Lineage fate of ductular reactions in liver injury and carcinogenesis.

PubMed

Jörs, Simone; Jeliazkova, Petia; Ringelhan, Marc; Thalhammer, Julian; Dürl, Stephanie; Ferrer, Jorge; Sander, Maike; Heikenwalder, Mathias; Schmid, Roland M; Siveke, Jens T; Geisler, Fabian

2015-06-01

Ductular reactions (DRs) are observed in virtually all forms of human liver disease; however, the histogenesis and function of DRs in liver injury are not entirely understood. It is widely believed that DRs contain bipotential liver progenitor cells (LPCs) that serve as an emergency cell pool to regenerate both cholangiocytes and hepatocytes and may eventually give rise to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we used a murine model that allows highly efficient and specific lineage labeling of the biliary compartment to analyze the histogenesis of DRs and their potential contribution to liver regeneration and carcinogenesis. In multiple experimental and genetic liver injury models, biliary cells were the predominant precursors of DRs but lacked substantial capacity to produce new hepatocytes, even when liver injuries were prolonged up to 12 months. Genetic modulation of NOTCH and/or WNT/β-catenin signaling within lineage-tagged DRs impaired DR expansion but failed to redirect DRs from biliary differentiation toward the hepatocyte lineage. Further, lineage-labeled DRs did not produce tumors in genetic and chemical HCC mouse models. In summary, we found no evidence in our system to support mouse biliary-derived DRs as an LPC pool to replenish hepatocytes in a quantitatively relevant way in injury or evidence that DRs give rise to HCCs.

CAC-DRS: Coronary Artery Calcium Data and Reporting System. An expert consensus document of the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT).

PubMed

Hecht, Harvey S; Blaha, Michael J; Kazerooni, Ella A; Cury, Ricardo C; Budoff, Matt; Leipsic, Jonathon; Shaw, Leslee

2018-03-30

The goal of CAC-DRS: Coronary Artery Calcium Data and Reporting System is to create a standardized method to communicate findings of CAC scanning on all noncontrast CT scans, irrespective of the indication, in order to facilitate clinical decision-making, with recommendations for subsequent patient management. The CAC-DRS classification is applied on a per-patient basis and represents the total calcium score and the number of involved arteries. General recommendations are provided for further management of patients with different degrees of calcified plaque burden based on CAC-DRS classification. In addition, CAC-DRS will provide a framework of standardization that may benefit quality assurance and tracking patient outcomes with the potential to ultimately result in improved quality of care. Copyright © 2018 Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography. All rights reserved.

Molecular Mobility in Hyperbranched Polymers and Their Interaction with an Epoxy Matrix

PubMed Central

Román, Frida; Colomer, Pere; Calventus, Yolanda; Hutchinson, John M.

2016-01-01

The molecular mobility related to the glass transition and secondary relaxations in a hyperbranched polyethyleneimine, HBPEI, and its relaxation behaviour when incorporated into an epoxy resin matrix are investigated by dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Three systems are analysed: HBPEI, epoxy and an epoxy/HBPEI mixture, denoted ELP. The DRS behaviour is monitored in the ELP system in three stages: prior to curing, during curing, and in the fully cured system. In the stage prior to curing, DRS measurements show three dipolar relaxations: γ, β and α, for all systems (HBPEI, epoxy and ELP). The α-relaxation for the ELP system deviates significantly from that for HBPEI, but superposes on that for the epoxy resin. The fully cured thermoset displays both β- and α-relaxations. In DMA measurements, both α- and β-relaxations are observed in all systems and in both the uncured and fully cured systems, similar to the behaviour identified by DRS. PMID:28773319

Synergistic effects of acyclovir and 3, 19-isopropylideneandrographolide on herpes simplex virus wild types and drug-resistant strains.

PubMed

Priengprom, Thongkoon; Ekalaksananan, Tipaya; Kongyingyoes, Bunkerd; Suebsasana, Supawadee; Aromdee, Chantana; Pientong, Chamsai

2015-03-11

An andrographolide analogue, 3, 19-isopropylideneandrographolide (IPAD), exerts an inhibitory effect on replication of wild-type herpes simplex virus serotype 1 (HSV-1). In this study, we examined the anti-viral activity of IPAD on HSV wild types (HSV-1 strain KOS and HSV-2 clinical isolate) and HSV-1 drug-resistant strains (DRs). Synergistic effects of IPAD with acyclovir (ACV) were also evaluated. MTT and cytopathic effect (CPE) reduction assays were performed to determine cytotoxicity and anti-viral activities, respectively. A combination assay was used to determine synergistic effects of IPAD and ACV. Presence of viral DNA and protein in experimental cells was investigated using the polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively. A non-cytotoxic concentration of IPAD (20.50 μM) completely inhibited CPE formation induced by HSV wild types and HSV-1 DRs after viral entry into the cells. The anti-HSV activities included inhibition of viral DNA and protein synthesis. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of ACV for HSV wild types and HSV-1 DRs were 20.20 and 2,220.00 μM, respectively. Combination of ACV with IPAD showed synergistic effects in inhibition of CPE formation, viral DNA and protein synthesis by HSV wild types as well as HSV-1 DRs. For the synergistic effects on HSV wild types and HSV-1 DRs, the effective concentrations of ACV were reduced. These results showed the inhibitory potential of IPAD on HSV wild types and HSV-1 DRs and suggested that IPAD could be used in combination with ACV for treatment of HSV-1 DRs infections.

Useful marker of oscillatory lung function in methacholine challenge test-comparison of reactance and resistance with dose-response slope.

PubMed

Yoon, Jung Won; Shin, Youn Ho; Jee, Hye Mi; Chang, Sun Jung; Baek, Ji Hyeon; Choi, Sun Hee; Kim, Hyeong Yun; Han, Man Yong

2014-06-01

There are few studies focusing on the comparison of resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs) in impulse oscillometry system (IOS) in the bronchial challenge test using dose-response slope (DRS), a quantitative index of bronchial hyperresponsiveness. We conducted a case-control study of 144 asthmatic and 218 non-asthmatic children to compare the diagnostic accuracy of two-point linear DRS for FEV1 , Rrs5 , and Xrs5 (DRS_FEV1 , DRS_Rrs5 , and DRS_Xrs5 ) and assessed various diagnostic cut-off points of provocation concentrations (PC) using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. DRS_FEV1 had a stronger correlation with DRS_Xrs5 (r = 0.739, P < 0.001) than with DRS_Rrs5 (r = 0.652, P < 0.001) and the area under the ROC curves of DRS_Xrs5 (0.737) was similar to that of DRS_FEV1 (0.732) and higher than that of DRS_Rrs5 (0.668). The area under the ROC curves in order of greater value was as follows: absolute change of Xrs5 (Abs_Xrs5 ) (0.759) > percent change of FEV1 (Pch_FEV1 ) (0.735) > Pch_Xrs5 (0.727) > Abs_Rrs5 (0.690) > Pch_Rrs5 (0.630). PC78 _Xrs5 and PC0.17 _Xrs5 of IOS showed considerably good sensitivity and specificity comparable to those of PC20 _FEV1 by spirometry. Additional 18 (13%) children who showed normal spirometric measures were identified as asthmatics with the use of IOS. The utility of the DRS_Xrs5 to differentiate asthmatics from controls was comparable to that of the DRS_FEV1 and better than that of the DRS_Rrs5 . In addition, IOS could detect additional asthmatic patients who did not show positive responses in spirometry. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Abducens Nerve in Patients with Type 3 Duane’s Retraction Syndrome

PubMed Central

Hwang, Jeong-Min

2016-01-01

Background We have previously reported that the presence of the abducens nerve was variable in patients with type 3 Duane’s retraction syndrome (DRS), being present in 2 of 5 eyes (40%) and absent in 3 (60%) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The previous study included only 5 eyes with unilateral DRS type 3. Objectives To supplement existing scarce pathologic information by evaluating the presence of the abducens nerve using high resolution thin-section MRI system in a larger number of patients with DRS type 3, thus to provide further insight into the pathogenesis of DRS. Data Extraction A retrospective review of medical records on ophthalmologic examination and high resolution thin-section MRI at the brainstem level and orbit was performed. A total of 31 patients who showed the typical signs of DRS type 3, including abduction and adduction deficit, globe retraction, narrowing of fissure on adduction and upshoot and/or downshoot, were included. The abducens nerve and any other extraocular muscle abnormalities discovered by MRI were noted. Results DRS was unilateral in 26 patients (84%) and bilateral in 5 patients (16%). Two out of 5 bilateral patients had DRS type 3 in the right eye and DRS type 1 in the left eye. Of the 34 affected orbits with DRS type 3 in 31 patients, the abducens nerve was absent or hypoplastic in 31 eyes (91%) and present in 3 eyes (9%). Patients with a present abducens nerve showed more limitation in adduction compared to patients with an absent abducens nerve (P = 0.030). Conclusions The abducens nerve is absent or hypoplastic in 91% of DRS type 3. Patients with a present abducens nerve showed more prominent limitation of adduction. As DRS type 3 partly share the same pathophysiology with type 1 and 2 DRS, the classification of DRS may have to be revised according to MRI findings. PMID:27352171

Methylphenidate Transdermal System: A Multisite, Open-Label Study of Dermal Reactions in Pediatric Patients Diagnosed With ADHD

PubMed Central

Squires, Liza; Li, Yunfeng; Civil, Richard; Paller, Amy S.

2010-01-01

Objective: To characterize dermal reactions and examine methylphenidate (MPH) sensitization in subjects receiving methylphenidate transdermal system (MTS). Method: This multicenter, open-label, dose-optimization study utilized MTS doses of 10, 15, 20, and 30 mg in children aged 6 to 12 years, inclusive (N = 305), with a DSM-IV-TR primary diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The study was conducted between January 8, 2007, and August 23, 2007. Subjects wore MTS on their hips for 9 hours per day, alternating sides daily for a total of 7 weeks. Assessments included the Experience of Discomfort scale, Transdermal System Adherence scale, and Dermal Response Scale (DRS; 0 = no irritation, 7 = strong reaction). On-study reevaluations were conducted to characterize DRS scores ≥ 4. Epicutaneous allergy patch testing was conducted for DRS scores ≥ 6, persistent DRS scores ≥ 4, DRS score increase following an assessment of ≥ 4, or DRS scores of 4 or 5 following elective discontinuation. Results: Approximately half of subjects experienced definite erythema at the patch site that generally dissipated within 24 hours. Four subjects experienced a DRS score of 4 (1%): erythema in 1 subject resolved on study treatment, 2 cases resolved poststudy and subjects tolerated oral MPH, and 1 subject discontinued treatment. The latter subject was referred for patch testing and was diagnosed with allergic contact sensitization to MPH. Conclusions: Few severe dermal effects were seen with MTS treatment. Dermal reactions were characterized as contact dermatitis and dissipated rapidly. On patch testing, 1 subject (0.3%) manifested sensitization to MPH. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00434213 PMID:21494336

Design and Analysis of the ST7 Disturbance Reduction System (DRS) Spacecraft Controller

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maghami, P. G.; Markley, F. L.; Houghton, M. B.; Dennehy, C. J.

2003-01-01

The Space Technology 7 experiment will perform an on-orbit system-level validation of two specific Disturbance Reduction System technologies: a gravitational reference sensor employing a free-floating test mass and a set of micronewton colloidal thrusters. The Disturbance Reduction System is designed to maintain a spacecraft's position with respect to the free-floating test mass to less than 10 nm/square root of Hz, over the frequency range 10(exp -3) Hz to 10(exp -2) Hz. This paper presents the design and analysis of the coupled drag-free and attitude control system that closes the loop between the gravitational reference sensor and the micronewton thrusters while incorporating star tracker data at low frequencies. The effects of actuation and measurement noise and disturbances on the spacecraft and test masses are evaluated in a seven-degree-of-freedom planar model incorporating two translational and one rotational degrees of freedom for the spacecraft and two translational degrees of freedom for each test mass.

Space Technology 7 : Micropropulsion and Mass Distribution

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carnaub, A.; Dunn, C.; Ziemer, J,; Hruby, V.; Spence, D.; Demmons, N.; Roy, T.; McCormick, R.; Gasaska, C.; Young, J.;

Light distribution modulated diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.

PubMed

Huang, Pin-Yuan; Chien, Chun-Yu; Sheu, Chia-Rong; Chen, Yu-Wen; Tseng, Sheng-Hao

2016-06-01

Typically, a diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) system employing a continuous wave light source would need to acquire diffuse reflectances measured at multiple source-detector separations for determining the absorption and reduced scattering coefficients of turbid samples. This results in a multi-fiber probe structure and an indefinite probing depth. Here we present a novel DRS method that can utilize a few diffuse reflectances measured at one source-detector separation for recovering the optical properties of samples. The core of innovation is a liquid crystal (LC) cell whose scattering property can be modulated by the bias voltage. By placing the LC cell between the light source and the sample, the spatial distribution of light in the sample can be varied as the scattering property of the LC cell modulated by the bias voltage, and this would induce intensity variation of the collected diffuse reflectance. From a series of Monte Carlo simulations and phantom measurements, we found that this new light distribution modulated DRS (LDM DRS) system was capable of accurately recover the absorption and scattering coefficients of turbid samples and its probing depth only varied by less than 3% over the full bias voltage variation range. Our results suggest that this LDM DRS platform could be developed to various low-cost, efficient, and compact systems for in-vivo superficial tissue investigation.

Light distribution modulated diffuse reflectance spectroscopy

PubMed Central

Huang, Pin-Yuan; Chien, Chun-Yu; Sheu, Chia-Rong; Chen, Yu-Wen; Tseng, Sheng-Hao

2016-01-01

Typically, a diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) system employing a continuous wave light source would need to acquire diffuse reflectances measured at multiple source-detector separations for determining the absorption and reduced scattering coefficients of turbid samples. This results in a multi-fiber probe structure and an indefinite probing depth. Here we present a novel DRS method that can utilize a few diffuse reflectances measured at one source-detector separation for recovering the optical properties of samples. The core of innovation is a liquid crystal (LC) cell whose scattering property can be modulated by the bias voltage. By placing the LC cell between the light source and the sample, the spatial distribution of light in the sample can be varied as the scattering property of the LC cell modulated by the bias voltage, and this would induce intensity variation of the collected diffuse reflectance. From a series of Monte Carlo simulations and phantom measurements, we found that this new light distribution modulated DRS (LDM DRS) system was capable of accurately recover the absorption and scattering coefficients of turbid samples and its probing depth only varied by less than 3% over the full bias voltage variation range. Our results suggest that this LDM DRS platform could be developed to various low-cost, efficient, and compact systems for in-vivo superficial tissue investigation. PMID:27375931

AOIPS data base management systems support for GARP data sets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gary, J. P.

1977-01-01

A data base management system is identified, developed to provide flexible access to data sets produced by GARP during its data systems tests. The content and coverage of the data base are defined and a computer-aided, interactive information storage and retrieval system, implemented to facilitate access to user specified data subsets, is described. The computer programs developed to provide the capability were implemented on the highly interactive, minicomputer-based AOIPS and are referred to as the data retrieval system (DRS). Implemented as a user interactive but menu guided system, the DRS permits users to inventory the data tape library and create duplicate or subset data sets based on a user selected window defined by time and latitude/longitude boundaries. The DRS permits users to select, display, or produce formatted hard copy of individual data items contained within the data records.

Centralized vs decentralized options for an European Data Relay Satellite system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saint Aubert, S.; Hervieux, M.; Perbos, J. L.; Saggese, E.; Soprano, C.

1985-10-01

The European Data Relay Satellite (DRS) is now being planned to support future European missions in the nineties and in particular the various elements of the in-orbit infrastructure. Studies are being conducted to investigate the usefulness of the relay system as well as to provide the basis for issuing technical specifications for a development and launch in 1993. This paper presents the results of a study issued by ESA on possible options for a DRS System, concentrating on the comparison between a centralized and a decentralized data distribution concept. After recalling the space programs foreseen in Europe, the paper discusses the architecture and design of the various elements of the System: space segment, DRS ground segment, and user ground segment for different options of data dissemination.

Centralized vs decentralized options for a european data relay satellite system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aubert, Ph. Saint; Hervieux, M.; Perbos, J. L.; Saggese, E.; Soprano, C.

The European Data Relay Satellite (DRS) is now being planned to support future European missions in the nineties and in particular the various elements of the in-orbit infrastructure. Studies are being conducted to investigate the usefulness of the Relay System as well as to provide the basis for issuing technical specifications for a development and launch in 1993. This paper presents the results of a study issued by ESA on possible options for a DRS System, concentrating on the comparison between a centralized and a decentralized data distribution concept. After recalling the space programmes foreseen in Europe, the paper discusses the architecture and design of the various elements of the System: space segment, DRS ground segment and user ground segment for different options of data dissemination.

Performance of the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 Against Different Delirium Diagnostic Criteria in a Population With a High Prevalence of Dementia.

PubMed

Sepulveda, Esteban; Franco, José G; Trzepacz, Paula T; Gaviria, Ana M; Viñuelas, Eva; Palma, José; Ferré, Gisela; Grau, Imma; Vilella, Elisabet

2015-01-01

Delirium diagnosis in elderly is often complicated by underlying dementia. We evaluated performance of the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (DRS-R98) in patients with high dementia prevalence and also assessed concordance among past and current diagnostic criteria for delirium. Cross-sectional analysis of newly admitted patients to a skilled nursing facility over 6 months, who were rated within 24-48 hours after admission. Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 3rd edition-R (DSM)-III-R, DSM-IV, DSM-5, and International Classification of Diseases 10th edition delirium ratings, administration of the DRS-R98, and assessment of dementia using the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly were independently performed by 3 researchers. Discriminant analyses (receiver operating characteristics curves) were used to study DRS-R98 accuracy against different diagnostic criteria. Hanley and McNeil test compared the area under the curve for DRS-R98's discriminant performance for all diagnostic criteria. Dementia was present in 85/125 (68.0%) subjects, and 36/125 (28.8%) met criteria for delirium by at least 1 classification system, whereas only 19/36 (52.8%) did by all. DSM-III-R diagnosed the most as delirious (27.2%), followed by DSM-5 (24.8%), DSM-IV-TR (22.4%), and International Classification of Diseases 10th edition (16%). DRS-R98 had the highest AUC when discriminating DSM-III-R delirium (92.9%), followed by DSM-IV (92.4%), DSM-5 (91%), and International Classification of Diseases 10th edition (90.5%), without statistical differences among them. The best DRS-R98 cutoff score was ≥14.5 for all diagnostic systems except International Classification of Diseases 10th edition (≥15.5). There is a low concordance across diagnostic systems for identification of delirium. The DRS-R98 performs well despite differences across classification systems perhaps because it broadly assesses phenomenology, even in this population with a high prevalence of dementia. Copyright © 2015 The Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effects of Moquiniastrum polymorphum ssp floccosum ethnolic extract on colorectal carcinogenesis induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine.

PubMed

Limeiras, S M A; Oliveira, B C; Pessatto, L R; Pesarini, J R; Kassuya, C A L; Monreal, A C D; Cantero, W B; Antoniolli-Silva, R; Antoniolli-Silva, A C M B; Stefanello, M E A; Oliveira, R J

2017-03-16

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Moquiniastrum polymorphum ssp floccosum ethanolic extract (MPEE) on 1,2 dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colorectal carcinogenesis in mice. Forty-two male Swiss mice (Mus musculus) were subdivided into six groups (N = 7/group): negative control, DMH, MPEE, pre-treatment, simultaneous, and post-treatment. Results showed that MPEE has antigenotoxic potential on the tested protocols pre- and silmultaneous treatment, and the percent damage reductions (%DRs) were 81.88 and 93.12%, respectively. The micronucleus test demonstrated that MPEE has great antimutagenic activity, with %DRs higher than 77.09 in the associated groups. The aberrant crypt focus assay demonstrated anticarcinogenic potential of MPEE as the associated groups showed %DRs that ranged from 62.13 to 95.14%. The study shows that MPEE is nontoxic and has chemopreventive and anticarcinogenic activity, thus it may prove to be a promising medicinal plant in view of its demonstrated properties.

Feasibility of quantitative diffuse reflectance spectroscopy for targeted measurement of renal ischemia during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

PubMed

Goel, Utsav O; Maddox, Michael M; Elfer, Katherine N; Dorsey, Philip J; Wang, Mei; McCaslin, Ian Ross; Brown, J Quincy; Lee, Benjamin R

2014-01-01

Reduction of warm ischemia time during partial nephrectomy (PN) is critical to minimizing ischemic damage and improving postoperative kidney function, while maintaining tumor resection efficacy. Recently, methods for localizing the effects of warm ischemia to the region of the tumor via selective clamping of higher-order segmental artery branches have been shown to have superior outcomes compared with clamping the main renal artery. However, artery identification can prolong operative time and increase the blood loss and reduce the positive effects of selective ischemia. Quantitative diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) can provide a convenient, real-time means to aid in artery identification during laparoscopic PN. The feasibility of quantitative DRS for real-time longitudinal measurement of tissue perfusion and vascular oxygenation in laparoscopic nephrectomy was investigated in vivo in six Yorkshire swine kidneys (n=three animals ). DRS allowed for rapid identification of ischemic areas after selective vessel occlusion. In addition, the rates of ischemia induction and recovery were compared for main renal artery versus tertiary segmental artery occlusion, and it was found that the tertiary segmental artery occlusion trends toward faster recovery after ischemia, which suggests a potential benefit of selective ischemia. Quantitative DRS could provide a convenient and fast tool for artery identification and evaluation of the depth, spatial extent, and duration of selective tissue ischemia in laparoscopic PN.

Feasibility of quantitative diffuse reflectance spectroscopy for targeted measurement of renal ischemia during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goel, Utsav O.; Maddox, Michael M.; Elfer, Katherine N.; Dorsey, Philip J.; Wang, Mei; McCaslin, Ian Ross; Brown, J. Quincy; Lee, Benjamin R.

2014-10-01

Reduction of warm ischemia time during partial nephrectomy (PN) is critical to minimizing ischemic damage and improving postoperative kidney function, while maintaining tumor resection efficacy. Recently, methods for localizing the effects of warm ischemia to the region of the tumor via selective clamping of higher-order segmental artery branches have been shown to have superior outcomes compared with clamping the main renal artery. However, artery identification can prolong operative time and increase the blood loss and reduce the positive effects of selective ischemia. Quantitative diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) can provide a convenient, real-time means to aid in artery identification during laparoscopic PN. The feasibility of quantitative DRS for real-time longitudinal measurement of tissue perfusion and vascular oxygenation in laparoscopic nephrectomy was investigated in vivo in six Yorkshire swine kidneys (n=three animals). DRS allowed for rapid identification of ischemic areas after selective vessel occlusion. In addition, the rates of ischemia induction and recovery were compared for main renal artery versus tertiary segmental artery occlusion, and it was found that the tertiary segmental artery occlusion trends toward faster recovery after ischemia, which suggests a potential benefit of selective ischemia. Quantitative DRS could provide a convenient and fast tool for artery identification and evaluation of the depth, spatial extent, and duration of selective tissue ischemia in laparoscopic PN.

Salt Lake Skills Center Handicapped Advocacy Program. Summary Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hall, Bo; Armstrong, Terry L.

The Handicapped Advocacy Program (HAP) is an advocacy service for individuals with disabilities who are sponsored in skills training by the Utah Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS). It has developed a system whereby DRS clients can be tracked throughout their tenure at the Salt Lake Skills Center. Other services include Skills Center…

A comparison of outcomes according to different diagnostic systems for delirium (DSM-5, DSM-IV, CAM, and DRS-R98).

PubMed

Adamis, Dimitrios; Meagher, David; Rooney, Siobhan; Mulligan, Owen; McCarthy, Geraldine

2018-04-01

ABSTRACTStudies indicate that DSM-5 criteria for delirium are relatively restrictive, and identify different cases of delirium compared with previous systems. We evaluate four outcomes of delirium (mortality, length of hospital stay, institutionalization, and cognitive improvement) in relation to delirium defined by different DSM classification systems.Prospective, longitudinal study of patients aged 70+ admitted to medical wards of a general hospital. Participants were assessed up to a maximum of four times during two weeks, using DSM-5 and DSM-IV criteria, DRS-R98 and CAM scales as proxies for DSM III-R and DSM III.Of the 200 assessed patients (mean age 81.1, SD = 6.5; and 50% female) during hospitalization, delirium was identified in 41 (20.5%) using DSM-5, 45 (22.5%) according to DSM-IV, 46 (23%) with CAM positive, and 37 (18.5%) with DRS-R98 severity score >15. Mortality was significantly associated with delirium according to any classification system, but those identified with DSM-5 were at greater risk. Length of stay was significantly longer for those with DSM-IV delirium. Discharge to a care home was associated only with DRS-R98 defined delirium. Cognitive improvement was only associated with CAM and DSM-IV. Different classification systems for delirium identify populations with different outcomes.

MATE (Mentale Aspecten van Team Effectiviteit) (MATE (Mental Aspects of Team Effectiveness))

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-05-01

0 Auteur (s) drs. J.P. van Meer drs. MI. 1 ’ IIart0 drs. 1. van der 16. Rubricering rapport Ongerubriceerd Vastgesteld door Ikol drs. L.A. de Vos...team Auteur (s) Teamntraining drs. J.P. van Meer drs. M.H.E. I Hart Programmanummer Projectnummer drs. 1. van der Beijl V406 015.34095 Rubricering...Murphy & Cleveland (1995) geven inzicht in de tearngedragingen die meetbaar zijn en de theorie over Shared Mental Models (Espevik et al, 2006) laat zien

OncDRS: An integrative clinical and genomic data platform for enabling translational research and precision medicine

PubMed Central

Orechia, John; Pathak, Ameet; Shi, Yunling; Nawani, Aniket; Belozerov, Andrey; Fontes, Caitlin; Lakhiani, Camille; Jawale, Chetan; Patel, Chetansharan; Quinn, Daniel; Botvinnik, Dmitry; Mei, Eddie; Cotter, Elizabeth; Byleckie, James; Ullman-Cullere, Mollie; Chhetri, Padam; Chalasani, Poornima; Karnam, Purushotham; Beaudoin, Ronald; Sahu, Sandeep; Belozerova, Yelena; Mathew, Jomol P.

2015-01-01

We live in the genomic era of medicine, where a patient's genomic/molecular data is becoming increasingly important for disease diagnosis, identification of targeted therapy, and risk assessment for adverse reactions. However, decoding the genomic test results and integrating it with clinical data for retrospective studies and cohort identification for prospective clinical trials is still a challenging task. In order to overcome these barriers, we developed an overarching enterprise informatics framework for translational research and personalized medicine called Synergistic Patient and Research Knowledge Systems (SPARKS) and a suite of tools called Oncology Data Retrieval Systems (OncDRS). OncDRS enables seamless data integration, secure and self-navigated query and extraction of clinical and genomic data from heterogeneous sources. Within a year of release, the system has facilitated more than 1500 research queries and has delivered data for more than 50 research studies. PMID:27054074

Duane retraction syndrome: causes, effects and management strategies

PubMed Central

Kekunnaya, Ramesh; Negalur, Mithila

2017-01-01

Duane retraction syndrome (DRS) is a congenital eye movement anomaly characterized by variable horizontal duction deficits, with narrowing of the palpebral fissure and globe retraction on attempted adduction, occasionally accompanied by upshoot or down-shoot. The etiopathogenesis of this condition can be explained by a spectrum of mechanical, innervational, neurologic and genetic abnormalities occurring independently or which influence each other giving rise to patterns of clinical presentations along with a complex set of ocular and systemic anomalies. Huber type I DRS is the most common form of DRS with an earlier presentation, while Huber type II is the least common presentation. Usually, patients with unilateral type I Duane syndrome have esotropia more frequently than exotropia, those with type II have exotropia and those with type III have esotropia and exotropia occurring equally common. Cases of bilateral DRS may have variable presentation depending upon the type of presentation in each eye. As regards its management, DRS classification based on primary position deviation as esotropic, exotropic or orthotropic is more relevant than Huber’s classification before planning surgery. Surgical approach to these patients is challenging and must be individualized based on the amount of ocular deviation, abnormal head position, associated globe retraction and overshoots. PMID:29133973

Larval dispersal underlies demographically important inter-system connectivity in a Great Lakes yellow perch (Perca flavescens) population

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brodnik, Reed M.; Fraker, Michael E.; Anderson, Eric J.; Carreon-Martinez, Lucia; DeVanna, Kristen M.; Heath, Dan D.; Reichert, Julie M.; Roseman, Edward F.; Ludsin, Stuart A.

2016-01-01

Ability to quantify connectivity among spawning subpopulations and their relative contribution of recruits to the broader population is a critical fisheries management need. By combining microsatellite and age information from larval yellow perch (Perca flavescens) collected in the Lake St. Clair – Detroit River system (SC-DRS) and western Lake Erie with a hydrodynamic backtracking approach, we quantified subpopulation structure, connectivity, and contributions of recruits to the juvenile stage in western Lake Erie during 2006-2007. After finding weak (yet stable) genetic structure between the SC-DRS and two western Lake Erie subpopulations, microsatellites also revealed measurable recruitment of SC-DRS larvae to the juvenile stage in western Lake Erie (17-21% during 2006-2007). Consideration of pre-collection larval dispersal trajectories, using hydrodynamic backtracking, increased estimated contributions to 65% in 2006 and 57% in 2007. Our findings highlight the value of complementing subpopulation discrimination methods with hydrodynamic predictions of larval dispersal by revealing the SC-DRS as a source of recruits to western Lake Erie and also showing that connectivity through larval dispersal can affect the structure and dynamics of large-lake fish populations.

DrsG from Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis Inhibits the Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37

PubMed Central

Smyth, Danielle; Cameron, Ainslie; Davies, Mark R.; McNeilly, Celia; Hafner, Louise; Sriprakash, Kadaba S.

2014-01-01

SIC and DRS are related proteins present in only 4 of the >200 Streptococcus pyogenes emm types. These proteins inhibit complement-mediated lysis and/or the activity of certain antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). A gene encoding a homologue of these proteins, herein called DrsG, has been identified in the related bacterium Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis. Here we show that geographically dispersed isolates representing 14 of 50 emm types examined possess variants of drsG. However, not all isolates within the drsG-positive emm types possess the gene. Sequence comparisons also revealed a high degree of conservation in different S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis emm types. To examine the biological activity of DrsG, recombinant versions of two major DrsG variants, DrsGS and DrsGL, were expressed and purified. Western blot analysis using antisera raised to these proteins demonstrated both variants to be expressed and secreted into culture supernatants. Unlike SIC, but similar to DRS, DrsG does not inhibit complement-mediated lysis. However, like both SIC and DRS, DrsG is a ligand of the cathelicidin LL-37 and is inhibitory to its bactericidal activity in in vitro assays. Conservation of prolines in the C-terminal region also suggests that these residues are important in the biology of this family of proteins. This is the first report demonstrating the activity of an AMP-inhibitory protein in S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis and suggests that inhibition of AMP activity is the primary function of this family of proteins. The acquisition of the complement-inhibitory activity of SIC may reflect its continuing evolution. PMID:24664506

Disease Risk Score (DRS) as a Confounder Summary Method: Systematic Review and Recommendations

PubMed Central

Tadrous, Mina; Gagne, Joshua J.; Stürmer, Til; Cadarette, Suzanne M.

2013-01-01

Purpose To systematically examine trends and applications of the disease risk score (DRS) as a confounder summary method. Methods We completed a systematic search of MEDLINE and Web of Science® to identify all English language articles that applied DRS methods. We tabulated the number of publications by year and type (empirical application, methodological contribution, or review paper) and summarized methods used in empirical applications overall and by publication year (<2000, ≥2000). Results Of 714 unique articles identified, 97 examined DRS methods and 86 were empirical applications. We observed a bimodal distribution in the number of publications over time, with a peak 1979-1980, and resurgence since 2000. The majority of applications with methodological detail derived DRS using logistic regression (47%), used DRS as a categorical variable in regression (93%), and applied DRS in a non-experimental cohort (47%) or case-control (42%) study. Few studies examined effect modification by outcome risk (23%). Conclusion Use of DRS methods has increased yet remains low. Comparative effectiveness research may benefit from more DRS applications, particularly to examine effect modification by outcome risk. Standardized terminology may facilitate identification, application, and comprehension of DRS methods. More research is needed to support the application of DRS methods, particularly in case-control studies. PMID:23172692

P4-ATPase Requirement for AP-1/Clathrin Function in Protein Transport from the trans-Golgi Network and Early Endosomes

PubMed Central

Liu, Ke; Surendhran, Kavitha; Nothwehr, Steven F.

2008-01-01

Drs2p is a resident type 4 P-type ATPase (P4-ATPase) and potential phospholipid translocase of the trans-Golgi network (TGN) where it has been implicated in clathrin function. However, precise protein transport pathways requiring Drs2p and how it contributes to clathrin-coated vesicle budding remain unclear. Here we show a functional codependence between Drs2p and the AP-1 clathrin adaptor in protein sorting at the TGN and early endosomes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Genetic criteria indicate that Drs2p and AP-1 operate in the same pathway and that AP-1 requires Drs2p for function. In addition, we show that loss of AP-1 markedly increases Drs2p trafficking to the plasma membrane, but does not perturb retrieval of Drs2p from the early endosome back to the TGN. Thus AP-1 is required at the TGN to sort Drs2p out of the exocytic pathway, presumably for delivery to the early endosome. Moreover, a conditional allele that inactivates Drs2p phospholipid translocase (flippase) activity disrupts its own transport in this AP-1 pathway. Drs2p physically interacts with AP-1; however, AP-1 and clathrin are both recruited normally to the TGN in drs2Δ cells. These results imply that Drs2p acts independently of coat recruitment to facilitate AP-1/clathrin-coated vesicle budding from the TGN. PMID:18508916

Intermediate Experimental Vehicle, ESA Programme Supersonic Transonic Aerodynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sjors, Karin; Olsson, Jorgen; Maseland, Hans; de Cock, Koen; Dutheil, Sylvain; Bouleuc, Laurent; Cantinaud, Olivier; Tribot, Jean-Pierre; Mareschi, Vincenzo; Ferrarella, Daniella, Rufolo, Giuseppe

2011-05-01

The IXV project objectives are the design, development, manufacture and on ground and in flight verification of an autonomous European lifting and aerodynamically controlled re-entry system, which is highly flexible and manoeuvrable. The IXV vehicle is planned to be recovered in supersonic regime by means of a Descent and Recovery System (DRS). In that context, a specific aerodynamic identification was carried in order to provide data to be used for consolidating the AEDB (AErodynamic Data Base) and as inputs for the DRS sub-system activities. During the phase C2, a wind tunnel campaign was carried out at for the Mach number range M=1.7 to M=0.3 together with computational fluid dynamics simulation. The main objectives were to assess the aerodynamic forces and moments assuming high aileron setting in supersonic regime and to get preliminary aerodynamic data in subsonic regime to be used as input by the DRS team. The logic and the main results of these activities are presented and discussed in this paper.

Agarose hydrogel induced MCF-7 and BMG-1 cell line progressive 3D and 3D revert cultures.

PubMed

Subramaniyan, Aishwarya; Ravi, Maddaly

2018-04-01

3D culture systems have enhanced the utility of cancer cell lines as they are considered closer to the in vivo systems. A variety of changes are induced in cells cultured in 3D systems; an apparent and striking feature being the spontaneous acquisition of distinct morphological entities. 3D reverts (3DRs) can be obtained by introducing 3D aggregates in scaffold/matrix-free culture units. It could be seen that the two cell lines used in this study exhibited differences in 3DR structures, though both were cultured on agarose hydrogels. Also, differences in 3DR formation, growth and survival were different. While 3D aggregates of several cell lines have been reported for a variety of studies, there are no studies that describe or utilize 3DRs. 3DRs can provide insights into complex events that can occur in cancer cells; especially as material to study metastasis, migration, and invasion. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Association of Cognitive and Noncognitive Symptoms of Delirium: A Study from Consultation-liaison Psychiatry Set-up.

PubMed

Grover, Sandeep; Mehra, Aseem; Chakrabarti, Subho; Avasthi, Ajit

2016-12-01

This study aims to evaluate the cognitive functions of patients with delirium using Hindi Mental Status Examination (HMSE), to study the correlation of cognitive functions assessed by HMSE with noncognitive symptoms as assessed using Delirium Rating Scale-Revised 1998 (DRS-R-98) and to study the association of cognitive functions assessed using HMSE and DRS-R98. A total of 76 consecutive patients fulfilling the diagnosis of delirium were evaluated on DRS-R-98, HMSE, and Short Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (retrospective IQCODE). The mean DRS-R-98 score 33.9 (standard deviation [SD] - 7.2) and the mean DRS-R-98 severity score was 25.9 (SD - 7.2). The mean score on HMSE was 19.3 (7.98). There were significant correlations of all the domains of HMSE with DRS-R-98 total score, DRS-R-98 severity score, DRS-R-98 cognitive subscale score, DRS-R-98 noncognitive domain subscale score, and DRS severity score without attention score. When the association of each item of DRS-R-98 and HMSE was evaluated, except for the items of delusions, lability of affect and motor retardation, there were significant negative association between all the items of DRS-R-98 and HMSE, indicating that higher severity of cognitive symptoms as assessed on HMSE is associated with higher severity of all the cognitive symptoms and most of the noncognitive symptoms as assessed by DRS-R-98. The present study suggests that attention deficits in patients with delirium influence the severity of cognitive and noncognitive symptoms of delirium. Further, the present study suggests an increase in the severity of cognitive symptoms in other domains is also associated with an increase in the severity of noncognitive symptoms of delirium.

Studies of the antitumor mechanism of action of dermaseptin B2, a multifunctional cationic antimicrobial peptide, reveal a partial implication of cell surface glycosaminoglycans.

PubMed

Dos Santos, Célia; Hamadat, Sabah; Le Saux, Karen; Newton, Clara; Mazouni, Meriem; Zargarian, Loussiné; Miro-Padovani, Mickael; Zadigue, Patricia; Delbé, Jean; Hamma-Kourbali, Yamina; Amiche, Mohamed

2017-01-01

Dermaseptin-B2 (DRS-B2) is a multifunctional cationic antimicrobial peptide (CAP) isolated from frog skin secretion. We previously reported that DRS-B2 possesses anticancer and antiangiogenic activities in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, we evaluated the antiproliferative activity of DRS-B2 on numerous tumor cell lines, its cell internalization and studies of its molecular partners as well as their influences on its structure. Confocal microscopy using ([Alexa594]-(Cys0)-DRS-B2) shows that in sensitive human tumor cells (PC3), DRS-B2 seems to accumulate rapidly at the cytoplasmic membranes and enters the cytoplasm and the nucleus, while in less sensitive tumor cells (U87MG), DRS-B2 is found packed in vesicles at the cell membrane. Furthermore FACS analysis shows that PC3 cells viability decreases after DRS-B2 treatment while U87 MG seems to be unaffected. However, "pull down" experiments performed with total protein pools from PC3 or U87MG cells and the comparison between the antiproliferative effect of DRS-B2 and its synthetic analog containing all D-amino acids suggest the absence of a stereo-selective protein receptor. Pretreatment of PC3 cells with sodium chlorate, decreases the antiproliferative activity of DRS-B2. This activity is partially restored after addition of exogenous chondroitin sulfate C (CS-C). Moreover, we demonstrate that at nanomolar concentrations CS-C potentiates the antiproliferative effect of DRS-B2. These results highlight the partial implication of glycosaminoglycans in the mechanism of antiproliferative action of DRS-B2. Structural analysis of DRS-B2 by circular dichroism in the presence of increasing concentration of CS-C shows that DRS-B2 adopts an α-helical structure. Finally, structure-activity-relationship studies suggest a key role of the W residue in position 3 of the DRS-B2 sequence for its antiproliferative activity.

Studies of the antitumor mechanism of action of dermaseptin B2, a multifunctional cationic antimicrobial peptide, reveal a partial implication of cell surface glycosaminoglycans

PubMed Central

Dos Santos, Célia; Hamadat, Sabah; Le Saux, Karen; Newton, Clara; Mazouni, Meriem; Zargarian, Loussiné; Miro-Padovani, Mickael; Zadigue, Patricia; Delbé, Jean; Hamma-Kourbali, Yamina

2017-01-01

Dermaseptin-B2 (DRS-B2) is a multifunctional cationic antimicrobial peptide (CAP) isolated from frog skin secretion. We previously reported that DRS-B2 possesses anticancer and antiangiogenic activities in vitro and in vivo. In the present study, we evaluated the antiproliferative activity of DRS-B2 on numerous tumor cell lines, its cell internalization and studies of its molecular partners as well as their influences on its structure. Confocal microscopy using ([Alexa594]-(Cys0)-DRS-B2) shows that in sensitive human tumor cells (PC3), DRS-B2 seems to accumulate rapidly at the cytoplasmic membranes and enters the cytoplasm and the nucleus, while in less sensitive tumor cells (U87MG), DRS-B2 is found packed in vesicles at the cell membrane. Furthermore FACS analysis shows that PC3 cells viability decreases after DRS-B2 treatment while U87 MG seems to be unaffected. However, "pull down" experiments performed with total protein pools from PC3 or U87MG cells and the comparison between the antiproliferative effect of DRS-B2 and its synthetic analog containing all D-amino acids suggest the absence of a stereo-selective protein receptor. Pretreatment of PC3 cells with sodium chlorate, decreases the antiproliferative activity of DRS-B2. This activity is partially restored after addition of exogenous chondroitin sulfate C (CS-C). Moreover, we demonstrate that at nanomolar concentrations CS-C potentiates the antiproliferative effect of DRS-B2. These results highlight the partial implication of glycosaminoglycans in the mechanism of antiproliferative action of DRS-B2. Structural analysis of DRS-B2 by circular dichroism in the presence of increasing concentration of CS-C shows that DRS-B2 adopts an α-helical structure. Finally, structure-activity-relationship studies suggest a key role of the W residue in position 3 of the DRS-B2 sequence for its antiproliferative activity. PMID:28797092

Geochemical baseline level and function and contamination of phosphorus in Liao River Watershed sediments of China.

PubMed

Liu, Shaoqing; Wang, Jing; Lin, Chunye; He, Mengchang; Liu, Xitao

2013-10-15

The quantitative assessment of P contamination in sediments is a challenge due to sediment heterogeneity and the lacking of geochemical background or baseline levels. In this study, a procedure was proposed to determine the average P background level and P geochemical baseline level (GBL) and develop P geochemical baseline functions (GBF) for riverbed sediments of the Liao River Watershed (LRW). The LRW has two river systems - the Liao River System (LRS) and the Daliao River System (DRS). Eighty-eight samples were collected and analyzed for P, Al, Fe, Ca, organic matter, pH, and texture. The results show that Fe can be used as a better particle-size proxy to construct the GBF of P (P (mg/kg) = 39.98 + 166.19 × Fe (%), R(2) = 0.835, n = 66). The GBL of P was 675 mg/kg, while the average background level of P was 355 mg/kg. Noting that many large cities are located in the DRS watershed, most of the contaminated sites were located within the DRS and the riverbed sediments were more contaminated by P in the DRS watershed than in the LRS watershed. The geochemical background and baseline information of P are of great importance in managing P levels within the LRW. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Low-cost uncooled VOx infrared camera development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Chuan; Han, C. J.; Skidmore, George D.; Cook, Grady; Kubala, Kenny; Bates, Robert; Temple, Dorota; Lannon, John; Hilton, Allan; Glukh, Konstantin; Hardy, Busbee

2013-06-01

The DRS Tamarisk® 320 camera, introduced in 2011, is a low cost commercial camera based on the 17 µm pixel pitch 320×240 VOx microbolometer technology. A higher resolution 17 µm pixel pitch 640×480 Tamarisk®640 has also been developed and is now in production serving the commercial markets. Recently, under the DARPA sponsored Low Cost Thermal Imager-Manufacturing (LCTI-M) program and internal project, DRS is leading a team of industrial experts from FiveFocal, RTI International and MEMSCAP to develop a small form factor uncooled infrared camera for the military and commercial markets. The objective of the DARPA LCTI-M program is to develop a low SWaP camera (<3.5 cm3 in volume and <500 mW in power consumption) that costs less than US $500 based on a 10,000 units per month production rate. To meet this challenge, DRS is developing several innovative technologies including a small pixel pitch 640×512 VOx uncooled detector, an advanced digital ROIC and low power miniature camera electronics. In addition, DRS and its partners are developing innovative manufacturing processes to reduce production cycle time and costs including wafer scale optic and vacuum packaging manufacturing and a 3-dimensional integrated camera assembly. This paper provides an overview of the DRS Tamarisk® project and LCTI-M related uncooled technology development activities. Highlights of recent progress and challenges will also be discussed. It should be noted that BAE Systems and Raytheon Vision Systems are also participants of the DARPA LCTI-M program.

Disease risk score as a confounder summary method: systematic review and recommendations.

PubMed

Tadrous, Mina; Gagne, Joshua J; Stürmer, Til; Cadarette, Suzanne M

2013-02-01

To systematically examine trends and applications of the disease risk score (DRS) as a confounder summary method. We completed a systematic search of MEDLINE and Web of Science® to identify all English language articles that applied DRS methods. We tabulated the number of publications by year and type (empirical application, methodological contribution, or review paper) and summarized methods used in empirical applications overall and by publication year (<2000, ≥2000). Of 714 unique articles identified, 97 examined DRS methods and 86 were empirical applications. We observed a bimodal distribution in the number of publications over time, with a peak 1979-1980, and resurgence since 2000. The majority of applications with methodological detail derived DRS using logistic regression (47%), used DRS as a categorical variable in regression (93%), and applied DRS in a non-experimental cohort (47%) or case-control (42%) study. Few studies examined effect modification by outcome risk (23%). Use of DRS methods has increased yet remains low. Comparative effectiveness research may benefit from more DRS applications, particularly to examine effect modification by outcome risk. Standardized terminology may facilitate identification, application, and comprehension of DRS methods. More research is needed to support the application of DRS methods, particularly in case-control studies. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy for Surface Measurement of Liver Pathology.

PubMed

Nilsson, Jan H; Reistad, Nina; Brange, Hannes; Öberg, Carl-Fredrik; Sturesson, Christian

2017-01-01

Liver parenchymal injuries such as steatosis, steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and sinusoidal obstruction syndrome can lead to increased morbidity and liver failure after liver resection. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) is an optical measuring method that is fast, convenient, and established. DRS has previously been used on the liver with an invasive technique consisting of a needle that is inserted into the parenchyma. We developed a DRS system with a hand-held probe that is applied to the liver surface. In this study, we investigated the impact of the liver capsule on DRS measurements and whether liver surface measurements are representative of the whole liver. We also wanted to confirm that we could discriminate between tumor and liver parenchyma by DRS. The instrumentation setup consisted of a light source, a fiber-optic contact probe, and two spectrometers connected to a computer. Patients scheduled for liver resection due to hepatic malignancy were included, and DRS measurements were performed on the excised liver part with and without the liver capsule and alongside a newly cut surface. To estimate the scattering parameters and tissue chromophore volume fractions, including blood, bile, and fat, the measured diffuse reflectance spectra were applied to an analytical model. In total, 960 DRS spectra from the excised liver tissue of 18 patients were analyzed. All factors analyzed regarding tumor versus liver tissue were significantly different. When measuring through the capsule, the blood volume fraction was found to be 8.4 ± 3.5%, the lipid volume fraction was 9.9 ± 4.7%, and the bile volume fraction was 8.2 ± 4.6%. No differences could be found between surface measurements and cross-sectional measurements. In measurements with/without the liver capsule, the differences in volume fraction were 1.63% (0.75-2.77), -0.54% (-2.97 to 0.32), and -0.15% (-1.06 to 1.24) for blood, lipid, and bile, respectively. This study shows that it is possible to manage DRS measurements through the liver capsule and that surface DRS measurements are representative of the whole liver. The results are consistent with data published earlier on the combination of liver chromophores. The results encourage us to proceed with in vivo measurements for further quantification of the liver's composition and assessment of parenchymal damage such as steatosis and fibrosis grade. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

38. View of DRS 1, 2, and 3 (structure nos. ...

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

38. View of DRS 1, 2, and 3 (structure nos. 735, 736, and 737) console fault locator for beam power status, radio frequency (RF) and intermediate frequency (IF) fault conditions, RF switches status and TR status. - 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

Dopamine D2 receptor availability is linked to hippocampal–caudate functional connectivity and episodic memory

PubMed Central

Nyberg, Lars; Karalija, Nina; Salami, Alireza; Andersson, Micael; Wåhlin, Anders; Kaboovand, Neda; Köhncke, Ylva; Axelsson, Jan; Rieckmann, Anna; Papenberg, Goran; Garrett, Douglas D.; Riklund, Katrine; Lövdén, Martin; Bäckman, Lars

2016-01-01

D1 and D2 dopamine receptors (D1DRs and D2DRs) may contribute differently to various aspects of memory and cognition. The D1DR system has been linked to functions supported by the prefrontal cortex. By contrast, the role of the D2DR system is less clear, although it has been hypothesized that D2DRs make a specific contribution to hippocampus-based cognitive functions. Here we present results from 181 healthy adults between 64 and 68 y of age who underwent comprehensive assessment of episodic memory, working memory, and processing speed, along with MRI and D2DR assessment with [11C]raclopride and PET. Caudate D2DR availability was positively associated with episodic memory but not with working memory or speed. Whole-brain analyses further revealed a relation between hippocampal D2DR availability and episodic memory. Hippocampal and caudate D2DR availability were interrelated, and functional MRI-based resting-state functional connectivity between the ventral caudate and medial temporal cortex increased as a function of caudate D2DR availability. Collectively, these findings indicate that D2DRs make a specific contribution to hippocampus-based cognition by influencing striatal and hippocampal regions, and their interactions. PMID:27339132

Anorectal stimulation causes increased colonic motor activity in subjects with spinal cord injury.

PubMed

Korsten, Mark A; Singal, Ashwani K; Monga, Amit; Chaparala, Geeta; Khan, Amir M; Palmon, Ron; Mendoza, John Reagan D; Lirio, Juan P; Rosman, Alan S; Spungen, Ann; Bauman, William A

2007-01-01

Difficulty with evacuation (DWE) is a major problem after spinal cord injury (SCI). Stimulation of the anal canal and lower rectum, accomplished using a gloved finger (so-called digital rectal stimulation or DRS) is often used as an adjunct to laxatives and enemas to facilitate bowel evacuation. However, the basis for the efficacy of DRS is not known. This study assessed the effect of DRS on colonic motility. Six subjects with SCI were studied several hours after a bowel care session. Colonic motility was assessed using a manometric catheter (affixed endoscopically to the splenic flexure) at baseline, during DRS, and after DRS. In addition, evacuation of barium oatmeal paste (with the consistency of stool and introduced into the rectum and descending colon) was assessed simultaneously using fluoroscopic techniques. The mean number (+/- SEM) of peristaltic waves per minute increased from 0 at baseline to 1.9 (+/- 0.5/min) during DRS and 1.5 (+/- 0.3/min) during the period immediately after cessation of DRS (P < 0.05). The mean amplitude (+/- SEM) of the peristaltic contractions was 43.4 (+/- 2.2) mmHg. The frequency of contractions, as well as amplitude of contractions, during or immediately after DRS was not significantly different. These manometric changes in response to DRS were accompanied by expulsion of barium oatmeal paste in every subject by the fifth DRS. DRS causes left-sided colonic activity in subjects with SCI. At least in part, an anorectal colonic reflex that results in enhanced contractions of the descending colon and rectum may contribute to bowel evacuation in individuals with SCI.

Sea Basing Logistiek

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-11-01

athankelijkheden, de hoeveelheid situatie? Auteur (s) ir. P.L.H. Cleophas drs. M.H.M. Delmee PROGRAMMA PROJECT drs. S. Hoesmans drs. P.G.M. van Scheepstal drs...hiertussen een aanvullende belangrijke schakel. In theorie worden binnen de CLAS en CZSK verschillende methoden voor het plannen van een operatie gehanteerd...J.H.A.Blokker MCM drs P.G.M. van Scheepstal Afdelingshoofd Auteur 72/72 TNO-rapport I TNO-DV 2007 A452 TNO-rapport I TNO-DV 2007 A452 Bijlage A 11/4 A Fysiek

Development of a hybrid proximal sensing method for rapid identification of petroleum contaminated soils.

PubMed

Chakraborty, Somsubhra; Weindorf, David C; Li, Bin; Ali Aldabaa, Abdalsamad Abdalsatar; Ghosh, Rakesh Kumar; Paul, Sathi; Nasim Ali, Md

2015-05-01

Using 108 petroleum contaminated soil samples, this pilot study proposed a new analytical approach of combining visible near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (VisNIR DRS) and portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (PXRF) for rapid and improved quantification of soil petroleum contamination. Results indicated that an advanced fused model where VisNIR DRS spectra-based penalized spline regression (PSR) was used to predict total petroleum hydrocarbon followed by PXRF elemental data-based random forest regression was used to model the PSR residuals, it outperformed (R(2)=0.78, residual prediction deviation (RPD)=2.19) all other models tested, even producing better generalization than using VisNIR DRS alone (RPD's of 1.64, 1.86, and 1.96 for random forest, penalized spline regression, and partial least squares regression, respectively). Additionally, unsupervised principal component analysis using the PXRF+VisNIR DRS system qualitatively separated contaminated soils from control samples. Fusion of PXRF elemental data and VisNIR derivative spectra produced an optimized model for total petroleum hydrocarbon quantification in soils. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Anorectal Stimulation Causes Increased Colonic Motor Activity in Subjects With Spinal Cord Injury

PubMed Central

Korsten, Mark A; Singal, Ashwani K; Monga, Amit; Chaparala, Geeta; Khan, Amir M; Palmon, Ron; Mendoza, John Reagan D; Lirio, Juan P; Rosman, Alan S; Spungen, Ann; Bauman, William A

2007-01-01

Background: Difficulty with evacuation (DWE) is a major problem after spinal cord injury (SCI). Stimulation of the anal canal and lower rectum, accomplished using a gloved finger (so-called digital rectal stimulation or DRS) is often used as an adjunct to laxatives and enemas to facilitate bowel evacuation. However, the basis for the efficacy of DRS is not known. This study assessed the effect of DRS on colonic motility. Methods: Six subjects with SCI were studied several hours after a bowel care session. Colonic motility was assessed using a manometric catheter (affixed endoscopically to the splenic flexure) at baseline, during DRS, and after DRS. In addition, evacuation of barium oatmeal paste (with the consistency of stool and introduced into the rectum and descending colon) was assessed simultaneously using fluoroscopic techniques. Results: The mean number (± SEM) of peristaltic waves per minute increased from 0 at baseline to 1.9 (±0.5/min) during DRS and 1.5 (±0.3/min) during the period immediately after cessation of DRS (P < 0.05). The mean amplitude (±SEM) of the peristaltic contractions was 43.4 (±2.2) mmHg. The frequency of contractions, as well as amplitude of contractions, during or immediately after DRS was not significantly different. These manometric changes in response to DRS were accompanied by expulsion of barium oatmeal paste in every subject by the fifth DRS. Conclusions: DRS causes left-sided colonic activity in subjects with SCI. At least in part, an anorectal colonic reflex that results in enhanced contractions of the descending colon and rectum may contribute to bowel evacuation in individuals with SCI. PMID:17385267

Superiority of delayed risk stratification in differentiated thyroid cancer after total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine ablation.

PubMed

Hong, Chae Moon; Lee, Won Kee; Jeong, Shin Young; Lee, Sang-Woo; Ahn, Byeong-Cheol; Lee, Jaetae

2014-11-01

The aim of this study was to validate the effectiveness of delayed risk stratification (DRS) in predicting structural progression and compare the predictive value of American Thyroid Association (ATA) risk stratification with that of DRS in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). A total of 398 patients with DTC who underwent surgery followed by radioactive iodine ablation were enrolled. Patients were categorized as having excellent response, acceptable response, biochemical incomplete response, or structural incomplete response at 8-15 months' evaluation after radioactive iodine ablation for DRS. Effectiveness of DRS was evaluated according to structural progression-free survival (PFS; median follow-up, 10.7 years). A total of 229 patients (57.5%) were classified as having excellent response, 78 (19.6%) as having acceptable response, 62 (15.6%) as having biochemical incomplete response, and 29 patients (7.3%) as having structural incomplete response. After DRS, 60.2% of intermediate-risk patients and 20.5% of high-risk patients were shifted to the excellent response category. Sixty-nine patients (17.3%) showed structural progression. DRS showed statistical difference in PFS (hazard ratio, 4.268; 95% confidence interval, 3.258-5.477; P<0.001). In multivariate analysis of ATA risk stratification and DRS, DRS was significantly associated with PFS (hazard ratio, 4.383; 95% confidence interval, 3.250-5.912; P<0.001), but ATA risk stratification was not. There was no significant difference in deviances between the use of DRS alone and the use of both DRS and ATA risk stratification (χ=0.103, d.f.=1, P=0.748). DRS is superior to ATA risk stratification in predicting structural disease progression for DTC patients.

Diffuse optical monitoring of peripheral tissues during uncontrolled internal hemorrhage in a porcine model

PubMed Central

Vishwanath, Karthik; Gurjar, Rajan; Wolf, David; Riccardi, Suzannah; Duggan, Michael; King, David

2018-01-01

Reliable, continuous and noninvasive blood flow and hemoglobin monitoring in trauma patients remains a critical, but generally unachieved goal. Two optical sensing methods - diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) – are used to monitor and detect internal hemorrhage. Specifically, we investigate if cutaneous perfusion measurements acquired using DCS and DRS in peripheral (thighs and ear-lobe) tissues could detect severe hemorrhagic shock in a porcine model. Four animals underwent high-grade hepato-portal injury in a closed abdomen, to induce uncontrolled hemorrhage and were subsequently allowed to bleed for 10 minutes before fluid resuscitation. DRS and DCS measurements of cutaneous blood flow were acquired using fiber optical probes placed on the thigh and earlobe of the animals and were obtained repeatedly starting from 1 to 5 minutes pre-injury, up to several minutes post shock. Clear changes were observed in measured optical spectra across all animals at both sites. DCS-derived cutaneous blood flow decreased sharply during hemorrhage, while DRS-derived vascular saturation and hemoglobin paralleled cardiac output. All derived optical parameters had the steepest changes during the rapid initial hemorrhage unambiguously. This suggests that a combined DCS and DRS based device might provide an easy-to-use, non-invasive, internal-hemorrhage detection system that can be used across a wide array of clinical settings. PMID:29552394

High-Speed Recording of Test Data on Hard Disks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lagarde, Paul M., Jr.; Newnan, Bruce

2003-01-01

Disk Recording System (DRS) is a systems-integration computer program for a direct-to-disk (DTD) high-speed data acquisition system (HDAS) that records rocket-engine test data. The HDAS consists partly of equipment originally designed for recording the data on tapes. The tape recorders were replaced with hard-disk drives, necessitating the development of DRS to provide an operating environment that ties two computers, a set of five DTD recorders, and signal-processing circuits from the original tape-recording version of the HDAS into one working system. DRS includes three subsystems: (1) one that generates a graphical user interface (GUI), on one of the computers, that serves as a main control panel; (2) one that generates a GUI, on the other computer, that serves as a remote control panel; and (3) a data-processing subsystem that performs tasks on the DTD recorders according to instructions sent from the main control panel. The software affords capabilities for dynamic configuration to record single or multiple channels from a remote source, remote starting and stopping of the recorders, indexing to prevent overwriting of data, and production of filtered frequency data from an original time-series data file.

Dopamine, T cells and multiple sclerosis (MS).

PubMed

Levite, Mia; Marino, Franca; Cosentino, Marco

2017-05-01

Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter that induces critical effects in the nervous system and in many peripheral organs, via 5 dopamine receptors (DRs): D1R-D5R. Dopamine also induces many direct and very potent effects on many DR-expressing immune cells, primarily T cells and dendritic cells. In this review, we focus only on dopamine receptors, effects and production in T cells. Dopamine by itself (at an optimal concentration of~0.1 nM) induces multiple function of resting normal human T cells, among them: T cell adhesion, chemotactic migration, homing, cytokine secretion and others. Interestingly, dopamine activates resting effector T cells (Teffs), but suppresses regulatory T cells (Tregs), and both effects lead eventually to Teff activation. Dopamine-induced effects on T cells are dynamic, context-sensitive and determined by the: T cell activation state, T cell type, DR type, and dopamine concentration. Dopamine itself, and also few dopaminergic molecules/ drugs that are in clinical use for cardiac, neurological and other non-immune indications, have direct effects on human T cells (summarized in this review). These dopaminergic drugs include: dopamine = intropin, L-DOPA, bromocriptine, pramipexole, pergolide, haloperidol, pimozide, and amantadine. Other dopaminergic drugs were not yet tested for their direct effects on T cells. Extensive evidence in multiple sclerosis (MS) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) show dopaminergic dysregulations in T cells in these diseases: D1-like DRs are decreased in Teffs of MS patients, and dopamine does not affect these cells. In contrast, D1-like DRs are increased in Tregs of MS patients, possibly causing functional Treg impairment in MS. Treatment of MS patients with interferon β (IFN-β) increases D1-like DRs and decreases D2-like DRs in Teffs, decreases D1-like DRs in Tregs, and most important: restores responsiveness of patient's Teffs to dopamine. DR agonists and antagonists confer some benefits in EAE-afflicted animals. In a single clinical trial, MS patients did not benefit from bromocriptine, which is a D2-like DR agonist. Nevertheless, multiple evidence showing dopaminergic abnormalities in T cells in MS encourages testing other DR analogues/drugs in MS, possibly as "add-on" to IFN-β or other MS-immunomodulating therapies. Together, abnormalities in DRs in T cells can contribute to MS, and DRs in T cells can be therapeutic targets in MS. Finally and in a more general scope: the direct effects of all dopaminergic drugs on human T cells should be studied in further depth, and also taken into consideration whenever treating patients with any disease, to avoid detrimental side effects on the immune system of the patients.

Hybrid method to estimate two-layered superficial tissue optical properties from simulated data of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.

PubMed

Hsieh, Hong-Po; Ko, Fan-Hua; Sung, Kung-Bin

2018-04-20

An iterative curve fitting method has been applied in both simulation [J. Biomed. Opt.17, 107003 (2012)JBOPFO1083-366810.1117/1.JBO.17.10.107003] and phantom [J. Biomed. Opt.19, 077002 (2014)JBOPFO1083-366810.1117/1.JBO.19.7.077002] studies to accurately extract optical properties and the top layer thickness of a two-layered superficial tissue model from diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) data. This paper describes a hybrid two-step parameter estimation procedure to address two main issues of the previous method, including (1) high computational intensity and (2) converging to local minima. The parameter estimation procedure contained a novel initial estimation step to obtain an initial guess, which was used by a subsequent iterative fitting step to optimize the parameter estimation. A lookup table was used in both steps to quickly obtain reflectance spectra and reduce computational intensity. On simulated DRS data, the proposed parameter estimation procedure achieved high estimation accuracy and a 95% reduction of computational time compared to previous studies. Furthermore, the proposed initial estimation step led to better convergence of the following fitting step. Strategies used in the proposed procedure could benefit both the modeling and experimental data processing of not only DRS but also related approaches such as near-infrared spectroscopy.

Quality ratings of frequency-compressed speech by participants with extensive high-frequency dead regions in the cochlea

PubMed Central

Salorio-Corbetto, Marina; Baer, Thomas; Moore, Brian C. J.

2017-01-01

Abstract Objective: The objective was to assess the degradation of speech sound quality produced by frequency compression for listeners with extensive high-frequency dead regions (DRs). Design: Quality ratings were obtained using values of the starting frequency (Sf) of the frequency compression both below and above the estimated edge frequency, fe, of each DR. Thus, the value of Sf often fell below the lowest value currently used in clinical practice. Several compression ratios were used for each value of Sf. Stimuli were sentences processed via a prototype hearing aid based on Phonak Exélia Art P. Study sample: Five participants (eight ears) with extensive high-frequency DRs were tested. Results: Reductions of sound-quality produced by frequency compression were small to moderate. Ratings decreased significantly with decreasing Sf and increasing CR. The mean ratings were lowest for the lowest Sf and highest CR. Ratings varied across participants, with one participant rating frequency compression lower than no frequency compression even when Sf was above fe. Conclusions: Frequency compression degraded sound quality somewhat for this small group of participants with extensive high-frequency DRs. The degradation was greater for lower values of Sf relative to fe, and for greater values of CR. Results varied across participants. PMID:27724057

In vivo estimation of optical properties of rat liver using single-reflectance fiber probe during ischemia and reperfusion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akter, Sharmin; Tanabe, Tomoki; Maejima, Satoshi; Kawauchi, Satoko; Sato, Shunichi; Hinoki, Akinari; Aosasa, Suefumi; Yamamoto, Junji; Nishidate, Izumi

2016-04-01

To quantify the changes in optical properties of in vivo rat liver tissue, we applied diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) system using single-reflectance fiber probe during ischemia and reperfusion evoked by hepatic portal occlusion (hepatic artery, portal vein and bile duct). Changes in the reduced scattering coefficient μ s', the absorption coefficient μ a, the tissue oxygen saturation StO2, and the oxidation of heme aa3 in cytochrome c oxidase (C cO) OHaa3 of in vivo rat liver (n = 6) were evaluated. Heme aa3 in C cO were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) during ischemia, which indicates a sign of mitochondrial energy failure induced by oxygen insufficiency of liver tissue. We found that OHaa3 obtained from the proposed method was unchanged immediately after the onset of ischemia and started gradually decreasing at 2 min after the onset of ischemia. Difference in the time course between OHaa3 and the conventional ratio metric analysis with μ a(605)/ μ a(620) reported in literature demonstrates that the proposed method is effective in reduction of optical cross talk between hemoglobin and heme aa3. Our results suggest that DRS technique is applicable and useful for assessing in vivo tissue viability and hemodynamics in liver intraoperatively.

Immobilization of cationic antimicrobial peptides and natural cashew gum in nanosheet systems for the investigation of anti-leishmanial activity.

PubMed

Bittencourt, Clicia Ramos; de Oliveira Farias, Emanuel Airton; Bezerra, Karla Costa; Véras, Leiz Maria Costa; Silva, Vladimir Costa; Costa, Carlos Henrique Nery; Bemquerer, Marcelo P; Silva, Luciano Paulino; Souza de Almeida Leite, José Roberto de; Eiras, Carla

2016-02-01

This report details the development of thin films containing an antimicrobial peptide, specifically, dermaseptin 01 (GLWSTIKQKGKEAAIAAA-KAAGQAALGAL-NH2, [DRS 01]), and a natural polysaccharide, for a novel application in detecting the presence of Leishmania cells and maintaining anti-leishmanial activity. The peptide DRS 01 was immobilized in conjunction with natural cashew gum (CG) onto an indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate using the Layer-by-Layer (LbL) deposition technique. The LbL film ITO/CG/DRS 01, containing DRS 01 as the outer layer, was capable of detecting the presence of Leishmania cells and acting as an anti-leishmanial system. Detection was performed using cyclic voltammetry (CV) in phosphate buffer (pH7.2) in the presence of promastigote cells (0-10(7)cells/mL). The results showed a linear and inversely proportional relation between the concentration of Leishmania infantum protozoan cells and the measured current values obtained for the films, which was attributed to the effect of peptide-induced lysis of the cell membrane, and resulted in freed residues that were adsorbed on the electrode surface. With this, the paper shows a method using thin films with this new material to demonstrate the anti-leishmanial activity in vitro models of carpet-like mechanisms. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Laser interferometer space antenna dynamics and controls model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maghami, Peiman G.; Tupper Hyde, T.

2003-05-01

A 19 degree-of-freedom (DOF) dynamics and controls model of a laser interferometer space antenna (LISA) spacecraft has been developed. This model is used to evaluate the feasibility of the dynamic pointing and positioning requirements of a typical LISA spacecraft. These requirements must be met for LISA to be able to successfully detect gravitational waves in the frequency band of interest (0.1-100 mHz). The 19-DOF model includes all rigid-body degrees of freedom. A number of disturbance sources, both internal and external, are included. Preliminary designs for the four control systems that comprise the LISA disturbance reduction system (DRS) have been completed and are included in the model. Simulation studies are performed to demonstrate that the LISA pointing and positioning requirements are feasible and can be met.

Testing Fundamental Properties of Ionic Liquids for Colloid Microthruster Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anderson, John R.; Plett, Gary; Anderson, Mark; Ziemer, John

2006-01-01

NASA's New Millennium Program is scheduled to test a Disturbance Reduction System (DRS) on Space Technology 7 (ST7) as part of the European Space Agency's (ESA's) LISA Pathfinder Mission in late 2009. Colloid Micronewton Thrusters (CMNTs) will be used to counteract forces, mainly solar photon pressure, that could disturb gravitational reference sensors as part of the DRS. The micronewton thrusters use an ionic liquid, a room temperature molten salt, as propellant. The ionic liquid has a number of unusual properties that have a direct impact on thruster design. One of the most important issues is bubble formation before and during operation, especially during rapid pressure transitions from atmospheric to vacuum conditions. Bubbles have been observed in the feed system causing variations in propellant flow rate that can adversely affect thruster control. Bubbles in the feed system can also increase the likelihood that propellant will spray onto surfaces that can eventually lead to shorting high voltage electrodes. Two approaches, reducing the probability of bubble formation and removing bubbles with a new bubble eliminator device in the flow system, were investigated at Busek Co., Inc. and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to determine the effectiveness of both approaches. Results show that bubble formation is mainly caused by operation at low pressure and volatile contaminants in the propellant coming out of solution. A specification for the maximum tolerable level of contamination has been developed, and procedures for providing system cleanliness have been tested and implemented. The bubble eliminator device has also been tested successfully and has been implemented in recent thruster designs at Busek. This paper focuses on the propellant testing work at JPL, including testing of a breadboard level bubble eliminator device.

Relationship between the baseline alveolar volume-to-total lung capacity ratio and airway responsiveness.

PubMed

Kaminsky, David A; Daud, Anees; Chapman, David G

2014-10-01

Ventilation heterogeneity (VH) has been linked to airway responsiveness (AR) based on various measures of VH involving inert gas washout, forced oscillation and lung imaging. We explore whether VH at baseline, as measured by the simple ratio of single breath alveolar volume to plethysmographically determined total lung capacity (VA/TLC), would correlate with AR as measured by methacholine challenge testing. We analysed data from spirometry, lung volumes, diffusing capacity and methacholine challenge to derive the VA/TLC and the dose-response slope (DRS) of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (DRS-FEV1) during methacholine challenge from 136 patients. We separated out airway closure versus narrowing by examining the DRS for forced vital capacity (DRS-FVC) and the DRS for FEV1/FVC (DRS-FEV1/FVC), respectively. Similarly, we calculated the DRS for sGaw (DRS-sGaw) as another measure of airway narrowing. We performed statistical analysis using Spearman rank correlation and multifactor linear regression using a backward stepwise modelling procedure. We found that the DRS-FEV1 correlated with baseline VA/TLC (rho = -0.26, P < 0.01), and VA/TLC and FEV1 were independently associated with DRS-FEV1 (R(2)  = 0.14, P = 0.01). In addition, VA/TLC was associated with both airway narrowing and closure in response to methacholine. These results confirm that baseline VA/TLC is associated with AR, and reflects both airway closure and airway narrowing following methacholine challenge. © 2014 Asian Pacific Society of Respirology.

Characterization of a Complement-Binding Protein, DRS, from Strains of Streptococcus pyogenes Containing the emm12 and emm55 Genes

PubMed Central

Binks, Michael; Sriprakash, K. S.

2004-01-01

An extracellular protein of Streptococcus pyogenes, streptococcal inhibitor of complement (SIC), and its variant, called DRS (distantly related to SIC), are expressed by some S. pyogenes strains. SIC from type 1 (M1) isolates of S. pyogenes interferes with complement-mediated cell lysis, reportedly via its interaction with complement proteins. In this study we demonstrate that S. pyogenes strains carrying emm12 and emm55 (the genes for the M12 and M55 proteins, respectively) express and secrete DRS. This protein, like SIC, binds to the C6 and C7 complement proteins, and competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay experiments demonstrate that DRS competes with SIC for C6 and C7 binding. Similarly, SIC competes with DRS for binding to the complement proteins. Despite this, the recombinant DRS preparation showed no significant effect on complement function, as determined by lysis of sensitized sheep erythrocytes. Furthermore, the presence of DRS is not inhibitory to SIC activity. PMID:15213143

Characterization of a complement-binding protein, DRS, from strains of Streptococcus pyogenes containing the emm12 and emm55 genes.

PubMed

Binks, Michael; Sriprakash, K S

2004-07-01

An extracellular protein of Streptococcus pyogenes, streptococcal inhibitor of complement (SIC), and its variant, called DRS (distantly related to SIC), are expressed by some S. pyogenes strains. SIC from type 1 (M1) isolates of S. pyogenes interferes with complement-mediated cell lysis, reportedly via its interaction with complement proteins. In this study we demonstrate that S. pyogenes strains carrying emm12 and emm55 (the genes for the M12 and M55 proteins, respectively) express and secrete DRS. This protein, like SIC, binds to the C6 and C7 complement proteins, and competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay experiments demonstrate that DRS competes with SIC for C6 and C7 binding. Similarly, SIC competes with DRS for binding to the complement proteins. Despite this, the recombinant DRS preparation showed no significant effect on complement function, as determined by lysis of sensitized sheep erythrocytes. Furthermore, the presence of DRS is not inhibitory to SIC activity.

Highly Dispersed and Active ReOx on Alumina-Modified SBA-15 Silica for 2-Butanol Dehydration

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

She, Xiaoyan; Kwak, Ja Hun; Sun, Junming

2012-05-23

SBA-15 silica supported rhenium catalysts were synthesized using solution-based atomic layer deposition method, and their activity and stability were studied in the acid-catalyzed 2-butanol dehydration. We find that ReOx/SBA-15 exhibited an extremely high initial activity but a fast deactivation for 2-butanol dehydration at 90-105 C. Fast deactivation was likely due to the sintering, sublimation, and reduction of rhenia as confirmed by TEM, elemental analysis, and in situ UV vis (DRS) measurements. To overcome these issues, ReOx/AlOx/SBA-15 catalysts with significantly improved stability were prepared by first modifying the surface identity of SBA-15 with alumina followed by dispersion of rhenia using atomicmore » layer deposition. The AlOx phase stabilizes the dispersion of small and uniform rhenia clusters (<2 nm) as as confirmed by TEM, STEM and UV-vis (DRS) characterizations. Additional 27Al MAS NMR characterization revealed that modification of the SBA-15 surface with alumina introduces a strong interaction between rhenia and alumina, which consequently improves the stability of supported rhenia catalysts by suppressing the sintering, sublimation, and reduction of rhenia albeit at a moderately reduced initial catalytic dehydration activity« less

Real-time dielectric studies of polymerizing systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Williams, G.; Smith, I. K.; Holmes, P. A.; Varma, S.

1999-03-01

The use of real-time dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS) for monitoring changes in molecular mobility during reaction for thermosetting systems is described together with phenomenological and molecular theories of the time-dependent relaxation functions that are involved. Reduced molecular mobility normally leads to the diffusion control of a reaction and ultimately to glass formation at the polymerization temperature 0953-8984/11/10A/004/img7. We present new DRS results for a boroxine/epoxide system that show glass formation below a `floor temperature' 0953-8984/11/10A/004/img8 and very different behaviour above 0953-8984/11/10A/004/img8, when the dielectric properties become independent of time and an elastomer is formed.

Activity of binary mixtures of drospirenone with progesterone and 17α-ethinylestradiol in vitro and in vivo.

PubMed

Rossier, Nadine Madeleine; Chew, Geraldine; Zhang, Kun; Riva, Francesco; Fent, Karl

2016-05-01

Despite potential exposure of aquatic organisms to mixtures of steroid hormones, very little is known on their joint activity in fish. Drospirenone (DRS) is a new synthetic progestin used in contraceptive pills in combination with 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2). Here we systematically analyzed effects of DRS in binary mixtures with progesterone (P4) and EE2. First, we determined the in vitro activity of single compounds in recombinant yeast assays that express the human progesterone, androgen, or estrogen receptor, followed by determination of mixture activities of DRS and P4, DRS and EE2, as well as medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and dydrogesterone (DDG). Mixtures of DRS and P4, as well as of DRS and EE2 showed additive progestogenic and androgenic activities. However, DDG and MPA showed non-additive progestogenic and androgenic activities. We then analyzed the in vivo activity of single compounds and mixtures of DRS and P4, as well as DRS and EE2, by assessing transcriptional changes of up to 14 selected target genes in zebrafish embryos at 48h post fertilization (hpf), and in eleuthero-embryos at 96hpf and 144hpf. DRS, P4, and EE2 led to significant transcriptional alteration of genes, including those encoding hormone receptors (pgr, esr1), a steroidogenic enzyme (hsd17b3), and estrogenic markers (vtg1, cyp19b), in particular at 144 hpf. In general, DRS showed stronger transcriptional changes than P4. In mixtures of DRS and P4, they were mainly non-additive (antagonistic interaction). In mixtures of DRS and EE2, transcriptional responses of esr1, vtg1 and cyp19b were dominated by EE2, suggesting an antagonistic interaction or independent action. Equi-effective mixtures of DRS and EE2, based on progesterone receptor transcripts, showed antagonistic interactions. Our data suggest that interactions in mixtures assessed in vitro in recombinant yeast cannot be translated to the in vivo situation. The receptor-based responses did not correspond well to the transcriptional responses in embryos which are much more complex due to the interplay between hormonal pathways, receptor crosstalk, and hormonal feedback loops. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparison of primary position measurements and abduction deficit between type 1 Duane syndrome and sixth cranial nerve palsy.

PubMed

Batra, Noopur Nikki; Arnoldi, Kyle; Reynolds, James D; Strominger, Mitchell B

2011-06-01

Unilateral Duane retraction syndrome type 1 (DRS-I) and unilateral sixth nerve palsy (6NP) present with limitation of abduction, incomitant esotropia, and frequently, a compensatory head turn. The purpose of this study was to compare the mean primary position measurement and to correlate this with the abduction deficit to determine if these measurements may be used to differentiate between the 2 conditions when other clinical signs of DRS-I (globe retraction, changes in lid fissure height, and upshoots/downshoots) are subtle. A database search of patients examined over a 5-year period revealed 69 cases of DRS-I and 62 cases of unilateral 6NP. Primary position measurements both at distance and near and limitation of abduction on version testing were recorded and compared. Mean abduction deficit was -3.5 ± 0.1 for DRS-I and -2.6 ± 0.2 for 6NP (P = 0.0004). Mean esotropia at near was 8.4 ± 1.1 prism diopters (PD) for DRS-I and 27.2 ± 2.4 PD for 6NP (P < 0.0001). Mean esotropia at distance was 10.3 ± 1.3 PD for DRS-I and 36.4 ± 2.4 PD for 6NP (P < 0.0001). The mean distance-near disparity for DRS-I was 1.94 ± 0.62 PD and 9.19 ± 1.28 PD for 6NP (P < 0.0001). The age-group of ≤2 years consisted of 23 DRS-I and only 2 6NP cases. The age-group between >2 years and <18 years had 41 DRS-I and 16 6NP cases, respectively. Finally, the age-group of ≥18 years had only 5 DRS-I and 44 6NP cases (P < 0.0001). Patients with DRS-I showed greater abduction deficit yet significantly less esotropia in primary position than those with 6NP. Patients with 6NP were more likely to have a significant distance-near disparity. In addition, patients with DRS-I tended to be younger than those with 6NP. This report documents that DRS-I and 6NP can be differentiated based on magnitude of primary position esotropia, comparison of primary position esotropia with severity of abduction deficit, distance-near disparity, and patient age.

Comparison of Accuracy of Diabetes Risk Score and Components of the Metabolic Syndrome in Assessing Risk of Incident Type 2 Diabetes in Inter99 Cohort

PubMed Central

Shafizadeh, Tracy B.; Moler, Edward J.; Kolberg, Janice A.; Nguyen, Uyen Thao; Hansen, Torben; Jorgensen, Torben; Pedersen, Oluf; Borch-Johnsen, Knut

2011-01-01

Background Given the increasing worldwide incidence of diabetes, methods to assess diabetes risk which would identify those at highest risk are needed. We compared two risk-stratification approaches for incident type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); factors of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and a previously developed diabetes risk score, PreDx® Diabetes Risk Score (DRS). DRS assesses 5 yr risk of incident T2DM based on the measurement of 7 biomarkers in fasting blood. Methodology/Principal Findings DRS was evaluated in baseline serum samples from 4,128 non-diabetic subjects in the Inter99 cohort (Danes aged 30–60) for whom diabetes outcomes at 5 years were known. Subjects were classified as having MetS based on the presence of at least 3 MetS risk factors in baseline clinical data. The sensitivity and false positive rate for predicting diabetes using MetS was compared to DRS. When the sensitivity was fixed to match MetS, DRS had a significantly lower false positive rate. Similarly, when the false positive rate was fixed to match MetS, DRS had a significantly higher specificity. In further analyses, subjects were classified by presence of 0–2, 3 or 4–5 risk factors with matching proportions of subjects distributed among three DRS groups. Comparison between the two risk stratification schemes, MetS risk factors and DRS, were evaluated using Net Reclassification Improvement (NRI). Comparing risk stratification by DRS to MetS factors in the total population, the NRI was 0.146 (p = 0.008) demonstrating DRS provides significantly improved stratification. Additionally, the relative risk of T2DM differed by 15 fold between the low and high DRS risk groups, but only 8-fold between the low and high risk MetS groups. Conclusions/Significance DRS provides a more accurate assessment of risk for diabetes than MetS. This improved performance may allow clinicians to focus preventive strategies on those most in need of urgent intervention. PMID:21829540

Korean version of the delirium rating scale-revised-98: reliability and validity.

PubMed

Lee, Yanghyun; Ryu, Jian; Lee, Jinyoung; Kim, Hwi-Jung; Shin, Im Hee; Kim, Jeong-Lan; Trzepacz, Paula T

2011-03-01

The aims of the present study were 1) to standardize the validity and reliability of the Korean version of Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (DRS-R98-K) and 2) to establish the optimum cut-off value, sensitivity, and specificity for discriminating delirium from other non-delirious psychiatric conditions. Using DSM-IV criteria, 157 subjects (69 delirium, 29 dementia, 32 schizophrenia, and 27 other psychiatric patients) were enrolled. Subjects were evaluated using DRS-R98-K, DRS-K, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-K), and Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scale. DRS-R98-K total and severity scores showed high correlations with DRS-K. They were significantly different across all groups (p=0.000). However, neither MMSE-K nor CGI-S distinguished delirium from dementia. All DRS-R98-K diagnostic items (#14-16) and items #1 and 2 significantly discriminated delirium from dementia. Cronbach's alpha coefficient revealed high internal consistency for DRS-R98-K total (r=0.91) and severity (r=0.89) scales. Interrater reliability (ICC between 0.96 and 1) was very high. Using receiver operating characteristic analysis, the area under the curve of DRS-R98-K total score was 0.948 between the delirium group and all other groups and 0.873 between the delirium and dementia groups. The best cut-off scores in DRS-R98-K total score were 18.5 and 19.5 between the delirium and the other three groups and 20.5 between the delirium and dementia groups. We demonstrated that DRS-R98-K is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing delirium severity and diagnosis and discriminating delirium from dementia and other psychiatric disorders in Korean patients.

Reliability and Validity of a Brief Questionnaire to Assess Calcium Intake in Female Collegiate Athletes

PubMed Central

Ward, Kenneth D.; Hunt, Kami Mays; Berg, Melanie Burstyne; Slawson, Deborah A.; Vukadinovich, Christopher M.; McClanahan, Barbara S.; Clemens, Linda H.

2016-01-01

Calcium intake often is inadequate in female collegiate athletes, increasing the risk for training injuries and future osteoporosis. Thus, a brief and accurate assessment tool to quickly measure calcium intake in athletes is needed. We evaluated the reliability and validity, compared to 6 days of diet records (DRs), of the Rapid Assessment Method (RAM), a self-administered calcium checklist (14). Seventy-six female collegiate athletes (mean age = 18.8 yrs, range = 17–21; 97% Caucasian) were recruited from basketball, cross-country, field hockey, soccer, and volleyball teams. Athletes completed a RAM at the start of the training season to assess calcium intake during the past week. Two weeks later, a second RAM was completed to assess reliability, and athletes began 6 days of diet records (DRs) collection. At completion of DRs, athletes completed a final RAM, corresponding to the same time period as DRs, to assess agreement between the 2 instruments. The RAM demonstrated adequate test-retest reliability over 2 weeks (n = 56; Intraclass correlation [ICC] = .54, p < .0001) and adequate agreement with DRs (n = 34; ICC = .41, p = .0067). Calcium intake was below recommended levels, and mean estimates did not differ significantly on the RAM (823 ± 387 mg/d) and DRs (822 ± 330 mg/d; p = .988). Adequacy of calcium intake from both DRs and the RAM was classified as “inadequate” (<1000 mg/d) and “adequate” (≥1000 mg/d). Agreement between the RAM and DRs for adequacy classification was fair (ICC = .30, p = .042), with the RAM identifying 84% of athletes judged to have inadequate calcium intake based on DRs. The RAM briefly and accurately estimates calcium intake in female collegiate athletes compared to DRs. PMID:15118194

Duane retraction syndrome in a patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

PubMed

Bosley, Thomas M; Salih, Mustafa A; Alkhalidi, Hisham; Oystreck, Darren T; El Khashab, Heba Y; Kondkar, Altaf A; Abu-Amero, Khaled K

2016-09-01

We describe the clinical features of a boy with bilateral Duane retraction syndrome (DRS), Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), and other medical problems. The child was followed-up for five years; his chart was reviewed, including the results of a muscle biopsy and genetic testing. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) was used to interrogate deletions/duplications in the dystrophin gene. The proband had bilateral DRS with otherwise normal ocular motility; he also had developmental delay, mild mental retardation, and seizures. Clinical diagnosis of DMD included progressive proximal weakness, highly elevated creatine kinase levels, and a muscle biopsy showing significant dystrophic changes including contracted, degenerative, and regenerative fibers, and negative dystrophin immunostaining. MLPA documented duplication of exons 3 and 4 of the dystrophin gene. This boy is the third patient to be reported with DRS and DMD, the second with bilateral DRS and the only one with other neurologic features. Mutated dystrophin is present in extraocular muscles and in the central nervous system (CNS) in DMD, leaving open the question of whether this co-occurrence is the result of the genetic muscle abnormality, CNS effects caused by dystrophin mutations, or chance.

Transcultural and psychometric validation of the Dispositional Resilience Scale (DRS-15) in Chinese adult women.

PubMed

Wong, Janet Yuen-Ha; Fong, Daniel Yee-Tak; Choi, Anna Wai-Man; Chan, Claudia Kor-Yee; Tiwari, Agnes; Chan, Ko Ling; Lai, Vincent; Logan, Tk; Bartone, Paul

2014-11-01

The aim of this study was to report translation and transcultural adaptation of the 15-item Dispositional Resilience Scale in traditional Chinese (C-DRS-15) and evaluate its psychometric properties. The DRS is a self-report instrument that measures psychological hardiness. We followed an international standard of cross-cultural translation and validation of patient-reported outcome measures to create the Chinese version. Then, the translated C-DRS-15 was validated on 542 Chinese women from a population-based sample in Hong Kong. The internal consistency and criterion-related validity were investigated. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the C-DRS-15 was supported by a modified three-factor structure in our Chinese sample (RMSEA = .06, CFI = .94, TLI = .92, and SRMR = .06). The reliability (Cronbach's α coefficient = .78) and validity were satisfactory. Total resilience score was negatively correlated with depression (p < .001), with non-depressed women scoring higher on the C-DRS-15. The C-DRS-15 was demonstrated to be a reliable and valid measurement to assess hardiness in Chinese women.

Evaluation of light scattering and absorption properties ofin vivorat liver using a single-reflectance fiber probe during preischemia, ischemia-reperfusion, and postmortem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akter, Sharmin; Maejima, Satoshi; Kawauchi, Satoko; Sato, Shunichi; Hinoki, Akinari; Aosasa, Suefumi; Yamamoto, Junji; Nishidate, Izumi

2015-07-01

Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) has been extensively used for characterization of biological tissues as a noninvasive optical technique to evaluate the optical properties of tissue. We investigated a method for evaluating the reduced scattering coefficient , the absorption coefficient μa, the tissue oxygen saturation StO2, and the reduction of heme aa3 in cytochrome c oxidase CcO of in vivo liver tissue using a single-reflectance fiber probe with two source-collector geometries. We performed in vivo recordings of diffuse reflectance spectra for exposed rat liver during the ischemia-reperfusion induced by the hepatic portal (hepatic artery, portal vein, and bile duct) occlusion. The time courses of μa at 500, 530, 570, and 584 nm indicated the hemodynamic change in liver tissue as well as StO2. Significant increase in μa(605)/μa(620) during ischemia and after euthanasia induced by nitrogen breathing was observed, which indicates the reduction of heme aa3, representing a sign of mitochondrial energy failure. The time courses of at 500, 530, 570, and 584 nm were well correlated with those of μa, which also reflect the scattering by red blood cells. On the other hand, at 700 and 800 nm, a temporary increase in and an irreversible decrease in were observed during ischemia-reperfusion and after euthanasia induced by nitrogen breathing, respectively. The change in in the near-infrared wavelength region during ischemia is indicative of the morphological changes in the cellular and subcellular structures induced by the ischemia, whereas that after euthanasia implies the hepatocyte vacuolation. The results of the present study indicate the potential application of the current DRS system for evaluating the pathophysiological conditions of in vivo liver tissue.

Duane retraction syndrome on the Arabian Peninsula.

PubMed

Khan, Arif O; Oystreck, Darren T; Wilken, Keith; Akbar, Fatima

2007-01-01

To describe the clinical features of patients from the Arabian Peninsula with Duane retraction syndrome (DRS). Retrospective chart review of patients referred to the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 1982 to 2003 with a diagnosis of DRS. Patients having had prior strabismus surgery were excluded. Of 404 DRS patients, 347 (86%) were unilateral, 57 (14%) were bilateral, and 111 (27%) had amblyopia. There were 221 (55%) females and 182 (45%) males. The Huber classification was as follows: 315 (78%) Type I, 16 (4%) Type II, and 77 (19%) Type III. Of the 57 bilateral cases, 25 (44%) were female and 32 (56%) were male. Overall, the clinical features of DRS patients referred to a Riyadh eye hospital are similar to those reported in series throughout the world. However, our referred bilateral DRS patients are more commonly male. The clinical features of bilateral DRS deserve further worldwide study.

Mobile fiber-optic sensor for detection of oral and cervical cancer in the developing world.

PubMed

Yu, Bing; Nagarajan, Vivek Krishna; Ferris, Daron G

2015-01-01

Oral and cervical cancers are a growing global health problem that disproportionately impacts women and men living in the developing world. The high death rate in developing countries is largely due to the fact that these countries do not have the appropriate medical infrastructure and resources to support the organized screening and diagnostic programs that are available in the developed world. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) with a fiber-optic probe can noninvasively quantify the optical properties of epithelial tissues and has shown the potential as a cost-effective, easy-to-use, and sensitive tool for diagnosis of early precancerous changes in the cervix and oral cavity. However, current fiber-optic DRS systems have not been designed to be robust and reliable for use in developing countries. They are subject to various sources of systematic or random errors, arising from the uncontrolled probe-tissue interface and lack of real-time calibration, use bulky and expensive optical components, and require extensive training. This chapter describes a portable DRS device that is specifically designed for detection of oral and cervical cancers in resource-poor settings. The device uses an innovative smart fiber-optic probe to eliminate operator bias, state-of-the-art photonics components to reduce size and power consumption, and automated software to reduce the need of operator training. The size and cost of the smart fiber-optic DRS system may be further reduced by incorporating a smartphone based spectrometer.

Predictive validity of disability rating scale in determining functional outcome in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

PubMed

Deepika, Akhil; Devi, B Indira; Shukla, Dhaval

2017-01-01

Most patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) are discharged when they have still not recovered completely. Many such patients are not available for follow up. We conducted this study to determine whether the condition at discharge from acute care setting, as assessed with disability rating scale (DRS), correlates with functional outcome at follow up. This study was conducted at a Neurosurgical intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary care referral center. This was a prospective observational study. Patients admitted to ICU with a diagnosis of severe TBI were enrolled for the study. On the day of discharge, all patients underwent DRS assessment. A final assessment was performed using Glasgow outcome scale extended (GOSE) at 6 months after discharge from the hospital. The correlation between the DRS scores at the time of discharge with DRS scores and GOSE categories at 6 months after discharge was determined using Spearman's rho correlation coefficient. A total of 88 patients were recruited for the study. The correlation coefficient of DRS at discharge for DRS at 6 months was 0.536 and for GOSE was -0.553. The area under the curve of DRS score at discharge for predicting unfavorable outcome and mortality at 6 months was 0.770 and 0.820, respectively. The predictive validity of DRS is fair to good in determining GOSE at follow-up. Pending availability of a more accurate outcome assessment tool, DRS at discharge can be used as a surrogate outcome for GOSE at follow up.

Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy of liver tissue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reistad, Nina; Nilsson, Jan; Vilhelmsson Timmermand, Oskar; Sturesson, Christian; Andersson-Engels, Stefan

2015-06-01

Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) with a fiber-optic contact probe is a cost-effective, rapid, and non-invasive optical method used to extract diagnosis information of tissue. By combining commercially available VIS- and NIR-spectrometers with various fiber-optic contact-probes, we have access to the full wavelength range from around 400 to 1600 nm. Using this flexible and portable spectroscopy system, we have acquired ex-vivo DRS-spectra from murine, porcine, and human liver tissue. For extracting the tissue optical properties from the measured spectra, we have employed and compared predictions from two models for light propagation in tissue, diffusion theory model (DT) and Monte Carlo simulations (MC). The focus in this work is on the capacity of this DRS-technique in discriminating metastatic tumor tissue from normal liver tissue as well as in assessing and characterizing damage to non-malignant liver tissue induced by preoperative chemotherapy for colorectal liver metastases.

Augmented superior rectus transposition procedure in Duane retraction syndrome compared with sixth nerve palsy.

PubMed

Akbari, Mohammadreza; Shomali, Setareh; Mirmohammadsadeghi, Arash; Fard, Masoud Aghsaei

2018-05-01

Superior rectus transposition (SRT) with medial rectus recession has been used for the treatment of sixth nerve palsy and esotropic Duane retraction syndrome (DRS). The purpose of this study was to compare the results of augmented SRT (with scleral fixation) without medial rectus recession in DRS and sixth nerve palsy. Patients with unilateral esotropic DRS (DRS group) and sixth nerve palsy were included in this prospective, comparative study and underwent SRT. Preoperative forced duction testing was negative or slightly positive in both groups. Prospective measurements were compared between the two groups. There were 11 patients in the DRS group and 11 patients in the sixth nerve palsy group. The mean preoperative esotropia decreased from 20.9 ± 6.0 prism diopter (PD) at far to 13.2 ± 5.8 PD in the DRS group (P = 0.003). The same measurement improved from 28.0 ± 8.5 PD to 8.4 ± 7.3 PD in the sixth nerve palsy group (P = 0.003). In the sixth nerve palsy group, the improvement in primary gaze esotropia and abnormal head posture was more than the DRS group (Both P < 0.001).The average dose effect for SRT was 7.8 ± 2.2 PD in the DRS group and 19.2 ± 4.6 PD in the sixth nerve palsy group. Although objective intorsion was significantly induced after SRT, subjective torsion was not significant after surgery in both groups. SRT appears to be more effective in improving primary gaze deviation and head posture in sixth nerve palsy compared with DRS. Subjective torsional and vertical diplopia were rare in both groups.

RMS active damping augmentation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gilbert, Michael G.; Scott, Michael A.; Demeo, Martha E.

1992-01-01

The topics are presented in viewgraph form and include: RMS active damping augmentation; potential space station assembly benefits to CSI; LaRC/JSC bridge program; control law design process; draper RMS simulator; MIMO acceleration control laws improve damping; potential load reduction benefit; DRS modified to model distributed accelerations; accelerometer location; Space Shuttle aft cockpit simulator; simulated shuttle video displays; SES test goals and objectives; and SES modifications to support RMS active damping augmentation.

Branched-chain amino acids may improve recovery from a vegetative or minimally conscious state in patients with traumatic brain injury: a pilot study.

PubMed

Aquilani, Roberto; Boselli, Mirella; Boschi, Federica; Viglio, Simona; Iadarola, Paolo; Dossena, Maurizia; Pastoris, Ornella; Verri, Manuela

2008-09-01

To investigate whether supplementation with branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) may improve recovery of patients with a posttraumatic vegetative or minimally conscious state. Patients were randomly assigned to 15 days of intravenous BCAA supplementation (n=22; 19.6g/d) or an isonitrogenous placebo (n=19). Tertiary care rehabilitation setting. Patients (N=41; 29 men, 12 women; mean age, 49.5+/-21 y) with a posttraumatic vegetative or minimally conscious state, 47+/-24 days after the index traumatic event. Supplementation with BCAAs. Disability Rating Scale (DRS) as log(10)DRS. Fifteen days after admission to the rehabilitation department, the log(10)DRS score improved significantly only in patients who had received BCAAs (log(10)DRS score, 1.365+/-0.08 to 1.294+/-0.05; P<.001), while the log(10)DRS score in the placebo recipients remained virtually unchanged (log(10)DRS score, 1.373+/-0.03 to 1.37+/-0.03; P not significant). The difference in improvement of log(10)DRS score between the 2 groups was highly significant (P<.000). Moreover, 68.2% (n=15) of treated patients achieved a log(10)DRS point score of .477 or higher (3 as geometric mean) that allowed them to exit the vegetative or minimally conscious state. Supplemented BCAAs may improve the recovery from a vegetative or minimally conscious state in patients with posttraumatic vegetative or minimally conscious state.

Relationship between cognitive and non-cognitive symptoms of delirium.

PubMed

Rajlakshmi, Aarya Krishnan; Mattoo, Surendra Kumar; Grover, Sandeep

2013-04-01

To study relationship between the cognitive and the non-cognitive symptoms of delirium. Eighty-four patients referred to psychiatry liaison services and met DSM-IVTR criteria of delirium were assessed using the Delirium Rating Scale Revised-1998 (DRSR-98) and Cognitive Test for Delirium (CTD). The mean DRS-R-98 severity score was 17.19 and DRS-R-98 total score was 23.36. The mean total score on CTD was 11.75. The mean scores on CTD were highest for comprehension (3.47) and lowest for vigilance (1.71). Poor attention was associated with significantly higher motor retardation and higher DRS-R-98 severity scores minus the attention scores. There were no significant differences between those with and without poor attention. Higher attention deficits were associated with higher dysfunction on all other domains of cognition on CTD. There was significant correlation between cognitive functions as assessed on CTD and total DRS-R-98 score, DRS-R-98 severity score and DRS-R-98 severity score without the attention item score. However, few correlations emerged between CTD domains and CTD total scores with cognitive symptom total score of DRS-R-98 (items 9-13) and non-cognitive symptom total score of DRS-R-98 (items 1-8). Our study suggests that in delirium, cognitive deficits are quite prevalent and correlate with overall severity of delirium. Attention deficit is a core symptom of delirium. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Phosphatidylserine Stimulation of Drs2p·Cdc50p Lipid Translocase Dephosphorylation Is Controlled by Phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate*

PubMed Central

Jacquot, Aurore; Montigny, Cédric; Hennrich, Hanka; Barry, Raphaëlle; le Maire, Marc; Jaxel, Christine; Holthuis, Joost; Champeil, Philippe; Lenoir, Guillaume

2012-01-01

Here, Drs2p, a yeast lipid translocase that belongs to the family of P4-type ATPases, was overexpressed in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae together with Cdc50p, its glycosylated partner, as a result of the design of a novel co-expression vector. The resulting high yield allowed us, using crude membranes or detergent-solubilized membranes, to measure the formation from [γ-32P]ATP of a 32P-labeled transient phosphoenzyme at the catalytic site of Drs2p. Formation of this phosphoenzyme could be detected only if Cdc50p was co-expressed with Drs2p but was not dependent on full glycosylation of Cdc50p. It was inhibited by orthovanadate and fluoride compounds. In crude membranes, the phosphoenzyme formed at steady state at 4 °C displayed ADP-insensitive but temperature-sensitive decay. Solubilizing concentrations of dodecyl maltoside left this decay rate almost unaltered, whereas several other detergents accelerated it. Unexpectedly, the dephosphorylation rate for the solubilized Drs2p·Cdc50p complex was inhibited by the addition of phosphatidylserine. Phosphatidylserine exerted its anticipated accelerating effect on the dephosphorylation of Drs2p·Cdc50p complex only in the additional presence of phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate. These results explain why phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate tightly controls Drs2p-catalyzed lipid transport and establish the functional relevance of the Drs2p·Cdc50p complex overexpressed here. PMID:22351780

Delivery of Colloid Micro-Newton Thrusters for the Space Technology 7 Mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ziemer, John K.; Randolph, Thomas M.; Franklin, Garth W.; Hruby, Vlad; Spence, Douglas; Demmons, Nathaniel; Roy, Thomas; Ehrbar, Eric; Zwahlen, Jurg; Martin, Roy;

Microcirculation assessment using an individualized model for diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and conventional laser Doppler flowmetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Strömberg, Tomas; Karlsson, Hanna; Fredriksson, Ingemar; Nyström, Fredrik H.; Larsson, Marcus

2014-05-01

Microvascular assessment would benefit from co-registration of blood flow and hemoglobin oxygenation dynamics during stimulus response tests. We used a fiber-optic probe for simultaneous recording of white light diffuse reflectance (DRS; 475-850 nm) and laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF; 780 nm) spectra at two source-detector distances (0.4 and 1.2 mm). An inverse Monte Carlo algorithm, based on a multiparameter three-layer adaptive skin model, was used for analyzing DRS data. LDF spectra were conventionally processed for perfusion. The system was evaluated on volar forearm recordings of 33 healthy subjects during a 5-min systolic occlusion protocol. The calibration scheme and the optimal adaptive skin model fitted DRS spectra at both distances within 10%. During occlusion, perfusion decreased within 5 s while oxygenation decreased slowly (mean time constant 61 s dissociation of oxygen from hemoglobin). After occlusion release, perfusion and oxygenation increased within 3 s (inflow of oxygenized blood). The increased perfusion was due to increased blood tissue fraction and speed. The supranormal hemoglobin oxygenation indicates a blood flow in excess of metabolic demands. In conclusion, by integrating DRS and LDF in a fiber-optic probe, a powerful tool for assessment of blood flow and oxygenation in the same microvascular bed has been presented.

Microcirculation assessment using an individualized model for diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and conventional laser Doppler flowmetry.

PubMed

Strömberg, Tomas; Karlsson, Hanna; Fredriksson, Ingemar; Nyström, Fredrik H; Larsson, Marcus

2014-05-01

Microvascular assessment would benefit from co-registration of blood flow and hemoglobin oxygenation dynamics during stimulus response tests. We used a fiber-optic probe for simultaneous recording of white light diffuse reflectance (DRS; 475-850 nm) and laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF; 780 nm) spectra at two source-detector distances (0.4 and 1.2 mm). An inverse Monte Carlo algorithm, based on a multiparameter three-layer adaptive skin model, was used for analyzing DRS data. LDF spectra were conventionally processed for perfusion. The system was evaluated on volar forearm recordings of 33 healthy subjects during a 5-min systolic occlusion protocol. The calibration scheme and the optimal adaptive skin model fitted DRS spectra at both distances within 10%. During occlusion, perfusion decreased within 5 s while oxygenation decreased slowly (mean time constant 61 s; dissociation of oxygen from hemoglobin). After occlusion release, perfusion and oxygenation increased within 3 s (inflow of oxygenized blood). The increased perfusion was due to increased blood tissue fraction and speed. The supranormal hemoglobin oxygenation indicates a blood flow in excess of metabolic demands. In conclusion, by integrating DRS and LDF in a fiber-optic probe, a powerful tool for assessment of blood flow and oxygenation in the same microvascular bed has been presented.

In vivo tumor identification of colorectal liver metastases with diffuse reflectance and fluorescence spectroscopy.

PubMed

Tanis, Erik; Evers, Danny J; Spliethoff, Jarich W; Pully, Vishnu V; Kuhlmann, Koert; van Coevorden, Frits; Hendriks, Benno H W; Sanders, Joyce; Prevoo, Warner; Ruers, Theo J M

2016-11-01

Over the last decade, an increasing effort has been put towards the implementation of optical guidance techniques to aid surgeons during cancer surgery. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and fluorescence spectroscopy (FS) are two of these new techniques. The objective of this study is to investigate whether in vivo optical spectroscopy is able to accurately discriminate colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) from normal liver tissue in vivo. DRS and FS were incorporated at the tip of a needle and were used for in vivo tissue differentiation during resection of CRLM. Measurements were taken in and around the tumor lesions and measurement sites were marked and correlated to histology (i.e., normal liver tissue or tumor tissue). Patients with and without neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy were included into the study. Four hundred and eighty-four measurements were taken in and near 19 liver lesions prior to resection. Overall sensitivity and specificity for DRS was 95% and 92%, respectively. Bile was the most discriminative parameter. The addition of FS did not improve the overall accuracy. Sensitivity and specificity was not hampered by neo-adjuvant chemotherapy; sensitivity and specificity after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy were 92% and 100%, respectively. We have successfully integrated spectroscopy technology into a disposable 15 Gauge optical needle and we have shown that DRS and FS can accurately discriminate CRLM from normal liver tissue in the in vivo setting regardless of whether the patient was pre-treated with systemic therapy. This technique makes in vivo guidance accessible for common surgical practice. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:820-827, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Antitumor and Angiostatic Activities of the Antimicrobial Peptide Dermaseptin B2

PubMed Central

van Zoggel, Hanneke; Carpentier, Gilles; Dos Santos, Célia; Hamma-Kourbali, Yamina; Courty, José; Amiche, Mohamed; Delbé, Jean

2012-01-01

Recently, we have found that the skin secretions of the Amazonian tree frog Phyllomedusa bicolor contains molecules with antitumor and angiostatic activities and identified one of them as the antimicrobial peptide dermaseptin (Drs) B2. In the present study we further explored the in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity of this molecule and investigated its mechanism of action. We showed that Drs B2 inhibits the proliferation and colony formation of various human tumor cell types, and the proliferation and capillary formation of endothelial cells in vitro. Furthermore, Drs B2 inhibited tumor growth of the human prostate adenocarcinoma cell line PC3 in a xenograft model in vivo. Research on the mechanism of action of Drs B2 on tumor PC3 cells demonstrated a rapid increasing amount of cytosolic lactate dehydrogenase, no activation of caspase-3, and no changes in mitochondrial membrane potential. Confocal microscopy analysis revealed that Drs B2 can interact with the tumor cell surface, aggregate and penetrate the cells. These data together indicate that Drs B2 does not act by apoptosis but possibly by necrosis. In conclusion, Drs B2 could be considered as an interesting and promising pharmacological and therapeutic leader molecule for the treatment of cancer. PMID:23028527

Antitumor and angiostatic activities of the antimicrobial peptide dermaseptin B2.

PubMed

van Zoggel, Hanneke; Carpentier, Gilles; Dos Santos, Célia; Hamma-Kourbali, Yamina; Courty, José; Amiche, Mohamed; Delbé, Jean

2012-01-01

Recently, we have found that the skin secretions of the Amazonian tree frog Phyllomedusa bicolor contains molecules with antitumor and angiostatic activities and identified one of them as the antimicrobial peptide dermaseptin (Drs) B2. In the present study we further explored the in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity of this molecule and investigated its mechanism of action. We showed that Drs B2 inhibits the proliferation and colony formation of various human tumor cell types, and the proliferation and capillary formation of endothelial cells in vitro. Furthermore, Drs B2 inhibited tumor growth of the human prostate adenocarcinoma cell line PC3 in a xenograft model in vivo. Research on the mechanism of action of Drs B2 on tumor PC3 cells demonstrated a rapid increasing amount of cytosolic lactate dehydrogenase, no activation of caspase-3, and no changes in mitochondrial membrane potential. Confocal microscopy analysis revealed that Drs B2 can interact with the tumor cell surface, aggregate and penetrate the cells. These data together indicate that Drs B2 does not act by apoptosis but possibly by necrosis. In conclusion, Drs B2 could be considered as an interesting and promising pharmacological and therapeutic leader molecule for the treatment of cancer.

Delayed risk stratification, to include the response to initial treatment (surgery and radioiodine ablation), has better outcome predictivity in differentiated thyroid cancer patients.

PubMed

Castagna, Maria Grazia; Maino, Fabio; Cipri, Claudia; Belardini, Valentina; Theodoropoulou, Alexandra; Cevenini, Gabriele; Pacini, Furio

2011-09-01

After initial treatment, differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients are stratified as low and high risk based on clinical/pathological features. Recently, a risk stratification based on additional clinical data accumulated during follow-up has been proposed. To evaluate the predictive value of delayed risk stratification (DRS) obtained at the time of the first diagnostic control (8-12 months after initial treatment). We reviewed 512 patients with DTC whose risk assessment was initially defined according to the American (ATA) and European Thyroid Association (ETA) guidelines. At the time of the first control, 8-12 months after initial treatment, patients were re-stratified according to their clinical status: DRS. Using DRS, about 50% of ATA/ETA intermediate/high-risk patients moved to DRS low-risk category, while about 10% of ATA/ETA low-risk patients moved to DRS high-risk category. The ability of the DRS to predict the final outcome was superior to that of ATA and ETA. Positive and negative predictive values for both ATA (39.2 and 90.6% respectively) and ETA (38.4 and 91.3% respectively) were significantly lower than that observed with the DRS (72.8 and 96.3% respectively, P<0.05). The observed variance in predicting final outcome was 25.4% for ATA, 19.1% for ETA, and 62.1% for DRS. Delaying the risk stratification of DTC patients at a time when the response to surgery and radioiodine ablation is evident allows to better define individual risk and to better modulate the subsequent follow-up.

Performance of Disease Risk Score Matching in Nested Case-Control Studies: A Simulation Study.

PubMed

Desai, Rishi J; Glynn, Robert J; Wang, Shirley; Gagne, Joshua J

2016-05-15

In a case-control study, matching on a disease risk score (DRS), which includes many confounders, should theoretically result in greater precision than matching on only a few confounders; however, this has not been investigated. We simulated 1,000 hypothetical cohorts with a binary exposure, a time-to-event outcome, and 13 covariates. Each cohort comprised 2 subcohorts of 10,000 patients each: a historical subcohort and a concurrent subcohort. DRS were estimated in the historical subcohorts and applied to the concurrent subcohorts. Nested case-control studies were conducted in the concurrent subcohorts using incidence density sampling with 2 strategies-matching on age and sex, with adjustment for additional confounders, and matching on DRS-followed by conditional logistic regression for 9 outcome-exposure incidence scenarios. In all scenarios, DRS matching yielded lower average standard errors and mean squared errors than did matching on age and sex. In 6 scenarios, DRS matching also resulted in greater empirical power. DRS matching resulted in less relative bias than did matching on age and sex at lower outcome incidences but more relative bias at higher incidences. Post-hoc analysis revealed that the effect of DRS model misspecification might be more pronounced at higher outcome incidences, resulting in higher relative bias. These results suggest that DRS matching might increase the statistical efficiency of case-control studies, particularly when the outcome is rare. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Crystal structure of human cytosolic aspartyl-tRNA synthetase, a component of multi-tRNA synthetase complex

PubMed Central

Kim, Kyung Rok; Park, Sang Ho; Kim, Hyoun Sook; Rhee, Kyung Hee; Kim, Byung-Gyu; Kim, Dae Gyu; Park, Mi Seul; Kim, Hyun-Jung; Kim, Sunghoon; Han, Byung Woo

2013-01-01

Human cytosolic aspartyl-tRNA synthetase (DRS) catalyzes the attachment of the amino acid aspartic acid to its cognate tRNA and it is a component of the multi-tRNA synthetase complex (MSC) which has been known to be involved in unexpected signaling pathways. Here, we report the crystal structure of DRS at a resolution of 2.25 Å. DRS is a homodimer with a dimer interface of 3750.5 Å2 which comprises 16.6% of the monomeric surface area. Our structure reveals the C-terminal end of the N-helix which is considered as a unique addition in DRS, and its conformation further supports the switching model of the N-helix for the transfer of tRNAAsp to elongation factor 1α. From our analyses of the crystal structure and post-translational modification of DRS, we suggest that the phosphorylation of Ser146 provokes the separation of DRS from the MSC and provides the binding site for an interaction partner with unforeseen functions. PMID:23609930

Convergent Validity, Concurrent Validity, and Diagnostic Accuracy of the interRAI Depression Rating Scale.

PubMed

Penny, Katherine; Barron, Alex; Higgins, Ann-Marie; Gee, Susan; Croucher, Matthew; Cheung, Gary

2016-09-19

Depression Rating Scale (DRS) is one of the clinical outcome measures of the International Resident Assessment Instrument (interRAI) assessment. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the diagnostic accuracy and concurrent validity of the 3-day assessment window version of the DRS. The performance of DRS was compared with a gold standard clinical diagnosis of depression in 92 patients (age ≥65) who had interRAI version 9.1 Home Care assessment completed within 30 days of discharge from psychogeriatric inpatient care or memory clinic assessment. The DRS had poor diagnostic accuracy for depression diagnosis with an area under the curve of 0.68 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.57-0.77). The DRS score had a poor to moderate correlation with the Health of the Nation Outcome Scale 65+ depression item score (r s = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.09-0.48, P = .006). This study and the existing literature raise concerns that the DRS is not an adequate measure of depression. © The Author(s) 2016.

Crystal structure of human cytosolic aspartyl-tRNA synthetase, a component of multi-tRNA synthetase complex.

PubMed

Kim, Kyung Rok; Park, Sang Ho; Kim, Hyoun Sook; Rhee, Kyung Hee; Kim, Byung-Gyu; Kim, Dae Gyu; Park, Mi Seul; Kim, Hyun-Jung; Kim, Sunghoon; Han, Byung Woo

2013-10-01

Human cytosolic aspartyl-tRNA synthetase (DRS) catalyzes the attachment of the amino acid aspartic acid to its cognate tRNA and it is a component of the multi-tRNA synthetase complex (MSC) which has been known to be involved in unexpected signaling pathways. Here, we report the crystal structure of DRS at a resolution of 2.25 Å. DRS is a homodimer with a dimer interface of 3750.5 Å(2) which comprises 16.6% of the monomeric surface area. Our structure reveals the C-terminal end of the N-helix which is considered as a unique addition in DRS, and its conformation further supports the switching model of the N-helix for the transfer of tRNA(Asp) to elongation factor 1α. From our analyses of the crystal structure and post-translational modification of DRS, we suggest that the phosphorylation of Ser146 provokes the separation of DRS from the MSC and provides the binding site for an interaction partner with unforeseen functions. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Monitoring of caffeine consumption effect on skin blood properties by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Milanic, Matija; Marin, Ana; Stergar, Jost; Verdel, Nina; Majaron, Boris

2017-07-01

Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychoactive substance in the world. It affects many tissues and organs, in particular central nervous system, heart, and blood vessels. The effect of caffeine on vascular smooth muscle cells is an initial transient contraction followed by significant vasodilatation. In this study we investigate the use of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) for monitoring of vascular changes in human skin induced by caffeine consumption. DRS spectra were recorded on volar sides of the forearms of ten healthy volunteers at time delays of 0, 30, 60, 120, and 180 minutes after consumption of caffeine, while one subject served as a negative control. Analytical diffusion approximation solutions for diffuse reflectance from three-layer structures were used to assess skin composition (e.g., dermal blood volume fraction and oxygen saturation) by fitting to experimental data. The results demonstrate that cutaneous vasodynamics induced by caffeine consumption can be monitored by DRS, while changes in the control subject not consuming caffeine were insignificant.

The “Dry-Run” Analysis: A Method for Evaluating Risk Scores for Confounding Control

PubMed Central

Wyss, Richard; Hansen, Ben B.; Ellis, Alan R.; Gagne, Joshua J.; Desai, Rishi J.; Glynn, Robert J.; Stürmer, Til

2017-01-01

Abstract A propensity score (PS) model's ability to control confounding can be assessed by evaluating covariate balance across exposure groups after PS adjustment. The optimal strategy for evaluating a disease risk score (DRS) model's ability to control confounding is less clear. DRS models cannot be evaluated through balance checks within the full population, and they are usually assessed through prediction diagnostics and goodness-of-fit tests. A proposed alternative is the “dry-run” analysis, which divides the unexposed population into “pseudo-exposed” and “pseudo-unexposed” groups so that differences on observed covariates resemble differences between the actual exposed and unexposed populations. With no exposure effect separating the pseudo-exposed and pseudo-unexposed groups, a DRS model is evaluated by its ability to retrieve an unconfounded null estimate after adjustment in this pseudo-population. We used simulations and an empirical example to compare traditional DRS performance metrics with the dry-run validation. In simulations, the dry run often improved assessment of confounding control, compared with the C statistic and goodness-of-fit tests. In the empirical example, PS and DRS matching gave similar results and showed good performance in terms of covariate balance (PS matching) and controlling confounding in the dry-run analysis (DRS matching). The dry-run analysis may prove useful in evaluating confounding control through DRS models. PMID:28338910

Noninvasive evaluation of collagen and hemoglobin contents and scattering property of in vivo keloid scars and normal skin using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy: pilot study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tseng, Sheng-Hao; Hsu, Chao-Kai; Yu-Yun Lee, Julia; Tzeng, Shih-Yu; Chen, Wan-Rung; Liaw, Yu-Kai

2012-07-01

Collagen is a rich component in skin that provides skin structure integrity; however, its contribution to the absorption and scattering properties of various types of skin has not been extensively studied. We considered the contribution of the collagen to the absorption spectrum of in vivo normal skin and keloids of 12 subjects derived from our diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) system in the wavelength range from 550 to 860 nm. It was found that the collagen concentration, the hemoglobin oxygen saturation, and the reduced scattering coefficient of keloids were remarkably different from that of normal skin. Our results suggest that our DRS system could assist clinicians in understanding the functional and structural condition of keloid scars. In the future, we will evaluate the accuracy of our system in the keloid diagnosis and investigate the applicability of our system for other skin-collagen-related studies.

Discharge rates in electromyography distinguish early between peripheral and central paresis.

PubMed

Jürgens, Tim P; Puchner, Christoph; Schulte-Mattler, Wilhelm J

2012-10-01

Abnormally increased discharge rates (DRs) of motor unit potentials on concentric needle electromyography (CNEMG) indicate a loss of motor units in peripheral neurogenic lesions. To determine when increased DRs occur during the course of a peripheral nerve lesion, we retrospectively analyzed CNEMG recordings of 19 patients with acute weakness of peripheral origin. The initial CNEMG studies took place from 3.7 hours to 10 days after the onset of the lesion. Abnormally increased DRs (≥20/s) were found in all but 1 of the muscles in which MRC grade was <4. Peripheral neurogenic damage was confirmed in all patients thereafter. The DRs depended on neither the kind of lesion nor the time between onset and CNEMG examination. The measurement of DRs of motor unit potentials is helpful immediately after a sudden paresis of MRC grade 3 or worse to differentiate between a central and a peripheral lesion. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Prevalence of Anti-Tuberculosis Drug Resistance in Foreign-Born Tuberculosis Cases in the U.S. and in Their Countries of Origin

PubMed Central

Taylor, Allison B.; Kurbatova, Ekaterina V.; Cegielski, J. Peter

2012-01-01

Background Foreign-born individuals comprise >50% of tuberculosis (TB) cases in the U.S. Since anti-TB drug resistance is more common in most other countries, when evaluating a foreign-born individual for TB, one must consider the risk of drug resistance. Naturally, clinicians query The Global Project on Anti-tuberculosis Drug Resistance Surveillance (Global DRS) which provides population-based data on the prevalence of anti-TB drug resistance in 127 countries starting in 1994. However, foreign-born persons in the U.S. are a biased sample of the population of their countries of origin, and Global DRS data may not accurately predict their risk of drug resistance. Since implementing drug resistance surveillance in 1993, the U.S. National TB Surveillance System (NTSS) has accumulated systematic data on over 130,000 foreign-born TB cases from more than 200 countries and territories. Our objective was to determine whether the prevalence of drug resistance among foreign-born TB cases correlates better with data from the Global DRS or with data on foreign-born TB cases in the NTSS. Methods and Findings We compared the prevalence of resistance to isoniazid and rifampin among foreign-born TB cases in the U.S., 2007–2009, with US NTSS data from 1993 to 2006 and with Global DRS data from 1994–2007 visually with scatterplots and statistically with correlation and linear regression analyses. Among foreign-born TB cases in the U.S., 2007–2009, the prevalence of isoniazid resistance and multidrug resistance (MDR, i.e. resistance to isoniazid and rifampin), correlated much better with 1993–2006 US surveillance data (isoniazid: r = 0.95, P<.001, MDR: r = 0.75, P<.001) than with Global DRS data, 1994–2007 (isoniazid: r = 0.55, P = .001; MDR: r = 0.50, P<.001). Conclusion Since 1993, the US NTSS has accumulated sufficient data on foreign-born TB cases to estimate the risk of drug resistance among such individuals better than data from the Global DRS. PMID:23145161

What works to increase attendance for diabetic retinopathy screening? An evidence synthesis and economic analysis.

PubMed

Lawrenson, John G; Graham-Rowe, Ella; Lorencatto, Fabiana; Rice, Stephen; Bunce, Catey; Francis, Jill J; Burr, Jennifer M; Aluko, Patricia; Vale, Luke; Peto, Tunde; Presseau, Justin; Ivers, Noah M; Grimshaw, Jeremy M

2018-05-01

Diabetic retinopathy screening (DRS) is effective but uptake is suboptimal. To determine the effectiveness of quality improvement (QI) interventions for DRS attendance; describe the interventions in terms of QI components and behaviour change techniques (BCTs); identify theoretical determinants of attendance; investigate coherence between BCTs identified in interventions and determinants of attendance; and determine the cost-effectiveness of QI components and BCTs for improving DRS. Phase 1 - systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating interventions to increase DRS attendance (The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE and trials registers to February 2017) and coding intervention content to classify QI components and BCTs. Phase 2 - review of studies reporting factors influencing attendance, coded to theoretical domains (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and sources of grey literature to March 2016). Phase 3 - mapping BCTs (phase 1) to theoretical domains (phase 2) and an economic evaluation to determine the cost-effectiveness of BCTs or QI components. Phase 1 - 7277 studies were screened, of which 66 RCTs were included in the review. Interventions were multifaceted and targeted patients, health-care professionals (HCPs) or health-care systems. Overall, interventions increased DRS attendance by 12% [risk difference (RD) 0.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.10 to 0.14] compared with usual care, with substantial heterogeneity in effect size. Both DRS-targeted and general QI interventions were effective, particularly when baseline attendance levels were low. All commonly used QI components and BCTs were associated with significant improvements, particularly in those with poor attendance. Higher effect estimates were observed in subgroup analyses for the BCTs of 'goal setting (outcome, i.e. consequences)' (RD 0.26, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.36) and 'feedback on outcomes (consequences) of behaviour' (RD 0.22, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.29) in interventions targeting patients and of 'restructuring the social environment' (RD 0.19, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.26) and 'credible source' (RD 0.16, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.24) in interventions targeting HCPs. Phase 2 - 3457 studies were screened, of which 65 non-randomised studies were included in the review. The following theoretical domains were likely to influence attendance: 'environmental context and resources', 'social influences', 'knowledge', 'memory, attention and decision processes', 'beliefs about consequences' and 'emotions'. Phase 3 - mapping identified that interventions included BCTs targeting important barriers to/enablers of DRS attendance. However, BCTs targeting emotional factors around DRS were under-represented. QI components were unlikely to be cost-effective whereas BCTs with a high probability (≥ 0.975) of being cost-effective at a societal willingness-to-pay threshold of £20,000 per QALY included 'goal-setting (outcome)', 'feedback on outcomes of behaviour', 'social support' and 'information about health consequences'. Cost-effectiveness increased when DRS attendance was lower and with longer screening intervals. Quality improvement/BCT coding was dependent on descriptions of intervention content in primary sources; methods for the identification of coherence of BCTs require improvement. Randomised controlled trial evidence indicates that QI interventions incorporating specific BCT components are associated with meaningful improvements in DRS attendance compared with usual care. Interventions generally used appropriate BCTs that target important barriers to screening attendance, with a high probability of being cost-effective. Research is needed to optimise BCTs or BCT combinations that seek to improve DRS attendance at an acceptable cost. BCTs targeting emotional factors represent a missed opportunity to improve attendance and should be tested in future studies. This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42016044157 and PROSPERO CRD42016032990. The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

Dual-modality smartphone endoscope for cervical pre-cancer detection (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hong, Xiangqian; Yu, Bing

2017-02-01

Early detection is the key to the prevention of cervical cancer. There is an urgent need for a portable, affordable, and easy-to-use device for cervical pre-cancer detection, especially in low-resource settings. We have developed a dual-modality fiber-optic endoscope system (SmartME) that integrates high-resolution fluorescence imaging (FLI) and quantitative diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) onto a smartphone platform. The SmartME consists of a smartphone, a miniature fiber-optic endoscope, a phone attachment containing imaging optics, and a smartphone application (app). FLI is obtained by painting the tissue with a contrast agent (e.g., proflavine), illuminating the tissue and collecting its fluorescence images through an imaging bundle that is coupled to the phone camera. DRS is achieved by using a white LED, attaching additional source and detection fibers to the imaging bundle, and converting the phone camera into a spectrometer. The app collects images/spectra and transmits them to a remote server for analysis to extract the tissue parameters, including nuclear-to-cytoplasm ratio (calculated from FLI), concentrations of oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) and deoxyhemoglobin (Hb) as well as scattering (measured by DRS). These parameters can be used to detect cervical dysplasia. Our preliminary studies have demonstrated that the SmartME can clearly visualize the nuclei in living cells and in vivo biological samples, with a high spatial resolution of 3.1μm. The device can also measure tissue absorption and scattering properties with comparable accuracy to those of a benchtop DRS system. The SmartME has great potential to provide a compact, affordable, and `smart' solution for early detection of neoplastic changes in cervix.

A comparison of delirium diagnosis in elderly medical inpatients using the CAM, DRS-R98, DSM-IV and DSM-5 criteria.

PubMed

Adamis, Dimitrios; Rooney, Siobhan; Meagher, David; Mulligan, Owen; McCarthy, Geraldine

2015-06-01

The recently published DSM-5 criteria for delirium may lead to different case identification and rates of delirium than previous classifications. The aims of this study are to determine how the new DSM-5 criteria compare with DSM-IV in identification of delirium in elderly medical inpatients and to investigate the agreement between different methods, using CAM, DRS-R98, DSM-IV, and DSM-5 criteria. Prospective, observational study of elderly patients aged 70+ admitted under the acute medical teams in a regional general hospital. Each participant was assessed within 3 days of admission using the DSM-5, and DSM-IV criteria plus the DRS-R98, and CAM scales. We assessed 200 patients [mean age 81.1±6.5; 50% female; pre-existing cognitive impairment in 63%]. The prevalence rates of delirium for each diagnostic method were: 13.0% (n = 26) for DSM-5; 19.5% (n = 39) for DSM-IV; 13.5% (n = 27) for DRS-R98 and 17.0%, (n = 34) for CAM. Using tetrachoric correlation coefficients the agreement between DSM-5 and DSM-IV was statistically significant (ρtetr = 0.64, SE = 0.1, p < 0.0001). Similar significant agreement was found between the four methods. DSM-IV is the most inclusive diagnostic method for delirium, while DSM-5 is the most restrictive. In addition, these classification systems identify different cases of delirium. This could have clinical, financial, and research implications. However, both classification systems have significant agreement in the identification of the same concept (delirium). Clarity of diagnosis is required for classification but also further research considering the relevance in predicting outcomes can allow for more detailed evaluation of the DSM-5 criteria.

A benders decomposition approach to multiarea stochastic distributed utility planning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McCusker, Susan Ann

Until recently, small, modular generation and storage options---distributed resources (DRs)---have been installed principally in areas too remote for economic power grid connection and sensitive applications requiring backup capacity. Recent regulatory changes and DR advances, however, have lead utilities to reconsider the role of DRs. To a utility facing distribution capacity bottlenecks or uncertain load growth, DRs can be particularly valuable since they can be dispersed throughout the system and constructed relatively quickly. DR value is determined by comparing its costs to avoided central generation expenses (i.e., marginal costs) and distribution investments. This requires a comprehensive central and local planning and production model, since central system marginal costs result from system interactions over space and time. This dissertation develops and applies an iterative generalized Benders decomposition approach to coordinate models for optimal DR evaluation. Three coordinated models exchange investment, net power demand, and avoided cost information to minimize overall expansion costs. Local investment and production decisions are made by a local mixed integer linear program. Central system investment decisions are made by a LP, and production costs are estimated by a stochastic multi-area production costing model with Kirchhoff's Voltage and Current Law constraints. The nested decomposition is a new and unique method for distributed utility planning that partitions the variables twice to separate local and central investment and production variables, and provides upper and lower bounds on expected expansion costs. Kirchhoff's Voltage Law imposes nonlinear, nonconvex constraints that preclude use of LP if transmission capacity is available in a looped transmission system. This dissertation develops KVL constraint approximations that permit the nested decomposition to consider new transmission resources, while maintaining linearity in the three individual models. These constraints are presented as a heuristic for the given examples; future research will investigate conditions for convergence. A ten-year multi-area example demonstrates the decomposition approach and suggests the ability of DRs and new transmission to modify capacity additions and production costs by changing demand and power flows. Results demonstrate that DR and new transmission options may lead to greater capacity additions, but resulting production cost savings more than offset extra capacity costs.

DRS is far less divergent than streptococcal inhibitor of complement of group A streptococcus.

PubMed

Sagar, Vivek; Kumar, Rajesh; Ganguly, Nirmal K; Menon, Thangam; Chakraborti, Anuradha

2007-04-01

When 100 group A streptococcus isolates were screened, drs, a variant of sic, was identified in emm12 and emm55 isolates. Molecular characterization showed that the drs gene sequence is highly conserved, unlike the sic gene sequence. However, the variation in gene size observed was due to the presence of extra internal repeat sequences.

DRS Is Far Less Divergent than Streptococcal Inhibitor of Complement of Group A Streptococcus▿

PubMed Central

Sagar, Vivek; Kumar, Rajesh; Ganguly, Nirmal K.; Menon, Thangam; Chakraborti, Anuradha

2007-01-01

When 100 group A streptococcus isolates were screened, drs, a variant of sic, was identified in emm12 and emm55 isolates. Molecular characterization showed that the drs gene sequence is highly conserved, unlike the sic gene sequence. However, the variation in gene size observed was due to the presence of extra internal repeat sequences. PMID:17237170

Development of receiving-detecting circuit for digital radiographic systems with improved spatial resolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ryzhikov, Volodymir D.; Opolonin, Oleksandr D.; Galkin, Serhiy M.; Voronkin, Yevheniy F.; Lysetska, Olena K.; Kostyukevych, Serhiy A.

2009-08-01

Detection of X-ray radiation by digital radiographic systems (DRS) is realized using multi-element detector arrays of scintillator-photodiode (S-PD) type. Accounting for our experience in development of X-ray introscopy systems, possibilities can be found for improvement of DRS detection efficiency. Namely, a more efficient use of the dynamic range of the analog-to-digit converter by means of instrumental compensation of scatter of detector characteristics and smaller apertures of individual detection channels. However, smaller apertures lead to lower levels of useful signals, and a problem emerges of signal interference over neighboring channels, which is related to optical separation of the scintillation elements. Also, more compact arrangement of electronic components of preamplifiers is achieved. The latter problem is solved by using multi-channel (from 32 to 1024 channels) photoreceiving devices (PRD). PRD has a set of photosensitive elements formed on one crystal, as well as shift registers ensuring preliminary amplification of signals and series connection to one outlet. The work envisages creation of receiving-detecting circuit (RDC) with improved spatial resolution (ISR) with the aim of producing advanced DRS with improved characteristics: density resolution better than 0.9%, and detecting ability allowing detection of θ 0.5 mm steel wire behind 6 mm steel. The work will result in the development of RDC with ISR (800-200 microns). In combination with various ionizing radiation sources and scanning mechanisms this will allow creation of DRS for many tasks of non-destructive testing (NDT) and technical diagnostics (TD), in particular, for check-up of pipelines, objects of oil and gas industries, etc. This work was supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the U.S. Civilian Research and Development Foundation (CRDF), and by the NATO Science for Peace and Security Program (Project SfP-982823).

Confounder summary scores when comparing the effects of multiple drug exposures.

PubMed

Cadarette, Suzanne M; Gagne, Joshua J; Solomon, Daniel H; Katz, Jeffrey N; Stürmer, Til

2010-01-01

Little information is available comparing methods to adjust for confounding when considering multiple drug exposures. We compared three analytic strategies to control for confounding based on measured variables: conventional multivariable, exposure propensity score (EPS), and disease risk score (DRS). Each method was applied to a dataset (2000-2006) recently used to examine the comparative effectiveness of four drugs. The relative effectiveness of risedronate, nasal calcitonin, and raloxifene in preventing non-vertebral fracture, were each compared to alendronate. EPSs were derived both by using multinomial logistic regression (single model EPS) and by three separate logistic regression models (separate model EPS). DRSs were derived and event rates compared using Cox proportional hazard models. DRSs derived among the entire cohort (full cohort DRS) was compared to DRSs derived only among the referent alendronate (unexposed cohort DRS). Less than 8% deviation from the base estimate (conventional multivariable) was observed applying single model EPS, separate model EPS or full cohort DRS. Applying the unexposed cohort DRS when background risk for fracture differed between comparison drug exposure cohorts resulted in -7 to + 13% deviation from our base estimate. With sufficient numbers of exposed and outcomes, either conventional multivariable, EPS or full cohort DRS may be used to adjust for confounding to compare the effects of multiple drug exposures. However, our data also suggest that unexposed cohort DRS may be problematic when background risks differ between referent and exposed groups. Further empirical and simulation studies will help to clarify the generalizability of our findings.

Degradation of turbulent skin-friction drag reduction with superhydrophobic, liquid-infused and riblet surfaces with increasing Reynolds number

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akhavan, Rayhaneh; Rastegari, Amirreza

2017-11-01

It is shown that the magnitude of Drag Reduction (DR) with Super-Hydrophobic (SH), liquid-infused, or riblet surfaces can be parameterized in terms of the shift, ΔB , in the intercept of a log-law representation of the mean velocity profile and the friction coefficient of the base flow. Available DNS data shows ΔB to be Reynolds number independent and only a function of the geometrical parameters of the surface micro-texture in viscous wall units. This allows the DR results from DNS to be extrapolated to higher Reynolds numbers. It is shown that for a given geometry and size of the wall micro-texture in viscous wall units, the magnitude of DR degrades by factors of 2 - 3 as the friction Reynolds number of the base flow increases from Reτ0 200 of DNS to Reτ0 105 -106 of practical applications. Extrapolation of DNS results in turbulent channel flow at Reτ0 222 and 442 with SH longitudinal microgrooves of width 15 <=g+0 <= 60 and shear-free-fractions of 0.875 - 0.985 shows that the maximum DRs which can be sustained with SH longitudinal micro-grooves of size g+0 <= 20 - 30 in practical applications is limited to DRs of 25 - 35 % at Reτ0 105 and 20 - 25 % at Reτ0 106 .

Predicting functional ability in mild cognitive impairment with the Dementia Rating Scale-2.

PubMed

Greenaway, Melanie C; Duncan, Noah L; Hanna, Sherrie; Smith, Glenn E

2012-06-01

We examined the utility of cognitive evaluation to predict instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) and decisional ability in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Sixty-seven individuals with single-domain amnestic MCI were administered the Dementia Rating Scale-2 (DRS-2) as well as the Everyday Cognition assessment form to assess functional ability. The DRS-2 Total Scores and Initiation/Perseveration and Memory subscales were found to be predictive of IADLs, with Total Scores accounting for 19% of the variance in IADL performance on average. In addition, the DRS-2 Initiation/Perseveration and Total Scores were predictive of ability to understand information, and the DRS-2 Conceptualization helped predict ability to communicate with others, both key variables in decision-making ability. These findings suggest that performance on the DRS-2, and specific subscales related to executive function and memory, is significantly related to IADLs in individuals with MCI. These cognitive measures are also associated with decision-making-related abilities in MCI.

Are mutagenic non D-loop direct repeat motifs in mitochondrial DNA under a negative selection pressure?

PubMed Central

Lakshmanan, Lakshmi Narayanan; Gruber, Jan; Halliwell, Barry; Gunawan, Rudiyanto

2015-01-01

Non D-loop direct repeats (DRs) in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have been commonly implicated in the mutagenesis of mtDNA deletions associated with neuromuscular disease and ageing. Further, these DRs have been hypothesized to put a constraint on the lifespan of mammals and are under a negative selection pressure. Using a compendium of 294 mammalian mtDNA, we re-examined the relationship between species lifespan and the mutagenicity of such DRs. Contradicting the prevailing hypotheses, we found no significant evidence that long-lived mammals possess fewer mutagenic DRs than short-lived mammals. By comparing DR counts in human mtDNA with those in selectively randomized sequences, we also showed that the number of DRs in human mtDNA is primarily determined by global mtDNA properties, such as the bias in synonymous codon usage (SCU) and nucleotide composition. We found that SCU bias in mtDNA positively correlates with DR counts, where repeated usage of a subset of codons leads to more frequent DR occurrences. While bias in SCU and nucleotide composition has been attributed to nucleotide mutational bias, mammalian mtDNA still exhibit higher SCU bias and DR counts than expected from such mutational bias, suggesting a lack of negative selection against non D-loop DRs. PMID:25855815

Development of the psychometric property of a Minimum Data-Set-Based Depression Rating Scale for use in long-term care facilities in Taiwan.

PubMed

Hsiao, C Y; Lan, C F; Chang, P L; Li, I C

2015-01-01

Our aim is to develop the psychometric property of the Minimum Data-Set-Based Depression Rating Scale (MDS-DRS) to ensure its use to assess service needs and guide care plans for institutionalized residents. 378 residents were recruited from the Haoran Senior Citizen Home in northern Taiwan. The MDS-DRS and GDS-SF were used to identify observable features of depression symptoms in the elderly residents. A total of 378 residents participated in this study. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve indicated that the MDS-DRS has a 43.3% sensitivity and a 90.6% specificity when screening for depression symptoms. The total variance, explained by the two factors 'sadness' and 'distress,' was 58.1% based on the factor analysis. Reliable assessment tools for nurses are important because they allow the early detection of depression symptoms. The MDS-DRS items perform as well as the GDS-SF items in detecting depression symptoms. Furthermore, the MDS-DRS has the advantage of providing information to staff about care process implementation, which can facilitate the identification of areas that need improvement. Further research is needed to validate the use of the MDS-DRS in long-term care facilities.

Using Quantile and Asymmetric Least Squares Regression for Optimal Risk Adjustment.

PubMed

Lorenz, Normann

2017-06-01

In this paper, we analyze optimal risk adjustment for direct risk selection (DRS). Integrating insurers' activities for risk selection into a discrete choice model of individuals' health insurance choice shows that DRS has the structure of a contest. For the contest success function (csf) used in most of the contest literature (the Tullock-csf), optimal transfers for a risk adjustment scheme have to be determined by means of a restricted quantile regression, irrespective of whether insurers are primarily engaged in positive DRS (attracting low risks) or negative DRS (repelling high risks). This is at odds with the common practice of determining transfers by means of a least squares regression. However, this common practice can be rationalized for a new csf, but only if positive and negative DRSs are equally important; if they are not, optimal transfers have to be calculated by means of a restricted asymmetric least squares regression. Using data from German and Swiss health insurers, we find considerable differences between the three types of regressions. Optimal transfers therefore critically depend on which csf represents insurers' incentives for DRS and, if it is not the Tullock-csf, whether insurers are primarily engaged in positive or negative DRS. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Duane's retraction syndrome: a retrospective review from Kathmandu, Nepal.

PubMed

Shrestha, Gauri Shankar; Sharma, Ananda Kumar

2012-01-01

  The aim was to study the clinical characteristics of Duane's retraction syndrome (DRS) in Nepalese patients.   Medical records from 52 cases of DRS from May 2003 to April 2010 were retrospectively reviewed for age, gender, laterality and clinical characteristics. Forty-one case records (78.8 per cent) that had complete clinical findings were considered for further evaluation. Examination included visual acuity by Snellen chart, refraction, associated horizontal and vertical strabismus in primary gaze, upshoot and downshoot on attempted adduction, binocular vision assessed with the Worth four-dot test on adopted gaze and stereopsis examined with the Titmus stereo test.   DRS type I was the most common type observed in 73.2 per cent of cases, followed by DRS type II (14.6 per cent) and DRS type III (12.2 per cent). It was more common in female patients (58.5 per cent) than male patients (χ(2) = 4.6, df = 1, p = 0.03). DRS was more common in the left eye (68.3 per cent) than the right eye and unilaterally present in 95.1 per cent of subjects. In primary gaze, orthotropia (41.5 per cent) was more common than exotropia (34.1 per cent) and esotropia (24.4 per cent) and vertical strabismus was present in 24.4 per cent of subjects. Upshoot and downshoot on attempted adduction was seen in 14.6 and 9.8 per cent, respectively. Binocular single vision was present in 68.3 per cent of subjects by Worth four-dot test at near. Stereopsis of 3,000 seconds of arc was present in 9.8 per cent, 100 to 200 seconds of arc in 14.6 per cent and 40 to 60 seconds of arc in 43.9 per cent with the Titmus stereo test.   DRS is more common in female patients and the left eye. DRS type I is the most common type. © 2011 The Authors. Clinical and Experimental Optometry © 2011 Optometrists Association Australia.

Children and young adults in a prolonged unconscious state after severe brain injury: long-term functional outcome as measured by the DRS and the GOSE after early intensive neurorehabilitation.

PubMed

Eilander, H J; Timmerman, R B W; Scheirs, J G M; Van Heugten, C M; De Kort, P L M; Prevo, A J H

2007-01-01

To investigate the long-term (2-15 years) functional outcome of children and young adults who received an early intensive neurorehabilitation programme (EINP) after a prolonged period of unconsciousness due to severe brain injury; to differentiate between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and non-traumatic brain injury (nTBI); and to compare the results on two different outcome scales: the Disability Rating Scale (DRS) and the Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOSE). One hundred and forty-five patients, who were admitted to EINP between December 1987 and January 2001. The Post-Acute Level of Consciousness scale (PALOC-s), the DRS, including categorized scores (DRScat), and the GOSE. The long-term functional level of 90 patients could be determined, of whom 25 were deceased. The mean DRS-score of the surviving patients was 6.8 (SD = 6.6); the mean score on the GOSE was 4.5 (SD = 1.7). There was a significant difference in the outcome amongst traumatic and non-traumatic patients (t88 = 4.21; p < 0.01). The correlation between the DRS and the GOSE was high (Spearman rho = 0.85; p < 0.01), as well as the correlation between the categorized scores of the DRS and the GOSE (Spearman rho = 0.81; p < 0.01). The distribution of outcome scores on the DRScat is more diverse than on the GOSE. Especially item 7 of the DRS, measuring functional independence, showed considerable variance in discriminating between different outcome levels. More patients with TBI than expected reached a (semi-) independent level of functioning, indicating a possible effect of EINP. Patients suffering from nTBI did not demonstrate these outcome levels. Only a few patients stayed in a vegetative state for more than a couple of years. In this cohort of severe brain-injured young people, the DRS offered the best investigative possibilities for long-term level of functioning.

Accuracy of Answers Provided by Digital/Face-to-Face Reference Services in Japanese Public Libraries and Q & A Sites

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tsuji, Keita; To, Haruna; Hara, Atsuyuki

2011-01-01

We asked the same 60 questions using DRS (digital reference services) in Japanese public libraries, face-to-face reference services and Q & A (question and answer) sites. It was found that: (1) The correct answer ratio of DRS is higher than that of Q & A sites; (2) DRS takes longer to provide answers as compared to Q & A sites; and (3)…

Demonstration of Dispersive Rarefaction Shocks in Hollow Elliptical Cylinder Chains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, H.; Kim, E.; Chong, C.; Kevrekidis, P. G.; Yang, J.

2018-05-01

We report an experimental and numerical demonstration of dispersive rarefaction shocks (DRS) in a 3D-printed soft chain of hollow elliptical cylinders. We find that, in contrast to conventional nonlinear waves, these DRS have their lower amplitude components travel faster, while the higher amplitude ones propagate slower. This results in the backward-tilted shape of the front of the wave (the rarefaction segment) and the breakage of wave tails into a modulated waveform (the dispersive shock segment). Examining the DRS under various impact conditions, we find the counterintuitive feature that the higher striker velocity causes the slower propagation of the DRS. These unique features can be useful for mitigating impact controllably and efficiently without relying on material damping or plasticity effects.

Splenium microstructure is related to two dimensions of reading skill.

PubMed

Frye, Richard E; Hasan, Khader; Xue, Lian; Strickland, David; Malmberg, Benjamin; Liederman, Jacqueline; Papanicolaou, Andrew

2008-10-29

Inconsistent differences in the corpus callosum (CC) structure between dyslexic readers (DRs) and typical readers (TRs) have been reported. We examine differences in CC splenium microstructure and the association of splenium microstructure with reading-related skills. Nine DRs and 18 TRs completed a reading skills battery and diffusion tensor imaging. DRs had higher splenium fractional anisotropy (FA) and axial diffusivity (LA) as compared with TRs. Retrieval of orthographic information from the language lexicon was negatively associated with FA and LA within both reading groups. Phonological awareness was positively associated with splenium FA and LA in TRs but not DRs. This study suggests two white matter pathways that may be differentially associated with reading skills in the CC splenium.

Demonstration of Dispersive Rarefaction Shocks in Hollow Elliptical Cylinder Chains.

PubMed

Kim, H; Kim, E; Chong, C; Kevrekidis, P G; Yang, J

2018-05-11

We report an experimental and numerical demonstration of dispersive rarefaction shocks (DRS) in a 3D-printed soft chain of hollow elliptical cylinders. We find that, in contrast to conventional nonlinear waves, these DRS have their lower amplitude components travel faster, while the higher amplitude ones propagate slower. This results in the backward-tilted shape of the front of the wave (the rarefaction segment) and the breakage of wave tails into a modulated waveform (the dispersive shock segment). Examining the DRS under various impact conditions, we find the counterintuitive feature that the higher striker velocity causes the slower propagation of the DRS. These unique features can be useful for mitigating impact controllably and efficiently without relying on material damping or plasticity effects.

DNA replication stress and cancer chemotherapy.

PubMed

Kitao, Hiroyuki; Iimori, Makoto; Kataoka, Yuki; Wakasa, Takeshi; Tokunaga, Eriko; Saeki, Hiroshi; Oki, Eiji; Maehara, Yoshihiko

2018-02-01

DNA replication is one of the fundamental biological processes in which dysregulation can cause genome instability. This instability is one of the hallmarks of cancer and confers genetic diversity during tumorigenesis. Numerous experimental and clinical studies have indicated that most tumors have experienced and overcome the stresses caused by the perturbation of DNA replication, which is also referred to as DNA replication stress (DRS). When we consider therapeutic approaches for tumors, it is important to exploit the differences in DRS between tumor and normal cells. In this review, we introduce the current understanding of DRS in tumors and discuss the underlying mechanism of cancer therapy from the aspect of DRS. © 2017 The Authors. Cancer Science published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Japanese Cancer Association.

Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Decision Regret Scale in Recipients of Internal Cardioverter Defibrillators

PubMed Central

Hickman, Ronald L.; Pinto, Melissa D.; Lee, Eunsuk; Daly, Barbara J.

2015-01-01

The Decision Regret Scale (DRS) is a five-item instrument that captures an individual’s regret associated with a healthcare decision. Cross-sectional data were collected from 109 cardiac patients who decided to receive an internal cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, assessments of the internal reliability consistency (α = .86), and discriminant validity established the DRS as a reliable and valid measure of decision regret in ICD recipients. The DRS, a psychometrically sound instrument, has relevance for clinicians and researchers vested in optimizing the decisional outcomes of ICD recipients. Future research is needed to examine the reliability and validity of the DRS in a larger and more diverse sample of ICD recipients. PMID:22679707

Duane's retraction syndrome: its sensory features.

PubMed

Tomaç, Suhan; Mutlu, Fatih Mehmet; Altinsoy, Halil Ibrahim

2007-11-01

To investigate binocularity in Duane's retraction syndrome (DRS) and to evaluate whether or not there is a relationship between the sensory and clinical features of the syndrome. Clinical and sensory findings of 29 patients with DRS were recorded. Binocularity was tested with the Bagolini glasses (BG), Worth four-dot (W4D), TNO and the stereo-fly plate of the Titmus test. Twenty-four (83%) patients showed fusion with the BG at near and 23 (79%) had fusion at distance. With the W4D, 23 (79%) patients had fusion at near and 19 (65%) had fusion at distance. Seven (24%) patients demonstrated normal stereoacuity, 15 (52%) had reduced stereoacuity and the remaining seven (24%) patients had no measurable stereoacuity. In patients without stereoacuity, amblyopia (p < 0.001), type 2 and 3 DRS (p = 0.031) and exotropia (p = 0.003) in primary position were more common than in those with reduced or with normal stereoacuity. Restriction of ocular ductions was also more severe in patients without stereoacuity than in those with reduced or normal stereoacuity (p = 0.019, p = 0.016). Patients with type 2 and 3 DRS were significantly more likely to have amblyopia (p = 0.037), large-angle heterotropia (p = 0.005) in primary position, upshoot or downshoot (p = 0.010) than those with type 1 DRS. Although approximately 75% of DRS patients had fusion and measurable stereoacuity, only 25% demonstrated normal binocularity. This report provides new data on the relationship of sensory features to most of the clinical findings of this syndrome. Sensory features, as well as most clinical features of the syndrome, are better in patients with type 1 DRS.

Matching on the Disease Risk Score in Comparative Effectiveness Research of New Treatments

PubMed Central

Wyss, Richard; Ellis, Alan R.; Brookhart, M. Alan; Funk, Michele Jonsson; Girman, Cynthia J.; Simpson, Ross J.; Stürmer, Til

2016-01-01

Purpose We use simulations and an empirical example to evaluate the performance of disease risk score (DRS) matching compared with propensity score (PS) matching when controlling large numbers of covariates in settings involving newly introduced treatments. Methods We simulated a dichotomous treatment, a dichotomous outcome, and 100 baseline covariates that included both continuous and dichotomous random variables. For the empirical example, we evaluated the comparative effectiveness of dabigatran versus warfarin in preventing combined ischemic stroke and all-cause mortality. We matched treatment groups on a historically estimated DRS and again on the PS. We controlled for a high-dimensional set of covariates using 20% and 1% samples of Medicare claims data from October 2010 through December 2012. Results In simulations, matching on the DRS versus the PS generally yielded matches for more treated individuals and improved precision of the effect estimate. For the empirical example, PS and DRS matching in the 20% sample resulted in similar hazard ratios (0.88 and 0.87) and standard errors (0.04 for both methods). In the 1% sample, PS matching resulted in matches for only 92.0% of the treated population and a hazard ratio and standard error of 0.89 and 0.19, respectively, while DRS matching resulted in matches for 98.5% and a hazard ratio and standard error of 0.85 and 0.16, respectively. Conclusions When PS distributions are separated, DRS matching can improve the precision of effect estimates and allow researchers to evaluate the treatment effect in a larger proportion of the treated population. However, accurately modeling the DRS can be challenging compared with the PS. PMID:26112690

Matching on the disease risk score in comparative effectiveness research of new treatments.

PubMed

Wyss, Richard; Ellis, Alan R; Brookhart, M Alan; Jonsson Funk, Michele; Girman, Cynthia J; Simpson, Ross J; Stürmer, Til

2015-09-01

We use simulations and an empirical example to evaluate the performance of disease risk score (DRS) matching compared with propensity score (PS) matching when controlling large numbers of covariates in settings involving newly introduced treatments. We simulated a dichotomous treatment, a dichotomous outcome, and 100 baseline covariates that included both continuous and dichotomous random variables. For the empirical example, we evaluated the comparative effectiveness of dabigatran versus warfarin in preventing combined ischemic stroke and all-cause mortality. We matched treatment groups on a historically estimated DRS and again on the PS. We controlled for a high-dimensional set of covariates using 20% and 1% samples of Medicare claims data from October 2010 through December 2012. In simulations, matching on the DRS versus the PS generally yielded matches for more treated individuals and improved precision of the effect estimate. For the empirical example, PS and DRS matching in the 20% sample resulted in similar hazard ratios (0.88 and 0.87) and standard errors (0.04 for both methods). In the 1% sample, PS matching resulted in matches for only 92.0% of the treated population and a hazard ratio and standard error of 0.89 and 0.19, respectively, while DRS matching resulted in matches for 98.5% and a hazard ratio and standard error of 0.85 and 0.16, respectively. When PS distributions are separated, DRS matching can improve the precision of effect estimates and allow researchers to evaluate the treatment effect in a larger proportion of the treated population. However, accurately modeling the DRS can be challenging compared with the PS. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Two novel CHN1 mutations in two families with Duane’s retraction syndrome

PubMed Central

Chan, Wai-Man; Miyake, Noriko; Zhu-Tam, Lily; Andrews, Caroline; Engle, Elizabeth C.

2012-01-01

Objective To determine the genetic cause of Duane’s retraction syndrome (DRS) in two families segregating DRS as an autosomal dominant trait. Method Members of two unrelated pedigrees were enrolled in an ongoing genetic study. Linkage analysis was performed using fluorescent microsatellite markers flanking the CHN1 locus. Probands and family members were screened for CHN1 mutations. Results Of the six clinically affected individuals in the two pedigrees, three have bilateral and three have unilateral DRS. Both pedigrees are consistent with linkage to the DURS2 locus, one with complete and one with incomplete penetrance. Sequence analysis revealed the pedigrees segregate novel heterozygous missense CHN1 mutations, c.422C>T and c.754C>T, predicted to result in α2-chimaerin amino acid substitutions P141L and P252S, respectively. Conclusion Genetic analysis of two pedigrees segregating nonsyndromic DRS reveals two novel mutations in CHN1, bringing the number of DRS pedigrees know to harbor CHN1 mutations, and the number of unique CHN1 mutations, from seven to nine. Both mutations identified in this study alter residues that participate in intramolecular interactions that stabilize the inactive, closed conformation of α2-chimerin, and thus are predicted to result in its hyper-activation. Moreover, amino acid residue P252 was altered to a different residue in a previously reported DRS pedigree; thus, this is the first report of two CHN1 mutations altering the same residue, further supporting a gain-of-function etiology. Clinical Relevance Members of families segregating DRS as an autosomal dominant trait should be screened for mutations in the CHN1 gene, enhancing genetic counseling and permitting earlier diagnosis. PMID:21555619

Diagnostic accuracy of Onen's Alternative Grading System combined with Doppler evaluation of ureteral jets as an alternative in the diagnosis of obstructive hydronephrosis in children.

PubMed

de Bessa, Jose; Rodrigues, Cicilia M; Chammas, Maria Cristina; Miranda, Eduardo P; Gomes, Cristiano M; Moscardi, Paulo R; Bessa, Marcia C; Molina, Carlos A; Tiraboschi, Ricardo B; Netto, Jose M; Denes, Francisco T

2018-01-01

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is a common congenital anomaly leading to varying degrees of hydronephrosis (HN), ranging from no apparent effect on the renal function to atrophy. Evaluation of these children is based on Diuretic Renal Scintigraphy (DRS) and Ultrasonography (US). Recent studies have suggested that new parameters of conventional and color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) may be useful in discriminating which kidneys are obstructed. The present study aims to assess the diagnostic accuracy of such parameters in the diagnosis of obstruction in children with UPJO. We evaluated 44 patients (33 boys) with a mean age of 6.53 ± 4.39 years diagnosed with unilateral high-grade hydronephrosis (SFU grades 3 and 4). All underwent DRS and index tests (conventional US and CDUS to evaluate ureteral jets frequency) within a maximum interval of two weeks. Hydronephrotic units were reclassified according to the alternative grading system (AGS) proposed by Onen et al. Obstruction in the DRS was defined as a differential renal function <40% on the affected side and/or features indicating poor drainage function like T1/2 >20 minutes after the administration of furosemide, and a plateau or ascending pattern of the excretion curve. Nineteen hydronephrotic units (43.1%) were obstructed. Some degree of cortical atrophy-grades 3 (segmental) or 4 (diffuse)-was present in those obstructed units. AGS grades had 100% sensitivity, 76% of specificity and 86.4% of accuracy. The absence of ureteral jets had a sensitivity of 73.68%, a specificity of 100% with an accuracy of 88.6%. When we analyzed the two aspects together and considered obstructed the renal units classified as AGS grade 3 or 4 with no jets, sensitivity increased to 78.9%, accuracy to 92%, remaining with a maximum specificity of 100%. These features combined would allow us to avoid performing DRS in 61% of our patients, leaving more invasive tests to inconclusive cases. Although DRS remains the mainstay to distinguishing obstructive from non-obstructive kidneys, grade of hydronephrosis and frequency of ureteral jets, independently or in combination may be a reliable alternative in the mostly cases.This alternative approach has high accuracy, it is less invasive, easily reproducible and may play a role in the diagnosis of obstruction in pediatric population.

Positron lifetime setup based on DRS4 evaluation board

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petriska, M.; Sojak, S.; Slugeň, V.

2014-04-01

A digital positron lifetime setup based on DRS4 evaluation board designed at the Paul Scherrer Institute has been constructed and tested in the Positron annihilation laboratory Slovak University of Technology Bratislava. The high bandwidth, low power consumption and short readout time make DRS4 chip attractive for positron annihilation lifetime (PALS) setup, replacing traditional ADCs and TDCs. A software for PALS setup online and offline pulse analysis was developed with Qt,Qwt and ALGLIB libraries.

Evaluation of Decision Rules in a Tiered Assessment of Inhalation Exposure to Nanomaterials.

PubMed

Brouwer, Derk; Boessen, Ruud; van Duuren-Stuurman, Birgit; Bard, Delphine; Moehlmann, Carsten; Bekker, Cindy; Fransman, Wouter; Klein Entink, Rinke

2016-10-01

Tiered or stepwise approaches to assess occupational exposure to nano-objects, and their agglomerates and aggregates have been proposed, which require decision rules (DRs) to move to a next tier, or terminate the assessment. In a desk study the performance of a number of DRs based on the evaluation of results from direct reading instruments was investigated by both statistical simulations and the application of the DRs to real workplace data sets. A statistical model that accounts for autocorrelation patterns in time-series, i.e. autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA), was used as 'gold' standard. The simulations showed that none of the proposed DRs covered the entire range of simulated scenarios with respect to the ARIMA model parameters, however, a combined DR showed a slightly better agreement. Application of the DRs to real workplace datasets (n = 117) revealed sensitivity up to 0.72, whereas the lowest observed specificity was 0.95. The selection of the most appropriate DR is very much dependent on the consequences of the decision, i.e. ruling in or ruling out of scenarios for further evaluation. Since a basic assessment may also comprise of other type of measurements and information, an evaluation logic was proposed which embeds the DRs, but furthermore supports decision making in view of a tiered-approach exposure assessment. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Occupational Hygiene Society.

Performance of the disease risk score in a cohort study with policy-induced selection bias.

PubMed

Tadrous, Mina; Mamdani, Muhammad M; Juurlink, David N; Krahn, Murray D; Lévesque, Linda E; Cadarette, Suzanne M

2015-11-01

To examine the performance of the disease risk score (DRS) in a cohort study with evidence of policy-induced selection bias. We examined two cohorts of new users of bisphosphonates. Estimates for 1-year hip fracture rates between agents using DRS, exposure propensity scores and traditional multivariable analysis were compared. The results for the cohort with no evidence of policy-induced selection bias showed little variation across analyses (-4.1-2.0%). Analysis of the cohort with evidence of policy-induced selection bias showed greater variation (-13.5-8.1%), with the greatest difference seen with DRS analyses. Our findings suggest that caution may be warranted when using DRS methods in cohort studies with policy-induced selection bias, further research is needed.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of an early-initiated, continuous chain of rehabilitation after severe traumatic brain injury.

PubMed

Andelic, Nada; Ye, Jiajia; Tornas, Sveinung; Roe, Cecilie; Lu, Juan; Bautz-Holter, Erik; Moger, Tron; Sigurdardottir, Solrun; Schanke, Anne-Kristine; Aas, Eline

2014-07-15

The aim of this study is to estimate the long-term cost-effectiveness of two different rehabilitation trajectories after severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI). A decision tree model compared hospitalization costs, health effects, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) of a continuous chain versus a broken chain of rehabilitation. The expected costs were estimated by the reimbursement system using diagnosis-related group and based on point estimates of the Disability Rating Scale (DRS); the health effects were measured by means of area under the curve (AUC). The incremental health benefit was estimated as the difference in the AUCs between the chains. Lower values on the DRS scale indicate better health; thus, smaller AUCs were preferred. The modeled population was a cohort of 59 patients with sTBI (30 in continuous chain; 29 in broken chain) with 6-weeks, 1-year, and 5-year post-injury follow-ups. Regarding the DRS estimates, 5-year AUCs were 19.40 (continuous chain) and 23.46 (broken chain). Across 5 years, the continuous chain of rehabilitation had lower costs and better health effects. By replacing the broken chain with the continuous chain, NOK 37.000 could be saved and 4.06 DRS points gained. By means of probabilistic sensitivity analysis, the majority of ICER estimates (67% of the Monte Carlo simulations) indicated that a continuous chain of rehabilitation was less costly and more effective. These findings indicate that the trajectory of continuous rehabilitation represents a dominant strategy in that it reduces costs and improves outcomes after sTBI under reasonable assumptions.

Factor analysis of the Colombian translation of the Delirium Rating Scale (DRS), Revised-98.

PubMed

Franco, José G; Trzepacz, Paula T; Mejía, Mario A; Ochoa, Sol B

2009-01-01

The phenomenology of delirium needs further elucidation using validated tools. The authors sought to derive valid factors from the Delirium Rating Scale (DRS), Revised -98. A factor analysis of the DRS-R-98 was performed among 161 medical-surgical patients. Scores ranged from 0 to 7 in 120 patients (74.53%; no delirium), 8 to 13 in 19 (11.80%; subclinical/prodromal delirium), and > or = 14 in 22 (13.66%; delirium). The DSM-IV-TR delirium incidence was 19.87%. The first two rotated factors explained 63.37% of the variance and may correspond to Cognition and Psychosis/Agitation factors. The dimension of motor retardation loaded with cognitive items. Motor agitation and retardation clustered with inattention, which is the cardinal symptom of delirium. The DRS-R-98 has good construct validity in this Latino population.

Prediction of Ba, Co and Ni for tropical soils using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arantes Camargo, Livia; Marques Júnior, José; Reynaldo Ferracciú Alleoni, Luís; Tadeu Pereira, Gener; De Bortoli Teixeira, Daniel; Santos Rabelo de Souza Bahia, Angélica

2017-04-01

Environmental impact assessments may be assisted by spatial characterization of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) are rapid, non-destructive, low-cost, prediction tools for a simultaneous characterization of different soil attributes. Although low concentrations of PTEs might preclude the observation of spectral features, their contents can be predicted using spectroscopy by exploring the existing relationship between the PTEs and soil attributes with spectral features. This study aimed to evaluate, in three geomorphic surfaces of Oxisols, the capacity for predicting PTEs (Ba, Co, and Ni) and their spatial variability by means of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). For that, soil samples were collected from three geomorphic surfaces and analyzed for chemical, physical, and mineralogical properties, and then analyzed in DRS (visible + near infrared - VIS+NIR and medium infrared - MIR) and XRF equipment. PTE prediction models were calibrated using partial least squares regression (PLSR). PTE spatial distribution maps were built using the values calculated by the calibrated models that reached the best accuracy using geostatistics. PTE prediction models were satisfactorily calibrated using MIR DRS for Ba, and Co (residual prediction deviation - RPD > 3.0), Vis DRS for Ni (RPD > 2.0) and FRX for all the studied PTEs (RPD > 1.8). DRS- and XRF-predicted values allowed the characterization and the understanding of spatial variability of the studied PTEs.

Regeneration of hepatocyte 'buds' in cirrhosis from intrabiliary stem cells.

PubMed

Falkowski, Olga; An, Hee Jung; Ianus, I Andreea; Chiriboga, Luis; Yee, Herman; West, A Brian; Theise, Neil D

2003-09-01

In massive hepatic necrosis, hepatic stem cells constitute a canal of Hering derived, cytokeratin 19 (CK19) positive 'ductular reaction' (DR). Whether DRs in cirrhosis are activated stem cells (so called 'buds') or biliary metaplasia of cholestatic, injured hepatocytes is still debated. We investigate derivation of intraseptal hepatocytes (ISHs) from DRs and from the biliary tree in cirrhosis. Explants of hepatitis B and C, alcohol, primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis-related cirrhosis were examined. ISHs were quantified and their associations with DRs and cholestasis recorded. 3D-reconstruction of ISHs and nearby bile ducts was performed in blocks from hepatitis C and primary sclerosing cholangitis cirrhosis. Seven hundred seventy five/830 (94%) ISHs were associated with CK19 positive DRs. ISHs without ductular reactions were more likely to show cholestatic features (P<0.0001). In 3D, ISHs were seen to bud directly from the biliary tree. In summary: ISHs: (1) are usually associated with stem cell-like DRs; (2) are rarely cholestatic, leaving the associated DRs unexplained; and (3) are linked to the biliary tree in 3D. Dynamic proliferation rates in hepatitis C over time suggest that hepatocyte replication diminishes in late stages, with an associated activation of the biliary stem cell compartment. We therefore suggest that the biliary tree, from at least its smaller branches up to the canals of Hering, are composed of or at least harbor facultative hepatic stem cells, and that ISH largely represent 'buds' of newly formed hepatocytes.

Interventions to increase attendance for diabetic retinopathy screening.

PubMed

Lawrenson, John G; Graham-Rowe, Ella; Lorencatto, Fabiana; Burr, Jennifer; Bunce, Catey; Francis, Jillian J; Aluko, Patricia; Rice, Stephen; Vale, Luke; Peto, Tunde; Presseau, Justin; Ivers, Noah; Grimshaw, Jeremy M

2018-01-15

Despite evidence supporting the effectiveness of diabetic retinopathy screening (DRS) in reducing the risk of sight loss, attendance for screening is consistently below recommended levels. The primary objective of the review was to assess the effectiveness of quality improvement (QI) interventions that seek to increase attendance for DRS in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.Secondary objectives were:To use validated taxonomies of QI intervention strategies and behaviour change techniques (BCTs) to code the description of interventions in the included studies and determine whether interventions that include particular QI strategies or component BCTs are more effective in increasing screening attendance;To explore heterogeneity in effect size within and between studies to identify potential explanatory factors for variability in effect size;To explore differential effects in subgroups to provide information on how equity of screening attendance could be improved;To critically appraise and summarise current evidence on the resource use, costs and cost effectiveness. We searched the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, ProQuest Family Health, OpenGrey, the ISRCTN, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the WHO ICTRP to identify randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that were designed to improve attendance for DRS or were evaluating general quality improvement (QI) strategies for diabetes care and reported the effect of the intervention on DRS attendance. We searched the resources on 13 February 2017. We did not use any date or language restrictions in the searches. We included RCTs that compared any QI intervention to usual care or a more intensive (stepped) intervention versus a less intensive intervention. We coded the QI strategy using a modification of the taxonomy developed by Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC) and BCTs using the BCT Taxonomy version 1 (BCTTv1). We used Place of residence, Race/ethnicity/culture/language, Occupation, Gender/sex, Religion, Education, Socioeconomic status, and Social capital (PROGRESS) elements to describe the characteristics of participants in the included studies that could have an impact on equity of access to health services.Two review authors independently extracted data. One review author entered the data into Review Manager 5 and a second review author checked them. Two review authors independently assessed risks of bias in the included studies and extracted data. We rated certainty of evidence using GRADE. We included 66 RCTs conducted predominantly (62%) in the USA. Overall we judged the trials to be at low or unclear risk of bias. QI strategies were multifaceted and targeted patients, healthcare professionals or healthcare systems. Fifty-six studies (329,164 participants) compared intervention versus usual care (median duration of follow-up 12 months). Overall, DRS attendance increased by 12% (risk difference (RD) 0.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.10 to 0.14; low-certainty evidence) compared with usual care, with substantial heterogeneity in effect size. Both DRS-targeted (RD 0.17, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.22) and general QI interventions (RD 0.12, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.15) were effective, particularly where baseline DRS attendance was low. All BCT combinations were associated with significant improvements, particularly in those with poor attendance. We found higher effect estimates in subgroup analyses for the BCTs 'goal setting (outcome)' (RD 0.26, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.36) and 'feedback on outcomes of behaviour' (RD 0.22, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.29) in interventions targeting patients, and 'restructuring the social environment' (RD 0.19, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.26) and 'credible source' (RD 0.16, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.24) in interventions targeting healthcare professionals.Ten studies (23,715 participants) compared a more intensive (stepped) intervention versus a less intensive intervention. In these studies DRS attendance increased by 5% (RD 0.05, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.09; moderate-certainty evidence).Fourteen studies reporting any QI intervention compared to usual care included economic outcomes. However, only five of these were full economic evaluations. Overall, we found that there is insufficient evidence to draw robust conclusions about the relative cost effectiveness of the interventions compared to each other or against usual care.With the exception of gender and ethnicity, the characteristics of participants were poorly described in terms of PROGRESS elements. Seventeen studies (25.8%) were conducted in disadvantaged populations. No studies were carried out in low- or middle-income countries. The results of this review provide evidence that QI interventions targeting patients, healthcare professionals or the healthcare system are associated with meaningful improvements in DRS attendance compared to usual care. There was no statistically significant difference between interventions specifically aimed at DRS and those which were part of a general QI strategy for improving diabetes care. This is a significant finding, due to the additional benefits of general QI interventions in terms of improving glycaemic control, vascular risk management and screening for other microvascular complications. It is likely that further (but smaller) improvements in DRS attendance can also be achieved by increasing the intensity of a particular QI component or adding further components.

Mattis dementia rating scale (DRS) normative data for the brazilian middle-age and elderly populations.

PubMed

Foss, Maria Paula; de Carvalho, Viviane Amaral; Machado, Thais Helena; Dos Reis, Geraldo Cássio; Tumas, Vitor; Caramelli, Paulo; Nitrini, Ricardo; Porto, Cláudia Sellitto

2013-01-01

To expand norms for the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (DRS) for the Brazilian middle-age and elderly populations. The DRS was administered to 502 individuals without cognitive deficits, 312 women and 190 men, aged 50 years or over and with educational level ranging from 0 to 13 years or more. The sample was composed of subjects who participated in other studies, from Caeté (Minas Gerais state), Ribeirão Preto (São Paulo state) and São Paulo (São Paulo state). Participants were divided into four schooling groups (illiterate, 1 to 4 years, 5 to 12 years and 13 years or more). The subjects were divided into four groups according to age (50 to 60, 61 to 70, 71 to 80, and 80 years or over). Normative data for DRS scores are expressed as percentile values. The group with lowest schooling and subjects older than 80 years had the worst scores. As expected, age and education were strongly correlated with DRS scores. Illiterates and older old individuals performed worse than the other groups. These data might help to improve the accuracy of the diagnosis of cognitive impairment and dementia in Brazilian middle-age and elderly populations.

Using a Simple Knowledge Organization System to facilitate Catalogue and Search for the ESA CCI Open Data Portal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilson, Antony; Bennett, Victoria; Donegan, Steve; Juckes, Martin; Kershaw, Philip; Petrie, Ruth; Stephens, Ag; Waterfall, Alison

2016-04-01

The ESA Climate Change Initiative (CCI) is a €75m programme that runs from 2009-2016, with a goal to provide stable, long-term, satellite-based essential climate variable (ECV) data products for climate modellers and researchers. As part of the CCI, ESA have funded the Open Data Portal project to establish a central repository to bring together the data from these multiple sources and make it available in a consistent way, in order to maximise its dissemination amongst the international user community. Search capabilities are a critical component to attaining this goal. To this end, the project is providing dataset-level metadata in the form of ISO 19115 records served via a standard OGC CSW interface. In addition, the Open Data Portal is re-using the search system from the Earth System Grid Federation (ESGF), successfully applied to support CMIP5 (5th Coupled Model Intercomparison Project) and obs4MIPs. This uses a tightly defined controlled vocabulary of metadata terms, the DRS (The Data Reference Syntax) which encompass different aspects of the data. This system hs facilitated the construction of a powerful faceted search interface to enable users to discover data at the individual file level of granularity through ESGF's web portal frontend. The use of a consistent set of model experiments for CMIP5 allowed the definition of a uniform DRS for all model data served from ESGF. For CCI however, there are thirteen ECVs, each of which is derived from multiple sources and different science communities resulting in highly heterogeneous metadata. An analysis has been undertaken of the concepts in use, with the aim to produce a CCI DRS which could be provide a single authoritative source for cataloguing and searching the CCI data for the Open Data Portal. The use of SKOS (Simple Knowledge Organization System) and OWL (Web Ontology Language) to represent the DRS are a natural fit and provide controlled vocabularies as well as a way to represent relationships between similar terms used in different ECVs. An iterative approach has been adopted for the model development working closely with domain experts and drawing on practical experience working with content in the input datasets. Tooling has been developed to enable the definition of vocabulary terms via a simple spreadsheet format which can then be automatically converted into Turtle notation and uploaded to the CCI DRS vocabulary service. With a baseline model established, work is underway to develop an ingestion pipeline to import validated search metadata into the ESGF and OGC CSW search services. In addition to the search terms indexed into the ESGF search system, ISO 19115 records will also be similarly tagged during this process with search terms from the data model. In this way it will be possible to construct a faceted search user interface for the Portal which can yield linked search results for data both at the file and dataset level granularity. It is hoped that this will also provide a rich range of content for third-party organisations wishing to incorporate access to CCI data in their own applications and services.

Diabetes abolishes the cardioprotection induced by sevoflurane postconditioning in the rat heart in vivo: roles of glycogen synthase kinase-3β and its upstream pathways.

PubMed

Tai, Wenjun; Shi, Enyi; Yan, Lihui; Jiang, Xiaojing; Ma, Hong; Ai, Chunyu

2012-11-01

We measured the cardioprotection afforded by sevoflurane postconditioning in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (DRs) and determined the roles of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) in such a procedure. DRs and nondiabetic rats (NDRs) were subjected to a 30-min coronary artery occlusion followed by a 120-min reperfusion. Postconditioning was achieved by inhalation of 1 minimum alveolar concentration sevoflurane at the first 5 min of reperfusion. The infarct size was determined by triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Expressions of GSK-3β, Akt, and ERK1/2 were measured using Western blotting. In NDRs, the infarct size was significantly decreased from 53.4% ± 7.6% to 34.9% ± 5.6% by sevoflurane postconditioning (P < 0.01). Such an anti-infarct effect was abolished completely in the DRs, as evidenced by a similar infarct size observed between the sevoflurane-treated and untreated DRs (49.3% ± 8.6% and 49.6% ± 9.3%, respectively, P > 0.05). Direct inhibition of GSK-3β by injection of SB216763 just before the start of reperfusion induced equivalent infarct-sparing effects in both NDRs (37.8% ± 3.9% and 53.4% ± 7.6% in SB216763-treated and untreated NDRs, respectively; P < 0.01) and DRs (38.8% ± 3.2% and 49.3% ± 8.6% in SB216763-treated and untreated DRs, respectively; P < 0.05). Sevoflurane postconditioning remarkably enhanced the phosphorylation of GSK-3β Ser(9), Akt Ser(473), and ERK1/2 in NDRs, which were blocked in DRs. The cardioprotection induced by sevoflurane postconditioning is abolished by diabetes. This might be due to the impairment of phosphorylation of GSK-3β and its upstream signaling pathways of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt and ERK1/2 in the presence of diabetes. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Purification of a phospholipase A2 from Daboia russelii siamensis venom with anticancer effects

PubMed Central

Khunsap, Suchitra; Pakmanee, Narumol; Khow, Orawan; Chanhome, Lawan; Sitprija, Visith; Suntravat, Montamas; Lucena, Sara E; Perez, John C; Sánchez, Elda E

2011-01-01

Venom phospholipases A2 (PLA2) are associated with neurotoxic, myotoxic, cardiotoxic, platelet aggregation, and edema activities. A PLA2 (Drs-PLA2) was purified from Daboia russelii siamensis venom by a two-step purification procedure consisting of size-exclusion, followed by anion exchange high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The molecular weight of the Drs-PLA2 was 13,679Da, which was determined by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Its N-terminal amino acid sequence was homologous to basic PLA2s of viperid snake venoms. The Drs-PLA2 had indirect hemolytic and anticoagulant activities, cytotoxic activity with a CC50 of 65.8nM, and inhibited SK-MEL-28 cell migration with an IC50 of 25.6nM. In addition, the Drs-PLA2 inhibited the colonization of B16F10 cells in lungs of BALB/c mice by ∼65%. PMID:22091349

Diffuse near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy during heatstroke in a mouse model: pilot study.

PubMed

Abookasis, David; Zafrir, Elad; Nesher, Elimelech; Pinhasov, Albert; Sternklar, Shmuel; Mathews, Marlon S

2012-10-01

Heatstroke, a form of hyperthermia, is a life-threatening condition characterized by an elevated core body temperature that rises above 40°C (104°F) and central nervous system dysfunction that results in delirium, convulsions, or coma. Without emergency treatment, the victim lapses into a coma and death soon follows. The study presented was conducted with a diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) setup to assess the effects of brain dysfunction that occurred during heatstroke in mice model (n=6). It was hypothesized that DRS can be utilized in small animal studies to monitor change in internal brain tissue temperature during heatstroke injury since it induces a sequence of pathologic changes that change the tissue composition and structure. Heatstroke was induced by exposure of the mice body under general anesthesia, to a high ambient temperature. A type of DRS in which the brain tissue was illuminated through the intact scalp with a broadband light source and diffuse reflected spectra was employed, taking in the spectral region between 650 and 1000 nm and acquired at an angle of 90 deg at a position on the scalp ∼12  mm from the illumination site. The temperature at the onset of the experiment was ∼34°C (rectal temperature) with increasing intervals of 1°C until mouse death. The increase in temperature caused optical scattering signal changes consistent with a structural alteration of brain tissue, ultimately resulting in death. We have found that the peak absorbance intensity and its second derivative at specific wavelengths correlate well with temperature with an exponential dependence. Based on these findings, in order to estimate the influence of temperature on the internal brain tissue a reflectance-temperature index was established and was seen to correlate as well with measured temperature. Overall, results indicate variations in neural tissue properties during heatstroke and the feasibility to monitor and assess internal temperature variations using DRS. Although several approaches have described the rise in temperature and its impact on tissue, to the best of our knowledge no information is available describing the ability to monitor temperature during heatstroke with DRS. The motivation of this study was to successfully describe this ability.

A new paradigm of dielectric relaxation spectroscopy for non-invasive detection of breast abnormalities: a preliminary feasibility analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dhurjaty, Sreeram; Qiu, Yuchen; Tan, Maxine; Qian, Wei; Zheng, Bin

2016-03-01

In order to improve efficacy of screening mammography, in recent years, we have been investigating the feasibility of applying a resonance-frequency based electrical impedance spectroscopy (REIS) technology to noninvasively detect breast abnormalities that may lead to the development of cancer in the near-term. Despite promising study-results, we found that REIS suffered from relatively poor reproducibility due to perturbations in electrode placement, contact pressure variation on the breast, as well as variation of the resonating inductor. To overcome this limitation, in this study, we propose and analyze a new paradigm of Dielectric Relaxation Spectroscopy (DRS) that measures polarization-lag of dielectric signals in breast-capacitance when excited by the pulses or sine waves. Unlike conventional DRS that operates using the signals at very high frequencies (GHz) to examine changes in polarization, our new method detects and characterizes the dielectric properties of tissue at low frequencies (<=10 MHz) due to the advent of inexpensive oscillators that are accurate to 1 pico-second (used in GPS receivers) as well as measurement of amplitudes of 1 ppm or better. From theoretical analysis, we have proved that the sensitivity of new DRS in detecting permittivity of water increased by >=80 times as compared to conventional DRS, which operates at frequencies around 4GHz. By analyzing and comparing the relationship between the new DRS and REIS, we found that this DRS has potential advantages in enhancing repeatability from various readings, including temperature-insensitive detection, and yielding higher resolution or sensitivity (up to 100 Femtofarads).

Simultaneous Occurrence of Duane Retraction Syndrome with Marfan Syndrome

PubMed Central

Kothari, Mihir; Manurung, Florence; Mithiya, Bhavesh

2011-01-01

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant disorder of connective tissue, while Duane retraction syndrome (DRS) is a congenital cranial dysinnervation disorder (CCDD) which can be transmitted as autosomal dominant disorder in 5–10% of patients. In this paper, we present an 8-year-old girl who presented with left eye DRS and bilateral subluxation of the lens associated with MFS in absence of familial involvement. To our knowledge this is the first case report of DRS with MFS. The occurrence of these syndromes together is very rare and appears to be coincidental. PMID:22606474

Mattis dementia rating scale (DRS) normative data for the brazilian middle-age and elderly populations

PubMed Central

Foss, Maria Paula; de Carvalho, Viviane Amaral; Machado, Thais Helena; dos Reis, Geraldo Cássio; Tumas, Vitor; Caramelli, Paulo; Nitrini, Ricardo; Porto, Cláudia Sellitto

2013-01-01

OBJECTIVE To expand norms for the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (DRS) for the Brazilian middle-age and elderly populations. METHODS The DRS was administered to 502 individuals without cognitive deficits, 312 women and 190 men, aged 50 years or over and with educational level ranging from 0 to 13 years or more. The sample was composed of subjects who participated in other studies, from Caeté (Minas Gerais state), Ribeirão Preto (São Paulo state) and São Paulo (São Paulo state). Participants were divided into four schooling groups (illiterate, 1 to 4 years, 5 to 12 years and 13 years or more). The subjects were divided into four groups according to age (50 to 60, 61 to 70, 71 to 80, and 80 years or over). RESULTS Normative data for DRS scores are expressed as percentile values. The group with lowest schooling and subjects older than 80 years had the worst scores. CONCLUSION As expected, age and education were strongly correlated with DRS scores. Illiterates and older old individuals performed worse than the other groups. These data might help to improve the accuracy of the diagnosis of cognitive impairment and dementia in Brazilian middle-age and elderly populations. PMID:29213861

Elimination of single-beam substitution error in diffuse reflectance measurements using an integrating sphere.

PubMed

Vidovic, Luka; Majaron, Boris

2014-02-01

Diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) of biological samples are commonly measured using an integrating sphere (IS). To account for the incident light spectrum, measurement begins by placing a highly reflective white standard against the IS sample opening and collecting the reflected light. After replacing the white standard with the test sample of interest, DRS of the latter is determined as the ratio of the two values at each involved wavelength. However, such a substitution may alter the fluence rate inside the IS. This leads to distortion of measured DRS, which is known as single-beam substitution error (SBSE). Barring the use of more complex experimental setups, the literature states that only approximate corrections of the SBSE are possible, e.g., by using look-up tables generated with calibrated low-reflectivity standards. We present a practical method for elimination of SBSE when using IS equipped with an additional reference port. Two additional measurements performed at this port enable a rigorous elimination of SBSE. Our experimental characterization of SBSE is replicated by theoretical derivation. This offers an alternative possibility of computational removal of SBSE based on advance characterization of a specific DRS setup. The influence of SBSE on quantitative analysis of DRS is illustrated in one application example.

Evaluating the Validity of Classroom Observations in the Head Start Designation Renewal System

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mashburn, Andrew J.

2017-01-01

Classroom observations are increasingly common in education policies as a means to assess the quality of teachers and/or education programs for purposes of making high-stakes decisions. This article considers one policy, the Head Start Designation Renewal System (DRS), which involves classroom observations to assess the quality of Head Start…

In Situ Effective Diffusion Coefficient Profiles in Live Biofilms Using Pulsed-Field Gradient Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

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

Renslow, Ryan S.; Majors, Paul D.; McLean, Jeffrey S.

2010-08-15

Diffusive mass transfer in biofilms is characterized by the effective diffusion coefficient. It is well-documented that the effective diffusion coefficient can vary by location in a biofilm. The current literature is dominated by effective diffusion coefficient measurements for distinct cell clusters and stratified biofilms showing this spatial variation. Regardless of whether distinct cell clusters or surface-averaging methods are used, position-dependent measurements of the effective diffusion coefficient are currently: 1) invasive to the biofilm, 2) performed under unnatural conditions, 3) lethal to cells, and/or 4) spatially restricted to only certain regions of the biofilm. Invasive measurements can lead to inaccurate resultsmore » and prohibit further (time dependent) measurements which are important for the mathematical modeling of biofilms. In this study our goals were to: 1) measure the effective diffusion coefficient for water in live biofilms, 2) monitor how the effective diffusion coefficient changes over time under growth conditions, and 3) correlate the effective diffusion coefficient with depth in the biofilm. We measured in situ two-dimensional effective diffusion coefficient maps within Shewanella oneidensis MR-1biofilms using pulsed-field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance methods, and used them to calculate surface-averaged relative effective diffusion coefficient (Drs) profiles. We found that 1) Drs decreased from the top of the biofilm to the bottom, 2) Drs profiles differed for biofilms of different ages, 3) Drs profiles changed over time and generally decreased with time, 4) all the biofilms showed very similar Drs profiles near the top of the biofilm, and 5) the Drs profile near the bottom of the biofilm was different for each biofilm. Practically, our results demonstrate that advanced biofilm models should use a variable effective diffusivity which changes with time and location in the biofilm.« less

Treatment of denture-related stomatitis improves endothelial function assessed by flow-mediated vascular dilation.

PubMed

Osmenda, Grzegorz; Maciąg, Joanna; Wilk, Grzegorz; Maciąg, Anna; Nowakowski, Daniel; Loster, Jolanta; Dembowska, Elżbieta; Robertson, Douglas; Guzik, Tomasz; Cześnikiewicz-Guzik, Marta

2017-02-01

The presence of oral inflammation has recently been linked with the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. While numerous studies have described links between periodontitis and endothelial dysfunction, little is known about the influence of denture-related stomatitis (DRS) on cardiovascular risk. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether the treatment of DRS can lead to improvement of the clinical measures of vascular dysfunction. The DRS patients were treated with a local oral antifungal agent for 3 weeks. Blood pressure, flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and nitroglycerine-mediated vascular dilatation (NMD) were measured during three study visits: before treatment, one day and two months after conclusion of antifungal therapy. Flow-mediated dilatation measurements showed significant improvement of endothelial function 2 months after treatment (FMD median 5%, 95 CI: 3-8.3 vs. 11%, 95% CI: 8.8-14.4; p < 0.01), while there was no difference in control, endothelium-independent vasorelaxations (NMD; median = 15.3%, 95% CI: 10.8-19.3 vs. 12.7%, 95% CI: 10.6-15; p = 0.3). Other cardiovascular parameters such as systolic (median = 125 mm Hg; 95% CI: 116-129 vs. 120 mm Hg, 95% CI: 116-126; p = 0.1) as well as diastolic blood pressure and heart rate (median = 65.5 bpm, 95% CI: 56.7-77.7 vs. 71 bpm, 95% CI: 66.7-75; p = 0.5) did not change during or after the treatment. Treatment of DRS is associated with improvement of endothelial function. Since endothelial dysfunction is known to precede the development of severe cardiovascular disorders such as atherosclerosis and hypertension, patients should be more carefully screened for DRS in general dental practice, and immediate DRS treatment should be advised.

The diagnosis, prevalence and outcome of delirium in a cohort of older people with mental health problems on general hospital wards.

PubMed

Whittamore, Kathy H; Goldberg, Sarah E; Gladman, John R F; Bradshaw, Lucy E; Jones, Rob G; Harwood, Rowan H

2014-01-01

This paper aimed to measure the prevalence and outcomes of delirium for patients over 70 admitted to a general hospital for acute medical care and to assess the validity of the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (DRS-R-98) in this setting. Prospective study in a British acute general hospital providing sole emergency medical services for its locality. We screened consecutive patients over 70 with an unplanned emergency hospital admission and recruited a cohort of 249 patients likely to have mental health problems. They were assessed for health status at baseline and followed over 6 months. A sub-sample of 93 participants was assessed clinically for delirium. 27% (95% confidence interval (CI) 23-31) of all older medical patients admitted to hospital had DRS-diagnosed delirium, and 41% (95% CI 37-45) had dementia (including 19% with co-morbid delirium and dementia). Compared with clinician diagnosis, DRS-R-98 sensitivity was at least 0.75, specificity 0.71. Compared with reversible cognitive impairment, sensitivity was at least 0.50, specificity 0.67. DRS-diagnosed delirium was associated with cognitive impairment, mood, behavioural and psychological symptoms, activities of daily living, and number of drugs prescribed, supporting construct validity. Of those with DRS-diagnosed delirium, 37% died within 6 months (relative risk 1.4, 95% CI 0.97-2.2), 43% had reversible cognitive impairment, but only 25% had clinically important recovery in activities of daily living. Behavioural and psychological symptoms were common and mostly resolved, but new symptoms frequently developed. Delirium is common. Some, but not all, features are reversible. DRS-R-98 has reasonable validity in populations where co-morbid dementia is prevalent. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Functional analysis of overexpressed PtDRS1 involved in abiotic stresses enhances growth in transgenic poplar.

PubMed

Mohammadi, Kourosh; Movahedi, Ali; Maleki, Samaneh Sadat; Sun, Weibo; Zhang, Jiaxin; Almasi Zadeh Yaghuti, Amir; Nourmohammadi, Saeed; Zhuge, Qiang

2018-05-01

Drought and salinity are two main abiotic stressors that can disrupt plant growth and survival. Various biotechnological approaches have been used to alleviate the problem of drought stress by improving water stress resistance in forestry and agriculture. The drought sensitive 1 (DRS1) gene acts as a regulator of drought stress, identified in human, yeast and some model plants, such as Arabidopsis thaliana, but there have been no reports of DRS1 transformation in poplar plants to date. In this study, we transformed the DRS1 gene from Populus trichocarpa into Populus deltoides × Populus euramericana 'Nanlin895' using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. We confirmed that the DRS1 gene was transformed into 'Nanlin895' poplar genomes using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR), multiplex PCR, real-time PCR, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. All transformed and wild-type (WT) plants were then transferred into a greenhouse for complementary experiments. We analyzed the physiological and biochemical responses of transgenic plants under drought and salt stresses in the greenhouse, and the results were compared with control WT plants. Responses to abiotic stress were greater in transgenic plants compared with WT. Based on our results, introduction of the DRS1 gene into poplar 'Nanlin895' plants significantly enhanced the resistance of those plants to water deficit and high salinity, allowing higher growth rates of roots and shoots in those plants. Additionally, the clawed root rate increased in transformed poplars grown in culture media or in soil, and improved survival under drought and salt stress conditions. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

CIN85 regulates dopamine receptor endocytosis and governs behaviour in mice

PubMed Central

Shimokawa, Noriaki; Haglund, Kaisa; Hölter, Sabine M; Grabbe, Caroline; Kirkin, Vladimir; Koibuchi, Noriyuki; Schultz, Christian; Rozman, Jan; Hoeller, Daniela; Qiu, Chun-Hong; Londoño, Marina B; Ikezawa, Jun; Jedlicka, Peter; Stein, Birgit; Schwarzacher, Stephan W; Wolfer, David P; Ehrhardt, Nicole; Heuchel, Rainer; Nezis, Ioannis; Brech, Andreas; Schmidt, Mirko H H; Fuchs, Helmut; Gailus-Durner, Valerie; Klingenspor, Martin; Bogler, Oliver; Wurst, Wolfgang; Deller, Thomas; de Angelis, Martin Hrabé; Dikic, Ivan

2010-01-01

Despite extensive investigations of Cbl-interacting protein of 85 kDa (CIN85) in receptor trafficking and cytoskeletal dynamics, little is known about its functions in vivo. Here, we report the study of a mouse deficient of the two CIN85 isoforms expressed in the central nervous system, exposing a function of CIN85 in dopamine receptor endocytosis. Mice lacking CIN85 exon 2 (CIN85Δex2) show hyperactivity phenotypes, characterized by increased physical activity and exploratory behaviour. Interestingly, CIN85Δex2 animals display abnormally high levels of dopamine and D2 dopamine receptors (D2DRs) in the striatum, an important centre for the coordination of animal behaviour. Importantly, CIN85 localizes to the post-synaptic compartment of striatal neurons in which it co-clusters with D2DRs. Moreover, it interacts with endocytic regulators such as dynamin and endophilins in the striatum. Absence of striatal CIN85 causes insufficient complex formation of endophilins with D2DRs in the striatum and ultimately decreased D2DR endocytosis in striatal neurons in response to dopamine stimulation. These findings indicate an important function of CIN85 in the regulation of dopamine receptor functions and provide a molecular explanation for the hyperactive behaviour of CIN85Δex2 mice. PMID:20551902

Augmenting cognitive architectures to support diagrammatic imagination.

PubMed

Chandrasekaran, Balakrishnan; Banerjee, Bonny; Kurup, Unmesh; Lele, Omkar

2011-10-01

Diagrams are a form of spatial representation that supports reasoning and problem solving. Even when diagrams are external, not to mention when there are no external representations, problem solving often calls for internal representations, that is, representations in cognition, of diagrammatic elements and internal perceptions on them. General cognitive architectures--Soar and ACT-R, to name the most prominent--do not have representations and operations to support diagrammatic reasoning. In this article, we examine some requirements for such internal representations and processes in cognitive architectures. We discuss the degree to which DRS, our earlier proposal for such an internal representation for diagrams, meets these requirements. In DRS, the diagrams are not raw images, but a composition of objects that can be individuated and thus symbolized, while, unlike traditional symbols, the referent of the symbol is an object that retains its perceptual essence, namely, its spatiality. This duality provides a way to resolve what anti-imagists thought was a contradiction in mental imagery: the compositionality of mental images that seemed to be unique to symbol systems, and their support of a perceptual experience of images and some types of perception on them. We briefly review the use of DRS to augment Soar and ACT-R with a diagrammatic representation component. We identify issues for further research. Copyright © 2011 Cognitive Science Society, Inc.

Improving the photocatalytic hydrogen production of Ag/g-C3N4 nanocomposites by dye-sensitization under visible light irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qin, Jiayi; Huo, Jingpei; Zhang, Piyong; Zeng, Jian; Wang, Tingting; Zeng, Heping

2016-01-01

Ag nanoparticles were deposited on the surface of g-C3N4 by a chemical reduction method to increase visible-light absorption via the localized surface plasmon resonance effect, resulting in the reduced recombination of photo-generated electron-holes and enhanced photocatalytic activity. The Ag/g-C3N4 composite with a Ag loading of 3 wt% has the optimum photoactivity that is almost 3.6 and 3.4 times higher than pure g-C3N4 and the same photocatalysis system which has been reported, respectively. Fluorescein was introduced as a photosensitizer and H2 evolution soared to 2014.20 μmol g-1 h-1 and the rate is even about 4.8 times higher than that of the 3 wt% Ag/g-C3N4 composite. The chemical structure, composites, morphologies and optical properties of the obtained products are well-characterized by XRD, FTIR, TEM, EDS, XPS and UV-Vis DRS. Meanwhile, the photocatalyst exhibits high stability and reusability.Ag nanoparticles were deposited on the surface of g-C3N4 by a chemical reduction method to increase visible-light absorption via the localized surface plasmon resonance effect, resulting in the reduced recombination of photo-generated electron-holes and enhanced photocatalytic activity. The Ag/g-C3N4 composite with a Ag loading of 3 wt% has the optimum photoactivity that is almost 3.6 and 3.4 times higher than pure g-C3N4 and the same photocatalysis system which has been reported, respectively. Fluorescein was introduced as a photosensitizer and H2 evolution soared to 2014.20 μmol g-1 h-1 and the rate is even about 4.8 times higher than that of the 3 wt% Ag/g-C3N4 composite. The chemical structure, composites, morphologies and optical properties of the obtained products are well-characterized by XRD, FTIR, TEM, EDS, XPS and UV-Vis DRS. Meanwhile, the photocatalyst exhibits high stability and reusability. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: TEM images, TGA curves, PXRD and FTIR spectra, the recycling experiment of 3% Ag/g-C3N4, the specific process for H2 production, the diagram for the rate of hydrogen generation vs. the amount of fluorescein, the figure for the photocatalytic hydrogen production testing system, tables of contrast experiments for photocatalytic hydrogen generation and elemental composition of the CN in all the samples. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr06346a

Multisensor Image Analysis System

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-04-15

AD-A263 679 II Uli! 91 Multisensor Image Analysis System Final Report Authors. Dr. G. M. Flachs Dr. Michael Giles Dr. Jay Jordan Dr. Eric...or decision, unless so designated by other documentation. 93-09739 *>ft s n~. now illlllM3lMVf Multisensor Image Analysis System Final...Multisensor Image Analysis System 3. REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED FINAL: LQj&tt-Z JZOfVL 5. FUNDING NUMBERS 93 > 6. AUTHOR(S) Drs. Gerald

20-mN Variable Specific Impulse (Isp) Colloid Thruster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Demmons, Nathaniel

2015-01-01

Busek Company, Inc., has designed and manufactured an electrospray emitter capable of generating 20 mN in a compact package (7x7x1.7 in). The thruster consists of nine porous-surface emitters operating in parallel from a common propellant supply. Each emitter is capable of supporting over 70,000 electrospray emission sites with the plume from each emitter being accelerated through a single aperture, eliminating the need for individual emission site alignment to an extraction grid. The total number of emission sites during operation is expected to approach 700,000. This Phase II project optimized and characterized the thruster fabricated during the Phase I effort. Additional porous emitters also were fabricated for full-scale testing. Propellant is supplied to the thruster via existing feed-system and microvalve technology previously developed by Busek, under the NASA Space Technology 7's Disturbance Reduction System (ST7-DRS) mission and via follow-on electric propulsion programs. This project investigated methods for extending thruster life beyond the previously demonstrated 450 hours. The life-extending capabilities will be demonstrated on a subscale version of the thruster.

Models & Methods in SCOPE A Status Report

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-04-01

Projecttitel april 2008 Soldaat Optreden Scope Consolidatie Auteur (s) drs. E.M. Ubink Programmanummer Projectnummer dr. W.A. Lotens V707 032.13 114 drs...starvation. The fat and protein involved is handled through the muscle equation. Excess glucose production is converted to body fat. In theory body fat is

Early Training Estimation System

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-08-01

first year efforts in CTES development were Cecil Wakelin, Gavin Livingstone, Ray Walsh« Peter Weddle, David Herlihy, Laurel Brown, Drs. Paul Ronco...and Society, 1980, pp. 1067-1974. David , J., Price, J. Successful communication in full scale engineering development statements of work. Air Force...1980, U.S. Army Engineering Laboratory. Shrier , S. Algorithms for system design. Proceedings of the International Conference on Cybernetics and

Computer-Aided Group Problem Solving for Unified Life Cycle Engineering (ULCE)

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-02-01

defining the problem, generating alternative solutions, evaluating alternatives, selecting alternatives, and implementing the solution. Systems...specialist in group dynamics, assists the group in formulating the problem and selecting a model framework. The analyst provides the group with computer...allocating resources, evaluating and selecting options, making judgments explicit, and analyzing dynamic systems. c. University of Rhode Island Drs. Geoffery

Predictors of Performance on the MMSE and the DRS-2 Among American Indian Elders

PubMed Central

Jervis, Lori L.; Fickenscher, Alexandra; Beals, Janette; Cullum, C. Munro; Novins, Douglas K.; Manson, Spero M.; Arciniegas, David B.

2015-01-01

Little is known about factors that predict older American Indians’ performance on cognitive tests. This study examined 137 American Indian elders’ performance on the MMSE and the Dementia Rating Scale—Second Edition (DRS-2). Multivariate regression identified younger age, more education, not receiving Supplemental Security Income, and frequent receipt of needed health care as predictors of better performance on the MMSE. Better performance on the DRS-2 was predicted by more education, boarding school attendance, not receiving Supplemental Security Income, and frequent receipt of needed health care. This study points to the importance of economic and educational factors on cognitive test performance among American Indian elders. PMID:21037127

Predictors of performance on the MMSE and the DRS-2 among American Indian elders.

PubMed

Jervis, Lori L; Fickenscher, Alexandra; Beals, Janette; Cullum, C Munro; Novins, Douglas K; Manson, Spero M; Arciniegas, David B

2010-01-01

Little is known about factors that predict older American Indians' performance on cognitive tests. This study examined 137 American Indian elders' performance on the MMSE and the Dementia Rating Scale-Second Edition (DRS-2). Multivariate regression identified younger age, more education, not receiving Supplemental Security Income, and frequent receipt of needed health care as predictors of better performance on the MMSE. Better performance on the DRS-2 was predicted by more education, boarding school attendance, not receiving Supplemental Security Income, and frequent receipt of needed health care. This study points to the importance of economic and educational factors on cognitive test performance among American Indian elders.

75 FR 42471 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; NYSE Arca, Inc.; Order Granting Accelerated Approval of Proposed...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-21

... Commission (``Commission''), pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act'') \\1... addition includes other Depositary Receipts (``DRs''), which include Global Depositary Receipts (``GDRs''), Euro Depositary Receipts (``Euro DRs'') and New York Shares (``NYSs'').\\6\\ \\4\\ The Trust is registered...

A new time calibration method for switched-capacitor-array-based waveform samplers

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

Kim, H.; Chen, C. -T.; Eclov, N.

2014-08-24

Here we have developed a new time calibration method for the DRS4 waveform sampler that enables us to precisely measure the non-uniform sampling interval inherent in the switched-capacitor cells of the DRS4. The method uses the proportionality between the differential amplitude and sampling interval of adjacent switched-capacitor cells responding to a sawtooth-shape pulse. In the experiment, a sawtooth-shape pulse with a 40 ns period generated by a Tektronix AWG7102 is fed to a DRS4 evaluation board for calibrating the sampling intervals of all 1024 cells individually. The electronic time resolution of the DRS4 evaluation board with the new time calibrationmore » is measured to be ~2.4 ps RMS by using two simultaneous Gaussian pulses with 2.35 ns full-width at half-maximum and applying a Gaussian fit. The time resolution dependencies on the time difference with the new time calibration are measured and compared to results obtained by another method. Ultimately, the new method could be applicable for other switched-capacitor-array technology-based waveform samplers for precise time calibration.« less

A new time calibration method for switched-capacitor-array-based waveform samplers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, H.; Chen, C.-T.; Eclov, N.; Ronzhin, A.; Murat, P.; Ramberg, E.; Los, S.; Moses, W.; Choong, W.-S.; Kao, C.-M.

2014-12-01

We have developed a new time calibration method for the DRS4 waveform sampler that enables us to precisely measure the non-uniform sampling interval inherent in the switched-capacitor cells of the DRS4. The method uses the proportionality between the differential amplitude and sampling interval of adjacent switched-capacitor cells responding to a sawtooth-shape pulse. In the experiment, a sawtooth-shape pulse with a 40 ns period generated by a Tektronix AWG7102 is fed to a DRS4 evaluation board for calibrating the sampling intervals of all 1024 cells individually. The electronic time resolution of the DRS4 evaluation board with the new time calibration is measured to be 2.4 ps RMS by using two simultaneous Gaussian pulses with 2.35 ns full-width at half-maximum and applying a Gaussian fit. The time resolution dependencies on the time difference with the new time calibration are measured and compared to results obtained by another method. The new method could be applicable for other switched-capacitor-array technology-based waveform samplers for precise time calibration.

A New Time Calibration Method for Switched-capacitor-array-based Waveform Samplers.

PubMed

Kim, H; Chen, C-T; Eclov, N; Ronzhin, A; Murat, P; Ramberg, E; Los, S; Moses, W; Choong, W-S; Kao, C-M

2014-12-11

We have developed a new time calibration method for the DRS4 waveform sampler that enables us to precisely measure the non-uniform sampling interval inherent in the switched-capacitor cells of the DRS4. The method uses the proportionality between the differential amplitude and sampling interval of adjacent switched-capacitor cells responding to a sawtooth-shape pulse. In the experiment, a sawtooth-shape pulse with a 40 ns period generated by a Tektronix AWG7102 is fed to a DRS4 evaluation board for calibrating the sampling intervals of all 1024 cells individually. The electronic time resolution of the DRS4 evaluation board with the new time calibration is measured to be ~2.4 ps RMS by using two simultaneous Gaussian pulses with 2.35 ns full-width at half-maximum and applying a Gaussian fit. The time resolution dependencies on the time difference with the new time calibration are measured and compared to results obtained by another method. The new method could be applicable for other switched-capacitor-array technology-based waveform samplers for precise time calibration.

A New Time Calibration Method for Switched-capacitor-array-based Waveform Samplers

PubMed Central

Kim, H.; Chen, C.-T.; Eclov, N.; Ronzhin, A.; Murat, P.; Ramberg, E.; Los, S.; Moses, W.; Choong, W.-S.; Kao, C.-M.

2014-01-01

We have developed a new time calibration method for the DRS4 waveform sampler that enables us to precisely measure the non-uniform sampling interval inherent in the switched-capacitor cells of the DRS4. The method uses the proportionality between the differential amplitude and sampling interval of adjacent switched-capacitor cells responding to a sawtooth-shape pulse. In the experiment, a sawtooth-shape pulse with a 40 ns period generated by a Tektronix AWG7102 is fed to a DRS4 evaluation board for calibrating the sampling intervals of all 1024 cells individually. The electronic time resolution of the DRS4 evaluation board with the new time calibration is measured to be ~2.4 ps RMS by using two simultaneous Gaussian pulses with 2.35 ns full-width at half-maximum and applying a Gaussian fit. The time resolution dependencies on the time difference with the new time calibration are measured and compared to results obtained by another method. The new method could be applicable for other switched-capacitor-array technology-based waveform samplers for precise time calibration. PMID:25506113

Django Remote Submission

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

Doucet, Mathieu; Hobson, Tanner C.; Ferraz Leal, Ricardo Miguel

The Django Remote Submission (DRS) is a Django (Django, n.d.) application to manage long running job submission, including starting the job, saving logs, and storing results. It is an independent project available as a standalone pypi package (PyPi, n.d.). It can be easily integrated in any Django project. The source code is freely available as a GitHub repository (django-remote-submission, n.d.). To run the jobs in background, DRS takes advantage of Celery (Celery, n.d.), a powerful asynchronous job queue used for running tasks in the background, and the Redis Server (Redis, n.d.), an in-memory data structure store. Celery uses brokers tomore » pass messages between a Django Project and the Celery workers. Redis is the message broker of DRS. In addition DRS provides real time monitoring of the progress of Jobs and associated logs. Through the Django Channels project (Channels, n.d.), and the usage of Web Sockets, it is possible to asynchronously display the Job Status and the live Job output (standard output and standard error) on a web page.« less

Further support for using the dementia rating scale in the assessment of neuro-cognitive functions of individuals with mental retardation.

PubMed

McDaniel, W F; McLaughlin, T

2000-02-01

The utility of the Dementia Rating Scale (DRS) when administered to individuals with mental retardation (MR) was examined. Our sample was comprised of individuals residing in an intermediate care facility in the southeastern United States, included individuals diagnosed with mild, moderate, or severe MR, and consisted of both Caucasians (50%) and individuals of African-American descent (50%). Descriptive statistics for the DRS Total Score and five subtests (e. g., Attention, Initiation/Perseveration, Construction, Conceptualization, and Memory) obtained from our sample of individuals with mild MR compared favorably with previously published values. The group with mild MR performed significantly better than the group with moderate MR on the Total Score and all subtests except Construction, and the group with moderate MR performed significantly better than individuals with severe MR on all measures. These results show that the DRS can provide information about the cognitive strengths and weaknesses of individuals with mental retardation, and they show that the DRS can be administered to a wide range of individuals diagnosed with MR.

Experimental investigation of the glass transition of polystyrene thin films in a broad frequency range

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Inoue, Rintaro; Kanaya, Toshiji; Yamada, Takeshi; Shibata, Kaoru; Fukao, Koji

2018-01-01

In this study, we investigate the α process of a polystyrene thin film using inelastic neutron scattering (INS), dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS), and thermal expansion spectroscopy (TES). The DRS and TES measurements exhibited a decrease in glass transition temperature (Tg) with film thickness. On the other hand, an increase in Tg was observed in INS studies. In order to interpret this contradiction, we investigated the temperature dependence of the peak frequency (fm) of the α process probed by DRS and TES. The experiments revealed an increase in the peak frequency (fm) with decreasing film thickness in the frequency region. This observation is consistent with the observed decrease in Tg with thickness. Interestingly, the increase in Tg with film thickness was confirmed by fitting the temperature dependence measurements of the peak frequency with the Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann equation, within the frequency region probed by INS. The discrepancy between INS and DRS or TES descriptions of the α process is likely to be attributed to a decrease in the apparent activation energy with film thickness and reduced mobility, due to the impenetrable wall effect.

Django Remote Submission

DOE PAGES

Doucet, Mathieu; Hobson, Tanner C.; Ferraz Leal, Ricardo Miguel

2017-08-01

The Django Remote Submission (DRS) is a Django (Django, n.d.) application to manage long running job submission, including starting the job, saving logs, and storing results. It is an independent project available as a standalone pypi package (PyPi, n.d.). It can be easily integrated in any Django project. The source code is freely available as a GitHub repository (django-remote-submission, n.d.). To run the jobs in background, DRS takes advantage of Celery (Celery, n.d.), a powerful asynchronous job queue used for running tasks in the background, and the Redis Server (Redis, n.d.), an in-memory data structure store. Celery uses brokers tomore » pass messages between a Django Project and the Celery workers. Redis is the message broker of DRS. In addition DRS provides real time monitoring of the progress of Jobs and associated logs. Through the Django Channels project (Channels, n.d.), and the usage of Web Sockets, it is possible to asynchronously display the Job Status and the live Job output (standard output and standard error) on a web page.« less

Conformation, orientation, and adsorption kinetics of dermaseptin B2 onto synthetic supports at aqueous/solid interface.

PubMed

Noinville, S; Bruston, F; El Amri, C; Baron, D; Nicolas, P

2003-08-01

The antimicrobial activity of cationic amphipathic peptides is due mainly to the adsorption of peptides onto target membranes, which can be modulated by such physicochemical parameters as charge and hydrophobicity. We investigated the structure of dermaseptin B2 (Drs B2) at the aqueous/synthetic solid support interface and its adsorption kinetics using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and surface plasmon resonance. We determined the conformation and affinity of Drs B2 adsorbed onto negatively charged (silica or dextran) and hydrophobic supports. Synthetic supports of differing hydrophobicity were obtained by modifying silica or gold with omega-functionalized alkylsilanes (bromo, vinyl, phenyl, methyl) or alkylthiols. The peptide molecules adsorbed onto negatively charged supports mostly had a beta-type conformation. In contrast, a monolayer of Drs B2, mainly in the alpha-helical conformation, was adsorbed irreversibly onto the hydrophobic synthetic supports. The conformational changes during formation of the adsorbed monolayer were monitored by two-dimensional Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy correlation; they showed the influence of peptide-peptide interactions on alpha-helix folding on the most hydrophobic support. The orientation of the alpha-helical Drs B2 with respect to the hydrophobic support was determined by polarized attenuated total reflection; it was around 15 +/- 5 degrees. This orientation was confirmed and illustrated by a molecular dynamics study. These combined data demonstrate that specific chemical environments influence the structure of Drs B2, which could explain the many functions of antimicrobial peptides.

Information contents of drug advertisements: an Indian experience.

PubMed

Lal, A

1998-11-01

To critically analyze the drug information contained in Indian pharmaceutical advertisements. Analysis of pharmaceutical advertisements supplied by drug representatives (DRs) to prescribers from July 1, 1995, to June 30, 1996. A university-affiliated urban teaching hospital in India. 585 pharmaceutical ad pamphlets. The ads supplied by DRs to physicians in different clinical departments of the hospital were collected. These were distributed to different systems/categories and a special reference to fixed-dose drug combinations was given. The drug information contained in these ads was evaluated by using a checklist, framed by incorporating the World Health Organization ethical guidelines for medicinal drug promotion and some relevant items from other studies. The most frequently occurring ads were for antimicrobial agents. The ads on fixed-dose drug combinations constituted 37.9% of the total. More than 85% of the ads mentioned the generic name, brand name, contents, and pharmaceutical dosage forms, as well as the name and address of the company. The information concerning adverse effects, precautions, contraindications, warnings, major interactions, ingredients known to cause problems, pharmacology, drug overdose, references, drug storage, and cost was present in less than 40% of these ads. There has been inadequate information in pharmaceutical ads supplied by DRs to the physicians in India. The current scenario could be improved by formulating some definite legislative guidelines for the minimum level of information to be included in pharmaceutical ads and adhering to that legislation.

Biophysical Investigation of the Membrane-Disrupting Mechanism of the Antimicrobial and Amyloid-Like Peptide Dermaseptin S9

PubMed Central

Caillon, Lucie; Killian, J. Antoinette; Lequin, Olivier; Khemtémourian, Lucie

2013-01-01

Dermaseptin S9 (Drs S9) is an atypical cationic antimicrobial peptide with a long hydrophobic core and with a propensity to form amyloid-like fibrils. Here we investigated its membrane interaction using a variety of biophysical techniques. Rather surprisingly, we found that Drs S9 induces efficient permeabilisation in zwitterionic phosphatidylcholine (PC) vesicles, but not in anionic phosphatidylglycerol (PG) vesicles. We also found that the peptide inserts more efficiently in PC than in PG monolayers. Therefore, electrostatic interactions between the cationic Drs S9 and anionic membranes cannot explain the selectivity of the peptide towards bacterial membranes. CD spectroscopy, electron microscopy and ThT fluorescence experiments showed that the peptide adopts slightly more β-sheet and has a higher tendency to form amyloid-like fibrils in the presence of PC membranes as compared to PG membranes. Thus, induction of leakage may be related to peptide aggregation. The use of a pre-incorporation protocol to reduce peptide/peptide interactions characteristic of aggregates in solution resulted in more α-helix formation and a more pronounced effect on the cooperativity of the gel-fluid lipid phase transition in all lipid systems tested. Calorimetric data together with 2H- and 31P-NMR experiments indicated that the peptide has a significant impact on the dynamic organization of lipid bilayers, albeit slightly less for zwitterionic than for anionic membranes. Taken together, our data suggest that in particular in membranes of zwitterionic lipids the peptide binds in an aggregated state resulting in membrane leakage. We propose that also the antimicrobial activity of Drs S9 may be a result of binding of the peptide in an aggregated state, but that specific binding and aggregation to bacterial membranes is regulated not by anionic lipids but by as yet unknown factors. PMID:24146759

Application of optical non-invasive methods to diagnose the state of the lower limb tissues in patients with diabetes mellitus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zharkikh, E. V.; Dremin, V. V.; Filina, M. A.; Makovik, I. N.; Potapova, E. V.; Zherebtsov, E. A.; Zherebtsova, A. I.; Dunaev, A. V.

2017-11-01

The paper shows the possibility of assessing the functional state of microcirculatory-tissue systems of patients with diabetes mellitus by laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and fluorescence spectroscopy (FS) methods. A review of the existing non-invasive optical technologies used to assess the state of microcirculation and oxygen metabolism in tissues of patients with diabetes is conducted. A series of experimental studies involving 76 patients with diabetes and 46 healthy volunteers was carried out. A wavelet analysis of LDF-grams was used to evaluate the adaptive changes of microcirculation during the temperature tests. The obtained data revealed that the proposed methodology in the form of combined use of several diagnostic technologies (LDF, FS and DRS) allows us to detect the presence or absence of trophic disorders and to evaluate adaptation processes during thermal tests.

76 FR 35896 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Guidance for...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-20

... information by August 19, 2011. ADDRESSES: Submit electronic comments on the collection of information to http... Estimate: Based on the number of requests for tier one and tier two DRs received by FDA since the guidance... requests for tier one and tier two DRs. FDA estimates the burden of this collection of information as...

Urban STEM Education: A Unique Summer Experience

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

White, David W.

2013-01-01

In April of 2010, the author was approached to write a proposal that would provide grant money for a summer program to take place at the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University's Developmental Research School (FAMU DRS). The FAMU DRS functions as a normal K-12 school; however, it is administered by the Florida A&M University College of…

Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute Program in Endocrinology and Metabolism

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

Schneyer, Alan; Brown, Melissa; Schwartz, Lawrence

2012-04-24

Specific Aim - To determine the role of TGFBeta superfamily ligands in regulating Beta-cell function, proliferation, and survival (Drs. Schneyer and Brown) Specific Aim - To determine the feasibility of using respiratory activity and extracellular acidification rates of myoblasts to decipher the state of insulin resistance in cultured myoblastsMyoblast physiology (Drs. Schwartz and Yadava)

Implications of High-Frequency Cochlear Dead Regions for Fitting Hearing Aids to Adults with Mild to Moderately-Severe Hearing Loss

PubMed Central

Cox, Robyn M.; Johnson, Jani A.; Alexander, Genevieve C.

2012-01-01

Short Summary It has been suggested that existence of high-frequency cochlear dead regions (DRs) has implications for hearing aid fitting, and that the optimal amount of high-frequency gain is reduced for these patients. This investigation used laboratory and field measurements to examine the effectiveness of reduced high-frequency gain in typical hearing aid users with high-frequency DRs. Both types of data revealed that speech understanding was better with the evidence-based prescription than with reduced high-frequency gain, and that this was seen for listeners with and without DRs. Nevertheless, subjects did not always prefer the amplification condition that produced better speech understanding. PMID:22555183

Chemical forms and ecological risk of arsenic in the sediment of the Daliao River System in China.

PubMed

Wang, Shiliang; Wang, Ping; Men, Bin; Lin, Chunye; He, Mengchang

2012-04-01

The chemical forms and ecological risk of As were characterized in the sediment of the Daliao River System (DRS), which has been affected by long-term intensive industrial, urban, and agricultural activities. Twenty-seven samples of surface sediment were collected and analyzed for total As content and that of its chemical forms. The results indicated that the average total As content in the sediment was 9.83 mg kg(- 1) but that the levels ranged from 1.57 to 83.09 mg kg(- 1). At the sites near cities, mining sites, and the estuary of the DRS, it is likely that adverse effects on aquatic organisms occur, due to As levels in the sediment that are often higher than the threshold effect level and occasionally higher than the probable effect level. A selectively sequential extraction indicated that the majority of As in the sediment was bound to Fe oxides (62.1%), with moderate proportions of residual As (19.8%), specifically adsorbed As (17.9%), and a low proportion of non-specifically adsorbed As (1.1%). In addition, the content of Fe in the sediment was positively and significantly correlated with the contents of amorphous and crystalline Fe oxide-bound As, confirming the crucial role of Fe oxides in immobilizing high amounts of As in superficial environments. The average molar ratio of As to Fe was 1.18 × 10(- 4) in the surface sediment of the DRS, similar to that of natural Fe oxides, but much lower than that of synthesized Schwertmannite. Therefore, the release of As under reduced and low pH conditions can cause serious problems for water resources and for living organisms.

Systems 2020

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-22

USC Team Members: SERC Research Council Dr. Abhi Deshmukh , Purdue Dr. Michael Griffin. U. Alabama-Huntsville Dr. Barry Horowitz, U. Virginia Dr...Areas ................................................. 34 3.2.1 Affordability, Agility, and Resilience (Barry Boehm and Abhi Deshmukh , Leads...statement was reinterpreted to involve the SERC Research Council (Drs. Deshmukh , Griffin, Horowitz, Rouse, and Wade, with Dr. Boehm as chair) in defining

Maintaining the Special Character of a Faith-Based Schooling System

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

van der Nest, Theo; Buchanan, Michael T.

2014-01-01

Since the enactment of the Private Schools Conditional Integration Act in New Zealand in 1975, leadership in Catholic schools has become increasingly complex. Under the legislation Catholic schools are required to develop and maintain their "Special Character." The Director of Religious Studies (DRS) has become the position with a key…

Architecting Human Operator Trust in Automation to Improve System Effectiveness in Multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Control

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-03-01

like to extend our appreciation to our research sponsor Dr. Janet Miller from the Air Force Research Labs, and her colleague Dr. Cheryl Batchelor, for...for single-operator control of multiple UAVs. Drs. Brian Tsou, Lamar Warfield , Justin Estepp and Benjamin Knott , meanwhile, contributed to our

Determinants of Regret in Elderly Dialysis Patients.

PubMed

Tan, Edlyn Gui Fang; Teo, Irene; Finkelstein, Eric A; Chan, Choong Meng

2018-05-07

In Singapore, most elderly end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients choose dialysis over palliative management. However, dialysis may not be the optimal treatment option given only moderate survival benefits and high costs and treatment burden compared to non-dialysis management. Elderly patients may therefore come to regret this decision. This study investigated (1) extent of patients' decision regret after starting dialysis, and (2) potentially modifiable predictors of regret: satisfaction with chronic kidney disease education, decisional conflict, and decision-making involvement. Cross-sectional study of 103 dialysis patients above 70 years old surveyed at Singapore General Hospital's renal medicine clinics between March and June 2017. Participants reported their levels of decision regret on the Decision Regret Scale (DRS), retrospective decisional conflict on the Decisional Conflict Scale, information satisfaction, and decision-making involvement. 81% of participants reported no decision regret (DRS score <50), 11% ambivalence (DRS =50), and 8% regret (DRS >50). In individual DRS items, 19% felt dialysis had done them harm and 16% would not make the same decision again. In multivariable analyses, lower information satisfaction [b = -0.07 (95% CI: -0.13, -0.01)] and decisional conflict [b = 0.004 (95% CI: 0.002, 0.006)] were significantly associated with decision regret. Although majority of elderly dialysis patients were comfortable with their decision to start dialysis, a proportion was ambivalent or regretted this choice. Regret was more likely among those who experienced decisional conflict and/or expressed poorer information satisfaction. Healthcare professionals should recognize these risk factors and take steps to minimize chances of regret among this population subset. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

A prospective analysis of the role of cognition in three models of aging and schizophrenia.

PubMed

Cohen, Carl I; Murante, Tessa

2017-07-02

This study uses longitudinal data from a sample of older adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorder (OAS) to examine the role of cognition in 3 models of aging and schizophrenia-accelerated aging, paradoxical aging, and heterogeneity of course-and their clinical relevance. The sample consisted of 103 community-dwelling persons aged 55 and over (mean=61years) with early-onset schizophrenia. Mean follow-up was 52.5months (range: 12-116months); 55% were men; 55% were white. We identified 21 potential predictor variables and used the Dementia Rating Scale (DRS) to assess cognition. There were no significant differences in the DRS at baseline (T1) and follow-up (T2). However, 20%, 22% and 58% of persons exhibited >0.5 effect size increase or decrease, or no change in their DRS scores, respectively; 19% were rapid decliners (>-2.11pts/year) and 19% were rapid improvers (>+2.11pts/year). In multivariable analysis, there were 3 predictors of higher DRS (T2): DRS (T1), decline in anxiety score, and race (white). The heterogeneity model best characterized the trajectory of cognition in later life. The accelerated aging model did not represent typical cognitive trajectories since most individuals were stable or improved. The heterogeneous trajectories made it difficult to generalize about cognition's role in the paradoxical aging model. Despite the paucity of predictors, our findings suggested that it may be clinically productive to enlist remediation strategies that target anxiety and cognition, and direct more attention to non-white OAS. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Development and Validation of a Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire among Rural- and Urban-Dwelling Adults in Colombia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dehghan, Mahshid; Lopez Jaramillo, Patricio; Duenas, Ruby; Anaya, Lilliam Lima; Garcia, Ronald G.; Zhang, Xiaohe; Islam, Shofiqul; Merchant, Anwar T.

2012-01-01

Objective: To validate a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) against multiple 24-hour dietary recalls (DRs) that could be used for Colombian adults. Methods: A convenience sample of 219 individuals participated in the study. The validity of the FFQ was evaluated against multiple DRs. Four dietary recalls were collected during the year, and an FFQ…

Modified Y-splitting Procedure for the Treatment of Duane Retraction Syndrome.

PubMed

Altıntaş, Ayşe Gül; Arifoğlu, Hasan Basri; Köklü, Şükrü Gültekin

2015-08-01

To present the outcomes of modified lateral rectus Y-splitting combined with either unilateral or bilateral horizontal rectus recession in Duane Retraction Syndrome (DRS) with significant upshoot or downshoot. A total of 12 patients including 10 patients with Type I DRS and 2 with Type III DRS underwent modified Y-splitting surgery. Amount of additional recessions varied with the degree of preoperative deviation by intraoperative adjustable suture technique. Preoperatively 3 patients had esotropia (ET), 6 had exotropia (XT), and 3 patients had orthotropia. The mean preoperative deviation was 19.3 prism diopters (PD) (range, 18-20 PD) in ET patients and 19.2 PD (range, 16-20 PD) in XT patients. Postoperatively, all patients had significant correction in horizontal deviation and aligned within 4 PD of orthotropia, and no patients exhibited abnormal head posture. Co-contraction and globe retraction were markedly reduced and abnormal ocular vertical movement disappeared or significantly decreased in all cases. No patients experienced recurrence of ocular motility disorders in the mean 26-month (range, 13-66 months) follow-up period. Modified Y-splitting surgery combined with co-contracting horizontal muscle recession technique seems to be a safe and effective treatment in DRS.

Associations Among Indicators of Depression in Medicaid-Eligible Community-Dwelling Older Adults

PubMed Central

Byma, Elizabeth A.

2013-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to examine associations among 2 separate Minimum Data Set-Home Care (MDS-HC) depression measures (the Depression Rating Scale [DRS] and medical diagnosis of depression) with billed antidepressant medications in Medicaid paid claim files. Design and Methods: The sample for this cross-sectional research included 3,041 Medicaid-eligible older adult participants in a Home and Community Based Waiver Program and used data from the MDS-HC, Version 1 and Medicaid Paid Claim Files. Sensitivity and specificity analyses, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and t tests were utilized. Results: DRS scoring indicated that 15.4% of participants had behaviors indicative of depression, whereas 42% had a medical diagnosis of depression noted in the MDS-HC. Of those with a medical diagnosis of depression, 51% had a prescribed antidepressant medication. ROC analysis suggested that the DRS was a poor distinguisher of participants with and without a medical diagnosis of depression or prescribed antidepressant medications. Implications: Approximately half of Medicaid-eligible older adults medically diagnosed with depression were treated pharmacologically. Longitudinal research is recommended to assess responsiveness of the DRS over time to pharmacological and psychotherapeutic interventions for depression. PMID:23103523

Characterization of consecutive Streptococcus pyogenes isolates from patients with pharyngitis and bacteriological treatment failure: special reference to prtF1 and sic / drs.

PubMed

Brandt, C M; Allerberger, F; Spellerberg, B; Holland, R; Lütticken, R; Haase, G

2001-02-15

To analyze bacteriological treatment failure in streptococcal pharyngitis, 40 consecutive Streptococcus pyogenes isolates from 18 patients were characterized. For 17 patients, isolates were indistinguishable with respect to emm type, random amplified polymorphic DNA pattern, and presence of prtF1 encoding the fibronectin-binding protein F1. prtF1 was detected only in the 11 isolates (4 patients) with emm12 and in the single isolate with emm6. Further analysis by vir(mga) regulon typing, sequencing of sic encoding the streptococcal inhibitor of complement from 19 isolates with emm1 (9 patients), and sequencing of drs (distantly related sic) from 11 isolates with emm12 revealed distinct sic alleles with insertions and/or deletions in sic that corresponded to differences in restriction patterns of the vir(mga) regulon only for paired isolates of 2 patients. Among isolates with emm12, 2 novel drs alleles were found. Analysis of these data suggests that neither the presence of prtF1 nor the diversification of sic / drs is required for the persistence of S. pyogenes in pharyngitis.

Development of GNSS PWV information management system for very short-term weather forecast in the Korean Peninsula

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Han-Earl; Yoon, Ha Su; Yoo, Sung-Moon; Cho, Jungho

2017-04-01

Over the past decade, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) was in the spotlight as a meteorological research tool. The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) developed a GNSS precipitable water vapor (PWV) information management system to apply PWV to practical applications, such as very short-term weather forecast. The system consists of a DPR, DRS, and TEV, which are divided functionally. The DPR processes GNSS data using the Bernese GNSS software and then retrieves PWV from zenith total delay (ZTD) with the optimized mean temperature equation for the Korean Peninsula. The DRS collects data from eighty permanent GNSS stations in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and provides the PWV retrieved from GNSS data to a user. The TEV is in charge of redundancy of the DPR. The whole process is performed in near real-time where the delay is ten minutes. The validity of the GNSS PWV was proved by means of a comparison with radiosonde data. In the experiment of numerical weather prediction model, the GNSS PWV was utilized as the initial value of the Weather Research & Forecasting (WRF) model for heavy rainfall event. As a result, we found that the forecasting capability of the WRF is improved by data assimilation of GNSS PWV.

Underground Explosions

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-09

AVC‐VTN‐15‐G06 “Underground  Explosions”  By  Vitaly  V. Adushkin and Alexander...Language Book "UNDERGROUND EXPLOSIONS" Drs. Vitaly V. Adushkin and Alexander A. Spivak Dr. Anastasia Stroujkova and Professor Paul Richards Weston...SAQMMA13M2475 DOS/AVC/MNA UNLIMITED “Underground Explosions”, a Russian language book authored by Drs. Vitaly V. Adushkin and Alexander A. Spivak has been

Evaluation of Perma Guard D-20 and imidacloprid to control emerald ash borer

Treesearch

Robert A. Haack; Toby R. Petrice

2003-01-01

The emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Buprestidae), a native of Asia, was discovered in the USA and Canada in 2002. Drs. Deborah McCullough (Michigan State University) and Therese Poland (USDA-FS) tested several systemic and topical insecticides for EAB control, which they reported elsewhere. One additional insecticide that we...

Spectroscopic investigation of Ni speciation in hardened cement paste.

PubMed

Vespa, M; Dähn, R; Grolimund, D; Wieland, E; Scheidegger, A M

2006-04-01

Cement-based materials play an important role in multi-barrier concepts developed worldwide for the safe disposal of hazardous and radioactive wastes. Cement is used to condition and stabilize the waste materials and to construct the engineered barrier systems (container, backfill, and liner materials) of repositories for radioactive waste. In this study, Ni uptake by hardened cement paste has been investigated with the aim of improving our understanding of the immobilization process of heavy metals in cement on the molecular level. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) coupled with diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) techniques were used to determine the local environment of Ni in cement systems. The Ni-doped samples were prepared at two different water/cement ratios (0.4, 1.3) and different hydration times (1 hour to 1 year) using a sulfate-resisting Portland cement. The metal loadings and the metal salts added to the system were varied (50 up to 5000 mg/kg; NO3(-), SO4(2-), Cl-). The XAS study showed that for all investigated systems Ni(ll) is predominantly immobilized in a layered double hydroxide (LDH) phase, which was corroborated by DRS measurements. Only a minor extent of Ni(ll) precipitates as Ni-hydroxides (alpha-Ni(OH)2 and beta-Ni(OH)2). This finding suggests that Ni-Al LDH, rather than Ni-hydroxides, is the solubility-limiting phase in the Ni-doped cement system.

Predicted impact of extending the screening interval for diabetic retinopathy: the Scottish Diabetic Retinopathy Screening programme.

PubMed

Looker, H C; Nyangoma, S O; Cromie, D T; Olson, J A; Leese, G P; Philip, S; Black, M W; Doig, J; Lee, N; Briggs, A; Hothersall, E J; Morris, A D; Lindsay, R S; McKnight, J A; Pearson, D W M; Sattar, N A; Wild, S H; McKeigue, P; Colhoun, H M

2013-08-01

The aim of our study was to identify subgroups of patients attending the Scottish Diabetic Retinopathy Screening (DRS) programme who might safely move from annual to two yearly retinopathy screening. This was a retrospective cohort study of screening data from the DRS programme collected between 2005 and 2011 for people aged ≥12 years with type 1 or type 2 diabetes in Scotland. We used hidden Markov models to calculate the probabilities of transitions to referable diabetic retinopathy (referable background or proliferative retinopathy) or referable maculopathy. The study included 155,114 individuals with no referable diabetic retinopathy or maculopathy at their first DRS examination and with one or more further DRS examinations. There were 11,275 incident cases of referable diabetic eye disease (9,204 referable maculopathy, 2,071 referable background or proliferative retinopathy). The observed transitions to referable background or proliferative retinopathy were lower for people with no visible retinopathy vs mild background retinopathy at their prior examination (respectively, 1.2% vs 8.1% for type 1 diabetes and 0.6% vs 5.1% for type 2 diabetes). The lowest probability for transitioning to referable background or proliferative retinopathy was among people with two consecutive screens showing no visible retinopathy, where the probability was <0.3% for type 1 and <0.2% for type 2 diabetes at 2 years. Transition rates to referable diabetic eye disease were lowest among people with type 2 diabetes and two consecutive screens showing no visible retinopathy. If such people had been offered two yearly screening the DRS service would have needed to screen 40% fewer people in 2009.

Delirium in elderly people: a study of a psychiatric liaison service in north India.

PubMed

Grover, Sandeep; Kate, Natasha; Agarwal, Munish; Mattoo, Surendra Kumar; Avasthi, Ajit; Malhotra, Savita; Kulhara, Parmanand; Chakrabarti, Subho; Basu, Debasish

2012-01-01

Very few studies from India have studied the phenomenology of delirium. The aim of the present study was to study the phenomenology as measured using the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (DRS-R98), the associated etiologies and the outcome of delirium among the elderly participants seen by the consultation-liaison psychiatric service in India. In addition, an attempt was made to study the factor structure of symptoms using principal components analysis. The case notes of 109 elderly patients referred to psychiatry liaison services were reviewed. The mean age of the sample was 73.35 years (SD: 7.44; range 65-95 years) and two-thirds of the sample had hospital emergent delirium. The mean DRS-R98 severity score was 18.77 and the DRS-R98 total score was 24.81. In 15 patients the DRS-R98 scores were in the subsyndromal range. Among the various symptoms present, most patients had sleep-wake cycle disturbance, disturbance in orientation, attention and short-term memory impairments, fluctuation of symptoms, temporal onset of symptoms and a physical disorder. Principal components analysis identified three factors which explained 43.5% of variance of symptomatology and it yielded a three-factor structure. Endocrine/metabolic disturbances were the commonest associated etiological category with delirium. The mean hospital stay after being referred to psychiatry referral services was 8.89 days, after which delirium improved in 58.7% of cases. The mortality rate during the inpatient stay was 16.5%. Results suggest that the symptoms of delirium as assessed by DRS-R98 separate out into a three-factor structure. Delirium is commonly associated with metabolic endocrine disturbances and about one-sixth of the patients die during the short inpatient stay.

Rapid Identification of Mycobacteria and Drug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis by Use of a Single Multiplex PCR and DNA Sequencing

PubMed Central

Pérez-Osorio, Ailyn C.; Boyle, David S.; Ingham, Zachary K.; Ostash, Alla; Gautom, Romesh K.; Colombel, Craig; Houze, Yolanda

2012-01-01

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health problem for which rapid diagnosis is critical to both treatment and control. This report describes a multiplex PCR method, the Mycobacterial IDentification and Drug Resistance Screen (MID-DRS) assay, which allows identification of members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) and the simultaneous amplification of targets for sequencing-based drug resistance screening of rifampin-resistant (rifampinr), isoniazidr, and pyrazinamider TB. Additionally, the same multiplex reaction amplifies a specific 16S rRNA gene target for rapid identification of M. avium complex (MAC) and a region of the heat shock protein 65 gene (hsp65) for further DNA sequencing-based confirmation or identification of other mycobacterial species. Comparison of preliminary results generated with MID-DRS versus culture-based methods for a total of 188 bacterial isolates demonstrated MID-DRS sensitivity and specificity as 100% and 96.8% for MTBC identification; 100% and 98.3% for MAC identification; 97.4% and 98.7% for rifampinr TB identification; 60.6% and 100% for isoniazidr TB identification; and 75.0% and 98.1% for pyrazinamider TB identification. The performance of the MID-DRS was also tested on acid-fast-bacterium (AFB)-positive clinical specimens, resulting in sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 78.6% for detection of MTBC and 100% and 97.8% for detection of MAC. In conclusion, use of the MID-DRS reduces the time necessary for initial identification and drug resistance screening of TB specimens to as little as 2 days. Since all targets needed for completing the assay are included in a single PCR amplification step, assay costs, preparation time, and risks due to user errors are also reduced. PMID:22162548

A Web-Based Library and Algorithm System for Satellite and Airborne Image Products

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-06-28

Sequoia Scientific, Inc., and Dr. Paul Bissett at FERI, under other 6.1/6.2 program funding. 2 A Web-Based Library And Algorithm System For...of the spectrum matching approach to inverting hyperspectral imagery created by Drs. C. Mobley ( Sequoia Scientific) and P. Bissett (FERI...algorithms developed by Sequoia Scientific and FERI. Testing and Implementation of Library This project will result in the delivery of a WeoGeo

Mathematics and Physics Studies - Multi-Project Support

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-09-02

measurements). A quaternion form is used to represent any finite rotation of a rigid body as a rotation through some angle about a fixed axis (Euler’s...many - contractual issues. Drs. Edmond Murad (GL/PHK) and Roger Van Tassel (GL/OPB) provided important suggestions and feedback on the data processing...Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) and the Reaction Control System (RCS) resemble plumes produced by targets/events of interest. Measurements from the IBSS

Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy and Colorimetry as a Diagnostic Tool for Acanthosis Nigricans

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pattamadilok, Bensachee; Devpura, Suneetha; Syed, Zain U.; Vemulapalli, Pranita; Henderson, Marsha; Rehse, Steven J.; Hamzavi, Iltefat; Mahmoud, Bassel H.; Lim, Henry W.; Naik, Ratna

2011-03-01

The purpose of this study was to quantify skin color changes due to Acanthosis Nigricans, a disorder common among prediabetic and obese individuals. The non-invasive optical technique diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) was used to determine skin melanin, oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin content through the measured absorption spectrum. Colorimetery was used to measure skin color based on the standard Tristimulus values (L*, a*, and b*). Data was obtained from eight patients, spanning eight months of treatment. Measurements were obtained from lesion tissue on the neck and healthy skin was used as a control. L*, a* and b* values showed significant differences between lesion and normal controls, whereas melanin was the only parameter which showed statistical significant differences in DRS measurements. Future work will use more sensitive chemometric methods to increase diagnostic accuracy based on the raw spectra of the DRS.

rTMS: A Treatment to Restore Function After Severe TBI

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-10-01

of rTMS-induced neurobehavioral effects measured with the Disability Rating Scale. Aim II will determine the presence, direction and sustainability...Aim IV addresses the need to confirm rTMS safety for severe TBI. 15. SUBJECT TERMS Disability Rating Scale (DRS), Neurobehavioral, Repetitive...rTMS sessions. The Disability Rating Scale (DRS) will be used at four time points to measure neurobehavioral recovery slopes. Net neural effects

[Value of DC and DRs in prediction of cardiovascular events in acute myocardial infarction patients].

PubMed

Gao, L; Chen, Y D; Shi, Y J; Xue, H; Wang, J L

2016-05-24

To investigate the value of deceleration capacity of rate (DC) and heart rate deceleration runs(DRs) in predicting cardiovascular events in patient with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This study included 166 patients with AMI, who underwent ECG with sinus rhythm.These patients were followed-up for major adverse cardiac events (MACE). The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was drawn to determine the best values for estimating the MACE. The mean follow-up time was (20.5±2.8) months, with 13 cases of cardiac death.There was statistically significant difference of DC, DRs and standard diviation of NN intervals(SDNN-24) between the death group and survival group.The area under the curve (AUC) of DC, DR4 and DR8 were larger than SDNN-24 (0.874, 0.804 vs 0.727). The values of DC, DR2, DR4 and root mean square of the successive differences(RMSSD) in the group of patients who underwent cardiac adverse events were smaller than the group of patients who didn't, and the AUC of DC was slightly higher than that of RMSSD. DC and DRs have important predictive value for cardiac death and MACE and can screen high-risk patients in patients with AMI.

Diffusion in biofilms respiring on electrodes

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

Renslow, Ryan S.; Babauta, Jerome T.; Majors, Paul D.

2012-11-15

The goal of this study was to measure spatially and temporally resolved effective diffusion coefficients (De) in biofilms respiring on electrodes. Two model electrochemically active biofilms, Geobacter sulfurreducens PCA and Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, were investigated. A novel nuclear magnetic resonance microimaging perfusion probe capable of simultaneous electrochemical and pulsed-field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance (PFG-NMR) techniques was used. PFG-NMR allowed for noninvasive, nondestructive, high spatial resolution in situ De measurements in living biofilms respiring on electrodes. The electrodes were polarized so that they would act as the sole terminal electron acceptor for microbial metabolism. We present our results as both two-dimensionalmore » De heat maps and surface-averaged relative effective diffusion coefficient (Drs) depth profiles. We found that (1) Drs decreases with depth in G. sulfurreducens biofilms, following a sigmoid shape; (2) Drs at a given location decreases with G. sulfurreducens biofilm age; (3) average De and Drs profiles in G. sulfurreducens biofilms are lower than those in S. oneidensis biofilms—the G. sulfurreducens biofilms studied here were on average 10 times denser than the S. oneidensis biofilms; and (4) halting the respiration of a G. sulfurreducens biofilm decreases the De values. Density, reflected by De, plays a major role in the extracellular electron transfer strategies of electrochemically active biofilms.« less

Subsyndromal delirium compared with delirium, dementia, and subjects without delirium or dementia in elderly general hospital admissions and nursing home residents.

PubMed

Sepulveda, Esteban; Leonard, Maeve; Franco, Jose G; Adamis, Dimitrios; McCarthy, Geraldine; Dunne, Colum; Trzepacz, Paula T; Gaviria, Ana M; de Pablo, Joan; Vilella, Elisabet; Meagher, David J

2017-01-01

Subsyndromal delirium (SSD) complicates diagnosis of delirium and dementia, although there is little research comparing their symptom profiles. Cross-sectional study of 400 elderly patients' admission to a general hospital or nursing home diagnosed with delirium, SSD, dementia, or no-delirium/no-dementia (NDND). Symptom profiles were assessed using the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (DRS-R98). Twenty percent patients had delirium, 19.3% had SSD, 29.8% had dementia-only, and 31% had NDND. Eighty-one percent of subsyndromal and 76% of delirium groups had comorbid dementia. DRS-R98 scores showed ascending severity from NDND < dementia-only < SSD < delirium. DRS-R98 scores for items evaluating the three core symptom domains (cognitive, higher-order thinking, and circadian) distinguished SSD from delirium and both from nondelirium groups. DRS-R98 profiles were essentially the same in delirium and SSD subgroups with or without dementia, although total scale scores were generally higher when in comorbid subgroups. SSD shared characteristic core domain symptoms with delirium, which distinguished each from nondelirium groups, although severity was intermediate in the subsyndromal group. Delirium core symptoms overshadowed the dementia phenotype when comorbid. Milder disturbances of delirium core domain symptoms are highly suggestive of SSD.

Dynamics of controllably induced bruises assessed by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and pulsed photothermal radiometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marin, Ana; Milanič, Matija; Verdel, Nina; Vidovič, Luka; Majaron, Boris

2018-02-01

Combination of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and pulsed photothermal radiometry (PPTR) was recently successfully used to study evolution of accidental traumatic bruises. Yet, accidental bruises introduce many unknowns into the evolution analysis and thus a more controllable and repeatable approach for bruising is desired. In this study, evolution of bruises induced by aluminum projectiles of known mass and velocity were studied by DRS and PPTR. Bruises were induced on volar forearm skin of two healthy volunteers. Inverse Monte Carlo including four-layer skin model, was used to analyze the DRS and PPTR data to determine skin chromophores, their concentrations and depths. For bruise analysis, a bruise model was constructed and evolved according to hemoglobin diffusion kinetics. Bruise analysis of PPTR signals yielded bruise evolution parameters, most importantly hemoglobin diffusion constant, hemoglobin decomposition time and blood pool depth. The study results show that chronological tracking of hemoglobin decomposition can be assessed by the combined DRS and PPTR technique on induced bruise. Parameters of individual bruises were compared and two trends in chronological behavior of hemoglobin decomposition time discerned. Changes in bruise diffuse reflectance spectra were noted. Induced bruise parameters, however, still showed some scatter and thus further research is needed to reduce bruise variability.

77 FR 53957 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-04

... Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (``Act''),\\1\\ notice is hereby given that on... prepared primarily by Nasdaq. Nasdaq filed the proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A) of the... Rule Change Nasdaq proposes to modify Rule 5210(c) related to the Direct Registration System (``DRS...

Inter-satellite time transfer: Techniques and applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Detoma, Edoardo; Wardrip, S. Clark

1990-01-01

A brief review is presented of the well known time transfer techniques that have been studied and tested throughout the years. The applicability of time transfer techniques to a timing service as provided through a TDRS/DRS System, the problems related to the choice of the timing signal within the constraints imposed by the existing systems, and the possible practical implementations, including a description of the time synchronization support via TDRSS to the Gamma Ray Observatory (GRO) are discussed.

Modeling Approach for Oxygen Exchange in the Human Lung under Hypobaric Conditions

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-06-01

Operational Medical Issues in Hypo-and Hyperbaric Conditions [les Questions medicales a caractere oprationel liees aux conditions hypobares ou hyperbares ] To...under Hypobaric Conditions DISTRIBUTION: Approved for public release, distribution unlimited This paper is part of the following report: TITLE...Approach for Oxygen Exchange in the Human Lung under Hypobaric Conditions Ing J.P.F. Lindhout*, Drs M. van de Graaff*, Ir Drs R.C. van de Graaff*, Dr

Temperature dependences of characteristics of 2,5-hexanediol and 1,2,6-hexanetriol cluster structures according to dielectric radiospectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Usacheva, T. M.; Zhuravlev, V. I.

2013-03-01

Dielectric radiospectra (DRS) of 2,5-hexanediol and 1,2,6-hexanetriol at frequencies of 1 MHz, 9.375, 36.885, and 74.569 GHz in a temperature range of 303-423 K (above the glass transition temperatures) are studied. Experimental DRS are analyzed using the Dissado-Hill (DH) cluster model. The dependence of the equilibrium and relaxation characteristics of DRS on the number of OH groups is studied. The dipole moments of the clusters are calculated. The change in the orientation of the dipole moments of the molecules in the cluster during the rearranging of its structure is characterized through the unit vector of the longitudinal component of dipole moment M e of the cluster. The relation between a change in the Onsager-Kirkwood-Fröhlich correlation factor and the behavior of M e is shown.

Preparation and Characterization of Nano Gold Supported over Montmorillonite Clays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suraja, P. V.; Binitha, N. N.; Yaakob, Z.; Silija, P. P.

2011-02-01

The use of montmorillonite clays as a matrix, or as a host, for obtaining intercalated/supported metal particles has potential applications in catalysis and other areas. The gold nanoparticles were obtained from the most common anionic gold precursor HAuCl4·3H2O by deposition-precipitation (DP) methods. However, it is difficult to prepare nanoscale gold catalysts supported on silica surfaces with lower isoelectric point (IEP). Homogeneous precipitation method using urea also fails on silica surfaces. Reasons for the inefficiency of these methods are the negative charge of the metal precursor as well as the support surface and the high pH required for depositing gold nanoparticles. In the present work, we use glucose as the reductant in the presence of stabilizer for preparation of nano gold supported on montmorillonite clay. There is no need of increasing the pH of the solution to reduce the Au3+ ions. The prepared systems are characterized using various techniques such as using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), UV-VIS Diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) and Fourier Transform infra red spectra (FTIR) to prove the efficiency of the present method.

Tumor margin assessment in Mohs surgery using reflectance, fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, Hieu T. M.; Moy, Austin J.; Zhang, Yao; Feng, Xu; Reichenberg, Jason S.; Fox, Matthew; Tunnell, James W.

2017-02-01

Mohs surgery is the current gold standard to treat large, aggressive or high-risk non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) cases. While Mohs surgery is an effective treatment, the procedure is time-consuming and expensive for physicians as well as burdensome for patients as they wait for frozen section histology. Our group has recently demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy using a noninvasive "spectral biopsy" (combination of diffuse reflectance (DRS), fluorescence (FS) and Raman spectroscopy (RS)) to classify NMSC vs. normal lesion in a screening setting of intact tissue. Here, we examine the sensitivity of spectral biopsy to pathology in excised Mohs sections. The system is designed with three modalities integrated into one fiber probe, which is utilized to measure DRS, FS, and RS of freshly excised skin from patients with various NMSC pathologies including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), where each measurement location is correlated to histopathology. The spectral biopsy provides complimentary physiological information including the reduced scattering coefficient, hemoglobin content and oxygen saturation from DRS, NADH and collagen contribution from FS and information regarding multiple proteins and lipids from RS. We then apply logistic regression model to the extracted physiological parameters to classify NMSC vs. normal tissue. The results on the excised tissue are generally consistent with in vivo measurements showing decreased scattering within the tumor and reduced fluorescence. Due to the high sensitivity of RS to lipids, subcutaneous fat often dominates the RS signal. This pilot study demonstrates the potential for a spectral biopsy to classify NMSC vs. normal tissue, indicating the opportunity to guide Mohs excisions.

Optical signature of nerve tissue-Exploratory ex vivo study comparing optical, histological, and molecular characteristics of different adipose and nerve tissues.

PubMed

Balthasar, Andrea J R; Bydlon, Torre M; Ippel, Hans; van der Voort, Marjolein; Hendriks, Benno H W; Lucassen, Gerald W; van Geffen, Geert-Jan; van Kleef, Maarten; van Dijk, Paul; Lataster, Arno

2018-05-14

During several anesthesiological procedures, needles are inserted through the skin of a patient to target nerves. In most cases, the needle traverses several tissues-skin, subcutaneous adipose tissue, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels-to reach the target nerve. A clear identification of the target nerve can improve the success of the nerve block and reduce the rate of complications. This may be accomplished with diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) which can provide a quantitative measure of the tissue composition. The goal of the current study was to further explore the morphological, biological, chemical, and optical characteristics of the tissues encountered during needle insertion to improve future DRS classification algorithms. To compare characteristics of nerve tissue (sciatic nerve) and adipose tissues, the following techniques were used: histology, DRS, absorption spectrophotometry, high-resolution magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (HR-MAS NMR) spectroscopy, and solution 2D 13 C- 1 H heteronuclear single-quantum coherence spectroscopy. Tissues from five human freshly frozen cadavers were examined. Histology clearly highlights a higher density of cellular nuclei, collagen, and cytoplasm in fascicular nerve tissue (IFAS). IFAS showed lower absorption of light around 1200 nm and 1750 nm, higher absorption around 1500 nm and 2000 nm, and a shift in the peak observed around 1000 nm. DRS measurements showed a higher water percentage and collagen concentration in IFAS and a lower fat percentage compared to all other tissues. The scattering parameter (b) was highest in IFAS. The HR-MAS NMR data showed three extra chemical peak shifts in IFAS tissue. Collagen, water, and cellular nuclei concentration are clearly different between nerve fascicular tissue and other adipose tissue and explain some of the differences observed in the optical absorption, DRS, and HR-NMR spectra of these tissues. Some differences observed between fascicular nerve tissue and adipose tissues cannot yet be explained but may be helpful in improving the discriminatory capabilities of DRS in anesthesiology procedures. Lasers Surg. Med. 9999:1-13, 2018. © 2018 The Authors. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2018 The Authors. Lasers in Surgery and Medicine Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Tussenrapportage Validatie Onderwijsvernieuwingen (Validation Assistant in Instructional Design)

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-05-01

validatie onderwij svemieuwingen D)atum mei 2007 Auteur (s) drs. J.P. van Meer drs. G,J. Veldhuis dr. M.L. van Ernmerik M.G. van Schaik Rubricering...als doel om nog beter is het van belang dat het maken van keuzes Auteur (s) passende adviezen te kunnen genereren. binnen een moeilijk grijpbaar...benaderd door de theorie achter de onderwijsconcepten te toetsen aan het oordeel van de expert. Er zijn echter beperkingen in deze opzet denkbaar die

Diversified clinical presentations associated with a novel sal-like 4 gene mutation in a Chinese pedigree with Duane retraction syndrome.

PubMed

Yang, Ming-ming; Ho, Mary; Lau, Henry H W; Tam, Pancy O S; Young, Alvin L; Pang, Chi Pui; Yip, Wilson W K; Chen, LiJia

2013-01-01

To determine the underlying genetic cause of Duane retraction syndrome (DRS) in a non-consanguineous Chinese Han family. Detailed ophthalmic and physical examinations were performed on all members from a pedigree with DRS. All exons and their adjacent splicing junctions of the sal-like 4 (SALL4) gene were amplified with polymerase chain reaction and analyzed with direct sequencing in all the recruited family members and 200 unrelated control subjects. Clinical examination revealed a broad spectrum of phenotypes in the DRS family. Mutation analysis of SALL4 identified a novel heterozygous duplication mutation, c.1919dupT, which was completely cosegregated with the disease in the family and absent in controls. This mutation was predicted to cause a frameshift, introducing a premature stop codon, when translated, resulting in a truncated SALL4 protein, i.e., p.Met640IlefsX25. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the affected region of SALL4 shared a highly conserved sequence across different species. Diversified clinical manifestations were observed in the c.1919dupT carriers of the family. We identified a novel truncating mutation in the SALL4 gene that leads to diversified clinical features of DRS in a Chinese family. This mutation is predicted to result in a truncated SALL4 protein affecting two functional domains and cause disease development due to haploinsufficiency through nonsense-mediated mRNA decay.

Environmental Progestins Progesterone and Drospirenone Alter the Circadian Rhythm Network in Zebrafish (Danio rerio).

PubMed

Zhao, Yanbin; Castiglioni, Sara; Fent, Karl

2015-08-18

Progestins alter hormone homeostasis and may result in reproductive effects in humans and animals. Thus far, studies in fish have focused on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG)-axis and reproduction, but other effects have little been investigated. Here we report that progesterone (P4) and drospirenone (DRS) interfere with regulation of the circadian rhythm in fish. Breeding pairs of adult zebrafish were exposed to P4 and DRS at concentrations between 7 and 13 650 ng/L for 21 days. Transcriptional analysis revealed significant and dose-dependent alterations of the circadian rhythm network in the brain with little effects in the gonads. Significant alterations of many target transcripts occurred even at environmental relevant concentrations of 7 ng/L P4 and at 99 ng/L DRS. They were fully consistent with the well-described circadian rhythm negative/positive feedback loops. Transcriptional alterations of the circadian rhythm network were correlated with those in the HPG-Liver-axis. Fecundity was decreased at 742 (P4) and 2763 (DRS) ng/L. Dose-dependent alterations in the circadian rhythm network were also observed in F1 eleuthero-embryos. Our results suggest a potential target of environmental progestins, the circadian rhythm network, in addition to the adverse reproductive effects. Forthcoming studies should show whether the transcriptional alterations in circadian rhythm translate into physiological effects.

A CLIPS expert system for clinical flow cytometry data analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Salzman, G. C.; Duque, R. E.; Braylan, R. C.; Stewart, C. C.

1990-01-01

An expert system is being developed using CLIPS to assist clinicians in the analysis of multivariate flow cytometry data from cancer patients. Cluster analysis is used to find subpopulations representing various cell types in multiple datasets each consisting of four to five measurements on each of 5000 cells. CLIPS facts are derived from results of the clustering. CLIPS rules are based on the expertise of Drs. Stewart, Duque, and Braylan. The rules incorporate certainty factors based on case histories.

76 FR 56244 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; New York Stock Exchange LLC; Notice of Filing and Immediate...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-12

... Apply to Foreign Issuers September 6, 2011. Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act... proposed rule change pursuant to Section 19(b)(3)(A)(iii) and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder so that the... to be book-entry only) must be eligible for a direct registration system (``DRS'') operated by a...

Enhancing Exposure Therapy for PTSD: Virtual Reality and Imaginal Exposure with a Cognitive Enhancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-10-01

VA, Dr. Rachel Stewart (formerly Rachel Robertson) began an emergency medical/ maternity leave on 8/19/13. At the present time, Dr. Stewart’s return...part-time to fulfill her duties. At NICoE, Dr. Suzanne Leaman returned from her maternity leave on 4/29/13. At USC, Jack Mondonedo returned from... maternity leave . Drs. Maryrose Gerardi (Emory) and Judith Cukor (Cornell) participated in a conference call with Drs. Holloway, Riggs, and Adamson on 12/13

Heart rate deceleration runs for postinfarction risk prediction.

PubMed

Guzik, Przemyslaw; Piskorski, Jaroslaw; Barthel, Petra; Bauer, Axel; Müller, Alexander; Junk, Nadine; Ulm, Kurt; Malik, Marek; Schmidt, Georg

2012-01-01

A method for counting episodes of uninterrupted beat-to-beat heart rate decelerations was developed. The method was set up and evaluated using 24-hour electrocardiogram Holter recordings of 1455 (training sample) and 946 (validation sample) postinfarction patients. During a median follow-up of 24 months, 70, 46, and 19 patients of the training sample suffered from total, cardiac, and sudden cardiac mortality, respectively. In the validation sample, these numbers were 39, 25, and 15. Episodes of consecutive beat-to-beat heart rate decelerations (deceleration runs [DRs]) were characterized by their length. Deceleration runs of 2 to 10 cycles were significantly less frequent in nonsurvivors. Multivariate model of DRs of 2, 4, and 8 cycles identified low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups. In these groups of the training sample, the total mortalities were 1.8%, 6.1%, and 24%, respectively. In the validation sample, these numbers were 1.8%, 4.1%, and 21.9%. Infrequent DRs during 24-hour Holter indicate high risk of postinfarction mortality. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Relative validity of a food frequency questionnaire to identify dietary patterns in an adult Mexican population.

PubMed

Denova-Gutiérrez, Edgar; Tucker, Katherine L; Salmerón, Jorge; Flores, Mario; Barquera, Simón

2016-01-01

To examine the validity of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SFFQ) to identify dietary patterns in an adult Mexican population. A 140-item SFFQ and two 24-hour dietary recalls (24DRs) were administered. Foods were categorized into 29 food groups used to derive dietary patterns via factor analysis. Pearson and intraclass correlations coefficients between dietary pattern scores identified from the SFFQ and 24DRs were assessed. Pattern 1 was high in snacks, fast food, soft drinks, processed meats and refined grains; pattern 2 was high in fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, and dairy products; and pattern 3 was high in legumes, eggs, sweetened foods and sugars. Pearson correlation coefficients between the SFFQ and the 24DRs for these patterns were 0.66 (P<0.001), 0.41 (P<0.001) and 0.29 (P=0.193) respectively. Our data indicate reasonable validity of the SFFQ, using factor analysis, to derive major dietary patterns in comparison with two 24DR.

Validity of a food frequency questionnaire to assess food intake in Mexican adolescent and adult population.

PubMed

Denova-Gutiérrez, Edgar; Ramírez-Silva, Ivonne; Rodríguez-Ramírez, Sonia; Jiménez-Aguilar, Alejandra; Shamah-Levy, Teresa; Rivera-Dommarco, Juan A

2016-01-01

To assess the validity of a 140-item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (SFFQ), in Mexican adolescents and adults. Dietary intakes using a SFFQ and two 24-hour dietary recalls (24DRs), in nonconsecutive days during the same week were measured from 178 adolescents and 230 adults participating in the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey-2012.Validity was evaluated using correlation coefficients (CC),deattenuated CC, linear regression models, cross-classification analysis, and the Bland-Altman method. In adults, deattenuated correlation coefficients between the SFFQ and the 24DRs ranged from 0.30 for folate to 0.61 for saturated fat. In addition, 63% adults and 62% adolescents were classified in the same and adjacent quartile of nutrient intake when comparing data from SFFQ and 24DRs. The SFFQ had moderate validity for energy, macronutrients and micronutrients. It also had good validity to rank individuals according to their dietary intake of different nutrients.

Fe-oxide mineralogy of the Jiujiang red earth sediments and implications for Quaternary climate change, southern China.

PubMed

Yin, Ke; Hong, Hanlie; Algeo, Thomas J; Churchman, Gordon Jock; Li, Zhaohui; Zhu, Zongmin; Fang, Qian; Zhao, Lulu; Wang, Chaowen; Ji, Kaipeng; Lei, Weidong; Duan, Zhenggang

2018-02-26

Diffuse reflectance spectrophotometry (DRS) is a new, fast, and reliable method to characterize Fe-oxides in soils. The Fe-oxide mineralogy of the Jiujiang red earth sediments was investigated using DRS to investigate the climate evolution of southern China since the mid-Pleistocene. The DRS results show that hematite/(hematite + goethite) ratios [Hm/(Hm + Gt)] exhibit an upward decreasing trend within the Jiujiang section, suggesting a gradual climate change from warm and humid in the middle Pleistocene to cooler and drier in the late Pleistocene. Upsection trends toward higher (orthoclase + plagioclase)/quartz ratios [(Or + Pl)/Q] and magnetic susceptibility values (χ lf ) support this inference, which accords with global climate trends at that time. However, higher-frequency climatic subcycles observed in loess sections of northern China are not evident in the Jiujiang records, indicating a relatively lower climate sensitivity of the red earth sediments in southern China.

Development of a Thrust Stand to Meet LISA Mission Requirements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Willis, William D., III; Zakrzwski, Charles M.; Merkowitz, Stephen M.

2002-01-01

A thrust stand has been built to measure the force-noise produced by electrostatic micro-Newton (muN) thrusters. The LISA mission's Disturbance Reduction System (DRS) requires thrusters that are capable of producing continuous thrust levels between 1-100 muN with a resolution of 0.1 muN. The stationary force-noise produced by these thrusters must not exceed 0.1 muN/dHz in the measurement bandwidth 10(exp -4) to 1 Hz. The LISA Thrust Stand (LTS) is a torsion-balance type thrust stand designed to meet the following requirements: stationary force-noise measurements from l0( -4) to 1 Hz with 0.1 muN/dHz sensitivity, absolute thrust measurements from 1-100 muN with better than 0.1 muN resolution, and dynamic thruster response from to 10 Hz. The LTS employs a unique vertical configuration, autocollimator for angular position measurements, and electrostatic actuators that are used for dynamic pendulum control and null-mode measurements. Force-noise levels are measured indirectly by characterizing the thrust stand as a spring-mass system. The LTS was initially designed to test the indium FEEP thruster developed by the Austrian Research Center in Seibersdorf (ARCS), but can be modified for testing other thrusters of this type.

Development of A Thrust Stand to Meet LISA Mission Requirements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Willis, William D., III; Zakrzwski, C. M.; Bauer, Frank H. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

A thrust stand has been built and tested that is capable of measuring the force-noise produced by electrostatic micro-Newton (micro-Newton) thrusters. The LISA mission's Disturbance Reduction System (DRS) requires thrusters that are capable of producing continuous thrust levels between 1-100 micro-Newton with a resolution of 0.1 micro-Newton. The stationary force-noise produced by these thrusters must not exceed 0.1 pN/4Hz in a 10 Hz bandwidth. The LISA Thrust Stand (LTS) is a torsion-balance type thrust stand designed to meet the following requirements: stationary force-noise measurements from 10(exp-4) to 1 Hz with 0.1 micro-Newton resolution, absolute thrust measurements from 1-100 micro-Newton with better than 0.1 micro-Newton resolution, and dynamic thruster response from 10(exp -4) to 10 Hz. The ITS employs a unique vertical configuration, autocollimator for angular position measurements, and electrostatic actuators that are used for dynamic pendulum control and null-mode measurements. Force-noise levels are measured indirectly by characterizing the thrust stand as a spring-mass system. The LTS was initially designed to test the indium FEEP thruster developed by the Austrian Research Center in Seibersdorf (ARCS), but can be modified for testing other thrusters of this type.

Seroprevalence of Streptococcal Inhibitor of Complement (SIC) suggests association of streptococcal infection with chronic kidney disease

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Group A streptococcus (GAS) is an etiological agent for the immune mediated sequela post streptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN). In some populations PSGN is recognized as a risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). It was found that a significantly greater proportion of subjects with past history of PSGN than without the history exhibited seroreactions to streptococcal antigens called streptococcal inhibitor of complement (SIC) and to distantly related SIC (DRS). These antigens are expressed by major PSGN-associated GAS types. We therefore predicted that in populations such as India, which is endemic for streptococcal diseases and which has high prevalence of CKD and ESRD, greater proportions of CKD and ESRD patients exhibit seroreaction to SIC and DRS than healthy controls. Methods To test this we conducted a SIC and DRS seroprevalence study in subjects from Mumbai area. We recruited 100 CKD, 70 ESRD and 70 healthy individuals. Results Nineteen and 35.7% of CKD and ESRD subjects respectively were SIC antibody-positive, whereas only 7% of healthy cohort was seropositive to SIC. Furthermore, significantly greater proportion of the ESRD patients than the CKD patients is seropositive to SIC (p=0.02; odds ratio 2.37). No association was found between the renal diseases and DRS-antibody-positivity. Conclusions Past infection with SIC-positive GAS is a risk factor for CKD and ESRD in Mumbai population. Furthermore, SIC seropositivity is predictive of poor prognosis of CKD patients. PMID:23642030

Quantitative skin color measurements in acanthosis nigricans patients: colorimetry and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.

PubMed

Pattamadilok, Bensachee; Devpura, Suneetha; Syed, Zain U; Agbai, Oma N; Vemulapalli, Pranita; Henderson, Marsha; Rehse, Steven J; Mahmoud, Bassel H; Lim, Henry W; Naik, Ratna; Hamzavi, Iltefat H

2012-08-01

Tristimulus colorimetry and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) are white-light skin reflectance techniques used to measure the intensity of skin pigmentation. The tristimulus colorimeter is an instrument that measures a perceived color and the DRS instrument measures biological chromophores of the skin, including oxy- and deoxyhemoglobin, melanin and scattering. Data gathered from these tools can be used to understand morphological changes induced in skin chromophores due to conditions of the skin or their treatments. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of these two instruments in color measurements of acanthosis nigricans (AN) lesions. Eight patients with hyperinsulinemia and clinically diagnosable AN were seen monthly. Skin pigmentation was measured at three sites: the inner forearm, the medial aspect of the posterior neck, and anterior neck unaffected by AN. Of the three, measured tristimulus L*a*b* color parameters, the luminosity parameter L* was found to most reliably distinguish lesion from normally pigmented skin. The DRS instrument was able to characterize a lesion on the basis of the calculated melanin concentration, though melanin is a weak indicator of skin change and not a reliable measure to be used independently. Calculated oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin concentrations were not found to be reliable indicators of AN. Tristimulus colorimetry may provide reliable methods for respectively quantifying and characterizing the objective color change in AN, while DRS may be useful in characterizing changes in skin melanin content associated with this skin condition. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

The Dynamic Range for Korean Standard Sentence Material: A Gender Comparison in a Male and a Female Speakers.

PubMed

Park, Kyeong-Yeon; Jin, In-Ki

2015-09-01

The purpose of this study was to identify differences between the dynamic ranges (DRs) of male and female speakers using Korean standard sentence material. Consideration was especially given to effects within the predefined segmentalized frequency-bands. We used Korean standard sentence lists for adults as stimuli. Each sentence was normalized to a root-mean-square of 65 dB sound pressure level. The sentences were then modified to ensure there were no pauses, and the modified sentences were passed through a filter bank in order to perform the frequency analysis. Finally, the DR was quantified using a histogram that showed the cumulative envelope distribution levels of the speech in each frequency band. In DRs that were averaged across all frequency bands, there were no significant differences between the male and the female speakers. However, when considering effects within the predefined frequency bands, there were significant differences in several frequency bands between the DRs of male speech and those of female speech. This study shows that the DR of speech for the male speaker differed from the female speaker in nine frequency bands among 21 frequency bands. These observed differences suggest that a standardized DR of male speech in the band-audibility function of the speech intelligibility index may differ from that of female speech derived in the same way. Further studies are required to derive standardized DRs for Korean speakers.

Rapid identification of oil-contaminated soils using visible near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.

PubMed

Chakraborty, Somsubhra; Weindorf, David C; Morgan, Cristine L S; Ge, Yufeng; Galbraith, John M; Li, Bin; Kahlon, Charanjit S

2010-01-01

In the United States, petroleum extraction, refinement, and transportation present countless opportunities for spillage mishaps. A method for rapid field appraisal and mapping of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soils for environmental cleanup purposes would be useful. Visible near-infrared (VisNIR, 350-2500 nm) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) is a rapid, nondestructive, proximal-sensing technique that has proven adept at quantifying soil properties in situ. The objective of this study was to determine the prediction accuracy of VisNIR DRS in quantifying petroleum hydrocarbons in contaminated soils. Forty-six soil samples (including both contaminated and reference samples) were collected from six different parishes in Louisiana. Each soil sample was scanned using VisNIR DRS at three combinations of moisture content and pretreatment: (i) field-moist intact aggregates, (ii) air-dried intact aggregates, (iii) and air-dried ground soil (sieved through a 2-mm sieve). The VisNIR spectra of soil samples were used to predict total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) content in the soil using partial least squares (PLS) regression and boosted regression tree (BRT) models. Each model was validated with 30% of the samples that were randomly selected and not used in the calibration model. The field-moist intact scan proved best for predicting TPH content with a validation r2 of 0.64 and relative percent difference (RPD) of 1.70. Because VisNIR DRS was promising for rapidly predicting soil petroleum hydrocarbon content, future research is warranted to evaluate the methodology for identifying petroleum contaminated soils.

Evidence, Methodology, Test-Based Accountability, and Educational Policy: A Scholarly Exchange between Dr. Eric A. Hanushek and Drs. John Robert Warren and Eric Grodsky

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hanushek, Eric A.; Warren, John Robert; Grodsky, Eric

2012-01-01

This exchange represents a follow-up to an article on the effects of state high school exit examinations that previously appeared in this journal (Warren, Grodsky, & Kalogrides 2009). That 2009 article was featured prominently in a report by the National Research Council (NRC) that evaluated the efficacy of test-based accountability systems.…

Optical monitoring of cerebral microcirculation in neurointensive care.

PubMed

Rejmstad, Peter; Haj-Hosseini, Neda; Åneman, Oscar; Wårdell, Karin

2017-12-08

Continuous optical monitoring of local cerebral microcirculation could benefit neurointensive care patients treated for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The aim of the study was to evaluate laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) for long-term monitoring of brain microcirculation and oxygen saturation (SO 2 ) in the neurointensive care unit (NICU). A fiber optic probe was designed for intraparenchymal use and connected to LDF and DRS for assessment of the local blood flow (perfusion and tissue reflectance (TLI)) and SO 2 in the brain. The optically monitored parameters were compared with conventional NICU monitors and Xe-CT. The LDF signals were low with median and 25 to 75% interquartiles of perfusion = 70 (59 to 83) a.u. and TLI = 2.0 (1.0 to 2.4) a.u. and showed correlation with the NICU monitors in terms of heart rate. Median and interquartiles of SO 2 were 17.4 (15.7 to 19.8) %. The lack of correlation between local perfusion and cerebral perfusion pressure indicated intact cerebral autoregulation. The systems were capable of monitoring both local perfusion and SO 2 with stable signals in the NICU over 4 days. Further clinical studies are required to evaluate the optical systems' potential for assessing the onset of secondary brain injury.

Artificial neural networks for retrieving absorption and reduced scattering spectra from frequency-domain diffuse reflectance spectroscopy at short source-detector separation

PubMed Central

Chen, Yu-Wen; Chen, Chien-Chih; Huang, Po-Jung; Tseng, Sheng-Hao

2016-01-01

Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) based on the frequency-domain (FD) technique has been employed to investigate the optical properties of deep tissues such as breast and brain using source to detector separation up to 40 mm. Due to the modeling and system limitations, efficient and precise determination of turbid sample optical properties from the FD diffuse reflectance acquired at a source-detector separation (SDS) of around 1 mm has not been demonstrated. In this study, we revealed that at SDS of 1 mm, acquiring FD diffuse reflectance at multiple frequencies is necessary for alleviating the influence of inevitable measurement uncertainty on the optical property recovery accuracy. Furthermore, we developed artificial neural networks (ANNs) trained by Monte Carlo simulation generated databases that were capable of efficiently determining FD reflectance at multiple frequencies. The ANNs could work in conjunction with a least-square optimization algorithm to rapidly (within 1 second), accurately (within 10%) quantify the sample optical properties from FD reflectance measured at SDS of 1 mm. In addition, we demonstrated that incorporating the steady-state apparatus into the FD DRS system with 1 mm SDS would enable obtaining broadband absorption and reduced scattering spectra of turbid samples in the wavelength range from 650 to 1000 nm. PMID:27446671

MicroRNAs That Contribute to Coordinating the Immune Response in Drosophila melanogaster

PubMed Central

Atilano, Magda L.; Glittenberg, Marcus; Monteiro, Annabel; Copley, Richard R.; Ligoxygakis, Petros

2017-01-01

Small noncoding RNAs called microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression related to host defenses. Here, we have used Drosophila melanogaster to explore the contribution of individual or clusters of miRNAs in countering systemic Candida albicans infection. From a total of 72 tested, we identify 6 miRNA allelic mutant backgrounds that modulate the survival response to infection and the ability to control pathogen number. These mutants also exhibit dysregulation of the Toll pathway target transcripts Drosomycin (Drs) and Immune-Induced Molecule 1 (IM1). These are characteristics of defects in Toll signaling, and consistent with this, we demonstrate dependency for one of the miRNA mutants on the NF-κΒ homolog Dif. We also quantify changes in the miRNA expression profile over time in response to three pathogen types, and identify 13 mature miRNA forms affected by pathogens that stimulate Toll signaling. To complement this, we provide a genome-wide map of potential NF-κB sites in proximity to miRNA genes. Finally, we demonstrate that systemic C. albicans infection contributes to a reduction in the total amount of branch-chained amino acids, which is miRNA-regulated. Overall, our data reveal a new layer of miRNA complexity regulating the fly response to systemic fungal infection. PMID:28706002

MicroRNAs That Contribute to Coordinating the Immune Response in Drosophila melanogaster.

PubMed

Atilano, Magda L; Glittenberg, Marcus; Monteiro, Annabel; Copley, Richard R; Ligoxygakis, Petros

2017-09-01

Small noncoding RNAs called microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression related to host defenses. Here, we have used Drosophila melanogaster to explore the contribution of individual or clusters of miRNAs in countering systemic Candida albicans infection. From a total of 72 tested, we identify 6 miRNA allelic mutant backgrounds that modulate the survival response to infection and the ability to control pathogen number. These mutants also exhibit dysregulation of the Toll pathway target transcripts Drosomycin ( Drs ) and Immune-Induced Molecule 1 ( IM1 ). These are characteristics of defects in Toll signaling, and consistent with this, we demonstrate dependency for one of the miRNA mutants on the NF-κΒ homolog Dif. We also quantify changes in the miRNA expression profile over time in response to three pathogen types, and identify 13 mature miRNA forms affected by pathogens that stimulate Toll signaling. To complement this, we provide a genome-wide map of potential NF-κB sites in proximity to miRNA genes. Finally, we demonstrate that systemic C. albicans infection contributes to a reduction in the total amount of branch-chained amino acids, which is miRNA-regulated. Overall, our data reveal a new layer of miRNA complexity regulating the fly response to systemic fungal infection. Copyright © 2017 Atilano et al.

Expression and function of dopamine receptors in the developing medial frontal cortex and striatum of the rat

PubMed Central

Sillivan, Stephanie E.; Konradi, Christine

2011-01-01

The timeline of dopamine (DA) system maturation and the signaling properties of dopamine receptors (DRs) during rat brain development are not fully characterized. We used in situ hybridization and quantitative PCR to map DR mRNA transcripts in the medial frontal cortex (mFC) and striatum (STR) of the rat from embryonic day (E) 15 to E21. The developmental trajectory of DR mRNAs revealed distinct patterns of DA receptors 1 and 2 (DRD1, DRD2) in these brain regions. Whereas the mFC had a steeper increase in DRD1 mRNA, the STR had a steeper increase in DRD2 mRNA. Both DR mRNAs were expressed at a higher level in the STR compared to the mFC. To identify the functional properties of DRs during embryonic development, the phosphorylation states of cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β) were examined after DR stimulation in primary neuronal cultures obtained from E15 and E18 embryos and cultured for 3 days to ensure a stable baseline level. DR-mediated signaling cascades were functional in E15 cultures in both brain regions. Because DA fibers do not reach the mFC by E15, and DA was not present in cultures, these data indicate that DRs can become functional in the absence of DA innervation. Since activation of DR signal transduction pathways can affect network organization of the developing brain, maternal exposure to drugs that affect DR activity may be liable to interfere with fetal brain development. PMID:22015925

Imaging Findings Associated with Cognitive Performance in Primary Lateral Sclerosis and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

PubMed Central

Meoded, Avner; Kwan, Justin Y.; Peters, Tracy L.; Huey, Edward D.; Danielian, Laura E.; Wiggs, Edythe; Morrissette, Arthur; Wu, Tianxia; Russell, James W.; Bayat, Elham; Grafman, Jordan; Floeter, Mary Kay

2013-01-01

Introduction Executive dysfunction occurs in many patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but it has not been well studied in primary lateral sclerosis (PLS). The aims of this study were to (1) compare cognitive function in PLS to that in ALS patients, (2) explore the relationship between performance on specific cognitive tests and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics of white matter tracts and gray matter volumes, and (3) compare DTI metrics in patients with and without cognitive and behavioral changes. Methods The Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS), the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (DRS-2), and other behavior and mood scales were administered to 25 ALS patients and 25 PLS patients. Seventeen of the PLS patients, 13 of the ALS patients, and 17 healthy controls underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and DTI. Atlas-based analysis using MRI Studio software was used to measure fractional anisotropy, and axial and radial diffusivity of selected white matter tracts. Voxel-based morphometry was used to assess gray matter volumes. The relationship between diffusion properties of selected association and commissural white matter and performance on executive function and memory tests was explored using a linear regression model. Results More ALS than PLS patients had abnormal scores on the DRS-2. DRS-2 and D-KEFS scores were related to DTI metrics in several long association tracts and the callosum. Reduced gray matter volumes in motor and perirolandic areas were not associated with cognitive scores. Conclusion The changes in diffusion metrics of white matter long association tracts suggest that the loss of integrity of the networks connecting fronto-temporal areas to parietal and occipital areas contributes to cognitive impairment. PMID:24052798

Monitoring longitudinal changes in irradiated head and neck cancer xenografts using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vishwanath, Karthik; Jiang, Shudong; Gunn, Jason R.; Marra, Kayla; Andreozzi, Jacqueline M.; Pogue, Brian W.

2016-02-01

Radiation therapy is often used as the preferred clinical treatment for control of localized head and neck cancer. However, during the course of treatment (6-8 weeks), feedback about functional and/or physiological changes within impacted tissue are not obtained, given the onerous financial and/or logistical burdens of scheduling MRI, PET or CT scans. Diffuse optical sensing is well suited to address this problem since the instrumentation can be made low-cost and portable while still being able to non-invasively provide information about vascular oxygenation in vivo. Here we report results from studies that employed an optical fiber-based portable diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) system to longitudinally monitor changes in tumor vasculature within two head and neck cancer cell lines (SCC-15 and FaDu) xenografted in the flanks of nude mice, in two separate experiments. Once the tumor volumes were 100mm3, 67% of animals received localized (electron beam) radiation therapy in five fractions (8Gy/day, for 5 days) while 33% of the animals served as controls. DRS measurements were obtained from each animal on each day of treatment and then for two weeks post-treatment. Reflectance spectra were parametrized to extract total hemoglobin concentration and blood oxygen-saturation and the resulting time-trends of optical parameters appear to be dissimilar for the two cell-lines. These findings are also compared to previous animal experiments (using the FaDu line) that were irradiated using a photon beam radiotherapy protocol. These results and implications for the use of fiber-based DRS measurements made at local (irradiated) tumor site as a basis for identifying early radiotherapy-response are presented and discussed.

A Wideband Circularly Polarized Antenna with a Multiple-Circular-Sector Dielectric Resonator.

PubMed

Trinh-Van, Son; Yang, Youngoo; Lee, Kang-Yoon; Hwang, Keum Cheol

2016-11-03

This paper presents the design of a wideband circularly polarized antenna using a multiple-circular-sector dielectric resonator (DR). The DR is composed of twelve circular-sector DRs with identical central angles of 30 ∘ but with different radii. A genetic algorithm is utilized to optimize the radii of the twelve circular-sector DRs to realize wideband circular polarization. The proposed antenna is excited using an aperture-coupled feeding technique through a narrow rectangular slot etched onto the ground plane. An antenna prototype is experimentally verified. The measured -10 dB reflection and 3 dB axial ratio (AR) bandwidths are 31.39% (1.88-2.58 GHz) and 19.30% (2.06-2.50 GHz), respectively, covering the operating bands of the following systems: UMTS-2100 (2.145 GHz), WiMAX (2.3 GHz), and Wi-Fi (2.445 GHz). A measured peak gain of 7.65 dBic at 2.225 GHz and gain variation of less than 2.70 dBic within the measured 3 dB AR bandwidth are achieved. In addition, the radiation patterns of the proposed antenna are presented and discussed.

Critical comparison of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and colorimetry as dermatological diagnostic tools for acanthosis nigricans: a chemometric approach.

PubMed

Devpura, Suneetha; Pattamadilok, Bensachee; Syed, Zain U; Vemulapalli, Pranita; Henderson, Marsha; Rehse, Steven J; Hamzavi, Iltefat; Lim, Henry W; Naik, Ratna

2011-06-01

Quantification of skin changes due to acanthosis nigricans (AN), a disorder common among insulin-resistant diabetic and obese individuals, was investigated using two optical techniques: diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and colorimetry. Measurements were obtained from AN lesions on the neck and two control sites of eight AN patients. A principal component/discriminant function analysis successfully differentiated between AN lesion and normal skin with 87.7% sensitivity and 94.8% specificity in DRS measurements and 97.2% sensitivity and 96.4% specificity in colorimetry measurements.

Ex ante Implementatietoetsing van Beleid, Een Methodiek Gebaseerd op Synergie Tussen Risicomanagement en Verandermanagement (Ex Ante Test for Policy Implementation - A Method Based Upon Synergy Between Risk Management an Change Management)

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-12-01

ante implementatietoetsing van beleid Een methodiek gebaseerd op synergie tussen risicomnanagemnent en verandermanagemnent Datuni december 2006 Auteur (s...te analyseren. Het de resultaten van de interviews gebruikct bij de theorie van risicomanagement en project Verandermanagernent bij de de ontwikkehing...Opdrachtnummer Hoewel expliciet is gekeken naar voorbeelden van risico’s bij Datum december 2006 Auteur (s) PROGRAMMA PR03ECT drs. R.C.T. de Haas drs

Antenna pointing mechanism for ESA ENVISAT polar platform

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Serrano, J.; SanMillan, J.; Santiago, R.

1996-01-01

INTA is currently developing a two-degree-of-freedom antenna pointing mechanism (APM) as part of the ESA ENVISAT POLAR PLATFORM (PPF) program. This mechanism will drive a Ka-band antenna within the Data-Relay Satellite System (DRS) on board the Polar Platform satellite. The first mission using PPF is ENVISAT, which is expected to be flown in 1998. This paper describes the main requirements, design, and test results of this pointing system, as well as the main technical problems from customer requirements and how those have been faced to achieve a final design.

Web-Based Library and Algorithm System for Satellite and Airborne Image Products

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-01-01

the spectrum matching approach to inverting hyperspectral imagery created by Drs. C. Mobley ( Sequoia Scientific) and P. Bissett (FERI). 5...matching algorithms developed by Sequoia Scientific and FERI. Testing and Implementation of Library This project will result in the delivery of a...transitioning VSW algorithms developed by Dr. Curtis D. Mobley at Sequoia Scientific, Inc., and Dr. Paul Bissett at FERI, under other 6.1/6.2 program funding.

MoS2 quantum dots decorated g-C3N4/Ag heterostructures for enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, Yanhui; Liang, Wei; Guo, Jinqiu; Tang, Hua; Liu, Shuaishuai

2018-02-01

A novel MoS2 quantum dots (QDs) decorated g-C3N4/Ag heterostructured photocatalyst has been synthesized via a two-step method including in situ microemulsion-assisted reduction and wetness impregnation method. The obtained heterostructure photocatalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and photoluminescence spectrosxopy (PL). The photocatalytic activity was evaluated by the degradation of methyl orange (MO) under visible-light irradiation. The MoS2 QDs decorated hybrid photocatalysts exhibited significantly enhanced photocatalytic performance. The concentration of Ag and MoS2 QDs showing the optimal photocatalytic performance was determined to be 10% and 0.3% respectively, which exceeded the photocatalytic performance of pure g-C3N4 by more than 4.7 times. Recycling experiments confirmed that the hybrid catalysts had superior cycle performance and stability. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of MoS2 QDs decorated g-C3N4/Ag hybrid photocatalysts can be mainly ascribed to enhanced visible-light absorption, the efficient separation of photogenerated charge carriers and the stronger oxidation and reduction ability through a Z-scheme system composed of g-C3N4, Ag and MoS2 QDs, in which Ag nanoparticles act as the charge separation center. The evidence of the Z-scheme photocatalytic mechanism of the composite photocatalysts was obtained from the active species trapping experiments.

Effective charge separation in BiOI/Cu2O composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xia, Yongmei; He, Zuming; Yang, Wei; Tang, Bin; Lu, Yalin; Hu, Kejun; Su, Jiangbin; Li, Xiaoping

2018-02-01

Novel BiOI/Cu2O composites were designed and synthesized for the first time by coupling reduction method at low temperature. The samples were characterized by XRD, XPS, SEM, EDS, HRTEM, UV-vis (DRS), FTIR and photo-electro-chemical (PEC) analysis. Results showed that the BiOI/Cu2O composites consisted of three-dimensional (3D), hierarchical cauliflower-like structure composed of BiOI nanosheet and Cu2O cubic submicrometer structure, the composite absorption band broadened, and the absorption intensity in the visible region strengthened. And the composites exhibited an excellent photocatalytic performance, which might be attributed to the improvement of the composite absorption and effective charge separation in BiOI/Cu2O composites. In addition, the possible photocatalytic mechanism was proposed.

On the use and misuse of scalar scores of confounders in design and analysis of observational studies.

PubMed

Pfeiffer, R M; Riedl, R

2015-08-15

We assess the asymptotic bias of estimates of exposure effects conditional on covariates when summary scores of confounders, instead of the confounders themselves, are used to analyze observational data. First, we study regression models for cohort data that are adjusted for summary scores. Second, we derive the asymptotic bias for case-control studies when cases and controls are matched on a summary score, and then analyzed either using conditional logistic regression or by unconditional logistic regression adjusted for the summary score. Two scores, the propensity score (PS) and the disease risk score (DRS) are studied in detail. For cohort analysis, when regression models are adjusted for the PS, the estimated conditional treatment effect is unbiased only for linear models, or at the null for non-linear models. Adjustment of cohort data for DRS yields unbiased estimates only for linear regression; all other estimates of exposure effects are biased. Matching cases and controls on DRS and analyzing them using conditional logistic regression yields unbiased estimates of exposure effect, whereas adjusting for the DRS in unconditional logistic regression yields biased estimates, even under the null hypothesis of no association. Matching cases and controls on the PS yield unbiased estimates only under the null for both conditional and unconditional logistic regression, adjusted for the PS. We study the bias for various confounding scenarios and compare our asymptotic results with those from simulations with limited sample sizes. To create realistic correlations among multiple confounders, we also based simulations on a real dataset. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Major depressive disorder with psychotic features may lead to misdiagnosis of dementia: a case report and review of the literature.

PubMed

Wagner, Gerhardt S; McClintock, Shawn M; Rosenquist, Peter B; McCall, W Vaughn; Kahn, David A

2011-11-01

Major depressive disorder (MDD) with psychotic features is relatively frequent in patients with greater depressive symptom severity and is associated with a poorer course of illness and greater functional impairment than MDD without psychotic features. Multiple studies have found that patients with psychotic mood disorders demonstrate significantly poorer cognitive performance in a variety of areas than those with nonpsychotic mood disorders. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Dementia Rating Scale, Second Edition (DRS-2) are widely used to measure cognitive functions in research on MDD with psychotic features. Established total raw score cut-offs of 24 on the MMSE and 137 on the DRS-2 in published manuals suggest possible global cognitive impairment and dementia, respectively. Limited research is available on these suggested cut-offs for patients with MDD with psychotic features. We document the therapeutic benefit of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which is usually associated with short-term cognitive impairment, in a 68-year-old woman with psychotic depression whose MMSE and DRS-2 scores initially suggested possible global cognitive impairment and dementia. Over the course of four ECT treatments, the patient's MMSE scores progressively increased. After the second ECT treatment, the patient no longer met criteria for global cognitive impairment. With each treatment, depression severity, measured by the 24-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, improved sequentially. Thus, the suggested cut-off scores for the MMSE and the DRS-2 in patients with MDD with psychotic features may in some cases produce false-positive indications of dementia.

Clinical evaluation of the 3M Littmann Electronic Stethoscope Model 3200 in 150 cats.

PubMed

Blass, Keith A; Schober, Karsten E; Bonagura, John D; Scansen, Brian A; Visser, Lance C; Lu, Jennifer; Smith, Danielle N; Ward, Jessica L

2013-10-01

Detection of murmurs and gallops may help to identify cats with heart disease. However, auscultatory findings may be subject to clinically relevant observer variation. The objective of this study was to evaluate an electronic stethoscope (ES) in cats. We hypothesized that the ES would perform at least as well as a conventional stethoscope (CS) in the detection of abnormal heart sounds. One hundred and fifty consecutive cats undergoing echocardiography were enrolled prospectively. Cats were ausculted with a CS (WA Tycos Harvey Elite) by two observers, and heart sounds were recorded digitally using an ES (3M Littmann Stethoscope Model 3200) for off-line analysis. Echocardiography was used as the clinical standard method for validation of auscultatory findings. Additionally, digital recordings (DRs) were assessed by eight independent observers with various levels of expertise, and compared using interclass correlation and Cohen's weighted kappa analyses. Using the CS, a heart murmur (n = 88 cats) or gallop sound (n = 17) was identified in 105 cats, whereas 45 cats lacked abnormal heart sounds. There was good total agreement (83-90%) between the two observers using the CS. In contrast, there was only moderate agreement (P <0.001) between results from the CS and the DRs for murmurs, and poor agreement for gallops. The CS was more sensitive compared with the DRs with regard to murmurs and gallops. Agreement among the eight observers was good-to-excellent for murmur detection (81%). In conclusion, DRs made with the ES are less sensitive but comparably specific to a CS at detecting abnormal heart sounds in cats.

Mental status testing in the elderly nursing home population.

PubMed

Nadler, J D; Relkin, N R; Cohen, M S; Hodder, R A; Reingold, J; Plum, F

1995-07-01

The clinical utility of selected brief cognitive screening instruments in detecting dementia in an elderly nursing home population was examined. One hundred twenty nursing home residents (mean age 87.9) were administered the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) and the Modified Mini-Mental State Exam (3MS). The majority of the subjects (75%) were also administered the Dementia Rating Scale (DRS). Both clinically diagnosed demented (n = 57) and non-demented (n = 63) subjects participated in the study. Dementia was diagnosed in accordance with DSM-III-R criteria by physicians specializing in geriatric medicine. Using standard cutoffs for impairment, the 3MS, MMSE, and DRS achieved high sensitivity (82% to 100%) but low specificity (33% to 52%) in the detection of dementia among nursing home residents. Positive predictive values ranged from 52% to 61%, and negative predictive values from 77% to 100%. Higher age, lower education, and history of depression were significantly associated with misclassification of non-demented elderly subjects. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analyses revealed optimal classification of dementia with cutoff values of 74 for the 3MS, 22 for the MMSE, and 110 for the DRS. The results suggest that the 3MS, MMSE, and DRS do not differ significantly with respect to classification accuracy of dementia in a nursing home population. Elderly individuals of advanced age (i.e., the oldest-old) with lower education and a history of depression appear at particular risk for dementia misclassification with these instruments. Revised cutoff values for impairment should be employed when these instruments are applied to elderly residents of nursing homes and the oldest-old.

The end-to-end simulator for the E-ELT HIRES high resolution spectrograph

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Genoni, M.; Landoni, M.; Riva, M.; Pariani, G.; Mason, E.; Di Marcantonio, P.; Disseau, K.; Di Varano, I.; Gonzalez, O.; Huke, P.; Korhonen, H.; Li Causi, Gianluca

2017-06-01

We present the design, architecture and results of the End-to-End simulator model of the high resolution spectrograph HIRES for the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT). This system can be used as a tool to characterize the spectrograph both by engineers and scientists. The model allows to simulate the behavior of photons starting from the scientific object (modeled bearing in mind the main science drivers) to the detector, considering also calibration light sources, and allowing to perform evaluation of the different parameters of the spectrograph design. In this paper, we will detail the architecture of the simulator and the computational model which are strongly characterized by modularity and flexibility that will be crucial in the next generation astronomical observation projects like E-ELT due to of the high complexity and long-time design and development. Finally, we present synthetic images obtained with the current version of the End-to-End simulator based on the E-ELT HIRES requirements (especially high radial velocity accuracy). Once ingested in the Data reduction Software (DRS), they will allow to verify that the instrument design can achieve the radial velocity accuracy needed by the HIRES science cases.

Sunlight impelled photocatalytic pursuance of Ag-TiO2-SGO and Pt-TiO2-SGO ternary nanocomposites on rhodamine B degradation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alamelu, K.; Ali, B. M. Jaffar

2018-04-01

We demonstrate a hydrothermal method combined with polyol reduction process for the synthesis of an Ag-TiO2-SGO and Pt-TiO2-SGO ternary nanocomposites in which the Ag, Pt and TiO2 nanoparticles are dispersed on the Sulfonated graphene oxide nanosheets. The structural and optical properties of obtained nanocomposites were characterized by XRD, UV-DRS, Raman, FTIR and Photoluminescence spectroscopy. The nanocomposites shows increased light absorption ability in the visible region due to surface plasmon resonance effect of noble metal. The rate of electron-hole pair recombination was significating reduced for nanocomposites system compare to pure. Also, their Performance for the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B as a model organic pollutant is explored. The results showed that Ag-TiO2-SGO and Pt-TiO2-SGO nanocomposites could degrade 95% of the dye within 90 min, under natural sunlight irradiation. The reaction kinetics of ternary nanocomposites exhibit more than 2.2 fold increased photocatalytic activity compared to pristine TiO2. Sulfonated graphene based ternary photocatalyst are potential candidates for wastewater treatment in real time application, due to this ability degrade cationic and anionic dyes.

Postoperative full abduction in a patient of Duane retraction syndrome without an abducens nerve: a case report.

PubMed

Kim, Jae Hyoung; Hwang, Jeong-Min

2017-05-19

Duane retraction syndrome (DRS) consists of abduction deficit, globe retraction and upshoots or downshoots with adduction. The abducens nerve on the affected side is absent in type 1 DRS. After bilateral medial rectus muscle recession in unilateral type 1 DRS may improve the abduction limitation, but still more than -3 limitation remains. A 6-month-old boy presented with esotropia which had been noticed in early infancy. He showed limited abduction, fissure narrowing on attempted adduction and a small upshoot OS. Left abducens nerve was not identified on magnetic resonance imaging compatible with Duane retraction syndrome type 1. He showed full abduction after bilateral medial rectus recession of 6.0 mm at the age of 9 months, and remained orthotropia with full abduction OU 2 years postoperatively. He is my only patient with Duane retraction syndrome who showed full abduction after bilateral medial rectus recession. A patient with the type 1 Duane retraction syndrome rarely may show full abduction after bilateral medial rectus recession mimicking infantile esotropia.

Influence of operating conditions on the air gasification of dry refinery sludge in updraft gasifier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmed, R.; Sinnathambi, C. M.

2013-06-01

In the present work, details of the equilibrium modeling of dry refinery sludge (DRS) are presented using ASPEN PLUS Simulator in updraft gasifier. Due to lack of available information in the open journal on refinery sludge gasification using updraft gasifier, an evaluate for its optimum conditions on gasification is presented in this paper. For this purpose a Taguchi Orthogonal array design, statistical software is applied to find optimum conditions for DRS gasification. The goal is to identify the most significant process variable in DRS gasification conditions. The process variables include; oxidation zone temperature, equivalent ratio, operating pressure will be simulated and examined. Attention was focused on the effect of optimum operating conditions on the gas composition of H2 and CO (desirable) and CO2 (undesirable) in terms of mass fraction. From our results and finding it can be concluded that the syngas (H2 & CO) yield in term of mass fraction favors high oxidation zone temperature and at atmospheric pressure while CO2 acid gas favor at a high level of equivalent ratio as well as air flow rate favoring towards complete combustion.

Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and optical polarization imaging of in-vivo biological tissue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mora-Núñez, A.; Castillejos, Y.; García-Torales, G.; Martínez-Ponce, G.

2013-11-01

A number of optical techniques have been reported in the scientific literature as accomplishable methodologies to diagnose diseases in biological tissue, for instance, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and optical polarization imaging (OPI). The skin is the largest organ in the body and consists of three primary layers, namely, the epidermis (the outermost layer exposed to the world), the dermis, and the hypodermis. The epidermis changes from to site to site, mainly because of difference in hydration. A lower water content increase light scattering and reduce the penetration depth of radiation. In this work, two hairless mice have been selected to evaluate their skin features by using DRS and OPI. Four areas of the specimen body were chosen to realize the comparison: back, abdomen, tail, and head. From DRS, it was possible to distinguish the skin nature because of different blood irrigation at dermis. In the other hand, OPI shows pseudo-depolarizing regions in the measured Mueller images related to a spatially varying propagation of the scattered light. This provides information about the cell size in the irradiated skin.

Mammalian RAD52 Functions in Break-Induced Replication Repair of Collapsed DNA Replication Forks.

PubMed

Sotiriou, Sotirios K; Kamileri, Irene; Lugli, Natalia; Evangelou, Konstantinos; Da-Ré, Caterina; Huber, Florian; Padayachy, Laura; Tardy, Sebastien; Nicati, Noemie L; Barriot, Samia; Ochs, Fena; Lukas, Claudia; Lukas, Jiri; Gorgoulis, Vassilis G; Scapozza, Leonardo; Halazonetis, Thanos D

2016-12-15

Human cancers are characterized by the presence of oncogene-induced DNA replication stress (DRS), making them dependent on repair pathways such as break-induced replication (BIR) for damaged DNA replication forks. To better understand BIR, we performed a targeted siRNA screen for genes whose depletion inhibited G1 to S phase progression when oncogenic cyclin E was overexpressed. RAD52, a gene dispensable for normal development in mice, was among the top hits. In cells in which fork collapse was induced by oncogenes or chemicals, the Rad52 protein localized to DRS foci. Depletion of Rad52 by siRNA or knockout of the gene by CRISPR/Cas9 compromised restart of collapsed forks and led to DNA damage in cells experiencing DRS. Furthermore, in cancer-prone, heterozygous APC mutant mice, homozygous deletion of the Rad52 gene suppressed tumor growth and prolonged lifespan. We therefore propose that mammalian RAD52 facilitates repair of collapsed DNA replication forks in cancer cells. Copyright © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Dependence receptors: the dark side awakens.

PubMed

Negulescu, Ana-Maria; Mehlen, Patrick

2018-05-18

Transmembrane receptors are usually seen as on and off switch: when the specific ligand is bound, the receptor is on and transduces a downstream signal, while when the ligand is absent, the receptor is off. Over the last two decades several reports have argued from an alternative view where some receptors, depending on the context, will be active both in the presence and in the absence of ligand, being sort of on A and on B switch rather than on and off. These receptors have been named Dependence Receptors (DR) and they share the ability to actively trigger cell death when unbound by their respective ligands. DRs have been shown to be important guardians of tissue homeostasis. In pathological settings such as cancer, DRs are seen as tumor suppressors and a clinical trial is ongoing to assay whether these DRs can be used to provide clinical benefit by triggering cancer cell death. In this review we are reviewing this functional family of receptors and underlying their promising potential for targeted therapy against cancer. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Cryogen-free dilution refrigerators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uhlig, K.

2012-12-01

We review briefly our first cryogen-free dilution refrigerator (CF-DR) which was precooled by a GM cryocooler. We then show how today's dry DRs with pulse tube precooling have developed. A few examples of commercial DRs are explained and noteworthy features pointed out. Thereby we describe the general advantages of cryogen-free DRs, but also show where improvements are still desirable. At present, our dry DR has a base temperature of 10 mK and a cooling capacity of 700 μW at a mixing chamber temperature of 100 mK. In our cryostat, in most recent work, an additional refrigeration loop was added to the dilution circuit. This 4He circuit has a lowest temperature of about 1 K and a refrigeration capacity of up to 100 mW at temperatures slightly above 1 K; the dilution circuit and the 4He circuit can be run separately or together. The purpose of this additional loop is to increase the cooling capacity for experiments where the cooling power of the still of the DR is not sufficient to cool cold amplifiers and cables, e.g. in studies on superconducting quantum circuits or astrophysical applications.

Fifty years of HgCdTe at Texas Instruments and beyond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kinch, Michael A.

2009-05-01

Work on HgCdTe began at Texas Instruments in the early 1960s, and continued through 1997 when TI's defense business was sold first to Raytheon, and subsequently in 1998 to DRS Technologies. This presentation traces the history of HgCdTe's evolution throughout this timeframe to the present day, as viewed through the eyes of the author and several of his TI contemporaries who have survived the experience. The materials technology will be traced from the early days of bulk growth by the solid state recrystalization technique, through the traveling heater method of growth, to liquid phase epitaxy from large Te-rich melts, to vapor phase growth by molecular beam epitaxy and metal organic chemical vapor deposition. The evolution of detector device architectures at TI over the years will be discussed, from the early, successful days of photoconductors and the Common Module System, through the somewhat problematic and relatively unsuccessful foray into charge coupled and charge injection devices for 2nd generation FPAs for the Javelin program, to the outstandingly successful development of the vertically integrated photodiode (VIP) and high density VIP FPA architectures for mono-color and multi-color 3rd generation systems. The versatile, and unique nature of this infrared semiconductor materials system will be highlighted by reference to current work at DRS Technologies into electron avalanche photodiodes (EAPDs), for use in active/passive IR systems, and high operating temperature (HOT) detectors, which threaten to eventually offer BLIP photon detection at uncooled operating temperatures, over the whole IR spectrum from 1 to 12um.

A model to locate potential areas for lake sturgeon spawning habitat construction in the St. Clair–Detroit River System

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bennion, David; Manny, Bruce A.

2014-01-01

In response to a need for objective scientific information that could be used to help remediate loss of fish spawning habitat in the St. Clair River and Detroit River International Areas of Concern, this paper summarizes a large-scale geographic mapping investigation. Our study integrates data on two variables that many riverine fishes respond to in selecting where to spawn in these waters (water flow velocity and water depth) with available maps of the St. Clair–Detroit River System (SC–DRS). Our objectives were to locate and map these two physical components of fish habitat in the St. Clair and Detroit rivers and Lake St. Clair using a geographic information system (GIS) and to identify where, theoretically, fish spawning habitat could be remediated in these rivers. The target fish species to which this model applies is lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), but spawning reefs constructed for lake sturgeon in this system have been used for spawning by 17 species of fish. Our analysis revealed areas in each river that possessed suitable water velocity and depth for fish spawning and therefore could theoretically be remediated by the addition of rock-rubble substrate like that used at two previously remediated sites in the Detroit River at Belle Isle and Fighting Island. Results of our analysis revealed that only 3% of the total area of the SC–DRS possesses the necessary combination of water depth and high flow velocity to be indicated by the model as potential spawning habitat for lake sturgeon.

Critical comparison of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and colorimetry as dermatological diagnostic tools for acanthosis nigricans: a chemometric approach

PubMed Central

Devpura, Suneetha; Pattamadilok, Bensachee; Syed, Zain U.; Vemulapalli, Pranita; Henderson, Marsha; Rehse, Steven J.; Hamzavi, Iltefat; Lim, Henry W.; Naik, Ratna

2011-01-01

Quantification of skin changes due to acanthosis nigricans (AN), a disorder common among insulin-resistant diabetic and obese individuals, was investigated using two optical techniques: diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and colorimetry. Measurements were obtained from AN lesions on the neck and two control sites of eight AN patients. A principal component/discriminant function analysis successfully differentiated between AN lesion and normal skin with 87.7% sensitivity and 94.8% specificity in DRS measurements and 97.2% sensitivity and 96.4% specificity in colorimetry measurements. PMID:21698027

Regeneration of the Adult Rat Spinal Cord in Response to Ensheathing Cells and Methylprednisolone

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-01-01

me in academics and research, and also as my friend. I thank Dr. Linda L. Porter, for her continuous efforts on my behalf as the Chairperson of...and Spinal Cord Injury Program. We are grateful to Drs. Barbara S. Bregman and Linda L. Porter for their wonderful suggestions and guidance; to Anna...ES, Pietronigro DD, Seligman ML (1980) The free radical pathology and the microcirculation in the major central nervous system disorders. Acta

Parallel Harmony Search Based Distributed Energy Resource Optimization

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

Ceylan, Oguzhan; Liu, Guodong; Tomsovic, Kevin

2015-01-01

This paper presents a harmony search based parallel optimization algorithm to minimize voltage deviations in three phase unbalanced electrical distribution systems and to maximize active power outputs of distributed energy resources (DR). The main contribution is to reduce the adverse impacts on voltage profile during a day as photovoltaics (PVs) output or electrical vehicles (EVs) charging changes throughout a day. The IEEE 123- bus distribution test system is modified by adding DRs and EVs under different load profiles. The simulation results show that by using parallel computing techniques, heuristic methods may be used as an alternative optimization tool in electricalmore » power distribution systems operation.« less

Text Mining Effectively Scores and Ranks the Literature for Improving Chemical-Gene-Disease Curation at the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database

PubMed Central

Johnson, Robin J.; Lay, Jean M.; Lennon-Hopkins, Kelley; Saraceni-Richards, Cynthia; Sciaky, Daniela; Murphy, Cynthia Grondin; Mattingly, Carolyn J.

2013-01-01

The Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD; http://ctdbase.org/) is a public resource that curates interactions between environmental chemicals and gene products, and their relationships to diseases, as a means of understanding the effects of environmental chemicals on human health. CTD provides a triad of core information in the form of chemical-gene, chemical-disease, and gene-disease interactions that are manually curated from scientific articles. To increase the efficiency, productivity, and data coverage of manual curation, we have leveraged text mining to help rank and prioritize the triaged literature. Here, we describe our text-mining process that computes and assigns each article a document relevancy score (DRS), wherein a high DRS suggests that an article is more likely to be relevant for curation at CTD. We evaluated our process by first text mining a corpus of 14,904 articles triaged for seven heavy metals (cadmium, cobalt, copper, lead, manganese, mercury, and nickel). Based upon initial analysis, a representative subset corpus of 3,583 articles was then selected from the 14,094 articles and sent to five CTD biocurators for review. The resulting curation of these 3,583 articles was analyzed for a variety of parameters, including article relevancy, novel data content, interaction yield rate, mean average precision, and biological and toxicological interpretability. We show that for all measured parameters, the DRS is an effective indicator for scoring and improving the ranking of literature for the curation of chemical-gene-disease information at CTD. Here, we demonstrate how fully incorporating text mining-based DRS scoring into our curation pipeline enhances manual curation by prioritizing more relevant articles, thereby increasing data content, productivity, and efficiency. PMID:23613709

Risk Score for Detecting Dysglycemia: A Cross-Sectional Study of a Working-Age Population in an Oil Field in China.

PubMed

Tian, Xiubiao; Liu, Yan; Han, Ying; Shi, Jieli; Zhu, Tiehong

2017-06-11

BACKGROUND Dysglycemia (pre-diabetes or diabetes) in young adults has increased rapidly. However, the risk scores for detecting dysglycemia in oil field staff and workers in China are limited. This study developed a risk score for the early identification of dysglycemia based on epidemiological and health examination data in an oil field working-age population with increased risk of diabetes. MATERIAL AND METHODS Multivariable logistic regression was used to develop the risk score model in a population-based, cross-sectional study. All subjects completed the questionnaires and underwent physical examination and oral glucose tolerance tests. The performance of the risk score models was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS The study population consisted of 1995 participants, 20-64 years old (49.4% males), with undiagnosed diabetes or pre-diabetes who underwent periodic health examinations from March 2014 to June 2015 in Dagang oil field, Tianjin, China. Age, sex, body mass index, history of high blood glucose, smoking, triglyceride, and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) constituted the Dagang dysglycemia risk score (Dagang DRS) model. The performance of Dagang DRS was superior to m-FINDRISC (AUC: 0.791; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.773-0.809 vs. 0.633; 95% CI, 0.611-0.654). At the cut-off value of 5.6 mmol/L, the Dagang DRS (AUC: 0.616; 95% CI, 0.592-0.641) was better than the FPG value alone (AUC: 0.571; 95% CI, 0.546-0.596) in participants with FPG <6.1 mmol/L (n=1545, P=0.028). CONCLUSIONS Dagang DRS is a valuable tool for detecting dysglycemia, especially when FPG <6.1 mmol/L, in oil field workers in China.

Prospective observational study of delirium recovery trajectories and associated short-term outcomes in older adults admitted to a specialized delirium unit.

PubMed

Lam, Ching-yu; Tay, Laura; Chan, Mark; Ding, Yew Yoong; Chong, Mei Sian

2014-09-01

To describe the recovery trajectories of delirium and to determine factors predicting the course of recovery and adverse outcome. A prospective observational study. Geriatric monitoring unit (GMU), a five-bed unit specializing in managing older adults with delirium. Individuals admitted to the GMU between December 2010 and August 2012 (N = 234; mean age 84.1 ± 7.4). Information was collected on demographic characteristics; comorbidities; severity of illness; functional status; and daily cognitive, Delirium Rating Scale, Revised-98 (DRS-R98) severity, and functional scoring. Resolution of delirium, and thus GMU discharge, was determined according to clinical assessment. The primary outcome was residual subsyndromal delirium (SSD) (DRS-R98 severity ≥13) upon GMU discharge. Univariate and multivariate methods were used to determine the predictors of residual SSD and adverse outcomes (inpatient mortality and incident nursing home admission upon discharge). Participants with residual SSD had a slower recovery in terms of delirium severity, cognition, and functional status than those with no residual SSD. Residual SSD predictors included underlying dementia, admission DRS-R98 severity, DRS-R98 severity on Day 1 minus Day 3 of GMU stay, and admission modified Barthel Index. Only presence of residual SSD at discharge predicted adverse outcomes (odds ratio = 5.27, 95% confidence interval = 1.43-19.47). Individuals with residual SSD had prolonged recovery trajectory of delirium. These new insights into the recovery trajectories of delirium may help formulate early discharge planning and provide the basis for future research on delirium treatment. © 2014, Copyright the Authors Journal compilation © 2014, The American Geriatrics Society.

Attitudes, access and anguish: a qualitative interview study of staff and patients' experiences of diabetic retinopathy screening.

PubMed

Hipwell, A E; Sturt, J; Lindenmeyer, A; Stratton, I; Gadsby, R; O'Hare, P; Scanlon, P H

2014-12-15

To examine the experiences of patients, health professionals and screeners; their interactions with and understandings of diabetic retinopathy screening (DRS); and how these influence uptake. Purposive, qualitative design using multiperspectival, semistructured interviews and thematic analysis. Three UK Screening Programme regions with different service-delivery modes, minority ethnic and deprivation levels across rural, urban and inner-city areas, in general practitioner practices and patients' homes. 62 including 38 patients (22 regular-screening attenders, 16 non-regular attenders) and 24 professionals (15 primary care professionals and 9 screeners). Antecedents to attendance included knowledge about diabetic retinopathy and screening; antecedents to non-attendance included psychological, pragmatic and social factors. Confusion between photographs taken at routine eye tests and DRS photographs was identified. The differing regional invitation methods and screening locations were discussed, with convenience and transport safety being over-riding considerations for patients. Some patients mentioned significant pain and visual disturbance from mydriasis drops as a deterrent to attendance. In this, the first study to consider multiperspectival experiential accounts, we identified that proactive coordination of care involving patients, primary care and screening programmes, prior to, during and after screening is required. Multiple factors, prior to, during and after screening, are involved in the attendance and non-attendance for DRS. Further research is needed to establish whether patient self-management educational interventions and the pharmacological reformulation of shorter acting mydriasis drops, may improve uptake of DRS. This might, in turn, reduce preventable vision loss and its associated costs to individuals and their families, and to health and social care providers, reducing current inequalities. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Validation of a Multimarker Model for Assessing Risk of Type 2 Diabetes from a Five-Year Prospective Study of 6784 Danish People (Inter99)

PubMed Central

Urdea, Mickey; Kolberg, Janice; Wilber, Judith; Gerwien, Robert; Moler, Edward; Rowe, Michael; Jorgensen, Paul; Hansen, Torben; Pedersen, Oluf; Jørgensen, Torben; Borch-Johnsen, Knut

2009-01-01

Background Improved identification of subjects at high risk for development of type 2 diabetes would allow preventive interventions to be targeted toward individuals most likely to benefit. In previous research, predictive biomarkers were identified and used to develop multivariate models to assess an individual's risk of developing diabetes. Here we describe the training and validation of the PreDx™ Diabetes Risk Score (DRS) model in a clinical laboratory setting using baseline serum samples from subjects in the Inter99 cohort, a population-based primary prevention study of cardiovascular disease. Methods Among 6784 subjects free of diabetes at baseline, 215 subjects progressed to diabetes (converters) during five years of follow-up. A nested case-control study was performed using serum samples from 202 converters and 597 randomly selected nonconverters. Samples were randomly assigned to equally sized training and validation sets. Seven biomarkers were measured using assays developed for use in a clinical reference laboratory. Results The PreDx DRS model performed better on the training set (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.837) than fasting plasma glucose alone (AUC = 0.779). When applied to the sequestered validation set, the PreDx DRS showed the same performance (AUC = 0.838), thus validating the model. This model had a better AUC than any other single measure from a fasting sample. Moreover, the model provided further risk stratification among high-risk subpopulations with impaired fasting glucose or metabolic syndrome. Conclusions The PreDx DRS provides the absolute risk of diabetes conversion in five years for subjects identified to be “at risk” using the clinical factors. PMID:20144324

Validation of a multimarker model for assessing risk of type 2 diabetes from a five-year prospective study of 6784 Danish people (Inter99).

PubMed

Urdea, Mickey; Kolberg, Janice; Wilber, Judith; Gerwien, Robert; Moler, Edward; Rowe, Michael; Jorgensen, Paul; Hansen, Torben; Pedersen, Oluf; Jørgensen, Torben; Borch-Johnsen, Knut

2009-07-01

Improved identification of subjects at high risk for development of type 2 diabetes would allow preventive interventions to be targeted toward individuals most likely to benefit. In previous research, predictive biomarkers were identified and used to develop multivariate models to assess an individual's risk of developing diabetes. Here we describe the training and validation of the PreDx Diabetes Risk Score (DRS) model in a clinical laboratory setting using baseline serum samples from subjects in the Inter99 cohort, a population-based primary prevention study of cardiovascular disease. Among 6784 subjects free of diabetes at baseline, 215 subjects progressed to diabetes (converters) during five years of follow-up. A nested case-control study was performed using serum samples from 202 converters and 597 randomly selected nonconverters. Samples were randomly assigned to equally sized training and validation sets. Seven biomarkers were measured using assays developed for use in a clinical reference laboratory. The PreDx DRS model performed better on the training set (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.837) than fasting plasma glucose alone (AUC = 0.779). When applied to the sequestered validation set, the PreDx DRS showed the same performance (AUC = 0.838), thus validating the model. This model had a better AUC than any other single measure from a fasting sample. Moreover, the model provided further risk stratification among high-risk subpopulations with impaired fasting glucose or metabolic syndrome. The PreDx DRS provides the absolute risk of diabetes conversion in five years for subjects identified to be "at risk" using the clinical factors. Copyright 2009 Diabetes Technology Society.

Sensing vascularization of ex-vivo produced oral mucosal equivalent (EVPOME) skin grafts in nude mice using optical spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vishwanath, Karthik; Gurjar, Rajan; Kuo, Shiuhyang; Fasi, Anthony; Kim, Roderick; Riccardi, Suzannah; Feinberg, Stephen E.; Wolf, David E.

2014-03-01

Repair of soft tissue defects of the lips as seen in complex maxillofacial injuries, requires pre-vascularized multi-tissue composite grafts. Protocols for fabrication of human ex-vivo produced oral mucosal equivalents (EVPOME) composed of epithelial cells and a dermal equivalent are available to create prelaminated flaps for grafting in patients. However, invivo assessment of neovascularization of the buried prelaminated flaps remains clinically challenging. Here, we use diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) to non-invasively quantify longitudinal changes in the vessel density and blood-flow within EVPOME grafts implanted in the backs of SCID mice and subsequently to determine the utility of these optical techniques for assessing vascularization of implanted grafts. 20 animals were implanted with EVPOME grafts (1x1x0.05 cm3) in their backs. DRS and DCS measurements were obtained from each animal both atop the graft site and far away from the graft site, at one week post-implantation, each week, for four consecutive weeks. DRS spectra were analyzed using an inverse Monte Carlo model to extract tissue absorption and scattering coefficients, which were then used to extract blood flow information by fitting the experimental DCS traces. There were clear differences in the mean optical parameters (averaged across all mice) at the graft site vs. the off-site measurements. Both the total hemoglobin concentration (from DRS) and the relative blood flow (from DCS) peaked at week 3 at the graft site and declined to the off-site values by week 4. The optical parameters remained relatively constant throughout 4 weeks for the off-site measurements.

Zyflamend Sensitizes Tumor Cells to TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis Through Up-Regulation of Death Receptors and Down-Regulation of Survival Proteins: Role of ROS-Dependent CCAAT/Enhancer-Binding Protein-Homologous Protein Pathway

PubMed Central

Kim, Ji Hye; Park, Byoungduck; Gupta, Subash C.; Kannappan, Ramaswamy; Sung, Bokyung

2012-01-01

Abstract Aim: TNF (tumor necrosis factor)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), is a selective killer of tumor cells, although its potential is limited by the development of resistance. In this article, we investigated whether the polyherbal preparation Zyflamend® can sensitize tumor cells to TRAIL. Results: We found that Zyflamend potentiated TRAIL-induced apoptosis in human cancer cells. Zyflamend manifested its effects through several mechanisms. First, it down-regulated the expression of cell survival proteins known to be linked to resistance to TRAIL. Second, Zyflamend up-regulated the expression of pro-apoptotic protein, Bax. Third, Zyflamend up-regulated the expression of death receptors (DRs) for TRAIL. Up-regulation of DRs was critical as gene-silencing of these receptors significantly reduced the effect of Zyflamend on TRAIL-induced apoptosis. The up-regulation of DRs was dependent on CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-homologous protein (CHOP), as Zyflamend induced CHOP, its gene-silencing abolished the induction of receptors, and mutation of the CHOP binding site on DR5 promoter abolished Zyflamend-mediated DR5 transactivation. Zyflamend mediated its effects through reactive oxygen species (ROS), as ROS quenching reduced its effect. Further, Zyflamend induced DR5 and CHOP and down-regulated the expression of cell survival proteins in nude mice bearing human pancreatic cancer cells. Innovation: Zyflamend can sensitize tumor cells to TRAIL through modulation of multiple cell signaling mechanisms that are linked to ROS. Conclusion: Zyflamend potentiates TRAIL-induced apoptosis through the ROS-CHOP-mediated up-regulation of DRs, increase in pro-apoptotic protein and down-regulation of cell survival proteins. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 16, 413–427. PMID:22004570

Design and Cosimulation of Hierarchical Architecture for Demand Response Control and Coordination

DOE PAGES

Bhattarai, Bishnu P.; Levesque, Martin; Bak-Jensen, Birgitte; ...

2016-12-07

Demand response (DR) plays a key role for optimum asset utilization and to avoid or delay the need of new infrastructure investment. However, coordinated execution of multiple DRs is desired to maximize the DR benefits. In this paper, we propose a hierarchical DR architecture (HDRA) to control and coordinate the performance of various DR categories such that the operation of every DR category is backed-up by time delayed action of the others. A reliable, cost-effective communication infrastructure based on ZigBee, WiMAX, and fibers is designed to facilitate the HDRA execution. The performance of the proposed HDRA is demonstrated from themore » power system and communication perspectives in a cosimulation environment applied to a 0.4 kV/400 kVA real distribution network considering electric vehicles as a potential DR resource (DRR). The power simulation is performed employing a real time digital simulator whereas the communication simulation is performed using OMNeT++. Finally, the HDRA performance demonstrated the maximum utilization of available DR potential by facilitating simultaneous execution of multiple DRs and enabling participation of single DRR for multiple grid applications.« less

A Wideband Circularly Polarized Antenna with a Multiple-Circular-Sector Dielectric Resonator

PubMed Central

Trinh-Van, Son; Yang, Youngoo; Lee, Kang-Yoon; Hwang, Keum Cheol

2016-01-01

This paper presents the design of a wideband circularly polarized antenna using a multiple-circular-sector dielectric resonator (DR). The DR is composed of twelve circular-sector DRs with identical central angles of 30∘ but with different radii. A genetic algorithm is utilized to optimize the radii of the twelve circular-sector DRs to realize wideband circular polarization. The proposed antenna is excited using an aperture-coupled feeding technique through a narrow rectangular slot etched onto the ground plane. An antenna prototype is experimentally verified. The measured −10 dB reflection and 3 dB axial ratio (AR) bandwidths are 31.39% (1.88–2.58 GHz) and 19.30% (2.06–2.50 GHz), respectively, covering the operating bands of the following systems: UMTS-2100 (2.145 GHz), WiMAX (2.3 GHz), and Wi-Fi (2.445 GHz). A measured peak gain of 7.65 dBic at 2.225 GHz and gain variation of less than 2.70 dBic within the measured 3 dB AR bandwidth are achieved. In addition, the radiation patterns of the proposed antenna are presented and discussed. PMID:27827881

Design and Cosimulation of Hierarchical Architecture for Demand Response Control and Coordination

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

Bhattarai, Bishnu P.; Levesque, Martin; Bak-Jensen, Birgitte

Demand response (DR) plays a key role for optimum asset utilization and to avoid or delay the need of new infrastructure investment. However, coordinated execution of multiple DRs is desired to maximize the DR benefits. In this paper, we propose a hierarchical DR architecture (HDRA) to control and coordinate the performance of various DR categories such that the operation of every DR category is backed-up by time delayed action of the others. A reliable, cost-effective communication infrastructure based on ZigBee, WiMAX, and fibers is designed to facilitate the HDRA execution. The performance of the proposed HDRA is demonstrated from themore » power system and communication perspectives in a cosimulation environment applied to a 0.4 kV/400 kVA real distribution network considering electric vehicles as a potential DR resource (DRR). The power simulation is performed employing a real time digital simulator whereas the communication simulation is performed using OMNeT++. Finally, the HDRA performance demonstrated the maximum utilization of available DR potential by facilitating simultaneous execution of multiple DRs and enabling participation of single DRR for multiple grid applications.« less

Data Publication Process for CMIP5 Data and the Role of PIDs within Federated Earth System Science Projects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stockhause, M.; Höck, H.; Toussaint, F.; Weigel, T.; Lautenschlager, M.

2012-12-01

We present the publication process for the CMIP5 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5) data with special emphasis on the current role of identifiers and the potential future role of PIDs in such distributed technical infrastructures. The DataCite data publication with DOI assignment finalizes the 3 levels quality control procedure for CMIP5 data (Stockhause et al., 2012). WDCC utilizes the Assistant System Atarrabi to support the publication process. Atarrabi is a web-based workflow system for metadata reviews of data creators and Publication Agents (PAs). Within the quality checks for level 3 all available information in the different infrastructure components is cross-checked for consistency by the DataCite PA. This information includes: metadata on data, metadata in the long-term archive of the Publication Agency, quality information, and external metadata on model and simulation (CIM). For these consistency checks metadata related to the data publication has to be identified. The Data Reference Syntax (DRS) convention functions as global identifier for data. Since the DRS structures the data, hierarchically, it can be used to identify data collections like DataCite publication units, i.e. all data belonging to a CMIP5 simulation. Every technical component of the infrastructure uses DRS or maps to it, but there is no central repository storing DRS_ids. Thus they have to be mapped, occasionally. Additional local identifiers are used within the different technical infrastructure components. Identification of related pieces of information in their repositories is cumbersome and tricky for the PA. How could PIDs improve the situation? To establish a reliable distributed data and metadata infrastructure, PIDs for all objects are needed as well as relations between them. An ideal data publication scenario for federated community projects within Earth System Sciences, e.g. CMIP, would be: 1. Data creators at the modeling centers define their simulation, related metadata, and software, which are assigned PIDs. 2. During ESGF data publication the data entities are assigned PIDs with references to the PIDs of 1. Since we deal with different hierarchical levels, the definition of collections on these levels is advantageous. A possible implementation concept using Handles is described by Weigel et al. (2012). 3. Quality results are assigned PID(s) and a reference to the data. A quality PID is added as a reference to the data collection PID. 4. The PA accesses the PID on the data collection to get the data and all related information for cross-checking. The presented example of the technical infrastructure for the CMIP5 data distribution shows the importance of PIDs, especially as the data is distributed over multiple repositories world-wide and additional separate pieces of data related information are independently collected from the data. References: Stockhause, M., Höck, H., Toussaint, F., Lautenschlager, M. (2012): 'Quality assessment concept of the World Data Center for Climate and its application to CMIP5 data', Geosci. Model Dev. Discuss., 5, 781-802, doi:10.5194/gmdd-5-781-2012. Weigel, T., et al. (2012): 'Structural Elements in a Persistent Identifier Infrastructure and Resulting Benefits for the Earth Science Community', submitted to AGU 2012 Session IN009.

Fabrication of Bi modified Bi2S3 pillared g-C3N4 photocatalyst and its efficient photocatalytic reduction and oxidation performances

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Dongdong; Fang, Jianzhang; Lu, Shaoyou; Zhou, GuangYing; Feng, Weihua; Yang, Fan; Chen, Yi; Fang, ZhanQiang

2017-12-01

A novel efficient Bi modified Bi2S3 pillared g-C3N4 (BBC) plasmonic semiconductor photocatalyst has been successfully developed in a mixed solvothermal environment. The photocatalytic abilities of the as-prepared samples are examined by the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) and oxidation of tetracycline (TC). And the chemical composition, structure, morphology and photo-absorption properties of the photocatalysts have been investigated by XRD, FT-IR, XPS, TEM, HRTEM and DRS methods, respectively. It is found that the addition of triethanolamine (TEA) results in the formation of the pillared-g-C3N4 (PG) nanostructure. The agglomeration of g-C3N4 nanosheets moiety and Bi2S3 nanorods moiety can be both hindered effectively by the special PG structure. And the photocatalytic results indicate that BBC exhibits the best photoreduction and photooxidation performances among all the samples, and meanwhile possesses superior photo-stability during the recycling runs. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of BBC could be ascribed to the furtherance of charge separation, localized surface plasma resonance (SPR) effect of metallic Bi and the excellent reaction interface. Finally, a tentative mechanism of BBC for photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) and oxidation of TC is discussed in detail.

A Representational Approach to Knowledge and Multiple Skill Levels for Broad Classes of Computer Generated Forces

DTIC Science & Technology

1997-12-01

that I’ll turn my attention to that computer game we’ve talked so much about... Dave Van Veldhuizen and Scott Brown (soon-to-be Drs. Van Veldhuizen and...Industry Training Systems Conference. 1988. 37. Van Veldhuizen , D. A. and L. J Hutson. "A Design Methodology for Domain Inde- pendent Computer...proposed by Van Veld- huizen and Hutson (37), extends the general architecture to support both a domain- independent approach to implementing CGFs and

[A history of the research on bone metabolism for the past 50 years in Japan and a memory of Dr. Hirotoshi Morii].

PubMed

Suda, Tatsuo

2011-12-01

It has been 20 years since the monthly Journal "CLINICAL CALCIUM" was published in November, 1991. This review Journal edited by Drs. Hirotoshi Morii and Yoshio Yazaki has contributed a lot to the understanding of the importance of calcium in bone and cardiovascular systems. This article describes a history of the research on bone metabolism for the past 50 years in Japan. Also, a memory of my dear friend, Hirotoshi Morii, is retraced.

Research on the Technology of Item Writing.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-06-01

research contract, Drs. Roid and Haladyna were . invited by Academic Press towrite a book intended for educational research- ers on the technology of...STATE SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION MONMOUTH UNCLSSIFED 6 ROWD ET AL. JUN 79 MDA983-77-C-O9 FG /2 N ;1.3 ~~ 10 1 Z:1.0 °°11U 11111.25 ,.1. :: liii...11111--- 1111- ~MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART NATIONAL BUR[AU OF STANDARDS i96 A %* 9 "... ;- .. RESEARCH ON THE TECHNOLOGY OF ITEM WRITING 0 Gale Roid

Optically Active CdSe-Dot/CdS-Rod Nanocrystals with Induced Chirality and Circularly Polarized Luminescence.

PubMed

Cheng, Jiaji; Hao, Junjie; Liu, Haochen; Li, Jiagen; Li, Junzi; Zhu, Xi; Lin, Xiaodong; Wang, Kai; He, Tingchao

2018-05-30

Ligand-induced chirality in semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) has attracted attention because of the tunable optical properties of the NCs. Induced circular dichroism (CD) has been observed in CdX (X = S, Se, Te) NCs and their hybrids, but circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) in these fluorescent nanomaterials has been seldom reported. Herein, we describe the successful preparation of l- and d-cysteine-capped CdSe-dot/CdS-rods (DRs) with tunable CD and CPL behaviors and a maximum anisotropic factor ( g lum ) of 4.66 × 10 -4 . The observed CD and CPL activities are sensitive to the relative absorption ratio of the CdS shell to the CdSe core, suggesting that the anisotropic g-factors in both CD and CPL increase to some extent for a smaller shell-to-core absorption ratio. In addition, the molar ratio of chiral cysteine to the DRs is investigated. Instead of enhancing the chiral interactions between the chiral molecules and DRs, an excess of cysteine molecules in aqueous solution inhibits both the CD and CPL activities. Such chiral and emissive NCs provide an ideal platform for the rational design of semiconductor nanomaterials with chiroptical properties.

Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy as a tool for real-time tissue assessment during colorectal cancer surgery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baltussen, Elisabeth J. M.; Snaebjornsson, Petur; de Koning, Susan G. Brouwer; Sterenborg, Henricus J. C. M.; Aalbers, Arend G. J.; Kok, Niels; Beets, Geerard L.; Hendriks, Benno H. W.; Kuhlmann, Koert F. D.; Ruers, Theo J. M.

2017-10-01

Colorectal surgery is the standard treatment for patients with colorectal cancer. To overcome two of the main challenges, the circumferential resection margin and postoperative complications, real-time tissue assessment could be of great benefit during surgery. In this ex vivo study, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) was used to differentiate tumor tissue from healthy surrounding tissues in patients with colorectal neoplasia. DRS spectra were obtained from tumor tissue, healthy colon, or rectal wall and fat tissue, for every patient. Data were randomly divided into training (80%) and test (20%) sets. After spectral band selection, the spectra were classified using a quadratic classifier and a linear support vector machine. Of the 38 included patients, 36 had colorectal cancer and 2 had an adenoma. When the classifiers were applied to the test set, colorectal cancer could be discriminated from healthy tissue with an overall accuracy of 0.95 (±0.03). This study demonstrates the possibility to separate colorectal cancer from healthy surrounding tissue by applying DRS. High classification accuracies were obtained both in homogeneous and inhomogeneous tissues. This is a fundamental step toward the development of a tool for real-time in vivo tissue assessment during colorectal surgery.

Impact of rehabilitation on functional outcome during the first year of moderate and severe traumatic brain injury.

PubMed

Agrawal, Mahima; Joshi, Mrinal

2014-01-01

To describe the functional level after 1 year in moderate and severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Prospective, cross-sectional study. Seventy individuals with TBI were admitted directly from acute care hospitals to a rehabilitation facility in Sawai Mansingh Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur (SMS). A follow-up of 58 patients was done up to 1 year later in the period from July 2011 to July 2012. Mean change in FIM scores from admission to discharge was 51.26 and from admission to 12 months it was 85.3 in the moderate injury group. Mean change in DRS from admission to discharge was -8.19 and from admission to 12 months it was -17.76 in the moderate injury group and -8.55 and -19 in the severe injury group, respectively. The correlation coefficient (r) between FIM and GOSE was 0.570 and between FIM and DRS was -0.8190, both of which were significant. All individuals improved significantly in the inpatient rehabilitation facility in the acute phase, with maximum gain in function seen from admission to discharge as assessed on FIM and DRS. The majority of the individuals continued to improve up to 6 months post-injury.

Voltage-dependent K+ channels improve the energy efficiency of signalling in blowfly photoreceptors

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Voltage-dependent conductances in many spiking neurons are tuned to reduce action potential energy consumption, so improving the energy efficiency of spike coding. However, the contribution of voltage-dependent conductances to the energy efficiency of analogue coding, by graded potentials in dendrites and non-spiking neurons, remains unclear. We investigate the contribution of voltage-dependent conductances to the energy efficiency of analogue coding by modelling blowfly R1-6 photoreceptor membrane. Two voltage-dependent delayed rectifier K+ conductances (DRs) shape the membrane's voltage response and contribute to light adaptation. They make two types of energy saving. By reducing membrane resistance upon depolarization they convert the cheap, low bandwidth membrane needed in dim light to the expensive high bandwidth membrane needed in bright light. This investment of energy in bandwidth according to functional requirements can halve daily energy consumption. Second, DRs produce negative feedback that reduces membrane impedance and increases bandwidth. This negative feedback allows an active membrane with DRs to consume at least 30% less energy than a passive membrane with the same capacitance and bandwidth. Voltage-dependent conductances in other non-spiking neurons, and in dendrites, might be organized to make similar savings. PMID:28381642

Voltage-dependent K+ channels improve the energy efficiency of signalling in blowfly photoreceptors.

PubMed

Heras, Francisco J H; Anderson, John; Laughlin, Simon B; Niven, Jeremy E

2017-04-01

Voltage-dependent conductances in many spiking neurons are tuned to reduce action potential energy consumption, so improving the energy efficiency of spike coding. However, the contribution of voltage-dependent conductances to the energy efficiency of analogue coding, by graded potentials in dendrites and non-spiking neurons, remains unclear. We investigate the contribution of voltage-dependent conductances to the energy efficiency of analogue coding by modelling blowfly R1-6 photoreceptor membrane. Two voltage-dependent delayed rectifier K + conductances (DRs) shape the membrane's voltage response and contribute to light adaptation. They make two types of energy saving. By reducing membrane resistance upon depolarization they convert the cheap, low bandwidth membrane needed in dim light to the expensive high bandwidth membrane needed in bright light. This investment of energy in bandwidth according to functional requirements can halve daily energy consumption. Second, DRs produce negative feedback that reduces membrane impedance and increases bandwidth. This negative feedback allows an active membrane with DRs to consume at least 30% less energy than a passive membrane with the same capacitance and bandwidth. Voltage-dependent conductances in other non-spiking neurons, and in dendrites, might be organized to make similar savings. © 2017 The Author(s).

Structural mapping of divergent regions in the type 1 ryanodine receptor using fluorescence resonance energy transfer

PubMed Central

Mahalingam, Mohana; Girgenrath, Tanya; Svensson, Bengt; Thomas, David D.; Cornea, Razvan L.; Fessenden, James D.

2014-01-01

Summary Ryanodine receptors (RyR) release Ca2+ to initiate striated muscle contraction. Three highly divergent regions in the RyR protein sequence (DR1, DR2, DR3) are proposed to confer isoform-specific functional properties to the RyRs. We used cell-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements to localize these DRs to the cryo-electron microscopic (EM) map of the skeletal muscle RyR isoform (RyR1). FRET donors were targeted to RyR1 using five different FKBP12.6 variants labeled with Alexa Fluor 488. FRET was then measured to Cy3NTA or Cy5NTA, FRET acceptors targeted to decahistidine tags introduced within the DRs. DR2 and DR3 were localized to separate positions within the “clamp” region of the RyR1 cryo-EM map, which is presumed to interface with Cav1.1. DR1 was localized to the “handle” region, near the regulatory calmodulin binding site on the RyR. These localizations provide new insights into the roles of DRs in RyR allosteric regulation during excitation-contraction coupling. PMID:25132084

DEAF-1 regulates immunity gene expression in Drosophila.

PubMed

Reed, Darien E; Huang, Xinhua M; Wohlschlegel, James A; Levine, Michael S; Senger, Kate

2008-06-17

Immunity genes are activated in the Drosophila fat body by Rel and GATA transcription factors. Here, we present evidence that an additional regulatory factor, deformed epidermal autoregulatory factor-1 (DEAF-1), also contributes to the immune response and is specifically important for the induction of two genes encoding antimicrobial peptides, Metchnikowin (Mtk) and Drosomycin (Drs). The systematic mutagenesis of a minimal Mtk 5' enhancer identified a sequence motif essential for both a response to LPS preparations in S2 cells and activation in the larval fat body in response to bacterial infection. Using affinity chromatography coupled to multidimensional protein identification technology (MudPIT), we identified DEAF-1 as a candidate regulator. DEAF-1 activates the expression of Mtk and Drs promoter-luciferase fusion genes in S2 cells. SELEX assays and footprinting data indicate that DEAF-1 binds to and activates Mtk and Drs regulatory DNAs via a TTCGGBT motif. The insertion of this motif into the Diptericin (Dpt) regulatory region confers DEAF-1 responsiveness to this normally DEAF-1-independent enhancer. The coexpression of DEAF-1 with Dorsal, Dif, and Relish results in the synergistic activation of transcription. We propose that DEAF-1 is a regulator of Drosophila immunity.

Efficacy and safety of haloperidol versus atypical antipsychotic medications in the treatment of delirium.

PubMed

Yoon, Hyung-Jun; Park, Kyoung-Min; Choi, Won-Jung; Choi, Soo-Hee; Park, Jin-Young; Kim, Jae-Jin; Seok, Jeong-Ho

2013-09-30

Most previous studies on the efficacy of antipsychotic medication for the treatment of delirium have reported that there is no significant difference between typical and atypical antipsychotic medications. It is known, however, that older age might be a predictor of poor response to antipsychotics in the treatment of delirium. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of haloperidol versus three atypical antipsychotic medications (risperidone, olanzapine, and quetiapine) for the treatment of delirium with consideration of patient age. This study was a 6-day, prospective, comparative clinical observational study of haloperidol versus atypical antipsychotic medications (risperidone, olanzapine, and quetiapine) in patients with delirium at a tertiary level hospital. The subjects were referred to the consultation-liaison psychiatric service for management of delirium and were screened before enrollment in this study. A total of 80 subjects were assigned to receive either haloperidol (N = 23), risperidone (N = 21), olanzapine (N = 18), or quetiapine (N = 18). The efficacy was evaluated using the Korean version of the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (DRS-K) and the Korean version of the Mini Mental Status Examination (K-MMSE). The safety was evaluated by the Udvalg Kliniske Undersogelser side effect rating scale. There were no significant differences in mean DRS-K severity or K-MMSE scores among the four groups at baseline. In all groups, the DRS-K severity score decreased and the K-MMSE score increased significantly over the study period. However, there were no significant differences in the improvement of DRS-K or K-MMSE scores among the four groups. Similarly, cognitive and non-cognitive subscale DRS-K scores decreased regardless of the treatment group. The treatment response rate was lower in patients over 75 years old than in patients under 75 years old. Particularly, the response rate to olanzapine was poorer in the older age group. Fifteen subjects experienced a few adverse events, but there were no significant differences in adverse event profiles among the four groups. Haloperidol, risperidone, olanzapine, and quetiapine were equally efficacious and safe in the treatment of delirium. However, age is a factor that needs to be considered when making a choice of antipsychotic medication for the treatment of delirium. Clinical Research Information Service, Republic of Korea, (http://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/en/search/basic_search.jsp, Registered Trial No. KCT0000632).

Characterization and Comparison of Photocatalytic Activity Silver Ion doped on TiO2(TiO2/Ag+) and Silver Ion doped on Black TiO2(Black TiO2/Ag+)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Jin Yi; Sim, Ho Hyung; Song, Sinae; Noh, Yeoung Ah; Lee, Hong Woon; Taik Kim, Hee

2018-03-01

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is one of the representative ceramic materials containing photocatalyst, optic and antibacterial activity. The hydroxyl radical in TiO2 applies to the intensive oxidizing agent, hence TiO2 is suitable to use photocatalytic materials. Black TiO2was prepared through reduction of amorphous TiO2 conducting under H2 which leads to color changes. Its black color is proven that absorbs 100% light across the whole-visible light, drawing enhancement of photocatalytic property. In this study, we aimed to compare the photocatalytic activity of silver ion doped on TiO2(TiO2/Ag+) and silver ion doped on black TiO2(black TiO2/Ag+) under visible light range. TiO2/Ag+ was fabricated following steps. 1) TiO2 was synthesized by a sol-gel method from Titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP). 2) Then AgNO3 was added during an aging process step for silver ion doping on the surface of TiO2. Moreover, Black TiO2/Ag+ was obtained same as TiO2/Ag+ except for calcination under H2. The samples were characterized X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible reflectance (UV-vis DRS), and Methylene Blue degradation test. XRD analysis confirmed morphology of TiO2. The band gap of black TiO2/Ag+ was confirmed (2.6 eV) through UV-vis DRS, which was lower than TiO2/Ag+ (2.9 eV). The photocatalytic effect was conducted by methylene blue degradation test. It demonstrated that black TiO2/Ag+ had a photocatalytic effect under UV light also visible light.

Nitrogen doped nanocrystalline semiconductor metal oxide: An efficient UV active photocatalyst for the oxidation of an organic dye using slurry Photoreactor.

PubMed

Ramachandran, Saranya; Sivasamy, A; Kumar, B Dinesh

2016-12-01

Water pollution is a cause for serious concern in today's world. A major contributor to water pollution is industrial effluents containing dyes and other organic molecules. Waste water treatment has become a priority area in today's applied scientific research as it seeks to minimize the toxicity of the effluents being discharged and increase the possibility of water recycling. An efficient and eco-friendly way of degrading toxic molecules is to use nano metal-oxide photocatalysts. The present study aims at enhancing the photocatalytic activity of a semiconductor metal oxide by doping it with nitrogen. A sol-gel cum combustion method was employed to synthesize the catalyst. The prepared catalyst was characterized by FT-IR, XRD, UV-DRS, FESEM and AFM techniques. UV-DRS result showed the catalyst to possess band gap energy of 2.97eV, thus making it active in the UV region of the spectrum. Its photocatalytic activity was evaluated by the degradation of a model pollutant-Orange G dye, under UV light irradiation. Preliminary experiments were carried out to study the effects of pH, catalyst dosage and initial dye concentration on the extent of dye degradation. Kinetic studies revealed that the reaction followed pseudo first order kinetics. The effect of electrolytes on catalyst efficiency was also studied. The progress of the reaction was monitored by absorption studies and measuring the reduction in COD. The catalyst thus prepared was seen to have a high photocatalytic efficiency. The use of this catalyst is a promising means of waste water treatment. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Measurement of the beryllium-7 plus proton fusion cross section

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fitzgerald, Ryan P.

2005-11-01

The fusion of protons with radioactive nuclei plays an important role in a wide variety of astrophysical scenarios ranging from high-temperature environments like novae and X-ray bursts to the production of neutrinos in the sun. For example, the 8 B neutrino flux measured in neutrino detectors on earth is directly proportional to the cross section for the fusion of protons with radioactive 7 Be. An experimental program has been established to study proton-fusion experiments in inverse kinematics at the Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility (HRIBF) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) using a windowless gas target and the Daresbury Recoil Separator (DRS). The performance of the target and separator have been well characterized using a variety of experiments with stable beams including 12 C, 19 F, and 24 Mg. For instance, the areal density of hydrogen in the target was determined to 3% accuracy. This well-characterized system was used to measure accurate stopping powers for many elements in hydrogen gas for the first time. The first measurement of a proton-fusion cross section with a radioactive ion beam at ORNL, the fusion of protons with 7 Be, was performed using the hydrogen gas target and the DRS. The 7 Be was produced at the Triangle Universities Nuclear Laboratory (TUNL) and chemically isolated at ORNL. An average 7 Be beam current of 2.5 ppA bombarded the windowless gas target for a period of 3 days. Recoiling B-8 nuclei were efficiently collected using the DRS and were clearly identified in a gas-filled ion detector. The cross section at a center-of-mass energy of 1.502 MeV was determined to be 1.12 mb with 24% uncertainty. The zero-energy S-factor was determined to be 26.8 eV-b with 25% uncertainty. The technique has been clearly demonstrated, and a precise measurement of the fusion cross section will be possible with the development of a somewhat more intense 7 Be radioactive ion beam.

Efficacy of acetate-amended biostimulation for uranium sequestration: Combined analysis of sediment/groundwater geochemistry and bacterial community structure

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

Xu, Jie; Veeramani, Harish; Qafoku, Nikolla P.

Systematic flow-through column experiments were conducted using sediments and ground water collected from different subsurface localities at the U.S. Department of Energy's Integrated Field Research Challenge site in Rifle, Colorado. The principal purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the interactive effects of groundwater geochemistry, sediment mineralogy, and indigenous bacterial community structures on the efficacy of uranium removal from the groundwater with/without acetate amendment. Overall, we find that the subtle variations in the sediments' mineralogy, particle size, redox conditions, as well as contents of metal(loid) co-contaminants showed a pronounced effect on the associated bacterial population andmore » composition, which mainly determines the system's performance with respect to uranium removal. Positive relationship was identified between the abundance of dissimilatory sulfate-reduction genes (i.e., drsA), markers of sulfatereducing bacteria, and the sediments' propensity to sequester aqueous uranium. In contrast, no obvious connections were observed between the abundance of common iron-reducing bacteria, e.g., Geobacter spp., and the sediments' ability to sequester uranium. In the sediments with low bacterial biomass and the absence of sulfate-reducing conditions, abiotic adsorption onto mineral surfaces such as phyllosilicates likely played a relatively major role in the attenuation of aqueous uranium; however, in these scenarios, acetate amendment induced detectable rebounds in the effluent uranium concentrations. The results of this study suggest that reductive immobilization of uranium can be achieved under predominantly sulfate-reducing conditions, and provide insight into the integrated roles of various biogeochemical components in long-term uranium sequestration.« less

Synthesis of flower-like gold nanoparticles and their electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of methanol and the reduction of oxygen.

PubMed

Jena, Bikash Kumar; Raj, C Retna

2007-03-27

This article describes the synthesis of branched flower-like gold (Au) nanocrystals and their electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of methanol and the reduction of oxygen. Gold nanoflowers (GNFs) were obtained by a one-pot synthesis using N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N-2-ethanesulphonic acid (HEPES) as a reducing/stabilizing agent. The GNFs have been characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electrochemical measurements. The UV-visible spectra show two bands corresponding to the transverse and longitudinal surface plasmon (SP) absorption at 532 and 720 nm, respectively, for the colloidal GNFs. The GNFs were self-assembled on a sol-gel-derived silicate network, which was preassembled on a polycrystalline Au electrode and used for electrocatalytic applications. The GNFs retain their morphology on the silicate network; the UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) of GNFs on the silicate network show longitudinal and transverse bands as in the case of colloidal GNFs. The GNFs show excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of methanol and the reduction of oxygen. Oxidation of methanol in alkaline solution was observed at approximately 0.245 V, which is much less positive than that on an unmodified polycrystalline gold electrode. Reduction of oxygen to H2O2 and the further reduction of H2O2 to water in neutral pH were observed at less negative potentials on the GNFs electrode. The electrocatalytic activity of GNFs is significantly higher than that of the spherically shaped citrate-stabilized Au nanoparticles (SGNs).

Stratocumulus Precipitation and Entrainment Experiment (SPEE) Field Campaign Report

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

Albrecht, Bruce; Ghate, Virendra; CADeddu, Maria

2016-06-01

The scientific focus of this project was to examine precipitation and entrainment processes in marine stratocumulus clouds. The entrainment studies focused on characterizing cloud turbulence at cloud top using Doppler cloud radar observations. The precipitation studies focused on characterizing the precipitation and the macroscopic properties (cloud thickness, and liquid water path) of the clouds. This project will contribute to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility’s overall objective of providing the remote-sensing observations needed to improve the representation of key cloud processes in climate models. It will be of direct relevance to the componentsmore » of ARM dealing with entrainment and precipitation processes in stratiform clouds. Further, the radar observing techniques that will be used in this study were developed using ARM Southern Great Plains (SGP) facility observations under Atmospheric System Research (ASR) support. The observing systems operating automatously from a site located just north of the Center for Interdisciplinary Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Studies (CIRPAS) aircraft hangar in Marina, California during the period of 1 May to 4 November 2015 included: 1. Microwave radiometer: ARM Microwave Radiometer, 3-Channel (MWR3C) with channels centered at 23.834, 30, and 89 GHz; supported by Dr. Maria Cadeddu. 2. Cloud Radar: CIRPAS 95 GHz Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) Cloud Radar (Centroid Frequency Chirp Rate [CFCR]); operations overseen by Drs. Ghate and Albrecht. 3. Ceilometer: Vaisala CK-14; operations overseen by Drs. Ghate and Albrecht.« less

MetaCRAST: reference-guided extraction of CRISPR spacers from unassembled metagenomes.

PubMed

Moller, Abraham G; Liang, Chun

2017-01-01

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) systems are the adaptive immune systems of bacteria and archaea against viral infection. While CRISPRs have been exploited as a tool for genetic engineering, their spacer sequences can also provide valuable insights into microbial ecology by linking environmental viruses to their microbial hosts. Despite this importance, metagenomic CRISPR detection remains a major challenge. Here we present a reference-guided CRISPR spacer detection tool ( Meta genomic C RISPR R eference- A ided S earch T ool-MetaCRAST) that constrains searches based on user-specified direct repeats (DRs). These DRs could be expected from assembly or taxonomic profiles of metagenomes. We compared the performance of MetaCRAST to those of two existing metagenomic CRISPR detection tools-Crass and MinCED-using both real and simulated acid mine drainage (AMD) and enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) metagenomes. Our evaluation shows MetaCRAST improves CRISPR spacer detection in real metagenomes compared to the de novo CRISPR detection methods Crass and MinCED. Evaluation on simulated metagenomes show it performs better than de novo tools for Illumina metagenomes and comparably for 454 metagenomes. It also has comparable performance dependence on read length and community composition, run time, and accuracy to these tools. MetaCRAST is implemented in Perl, parallelizable through the Many Core Engine (MCE), and takes metagenomic sequence reads and direct repeat queries (FASTA or FASTQ) as input. It is freely available for download at https://github.com/molleraj/MetaCRAST.

Life Cycle Cost Estimates of the AN/WLR-1G, AN/SLQ-32(V)2, and Conceptual ESM System.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-09-01

7 Ah-hofl GS NAVAL OCR" N SYSTEMS CEIIIE IA Dino CA PiM ITA LIFE CYCLE COST C-STIMATES OF TA 4UWLk-1Gu ADULI-2aV)1. AD --4MCtw W S 79 L VM#J 1ALUA...repair OPEVAL Operational evaluation TECHEVAL Technical evaluation 3 It . PRFORING ORNATIOCNMENTATON PAGE BEROGRM COLE IN FO RMT T IIJILS" GVT ACESSON N ...distriuation unRedhCr S. PERFTRINTORNISTATEN NAM A. D baRact to.~odi PROwRA beeFT Rou AS 1S. SUPPRLEMENAR OTESNM N DRS -L. KOYIWORING A(CY NAME 6_VWO d

Synthesis and characterization of thermally stable zirconia based mesoporous nanosilica with metalloporphyrin encapsulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nadeem, Saad; Iqbal, Farukh; Mutalib, Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul; Abdullah, Bawadi; Shaharun, Maizatul Shima

2017-10-01

Metal composite materials-48 (MCM-48) with silica zirconia mesoporous matrix (having a Zr/Si ratio of 0.02) has been developed successfully using autogenous conditions and Copper tetra phenyl porphyrin (CuTPP) inclusion via flexible ligand approach. Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to study the thermal stability which gives the stability up to 700°C, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for the functional group attachment also confirmed the MCM-48 structure and the Zirconia addition and X-Ray photon spectroscopy (XPS) for the binding energies and bonding also revealed the surface Zr4+ states. DRS-UV-Vis study for the photophysical behaviour, visible light activation and band gap reduction which reduced from 5.6 to 2.8 eV. All the characterizations have confirmed that nanoscale mesoporous silica with successful inclusion of zirconia in the matrix and the encapsulation of CuTPP was confirmed via diffuse reflectance (DR Uv-Vis) spectroscopy.

Inverse Monte Carlo in a multilayered tissue model: merging diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and laser Doppler flowmetry.

PubMed

Fredriksson, Ingemar; Burdakov, Oleg; Larsson, Marcus; Strömberg, Tomas

2013-12-01

The tissue fraction of red blood cells (RBCs) and their oxygenation and speed-resolved perfusion are estimated in absolute units by combining diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF). The DRS spectra (450 to 850 nm) are assessed at two source-detector separations (0.4 and 1.2 mm), allowing for a relative calibration routine, whereas LDF spectra are assessed at 1.2 mm in the same fiber-optic probe. Data are analyzed using nonlinear optimization in an inverse Monte Carlo technique by applying an adaptive multilayered tissue model based on geometrical, scattering, and absorbing properties, as well as RBC flow-speed information. Simulations of 250 tissue-like models including up to 2000 individual blood vessels were used to evaluate the method. The absolute root mean square (RMS) deviation between estimated and true oxygenation was 4.1 percentage units, whereas the relative RMS deviations for the RBC tissue fraction and perfusion were 19% and 23%, respectively. Examples of in vivo measurements on forearm and foot during common provocations are presented. The method offers several advantages such as simultaneous quantification of RBC tissue fraction and oxygenation and perfusion from the same, predictable, sampling volume. The perfusion estimate is speed resolved, absolute (% RBC×mm/s), and more accurate due to the combination with DRS.

Inverse Monte Carlo in a multilayered tissue model: merging diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and laser Doppler flowmetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fredriksson, Ingemar; Burdakov, Oleg; Larsson, Marcus; Strömberg, Tomas

2013-12-01

The tissue fraction of red blood cells (RBCs) and their oxygenation and speed-resolved perfusion are estimated in absolute units by combining diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF). The DRS spectra (450 to 850 nm) are assessed at two source-detector separations (0.4 and 1.2 mm), allowing for a relative calibration routine, whereas LDF spectra are assessed at 1.2 mm in the same fiber-optic probe. Data are analyzed using nonlinear optimization in an inverse Monte Carlo technique by applying an adaptive multilayered tissue model based on geometrical, scattering, and absorbing properties, as well as RBC flow-speed information. Simulations of 250 tissue-like models including up to 2000 individual blood vessels were used to evaluate the method. The absolute root mean square (RMS) deviation between estimated and true oxygenation was 4.1 percentage units, whereas the relative RMS deviations for the RBC tissue fraction and perfusion were 19% and 23%, respectively. Examples of in vivo measurements on forearm and foot during common provocations are presented. The method offers several advantages such as simultaneous quantification of RBC tissue fraction and oxygenation and perfusion from the same, predictable, sampling volume. The perfusion estimate is speed resolved, absolute (% RBC×mm/s), and more accurate due to the combination with DRS.

Laterality of Temporoparietal Causal Connectivity during the Prestimulus Period Correlates with Phonological Decoding Task Performance in Dyslexic and Typical Readers

PubMed Central

Liederman, Jacqueline; McGraw Fisher, Janet; Wu, Meng-Hung

2012-01-01

We examined how effective connectivity into and out of the left and right temporoparietal areas (TPAs) to/from other key cortical areas affected phonological decoding in 7 dyslexic readers (DRs) and 10 typical readers (TRs) who were young adults. Granger causality was used to compute the effective connectivity of the preparatory network 500 ms prior to presentation of nonwords that required phonological decoding. Neuromagnetic activity was analyzed within the low, medium, and high beta and gamma subbands. A mixed-model analysis determined whether connectivity to or from the left and right TPAs differed across connectivity direction (in vs. out), brain areas (right and left inferior frontal and ventral occipital–temporal and the contralateral TPA), reading group (DR vs. TR), and/or task performance. Within the low beta subband, better performance was associated with increased influence of the left TPA on other brain areas across both reading groups and poorer performance was associated with increased influence of the right TPA on other brain areas for DRs only. DRs were also found to have an increase in high gamma connectivity between the left TPA and other brain areas. This study suggests that hierarchal network structure rather than connectivity per se is important in determining phonological decoding performance. PMID:21980019

Cognitive decline and survival in Alzheimer's disease according to education level.

PubMed

Bruandet, A; Richard, F; Bombois, S; Maurage, C A; Masse, I; Amouyel, P; Pasquier, F

2008-01-01

We tested the hypothesis that a higher education level is associated with faster cognitive decline and lower survival in a cohort of 670 Alzheimer's disease patients, followed for 3.5 years at the Lille-Bailleul memory centre. The patients were categorized in 3 groups according to educational levels: low (12 years). Cognitive function was measured with the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (DRS). Survival was analyzed with a Cox model. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, cholinesterase inhibitor treatment, diabetes, hypertension, visible vascular lesions on MRI, baseline DRS and MMSE. The adjusted mixed random model showed that MMSE declined faster for patients with high and intermediate educational levels compared with those with a low educational level (p < 0.0001). The mean annually adjusted DRS decline was highest for the groups with the most education (p = 0.05). The mortality risk was not higher in the better-educated groups (high vs. low: RR = 0.84; 95% CI = 0.35-1.99, intermediate vs. low: RR = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.41-1.63). In our cohort, highly educated patients had a faster cognitive decline than less educated patients but similar mortality rates. Our findings support the cognitive reserve hypothesis. (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.

MBE HgCdTe for HDVIP Devices: Horizontal Integration in the US HgCdTe FPA Industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aqariden, F.; Elsworth, J.; Zhao, J.; Grein, C. H.; Sivananthan, S.

2012-10-01

Molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth of HgCdTe offers the possibility of fabricating multilayer device structures with an almost unlimited choice of infrared sensor designs for focal-plane array (FPA) fabrication. HgCdTe offers two major advantages that explain its dominance in the infrared photon detector marketplace. The thermal generation rate per unit volume of the material is lower and the quantum efficiency for photon absorption in the infrared is higher in HgCdTe than in any competing material—it yields devices with quantum efficiencies as high as 0.99. Recently, EPIR Technologies and DRS Infrared Technologies agreed to collaborate and examine: (i) the feasibility of employing MBE HgCdTe in the fabrication of high-density vertically interconnected photodiodes (HDVIPs), which are usually fabricated with liquid-phase epitaxy material, and (ii) the potential benefits of horizontal integration, with EPIR supplying the MBE materials to DRS for device and array fabrication. The team designed and developed passivation-absorber-passivation structures that are heavily used by DRS. This paper provides an overview of the characteristics of HDVIP devices and arrays fabricated from MBE HgCdTe and the anticipated advantages of horizontal integration in the industry. Material growth, device fabrication, and test results are presented.

Olfactory Deficit Detected by fMRI in Early Alzheimer’s Disease

PubMed Central

Wang, Jianli; Eslinger, Paul J.; Doty, Richard L.; Zimmerman, Erin K.; Grunfeld, Robert; Sun, Xiaoyu; Connor, James R.; Price, Joseph L.; Smith, Michael B.; Yang, Qing X.

2012-01-01

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is accompanied by smell dysfunction, as measured by psychophysical tests. Currently it is unknown whether AD-related alterations in central olfactory system neural activity, as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), are detectable beyond those observed in healthy elderly. Moreover, it is not known whether such changes are correlated with indices of odor perception and dementia. To investigate these issues, twelve early stage AD patients and thirteen non-demented controls underwent fMRI while being exposed to each of three concentrations of lavender oil odorant. All participants were administered the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale-2 (DRS-2), and the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR). The Blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal at primary olfactory cortex (POC) was weaker in AD than in HC subjects. At the lowest odorant concentration, the BOLD signals within POC, hippocampus, and insula were significantly correlated with UPSIT, MMSE, DRS-2, and CDR scores. The BOLD signal intensity and activation volume within the POC increased significantly as a function of odorant concentration in the AD group, but not in the control group. These findings demonstrate that olfactory fMRI is sensitive to the AD-related olfactory and functional cognitive decline. PMID:20709038

Posttraumatic hydrocephalus: a clinical, neuroradiologic, and neuropsychologic assessment of long-term outcome.

PubMed

Mazzini, Letizia; Campini, Riccardo; Angelino, Elisabetta; Rognone, Felice; Pastore, Ilaria; Oliveri, Giuseppe

2003-11-01

To detect the clinical and radiologic characteristics of posttraumatic hydrocephalus (PTH), to define its prognostic value, and to assess the effects of shunt surgery. Correlational study on a prospective cohort. Brain injury rehabilitation center. One hundred forty patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) referred to an inpatient intensive rehabilitation unit of primary care in a university-based system. Not applicable. The Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), Disability Rating Scale (DRS), FIM instrument, and Neurobehavioural Rating Scale (NRS), as well as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and magnetic resonance imaging. PTH was found in 45% of patients. Risk factors for PTH were as follows: age (P<.04), duration of coma (P<.0001), and decompressive craniectomy (P<.0001). PTH correlated with the degree of hypoperfusion in the temporal lobes (P<.001). Patients who showed clinical deterioration improved after surgery. PTH correlated significantly with GOS, DRS, FIM, and NRS (P<.0001) 1 year after the trauma, and it influenced the appearance of posttraumatic epilepsy (P<.02). PTH concerns about 50% of patients with severe TBI. It influences functional and behavioral outcome and the appearance of posttraumatic epilepsy. The selection of patients for surgery can be defined principally on a clinical basis. SPECT may be helpful for differentiating ventricular enlargement due to cortical atrophy and hydrocephalus.

Facile Synthesis of g-C3N4 Nanosheets/ZnO Nanocomposites with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity in Reduction of Aqueous Chromium(VI) under Visible Light

PubMed Central

Yuan, Xiaoya; Zhou, Chao; Jing, Qiuye; Tang, Qi; Mu, Yuanhua; Du, An-ke

2016-01-01

Graphitic-C3N4 nanosheets (CN)/ZnO photocatalysts (CN/ZnO) with different CN loadings were successfully prepared via a simple precipitation-calcination in the presence of exfoliated C3N4 nanosheets. Their morphology and structure were thoroughly characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and photoluminescence spectra (PL). The results showed that hexagonal wurzite-phase ZnO nanoparticles were randomly distributed onto the CN nanosheets with a well-bonded interface between the two components in the CN/ZnO composites. The performance of the photocatalytic Cr(VI) reduction indicated that CN/ZnO exhibited better photocatalytic activity than pure ZnO under visible-light irradiation and the photocatalyst composite with a lower loading of CN sheets eventually displayed higher activity. The enhanced performance of CN/ZnO photocatalysts could be ascribed to the increased absorption of the visible light and the effective transfer and separation of the photogenerated charge carriers. PMID:28335301

Risk Score Algorithm for Treatment of Persistent Apical Periodontitis

PubMed Central

Yu, V.S.; Khin, L.W.; Hsu, C.S.; Yee, R.; Messer, H.H.

2014-01-01

Persistent apical periodontitis related to a nonvital tooth that does not resolve following root canal treatment may be compatible with health and may not require further intervention. This research aimed to develop a Deterioration Risk Score (DRS) to differentiate lesions requiring further intervention from lesions likely to be compatible with health. In this cross-sectional study, patient records (2003-2008) were screened for root-filled teeth with periapical radiolucency visible on periapical radiographs taken at treatment and at recruitment at least 4 yr later. The final sample consisted of 228 lesions in 182 patients. Potential demographic and treatment risk factors were screened against 3 categorical outcomes (improved/unchanged/deteriorated), and a multivariate independent multinomial probit regression model was built. A 5-level DRS was constructed by summing values of adjusted regression coefficients in the model, based on predicted probabilities of deterioration. Most lesions (127, 55.7%) had improved over time, while 32 (14.0%) remained unchanged, and 69 (30.3%) had deteriorated. Significant predictors of deterioration were as follows: time since treatment (relative risk [RR]: 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.22, p = .030, rounded beta value = 1, for every year increase after 4 yr), current pain (RR: 3.79, 95% CI: 1.48-9.70, p = .005, rounded beta value = 13), sinus tract present (RR: 4.13, 95% CI: 1.11-15.29, p = .034, rounded beta value = 14), and lesion size (RR: 7.20, 95% CI: 3.70-14.02, p < .001, rounded beta value = 20). Persistent apical periodontitis with DRS <15 represented very low risk; 15-20, low risk; 21-30, moderate risk; 31-40, high risk; and >40, very high risk. DRS could help the clinician identify persistent apical periodontitis at low risk for deterioration, and it would not require intervention. When validated, this tool could reduce the risk of overtreatment and contribute toward targeted care and better efficiency in the timely management of disease. PMID:25190267

Molecular and structural determinants of adamantyl susceptibility to HLA-DRs allelic variants: an in silico approach to understand the mechanism of MLEs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zaheer-ul-Haq; Khan, Waqasuddin

2011-01-01

Class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC II) molecules as expressed by antigen-presenting cells are heterodimeric cell-surface glycoprotein receptors that are fundamental in initiating and propagating an immune response by presenting tumor-associated antigenic peptides to CD4+/TH cells. The loading efficiency of such peptides can be improved by small organic compounds (MHC Loading Enhancers—MLEs), that convert the non-receptive peptide conformation of MHC II to a peptide-receptive conformation. In a reversible reaction, these compounds open up the binding site of MHC II molecules by specific interactions with a yet undefined pocket. Here, we performed molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies of adamantyl compounds on the predicted cavity around the P1 pocket of 2 allelic variants of HLA-DRs. The purpose was to investigate the suitability of adamantyl compounds as MLEs at the dimorphic β86 position. Docking studies revealed that besides numerous molecular interactions formed by the adamantyl compounds, Asnβ82, Tyrβ83, and Thrβ90 are the crucial amino acid residues that are characterized as the "sensors" of peptide loading. Molecular dynamics simulation studies exposed the dynamical structural changes that HLA-DRs adopted as a response to binding of 3-(1-adamantyl)-5-hydrazidocarbonyl-1H-pyrazole (AdCaPy). The conformations of AdCaPy complexed with the Glyβ86 HLA-DR allelic variant are well correlated with the stabilized form of peptide-loaded HLA-DRs, further confirming the role of AdCaPy as a MLE. Hydrogen bonding interaction analysis clearly demonstrated that after making suitable contacts with AdCaPy, HLA-DR changes its local conformation. However, AdCaPy complexed with HLA-DR having Valβ86 at the dimorphic position did not accommodate AdCaPy as MLE due to steric hindrance caused by the valine.

Neurological Outcome Scale for Traumatic Brain Injury: III. Criterion-Related Validity and Sensitivity to Change in the NABIS Hypothermia-II Clinical Trial

PubMed Central

Wilde, Elisabeth A.; Moretti, Paolo; MacLeod, Marianne C.; Pedroza, Claudia; Drever, Pamala; Fourwinds, Sierra; Frisby, Melisa L.; Beers, Sue R.; Scott, James N.; Hunter, Jill V.; Traipe, Elfrides; Valadka, Alex B.; Okonkwo, David O.; Zygun, David A.; Puccio, Ava M.; Clifton, Guy L.

2013-01-01

Abstract The Neurological Outcome Scale for Traumatic Brain Injury (NOS-TBI) is a measure assessing neurological functioning in patients with TBI. We hypothesized that the NOS-TBI would exhibit adequate concurrent and predictive validity and demonstrate more sensitivity to change, compared with other well-established outcome measures. We analyzed data from the National Acute Brain Injury Study: Hypothermia-II clinical trial. Participants were 16–45 years of age with severe TBI assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postinjury. For analysis of criterion-related validity (concurrent and predictive), Spearman's rank-order correlations were calculated between the NOS-TBI and the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), GOS-Extended (GOS-E), Disability Rating Scale (DRS), and Neurobehavioral Rating Scale-Revised (NRS-R). Concurrent validity was demonstrated through significant correlations between the NOS-TBI and GOS, GOS-E, DRS, and NRS-R measured contemporaneously at 3, 6, and 12 months postinjury (all p<0.0013). For prediction analyses, the multiplicity-adjusted p value using the false discovery rate was <0.015. The 1-month NOS-TBI score was a significant predictor of outcome in the GOS, GOS-E, and DRS at 3 and 6 months postinjury (all p<0.015). The 3-month NOS-TBI significantly predicted GOS, GOS-E, DRS, and NRS-R outcomes at 6 and 12 months postinjury (all p<0.0015). Sensitivity to change was analyzed using Wilcoxon's signed rank-sum test of subsamples demonstrating no change in the GOS or GOS-E between 3 and 6 months. The NOS-TBI demonstrated higher sensitivity to change, compared with the GOS (p<0.038) and GOS-E (p<0.016). In summary, the NOS-TBI demonstrated adequate concurrent and predictive validity as well as sensitivity to change, compared with gold-standard outcome measures. The NOS-TBI may enhance prediction of outcome in clinical practice and measurement of outcome in TBI research. PMID:23617608

Doctoral profile of the medical radiation sciences: a baseline for Australia and New Zealand.

PubMed

Ekpo, Ernest U; Snaith, Beverly; Harris, Martine A; McEntee, Mark F

2017-09-01

Research is critical to evidence-based practice, and the rapid developments in technology provide opportunities to innovate and improve practice. Little is known about the research profile of the medical radiation science (MRS) profession in Australia and New Zealand (NZ). This study provides a baseline of their doctoral activity. A cross-sectional survey of MRS professionals in Australia and NZ holding a doctorate or undertaking doctoral studies, was performed using an online tool (Bristol Online Survey ® , Bristol, UK). A chain-referral sampling technique was adopted for data collection. An email invitation with a link to the survey was generated and distributed through email and social media. The survey contained questions related to participant demographics, doctoral status, qualification route, funding and employment. There were 63 responses to the survey comprising 50.8% diagnostic radiographers (DRs; n = 32), 23.8% radiation therapists (RTs; n = 15), with the remaining 25.4% (n = 16) equally split between sonographers and nuclear medicine technologists (NMTs). A total of 40 (63.5%) of respondents had completed their doctoral qualification. In NZ, only DRs held a doctoral award constituting 0.3% of DRs and 0.2% of the total registered MRS population. In Australia, there was a greater proportion of doctoral NMTs (n = 8/1098; 0.7%) than RTs (n = 15/2394; 0.6%) and DRs (n = 27/12,001; 0.2%). Similar to other countries, findings show a very small percentage of doctoral MRS professionals in Australia and NZ. Strategies to engage and support individuals in research, up to and beyond doctoral study, need to be embedded in practice. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy and New Zealand Institute of Medical Radiation Technology.

Development and initial validation of the NCCN/FACT symptom index for advanced kidney cancer.

PubMed

Rothrock, Nan E; Jensen, Sally E; Beaumont, Jennifer L; Abernethy, Amy P; Jacobsen, Paul B; Syrjala, Karen; Cella, David

2013-01-01

There is a need for a brief symptom index for advanced kidney cancer that includes perspectives of both patients and clinicians and is consistent with the Food and Drug Administration's guidance for patient-reported outcome measures. This study developed and examined the preliminary reliability and validity of the new National Comprehensive Cancer Network/Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT)-Kidney Symptom Index 19. Fifty patients with advanced kidney cancer provided open-ended and survey responses ranking their most important symptoms. Responses were reconciled with published clinician reports of the most important symptoms. Ten experienced oncologists rated symptoms as disease- or treatment-related. Patients completed quality-of-life and performance status measures. A 19-item index was produced from symptoms that were rated as most important by patients or clinicians. It includes three subscales: disease-related symptoms (DRS), treatment side effects (TSE), and general function and well-being (FWB). Internal consistency was good for the full instrument (α = 0.83), the DRS subscale (α = 0.76), and the FWB subscale (α = 0.78) but lower for the TSE subscale (α = 0.59). Convergent validity was demonstrated through correlations with the FACT-General. Patients with differing performance status were distinguished by the total score (F2,47 = 17.37; P < .0001), the DRS subscale (F2,47 = 14.22; P < .0001), and the FWB subscale (F2,47 = 13.40; P < .0001) but not the TSE subscale (F2,47 =1.48; P = 0.2380). The National Comprehensive Cancer Network/FACT-Kidney Symptom Index 19 combines symptoms deemed most important by patients and clinicians. Preliminary evidence suggests that the total score and DRS and FWB subscales are reliable and valid as summary indexes. The TSE subscale may be least relevant given the advent of newer therapies. Copyright © 2013 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Quetiapine versus haloperidol in the treatment of delirium: a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial

PubMed Central

Maneeton, Benchalak; Maneeton, Narong; Srisurapanont, Manit; Chittawatanarat, Kaweesak

2013-01-01

Background Atypical antipsychotic drugs may have low propensity to induce extrapyramidal side effects in delirious patients. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and tolerability between quetiapine and haloperidol in controlling delirious behavior. Methods A 7-day prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted from June 2009 to April 2011 in medically ill patients with delirium. Measures used for daily assessment included the Delirium Rating Scale-revised-98 (DRS-R-98) and total sleep time. The Clinical Global Impression, Improvement (CGI–I) and the Modified (nine-item) Simpson– Angus Scale were applied daily. The primary outcome was the DRS-R-98 severity scores. The data were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. Results Fifty-two subjects (35 males and 17 females) were randomized to receive 25–100 mg/day of quetiapine (n = 24) or 0.5–2.0 mg/day of haloperidol (n = 28). Mean (standard deviation) doses of quetiapine and haloperidol were 67.6 (9.7) and 0.8 (0.3) mg/day, respectively. Over the trial period, means (standard deviation) of the DRS-R-98 severity scores were not significantly different between the quetiapine and haloperidol groups (−22.9 [6.9] versus −21.7 [6.7]; P = 0.59). The DRS-R-98 noncognitive and cognitive subscale scores were not significantly different. At end point, the response and remission rates, the total sleep time, and the Modified (nine-item) Simpson–Angus scores were also not significantly different between groups. Hypersomnia was common in the quetiapine-treated patients (33.3%), but not significantly higher than that in the haloperidol-treated group (21.4%). Limitations Patients were excluded if they were not able to take oral medications, and the sample size was small. Conclusion Low-dose quetiapine and haloperidol may be equally effective and safe for controlling delirium symptoms. Clinical trials registration number clinicaltrials.gov NCT00954603. PMID:23926422

Levels of personality functioning and their association with clinical features and interpersonal functioning in patients with personality disorders.

PubMed

Lowyck, Benedicte; Luyten, Patrick; Verhaest, Yannic; Vandeneede, Bart; Vermote, Rudi

2013-06-01

Recently, the DSM-5 Personality and Personality Disorders Work Group has proposed a multiple level approach toward the classification and diagnosis of personality disorders (PDs), with the first level entailing a rating of impairments in levels of personality functioning. Although a number of measures that assess levels of personality functioning have been validated, given its prominent status in the DSM-5 proposal and contemporary theories of personality pathology, the Work Group has called for more research in this area (e.g., Bender, Morey, & Skodol, 2011). In response to this call, this study investigates the relationship between two major, well-validated dimensional measures of levels of personality functioning, that is, the Differentiation-Relatedness Scale (DR-S; Diamond, Blatt, Stayner, & Kaslow, 1991), as scored on the Object Relations Inventory (ORI; Blatt, Wein, Chevron, & Quinlan, 1979), and the Inventory of Personality Organization (IPO; Lenzenweger, Clarkin, Kernberg, & Foelsch, 2001), a self-report instrument, and their relationship with different measures of clinical and interpersonal functioning in 70 patients with a PD. First, results showed that higher levels of differentiation and relatedness of descriptions of self and significant others, and of the self in particular, were negatively related to indices of personality functioning as assessed by the IPO. Lower levels of personality functioning, as measured with both the DR-S and the IPO, were positively related to severity of depression, symptomatic distress, self-harm, and interpersonal problems. Finally, results showed that the DR-S and the IPO independently predicted clinical features and interpersonal functioning. Hence, this study lends further support for the concurrent and predictive validity of the DR-S and the IPO in assessing levels of personality functioning. However, more research concerning the validity of these measures in assessing levels of personality functioning is needed. Suggestions for further research are formulated.

Effects of Backpack Frame Length, Pack Load, and Participation Time on the Physical Performance of Men and Women

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-08-01

procedures and results for this project on the Biomechanics of Load Carrying Behavior. The work was formulated and directed by Drs. Carolyn K. Bensel...The first of these loads had a mass of approximately 26 kg, including all clothing and equipment worn or carried by the subject, and served as a...rifle, which weighed 3.17 kg, and the ALICE load carrying system. The pack, which weighed 1.10 kg, was loaded with Army clothing and equipment items

A Terrain-Vehicle Interaction Model for Analysis of Steering Performance of Track-Laying Vehicles

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-05-01

by C !Gerge Y" Baladi and BDhzad Roheni 4.Structures Labratory’J .Army Enghimer waterway, Expeuinsftt Staton "II U . 0.O. Box 631, Vi&sburg, Miss...CONTRACT OR GRANT NUMER(*) George VI/ Baladi -4.Behzad(Rohani . . ERFRMIG ORGANIZTION NAME AND ADDRESS -T0. PROGRAM LEMENT. PROJECT. TASK( U. S.. Army...Project 4A161102AT24, Task A3/E3, Work Unit 003, "Soil Response to Nonlinear Loading Systems." This investigation was conducted by Drs. G. Y. Baladi and

Progressive Systemic Sclerosis—“Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue”

PubMed Central

Siegel, Robert C.

1973-01-01

These discussions are selected from the weekly staff conferences in the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco. Taken from transcriptions, they are prepared by Drs. David W. Martin, Jr., Assistant Professor of Medicine, and Kenneth A. Woeber, Associate Professor of Medicine, under the direction of Dr. Lloyd H. Smith, Jr., Professor of Medicine and Chairman of the Department of Medicine. Requests for reprints should be sent to the Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143. ImagesFigure 1 PMID:4726949

LISA Pathfinder and eLISA news

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thorpe, James Ira; Mueller, Guido

2014-01-01

Two important gatherings of the space-based gravitational-wave detector community were held in Zurich, Switzerland this past March. The first was a meeting of the Science Working Team for LISA Pathfinder (LPF), a dedicated technology demonstrator mission for a future LISA-like gravitational wave observatory. LPF is entering an extremely exciting phase with launch less than 15 months away. All flight components for both the European science payload, known as the LISA Technology Package (LTP), and the NASA science payload, known as the Space Technology 7 Disturbance Reduction System (ST7-DRS), have been delivered and are undergoing integration. The final flight component for the spacecraft bus, a cold-gas thruster based on the successful GAIA design, will be delivered later this year. Current focus is on completing integration of the science payload (see Figures 1 and 2) and preparation for operations and data analysis. After a launch in Summer 2015, LPF will take approximately 90 days to reach its operational orbit around the Earth-Sun Lagrange point (L1), where it will begin science operations. After 90 days of LTP operations followed by 90 days of DRS operations, LPF will have completed its prime mission of paving the way for a space-based observatory of gravitational waves in the milliHertz band. Immediately following the meeting of the LPF team, the eLISA consortium held its third progress meeting. The consortium (www.elisascience.org) is the organizing body of the European space-based gravitational-wave community, and it was responsible for the "The Gravitational Universe" whitepaper that resulted in the November 2013 election of a gravitational-wave science theme for ESA's Cosmic Visions L3 opportunity. In preparation for an L3 mission concept call, which is expected later this decade, and for launch in the mid 2030s, the eLISA consortium members are coordinating technology development and mission study activities which will build on the LPF results. The final mission concept is expected to include some international (non-European) contributions, and NASA has expressed an interest in participating in this ground-breaking mission. The US research community supports such a collaboration, or any other mission scenario that achieves the high-priority science of a space-based gravitational-wave observatory at the earliest possible date.

Improving delirium care in the intensive care unit: The design of a pragmatic study

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Delirium prevalence in the intensive care unit (ICU) is high. Numerous psychotropic agents are used to manage delirium in the ICU with limited data regarding their efficacy or harms. Methods/Design This is a randomized controlled trial of 428 patients aged 18 and older suffering from delirium and admitted to the ICU of Wishard Memorial Hospital in Indianapolis. Subjects assigned to the intervention group will receive a multicomponent pharmacological management protocol for delirium (PMD) and those assigned to the control group will receive no change in their usual ICU care. The primary outcomes of the trial are (1) delirium severity as measured by the Delirium Rating Scale revised-98 (DRS-R-98) and (2) delirium duration as determined by the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU). The PMD protocol targets the three neurotransmitter systems thought to be compromised in delirious patients: dopamine, acetylcholine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid. The PMD protocol will target the reduction of anticholinergic medications and benzodiazepines, and introduce a low-dose of haloperidol at 0.5-1 mg for 7 days. The protocol will be delivered by a combination of computer (artificial intelligence) and pharmacist (human intelligence) decision support system to increase adherence to the PMD protocol. Discussion The proposed study will evaluate the content and the delivery process of a multicomponent pharmacological management program for delirium in the ICU. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00842608 PMID:21645330

Young Investigator Perspectives. Teaching and the postdoctoral experience: impact on transition to faculty positions.

PubMed

Uno, Jennifer; Walton, Kristen L W

2014-05-01

This editorial continues with our Young Investigator Perspectives series. Drs. Uno and Walton are young investigators who hold faculty positions. They completed a K12 postdoctoral program through the IRACDA (Individual Research and Career Development Award) program sponsored through the NIGMS institute at NIH. IRACDA programs exist at multiple institutions in the USA to combine postdoctoral training with formal training in academic skills and teaching at partner institutions. I thank Drs. Walton and Uno for a thoughtful perspective on how this experience shaped their career goals to combine teaching and research and inspire undergraduates to science careers. Given the current national dialog on broadening career paths and outcomes for PhD scientists, this is a timely perspective. -P. Kay Lund.

Experimental analysis of bruises in human volunteers using radiometric depth profiling and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vidovič, Luka; Milanič, Matija; Majaron, Boris

2015-07-01

We combine pulsed photothermal radiometry (PPTR) depth profiling with diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) measurements for a comprehensive analysis of bruise evolution in vivo. While PPTR enables extraction of detailed depth distribution and concentration profiles of selected absorbers (e.g. melanin, hemoglobin), DRS provides information in a wide range of visible wavelengths and thus offers an additional insight into dynamics of the hemoglobin degradation products. Combining the two approaches enables us to quantitatively characterize bruise evolution dynamics. Our results indicate temporal variations of the bruise evolution parameters in the course of bruise self-healing process. The obtained parameter values and trends represent a basis for a future development of an objective technique for bruise age determination.

[Photocatalytic Degradation of Perfluorooctanoic Acid by Pd-TiO2 Photocatalyst].

PubMed

Liu, Qing; Yu, Ze-bin; Zhang, Rui-han; Li, Ming-jie; Chen, Ying; Wang, Li; Kuang, Yu; Zhang, Bo; Zhu, You-hui

2015-06-01

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a new persistent organic pollutant which has got global concern for its wide distribution, high bioaccumulation and strong biological toxicity. In present study, the photocatalytic degradation of PFOA using palladium doped TiO2 (Pd-TiO2) prepared by chemical reduction method was investigated. The photocatalysts were characterized by XRD, FESEM and UV-vis DRS and were used for PFOA degradation under 365 nm UV irradiation. The results indicated that the grain size of TiO2 was smaller while the specific surface area increased and the absorption of ultraviolet light also enhanced after using chemical reduction method, but all these changes had no influence on PFOA degradation. However, the degradation was significantly enhanced because of the deposition of Pd, the fluoride concentration of PFOA was 6.62 mg x L(-1) after 7 h irradiation which was 7.3 times higher than that of TiO2 (P25). Experiments with the addition of trapping agent and nitrogen indicated that *OH played an important role in PFOA degradation while the presence of O2 accelerated the degradation. The main intermediate products of photocatalytic degradation of PFOA were authenticated by an ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry systems (UPLC-QTOF-MS). The probable photocatalytic degradation mechanism involves h+ attacking the carboxyl of PFOA and resulting in decarboxylation. The produced *CnF(2n +1) was oxidized by *OH underwent defluorinetion to form shorter-chain perfluorinated carboxylic acids. The significant enhancement of PFOA degradation can be ascribed to the palladium deposits, acting as electron traps on the Pd-TiO2 surface, which facilitated the transfer of photogenerated electrons and retarded the accumulation of electrons.

Multilayered phantoms with tunable optical properties for a better understanding of light/tissue interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roig, Blandine; Koenig, Anne; Perraut, François; Piot, Olivier; Vignoud, Séverine; Lavaud, Jonathan; Manfait, Michel; Dinten, Jean-Marc

2015-03-01

Light/tissue interactions, like diffuse reflectance, endogenous fluorescence and Raman scattering, are a powerful means for providing skin diagnosis. Instrument calibration is an important step. We thus developed multilayered phantoms for calibration of optical systems. These phantoms mimic the optical properties of biological tissues such as skin. Our final objective is to better understand light/tissue interactions especially in the case of confocal Raman spectroscopy. The phantom preparation procedure is described, including the employed method to obtain a stratified object. PDMS was chosen as the bulk material. TiO2 was used as light scattering agent. Dye and ink were adopted to mimic, respectively, oxy-hemoglobin and melanin absorption spectra. By varying the amount of the incorporated components, we created a material with tunable optical properties. Monolayer and multilayered phantoms were designed to allow several characterization methods. Among them, we can name: X-ray tomography for structural information; Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS) with a homemade fibered bundle system for optical characterization; and Raman depth profiling with a commercial confocal Raman microscope for structural information and for our final objective. For each technique, the obtained results are presented and correlated when possible. A few words are said on our final objective. Raman depth profiles of the multilayered phantoms are distorted by elastic scattering. The signal attenuation through each single layer is directly dependent on its own scattering property. Therefore, determining the optical properties, obtained here with DRS, is crucial to properly correct Raman depth profiles. Thus, it would be permitted to consider quantitative studies on skin for drug permeation follow-up or hydration assessment, for instance.

RBAC-Matrix-based EMR right management system to improve HIPAA compliance.

PubMed

Lee, Hung-Chang; Chang, Shih-Hsin

2012-10-01

Security control of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) is a mechanism used to manage electronic medical records files and protect sensitive medical records document from information leakage. Researches proposed the Role-Based Access Control(RBAC). However, with the increasing scale of medical institutions, the access control behavior is difficult to have a detailed declaration among roles in RBAC. Furthermore, with the stringent specifications such as the U.S. HIPAA and Canada PIPEDA etc., patients are encouraged to have the right in regulating the access control of his EMR. In response to these problems, we propose an EMR digital rights management system, which is a RBAC-based extension to a matrix organization of medical institutions, known as RBAC-Matrix. With the aim of authorizing the EMR among roles in the organization, RBAC-Matrix also allow patients to be involved in defining access rights of his records. RBAC-Matrix authorizes access control declaration among matrix organizations of medical institutions by using XrML file in association with each EMR. It processes XrML rights declaration file-based authorization of behavior in the two-stage design, called master & servant stage, thus makes the associated EMR to be better protected. RBAC-Matrix will also make medical record file and its associated XrML declaration to two different EMRA(EMR Authorization)roles, namely, the medical records Document Creator (DC) and the medical records Document Right Setting (DRS). Access right setting, determined by the DRS, is cosigned by the patient, thus make the declaration of rights and the use of EMR to comply with HIPAA specifications.

The JFK Coma Recovery Scale-Revised: measurement characteristics and diagnostic utility.

PubMed

Giacino, Joseph T; Kalmar, Kathleen; Whyte, John

2004-12-01

To determine the measurement properties and diagnostic utility of the JFK Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R). Analysis of interrater and test-retest reliability, internal consistency, concurrent validity, and diagnostic accuracy. Acute inpatient brain injury rehabilitation hospital. Convenience sample of 80 patients with severe acquired brain injury admitted to an inpatient Coma Intervention Program with a diagnosis of either vegetative state (VS) or minimally conscious state (MCS). Not applicable. The CRS-R, the JFK Coma Recovery Scale (CRS), and the Disability Rating Scale (DRS). Interrater and test-retest reliability were high for CRS-R total scores. Subscale analysis showed moderate to high interrater and test-retest agreement although systematic differences in scoring were noted on the visual and oromotor/verbal subscales. CRS-R total scores correlated significantly with total scores on the CRS and DRS indicating acceptable concurrent validity. The CRS-R was able to distinguish 10 patients in an MCS who were otherwise misclassified as in a VS by the DRS. The CRS-R can be administered reliably by trained examiners and repeated measurements yield stable estimates of patient status. CRS-R subscale scores demonstrated good agreement across raters and ratings but should be used cautiously because some scores were underrepresented in the current study. The CRS-R appears capable of differentiating patients in an MCS from those in a VS.

Involvement of a bifunctional, paired-like DNA-binding domain and a transpositional enhancer in Sleeping Beauty transposition.

PubMed

Izsvák, Zsuzsanna; Khare, Dheeraj; Behlke, Joachim; Heinemann, Udo; Plasterk, Ronald H; Ivics, Zoltán

2002-09-13

Sleeping Beauty (SB) is the most active Tc1/mariner-like transposon in vertebrate species. Each of the terminal inverted repeats (IRs) of SB contains two transposase-binding sites (DRs). This feature, termed the IR/DR structure, is conserved in a group of Tc1-like transposons. The DNA-binding region of SB transposase, similar to the paired domain of Pax proteins, consists of two helix-turn-helix subdomains (PAI + RED = PAIRED). The N-terminal PAI subdomain was found to play a dominant role in contacting the DRs. Transposase was able to bind to mutant sites retaining the 3' part of the DRs; thus, primary DNA binding is not sufficient to determine the specificity of the transposition reaction. The PAI subdomain was also found to bind to a transpositional enhancer-like sequence within the left IR of SB, and to mediate protein-protein interactions between transposase subunits. A tetrameric form of the transposase was detected in solution, consistent with an interaction between the IR/DR structure and a transposase tetramer. We propose a model in which the transpositional enhancer and the PAI subdomain stabilize complexes formed by a transposase tetramer bound at the IR/DR. These interactions may result in enhanced stability of synaptic complexes, which might explain the efficient transposition of Sleeping Beauty in vertebrate cells.

Study of Hyperbranched Poly(ethyleneimine) Polymers of Different Molecular Weight and Their Interaction with Epoxy Resin

PubMed Central

2018-01-01

Two different commercial hyperbranched poly(ethyleneimine)s (HBPEI), with molecular weights (MW) of 800 and 25,000 g/mol, and denoted as PEI800 and PEI25000, respectively, as well as the mixtures with a Diglycidyl Ether of Bisphenol-A (DGEBA) epoxy resin, have been studied using thermal analysis techniques (DSC, TGA), dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Only a single glass transition is observed in these mixtures by DSC. DRS of the HBPEIs shows three dipolar relaxations: γ, β, and α. The average activation energy for the γ-relaxation is similar for all HBPEIs and is associated with the motion of the terminal groups. The β-relaxation has the same average activation energy for both PEI800 and PEI25000; this relaxation is attributed to the mobility of the branches. The α-relaxation peak for all the HBPEIs is an asymmetric peak with a shoulder on the high temperature side. This shoulder suggests the existence of ionic charge trapped in the PEI. For the mixtures, the γ- and β-relaxations follow the behaviour of the epoxy resin alone, indicating that the epoxy resin dominates the molecular mobility. The α-relaxation by DRS is observed only as a shoulder, as a consequence of an overlap with conductivity effects, whereas by DMA, it is a clear peak. PMID:29522480

Characterization of the gene encoding pinin/DRS/memA and evidence for its potential tumor suppressor function.

PubMed

Shi, Y; Ouyang, P; Sugrue, S P

2000-01-13

Several cell adhesion-related proteins have been shown to act as tumor-suppressors (TS) in the neoplastic progression of epithelial-derived tumors. Pinin/DRS/memA was first identified in our laboratory and it was shown to be a cell adhesion-related molecule. Our previous study demonstrated that restoration of pinin expression in transformed cells not only positively influenced cellular adhesive properties but also reversed the transformed phenotype to more epithelial-like. Here, we show by FISH analysis that the gene locus for pinin is within 14q13. The alignment of the pinin gene with STS markers localized the gene to the previously identified TS locus D14S75-D14S288. Northern analyses revealed diminished pinin mRNA in renal cell carcinomas (RCC) and certain cancer cell lines. Immunohistochemical examination of tumor samples demonstrated absent or greatly reduced pinin in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and RCC tumors. TCC-derived J82 cells as well as EcR-293 cells transfected with full-length pinin cDNA demonstrated inhibition of anchorage-independent growth of cells in soft agar. Furthermore, methylation analyses revealed that aberrant methylation of pinin CpG islands was correlated with decreased/absent pinin expression in a subset of tumor tissues. These data lend significant support to the hypothesis that pinin/DRS/memA may act as a tumor suppressor in certain types of cancers.

Atypical antipsychotic medications to control symptoms of delirium in children and adolescents.

PubMed

Turkel, Susan Beckwitt; Jacobson, Julienne; Munzig, Elizabeth; Tavaré, C Jane

2012-04-01

Atypical antipsychotics have been documented to be effective in the management of delirium in adults, but despite considerable need, their use has been less studied in pediatric patients. A retrospective chart review was done to describe the use of atypical antipsychotics in controlling symptoms of delirium in children and adolescents. Pharmacy records at Children's Hospital Los Angeles were reviewed to identify patients to whom antipsychotic agents were dispensed over a 24-month period. Psychiatric inpatient consultations during the same 24-month period were reviewed. Patients 1-18 years old diagnosed with delirium given antipsychotics constituted the study population. Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (DRS-R98) scores were retrospectively calculated, when possible, at time antipsychotic was started to confirm the initial diagnosis of delirium and evaluate symptom severity, and again when antipsychotic was stopped, to assess symptom response. Olanzapine (n=78), risperidone (n=13), and quetiapine (n=19) were used during the 2 years of the study. Mean patient age, length of treatment, and response were comparable for the three medications. For patients with two DRS-R98 scores available (n=75/110), mean DRS-R98 scores decreased significantly (p<0.001) with antipsychotic without significant adverse side effects. Although randomized placebo-controlled studies are needed, atypical antipsychotic medications appeared to be effective and safe for managing delirium symptoms in pediatric patients while underlying etiology was addressed.

Which factors are associated with global cognitive impairment in Wilson's disease?

PubMed Central

Frota, Norberto Anízio Ferreira; Barbosa, Egberto Reis; Porto, Claudia Sellitto; Lucato, Leandro Tavares; Ono, Carla Rachel; Buchpiguel, Carlos Alberto; Machado, Alexandre Aluizio Costa; Caramelli, Paulo

2016-01-01

Background Patients with Wilson's disease (WD) present cognitive impairment, especially in executive functions. Which other factors might be associated with global cognitive decline in these patients remains unclear. Objective To assess which factors are associated with worse performance on a global cognitive test in patients with WD. Methods Twenty patients with WD underwent cognitive assessment with the following tests: the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Dementia Rating Scale (DRS), verbal fluency test, brief cognitive battery, clock drawing test, Frontal Assessment Battery, Stroop test, Wisconsin card sorting test, Hopper test, cubes (WAIS) and the Pfeffer questionnaire. MRI changes were quantified. Patients with poor performance on the DRS were compared to patients with normal performance. Results Nine patients had a poor performance on the DRS. This group had lower educational level (9.11±3.58× 12.82±3.06) and a greater number of changes on MRI (9.44±2.74× 6.27±2.45). The presence of hyperintensity in the globus pallidus on MRI was more frequent in this group (66.6% vs 9.0%), with OR=5.38 (95% CI 0.85-33.86). Conclusion Global cognitive impairment was prevalent in this sample of patients with WD and was associated with low educational level, number of changes on MRI and MRI hyperintensity in the globus pallidus. PMID:29213476

Assessing human skin with diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and colorimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seo, InSeok; Liu, Yang; Bargo, Paulo R.; Kollias, Nikiforos

2012-02-01

Colorimetry has been used as an objective measure of perceived skin color by human eye to document and score physiological responses of the skin from external insults. CIE color space values (L*, a* and b*) are the most commonly used parameters to correlate visually perceived color attributes such as L* for pigment, a* for erythema, and b* for sallowness of the skin. In this study, we investigated the relation of Lab color scale to the amount of major skin chromophores (oxy-, deoxyhemoglobin and melanin) calculated from diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Thirty two healthy human subjects with ages from 20 to 70 years old, skin types I-VI, were recruited for the study. DRS and colorimetry measurements were taken from the left and right cheeks, and on the right upper inner arm. The melanin content calculated from 630-700 nm range of DRS measurements was shown to correlate with the lightness of skin (L*) for most skin types. For subjects with medium-to-light complexion, melanin measured at the blue part spectrum and hemoglobin interfered on the relation of lightness of the skin color to the melanin content. The sallowness of the skin that is quantified by the melanin contribution at the blue part spectrum of DRS was found to be related to b* scale. This study demonstrates the importance of documenting skin color by assessing individual skin chromophores with diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, in comparison to colorimetry assessment.

Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy Versus Mexameter(®) MX18 Measurements of Melanin and Erythema in an African Population.

PubMed

Wright, Caradee Y; Karsten, Aletta E; Wilkes, Marcus; Singh, Ann; du Plessis, Johan; Albers, Patricia N; Karsten, Petrus A

2016-07-01

Melanin provides protection against excess exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and related adverse health effects. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) can be used to calculate cutaneous melanin and erythema, but this is complex and has been mostly used for light-to-medium pigmented skin. Handheld reflectance spectrophotometers, such as the Mexameter(®) MX18, can also be used. We compared DRS-calculated melanin and erythema values with Mexameter melanin and erythema index values to understand how these techniques/measurements correlate in an African population of predominantly deeply pigmented skin. Five hundred and three participants comprised 68.5% self-identified Black African, 9.9% Indian/Asian, 18.4% White and 2.9% Colored. The majority of Black African (45%), Indian/Asian (34%) and Colored (53%) participants self-identified their skin as being "brown." Measured melanin levels increased with darker self-reported skin color. DRS-calculated and Mexameter melanin values demonstrated a positive correlation (Spearman rho = 0.87, P < 0.001). The results from both instruments showed erythema values were strongly correlated with their own melanin values. This finding is considered spurious and may result from the complexity of separating brown and red pigment when using narrowband reflectance techniques. Further work is needed to understand melanin, erythema and color in Black skin given sun-related health risks in vulnerable groups in Africa. © 2016 The American Society of Photobiology.

Collecting wrappers, labels, and packages to enhance accuracy of food records among children 2-8 years in the Pacific region: Children's Healthy Living Program (CHL).

PubMed

Yonemori, Kim M; Ennis, Tui; Novotny, Rachel; Fialkowski, Marie K; Ettienne, Reynolette; Wilkens, Lynne R; Leon Guerrero, Rachael T; Bersamin, Andrea; Coleman, Patricia; Li, Fenfang; Boushey, Carol J

2017-12-01

The aim was to describe differences in dietary outcomes based on the provision of food wrappers, labels or packages (WLP) to complement data from dietary records (DR) among children from the US Affiliated Pacific. The WLP were intended to aid food coding. Since WLP can be associated with ultra-processed foods, one might expect differences in sodium, sugar, and other added ingredients to emerge. Dietary intakes of children (2-8 y) in Alaska, Hawai'i, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam were collected using parent/caregiver completed 2-day DR. Parents were encouraged to collect WLP associated with the child's intake. Trained staff entered data from the DRs including the WLP when available using PacTrac3, a web application. Of the 1,868 DRs collected and entered at the time of this report, 498 (27%) included WLP. After adjusting for confounders (sex, age, location, education, food assistance), the DRs with WLP had significantly higher amounts of energy (kcal), total fat, saturated fat, added sugar, and sodium. These results suggest the inclusion of WLP enhanced the dietary intake data. The intake of energy, fat, added sugar and sodium derived from processed foods and foods consumed outside the home was better captured in children who had WLP.

Risk for Hospitalized Heart Failure Among New Users of Saxagliptin, Sitagliptin, and Other Antihyperglycemic Drugs: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

PubMed

Toh, Sengwee; Hampp, Christian; Reichman, Marsha E; Graham, David J; Balakrishnan, Suchitra; Pucino, Frank; Hamilton, Jack; Lendle, Samuel; Iyer, Aarthi; Rucker, Malcolm; Pimentel, Madelyn; Nathwani, Neesha; Griffin, Marie R; Brown, Nancy J; Fireman, Bruce H

2016-06-07

Recent postmarketing trials produced conflicting results about the risk for hospitalized heart failure (hHF) associated with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, creating uncertainty about the safety of these antihyperglycemic agents. To examine the associations of hHF with saxagliptin and sitagliptin. Population-based, retrospective, new-user cohort study. 18 health insurance and health system data partners in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Mini-Sentinel program. Patients aged 18 years or older with type 2 diabetes who initiated therapy with saxagliptin, sitagliptin, pioglitazone, second-generation sulfonylureas, or long-acting insulin products from 2006 to 2013. Hospitalized HF, identified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes 402.x1, 404.x1, 404.x3, and 428.xx recorded as the principal discharge diagnosis. 78 553 saxagliptin users and 298 124 sitagliptin users contributed an average of 7 to 9 months of follow-up data to 1 or more pairwise comparisons. The risk for hHF was not higher with DPP-4 inhibitors than with the other study drugs. The hazard ratios from the disease risk score (DRS)-stratified analyses were 0.83 (95% CI, 0.70 to 0.99) for saxagliptin versus sitagliptin, 0.63 (CI, 0.47 to 0.85) for saxagliptin versus pioglitazone, 0.69 (CI, 0.54 to 0.87) for saxagliptin versus sulfonylureas, and 0.61 (CI, 0.50 to 0.73) for saxagliptin versus insulin. The DRS-stratified hazard ratios were 0.74 (CI, 0.64 to 0.85) for sitagliptin versus pioglitazone, 0.86 (CI, 0.77 to 0.95) for sitagliptin versus sulfonylureas, and 0.71 (CI, 0.64 to 0.78) for sitagliptin versus insulin. Results from the 1:1 propensity score-matched analyses were similar. Results were also similar in subgroups of patients with and without prior cardiovascular disease and in a subgroup defined by the 2 highest DRS deciles. Residual confounding and short follow-up. In this large cohort study, a higher risk for hHF was not observed in users of saxagliptin or sitagliptin compared with other selected antihyperglycemic agents. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Connective tissue growth factor and integrin αvβ6: a new pair of regulators critical for ductular reaction and biliary fibrosis in mice.

PubMed

Pi, Liya; Robinson, Paulette M; Jorgensen, Marda; Oh, Seh-Hoon; Brown, Alicia R; Weinreb, Paul H; Trinh, Thu Le; Yianni, Protopapadakis; Liu, Chen; Leask, Andrew; Violette, Shelia M; Scott, Edward W; Schultz, Gregory S; Petersen, Bryon E

2015-02-01

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a matricellular protein that mediates cell-matrix interaction through various subtypes of integrin receptors. This study investigated the role of CTGF and integrin αvβ6 in hepatic progenitor/oval cell activation, which often occurs in the form of ductular reactions (DRs) when hepatocyte proliferation is inhibited during severe liver injury. CTGF and integrin αvβ6 proteins were highly expressed in DRs of human cirrhotic livers and cholangiocarcinoma. Confocal microscopy analysis of livers from Ctgf promoter-driven green fluorescent protein reporter mice suggested that oval cells and cholangiocytes were the main sources of CTGF and integrin αvβ6 during liver injury induced by 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC). Deletion of exon 4 of the Ctgf gene using tamoxifen-inducible Cre-loxP system down-regulated integrin αvβ6 in DDC-damaged livers of knockout mice. Ctgf deficiency or inhibition of integrin αvβ6, by administrating the neutralizing antibody, 6.3G9 (10 mg/kg body weight), caused low levels of epithelial cell adhesion molecule and cytokeratin 19 gene messenger RNAs. Also, there were smaller oval cell areas, fewer proliferating ductular epithelial cells, and lower cholestasis serum markers within 2 weeks after DDC treatment. Associated fibrosis was attenuated, as indicated by reduced expression of fibrosis-related genes, smaller areas of alpha-smooth muscle actin staining, and low collagen production based on hydroxyproline content and Sirius Red staining. Finally, integrin αvβ6 could bind to CTGF mediating oval cell adhesion to CTGF and fibronection substrata and promoting transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 activation in vitro. CTGF and integrin αvβ6 regulate oval cell activation and fibrosis, probably through interacting with their common matrix and signal partners, fibronectin and TGF-β1. CTGF and integrin αvβ6 are potential therapeutic targets to control DRs and fibrosis in related liver disease. © 2014 by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

Reliable mortality statistics for Turkey: Are we there yet?

PubMed

Özdemir, Raziye; Rao, Chalapati; Öcek, Zeliha; Dinç Horasan, Gönül

2015-06-10

The Turkish government has implemented several reforms to improve the Turkish Statistical Institute Death Reporting System (TURKSTAT-DRS) since 2009. However, there has been no assessment to evaluate the impact of these reforms on causes of death statistics. This study attempted to analyse the impact of these reforms on the TURKSTAT-DRS for Turkey, and in the case of Izmir, one of the most developed provinces in Turkey. The evaluation framework comprised three main components each with specific criteria. Firstly, data from TURKSTAT for Turkey and Izmir for the periods 2001-2008 and 2009-2013 were assessed in terms of the following dimensions that represent quality of mortality statistics (a. completeness of death registration, b. trends in proportions of deaths with ill-defined causes). Secondly, the quality of information recorded on individual death certificates from Izmir in 2010 was analysed for a. missing information, b. timeliness of death notifications and c. characteristics of deaths with ill-defined causes. Finally, TURKSTAT data were analysed to estimate life tables and summary mortality indicators for Turkey and Izmir, as well as the leading causes-of-death in Turkey in 2013. Registration of adult deaths in Izmir as well as at the national level for Turkey has considerably improved since the introduction of reforms in 2009, along with marked decline in the proportions of deaths assigned ill-defined causes. Death certificates from Izmir indicated significant gaps in recorded information for demographic as well as epidemiological variables, particularly for infant deaths, and in the detailed recording of causes of death. Life expectancy at birth estimated from local data is 3-4 years higher than similar estimates for Turkey from international studies, and this requires further investigation and confirmation. The TURKSTAT-DRS is now an improved source of mortality and cause of death statistics for Turkey. The reliability and validity of TURKSTAT data needs to be established through a detailed research program to evaluate completeness of death registration and validity of registered causes of death. Similar evaluation and data analysis of mortality indicators is required at regular intervals at national and sub-national level, to increase confidence in their utility as primary data for epidemiology and health policy.

Duane Syndrome

MedlinePlus

... is Duane Syndrome? Duane syndrome, also called Duane retraction syndrome (DRS), is a congenital and non-progressive ... Is Duane syndrome congenital (present from birth)? Duane retraction syndrome is present from birth, even if it ...

Partial duplication of chromosome 19 associated with syndromic duane retraction syndrome.

PubMed

Abu-Amero, Khaled K; Kondkar, Altaf A; Al Otaibi, Abdullah; Alorainy, Ibrahim A; Khan, Arif O; Hellani, Ali M; Oystreck, Darren T; Bosley, Thomas M

2015-03-01

To evaluate possible monogenic and chromosomal anomalies in a patient with unilateral Duane retraction syndrome, modest dysmorphism, cerebral white matter abnormalities, and normal cognitive function. Performing high-resolution array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) and sequencing of HOXA1, KIF21A, SALL4, and CHN1 genes. The proband had unilateral Duane retraction syndrome (DRS) type III on the right with low-set ears, prominent forehead, clinodactyly, and a history of frequent infections during early childhood. Motor development and cognitive function were normal. Parents were not related, and no other family member was similarly affected. MRI revealed multiple small areas of high signal on T2 weighted images in cerebral white matter oriented along white matter tracts. Sequencing of HOXA1, KIF21A, SALL4, and CHN1 did not reveal any mutation(s). Array CGH showed a 95 Kb de novo duplication on chromosome 19q13.4 encompassing four killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes. Conclusions. KIR genes have not previously been linked to a developmental syndrome, although they are known to be expressed in the human brain and brainstem and to be associated with certain infections and autoimmune diseases, including some affecting the nervous system. DRS and brain neuroimaging abnormalities may imply a central and peripheral oligodendrocyte abnormality related in some fashion to an immunomodulatory disturbance.

Optical clearing of melanoma in vivo: characterization by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and optical coherence tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pires, Layla; Demidov, Valentin; Vitkin, I. Alex; Bagnato, Vanderlei; Kurachi, Cristina; Wilson, Brian C.

2016-08-01

Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer, with significant risk of fatality. Due to its pigmentation, light-based imaging and treatment techniques are limited to near the tumor surface, which is inadequate, for example, to evaluate the microvascular density that is associated with prognosis. White-light diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and near-infrared optical coherence tomography (OCT) were used to evaluate the effect of a topically applied optical clearing agent (OCA) in melanoma in vivo and to image the microvascular network. DRS was performed using a contact fiber optic probe in the range from 450 to 650 nm. OCT imaging was performed using a swept-source system at 1310 nm. The OCT image data were processed using speckle variance and depth-encoded algorithms. Diffuse reflectance signals decreased with clearing, dropping by ˜90% after 45 min. OCT was able to image the microvasculature in the pigmented melanoma tissue with good spatial resolution up to a depth of ˜300 μm without the use of OCA; improved contrast resolution was achieved with optical clearing to a depth of ˜750 μm in tumor. These findings are relevant to potential clinical applications in melanoma, such as assessing prognosis and treatment responses. Optical clearing may also facilitate the use of light-based treatments such as photodynamic therapy.

In Memoriam

PubMed Central

Offit, Paul; Murphy, Frederick; Plotkin, Stanley

2012-01-01

Dr H. Fred Clark, a colleague and friend, passed away on April 28, 2012. Drs Frederick Murphy, Stanley Plotkin, and Paul Offit, who knew Fred at different stages of his career, recall his life. PMID:22906941

'Combined reflectance stratigraphy' - subdivision of loess successions by diffuse reflectance spectrometry (DRS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szeberényi, Jozsef; Bradak-Hayashi, Balázs; Kiss, Klaudia; Kovács, József; Varga, György; Balázs, Réka; Szalai, Zoltán; Viczián, István

2016-04-01

The different varieties of loess (and intercalated paleosol layers) together constitute one of the most widespread terrestrial sediments, which was deposited, altered, and redeposited in the course of the changing climatic conditions of the Pleistocene. To reveal more information about Pleistocene climate cycles and/or environments the detailed lithostratigraphical subdivision and classification of the loess variations and paleosols are necessary. Beside the numerous method such as various field measurements, semi-quantitative tests and laboratory investigations, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) is one of the well applied method on loess/paleosol sequences. Generally, DRS has been used to separate the detrital and pedogenic mineral component of the loess sections by the hematite/goethite ratio. DRS also has been applied as a joint method of various environmental magnetic investigations such as magnetic susceptibility- and isothermal remanent magnetization measurements. In our study the so-called "combined reflectance stratigraphy method" were developed. At First, complex mathematical method was applied to compare the results of the spectral reflectance measurements. One of the most preferred multivariate methods is cluster analysis. Its scope is to group and compare the loess variations and paleosol based on the similarity and common properties of their reflectance curves. In the Second, beside the basic subdivision of the profiles by the different reflectance curves of the layers, the most characteristic wavelength section of the reflectance curve was determined. This sections played the most important role during the classification of the different materials of the section. The reflectance value of individual samples, belonged to the characteristic wavelength were depicted in the function of depth and well correlated with other proxies like grain size distribution and magnetic susceptibility data. The results of the correlation showed the significance of the "combined reflectance stratigraphy" as a stratigraphical method and as an environmental proxy also. Acknowledgment Bradák-Hayashi, B.'s fellowship at Department of Planetology (Kobe University, Japan) was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). The investigation was supported by International Visegrad Fund. Project No: 11410020.

A validation study of the Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour Dietary Recall for Children (ASA24-Kids) among 9 to 11-year-old youth

PubMed Central

Diep, Cassandra S.; Hingle, Melanie; Chen, Tzu-An; Dadabhoy, Hafza R.; Beltran, Alicia; Baranowski, Janice; Subar, Amy F.; Baranowski, Tom

2015-01-01

Background Valid methods of diet assessment are important for nutrition research and practice but can be difficult with children. Objective To validate ASA24-Kids-2012, a self-administered web-based 24-hour dietary recall (24hDR) among 9-11-year-old children, in two sites. Design Quasi-experimental Participants/setting In one site, trained staff observed and recorded foods and drinks consumed by children (n=38) during school lunch. The next day, the observed children completed both ASA24-Kids-2012 and an interviewer-administered 24hDR in a randomized order. Procedures in a second site (n=31) were similar, except observations occurred during dinner in a community location. Statistical analyses Foods were classified as matches (reported and consumed), intrusions (reported, but not consumed), or omissions (not reported, but consumed) for each participant. Rates of matches, intrusions, and omissions were calculated. Rates were compared between each recall method using repeated measures analysis of covariance. For matched foods, the authors determined correlation coefficients between observed and reported serving sizes. Results Match, intrusion, and omission rates between ASA24-Kids-2012 and observed intakes in site 1 were 37%, 27%, and 35%, respectively. Comparable rates for interviewer-administered 24hDRs were 57%, 20%, and 23%, respectively. In site 2, match, intrusion, and omission rates between ASA24-Kids-2012 and observed intakes were 53%, 12%, and 36%, respectively, vs. 76% matches, 9% intrusions, and 15% omissions for interviewer-administered 24hDRs. The relationship strength between reported and observed serving sizes for matched foods was 0.18 in site 1 and 0.09 in site 2 for ASA24-Kids-2012, and 0.46 in site 1 and 0.11 in site 2 for interviewer-administered 24hDRs. Conclusions ASA24-Kids-2012 was less accurate than interviewer-administered 24hDRs when compared to observed intakes, but both performed poorly. Additional research should assess the age at which children can complete recalls without the help of a parent or guardian, as well as to elucidate under which circumstances recalls can reasonably be used among children. PMID:25887784

Prehospital plasma resuscitation associated with improved neurologic outcomes after traumatic brain injury.

PubMed

Hernandez, Matthew C; Thiels, Cornelius A; Aho, Johnathon M; Habermann, Elizabeth B; Zielinski, Martin D; Stubbs, James A; Jenkins, Donald H; Zietlow, Scott P

2017-09-01

Trauma-related hypotension and coagulopathy worsen secondary brain injury in patients with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Early damage control resuscitation with blood products may mitigate hypotension and coagulopathy. Preliminary data suggest resuscitation with plasma in large animals improves neurologic function after TBI; however, data in humans are lacking. We retrospectively identified all patients with multiple injuries age >15 years with head injuries undergoing prehospital resuscitation with blood products at a single Level I trauma center from January 2002 to December 2013. Inclusion criteria were prehospital resuscitation with either packed red blood cells (pRBCs) or thawed plasma as sole colloid resuscitation. Patients who died in hospital and those using anticoagulants were excluded. Primary outcomes were Glasgow Outcomes Score Extended (GOSE) and Disability Rating Score (DRS) at dismissal and during follow-up. Of 76 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 53% (n = 40) received prehospital pRBCs and 47% (n = 36) received thawed plasma. Age, gender, injury severity or TBI severity, arrival laboratory values, and number of prehospital units were similar (all p > 0.05). Patients who received thawed plasma had an improved neurologic outcome compared to those receiving pRBCs (median GOSE 7 [7-8] vs. 5.5 [3-7], p < 0.001). Additionally, patients who received thawed plasma had improved functionality compared to pRBCs (median DRS 2 [1-3.5] vs. 9 [3-13], p < 0.001). Calculated GOSE and DRS scores during follow-up, median 6 [5-7] months, demonstrated increased function in those resuscitated with thawed plasma compared to pRBCs by both median GOSE (8 [7-8] vs. 6 [6-7], p < 0.001) and DRS (0 [0-1] vs. 4 [2-8], p < 0.001). In critically injured trauma patients with TBI, early resuscitation with thawed plasma is associated with improved neurologic and functional outcomes at discharge and during follow-up compared to pRBCs alone. These preliminary data support the further investigation and use of plasma in the resuscitation of critically injured TBI patients. Therapeutic, level V.

Sol-Gel Synthesis of Fe-Doped TiO2 Nanocrystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marami, Mohammad Bagher; Farahmandjou, Majid; Khoshnevisan, Bahram

2018-03-01

Fe-doped TiO2 powders were synthesized by the sol-gel method using titanium (IV) isopropoxide (TTIP) as the starting material, ethanol as solvent, and ethylene glycol (EG) as stabilizer. These prepared samples were characterized by x-ray diffractometer (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and photoluminescence (PL) analyses to study their structure, morphology, and optical properties. The particle size of Fe-doped TiO2 was in the range of 18-39 nm and the minimum crystallite size was achieved for 4 mol.% of Fe. The XRD result of the samples that were doped with Fe showed a tetragonal structure. It also revealed the coexistence of the anatase and rutile phases, and showed that their ratio changed with various molar concentrations of Fe dopant. FTIR spectroscopy showed the presence of the Ti-O vibration band in the samples. PL analysis revealed the PL property in the UV region. Visible irradiation and the intensity of PL spectra were both reduced by doping TiO2 with 3 mol.% of Fe as compared to the pure variety. The spectra from the DRS showed a red shift and a reduction of 2.6 eV in the band gap energy for 4 mol.% Fe-doped TiO2. The optimum level of impurity (4 mol.%) for Fe-doped TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs), which improve the optical and electrical properties by using new precursors and can be used in solar cells and electronic devices, was determined. The novelty of this work consists of: the Fe/TiO2 NPs are synthesized by new precursors from sol-gel synthesis of iron and TTIP using acetic acid-catalyzed solvolysis (original idea) and the optical properties optimized with a mixture of phases (anatase/rutile) of Fe-doped TiO2 by this facile method.

Sol-Gel Synthesis of Fe-Doped TiO2 Nanocrystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marami, Mohammad Bagher; Farahmandjou, Majid; Khoshnevisan, Bahram

2018-07-01

Fe-doped TiO2 powders were synthesized by the sol-gel method using titanium (IV) isopropoxide (TTIP) as the starting material, ethanol as solvent, and ethylene glycol (EG) as stabilizer. These prepared samples were characterized by x-ray diffractometer (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and photoluminescence (PL) analyses to study their structure, morphology, and optical properties. The particle size of Fe-doped TiO2 was in the range of 18-39 nm and the minimum crystallite size was achieved for 4 mol.% of Fe. The XRD result of the samples that were doped with Fe showed a tetragonal structure. It also revealed the coexistence of the anatase and rutile phases, and showed that their ratio changed with various molar concentrations of Fe dopant. FTIR spectroscopy showed the presence of the Ti-O vibration band in the samples. PL analysis revealed the PL property in the UV region. Visible irradiation and the intensity of PL spectra were both reduced by doping TiO2 with 3 mol.% of Fe as compared to the pure variety. The spectra from the DRS showed a red shift and a reduction of 2.6 eV in the band gap energy for 4 mol.% Fe-doped TiO2. The optimum level of impurity (4 mol.%) for Fe-doped TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs), which improve the optical and electrical properties by using new precursors and can be used in solar cells and electronic devices, was determined. The novelty of this work consists of: the Fe/TiO2 NPs are synthesized by new precursors from sol-gel synthesis of iron and TTIP using acetic acid-catalyzed solvolysis (original idea) and the optical properties optimized with a mixture of phases (anatase /rutile) of Fe-doped TiO2 by this facile method.

Fabrication of ZnAl mixed metal-oxides/RGO nanohybrid composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ni, Jie; Xue, Jinjuan; Shen, Jing; He, Guangyu; Chen, Haiqun

2018-05-01

The ZnAl mixed metal-oxides (MMOs)/graphene nanocomposites were successfully fabricated by a facile hydrothermal method combined with a calcination process. The thermal treatment enables simultaneously the formation of ZnO/ZnAl2O4 heterogeneous structure, which are uniformly decorated on the surface of graphene, accompanying with the reduction of graphene oxide. The as-prepared heterostructure photocatalysts were well characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) to conduct investigations into the phase structures, microstructure and optical capability. The ZnAl MMO/RGO20 composite displayed favorable adsorption property and photo-degradation efficiency for Ciprofloxacin (CIP) aqueous solution under visible light. The photo-degradation efficiency of the as-prepared ZnAl MMO/RGO20 was 3.0 and even 4.6 times higher than that of ZnAl MMO and pure ZnAl LDH, respectively. The improvement of photocatalytic performance is ascribed to the synergistic effect of heterogeneous structure coupled with graphene, which realizes efficient charge separation efficiency, enlarged visible light adsorption range, and chemical stability of hybrid nanocomposite. The results of EIS, PL and photocurrent response also explained the best performance of ZnAl MMO/RGO20 nanocomposite. Besides, the mechanism of ZnAl MMO/RGO20 photocatalytic system was proposed and analyzed in detail.

Linking International Cancer Screening Efforts

Cancer.gov

Drs. Sudha Sivaram and Steve Taplin speak at the International Cancer Screening Network (ICSN) Meeting, which brings together individuals involved in cancer screening research and cancer screening programs from the ICSN’s member countries.

Chemically reduced graphene oxide-P25-Au nanocomposite materials and their photoelectrocatalytic and photocatalytic applications.

PubMed

Praveen, Raju; Ramaraj, Ramasamy

2016-10-05

Visible light active photocatalysts consisting of gold nanoparticle (Au NP) decorated chemically reduced graphene oxide-P25 nanocomposite materials (CRGO-P25-Au NCMs) were prepared through a one-pot chemical reduction method. The nanocomposite materials were characterized using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analyses. The performances of CRGO-P25-Au NCM modified ITO electrodes were evaluated towards the photoelectrochemical oxidation of methanol. The photoelectrode fabricated using CRGO-P25-Au NCM exhibited a higher photocurrent of 293 μA cm -2 compared to other control electrodes. The CRGO-P25-Au NCMs were also used for the photocatalytic reduction of highly toxic chromium(vi) ions to chromium(iii) ions in the presence of oxalic acid as a sacrificial electron donor. The results showed that around 75% of the Cr(vi) ions were photocatalytically reduced to Cr(iii) ions by the CRGO-P25-Au NCM within the light irradiation time of 1 h. In both applications, the enhanced catalytic activity of the CRGO-P25-Au NCM was attributed to the improved visible light absorption and the reduced charge recombination exerted by the interaction of CRGO and Au NPs with P25 and their synergistic effects.

A floating-point digital receiver for MRI.

PubMed

Hoenninger, John C; Crooks, Lawrence E; Arakawa, Mitsuaki

2002-07-01

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system requires the highest possible signal fidelity and stability for clinical applications. Quadrature analog receivers have problems with channel matching, dc offset and analog-to-digital linearity. Fixed-point digital receivers (DRs) reduce all of these problems. We have demonstrated that a floating-point DR using large (order 124 to 512) FIR low-pass filters also overcomes these problems, automatically provides long word length and has low latency between signals. A preloaded table of finite impuls response (FIR) filter coefficients provides fast switching between one of 129 different one-stage and two-stage multrate FIR low-pass filters with bandwidths between 4 KHz and 125 KHz. This design has been implemented on a dual channel circuit board for a commercial MRI system.

Glioblastoma—Unraveling the Threads to Make Progress

Cancer.gov

Progress against the brain cancer glioblastoma has been slow. In this Cancer Currents post, Drs. Mark Gilbert and Terri Armstrong of NCI’s Neuro-Oncology Branch discuss what’s being done to change that.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Cancer Screening

Cancer.gov

In this audio clip, Drs. Lisa Schwartz and Steven Woloshin of the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy discuss the benefits and harms of cancer screening and highlight popular misconceptions about cancer screening statistics.

Symptom profile and etiology of delirium in a referral population in northern india: factor analysis of the DRS-R98.

PubMed

Mattoo, Surendra K; Grover, Sandeep; Chakravarty, Kaustav; Trzepacz, Paula T; Meagher, David J; Gupta, Nitin

2012-01-01

Delirium is understudied in developing countries, where there tends to be a lower proportion of older persons and comorbid dementia. The authors assessed 100 consecutive cases of DSM-IV delirium (patients' mean age: 44.4 [standard deviation: 19.4] years; mean DRS-R98 score: 25.6 [3.6]) referred to an adult Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry service in Northern India. Disturbances of attention, orientation, visuospatial ability, and sleep disturbance were the most frequent symptoms, followed by language, thought-process abnormality, and motor agitation. A three-factor solution was identified, representing domains for cognition, higher-order thinking, and circadian rhythm/psychosis. These domains can guide studies addressing the relationship between symptom profile, therapeutic needs, and outcomes and are consistent with core domains previously identified in other countries.

Benton Judgment of Line Orientation (JoLO) Test: A Brief and Useful Measure for Assessing Visuospatial Abilities in Manifest, but not Premanifest, Huntington's Disease.

PubMed

Corey-Bloom, Jody; Gluhm, Shea; Herndon, Andrew; Haque, Ameera S; Park, Sungmee; Gilbert, Paul E

2016-01-01

Visuospatial deficits have been described in Huntington's disease (HD); however, the extent of these deficits remains unclear. The Benton Judgment of Line Orientation (JoLO) Test, commonly used to assess visuospatial ability, requires minimal motor involvement. It has demonstrated sensitivity to visuospatial deficits in Parkinson's disease; however, few studies have examined performance on this test in HD. The objective of the current study was to assess visuospatial ability in premanifest and manifest HD using the JoLO. A global cognitive measure, the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (DRS), was used to stratify manifest HD patients as mild (DRS ≥129) vs. moderate-severe (DRS ≤128). Fifty mild, 42 moderate-severe, and 30 premanifest HD subjects, as well as 35 matched controls, were administered the JoLO. HD Burden of Pathology (BOP) scores were used as a measure of disease severity. Results revealed that the total manifest HD sample (p <  0.001), in addition to the mild (p = 0.028), and moderate-severe (p <  0.001), but not premanifest, HD subjects scored significantly lower on the JoLO compared to normal controls. Our results suggest that the JoLO is useful for detecting visuospatial deficits across various stages of manifest HD. However, any visuospatial impairment that might be present during the premanifest stage of HD was not detected using the JoLO in the present sample.

Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy from 400-1600 nm to evaluate tumor resection margins during head and neck surgery (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brouwer de Koning, Susan G.; Baltussen, E. J. M.; Karakullukcu, M. Baris; Smit, L.; van Veen, R. L. P.; Hendriks, Benno H. W.; Sterenborg, H. J. C. M.; Ruers, Theo J. M.

2017-02-01

This ex vivo study evaluates the feasibility of diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) for discriminating tumor from healthy oral tissue, with the aim to develop a technique that can be used to determine a complete excision of tumor through intraoperative margin assessment. DRS spectra were acquired on fresh surgical specimens from patients with an oral squamous cell carcinoma. The spectra represent a measure of diffuse light reflectance (wavelength range of 400-1600 nm), detected after illuminating tissue with a source fiber at 1.0 and 2.0 mm distances from a detection fiber. Spectra were obtained from 23 locations of tumor tissue and 16 locations of healthy muscle tissue. Biopsies were taken from all measured locations to facilitate an optimal correlation between spectra and pathological information. The area under the spectrum was used as a parameter to classify spectra of tumor and healthy tissue. Next, a receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was performed to provide the area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) as a measure for discriminative power. The area under the spectrum between 650 and 750 nm was used in the ROC analysis and provided AUROC values of 0.99 and 0.97, for distances of 1 mm and 2 mm between source and detector fiber, respectively. DRS can discriminate tumor from healthy oral tissue in an ex vivo setting. More specimens are needed to further evaluate this technique with component analyses and classification methods, prior to in vivo patient measurements.

A pilot study of rivastigmine in the treatment of delirium after stroke: A safe alternative

PubMed Central

Oldenbeuving, Annemarie W; de Kort, Paul LM; Jansen, Ben PW; Kappelle, L Jaap; Roks, Gerwin

2008-01-01

Background Delirium is a common disorder in the early phase of stroke. Given the presumed cholinergic deficiency in delirium, we tested treatment with the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor rivastigmine. Methods This pilot study was performed within an epidemiological study. In 527 consecutive stroke patients presence of delirium was assessed during the first week with the confusion assessment method. Severity was scored with the delirium rating scale (DRS). Sixty-two patients developed a delirium in the acute phase of stroke. Only patients with a severe and persistent delirium (defined as a DRS of 12 or more for more than 24 hours) were enrolled in the present study. In total 26 fulfilled these criteria of whom 17 were treated with orally administered rivastigmine with a total dose between 3 and 12 mg a day. Eight patients could not be treated because of dysphagia and one because of early discharge. Results No major side effects were recorded. In 16 patients there was a considerable decrease in severity of delirium. The mean DRS declined from 14.8 on day one to 8.5 after therapy and 5.6 after tapering. The mean duration of delirium was 6.7 days (range; 2–17). Conclusion Rivastigmine is safe in stroke patients with delirium even after rapid titration. In the majority of patients the delirium improved after treatment. A randomized controlled trial is needed to establish the usefulness of rivastigmine in delirium after stroke. Trial registration Nederlands Trial Register NTR1395 PMID:18803862

Development and Validation of a Food Frequency Questionnaire to Estimate Intake among Children and Adolescents in Urban Peru

PubMed Central

Rodriguez, Carly A.; Smith, Emily R.; Villamor, Eduardo; Zavaleta, Nelly; Respicio-Torres, Graciela; Contreras, Carmen; Perea, Sara; Jimenez, Judith; Tintaya, Karen; Lecca, Leonid; Murray, Megan B.; Franke, Molly F.

2017-01-01

Tools to assess intake among children in Latin America are limited. We developed and assessed the reproducibility and validity of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) administered to children, adolescents, and their caregivers in Lima, Peru. We conducted 24-h diet recalls (DRs) and focus groups to develop a locally-tailored FFQ prototype for children aged 0–14 years. To validate the FFQ, we administered two FFQs and three DRs to children and/or their caregivers (N = 120) over six months. We examined FFQ reproducibility by quartile agreement and Pearson correlation coefficients, and validity by quartile agreement and correlation with DRs. For reproducibility, quartile agreement ranged from 60–77% with correlations highest for vitamins A and C (0.31). Age-adjusted correlations for the mean DR and the second-administered FFQ were highest in the 0–7 age group, in which the majority of caregivers completed the FFQ on behalf of the child (total fat; 0.67) and in the 8–14 age group, in which both the child and caregiver completed the FFQ together (calcium, niacin; 0.54); correlations were <0.10 for most nutrients in the 8–14 age group in which the caregiver completed the FFQ on the child’s behalf. The FFQ was reproducible and the first developed and validated to assess various nutrients in children and adolescents in Peru. PMID:29036893

Reconfigurable Hardware Adapts to Changing Mission Demands

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2003-01-01

A new class of computing architectures and processing systems, which use reconfigurable hardware, is creating a revolutionary approach to implementing future spacecraft systems. With the increasing complexity of electronic components, engineers must design next-generation spacecraft systems with new technologies in both hardware and software. Derivation Systems, Inc., of Carlsbad, California, has been working through NASA s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program to develop key technologies in reconfigurable computing and Intellectual Property (IP) soft cores. Founded in 1993, Derivation Systems has received several SBIR contracts from NASA s Langley Research Center and the U.S. Department of Defense Air Force Research Laboratories in support of its mission to develop hardware and software for high-assurance systems. Through these contracts, Derivation Systems began developing leading-edge technology in formal verification, embedded Java, and reconfigurable computing for its PF3100, Derivational Reasoning System (DRS ), FormalCORE IP, FormalCORE PCI/32, FormalCORE DES, and LavaCORE Configurable Java Processor, which are designed for greater flexibility and security on all space missions.

Levels and trends of child and adult mortality rates in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1990-2013; protocol of the NASBOD study.

PubMed

Mohammadi, Younes; Parsaeian, Mahboubeh; Farzadfar, Farshad; Kasaeian, Amir; Mehdipour, Parinaz; Sheidaei, Ali; Mansouri, Anita; Saeedi Moghaddam, Sahar; Djalalinia, Shirin; Mahmoudi, Mahmood; Khosravi, Ardeshir; Yazdani, Kamran

2014-03-01

Calculation of burden of diseases and risk factors is crucial to set priorities in the health care systems. Nevertheless, the reliable measurement of mortality rates is the main barrier to reach this goal. Unfortunately, in many developing countries the vital registration system (VRS) is either defective or does not exist at all. Consequently, alternative methods have been developed to measure mortality. This study is a subcomponent of NASBOD project, which is currently conducting in Iran. In this study, we aim to calculate incompleteness of the Death Registration System (DRS) and then to estimate levels and trends of child and adult mortality using reliable methods. In order to estimate mortality rates, first, we identify all possible data sources. Then, we calculate incompleteness of child and adult morality separately. For incompleteness of child mortality, we analyze summary birth history data using maternal age cohort and maternal age period methods. Then, we combine these two methods using LOESS regression. However, these estimates are not plausible for some provinces. We use additional information of covariates such as wealth index and years of schooling to make predictions for these provinces using spatio-temporal model. We generate yearly estimates of mortality using Gaussian process regression that covers both sampling and non-sampling errors within uncertainty intervals. By comparing the resulted estimates with mortality rates from DRS, we calculate child mortality incompleteness. For incompleteness of adult mortality, Generalized Growth Balance, Synthetic Extinct Generation and a hybrid of two mentioned methods are used. Afterwards, we combine incompleteness of three methods using GPR, and apply it to correct and adjust the number of deaths. In this study, we develop a conceptual framework to overcome the existing challenges for accurate measuring of mortality rates. The resulting estimates can be used to inform policy-makers about past, current and future mortality rates as a major indicator of health status of a population.

Evaluation of the accuracy and clinical practicality of a calculation system for patient positional displacement in carbon ion radiotherapy at five sites.

PubMed

Kubota, Yoshiki; Hayashi, Hayato; Abe, Satoshi; Souda, Saki; Okada, Ryosuke; Ishii, Takayoshi; Tashiro, Mutsumi; Torikoshi, Masami; Kanai, Tatsuaki; Ohno, Tatsuya; Nakano, Takashi

2018-03-01

We developed a system for calculating patient positional displacement between digital radiography images (DRs) and digitally reconstructed radiography images (DRRs) to reduce patient radiation exposure, minimize individual differences between radiological technologists in patient positioning, and decrease positioning time. The accuracy of this system at five sites was evaluated with clinical data from cancer patients. The dependence of calculation accuracy on the size of the region of interest (ROI) and initial position was evaluated for clinical use. For a preliminary verification, treatment planning and positioning data from eight setup patterns using a head and neck phantom were evaluated. Following this, data from 50 patients with prostate, lung, head and neck, liver, or pancreatic cancer (n = 10 each) were evaluated. Root mean square errors (RMSEs) between the results calculated by our system and the reference positions were assessed. The reference positions were manually determined by two radiological technologists to best-matching positions with orthogonal DRs and DRRs in six axial directions. The ROI size dependence was evaluated by comparing RMSEs for three different ROI sizes. Additionally, dependence on initial position parameters was evaluated by comparing RMSEs for four position patterns. For the phantom study, the average (± standard deviation) translation error was 0.17 ± 0.05, rotation error was 0.17 ± 0.07, and ΔD was 0.14 ± 0.05. Using the optimal ROI size for each patient site, all cases of prostate, lung, and head and neck cancer with initial position parameters of 10 mm or under were acceptable in our tolerance. However, only four liver cancer cases and three pancreatic cancer cases were acceptable, because of low-reproducibility regions in the ROIs. Our system has clinical practicality for prostate, lung, and head and neck cancer cases. Additionally, our findings suggest ROI size dependence in some cases. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

The broadening application of chemodenervation in X-linked dystonia-parkinsonism (Part II): an open-label experience with botulinum toxin-A (Dysport®) injections for oromandibular, lingual, and truncal-axial dystonias.

PubMed

Rosales, Raymond L; Ng, Arlene R; Santos, Mary Mildred Delgado-Delos; Fernandez, Hubert H

2011-01-01

While the majority of chemodenervation clinics worldwide typically use botulinum toxins for the treatment of common conditions such as blepharopsams, cervical dystonia, limb dystonia, and spasticity, the unusually high concentration of X-linked dystonia-parkinsonism (XDP) has allowed us to collect and describe our experience in the use of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) on rarer dystonic patterns. BoNT-A (Dysport®) was injected in a total 109 dystonias of XDP. Our cohort included: 50 cases in the oromandibular area (jaw opening: 32 cases, jaw closing: 12 cases, and jaw deviation: 6 cases); 35 cases in the lingual area (tongue protrusion: 27 cases and tongue curling: 8 cases); and, 24 cases in the truncal-axial area (flexor: 12 cases, extensor: 7 cases, and lateral-extensor: 5 cases). Interestingly, pain, often a nonprominent symptom of dystonias, was frequently reported in 40/50 XDP cases with oromandibular dystonia and 18/24 XDP cases with truncal-axial dystonia. All BoNT-A procedures were performed under electromyography guidance. A "high potency, low dilution" BoNT-A protocol was applied for oromandibular, lingual, cranial, cervical, and distal limb dystonias; whereas for dystonias of the abdominal, paraspinal, and proximal limb muscles, a "low potency, high dilution" BoNT-A injection protocol was applied. Outcomes measures included: the global dystonia rating scale (DRS) and pain visual analog scale (VAS) reduction at week 4; duration of BoNT-A effects; and, side effect profile. The median DRS score after 4 weeks was 3 ("substantial improvement") for oromandibular and lingual dystonias and 2 ("moderate improvement") for truncal-axial dystonias. Pain reduction was significantly reduced (75%-80% in oromandibular; 30%-80% in truncal-axial dystonias). The median duration of BoNT-A effect was 16 weeks for oromandibular, 12 weeks for lingual, and 11 weeks for truncal-axial dystonias. Compared to a generally safe and well-tolerated BoNT-A injections for truncal-axial dystonias, the oromandibular-lingual dystonias had the following frequency of adverse events: oromandibular--19% in jaw opening and 17% in jaw closing dystonias; lingual--19% in tongue protrusion and 13% in tongue curling dystonias. The most frequent adverse events were mouth dryness and dysphagia. Thus, BoNT-A injection working protocols may be adopted in XDP dystonia that adheres to cost minimization (e.g., lower dose end per selected muscle), while achieving some benefit, and potentially reduce the adverse event profile.

Response of the Cardiovascular System to Vibration and Combined Stresses

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-11-30

D . John B. Charles. Ph.D.Pr Benjamin S. KelleyPh.D. CD JUN1 9 1984J LAA rpubi Ia release U1 trl OD1 uflhimitod. U’= -’ Wenner-Gren Research...and Combined Stresses 4. PeRIVORUING OitG. RECPORT HuMUS FI 7. AUTHORrs) 6. C01YR ACT 04 GRANT NUMBER(#) C. F. Knapp, Ph. D ., J. M. Evans, M.S. D . C...Randall, Ph. D ., J. B. Charles, Ph. D . and F92-3K00 B. S. Kelley, PhD. 9.PERFORMN 10NZTO AI N DRS to. PROGRAM ELEMENT. PROJECT, TASK IWO~~RE ARAITO

Far-Infrared Blocked Impurity Band Detector Development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hogue, H. H.; Guptill, M. T.; Monson, J. C.; Stewart, J. W.; Huffman, J. E.; Mlynczak, M. G.; Abedin, M. N.

2007-01-01

DRS Sensors & Targeting Systems, supported by detector materials supplier Lawrence Semiconductor Research Laboratory, is developing far-infrared detectors jointly with NASA Langley under the Far-IR Detector Technology Advancement Partnership (FIDTAP). The detectors are intended for spectral characterization of the Earth's energy budget from space. During the first year of this effort we have designed, fabricated, and evaluated pilot Blocked Impurity Band (BIB) detectors in both silicon and germanium, utilizing pre-existing customized detector materials and photolithographic masks. A second-year effort has prepared improved silicon materials, fabricated custom photolithographic masks for detector process, and begun detector processing. We report the characterization results from the pilot detectors and other progress.

ZnO nanorods decorated with ZnS nanoparticles

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

Joicy, S.; Sivakumar, P.; Thangadurai, P., E-mail: thangaduraip.nst@pondiuni.edu.in

In this study, ZnO nanorods (NRs) and ZnS nanoparticles decorated ZnO-NRs were prepared by a combination of hydrothermal and hydrolysis method. Structural and optical properties of the samples were studied by XRD, FE-SEM, UV-Vis DRS and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Microscopy analysis revealed that the diameter of ZnO-NRs was ∼500 nm and the length was ranging from a few hundred nm to several micrometers and their surface was decorated with ZnS nanoparticles. UV-Vis DRS showed the absorption of ZnS decorated ZnO-NRs was blue shifted with respect to pure ZnO-NRs which enhanced the separation of electron-hole pairs. PL spectrum of ZnS decorated ZnO-NRs showedmore » a decrease in intensity of UV and green emissions with the appearance of blue emission at 436 nm.« less

LANDING - STS-9/41A - EDWARDS AFB (EAFB), CA

NASA Image and Video Library

1983-12-09

S83-45648 (8 Dec 1983) --- After more than 10 days in Earth orbit, the crewmembers for STS-9 egress the Space Shuttle Columbia following its successful landing at Edwards Air Force Base in southern California. Descending the stairs are (from bottom) Astronaut John W. Young, Brewster H. Shaw Jr. and Robert A. R. Parker; West German physicist Dr. Ulf Merbold; Astronaut Owen K. Garriott, and Dr. Byron K. Lichtenberg, a biomedical engineer from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Young was STS-9 crew commander; Shaw, pilot Drs. Parker and Garriott were mission specialists; and Drs. Merbold and Lichtenberg, payload specialists. Dr. Merbold was the European Space Agency?s first scientist to fly aboard a NASA spacecraft and Dr. Lichtenberg was America?s first non-astronaut to join a NASA crew in space. On hand to greet the crewmembers is George W. S. Abbey, director of flight crew operations.

Thermodynamics Analysis of Refinery Sludge Gasification in Adiabatic Updraft Gasifier

PubMed Central

Ahmed, Reem; Sinnathambi, Chandra M.; Eldmerdash, Usama; Subbarao, Duvvuri

2014-01-01

Limited information is available about the thermodynamic evaluation for biomass gasification process using updraft gasifier. Therefore, to minimize errors, the gasification of dry refinery sludge (DRS) is carried out in adiabatic system at atmospheric pressure under ambient air conditions. The objectives of this paper are to investigate the physical and chemical energy and exergy of product gas at different equivalent ratios (ER). It will also be used to determine whether the cold gas, exergy, and energy efficiencies of gases may be maximized by using secondary air injected to gasification zone under various ratios (0, 0.5, 1, and 1.5) at optimum ER of 0.195. From the results obtained, it is indicated that the chemical energy and exergy of producer gas are magnified by 5 and 10 times higher than their corresponding physical values, respectively. The cold gas, energy, and exergy efficiencies of DRS gasification are in the ranges of 22.9–55.5%, 43.7–72.4%, and 42.5–50.4%, respectively. Initially, all 3 efficiencies increase until they reach a maximum at the optimum ER of 0.195; thereafter, they decline with further increase in ER values. The injection of secondary air to gasification zone is also found to increase the cold gas, energy, and exergy efficiencies. A ratio of secondary air to primary air of 0.5 is found to be the optimum ratio for all 3 efficiencies to reach the maximum values. PMID:24672368

Dynamic Risk Stratification in Stage I Papillary Thyroid Cancer Patients Younger Than 45 Years of Age.

PubMed

Sung, Tae-Yon; Cho, Jae Won; Lee, Yu-Mi; Lee, Yi Ho; Kwon, Hyemi; Jeon, Min Ji; Kim, Won Gu; Choi, Young Jun; Song, Dong Eun; Chung, Ki-Wook; Yoon, Jong Ho; Hong, Suck Joon

2017-11-01

This study validated the dynamic risk stratification (DRS) system with regard to its association with structural recurrence and risk factors associated with non-excellent responses in patients <45 years with stage I classical papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). This historical cohort study included 598 patients with stage I classical PTC <45 years of age treated with total thyroidectomy followed by radioactive iodine remnant ablation (n = 440), total thyroidectomy without radioactive iodine remnant ablation (n = 23), and thyroid lobectomy alone (n = 135). The median follow-up period was 123 months. Structural recurrence occurred in 4.2% (n = 18/432) of the patients with an excellent response, 17.1% (18/105) of patients with an indeterminate response, 44.7% (17/38) of patients with a biochemically incomplete response, and 82.6% (19/23) of patients with a structurally incomplete response (p < 0.001) during the follow-up. The disease-free survival curves of each response showed significant differences (p < 0.001). Extensive extrathyroidal extension and extranodal extension were the independent risk factors associated with non-excellent response (p < 0.05). DRS may reduce unnecessary additional treatments by reclassifying initial risk estimates of structural recurrence. Furthermore, applying the risk factors associated with non-excellent response to initial therapy may be a more useful and viable surrogate of the risk for structural recurrence in stage I PTC patients <45 years of age.

Towards automated spectroscopic tissue classification in thyroid and parathyroid surgery.

PubMed

Schols, Rutger M; Alic, Lejla; Wieringa, Fokko P; Bouvy, Nicole D; Stassen, Laurents P S

2017-03-01

In (para-)thyroid surgery iatrogenic parathyroid injury should be prevented. To aid the surgeons' eye, a camera system enabling parathyroid-specific image enhancement would be useful. Hyperspectral camera technology might work, provided that the spectral signature of parathyroid tissue offers enough specific features to be reliably and automatically distinguished from surrounding tissues. As a first step to investigate this, we examined the feasibility of wide band diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) for automated spectroscopic tissue classification, using silicon (Si) and indium-gallium-arsenide (InGaAs) sensors. DRS (350-1830 nm) was performed during (para-)thyroid resections. From the acquired spectra 36 features at predefined wavelengths were extracted. The best features for classification of parathyroid from adipose or thyroid were assessed by binary logistic regression for Si- and InGaAs-sensor ranges. Classification performance was evaluated by leave-one-out cross-validation. In 19 patients 299 spectra were recorded (62 tissue sites: thyroid = 23, parathyroid = 21, adipose = 18). Classification accuracy of parathyroid-adipose was, respectively, 79% (Si), 82% (InGaAs) and 97% (Si/InGaAs combined). Parathyroid-thyroid classification accuracies were 80% (Si), 75% (InGaAs), 82% (Si/InGaAs combined). Si and InGaAs sensors are fairly accurate for automated spectroscopic classification of parathyroid, adipose and thyroid tissues. Combination of both sensor technologies improves accuracy. Follow-up research, aimed towards hyperspectral imaging seems justified. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Infrared Submillimeter and Radio Astronomy Research and Analysis Program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Traub, Wesley A.

2000-01-01

This program entitled "Infrared Submillimeter and Radio Astronomy Research and Analysis Program" with NASA-Ames Research Center (ARC) was proposed by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) to cover three years. Due to funding constraints only the first year installment of $18,436 was funded, but this funding was spread out over two years to try to maximize the benefit to the program. During the tenure of this contact, the investigators at the SAO, Drs. Wesley A. Traub and Nathaniel P. Carleton, worked with the investigators at ARC, Drs. Jesse Bregman and Fred Wittebom, on the following three main areas: 1. Rapid scanning SAO and ARC collaborated on purchasing and constructing a Rapid Scan Platform for the delay arm of the Infrared-Optical Telescope Array (IOTA) interferometer on Mt. Hopkins, Arizona. The Rapid Scan Platform was tested and improved by the addition of stiffening plates which eliminated a very small but noticeable bending of the metal platform at the micro-meter level. 2. Star tracking Bregman and Wittebom conducted a study of the IOTA CCD-based star tracker system, by constructing a device to simulate star motion having a specified frequency and amplitude of motion, and by examining the response of the tracker to this simulated star input. 3. Fringe tracking. ARC, and in particular Dr. Robert Mah, developed a fringe-packet tracking algorithm, based on data that Bregman and Witteborn obtained on IOTA. The algorithm was tested in the laboratory at ARC, and found to work well for both strong and weak fringes.

Hungary: a health system in transition.

PubMed

Mendoza, E M; Henderson, B J

1996-03-01

Hungary has an area of 93,030 square kilometers (35,900 square miles), the size of the state of Indiana in the United States. It is landlocked by the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic to the north, Austria to the west, Yugoslavia to the south, and Romania and the Soviet Union to the east. Although the health care system is based on the Soviet system, there have been dramatic changes since 1991, when the soviet Union and its Eastern European partners discarded their communist structures and the Soviet empire was disbanded. In this report, the current Hungarian health care system and the political structure in which it is housed will be described in terms of a key set of characteristics and their subparts. The purpose of this approach is to facilitate comparison of the Hungarian system with other national health care systems. An expanded version of this article will appear in an upcoming second edition of the College's book, International Health Care: A Framework for Comparing National Health Care Systems, by Drs. Mendoza and Henderson.

Risk for Hospitalized Heart Failure Among New Users of Saxagliptin, Sitagliptin, and Other Antihyperglycemic Drugs

PubMed Central

Toh, Sengwee; Hampp, Christian; Reichman, Marsha E.; Graham, David J.; Balakrishnan, Suchitra; Pucino, Frank; Hamilton, Jack; Lendle, Samuel; Iyer, Aarthi; Rucker, Malcolm; Pimentel, Madelyn; Nathwani, Neesha; Griffin, Marie R.; Brown, Nancy J.; Fireman, Bruce H.

2016-01-01

Background Recent postmarketing trials produced conflicting results about the risk for hospitalized heart failure (hHF) associated with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, creating uncertainty about the safety of these antihyperglycemic agents. Objective To examine the associations of hHF with saxagliptin and sitagliptin. Design Population-based, retrospective, new-user cohort study. Setting 18 health insurance and health system data partners in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Mini-Sentinel program. Patients Patients aged 18 years or older with type 2 diabetes who initiated therapy with saxagliptin, sitagliptin, pioglitazone, second-generation sulfonylureas, or long-acting insulin products from 2006 to 2013. Measurements Hospitalized HF, identified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes 402.×1, 404.×1, 404.×3, and 428.×× recorded as the principal discharge diagnosis. Results 78 553 saxagliptin users and 298 124 sitagliptin users contributed an average of 7 to 9 months of follow-up data to 1 or more pairwise comparisons. The risk for hHF was not higher with DPP-4 inhibitors than with the other study drugs. The hazard ratios from the disease risk score (DRS)–stratified analyses were 0.83 (95% CI, 0.70 to 0.99) for saxagliptin versus sitagliptin, 0.63 (CI, 0.47 to 0.85) for saxagliptin versus pioglitazone, 0.69 (CI, 0.54 to 0.87) for saxagliptin versus sulfonylureas, and 0.61 (CI, 0.50 to 0.73) for saxagliptin versus insulin. The DRS-stratified hazard ratios were 0.74 (CI, 0.64 to 0.85) for sitagliptin versus pioglitazone, 0.86 (CI, 0.77 to 0.95) for sitagliptin versus sulfonylureas, and 0.71 (CI, 0.64 to 0.78) for sitagliptin versus insulin. Results from the 1:1 propensity score–matched analyses were similar. Results were also similar in subgroups of patients with and without prior cardiovascular disease and in a subgroup defined by the 2 highest DRS deciles. Limitation Residual confounding and short follow-up. Conclusion In this large cohort study, a higher risk for hHF was not observed in users of saxagliptin or sitagliptin compared with other selected antihyperglycemic agents. Primary Funding Source U.S. Food and Drug Administration. PMID:27110660

Delirium diagnosis defined by cluster analysis of symptoms versus diagnosis by DSM and ICD criteria: diagnostic accuracy study.

PubMed

Sepulveda, Esteban; Franco, José G; Trzepacz, Paula T; Gaviria, Ana M; Meagher, David J; Palma, José; Viñuelas, Eva; Grau, Imma; Vilella, Elisabet; de Pablo, Joan

2016-05-26

Information on validity and reliability of delirium criteria is necessary for clinicians, researchers, and further developments of DSM or ICD. We compare four DSM and ICD delirium diagnostic criteria versions, which were developed by consensus of experts, with a phenomenology-based natural diagnosis delineated using cluster analysis of delirium features in a sample with a high prevalence of dementia. We also measured inter-rater reliability of each system when applied by two evaluators from distinct disciplines. Cross-sectional analysis of 200 consecutive patients admitted to a skilled nursing facility, independently assessed within 24-48 h after admission with the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (DRS-R98) and for DSM-III-R, DSM-IV, DSM-5, and ICD-10 criteria for delirium. Cluster analysis (CA) delineated natural delirium and nondelirium reference groups using DRS-R98 items and then diagnostic systems' performance were evaluated against the CA-defined groups using logistic regression and crosstabs for discriminant analysis (sensitivity, specificity, percentage of subjects correctly classified by each diagnostic system and their individual criteria, and performance for each system when excluding each individual criterion are reported). Kappa Index (K) was used to report inter-rater reliability for delirium diagnostic systems and their individual criteria. 117 (58.5 %) patients had preexisting dementia according to the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly. CA delineated 49 delirium subjects and 151 nondelirium. Against these CA groups, delirium diagnosis accuracy was highest using DSM-III-R (87.5 %) followed closely by DSM-IV (86.0 %), ICD-10 (85.5 %) and DSM-5 (84.5 %). ICD-10 had the highest specificity (96.0 %) but lowest sensitivity (53.1 %). DSM-III-R had the best sensitivity (81.6 %) and the best sensitivity-specificity balance. DSM-5 had the highest inter-rater reliability (K =0.73) while DSM-III-R criteria were the least reliable. Using our CA-defined, phenomenologically-based delirium designations as the reference standard, we found performance discordance among four diagnostic systems when tested in subjects where comorbid dementia was prevalent. The most complex diagnostic systems have higher accuracy and the newer DSM-5 have higher reliability. Our novel phenomenological approach to designing a delirium reference standard may be preferred to guide revisions of diagnostic systems in the future.

Streptococcus pyogenes strains containing emm12 and emm55 possess a novel gene coding for distantly related SIC protein.

PubMed

Hartas, J; Sriprakash, K S

1999-01-01

Streptococcus pyogenes infection and acute glomerulonephritis (AGN), a non-suppurtave disease, are endemic in the Aboriginal people of the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia. Vir typing, a locus-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based typing method [Gardiner, Hartas, Currie et al PCR Meth Appl 1995 4: 288-93], has revealed high divergence among the NT streptococcal strains. A total of 76 Vir types (VTs) representing about 95% of the NT isolates were screened for sic, a gene for streptococcal inhibitor of complement function, by PCR and hybridization. This revealed that seven VTs are positive for sic, and there are two classes of the gene: those closely related to sic (CRS) originally described by Akesson, Sjoholm & Bjorck [ J. Biol. Chem. 1996 271: 1081-8] and those distantly related to sic (DRS). Among the CRS-positive VTs, VT16, VT78 and VT91 have emm (gene for M protein) encoding type 1 M protein or related specificity, and VT8 and VT101 contain emm57 or related alleles. Chromosomal location of CRS in emm57 is different from that in emm1 or related strains. The DRS-positive VT18 and VT52 contained emm55 and emm12 respectively, which are phylogenetically related. Strains of S. pyogenes types 1, 12, 55 and 57 are known to be associated with AGN. Restricted distribution of CRS and DRS among the M types historically associated with AGN suggests that these sic alleles may have a role in AGN pathogenesis. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

In vivo characterization of structural and optical properties of human skin by combined photothermal radiometry and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Verdel, Nina; Marin, Ana; Vidovič, Luka; Milanič, Matija; Majaron, Boris

2017-02-01

We have combined two optical techniques to enable simultaneous assessment of structure and composition of human skin in vivo: Pulsed photothermal radiometry (PPTR), which involves measurements of transient dynamics in midinfrared emission from sample surface after exposure to a light pulse, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) in visible part of the spectrum. Namely, while PPTR is highly sensitive to depth distribution of selected absorbers, DRS provides spectral information and thus enables differentiation between various chromophores. The accuracy and robustness of the inverse analysis is thus considerably improved compared to use of either technique on its own. Our analysis approach is simultaneous multi-dimensional fitting of the measured PPTR signals and DRS with predictions from a numerical model of light-tissue interaction (a.k.a. inverse Monte Carlo). By using a three-layer skin model (epidermis, dermis, and subcutis), we obtain a good match between the experimental and modeling data. However, dividing the dermis into two separate layers (i.e., papillary and reticular dermis) helps to bring all assessed parameter values within anatomically and physiologically plausible intervals. Both the quality of the fit and the assessed parameter values depend somewhat on the assumed scattering properties for skin, which vary in literature and likely depend on subject's age and gender, anatomical site, etc. In our preliminary experience, simultaneous fitting of the scattering properties is possible and leads to considerable improvement of the fit. The described approach may thus have a potential for simultaneous determination of absorption and scattering properties of human skin in vivo.

Patterns of nitrogen export from a seasonal freezing agricultural watershed during the thawing period.

PubMed

Zhao, Qiang; Chang, Dan; Wang, Kang; Huang, Jiesheng

2017-12-01

The objectives of this study were to investigate water, ammonium nitrogen (NH 4 + -N), and nitrate nitrogen (NO 3 - -N) export processes during the thawing period in a watershed with heavy agricultural activities and to evaluate contributions of N (i.e., NO 3 - -N and NH 4 + -N) from different source areas under different climate conditions. Experiments were conducted within the 75km 2 agricultural Heidingzi watershed in northeast China. The thawing period was divided into four stages: early-melt, late-melt, rain-on-melt, and post-melt. Drainage regions (DRs) were separated into three types. The processes of water and N discharge from soil into rivers were monitored in these DRs during the thawing periods of 2014, 2015, and 2016. Results show that the processes of water and N discharge were not synchronous during the thawing period. Variations in discharge concentrations of NH 4 + -N and NO 3 - -N during the thawing period were mainly affected by the flushing effect, which was controlled by the physical state of the surface water (snow or ice) and the melt rate of frozen soil. Contributions of N export from the DRs varied under different land uses and climate conditions during the thawing period. NO 3 - -N export was mainly from maize fields. Thawing stages with high NO 3 - -N export were always accompanied by higher discharge rates. NH 4 + -N export mainly occurred during the early-melt and late-melt stages and from riverside rural regions. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Limited daily feeding and intermittent feeding have different effects on regional brain energy homeostasis during aging.

PubMed

Smiljanic, Kosara; Todorovic, Smilja; Mladenovic Djordjevic, Aleksandra; Vanmierlo, Tim; Lütjohann, Dieter; Ivkovic, Sanja; Kanazir, Selma

2018-04-01

Albeit aging is an inevitable process, the rate of aging is susceptible to modifications. Dietary restriction (DR) is a vigorous nongenetic and nonpharmacological intervention that is known to delay aging and increase healthspan in diverse species. This study aimed to compare the impact of different restricting feeding regimes such as limited daily feeding (LDF, 60% AL) and intermittent feeding (IF) on brain energy homeostasis during aging. The analysis was focused on the key molecules in glucose and cholesterol metabolism in the cortex and hippocampus of middle-aged (12-month-old) and aged (24-month-old) male Wistar rats. We measured the impact of different DRs on the expression levels of AMPK, glucose transporters (GLUT1, GLUT3, GLUT4), and the rate-limiting enzyme in the cholesterol synthesis pathway (HMGCR). Additionally, we assessed the changes in the amounts of cholesterol, its metabolite, and precursors following LDF and IF. IF decreased the levels of AMPK and pAMPK in the cortex while the increased levels were detected in the hippocampus. Glucose metabolism was more affected in the cortex, while cholesterol metabolism was more influenced in the hippocampus. Overall, the hippocampus was more resilient to the DRs, with fewer changes compared to the cortex. We showed that LDF and IF differently affected the brain energy homeostasis during aging and that specific brain regions exhibited distinct vulnerabilities towards DRs. Consequently, special attention should be paid to the DR application among elderly as different phases of aging do not respond equally to altered nutritional regimes.

[MRI in Duane retraction syndrome: Preliminary results].

PubMed

Denis, D; Cousin, M; Zanin, E; Toesca, E; Girard, N

2011-09-01

Duane retraction syndrome (DRS) is a congenital ocular motility disorder with innervational dysgenesis. MRI improves our understanding of this disease by providing in vivo access to nerves and oculomotor muscles. The goal of this prospective study (2000-2008) was to analyze DRS clinically and neuroradiologically. Twenty-four patients (27 eyes) received a complete ophthalmologic evaluation and a brain-orbital MRI. The average age was 6.1 years. MRI was performed with 3D T2 CISS-weighted images through the brainstem to visualize the cisternal segments of the cranial nerves and the orbit (lateral and medial recti muscles). MRI anomalies were classified according to type I, II, and III and depending on their condition in the posterior fossa (absence, hypoplasia) and in the orbit (muscle anomalies). Of 27 eyes, 70% were type I, 19% type II, and 11% type III. MRI showed abducens nerve abnormalities in 93% of the cases (78% absence) and muscle abnormalities in 57.5% of the cases. A detailed description showed 100% abducens nerve abnormalities and 58% abnormal lateral rectus muscle in type I, 60% abducens nerve abnormalities and 60% abnormal lateral rectus muscle in type II, and 100% abducens nerve abnormalities and 66% abnormal lateral rectus in type III. This study presents two major findings: detection of abducens nerve abnormalities in most cases of DRS whatever the type, associated with muscle abnormalities, and the confirmation that this absence may exist in type II (2/5). Thus MRI proved to be a valuable tool for investigating these patients, improving the comprehension of the physiopathogenics of this disease. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Do aggressive variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma have worse clinical outcome than classical papillary thyroid carcinoma?

PubMed

Song, Eyun; Jeon, Min Ji; Oh, Hye-Seon; Han, Minkyu; Lee, Yu-Mi; Kim, Tae Yong; Chung, Ki-Wook; Kim, Won Bae; Shong, Young-Kee; Song, Dong Eun; Kim, Won Gu

2018-06-06

Evidence for unfavorable outcomes of each type of aggressive variant papillary thyroid carcinoma (AV-PTC) is not clear because most previous studies are focused on tall cell variant (TCV) and did not control for other major confounding factors contributing to clinical outcomes. Retrospective cohort study. This study included 763 patients with classical PTC (cPTC) and 144 with AV-PTC, including TCV, columnar cell variant (CCV), and hobnail variants. Disease-free survival (DFS) and dynamic risk stratification (DRS) were compared after two-to-one propensity score matching by age, sex, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and extrathyroidal extension. The AV-PTC group had significantly lower DFS rates than its matched cPTC group (HR=2.16, 95% CI 1.12-4.16, p=0.018). When TCV and CCV were evaluated separately, there was no significant differences in DFS and DRS between patients with TCV (n=121) and matched cPTC. However, CCV group (n=18) had significantly poorer DFS than matched cPTC group (HR=12.19, 95% CI 2.11-70.33, p=0.005). In DRS, there were significantly more patients with structural incomplete responses in CCV group compared by matched cPTC group (p=0.047). CCV was an independent risk factor for structural persistent/recurrent disease in multivariate analysis (HR, 4.28; 95% CI, 1.66-11.00, p=0.001). When other clinicopathological factors were similar, patients with TCV did not exhibit unfavorable clinical outcome whereas those with CCV had significantly poorer clinical outcome. Individualized therapeutic approach might be necessary for each type of AV-PTCs.

The Evolution and Utility of the Small-Carrion Prosthesis, Its Impact, and Progression to the Modern-Day Malleable Penile Prosthesis.

PubMed

Martinez, Daniel R; Terlecki, Ryan; Brant, William O

2015-11-01

Erectile dysfunction has plagued humanity for millennia. For years, treatment had been in the hands of mental health professionals. It was not until the 1970s that urologists created a modality that was marketable, reproducible, and consistently successful at treating impotence, the Small-Carrion Penile Prosthesis. We present the evolution of the malleable/semi-rigid penile prosthesis, concentrating our efforts reviewing and critiquing the pivotal article published by Drs. Michael P. Small, Hernan M. Carrion, and Julian A. Gordon. We then discuss its continued advancement, current-day utilization, and the future of the malleable prosthesis. From the early 1900s, surgeons have been toying with the idea of creating a penile implant. These initial attempts utilized rib cartilage, and eventually synthetic materials, including acrylic, silicone, and polyethylene. In 1975, Drs. Carrion and Small presented their initial experience of 31 patients utilizing their silicone implant. In their manuscript titled, "The Small-Carrion Penile Prosthesis: New Implant for the Management of Impotence," they discuss their technique, perioperative management of complications, and results. The malleable penile prosthesis continued to evolve throughout the years to the current day Genesis and Spectra. Although the current market is dominated by the inflatable penile prosthesis, there are specific situations where the malleable is ideally utilized. The pivotal article by Drs. Carrion and Small helped pave the way for the "New Era" of penile prosthetics and still remains one of the most impactful contributions to the management of erectile dysfunction. © 2015 International Society for Sexual Medicine.

Assessment of Learning, Memory, and Attention in Developmental Neurotoxicology Regulatory Testing: Commentary on essentiality of cognitive assessment for protecting child health.

PubMed

Vorhees, Charles V

2017-05-01

This commentary is in response to the remarks of Drs. Christina Sobin, Mari Golub, and David Herr on the Special Issue of this Journal entitled "Assessment of Learning, Memory, and Attention in Developmental Neurotoxicology Regulatory Testing." I endorse the views expressed by Drs. Sobin, Golub, and Herr and add some discussion on a recent Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guideline, the Extended One Generation Reproductive Toxicology Guideline (OECD 446), in which testing for higher cognitive function (learning and memory) has been eliminated. The case against this decision is offered. It is noted that deficits in higher cognitive function are one of the hallmarks of human studies that find neurobehavioral toxicity in children after exposure to environmental agents such as lead, methylmercury, PCB, pesticides, and other environmental agents. It is noted that the OECD decision is at variance with the views of the scientific community in this field, including those of Drs. Sobin, Golub, and Herr. Why OECD took such action without the advice and consent of the field of developmental neurotoxicology is deeply concerning and potentially hazardous to children. I also endorse Dr. Herr's recommendation that in the future the Environmental Protection Agency negotiate study designs in advance with submitters as the Food and Drug Administration does to improve data quality for all neurobehavioral methods, and especially for tests of learning and memory that have not been adequately conducted in many past studies. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Porous p-NiO/n-Nb2O5 nanocomposites prepared by an EISA route with enhanced photocatalytic activity in simultaneous Cr(VI) reduction and methyl orange decolorization under visible light irradiation.

PubMed

Hashemzadeh, Fatemeh; Gaffarinejad, Ali; Rahimi, Rahmatollah

2015-04-09

Porous NiO/Nb2O5 nanocomposites with Ni/Nb molar ratio of 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2 have been obtained via the EISA route using P123 copolymer as organic template, and are assigned as NiNb0.4, NiNb0.8 and NiNb1.2, respectively. For comparison, pure Nb2O5 sample assigned as NiNb0.0 was also synthesized by the same method. Structural and textural features of the as prepared samples were investigated by XRD, FTIR, FE-SEM, EDX, UV-vis DRS and BET techniques. The results indicated that the porous p-NiO/n-Nb2O5 junction nanocomposites were formed and coupling of NiO with Nb2O5 resulted a remarkable red shift in the optical response of the nanocomposite samples. The photocatalytic properties of the nanocomposite samples, and also synthesized pure Nb2O5 (NiNb0.0) and commercial Nb2O5 as reference catalysts were evaluated for the first time by simultaneous Cr(VI) reduction and MO decolorization in aqueous suspension under visible light irradiation at pH 2. NiNb0.4 was found to be the most active photocatalyst, which might be attributed to the extended absorption in the visible light region and the effective photogenerated electron-hole separation by the photosynergistic effects of the p-NiO/n-Nb2O5 composite powder. The photocatalytic efficiency of the most active photocatalyst, NiNb0.4, was found to be rather low for either single Cr(VI) solution or single MO solution. However, the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) and photocatalytic decolorization of MO proceed more rapidly for the coexistence system of Cr(VI) and MO than for the single process, showing synergetic effect between the reduction and decolorization reactions. The effects of initial concentration of Cr(VI), MO and the initial pH value on the rate of simultaneous photoreactions over NiNb0.4 sample, were also investigated. The Cr(VI) and MO removal rates were further enhanced by increasing MO and Cr (VI) concentration to an optimal value, respectively, and/or decreasing solution pH. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Using New Maps to Navigate Cancer Treatment - TCGA

Cancer.gov

Drs.Scott Hwang and Chad Holder of Emory University discuss the development of VARSARI and The Cancer Imaging Program's TCGA Radiology Initiative. Learn more about their and Dr. Carl Jaffe's work in this TCGA In Action Case Study.

National Medal of Technology Awarded to NCI Drs. Lowy and Schiller

Cancer.gov

President Obama announced that two NCI scientists would be recipients of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation -- the nation's highest honor for technological achievement. The honorees, John Schiller, Ph.D., Laboratory of Cellular Oncology (LCO)

The Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour Dietary Recall for Children, 2012 Version, for Youth Aged 9 to 11 Years: A Validation Study.

PubMed

Diep, Cassandra S; Hingle, Melanie; Chen, Tzu-An; Dadabhoy, Hafza R; Beltran, Alicia; Baranowski, Janice; Subar, Amy F; Baranowski, Tom

2015-10-01

Valid methods of diet assessment are important for nutrition research and practice, but can be difficult with children. To validate the 2012 version of the Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour Dietary Recall for Children (ASA24-Kids-2012), a self-administered web-based 24-hour dietary recall (24hDR) instrument, among children aged 9 to 11 years, in two sites. Quasiexperimental. In one site, trained staff members observed and recorded foods and drinks consumed by children (n=38) during school lunch. The next day, the observed children completed both ASA24-Kids-2012 and an interviewer-administered 24hDR in a randomized order. Procedures in a second site (n=31) were similar, except observations occurred during dinner in a community location. Foods were classified as matches (reported and consumed), intrusions (reported, but not consumed), or omissions (not reported, but consumed) for each participant. Rates of matches, intrusions, and omissions were calculated. Rates were compared between each recall method using repeated measures analysis of covariance. For matched foods, the authors determined correlation coefficients between observed and reported serving sizes. Match, intrusion, and omission rates between ASA24-Kids-2012 and observed intakes in Site 1 were 37%, 27%, and 35%, respectively. Comparable rates for interviewer-administered 24hDRs were 57%, 20%, and 23%, respectively. In Site 2, match, intrusion, and omission rates between ASA24-Kids-2012 and observed intakes were 53%, 12%, and 36%, respectively, vs 76% matches, 9% intrusions, and 15% omissions for interviewer-administered 24hDRs. The relationship strength between reported and observed serving sizes for matched foods was 0.18 in Site 1 and 0.09 in Site 2 for ASA24-Kids-2012, and 0.46 in Site 1 and 0.11 in Site 2 for interviewer-administered 24hDRs. ASA24-Kids-2012 was less accurate than interviewer-administered 24hDRs when compared with observed intakes, but both performed poorly. Additional research should assess the age at which children can complete recalls without the help of a parent or guardian, as well as elucidate under which circumstances recalls can reasonably be used among children. Copyright © 2015 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A Comparison of the Diabetes Risk Score in HIV/AIDS Patients on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) and HAART-Naïve Patients at the Limbe Regional Hospital, Cameroon.

PubMed

Dimala, Christian Akem; Atashili, Julius; Mbuagbaw, Josephine C; Wilfred, Akam; Monekosso, Gottlieb L

2016-01-01

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been associated with dysglycaemia. However, there is scarce data on the risk of developing diabetes mellitus (DM) in HIV/AIDS patients in Africa. Primarily to quantify and compare the risk of having diabetes mellitus in HIV/AIDS patients on HAART and HAART-naïve patients in Limbe, Cameroon; and secondarily to determine if there is an association between HAART and increased DM risk. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Limbe Regional Hospital HIV treatment center between April and June 2013, involving 200 HIV/AIDS patients (100 on first-line HAART regimens for at least 12 months matched by age and gender to 100 HAART-naïve patients). The Diabetes Risk Score (DRS) was calculated using a clinically validated model based on routinely recorded primary care parameters. A DRS ≥ 7% was considered as indicative of an increased risk of developing DM. The median DRS was significantly higher in patients on HAART (2.30%) than in HAART-naïve patients (1.62%), p = 0.002. The prevalence of the increased DM risk (DRS ≥ 7%) was significantly higher in patients on HAART, 31% (95% CI: 22.13-41.03) than in HAART-naïve patients, 17% (95% CI: 10.23-25.82), p = 0.020. HAART was significantly associated with an increased DM risk, the odds ratio of the HAART group compared to the HAART-naïve group was 2.19 (95% CI: 1.12-4.30, p = 0.020). However, no association was found after adjusting for BMI-defined overweight, hypertension, age, sex, family history of DM and smoking (Odds ratio = 1.22, 95% CI: 0.42-3.59, p = 0.708). Higher BMI and hypertension accounted for the increased risk of DM in patients on HAART. Also, more than 82% of the participants were receiving or had ever used Zidovudine based HAART regimens. HIV/AIDS patients on HAART could be at a greater risk of having DM than HAART-naïve patients as a result of the effect of HAART on risk factors of DM such as BMI and blood pressure.

Near-infrared spatially resolved spectroscopy of (136108) Haumea's multiple system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gourgeot, F.; Carry, B.; Dumas, C.; Vachier, F.; Merlin, F.; Lacerda, P.; Barucci, M. A.; Berthier, J.

2016-08-01

Context. The transneptunian region of the solar system is populated by a wide variety of icy bodies showing great diversity in orbital behavior, size, surface color, and composition. Aims: The dwarf planet (136108) Haumea is among the largest transneptunian objects (TNOs) and is a very fast rotator (~3.9 h). This dwarf planet displays a highly elongated shape and hosts two small moons that are covered with crystalline water ice, similar to their central body. A particular region of interest is the Dark Red Spot (DRS) identified on the surface of Haumea from multiband light-curve analysis (Lacerda et al. 2008). Haumea is also known to be the largest member of the sole TNO family known to date, and an outcome of a catastrophic collision that is likely responsible for the unique characteristics of Haumea. Methods: We report here on the analysis of a new set of near-infrared Laser Guide Star assisted observations of Haumea obtained with the Integral Field Unit (IFU) Spectrograph for INtegral Field Observations in the Near Infrared (SINFONI) at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) Very Large Telescope (VLT) Observatory. Combined with previous data published by Dumas et al. (2011), and using light-curve measurements in the optical and far infrared to associate each spectrum with its corresponding rotational phase, we were able to carry out a rotationally resolved spectroscopic study of the surface of Haumea. Results: We describe the physical characteristics of the crystalline water ice present on the surface of Haumea for both regions, in and out of the DRS, and analyze the differences obtained for each individual spectrum. The presence of crystalline water ice is confirmed over more than half of the surface of Haumea. Our measurements of the average spectral slope (1.45 ± 0.82% by 100 nm) confirm the redder characteristic of the spot region. Detailed analysis of the crystalline water-ice absorption bands do not show significant differences between the DRS and the remaining part of the surface. We also present the results of applying Hapke modeling to our data set. The best spectral fit is obtained with a mixture of crystalline water ice (grain sizes smaller than 60 μm) with a few percent of amorphous carbon. Improvements to the fit are obtained by adding ~10% of amorphous water ice. Additionally, we used the IFU-reconstructed images to measure the relative astrometric position of the largest satellite Hi`iaka and determine its orbital elements. An orbital solution was computed with our genetic-based algorithm GENOID and our results are in full agreement with recent results. Based on observations collected at the European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere, Chile, Program ID: 60.A-9235.

Biomarkers of Toxicity in Zebrafish

EPA Science Inventory

Acknowledgements and Disclaimer: The author wishes to thank Drs. Robert MacPhail, William Mundy and Aimen Farraj for reviewing earlier versions of this manuscript. The author is also grateful to Deborah Hunter and John Havel for construction of the figures. This manuscript has be...

Gardasil® and Cervarix® | NCI Technology Transfer Center | TTC

Cancer.gov

Vaccine for human papilloma virus (HPV) to protect from cancers Key elements of the technology for Gardasil® and Cervarix originated from the HPV research of the laboratory of Drs. Douglas Lowy and John Schiller of the NCI.

Spatial Relevancies of Hybrid Systems Relates to Superfluid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hidajatullah-Widastra, Fatahillah

2015-05-01

After S/F hybrid system from Martin Lange, of spatial modulation Superconductor-Electromagnet hybrids superconductor producing studies conclusion, for superconductor at large Hand/or T(i.e close to the phase transitionline), when the superfluid densitiy tends to 0. Further as for He3-B superfluid ``testing ground'', after sought extensometer for every materials testing application from , in K Matsumoto:``Flux pinning Engineering for Application of HTS'', 2013 quote Higgs boson , whereas it plays role as similar phenomena of Meissner effect, both involves magnet levitating. Accompanying Gosowong vein, US 16. 3 Million costed study-report who said the toxic waste also endangering biodiversity[Dini Septanti: ``The BUYAT Case: Straddling between Environmental Securitization & De-securitization'', herewith proposed the ``complexity systems'' comparison comprises also phase transition & ``directed polymer'' notions of JP Bouchaud et al: ``Wealth condensation in a simple model of economy''. Incredibles acknowledgment to HE. Mr. Drs. P. SWANTORO & HE.Mr.Ir. H. ABURIZAL BAKRIE.

Editorial: Current status and perspective on drug targets in tubercle bacilli and drug design of antituberculous agents based on structure-activity relationship.

PubMed

Tomioka, Haruaki

2014-01-01

Worldwide, tuberculosis (TB) remains the most frequent and important infectious disease causing morbidity and death. However, the development of new drugs for the treatment and prophylaxis of TB, particularly those truly active against dormant and persistent types of tubercle bacilli, has been slow, although some promising drugs, such as diarylquinoline TMC207, nitroimidazopyran PA-824, nitroimidazo-oxazole Delamanid (OPC-67683), oxazolidinone PNU-100480, ethylene diamine SQ-109, and pyrrole derivative LL3858, are currently under phase 1 to 3 clinical trials. Therefore, novel types of antituberculous drug, which act on unique drug targets in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) pathogens, particularly drug targets related to the establishment of mycobacterial dormancy in the host's macrophages, are urgently needed. In this context, it should be noted that current anti-TB drugs mostly target the metabolic reactions and proteins which are essential for the growth of MTB in extracellular milieus. It may also be promising to develop another type of drug that exerts an inhibitory action against bacterial virulence factors which cross-talk and interfere with signaling pathways of MTB-infected immunocompetent host cells, such as lymphocytes, macrophages, and NK cells, thereby changing the intracellular milieus that are favorable to intramacrophage survival and the growth of infected bacilli. This special issue contains ten review articles, dealing with recent approaches to identify and establish novel drug targets in MTB for the development of new and unique antitubercular drugs, including those related to mycobacterial dormancy and crosstalk with cellular signaling pathways. In addition, this special issue contains some review papers with special reference to the drug design based on quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis, especially three-dimensional (3D)-QSAR. New, critical information on the entire genome of MTB and mycobacterial virulence genes is promoting the elucidation of the molecular structures of drug targets in MTB, and are consequently markedly useful for the design of new, promising antituberculous drugs using QSAR techniques. In this issue, we review the following areas. Firstly, Dr. Li M. Fu reviews the perspective that combines machine learning and genomics for drug discovery in tuberculosis, in relation to the problem that the exhaustive search for useful drug targets over the entire MTB genome would not be as productive as expected in practice [1]. Secondly, the review article by Drs. R. S. Chauhan. S. K. Chanumolu, C. Rout, and R. Shrivastava focuses on analysis of the current state of MTB genomic resources, host-pathogen interaction studies in the context of mycobacterial persistence, and drug target discovery based on the utilization of computational tools and metabolic network analyses [2]. Thirdly, Drs. Daria Bottai, Agnese Serafini, Alessandro Cascioferro, Roland Brosch, and Riccardo Manganelli review the current knowledge on MTB T7SS/ESX secretion systems and their impact on MTB physiology and virulence, and the possible approaches to develop T7SS/ESX inhibitors [3]. Fourthly, Drs. E. Jeffrey North, Mary Jackson, and Richard E. Lee review and analyze new and emerging inhibitors of the mycolic acid biosynthetic pathway, including mycobacterial enzymes for fatty acid synthesis, mycolic acid-modifying enzymes, fatty acid-activating and -condensing enzymes, transporters, and transferases, that have been discovered in the post-genomic era of tuberculosis drug discovery [4]. Fifthly, Drs. Katarina Mikusova, Vadim Makarov, and Joao Neres review the mycobacterial enzyme DprE1, which catalyzes a unique epimerization reaction in the biosynthesis of decaprenylphosphoryl arabinose, a single donor of the arabinosyl residue for the build-up of arabinans, one of the mycobacterial cell wall components, as an important drug target especially for the development of benzothiazinones [5]. Sixthly, I review the present status of global research on novel drug targets related to the Toll-like receptor in the MTB pathogen, with special reference to mycobacterial virulence factors that cross-talk and interfere with signaling pathways of host macrophages [6]. The following four review articles deal with drug design of novel anti-TB agents employing QSAR techniques. Firstly, Drs. Nidhi and Mohammad Imran Siddiqi review 2D and 3D QSAR approaches and the recent trends of these methods integrated with virtual screening using the 3D pharmacophore and molecular docking approaches for the identification and design of novel antituberculous agents, by presenting a comprehensive overview of QSAR studies reported for newer antituberculous agents [7]. Secondly, Drs. Filomena Martins, Cristina Ventura, Susana Santos, and Miguel Viveiros review the current status of different QSAR-based strategies for the design of novel anti-TB drugs based upon the most active anti-TB agent, isoniazid, from the viewpoint of the development of promising derivatives that are active against isoniazid- resistant strains with katG mutations [8]. Thirdly, Drs. Sanchaita Rajkhowa and Ramesh C. Deka review current studies concerning 2D and 3D QSAR models that contain density-functional theory (DFT)-based descriptors as their parameters [9]. Notably, DFT-based descriptors such as atomic charges, molecular orbital energies, frontier orbital densities, and atom-atom polarizabilities are very useful in predicting the reactivity of atoms in molecules. Fourthly, Drs. Renata V. Bueno, Rodolpho C. Braga, Natanael D. Segretti, Elizabeth I. Ferreira, Gustavo H. G. Trossini, and Carolina H. Andrade review the current progress and applications of QSAR analysis for the discovery of innovative tuberculostatic agents as inhibitors of ribonucleotide reductase, DNA gyrase, ATP synthase, and thymidylate kinase enzymes, highlighting present challenges and new opportunities in TB drug design [10]. The aim of this issue is to address the future prospects for the development of new antituberculous drugs. There are a number of difficulties in computational drug-design for the development of new drug formulations with potential antimycobacterial effects, especially therapeutic and prophylactic efficacy against infection due to dormant-type MTB pathogens. In addition, it should be emphasized that the most urgent goal of TB chemotherapy is develop highly active, low-cost drugs which can be used not only in industrialized but also in developing countries, because most global TB incidence occurs in the latter. I am sincerely grateful to the individuals who contributed to this work. All authors are experts in their fields and they made earnest efforts to perform these in-depth reviews. I thank them all.

Femtosecond laser-assisted compared with standard cataract surgery for removal of advanced cataracts.

PubMed

Hatch, Kathryn M; Schultz, Tim; Talamo, Jonathan H; Dick, H Burkhard

2015-09-01

To compare effective phacoemulsification time (EPT) for the removal of brunescent cataracts treated with femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery with standard cataract phacoemulsification techniques. Ruhr University Eye Hospital, Bochum, Germany. Comparative prospective case study. The Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS III) grading system was used to measure eyes divided into 4 groups having cataract surgery. Groups 1 and 2 contained eyes with LOCS III grade nuclear opalescence (NO) 3 cataracts treated with standard cataract surgery and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, respectively. Groups 3 and 4 contained brunescent cataracts, LOCS III grades NO5, treated with standard cataract surgery and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, respectively. There were 240 eyes, with 60 eyes in each group. The EPT in Group 1 ranged from 0.46 to 3.10 (mean 1.38); the EPT in all eyes in Group 2 was 0 (P < .001). The EPT in Groups 3 and 4 was 2.12 to 19.29 (mean 6.85) and 0 to 6.75 (mean 1.35), respectively (P < .001). A comparison between EPT in Groups 1 and 4 showed that EPT in Group 4 was also lower than in Group 1 (P = .013). Groups 4 and 1 were the most statistically similar of all groups compared, suggesting that EPT for a femtosecond laser-treated grade 5 cataract was most similar to that of a standard-treated grade 3 cataract. Femtosecond laser pretreatment for brunescent cataracts allowed for a significant reduction in EPT compared with manual standard phacoemulsification techniques. Drs. Hatch, Talamo, and Dick are consultants to Abbott Medical Optics, Inc. Dr. Schultz has no financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned. Copyright © 2015 ASCRS and ESCRS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Soil profile property estimation with field and laboratory VNIR spectroscopy

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) soil sensors have the potential to provide rapid, high-resolution estimation of multiple soil properties. Although many studies have focused on laboratory-based visible and near-infrared (VNIR) spectroscopy of dried soil samples, previous work has demonstrated ...

Dream Team

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stewart, Pearl

2012-01-01

As arguably the two people most often associated with community college leadership, Drs. John and Suanne Roueche have enriched the lives of thousands of administrators, faculty and staff at community colleges, thereby strengthening their institutions and students. For the Roueches, their marriage and first professional collaboration began almost…

Patient-reported outcomes in a phase iii study of everolimus versus placebo in patients with metastatic carcinoma of the kidney that has progressed on vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy.

PubMed

Beaumont, Jennifer L; Butt, Zeeshan; Baladi, Jeanfrancois; Motzer, Robert J; Haas, Tomas; Hollaender, Norbert; Kay, Andrea; Cella, David

2011-01-01

A phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The focus of this paper is to evaluate the patient-reported outcomes. Patients were randomly assigned (2:1) to receive oral everolimus 10 mg once daily or placebo. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Kidney Symptom Index-Disease-Related Symptoms (FKSI-DRS) and European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 were administered before randomization and on day 1 of each cycle. The FKSI-DRS and the EORTC QLQ-C30 Physical Functioning and Global Quality of Life scores were the primary endpoints examined. Longitudinal models were used to compare treatment arms. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to explore the impact of missing data assumptions. Longitudinal trends for FKSI-DRS scores did not differ by treatment arm. Taking nonignorable missing data into account, there were significant differences between treatment arms in the trend over time for physical functioning and global quality of life, with the everolimus arm exhibiting greater decreases. All three of these measures of health-related quality of life were significantly related to progression-free survival. There was no evidence of a difference between everolimus and placebo in longitudinal patterns of disease-related symptoms, and little difference between the arms in physical functioning or global quality of life trends. This supports the conclusion that delay in tumor progression demonstrated by everolimus is associated with minimal impact on symptoms, physical functioning, or quality of life, as reported by patients.

Patient-Reported Outcomes in a Phase III Study of Everolimus Versus Placebo in Patients with Metastatic Carcinoma of the Kidney That Has Progressed on Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapy

PubMed Central

Butt, Zeeshan; Baladi, Jeanfrancois; Motzer, Robert J.; Haas, Tomas; Hollaender, Norbert; Kay, Andrea; Cella, David

2011-01-01

Purpose. A phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma. The focus of this paper is to evaluate the patient-reported outcomes. Methods. Patients were randomly assigned (2:1) to receive oral everolimus 10 mg once daily or placebo. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Kidney Symptom Index—Disease-Related Symptoms (FKSI-DRS) and European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 were administered before randomization and on day 1 of each cycle. The FKSI-DRS and the EORTC QLQ-C30 Physical Functioning and Global Quality of Life scores were the primary endpoints examined. Longitudinal models were used to compare treatment arms. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to explore the impact of missing data assumptions. Results. Longitudinal trends for FKSI-DRS scores did not differ by treatment arm. Taking nonignorable missing data into account, there were significant differences between treatment arms in the trend over time for physical functioning and global quality of life, with the everolimus arm exhibiting greater decreases. All three of these measures of health-related quality of life were significantly related to progression-free survival. Conclusions. There was no evidence of a difference between everolimus and placebo in longitudinal patterns of disease-related symptoms, and little difference between the arms in physical functioning or global quality of life trends. This supports the conclusion that delay in tumor progression demonstrated by everolimus is associated with minimal impact on symptoms, physical functioning, or quality of life, as reported by patients. PMID:21459902

Validation of a food frequency questionnaire for Japanese pregnant women with and without nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy.

PubMed

Ogawa, Kohei; Jwa, Seung-Chik; Kobayashi, Minatsu; Morisaki, Naho; Sago, Haruhiko; Fujiwara, Takeo

2017-05-01

No previous study has shown the validity of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) in early pregnancy with consideration of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy (NVP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of a FFQ in early pregnancy for Japanese pregnant women. We included 188 women before 15 weeks of gestation and compared estimated nutrient intake and food group intake based on a modified FFQ with that based on 3-day dietary records (DRs). Spearman's rank correlation coefficients, adjusting energy intake and attenuating within-person error, were calculated. Subgroup analysis for those with and without NVP was conducted. We also examined the degree of appropriate classification across categories between FFQ and DRs through division of consumption of nutrients and food groups into quintiles. Crude Spearman's correlation coefficients of nutrients ranged from 0.098 (sodium) to 0.401 (vitamin C), and all of the 36 nutrients were statistically significant. In 27 food groups, correlation coefficients ranged from -0.015 (alcohol) to 0.572 (yogurt), and 81% were statistically significant. In subgroup analysis, correlation coefficients in 89% of nutrients and 70% of food groups in women with NVP and 97% of nutrients and 74% of food groups in women without NVP were statistically significant. On average, 63.7% of nutrients and 60.4% of food groups were classified into same or adjacent quintiles according to the FFQ and DRs. The FFQ is a useful instrument, regardless of NVP, for assessing the diet of women in early pregnancy in Japan. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity in severe traumatic brain injury.

PubMed

Mathew, Manish Joseph; Deepika, Akhil; Shukla, Dhaval; Devi, Bhagavatula Indira; Ramesh, Venkatapura J

2016-11-01

Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) is a less-known complication of traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study was done to assess the clinical features and outcome of patients who develop PSH following severe TBI. A prospective observational study was done on patients, admitted in the intensive care unit, for treatment of severe TBI. The clinical characteristics and outcome of patients, with and without PSH, was compared. At the time of discharge, patients were assessed with the Disability Rating Scale (DRS), and at 6 months with the Glasgow Outcome Score Extended (GOSE). The incidence of PSH was 8 % (29/343). Tachycardia, hypertension, and sweating were seen in all of the patients. Tachypnea was seen in 24 (82.8 %), hyperthermia in 28 (96.6 %), and posturing in 13 (44.8 %) patients. Thirteen (44.8 %) patients had all six symptoms of PSH. Follow-up data were available for 23 (79.3 %) patients. At the end of 6 months, 14 (60.9 %) patients had died, seven (30.4 %) were severely disabled, and two (8.7 %) were moderately disabled. There was a significant correlation of GOSE with the number of symptoms of PSH (Spearman's rho = 0.502, p = 0.015). The patients with PSH had significantly higher DRS scores at discharge, 25.3 vs. 19.9, p < 0.001; higher mortality at 6 months 60.9 vs. 30.4 %, p < 0.001; and higher proportions with unfavorable outcome. Presence of PSH in patients with severe TBI was associated with prolonged hospital stay, poorer DRS at discharge, more deaths, and unfavorable outcome. The number of symptoms of PSH had a significant effect on outcome at 6 months.

Quality of Life Outcomes for Cabozantinib Versus Everolimus in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: METEOR Phase III Randomized Trial.

PubMed

Cella, David; Escudier, Bernard; Tannir, Nizar M; Powles, Thomas; Donskov, Frede; Peltola, Katriina; Schmidinger, Manuela; Heng, Daniel Y C; Mainwaring, Paul N; Hammers, Hans J; Lee, Jae Lyun; Roth, Bruce J; Marteau, Florence; Williams, Paul; Baer, John; Mangeshkar, Milan; Scheffold, Christian; Hutson, Thomas E; Pal, Sumanta; Motzer, Robert J; Choueiri, Toni K

2018-03-10

Purpose In the phase III METEOR trial ( ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01865747), 658 previously treated patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive cabozantinib or everolimus. The cabozantinib arm had improved progression-free survival, overall survival, and objective response rate compared with everolimus. Changes in quality of life (QoL), an exploratory end point, are reported here. Patients and Methods Patients completed the 19-item Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Kidney Symptom Index (FKSI-19) and the five-level EuroQol (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaires at baseline and throughout the study. The nine-item FKSI-Disease-Related Symptoms (FKSI-DRS), a subset of FKSI-19, was also investigated. Data were summarized descriptively and by repeated-measures analysis (for which a clinically relevant difference was an effect size ≥ 0.3). Time to deterioration (TTD) was defined as the earlier of date of death, radiographic progressive disease, or ≥ 4-point decrease from baseline in FKSI-DRS. Results The QoL questionnaire completion rates remained ≥ 75% through week 48 in each arm. There was no difference over time for FKSI-19 Total, FKSI-DRS, or EQ-5D data between the cabozantinib and everolimus arms. Among the individual FKSI-19 items, cabozantinib was associated with worse diarrhea and nausea; everolimus was associated with worse shortness of breath. These differences are consistent with the adverse event profile of each drug. Cabozantinib improved TTD overall, with a marked improvement in patients with bone metastases at baseline. Conclusion In patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma, relative to everolimus, cabozantinib generally maintained QoL to a similar extent. Compared with everolimus, cabozantinib extended TTD overall and markedly improved TTD in patients with bone metastases.

Development, reproducibility and validity of the food frequency questionnaire in the Poland arm of the Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study.

PubMed

Dehghan, M; Ilow, R; Zatonska, K; Szuba, A; Zhang, X; Mente, A; Regulska-Ilow, B

2012-06-01

A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) is the most commonly used method in large epidemiological studies. The validation of an FFQ is essential for specific populations because foods are culture-dependent. The present study aimed to develop an FFQ and evaluate its validity and reproducibility in estimating the intake of nutrients in urban and rural areas of Poland. Adult participants (n = 146) in the Polish arm of the ongoing Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study completed FFQs on two occasions, as well as four 24-h dietary recalls (DRs) during a 12-month period. Correlation coefficients (r) and de-attenuated correlation coefficients between dietary recalls and both FFQs were calculated for selected macro- and micronutrients. Agreement between the two methods was evaluated by classification into quartiles and the Bland-Altman method. Reproducibility was assessed by the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). The final food list contained 134 food items. For urban participants, FFQ2 generally underestimated energy, protein and fat compared to the FFQ1 and mean of DRs. In rural areas, compared to DRs, both FFQs overestimated energy and macronutrients. For both urban and rural settings, de-attenuated correlation exceeded 0.4 for almost all nutrients and the exact agreement in quartile categorisation was >66%. When assessing repeatability, ICC varied from 0.39-0.63 in an urban setting and 0.19-0.45 in a rural setting. This 134-item FFQ has good validity and reproducibility in relation to the reference method and can be used to rank individuals based on their macro- and micronutrient intake. © 2012 The Authors. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics © 2012 The British Dietetic Association Ltd.

Effect of isothermal dilution on emission factors of organic carbon and n-alkanes in the particle and gas phases of diesel exhaust

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fujitani, Yuji; Saitoh, Katsumi; Fushimi, Akihiro; Takahashi, Katsuyuki; Hasegawa, Shuich; Tanabe, Kiyoshi; Kobayashi, Shinji; Furuyama, Akiko; Hirano, Seishiro; Takami, Akinori

2012-11-01

To investigate the effect of isothermal dilution (30 °C) on emission factors (EFs) of semivolatile and nonvolatile compounds of heavy-duty diesel exhaust, we measured EFs for particulate matter (PM), organic carbon (OC), and elemental carbon (EC) in the particle phase, and EFs for n-alkanes in both the particle phase and the gas phase of exhaust produced under high-idle engine operating conditions at dilution ratios (DRs) ranging from 8 to 1027. The EC EFs did not vary with DR, whereas the OC EFs in the particle phase determined at DR = 1027 were 13% of the EFs determined at DR = 8, owing to evaporation of organic compounds. Using partitioning theory and n-alkane EFs measured at DR = 14 and 238, we calculated the distributions of compounds between the particle and gas phases at DR = 1760, which corresponds to the DR for tailpipe emissions as they move from the tailpipe to the roadside atmosphere. The gas-phase EF of a compound with a vapor pressure of 10-7 Pa was 0.01 μg kg-1-fuel at DR = 14, and this value is 1/330 the value derived at DR = 1760. Our results suggest that the EFs of high-volatility compounds in the particle phase will be overestimated and that the EFs of low-volatility compounds in the gas phase will be underestimated if the estimates are derived from data obtained at the low DRs and they are applied to the real world. Therefore, extrapolation from EFs derived at low DR values to EFs at atmospherically relevant DRs will be a source of error in predictions of the concentrations of particulate matter and gas-phase precursors to secondary organic aerosols in air quality models.

Mixed Methods Research in the Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions in Palliative and End-of-Life Care: Report on the MORECare Consensus Exercise

PubMed Central

Preston, Nancy; Evans, Catherine J.; Grande, Gunn; Short, Vicky; Benalia, Hamid; Higginson, Irene J.; Todd, on behalf of MORECare, Chris

2013-01-01

Abstract Background: Complex interventions are common in palliative and end-of-life care. Mixed methods approaches sit well within the multiphase model of complex intervention development and evaluation. Generic mixed methods guidance is useful but additional challenges in the research design and operationalization within palliative and end-of-life care may have an impact on the use of mixed methods. Objective: The objective of the study was to develop guidance on the best methods for combining quantitative and qualitative methods for health and social care intervention development and evaluation in palliative and end-of-life care. Methods: A one-day workshop was held where experts participated in facilitated groups using Transparent Expert Consultation to generate items for potential recommendations. Agreement and consensus were then sought on nine draft recommendations (DRs) in a follow-up exercise. Results: There was at least moderate agreement with most of the DRs, although consensus was low. Strongest agreement was with DR1 (usefulness of mixed methods to palliative and end-of-life care) and DR5 (importance of attention to respondent burden), and least agreement was with DR2 (use of theoretical perspectives) and DR6 (therapeutic effects of research interviews). Narrative comments enabled recommendation refinement. Two fully endorsed, five partially endorsed, and two refined DRs emerged. The relationship of these nine to six key challenges of palliative and end-of-life care research was analyzed. Conclusions: There is a need for further discussion of these recommendations and their contribution to methodology. The recommendations should be considered when designing and operationalizing mixed methods studies of complex interventions in palliative care, and because they may have wider relevance, should be considered for other applications. PMID:24195755

Mixed methods research in the development and evaluation of complex interventions in palliative and end-of-life care: report on the MORECare consensus exercise.

PubMed

Farquhar, Morag; Preston, Nancy; Evans, Catherine J; Grande, Gunn; Short, Vicky; Benalia, Hamid; Higginson, Irene J; Todd, Chris

2013-12-01

Complex interventions are common in palliative and end-of-life care. Mixed methods approaches sit well within the multiphase model of complex intervention development and evaluation. Generic mixed methods guidance is useful but additional challenges in the research design and operationalization within palliative and end-of-life care may have an impact on the use of mixed methods. The objective of the study was to develop guidance on the best methods for combining quantitative and qualitative methods for health and social care intervention development and evaluation in palliative and end-of-life care. A one-day workshop was held where experts participated in facilitated groups using Transparent Expert Consultation to generate items for potential recommendations. Agreement and consensus were then sought on nine draft recommendations (DRs) in a follow-up exercise. There was at least moderate agreement with most of the DRs, although consensus was low. Strongest agreement was with DR1 (usefulness of mixed methods to palliative and end-of-life care) and DR5 (importance of attention to respondent burden), and least agreement was with DR2 (use of theoretical perspectives) and DR6 (therapeutic effects of research interviews). Narrative comments enabled recommendation refinement. Two fully endorsed, five partially endorsed, and two refined DRs emerged. The relationship of these nine to six key challenges of palliative and end-of-life care research was analyzed. There is a need for further discussion of these recommendations and their contribution to methodology. The recommendations should be considered when designing and operationalizing mixed methods studies of complex interventions in palliative care, and because they may have wider relevance, should be considered for other applications.

Evaluation of periosteal fixation of lateral rectus and partial VRT for cases of exotropic Duane retraction syndrome.

PubMed

Sharma, Pradeep; Tomer, Ruchi; Menon, Vimla; Saxena, Rohit; Sharma, Anudeepa

2014-02-01

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the lateral rectus periosteal fixation and partial vertical rectus transpositioning (VRT) as treatment modalities to correct exotropic Duane retraction syndrome (Exo-DRS). Prospective interventional case study of cases of Exo-DRS with limitation of adduction. A total of 13 patients were subdivided into two groups. Six patients underwent only lateral rectus periosteal fixation (group A) and seven patients also underwent partial VRT (group B). Assessment involved prism bar cover test, abduction and adduction range, extent of binocular single visual field and exophthalmometry. These tests were repeated at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months post-operatively and data analyzed. The pre-operative mean values and ranges were 26.2 Δ (22-35) exotropia for group A and -21.3 Δ (14-30) exotropia for group B. The post-operative mean and range was +0.6 Δ esotropia (+20 to -8) for group A and 8 Δ (-2 to -20) exotropia for group B. Mean grade of limitation of abduction changed from -3.8 to -3.6 versus -3.6 to -2.8 and mean grade of limitation of adduction changed from -1.9 to -0.7 versus -1.5 to -0.5 in the groups A and B respectively. Mean binocular single visual field changed from 14.7° to 23.3° in group A and 11.8° to 26.4° in the group B respectively. Lateral rectus periosteal fixation is an effective surgery to correct the exodeviation, anomalous head posture and improving adduction in Exo-DRS and partial VRT in addition is effective in improving abduction and binocular single visual fields.

Evaluation of periosteal fixation of lateral rectus and partial VRT for cases of exotropic Duane retraction syndrome

PubMed Central

Sharma, Pradeep; Tomer, Ruchi; Menon, Vimla; Saxena, Rohit; Sharma, Anudeepa

2014-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the lateral rectus periosteal fixation and partial vertical rectus transpositioning (VRT) as treatment modalities to correct exotropic Duane retraction syndrome (Exo-DRS). Materials and Methods: Prospective interventional case study of cases of Exo-DRS with limitation of adduction. A total of 13 patients were subdivided into two groups. Six patients underwent only lateral rectus periosteal fixation (group A) and seven patients also underwent partial VRT (group B). Assessment involved prism bar cover test, abduction and adduction range, extent of binocular single visual field and exophthalmometry. These tests were repeated at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months post-operatively and data analyzed. Results: The pre-operative mean values and ranges were 26.2Δ (22-35) exotropia for group A and −21.3Δ (14-30) exotropia for group B. The post-operative mean and range was +0.6Δ esotropia (+20 to −8) for group A and 8Δ (−2 to −20) exotropia for group B. Mean grade of limitation of abduction changed from −3.8 to −3.6 versus −3.6 to −2.8 and mean grade of limitation of adduction changed from −1.9 to −0.7 versus −1.5 to −0.5 in the groups A and B respectively. Mean binocular single visual field changed from 14.7° to 23.3° in group A and 11.8° to 26.4° in the group B respectively. Conclusion: Lateral rectus periosteal fixation is an effective surgery to correct the exodeviation, anomalous head posture and improving adduction in Exo-DRS and partial VRT in addition is effective in improving abduction and binocular single visual fields. PMID:24618490

Diffuse reflectance startigraphy - a new method in the study of loess (?)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

József, Szeberényi; Balázs, Bradák; Klaudia, Kiss; József, Kovács; György, Varga; Réka, Balázs; Viczián, István

2017-04-01

The different varieties of loess (and intercalated paleosol layers) together constitute one of the most widespread terrestrial sediments, which was deposited, altered, and redeposited in the course of the changing climatic conditions of the Pleistocene. To reveal more information about Pleistocene climate cycles and/or environments the detailed lithostratigraphical subdivision and classification of the loess variations and paleosols are necessary. Beside the numerous method such as various field measurements, semi-quantitative tests and laboratory investigations, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) is one of the well applied method on loess/paleosol sequences. Generally, DRS has been used to separate the detrital and pedogenic mineral component of the loess sections by the hematite/goethite ratio. DRS also has been applied as a joint method of various environmental magnetic investigations such as magnetic susceptibility- and isothermal remanent magnetization measurements. In our study the so-called "diffuse reflectance stratigraphy method" were developed. At First, complex mathematical method was applied to compare the results of the spectral reflectance measurements. One of the most preferred multivariate methods is cluster analysis. Its scope is to group and compare the loess variations and paleosol based on the similarity and common properties of their reflectance curves. In the Second, beside the basic subdivision of the profiles by the different reflectance curves of the layers, the most characteristic wavelength section of the reflectance curve was determined. This sections played the most important role during the classification of the different materials of the section. The reflectance value of individual samples, belonged to the characteristic wavelength were depicted in the function of depth and well correlated with other proxies like grain size distribution and magnetic susceptibility data. The results of the correlation showed the significance of the "combined reflectance stratigraphy" as a stratigraphical method and as an environmental proxy also.

Biophotonics of skin: method for correction of deep Raman spectra distorted by elastic scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roig, Blandine; Koenig, Anne; Perraut, François; Piot, Olivier; Gobinet, Cyril; Manfait, Michel; Dinten, Jean-Marc

2015-03-01

Confocal Raman microspectroscopy allows in-depth molecular and conformational characterization of biological tissues non-invasively. Unfortunately, spectral distortions occur due to elastic scattering. Our objective is to correct the attenuation of in-depth Raman peaks intensity by considering this phenomenon, enabling thus quantitative diagnosis. In this purpose, we developed PDMS phantoms mimicking skin optical properties used as tools for instrument calibration and data processing method validation. An optical system based on a fibers bundle has been previously developed for in vivo skin characterization with Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS). Used on our phantoms, this technique allows checking their optical properties: the targeted ones were retrieved. Raman microspectroscopy was performed using a commercial confocal microscope. Depth profiles were constructed from integrated intensity of some specific PDMS Raman vibrations. Acquired on monolayer phantoms, they display a decline which is increasing with the scattering coefficient. Furthermore, when acquiring Raman spectra on multilayered phantoms, the signal attenuation through each single layer is directly dependent on its own scattering property. Therefore, determining the optical properties of any biological sample, obtained with DRS for example, is crucial to correct properly Raman depth profiles. A model, inspired from S.L. Jacques's expression for Confocal Reflectance Microscopy and modified at some points, is proposed and tested to fit the depth profiles obtained on the phantoms as function of the reduced scattering coefficient. Consequently, once the optical properties of a biological sample are known, the intensity of deep Raman spectra distorted by elastic scattering can be corrected with our reliable model, permitting thus to consider quantitative studies for purposes of characterization or diagnosis.

Estimation of soil profile properties using field and laboratory VNIR spectroscopy

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) soil sensors have the potential to provide rapid, high-resolution estimation of multiple soil properties. Although many studies have focused on laboratory-based visible and near-infrared (VNIR) spectroscopy of dried soil samples, previous work has demonstrated ...

NCI Expands Repository of Cancer Research Models

Cancer.gov

NCI is expanding its Patient-Derived Models Repository (PDMR), which generates and distributes models like patient-derived xenografts and organoids. In this Cancer Currents Q&A with Drs. Yvonne Evrard and James Doroshow, learn how the expansion can help cancer researchers make more rapid progress.

Nutritional regulation of epigenetic changes

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The "Nutritional Regulation of Epigenetic Changes" Symposium was held in San Diego on April 25 in conjunction with the 2012 Annual Meetings of the American Society of Nutrition. The symposium was co-chaired by Drs. Romagnoo and Ziegler. In his opening remarks, Dr. Zeigler highlighted salient aspec...

NIH Fellows Award for Research Excellence (FARE) Presentations by Drs. Sklavos, Gu, and Camargo

Cancer.gov

Sklavos: Anti-Müllerian Hormone Deficiency in Inherited Bone Marrow Failure Syndromes, Gu: Time to first cigarette after waking and lung cancer Camargo: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and gastric cancer: epidemiological findings from the NCI International EBV-G

A Physical Model for Estimating Body Fat

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-11-01

Aerospace Medicine on three groups of subjects whose body composition was also measured by body volumetry (1). In group I, 34 subjects, anthropometric...by a standard method such as body volumetry . ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The author thanks Mr. Clarence Theis for measurements with the body volumeter; Drs. Alan

Examination of U valence states in the brannerite structure by near-infrared diffuse reflectance and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Finnie, Kim S.; Zhang, Zhaoming; Vance, Eric R.; Carter, Melody L.

2003-04-01

The valence state of uranium doped into a f 0 thorium analog of brannerite (i.e., thorutite) has been examined using near-infrared (NIR) diffuse reflectance (DRS) and X-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectroscopies. NIR transitions of U 4+, which are not observed in spectra of brannerite, have been detected in the samples of U xTh 1- xTi 2O 6, and we propose that strong specular reflectance is responsible for the lack of U 4+ features in UTi 2O 6. Characteristic U 5+ bands have been identified in samples in which sufficient Ca 2+ has been added to nominally effect complete oxidation to U 5+. XPS results support the assignments of U 4+ and U 5+ by DRS. The presence of residual U 4+ bands in the spectra of the Ca-doped samples is consistent with segregation of Ca 2+ to the grain boundaries during high temperature sintering.

The incorporation of plutonium in lanthanum zirconate pyrochlore

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gregg, Daniel J.; Zhang, Yingjie; Middleburgh, Simon C.; Conradson, Steven D.; Triani, Gerry; Lumpkin, Gregory R.; Vance, Eric R.

2013-11-01

The incorporation of plutonium (Pu) within lanthanum zirconate pyrochlore was investigated using air, argon, and N2-3.5%H2 sintering atmospheres together with Ca2+ and Sr2+ incorporation for charge compensation. The samples have been characterised in the first instance by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The results show Pu can be exchanged for La3+ on the A-site with and without charge compensation and for Zr4+ on the B-site. DRS measurements were made over the wavenumber range of 4000-19,000 cm-1 and the Pu in all air- and argon-sintered samples was found to be present as Pu4+ while that in samples sintered in N2-3.5%H2 was present as Pu3+. The Pu valence was confirmed for three of the samples using X-ray near-edge absorption spectroscopy (XANES). Pu valences >4+ were not observed in any of the samples.

QFD-ANP Approach for the Conceptual Design of Research Vessels: A Case Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Venkata Subbaiah, Kambagowni; Yeshwanth Sai, Koneru; Suresh, Challa

2016-10-01

Conceptual design is a subset of concept art wherein a new idea of product is created instead of a visual representation which would directly be used in a final product. The purpose is to understand the needs of conceptual design which are being used in engineering designs and to clarify the current conceptual design practice. Quality function deployment (QFD) is a customer oriented design approach for developing new or improved products and services to enhance customer satisfaction. House of quality (HOQ) has been traditionally used as planning tool of QFD which translates customer requirements (CRs) into design requirements (DRs). Factor analysis is carried out in order to reduce the CR portions of HOQ. The analytical hierarchical process is employed to obtain the priority ratings of CR's which are used in constructing HOQ. This paper mainly discusses about the conceptual design of an oceanographic research vessel using analytical network process (ANP) technique. Finally the QFD-ANP integrated methodology helps to establish the importance ratings of DRs.

In situ differential reflectance spectroscopy of thin crystalline films of PTCDA on different substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Proehl, Holger; Nitsche, Robert; Dienel, Thomas; Leo, Karl; Fritz, Torsten

2005-04-01

We report an investigation of the excitonic properties of thin crystalline films of the archetypal organic semiconductor PTCDA (3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride) grown on poly- and single crystalline surfaces. A sensitive setup capable of measuring the optical properties of ultrathin organic molecular crystals via differential reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) is presented. This tool allows to carry out measurements in situ, i.e., during the actual film growth, and over a wide spectral range, even on single crystalline surfaces with high symmetry or metallic surfaces, where widely used techniques like reflection anisotropy spectroscopy (RAS) or fluorescence excitation spectroscopy fail. The spectra obtained by DRS resemble mainly the absorption of the films if transparent substrates are used, which simplifies the analysis. In the case of mono- to multilayer films of PTCDA on single crystalline muscovite mica(0001) and Au(111) substrates, the formation of the solid state absorption from monomer to dimer and further to crystal-like absorption spectra can be monitored.

Molecular Mobility of an Amorphous Chiral Pharmaceutical Compound: Impact of Chirality and Chemical Purity.

PubMed

Viel, Quentin; Delbreilh, Laurent; Coquerel, Gérard; Petit, Samuel; Dargent, Eric

2017-08-17

A dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS) study was performed to investigate the molecular mobility of amorphous chiral diprophylline (DPL). For this purpose, both racemic DPL and a single enantiomer of DPL were considered. After fast cooling from the melt at very low temperature (-140 °C), progressive heating below and above the glass transition (T g ≈ 37 °C) induces two secondary relaxations (γ- and δ-) and primary relaxations (α-) for both enantiomeric compositions. After chemical purification of our samples by means of cooling recrystallization, no γ-process could be detected by DRS. Hence, it was highlighted that the molecular mobility in the glassy state is influenced by the presence of theophylline (TPH), the main impurity in DPL samples. We also proved that the dynamic behavior of a single enantiomer and the racemic mixture of the same purified compound are quasi-identical. This study demonstrates that the relative stability and the molecular mobility of chiral amorphous drugs are strongly sensitive to chemical purity.

Relative validity of dietary patterns during pregnancy assessed with a food frequency questionnaire.

PubMed

Loy, See-Ling; Jan Mohamed, Hamid Jan B

2013-09-01

This study aimed to assess the relative validity of maternal dietary patterns derived from a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). A total of 162 pregnant women aged 19-40-years-old were enrolled from the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Birth Cohort Study in year 2010 and 2011. The FFQ was compared with three 24-h dietary recalls (DRs). Two major dietary patterns were derived from the principle component analysis which are labeled as Healthy and Less-Healthy patterns. The Pearson correlation coefficients between FFQ and DRs for Healthy and Less-Healthy patterns were 0.59 and 0.63, respectively. At least 45% of the participants were correctly classified into the same third from the FFQ and DR for both dietary patterns. The weighted kappa showed moderate agreement for Healthy pattern while good agreement for Less-Healthy pattern between these two dietary assessment methods. Our results indicate reasonable validity of the dietary patterns identified from the FFQ in pregnant women.

Highlights of the 34th Annual Ralph E. Hopkins at Jackson Hole Seminars (JHS) on February 7-12, 2014, Jackson Hole, WY, USA.

PubMed

da Silva, Rodrigo Donalisio; Schulte, Mary Beth; Miano, Roberto; Gustafson, Diedra; Nogueira, Leticia; Kim, Fernando J

2014-04-01

The prestigious Jackson Hole Seminars (JHS) successfully gathered several world leaders in academic urology and urologists in private practice for a unique scientific experience in Wyoming, USA. Unfortunately, this year Dr. Ralph Hopkins' seat was empty but his spirit continue to be the driving force for the meeting's excellence and friendship. The JHS has pioneered the concept of a Critique Panel comprised of previous speakers that would discuss in depth the presentations of the faculty chosen by the scientific board of the JHS. The 2014 JHS featured Dr. Fernando J. Kim, the President of JHS, Dr. Robert Flanigan, the Program Chair, and the Critique Panel that included: Drs. Peter Albertsen, Arthur Burnett, Michael Coburn, Ann Gormley, and Marshal Stoller. The invited speakers were: Drs. Leonard Gomella (1st prize), Olivier Traxer (2nd prize), Jennifer Anger, Anthony Bella, Jim Hu, and Allen Morey. Some of the in depth discussions and topics are highlighted.

Eco-friendly and green synthesis of BiVO4 nanoparticle using microwave irradiation as photocatalayst for the degradation of Alizarin Red S

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abraham, S. Daniel; David, S. Theodore; Bennie, R. Biju; Joel, C.; Kumar, D. Sanjay

2016-06-01

Bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) nanocrystals have been successfully synthesised using microwave-assisted combustion synthesis (MCS), and characterised using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectra, surface area analysis (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), diffused reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The XRD results confirmed the formation of monoclinic bismuth vanadate. The formations of BiO & VO43-vibrations were ascertained from FT-IR data. The morphology of hallow internal structural micro entities were confirmed by SEM. The optical properties were determined by DRS and PL spectra. Hence, the influence of the preparation methods on the structure, morphology and optical activities of bismuth vanadate was investigated systematically. Photocatalytic degradation (PCD) of Alizarin Red S (ARS), an effective disrupting chemical in aqueous medium was investigated using BiVO4 nanoparticles. The kinetics of PCD was found to follow pseudo first-order.

A Spanish validation of the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R).

PubMed

Tamashiro, Mercedes; Rivas, Maria Elisa; Ron, Melania; Salierno, Fernando; Dalera, Marisol; Olmos, Lisandro

2014-01-01

Analysis of inter-rater reliability and concurrent validity. To determine measurement properties of a Spanish version of The Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R). A sample of 35 in-patients with severe acquired brain injury. To test concurrent validity of the translated scale, the Glasgow Coma Scale (GSC) and Disability Rating Scale (DRS) were also administered. Two experts in the field were recruited to assess inter-rater agreement. Inter-rater reliability was good for total CRS-R scores (Cronbach α = 0.973, p = 0.001). Sub-scale analysis showed moderate-to-high inter-rater agreement. Total CRS-R scores correlated significantly (p < 0.05) with total GCS (r = 0.74) and DRS (r = 0.54) scores, indicating acceptable concurrent validity. The Spanish version of CRS-R can be administered reliably by trained and experienced examiners. CRS-R appears capable of differentiating patients in Emergence from Minimally Conscious State (EMCS) or in Minimally Conscious State (MCS) from those in a Vegetative State (VS).

Study on the Spectral Mixing Model for Mineral Pigments Based on Derivative of Ratio Spectroscopy-Take Vermilion and Stone Yellow for Example

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, H.; Hao, Y.; Liu, X.; Hou, M.; Zhao, X.

2018-04-01

Hyperspectral remote sensing is a completely non-invasive technology for measurement of cultural relics, and has been successfully applied in identification and analysis of pigments of Chinese historical paintings. Although the phenomenon of mixing pigments is very usual in Chinese historical paintings, the quantitative analysis of the mixing pigments in the ancient paintings is still unsolved. In this research, we took two typical mineral pigments, vermilion and stone yellow as example, made precisely mixed samples using these two kinds of pigments, and measured their spectra in the laboratory. For the mixing spectra, both fully constrained least square (FCLS) method and derivative of ratio spectroscopy (DRS) were performed. Experimental results showed that the mixing spectra of vermilion and stone yellow had strong nonlinear mixing characteristics, but at some bands linear unmixing could also achieve satisfactory results. DRS using strong linear bands can reach much higher accuracy than that of FCLS using full bands.

Synthesis of Ni nanoparticles decorated SiO2/TiO2 magnetic spheres for enhanced photocatalytic activity towards the degradation of azo dye

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahesh, K. P. O.; Kuo, Dong-Hau

2015-12-01

Highly photocatalytic active Ni magnetic nanoparticles-decorated SiO2 core/TiO2 shell (Ni-SiO2/TiO2) particles have been prepared by the simultaneous hydrolysis and condensation of titanium tetra-isopropoxide on SiO2 sphere of ∼300 nm in size followed by the reduction of nickel chloride using hydrazine hydrate as a reducing agent. The crystalline nature, surface morphology, electrochemical impedance spectra and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra of the Ni-SiO2/TiO2 magnetic spheres were characterized by PXRD, FE-SEM, TEM, EIS and UV-vis DRS. The Ni-SiO2/TiO2 magnetic photocatalyst was used for the degradation of Acid Black 1 (AB 1) dye under UV irradiation. The effects of different concentrations of the Ni nanoparticles deposited on the SiO2/TiO2 composite spheres for the photo-mineralization of AB 1 dye were analyzed. The results showed the Ni-SiO2/TiO2 magnetic photocatalyst to be efficient and reusable.

DeNOx Abatement over Sonically Prepared Iron-Substituted Y, USY and MFI Zeolite Catalysts in Lean Exhaust Gas Conditions

PubMed Central

Stachurska, Patrycja; Kuterasiński, Łukasz; Dziedzicka, Anna; Górecka, Sylwia; Chmielarz, Lucjan; Łojewska, Joanna; Sitarz, Maciej

2018-01-01

Iron-substituted MFI, Y and USY zeolites prepared by two preparation routes—classical ion exchange and the ultrasound modified ion-exchange method—were characterised by micro-Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and ultraviolet (UV)/visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV/Vis DRS). Ultrasound irradiation, a new technique for the preparation of the metal salt suspension before incorporation to the zeolite structure, was employed. An experimental study of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with NH3 on both iron-substituted reference zeolite catalysts and those prepared through the application of ultrasound conducted during an ion-exchange process is presented. The prepared zeolite catalysts show high activity and selectivity in SCR deNOx abatement. The MFI-based iron catalysts, especially those prepared via the sonochemical method, revealed superior activity in the deNOx process, with almost 100% selectivity towards N2. The hydrothermal stability test confirmed high stability and activity of MFI-based catalysts in water-rich conditions during the deNOx reaction at 450 °C. PMID:29301370

Synthesis of N-doped potassium tantalate perovskite material for environmental applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rao, Martha Purnachander; Nandhini, Vellangattupalayam Ponnusamy; Wu, Jerry J.; Syed, Asad; Ameen, Fuad; Anandan, Sambandam

2018-02-01

Nitrogen containing potassium tantalate perovskite material has been synthesized by the solvothermal method using urea (CH4N2O) as a nitrogen source. The as-prepared sample was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The particle size of nitrogen containing KTaO3 observed from SEM images was found to be 100-150 nm. Doping KTaO3 with nitrogen causes reduction of band gap from 3.5 to 2.54 eV. The incorporation of Nitrogen into the crystal lattice of KTaO3 not only extended the absorption of light from UV (ultraviolet) region to visible region and also enhanced the photocatalytic activity. As prepared nitrogen containing KTaO3 samples exhibit cubic-like morphology and noticed efficient photocatalytic activity towards methylene blue dye degradation under visible light illumination. The intermediates formed during photodegradation were identified by mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and proposed suitable degradation pathway.

Significant enhancement in photocatalytic performance of Ni doped BiFeO3 nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nadeem, M.; Khan, Wasi; Khan, Shakeel; Shoeb, Mohd; Husain, Shahid; Mobin, Mohammad

2018-06-01

In the present work, we have investigated the effect of Ni doping on the microstructure and photocatalytic properties of BiFeO3 samples. All the compositions of BiFe1‑xNixO3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.07) have been synthesized via cost effective ethylene glycol based sol-gel method. The Rietveld refinement of the XRD data revealed rhombohedral crystal structure with R3c space group. The FTIR spectroscopy confirms the formation of BiFeO3 compound. UV–visible DRS result affirmed that the band gap of the samples can be tuned towards visible range by the Ni substitution. The photoluminescence spectra indicate lower intensity with the Ni content, signify reduction in recombination rate of the electron-hole pairs. The photocatalytic response of the nanoparticles was examined for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye under visible light irradiation and the highest photocatalytic response was observed for 7% Ni doped sample. Therefore, the observed results suggest potential application of the synthesized nanoparticles for wastewater treatment purpose.

Reciprocal Neural Pathways and Associative Networks.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-12-15

with present experimental methods. 0.00 We thank Drs. Kathleen Rockland and Jennifer Lund for sending us o0o6 their paper in advance of publication. We...92037 * Present address: MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology and the Kenneth Craik Laboratory, Cambridge, England. 2 SUMMARY We propose that the

Passings to note: Paul Michael Packman, MD; S. Charles Schulz, MD.

PubMed

Black, Donald W

2018-02-01

One of the keys to the success of Annals of Clinical Psychiatry has always been the tireless efforts of our dedicated Editorial Board. We recently lost 2 longtime Editorial Board members, Drs. Paul Michael Packman and S. Charles Schulz. Both will be greatly missed.

Human Obesity

PubMed Central

Weigle, David S.

1990-01-01

This discussion was selected from the weekly Grand Rounds in the Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle. Taken from a transcription, it has been edited by Drs Paul G. Ramsey, Associate Professor of Medicine, and Philip J. Fialkow, Professor and Chair of the Department of Medicine. PMID:2244378

76 FR 70009 - Head Start Program

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-09

... timing and method for using CLASS: Pre-K. Many respondents submitted comments in support of competition... to the Proposed DRS 6. Comment: Some commenters offered alternative methods to determine which... assessment data; rather, agencies may use any one of a number of different methods to gather child-level...

Profile soil property estimation using a VIS-NIR-EC-force probe

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Combining data collected in-field from multiple soil sensors has the potential to improve the efficiency and accuracy of soil property estimates. Optical diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) has been used to estimate many important soil properties, such as soil carbon, water content, and texture. ...

78 FR 78504 - Reports, Forms, and Record Keeping Requirements

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-12-26

... requirements, NHTSA asks public comment on the following proposed collection of information: Mild Cognitive... to determine whether they are eligible to participate in a study of the effects of mild cognitive... rehabilitation specialist (DRS) referrals of drivers suspected of having some degree of cognitive impairment by...

College Board Response to "Harvard Educational Review" Article by Santelices and Wilson

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board, 2010

2010-01-01

This is the College Board's response to a research article by Drs. Maria Veronica Santelices and Mark Wilson in the Harvard Educational Review, entitled "Unfair Treatment? The Case of Freedle, the SAT, and the Standardization Approach to Differential Item Functioning" (see EJ930622).

Prediction of phosphorus adsorbed and iron oxides using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy in areas of sugarcane

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Camargo, Livia; Marques, José, Jr.

2014-05-01

Traditional technologies for measuring phosphorus adsorbed (Pads) and other soil attributes of agronomic importance are relatively unfeasible when aims to mapping large areas using the characterization of the spatial variability of soil attributes. These mappings need a large number of samples, which makes it expensive in mappings scale detail. This arouses in scientific society the need to develop methodologies able to assess these attributes within the landscape quickly, nondestructive, and not expensive. The diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) has been used to aid the characterization of soil attributes view of these requirements. In this sensing, the objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of DRS to estimate the Pads, clay, Fe extracted by dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate (Fedcb), contents of goethite (Gt) and hematite (Hm) and ratio Gt/(Gt + Hm) in Oxisols in The Northeastern State of São Paulo. Soil samples were collected in the transects each 25 m (100 samples). Geomorphic surfaces (GSs) were mapped in detail to support soil mapping. The soil in GS I was a Typic Hapludox, that in GS II a Typic Hapludox and Typic Eutrudox, and that in GS III a Typic Eutrudox. The soil samples were taken to the laboratory for chemical, physical and mineralogical analysis and DRS spectra were obtained over 380-2300 nm. Chemometric calibration and validation (using a one-out crossvalidation procedure) were done on absorbance measurements [Log10 (1/Reflectance)] by Partial least-squares regression (PLSR) analysis. The calibration accuracy was evaluated via the determination coefficient (R2), RMSE and the ratio performance deviation (RPD). The graph of Variable Importance in the Projection (VIP) for the Pad was built. The DRS was effective in predicting the attributes studied whereas the obtained models for the prediction of clay, Fedcb and Gt with greater accuracy (RPD> 1.4) were calibrated in the visible (380-800 nm) and to predict Pads, ratio Gt/(Gt + Hm) and Hm were calibrated in the visible + near infrared (801-2300 nm). The highest peaks of VIP for the Pads have been found in wavelengths: 480-580 nm and 780-980 nm which are assigned to crystalline iron oxides, mainly Gt and Hm. This result demonstrates the influence of these oxides on the P adsorption. In weathered soils, P adsorption is mainly correlated to iron oxides and aluminum clay fraction due phosphate interact with the functional groups of these oxides.

Photocatalytic reductive dechlorination of 2-chlorodibenzo-p-dioxin by Pd modified g-C3N4 photocatalysts under UV-vis irradiation: Efficacy, kinetics and mechanism.

PubMed

Ding, Jiafeng; Long, Gaoyuan; Luo, Yang; Sun, Runze; Chen, Mengxia; Li, Yajun; Zhou, Yanfang; Xu, Xinhua; Zhao, Weirong

2018-05-09

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), as a group of notorious anthropogenic environmental toxicants, are arguably ubiquitous in nature. In this study, we investigated the photocatalytic reductive dechlorination of 2-chlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2-CDD) over Pd/g-C 3 N 4 catalysts under UV-vis irradiation. The g-C 3 N 4 and a series of Pd/g-C 3 N 4 catalysts were prepared by thermal polymerization and mechanical mixing-illumination method and characterized by XRD, TEM, BET, SEM and UV-vis DRS analyses. Among all the samples, the Pd/g-C 3 N 4 (5 wt%) yielded the optimal dechlorination activity with a total 2-CDD conversion of 54% within 4 h, and 76% of those converted 2-CDD were evolved to dibenzo-p-dioxin (DD). The kinetics of dechlorination could be described as pseudo-first-order decay model (R 2  > 0.84). Corresponding rate constants (k) increased from 0.052 to 0.17 h -1 with Pd contents up to 5 wt% and decreased to 0.13 h -1 with a 10 wt% of Pd. The enhanced activities originated from the surface plasmonic resonance (SPR) effect of Pd nanoparticles and the formation of Schottky barrier between Pd and g-C 3 N 4 , which extend the spectrum responsive range and suppress the charge recombination of g-C 3 N 4 . This is the first report on the photocatalytic reductive removal of PCDDs and may provide a new approach for PCDDs pollution control. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Mediator-free direct Z-scheme photocatalytic system: BiVO4/g-C3N4 organic-inorganic hybrid photocatalyst with highly efficient visible-light-induced photocatalytic activity.

PubMed

Tian, Na; Huang, Hongwei; He, Ying; Guo, Yuxi; Zhang, Tierui; Zhang, Yihe

2015-03-07

We disclose the fabrication of a mediator-free direct Z-scheme photocatalyst system BiVO4/g-C3N4 using a mixed-calcination method based on the more reliable interfacial interaction. The facet coupling occurred between the g-C3N4 (002) and BiVO4 (121), and it was revealed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The crystal structure and optical properties of the as-prepared samples have also been characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) in details. The photocatalytic experiments indicated that the BiVO4/g-C3N4 composite photocatalysts display a significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity pertaining to RhB degradation and photocurrent generation (PC) compared to the pristine BiVO4 and g-C3N4. This remarkably improved photocatalytic performance should be attributed to the fabrication of a direct Z-scheme system of BiVO4/g-C3N4, which can result in a more efficient separation of photoinduced charge carriers than band-band transfer, thus endowing it with the much more powerful oxidation and reduction capability, as confirmed by the photoluminescence (PL) spectra and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS). The Z-scheme mechanism of BiVO4/g-C3N4 heterostructure was verified by a series of combined techniques, including the active species trapping experiments, NBT transformation and terephthalic acid photoluminescence probing technique (TA-PL) over BiVO4/g-C3N4 composites and the pristine samples. The present work not only furthered the understanding of mediator-free Z-scheme photocatalysis, but also shed new light on the design of heterostructural photocatalysts with high-performance.

Grantee Spotlight: Marvella Ford, Ph.D. - Reducing Barriers to Surgical Cancer Care among African Am

Cancer.gov

Drs. Marvella E. Ford and Nestor F. Esnaola were awarded a five-year NIH/NIMHD R01 grant to evaluate a patient navigation intervention to reduce barriers to surgical cancer care and improving surgical resection rates in African Americans with lung cancer.

Development of the Dyadic Relationship Scale

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haskan Avci, Özlem

2014-01-01

Problem Statement: The rise of premarital studies raises questions about the effectiveness of educational programs developed to prepare young couples for marriage and family life. Purpose of Study: The purpose of this study is to describe and introduce the Dyadic Relationship Scale (DRS) for use with university students. The author developed the…

Mouse Hepatitis Virus Infection Suppresses Modulation of Mouse Spleen T- Cell Activation

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-01-01

supplemented with 50 gM 2-mercaptoethanol (Sigma, St. Louis, MO), 100 U/ml penicillin and 100 gg/ml streptomycin (Sigma). Mice were sacrificed by...husbandry and clinical studies. The authors also thank Drs. Abigail Smith, Margalit Mokyr, Robert Hendricks , Katherine Knight, Rhonna Cohen, and John

Reported Speech in Conversational Storytelling during Nursing Shift Handover Meetings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bangerter, Adrian; Mayor, Eric; Pekarek Doehler, Simona

2011-01-01

Shift handovers in nursing units involve formal transmission of information and informal conversation about non-routine events. Informal conversation often involves telling stories. Direct reported speech (DRS) was studied in handover storytelling in two nursing care units. The study goal is to contribute to a better understanding of conversation…

Comparison of field and laboratory VNIR spectroscopy for profile soil property estimation

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

In-field, in-situ data collection with soil sensors has potential to improve the efficiency and accuracy of soil property estimates. Optical diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) has been used to estimate important soil properties, such as soil carbon, nitrogen, water content, and texture. Most pre...

Mapping International Cancer Activities – Global Cancer Project Map Launch

Cancer.gov

CGH’s Dr. Sudha Sivaram, Dr. Makeda Williams, and Ms. Kalina Duncan have partnered with Drs. Ami Bhatt and Franklin Huang at Global Oncology, Inc. (GO) to develop the Global Cancer Project Map - a web-based tool designed to facilitate cancer research and control activity planning.

25 Years of FUN!

PubMed

Ramirez, Julio J

2017-01-01

Dr. Julio J. Ramirez, the founding president of the Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience (FUN), shared the comments below on November 13, 2016 at the 25 th Anniversary of FUN's founding, when Drs. Sally Frutiger, Stephen George, Julio Ramirez, and Dennison Smith were recognized with the Founders Award for their efforts in launching FUN in 1991.

Biographical sketch: Franz König, MD 1832-1910.

PubMed

Brand, Richard A

2013-04-01

This biographical sketch on Franz König corresponds to the historic text, The Classic: Ueber freie Körper in den Gelenken [On loose bodies in the joint] (1887), available at DOI 10.1007/s11999-013-2824-y (Translated by Drs. Richard A. Brand and Christian-Dominik Peterlein).

Technology, seniors, and sense making.

PubMed

Panch, Trishan; Goodman, Elaine

2016-05-01

As primary care physicians and leaders of Wellframe, a mobile health company working with payers and physicians groups to extend care between visits for patients with complex comorbidities, Drs Panch and Goodman discuss their experiences building a mobile application used by elderly patients to communicate with clinicians and manage chronic disease.

78 FR 49760 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-15

... transparent method for identifying high-quality programs that can receive continuing five-year grants without... will employ a mixed-methods design that integrates and layers administrative and secondary data sources, observational measures, and interviews to develop a rich knowledge base about what the DRS accomplishes and how...

OSTA commonality analysis, volume 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stolarik, E. G.

1981-01-01

The 13 OSTA disciplines are examined and the applications being performed under each discipline and the parameter requirements associated with the various applications are identified. It contains a variety of printouts from the commonality database built using DRS on the Vax. It also shows commonality of parameter requirements by discipline and by application.

Estimation of soil profile physical and chemical properties using a VIS-NIR-EC-force probe

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Combining data collected in-field from multiple soil sensors has the potential to improve the efficiency and accuracy of soil property estimates. Optical diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) has been used to estimate many important soil properties, such as soil carbon, water content, and texture. ...

Combustion Mechanisms of Solids

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-08-01

PYROLYSIS OF POLYMERIC SOLID PROPELLANT BINDERS Approved Edward W. Price, Chairman Gary A. randro Jech e I.dJagoda Robert K. SVigman Date Approved by...committee, Drs. I. A. Jagoda, F. L. Cook, G. A. Flandro , R. K. Sigman, I am indebted for their many hours of discussion and their suggestions. Special

Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics for Surf Zone Waves

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-01-01

2010.) The GPU-SPHysics code, initiated by Dr. Alexis Hérault at the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia in Sicily, has been applied to... Geofisica e Vulcanologia, sezione di Catania, for the development of GPU-SPHysics. Drs. Hérault and Bilotta were in residence at JHU during January of

Rectal cancer.

PubMed

Sexe, Robert; Miedema, Brent W

1993-07-01

Preview When in rectal cancer surgery can the anal sphincter be spared? For which patients is iliac lymphadenectomy advisable? Should radiation therapy and chemotherapy be given before surgery rather than after? Drs Sexe and Miedema address these and other questions in this discussion of recent advances and future trends in therapy for rectal cancer.

Response to the EGAS Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bailey, Deryl F.

2005-01-01

The author commends Drs. Bemak, Chung, and Siroskey-Sabdo on their efforts to connect with and empower African American adolescent females. However, he does have some concerns regarding their Empowerment Groups for Academic Success (EGAS) approach to empowering this particular group of students. While he agrees with the authors about the…

[My Kumamoto life of 19 years].

PubMed

Okabe, Hiroaki

2005-12-01

In this paper titled "My Kumamoto Life of 19 Years; The Travel for Times", the memorial lecture on my retirement from Kumamoto National University Corporation Integrated Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Biomedical Informatics (Chairman) is summarized. As they say "Time flies", time extends from seconds to years. The lecture includes a summary of my short term research and long term studies, such as age-dependant and gene-related changes in ageing over 5 or more years in the healthy elderly. Short-term study mostly involved of newly evaluated assay methods for important substances such as the second level in the cell life span in the variation of lipid metabolite of cardiovascular diseases based on atherosclerosis, Alzheimer disease, and their evaluation by homogeneous assay of HDL-C, LDL-C, enzymatic assay for choline relating metabolites, and lipoperoxide as the results of free radical reactions. The intermediate-term studies were mainly on the development of total laboratory automation (TLA) for the management of the laboratory of the university hospital. The hospital has various degrees of sophistication in its laboratory services. Technicians were allowed to transport specimens immediately by using an air-shooter system after drawing blood, from the emergency room to the central laboratory. Routine specimens could be measured within 30 min and the results could be automatically sent to the physician's office. It greatly minimized reporting errors, decreased the exposure to biohazards, reduced labor expense, improved operation efficiency, and shortened turnaround time. Moreover, for the outpatients and emergency laboratories, we constructed a robotic measuring system which was assembled into a sequential method for the analysis of chemistry, hematology and urinalysis specimens by using a polyarticular robot. The robot arm extends to a bar-coded tube, picking up and placing test tubes on a turn table of autoanalyzers for analysis without manpower. This is the first known effective unmanned procedure for assay in the world of laboratory medicine. Also, our research on pathological informatics was begun. Our laboratory had 7 themes; the study of the reference intervals in the elderly as one of strategy of standardization on laboratory data (Drs. Uji Y, Sugiuchi H), the study of the activation mechanism of ribosomal proteins by the functions of blood cells (Drs. Shibuya Y, Senba U), the evaluation of diagnostic methods in latent ailments by gene analysis (Dr. Ando Y), the evaluation of a highly sensitive method for disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (Okajima K), the study of the neogenesis of blood vessels by physical invasion (Uchiba M), the study of the deposition mechanism of amyloid proteins and evaluation of the diagnostic methods in the autonomic system(Drs. Ando Y, Nakamura M), and the study of the function of blood stem cells in blood transfusion services (Drs. Yamaguchi K, Yonemura M, Tsunemi M). Finally, my long term work also included research into the early diagnosis and prediction of latent ailments and the variation of serum proteins levels in the healthy aged. The conclusion was that the reference value of healthy populations and individuals (intra-personal) who had no combined ailments, in follow-up for 5 years, categorized by age, sex, and social conditions, gave a narrower range of variation than did large mixed populations (inter-personal), in laboratory tests and activity of daily living (ADL). Concerning the early diagnosis and prediction studies for the latent ailments in the aged, variations of serum protein levels in the healthy aged were classified into 3 types: serum proteins levels increased with advancing age (alphaAT, mainly acute phase reactant proteins), those that decreased with advancing age (albumin mainly transporting proteins) and proteins with no significant variation. The higher increase of the alpha1AT/beta2 III ratio in the healthy aged over 60 years old is suspected to create symptoms in the near future. The papers presented concerning ageing studies were presented at the APCCC Symposium (India, 2002) and the IFCC Symposium (Kyoto, 2002), and the TLA study was also presented at the Symposium of XX World Congress of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (San Paulo Brazil 1999).

Synthesis and characterization of polycrystalline brownmillerite cobalt doped Ca2Fe2O5

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dhankhar, Suchita; Bhalerao, Gopal; Baskar, K.; Singh, Shubra

2016-05-01

Brownmillerite compounds with general formula A2BB'O5 (BB' = Mn, Al, Fe, Co) have attracted attention in wide range of applications such as in solid oxide fuel cell, oxygen separation membrane and photocatalysis. Brownmillerite compounds have unique structure with alternate layers of BO6 octahedral layers and BO4 tetrahedral layers. Presence of dopants like Co in place of Fe increases oxygen vacancies. In the present work we have synthesized polycrystalline Ca2Fe2O5 and Ca2Fe1-xCoxO5 (x = 0.01, 0.03) by citrate combustion route. The as prepared samples were characterized by XRD using PANalytical X'Pert System, DRS (Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy) and SEM (Scanning electron microscopy).

Space Network Interoperability Panel (SNIP) study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ryan, Thomas; Lenhart, Klaus; Hara, Hideo

1991-01-01

The Space Network Interoperability Panel (SNIP) study is a tripartite study that involves the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the European Space Agency (ESA), and the National Space Development Agency (NASDA) of Japan. SNIP involves an ongoing interoperability study of the Data Relay Satellite (DRS) Systems of the three organizations. The study is broken down into two parts; Phase one deals with S-band (2 GHz) interoperability and Phase two deals with Ka-band (20/30 GHz) interoperability (in addition to S-band). In 1987 the SNIP formed a Working Group to define and study operations concepts and technical subjects to assure compatibility of the international data relay systems. Since that time a number of Panel and Working Group meetings have been held to continue the study. Interoperability is of interest to the three agencies because it offers a number of potential operation and economic benefits. This paper presents the history and status of the SNIP study.

The telecommunications programme of the European Space Agency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Collette, R. C. L.; Ashford, E. W.

An overview of the long-term telecommunications program of the ESA approved in November 1992 is presented. The project involves the Data Relay and Technology Mission (DRTM) program, and the Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) program. The DRTM program contains both ARTEMIS and the operational DRS satellites, together with their corresponding earth segment elements required for satellite checkout, control and operation. ARTES is designed to group together all ongoing and future ESA telecommunications programs, with the exception of DRTM, into one large legal and financial framework. It will incorporate all running and planned activities in the present Payload and Spacecraft Development and Experimentation program, together with activities that would otherwise have been carried out as part of the Advanced Systems and Technology program. ARTES goals are: promotion of new and improved satellite communications services, cooperation with operating entities, improvements in the competitiveness of industry, and international cooperation.

NH3-SCR denitration catalyst performance over vanadium-titanium with the addition of Ce and Sb.

PubMed

Xu, Chi; Liu, Jian; Zhao, Zhen; Yu, Fei; Cheng, Kai; Wei, Yuechang; Duan, Aijun; Jiang, Guiyuan

2015-05-01

Selective catalytic reduction technology using NH3 as a reducing agent (NH3-SCR) is an effective control method to remove nitrogen oxides. TiO2-supported vanadium oxide catalysts with different levels of Ce and Sb modification were prepared by an impregnation method and were characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS), Raman and Hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR). The catalytic activities of V5CexSby/TiO2 catalysts for denitration were investigated in a fixed bed flow microreactor. The results showed that cerium, vanadium and antimony oxide as the active components were well dispersed on TiO2, and the catalysts exhibited a large number of d-d electronic transitions, which were helpful to strengthen SCR reactivity. The V5CexSby/TiO2 catalysts exhibited a good low temperature NH3-SCR catalytic activity. In the temperature range of 210 to 400°C, the V5CexSby/TiO2 catalysts gave NO conversion rates above 90%. For the best V5Ce35Sb2/TiO2 catalyst, at a reaction temperature of 210°C, the NO conversion rate had already reached 90%. The catalysts had different catalytic activity with different Ce loadings. With the increase of Ce loading, the NO conversion rate also increased. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

UV-B Measurements in Mexico City: Comparison with Modeled UVB and Black Carbon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marley, N. A.; Gaffney, J. S.; Frederick, J. E.

2004-12-01

Ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B) represents a chemically important region of the sun's spectrum. At the earth's surface, UV-B can initiate a number of important photochemical reactions (e.g., ozone photolysis) that lead to the formation of OH radicals. Where levels of nitrogen oxides are high and reactive hydrocarbons are found, as in Mexico City and other megacities, UV-B can initiate photochemical smog formation. We used a broadband instrument to obtain UV-B measurements in Mexico City during the Mexico City Metropolitan Area 2003/Mexico City Megacity 2003 field study. We then used a simple radiation model for the Mexico City latitude, altitude, and time of year to construct UV-B contours for comparison with our results. Early morning discrepancies involve reductions in UV-B that are consistent with the presence of significant levels of BC in the Mexico City environment. During most afternoons, UV-B reductions were dominated by clouds. The results are discussed in terms of the potential impacts of BC on UV-B and downwind photochemical processes. The authors wish to thank the researchers at Centro Nacional de Investigación en Calidad Ambiental (CENICA), Mexico City. This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Atmospheric Science Program (Marley and Gaffney), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Frederick). We also wish to acknowledge Drs. Mario and Luisa Molina for their help in organizing and directing the Mexico City Metropolitan Area 2003 field study, during which these data were collected.

ISHM Anomaly Lexicon for Rocket Test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schmalzel, John L.; Buchanan, Aubri; Hensarling, Paula L.; Morris, Jonathan; Turowski, Mark; Figueroa, Jorge F.

2007-01-01

Integrated Systems Health Management (ISHM) is a comprehensive capability. An ISHM system must detect anomalies, identify causes of such anomalies, predict future anomalies, help identify consequences of anomalies for example, suggested mitigation steps. The system should also provide users with appropriate navigation tools to facilitate the flow of information into and out of the ISHM system. Central to the ability of the ISHM to detect anomalies is a clearly defined catalog of anomalies. Further, this lexicon of anomalies must be organized in ways that make it accessible to a suite of tools used to manage the data, information and knowledge (DIaK) associated with a system. In particular, it is critical to ensure that there is optimal mapping between target anomalies and the algorithms associated with their detection. During the early development of our ISHM architecture and approach, it became clear that a lexicon of anomalies would be important to the development of critical anomaly detection algorithms. In our work in the rocket engine test environment at John C. Stennis Space Center, we have access to a repository of discrepancy reports (DRs) that are generated in response to squawks identified during post-test data analysis. The DR is the tool used to document anomalies and the methods used to resolve the issue. These DRs have been generated for many different tests and for all test stands. The result is that they represent a comprehensive summary of the anomalies associated with rocket engine testing. Fig. 1 illustrates some of the data that can be extracted from a DR. Such information includes affected transducer channels, narrative description of the observed anomaly, and the steps used to correct the problem. The primary goal of the anomaly lexicon development efforts we have undertaken is to create a lexicon that could be used in support of an associated health assessment database system (HADS) co-development effort. There are a number of significant byproducts of the anomaly lexicon compilation effort. For example, (1) Allows determination of the frequency distribution of anomalies to help identify those with the potential for high return on investment if included in automated detection as part of an ISHM system, (2) Availability of a regular lexicon could provide the base anomaly name choices to help maintain consistency in the DR collection process, and (3) Although developed for the rocket engine test environment, most of the anomalies are not specific to rocket testing, and thus can be reused in other applications.

Efficacy of acetate-amended biostimulation for uranium sequestration: Combined analysis of sediment/groundwater geochemistry and bacterial community structure

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

Xu, Jie; Veeramani, Harish; Qafoku, Nikolla P.

Systematic flow-through column experiments were conducted using sediments and ground water collected from different subsurface localities at the U.S. Department of Energy's Integrated Field Research Challenge site in Rifle, Colorado. The principal purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the interactive effects of groundwater geochemistry, sediment mineralogy, and indigenous bacterial community structures on the efficacy of uranium removal from the groundwater with/without acetate amendment. Overall, we find that the subtle variations in the sediments' mineralogy, redox conditions, as well as contents of metal(loid) co-contaminants showed a pronounced effect on the associated bacterial population and composition, whichmore » mainly determines the system's performance with respect to uranium removal. Positive relationship was identified between the abundance of dissimilatory sulfate-reduction genes (i.e., drsA), markers of sulfate-reducing bacteria, and the sediments' propensity to sequester aqueous uranium. In contrast, no obvious connections were observed between the abundance of common iron-reducing bacteria, e.g., Geobacter spp., and the sediments' ability to sequester uranium. In the sediments with low bacterial biomass and the absence of sulfate-reducing conditions, abiotic adsorption onto mineral surfaces such as phyllosilicates likely played a relatively major role in the attenuation of aqueous uranium; however, in these scenarios, acetate amendment induced detectable rebounds in the effluent uranium concentrations. Lastly, the results of this study suggest that immobilization of uranium can be achieved under predominantly sulfate-reducing conditions, and provide insight into the integrated roles of various biogeochemical components in long-term uranium sequestration.« less

Efficacy of acetate-amended biostimulation for uranium sequestration: Combined analysis of sediment/groundwater geochemistry and bacterial community structure

DOE PAGES

Xu, Jie; Veeramani, Harish; Qafoku, Nikolla P.; ...

2016-12-29

Systematic flow-through column experiments were conducted using sediments and ground water collected from different subsurface localities at the U.S. Department of Energy's Integrated Field Research Challenge site in Rifle, Colorado. The principal purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the interactive effects of groundwater geochemistry, sediment mineralogy, and indigenous bacterial community structures on the efficacy of uranium removal from the groundwater with/without acetate amendment. Overall, we find that the subtle variations in the sediments' mineralogy, redox conditions, as well as contents of metal(loid) co-contaminants showed a pronounced effect on the associated bacterial population and composition, whichmore » mainly determines the system's performance with respect to uranium removal. Positive relationship was identified between the abundance of dissimilatory sulfate-reduction genes (i.e., drsA), markers of sulfate-reducing bacteria, and the sediments' propensity to sequester aqueous uranium. In contrast, no obvious connections were observed between the abundance of common iron-reducing bacteria, e.g., Geobacter spp., and the sediments' ability to sequester uranium. In the sediments with low bacterial biomass and the absence of sulfate-reducing conditions, abiotic adsorption onto mineral surfaces such as phyllosilicates likely played a relatively major role in the attenuation of aqueous uranium; however, in these scenarios, acetate amendment induced detectable rebounds in the effluent uranium concentrations. Lastly, the results of this study suggest that immobilization of uranium can be achieved under predominantly sulfate-reducing conditions, and provide insight into the integrated roles of various biogeochemical components in long-term uranium sequestration.« less

Structure and photocatalytic activity studies of TiO{sub 2}-supported over Ce-modified Al-MCM-41

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

Krishna Reddy, Jakkidi; Durgakumari, Valluri, E-mail: durgakumari@iict.res.in; Subrahmanyam, Machiraju

2009-07-01

Ce-Al-MCM-41, TiO{sub 2}/Al-MCM-41 and TiO{sub 2}/Ce-Al-MCM-41 materials with varying contents of Ce (by impregnation) and TiO{sub 2} loaded (by solid-state dispersion) on Al-MCM-41 support are prepared. The Ce modified and TiO{sub 2} loaded composite systems are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. The DRS and XPS of low Ce content (0.2-0.5 wt.%) modified Al-MCM-41 samples are showing more characteristic of Ce{sup 3+} species wherein cerium in interaction with Al-MCM-41 and that of high Ce (0.8, 3.0 wt.%) content modified samples are showing the characteristic of bothmore » Ce{sup 4+}and Ce{sup 3+}species. A series of Ce-modified Al-MCM-41 and TiO{sub 2} loaded composite catalysts are evaluated for photocatalytic degradation of phenol under UV irradiation. Low Ce content in Ce{sup 3+} state on Al-MCM-41 is showing good photoactivity in comparison with high Ce content samples and pure ceria. The composite TiO{sub 2}/Ce-Al-MCM-41 is showing enhanced degradation activity due decreased rate of electron-hole recombination on TiO{sub 2} surface by the redox properties of cerium. The photocatalyst TiO{sub 2}/Ce-Al-MCM-41 with an optimum of 10 wt.% TiO{sub 2} and 0.3 wt.% Ce is showing maximum phenol degradation activity. The possible mechanism of phenol degradation on the composite photocatalyst is proposed.« less

Monitoring and analysis of data from complex systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dollman, Thomas; Webster, Kenneth

1991-01-01

Some of the methods, systems, and prototypes that have been tested for monitoring and analyzing the data from several spacecraft and vehicles at the Marshall Space Flight Center are introduced. For the Huntsville Operations Support Center (HOSC) infrastructure, the Marshall Integrated Support System (MISS) provides a migration path to the state-of-the-art workstation environment. Its modular design makes it possible to implement the system in stages on multiple platforms without the need for all components to be in place at once. The MISS provides a flexible, user-friendly environment for monitoring and controlling orbital payloads. In addition, new capabilities and technology may be incorporated into MISS with greater ease. The use of information systems technology in advanced prototype phases, as adjuncts to mainline activities, is used to evaluate new computational techniques for monitoring and analysis of complex systems. Much of the software described (specially, HSTORESIS (Hubble Space Telescope Operational Readiness Expert Safemode Investigation System), DRS (Device Reasoning Shell), DART (Design Alternatives Rational Tool), elements of the DRA (Document Retrieval Assistant), and software for the PPS (Peripheral Processing System) and the HSPP (High-Speed Peripheral Processor)) is available with supporting documentation, and may be applicable to other system monitoring and analysis applications.

Spreading Depressions as Secondary Insults After Traumatic Injury to the Human Brain

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-09-01

meeting of the COSBID consortium took place on 6-8 May 2010 in Barcelona , Spain. Drs. Hartings and Wilson attended and made presentations on the topics...questions. 11 VI. REFERENCES aHartings JA, Strong AJ, Fabricius M, Manning A, Bhatia R, Dreier JP, Mazzeo AT, Tortella FC , Bullock MR. Spreading

Assessing Cultural Validity in Standardized Tests in STEM Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gassant, Lunes

2013-01-01

This quantitative ex post facto study examined how race and gender, as elements of culture, influence the development of common misconceptions among STEM students. Primary data came from a standardized test: the Digital Logic Concept Inventory (DLCI) developed by Drs. Geoffrey L. Herman, Michael C. Louis, and Craig Zilles from the University of…

Disorders of Bilirubin Metabolism

PubMed Central

1966-01-01

These discussions are selected from the weekly staff conferences in the Department of Medicine, University of California Medical Center, San Francisco. They are prepared from transcriptions by Drs. Martin J. Cline and Hibbard E. Williams, Assistant Professors of Medicine, under the direction of Dr. Lloyd H. Smith, Professor of Medicine and Chairman of the Department of Medicine. PMID:5909869

Biological Markers of Environmental Carcinogens in Breast Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

1997-10-01

their patients to Drs. Estabrook and Schnabel for breast health care. Further, data on birth date and residential zip code were analyzed from a random...interview is completed. The spread sheet is in a Lotus 1-2-3 WK1 format for simple importation into the SPSS statistics package. Pathology reports and

2013 Schroth faces of the future symposium to highlight early career professionals in Mycology

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The 2013 Schroth Faces of the Future symposium was created to recognize early career professionals (those within 10 years of graduation) who represent the future in their field via innovative research. For this year, future faces in mycology research were recognized. Drs. Jason Slot, Erica Goss, Jam...

Theoretical Concept of Power vs. Oppression

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hartlep, Nicholas D.

2008-01-01

This urban synthesis paper encompasses the works of Drs. Joel Handler, Yeheskel Hasenfeld, Ann Winfield, John Rury, and Jean Anyon. The main purpose of this paper is to synthesize arguments contained within their books relating to the theory of power vs. oppression as it plays out within our society. This synthesizing acknowledges and elucidates…

Letter to the Editor: Use of Publicly Available Image Resources

DOE PAGES

Armato, Samuel G.; Drukker, Karen; Li, Feng; ...

2017-05-11

Here we write with regard to the Academic Radiology article entitled, “Computer-aided Diagnosis for Lung Cancer: Usefulness of Nodule Heterogeneity” by Drs. Nishio and Nagashima (1). The authors also report on a computerized method to classify as benign or malignant lung nodules present in computed tomography (CT) scans.

Diagnostic Classification Models: Thoughts and Future Directions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Henson, Robert A.

2009-01-01

The paper by Drs. Rupp and Templin provides a much needed step toward the general application of diagnostic classification modeling (DCMs). The authors have provided a summary of many of the concepts that one must consider to properly apply a DCM (which ranges from model selection and estimation, to assessing the appropriateness of the model using…

Disulfides as Cyanide Antidotes: Evidence for a New In Vivo Oxidative Pathway for Cyanide Detoxification

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-01-01

the quantum mechanical calculations in this paper. M.A.Z. further thanks Drs. Clarence Broomfield and Alan Brimfield for their assistance on this... fluorescence . Eur. J. Biochem. 28, 89–93. (8) Leininger, K. R., and Westley, J. (1968) The mechanism of the rhodanese-catalyzed thiosulfate-cyanide

Novel Approaches to Preventing Urinary Tract Infection in Women

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-09-01

tract tissue (kidney). (4) Establishment of a collaboration with Drs. M. Juliana McElrath and Florian Hladik of the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research...liver, A. Hamers , W. Gaastra, 20. Levery, S. B., M. E. Salyan, S. J. Steele, R. Kannagi, S. Dasgupta, J. L. K.-A. Karlsson, and S. Normark. 1990

From a PI’s perspective: How we made a T2 success

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

A team of scientists (Drs. Ariel A. Szogi, Matias B. Vanotti, and Patrick G. Hunt) from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) - Coastal Plains, Soil, Water & Plant Research Center in Florence, S.C., invented a new treatment process, called “quick wash,” to extract and recover phosphorus from poult...

Visible light activated TiO2/microcrystalline cellulose nanocatalyst to destroy organic contaminants in water.

EPA Science Inventory

Hybrid TiO2/microcrystalline cellulose (MC) nanophotocatalyst was prepared in situ by a facile and simple synthesis utilizing benign precursors such as MC and TiCl4. The as-prepared nanocomposite was characterized by XRD, XPS, BET surface area analyzer, UV–vis DRS and TGA. Surfac...

Preventing Health Damaging Behaviors in Male and Female Army Recruits

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-08-01

completed in 2004: 1. Fort Bragg, NC: MAJ Lolita Burrell (then CPT (P), Richard Carr, and Crystal Ross were briefed. MAJ Burrell was tasked with...BCT, Fort Jackson, SC (July 2006). As a result of several conference calls with LTC Corum, Drs. Boyer and Shafer and MAJ Lolita Burrell, WAMC-Ft

Cognitive Performance in Suicidal Depressed Elderly: Preliminary Report

PubMed Central

Dombrovski, Alexandre Y.; Butters, Meryl A.; Reynolds, Charles F.; Houck, Patricia R.; Clark, Luke; Mazumdar, Sati; Szanto, Katalin

2009-01-01

Objective Deficits in executive functions may play an important role in late-life suicide; however the association is understudied. This study examined cognitive function in general and executive functioning specifically in depressed elderly with and without suicidal ideation and attempts. Design Case-control study. Setting University-affiliated psychiatric hospital. Participants We compared 32 suicidal depressed participants aged 60 and older with 32 non-suicidal depressed participants equated for age, education, and gender. Measurements We assessed global cognitive function and executive function with the Dementia Rating Scale (DRS) and the Executive Interview (EXIT25), respectively. Results Suicidal and non-suicidal depressed groups were comparable in terms of severity of depression and burden of physical illness. Suicidal participants performed worse on the EXIT25, and on the DRS total scale, as well as on Memory and Attention subscales. The differences were not explained by the presence of dementia, substance use, medication exposure, or brain injury from suicide attempts. Conclusions Poor performance on tests of executive function, attention, and memory is associated with suicidal behavior in late-life depression. PMID:18239196

Optimization of hydrolysis conditions for the production of glucomanno-oligosaccharides from konjac using β-mannanase by response surface methodology.

PubMed

Chen, Junfan; Liu, Desheng; Shi, Bo; Wang, Hai; Cheng, Yongqiang; Zhang, Wenjing

2013-03-01

Glucomanno-oligosaccharides (GMO), usually produced from hydrolysis of konjac tubers with a high content of glucomannan, have a positive effect on Bifidobacterium as well as a variety of other physiological activities. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the hydrolysis time, hydrolysis temperature, pH and enzyme to substrate ratio (E/S) to obtain a high GMO yield from konjac tubers. From the signal-factor experiments, it was concluded that the change in the direct reducing sugar (DRS) is consistent with total reducing sugar (TRS) but contrary to the degree of polymerization (DP). DRS was used as an indicator of the content of GMO in the RSM study. The optimum RSM operating conditions were: reaction time of 3.4 h, reaction temperature of 41.0°C, pH of 7.1 and E/S of 0.49. The results suggested that the enzymatic hydrolysis was enhanced by temperature, pH and incubation time. Model validation showed good agreement between experimental results and the predicted responses. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Structured Counseling for Auditory Dynamic Range Expansion.

PubMed

Gold, Susan L; Formby, Craig

2017-02-01

A structured counseling protocol is described that, when combined with low-level broadband sound therapy from bilateral sound generators, offers audiologists a new tool for facilitating the expansion of the auditory dynamic range (DR) for loudness. The protocol and its content are specifically designed to address and treat problems that impact hearing-impaired persons who, due to their reduced DRs, may be limited in the use and benefit of amplified sound from hearing aids. The reduced DRs may result from elevated audiometric thresholds and/or reduced sound tolerance as documented by lower-than-normal loudness discomfort levels (LDLs). Accordingly, the counseling protocol is appropriate for challenging and difficult-to-fit persons with sensorineural hearing losses who experience loudness recruitment or hyperacusis. Positive treatment outcomes for individuals with the former and latter conditions are highlighted in this issue by incremental shifts (improvements) in LDL and/or categorical loudness judgments, associated reduced complaints of sound intolerance, and functional improvements in daily communication, speech understanding, and quality of life leading to improved hearing aid benefit, satisfaction, and aided sound quality, posttreatment.

MO-FG-BRB-02: Debater [medical physics education

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

Hazle, J.

Building on the energy and excitement of Washington DC in a presidential election year, AAPM will host its own Presidential Debate to better understand the views of the AAPM membership! Past presidents of the AAPM, Drs. Bayouth, Hazle, Herman, and Seibert, will debate hot topics in medical physics including issues facing education, professional practice, and the advancement of science. The moderators, Drs. Brock and Stern, will also draw in topics from Point-Counterpoint articles from the Medical Physics Journals. Wrapping up the debate, the audience will have the opportunity to question the candidates in a town hall format. At the conclusionmore » of this lively debate, the winner will be decided by the audience, so bring your Audience Response Units! Be part of Medical Physics - Decision 2016! Learning Objectives: Understand AAPM members’ views and opinions on issues facing medical physics education Learn AAPM members’ views and opinions on issues facing professional practice Identify AAPM members’ view and opinions on issues facing the advancement of science in medical physics J. Bayouth, Funding support from NCI;Scientific Advisory Board member - ViewRay.« less

MO-FG-BRB-00: AAPM Presidential Debate [medical physics education

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

NONE

Building on the energy and excitement of Washington DC in a presidential election year, AAPM will host its own Presidential Debate to better understand the views of the AAPM membership! Past presidents of the AAPM, Drs. Bayouth, Hazle, Herman, and Seibert, will debate hot topics in medical physics including issues facing education, professional practice, and the advancement of science. The moderators, Drs. Brock and Stern, will also draw in topics from Point-Counterpoint articles from the Medical Physics Journals. Wrapping up the debate, the audience will have the opportunity to question the candidates in a town hall format. At the conclusionmore » of this lively debate, the winner will be decided by the audience, so bring your Audience Response Units! Be part of Medical Physics - Decision 2016! Learning Objectives: Understand AAPM members’ views and opinions on issues facing medical physics education Learn AAPM members’ views and opinions on issues facing professional practice Identify AAPM members’ view and opinions on issues facing the advancement of science in medical physics J. Bayouth, Funding support from NCI;Scientific Advisory Board member - ViewRay.« less

MO-FG-BRB-04: Debater [Medical physics education

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

Seibert, J.

Building on the energy and excitement of Washington DC in a presidential election year, AAPM will host its own Presidential Debate to better understand the views of the AAPM membership! Past presidents of the AAPM, Drs. Bayouth, Hazle, Herman, and Seibert, will debate hot topics in medical physics including issues facing education, professional practice, and the advancement of science. The moderators, Drs. Brock and Stern, will also draw in topics from Point-Counterpoint articles from the Medical Physics Journals. Wrapping up the debate, the audience will have the opportunity to question the candidates in a town hall format. At the conclusionmore » of this lively debate, the winner will be decided by the audience, so bring your Audience Response Units! Be part of Medical Physics - Decision 2016! Learning Objectives: Understand AAPM members’ views and opinions on issues facing medical physics education Learn AAPM members’ views and opinions on issues facing professional practice Identify AAPM members’ view and opinions on issues facing the advancement of science in medical physics J. Bayouth, Funding support from NCI;Scientific Advisory Board member - ViewRay.« less

MO-FG-BRB-01: Debater [medical physics education

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

Bayouth, J.

Building on the energy and excitement of Washington DC in a presidential election year, AAPM will host its own Presidential Debate to better understand the views of the AAPM membership! Past presidents of the AAPM, Drs. Bayouth, Hazle, Herman, and Seibert, will debate hot topics in medical physics including issues facing education, professional practice, and the advancement of science. The moderators, Drs. Brock and Stern, will also draw in topics from Point-Counterpoint articles from the Medical Physics Journals. Wrapping up the debate, the audience will have the opportunity to question the candidates in a town hall format. At the conclusionmore » of this lively debate, the winner will be decided by the audience, so bring your Audience Response Units! Be part of Medical Physics - Decision 2016! Learning Objectives: Understand AAPM members’ views and opinions on issues facing medical physics education Learn AAPM members’ views and opinions on issues facing professional practice Identify AAPM members’ view and opinions on issues facing the advancement of science in medical physics J. Bayouth, Funding support from NCI;Scientific Advisory Board member - ViewRay.« less

MO-FG-BRB-03: Debater [medical physics education

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

Herman, M.

Building on the energy and excitement of Washington DC in a presidential election year, AAPM will host its own Presidential Debate to better understand the views of the AAPM membership! Past presidents of the AAPM, Drs. Bayouth, Hazle, Herman, and Seibert, will debate hot topics in medical physics including issues facing education, professional practice, and the advancement of science. The moderators, Drs. Brock and Stern, will also draw in topics from Point-Counterpoint articles from the Medical Physics Journals. Wrapping up the debate, the audience will have the opportunity to question the candidates in a town hall format. At the conclusionmore » of this lively debate, the winner will be decided by the audience, so bring your Audience Response Units! Be part of Medical Physics - Decision 2016! Learning Objectives: Understand AAPM members’ views and opinions on issues facing medical physics education Learn AAPM members’ views and opinions on issues facing professional practice Identify AAPM members’ view and opinions on issues facing the advancement of science in medical physics J. Bayouth, Funding support from NCI;Scientific Advisory Board member - ViewRay.« less

Synthesis and characterization of Ce, Cu co-doped ZnS nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harish, G. S.; Sreedhara Reddy, P.

2015-09-01

Ce, Cu co-doped ZnS nanoparticles were prepared at room temperature using a chemical co-precipitation method. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by X- ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), photoluminescence (PL) and high resolution Raman spectroscopic techniques. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction studies showed that the diameter of the particles was around 2-3 nm. Broadened XRD peaks revealed the formation of nanoparticles with a face centered cubic (fcc) structure. DRS studies confirmed that the band gap increased with an increase in the dopant concentration. The Raman spectra of undoped and Ce, Cu ions co-doped ZnS nanoparticles showed longitudinal optical mode and transverse optical mode. Compared with the Raman modes (276 and 351 cm-1) of undoped ZnS nanoparticles, the Raman modes of Ce, Cu co- doped ZnS nanoparticles were slightly shifted towards lower frequency. PL spectra of the samples showed remarkable enhancement in the intensity upon doping.

The effect of carbon nanotubes functionalization on the band-gap energy of TiO2-CNT nanocomposite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shahbazi, Hessam; Shafei, Alireza; Sheibani, Saeed

2018-01-01

In this paper the morphology and structure of TiO2-CNT nanocomposite powder obtained by an in situ sol-gel process were investigated. The synthesized nanocomposite powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The effect of functionalizing of CNT on the properties was studied. XRD results showed amorphous structure before calcination. Also, anatase phase TiO2 was formed after calcination at 400 °C. The SEM results indicate different distributions of TiO2 on CNTs. As a result, well dispersed TiO2 microstructure on the surface of CNTs was observed after functionalizing, while compact and large aggregated particles were found without functionalizing. The average thickness of uniform and well-defined coated TiO2 layer was in the range of 30-40 nm. The DRS results have determined the reflective properties and band gap energies of nanocomposite powders and have shown that functionalizing of CNTs caused the change of band-gap energy from 2.98 to 2.87 eV.

Management of Duane retraction syndrome with prismatic glasses

PubMed Central

Aygit, Ebru Demet; Kocamaz, Murat; Inal, Asli; Fazil, Korhan; Ocak, Osman Bulut; Akar, Serpil; Gokyigit, Birsen

2017-01-01

Purpose To report the results of using prismatic glasses for Duane retraction syndrome (DRS). Methods Data were obtained from the records of patients who were evaluated during the year 2000 in the Strabismus Unit of the Beyoglu Eye Training and Research Hospital. The average follow-up was 12.2±17.7 months. In all cases, 2 main variables were evaluated: horizontal deviation in the primary position and face turn. Prismatic glasses were provided to patients according to the degree of shift in the primary position. Results The mean age of patients was 11.2 years. An analysis was performed on the data collected from 12 cases; 7 patients were females (58.3%) and 5 were males (41.7%), with 11 (91.7%) cases being of type I DRS. All 12 patients had abnormal head posture (face turn) and an angle of mean deviation equaling 10 PD (prism dioptri). Conclusion Treatment was individualized on a case-by-case basis. Prismatic glasses are useful for eliminating abnormal head posture and ocular misalignment in selected cases. PMID:28442887

Importance of maternal diabetes on the chronological deregulation of the intrauterine development: an experimental study in rat.

PubMed

Salazar García, Marcela; Reyes Maldonado, Elba; Revilla Monsalve, María Cristina; Villavicencio Guzmán, Laura; Reyes López, Alfonso; Sánchez-Gómez, Concepción

2015-01-01

We investigated whether maternal diabetes induced in rats using streptozotocin (STZ) on Day 5 of pregnancy affects the intrauterine developmental timeline. A total of 30 pregnant Sprague-Dawley diabetic rats (DRs) and 20 control rats (CRs) were used to obtain 21-day fetuses (F21) and newborn (NB) pups. Gestational age, weight, and body size were recorded as were the maxillofacial morphometry and morphohistological characteristics of the limbs. In DRs, pregnancy continued for ∼1.7 days, and delivery occurred 23 days postcoitus (DPC). In this group, the number of pups was lower, and 13% had maxillofacial defects. F21 in the DR group had lower weights and were smaller; moreover, the morphological characteristics of the maxillofacial structures, derived from the neural crest, were discordant with their chronological gestational age, resembling 18- to 19-day-old fetuses. These deficiencies were counterbalanced in NB pups. We conclude that hyperglycemia, which results from maternal diabetes and precedes embryo implantation, deregulates the intrauterine developmental timeline, restricts embryo-fetal growth, and primarily delays the remodeling and maturation of the structures derived from neural crest cells.

Structured Counseling for Auditory Dynamic Range Expansion

PubMed Central

Gold, Susan L.; Formby, Craig

2017-01-01

A structured counseling protocol is described that, when combined with low-level broadband sound therapy from bilateral sound generators, offers audiologists a new tool for facilitating the expansion of the auditory dynamic range (DR) for loudness. The protocol and its content are specifically designed to address and treat problems that impact hearing-impaired persons who, due to their reduced DRs, may be limited in the use and benefit of amplified sound from hearing aids. The reduced DRs may result from elevated audiometric thresholds and/or reduced sound tolerance as documented by lower-than-normal loudness discomfort levels (LDLs). Accordingly, the counseling protocol is appropriate for challenging and difficult-to-fit persons with sensorineural hearing losses who experience loudness recruitment or hyperacusis. Positive treatment outcomes for individuals with the former and latter conditions are highlighted in this issue by incremental shifts (improvements) in LDL and/or categorical loudness judgments, associated reduced complaints of sound intolerance, and functional improvements in daily communication, speech understanding, and quality of life leading to improved hearing aid benefit, satisfaction, and aided sound quality, posttreatment. PMID:28286367

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

Chandraboss, V.L.; Natanapatham, L.; Karthikeyan, B.

Graphical abstract: The hetero-junctions that are formed between the ZnO and the Bi provide an internal electric field that facilitates separation of the electron-hole pairs and induces faster carrier migration. Thus they often enhanced photocatalytic reaction. - Highlights: • Bi-doped ZnO nanocomposite material was prepared by precipitation method. • Characterized by XRD, HR-SEM with EDX, UV–visible DRS and FT-RAMAN analysis. • Bi-doped ZnO nanocomposite material was used to photodegradation of Congo red. • Mechanism and photocatalytic effect of nanocomposite material have been discussed. - Abstract: Bismuth (Bi)-doped ZnO nanocomposite material was prepared by precipitation method with doping precursors of bismuthmore » nitrate pentahydrate and oxalic acid, characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), High Resolution-Scanning Electron Microscopy (HR-SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, UV–visible Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (UV–visible DRS) and Fourier Transform-Raman (FT-RAMAN) analysis. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the Bi-doped ZnO is demonstrated through photodegradation of Congo red under UV-light irradiation. The mechanism of photocatalytic effect of Bi-doped ZnO nanocomposite material has been discussed.« less

Prediction of iron oxide contents using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marques, José, Jr.; Arantes Camargo, Livia

2015-04-01

Determining soil iron oxides using conventional analysis is relatively unfeasible when large areas are mapped, with the aim of characterizing spatial variability. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) is rapid, less expensive, non-destructive and sometimes more accurate than conventional analysis. Furthermore, this technique allows the simultaneous characterization of many soil attributes with agronomic and environmental relevance. This study aims to assess the DRS capability to predict iron oxides content -hematite and goethite - , characterizing their spatial variability in soils of Brazil. Soil samples collected from an 800-hectare area were scanned in the visible and near-infrared spectral range. Moreover, chemometric calibration was obtained through partial least-squares regression (PLSR). Then, spatial distribution maps of the attributes were constructed using predicted values from calibrated models through geostatistical methods. The studied area presented soils with varied contents of iron oxides as examples for the Oxisols and Entisols. In the spectra of each soil is observed that the reflectance decreases with the content of iron oxides present in the soil. In soils with a high content of iron oxides can be observed more pronounced concavities between 380 and 1100 nm which are characteristic of the presence of these oxides. In soils with higher reflectance it were observed concavity characteristics due to the presence of kaolinite, in agreement with the low iron contents of those soils. The best accuracy of prediction models [residual prediction deviation (RPD) = 1.7] was obtained for goethite within the visible region (380-800 nm), and for hematite (RPD = 2.0) within the visible near infrared (380-2300 nm). The maps of goethite and hematite predicted showed the spatial distribution pattern similar to the maps of clay and iron extracted by dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate, being consistent with the iron oxide contents of soils present in the study area. These results confirm the value of DRS in the mapping of iron oxides in large areas at detailed scale.

Maternal serum placental growth factor at 12, 22, 32 and 36 weeks' gestation in screening for pre-eclampsia.

PubMed

Tsiakkas, A; Cazacu, R; Wright, A; Wright, D; Nicolaides, K H

2016-04-01

To examine the distribution of maternal serum placental growth factor (PlGF) at 12, 22, 32 and 36 weeks' gestation in singleton pregnancies which develop pre-eclampsia (PE) and examine the performance of this biomarker in screening for PE. Serum PlGF was measured in 40 212 cases at 11-13 weeks, in 10 282 cases at 19-24 weeks, in 10 400 at 30-34 weeks and 4043 at 35-37 weeks. Bayes' theorem was used to combine the a-priori risk from maternal characteristics and medical history with serum PlGF. The performance of screening for PE requiring delivery < 32, at 32 + 0 to 36 + 6 and ≥ 37 weeks' gestation was estimated. In pregnancies that developed PE, serum PlGF was decreased and the separation in multiples of the median (MoM) values from normal was greater with earlier, compared to later, gestational age at which delivery for PE became necessary. Additionally, the slope of the regression lines of PlGF MoM with gestational age at delivery in pregnancies that developed PE increased with advancing gestational age at screening. The detection rates (DRs), at a false-positive rate (FPR) of 10%, for PE delivering < 32 weeks were 79% and 97% with screening at 12 and 22 weeks, respectively. The DRs for PE delivering at 32 + 0 to 36 + 6 weeks were 57%, 65% and 90% with screening at 12, 22 and 32 weeks. The DRs for PE delivering ≥ 37 weeks were 40%, 37%, 54% and 64% with screening at 12, 22, 32 and 36 weeks, respectively. The performance of combined screening with maternal factors, medical history and PlGF is superior in screening for early, compared to late, PE and improves with advancing gestational age at screening. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Structured reporting ensures complete content and quick detection of essential data in pathology reports of oncological breast resection specimens.

PubMed

Aumann, Konrad; Niermann, Kathrin; Asberger, Jasmin; Wellner, Ulrich; Bronsert, Peter; Erbes, Thalia; Hauschke, Dieter; Stickeler, Elmar; Gitsch, Gerald; Kayser, Gian; Werner, Martin

2016-04-01

There is increasing evidence that not only the way of data acquisition but also the design of data visualization (i.e., the format) has impact on the quality of pathology reports. Therefore, we investigated the correlation between the format of pathology reports and the amount as well as the detection time of transmitted data. All reports of oncological breast resection specimens referred to the Institute for Surgical Pathology, University Medical Center Freiburg, between 2003 and 2011 (n = 4181) were classified into descriptive reports (DR, n = 856), structured reports (SR, n = 2455), or template-based synoptic reports (TBSR, n = 870). The reports were screened regarding the content of nine organ-specific essential data. The amount of recorded essential data per report was summarized in an essential data score (EDS) and the format types were statistically compared regarding their EDS. Additionally, we measured the time a gynecologist needed to detect all nine essential data within a subset of reports and compared the format types regarding the detection times statistically. A full-score EDS of 9 was seen in 28.4 % of all reports, in 4 % of DRs, in 21.4 % of SRs, and in 72.3 % of TBSRs (p < 0.0001). Median EDS of DRs was 7, of SRs 8, and of TBSRs 9 (p < 0.0001). Data regarding tumor localization, tumor size, specific grading, angioinvasion, hormone receptor status, and additional findings were mentioned more frequently in TBSRs compared to other format type reports with a statistically highly significant difference (p < 0.0001). Mean data detection time decreased significantly from 26 to 20 and 14 s in DRs, SRs, and TBSRs, respectively. Our results clearly show that due to the use of TBSRs reporting of oncological breast resection specimens are improved regarding the content of essential data and the clarity of the data layout resulting in a rapid detection of essential data by clinicians.

PLS and first derivative of ratio spectra methods for determination of hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol hydrochloride in tablets.

PubMed

Vignaduzzo, Silvana E; Maggio, Rubén M; Castellano, Patricia M; Kaufman, Teodoro S

2006-12-01

Two new analytical methods have been developed as convenient and useful alternatives for simultaneous determination of hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) and propranolol hydrochloride (PRO) in pharmaceutical formulations. The methods are based on the first derivative of ratio spectra (DRS) and on partial least squares (PLS) analysis of the ultraviolet absorption spectra of the samples in the 250-350-nm region. The methods were calibrated between 8.7 and 16.0 mg L(-1) for HCT and between 14.0 and 51.5 mg L(-1) for PRO. An asymmetric full-factorial design and wavelength selection (277-294 nm for HCT and 297-319 for PRO) were used for the PLS method and signal intensities at 276 and 322 nm were used in the DRS method for HCT and PRO, respectively. Performance characteristics of the analytical methods were evaluated by use of validation samples and both methods showed to be accurate and precise, furnishing near quantitative analyte recoveries (100.4 and 99.3% for HCT and PRO by use of PLS) and relative standard deviations below 2%. For PLS the lower limits of quantification were 0.37 and 0.66 mg L(-1) for HCT and PRO, respectively, whereas for DRS they were 1.15 and 3.05 mg L(-1) for HCT and PRO, respectively. The methods were used for quantification of HCT and PRO in synthetic mixtures and in two commercial tablet preparations containing different proportions of the analytes. The results of the drug content assay and the tablet dissolution test were in statistical agreement (p < 0.05) with those furnished by the official procedures of the USP 29. Preparation of dissolution profiles of the combined tablet formulations was also performed with the aid of the proposed methods. The methods are easy to apply, use relatively simple equipment, require minimum sample pre-treatment, enable high sample throughput, and generate less solvent waste than other procedures.

Probing the electronic structure and photoactivation process of nitrogen-doped TiO2 using DRS, PL, and EPR.

PubMed

Zhang, Zizhong; Long, Jinlin; Xie, Xiuqiang; Lin, Huan; Zhou, Yangen; Yuan, Rusheng; Dai, Wenxin; Ding, Zhengxin; Wang, Xuxu; Fu, Xianzhi

2012-04-23

The electronic structure and photoactivation process in N-doped TiO(2) is investigated. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), photoluminescence (PL), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) are employed to monitor the change of optical absorption ability and the formation of N species and defects in the heat- and photoinduced N-doped TiO(2) catalyst. Under thermal treatment below 573 K in vacuum, no nitrogen dopant is removed from the doped samples but oxygen vacancies and Ti(3+) states are formed to enhance the optical absorption in the visible-light region, especially at wavelengths above 500 nm with increasing temperature. In the photoactivation processes of N-doped TiO(2), the DRS absorption and PL emission in the visible spectral region of 450-700 nm increase with prolonged irradiation time. The EPR results reveal that paramagnetic nitrogen species (N(s)·, oxygen vacancies with one electron (V(o)·), and Ti(3+) ions are produced with light irradiation and the intensity of N(s)· species is dependent on the excitation light wavelength and power. The combined characterization results confirm that the energy level of doped N species is localized above the valence band of TiO(2) corresponding to the main absorption band at 410 nm of N-doped TiO(2), but oxygen vacancies and Ti(3+) states as defects contribute to the visible-light absorption above 500 nm in the overall absorption of the doped samples. Thus, a detailed picture of the electronic structure of N-doped TiO(2) is proposed and discussed. On the other hand, the transfer of charge carriers between nitrogen species and defects is reversible on the catalyst surface. The presence of oxygen-vacancy-related defects leads to quenching of paramagnetic N(s)· species but they stabilize the active nitrogen species N(s)(-). Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Alzheimer disease with cerebrovascular disease and vascular dementia: clinical features and course compared with Alzheimer disease.

PubMed

Bruandet, A; Richard, F; Bombois, S; Maurage, C A; Deramecourt, V; Lebert, F; Amouyel, P; Pasquier, F

2009-02-01

Vascular dementia (VaD) and Alzheimer disease with cerebrovascular disease (AD+CVD) are the leading causes of dementia after Alzheimer disease alone (AD). Little is known about the progression of either VaD or AD+CVD. The aim of this study was to compare demographic features, cognitive decline and survival of patients with VaD, AD+CVD and AD alone attending a memory clinic. This study included 970 patients who were followed at the Lille-Bailleul memory clinic, France. Cognitive functions were measured with the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Dementia Rating Scale (DRS). Survival rate was analysed with a left-truncated Cox model. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, education, hypertension, diabetes and baseline MMSE and DRS. Of 970 patients, 141 had VaD, 663 AD alone and 166 AD+CVD. The latter were significantly older than AD or VaD patients at onset (71 (SD 7) vs 69 (9) and 68 (9) years, p = 0.01) and at first visit (75 (6) vs 73 (8) and 72 (8) years, p = 0.0002). Baseline MMSE and DRS evaluations were highest for VaD compared with AD alone or AD+CVD patients (p<0.006). Cognitive decline during follow-up was slowest for VaD, intermediate for AD+CVD and fastest for AD alone (p = 0.03). After adjustment, compared with AD patients, mortality risk was similar for those with VaD (relative mortality risk (RR) = 0.7 (0.5 to 1.1)) and tended to be lower for AD+CVD (RR = 0.7 (0.5 to 1.0)). The shorter the delay between first symptoms and first visit, the longer patients survived. This clinical cohort study shows that patients with VaD, AD+CVD and AD present different characteristics at baseline and during follow-up, and underlines the need to distinguish between them.

Training surgeons in shared decision-making with cancer patients aged 65 years and older: a pilot study.

PubMed

Geessink, Noralie H; Schoon, Yvonne; Olde Rikkert, Marcel Gm; van Goor, Harry

2017-01-01

Treatment decision-making in older patients with colorectal (CRC) or pancreatic cancer (PC) needs improvement. We introduced the EASYcare in Geriatric Onco-surgery (EASY-GO) intervention to optimize the shared decision-making (SDM) process among these patients. The EASY-GO intervention comprised a working method with geriatric assessment and SDM training for surgeons. A non-equivalent control group design was used. Newly diagnosed CRC/PC patients aged ≥65 years were included. Primary patient-reported experiences were the quality of SDM (SDM-Q-9, range 0-100), involvement in decision-making (Visual Analog Scale for Involvement in the decision-making process [range 0-10]), satisfaction about decision-making (Visual Analog Scale for Satisfaction concerning the decision-making process [range 0-10]), and decisional regret (Decisional Regret Scale [DRS], range 0-100). Only for DRS, lower scores are better. A total of 71.4% of the involved consultants and 42.9% of the involved residents participated in the EASY-GO training. Only 4 trained surgeons consulted patients both before (n=19) and after (n=19) training and were consequently included in the analyses. All patient-reported experience measures showed a consistent but non-significant change in the direction of improved decision-making after training. According to surgeons, decisions were significantly more often made together with the patient after training (before, 38.9% vs after, 73.7%, p =0.04). Sub-analyses per diagnosis showed that patient experiences among older PC patients consistent and clinically relevant changed in the direction of improved decision-making after training (SDM-Q-9 +13.4 [95% CI -7.9; 34.6], VAS-I +0.27 [95% CI -1.1; 1.6], VAS-S +0.88 [95% CI -0.5; 2.2], DRS -10.3 [95% CI -27.8; 7.1]). This pilot study strengthens the practical potential of the intervention's concept among older surgical cancer patients.

An objective assessment of melanin in vitiligo skin treated with Balneo PUVA therapy.

PubMed

Hegyi, V; Petrovajová, M; Novotný, M

2014-02-01

Visual clinical methods of skin color evaluation for diagnostic purposes are so far mostly subjective and thus inaccurate. We present a modified method of melanin amount measurement based on diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). This method is non-invasive and objective, and allows easy quantification and comparison of melanin levels. Skin pigmentation was measured by DRS method in 0-18 year old patients at the Department of Pediatric Dermatovenerology, School of Medicine Comenius University Bratislava. Patients were treated for their vitiligo by Balneo PUVA treatment twice weekly. Each patient had measured his remittance spectra from the treated vitiliginous skin before the treatment was started, after 10 irradiations of Balneo PUVA and at the end of the treatment after 25 irradiations of Balneo PUVA. In our study as a reference skin for spectroscopic assessment of melanin in vivo was used the averaged remittance spectra (measured on the inner arm) from the sample of 10 albino patients. The remittance spectra obtained from the vitiligo patients were ratioed against the newly described remittance reference albino skin. We exploited the linear behavior of the spectral curve in the 620-720 nm interval (significant for melanin absorption) and used the slope of the regression line to compute the quantification index α. By clinical examination before the Balneo PUVA therapy, after the 10th dose of Balneo PUVA therapy as well as at the end of the complete course of Balneo PUVA therapy (after 25 irradiations) we recorded a marked increase of pigmentation in all treated patients for their vitiligo. In each patient the values of melanin quantification angle α were calculated. Statistically we found a significant difference between the melanin quantification angle α in vitiliginous skin before, during the 10th dose of treatment and after the treatment. Similar significant difference was also observed between treated and non-involved skin. We could confirm a clear association between clinical visual examination of treated vitiligo lesions, objective data collected by DRS and melanin quantification angle α. By using a new standard for the reference skin (albino skin) we could more exactly compare melanin levels in different subjects. Our proposed melanin quantification angle α expresses the extent of the difference in melanin levels between the examined skin lesions. We successfully used this index to quantify the variations of melanin (progress of repigmentation) throughout different stages of treatment of the same lesion and also to objectively evaluate the final effect of the therapy. In the present study, we showed that the diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) may be suitable method to measure skin colour and the content of human skin melanin in vivo. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Detection of Tuberculosis in HIV-Infected and -Uninfected African Adults Using Whole Blood RNA Expression Signatures: A Case-Control Study

PubMed Central

Anderson, Suzanne T.; Bangani, Nonzwakazi; Banwell, Claire M.; Brent, Andrew J.; Crampin, Amelia C.; Dockrell, Hazel M.; Eley, Brian; Heyderman, Robert S.; Hibberd, Martin L.; Kern, Florian; Langford, Paul R.; Ling, Ling; Mendelson, Marc; Ottenhoff, Tom H.; Zgambo, Femia; Wilkinson, Robert J.; Coin, Lachlan J.; Levin, Michael

2013-01-01

Background A major impediment to tuberculosis control in Africa is the difficulty in diagnosing active tuberculosis (TB), particularly in the context of HIV infection. We hypothesized that a unique host blood RNA transcriptional signature would distinguish TB from other diseases (OD) in HIV-infected and -uninfected patients, and that this could be the basis of a simple diagnostic test. Methods and Findings Adult case-control cohorts were established in South Africa and Malawi of HIV-infected or -uninfected individuals consisting of 584 patients with either TB (confirmed by culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis [M.TB] from sputum or tissue sample in a patient under investigation for TB), OD (i.e., TB was considered in the differential diagnosis but then excluded), or healthy individuals with latent TB infection (LTBI). Individuals were randomized into training (80%) and test (20%) cohorts. Blood transcriptional profiles were assessed and minimal sets of significantly differentially expressed transcripts distinguishing TB from LTBI and OD were identified in the training cohort. A 27 transcript signature distinguished TB from LTBI and a 44 transcript signature distinguished TB from OD. To evaluate our signatures, we used a novel computational method to calculate a disease risk score (DRS) for each patient. The classification based on this score was first evaluated in the test cohort, and then validated in an independent publically available dataset (GSE19491). In our test cohort, the DRS classified TB from LTBI (sensitivity 95%, 95% CI [87–100]; specificity 90%, 95% CI [80–97]) and TB from OD (sensitivity 93%, 95% CI [83–100]; specificity 88%, 95% CI [74–97]). In the independent validation cohort, TB patients were distinguished both from LTBI individuals (sensitivity 95%, 95% CI [85–100]; specificity 94%, 95% CI [84–100]) and OD patients (sensitivity 100%, 95% CI [100–100]; specificity 96%, 95% CI [93–100]). Limitations of our study include the use of only culture confirmed TB patients, and the potential that TB may have been misdiagnosed in a small proportion of OD patients despite the extensive clinical investigation used to assign each patient to their diagnostic group. Conclusions In our study, blood transcriptional signatures distinguished TB from other conditions prevalent in HIV-infected and -uninfected African adults. Our DRS, based on these signatures, could be developed as a test for TB suitable for use in HIV endemic countries. Further evaluation of the performance of the signatures and DRS in prospective populations of patients with symptoms consistent with TB will be needed to define their clinical value under operational conditions. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary PMID:24167453

Photocatalytic degradation of isoproturon herbicide over TiO2/Al-MCM-41 composite systems using solar light.

PubMed

Phanikrishna Sharma, M V; Durga Kumari, V; Subrahmanyam, M

2008-06-01

The present investigation covers immobilization of TiO2 using a simple solid state dispersion technique over mesoporous Al-MCM-41 support for the treatment of isoproturon herbicide. Catalysts are characterized by XRD, X-ray photo electron spectroscopy (XPS), surface area, UV-Vis diffused reflectance spectra (DRS), SEM and TEM. A detailed photocatalytic degradation study of isoproturon under solar light in aqueous suspensions is reported. The 10 wt% TiO2/Al-MCM-41 composite system found to be optimum with high degradation activity. The reaction follows pseudo-first order kinetics. The parameters like TiO2 loading over Al-MCM-41, amount of catalyst, concentration of substrate, pH effect, durability of the catalyst, activity comparison of TiO2 and Al-MCM-41 supported system are studied. The mineralization of isoproturon is monitored by TOC. Based on the degradation products detected through LC-MS, a plausible degradation mechanism is proposed. The data indicates that TiO2/Al-MCM-41 composite system is an effective photocatalyst for treatment of isoproturon in contaminated water.

A facile method for synthesis of graphene-coated hexagonal ZnO photocatalyst with enhanced photodegradation activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yunlong; Zhang, Yuzhi

2017-12-01

A kind of hexagonal ZnO (HZO) was synthesized in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP)/H2O mixed solvent for a high exposure of polar ±(0001) facets to get a high-efficiency photocatalyst. The amine-functionalized HZO particles were coated with graphene oxide (GO) by electrostatic force-induced self-assemby and thermal reduction to form HZO@Gr core/shell structure. The as-prepared HZO and HZO@Gr were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis/DRS). The results indicate that the graphene on HZO@Gr remains high quality and the optical properties of the composite change a lot with sunlight absorption improving, bandgap and photoluminescence (PL) intensity decreasing. The obtained HZO photocatalyst shows good photocatalytic activity for methylene blue (MB) under UV-visible irradiation. Furthermore, the HZO@Gr photocatalyst exhibits the best photodegradation rate of MB reaching up to 98.2% within 50 minutes. The graphene-coated HZO structure could offer new directions which would further extend the scope for synthesis of various ZnO/graphene composites with improved properties useful for various applications.

Optical and structural properties of Mo-doped NiTiO3 materials synthesized via modified Pechini methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pham, Thanh-Truc; Kang, Sung Gu; Shin, Eun Woo

2017-07-01

In this study, molybdenum (Mo)-doped nickel titanate (NiTiO3) materials were successfully synthesized as a function of Mo content through a modified Pechini method followed by a solvothermal treatment process. Various characterization methods were employed to investigate the optical and structural properties of the materials. XRD patterns clearly showed that the NiTiO3 structure maintained a single phase with no observed crystalline structure transformations, even after the addition of 10 wt.% Mo. In the Raman spectra and XRD patterns, peak positions shifted with a change in Mo content, confirming that the NiTiO3 lattice was doped with Mo. On the other hand, Mo doping of NiTiO3 materials changed their optical properties. DRS-UV demonstrated that the addition of Mo increased photon absorption within the UV region. Relaxation processes were inhibited by Mo doping, which was evident in the PL spectra. Structural properties of the prepared materials were studied via FE-SEM and HR-TEM. The measured surface area increased proportionally with Mo content due to a reduction in grain size of the materials.

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

Qiao, Li-Na; Wang, H.C.; Shen, Y.

Nanostructured lead chalcogenides (PbX, X = Te, Se, S) were prepared via a simple hydrothermal method. The powder samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, SAED and DRS. Phase composition and microstructure analysis indicate that these samples are pure lead chalcogenides phases and have similar morphologies. These lead chalcogenides display efficient absorption in the UV-visible light range. The photocatalytic properties of lead chalcogenides nanoparticles were evaluated by the photodegradation of Congo red under UV-visible light irradiation in air atmosphere. The Congo red solution can be efficiently degraded under visible light in the presence of lead chalcogenides nanoparticles. The photocatalytic activities ofmore » lead chalcogenides generally increase with increasing their band gaps and shows no appreciable loss after repeated cycles. Our results may be useful for developing new photocatalyst systems responsive to visible light among narrow band gap semiconductors.« less