean (δ...I. Note each two-sided inequality represents two constraints. 3. PDE-Based Statistical Inference We now proceed to the parametrized partial...appearance of defects or geometric variations relative to an initial baseline, or perhaps manufacturing departures from nominal specifications; if our

Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT, aPTT)

MedlinePlus

... through http://www.cap.org . Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time. Florida Hospital Cancer Institute, Clinical and Research Laboratories Coagulation Test Panels [On-line information]. Available ...

Persistent ulnar-sided wrist pain after treatment of triquetral dorsal chip fracture: six cases related to triangular fibrocartilage complex injury.

PubMed

Lee, Seoung-joon; Rathod, Chasanal Mohan; Park, Kwang-Won; Hwang, Jin-Ho

2012-05-01

Persistent ulnar-sided wrist pain after treatment of triquetral dorsal chip fracture even after union is a matter of concern. There could be various reasons for this persistent pain like arthritis, instability, fractures and non-union. We correlate our findings of physical examination and wrist arthroscopy as triangular fibrocartilage complex injury to be one of the causes of this persistent pain. Six subjects who had persistent ulnocarpal joint pain and tenderness after triquetral dorsal chip fracture, despite 2 months of conservative treatment, were subjected to physical tests. If the physical examination yields positive results, then magnetic resonance imaging followed by arthroscopic treatment was performed. The six patients were then evaluated using the visual analogue scale, the Mayo modified wrist score, and the grip strength test. Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injury was observed in all six cases and partial TFCC resection and synovectomy were performed. Analysis of the visual analogue scale, Mayo modified wrist score, and grip strength test data revealed statistically significant improvements (P < 0.05). In addition to several causes reported in the published literature, TFCC injury can be a cause of persistent ulnar pain after treatment of triquetral dorsal chip fracture. Arthroscopic partial TFCC resection can be considered to be a suitable treatment for such cases.

Endoscopic partial medial maxillectomy with mucosal flap for maxillary sinus mucoceles.

PubMed

Durr, Megan L; Goldberg, Andrew N

2014-01-01

To describe a technique of endoscopic medial maxillectomy with mucosal flap for postoperative maxillary sinus mucoceles and to present a case series of subjects who underwent this procedure. This case series includes four subjects with postoperative maxillary sinus mucoceles who underwent resection via endoscopic partial medial maxillectomy with a mucosal flap. We will discuss the clinical presentation, imaging characteristics, operative details, and outcomes. Four subjects are included in this study. The average age at the time of medial maxillectomy was 52 years (range 35-65 years). Three subjects (75%) were female. One subject (25%) had bilateral postoperative maxillary sinus mucoceles. Two subjects (50%) had unilateral right sided mucoceles, and the remaining subject had a unilateral left sided mucocele. All subjects had a history of multiple sinus procedures for chronic sinusitis including Caldwell-Luc procedures ipsilateral to the postoperative mucocele. All subjects underwent endoscopic medial maxillectomy without complication and were symptom free at the last follow up appointment, average 24 months (range 3-71 months) after medial maxillectomy. For postoperative maxillary sinus mucoceles in locations that are difficult to access via the middle meatus antrostomy, we recommend endoscopic medial maxillectomy with mucosal flap. Our preliminary experience with four subjects demonstrates complete resolution of symptoms after this procedure. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Implant Supported Distal Extension over Denture Retained by Two Types of Attachments. A Comparative Radiographic Study by Cone Beam Computed Tomography

PubMed Central

Mahrous, Ahmed I; Aldawash, Hussien A; Soliman, Tarek A; Banasr, Fahad H; Abdelwahed, Ahmed

2015-01-01

Background: This study was conducted to compare and evaluate the effect of two different attachments (locator attachment and ball and socket [B&S] attachment) on implants and natural abutments supporting structures, in cases of limited inter-arch spaces in mandibular Kennedy Class I implant supported removable partial over dentures by measuring the bone height changes through the cone beam radiographic technology. Materials and Methods: Two implants were positioned in the first or second molar area following the two-stage surgical protocol. Two equal groups were divided ten for each: Group I: Sides were the placed implants restored by the locator attachment. Group II: The other sides, implants were restored by B&S attachment. Evaluation of the implants and main abutments supporting structures of each group was done at the time of removable partial over denture insertion, 6, 12 and 18 months by measuring the bone height changes using cone beam computed tomography. Results: Implants with locator attachment showed marginal bone height better effects on implants and main abutments supporting structures. Conclusion: Implants restored by locator attachment shows better effects on bone of both main natural abutments and implant than those restored with ball and socket. PMID:26028894

Breeding bird response to partially harvested riparian management zones

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chizinski, Christopher J.; Peterson, Anna; Hanowski, JoAnn; Blinn, Charles R.; Vondracek, Bruce C.; Niemi, Gerald

2011-01-01

We compared avian communities among three timber harvesting treatments in 45-m wide even-age riparian management zones (RMZs) placed between upland clearcuts and along one side of first- or second-order streams in northern Minnesota, USA. The RMZs had three treatments: (1) unharvested, (2) intermediate residual basal area (RBA) (targeted goal 11.5 m2/ha, realized 16.0 m2/ha), and (3) low RBA (targeted goal 5.7 m2/ha, realized 8.7 m2/ha). Surveys were conducted one year pre-harvest and three consecutive years post-harvest. There was no change in species richness, diversity, or total abundance associated with harvest but there were shifts in the types of birds within the community. In particular, White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) and Chestnut-sided Warblers (Dendroica pensylvanica) increased while Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapilla) and Red-eyed Vireos (Vireo olivaceus) decreased. The decline of avian species associated with mature forest in the partially harvested treatments relative to controls indicates that maintaining an unharvested RMZ adjacent to an upland harvest may aid in maintaining avian species associated mature forest in Minnesota for at least three years post-harvest. However, our observations do not reflect reproductive success, which is an area for future research.

Development of a dual-ended readout detector with segmented crystal bars made using a subsurface laser engraving technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohammadi, Akram; Yoshida, Eiji; Nishikido, Fumihiko; Nitta, Munetaka; Shimizu, Keiji; Sakai, Toshiaki; Yamaya, Taiga

2018-01-01

Depth of interaction (DOI) information is indispensable to improving the sensitivity and spatial resolution of positron emission tomography (PET) systems, especially for small field-of-view PET such as small animal PET and human brain PET. We have already developed a series of X’tal cube detectors for isotropic spatial resolution and we obtained the best isotropic resolution of 0.77 mm for detectors with six-sided readout. However, it is still challenging to apply the detector for PET systems due to the high cost of six-sided readout electronics and carrying out segmentation of a monolithic cubic scintillator in three dimensions using the subsurface laser engraving (SSLE) technique. In this work, we propose a more practical X’tal cube with a two-sided readout detector, which is made of crystal bars segmented in the height direction only by using the SSLE technique. We developed two types of prototype detectors with a 3 mm cubic segment and a 1.5 mm cubic segment by using 3  ×  3  ×  20 mm3 and 1.5  ×  1.5  ×  20 mm3 crystal bars segmented into 7 and 13 DOI segments, respectively, using the SSLE technique. First, the performance of the detector, composed of one crystal bar with different DOI segments and two thorough silicon via (TSV) multi-pixel photon counters (MPPCs) as readout at both ends of the crystal bar, were evaluated in order to demonstrate the capability of the segmented crystal bars as a DOI detector. Then, performance evaluation was carried out for a 4  ×  4 crystal array of 3  ×  3  ×  20 mm3 with 7 DOI segments and an 8  ×  8 crystal array of 1.5  ×  1.5  ×  20 mm3 with 13 DOI segments. Each readout included a 4  ×  4 channel of the 3  ×  3 mm2 active area of the TSV MPPCs. The three-dimensional position maps of the detectors were obtained by the Anger-type calculation. All the segments in the 4  ×  4 array were identified very clearly when there was air between the crystal bars, as each crystal bar was coupled to one channel of the MPPCs; however, it was necessary to optimize optical conditions between crystal bars for the 8  ×  8 array because of light sharing between crystal bars coupled to one channel of the MPPCs. The optimization was performed for the 8  ×  8 array by inserting reflectors fully or partially between the crystal bars and the best crystal identification performance was obtained with the partial reflectors between the crystal bars. The mean energy resolutions at the 511 keV photo peak for the 4  ×  4 array with air between the crystal bars and for the 8  ×  8 array with partial reflectors between the crystal bars were 10.1%  ±  0.3% and 10.8%  ±  0.8%, respectively. Timing resolutions of 783  ±  36 ps and 1.14  ±  0.22 ns were obtained for the detectors composed of the 4  ×  4 array and the 8  ×  8 array with partial reflectors, respectively. These values correspond to single photon timing resolutions. Practical X’tal cubes with 3 mm and 1.5 mm DOI resolutions and two-sided readout were developed.

Development of a dual-ended readout detector with segmented crystal bars made using a subsurface laser engraving technique.

PubMed

Mohammadi, Akram; Yoshida, Eiji; Nishikido, Fumihiko; Nitta, Munetaka; Shimizu, Keiji; Sakai, Toshiaki; Yamaya, Taiga

2018-01-11

Depth of interaction (DOI) information is indispensable to improving the sensitivity and spatial resolution of positron emission tomography (PET) systems, especially for small field-of-view PET such as small animal PET and human brain PET. We have already developed a series of X'tal cube detectors for isotropic spatial resolution and we obtained the best isotropic resolution of 0.77 mm for detectors with six-sided readout. However, it is still challenging to apply the detector for PET systems due to the high cost of six-sided readout electronics and carrying out segmentation of a monolithic cubic scintillator in three dimensions using the subsurface laser engraving (SSLE) technique. In this work, we propose a more practical X'tal cube with a two-sided readout detector, which is made of crystal bars segmented in the height direction only by using the SSLE technique. We developed two types of prototype detectors with a 3 mm cubic segment and a 1.5 mm cubic segment by using 3  ×  3  ×  20 mm 3 and 1.5  ×  1.5  ×  20 mm 3 crystal bars segmented into 7 and 13 DOI segments, respectively, using the SSLE technique. First, the performance of the detector, composed of one crystal bar with different DOI segments and two thorough silicon via (TSV) multi-pixel photon counters (MPPCs) as readout at both ends of the crystal bar, were evaluated in order to demonstrate the capability of the segmented crystal bars as a DOI detector. Then, performance evaluation was carried out for a 4  ×  4 crystal array of 3  ×  3  ×  20 mm 3 with 7 DOI segments and an 8  ×  8 crystal array of 1.5  ×  1.5  ×  20 mm 3 with 13 DOI segments. Each readout included a 4  ×  4 channel of the 3  ×  3 mm 2 active area of the TSV MPPCs. The three-dimensional position maps of the detectors were obtained by the Anger-type calculation. All the segments in the 4  ×  4 array were identified very clearly when there was air between the crystal bars, as each crystal bar was coupled to one channel of the MPPCs; however, it was necessary to optimize optical conditions between crystal bars for the 8  ×  8 array because of light sharing between crystal bars coupled to one channel of the MPPCs. The optimization was performed for the 8  ×  8 array by inserting reflectors fully or partially between the crystal bars and the best crystal identification performance was obtained with the partial reflectors between the crystal bars. The mean energy resolutions at the 511 keV photo peak for the 4  ×  4 array with air between the crystal bars and for the 8  ×  8 array with partial reflectors between the crystal bars were 10.1%  ±  0.3% and 10.8%  ±  0.8%, respectively. Timing resolutions of 783  ±  36 ps and 1.14  ±  0.22 ns were obtained for the detectors composed of the 4  ×  4 array and the 8  ×  8 array with partial reflectors, respectively. These values correspond to single photon timing resolutions. Practical X'tal cubes with 3 mm and 1.5 mm DOI resolutions and two-sided readout were developed.

Adverse reactions and interactions with beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs.

PubMed

Lewis, R V; McDevitt, D G

1986-01-01

beta-Blocking drugs are widely used throughout the world and serious adverse reactions are relatively uncommon. Most of those which do occur are pharmacologically predictable and may be avoided by ensuring that patients who are to be given beta-blockers do not have a predisposition to the development of bronchospasm, cardiac failure or peripheral ischaemia. In some situations, the use of a beta 1-selective blocking drug may reduce the risk of a severe adverse reaction, but there is little evidence that other ancillary properties such as partial agonist activity are of relevance in this context. Long term experience with many of the beta-blockers in current use suggests that unpredictable major adverse reactions such as the practolol oculomucocutaneous syndrome are unlikely to be repeated, although some of these drugs may be associated with immunological disturbances and some have been implicated in the development of retroperitoneal fibrosis. beta-Blocking drugs appear to be associated with a number of subjective side effects including muscle fatigue, peripheral coldness and some neurological symptoms. These side effects are highly subjective and are therefore difficult to quantify and it is not known whether they are of major importance in terms of their effect upon patients' overall well-being. It cannot be assumed that simply because such side effects can be elicited that they do, in fact, matter. However, because beta-blockers are often prescribed for patients who have no symptoms and for whom the benefits of therapy are generally small, such side effects would be of considerable importance if they had an overall effect upon quality of life. There are theoretical reasons to suppose that the incidence and severity of such side effects may be related to the ancillary properties of the individual drugs, but there is little evidence that parameters such as beta 1-selectivity, or partial agonist activity are clinically important determinants of the severity of these side effects. Lipophilicity, however, may be associated with an increased incidence of neurological symptoms. beta-Blocking drugs may cause a variety of metabolic disturbances including an increase in serum VLDL-cholesterol concentrations. However, long term studies have not shown that such disturbances are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, indicating that such metabolic changes may not be of major importance in practice. beta-Blocking drugs may be involved in a number of interactions with other drugs, but few of these have been shown to be of clinical significance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Identifying buried segments of active faults in the northern Rio Grande Rift using aeromagnetic, LiDAR,and gravity data, south-central Colorado, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Grauch, V.J.S.; Ruleman, Chester A.

2013-01-01

Combined interpretation of aeromagnetic and LiDAR data builds on the strength of the aeromagnetic method to locate normal faults with significant offset under cover and the strength of LiDAR interpretation to identify the age and sense of motion of faults. Each data set helps resolve ambiguities in interpreting the other. In addition, gravity data can be used to infer the sense of motion for totally buried faults inferred solely from aeromagnetic data. Combined interpretation to identify active faults at the northern end of the San Luis Basin of the northern Rio Grande rift has confirmed general aspects of previous geologic mapping but has also provided significant improvements. The interpretation revises and extends mapped fault traces, confirms tectonic versus fluvial origins of steep stream banks, and gains additional information on the nature of active and potentially active partially and totally buried faults. Detailed morphology of surfaces mapped from the LiDAR data helps constrain ages of the faults that displace the deposits. The aeromagnetic data provide additional information about their extents in between discontinuous scarps and suggest that several totally buried, potentially active faults are present on both sides of the valley.

Side-information-dependent correlation channel estimation in hash-based distributed video coding.

PubMed

Deligiannis, Nikos; Barbarien, Joeri; Jacobs, Marc; Munteanu, Adrian; Skodras, Athanassios; Schelkens, Peter

2012-04-01

In the context of low-cost video encoding, distributed video coding (DVC) has recently emerged as a potential candidate for uplink-oriented applications. This paper builds on a concept of correlation channel (CC) modeling, which expresses the correlation noise as being statistically dependent on the side information (SI). Compared with classical side-information-independent (SII) noise modeling adopted in current DVC solutions, it is theoretically proven that side-information-dependent (SID) modeling improves the Wyner-Ziv coding performance. Anchored in this finding, this paper proposes a novel algorithm for online estimation of the SID CC parameters based on already decoded information. The proposed algorithm enables bit-plane-by-bit-plane successive refinement of the channel estimation leading to progressively improved accuracy. Additionally, the proposed algorithm is included in a novel DVC architecture that employs a competitive hash-based motion estimation technique to generate high-quality SI at the decoder. Experimental results corroborate our theoretical gains and validate the accuracy of the channel estimation algorithm. The performance assessment of the proposed architecture shows remarkable and consistent coding gains over a germane group of state-of-the-art distributed and standard video codecs, even under strenuous conditions, i.e., large groups of pictures and highly irregular motion content.

The impact of methylphenidate on seizure frequency and severity in children with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder and difficult-to-treat epilepsies.

PubMed

Santos, Kleber; Palmini, Andre; Radziuk, Ana L; Rotert, Rosana; Bastos, Fernanda; Booij, Linda; Fernandes, Brisa S

2013-07-01

Difficult-to-treat epilepsies and attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often co-occur. Because of concerns about the use of stimulants in children with this comorbidity, the impact of ADHD treatment on seizure frequency and severity is not known. This pilot study evaluated the safety and efficacy of methylphenidate in this population. After a 3 month period in which antiepileptic drugs were adjusted, 22 patients recruited from a specialist outpatient clinic for severe epilepsy (16 males, six females; mean age 11 y 2 mo, SD 3 y 2 mo) received methylphenidate for 3 months in an open label, non-controlled trial; four with generalized or multifocal (symptomatic/cryptogenic) epilepsy, one with generalized (idiopathic) epilepsy, 17 with partial (symptomatic/cryptogenic) epilepsy; five with partial seizures only, 17 with primarily or secondarily generalized seizures). Epilepsy, ADHD symptoms, and side effects were assessed using the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Questionnaire, the Child Behavior Checklist, the Hague Seizure Severity Scale, and the Side Effects Rating Scale. Methylphenidate significantly improved ADHD. After 3 months of treatment, 73% of patients no longer had clinically significant symptoms. Methylphenidate also reduced seizure severity (9-point median decrease on the Hague Seizure Severity Scale). Seizure frequency increased in four out of 22 patients, but only one patient withdrew from the study for this reason. Most patients experienced no major side effects. These data are among the first showing that low doses of methylphenidate are safe and effective to treat ADHD symptoms in patients with difficult-to-treat epilepsies. Randomized controlled trials are needed to replicate the findings. © The Authors. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology © 2013 Mac Keith Press.

Nasal airway and septal variation in unilateral and bilateral cleft lip and palate.

PubMed

Starbuck, John M; Friel, Michael T; Ghoneima, Ahmed; Flores, Roberto L; Tholpady, Sunil; Kula, Katherine

2014-10-01

Cleft lip and palate (CLP) affects the dentoalveolar and nasolabial facial regions. Internal and external nasal dysmorphology may persist in individuals born with CLP despite surgical interventions. 7-18 year old individuals born with unilateral and bilateral CLP (n = 50) were retrospectively assessed using cone beam computed tomography. Anterior, middle, and posterior nasal airway volumes were measured on each facial side. Septal deviation was measured at the anterior and posterior nasal spine, and the midpoint between these two locations. Data were evaluated using principal components analysis (PCA), multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), and post-hoc ANOVA tests. PCA results show partial separation in high dimensional space along PC1 (48.5% variance) based on age groups and partial separation along PC2 (29.8% variance) based on CLP type and septal deviation patterns. MANOVA results indicate that age (P = 0.007) and CLP type (P ≤ 0.001) significantly affect nasal airway volume and septal deviation. ANOVA results indicate that anterior nasal volume is significantly affected by age (P ≤ 0.001), whereas septal deviation patterns are significantly affected by CLP type (P ≤ 0.001). Age and CLP type affect nasal airway volume and septal deviation patterns. Nasal airway volumes tend to be reduced on the clefted sides of the face relative to non-clefted sides of the face. Nasal airway volumes tend to strongly increase with age, whereas septal deviation values tend to increase only slightly with age. These results suggest that functional nasal breathing may be impaired in individuals born with the unilateral and bilateral CLP deformity. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Flow Cytometry of Spinach Chloroplasts 1

PubMed Central

Schröder, Wolfgang P.; Petit, Patrice X.

1992-01-01

Intact spinach (Spinacia oleracea) chloroplasts, thylakoid membranes, and inside-out or right-side-out thylakoid vesicles have been characterized by flow cytometry with respect to forward angle light scatter, right angle light scatter, and chlorophyll fluorescence. Analysis of intact chloroplasts with respect to forward light scatter and the chlorophyll fluorescence parameter revealed the presence of truly “intact” and “disrupted” chloroplasts. The forward light scatter parameter, normally considered to reflect object size, was instead found to reflect the particle density. One essential advantage of flow cytometry is that additional parameters such as Ricinus communis agglutinin (linked to fluorescein isothiocyanate) fluorescence can be determined through logical conditions placed on bit-maps, amounting to an analytical purification procedure. In the present case, chloroplast subpopulations with fully preserved envelopes, thylakoid membrane, and inside-out or right-side-out thylakoid membranes vesicles can be distinguished. Flow cytometry is also a useful tool to address the question of availability of glycosyl moities on the membrane surfaces if one keeps in mind that organelle-to-organelle interactions could be partially mediated through a recognition process. A high specific binding of R. communis agglutinin and peanut lectin to the chloroplast envelope was detected. This showed that galactose residues were exposed and accessible to specific lectins on the chloroplast surface. No exposed glucose, fucose, or mannose residues could be detected by the appropriate lectins. Ricin binding to the intact chloroplasts caused a strong aggregation. Disruption of these aggregates by resuspension or during passage in the flow cytometer induced partial breakage of the chloroplasts. Only minor binding of R. communis agglutinin and peanut lectin to the purified thylakoid membranes was detected; the binding was found to be low for both inside-out and right-side-out vesicles of the thylakoid membranes. Images Figure 1 Figure 1 Figure 1 PMID:16653090

The effect of the palmitoylethanolamide analogue, palmitoylallylamide (L-29) on pain behaviour in rodent models of neuropathy.

PubMed

Wallace, V C J; Segerdahl, A R; Lambert, D M; Vandevoorde, S; Blackbeard, J; Pheby, T; Hasnie, F; Rice, A S C

2007-08-01

Cannabinoids are associated with analgesia in acute and chronic pain states. A spectrum of central cannabinoid (CB(1)) receptor-mediated motor and psychotropic side effects limit their therapeutic potential. Here, we investigate the analgesic effect of the palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) analogue, palmitoylallylamide (L-29), which via inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) may potentiate endocannabinoids thereby avoiding psychotropic side effects. The in vivo analysis of the effect of L-29 on measures of pain behaviour in three rat models of neuropathic pain. Systemically administered L-29 (10 mg kg(-1)) reduced hypersensitivity to mechanical and thermal stimuli in the partial sciatic nerve injury (PSNI) model of neuropathic pain; and mechanical hypersensitivity in a model of antiretroviral (ddC)-associated hypersensitivity and a model of varicella zoster virus (VZV)-associated hypersensitivity. The effects of L-29 were comparable to those of gabapentin (50 mg kg(-1)). The CB(1) receptor antagonist SR141716a (1 mg kg(-1)) and the CB(2) receptor antagonist SR144528 (1 mg kg(-1)) reduced the effect of L-29 on hypersensitivity in the PSNI and ddC models, but not in the VZV model. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha antagonist, MK-886 (1 mg kg(-1)), partially attenuated the effect of L-29 on hypersensitivity in the PSNI model. L-29 (10 mg kg(-1)) significantly attenuated thigmotactic behaviour in the open field arena without effect on locomotor activity. L-29 produces analgesia in a range of neuropathic pain models. This presents L-29 as a novel analgesic compound that may target the endogenous cannabinoid system while avoiding undesirable side effects associated with direct cannabinoid receptor activation.

Enhanced M1/M2 macrophage ratio promotes orthodontic root resorption.

PubMed

He, D; Kou, X; Luo, Q; Yang, R; Liu, D; Wang, X; Song, Y; Cao, H; Zeng, M; Gan, Y; Zhou, Y

2015-01-01

Mechanical force-induced orthodontic root resorption is a major clinical challenge in orthodontic treatment. Macrophages play an important role in orthodontic root resorption, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we examined the mechanism by which the ratio of M1 to M2 macrophage polarization affects root resorption during orthodontic tooth movement. Root resorption occurred when nickel-titanium coil springs were applied on the upper first molars of rats for 3 to 14 d. Positively stained odontoclasts or osteoclasts with tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase were found in resorption areas. Meanwhile, M1-like macrophages positive for CD68 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) persistently accumulated on the compression side of periodontal tissues. In addition, the expressions of the M1 activator interferon-γ and the M1-associated pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were upregulated on the compression side of periodontal tissues. When the coil springs were removed at the 14th day after orthodontic force application, root resorption was partially rescued. The number of CD68(+)CD163(+) M2-like macrophages gradually increased on the compression side of periodontal tissues. The levels of M2 activator interleukin (IL)-4 and the M2-associated anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 also increased. Systemic injection of the TNF-α inhibitor etanercept or IL-4 attenuated the severity of root resorption and decreased the ratio of M1 to M2 macrophages. These data imply that the balance between M1 and M2 macrophages affects orthodontic root resorption. Root resorption was aggravated by an enhanced M1/M2 ratio but was partially rescued by a reduced M1/M2 ratio. © International & American Associations for Dental Research 2014.

DeepMeSH: deep semantic representation for improving large-scale MeSH indexing.

PubMed

Peng, Shengwen; You, Ronghui; Wang, Hongning; Zhai, Chengxiang; Mamitsuka, Hiroshi; Zhu, Shanfeng

2016-06-15

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) indexing, which is to assign a set of MeSH main headings to citations, is crucial for many important tasks in biomedical text mining and information retrieval. Large-scale MeSH indexing has two challenging aspects: the citation side and MeSH side. For the citation side, all existing methods, including Medical Text Indexer (MTI) by National Library of Medicine and the state-of-the-art method, MeSHLabeler, deal with text by bag-of-words, which cannot capture semantic and context-dependent information well. We propose DeepMeSH that incorporates deep semantic information for large-scale MeSH indexing. It addresses the two challenges in both citation and MeSH sides. The citation side challenge is solved by a new deep semantic representation, D2V-TFIDF, which concatenates both sparse and dense semantic representations. The MeSH side challenge is solved by using the 'learning to rank' framework of MeSHLabeler, which integrates various types of evidence generated from the new semantic representation. DeepMeSH achieved a Micro F-measure of 0.6323, 2% higher than 0.6218 of MeSHLabeler and 12% higher than 0.5637 of MTI, for BioASQ3 challenge data with 6000 citations. The software is available upon request. zhusf@fudan.edu.cn Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press.

Spontaneous obliteration of spontaneous vertebral arteriovenous fistula associated with fibromuscular dysplasia after partial surgery: A case report.

PubMed

Iampreechakul, Prasert; Siriwimonmas, Somkiet

2016-12-01

We describe a patient with spontaneous obliteration of spontaneous vertebral arteriovenous fistula (VAVF) associated with fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) after partial surgery. A 52-year-old hypertensive female woke up one morning with left shoulder pain and weakness of the left upper extremity. A few days later, she developed left-sided audible bruit. She was treated for left frozen shoulder and supportive treatment for audible bruit for four years. She was referred from her general physician to a neurosurgeon because of left arm weakness. Physical examination showed signs of cervical radiculomyelopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an extradural mass on the left side of the cervical spinal canal from level C2 to C6. Provisional diagnosis was epidural vascular tumour. Laminectomy and partial removal of the mass was performed at level C5 to C6. Pathological report revealed suspected vascular malformation. Postoperative MRI showed thrombosed epidural vascular structure. Angiography showed dysplastic changes of both vertebral arteries representing FMD with VAVF of the left vertebral artery at level C1-C2. Two years after surgery, follow-up MRI demonstrated complete spontaneous resolution of the large thrombosed epidural vein. Disappearance of her audible bruit immediately after surgery and gradual improvement of her cervical radiculomyelopathy were observed after two years of clinical follow-up. From the literature, we found another 11 patients with 12 VAVFs who had spontaneous obliteration or cure of their fistulas. In the present case, spontaneous obliteration of the fistula seems to correlate with surgery inducing closure of the epidural venous exit leading to thrombosis of the enlarged epidural draining vein. © The Author(s) 2016.

Preliminary Outcome of Individualized Abdominoperineal Excision for Locally Advanced Low Rectal Cancer.

PubMed

Zheng, Yi; Han, Jia-Gang; Wang, Zhen-Jun; Gao, Zhi-Gang; Wei, Guang-Hui; Zhai, Zhi-Wei; Zhao, Bao-Cheng

2018-06-05

The introduction of individualized abdominoperineal excision (APE) may minimize operative trauma and reduce the rate of complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of individualized APE for low rectal cancer. Fifty-six patients who underwent individualized APE from June 2011 to June 2015 were evaluated retrospectively in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University. The main outcome measures were circumferential resection margin (CRM) involvement, intraoperative perforation, postoperative complications, and local recurrence. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 16.0. Fifty (89%) patients received preoperative chemoradiotherapy: 51 (91%) patients were treated with the sacrococcyx preserved; 27 (48%) patients with the levator ani muscle partially preserved bilaterally; 20 (36%) patients with the levator ani muscle partially preserved unilaterally and the muscle on the opposite side totally preserved; 7 (13%) patients with intact levator ani muscle and part of the ischioanal fat bilaterally dissected; and 2 (4%) patients with part of the ischioanal fat and intact lavator ani muscle dissected unilaterally and the muscle on the opposite side partially preserved. The most common complications included sexual dysfunction (12%), perineal wound complications (13%), urinary retention (7%), and chronic perineal pain (5%). A positive CRM was demonstrated in 3 (5%) patients, and intraoperative perforations occurred in 2 (4%) patients. On multiple logistic regression analysis, longer operative time (P = 0.032) and more intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.006) were significantly associated with perineal procedure-related complications. The local recurrence was 4% at a median follow-up of 53 months (range: 30-74 months). With preoperative chemoradiotherapy, individualized APE may be a relatively safe and feasible approach for low rectal cancer with acceptable oncological outcomes.

A New Sliding-Loop Technique in Renorrhaphy for Partial Nephrectomy: A Feasibility Study in a Porcine Model.

PubMed

Lee, Jung Keun; Oh, Jong Jin; Lee, Sangchul; Lee, Seung Bae; Byun, Seok-Soo; Lee, Sang Eun; Jeong, Chang Wook

2016-04-01

We developed a sliding-loop technique that narrowed both sides of the parenchyma in a porcine model and compared it with the conventional sliding-clip technique. Three pigs (30-40 kg) were reused following another experiment conducted by the same researchers. Bilateral kidneys were harvested within 30 minutes after euthanasia. Two partial nephrectomies per kidney were performed on opposite surfaces. All kidney defects were of the same size (diameter of 2.5-3 cm with a depth of 1.0-1.5 cm). The sliding-clip technique and sliding-loop technique were performed separately. In the sliding-loop technique, we created a 1-cm loop at the end of a Vicryl and placed a tetrafluoroethylene polymer pledget in front of the knots passing through the needle. The needle then crossed the loop after passing through the renal parenchyma. A Weck clip was placed and slid on one side to tighten the suture. Tightening was controlled with an equivalent force using a digital push-pull gauge. Three stitches were placed at each renorrhaphy site. The distance between repaired renal surfaces was measured at 5 different points (3 suture sites and 2 middle sites between sutures). The results of the 2 techniques were compared by using the independent t test. The mean distance between renal surfaces was significantly narrower in the sliding-loop technique than in the conventional technique (1.80 ± 1.08 mm vs 5.28 ± 2.46 mm, P < .001). In the porcine model, the sliding-loop technique more effectively closed the partial nephrectomy defects compared with the conventional sliding-clip technique. © The Author(s) 2015.

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

Deline, C.

Computer modeling is able to predict the performance of distributed power electronics (microinverters, power optimizers) in PV systems. However, details about partial shade and other mismatch must be known in order to give the model accurate information to go on. This talk will describe recent updates in NREL’s System Advisor Model program to model partial shading losses with and without distributed power electronics, along with experimental validation results. Computer modeling is able to predict the performance of distributed power electronics (microinverters, power optimizers) in PV systems. However, details about partial shade and other mismatch must be known in order tomore » give the model accurate information to go on. This talk will describe recent updates in NREL’s System Advisor Model program to model partial shading losses.« less

Side-chain-side-chain interactions and stability of the helical state

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zangi, Ronen

2014-01-01

Understanding the driving forces that lead to the stability of the secondary motifs found in proteins, namely α-helix and β-sheet, is a major goal in structural biology. The thermodynamic stability of these repetitive units is a result of a delicate balance between many factors, which in addition to the peptide chain involves also the solvent. Despite the fact that the backbones of all amino acids are the same (except of that of proline), there are large differences in the propensity of the different amino acids to promote the helical structure. In this paper, we investigate by explicit-solvent molecular dynamics simulations the role of the side chains (modeled as coarse-grained single sites) in stabilizing α helices in an aqueous solution. Our model systems include four (six-mer-nine-mer) peptide lengths in which the magnitude of the effective attraction between the side chains is systematically increased. We find that these interactions between the side chains can induce (for the nine-mer almost completely) a transition from a coil to a helical state. This transition is found to be characterized by three states in which the intermediate state is a partially folded α-helical conformation. In the absence of any interactions between the side chains the free energy change for helix formation has a small positive value indicating that favorable contributions from the side chains are necessary to stabilize the helical conformation. Thus, the helix-coil transition is controlled by the effective potentials between the side-chain residues and the magnitude of the required attraction per residue, which is on the order of the thermal energy, reduces with the length of the peptide. Surprisingly, the plots of the population of the helical state (or the change in the free energy for helix formation) as a function of the total effective interactions between the side chains in the helical state for all peptide lengths fall on the same curve.

Selection of Server-Side Technologies for an E-Business Curriculum

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sandvig, J. Christopher

2007-01-01

The rapid growth of e-business and e-commerce has made server-side programming an increasingly important topic in information systems (IS) and computer science (CS) curricula. This article presents an overview of the major features of several popular server-side programming technologies and discusses the factors that influence the selection of…

Clooten Siding & Window, Inc. Information Sheet

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Clooten Siding & Window, Inc. (the Company) is located in Bismarck, North Dakota. The settlement involves renovation activities conducted at a property constructed prior to 1978, located in Bismarck, North Dakota.

D&R Siding Co., LLC Information Sheet

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

D&R Siding Co., LLC (the Company) is located in Shelbyville, Tennessee. The settlement involves renovation activities conducted at a property constructed prior to 1978, located in Fayetteville, Tennessee.

Model-based estimation with boundary side information or boundary regularization [cardiac emission CT].

PubMed

Chiao, P C; Rogers, W L; Fessler, J A; Clinthorne, N H; Hero, A O

1994-01-01

The authors have previously developed a model-based strategy for joint estimation of myocardial perfusion and boundaries using ECT (emission computed tomography). They have also reported difficulties with boundary estimation in low contrast and low count rate situations. Here they propose using boundary side information (obtainable from high resolution MRI and CT images) or boundary regularization to improve both perfusion and boundary estimation in these situations. To fuse boundary side information into the emission measurements, the authors formulate a joint log-likelihood function to include auxiliary boundary measurements as well as ECT projection measurements. In addition, they introduce registration parameters to align auxiliary boundary measurements with ECT measurements and jointly estimate these parameters with other parameters of interest from the composite measurements. In simulated PET O-15 water myocardial perfusion studies using a simplified model, the authors show that the joint estimation improves perfusion estimation performance and gives boundary alignment accuracy of <0.5 mm even at 0.2 million counts. They implement boundary regularization through formulating a penalized log-likelihood function. They also demonstrate in simulations that simultaneous regularization of the epicardial boundary and myocardial thickness gives comparable perfusion estimation accuracy with the use of boundary side information.

When Half a Word Is Enough: Infants Can Recognize Spoken Words Using Partial Phonetic Information.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fernald, Anne; Swingley, Daniel; Pinto, John P.

2001-01-01

Two experiments tracked infants' eye movements to examine use of word-initial information to understand fluent speech. Results indicated that 21- and 18-month-olds recognized partial words as quickly and reliably as whole words. Infants' productive vocabulary and reaction time were related to word recognition accuracy. Results show that…

Superposing pure quantum states with partial prior information

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dogra, Shruti; Thomas, George; Ghosh, Sibasish; Suter, Dieter

2018-05-01

The principle of superposition is an intriguing feature of quantum mechanics, which is regularly exploited in many different circumstances. A recent work [M. Oszmaniec et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 116, 110403 (2016), 10.1103/PhysRevLett.116.110403] shows that the fundamentals of quantum mechanics restrict the process of superimposing two unknown pure states, even though it is possible to superimpose two quantum states with partial prior knowledge. The prior knowledge imposes geometrical constraints on the choice of input states. We discuss an experimentally feasible protocol to superimpose multiple pure states of a d -dimensional quantum system and carry out an explicit experimental realization for two single-qubit pure states with partial prior information on a two-qubit NMR quantum information processor.

Treatment of Partial Rotator Cuff Tear with Ultrasound-guided Platelet-rich Plasma.

PubMed

Sengodan, Vetrivel Chezian; Kurian, Sajith; Ramasamy, Raghupathy

2017-01-01

The treatment of symptomatic partial rotator cuff tear has presented substantial challenge to orthopaedic surgeons as it can vary from conservative to surgical repair. Researches have established the influence of platelet rich plasma in healing damaged tissue. Currently very few data are available regarding the evidence of clinical and radiological outcome of partial rotator cuff tear treated with ultrasound guided platelet rich plasma injection in English literature. 20 patients with symptomatic partial rotator cuff tears were treated with ultrasound guided platelet rich plasma injection. Before and after the injection of platelet rich plasma scoring was done with visual analogue score, Constant shoulder score, and UCLA shoulder score at 8 weeks and third month. A review ultrasound was performed 8 weeks after platelet rich plasma injection to assess the rotator cuff status. Our study showed statistically significant improvements in 17 patients in VAS pain score, constant shoulder score and UCLA shoulder score. No significant changes in ROM were noted when matched to the contra-lateral side ( P < 0.001) at the 3 month follow-up. The study also showed good healing on radiological evaluation with ultrasonogram 8 weeks after platelet rich plasma injection. Ultrasound guided platelet rich plasma injection for partial rotator cuff tears is an effective procedure that leads to significant decrease in pain, improvement in shoulder functions, much cost-effective and less problematic compared to a surgical treatment.

18 CFR 401.102 - Partial disclosure of records.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 18 Conservation of Power and Water Resources 2 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Partial disclosure of records. 401.102 Section 401.102 Conservation of Power and Water Resources DELAWARE RIVER BASIN COMMISSION ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL RULES OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE Public Access to Records and Information § 401.102 Partial...

Nearly Seamless Vacuum-Insulated Boxes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stepanian, Christopher J.; Ou, Danny; Hu, Xiangjun

2010-01-01

A design concept, and a fabrication process that would implement the design concept, have been proposed for nearly seamless vacuum-insulated boxes that could be the main structural components of a variety of controlled-temperature containers, including common household refrigerators and insulating containers for shipping foods. In a typical case, a vacuum-insulated box would be shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped conventional refrigerator box having five fully closed sides and a hinged door on the sixth side. Although it is possible to construct the five-closed-side portion of the box as an assembly of five unitary vacuum-insulated panels, it is not desirable to do so because the relatively high thermal conductances of the seams between the panels would contribute significant amounts of heat leakage, relative to the leakage through the panels themselves. In contrast, the proposal would make it possible to reduce heat leakage by constructing the five-closed-side portion of the box plus the stationary portion (if any) of the sixth side as a single, seamless unit; the only remaining seam would be the edge seal around the door. The basic cross-sectional configuration of each side of a vacuum-insulated box according to the proposal would be that of a conventional vacuum-insulated panel: a low-density, porous core material filling a partially evacuated space between face sheets. However, neither the face sheets nor the core would be conventional. The face sheets would be opposite sides of a vacuum bag. The core material would be a flexible polymer-modified silica aerogel of the type described in Silica/Polymer and Silica/Polymer/Fiber Composite Aero - gels (MSC-23736) in this issue of NASA Tech Briefs. As noted in that article, the stiffness of this core material against compression is greater than that of prior aerogels. This is an important advantage because it translates to greater retention of thickness and, hence, of insulation performance when pressure is applied across the thickness, in particular, when the space between the face sheets is evacuated, causing the core material to be squeezed between the face sheets by atmospheric pressure. Fabrication of a typical vacuum-insulated box according to the proposal would begin with fabrication of a cross-shaped polymer-modified aerogel blanket. The dimensions of the cross would be chosen so that (1) the central rectangular portion of the cross would form the core for the back of the box and (2) the arms of the cross could be folded 90 from the back plane to form the cores of the adjacent four sides of the box. Optionally, the blanket could include tabs for joining the folded sides of the blanket along mating edges and tabs that could serve as hinges for the door. Vacuum bags in the form of similar five-sided boxes would be made of a suitable polymeric film, one bag to fit the outer core surface, the other to fit the inner core surface. By use of commercially available film-sealing equipment, these box-shaped bags would be seamed together to form a single vacuum bag encasing the box-shaped core. Also, a one-way valve would be sealed to the bag. Through this valve, the interior of the bag would be evacuated to a pressure between 1 and 10 torr (approximately between 0.13 and 1.3 kPa). The polymer-modified aerogel core material is known to perform well as a thermal insulator in such a partial vacuum.

Refined applications of the collapse of the wave function

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stodolsky, L.

2015-05-01

In a two-part system, the collapse of the wave function of one part can put the other part in a state which would be difficult or impossible to achieve otherwise, in particular, one sensitive to small effects in the "collapse" interaction. We present some applications to the very symmetric and experimentally accessible situations of the decays ϕ (1020 )→KoKo , ψ (3770 )→DoDo, or ϒ (4 s )→BoBo , involving the internal state of the two-state Ko, Do, or Bo mesons. The collapse of the wave function occasioned by a decay of one member of the pair (away side) fixes the state vector of that side's two-state system. Bose-Einstein statistics then determines the state of the recoiling meson (near side), whose evolution can then be followed further. In particular, the statistics requirement dictates that the "away side" and "near side" internal wave functions must be orthogonal at the time of the collapse. Thus a C P violation in the away side decay implies a complementary C P impurity on the near side, which can be detected in the further evolution. The C P violation so manifested is necessarily direct C P violation, since neither the mass matrix nor time evolution was involved in the collapse. A parametrization of the direct C P violation is given, and various manifestations are presented. Certain rates or combination of rates are identified which are nonzero only if there is direct C P violation. The very explicit and detailed use made of the collapse of the wave function makes the procedure interesting with respect to the fundamentals of quantum mechanics. We note an experimental consistency test for our treatment of the collapse of the wave function, which can be carried out by a certain measurement of partial decay rates.

Methods of making functionalized nanorods

DOEpatents

Gur, Ilan [San Francisco, CA; Milliron, Delia [Berkeley, CA; Alivisatos, A Paul [Oakland, CA; Liu, Haitao [Berkeley, CA

2012-01-10

A process for forming functionalized nanorods. The process includes providing a substrate, modifying the substrate by depositing a self-assembled monolayer of a bi-functional molecule on the substrate, wherein the monolayer is chosen such that one side of the bi-functional molecule binds to the substrate surface and the other side shows an independent affinity for binding to a nanocrystal surface, so as to form a modified substrate. The process further includes contacting the modified substrate with a solution containing nanocrystal colloids, forming a bound monolayer of nanocrystals on the substrate surface, depositing a polymer layer over the monolayer of nanocrystals to partially cover the monolayer of nanocrystals, so as to leave a layer of exposed nanocrystals, functionalizing the exposed nanocrystals, to form functionalized nanocrystals, and then releasing the functionalized nanocrystals from the substrate.

Improving the sensitivity of a torsion pendulum by using an optical spring method

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

Wang Qinglan; Yeh Hsienchi; Zhou Zebing

We present a scheme aiming at improving the sensitivity of a torsion pendulum by means of radiation-pressure-induced optical spring. Two partial-reflective mirrors are installed on the opposite sides of a torsion pendulum, and one high-reflective mirror is mounted at the end of the torsion beam so that two identical Fabry-Perot cavities can be formed and aligned in series. Due to the antisymmetric radiation pressures acting on the opposite sides of the torsion beam, a negative restoring coefficient can be generated within a certain dynamic range, such that both the resultant torsional rigidity and the resonant frequency of the torsion pendulummore » are reduced, and the minimum detectable response torque in high-frequency region can be reduced accordingly.« less

Passive Porous Treatment for Reducing Flap Side-Edge Noise

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choudhari, Meelan M.; Khorrami, Mehdi R.

2008-01-01

A passive porous treatment has been proposed as a means of suppressing noise generated by the airflow around the side edges of partial-span flaps on airplane wings when the flaps are extended in a high-lift configuration. The treatment proposed here does not incur any aerodynamic penalties and could easily be retrofit to existing airplanes. The treatment could also be applied to reduce noise generated by turbomachinery, including wind turbines. Innovative aspects of the proposed treatment include a minimum treatment area and physics-based procedure for treatment design. The efficacy of the treatment was confirmed during wind-tunnel experiments at NASA Ames, wherein the porous treatment was applied to a minute surface area in the vicinity of a flap edge on a 26-percent model of Boeing 777-200 wing.

Recurrent subdural hematoma secondary to headbanging: A case report.

PubMed

Nitta, Naoki; Jito, Junya; Nozaki, Kazuhiko

2015-01-01

"Headbanging" is the slang term used to denote violent shaking of one's head in time with the music. This abrupt flexion-extension movement of the head to rock music extremely rarely causes a subdural hematoma. A 24-year-old female was admitted to our department because of right sided partial seizure and acute or subacute subdural hematoma over the left cerebral convexity. She had no history of recent head trauma but performed headbanging at a punk rock concert at 3 days before admission. Since, she had a previous acute subdural hematoma on the same side after an accidental fall from a baby buggy when she was 11 months old, the present was recurrent subdural hematoma probably due to headbanging. Headbanging has the hazardous potential to cause a subdural hematoma.

Atolchelys lepida, a new side-necked turtle from the Early Cretaceous of Brazil and the age of crown Pleurodira

PubMed Central

Romano, Pedro S. R.; Gallo, Valéria; Ramos, Renato R. C.; Antonioli, Luzia

2014-01-01

We report a new pleurodiran turtle from the Barremian Morro do Chaves Formation, Sergipe-Alagoas Basin, Brazil. We tested the phylogenetic position of Atolchelys lepida gen. et sp. nov. by including it in a comprehensive cladistic analysis of pleurodires. The new species is a basal member of Bothremydidae and simultaneously the oldest unambiguous crown Pleurodira. The biogeographic and chronostratigraphic significance of the finding has implications for the calibration of molecular clocks studies by pushing back the minimum age of crown Pleurodira by more than 12 Ma (ca 125 Ma). The reanalysis of Pelomedusoides relationships provides evidence that the early evolution and relationships among the main lineages of side-necked turtles can be explained, at least partially, by a sequence of vicariance events. PMID:25079494

The prevalence of rotator cuff tears: is the contralateral shoulder at risk?

PubMed

Liem, Dennis; Buschmann, Vera Elisa; Schmidt, Carolin; Gosheger, Georg; Vogler, Tim; Schulte, Tobias L; Balke, Maurice

2014-04-01

Rotator cuff tears are a common cause of pain and disability of the shoulder. Information on the prevalence and identification of potential risk factors could help in early detection of rotator cuff tears and improve treatment outcome. Patients treated for a symptomatic rotator cuff tear on one side have a higher prevalence of rotator cuff tears and decreased shoulder function on the contralateral side compared with an age- and sex-matched group of healthy individuals. Case control study; Level of evidence, 3. One group consisted of 55 patients who had been arthroscopically treated on one shoulder for rotator cuff tear (tear group). In this group, the nonoperated contralateral shoulder was examined. For comparison, the matching shoulder in a control group consisting of 55 subjectively healthy individuals matched by age (±1 year) and sex to the tear group was included. Diagnosis of a rotator cuff tear was made by ultrasound. Outcomes were measured using the Constant score. The prevalence of supraspinatus tears was significantly higher (P < .0001) in the tear group (67.3%) compared with the control group (11.0%). The Constant score for the activities of daily living subscale, however, was significantly lower (18.4) in the tear group compared with the control group (19.9; P = .012). No other subcategory score nor the overall score showed a significant difference. There was a significantly higher tear prevalence in the tear group of patients aged between 50 and 59 years (P < .001) and 60 and 69 years (P = .004). No tear was diagnosed in the control group in individuals younger than 60 years. Patients treated for partial and full-thickness rotator cuff tears have a significantly higher risk of having a tear on the contralateral side and have noticeable deficits in their shoulder function regarding activities of daily living even if the tear is otherwise asymptomatic.

Matching games with partial information

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laureti, Paolo; Zhang, Yi-Cheng

2003-06-01

We analyze different ways of pairing agents in a bipartite matching problem, with regard to its scaling properties and to the distribution of individual “satisfactions”. Then we explore the role of partial information and bounded rationality in a generalized Marriage Problem, comparing the benefits obtained by self-searching and by a matchmaker. Finally we propose a modified matching game intended to mimic the way consumers’ information makes firms to enhance the quality of their products in a competitive market.

Influence maximization based on partial network structure information: A comparative analysis on seed selection heuristics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Erkol, Şirag; Yücel, Gönenç

In this study, the problem of seed selection is investigated. This problem is mainly treated as an optimization problem, which is proved to be NP-hard. There are several heuristic approaches in the literature which mostly use algorithmic heuristics. These approaches mainly focus on the trade-off between computational complexity and accuracy. Although the accuracy of algorithmic heuristics are high, they also have high computational complexity. Furthermore, in the literature, it is generally assumed that complete information on the structure and features of a network is available, which is not the case in most of the times. For the study, a simulation model is constructed, which is capable of creating networks, performing seed selection heuristics, and simulating diffusion models. Novel metric-based seed selection heuristics that rely only on partial information are proposed and tested using the simulation model. These heuristics use local information available from nodes in the synthetically created networks. The performances of heuristics are comparatively analyzed on three different network types. The results clearly show that the performance of a heuristic depends on the structure of a network. A heuristic to be used should be selected after investigating the properties of the network at hand. More importantly, the approach of partial information provided promising results. In certain cases, selection heuristics that rely only on partial network information perform very close to similar heuristics that require complete network data.

Multimedia data repository for the World Wide Web

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Ken; Lu, Dajin; Xu, Duanyi

1998-08-01

This paper introduces the design and implementation of a Multimedia Data Repository served as a multimedia information system, which provides users a Web accessible, platform independent interface to query, browse, and retrieve multimedia data such as images, graphics, audio, video from a large multimedia data repository. By integrating the multimedia DBMS, in which the textual information and samples of the multimedia data is organized and stored, and Web server together into the Microsoft ActiveX Server Framework, users can access the DBMS and query the information by simply using a Web browser at the client-side. The original multimedia data can then be located and transmitted through the Internet from the tertiary storage device, a 400 CDROM optical jukebox at the server-side, to the client-side for further use.

Systematic review of genuine versus spurious side-effects of beta-blockers in heart failure using placebo control: Recommendations for patient information☆☆☆

PubMed Central

Barron, Anthony J.; Zaman, Nabeela; Cole, Graham D.; Wensel, Roland; Okonko, Darlington O.; Francis, Darrel P.

2013-01-01

Background Patients trying life-preserving agents such as beta-blockers may be discouraged by listings of harmful effects provided in good faith by doctors, drug information sheets, and media. We systematically review the world experience of side-effect information in blinded, placebo-controlled beta-blockade in heart failure. We present information for a physician advising a patient experiencing an unwanted symptom and suspecting the drug. Methods We searched Medline for double-blinded randomized trials of beta-blocker versus placebo in heart failure reporting side-effects. We calculated, per 100 patients reporting the symptom on beta-blockade, how many would have experienced it on placebo: the “proportion of symptoms non-pharmacological”. Results 28 of the 33 classically-described side-effects are not significantly more common on beta-blockers than placebo. Of the 100 patients developing dizziness on beta-blockers, 81 (95% CI 73–89) would have developed it on placebo. For diarrhoea this proportion is 82/100 (70–95), and hyperglycaemia 83/100 (68–98). For only two side-effects is this under half (i.e. predominantly due to beta-blocker): bradycardia (33/100, CI 21–44) and intermittent claudication (41/100, 2–81). At least 6 so-called side-effects are less common on beta-blocker than placebo, including depression (reduced by 35%, p < 0.01) and insomnia (by 27%, p = 0.01). Conclusions Clinicians might reconsider whether it is scientifically and ethically correct to warn a patient that a drug might cause them a certain side-effect, when randomized controlled trials show no significant increase, or indeed a significant reduction. A better informed consultation could, in patients taking beta-blockers, alleviate suffering. In patients who might otherwise not take the drug, it might prevent deaths. PMID:23796325

Scale-Up Synthesis and Identification of GLYX-13, a NMDAR Glycine-Site Partial Agonist for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder.

PubMed

Li, Wenchao; Liu, Jingjian; Fan, Minghua; Li, Zhongtang; Chen, Yin; Zhang, Guisen; Huang, Zhuo; Zhang, Liangren

2018-04-24

GLYX-13, a NMDAR glycine-site partial agonist, was discovered as a promising antidepressant with rapidly acting effects but no ketamine-like side effects. However, the reported synthetic process route had deficiencies of low yield and the use of unfriendly reagents. Here, we report a scaled-up synthesis of GLYX-13 with an overall yield of 30% on the hectogram scale with a column chromatography-free strategy, where the coupling and deprotection reaction conditions were systematically optimized. Meanwhile, the absolute configuration of precursor compound of GLYX-13 was identified by X-ray single crystal diffraction. Finally, the activity of GLYX-13 was verified in the cortical neurons of mice through whole-cell voltage-clamp technique.

Effects of conventional overground gait training and a gait trainer with partial body weight support on spatiotemporal gait parameters of patients after stroke

PubMed Central

Park, Byoung-Sun; Kim, Mee-Young; Lee, Lim-Kyu; Yang, Seung-Min; Lee, Won-Deok; Noh, Ji-Woong; Shin, Yong-Sub; Kim, Ju-Hyun; Lee, Jeong-Uk; Kwak, Taek-Yong; Lee, Tae-Hyun; Kim, Ju-Young; Kim, Junghwan

2015-01-01

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to confirm the effects of both conventional overground gait training (CGT) and a gait trainer with partial body weight support (GTBWS) on spatiotemporal gait parameters of patients with hemiparesis following chronic stroke. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty stroke patients were alternately assigned to one of two treatment groups, and both groups underwent CGT and GTBWS. [Results] The functional ambulation classification on the affected side improved significantly in the CGT and GTBWS groups. Walking speed also improved significantly in both groups. [Conclusion] These results suggest that the GTBWS in company with CGT may be, in part, an effective method of gait training for restoring gait ability in patients after a stroke. PMID:26157272

Restorative Effects of Uridine Plus Docosahexaenoic Acid in a Rat Model of Parkinson’s Disease

PubMed Central

Cansev, Mehmet; Ulus, Ismail H.; Wang, Lei; Maher, Timothy J.; Wurtman, Richard J.

2008-01-01

Summary Administering uridine-5’-monophosphate (UMP) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) increases synaptic membranes (as characterized by pre-and post-synaptic proteins) and dendritic spines in rodents. We examined their effects on rotational behavior and dopaminergic markers in rats with partial unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced striatal lesions. Rats receiving UMP, DHA, both, or neither, daily, and intrastriatal 6-OHDA 3 days after treatment onset, were tested for d-amphetamine-induced rotational behavior and dopaminergic markers after 24 and 28 days, respectively. UMP/DHA treatment reduced ipsilateral rotations by 57% and significantly elevated striatal dopamine, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity, TH protein and Synapsin-1 on the lesioned side. Hence, giving uridine and DHA may partially restore dopaminergic neurotransmission in this model of Parkinson’s Disease. PMID:18761383

Restorative effects of uridine plus docosahexaenoic acid in a rat model of Parkinson's disease.

PubMed

Cansev, Mehmet; Ulus, Ismail H; Wang, Lei; Maher, Timothy J; Wurtman, Richard J

2008-11-01

Administering uridine-5'-monophosphate (UMP) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) increases synaptic membranes (as characterized by pre- and post-synaptic proteins) and dendritic spines in rodents. We examined their effects on rotational behavior and dopaminergic markers in rats with partial unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced striatal lesions. Rats receiving UMP, DHA, both, or neither, daily, and intrastriatal 6-OHDA 3 days after treatment onset, were tested for d-amphetamine-induced rotational behavior and dopaminergic markers after 24 and 28 days, respectively. UMP/DHA treatment reduced ipsilateral rotations by 57% and significantly elevated striatal dopamine, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity, TH protein and synapsin-1 on the lesioned side. Hence, giving uridine and DHA may partially restore dopaminergic neurotransmission in this model of Parkinson's disease.

Effects of conventional overground gait training and a gait trainer with partial body weight support on spatiotemporal gait parameters of patients after stroke.

PubMed

Park, Byoung-Sun; Kim, Mee-Young; Lee, Lim-Kyu; Yang, Seung-Min; Lee, Won-Deok; Noh, Ji-Woong; Shin, Yong-Sub; Kim, Ju-Hyun; Lee, Jeong-Uk; Kwak, Taek-Yong; Lee, Tae-Hyun; Kim, Ju-Young; Kim, Junghwan

2015-05-01

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to confirm the effects of both conventional overground gait training (CGT) and a gait trainer with partial body weight support (GTBWS) on spatiotemporal gait parameters of patients with hemiparesis following chronic stroke. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty stroke patients were alternately assigned to one of two treatment groups, and both groups underwent CGT and GTBWS. [Results] The functional ambulation classification on the affected side improved significantly in the CGT and GTBWS groups. Walking speed also improved significantly in both groups. [Conclusion] These results suggest that the GTBWS in company with CGT may be, in part, an effective method of gait training for restoring gait ability in patients after a stroke.

Partial information can be transmitted in an auditory channel: inferences from lateralized readiness potentials.

PubMed

Gong, Diankun; Hu, Jiehui; Yao, Dezhong

2012-04-01

With the two-choice go/no-go paradigm, we investigated whether timbre attribute can be transmitted as partial information from the stimulus identification stage to the response preparation stage in auditory tone processing. We manipulated two attributes of the stimulus: timbre (piano vs. violin) and acoustic intensity (soft vs. loud) to ensure an earlier processing of timbre than intensity. We associated the timbre attribute more with go trials. Results showed that lateralized readiness potentials (LRPs) were consistently elicited in no-go trials. This showed that the timbre attribute had been transmitted to the response preparation stage before the intensity attribute was processed in the stimuli identification stage. Such a result provides evidence for the continuous model and asynchronous discrete coding (ADC) model in information processing. We suggest that partial information can be transmitted in an auditory channel. Copyright © 2011 Society for Psychophysiological Research.

The smooth entropy formalism for von Neumann algebras

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berta, Mario; Furrer, Fabian; Scholz, Volkher B.

2016-01-01

We discuss information-theoretic concepts on infinite-dimensional quantum systems. In particular, we lift the smooth entropy formalism as introduced by Renner and collaborators for finite-dimensional systems to von Neumann algebras. For the smooth conditional min- and max-entropy, we recover similar characterizing properties and information-theoretic operational interpretations as in the finite-dimensional case. We generalize the entropic uncertainty relation with quantum side information of Tomamichel and Renner and discuss applications to quantum cryptography. In particular, we prove the possibility to perform privacy amplification and classical data compression with quantum side information modeled by a von Neumann algebra.

The smooth entropy formalism for von Neumann algebras

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

Berta, Mario, E-mail: berta@caltech.edu; Furrer, Fabian, E-mail: furrer@eve.phys.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp; Scholz, Volkher B., E-mail: scholz@phys.ethz.ch

2016-01-15

We discuss information-theoretic concepts on infinite-dimensional quantum systems. In particular, we lift the smooth entropy formalism as introduced by Renner and collaborators for finite-dimensional systems to von Neumann algebras. For the smooth conditional min- and max-entropy, we recover similar characterizing properties and information-theoretic operational interpretations as in the finite-dimensional case. We generalize the entropic uncertainty relation with quantum side information of Tomamichel and Renner and discuss applications to quantum cryptography. In particular, we prove the possibility to perform privacy amplification and classical data compression with quantum side information modeled by a von Neumann algebra.

Evidence from a partial report task for forgetting in dynamic spatial memory.

PubMed

Gugerty, L

1998-09-01

G. Sperling (1960) and others have investigated memory for briefly presented stimuli by using a partial versus whole report technique in which participants sometimes reported part of a stimulus array and sometimes reported all of it. For simple, static stimulus displays, the partial report technique showed that participants could recall most of the information in the stimulus array but that this information faded quickly when participants engaged in whole report recall. An experiment was conducted that applied the partial report method to a task involving complex displays of moving objects. In the experiment, 26 participants viewed cars in a low-fidelity driving simulator and then reported the locations of some or all of the cars in each scene. A statistically significant advantage was found for the partial report trials. This finding suggests that detailed spatial location information was forgotten from dynamic spatial memory over the 14 s that it took participants to recall whole report trials. The experiment results suggest better ways of measuring situation awareness. Partial report recall techniques may give a more accurate measure of people's momentary situation awareness than whole report techniques. Potential applications of this research include simulator-based measures of situation awareness ability that can be part of inexpensive test batteries to select people for real-time tasks (e.g., in a driver licensing battery) and to identify people who need additional training.

Termination of String Rewriting Rules that have One Pair of Overlaps

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Geser, Alfons; Bushnell, Dennis M. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

This paper presents a partial solution to the long standing open problem of termination of one-rule string rewriting. Overlaps between the two sides of the rule play a central role in existing termination criteria. We characterize termination of all one-rule string rewriting systems that have one such overlap at either end. This both completes a result of Kurth and generalizes a result of Shikishima-Tsuji et al.

4. View of northerly DR 3 antenna looking north 35 ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

4. View of northerly DR 3 antenna looking north 35 degrees west and showing radar scanner building no. 106 east face through antenna and partial view of satcom communication dome (attached to radar transmitter building 102) in left side of photograph. - Clear Air Force Station, Ballistic Missile Early Warning System Site II, One mile west of mile marker 293.5 on Parks Highway, 5 miles southwest of Anderson, Anderson, Denali Borough, AK

Anatomic findings and complications after surgical treatment of chronic, partial distal biceps tendon tears: a case cohort comparison study.

PubMed

Ruch, David S; Watters, Tyler Steven; Wartinbee, Daniel A; Richard, Marc J; Leversedge, Fraser J; Mithani, Suhail K

2014-08-01

To describe pertinent anatomic findings during repair of chronic, partial distal biceps tendon tears and to compare the complications of surgery with a similar cohort of acute, complete tears. Group 1 included 14 patients (15 elbows) with partial tears managed operatively an average of 10 months from onset of injury or symptoms. Group 2 included a matched cohort of 16 patients (17 elbows) treated for complete, acute tears an average of 19 days from injury. A retrospective review of all 30 patients focused on demographic data, intraoperative findings, and postoperative complications. A single, anterior incision was used in all cases with multiple suture anchors or a bicortical toggling button for fixation of the repair. We evaluated 27 men and 3 women with an average age of 55 years (group 1) and 48 years (group 2). Intratendinous ganglion formation at the site of rupture of the degenerative tendon was observed in 5 cases of partial tears and none of the complete tears. Partial tears involved the lateral aspect or short head of the biceps tendon insertion in all cases. Postoperative complications included lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve neuritis in 8 group 1 patients and 6 group 2 patients and transient posterior interosseus nerve palsy in 3 group 1 patients. Partial distal biceps tendon ruptures showed a consistent pattern of pathology involving disruption of the lateral side of the tendon insertion involving the small head of the biceps. Degenerative intratendinous ganglion formation was present in one third of cases. Repair of chronic, partial distal biceps tendon injuries may have a higher incidence of posterior interosseous and lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve palsies. Therapeutic III. Copyright © 2014 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Efficient hiding of confidential high-utility itemsets with minimal side effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Jerry Chun-Wei; Hong, Tzung-Pei; Fournier-Viger, Philippe; Liu, Qiankun; Wong, Jia-Wei; Zhan, Justin

2017-11-01

Privacy preserving data mining (PPDM) is an emerging research problem that has become critical in the last decades. PPDM consists of hiding sensitive information to ensure that it cannot be discovered by data mining algorithms. Several PPDM algorithms have been developed. Most of them are designed for hiding sensitive frequent itemsets or association rules. Hiding sensitive information in a database can have several side effects such as hiding other non-sensitive information and introducing redundant information. Finding the set of itemsets or transactions to be sanitised that minimises side effects is an NP-hard problem. In this paper, a genetic algorithm (GA) using transaction deletion is designed to hide sensitive high-utility itemsets for PPUM. A flexible fitness function with three adjustable weights is used to evaluate the goodness of each chromosome for hiding sensitive high-utility itemsets. To speed up the evolution process, the pre-large concept is adopted in the designed algorithm. It reduces the number of database scans required for verifying the goodness of an evaluated chromosome. Substantial experiments are conducted to compare the performance of the designed GA approach (with/without the pre-large concept), with a GA-based approach relying on transaction insertion and a non-evolutionary algorithm, in terms of execution time, side effects, database integrity and utility integrity. Results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm hides sensitive high-utility itemsets with fewer side effects than previous studies, while preserving high database and utility integrity.

Role of Tryptophan Side Chain Dynamics on the Trp-Cage Mini-Protein Folding Studied by Molecular Dynamics Simulations

PubMed Central

Kannan, Srinivasaraghavan; Zacharias, Martin

2014-01-01

The 20 residue Trp-cage mini-protein is one of smallest proteins that adopt a stable folded structure containing also well-defined secondary structure elements. The hydrophobic core is arranged around a single central Trp residue. Despite several experimental and simulation studies the detailed folding mechanism of the Trp-cage protein is still not completely understood. Starting from fully extended as well as from partially folded Trp-cage structures a series of molecular dynamics simulations in explicit solvent and using four different force fields was performed. All simulations resulted in rapid collapse of the protein to on average relatively compact states. The simulations indicate a significant dependence of the speed of folding to near-native states on the side chain rotamer state of the central Trp residue. Whereas the majority of intermediate start structures with the central Trp side chain in a near-native rotameric state folded successfully within less than 100 ns only a fraction of start structures reached near-native folded states with an initially non-native Trp side chain rotamer state. Weak restraining of the Trp side chain dihedral angles to the state in the folded protein resulted in significant acceleration of the folding both starting from fully extended or intermediate conformations. The results indicate that the side chain conformation of the central Trp residue can create a significant barrier for controlling transitions to a near native folded structure. Similar mechanisms might be of importance for the folding of other protein structures. PMID:24563686

Developing a Side Bias for Conspecific Faces during Childhood

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Balas, Benjamin; Moulson, Margaret C.

2011-01-01

Adults preferentially use information from the left side of face images to judge gender, emotion, and identity. In this study, we examined the development of this visual-field bias over middle childhood (5-10 years). Our goal was to both characterize the developmental trajectory of the left-side bias (should one exist) and examine the selectivity…

36 CFR 1194.22 - Web-based intranet and internet information and applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... active region of a server-side image map. (f) Client-side image maps shall be provided instead of server-side image maps except where the regions cannot be defined with an available geometric shape. (g) Row...) Frames shall be titled with text that facilitates frame identification and navigation. (j) Pages shall be...

36 CFR 1194.22 - Web-based intranet and internet information and applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... active region of a server-side image map. (f) Client-side image maps shall be provided instead of server-side image maps except where the regions cannot be defined with an available geometric shape. (g) Row...) Frames shall be titled with text that facilitates frame identification and navigation. (j) Pages shall be...

36 CFR § 1194.22 - Web-based intranet and internet information and applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... active region of a server-side image map. (f) Client-side image maps shall be provided instead of server-side image maps except where the regions cannot be defined with an available geometric shape. (g) Row...) Frames shall be titled with text that facilitates frame identification and navigation. (j) Pages shall be...

Reducing Interpolation Artifacts for Mutual Information Based Image Registration

PubMed Central

Soleimani, H.; Khosravifard, M.A.

2011-01-01

Medical image registration methods which use mutual information as similarity measure have been improved in recent decades. Mutual Information is a basic concept of Information theory which indicates the dependency of two random variables (or two images). In order to evaluate the mutual information of two images their joint probability distribution is required. Several interpolation methods, such as Partial Volume (PV) and bilinear, are used to estimate joint probability distribution. Both of these two methods yield some artifacts on mutual information function. Partial Volume-Hanning window (PVH) and Generalized Partial Volume (GPV) methods are introduced to remove such artifacts. In this paper we show that the acceptable performance of these methods is not due to their kernel function. It's because of the number of pixels which incorporate in interpolation. Since using more pixels requires more complex and time consuming interpolation process, we propose a new interpolation method which uses only four pixels (the same as PV and bilinear interpolations) and removes most of the artifacts. Experimental results of the registration of Computed Tomography (CT) images show superiority of the proposed scheme. PMID:22606673

Low-complexity video encoding method for wireless image transmission in capsule endoscope.

PubMed

Takizawa, Kenichi; Hamaguchi, Kiyoshi

2010-01-01

This paper presents a low-complexity video encoding method applicable for wireless image transmission in capsule endoscopes. This encoding method is based on Wyner-Ziv theory, in which side information available at a transmitter is treated as side information at its receiver. Therefore complex processes in video encoding, such as estimation of the motion vector, are moved to the receiver side, which has a larger-capacity battery. As a result, the encoding process is only to decimate coded original data through channel coding. We provide a performance evaluation for a low-density parity check (LDPC) coding method in the AWGN channel.

Examining the Feasibility and Utility of Estimating Partial Expected Value of Perfect Information (via a Nonparametric Approach) as Part of the Reimbursement Decision-Making Process in Ireland: Application to Drugs for Cancer.

PubMed

McCullagh, Laura; Schmitz, Susanne; Barry, Michael; Walsh, Cathal

2017-11-01

In Ireland, all new drugs for which reimbursement by the healthcare payer is sought undergo a health technology assessment by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics. The National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics estimate expected value of perfect information but not partial expected value of perfect information (owing to computational expense associated with typical methodologies). The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility and utility of estimating partial expected value of perfect information via a computationally efficient, non-parametric regression approach. This was a retrospective analysis of evaluations on drugs for cancer that had been submitted to the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (January 2010 to December 2014 inclusive). Drugs were excluded if cost effective at the submitted price. Drugs were excluded if concerns existed regarding the validity of the applicants' submission or if cost-effectiveness model functionality did not allow required modifications to be made. For each included drug (n = 14), value of information was estimated at the final reimbursement price, at a threshold equivalent to the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio at that price. The expected value of perfect information was estimated from probabilistic analysis. Partial expected value of perfect information was estimated via a non-parametric approach. Input parameters with a population value at least €1 million were identified as potential targets for research. All partial estimates were determined within minutes. Thirty parameters (across nine models) each had a value of at least €1 million. These were categorised. Collectively, survival analysis parameters were valued at €19.32 million, health state utility parameters at €15.81 million and parameters associated with the cost of treating adverse effects at €6.64 million. Those associated with drug acquisition costs and with the cost of care were valued at €6.51 million and €5.71 million, respectively. This research demonstrates that the estimation of partial expected value of perfect information via this computationally inexpensive approach could be considered feasible as part of the health technology assessment process for reimbursement purposes within the Irish healthcare system. It might be a useful tool in prioritising future research to decrease decision uncertainty.

Utility Bill Insert for Wastewater Services

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Intended for use by wastewater and water supply utilities, one side of the utility bill insert has information for customers that discharge to sanitary sewer systems; the other side is for customers with septic systems.

Pressure pain sensitivity maps of the neck-shoulder and the low back regions in men and women.

PubMed

Binderup, Asbjørn T; Arendt-Nielsen, Lars; Madeleine, Pascal

2010-10-12

Musculoskeletal pain in the low back and neck-shoulder regions is a major problem among the working population all over the world. The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain is found to be higher among women. Women also have lower pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) than men. Pressure pain topography aims at mapping the spatial distribution of PPT within a muscle in an attempt to track changes in mechanical sensitivity. In order to assess gender differences in the pain topography, it is necessary to map the distribution in both healthy men and women. The aim of this study was to assess PPT maps from the cervico-thoracic and lumbar regions in men and women. Eleven men and eleven women without any known musculoskeletal disorders participated in the study. PPT was measured twice at 36 points over the trapezius muscle of the dominant arm, at 36 points over the trapezius muscle on the contralateral side and at 12 points over the spine between the left and right trapezius. Further, 11 points were measured over the erector spinae muscle on the left side of the spine between the first and the fifth lumbar vertebrae, 11 on the right side and 5 points on the spine itself. The measurements on each trapezius muscle were divided according to anatomical subdivisions. Three-way and two-way ANOVAs were used to analyse the differences in PPTs with the following factors: gender, locations and sub-divisions (only for cervico-thoracic region). There were no differences between left and right side in neither the cervico-thoracic nor the lumbar region, but there were (large effect) differences between the subdivisions in the trapezius with the lowest values in the upper part (P < 0.001; partial η2 = 0.19). Women had (small effect) lower PPT in both cervico-thoracic and lumbar regions (P ≤ 0.001; partial η2 = 0.02 for both regions), but gender had no effect on neither location nor subdivisions. The pain topography was not found to be different between genders in the cervico-thoracic and lumbar regions. This study can be used as basis for further clinical studies on musculoskeletal disorders.

Influence of immediate post-extraction socket irrigation on development of alveolar osteitis after mandibular third molar removal: a prospective split-mouth study, preliminary report.

PubMed

Tolstunov, L

2012-12-01

The aim of this prospective comparative split-mouth study was to evaluate the role of socket irrigation with a normal saline solution routinely used at the end of extraction on the development of alveolar osteitis (AO) after removal of impacted mandibular third molars (MTMs). Thirty-five patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria were involved in the study and underwent extraction of four third-molars. To be included in the study, the mandibular third molars had to be impacted (partial or full bone) and require an osteotomy for extraction with use of a motorised drill. All surgeries were done under local anaesthesia or IV sedation. This was a prospective split-mouth study. The patient's left (assistant) side was a control side; it had a standard extraction technique of an impacted mandibular third molar that required a buccal full-thickness flap, buccal trough (osteotomy) and extraction of the tooth (with or without splitting the tooth into segments), followed by a traditional end-of-surgery debridement protocol consisting of a gentle curettage, bone filing of the socket walls, socket irrigation with approximately 5 ml of sterile normal saline solution and socket suctioning. The patient's right (operator) side was an experimental side; it also had a standard extraction technique of an impacted mandibular third molar at the beginning with a flap and osteotomy, but it was followed by a modified end-of-surgery protocol. It consisted of gentle curettage but the socket was not irrigated and not suctioned. It was simply left to bleed. The gauze was placed on top of the socket for haemostasis on both sides and the patient was asked to bite. On both sides, the buccal flap was positioned back without the suture. All patients were seen for a follow-up appointment four to seven days after the surgery to assess healing and check for symptoms and signs of alveolar osteitis, if present, on both irrigated and non-irrigated sides. This study followed the ethical guidelines of human subjects based on the Helsinki Declaration. Thirty-five patients or 70 sockets were evaluated. Eleven out of 35 patients in the study were subjected to a dry socket syndrome (31.4%). The higher number of AO was likely related to specifics of MTM selection in this study - only impacted (partial and full bone) MTMs were chosen. Among eleven patients with AO, two patients had a bilateral condition. By excluding two patients with bilateral dry sockets from the study, there were nine patients (18 extraction sites) with unilateral AO in the study. Seven out of nine patients (14 extraction sites) developed unilateral dry socket on the control (irrigated) side (77.8%) and only two (four extraction sites) on the experimental (non-irrigated) side (22.2%). Therefore, in this study there were 3.5 times more patients (extraction sites) with dry socket syndrome on the irrigated (control) side than patients (extraction sites) in the non-irrigated (experimental) side. A noticeable difference of dry socket syndromes (77.8% on the irrigated versus 22.2% on non-irrigated side) was demonstrated between the traditional extraction protocol versus modified approach without the end-of-surgery irrigation. The study demonstrated that the post-extraction socket bleeding is very important for the proper uncomplicated socket healing. If it's not washed away with irrigation solution at the end of extraction, the normal blood clot has a higher likelihood to form, and therefore, can potentially lead to an uncomplicated socket healing without development of alveolar osteitis. Socket bleeding at the extraction site creates a favourable environment for the formation of a blood clot - a protective dressing - necessary for a favourable osseous healing of the socket.

Conformation, structure and molecular solvation: a spectroscopic and computational study of 2-phenoxy ethanol and its singly and multiply hydrated clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Macleod, Neil A.; Simons, John P.

2002-10-01

The conformational landscapes of 2-phenoxy ethanol (POX) and its hydrated clusters have been studied in the gas-phase, providing a model for pharmaceutical β-blockers. A combination of experimental techniques, including resonant two-photon ionisation (R2PI), laser-induced-fluorescence (LIF) and resonant ion-dip infra-red spectroscopy (RIDIRS), coupled with high-level ab initio calculations has allowed the assignment of the individually resolved spectral features to discrete conformational and supra-molecular structures. Assignments were made by comparison of experimental vibrational spectra and partially resolved ultra-violet rotational band contours with those predicted from quantum chemical calculations. The isolated molecule displays a solitary structure with an extended geometry of the side-chain which is stabilised by an intramolecular hydrogen-bond between the alcohol (proton donor) and the ether (proton acceptor) groups of the side-chain. In singly hydrated clusters the water molecule is accommodated by insertion into the intramolecular hydrogen-bond. In the doubly hydrated and higher clusters cyclic structures are generated which incorporate both the water molecules and the terminal OH group of the side-chain; additional (weak) hydrogen bonded interactions with the phenoxy group provide a degree of selectivity but essentially, the water 'droplet' forms on the end of the alcohol side-chain.

MANTLE CONVECTION, PLATE TECTONICS, AND VOLCANISM ON HOT EXO-EARTHS

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

Van Summeren, Joost; Conrad, Clinton P.; Gaidos, Eric, E-mail: summeren@hawaii.edu

Recently discovered exoplanets on close-in orbits should have surface temperatures of hundreds to thousands of Kelvin. They are likely tidally locked and synchronously rotating around their parent stars and, if an atmosphere is absent, have surface temperature contrasts of many hundreds to thousands of Kelvin between permanent day and night sides. We investigated the effect of elevated surface temperature and strong surface temperature contrasts for Earth-mass planets on the (1) pattern of mantle convection, (2) tectonic regime, and (3) rate and distribution of partial melting, using numerical simulations of mantle convection with a composite viscous/pseudo-plastic rheology. Our simulations indicate thatmore » if a close-in rocky exoplanet lacks an atmosphere to redistribute heat, a {approx}>400 K surface temperature contrast can maintain an asymmetric degree 1 pattern of mantle convection in which the surface of the planet moves preferentially toward subduction zones on the cold night side. The planetary surface features a hemispheric dichotomy, with plate-like tectonics on the night side and a continuously evolving mobile lid on the day side with diffuse surface deformation and vigorous volcanism. If volcanic outgassing establishes an atmosphere and redistributes heat, plate tectonics is globally replaced by diffuse surface deformation and volcanism accelerates and becomes distributed more uniformly across the planetary surface.« less

[Efficacy and side-effects of docetaxel combined with cisplatin on the treatment of local advanced esophageal cancer with concomitant radiation therapy].

PubMed

Zhang, Ting-rong; Zhao, Tao; Xu, Xin; Gu, Xiao-wei; Pan, Yu-kai

2010-10-01

To investigate the therapeutical effect and side-effect of docetaxel combined with cisplatin (DDP) on the treatment of local advanced esophageal cancer with concomitant radiation therapy. Ninety patients with LOCAL advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were divided into two groups: (DDP + 5-Fu) group and (docetaxel + DDP) group. Chemotherapy was carried out every 4 weeks for a total of 4 courses. The radiation dose was 50.4 Gy/28FX. The median survival time of patients in the (DDP + 5-Fu) group was 16 months and that in (docetaxel + DDP) group was 21 months (P = 0.0278). The 3-year survival rate in the (docetaxel + DDP) group was obviously higher than that in the (DDP + 5-Fu) group (23.9% vs. 12.1%). The ORR in (docetaxel + DDP) group (84.5%) was significantly higher than that in the (DDP + 5-Fu) group (71.1%) (P = 0.025). No significant differences were observed in the incidence of side-effects in the two groups. The conventional dose chemotherapy of docetaxel + DDP with concomitant radiation therapy showed a better partial remission rate and long-term survival rate for the treatment of local advanced esophageal cancer than the traditional chemotherapy (DDP + 5-Fu) with concomitant radiation therapy and the side-effects are not increased.

Side effects associated with anti-HIV drugs.

PubMed

Highleyman, L

1998-04-01

Many side effects are associated with the use of anti-HIV drugs, impacting the development of drug resistance and the quality of life for HIV-patients. Concern about side effects is a primary factor in deterring people from beginning HIV therapy. Frequency and severity of side effects vary greatly, but they are frequently more common and severe in people who are taking a new drug or who have advanced HIV disease. Information on side effects comes largely from clinical trials; however, many side effects are not discovered until the drug has been approved and used by larger numbers of people. Side effects vary from serious toxicities that require stopping treatment to uncomfortable or annoying side effects that interfere with daily life. A table categorizes the four major side effects (nausea, fever, skin rash, and fatigue) and divides them into grades that describe their intensity. A chart lists the side effects associated with specific anti-HIV drugs. Suggestions for managing side effects are included.

Lamotrigine add-on for drug-resistant partial epilepsy.

PubMed

Ramaratnam, S; Marson, A G; Baker, G A

2001-01-01

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder, affecting almost 0.5 to 1% of the population. Nearly 30% of patients with epilepsy are refractory to currently available drugs. Lamotrigine is one of the newer antiepileptic drugs and is the topic of this review. To examine the effects of lamotrigine on seizures, side effects, cognition and quality of life, when used as an add-on treatment for patients with drug-resistant partial epilepsy. We searched the Cochrane Epilepsy Group trials register, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (Cochrane Library Issue 2, 2001), MEDLINE (January 1966 to April 2001) and reference lists of articles. We also contacted the manufacturers of lamotrigine (Glaxo-Wellcome). Randomized placebo controlled trials, of patients with drug-resistant partial epilepsy of any age, in which an adequate method of concealment of randomization was used. The studies may be double, single or unblinded. For crossover studies, the first treatment period was treated as a parallel trial. Two reviewers independently assessed the trials for inclusion and extracted data. Primary analyses were by intention to treat. Outcomes included 50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency, treatment withdrawal (any reason), side effects, effects on cognition, and quality of life. We found three parallel add-on studies and eight cross-over studies, which included 1243 patients (199 children and 1044 adults). The overall Peto's Odds Ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) across all studies for 50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency was 2.71 (1.87, 3.91) indicating that lamotrigine is significantly more effective than placebo in reducing seizure frequency. The overall OR (95%CI) for treatment withdrawal (for any reason) is 1.12 (0.78, 1.61). The 99% CIs for ataxia, dizziness, nausea, and diplopia do not include unity, indicating that they are significantly associated with lamotrigine. The limited data available precludes any conclusions about effects on cognition and quality of life, though there may be minor benefits in affect balance (happiness) and mastery. Lamotrigine add-on therapy is effective in reducing the seizure frequency, in patients with drug-resistant partial epilepsy. Further trials are needed to assess the long term effects of lamotrigine, and to compare it with other add-on drugs.

Lamotrigine add-on for drug-resistant partial epilepsy.

PubMed

Ramaratnam, S; Marson, A G; Baker, G A

2000-01-01

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder, affecting almost 0.5 to 1% of the population. Nearly 30% of patients with epilepsy are refractory to currently available drugs. Lamotrigine is one of the newer antiepileptic drugs and is the topic of this review. To examine the effects of lamotrigine on seizures, side effects, cognition and quality of life, when used as an add-on treatment for patients with drug-resistant partial epilepsy. We searched the Cochrane Epilepsy Group trials register, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (Cochrane Library Issue 1, 2000), MEDLINE (January 1966 to December 1999) and reference lists of articles. We also contacted the manufacturers of lamotrigine (Glaxo-Wellcome). Randomized placebo controlled trials, of patients with drug-resistant partial epilepsy of any age, in which an adequate method of concealment of randomization was used. The studies may be double, single or unblinded. For crossover studies, the first treatment period was treated as a parallel trial. Two reviewers independently assessed the trials for inclusion and extracted data. Primary analyses were by intention to treat. Outcomes included 50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency, treatment withdrawal (any reason), side effects, effects on cognition, and quality of life. We found three parallel add-on studies and eight cross-over studies, which included 1243 patients (199 children and 1044 adults). The overall Peto's Odds Ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) across all studies for 50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency was 2.71 (1.87, 3.91) indicating that lamotrigine is significantly more effective than placebo in reducing seizure frequency. The overall OR (95%CI) for treatment withdrawal (for any reason) is 1.12 (0.78, 1. 61). The 99% CIs for ataxia, dizziness, nausea, and diplopia do not include unity, indicating that they are significantly associated with lamotrigine. The limited data available preclude any conclusions about effects on cognition and quality of life, though there may be minor benefits in affect balance (happiness) and mastery. Lamotrigine add-on therapy is effective in reducing the seizure frequency, in patients with drug-resistant partial epilepsy. Further trials are needed to assess the long term effects of lamotrigine, and to compare it with other add-on drugs.

Endoscopic repair of tears of the superficial layer of the distal triceps tendon.

PubMed

Heikenfeld, Roderich; Listringhaus, Rico; Godolias, Georgios

2014-07-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results after endoscopic repair of partial superficial layer triceps tendon tears. Fourteen patients treated surgically between July 2005 and December 2012 were studied prospectively for 12 months. Indication for surgery was a partial detachment of the triceps tendon from the olecranon that was proved by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in all cases. Ten of these patients had chronic olecranon bursitis. All patients were treated with endoscopic surgery including bursectomy and repair of the distal triceps tendon with double-loaded suture anchors. Clinical examination of the patients as well as functional and subjective scores (Mayo Elbow Performance Index [MEPI], Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Score [Quick DASH]) were obtained preoperatively and postoperatively at 6 and 12 months. An isokinetic strength measurement and MRI were performed preoperatively and 12 months after surgery. All 14 patients were completely evaluated. The MEPI and Quick DASH Score improved significantly after the repair at all postoperative examinations. The MEPI gained 29 points, up to 96 points at last follow-up (P < .05), and the Quick DASH Score went down 15.6 points after 12 months to 4.5 points (P < .05). Maximum extension power improved 55.8%, up to 94.7% at last follow-up compared with the contralateral side. Using MRI, we found one reruptured partial tear of the triceps tendon that did not require revision surgery. Although triceps tendon ruptures are generally uncommon, partial superficial tears might be more common than previously described. Once the diagnosis is made, endoscopic repair is a method leading to good clinical results with improved function of the affected elbow. Endoscopic repair of superficial tears of the triceps tendon is able to restore function and strength and leads to excellent clinical results after 1 year. Strength recovers to nearly that of the contralateral side, and serious complications appear to be infrequent. Level IV, therapeutic case series. Copyright © 2014 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Arthroscopic repair of massive contracted rotator cuff tears: aggressive release with anterior and posterior interval slides do not improve cuff healing and integrity.

PubMed

Kim, Sung-Jae; Kim, Sung-Hwan; Lee, Su-Keon; Seo, Jae-Wan; Chun, Yong-Min

2013-08-21

Few studies of large-to-massive contracted rotator cuff tears have examined the arthroscopic complete repair obtained by a posterior interval slide and whether the clinical outcomes or structural integrity achieved are better than those after partial repair without the posterior interval slide. The study included forty-one patients with large-to-massive contracted rotator cuff tears, not amenable to complete repair with margin convergence alone. The patients underwent either arthroscopic complete repair with a posterior interval slide and side-to-side repair of the interval slide edge (twenty-two patients; Group P) or partial repair with margin convergence (nineteen patients; Group M). The patient assignment was not randomized. The Simple Shoulder Test (SST), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder score, and range of motion were used to compare the functional outcomes. Preoperative and six-month postoperative magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) images were compared within or between groups. At the two-year follow-up evaluation, the SST, ASES score, UCLA score, and range of motion had significantly improved (p < 0.001 for all) in both groups. However, no significant differences were detected between groups. Even though the difference in preoperative tear size on MRA images was not significant, follow-up MRA images identified a retear in twenty patients (91%) in Group P and a significant difference in tear size between groups (p = 0.007). The complete repair group with an aggressive release had no better clinical or structural outcomes compared with the partial repair group with margin convergence alone for large-to-massive contracted rotator cuff tears. In addition, the complete repair group had a 91% retear rate and a greater defect on follow-up MRA images. Even though this study had a relatively short-term follow-up, a complete repair of large-to-massive contracted rotator cuff tears, with an aggressive release such as posterior interval slide, may not have an increased benefit compared with partial repair without posterior interval slide.

Photodynamic therapy of non-melanoma skin cancers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ikram, M.; Khan, R. U.; Firdous, S.; Atif, M.; Nawaz, M.

2011-02-01

In this prospective study duly approved from Institutional Ethics Review Committee for research in medicine, PAEC General Hospital Islamabad, Pakistan, we investigate the efficacy, safety and tolerability along with cosmetic outcome of topical 5-aminolaevulinic acid photodynamic therapy for superficial nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) and their precursors. Patients with Histological diagnosis of NMSCs and their precursors were assessed for PDT, after photographic documentation of the lesions and written consent, underwent two (2) sessions of PDT in one month (4 weeks) according to standard protocol. A freshly prepared 20% 5-ALA in Unguentum base was applied under occlusive dressing for 4-6 h as Drug Light Interval (DLI) and irradiated with light of 630 nm wavelength from a diode laser at standard dose of 90 J/cm2. Approximately 11% patients reported pain during treatment which was managed in different simple ways. In our study we regularly followed up the patients for gross as well as histopathological response and recurrence free periods during median follow-up of 24 months. Regarding Basal cell carcinomas complete response was observed in 86.2% (25/29), partial response in 10.3% (3/29) and recurrence during first year in 3.5% (1/29) lesions. All the lesions which showed partial response or recurrence were nBCCs. Regarding Actinic Keratosis complete response was observed in 95.3% (20/21), partial response in 4.7% (1/21) while Bowen's disease showed 100% (2/2) results. 81.8% (9/11) Squamous Cell Carcinomas showed complete, 9% (1/11) partial response and 9% (1/11) presented with recurrence after 3 months. We observed excellent and good cosmetic results along with tumor clearance in our study. Treatment sessions were well tolerated with high level of patient's satisfaction and only minor side effects of pain during treatment sessions and inflammatory changes post photodynamic therapy were observed. We concluded that 5-ALA PDT is an effective and safe emerging treatment modality for management of superficial non-melanoma skin cancers and their precursors with better cosmetic outcome and minor side effects.

Quantum key distribution with prepare-and-measure Bell test

PubMed Central

Tan, Yong-gang

2016-01-01

The prepare-and-measure quantum key distribution (QKD) has the merits of fast speed, high key generation rate, and easy implementation. However, the detector side channel attacks greatly undermine the security of the key bits. The eavesdropper, Eve, exploits the flaws of the detectors to obtain illegal information without violating quantum principles. It means that she can intervene in the communication without being detected. A prepare-and-measure Bell test protocol will be proposed. By randomly carrying out Bell test at the side of the information receiver, Bob, Eve’s illegal information gain within the detector side channel attack can be well bounded. This protocol does not require any improvement on the detectors used in available prepare-and-measure QKD. Though we only illustrate its application in the BB84 protocol, it is applicable for any prepare-and-measure QKD. PMID:27733771

Long-term salvage therapy with cyclosporin A in refractory idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.

PubMed

Emilia, Giovanni; Morselli, Monica; Luppi, Mario; Longo, Giuseppe; Marasca, Roberto; Gandini, Giovanna; Ferrara, Leonardo; D'Apollo, Nicola; Potenza, Leonardo; Bertesi, Marcello; Torelli, Giuseppe

2002-02-15

Treatment of severe, chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) refractory to most usual therapies is a difficult challenge. Little information exists on the clinical use of cyclosporin A (CyA) in the treatment of ITP. This report describes long-term treatment with CyA (median, 40 months) and follow-up (median, 36.8 months) in 12 adult patients with resistant ITP. CyA used in relatively low doses (2.5-3 mg/kg of body weight per day) led to a clinical improvement in 10 patients (83.3%). Five had a complete response (41.1%), 4 a complete response to maintenance therapy (33.3%), and one a partial response (8.3%). Two patients had no response. Most patients with a response (60%) had a long-term remission (mean, 28.6 months) after discontinuation of CyA. One patient had a relapse of ITP 4 years after CyA therapy was stopped. Side effects were moderate and transient, even in patients dependent on continued CyA treatment. CyA seems to represent reasonable salvage treatment in severe, potentially life-threatening, refractory ITP.

Measuring contact angle and meniscus shape with a reflected laser beam.

PubMed

Eibach, T F; Fell, D; Nguyen, H; Butt, H J; Auernhammer, G K

2014-01-01

Side-view imaging of the contact angle between an extended planar solid surface and a liquid is problematic. Even when aligning the view perfectly parallel to the contact line, focusing one point of the contact line is not possible. We describe a new measurement technique for determining contact angles with the reflection of a widened laser sheet on a moving contact line. We verified this new technique measuring the contact angle on a cylinder, rotating partially immersed in a liquid. A laser sheet is inclined under an angle φ to the unperturbed liquid surface and is reflected off the meniscus. Collected on a screen, the reflection image contains information to determine the contact angle. When dividing the laser sheet into an array of laser rays by placing a mesh into the beam path, the shape of the meniscus can be reconstructed from the reflection image. We verified the method by measuring the receding contact angle versus speed for aqueous cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide solutions on a smooth hydrophobized as well as on a rough polystyrene surface.

Modeling the structure and thermodynamics of ferrocenium-based ionic liquids.

PubMed

Bernardes, Carlos E S; Mochida, Tomoyuki; Canongia Lopes, José N

2015-04-21

A new force-field for the description of ferrocenium-based ionic liquids is reported. The proposed model was validated by confronting Molecular Dynamics simulations results with available experimental data-enthalpy of fusion, crystalline structure and liquid density-for a series of 1-alkyl-2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9-octamethylferrocenium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ionic liquids, [CnFc][NTf2] (3 ≤ n ≤ 10). The model is able to reproduce the densities and enthalpies of fusion with deviations smaller than 2.6% and 4.8 kJ mol(-1), respectively. The MD simulation trajectories were also used to compute relevant structural information for the different [CnFc][NTf2] ionic liquids. The results show that, unlike other ILs, the alkyl side chains present in the cations are able to interact directly with the ferrocenium core of other ions. Even the ferrocenium charged cores (with relatively mild charge densities) are able to form small contact aggregates. This causes the partial rupture of the polar network and precludes the formation of extended nano-segregated polar-nonpolar domains normally observed in other ionic liquids.

Exposed Bedrock in the Koval'sky Impact Basin

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-06-27

This image shows partially exposed bedrock within the Koval'sky impact basin, which is on the outskirts of the extensive lava field of Daedalia Planum. Daedalia Planum is located southwest of Arsia Mons, which may be the source responsible for filling the crater with lava flows and ash deposits. On one side, bright bedrock with scattered dark blue spots are seen. The dark blue spots are boulders shedding from the outcrops. The color range of the bedrock provides some information on its composition. The blue color is indicative of the presence of iron-rich minerals that are generally not oxidized (i.e., rusted), unlike most of the ruddy Martian surface. Volcanic rocks are common on Mars. Possible candidate minerals for the bluish materials are often consistent with iron-rich minerals, such as pyroxene and olivine. The ridges may represent remnants of the original surface of the lava flows that filled the Koval'sky impact basin. NB: The region is named for M. A. Koval'sky, a Russian astronomer. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA21765

Measuring contact angle and meniscus shape with a reflected laser beam

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

Eibach, T. F.; Nguyen, H.; Butt, H. J.

2014-01-15

Side-view imaging of the contact angle between an extended planar solid surface and a liquid is problematic. Even when aligning the view perfectly parallel to the contact line, focusing one point of the contact line is not possible. We describe a new measurement technique for determining contact angles with the reflection of a widened laser sheet on a moving contact line. We verified this new technique measuring the contact angle on a cylinder, rotating partially immersed in a liquid. A laser sheet is inclined under an angle φ to the unperturbed liquid surface and is reflected off the meniscus. Collectedmore » on a screen, the reflection image contains information to determine the contact angle. When dividing the laser sheet into an array of laser rays by placing a mesh into the beam path, the shape of the meniscus can be reconstructed from the reflection image. We verified the method by measuring the receding contact angle versus speed for aqueous cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide solutions on a smooth hydrophobized as well as on a rough polystyrene surface.« less

A peptidogalactomannan isolated from Cladosporium herbarum induces defense-related genes in BY-2 tobacco cells.

PubMed

Mattos, Bianca Braz; Montebianco, Caroline; Romanel, Elisson; da Franca Silva, Tatiane; Bernabé, Renato Barroso; Simas-Tosin, Fernanda; Souza, Lauro M; Sassaki, Guilherme L; Vaslin, Maite F S; Barreto-Bergter, Eliana

2018-05-01

Cladosporium herbarum is a plant pathogen associated with passion fruit scab and mild diseases in pea and soybean. In this study, a peptidogalactomannan (pGM) of C. herbarum mycelium was isolated and structurally characterized, and its role in plant-fungus interactions was evaluated. C. herbarum pGM is composed of carbohydrates (76%) and contains mannose, galactose and glucose as its main monosaccharides (molar ratio, 52:36:12). Methylation and 13 C-nuclear magnetic resonance ( 13 C-NMR) spectroscopy analysis have shown the presence of a main chain containing (1 → 6)-linked α-D-Manp residues, and β-D-Galf residues are present as (1 → 5)-interlinked side chains. β-Galactofuranose containing similar structures were characterized by our group in A. fumigatus, A. versicolor, A. flavus and C. resinae. Tobacco BY-2 cells were used as a model system to address the question of the role of C. herbarum pGM in cell viability and induction of the expression of plant defense-related genes. Native and partially acid hydrolyzed pGMs (lacking galactofuranosyl side-chain residues) were incubated with BY-2 cell suspensions at different concentrations. Cell viability drastically decreased after exposure to more than 400 μg ml -1 pGM; however no cell viability effect was observed after exposure to a partially acid hydrolyzed pGM. BY-2 cell contact with pGM strongly induce the expression of plant defense-related genes, such as phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and lipoxygenase (LOX), as well as the pathogen-related PR-1a, PR-2 and PR-3 genes, suggesting that pGM activates defense responses in tobacco cells. Interestingly, contact with partially hydrolyzed pGM also induced defense-related gene expression at earlier times than native pGM. These results show that the side chains of the (1 → 5)-linked β-D-galactofuranosyl units from pGM play an important role in the first line fungus-plant interactions mediating plant responses against C. herbarum. In addition, it was observed that pGM and/or C. herbarum conidia are able to induced HR when in contact with tobacco leaves and in vitro plantlets roots, producing necrotic lesions and peroxidase and NO burst, respectively. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

On occlusal forces in dentitions with implant-supported fixed cantilever prostheses.

PubMed

Falk, H

1990-01-01

The main aims of this thesis were (1) to study the functional characteristics of dentitions with mandibular implant-supported fixed cantilever prostheses - IFCP s- occluding with complete dentures, (2) to study in detail the magnitudes and distributions of axially directed closing and chewing forces in such dentitions, (3) to study the influence of number and distribution of occlusal contacts on the magnitude and distribution of closing and chewing forces, (4) to assess the vertical bending moment and the resulting vertical bending stress in the cantilever joints and (5) to find out whether the force distribution over the cantilever beams and the resulting vertical bending stress in the cantilever joint are influenced by the type of prosthetic construction in the opposing jaw. Closing and chewing forces were registered in altogether seventeen subjects by means of miniature strain gauge transducers mounted bilaterally and symmetrically in performed matrices in prosthetic appliances. Four, six or eight transducers, evenly distributed over the tooth-arch, permitted registrations of axially directed occlusal forces in several occluding areas simultaneously. In Papers I-IV, the implant-supported prostheses were installed in the mandible and occluded with complete dentures. In Paper V, group A, the fixture-supported prostheses were installed in the maxilla and occluded with tooth-supported fixed partial dentures whereas in group B, the arrangements were analogous to those in Papers I-IV. All subjects exhibited a rhythmic chewing pattern and preferred one side for chewing although both sides were used. Most chewing sequences were terminated with swallowing with occlusal force development. The mean total forces acting over the tooth-arch varied somewhat between groups and occlusal arrangements but averaged 350 and 170 N for closing and chewing respectively. Closing and chewing forces increased distally along the cantilever beams when occluding with complete dentures and decreased distally when occluding with fixed partial dentures. The distally increasing force distribution pattern could be altered to a distally decreasing force distribution pattern by infraoccluding the second cantilever unit by as little as 100 microns. Calculated vertical bending moments and stresses in the cantilever joints of the preferred chewing sides created by closing and chewing forces were larger in dentitions where the IFCP occluded with a complete denture than in dentitions where the IFCP occluded with a tooth-supported fixed partial denture.

Particle Swarms in Fractures: Open Versus Partially Closed Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boomsma, E.; Pyrak-Nolte, L. J.

2014-12-01

In the field, fractures may be isolated or connected to fluid reservoirs anywhere along the perimeter of a fracture. These boundaries affect fluid circulation, flow paths and communication with external reservoirs. The transport of drop like collections of colloidal-sized particles (particle swarms) in open and partially closed systems was studied. A uniform aperture synthetic fracture was constructed using two blocks (100 x 100 x 50 mm) of transparent acrylic placed parallel to each other. The fracture was fully submerged a tank filled with 100cSt silicone oil. Fracture apertures were varied from 5-80 mm. Partially closed systems were created by sealing the sides of the fracture with plastic film. The four boundary conditions study were: (Case 1) open, (Case 2) closed on the sides, (Case 3) closed on the bottom, and (Case 4) closed on both the sides and bottom of the fracture. A 15 μL dilute suspension of soda-lime glass particles in oil (2% by mass) were released into the fracture. Particle swarms were illuminated using a green (525 nm) LED array and imaged with a CCD camera. The presence of the additional boundaries modified the speed of the particle swarms (see figure). In Case 1, enhanced swarm transport was observed for a range of apertures, traveling faster than either very small or very large apertures. In Case 2, swarm velocities were enhanced over a larger range of fracture apertures than in any of the other cases. Case 3 shifted the enhanced transport regime to lower apertures and also reduced swarm speed when compared to Case 2. Finally, Case 4 eliminated the enhanced transport regime entirely. Communication between the fluid in the fracture and an external fluid reservoir resulted in enhanced swarm transport in Cases 1-3. The non-rigid nature of a swarm enables drag from the fracture walls to modify the swarm geometry. The particles composing a swarm reorganize in response to the fracture, elongating the swarm and maintaining its density. Unlike a drop or solid sphere, fracture boundaries do not exclusively decelerate swarm motion but instead produce enhanced swarm transport. Acknowledgments: This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Geosciences Research Program under Award Number (DE-FG02-09ER16022).

A multicentre study of vigabarin for drug-resistant epilepsy

PubMed Central

Browne, T. R.; Mattson, R. H.; Penry, J. K.; Smith, D. B.; Treiman, D. M.; Wilder, B. J.; Ben-Menachem, E.; Miketta, R. M.; Sherry, K. M.; Szabo, G. K.

1989-01-01

1 Vigabatrin (GVG) was given in a single-blind fashion to 89 patients with complex partial seizures (CPS) refractory to conventional drugs. 2 The median number of CPS per month decreased from 11.0 to 5.0 after addition of GVG, and 51% of patients had a 50% or greater decrease in CPS frequency (P < 0.001). 3 Side effects (principally drowsiness, ataxia, headache) occurred mainly during the initiation of therapy and decreased during therapy. After 12 weeks on GVG side effects significantly interfered with functioning in only 13% of patients, and the efficacy: toxicity ratio warranted continued administration in 74% of patients. 4 Co-administration of GVG resulted in a mean decrease of 20% in phenytoin serum concentration (P < 0.001). 5 Sixty-six patients having a favourable response to GVG during the single-blind study have been followed for 6-54 (median 33) months on GVG. Only 17 patients have dropped out of long-term follow-up due to break through seizures and/or side effects. No serious systemic or neurological toxicity has been detected. PMID:2667606

Observed side feeding in incomplete fusion dynamics in 16O + 160Gd reaction at energy ∼5.6 MeV/A: Spin distribution measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ali, Rahbar; Afzal Ansari, M.; Singh, D.; Kumar, Rakesh; Singh, D. P.; Sharma, M. K.; Gupta, Unnati; Singh, B. P.; Shidling, P. D.; Negi, Dinesh; Muralithar, S.; Singh, R. P.; Bhowmik, R. K.

2017-12-01

Spin distributions of various residues populated via complete fusion (CF) and incomplete fusion (ICF) reactions in the interaction of 16O with 160Gd at the projectile energy Eproj ∼ 5.6 MeV/A have been studied. The experimentally measured spin distributions of the residues associated with the ICF reactions are found to be distinctly different from those populated via the CF reactions. An attempt has been made to extract the side-feeding pattern from the spin distributions of CF and ICF reaction products. It has been observed that the CF products are strongly fed over a broad spin range. But, no side-feeding takes place in the low observed spins as low partial waves are strongly hindered in the fast α-emission channels (associated with ICF) in the forward direction. It has also been observed that the mean input angular momentum for direct α-emitting (ICF) channels is relatively higher than evaporation α-emitting (CF) channels, and it increases with direct α-multiplicity in forward direction.

Vascular ring presenting as dysphagia in an adult woman: a case report.

PubMed

Powell, B L

2017-01-01

A 48-year-old woman was seen in a surgical outpatient clinic with a 2 year history of progressive dysphagia with occasional regurgitation, partially controlled with a proton pump inhibitor. Primary investigations of pH testing and gastroscopy were normal, although a barium swallow study revealed significant hold-up at the aortic arch impression and a posterior right-sided oesophageal impression suggestive of a right-sided aortic arch. A follow-up computed tomography angiogram discovered a vascular ring encircling the trachea and oesophagus, formed by a right-sided aortic arch with aberrant aortic branches, and a Kommerell's diverticulum. It was deemed that the patient's symptoms were related to this vascular ring. The patient underwent stage-one surgery - an extra-anatomic bypass of the double aortic arch and right subclavian artery - and 4 months later a stent graft insertion over the origin of the diverticulum with the aim of complete symptomatic relief. This case presents a common symptom familiar to any clinician (dysphagia), which has been caused by a rare pathology. It is even more unusual that this should present itself in adulthood.

New Language and Old Problems in Breast Cancer Radiotherapy.

PubMed

Chiricuţă, Ion Christian

2017-01-01

New developments in breast cancer radiotherapy make possible new standards in treatment recommandations based on international guidelines. Developments in radiotherapy irradiation techniques from 2D to 3D-Conformal RT and to IMRT (Intensity Modulated Arc Therapy) make possible to reduce the usual side effects on the organs at risk as: skin, lung, miocard, bone, esophagus and brahial plexus. Dispite of all these progresses acute and late side effects are present. Side effects are as old as the radiotherapy was used. New solutions are available now by improving irradiation techniques. New techniques as sentinel node procedure (SNP) or partial breast irradiation (PBRT) and immediate breast reconstruction with silicon implants (IBRIS) make necessary new considerations regarding the target volume delineations. A new language for definition of gross tumor volume (GTV), clinical target volume (CTV) based on the new diagnostic methods as PET/CT,nonaparticle MRI will have real impact on target delineation and irradiation techniques. "The new common language in breast cancer therapy" would be the first step to improve the endresults and finally the quality of life of the patients. Celsius.

Arthroscopic Treatment of Annular Drive Through and Radial Lateral Collateral Ligament Articular-Side Tear of the Elbow.

PubMed

Arrigoni, Paolo; D'Ambrosi, Riccardo; Randelli, Pietro

2015-12-01

An elongation or partial articular-sided tear of the radial lateral collateral ligament (R-LCL) is a rare injury causing disability and instability of the elbow. In our experience this condition is often associated with a pathologic sign of the annular ligament named the "annular drive through" caused by a redundancy of the ligament. The benefits of performing an arthroscopic procedure for surgical stabilization of the R-LCL include smaller incisions with less soft-tissue dissection, better visualization of the joint, better repair accessibility, and elimination of the annular drive-through sign. The main steps of the operation are as follows: evaluation of annular drive through, inspection of the radial side of the joint, anterior capsulotomy, insertion of a suture anchor through the anterolateral portal, shuttling of the suture anchor through the ligament, and elimination of the annular drive-through sign. By use of this technique, it is possible to repair a lesion of the R-LCL with a suture anchor that ensures an anatomic repair and, at the same time, returns the annular ligament to its physiological tension.

On prototypical wave transmission across a junction of waveguides with honeycomb structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Basant Lal

2018-02-01

An exact expression for the scattering matrix associated with a junction generated by partial unzipping along the zigzag direction of armchair tubes is presented. The assumed simple, but representative, model, for scalar wave transmission can be interpreted in terms of the transport of the out-of-plane phonons in the ribbon-side vis-a-vis the radial phonons in the tubular-side of junction, based on the nearest-neighbor interactions between lattice sites. The exact solution for the `bondlength' in `broken' versus intact bonds can be constructed via a standard application of the Wiener-Hopf technique. The amplitude distribution of outgoing phonons, far away from the junction on either side of it, is obtained in closed form by the mode-matching method; eventually, this leads to the provision of the scattering matrix. As the main result of the paper, a succinct and closed form expression for the accompanying reflection and transmission coefficients is provided along with a detailed derivation using the Chebyshev polynomials. Applications of the analysis presented in this paper include linear wave transmission in nanotubes, nanoribbons, and monolayers of honeycomb lattices containing carbon-like units.

Mobile Phone Based System Opportunities to Home-based Managing of Chemotherapy Side Effects.

PubMed

Davoodi, Somayeh; Mohammadzadeh, Zeinab; Safdari, Reza

2016-06-01

Applying mobile base systems in cancer care especially in chemotherapy management have remarkable growing in recent decades. Because chemotherapy side effects have significant influences on patient's lives, therefore it is necessary to take ways to control them. This research has studied some experiences of using mobile phone based systems to home-based monitor of chemotherapy side effects in cancer. In this literature review study, search was conducted with keywords like cancer, chemotherapy, mobile phone, information technology, side effects and self managing, in Science Direct, Google Scholar and Pub Med databases since 2005. Today, because of the growing trend of the cancer, we need methods and innovations such as information technology to manage and control it. Mobile phone based systems are the solutions that help to provide quick access to monitor chemotherapy side effects for cancer patients at home. Investigated studies demonstrate that using of mobile phones in chemotherapy management have positive results and led to patients and clinicians satisfactions. This study shows that the mobile phone system for home-based monitoring chemotherapy side effects works well. In result, knowledge of cancer self-management and the rate of patient's effective participation in care process improved.

Bell's palsy and partial hypoglossal to facial nerve transfer: Case presentation and literature review

PubMed Central

Socolovsky, Mariano; Páez, Miguel Domínguez; Masi, Gilda Di; Molina, Gonzalo; Fernández, Eduardo

2012-01-01

Background: Idiopathic facial nerve palsy (Bell's palsy) is a very common condition that affects active population. Despite its generally benign course, a minority of patients can remain with permanent and severe sequelae, including facial palsy or dyskinesia. Hypoglossal to facial nerve anastomosis is rarely used to reinnervate the mimic muscle in these patients. In this paper, we present a case where a direct partial hypoglossal to facial nerve transfer was used to reinnervate the upper and lower face. We also discuss the indications of this procedure. Case Description: A 53-year-old woman presenting a spontaneous complete (House and Brackmann grade 6) facial palsy on her left side showed no improvement after 13 months of conservative treatment. Electromyography (EMG) showed complete denervation of the mimic muscles. A direct partial hypoglossal to facial nerve anastomosis was performed, including dissection of the facial nerve at the fallopian canal. One year after the procedure, the patient showed House and Brackmann grade 3 function in her affected face. Conclusions: Partial hypoglossal–facial anastomosis with intratemporal drilling of the facial nerve is a viable technique in the rare cases in which severe Bell's palsy does not recover spontaneously. Only carefully selected patients can really benefit from this technique. PMID:22574255

Slippery Wave Functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kadanoff, Leo P.

2013-09-01

Superfluids and superconductors show a very surprising behavior at low temperatures. As their temperature is reduced, materials of both kinds can abruptly fall into a state in which they will support a persistent, essentially immortal, flow of particles. Unlike anything in classical physics, these flows produce neither friction nor resistance. A major accomplishment of Twentieth Century physics was the development of an understanding of this very surprising behavior via the construction of partially microscopic and partially macroscopic quantum theories of superfluid helium and superconducting metals. Such theories come in two parts: a theory of the motion of particle-like excitations, called quasiparticles, and of the persistent flows itself via a huge coherent excitation, called a condensate. Two people, above all others, were responsible for the construction of the quasiparticle side of the theories of these very special low-temperature behaviors: Lev Landau and John Bardeen. Curiously enough they both partially ignored and partially downplayed the importance of the condensate. In both cases, this neglect of the actual superfluid or superconducting flow interfered with their ability to understand the implications of the theory they had created. They then had difficulty assessing the important advances that occurred immediately after their own great work. Some speculations are offered about the source of this unevenness in the judgments of these two leading scientists.

Expected Utility Based Decision Making under Z-Information and Its Application.

PubMed

Aliev, Rashad R; Mraiziq, Derar Atallah Talal; Huseynov, Oleg H

2015-01-01

Real-world decision relevant information is often partially reliable. The reasons are partial reliability of the source of information, misperceptions, psychological biases, incompetence, and so forth. Z-numbers based formalization of information (Z-information) represents a natural language (NL) based value of a variable of interest in line with the related NL based reliability. What is important is that Z-information not only is the most general representation of real-world imperfect information but also has the highest descriptive power from human perception point of view as compared to fuzzy number. In this study, we present an approach to decision making under Z-information based on direct computation over Z-numbers. This approach utilizes expected utility paradigm and is applied to a benchmark decision problem in the field of economics.

Distinguishing between direct and indirect directional couplings in large oscillator networks: Partial or non-partial phase analyses?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rings, Thorsten; Lehnertz, Klaus

2016-09-01

We investigate the relative merit of phase-based methods for inferring directional couplings in complex networks of weakly interacting dynamical systems from multivariate time-series data. We compare the evolution map approach and its partialized extension to each other with respect to their ability to correctly infer the network topology in the presence of indirect directional couplings for various simulated experimental situations using coupled model systems. In addition, we investigate whether the partialized approach allows for additional or complementary indications of directional interactions in evolving epileptic brain networks using intracranial electroencephalographic recordings from an epilepsy patient. For such networks, both direct and indirect directional couplings can be expected, given the brain's connection structure and effects that may arise from limitations inherent to the recording technique. Our findings indicate that particularly in larger networks (number of nodes ≫10 ), the partialized approach does not provide information about directional couplings extending the information gained with the evolution map approach.

"Pollical palmar interosseous muscle" (musculus adductor pollicis accessorius): attachments, innervation, variations, phylogeny, and implications for human evolution and medicine.

PubMed

Bello-Hellegouarch, Gaelle; Aziz, M Ashraf; Ferrero, Eva M; Kern, Michael; Francis, Nadia; Diogo, Rui

2013-03-01

Most atlases and textbooks dealing with human anatomy do not refer to the "pollical palmar interosseous" (PPI) muscle of Henle. In order to undertake a fresh and detailed study of this muscle and to thus better understand human comparative anatomy and evolution, we: 1) analyze the frequency of the PPI in a large sample of human hands; 2) describe the attachments, innervation and varieties of the PPI in these hands; 3) compare the data obtained with the information available in the literature; and 4) discuss the phylogenetic origin of the PPI and the implications of our observations and comparisons for medicine and for the understanding of human evolutionary history. Within the 72 hands dissected by us, the PPI is present in 67 hands (93%), commonly having a single muscular branch, originating from the medial side of the base of metacarpal I only, inserting onto the medial side of the base of the pollical proximal phalanx and/or surrounding structures (e.g., ulnar sesamoid bone, wing tendon of extensor apparatus), and passing at least partially, and usually mainly, medial to the princeps pollicis artery. A careful study of the human PPI, as well as a detailed comparison with other mammals, strongly suggest that the muscle is evolutionarily derived from the adductor pollicis, and namely from its oblique head. Therefore, we propose that PPI should be designated by the name musculus adductor pollicis accessorius, which indicates that the muscle is most likely a de novo structure derived from the adductor pollicis. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Bilateral retrobulbar optic neuropathy as the only sign of zoledronic acid toxicity.

PubMed

Lavado, Félix Manco; Prieto, Marta Para; Osorio, María Rosalba Ramoa; Gálvez, María Isabel López; Leal, Lucía Manzanas

2017-10-01

Bisphosphonates may rarely cause ocular adverse effects and retrobulbar optic neuropathy (RON) secondary to zoledronic acid is very rare. A 67-year-old man was referred because of progressive and painless decrease vision in the left eye. He had been treated with 7 cycles of zoledronic acid infusions because of metastatic prostate cancer. On examination, VA was 20/20 in the right eye (OD) and 20/50 in the left eye (OS). The optic nerve was unremarkable OU. Pattern visual evoked potentials (pVEP) and electroretinography were performed with the result of VEP responses abolished in OS, and the VEP waveform within the normal range amplitude and delayed peak latencies in OD. Due to the high suspicion of bilateral RON secondary to zoledronic acid, we decided to discontinue the treatment. Two months later, VA was 20/20 OD and hand motions OS, with relative afferent pupillary defect and a pallor of the optic disc in OS. The diagnosis of bilateral RON secondary to zoledronic acid infusions was confirmed, and it was only partially reversible. Zoledronic acid is a potent new generation bisphosphonate increasingly used in oncologic patients and it is usually well tolerated. Optic nerve toxicity is not a side effect recognised by either the Food and Drug Administration or the drug manufacturers, and to our knowledge, this is the first case of zoledronic acid-related bilateral RON with late onset. In conclusion, patients treated with bisphosphonates should be informed about the possibility of ocular side-effects, and ophthalmologists should be consider discontinuing the drug. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Depressed mood in breast cancer survivors: associations with physical activity, cancer-related fatigue, quality of life, and fitness level.

PubMed

Galiano-Castillo, Noelia; Ariza-García, Angelica; Cantarero-Villanueva, Irene; Fernández-Lao, Carolina; Díaz-Rodríguez, Lourdes; Arroyo-Morales, Manuel

2014-04-01

One out of five cancer survivors suffer from depression after oncology treatment. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between depression and quality of life (QoL), cancer-related symptoms, physical activity level, health-related fitness, and salivary flow rate in breast cancer survivors. 108 breast cancer survivors in the year after the conclusion of treatment were included in this cross-sectional study. Demographic and clinically relevant information, cancer-related fatigue (Piper Fatigue Scale), QoL (QLQ-Br23 module), pain intensity VAS scale, salivary flow rate, physical activity level (Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire), and health-related fitness were assessed in all participants. Depressed mood was measured with the Profile of Mood States (POMS) Depression subscale. Significant positive correlations between depressed mood and fatigue, systemic side effects, perceived shoulder pain, and breast-arms symptoms (r ranged between .57 and .28, P < .01) were found. In addition, significant negative correlations between depressed mood and body image, future perspective, force handgrip, and physical activity level (r ranged between -.41 and -.19; p < .05) were found. Regression analyses revealed that cancer-related fatigue, physical activity level, systemic side effects, and body image were significant predictors of depressed mood, and when combined, they explained 39.6% of the variance in depressed mood. Cancer-related fatigue, physical activity level, and QoL partially explain the variability of depressed mood in breast cancer survivors. This paper facilitates a better understanding of the relationship between depressed mood and possible factors associated with it. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Structural Characterization and Disulfide Assignment of Spider Peptide Phα1β by Mass Spectrometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wormwood, Kelly L.; Ngounou Wetie, Armand Gatien; Gomez, Marcus Vinicius; Ju, Yue; Kowalski, Paul; Mihasan, Marius; Darie, Costel C.

2018-05-01

Native Phα1β is a peptide purified from the venom of the armed spider Phoneutria nigriventer that has been shown to have an extensive analgesic effect with fewer side effects than ω-conotoxin MVIIA. Recombinant Phα1β mimics the effects of the native Phα1β. Because of this, it has been suggested that Phα1β may have potential to be used as a therapeutic for controlling persistent pathological pain. The amino acid sequence of Phα1β is known; however, the exact structure and disulfide arrangement has yet to be determined. Determination of the disulfide linkages and exact structure could greatly assist in pharmacological analysis and determination of why this peptide is such an effective analgesic. Here, we used biochemical and mass spectrometry approaches to determine the disulfide linkages present in the recombinant Phα1β peptide. Using a combination of MALDI-MS, direct infusion ESI-MS, and nanoLC-MS/MS analysis of the undigested recombinant Phα1β peptide and digested with AspN, trypsin, or AspN/trypsin, we were able to identify and confirm all six disulfide linkages present in the peptide as Cys1-2, Cys3-4, Cys5-6, Cys7-8, Cys9-10, and Cys11-12. These results were also partially confirmed in the native Phα1β peptide. These experiments provide essential structural information about Phα1β and may assist in providing insight into the peptide's analgesic effect with very low side effects. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Structural Characterization and Disulfide Assignment of Spider Peptide Phα1β by Mass Spectrometry.

PubMed

Wormwood, Kelly L; Ngounou Wetie, Armand Gatien; Gomez, Marcus Vinicius; Ju, Yue; Kowalski, Paul; Mihasan, Marius; Darie, Costel C

2018-05-01

Native Phα1β is a peptide purified from the venom of the armed spider Phoneutria nigriventer that has been shown to have an extensive analgesic effect with fewer side effects than ω-conotoxin MVIIA. Recombinant Phα1β mimics the effects of the native Phα1β. Because of this, it has been suggested that Phα1β may have potential to be used as a therapeutic for controlling persistent pathological pain. The amino acid sequence of Phα1β is known; however, the exact structure and disulfide arrangement has yet to be determined. Determination of the disulfide linkages and exact structure could greatly assist in pharmacological analysis and determination of why this peptide is such an effective analgesic. Here, we used biochemical and mass spectrometry approaches to determine the disulfide linkages present in the recombinant Phα1β peptide. Using a combination of MALDI-MS, direct infusion ESI-MS, and nanoLC-MS/MS analysis of the undigested recombinant Phα1β peptide and digested with AspN, trypsin, or AspN/trypsin, we were able to identify and confirm all six disulfide linkages present in the peptide as Cys1-2, Cys3-4, Cys5-6, Cys7-8, Cys9-10, and Cys11-12. These results were also partially confirmed in the native Phα1β peptide. These experiments provide essential structural information about Phα1β and may assist in providing insight into the peptide's analgesic effect with very low side effects. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Oxidation kinetics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by permanganate.

PubMed

Forsey, Steven P; Thomson, Neil R; Barker, James F

2010-04-01

The reactivity of permanganate towards polycyclic aromatics hydrocarbons (PAHs) is well known but little kinetic information is available. This study investigated the oxidation kinetics of a selected group of coal tar creosote compounds and alkylbenzenes in water using permanganate, and the correlation between compound reactivity and physical/chemical properties. The oxidation of naphthalene, phenanthrene, chrysene, 1-methylnaphthalene, 2-methylnaphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene, carbazole isopropylbenzene, ethylbenzene and methylbenzene closely followed pseudo first-order reaction kinetics. The oxidation of pyrene was initially very rapid and did not follow pseudo first-order kinetics at early times. Fluoranthene was only partially oxidized and the oxidation of anthracene was too fast to be captured. Biphenyl, dibenzofuran, benzene and tert-butylbenzene were non-reactive under the study conditions. The oxidation rate was shown to increase with increasing number of polycyclic rings because less energy is required to overcome the aromatic character of a polycyclic ring than is required for benzene. Thus the rate of oxidation increased in the series naphthalene

Structural Characterization and Disulfide Assignment of Spider Peptide Phα1β by Mass Spectrometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wormwood, Kelly L.; Ngounou Wetie, Armand Gatien; Gomez, Marcus Vinicius; Ju, Yue; Kowalski, Paul; Mihasan, Marius; Darie, Costel C.

2018-04-01

Native Phα1β is a peptide purified from the venom of the armed spider Phoneutria nigriventer that has been shown to have an extensive analgesic effect with fewer side effects than ω-conotoxin MVIIA. Recombinant Phα1β mimics the effects of the native Phα1β. Because of this, it has been suggested that Phα1β may have potential to be used as a therapeutic for controlling persistent pathological pain. The amino acid sequence of Phα1β is known; however, the exact structure and disulfide arrangement has yet to be determined. Determination of the disulfide linkages and exact structure could greatly assist in pharmacological analysis and determination of why this peptide is such an effective analgesic. Here, we used biochemical and mass spectrometry approaches to determine the disulfide linkages present in the recombinant Phα1β peptide. Using a combination of MALDI-MS, direct infusion ESI-MS, and nanoLC-MS/MS analysis of the undigested recombinant Phα1β peptide and digested with AspN, trypsin, or AspN/trypsin, we were able to identify and confirm all six disulfide linkages present in the peptide as Cys1-2, Cys3-4, Cys5-6, Cys7-8, Cys9-10, and Cys11-12. These results were also partially confirmed in the native Phα1β peptide. These experiments provide essential structural information about Phα1β and may assist in providing insight into the peptide's analgesic effect with very low side effects. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Rib Bone Graft Adjusted to Fit the Facial Asymmetry: A Frame Structure Graft.

PubMed

Lee, Yoon Ho; Choi, Jong Hwan; Hwang, Kun; Choi, Jun Ho

2015-10-01

The authors introduce the concept of a "frame structure graft" in which a harvested rib bone was adjusted to fit facial asymmetry. On the costochondral junction of the sixth or seventh rib, a 5 cm incision was made. Through a subperiosteal dissection, the rib bone was harvested. Using a reciprocating saw, the harvested rib was scored on its anterior surface as well as its posterior surface with a partial depth at different intervals. The harvested rib bone was placed on the skin surface of the unaffected side of the face and a curvature was created exactly matching that of the unaffected side by bending the bone using a greenstick fracture. Thereafter, the graft was adjusted to conceal the asymmetry of the deficient side. The adjusted "frame structure" was transferred to the defect through the incisions on the affected side, and the "frame structure" graft was placed on the mandible or zygoma. The graft fixation was done externally with at least 2 Kirschner wires (K-wires). From January 2005 to August 2013, a total of 30 patients (13 men, 17 women, mean age 25.6 years) received a frame structure graft. All 30 patients achieved good healing at the operation site without complications. Donor-site morbidity as pneumothorax from the rib bone harvest was not found. Merits of this frame structure graft, the authors think, are that this method could allow a similar curvature to the normal side. In addition, the procedure itself is easy.

Physiopathological approach to infective endocarditis in chronic hemodialysis patients: left heart versus right heart involvement.

PubMed

Bentata, Yassamine

2017-11-01

Infectious endocarditis (IE), a complication that is both cardiac and infectious, occurs frequently and is associated with a heavy burden of morbidity and mortality in chronic hemodialysis patients (CHD). About 2-6% of chronic hemodialysis patients develop IE and the incidence is 50-60 times higher among CHD patients than in the general population. The left heart is the most frequent location of IE in CHD and the different published series report a prevalence of left valve involvement varying from 80% to 100%. Valvular and perivalvular abnormalities, alteration of the immune system, and bacteremia associated with repeated manipulation of the vascular access, particularly central venous catheters, comprise the main factors explaining the left heart IE in CHD patients. While left-sided IE develops in altered valves in a high-pressure system, right-sided IE on the contrary, generally develops in healthy valves in a low-pressure system. Right-sided IE is rare, with its incidence varying from 0% to 26% depending on the study, and the tricuspid valve is the main location. Might the massive influx of pathogenic and virulent germs via the central venous catheter to the right heart, with the tricuspid being the first contact valve, have a role in the physiopathology of IE in CHD, thus facilitating bacterial adhesion? While the physiopathology of left-sided IE entails multiple and convincing mechanisms, it is not the case for right-sided IE, for which the physiopathological mechanism is only partially understood and remains shrouded in mystery.

Partial clinical response to anakinra in severe palmoplantar pustular psoriasis.

PubMed

Tauber, M; Viguier, M; Alimova, E; Petit, A; Lioté, F; Smahi, A; Bachelez, H

2014-09-01

Palmoplantar pustular psoriasis is a clinical psoriasis variant characterised by a high impact on quality of life and poor response to biologics approved for plaque type psoriasis.The recombinant interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist anakinra has been recently used for the treatment of isolated refractory cases of generalised pustular psoriasis with contrasted results. To report the clinical response in two patients treated with anakinra as salvage therapy in two patients with severe palmoplantar pustular psoriasis refractory to currently available antipsoriatic systemic therapies. Anakinra was given subcutaneously at the daily dose of 100 mg, and clinical response was evaluated using the palmoplantar psoriasis area and severity index (PPPASI). Only partial and transient responses were observed in both patients, who had to stop anakinra due to lack of efficacy and to side effects. Anakinra appears to provide only partial clinical improvement in refractory palmoplantar pustular psoriasis. Prospective clinical studies on larger populations are warranted to investigate more accurately both efficacy and safety of IL-1-inhibiting strategies in pustular psoriasis. © 2014 British Association of Dermatologists.

Distal extension mandibular removable partial denture with implant support

PubMed Central

Bural, Canan; Buzbas, Begum; Ozatik, Sebnem; Bayraktar, Gulsen; Emes, Yusuf

2016-01-01

This case report describes the fabrication of a distal extension removable partial denture (RPD) of a 65-year-old man with implant support. Loss of fibroelasticity of the peripheral tissues and reduced mandibular vestibular sulcular depth due to a previous surgical resection and radiotherapy at the right side were the main clinical factors that created difficulty for denture retention and stability. The fabrication of a mandibular RPD supported by anterior teeth and two bilaterally placed implants in the molar area to convert from Kennedy Class 1 design to Kennedy Class 3 implant-bounded RPD is reported. Retention and stability of the denture were improved with implant support on the distal extension site of the RPD. The common clinical problems about distally extended RPDs are lack of retention and stability due to the movement around the rotational axis. Dental implant placement to the distal edentulous site minimizes the potential dislodgement of the RPD is popular. Implant-supported RPD can be suggested as an advantageous and cost-effective treatment option for the partially edentulous patients. PMID:28042277

Visual communications with side information via distributed printing channels: extended multimedia and security perspectives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Voloshynovskiy, Sviatoslav V.; Koval, Oleksiy; Deguillaume, Frederic; Pun, Thierry

2004-06-01

In this paper we address visual communications via printing channels from an information-theoretic point of view as communications with side information. The solution to this problem addresses important aspects of multimedia data processing, security and management, since printed documents are still the most common form of visual information representation. Two practical approaches to side information communications for printed documents are analyzed in the paper. The first approach represents a layered joint source-channel coding for printed documents. This approach is based on a self-embedding concept where information is first encoded assuming a Wyner-Ziv set-up and then embedded into the original data using a Gel'fand-Pinsker construction and taking into account properties of printing channels. The second approach is based on Wyner-Ziv and Berger-Flynn-Gray set-ups and assumes two separated communications channels where an appropriate distributed coding should be elaborated. The first printing channel is considered to be a direct visual channel for images ("analog" channel with degradations). The second "digital channel" with constrained capacity is considered to be an appropriate auxiliary channel. We demonstrate both theoretically and practically how one can benefit from this sort of "distributed paper communications".

Cerebral Economics: Resource Competition within but not Between Hemispheres.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-06-01

the Office of Naval Research and by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. 19. KEY WORDS (Continue on reveree side ifneceset, and Identify by...consistent RVF advantage on the naming task when it LI 6 was performed alone, the effect of adding the memory load made left hemisphere resources so...might be argued that the equivalent tradeoff effects we found when comparing the complete with the partial overlap situation might be evidence for some

Ultrasound guided platelet-rich plasma injection for the treatment of rotator cuff tendinopathy.

PubMed

Tahririan, Mohammad Ali; Moezi, Mehdi; Motififard, Mahdi; Nemati, Mahdi; Nemati, Amin

2016-01-01

Degenerative changes and inflammation in the rotator cuff (RC) are the most important causes of shoulder pain. The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in patients with chronic RC tendinopathy. This study was an open-label study performed at Kashani Hospital between April 2012 and June 2014. Patients with a <1 cm partial tearing of the bursal side of RC with no or little response to conservative management were included. PRP injection was done using ultrasonography guide via posterior subacromial approach. Demographic data were obtained in all patient before the study, and shoulder function was evaluated using Constant shoulder score (CSS) before and 3 months after PRP injection. A total number of 17 patients were enrolled. The mean of CSS before and after intervention was 37.05 ± 11.03 and 61.76 ± 14.75, respectively ( P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant correlation between the pain score before the study and the improvement in CSS ( P = 0.45, r = 0.03). Significant relation was observed between the individuals' age and improvement of CSS ( P = 0.02, r = -0.49). There was no significant difference in CSS improvement between genders ( P = 0.23). Single injection of PRP is effective to reduce pain and improve range of motion in patients with bursal side partial tearing of RC who failed to respond to conservative treatments.

Melanocortin tetrapeptide Ac-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-NH2 modified at the para position of the benzyl side chain (DPhe): importance for mouse melanocortin-3 receptor agonist versus antagonist activity.

PubMed

Proneth, Bettina; Pogozheva, Irina D; Portillo, Federico P; Mosberg, Henry I; Haskell-Luevano, Carrie

2008-09-25

The melanocortin-3 and -4 receptors (MC3R, MC4R) have been implicated in energy homeostasis and obesity. Whereas the physiological role of the MC4R is extensively studied, little is known about the MC3R. One caveat is the limited availability of ligands that are selective for the MC3R. Previous studies identified Ac-His-DPhe(p-I)-Arg-Trp-NH 2, which possessed partial agonist/antagonist pharmacology at the mMC3R while retaining full nanomolar agonist pharmacology at the mMC4R. These data allowed for the hypothesis that the DPhe position in melanocortin tetrapeptides can be used to examine ligand side-chain determinants important for differentiation of mMC3R agonist versus antagonist activity. A series of 15 DPhe (7) modified Ac-His-DPhe (7)-Arg-Trp-NH 2 tetrapeptides has been synthesized and pharmacologically characterized. Most notable results include the identification of modifications that resulted in potent antagonists/partial agonists at the mMC3R and full, potent agonists at the mMC4R. These SAR studies provide experimental evidence that the molecular mechanism of antagonism at the mMC3R differentiates this subtype from the mMC4R.

Melanocortin Tetrapeptide Ac-His-DPhe-Arg-Trp-NH2 Modified at the Para Position of the Benzyl Side Chain (DPhe): Importance for Mouse Melanocortin-3 Receptor Agonist versus Antagonist Activity

PubMed Central

Proneth, Bettina; Pogozheva, Irina D.; Portillo, Federico P.; Mosberg, Henry I.; Haskell-Luevano, Carrie

2010-01-01

The melanocortin-3 and -4 receptors (MC3R, MC4R) have been implicated in energy homeostasis and obesity. Whereas the physiological role of the MC4R is extensively studied, little is known about the MC3R. One caveat is the limited availability of ligands that are selective for the MC3R. Previous studies identified Ac-His-DPhe(p-I)-Arg-Trp-NH2, which possessed partial agonist/antagonist pharmacology at the mMC3R while retaining full nanomolar agonist pharmacology at the mMC4R. These data allowed for the hypothesis that the DPhe position in melanocortin tetrapeptides can be used to examine ligand side-chain determinants important for differentiation of mMC3R agonist versus antagonist activity. A series of 15 DPhe7 modified Ac-His-DPhe7-Arg-Trp-NH2 tetrapeptides has been synthesized and pharmacologically characterized. Most notable results include the identification of modifications that resulted in potent antagonists/partial agonists at the mMC3R and full, potent agonists at the mMC4R. These SAR studies provide experimental evidence that the molecular mechanism of antagonism at the mMC3R differentiates this subtype from the mMC4R. PMID:18800761

Sediment underthrusting within a continental magmatic arc: Coast Mountains batholith, British Columbia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pearson, David M.; MacLeod, Douglas R.; Ducea, Mihai N.; Gehrels, George E.; Jonathan Patchett, P.

2017-10-01

Though continental magmatic arcs are factories for new continental crust, a significant proportion of continental arc magmas are recycled from supracrustal material. To evaluate the relative contributions of retroarc underthrusting and trench side partial sediment subduction for introducing supracrustal rocks to the middle and lower crust of continental magmatic arcs, we present results from the deeply exposed country rocks of the Coast Mountains batholith of western British Columbia. Prior work demonstrates that these rocks underwent widespread partial melting that contributed to the Coast Mountains batholith. We utilize U-Pb zircon geochronology, Sm-Nd thermochronology, and field-based studies to document the protoliths and early burial history of amphibolite and granulite-facies metasedimentary rocks in the Central Gneiss Complex. U-Pb detrital zircon data from the structurally highest sample localities yielded 190 Ma unimodal age peaks and suggest that retroarc rocks of the Stikine terrane constitute a substantial portion of the Central Gneiss Complex. These supracrustal rocks underwent thrust-related burial and metamorphism at >25 km depths prior to 80 Ma. These rocks may also be underlain at the deepest exposed structural levels by Upper Cretaceous metasedimentary rocks, which may have been emplaced as a result of trench side underplating or intraarc burial. These results further our understanding of the mechanisms of material transport within the continental lithosphere along Cordilleran subduction margins.

Favorable Response of Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma to Targeted 177Lu-DOTATATE Therapy: Will PRRT Evolve to Become an Important Approach in Receptor-Positive Cases?

PubMed

Basu, Sandip; Ranade, Rohit

2016-06-01

This report illustrates an excellent partial response of Merkel cell carcinoma with multiple bilobar hepatic metastases to a single cycle of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) with (177)Lu-DOTATATE. This response, coupled with minimal side effects, warrants consideration of this therapy early in the disease course (rather than at an advanced stage after failure of other therapies) if the metastatic lesions exhibit adequate tracer avidity on somatostatin receptor-based imaging. Our patient showed progression of systemic disease after having undergone a second surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy to the head and neck, as well as chemotherapy, and hence was considered a candidate for PRRT. In a pretreatment study, the metastatic lesions demonstrated avidity to both somatostatin receptors and (18)F-FDG. Three months after the first cycle of treatment, when the patient was being evaluated for a second cycle, both imaging parameters showed evidence of a partial response that included nearly complete resolution of the two previously seen lesions. In view of the relatively good tolerability, minimal side effects, and targeted nature of the treatment, PRRT may evolve to become the first-line therapy for metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma and should be examined further in a larger number of patients. © 2016 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Inc.

[Combined palliative hypofractionated radiation and carboplatin chemotherapy of intranasal tumours in dogs].

PubMed

Schwietzer, A; Kessler, M; Kandel-Tschiederer, B

2012-10-17

Combination therapy of intranasal tumours in dogs with palliative 60 cobalt radiation and carboplatin chemotherapy. Twenty-five dogs with intranasal tumours were treated in the Hofheim Veterinary Hospital (Germany) from 2004 to 2006 with a total radiation dose of 24Gy (3 fractions of 8 Gy on days 0, 7 and 21) and five doses of Carboplatin (270-300 mg/m² BSA i.v. every 21-28 days). In 88% patients, clinical symptoms subsided partially or completely resulting in improvement in quality of life. Computed tomography revealed partial (5/25) or complete (5/25) tumour remissions. Chemotherapy was well tolerated. Radiation therapy caused no or minimal side effects except for 3 dogs (12%), which experienced serious ocular side effects resulting in loss of vision of the affected eye and one dog with epileptic seizures. Survival times ranged from 10-639 days with a median of 156 days. There was no statistically significant correlation between the parameters breed, age, sex, brain invasion or tumour stage and survival time or progression free interval. Survival time and progression free interval were significantly correlated with the degree of tumour remission. It can be concluded from this study that palliative radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy results in excellent palliation of clinical symptoms and acceptable survival times. There was no advantage of combined therapy (radiation with carboplatin) when compared to literature data on results of radiation therapy alone.

Comprehension of the description of side effects in drug information leaflets: a survey of doctors, pharmacists and lawyers.

PubMed

Ziegler, Andreas; Hadlak, Anka; Mehlbeer, Steffi; König, Inke R

2013-10-01

The German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte, BfArM) states that it uses standardized terms to describe the probabilities of side effects in drug information leaflets. It is unclear, however, whether these terms are actually understood correctly by doctors, pharmacists, and lawyers. A total of 1000 doctors, pharmacists, and lawyers were questioned by mail, and 60.4% of the questionnaires were filled out and returned. In the absence of any particular, potentially suggestive context, the respondents were asked to give a numerical interpretation of each of 20 verbal expressions of probability. Side effects were the subject of a hypothetical physician-patient case scenario. The respondents were also asked to give percentages that they felt corresponded to the terms "common," "uncommon," and "rare." The values obtained were compared with the intended values of the BfArM. The results obtained from the three professional groups resembled each other but stood in marked contrast to the BfArM definitions. With respect to side effects, the pharmacists matched the BfArM definitions most closely (5.8% "common," 1.9% "uncommon" and "rare"), followed by the physicians (3.5%, 0.3%, 0.9%) and the lawyers (0.7%, 0%, 0.7%). When the context of the side effects was not mentioned, the degree of agreement was much lower. Statements about the frequency of side effects are found in all drug information leaflets. Only a small minority of the respondents correctly stated the meaning of terms that are used to describe the frequency of occurrence of side effects, even though they routinely have to convey probabilities of side effects in the course of their professional duties. It can be concluded that the BfArM definitions of these terms do not, in general, correspond to their meanings in ordinary language.

Partial Exemption of Certain Chemical Substances from Reporting Additional Chemical Data

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This Federal Register notice amends the list of chemical substances that are partially exempt from reporting additional information by adding six chemicals in response to a petition the Agency received.

Recognition of 3-D Scene with Partially Occluded Objects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Siwei; Wong, Andrew K. C...

1987-03-01

This paper presents a robot vision system which is capable of recognizing objects in a 3-D scene and interpreting their spatial relation even though some objects in the scene may be partially occluded by other objects. An algorithm is developed to transform the geometric information from the range data into an attributed hypergraph representation (AHR). A hypergraph monomorphism algorithm is then used to compare the AHR of objects in the scene with a set of complete AHR's of prototypes. The capability of identifying connected components and interpreting various types of edges in the 3-D scene enables us to distinguish objects which are partially blocking each other in the scene. Using structural information stored in the primitive area graph, a heuristic hypergraph monomorphism algorithm provides an effective way for recognizing, locating, and interpreting partially occluded objects in the range image.

Imidazenil prevention of alprazolam-induced acquisition deficit in patas monkeys is devoid of tolerance

PubMed Central

Auta, James; Guidotti, Alessandro; Costa, Erminio

2000-01-01

The partial allosteric modulators (PAMs) of γ-aminobutyric acid-gated Cl− current intensities at γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors have high affinity but low intrinsic efficacy on benzodiazepine recognition sites. Unlike the full allosteric modulators (FAM), like alprazolam, triazolam, and diazepam, PAMs are virtually devoid of unwanted side effects, including tolerance. Imidazenil (IMD) is a PAM that elicits potent anxiolytic and anticonvulsant actions in rodents and nonhuman primates and retains its anticonvulsant and anxiolytic effects, even in rodents that are tolerant to FAMs. IMD antagonizes the side effects of FAMs in rodents and nonhuman primates. Using patas monkeys and a multiple schedule with repeated acquisition and performance of chain responses, we report that IMD administration for 17 days antagonized without showing tolerance ALP-induced disruption of acquisition. PMID:10696114

Investigation on Explosive Welding of Zr53Cu35Al12 Bulk Metallic Glass with Crystalline Copper

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Jianrui; Chen, Pengwan; Zhou, Qiang

2018-05-01

A Zr53Cu35Al12 bulk metallic glass (BMG) was welded to a crystalline Cu using explosive welding technique. The morphology and the composition of the composite were characterized using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The investigation indicated that the BMG and Cu were tightly joined together without visible defects, and a thin diffusion layer appeared at the interface. The captured jet at the end of the welding region mostly comes from the Cu side. Amorphous and partially crystallized structures have been observed within the diffusion layer, but the BMG in close proximity to the interface still retains its amorphous state. Nanoindentation tests reveal that the interface exhibits an increment in hardness compared with the matrix on both sides.

Recrystallization characteristics and interfacial oxides on the compression bonding interface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Bijun; Sun, Mingyue; Xu, Bin; Li, Dianzhong

2018-05-01

Up to now, the mechanism of interface bonding is still not fully understood. This work presents interfacial characteristics of 316LN stainless steel bonding joint after cold compression bonding with subsequent annealing. EBSD analysis shows that fine recrystallization grains preferentially appear near the bonding interface and grow towards both sides of the interface. Transmission electron microscopy reveals that initial cold compression bonding disintegrates the native oxide scales and brings pristine metal from both sides of the interface come into intimate contact, while the broken oxide particles are remained at the original interface. The results indicate that partial bonding can be achieved by cold compression bonding with post-annealing treatment and recrystallization firstly occurs along the bonding interface. However, the interfacial oxides impede the recrystallization grains step over the interface and hinder the complete healing of the bonding interface.

Protein Side-Chain Resonance Assignment and NOE Assignment Using RDC-Defined Backbones without TOCSY Data3

PubMed Central

Zeng, Jianyang; Zhou, Pei; Donald, Bruce Randall

2011-01-01

One bottleneck in NMR structure determination lies in the laborious and time-consuming process of side-chain resonance and NOE assignments. Compared to the well-studied backbone resonance assignment problem, automated side-chain resonance and NOE assignments are relatively less explored. Most NOE assignment algorithms require nearly complete side-chain resonance assignments from a series of through-bond experiments such as HCCH-TOCSY or HCCCONH. Unfortunately, these TOCSY experiments perform poorly on large proteins. To overcome this deficiency, we present a novel algorithm, called NASCA (NOE Assignment and Side-Chain Assignment), to automate both side-chain resonance and NOE assignments and to perform high-resolution protein structure determination in the absence of any explicit through-bond experiment to facilitate side-chain resonance assignment, such as HCCH-TOCSY. After casting the assignment problem into a Markov Random Field (MRF), NASCA extends and applies combinatorial protein design algorithms to compute optimal assignments that best interpret the NMR data. The MRF captures the contact map information of the protein derived from NOESY spectra, exploits the backbone structural information determined by RDCs, and considers all possible side-chain rotamers. The complexity of the combinatorial search is reduced by using a dead-end elimination (DEE) algorithm, which prunes side-chain resonance assignments that are provably not part of the optimal solution. Then an A* search algorithm is employed to find a set of optimal side-chain resonance assignments that best fit the NMR data. These side-chain resonance assignments are then used to resolve the NOE assignment ambiguity and compute high-resolution protein structures. Tests on five proteins show that NASCA assigns resonances for more than 90% of side-chain protons, and achieves about 80% correct assignments. The final structures computed using the NOE distance restraints assigned by NASCA have backbone RMSD 0.8 – 1.5 Å from the reference structures determined by traditional NMR approaches. PMID:21706248

Partial resection and reconstruction of the sternum for treatment of metachronous sternal metastasis of thyroid carcinoma: A case report.

PubMed

Lan, Hong-Jing; Wu, Zhi-Qiang; Gong, Dong-Ge; Zheng, Wang-Yong; Jin, Yun

2017-11-01

Metachronous sternal metastasis of thyroid carcinoma was a rare disease. There was no consensus in the treatment for bone metastasis after the initial thyroid carcinoma surgery. A 53-year-old female patient was hospitalized due to recurrent dull chest pains, with a history of radical right side thyroid carcinoma 4 years ago. On examination, there was an irregular mass on the lower left half of the sternum. Computerized tomography scan showed sternal bone destruction with a soft tissue mass. Metachronous sternal metastasis of thyroid carcinoma. Partial resection of the sternum and reconstruction with a titanium alloy mesh were performed. After a 3-year follow-up, the patient had no recurrence. Surgical resection may be a sufficient treatment for metachronous sternal metastasis of thyroid carcinoma. Biosynthesis material mesh is preferred to be used.

Partial segmental thrombosis of the corpus cavernosum (PSTCC) diagnosed by contrast-enhanced ultrasound: a case report.

PubMed

Sauer, Stephanie; Goltz, Jan P; Gassenmaier, Tobias; Kunz, Andreas S; Bley, Thorsten A; Klein, Detlef; Petritsch, Bernhard

2014-12-17

Partial segmental thrombosis of the corpus cavernosum (PSTCC) is a rare disease predominantly occurring in young men. Cardinal symptoms are pain and perineal swelling. Although several risk factors are described in the literature, the exact etiology of penile thrombosis remains unclear in most cases. MRI or ultrasound (US) is usually used for diagnosing this condition. We report a case of penile thrombosis after left-sided varicocele ligature in a young patient. The diagnosis was established using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and was confirmed by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (ceMRI). Successful conservative treatment consisted of systemic anticoagulation using low molecular weight heparin and acetylsalicylic acid. PSTCC is a rare condition in young men and appears with massive pain and perineal swelling. In case of suspected PSTCC utilization of CEUS may be of diagnostic benefit.

Treatment of Partial Rotator Cuff Tear with Ultrasound-guided Platelet-rich Plasma

PubMed Central

Sengodan, Vetrivel Chezian; Kurian, Sajith; Ramasamy, Raghupathy

2017-01-01

Background: The treatment of symptomatic partial rotator cuff tear has presented substantial challenge to orthopaedic surgeons as it can vary from conservative to surgical repair. Researches have established the influence of platelet rich plasma in healing damaged tissue. Currently very few data are available regarding the evidence of clinical and radiological outcome of partial rotator cuff tear treated with ultrasound guided platelet rich plasma injection in English literature. Materials and Methods: 20 patients with symptomatic partial rotator cuff tears were treated with ultrasound guided platelet rich plasma injection. Before and after the injection of platelet rich plasma scoring was done with visual analogue score, Constant shoulder score, and UCLA shoulder score at 8 weeks and third month. A review ultrasound was performed 8 weeks after platelet rich plasma injection to assess the rotator cuff status. Results: Our study showed statistically significant improvements in 17 patients in VAS pain score, constant shoulder score and UCLA shoulder score. No significant changes in ROM were noted when matched to the contra-lateral side (P < 0.001) at the 3 month follow-up. The study also showed good healing on radiological evaluation with ultrasonogram 8 weeks after platelet rich plasma injection. Conclusion: Ultrasound guided platelet rich plasma injection for partial rotator cuff tears is an effective procedure that leads to significant decrease in pain, improvement in shoulder functions, much cost-effective and less problematic compared to a surgical treatment. PMID:28900553

Quantifying family dissemination and identifying barriers to communication of risk information in Australian BRCA families.

PubMed

Healey, Emma; Taylor, Natalie; Greening, Sian; Wakefield, Claire E; Warwick, Linda; Williams, Rachel; Tucker, Kathy

2017-12-01

PurposeRecommendations for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers to disseminate information to at-risk relatives pose significant challenges. This study aimed to quantify family dissemination, to explain the differences between fully informed families (all relatives informed verbally or in writing) and partially informed families (at least one relative uninformed), and to identify dissemination barriers.MethodsBRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers identified from four Australian hospitals (n=671) were invited to participate in the study. Distress was measured at consent using the Kessler psychological distress scale (K10). A structured telephone interview was used to assess the informed status of relatives, geographical location of relatives, and dissemination barriers. Family dissemination was quantified, and fully versus partially informed family differences were examined. Dissemination barriers were thematically coded and counted.ResultsA total of 165 families participated. Information had been disseminated to 81.1% of relatives. At least one relative had not been informed in 52.7% of families, 4.3% were first-degree relatives, 27.0% were second-degree relatives, and 62.0% were cousins. Partially informed families were significantly larger than fully informed families, had fewer relatives living in close proximity, and exhibited higher levels of distress. The most commonly recorded barrier to dissemination was loss of contact.ConclusionLarger, geographically diverse families have greater difficulty disseminating BRCA mutation risk information to all relatives. Understanding these challenges can inform future initiatives for communication, follow-up and support.

Strong converse theorems using Rényi entropies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leditzky, Felix; Wilde, Mark M.; Datta, Nilanjana

2016-08-01

We use a Rényi entropy method to prove strong converse theorems for certain information-theoretic tasks which involve local operations and quantum (or classical) communication between two parties. These include state redistribution, coherent state merging, quantum state splitting, measurement compression with quantum side information, randomness extraction against quantum side information, and data compression with quantum side information. The method we employ in proving these results extends ideas developed by Sharma [preprint arXiv:1404.5940 [quant-ph] (2014)], which he used to give a new proof of the strong converse theorem for state merging. For state redistribution, we prove the strong converse property for the boundary of the entire achievable rate region in the (e, q)-plane, where e and q denote the entanglement cost and quantum communication cost, respectively. In the case of measurement compression with quantum side information, we prove a strong converse theorem for the classical communication cost, which is a new result extending the previously known weak converse. For the remaining tasks, we provide new proofs for strong converse theorems previously established using smooth entropies. For each task, we obtain the strong converse theorem from explicit bounds on the figure of merit of the task in terms of a Rényi generalization of the optimal rate. Hence, we identify candidates for the strong converse exponents for each task discussed in this paper. To prove our results, we establish various new entropic inequalities, which might be of independent interest. These involve conditional entropies and mutual information derived from the sandwiched Rényi divergence. In particular, we obtain novel bounds relating these quantities, as well as the Rényi conditional mutual information, to the fidelity of two quantum states.

Strong converse theorems using Rényi entropies

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

Leditzky, Felix; Datta, Nilanjana; Wilde, Mark M.

We use a Rényi entropy method to prove strong converse theorems for certain information-theoretic tasks which involve local operations and quantum (or classical) communication between two parties. These include state redistribution, coherent state merging, quantum state splitting, measurement compression with quantum side information, randomness extraction against quantum side information, and data compression with quantum side information. The method we employ in proving these results extends ideas developed by Sharma [preprint http://arxiv.org/abs/1404.5940 [quant-ph] (2014)], which he used to give a new proof of the strong converse theorem for state merging. For state redistribution, we prove the strong converse property for themore » boundary of the entire achievable rate region in the (e, q)-plane, where e and q denote the entanglement cost and quantum communication cost, respectively. In the case of measurement compression with quantum side information, we prove a strong converse theorem for the classical communication cost, which is a new result extending the previously known weak converse. For the remaining tasks, we provide new proofs for strong converse theorems previously established using smooth entropies. For each task, we obtain the strong converse theorem from explicit bounds on the figure of merit of the task in terms of a Rényi generalization of the optimal rate. Hence, we identify candidates for the strong converse exponents for each task discussed in this paper. To prove our results, we establish various new entropic inequalities, which might be of independent interest. These involve conditional entropies and mutual information derived from the sandwiched Rényi divergence. In particular, we obtain novel bounds relating these quantities, as well as the Rényi conditional mutual information, to the fidelity of two quantum states.« less

Distributed Coding of Compressively Sensed Sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goukhshtein, Maxim

In this work we propose a new method for compressing multiple correlated sources with a very low-complexity encoder in the presence of side information. Our approach uses ideas from compressed sensing and distributed source coding. At the encoder, syndromes of the quantized compressively sensed sources are generated and transmitted. The decoder uses side information to predict the compressed sources. The predictions are then used to recover the quantized measurements via a two-stage decoding process consisting of bitplane prediction and syndrome decoding. Finally, guided by the structure of the sources and the side information, the sources are reconstructed from the recovered measurements. As a motivating example, we consider the compression of multispectral images acquired on board satellites, where resources, such as computational power and memory, are scarce. Our experimental results exhibit a significant improvement in the rate-distortion trade-off when compared against approaches with similar encoder complexity.

Spontaneous mental associations with the words "side effect": Implications for informed and shared decision making.

PubMed

Izadi, Sonya; Pachur, Thorsten; Wheeler, Courtney; McGuire, Jaclyn; Waters, Erika A

2017-10-01

To gain insight into patients' medical decisions by exploring the content of laypeople's spontaneous mental associations with the term "side effect." An online cross-sectional survey asked 144 women aged 40-74, "What are the first three things you think of when you hear the words 'side effect?"' Data were analyzed using content analysis, chi-square, and Fisher's exact tests. 17 codes emerged and were grouped into 4 themes and a Miscellaneous category: Health Problems (70.8% of participants), Decision-Relevant Evaluations (52.8%), Negative Affect (30.6%), Practical Considerations (18.1%) and Miscellaneous (9.7%). The 4 most frequently identified codes were: Risk (36.1%), Health Problems-Specific Symptoms (35.4%), Health Problems-General Terms (32.6%), and Negative Affect-Strong (19.4%). Code and theme frequencies were generally similar across demographic groups (ps>0.05). The term "side effect" spontaneously elicited comments related to identifying health problems and expressing negative emotions. This might explain why the mere possibility of side effects triggers negative affect for people making medical decisions. Some respondents also mentioned decision-relevant evaluations and practical considerations in response to side effects. Addressing commonly-held associations and acknowledging negative affects provoked by side effects are first steps healthcare providers can take towards improving informed and shared patient decision making. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Load reduction of a monopile wind turbine tower using optimal tuned mass dampers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tong, Xin; Zhao, Xiaowei; Zhao, Shi

2017-07-01

We investigate to apply tuned mass dampers (TMDs) (one in the fore-aft direction, one in the side-side direction) to suppress the vibration of a monopile wind turbine tower. Using the spectral element method, we derive a finite-dimensional state-space model Σd from an infinite-dimensional model Σ of a monopile wind turbine tower stabilised by a TMD located in the nacelle. Σ and Σd can be used to represent the dynamics of the tower and TMD in either the fore-aft direction or the side-side direction. The wind turbine tower subsystem of Σ is modelled as a non-uniform SCOLE (NASA Spacecraft Control Laboratory Experiment) system consisting of an Euler-Bernoulli beam equation describing the dynamics of the flexible tower and the Newton-Euler rigid body equations describing the dynamics of the heavy rotor-nacelle assembly (RNA) by neglecting any coupling with blade motions. Σd can be used for fast and accurate simulation for the dynamics of the wind turbine tower as well as for optimal TMD designs. We show that Σd agrees very well with the FAST (fatigue, aerodynamics, structures and turbulence) simulation of the NREL 5-MW wind turbine model. We optimise the parameters of the TMD by minimising the frequency-limited ?-norm of the transfer function matrix of Σd which has input of force and torque acting on the RNA, and output of tower-top displacement. The performances of the optimal TMDs in the fore-aft and side-side directions are tested through FAST simulations, which achieve substantial fatigue load reductions. This research also demonstrates how to optimally tune TMDs to reduce vibrations of flexible structures described by partial differential equations.

Visual attention shift to printed words during spoken word recognition in Chinese: The role of phonological information.

PubMed

Shen, Wei; Qu, Qingqing; Tong, Xiuhong

2018-05-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the extent to which phonological information mediates the visual attention shift to printed Chinese words in spoken word recognition by using an eye-movement technique with a printed-word paradigm. In this paradigm, participants are visually presented with four printed words on a computer screen, which include a target word, a phonological competitor, and two distractors. Participants are then required to select the target word using a computer mouse, and the eye movements are recorded. In Experiment 1, phonological information was manipulated at the full-phonological overlap; in Experiment 2, phonological information at the partial-phonological overlap was manipulated; and in Experiment 3, the phonological competitors were manipulated to share either fulloverlap or partial-overlap with targets directly. Results of the three experiments showed that the phonological competitor effects were observed at both the full-phonological overlap and partial-phonological overlap conditions. That is, phonological competitors attracted more fixations than distractors, which suggested that phonological information mediates the visual attention shift during spoken word recognition. More importantly, we found that the mediating role of phonological information varies as a function of the phonological similarity between target words and phonological competitors.

Occupant seating anthropometry: body ellipses and contact zones for side-impact protection research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Culver, Clyde C.; Viano, David C.

The study has developed an anthropometric description of seated occupants and determined body regions representing major paths in side-impact crashes. The study has identified five major body ellipses defining the head, shoulder, chest, abdomen and pelvis of seated occupants of various sizes, including the six-year-old child. Body contact zones have been determined for front-seated occupants. These templates provide information for the design of side interiors to improve occupant protection in side-impact crashes by load-transfer and energy-absorption characteristics of biocompatible interiors.

A combined gas cooled nuclear reactor and fuel cell cycle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palmer, David J.

Rising oil costs, global warming, national security concerns, economic concerns and escalating energy demands are forcing the engineering communities to explore methods to address these concerns. It is the intention of this thesis to offer a proposal for a novel design of a combined cycle, an advanced nuclear helium reactor/solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) plant that will help to mitigate some of the above concerns. Moreover, the adoption of this proposal may help to reinvigorate the Nuclear Power industry while providing a practical method to foster the development of a hydrogen economy. Specifically, this thesis concentrates on the importance of the U.S. Nuclear Navy adopting this novel design for its nuclear electric vessels of the future with discussion on efficiency and thermodynamic performance characteristics related to the combined cycle. Thus, the goals and objectives are to develop an innovative combined cycle that provides a solution to the stated concerns and show that it provides superior performance. In order to show performance, it is necessary to develop a rigorous thermodynamic model and computer program to analyze the SOFC in relation with the overall cycle. A large increase in efficiency over the conventional pressurized water reactor cycle is realized. Both sides of the cycle achieve higher efficiencies at partial loads which is extremely important as most naval vessels operate at partial loads as well as the fact that traditional gas turbines operating alone have poor performance at reduced speeds. Furthermore, each side of the cycle provides important benefits to the other side. The high temperature exhaust from the overall exothermic reaction of the fuel cell provides heat for the reheater allowing for an overall increase in power on the nuclear side of the cycle. Likewise, the high temperature helium exiting the nuclear reactor provides a controllable method to stabilize the fuel cell at an optimal temperature band even during transients helping to increase performance and reduce degradation of the fuel cell. It also provides the high temperature needed to efficiently produce hydrogen for the fuel cell. Moreover, the inclusion of a highly reliable and electrically independent fuel cell is particularly important as the ship will have the ability to divert large amounts of power from the propulsion system to energize high energy weapon pulse loads without disturbing vital parts of the C4ISR systems or control panels. Ultimately, the thesis shows that the combined cycle is mutually beneficial to each side of the cycle and overall critically needed for our future.

Oxcarbazepine versus carbamazepine monotherapy for partial onset seizures.

PubMed

Koch, Marcus W; Polman, Susanne Kl

2009-10-07

Partial onset seizures are often treated with the standard antiepileptic drug carbamazepine. Oxcarbazepine is a newer antiepileptic drug related to carbamazepine that is claimed to be better tolerated. To compare efficacy and tolerability of carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine monotherapy for partial onset seizures. We searched the Cochrane Epilepsy Group Specialised Register (4 August 2009), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library issue 3, 2009), MEDLINE (January 1966 to May 2008), reference lists of relevant articles and conference proceedings. We also contacted manufacturers and researchers in the field for published or unpublished data. Blinded and unblinded randomised controlled trials of carbamazepine versus oxcarbazepine monotherapy for partial onset seizures. Both authors independently assessed trial quality, according to the guidelines in the Cochrane Reviewer's Handbook, and extracted information about study population, type of intervention, outcome measures and study design. All analyses in this review are by intention-to-treat. We tested for statistical heterogeneity among the identified studies using the chi-squared test. Three trials (723 participants) were included. Only one trial used adequate outcome measures of efficacy; therefore, the results pertaining to efficacy are based on a single trial, whereas the results pertaining to adverse events are based on all three included trials. There was no overall difference in time to treatment withdrawal between the two drugs (hazard ratio (HR) of oxcarbazepine (OXC) versus carbamazepine (CBZ): 1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.78 to 1.39). Further analyses showed no significant difference in treatment withdrawal for unacceptable side effects (HR of OXC versus CBZ: 0.85, 95% CI 0.59 to 1.24) and in treatment withdrawal for inadequate seizure control (HR of OXC versus CBZ: 1.33, 95% CI 0.82 to 2.15). Oxcarbazepine and carbamazepine appeared to be similarly effective and well tolerated although the confidence intervals around estimates were wide and do not rule out the possibility of important differences existing. Significantly fewer patients on carbamazepine treatment developed nausea or vomiting, or both (odds ratio of OXC versus CBZ: 3.15, 95% CI 1.39 to 7.14). Oxcarbazepine and carbamazepine appear to be similarly effective and well tolerated. However, the possibility of important differences existing between these drugs cannot be ruled out.

A finite element analysis of the stress distribution to the mandible from impact forces with various orientations of third molars*

PubMed Central

Liu, Yun-feng; Wang, Russell; Baur, Dale A.; Jiang, Xian-feng

2018-01-01

Objective: To investigate the stress distribution to the mandible, with and without impacted third molars (IM3s) at various orientations, resulting from a 2000-Newton impact force either from the anterior midline or from the body of the mandible. Materials and methods: A 3D mandibular virtual model from a healthy dentate patient was created and the mechanical properties of the mandible were categorized to 9 levels based on the Hounsfield unit measured from computed tomography (CT) images. Von Mises stress distributions to the mandibular angle and condylar areas from static impact forces (Load I-front blow and Load II left blow) were evaluated using finite element analysis (FEA). Six groups with IM3 were included: full horizontal bony, full vertical bony, full 450 mesioangular bony, partial horizontal bony, partial vertical, and partial 450 mesioangular bony impaction, and a baseline group with no third molars. Results: Von Mises stresses in the condyle and angle areas were higher for partially than for fully impacted third molars under both loading conditions, with partial horizontal IM3 showing the highest fracture risk. Stresses were higher on the contralateral than on the ipsilateral side. Under Load II, the angle area had the highest stress for various orientations of IM3s. The condylar region had the highest stress when IM3s were absent. Conclusions: High-impact forces are more likely to cause condylar rather than angular fracture when IM3s are missing. The risk of mandibular fracture is higher for partially than fully impacted third molars, with the angulation of impaction having little effect on facture risk. PMID:29308606

Surgical repair of a rupture of the pectoralis major muscle

PubMed Central

Pochini, Alberto De Castro; Andreoli, Carlos Vicente; Ejnisman, Benno; Maffulli, Nicola

2015-01-01

Muscle rupture is rarely treated surgically. Few reports of good outcomes after muscular suture have been published. Usually, muscular lesions or partial ruptures heal with few side effects or result in total recovery. We report a case of an athlete who was treated surgically to repair a total muscular rupture in the pectoralis major muscle. After 6 months, the athlete returned to competitive practice. After a 2-year follow-up, the athlete still competes in skateboard championships. PMID:25716033

Invasive mucinous (colloid) adenocarcinoma of ectopic breast tissue in the vulva: a case report.

PubMed

Yin, C; Chapman, J; Tawfik, O

2003-01-01

We present the first case of primary vulvar mucinous adenocarcinoma of ectopic breast origin. The patient is an 84-year-old woman with a mass on the left side of her vulva. A left partial vulvectomy with bilateral inguinal lymph node dissections revealed a mucinous adenocarcinoma that involved the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. The tumor cells were positive for estrogen receptors (ERs), progesterone receptors (PRs), and BRST-1 markers. The clinical and pathologic features, differential diagnosis, and treatment are discussed.

[Antitubercular agents].

PubMed

Gartmann, J

1999-12-01

The personally experienced development of chemotherapy for tuberculosis during the last half century represents some highlights of new knowledges and practical successes: the discovery of antituberculosis drugs; the comprehension of their actions and side effects; the exploration of mechanisms of resistance against antituberculosis agents; the evaluation of therapeutic and epidemiologic consequences of resistant strains; the decoding of the mycobacterial genetic structure. For different economic, social and psychologic reasons, the worldwide results of the battle against tuberculosis are not nearly as good as possible. AIDS is only a partial factor of this failure.

Epsilon-aminocaproic acid therapy in ulcerative colitis

PubMed Central

Salter, R. H.; Read, A. E.

1970-01-01

On the supposition that excessive fibrinolysis at the rectal mucosal level may contribute to the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis, 11 patients with this condition, in whom rectal bleeding was the predominant feature, were given a course of epsilon-aminocaproic acid therapy. Six patients responded dramatically to this treatment, there was a partial response in two, no effect in two others, and one patient found it necessary to discontinue the treatment after 48 hours because of the severity of side effects. PMID:5311202

Phase II study of 4'-(9-acridinylamino) methanesulfon-m- anisidide (AMSA) in metastatic melanoma.

PubMed

Legha, S S; Hall, S W; Powell, K C; Burgess, M A; Benjamin, R S; Gutterman, J U; Bodey, G P

1980-01-01

A phase II study of AMSA in previously treated patients with metastatic malignant melanoma was conducted. The dose schedule of AMSA was 40 mg/m2/day for 3 days repeated at 3-week intervals. Among the 30 evaluable patients, one achieved a complete response, one a partial response, and four had minor responses. Side effects included mild nausea and vomiting and moderate degree of myelosuppression. AMSA has poor activity against previously treated metastatic melanoma.

Effect of facility background gases on internal erosion of the 30-cm Hg ion thruster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rawlin, V. K.; Mantenieks, M. A.

1978-01-01

Sputtering erosion of the upstream side of the molybdenum screen grid by discharge chamber ions in mercury bombardment thrusters was considered. Data which revealed that the screen grid erosion was very sensitive to the partial pressure of certain background gases in the space simulation vacuum facility were presented along with results of tests conducted to evaluate this effect. It is shown from estimates of the screen grid erosion in space that adequate lifetime for proposed missions exists.

Pointwise Partial Information Decomposition Using the Specificity and Ambiguity Lattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Finn, Conor; Lizier, Joseph

2018-04-01

What are the distinct ways in which a set of predictor variables can provide information about a target variable? When does a variable provide unique information, when do variables share redundant information, and when do variables combine synergistically to provide complementary information? The redundancy lattice from the partial information decomposition of Williams and Beer provided a promising glimpse at the answer to these questions. However, this structure was constructed using a much criticised measure of redundant information, and despite sustained research, no completely satisfactory replacement measure has been proposed. In this paper, we take a different approach, applying the axiomatic derivation of the redundancy lattice to a single realisation from a set of discrete variables. To overcome the difficulty associated with signed pointwise mutual information, we apply this decomposition separately to the unsigned entropic components of pointwise mutual information which we refer to as the specificity and ambiguity. This yields a separate redundancy lattice for each component. Then based upon an operational interpretation of redundancy, we define measures of redundant specificity and ambiguity enabling us to evaluate the partial information atoms in each lattice. These atoms can be recombined to yield the sought-after multivariate information decomposition. We apply this framework to canonical examples from the literature and discuss the results and the various properties of the decomposition. In particular, the pointwise decomposition using specificity and ambiguity satisfies a chain rule over target variables, which provides new insights into the so-called two-bit-copy example.

A survey of patients' receipt of prescription drug information

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

Morris, L.A.

1982-06-01

A nationwide telephone survey of 1,223 individuals investigated the nature and source of information provided to patients regarding prescription drugs. About half of the respondents said that they had received information from their doctor about the purpose and directions for use for their most recent prescription. Only a few people (11 per cent) said that they had been informed about the drug's side effects and 19 per cent said that they had been told nothing by their doctor. Most (72 per cent) related that nothing had been said to them at the pharmacy. Written information (stickers on the medicine container,more » leaflets or brochures) were said to be infrequently provided at the pharmacy. About 12 per cent of the respondents said they had expected they might get a drug side effect, but only 9 per cent said that they had experienced one. The most frequently cited action in response to side effects was to consult the physician (40 per cent); however, a sizeable percentage of people stopped the medicine completely or temporarily (36 per cent) or kept on taking the drug as prescribed (32 per cent).« less

Truck driver informational overload, fiscal year 1992. Final report, 1 July 1991-30 September 1992

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

MacAdam, C.C.

1992-09-01

The document represents the final project report for a study entitled 'Truck Driver Informational Overload' sponsored by the Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association through its Motor Truck Research Committee and associated Operations/Performance Panels. As stated in an initial project statement, the objective of the work was to provide guidance for developing methods for measuring driving characteristics during information processing tasks. The contents of the report contain results from two basic project activities: (1) a literature review on multiple task performance driver information overload, and (2) a description of driving simulator side-task experiments and a discussion of findings from tests conducted withmore » eight subjects. Two of the key findings from a set of disturbance-input tests conducted with the simulator and the eight test subjects were that: (1) standard deviations of vehicle lateral position and heading (yaw) angle measurements showed the greatest sensitivity to the presence of side-task activities during basic information processing tasks, and (2) corresponding standard deviations of driver steering activity, vehicle yaw rate, and lateral acceleration measurements were seen to be largely insensitive indicators of side-task activity.« less

What matters when judging intentionality-moral content or normative status? Testing the rational scientist model of the side-effect.

PubMed

Papadopoulos, C; Hayes, B K

2018-06-01

Previous work has demonstrated a "side-effect effect," such that intentionality is more likely to be attributed to agents who bring about negatively valenced as opposed to positively valenced side effects. The rational-scientist model explains this by suggesting that norm-violating side effects are more informative for inferring intentionality than norm-conforming side effects. In the present study we reexamined this account, addressing limitations of previous empirical tests (e.g., Uttich & Lombrozo, Cognition 116: 87-100, 2010). Side-effect valence and norm status were manipulated factorially, enabling an examination of the impact of norm status on intentionality judgments in both positively and negatively valenced side effects. Additionally, the impact of side-effect norm status on the perceived valences of side effects and agents was examined. Effects of norm status were found for both positive and negative side effects. Violation of an ostensibly neutral norm led to negative perceptions of the side effect. However, a norm status effect on intentionality judgments persisted when these effects were controlled. These results support the view that the side-effect effect is the result of the rational use of social-cognitive evidence.

Promotion Assistance Tool for Mobile Phone Users

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Intraprasert, P.; Jatikul, N.; Chantrapornchai, C.

In this paper, we propose an application tool to help analyze the usage of a mobile phone for a typical user. From the past usage, the tool can analyze the promotion that is suitable for the user which may save the total expense. The application consists of both client and server side. On the server side, the information for each promotion package for a phone operator is stored as well as the usage database for each client. The client side is a user interface for both phone operators and users to enter their information. The analysis engine are based on KNN, ANN, decision tree and Naïve Bayes models. For comparison, it is shown that KNN and decision outperforms the others.

Pacing behaviour of players in team sports: Influence of match status manipulation and task duration knowledge

PubMed Central

Ferraz, Ricardo; Gonçalves, Bruno; Marinho, Daniel A.; Sampaio, Jaime; Marques, Mário C.

2018-01-01

The study aimed to identify the influence of prior knowledge of exercise duration associated with initial information about momentary match status (losing or winning) on the pacing behaviour displayed during soccer game-based activities. Twenty semi-professional male players participated in four game scenarios divided in two sessions. In the first game scenario, players were not informed about the time duration or initial match status. In the second, players were only informed they would be required to play a small-sided game for 12 minutes. In the third, players were told they would play a small-sided game for 12 minutes and that one of the teams was winning 2 to 0. Finally, in the fourth game scenario, players were instructed they would play a small-sided game for 12 minutes and the score lines used at the start of the previous game scenario were reversed. The results showed a tendency for the unknown task duration to elicit greater physical responses in all studied variables, compared with knowing the task duration. Knowing the task duration and starting the game winning or losing did not affect the players’ activity profile between the two conditions. Thus, during small-sided soccer games, knowledge (or not) about the exercise duration alters the pacing behaviour of the players. Moreover, short and undisclosed-length exercise durations resulted in the adoption of more aggressive pacing strategies, characterised by higher initial exercise intensities. Furthermore, previous information on match status does not seem to interfere with pacing patterns if the players are aware of the exercise duration. Coaches may use knowledge of exercise duration to manipulate the small-sided games’ demands. PMID:29401476

Sparse networks of directly coupled, polymorphic, and functional side chains in allosteric proteins.

PubMed

Soltan Ghoraie, Laleh; Burkowski, Forbes; Zhu, Mu

2015-03-01

Recent studies have highlighted the role of coupled side-chain fluctuations alone in the allosteric behavior of proteins. Moreover, examination of X-ray crystallography data has recently revealed new information about the prevalence of alternate side-chain conformations (conformational polymorphism), and attempts have been made to uncover the hidden alternate conformations from X-ray data. Hence, new computational approaches are required that consider the polymorphic nature of the side chains, and incorporate the effects of this phenomenon in the study of information transmission and functional interactions of residues in a molecule. These studies can provide a more accurate understanding of the allosteric behavior. In this article, we first present a novel approach to generate an ensemble of conformations and an efficient computational method to extract direct couplings of side chains in allosteric proteins, and provide sparse network representations of the couplings. We take the side-chain conformational polymorphism into account, and show that by studying the intrinsic dynamics of an inactive structure, we are able to construct a network of functionally crucial residues. Second, we show that the proposed method is capable of providing a magnified view of the coupled and conformationally polymorphic residues. This model reveals couplings between the alternate conformations of a coupled residue pair. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first computational method for extracting networks of side chains' alternate conformations. Such networks help in providing a detailed image of side-chain dynamics in functionally important and conformationally polymorphic sites, such as binding and/or allosteric sites. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Partially entangled states bridge in quantum teleportation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cai, Xiao-Fei; Yu, Xu-Tao; Shi, Li-Hui; Zhang, Zai-Chen

2014-10-01

The traditional method for information transfer in a quantum communication system using partially entangled state resource is quantum distillation or direct teleportation. In order to reduce the waiting time cost in hop-by-hop transmission and execute independently in each node, we propose a quantum bridging method with partially entangled states to teleport quantum states from source node to destination node. We also prove that the designed specific quantum bridging circuit is feasible for partially entangled states teleportation across multiple intermediate nodes. Compared to two traditional ways, our partially entanglement quantum bridging method uses simpler logic gates, has better security, and can be used in less quantum resource situation.

A Reliable Methodology for Determining Seed Viability by Using Hyperspectral Data from Two Sides of Wheat Seeds

PubMed Central

Zhang, Tingting; Wei, Wensong; Zhao, Bin; Wang, Ranran; Li, Mingliu; Yang, Liming; Wang, Jianhua; Sun, Qun

2018-01-01

This study investigated the possibility of using visible and near-infrared (VIS/NIR) hyperspectral imaging techniques to discriminate viable and non-viable wheat seeds. Both sides of individual seeds were subjected to hyperspectral imaging (400–1000 nm) to acquire reflectance spectral data. Four spectral datasets, including the ventral groove side, reverse side, mean (the mean of two sides’ spectra of every seed), and mixture datasets (two sides’ spectra of every seed), were used to construct the models. Classification models, partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), and support vector machines (SVM), coupled with some pre-processing methods and successive projections algorithm (SPA), were built for the identification of viable and non-viable seeds. Our results showed that the standard normal variate (SNV)-SPA-PLS-DA model had high classification accuracy for whole seeds (>85.2%) and for viable seeds (>89.5%), and that the prediction set was based on a mixed spectral dataset by only using 16 wavebands. After screening with this model, the final germination of the seed lot could be higher than 89.5%. Here, we develop a reliable methodology for predicting the viability of wheat seeds, showing that the VIS/NIR hyperspectral imaging is an accurate technique for the classification of viable and non-viable wheat seeds in a non-destructive manner. PMID:29517991

End-to-side nerve neurorrhaphy: critical appraisal of experimental and clinical data.

PubMed

Fernandez, E; Lauretti, L; Tufo, T; D'Ercole, M; Ciampini, A; Doglietto, F

2007-01-01

End-to-side neurorrhaphy (ESN) or terminolateral neurorraphy consists of connecting the distal stump of a transected nerve, named the recipient nerve, to the side of an intact adjacent nerve, named the donor nerve, "in which only an epineurial window is performed". This procedure was reintroduced in 1994 by Viterbo, who presented a report on an experimental study in rats. Several experimental and clinical studies followed this report with various and sometimes conflicting results. In this paper we present a review of the pertinent literature. Our personal experience using a sort of end-to-side nerve anastomosis, in which the donor nerve is partially transected, is also presented and compared with ESN as defined above. When the proximal nerve stump of a transected nerve is not available, ESN, which is claimed to permit anatomic and functional preservation of the donor nerve, seems an attractive technique, though yet not proven to be effective. Deliberate axotomy of the donor nerve yields results that are proportional to the entity of axotomy, but such technique, though resembling ESN, is an end-to-end neurorrhaphy. Neither experimental or clinical evidence support liberalizing the clinical use of ESN, a procedure with only an epineurial window in the donor nerve and without deliberate axotomy. Much more experimental investigation needs to be done to explain the ability of normal, intact nerves to sprout laterally. Such procedure appears justified only in an investigational setting.

Cooperative Order-Disorder Transition of Carboxylated Schizophyllan in Water-Dimethylsulfoxide Mixtures.

PubMed

Yoshiba, Kazuto; Dobashi, Toshiaki; Ulset, Ann-Sissel T; Christensen, Bjørn E

2018-06-18

Carboxylated schizophyllan ("sclerox") is a chemically modified polysaccharide obtained by partial periodate oxidation and subsequent chlorite oxidation of schizophyllan, a water-soluble neutral polysaccharide having a β-1,3-linked glucan backbone and a β-1,6-linked d-glucose residue side chain at every third residue of the main chain. The triple helix of schizophyllan in water has a cooperative order-disorder transition associated with the side chains. The transition is strongly affected by the presence (mole fraction) of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). In the present study, the solvent effects on the order-disorder transition of sclerox with different degrees of carboxylation (DS) in water-DMSO mixtures were investigated with differential scanning calorimetry and optical rotation. The transition temperature ( T r ) and transition enthalpy (Δ H r ) strongly depended on the mole fraction of DMSO ( x D ). Data were further analyzed with the statistical theory for the linear cooperative transition, taking into account the solvent effect, where DMSO molecules are selectively associated with the unmodified side chains. The modified side chain does not contribute to the transition; hence, Δ H r decreases with increasing DS. The dependence of T r on the DMSO content becomes weaker than that for unmodified schizophyllan. The theoretical analyses indicated that the number of sites binding with the DMSO molecule and the successive ordered sequence of the ordered unit of the triple helix are changed by carboxylation.

Temporary implant-supported prosthesis for immediate loading according to a chair-side concept: technical note and results from 37 consecutive cases.

PubMed

Ostman, Pär-Olov; Hellman, Mats; Sennerby, Lars; Wennerberg, Ann

2008-05-01

During the last years, focus has been paid to implant treatment using immediate function protocols, and different approaches to provide patients with temporary constructions have been presented. Most of these techniques involve dental technicians producing the temporary construction, for example, rebuilding existing dentures, acrylic bridges, etc. The purpose of this prospective clinical study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of a chair-side technique of a cost-effective temporary prosthesis. Fixture survival rate and risk of temporary bridge failure were analyzed. Thirty-seven partially or totally edentate patients (18 female and 19 male; mean age: 66.7 years) treated with chair-side manufactured temporary restorations (QuickBridge, BIOMET 3i, Palm Beach, Fl, USA) for immediate loading have been evaluated. The prostheses extended from two unit bridges supported by two implants to full-arch construction supported by six implants. The temporary prostheses were monitored from the day of surgery and delivery to the time of replacement with a permanent prosthetic construction 3 to 6 months later. No implants were lost during the observation time. One (3%) temporary prosthesis fractured and additional two (6%) loosened during the follow-up time. The study indicated that the tested chair-side concept for manufacturing of temporary prosthesis for immediate loading of dental implants is a viable approach.

Effect of flomoxef on blood coagulation and alcohol metabolism.

PubMed

Uchida, K; Matsubara, T

1991-01-01

The effect of flomoxef, a newly developed oxacephem antibiotic with an N-hydroxyethyltetrazolethiol (HTT) side chain, on blood coagulation and alcohol metabolism was compared with that of a series of cephalosporin antibiotics with N-methyltetrazolethiol (NMTT), thiadiazolethiol (TDT) or methylthiadiazolethiol (MTDT) side chains in position 3' of the cephalosporin nucleus known to cause hypoprothrombinemia and bleeding in patients who are malnourished, debilitated and/or of high age. A disulfiram-like effect caused by inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase was observed for NMTT-containing antibiotics. Studies were carried out on healthy volunteers and on rats. Eight-day treatment with 2 g flomoxef i.v. once or twice daily in five and six healthy male volunteers, respectively, did not cause any significant changes in prothrombin time (PT), coagulation factors II, VII, IX or X, in hepaplastin values or fibrinogen levels, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), platelet counts, bleeding time, or collagen- and ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Inhibition of vitamin K epoxide reductase was observed in rats treated with flomoxef, yet to a much lesser extent than observed for cephalosporins with NMTT, TDT or MTDT side chains. This defect was quickly normalized by vitamin K injection. There were no differences between oxacephem (1-O) and cephem (1-S) compounds with respect to effects on blood clotting and platelet aggregation. Flomoxef and its side chain HTT showed no influence on alcohol metbolism.

King County Nearshore Habitat Mapping Data Report: Picnic Point to Shilshole Bay Marina

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

Woodruff, Dana L.; Farley, Paul J.; Borde, Amy B.

2000-12-31

The objective of this study is to provide accurate, georeferenced maps of benthic habitats to assist in the siting of a new wastewater treatment plant outfall and the assessment of habitats of endangered, threatened, and economically important species. The mapping was conducted in the fall of 1999 using two complementary techniques: side-scan sonar and underwater videography. Products derived from these techniques include geographic information system (GIS) compatible polygon data of substrate type and vegetation cover, including eelgrass and kelp. Additional GIS overlays include underwater video track line data of total macroalgae, selected macroalgal species, fish, and macroinvertebrates. The combined toolsmore » of geo-referenced side-scan sonar and underwater video is a powerful technique for assessing and mapping of nearshore habitat in Puget Sound. Side-scan sonar offers the ability to map eelgrass with high spatial accuracy and resolution, and provides information on patch size, shape, and coverage. It also provides information on substrate change and location of specific targets (e.g., piers, docks, pilings, large boulders, debris piles). The addition of underwater video is a complementary tool providing both groundtruthing for the sonar and additional information on macro fauna and flora. As a groundtruthing technique, the video was able to confirm differences between substrate types, as well as detect subtle spatial changes in substrate. It also verified information related to eelgrass, including the density classification categories and the type of substrate associated with eelgrass, which could not be determined easily with side- scan sonar. Video is also a powerful tool for mapping the location of macroalgae, (including kelp and Ulva), fish and macroinvertebrates. The ability to geo-locate these resources in their functional habitat provides an added layer of information and analytical potential.« less

SU-F-T-537: Prone Breast Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation Using Non-Coplanar Volumetric Arc Therapy

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

Beninati, G; Barbiere, J; Godfrey, L

2016-06-15

Purpose: To demonstrate that Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) can be an alternative technique to Brachytherapy Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI) for treating large breasted women. The non-coplanar VMAT technique uses a commercially available couch and a small number of angles. This technique with the patient in the prone position can reduce high skin and critical structure doses in large breasted women, which are usually associated with Brachytherapy APBI. Methods: Philips Pinnacle treatment planning system with Smart Arc was used to plan a left sided laterally located excision cavity on a standard prone breast patient setup. Three thirty-degree arcs enteredmore » from the lateral side at respective couch angles of 345, 0, and 15 degrees. A fourth thirty degree arc beam entered from the medial side at a couch angle of 0 degrees. The arcs were selected to avoid critical structures as much as possible. A test run was then performed to verify that the beams did not collide with the patient nor support structures. NSABP B-39/RTOG 0413 protocol guidelines were used for dose prescription, normal tissue, and target definition. Results: Dose Volume Histogram analysis indicated that all parameters were equal or better than RTOG recommendations. Of particular note regarding the plan quality:1.(a) For a prescribed dose of 3850cGy the PTV-EVAL target volume receiving 100 percent of the dose(V100) was 93; protocol recommendation is V90 > 90 percent. (b) Maximum dose was 110 percent versus the allowed 120 percent .2. Uninvolved percentage of normal breast V100 and V50 were 17 and 47 versus allowed 35 and 60 percent respectively.3. For the skin, V100 was 5.7cc and the max dose to 0.1 cc was 4190cGy. Conclusion: Prone Breast non-coplanar VMAT APBI can achieve better skin cosmesis and lower critical structure doses than Brachytherapy APBI.« less