Single-site robotic cholecystectomy and robotics training: should we start in the junior years?

PubMed

Ayabe, Reed I; Parrish, Aaron B; Dauphine, Christine E; Hari, Danielle M; Ozao-Choy, Junko J

2018-04-01

It has become increasingly important to expose surgical residents to robotic surgery as its applications continue to expand. Single-site robotic cholecystectomy (SSRC) is an excellent introductory case to robotics. Resident involvement in SSRC is known to be feasible. Here, we sought to determine whether it is safe to introduce SSRC to junior residents. A total of 98 SSRC cases were performed by general surgery residents between August 2015 and August 2016. Cases were divided into groups based on resident level: second- and third-years (juniors) versus fourth- and fifth-years (seniors). Patient age, gender, race, body mass index, and comorbidities were recorded. The number of prior laparoscopic cholecystectomies completed by participating residents was noted. Outcomes including operative time, console time, rate of conversion to open cholecystectomy, and complication rate were compared between groups. Juniors performed 54 SSRC cases, whereas seniors performed 44. There were no significant differences in patient age, gender, race, body mass index, or comorbidities between the two groups. Juniors had less experience with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. There was no significant difference in mean operative time (92.7 min versus 98.0 min, P = 0.254), console time (48.7 min versus 50.8 min, P = 0.639), or complication rate (3.7% versus 2.3%, P = 0.68) between juniors and seniors. SSRC is an excellent way to introduce general surgery residents to robotics. This study shows that with attending supervision, SSRC is feasible and safe for both junior and senior residents with very low complication rates and no adverse effect on operative time. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Detritus in K/T boundary clays of western North America - Evidence against a single oceanic impact

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sharpton, V. L.; Schuraytz, B. C.; Burke, K.; Murali, A. V.; Ryder, G.

1990-01-01

Understanding the crustal signature of impact ejecta contained in the Cretaceous/Tertiary (K/T) boundary layer is crucial to constraining the possible site(s) of the postulated K/T impact event. The relatively unaltered clastic constituents of the boundary layer at widely separated outcrops within the western interior of North America are not compatible with a single oceanic impact but require instead an impact site on a continent or continental margin. On the other hand, chemical compositions of highly altered K/T boundary layer components in some marine sections have suggested to others an impact into oceanic crust. We suspect that post-depositional alteration within the marine setting accounts for this apparent oceanic affinity. If, however, this is not the case, multiple simultaneous impacts, striking continent as well as ocean floor, would seem to be required.

Detection of isolated protein-bound metal ions by single-particle cryo-STEM.

PubMed

Elad, Nadav; Bellapadrona, Giuliano; Houben, Lothar; Sagi, Irit; Elbaum, Michael

2017-10-17

Metal ions play essential roles in many aspects of biological chemistry. Detecting their presence and location in proteins and cells is important for understanding biological function. Conventional structural methods such as X-ray crystallography and cryo-transmission electron microscopy can identify metal atoms on protein only if the protein structure is solved to atomic resolution. We demonstrate here the detection of isolated atoms of Zn and Fe on ferritin, using cryogenic annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (cryo-STEM) coupled with single-particle 3D reconstructions. Zn atoms are found in a pattern that matches precisely their location at the ferroxidase sites determined earlier by X-ray crystallography. By contrast, the Fe distribution is smeared along an arc corresponding to the proposed path from the ferroxidase sites to the mineral nucleation sites along the twofold axes. In this case the single-particle reconstruction is interpreted as a probability distribution function based on the average of individual locations. These results establish conditions for detection of isolated metal atoms in the broader context of electron cryo-microscopy and tomography.

Robotic-assisted laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (R-LESS) in urology: an evidence-based analysis.

PubMed

Barret, E; Sanchez-Salas, R; Ercolani, M; Forgues, A; Rozet, F; Galiano, M; Cathelineau, X

2011-06-01

The objective of this manuscript is to provide an evidence-based analysis of the current status and future perspectives of robotic laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (R-LESS). A PubMed search has been performed for all relevant urological literature regarding natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) and laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS). All clinical and investigative reports for robotic LESS and NOTES procedures in the urological literature have been considered. A significant number of clinical urological procedures have been successfully completed utilizing R-LESS procedures. The available experience is limited to referral centers, where the case volume is sufficient to help overcome the challenges and learning curve of LESS surgery. The robotic interface remains the best fit for LESS procedures but its mode of use continues to evolve in attempts to improve surgical technique. We stand today at the dawn of R-LESS surgery, but this approach may well become the standard of care in the near future. Further technological development is needed to allow widespread adoption of the technique.

Detection of isolated protein-bound metal ions by single-particle cryo-STEM

PubMed Central

Elad, Nadav; Bellapadrona, Giuliano; Houben, Lothar; Sagi, Irit; Elbaum, Michael

2017-01-01

Metal ions play essential roles in many aspects of biological chemistry. Detecting their presence and location in proteins and cells is important for understanding biological function. Conventional structural methods such as X-ray crystallography and cryo-transmission electron microscopy can identify metal atoms on protein only if the protein structure is solved to atomic resolution. We demonstrate here the detection of isolated atoms of Zn and Fe on ferritin, using cryogenic annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (cryo-STEM) coupled with single-particle 3D reconstructions. Zn atoms are found in a pattern that matches precisely their location at the ferroxidase sites determined earlier by X-ray crystallography. By contrast, the Fe distribution is smeared along an arc corresponding to the proposed path from the ferroxidase sites to the mineral nucleation sites along the twofold axes. In this case the single-particle reconstruction is interpreted as a probability distribution function based on the average of individual locations. These results establish conditions for detection of isolated metal atoms in the broader context of electron cryo-microscopy and tomography. PMID:28973937

Robotic single-site pelvic lymphadenectomy.

PubMed

Tateo, Saverio; Nozza, Arrigo; Del Pezzo, Chiara; Mereu, Liliana

2014-09-01

To examine the feasibility of performing pelvic lymphadenectomy with robotic single site approach. Recent papers described the feasibility of robotic-single site hysterectomy [1-3] for benign and malign pathologies but only with the development of new single site 5mm instruments as the bipolar forceps, robotic single site platform can be safely utilized also for lymphadenectomy. A 65 year-old, multiparous patient with a body mass index of 22.5 and diagnosed with well differentiated adenocarcinoma of the endometrium underwent a robotic single-site peritoneal washing, total hysterectomy, bilateral adnexectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. The procedure was performed using the da Vinci Si Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) through a single 2,5 cm umbilical incision, with a multi-channel system and two single site robotic 5mm instruments. A 3-dimensional, HD 8.5mm endoscope and a 5mm accessory instrument were also utilized. Type I lymphonodes dissection for external iliac and obturator regions was performed [4]. Total operative time was 210 min; incision, trocar placement and docking time occurring in 12 min. Total console time was 183 min, estimated blood loss was 50 ml, no intra-operative or post-operative complications occurred. Hospital discharge occurred on post operative day 2 and total number of lymphnodes removed was 33. Difficulties in term of instrument's clashing and awkward motions have been encountered. Robotic single-site pelvic lymphadenectomy using bipolar forceps and monopolar hook is feasible. New developments are needed to improve surgical ergonomics and additional studies should be performed to explore possible benefits of this procedure. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ureteral wall thickness at the impacted ureteral stone site: a critical predictor for success rates after SWL.

PubMed

Sarica, Kemal; Kafkasli, Alper; Yazici, Özgür; Çetinel, Ali Cihangir; Demirkol, Mehmet Kutlu; Tuncer, Murat; Şahin, Cahit; Eryildirim, Bilal

2015-02-01

The aim of the study was to determine the possible predictive value of certain patient- and stone-related factors on the stone-free rates and auxiliary procedures after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in patients with impacted proximal ureteral calculi. A total of 111 patients (86 male, 25 females M/F: 3.44/1) with impacted proximal ureteral stones treated with shock wave lithotripsy were evaluated. Cases were retrieved from a departmental shock wave lithotripsy database. Variables analyzed included BMI of the case, diameter of proximal ureter and renal pelvis, stone size and Hounsfield unit, ureteral wall thickness at the impacted stone site. Stone-free status on follow-up imaging at 3 months was considered a successful outcome. All patients had a single impacted proximal ureteral stone. While the mean age of the cases was 46 ± 13 years (range 26-79 years), mean stone size was 8.95 mm (5.3-15.1 mm). Following shock wave lithotripsy although 87 patients (78.4%) were completely stone-free at 3-month follow-up visit, 24 (21.6%) cases had residual fragments requiring further repeat procedures. Prediction of the final outcome of SWL in patients with impacted proximal ureteral stones is a challenging issue and our data did clearly indicate a highly significant relationship between ureteral wall thickness and the success rates of shock wave lithotripsy particularly in cases requiring additional procedures. Of all the evaluated stone- and patient-related factors, only ureteral wall thickness at the impacted stone site independently predicted shock wave lithotripsy success.

Single perforator greater saphenous neuro-veno-fasciocutaneous propeller flaps for lower extremity reconstructions.

PubMed

Zhong, Wanrun; Lu, Shengdi; Wang, Chunyang; Wen, Gen; Han, Pei; Chai, Yimin

2017-07-01

The lack of soft tissue that is available for medial leg and foot defect reconstructions presents a challenge for plastic surgeons. The saphenous neurofasciocutaneous perforator flap application presents an effective alternative to local flap transfers. However, the venous flow and pedicle twisting problems are still disputed. Here, we present our experiences with modified cutaneous pedicles with a single perforator pedicle, which improves the venous flow and the pedicle twisting problem. This study was conducted from June 2007 through September 2011, and a total of 15 patients with lower medial leg and foot defects were included. There were 11 men and four women. An asymmetric 'propeller' flap was planned around a perforator that was adjacent to the defects, which was preoperatively confirmed by Doppler. The perforator was sufficiently dissociated to allow for the flap to be turned towards the defects. We preserved some distal skin and subcutaneous tissue from the short side of the 'propeller' to cover some donor site regions, and other regions were covered with split thickness skin grafts. The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 12 months. An infection occurred in one case. Partial flap necrosis was noted in two cases. The other 12 flaps completely survived and matched the recipient sites with regard to colour, texture and thickness. The single perforator greater saphenous neuro-veno-fasciocutaneous propeller flap is an effective solution for medial leg and foot defects, and it has a large rotation arc and a satisfactory aesthetic result. © 2015 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Robot-assisted single-site compared with laparoscopic single-incision cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder disease: protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Grochola, Lukasz Filip; Soll, Christopher; Zehnder, Adrian; Wyss, Roland; Herzog, Pascal; Breitenstein, Stefan

2017-02-09

Recent advances in robotic technology suggest that the utilization of the da Vinci Single-Site™ platform for cholecystectomy is safe, feasible and results in a shorter learning curve compared to conventional single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Moreover, the robot-assisted technology has been shown to reduce the surgeon's stress load compared to standard single-incision laparoscopy in an experimental setup, suggesting an important advantage of the da Vinci platform. However, the above-mentioned observations are based solely on case series, case reports and experimental data, as high-quality clinical trials to demonstrate the benefits of the da Vinci Single-Site™ cholecystectomy have not been performed to date. This study addresses the question whether robot-assisted Single-Site™ cholecystectomy provides significant benefits over single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy in terms of surgeon's stress load, while matching the standards of the conventional single-incision approach with regard to peri- and postoperative outcomes. It is designed as a single centre, single-blinded randomized controlled trial, which compares both surgical approaches with the primary endpoint surgeon's physical and mental stress load at the time of surgery. In addition, the study aims to assess secondary endpoints such as operating time, conversion rates, additional trocar placement, intra-operative blood loss, length of hospital stay, costs of procedure, health-related quality of life, cosmesis and complications. Patients as well as ward staff are blinded until the 1 st postoperative year. Sample size calculation based on the results of a previously published experimental setup utilizing an estimated effect size of surgeon's comfort of 0.8 (power of 0.8, alpha-error level of 0.05, error margin of 10-15%) resulted in a number of 30 randomized patients per arm. The study is the first randomized controlled trial that compares the da Vinci Single Site™ platform to conventional laparoscopic approaches in cholecystectomy, one of the most frequently performed operations in general surgery. This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (trial number: NCT02485392 ). Registered February 19, 2015.

Single-molecule electrocatalysis by single-walled carbon nanotubes.

PubMed

Xu, Weilin; Shen, Hao; Kim, Yoon Ji; Zhou, Xiaochun; Liu, Guokun; Park, Jiwoong; Chen, Peng

2009-12-01

We report a single-molecule fluorescence study of electrocatalysis by single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) at single-reaction resolution. Applying super-resolution optical imaging, we find that the electrocatalysis occurs at discrete, nanometer-dimension sites on SWNTs. Single-molecule kinetic analysis leads to an electrocatalytic mechanism, allowing quantification of the reactivity and heterogeneity of individual reactive sites. Combined with conductivity measurements, this approach will be powerful to interrogate how the electronic structure of SWNTs affects the electrocatalytic interfacial charge transfer, a process fundamental to photoelectrochemical cells.

Spontaneous regeneration of the corticospinal tract after transection in young rats: a key role of reactive astrocytes in making favorable and unfavorable conditions for regeneration.

PubMed

Iseda, T; Nishio, T; Kawaguchi, S; Yamanoto, M; Kawasaki, T; Wakisaka, S

2004-01-01

We demonstrated the occurrence of marked regeneration of the corticospinal tract (CST) after a single transection and failure of regeneration after a repeated transection in young rats. To provide convincing evidence for the complete transection and regeneration we used retrograde neuronal double labeling. Double-labeled neurons that took up the first tracer from the transection site and the second tracer from the injection site caudal to the transection site were observed in the sensorimotor cortex. The anterograde tracing method revealed various patterns of regeneration. In the most successful cases the vast majority of regenerated fibers descended in the normal tract and terminated normally whereas a trace amount of fibers coursed aberrantly. In the less successful cases fibers descended partly normally and partly aberrantly or totally aberrantly. To clarify the role of astrocytes in determining the success or failure of regeneration we compared expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), vimentin and neurofilament (NF) immunoreactivity (IR) in the lesion between single and repeated transections. In either transection, astrocytes disappeared from the CST near the lesion site as early as 3 h after lesioning. However, by 24 h after a single transection, immature astrocytes coexpressing GFAP- and vimentin-IR appeared in the former astrocyte-free area and NF-positive axons crossed the lesion. By contrast, after a repeated transection the astrocyte-free area spread and NF-positive axons never crossed the lesion. It appears likely that the major sign, and possibly cause of failure of regeneration is the prolonged disappearance of astrocytes in the lesioned tract area. Copyright 2004 IBRO

Description of borehole geophysical and geologist logs, Berks Sand Pit Superfund Site, Longswamp Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania

USGS Publications Warehouse

Low, Dennis J.; Conger, Randall W.

2003-01-01

Between October 2002 and January 2003, geophysical logging was conducted in six boreholes at the Berks Sand Pit Superfund Site, Longswamp Township, Berks County, Pa., to determine (1) the waterproducing zones, water-receiving zones, zones of vertical borehole flow, orientation of fractures, and borehole and casing depth; and (2) the hydraulic interconnection between the six boreholes and the site extraction well. The boreholes range in depth from 61 to 270 feet. Geophysical logging included collection of caliper, natural-gamma, single-point-resistance, fluid-temperature, fluid-flow, and acoustic-televiewer logs. Caliper and acoustic-televiewer logs were used to locate fractures, joints, and weathered zones. Inflections on fluid-temperature and single-point-resistance logs indicated possible water-bearing fractures, and flowmeter measurements verified these locations. Single-point-resistance, natural-gamma, and geologist logs provided information on stratigraphy. Flowmeter measurements were conducted while the site extraction well was pumping and when it was inactive to determine the hydraulic connections between the extraction well and the boreholes.Borehole geophysical logging and heatpulse flowmetering indicate active flow in the boreholes. Two of the boreholes are in ground-water discharge areas, two boreholes are in ground-water recharge areas, and one borehole is in an intermediate regime. Flow was not determined in one borehole. Heatpulse flowmetering, in conjunction with the geologist logs, indicates highly weathered zones in the granitic gneiss can be permeable and effective transmitters of water, confirming the presence of a two-tiered ground-water-flow system. The effort to determine a hydraulic connection between the site extraction well and six logged boreholes was not conclusive. Three boreholes showed decreases in depth to water after pumping of the site extraction well; in two boreholes, the depth to water increased. One borehole was cased its entire depth and was not revisited after it was logged by the caliper log. Substantial change in flow rates or direction of borehole flow was not observed in any of the three wells logged with the heatpulse flowmeter when the site extraction well was pumping and when it was inactive.

Innovations in Site Characterization Case Study: The Role of a Conceptual Site Model for Expedited Site Characterization Using the Triad Approach at the Poudre River Site, Fort Collins, Colorado

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This case study examines how systematic planning, an evolving conceptual site model (CSM), dynamic work strategies, and real time measurement technologies can be used to unravel complex contaminant distribution patterns...

Ada software productivity prototypes: A case study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hihn, Jairus M.; Habib-Agahi, Hamid; Malhotra, Shan

1988-01-01

A case study of the impact of Ada on a Command and Control project completed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is given. The data for this study was collected as part of a general survey of software costs and productivity at JPL and other NASA sites. The task analyzed is a successful example of the use of rapid prototyping as applied to command and control for the U.S. Air Force and provides the U.S. Air Force Military Airlift Command with the ability to track aircraft, air crews and payloads worldwide. The task consists of a replicated database at several globally distributed sites. The local databases at each site can be updated within seconds after changes are entered at any one site. The system must be able to handle up to 400,000 activities per day. There are currently seven sites, each with a local area network of computers and a variety of user displays; the local area networks are tied together into a single wide area network. Using data obtained for eight modules, totaling approximately 500,000 source lines of code, researchers analyze the differences in productivities between subtasks. Factors considered are percentage of Ada used in coding, years of programmer experience, and the use of Ada tools and modern programming practices. The principle findings are the following. Productivity is very sensitive to programmer experience. The use of Ada software tools and the use of modern programming practices are important; without such use Ada is just a large complex language which can cause productivity to decrease. The impact of Ada on development effort phases is consistent with earlier reports at the project level but not at the module level.

[Correlation between the genetic polymorphisms of apolipoprotein M with the susceptibility to rheumatic diseases of Chinese Han populastion in Lanzhou].

PubMed

Li, Meiyong; Guo, Xinling; Li, Qiannan; You, Chongge

2016-08-01

Objective To investigate the relationship between the genetic polymorphisms of apolipoprotein M (ApoM) and the susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) among Chinese Han population in Lanzhou. Methods Primers for the two single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites (rs805296 and rs805297) in ApoM gene were designed and their genotyping methods of polymerase chain reaction-high resolution melting (PCR-HRM) assay were established. Case-control studies were performed among the 599 cases of RA, 194 cases of SLE, 179 cases of AS and 273 matched healthy controls to analyze the correlations between the two SNPs and the susceptibility to rheumatic diseases. Results The genotype frequencies of rs805296 were AA 87.0%, AG 12.7%, GG 0.3% in RA cases, AA 84.5%, AG 15.0%, GG 0.5% in SLE cases, AA 91.6%, AG 7.3%, GG 1.1% in AS cases, AA 85.0%, AG 15.0%, GG 0% in healthy controls. The ones of rs805297 were GG 38.2%, GT 51.8%, TT 10.0% in RA cases, GG 44.3%, GT 45.4%, TT 10.3% in SLE cases, GG 37.4%, GT 47.5%, TT 15.1% in AS cases, GG 40.7%, GT 46.1%, TT 13.2% in healthy controls. Statistical analyses showed that only the genotype distribution of rs805296 was significantly different between the AS cases and the healthy controls. Under the dominant model, the G allele carriers of rs805296 (AG heterozygote and GG homozygote) were found to significantly decrease the risk for AS development. Conclusion The established PCR-HRM genotyping assays in the present study can successfully achieve the molecular diagnosis of the two SNPs sites (rs805296 and rs805297) from clinical samples, and the study found a significant association between the SNP of rs805296 and the susceptibility to AS among Chinese Han population in Lanzhou.

Identification of a common single nucleotide polymorphism at the primer binding site of D2S1360 that causes heterozygote peak imbalance when using the Investigator HDplex Kit.

PubMed

Inokuchi, Shota; Yamashita, Yasuhiro; Nishimura, Kazuma; Nakanishi, Hiroaki; Saito, Kazuyuki

2017-11-01

Phenomena known as null alleles and peak imbalance can occur because of mutations in the primer binding sites used for DNA typing. In these cases, an accurate statistical evaluation of DNA typing is difficult. The estimated likelihood ratio is incorrectly calculated because of the null allele and allele dropout caused by mutation-induced peak imbalance. Although a number of studies have attempted to uncover examples of these phenomena, few reports are available on the human identification kit manufactured by Qiagen. In this study, 196 Japanese individuals who were heterozygous at D2S1360 were genotyped using an Investigator HDplex Kit with optimal amounts of DNA. A peak imbalance was frequently observed at the D2S1360 locus. We performed a sequencing analysis of the area surrounding the D2S1360 repeat motif to identify the cause for peak imbalance. A point mutation (G>A transition) 136 nucleotides upstream from the D2S1360 repeat motif was discovered in a number of samples. The allele frequency of the mutation was 0.0566 in the Japanese population. Therefore, human identification or kinship testing using the Investigator HDplex Kit requires caution because of the higher frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms at the primer binding site of D2S1360 locus in the Japanese population.

Surgical anatomy and morphologic variations of umbilical structures.

PubMed

Fathi, Amir H; Soltanian, Hooman; Saber, Alan A

2012-05-01

The umbilicus is the main access route to the abdominal cavity in laparoscopic surgeries. However, its anatomical configuration is rarely studied in the surgical and anatomical literature. With introduction of laparoendoscopic single-site surgery and considering the significant number of primary and postoperative umbilical hernias, we felt the necessity to comprehensively study the umbilical structures and analyze their protective function against hernias. Twenty-four embalmed cadavers were studied in the anatomy laboratory of Case Western Reserve University. Round hepatic, median and medial ligaments, umbilical ring, umbilical and umbilicovesicular fasciae, and pattern of attachment to the ring were dissected and measured. Mean age was 82.1 years, ranging between 56 and 96 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.4:1. Ninety-two per cent was white and 8 per cent black adults. According to shape and attachment pattern of ligaments, umbilical ring is classified into five types. Hernia incidence was 25 per cent. All hernia cases lacked the umbilical fascia and the round hepatic ligament was not attached to the inferior border of the ring. The umbilical ring and its morphologic relation with adjacent ligaments are described and classified into five types. In contrary to sparse existing literature, we propose that umbilical fascia is continuation and condensation of umbilicovesicular rather than transversalis fascia. It was absent in cadavers forming conjoined median and medial ligaments with a single insertion site to the ring. Round ligament insertion to the inferior border of the ring provides another protective factor. These two protective measures were absent in all the observed umbilical hernias.

Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma With Sclerosing Features: An Uncommon and Potentially Aggressive Variant.

PubMed

Ronen, Shira; Gru, Alejandro A; Noland, Mary M; Rowe, David M; Wick, Mark R

2018-05-08

Sclerosing squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), also known as "desmoplastic" SCC, is a rare subtype of cutaneous malignancy. This variant is clinically significant because it is associated with an increased risk of local recurrence and metastasis. We herein present 16 examples of sclerotic SCC of the skin in 8 men and 3 women, with a median age of 66 years. The most common site of origin for this tumor is the skin of the head and neck, including the scalp (5 tumors in 2 different patients), forehead (3 cases), nasal ala (2 cases), neck (2 cases in the same patient), ear (2 cases), cheek (1 case), and chest (1 case). Microscopically, sclerosing SCCs are characterized by cellular cords, nests, and islands, as well as scattered single cells infiltrating densely desmoplastic and collagenized connective tissue. The differential diagnosis principally includes sclerosing basal cell carcinoma, microcystic adnexal carcinoma, and desmoplastic trichoepithelioma. The main goals of this study are to further characterize these lesions pathologically, and increase general awareness of this SCC subtype.

SEM-induced shrinkage and site-selective modification of single-crystal silicon nanopores

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Qi; Wang, Yifan; Deng, Tao; Liu, Zewen

2017-07-01

Solid-state nanopores with feature sizes around 5 nm play a critical role in bio-sensing fields, especially in single molecule detection and sequencing of DNA, RNA and proteins. In this paper we present a systematic study on shrinkage and site-selective modification of single-crystal silicon nanopores with a conventional scanning electron microscope (SEM). Square nanopores with measurable sizes as small as 8 nm × 8 nm and rectangle nanopores with feature sizes (the smaller one between length and width) down to 5 nm have been obtained, using the SEM-induced shrinkage technique. The analysis of energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and the recovery of the pore size and morphology reveal that the grown material along with the edge of the nanopore is the result of deposition of hydrocarbon compounds, without structural damage during the shrinking process. A simplified model for pore shrinkage has been developed based on observation of the cross-sectional morphology of the shrunk nanopore. The main factors impacting on the task of controllably shrinking the nanopores, such as the accelerating voltage, spot size, scanned area of e-beam, and the initial pore size have been discussed. It is found that single-crystal silicon nanopores shrink linearly with time under localized irradiation by SEM e-beam in all cases, and the pore shrinkage rate is inversely proportional to the initial equivalent diameter of the pore under the same e-beam conditions.

Bimetallic catalysis for C–C and C–X coupling reactions

PubMed Central

Pye, Dominic R.

2017-01-01

Bimetallic catalysis represents an alternative paradigm for coupling chemistry that complements the more traditional single-site catalysis approach. In this perspective, recent advances in bimetallic systems for catalytic C–C and C–X coupling reactions are reviewed. Behavior which complements that of established single-site catalysts is highlighted. Two major reaction classes are covered. First, generation of catalytic amounts of organometallic species of e.g. Cu, Au, or Ni capable of transmetallation to a Pd co-catalyst (or other traditional cross-coupling catalyst) has allowed important new C–C coupling technologies to emerge. Second, catalytic transformations involving binuclear bond-breaking and/or bond-forming steps, in some cases involving metal–metal bonds, represent a frontier area for C–C and C–X coupling processes.

Laparoscopic Single Site Adrenalectomy Using a Conventional Laparoscope and Instrumentation

PubMed Central

Colon, Modesto J; LeMasters, Patrick; Newell, Phillipa; Divino, Celia; Weber, Kaare J.

2011-01-01

Background and Objectives: We present a case of Laparoendoscopic Single Site Surgery (LESS) left adrenalectomy performed with a conventional laparoscope and instruments. Methods: A 45-year-old male was diagnosed with hyperaldosteronism. Computed tomography detected a left adrenal nodule. Bilateral adrenal vein sampling was consistent with a left-sided source for hyperaldosteronism. Results: Total operative time for LESS left adrenalectomy was 120 minutes. The surgery was performed with conventional instruments, a standard 5-mm laparoscope, and a SILS port, with no additional incisions or trocars needed. No complications occurred, and the patient reported an uneventful recovery. Conclusions: LESS adrenalectomy is a feasible procedure. Although articulating instruments and laparoscopes may offer advantages, LESS adrenalectomy can be done without these. PMID:21902983

Influencing factors for port-site hernias after single-incision laparoscopy.

PubMed

Buckley, F P; Vassaur, H E; Jupiter, D C; Crosby, J H; Wheeless, C J; Vassaur, J L

2016-10-01

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) has been demonstrated to be a feasible alternative to multiport laparoscopy, but concerns over port-site incisional hernias have not been well addressed. A retrospective study was performed to determine the rate of port-site hernias as well as influencing risk factors for developing this complication. A review of all consecutive patients who underwent SILS over 4 years was conducted using electronic medical records in a multi-specialty integrated healthcare system. Statistical evaluation included descriptive analysis of demographics in addition to bivariate and multivariate analyses of potential risk factors, which were age, gender, BMI, procedure, existing insertion-site hernia, wound infection, tobacco use, steroid use, and diabetes. 787 patients who underwent SILS without conversion to open were reviewed. There were 454 cholecystectomies, 189 appendectomies, 72 colectomies, 21 fundoplications, 15 transabdominal inguinal herniorrhaphies, and 36 other surgeries. Cases included 532 (67.6 %) women, and among all patients mean age was 44.65 (±19.05) years and mean BMI of 28.04 (±6). Of these, 50 (6.35 %) patients were documented as developing port-site incisional hernias by a health care provider or by incidental imaging. Of the risk factors analyzed, insertion-site hernia, age, and BMI were significant. Multivariate analysis indicated that both preexisting hernia and BMI were significant risk factors (p value = 0.00212; p value = 0.0307). Morbidly obese patients had the highest incidence of incisional hernias at 18.18 % (p value = 0.02). When selecting patients for SILS, surgeons should consider the presence of an umbilical hernia, increased age and obesity as risk factors for developing a port-site hernia.

Incidence of Port-Site Incisional Hernia After Single-Incision Laparoscopic Surgery

PubMed Central

Rainville, Harvey; Ikedilo, Ojinika; Vemulapali, Pratibha

2014-01-01

Background and Objectives: Single-incision laparoscopic surgery is gaining popularity among minimally invasive surgeons and is now being applied to a broad number of surgical procedures. Although this technique uses only 1 port, the diameter of the incision is larger than in standard laparoscopic surgery. The long-term incidence of port-site hernias after single-incision laparoscopic surgery has yet to be determined. Methods: All patients who underwent a single-incision laparoscopic surgical procedure from May 2008 through May 2009 were included in the study. Single-incision laparoscopic surgical operations were performed either by a multiport technique or with a 3-trocar single-incision laparoscopic surgery port. The patients were seen at 30 to 36 months' follow-up, at which time they were examined for any evidence of port-site incisional hernia. Patients found to have hernias on clinical examination underwent repairs with mesh. Results: A total of 211 patients met the criteria for inclusion in the study. The types of operations included were cholecystectomy, appendectomy, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric banding, Nissen fundoplication, colectomy, and gastrojejunostomy. We found a port-site hernia rate of 2.9% at 30 to 36 months' follow-up. Conclusion: Port-site incisional hernia after single-incision laparoscopic surgical procedures remains a major setback for patients. The true incidence remains largely unknown because most patients are asymptomatic and therefore do not seek surgical aid. PMID:24960483

Simulating Direct and Indirect Damages to Commercial Fisheries from Marine Sand Mining: A Case Study in Korea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Tae-Guon; Grigalunas, Thomas

2009-09-01

Rapid growth in marine sand mining for construction and other uses poses environmental challenges to coastal nations virtually worldwide. Yet the development of management policies, such as a system of fees imposed on operators for damage caused by mining, has been frustrated by a lack of studies to support such measures. Adapting a Beverton-Holt bioeconomic model, this paper attempts to contribute to the estimation of external costs to commercial fisheries due to marine mining. Using the major mining area of Ongjin in Korea as a case study, we estimate economic losses in use value of commercial fisheries through the time to recovery of the injured resource stocks. Present value of lost catch over a 1-year period from mining to resource recovery is estimated at 38,851 for a single “prototype” mining site. Estimated cumulative damages due to recurring mining for 5 and 10 years are 1.5 million and 2.2 million, respectively, at 20 mining sites. Sensitivity analyses are used to examine the effects of alternative assumptions to assess the many sources of uncertainty. Using a form of meta-analysis, dose-response information is used to assess the excess mortality the mining sediment plume has on eggs and larvae and, ultimately, on the value of lost catch (841). Also addressed is the importance of specifying the appropriate “premining” conditions against which to assess environmental losses at the mining site. Damages estimated with premining fish populations are 23,066 higher than is the case using postmining conditions. Overall, the illustrative results suggest the variety of complex conditions which influence damage to fisheries from mining and which can benefit from further study to improve management guidelines.

A Paleomagnetic and Paleointensity Study on Late Pliocene Volcanic Rocks From Southern Georgia (Caucasus)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Calvo-Rathert, M.; Bogalo, M.; Gogichaishvili, A.; Vegas-Tubia, N.; Sologashvili, J.; Villalain, J.

2009-05-01

A paleomagnetic, rock-magnetic and paleointensity study was carried out on 21 basaltic lava flows belonging to four different sequences of late Pliocene age from southern Georgia (Caucasus): Diliska (5 flows), Kvemo Orozmani (5 flows), Dmanisi (11 flows) and Zemo Karabulaki (3 flows). Paleomagnetic analysis generally showed the presence of a single component (mainly in the Dmanisi sequence) but also two more or less superimposed components in several other cases. All sites except one clearly displayed a normal-polarity characteristic component. Susceptibility-versus-temperature curves measured in argon atmosphere on whole- rock powdered samples yielded low-Ti titanomagnetite as main carrier of remanence, although a lower Tc- component (300-400C) was also observed in several cases. Both reversible and non-reversible k-T curves were measured. A pilot paleointensity study was performed with the Coe method on two samples of each of those sites considered suitable after interpretation of rock-magnetic and paleomagnetic results. The pilot study showed that reliable paleointensity results were mainly obtained from sites of the Dmanisi sequence. This thick sequence of basaltic lava flows records the upper end of the normal-polarity Olduvai subchron, a fact confirmed by 40Ar/39Ar dating of the uppermost lava flow and overlying volcanogenic ashes, which yields ages of 1.8 to 1.85 My. A new paleointensity experiment was carried out only on samples belonging to the Dmanisi sequence. Although this work is still in progress, first results show that paleointensities are low, their values lying between 10 and 20 µT in many cases, and not being higher than 30 µT. For comparison, present day field is 47 µT.

Tuberculosis screening among homeless persons with AIDS living in single-room-occupancy hotels.

PubMed Central

Layton, M C; Cantwell, M F; Dorsinville, G J; Valway, S E; Onorato, I M; Frieden, T R

1995-01-01

Congregate facilities for homeless persons with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are often endemic for tuberculosis. We evaluated tuberculosis screening methods at single-room-occupancy hotels housing persons with AIDS. Residents were screened by cross matching the New York City Tuberculosis Registry, interviewing for tuberculosis history, skin testing, and chest radiography. Cases were classified as either previously or newly diagnosed. Among the 106 participants, 16 (15%) previously diagnosed tuberculosis cases were identified. Participants' tuberculosis histories were identified by the questionnaire (100%) or by registry match (69%). Eight participants (50%) were noncompliant with therapy. These findings prompted the establishment of a directly observed therapy program on site. PMID:7485672

Trauma caused by falling objects at construction sites.

PubMed

Atique, Sajid; Zarour, Ahmad; Siddiqui, Tariq; El-Menyar, Ayman; Maull, Kimball; Al Thani, Hassan; Latifi, Rifat

2012-09-01

Workplace-related injuries carry a significant health care challenge. The state of Qatar is developing rapidly, with much construction and an expanding industrial work force. This study aimed to assess the incidence and social impact of work-related injuries requiring hospitalization caused by falling objects at the construction sites. We performed a prospective study for all admissions, which resulted from falling objects between January 2008 and June 2010 at the only trauma center in the state of Qatar. Data were analyzed, and outcomes were described (mortality, length of hospital stay, and safety measures). Of the total injured patients (N = 4,302) admitted between January 2008 and June 2010, 185 (4%) had injuries caused purely by falling objects. Patients' mean age was 29 years, and 97% of the patients were men. All injuries occurred at construction sites. Most patients (86%) were brought by ambulance, and the reminder was brought by private vehicles. After initial evaluation and resuscitation, 120 patients (65%) were found to have a single-system injury, and 65 (35%) had multisystem injury. Operative interventions were required in 50% of the patients. Mean length of hospital stay varied from 6.5 days for single-system injuries to 19 days for multisystem injuries. Safety devices were used in 32 patients (17.3%). All of the 16 mortality cases (8.6%) were reported in multiple injuries. Traumatic injury caused by falling object represents a significant problem in a rapidly developing country. Many of these injuries could be prevented by following established safety guidelines. Epidemiologic study, level III.

Computerized stratified random site-selection approaches for design of a ground-water-quality sampling network

USGS Publications Warehouse

Scott, J.C.

1990-01-01

Computer software was written to randomly select sites for a ground-water-quality sampling network. The software uses digital cartographic techniques and subroutines from a proprietary geographic information system. The report presents the approaches, computer software, and sample applications. It is often desirable to collect ground-water-quality samples from various areas in a study region that have different values of a spatial characteristic, such as land-use or hydrogeologic setting. A stratified network can be used for testing hypotheses about relations between spatial characteristics and water quality, or for calculating statistical descriptions of water-quality data that account for variations that correspond to the spatial characteristic. In the software described, a study region is subdivided into areal subsets that have a common spatial characteristic to stratify the population into several categories from which sampling sites are selected. Different numbers of sites may be selected from each category of areal subsets. A population of potential sampling sites may be defined by either specifying a fixed population of existing sites, or by preparing an equally spaced population of potential sites. In either case, each site is identified with a single category, depending on the value of the spatial characteristic of the areal subset in which the site is located. Sites are selected from one category at a time. One of two approaches may be used to select sites. Sites may be selected randomly, or the areal subsets in the category can be grouped into cells and sites selected randomly from each cell.

Assessment of electrical resistivity imaging for pre-tunneling geological characterization - A case study of the Qingdao R3 metro line tunnel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Shucai; Xu, Shan; Nie, Lichao; Liu, Bin; Liu, Rentai; Zhang, Qingsong; Zhao, Yan; Liu, Quanwei; Wang, Houtong; Liu, Haidong; Guo, Qin

2018-06-01

Water inrush during tunneling is a significant problem in the underground infrastructure construction. Electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) is a technique that can detect and characterize a water body in an open fracture or fault by exploiting the resistivity contrast that exists between the water body and the surrounding materials. ERI is an efficient method for pre-tunneling geological characterization. In this study, a case study is presented in which tunnel-face and borehole ERI (TBERI) is performed by using the probe hole to detect a water body during tunnel construction. The construction site is a metro line site, situated in the city of Qingdao, China. Unlike the traditional cross-hole observation mode, TBERI only use a single borehole. The installation of injection electrodes inside the probe hole and the installation of measuring electrodes on the tunnel face is proposed as the observation mode. Furthermore, a numerical simulation is carried out before the real field experiment, and the simulation results show that the TBERI is capable of detecting a deeply buried water body. In addition, the water body in the field case is also identified by TBERI. The water body appears as a strongly conductive anomaly relative to the background materials. This study highlights the respective strengths and weaknesses of the TBERI for pre-tunneling geological characterization. This method is a relatively rapid means of investigating the studied area. This study clearly demonstrates the suitability of TBERI in a tunneling scenario.

Spindle Epithelial Tumor with Thymus-Like Differentiation (SETTLE): A Next-Generation Sequencing Study.

PubMed

Stevens, Todd M; Morlote, Diana; Swensen, Jeff; Ellis, Michelle; Harada, Shuko; Spencer, Sharon; Prieto-Granada, Carlos N; Folpe, Andrew L; Gatalica, Zoran

2018-05-07

Spindle epithelial tumor with thymus-like differentiation (SETTLE) is a malignant biphasic neoplasm of the thyroid or neck with propensity for late metastasis. Unlike synovial sarcoma, its main morphologic mimic, SETTLE lacks synovial sarcoma-associated translocations. A single case of SETTLE has shown a KRAS mutation but to date no comprehensive next generation sequencing studies of this rare neoplasm have been undertaken. Herein, we subjected 5 well defined cases of SETTLE to direct sequence analysis of 592 genes and fusion gene analysis of 52 genes frequently rearranged in human cancers. We identified one case with two pathogenic variants in the KMT2D gene, one being in an intron splice site (c.674-1A>G) and the other being a frameshift variant (p.M2829fs). This same case also had a pathogenic nonsense variant in the KMT2C gene (p.R1237*). A second case of SETTLE carried a pathogenic NRAS missense variant, Q61R. No other molecular alterations, microsatellite instability, gene fusions or amplifications were identified.

Dealing with uncertainty in the probability of overtopping of a flood mitigation dam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michailidi, Eleni Maria; Bacchi, Baldassare

2017-05-01

In recent years, copula multivariate functions were used to model, probabilistically, the most important variables of flood events: discharge peak, flood volume and duration. However, in most of the cases, the sampling uncertainty, from which small-sized samples suffer, is neglected. In this paper, considering a real reservoir controlled by a dam as a case study, we apply a structure-based approach to estimate the probability of reaching specific reservoir levels, taking into account the key components of an event (flood peak, volume, hydrograph shape) and of the reservoir (rating curve, volume-water depth relation). Additionally, we improve information about the peaks from historical data and reports through a Bayesian framework, allowing the incorporation of supplementary knowledge from different sources and its associated error. As it is seen here, the extra information can result in a very different inferred parameter set and consequently this is reflected as a strong variability of the reservoir level, associated with a given return period. Most importantly, the sampling uncertainty is accounted for in both cases (single-site and multi-site with historical information scenarios), and Monte Carlo confidence intervals for the maximum water level are calculated. It is shown that water levels of specific return periods in a lot of cases overlap, thus making risk assessment, without providing confidence intervals, deceiving.

An experimental study of symmetry lowering of analcime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sugano, Neo; Kyono, Atsushi

2018-04-01

Single crystals of analcime were hydrothermally synthesized from a gel of analcime composition at 200 °C for 24 h. They were grown up to 100 μm in size with typical deltoidal icositetrahedron habit. The chemical composition determined by EPMA and TG analyses was Na0.84(Al0.89Si2.12)O6·1.04H2O. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction method was used to determine the symmetry and crystal structure of analcime. The analcime grown from a gel crystallized in cubic space group Ia3 d with lattice parameter a = 13.713(3) Å. In the cubic analcime, Si and Al cations were totally disordered over the framework T sites with site occupancy of Si:Al = 0.6871:0.3129(14). The single crystals of analcime with cubic symmetry were hydrothermally reheated at 200 °C in ultrapure water. After the hydrothermal treatment for 24 h, forbidden reflections for the cubic Ia3 d symmetry were observed. The reflection conditions led to an orthorhombic space group Ibca with lattice parameters a = 13.727(2) Å, b = 13.707(2) Å, and c = 13.707(2) Å. The unit-cell showed a slight distortion with ( a + b)/2 > c, yielding a flattened cell along c. In the orthorhombic analcime, Al exhibited a site preference for T11 site, which indicates that the Si/Al ordering over the framework T sites lowers the symmetry from cubic Ia3 d to orthorhombic Ibca. After the hydrothermal treatment for 48 h, reflections corresponding to orthorhombic space group Ibca were observed as well. The lattice parameters were a = 13.705(2) Å, b = 13.717(2) Å, and c = 13.706(2) Å, retaining the flattened cell shape with ( a + b)/2 > c. The Si and Al cations were further ordered among the framework T sites than the case of the hydrothermal treatment for 24 h. As a consequence, the Si/Al ordering was slightly but significantly accelerated with increasing the hydrothermal treatment time. During the hydrothermal reaction, however, chemical compositions were almost unchanged. The site occupancies of Na over the extra-framework sites remained unaffected with the heating time; thus, the hydrothermal heating influences the degree of ordering of Si and Al over the framework T sites rather than that of Na among the extra-framework sites.

Distribution of chemical warfare agent, energetics, and metals in sediments at a deep-water discarded military munitions site

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Briggs, Christian; Shjegstad, Sonia M.; Silva, Jeff A. K.; Edwards, Margo H.

2016-06-01

There is a strong need to understand the behavior of chemical warfare agent (CWA) at underwater discarded military munitions (DMM) sites to determine the potential threat to human health or the environment, yet few studies have been conducted at sites in excess of 250 m, the depth at which most U.S. chemical munitions were disposed. As part of the Hawai'i Undersea Military Munitions Assessment (HUMMA), sediments adjacent to chemical and conventional DMM at depths of 400-650 m were sampled using human occupied vehicles (HOVs) in order to quantify the distribution of CWA, energetics, and select metals. Sites in the same general area, with no munitions within 50 m in any direction were sampled as a control. Sulfur mustard (HD) and its degradation product 1,4-dithiane were detected at each CWA DMM site, as well as a single sample with the HD degradation product 1,4-thioxane. An energetic compound was detected in sediment to a limited extent at one CWA DMM site. Metals common in munitions casings (i.e., Fe, Cu, and Pb) showed similar trends at the regional and site-wide scales, likely reflecting changes in marine sediment deposition and composition. This study shows HD and its degradation products can persist in the deep-marine environment for decades following munitions disposal.

Radiosurgery for the treatment of spinal lung metastases.

PubMed

Gerszten, Peter C; Burton, Steven A; Belani, Chandra P; Ramalingam, Suresh; Friedland, David M; Ozhasoglu, Cihat; Quinn, Annette E; McCue, Kevin J; Welch, William C

2006-12-01

Spinal metastases are a common source of pain as well as neurologic deficit in patients with lung cancer. Metastases from lung cancer traditionally have been believed to be relatively responsive to radiation therapy. However, conventional external beam radiotherapy lacks the precision to allow delivery of large single-fraction doses of radiation and simultaneously limit the dose to radiosensitive structures such as the spinal cord. The current study evaluated the efficacy of single-fraction radiosurgery for the treatment of spinal lung cancer metastases. In the current prospective cohort evaluation, 87 lung cancer metastases to the spine in 77 patients were treated with a single-fraction radiosurgery technique with a follow-up period of 6 to 40 months (median, 12 months). The indication for radiosurgery treatment was pain in 73 cases, as a primary treatment modality in 7 cases, for radiographic tumor progression in 4 cases, and for progressive neurologic deficit in 3 cases. Tumor volume ranged from 0.2 to 264 cm(3) (mean, 25.7 cm(3)). The maximum tumor dose was maintained at 15 to 25 grays (Gy) (mean, 20 Gy; median, 20 Gy). No radiation-induced toxicity occurred during the follow-up period. Long-term axial and radicular pain improvement occurred in 65 of 73 patients (89%) who were treated primarily for pain. Long-term radiographic tumor control was observed in all patients who underwent radiosurgery as their primary treatment modality or for radiographic tumor progression. Spinal radiosurgery was found to be feasible, safe, and clinically effective for the treatment of spinal metastases from lung cancer. The results of the current study indicate the potential of radiosurgery in the treatment of patients with spinal lung metastases, especially those with solitary sites of spine involvement, to improve long-term palliation. (c) 2006 American Cancer Society.

Partial AZFc duplications not deletions are associated with male infertility in the Yi population of Yunnan Province, China.

PubMed

Ye, Jun-jie; Ma, Li; Yang, Li-juan; Wang, Jin-huan; Wang, Yue-li; Guo, Hai; Gong, Ning; Nie, Wen-hui; Zhao, Shu-hua

2013-09-01

There are many reports on associations between spermatogenesis and partial azoospermia factor c (AZFc) deletions as well as duplications; however, results are conflicting, possibly due to differences in methodology and ethnic background. The purpose of this study is to investigate the association of AZFc polymorphisms and male infertility in the Yi ethnic population, residents within Yunnan Province, China. A total of 224 infertile patients and 153 fertile subjects were selected in the Yi ethnic population. The study was performed by sequence-tagged site plus/minus (STS+/-) analysis followed by gene dosage and gene copy definition analysis. Y haplotypes of 215 cases and 115 controls were defined by 12 binary markers using single nucleotide polymorphism on Y chromosome (Y-SNP) multiplex assays based on single base primer extension technology. The distribution of Y haplotypes was not significantly different between the case and control groups. The frequencies of both gr/gr (7.6% vs. 8.5%) and b2/b3 (6.3% vs. 8.5%) deletions do not show significant differences. Similarly, single nucleotide variant (SNV) analysis shows no significant difference of gene copy definition between the cases and controls. However, the frequency of partial duplications in the infertile group (4.0%) is significantly higher than that in the control group (0.7%). Further, we found a case with sY1206 deletion which had two CDY1 copies but removed half of DAZ genes. Our results show that male infertility is associated with partial AZFc duplications, but neither gr/gr nor b2/b3 deletions, suggesting that partial AZFc duplications rather than deletions are risk factors for male infertility in Chinese-Yi population.

Improving the activity of the subtilisin nattokinase by site-directed mutagenesis and molecular dynamics simulation.

PubMed

Weng, Meizhi; Deng, Xiongwei; Bao, Wei; Zhu, Li; Wu, Jieyuan; Cai, Yongjun; Jia, Yan; Zheng, Zhongliang; Zou, Guolin

2015-09-25

Nattokinase (NK), a bacterial serine protease from Bacillus subtilis var. natto, is a potential cardiovascular drug exhibiting strong fibrinolytic activity. To broaden its commercial and medical applications, we constructed a single-mutant (I31L) and two double-mutants (M222A/I31L and T220S/I31L) by site-directed mutagenesis. Active enzymes were expressed in Escherichia coli with periplasmic secretion and were purified to homogeneity. The kinetic parameters of enzymes were examined by spectroscopy assay and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and their fibrinolytic activities were determined by fibrin plate method. The substitution of Leu(31) for Ile(31) resulted in about 2-fold enhancement of catalytic efficiency (Kcat/KM) compared with wild-type NK. The specific activities of both double-mutants (M222A/I31L and T220S/I31L) were significantly increased when compared with the single-mutants (M222A and T220S) and the oxidative stability of M222A/I31L mutant was enhanced with respect to wild-type NK. This study demonstrates the feasibility of improving activity of NK by site-directed mutagenesis and shows successful protein engineering cases to improve the activity of NK as a potent therapeutic agent. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Site term from single-station sigma analysis of S-waves in western Turkey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akyol, Nihal

2018-05-01

The main aim of this study is to obtain site terms from single-station sigma analysis and to compare them with the site functions resulting from different techniques. The dataset consists of 1764 records from 322 micro- and moderate-size local earthquakes recorded by 29 stations in western Turkey. Median models were derived from S-wave Fourier amplitude spectra for selected 22 frequencies, by utilizing the MLR procedure which performs the maximum likelihood (ML) estimation of mixed models where the fixed effects are treated as random (R) effects with infinite variance. At this stage, b (geometrical spreading coefficient) and Q (quality factor) values were decomposed, simultaneously. The residuals of the median models were examined by utilizing the single-station sigma analysis to obtain the site terms of 29 stations. Sigma for the median models is about 0.422 log10 units and decreases to about 0.308, when the site terms from the single-station sigma analysis were considered (27% reduction). The event-corrected within-event standard deviations for each frequency are rather stable, in the range 0.19-0.23 log10 units with an average value of 0.20 (± 0.01). The site terms from single-station sigma analysis were compared with the site function estimates from the horizontal-to-vertical-spectral-ratio (HVSR) and generalized inversion (INV) techniques by Akyol et al. (2013) and Kurtulmuş and Akyol (2015), respectively. Consistency was observed between the single-station sigma site terms and the INV site transfer functions. The results imply that the single-station sigma analysis could separate the site terms with respect to the median models.

Paraspinal Transposition Flap for Reconstruction of Sacral Soft Tissue Defects: A Series of 53 Cases from a Single Institute

PubMed Central

Chattopadhyay, Debarati; Agarwal, Akhilesh Kumar; Guha, Goutam; Bhattacharya, Nirjhar; Chumbale, Pawan K; Gupta, Souradip; Murmu, Marang Buru

2014-01-01

Study Design Case series. Purpose To describe paraspinal transposition flap for coverage of sacral soft tissue defects. Overview of Literature Soft tissue defects in the sacral region pose a major challenge to the reconstructive surgeon. Goals of sacral wound reconstruction are to provide a durable skin and soft tissue cover adequate for even large sacral defects; minimize recurrence; and minimize donor site morbidity. Various musculocutaneous and fasciocutanous flaps have been described in the literature. Methods The flap was applied in 53 patients with sacral soft tissue defects of diverse etiology. Defects ranged in size from small (6 cm×5 cm) to extensive (21 cm×10 cm). The median age of the patients was 58 years (range, 16-78 years). Results There was no flap necrosis. Primary closure of donor sites was possible in all the cases. The median follow up of the patients was 33 months (range, 4-84 months). The aesthetic outcomes were acceptable. There has been no recurrence of pressure sores. Conclusions The authors conclude that paraspinal transposition flap is suitable for reconstruction of large sacral soft tissue defects with minimum morbidity and excellent long term results. PMID:24967044

Flexible engineering designs for urban water management in Lusaka, Zambia.

PubMed

Tembo, Lucy; Pathirana, Assela; van der Steen, Peter; Zevenbergen, Chris

2015-01-01

Urban water systems are often designed using deterministic single values as design parameters. Subsequently the different design alternatives are compared using a discounted cash flow analysis that assumes that all parameters remain as-predicted for the entire project period. In reality the future is unknown and at best a possible range of values for design parameters can be estimated. A Monte Carlo simulation could then be used to calculate the expected Net Present Value of project alternatives, as well as so-called target curves (cumulative frequency distribution of possible Net Present Values). The same analysis could be done after flexibilities were incorporated in the design, either by using decision rules to decide about the moment of capacity increase, or by buying Real Options (in this case land) to cater for potential capacity increases in the future. This procedure was applied to a sanitation and wastewater treatment case in Lusaka, Zambia. It included various combinations of on-site anaerobic baffled reactors and off-site waste stabilisation ponds. For the case study, it was found that the expected net value of wastewater treatment systems can be increased by 35-60% by designing a small flexible system with Real Options, rather than a large inflexible system.

Methods for Assessment of Species Richness and Occupancy Across Space, Time, Taxonomic Groups, and Ecoregions

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-03-26

logistic constraints and associated travel time between points in the central and western Great Basin. The geographic and temporal breadth of our...surveys (MacKenzie and Royle 2005). In most cases, less time is spent traveling between sites on a given day when the single-day design is implemented...with the single-day design (110 hr). These estimates did not include return- travel time , which did not limit sampling effort. As a result, we could

EPR and optical absorption studies of paramagnetic molecular ion (VO2+) in Lithium Sodium Acid Phthalate single crystal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Subbulakshmi, N.; Kumar, M. Saravana; Sheela, K. Juliet; Krishnan, S. Radha; Shanmugam, V. M.; Subramanian, P.

2017-12-01

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopic studies of VO2+ ions as paramagnetic impurity in Lithium Sodium Acid Phthalate (LiNaP) single crystal have been done at room temperature on X-Band microwave frequency. The lattice parameter values are obtained for the chosen system from Single crystal X-ray diffraction study. Among the number of hyperfine lines in the EPR spectra only two sets are reported from EPR data. The principal values of g and A tensors are evaluated for the two different VO2+ sites I and II. They possess the crystalline field around the VO2+ as orthorhombic. Site II VO2+ ion is identified as substitutional in place of Na1 location and the other site I is identified as interstitial location. For both sites in LiNaP, VO2+ are identified in octahedral coordination with tetragonal distortion as seen from the spin Hamiltonian parameter values. The ground state of vanadyl ion in the LiNaP single crystal is dxy. Using optical absorption data the octahedral and tetragonal parameters are calculated. By correlating EPR and optical data, the molecular orbital bonding parameters have been discussed for both sites.

Insights into regioselective metabolism of mefenamic acid by cytochrome P450 BM3 mutants through crystallography, docking, molecular dynamics, and free energy calculations.

PubMed

Capoferri, Luigi; Leth, Rasmus; ter Haar, Ernst; Mohanty, Arun K; Grootenhuis, Peter D J; Vottero, Eduardo; Commandeur, Jan N M; Vermeulen, Nico P E; Jørgensen, Flemming Steen; Olsen, Lars; Geerke, Daan P

2016-03-01

Cytochrome P450 BM3 (CYP102A1) mutant M11 is able to metabolize a wide range of drugs and drug-like compounds. Among these, M11 was recently found to be able to catalyze formation of human metabolites of mefenamic acid and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Interestingly, single active-site mutations such as V87I were reported to invert regioselectivity in NSAID hydroxylation. In this work, we combine crystallography and molecular simulation to study the effect of single mutations on binding and regioselective metabolism of mefenamic acid by M11 mutants. The heme domain of the protein mutant M11 was expressed, purified, and crystallized, and its X-ray structure was used as template for modeling. A multistep approach was used that combines molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, and binding free-energy calculations to address protein flexibility. In this way, preferred binding modes that are consistent with oxidation at the experimentally observed sites of metabolism (SOMs) were identified. Whereas docking could not be used to retrospectively predict experimental trends in regioselectivity, we were able to rank binding modes in line with the preferred SOMs of mefenamic acid by M11 and its mutants by including protein flexibility and dynamics in free-energy computation. In addition, we could obtain structural insights into the change in regioselectivity of mefenamic acid hydroxylation due to single active-site mutations. Our findings confirm that use of MD and binding free-energy calculation is useful for studying biocatalysis in those cases in which enzyme binding is a critical event in determining the selective metabolism of a substrate. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Comparative Efficacy of Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid and Levofloxacin in the Reduction of Postsurgical Sequelae After Third Molar Surgery: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Clinical Trial in a Nigerian University Teaching Hospital.

PubMed

Ndukwe, Kizito Chioma; Braimah, Ramat Oyebunmi; Owotade, John Foluso; Aregbesola, Stephen Babatunde

2016-01-01

The most common sequelae after surgical removal of mandibular third molar are pain, trismus, swelling, and dysphagia. However, these symptoms can also signal the onset of surgical site infection and alveoli osteitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and levofloxacin and preemptive therapy of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid in the reduction of postinflammatory complications, surgical site infection, and alveolar osteitis following the third molar surgery. A total of 135 patients were randomized into three equal groups: Group A (preemptive therapy of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid) with preoperative dose of 875/125 mg amoxicillin/clavulanic acid followed by 500/125 mg amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 12 hourly for 5 days, Group B (amoxicillin/clavulanic acid prophylaxis) with a single preoperative dose of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 875/125 mg tablets, and Group C (levofloxacin prophylaxis) with a single preoperative dose of levofloxacin 1000 mg tablets. All patients had ostectomy using surgical handpiece and burs and received same analgesics (tabs ibuprofen 400 mg 8 hourly for 3 days). No case of surgical site infection or alveoli osteitis was recorded in the study groups. There were no statistically significant differences between the treatment groups with regard to pain, mouth opening, postoperative facial dimension, and body temperature. Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid as a single preoperative bolus should be adequate for the prevention of postoperative wound infection and alveoli osteitis following the third molar extraction as there is no need for an extension of the antibiotic. Moreover, levofloxacin can be utilized as prophylaxis in patients undergoing mandibular third molar extraction if such patients are allergic to penicillins.

Comparative Efficacy of Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid and Levofloxacin in the Reduction of Postsurgical Sequelae After Third Molar Surgery: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Clinical Trial in a Nigerian University Teaching Hospital

PubMed Central

Ndukwe, Kizito Chioma; Braimah, Ramat Oyebunmi; Owotade, John Foluso; Aregbesola, Stephen Babatunde

2016-01-01

Background: The most common sequelae after surgical removal of mandibular third molar are pain, trismus, swelling, and dysphagia. However, these symptoms can also signal the onset of surgical site infection and alveoli osteitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and levofloxacin and preemptive therapy of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid in the reduction of postinflammatory complications, surgical site infection, and alveolar osteitis following the third molar surgery. Patients and Methods: A total of 135 patients were randomized into three equal groups: Group A (preemptive therapy of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid) with preoperative dose of 875/125 mg amoxicillin/clavulanic acid followed by 500/125 mg amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 12 hourly for 5 days, Group B (amoxicillin/clavulanic acid prophylaxis) with a single preoperative dose of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 875/125 mg tablets, and Group C (levofloxacin prophylaxis) with a single preoperative dose of levofloxacin 1000 mg tablets. All patients had ostectomy using surgical handpiece and burs and received same analgesics (tabs ibuprofen 400 mg 8 hourly for 3 days). Results: No case of surgical site infection or alveoli osteitis was recorded in the study groups. There were no statistically significant differences between the treatment groups with regard to pain, mouth opening, postoperative facial dimension, and body temperature. Conclusion: Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid as a single preoperative bolus should be adequate for the prevention of postoperative wound infection and alveoli osteitis following the third molar extraction as there is no need for an extension of the antibiotic. Moreover, levofloxacin can be utilized as prophylaxis in patients undergoing mandibular third molar extraction if such patients are allergic to penicillins. PMID:27843268

A case of gastrojejunocolic fistula with steatohepatitis.

PubMed

Omori, Teppei; Tokushige, Katsutoshi; Kinoshita, Fukiko; Ito, Ayumi; Taniai, Makiko; Taneichi, Mikiko; Iizuka, Bunei; Itabashi, Michio; Nagashima, Yoji; Yamamoto, Masakazu; Nakamura, Shinichi; Hashimoto, Etsuko

2017-02-01

A man in his 30s, who had undergone retrocolic Billroth II reconstruction for perforated duodenal ulcer, presented with watery diarrhea for 2 years and suspected fatty liver. He was referred to our hospital for management of chronic diarrhea, weight loss, hepatopathy and hypoalbuminemia. Initial upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopies were negative. Since a small bowel lesion was suspected, peroral single-balloon enteroscopy was performed, which identified feces-like residue near the Billroth II anastomotic site and a connection to the colon separate from the afferent and efferent loops. Transanal single-balloon enteroscopy identified a fistula between the gastrojejunal anastomosis and transverse colon, with the scope reaching the stomach transanally. Barium enema confirmed flow of contrast medium from the transverse colon through the fistula to the anastomotic site, allowing the diagnosis of gastrojejunocolic fistula. Liver biopsy showed relatively severe steatohepatitis (Brunt's classification: stage 2-3, grade 3). Resection of the anastomotic site and partial transverse colectomy were performed to remove the fistula, followed by Roux-en-Y reconstruction. Postoperatively, watery diarrhea resolved and the stools became normal. Hepatopathy and hypoproteinemia improved. One year later, liver biopsy showed marked improvement of steatosis. This case demonstrated marked improvement of both diarrhea/nutritional status and steatohepatitis after treatment of gastrojejunocolic fistula, suggesting that the fistula caused non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Quasi-classical expansion of the star-triangle relation and integrable systems on quad-graphs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bazhanov, Vladimir V.; Kels, Andrew P.; Sergeev, Sergey M.

2016-11-01

In this paper we give an overview of exactly solved edge-interaction models, where the spins are placed on sites of a planar lattice and interact through edges connecting the sites. We only consider the case of a single spin degree of freedom at each site of the lattice. The Yang-Baxter equation for such models takes a particular simple form called the star-triangle relation. Interestigly all known solutions of this relation can be obtained as particular cases of a single ‘master solution’, which is expressed through the elliptic gamma function and have continuous spins taking values on the circle. We show that in the low-temperature (or quasi-classical) limit these lattice models reproduce classical discrete integrable systems on planar graphs previously obtained and classified by Adler, Bobenko and Suris through the consistency-around-a-cube approach. We also discuss inversion relations, the physicical meaning of Baxter’s rapidity-independent parameter in the star-triangle relations and the invariance of the action of the classical systems under the star-triangle (or cube-flip) transformation of the lattice, which is a direct consequence of Baxter’s Z-invariance in the associated lattice models. Dedicated to Professor Rodney Baxter on the occasion of his 75th birthday.

Aerosol specification in single-column Community Atmosphere Model version 5

DOE PAGES

Lebassi-Habtezion, B.; Caldwell, P. M.

2015-03-27

Single-column model (SCM) capability is an important tool for general circulation model development. In this study, the SCM mode of version 5 of the Community Atmosphere Model (CAM5) is shown to handle aerosol initialization and advection improperly, resulting in aerosol, cloud-droplet, and ice crystal concentrations which are typically much lower than observed or simulated by CAM5 in global mode. This deficiency has a major impact on stratiform cloud simulations but has little impact on convective case studies because aerosol is currently not used by CAM5 convective schemes and convective cases are typically longer in duration (so initialization is less important).more » By imposing fixed aerosol or cloud-droplet and crystal number concentrations, the aerosol issues described above can be avoided. Sensitivity studies using these idealizations suggest that the Meyers et al. (1992) ice nucleation scheme prevents mixed-phase cloud from existing by producing too many ice crystals. Microphysics is shown to strongly deplete cloud water in stratiform cases, indicating problems with sequential splitting in CAM5 and the need for careful interpretation of output from sequentially split climate models. Droplet concentration in the general circulation model (GCM) version of CAM5 is also shown to be far too low (~ 25 cm −3) at the southern Great Plains (SGP) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) site.« less

Upper Tract Urological Laparoendoscopic Single-Site Surgery (LESS)

PubMed Central

Tugcu, Volkan; Sahin, Selcuk; Seker, Gokhan; Kargi, Taner; Tasci, Ali Ihsan

2015-01-01

Background and Objectives: Our objective is to report intermediate-term outcomes for patients who have undergone upper tract urologic laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) at a single institution. Methods: From January 1, 2008, through November 30, 2012, 107 cases treated with LESS were identified, including pyeloplasty (n = 30), ureterolithotomy (n = 32), nephrectomy (n = 35; simple = 31, partial = 4), and cyst decortication (n = 10). Perioperative data were reviewed, and conversion and complication rates were noted. Results: The median follow-up was 21.5 months for pyeloplasty, 20.5 for ureterolithotomy, 28.0 for simple nephrectomy, 14.0 for partial nephrectomy, and 19.0 for cyst decortication. Major complications were encountered in 8 patients, including 3 intraoperative complications (2 bowel injury with serosal tearing and 1 intraoperative bleeding), which were recognized and repaired with LESS or conversion to conventional laparoscopy (CL). During the intermediate postoperative period (30–90 days) major complications occurred in 5 patients: 4 ureteral strictures (Clavien-Dindo grade [CG] IIIb) and 1 urinoma formation (CG IIIa). During the early postoperative period (<30 days), the most common minor complications were flank pain (CG I) in 16 patients and urinary tract infection (CG II) in 11, followed by urinary leakage (CG I) in 8. Conclusions: Intermediate-term functional outcomes of this single-center study confirm that upper tract LESS is a challenging procedure that can be safe and effective when performed by an experienced team. Prospective studies with longer follow-up periods are needed to investigate the safety of LESS in the treatment of various upper urinary tract conditions. PMID:26648679

Current status and future directions of robotic single-site surgery: a systematic review.

PubMed

Autorino, Riccardo; Kaouk, Jihad H; Stolzenburg, Jens-Uwe; Gill, Inderbir S; Mottrie, Alex; Tewari, Ash; Cadeddu, Jeffrey A

2013-02-01

Despite the increasing interest in laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) worldwide, the actual role of this novel approach in the field of minimally invasive urologic surgery remains to be determined. It has been postulated that robotic technology could be applied to LESS to overcome the current constraints. To summarize and critically analyze the available evidence on the current status and future of robotic applications in single-site surgery. A systematic literature review was performed in April 2011 using PubMed and the Thomson-Reuters Web of Science. In the free-text protocol, the following terms were applied: robotic single site surgery, robotic single port surgery, robotic single incision surgery, and robotic laparoendoscopic single site surgery. Review articles, editorials, commentaries, and letters to the editor were included only if deemed to contain relevant information. In addition, cited references from the selected articles and from review articles retrieved in the search were assessed for significant manuscripts not previously included. The authors selected 55 articles according to the search strategy based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis criteria. The volume of available clinical outcomes of robotic LESS (R-LESS) has considerably grown since the pioneering description of the first successful clinical series of single-port robotic procedures. So far, a cumulative number of roughly 150 robotic urologic LESS cases have been reported by different institutions across the globe with a variety of techniques and port configurations. The feasibility of robot-assisted single-incision colorectal procedures, as well as of many gynecologic procedures, has also been demonstrated. A novel set of single-site instruments specifically dedicated to LESS is now commercially available for use with the da Vinci Si surgical system, and both experimental and clinical use have been reported. However, the current robotic systems were specifically designed for LESS. The ideal robotic platform should have a low external profile, the possibility of being deployed through a single access site, and the possibility of restoring intra-abdominal triangulation while maintaining the maximum degree of freedom for precise maneuvers and strength for reliable traction. Several purpose-built robotic prototypes for single-port surgery are being tested. Significant advances have been achieved in the field of R-LESS since the first reported clinical series in 2009. Given the several advantages offered by current the da Vinci system, it is likely that its adoption in this field will increase. The recent introduction of purpose-built instrumentation is likely to further foster the application of robotics to LESS. However, we are still far from the ideal robotic platform. Significant improvements are needed before this technique might reach widespread adoption beyond selected centers. Further advances in the field of robotic technology are expected to provide the optimal interface to facilitate LESS. Copyright © 2012 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Traffic operational evaluation of traffic impact analysis (TIA) case sites.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2010-09-22

This report summarizes traffic operational evaluation of six select traffic impact analysis (TIA) case sites and the effectiveness of forecasting methods used in TIA studies. Six TIA case sites comprising 15 signalized intersections and 2 unsignalize...

Screening for carcinoma in situ in the contralateral testicle in patients with testicular cancer: a population-based study.

PubMed

Kier, M G G; Lauritsen, J; Almstrup, K; Mortensen, M S; Toft, B G; Rajpert-De Meyts, E; Skakkebaek, N E; Rørth, M; von der Maase, H; Agerbaek, M; Holm, N V; Andersen, K K; Dalton, S O; Johansen, C; Daugaard, G

2015-04-01

Screening programmes for contralateral carcinoma in situ (CIS) testis in patients with unilateral germ-cell cancer (GCC) have never been evaluated. We investigated the effect of screening for contralateral CIS in a large nation-wide, population-based study. A contralateral single-site biopsy was offered to 4130 patients in whom GCC had been diagnosed in 1984-2007 (screened cohort); 462 patients in whom GCC was diagnosed in 1984-1988 comprised the unscreened cohort. Cases with CIS were offered radiotherapy. Initially CIS-negative biopsies in patients with metachronous GCC were revised according to today's standards. Risk for metachronous GCC was estimated using cumulative incidence and the Cox proportional hazards model. In the screened cohort, contralateral CIS was found in 181 (4.4%) patients. The cumulative incidence of metachronous GCC after 20 years was 1.9% in the screened cohort and 3.1% in the unscreened cohort (P = 0.097), hazard ratio (HR) for the unscreened cohort: 1.59 (P = 0.144). Expert revision with contemporary methodology of CIS-negative biopsy samples from patients with metachronous cancer revealed CIS in 17 out of 45 (38%) cases. Decreased risks for metachronous GCC were related to older age at diagnosis (HR 0.52 per 10 years, P < 0.001) and chemotherapy (HR 0.35, P = 0.002). Limitations include the small number of patients in the unscreened cohort and the retrospective study design. Our evaluation of a national population-based screening programme for contralateral CIS in patients with testicular cancer showed no significant difference in the risk for metachronous GCC between a screened and an unscreened cohort. Single-site biopsy including modern immunohistochemistry does not identify all cases of CIS. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society for Medical Oncology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Evaluation of the environmental impact of Brownfield remediation options: comparison of two life cycle assessment-based evaluation tools.

PubMed

Cappuyns, Valérie; Kessen, Bram

2012-01-01

The choice between different options for the remediation of a contaminated site traditionally relies on economical, technical and regulatory criteria without consideration of the environmental impact of the soil remediation process itself. In the present study, the environmental impact assessment of two potential soil remediation techniques (excavation and off-site cleaning and in situ steam extraction) was performed using two life cycle assessment (LCA)-based evaluation tools, namely the REC (risk reduction, environmental merit and cost) method and the ReCiPe method. The comparison and evaluation of the different tools used to estimate the environmental impact of Brownfield remediation was based on a case study which consisted of the remediation of a former oil and fat processing plant. For the environmental impact assessment, both the REC and ReCiPe methods result in a single score for the environmental impact of the soil remediation process and allow the same conclusion to be drawn: excavation and off-site cleaning has a more pronounced environmental impact than in situ soil remediation by means of steam extraction. The ReCiPe method takes into account more impact categories, but is also more complex to work with and needs more input data. Within the routine evaluation of soil remediation alternatives, a detailed LCA evaluation will often be too time consuming and costly and the estimation of the environmental impact with the REC method will in most cases be sufficient. The case study worked out in this paper wants to provide a basis for a more sounded selection of soil remediation technologies based on a more detailed assessment of the secondary impact of soil remediation.

Energetics of lectin-carbohydrate binding. A microcalorimetric investigation of concanavalin A-oligomannoside complexation.

PubMed

Williams, B A; Chervenak, M C; Toone, E J

1992-11-15

Despite years of study, a comprehensive picture of the binding of the lectin from Canavalia ensiformis, concanavalin A, to carbohydrates remains elusive. We report here studies on the interaction of concanavalin A with methyl 3,6-di-O-(alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-alpha-D-mannopyranoside, the minimum carbohydrate epitope that completely fills the oligosaccharide binding site, and the two conceptual disaccharide "halves" of the trisaccharide, methyl 3-O-(alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-alpha-D-mannopyranoside and methyl 6-O-(alpha-D-mannopyranosyl)-alpha-D-mannopyranoside, using titration microcalorimetry. In all cases the interaction of protein and carbohydrate is enthalpically driven, with an unfavorable entropic contribution. The choice of concentration scales has an important impact on both the magnitude and, in some cases, the sign of the entropic component of the free energy of binding. The thermodynamic data suggest binding of the two disaccharides may take place in distinct sites, as opposed to binding in a single high affinity site. In contrast to carbohydrate-antibody binding, delta Cp values were small and negative, pointing to possible differences in the motifs used by the two groups of proteins to bind carbohydrates. The thermodynamic data are interpreted in terms of solvent reorganization. Cooperativity during lectin-carbohydrate binding was also investigated. Significant cooperativity was observed only for binding of the trisaccharide, and gave a Hill plot coefficient of 1.3 for dimeric protein.

Integrated ground-water monitoring strategy for NRC-licensed facilities and sites: Case study applications

USGS Publications Warehouse

Price, V.; Temples, T.; Hodges, R.; Dai, Z.; Watkins, D.; Imrich, J.

2007-01-01

This document discusses results of applying the Integrated Ground-Water Monitoring Strategy (the Strategy) to actual waste sites using existing field characterization and monitoring data. The Strategy is a systematic approach to dealing with complex sites. Application of such a systematic approach will reduce uncertainty associated with site analysis, and therefore uncertainty associated with management decisions about a site. The Strategy can be used to guide the development of a ground-water monitoring program or to review an existing one. The sites selected for study fall within a wide range of geologic and climatic settings, waste compositions, and site design characteristics and represent realistic cases that might be encountered by the NRC. No one case study illustrates a comprehensive application of the Strategy using all available site data. Rather, within each case study we focus on certain aspects of the Strategy, to illustrate concepts that can be applied generically to all sites. The test sites selected include:Charleston, South Carolina, Naval Weapons Station,Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island, New York,The USGS Amargosa Desert Research Site in Nevada,Rocky Flats in Colorado,C-Area at the Savannah River Site in South Carolina, andThe Hanford 300 Area.A Data Analysis section provides examples of detailed data analysis of monitoring data.

Daily Report Card Intervention and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Meta-Analysis of Single-Case Studies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pyle, Kellina; Fabiano, Gregory A.

2017-01-01

The daily report card (DRC) is a commonly employed behavioral intervention for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in schools. Much of the support for the DRC comes from single-case studies, which have traditionally received less attention than group studies. This lack of attention to single-case studies results in an…

Daily Report Card Intervention and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Meta-Analysis of Single-Case Studies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pyle, Kellina K.; Fabiano, Gregory A.

2017-01-01

The Daily Report Card (DRC) is a commonly employed behavioral intervention for treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in schools. Much of the support for the DRC comes from single-case studies, which have traditionally received less attention than group studies. This lack of attention to single-case studies results in an…

Beyond Clinical Case Studies in Psychoanalysis: A Review of Psychoanalytic Empirical Single Case Studies Published in ISI-Ranked Journals.

PubMed

Meganck, Reitske; Inslegers, Ruth; Krivzov, Juri; Notaerts, Liza

2017-01-01

Single case studies are at the origin of both theory development and research in the field of psychoanalysis and psychotherapy. While clinical case studies are the hallmark of psychoanalytic theory and practice, their scientific value has been strongly criticized. To address problems with the subjective bias of retrospective therapist reports and uncontrollability of clinical case studies, systematic approaches to investigate psychotherapy process and outcome at the level of the single case have been developed. Such empirical case studies are also able to bridge the famous gap between academic research and clinical practice as they provide clinically relevant insights into how psychotherapy works. This study presents a review of psychoanalytic empirical case studies published in ISI-ranked journals and maps the characteristics of the study, therapist, patient en therapies that are investigated. Empirical case studies increased in quantity and quality (amount of information and systematization) over time. While future studies could pay more attention to providing contextual information on therapist characteristics and informed consent considerations, the available literature provides a basis to conduct meta-studies of single cases and as such contribute to knowledge aggregation.

Beyond Clinical Case Studies in Psychoanalysis: A Review of Psychoanalytic Empirical Single Case Studies Published in ISI-Ranked Journals

PubMed Central

Meganck, Reitske; Inslegers, Ruth; Krivzov, Juri; Notaerts, Liza

2017-01-01

Single case studies are at the origin of both theory development and research in the field of psychoanalysis and psychotherapy. While clinical case studies are the hallmark of psychoanalytic theory and practice, their scientific value has been strongly criticized. To address problems with the subjective bias of retrospective therapist reports and uncontrollability of clinical case studies, systematic approaches to investigate psychotherapy process and outcome at the level of the single case have been developed. Such empirical case studies are also able to bridge the famous gap between academic research and clinical practice as they provide clinically relevant insights into how psychotherapy works. This study presents a review of psychoanalytic empirical case studies published in ISI-ranked journals and maps the characteristics of the study, therapist, patient en therapies that are investigated. Empirical case studies increased in quantity and quality (amount of information and systematization) over time. While future studies could pay more attention to providing contextual information on therapist characteristics and informed consent considerations, the available literature provides a basis to conduct meta-studies of single cases and as such contribute to knowledge aggregation. PMID:29046660

Structural transformations in (1 -x ) Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-x BaTiO3 single crystals studied by Raman spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de la Flor, G.; Malcherek, T.; Gorfman, S.; Mihailova, B.

2017-12-01

Hard-mode Raman spectroscopy was applied to analyze the temperature-induced transformation processes in perovskite-type (ABO3) single crystals of (1 -x ) Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-x BaTiO3 (NBT-x BT ) in a wide temperature range between 100 and 1010 K and a composition range of x =0 -0.074 across the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB). The results show abundant uncoupled ferroic structural distortions even at 1010 K and coexistence of two types of mesoscopic-scale ferroic order at lower temperatures. Octahedral BO6 tilting is typical of pure NBT, while the incorporation of A-site Ba2 + suppresses the tilting and promotes the off centering of BO6 octahedra. The temperature evolution of the phonon modes clearly reveals the two macroscopically observed critical temperatures Tm and Td as well as, in the case of x ≠0 , two characteristic temperatures T' and T'' preceding the Tm and Td, respectively, which are attributed to mesoscopic-scale antiferroelectric and ferroelectric coupling processes within the A-site-cation subsystem. At x

Lepromatous leprosy treated with combined chemotherapy and immunotherapy (injection BCG): three case reports.

PubMed

Lakshmi, Chembolli; Srinivas, Chakravarthi Rangachari

2014-01-01

Lepromatous leprosy is associated with suppressed cell-mediated immunity (CMI). This results in failure of the body to mount an efficient immune response and may render chemotherapy ineffective. The lack of sufficient response may mimic drug resistance. Three case reports in which the immunity was stimulated by administering Injection BCG are presented. All three patients were initially anergic and showed no reaction at the Mantoux testing site, showing an inability to mount type IV hypersensitivity and characterized by live bacilli in smears. Following 1-4 doses of Injection BCG, all three showed dead bacilli in smears. The first case, a 61-year-old man with lepromatous leprosy who continued to show live bacilli in smears after prolonged chemotherapy, was administered a total of four BCG injections, following which he achieved clearance. The second, a 40-year-old man with borderline lepromatous leprosy and severe type 2 reactions, achieved bacterial clearance and control of severe reactions following a single injection. The third, a 67-year-old man with histoid leprosy, achieved effective bacterial killing with a single dose of Injection BCG. All three patients achieved good results when chemotherapy was combined with Injection BCG. Following Injection BCG, all three showed a reaction at the Mantoux testing site. Suppressed CMI may be responsible for the lack of response in recalcitrant cases of lepromatous leprosy. These case reports would lead to the trend in combination therapy (immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy) for such cases, and help lower the tendency for inappropriate diagnosis of drug-resistant leprosy. © 2013 The International Society of Dermatology.

[Drusen characteristics after internal limiting membrane peeling].

PubMed

Lehmann, F; Jenisch, T; Helbig, H; Gamulescu, M A

2015-05-01

There are some reports showing isolated cases of drusen regression after pars plana vitrectomy (ppV) with peeling of the internal limiting membrane (iLM). Drusen characteristics after iLM peeling was investigated in this study. The data of 527 patients who had received iLM peeling between 2004 and 2012 were retrospectively collected and those patients with retinal drusen were selected for the study. Fundus photographs before and after vitrectomy due to a macular hole or epiretinal gliosis were compared and drusen arrangement in the peeling site was analyzed. The aim of the study was to show whether there was drusen regression 2-5 months after surgery. Out of the 527 patients 11 showed central macular drusen, 4 with confluent large drusen (> 63 µm diameter) and 7 with small hard drusen (≤ 63 µm diameter). One patient showed drusen regression after iLM peeling without any changes in the other eye and all other patients showed no differences in the drusen findings (n = 6) or even some additional drusen (n = 4) without drusen alterations in the other eye. The results of this study could not confirm some reports showing drusen regression after iLM peeling in the peeling site in general and there was only one single case of central drusen regression.

Analytic approximation for random muffin-tin alloys

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

Mills, R.; Gray, L.J.; Kaplan, T.

1983-03-15

The methods introduced in a previous paper under the name of ''traveling-cluster approximation'' (TCA) are applied, in a multiple-scattering approach, to the case of a random muffin-tin substitutional alloy. This permits the iterative part of a self-consistent calculation to be carried out entirely in terms of on-the-energy-shell scattering amplitudes. Off-shell components of the mean resolvent, needed for the calculation of spectral functions, are obtained by standard methods involving single-site scattering wave functions. The single-site TCA is just the usual coherent-potential approximation, expressed in a form particularly suited for iteration. A fixed-point theorem is proved for the general t-matrix TCA, ensuringmore » convergence upon iteration to a unique self-consistent solution with the physically essential Herglotz properties.« less

78 FR 48441 - Office of Urban Indian Health Programs Proposed Single Source Grant With Native American...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-08-08

... outreach and case management, the program has expanded offering to include on-site dental service and... Care: Customer service is the key to quality care. Treating patients well is the first step to improving quality and access. This area also incorporates Best Practices in customer service. Identify...

Theory for electron transfer from a mixed-valence dimer with paramagnetic sites to a mononuclear acceptor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bominaar, E. L.; Achim, C.; Borshch, S. A.

1999-06-01

Polynuclear transition-metal complexes, such as Fe-S clusters, are the prosthetic groups in a large number of metalloproteins and serve as temporary electron storage units in a number of important redox-based biological processes. Polynuclearity distinguishes clusters from mononuclear centers and confers upon them unique properties, such as spin ordering and the presence of thermally accessible excited spin states in clusters with paramagnetic sites, and fractional valencies in clusters of the mixed-valence type. In an earlier study we presented an effective-mode (EM) analysis of electron transfer from a binuclear mixed-valence donor with paramagnetic sites to a mononuclear acceptor which revealed that the cluster-specific attributes have an important impact on the kinetics of long-range electron transfer. In the present study, the validity of these results is tested in the framework of more detailed theories which we have termed the multimode semiclassical (SC) model and the quantum-mechanical (QM) model. It is found that the qualitative trends in the rate constant are the same in all treatments and that the semiclassical models provide a good approximation of the more rigorous quantum-mechanical description of electron transfer under physiologically relevant conditions. In particular, the present results corroborate the importance of electron transfer via excited spin states in reactions with a low driving force and justify the use of semiclassical theory in cases in which the QM model is computationally too demanding. We consider cases in which either one or two donor sites of a dimer are electronically coupled to the acceptor. In the case of multiconnectivity, the rate constant for electron transfer from a valence-delocalized (class-III) donor is nonadditive with respect to transfer from individual metal sites of the donor and undergoes an order-of-magnitude change by reversing the sign of the intradimer metal-metal resonance parameter (β). In the case of single connectivity, the rate constant for electron transfer from a valence-localized (class-II) donor can readily be tuned over several orders of magnitude by introducing differences in the electronic potentials at the two metal sites of the donor. These results indicate that theories of cluster-based electron transfer, in order to be realistic, need to consider both intrinsic electronic structure and extrinsic interactions of the cluster with the protein environment.

Usefulness and pitfalls of MAA SPECT/CT in identifying digestive extrahepatic uptake when planning liver radioembolization.

PubMed

Lenoir, Laurence; Edeline, Julien; Rolland, Yann; Pracht, Marc; Raoul, Jean-Luc; Ardisson, Valérie; Bourguet, Patrick; Clément, Bruno; Boucher, Eveline; Garin, Etienne

2012-05-01

Identifying gastroduodenal uptake of (99m)Tc-macroaggregated albumin (MAA), which is associated with an increased risk of ulcer disease, is a crucial part of the therapeutic management of patients undergoing radioembolization for liver tumours. Given this context, the use of MAA single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT may be essential, but the procedure has still not been thoroughly evaluated. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the effectiveness of MAA SPECT/CT in identifying digestive extrahepatic uptake, while determining potential diagnostic pitfalls. Overall, 139 MAA SPECT/CT scans were performed on 103 patients with different hepatic tumour types. Patients were followed up for at least 6 months according to standard requirements. Digestive, or digestive-like, uptake other than free pertechnetate was identified in 5.7% of cases using planar imaging and in 36.6% of cases using SPECT/CT. Uptake sites identified by SPECT/CT included the gastroduodenal region (3.6%), gall bladder (12.2%), portal vein thrombosis (6.5%), hepatic artery (6.5%), coil embolization site (2.1%) as well as falciform artery (5.0%). For 2.1% of explorations, a coregistration error between SPECT and CT imaging could have led to a false diagnosis by erroneously attributing an uptake site to the stomach or gall bladder, when the uptake actually occurred in the liver. SPECT/CT is more efficacious than planar imaging in identifying digestive extrahepatic uptake sites, with extrahepatic uptake observed in one third of scans using the former procedure. However, more than half of the uptake sites in our study were vascular in nature, without therapeutic implications. The risk of coregistration errors must also be kept in mind.

Dry Socket: Frequency, Clinical Picture, and Risk Factors in a Palestinian Dental Teaching Center

PubMed Central

Abu Younis, Mohammed H; Abu Hantash, Ra'ed O

2011-01-01

Aims: The objectives of this study were to find out the frequency, clinical picture, and risk factors of dry socket at the Dental Teaching Center of Al-Quds University in Palestine. Methods and Materials: Two previously used questionnaires were accomplished in this study over a one year period. The first questionnaire was completed for every patient who had one or more permanent teeth extracted in the Dental Surgery Clinic. The other one was completed for every patient suffered a postoperative pain and was diagnosed with dry socket. Results: There were 1305 dental extractions performed in 805 patients. The overall frequency of dry socket was 3.2%. The incidence of dry socket following non-surgical extractions was 1.7% while it was 15% following surgical extractions (P< 0.005). The incidence of dry socket was significantly higher in smokers (12%) than in non-smokers (4%) (P < 0.005), however, there is a strong association between the amount of smoking and the incidence of dry socket (P < 0.002). The incidence of dry socket was significantly higher in the single extraction cases (13%) than in the multiple extraction cases (5%) (P = 0.005). Age, sex, medical history, extraction site, amount of local anesthesia and experience of operator play no role in the occurrence of dry socket. Conclusion: Smoking, surgical trauma and single extractions are considered predisposing factors in the occurrence of dry socket. On the other hand, factors like: age, sex, medical history, extraction site, amount of anesthesia, and operator experience have no effect on the observation of dry socket. PMID:21559187

Meta-analysis of shared genetic architecture across ten pediatric autoimmune diseases

PubMed Central

Li, Yun R; Li, Jin; Zhao, Sihai D; Bradfield, Jonathan P; Mentch, Frank D; Maggadottir, S Melkorka; Hou, Cuiping; Abrams, Debra J; Chang, Diana; Gao, Feng; Guo, Yiran; Wei, Zhi; Connolly, John J; Cardinale, Christopher J; Bakay, Marina; Glessner, Joseph T; Li, Dong; Kao, Charlly; Thomas, Kelly A; Qiu, Haijun; Chiavacci, Rosetta M; Kim, Cecilia E; Wang, Fengxiang; Snyder, James; Richie, Marylyn D; Flatø, Berit; Førre, Øystein; Denson, Lee A; Thompson, Susan D; Becker, Mara L; Guthery, Stephen L; Latiano, Anna; Perez, Elena; Resnick, Elena; Russell, Richard K; Wilson, David C; Silverberg, Mark S; Annese, Vito; Lie, Benedicte A; Punaro, Marilynn; Dubinsky, Marla C; Monos, Dimitri S; Strisciuglio, Caterina; Staiano, Annamaria; Miele, Erasmo; Kugathasan, Subra; Ellis, Justine A; Munro, Jane E; Sullivan, Kathleen E; Wise, Carol A; Chapel, Helen; Cunningham-Rundles, Charlotte; Grant, Struan F A; Orange, Jordan S; Sleiman, Patrick M A; Behrens, Edward M; Griffiths, Anne M; Satsangi, Jack; Finkel, Terri H; Keinan, Alon; Prak, Eline T Luning; Polychronakos, Constantin; Baldassano, Robert N; Li, Hongzhe; Keating, Brendan J; Hakonarson, Hakon

2016-01-01

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified hundreds of susceptibility genes, including shared associations across clinically distinct autoimmune diseases. We performed an inverse χ2 meta-analysis across ten pediatric-age-of-onset autoimmune diseases (pAIDs) in a case-control study including more than 6,035 cases and 10,718 shared population-based controls. We identified 27 genome-wide significant loci associated with one or more pAIDs, mapping to in silico–replicated autoimmune-associated genes (including IL2RA) and new candidate loci with established immunoregulatory functions such as ADGRL2, TENM3, ANKRD30A, ADCY7 and CD40LG. The pAID-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were functionally enriched for deoxyribonuclease (DNase)-hypersensitivity sites, expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs), microRNA (miRNA)-binding sites and coding variants. We also identified biologically correlated, pAID-associated candidate gene sets on the basis of immune cell expression profiling and found evidence of genetic sharing. Network and protein-interaction analyses demonstrated converging roles for the signaling pathways of type 1, 2 and 17 helper T cells (TH1, TH2 and TH17), JAK-STAT, interferon and interleukin in multiple autoimmune diseases. PMID:26301688

Institutional prescreening for detection and eradication of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in patients undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery.

PubMed

Kim, David H; Spencer, Maureen; Davidson, Susan M; Li, Ling; Shaw, Jeremy D; Gulczynski, Diane; Hunter, David J; Martha, Juli F; Miley, Gerald B; Parazin, Stephen J; Dejoie, Pamela; Richmond, John C

2010-08-04

Surgical site infection has been identified as one of the most important preventable sources of morbidity and mortality associated with medical treatment. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of an institutional prescreening program for the preoperative detection and eradication of both methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus in patients undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery. Data were collected prospectively during a single-center study. A universal prescreening program, employing rapid polymerase chain reaction analysis of nasal swabs followed by an eradication protocol of intranasal mupirocin and chlorhexidine showers for identified carriers, was implemented. Surgical site infection rates were calculated and compared with a historical control period immediately preceding the start of the screening program. During the study period, 7019 of 7338 patients underwent preoperative screening before elective surgery, for a successful screening rate of 95.7%. One thousand five hundred and eighty-eight (22.6%) of the patients were identified as Staphylococcus aureus carriers, and 309 (4.4%) were identified as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carriers. A significantly higher rate of surgical site infection was observed among methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carriers (0.97%; three of 309) compared with noncarriers (0.14%; seven of 5122) (p = 0.0162). Although a higher rate of surgical site infection was also observed among methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus carriers (0.19%; three of 1588) compared with noncarriers, this difference did not achieve significance (p = 0.709). Overall, thirteen cases of surgical site infection were identified during the study period, for an institutional infection rate of 0.19%. This rate was significantly lower than that observed during the control period (0.45%; twenty-four cases of surgical site infection among 5293 patients) (p = 0.0093). Implementation of an institution-wide prescreening program for the identification and eradication of methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus carrier status among patients undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery is feasible and can lead to significant reductions in postoperative rates of surgical site infection. Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

[A case of diprosopus in the cat].

PubMed

Aharon, D C; Wouda, W; van Weelden, E

1986-06-15

A case of diprosopus in a spontaneously delivered live-born kitten is reported. All facial components were completely duplicated. Fusion of the skulls had occurred in the temporal region; a single ear was present at the site of fusion. Additional defects were a cleft lip in one face and cleft palates in both faces. The cerebral hemispheres and arterior portions of the brain stem were completely duplicated, whereas the cerebellum and caudal brain stem were partially duplicated. The pathogenesis and aetiology are discussed. It is believed that disprosopus originates during the (pre)gastrulation stage of embryonic development, either by coalescence of two embryonic fields following a double process of gastrulation or by bifurcation of the axial mesoderm during a single gastrulation.

Future Interagency Range and Spaceport Technologies (FIRST) Formulation Products: 1. Transformational Spaceport and Range Concept of Operations. 2. F.I.R.S.T. Business Case Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2005-01-01

The Baseline Report captures range and spaceport capabilities at five sites: KSC, CCAFS, VAFB, Wallops, and Kodiak. The Baseline depicts a future state that relies on existing technology, planned upgrades, and straight-line recapitalization at these sites projected through 2030. The report presents an inventory of current spaceport and range capabilities at these five sites. The baseline is the first part of analyzing a business case for a set of capabilities designed to transform U.S. ground and space launch operations toward a single, integrated national "system" of space transportation systems. The second part of the business case compares current capabilities with technologies needed to support the integrated national "system". The final part, a return on investment analysis, identifies the technologies that best lead to the integrated national system and reduce recurring costs..Numerous data sources were used to define and describe the baseline spaceport and range by identifying major systems and elements and describing capabilities, limitations, and capabilities

Predicting lymphatic filariasis transmission and elimination dynamics using a multi-model ensemble framework.

PubMed

Smith, Morgan E; Singh, Brajendra K; Irvine, Michael A; Stolk, Wilma A; Subramanian, Swaminathan; Hollingsworth, T Déirdre; Michael, Edwin

2017-03-01

Mathematical models of parasite transmission provide powerful tools for assessing the impacts of interventions. Owing to complexity and uncertainty, no single model may capture all features of transmission and elimination dynamics. Multi-model ensemble modelling offers a framework to help overcome biases of single models. We report on the development of a first multi-model ensemble of three lymphatic filariasis (LF) models (EPIFIL, LYMFASIM, and TRANSFIL), and evaluate its predictive performance in comparison with that of the constituents using calibration and validation data from three case study sites, one each from the three major LF endemic regions: Africa, Southeast Asia and Papua New Guinea (PNG). We assessed the performance of the respective models for predicting the outcomes of annual MDA strategies for various baseline scenarios thought to exemplify the current endemic conditions in the three regions. The results show that the constructed multi-model ensemble outperformed the single models when evaluated across all sites. Single models that best fitted calibration data tended to do less well in simulating the out-of-sample, or validation, intervention data. Scenario modelling results demonstrate that the multi-model ensemble is able to compensate for variance between single models in order to produce more plausible predictions of intervention impacts. Our results highlight the value of an ensemble approach to modelling parasite control dynamics. However, its optimal use will require further methodological improvements as well as consideration of the organizational mechanisms required to ensure that modelling results and data are shared effectively between all stakeholders. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[Municipal landfill site in Krzyz near Tarnów as source of microbiological factors harmful to environment and human health].

PubMed

Fraczek, Krzysztof; Barabasz, Wiesław

2004-01-01

The present study aimed to evaluate microbiological pollution of air with microorganisms belonging to different taxonomic and physiological groups, and to examine whether the effect of the municipal landfill site in Krzyz changes at various study sites located: in so called "zero zone" (operating landfill), at different distances from the landfill and in Tarnów. Microbiological studies of atmospheric air were carried out from May 1998 to April 2001. Measurements were taken at 10 study sites located at the operating municipal landfill site in Krzyz, inside and outside of its protection zone. Microbial air pollution standard (PN-89/Z-04111/02 and PN-89/Z-04111/03) were used to evaluate the impact of municipal landfill site on the atmospheric environment. The standards were most often exceeded by hemolytic bacteria, (277 cases out of 360 measurements) i.e. 76.9%, and Actinomycetes (213 cases out of 360 measurements) i.e 59.1%, while by fungi (26 cases out of 360 measurements) i.e 7.2% and bacteria (42 cases out of 360 measurements) i.e 11.6% in a lesser degree. The standards were most often exceeded in operating land fill site sector, at the gateway to the land fill site and in partially reclaimed sector. Fewest cases of standard exceedance were recorded in control site (located outside the landfill site), near built-up area and before the entrance to the land fill site.

The increasing incidence of paranasal organizing hematoma: a 20-year experience of 23 cases at a single center.

PubMed

Kim, Jong Seung; Oh, Jong Seok; Kwon, Sam Hyun

2016-06-01

Sinonasal organized hematoma is a rare, benign disease that can be locally aggressive and may be mistaken for malignancy. Because of its rarity, the clinical characteristics are not well known. The aim of this study is to investigate the distinguishing features of organized hematoma with an emphasis on incidence change. In this retrospective study, we reviewed the records of 23 patients with organized hematoma confirmed histopathologically among 5,378 patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery performed by a single surgeon from January 1995 to December 2014 at a tertiary care center. Clinical symptoms, endoscopic photography, computed tomography, and operative findings were reviewed. We also reviewed the relevant literature. Age, sex, site, origin subsite and histopathology were investigated. A statistical review was performed using R 3.1.2 to examine incidence change. The most common complaint was frequent epistaxis and nasal obstruction (52.1%). Of the 23 patients, eight were women and 15 were men with an age range of 18 to 75 years. (mean 38.9 years). Nine of these hematomas occurred on the right side and 14 on the left side. The predominant occurrence site was the antrum (65%), followed by the septum (17.3%), inferior turbinate (8%), and ethmoid sinus (8%). The incidence steadily increased over 20 years. Investigation of the clinical characteristics and incidence change of organized hematoma can provide useful information. Through analysis of the 23 cases in our study, the age distribution was found to be bimodal and the incidence of organizing hematoma was observed to steadily increase. Clinicians should be aware of these characteristics to avoid misdiagnoses of malignant tumors.

Localized scleroderma: a clinical study at a single center in Korea.

PubMed

Noh, Jung Won; Kim, Jinseok; Kim, Jae-Wang

2013-08-01

Localized scleroderma (morphea) is a rare autoimmune disease limited to the skin, characterized by cutaneous fibrosing and obstructive vasculopathy. Localized scleroderma may invade into the subcutaneous fat layer and cause permanent functional disability. Because of its rarity, there have been few clinical surveys of patients with localized scleroderma in Korea. The aim of this study was to elucidate the clinical presentation, serological data, and clinical outcomes of localized scleroderma. This was a retrospective survey conducted by reviewing available medical records during a 7 year-period from 2004 to 2010 in a single medical center in Jeju Island, South Korea. In total 43 patients with localized scleroderma were included. Localized scleroderma occurred primarily in females (female to male ratio 2.6 : 1.0). Most patients were between 10 and 29 years of age and the mean age at diagnosis was 26.2 years. Plaque (51.2%) and linear morphea (37.2%) were most common. No case was associated with systemic scleroderma (systemic sclerosis). The most common site of plaque morphea was the trunk (47.8%). In the linear type, the most common site was head-neck (52.9%). Fluorescent antinuclear antibody was positive in 23.3% of all cases. Treatment included systemic corticosteroids, colchicine, anti-malarial agents, D-penicillamine or intralesional triamcinolone injection. Clinical improvement, including significant and partial response, was seen in only 62.8% of treated patients. Localized scleroderma is a chronic inflammatory condition confined to the skin. In order to exclude other conditions, thorough history taking, physical examination, serologic studies and histopathologic examinations should be conducted. © 2013 Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

High-risk human papillomavirus infection involving multiple anatomic sites of the female lower genital tract: a multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction-based study.

PubMed

Hui, Yiang; Manna, Pradip; Ou, Joyce J; Kerley, Spencer; Zhang, Cunxian; Sung, C James; Lawrence, W Dwayne; Quddus, M Ruhul

2015-09-01

High-risk human papillomavirus infection usually is seen at one anatomic site in an individual. Rarely, infection at multiple anatomic sites of the female lower genital tract in the same individual is encountered either simultaneously and/or at a later date. The current study identifies the various subtypes of high-risk human papillomavirus infection in these scenarios and analyzes the potential significance of these findings. High-risk human papillomavirus infection involving 22 anatomic sites from 7 individuals was identified after institutional review board approval. Residual paraffin-embedded tissue samples were retrieved, and all 15 high-risk human papillomavirus were identified and viral load quantified using multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction-based method. Multiple high-risk human papillomavirus subtypes were identified in 32% of the samples and as many as 5 different subtypes of high-risk human papillomavirus infection in a single anatomic site. In general, each anatomic site has unique combination of viral subtypes, although one individual showed overlapping subtypes in the vagina, cervix, and vulvar samples. Higher viral load and rare subtypes are more frequent in younger patients and in dysplasia compared with carcinoma. Follow-up ranging from 3 to 84 months revealed persistent high-risk human papillomavirus infection in 60% of cases. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Intra-operative multi-site stimulation: Expanding methodology for cortical brain mapping of language functions

PubMed Central

Korn, Akiva; Kirschner, Adi; Perry, Daniella; Hendler, Talma; Ram, Zvi

2017-01-01

Direct cortical stimulation (DCS) is considered the gold-standard for functional cortical mapping during awake surgery for brain tumor resection. DCS is performed by stimulating one local cortical area at a time. We present a feasibility study using an intra-operative technique aimed at improving our ability to map brain functions which rely on activity in distributed cortical regions. Following standard DCS, Multi-Site Stimulation (MSS) was performed in 15 patients by applying simultaneous cortical stimulations at multiple locations. Language functioning was chosen as a case-cognitive domain due to its relatively well-known cortical organization. MSS, performed at sites that did not produce disruption when applied in a single stimulation point, revealed additional language dysfunction in 73% of the patients. Functional regions identified by this technique were presumed to be significant to language circuitry and were spared during surgery. No new neurological deficits were observed in any of the patients following surgery. Though the neuro-electrical effects of MSS need further investigation, this feasibility study may provide a first step towards sophistication of intra-operative cortical mapping. PMID:28700619

Intra-operative multi-site stimulation: Expanding methodology for cortical brain mapping of language functions.

PubMed

Gonen, Tal; Gazit, Tomer; Korn, Akiva; Kirschner, Adi; Perry, Daniella; Hendler, Talma; Ram, Zvi

2017-01-01

Direct cortical stimulation (DCS) is considered the gold-standard for functional cortical mapping during awake surgery for brain tumor resection. DCS is performed by stimulating one local cortical area at a time. We present a feasibility study using an intra-operative technique aimed at improving our ability to map brain functions which rely on activity in distributed cortical regions. Following standard DCS, Multi-Site Stimulation (MSS) was performed in 15 patients by applying simultaneous cortical stimulations at multiple locations. Language functioning was chosen as a case-cognitive domain due to its relatively well-known cortical organization. MSS, performed at sites that did not produce disruption when applied in a single stimulation point, revealed additional language dysfunction in 73% of the patients. Functional regions identified by this technique were presumed to be significant to language circuitry and were spared during surgery. No new neurological deficits were observed in any of the patients following surgery. Though the neuro-electrical effects of MSS need further investigation, this feasibility study may provide a first step towards sophistication of intra-operative cortical mapping.

Use of skin stretchers for single-stage bilateral mastectomies in a dog and a cat.

PubMed

Miyazaki, Yuta; Aikawa, Takeshi; Shimatsu, Taichi; Nishimura, Masaaki; Sadahiro, Shigeo

2018-04-01

To describe the application of skin stretchers for closure of single-stage bilateral mastectomies in a dog and a cat. Clinical case report. A 12-year-old intact female Miniature Dachshund and a 13-year-old spayed female domestic short-hair cat. Skin stretchers were applied to the site of the skin adjacent to mammary glands for 2-4 days before surgery. Cable tension was adjusted every 6-8 hours to elongate the skin and to achieve primary closure of single-stage bilateral mastectomy without tension. Wound closure after single-stage bilateral mastectomy was achieved without tension or major complication in both animals. Use of skin stretchers allows primary closure of single-stage bilateral mastectomy in dogs and cats. © 2017 The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Probing the target search of DNA-binding proteins in mammalian cells using TetR as model searcher

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Normanno, Davide; Boudarène, Lydia; Dugast-Darzacq, Claire; Chen, Jiji; Richter, Christian; Proux, Florence; Bénichou, Olivier; Voituriez, Raphaël; Darzacq, Xavier; Dahan, Maxime

2015-07-01

Many cellular functions rely on DNA-binding proteins finding and associating to specific sites in the genome. Yet the mechanisms underlying the target search remain poorly understood, especially in the case of the highly organized mammalian cell nucleus. Using as a model Tet repressors (TetRs) searching for a multi-array locus, we quantitatively analyse the search process in human cells with single-molecule tracking and single-cell protein-DNA association measurements. We find that TetRs explore the nucleus and reach their target by 3D diffusion interspersed with transient interactions with non-cognate sites, consistent with the facilitated diffusion model. Remarkably, nonspecific binding times are broadly distributed, underlining a lack of clear delimitation between specific and nonspecific interactions. However, the search kinetics is not determined by diffusive transport but by the low association rate to nonspecific sites. Altogether, our results provide a comprehensive view of the recruitment dynamics of proteins at specific loci in mammalian cells.

Outbreak of Neisseria meningitidis C in workers at a large food-processing plant in Brazil: challenges of controlling disease spread to the larger community.

PubMed

Iser, B P M; Lima, H C A V; de Moraes, C; de Almeida, R P A; Watanabe, L T; Alves, S L A; Lemos, A P S; Gorla, M C O; Gonçalves, M G; Dos Santos, D A; Sobel, J

2012-05-01

SUMMARYAn outbreak of meningococcal disease (MD) with severe morbidity and mortality was investigated in midwestern Brazil in order to identify control measures. A MD case was defined as isolation of Neisseria meningitidis, or detection of polysaccharide antigen in a sterile site, or presence of clinical purpura fulminans, or an epidemiological link with a laboratory-confirmed case-patient, between June and August 2008. In 8 out of 16 MD cases studied, serogroup C ST103 complex was identified. Five (31%) cases had neurological findings and five (31%) died. The attack rate was 12 cases/100 000 town residents and 60 cases/100 000 employees in a large local food-processing plant. We conducted a matched case-control study of eight primary laboratory-confirmed cases (1:4). Factors associated with illness in single variable analysis were work at the processing plant [matched odds ratio (mOR) 22, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2·3-207·7, P<0·01], and residing <1 year in Rio Verde (mOR 7, 95% CI 1·11-43·9, P<0·02). Mass vaccination (>10 000 plant employees) stopped propagation in the plant, but not in the larger community.

What factors determine the severity of hepatitis A-related acute liver failure?

PubMed

Ajmera, V; Xia, G; Vaughan, G; Forbi, J C; Ganova-Raeva, L M; Khudyakov, Y; Opio, C K; Taylor, R; Restrepo, R; Munoz, S; Fontana, R J; Lee, W M

2011-07-01

The reason(s) that hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection may progress infrequently to acute liver failure are poorly understood. We examined host and viral factors in 29 consecutive adult patients with HAV-associated acute liver failure enrolled at 10 sites participating in the US ALF Study Group. Eighteen of twenty-four acute liver failure sera were PCR positive while six had no detectable virus. HAV genotype was determined using phylogenetic analysis and the full-length genome sequences of the HAV from a cute liver failure sera were compared to those from self-limited acute HAV cases selected from the CDC database. We found that rates of nucleotide substitution did not vary significantly between the liver failure and non-liver failure cases and there was no significant variation in amino acid sequences between the two groups. Four of 18 HAV isolates were sub-genotype IB, acquired from the same study site over a 3.5-year period. Sub-genotype IB was found more frequently among acute liver failure cases compared to the non-liver failure cases (chi-square test, P < 0.01). At another centre, a mother and her son presented with HAV and liver failure within 1 month of each other. Predictors of spontaneous survival included detectable serum HAV RNA, while age, gender, HAV genotype and nucleotide substitutions were not associated with outcome. The more frequent appearance of rapid viral clearance and its association with poor outcomes in acute liver failure as well as the finding of familial cases imply a possible host genetic predisposition that contributes to a fulminant course. Recurrent cases of the rare sub-genotype IB over several years at a single centre imply a community reservoir of infection and possible increased pathogenicity of certain infrequent viral genotypes. © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

What factors determine the severity of hepatitis A-related acute liver failure?

PubMed Central

Ajmera, V.; Xia, G.; Vaughan, G.; Forbi, J. C.; Ganova-Raeva, L. M.; Khudyakov, Y.; Opio, C. K.; Taylor, R.; Restrepo, R.; Munoz, S.; Fontana, R. J.; Lee, W. M.

2016-01-01

SUMMARY The reason(s) that hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection may progress infrequently to acute liver failure are poorly understood. We examined host and viral factors in 29 consecutive adult patients with HAV-associated acute liver failure enrolled at 10 sites participating in the US ALF Study Group. Eighteen of twenty-four acute liver failure sera were PCR positive while six had no detectable virus. HAV genotype was determined using phylogenetic analysis and the full-length genome sequences of the HAV from a cute liver failure sera were compared to those from self-limited acute HAV cases selected from the CDC database. We found that rates of nucleotide substitution did not vary significantly between the liver failure and non-liver failure cases and there was no significant variation in amino acid sequences between the two groups. Four of 18 HAV isolates were subgenotype IB, acquired from the same study site over a 3.5-year period. Sub-genotype IB was found more frequently among acute liver failure cases compared to the non-liver failure cases (chi-square test, P < 0.01). At another centre, a mother and her son presented with HAV and liver failure within 1 month of each other. Predictors of spontaneous survival included detectable serum HAV RNA, while age, gender, HAV genotype and nucleotide substitutions were not associated with outcome. The more frequent appearance of rapid viral clearance and its association with poor outcomes in acute liver failure as well as the finding of familial cases imply a possible host genetic predisposition that contributes to a fulminant course. Recurrent cases of the rare subgenotype IB over several years at a single centre imply a community reservoir of infection and possible increased pathogenicity of certain infrequent viral genotypes. PMID:21143345

Comparing Single Case Design Overlap-Based Effect Size Metrics from Studies Examining Speech Generating Device Interventions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Mo; Hyppa-Martin, Jolene K.; Reichle, Joe E.; Symons, Frank J.

2016-01-01

Meaningfully synthesizing single case experimental data from intervention studies comprised of individuals with low incidence conditions and generating effect size estimates remains challenging. Seven effect size metrics were compared for single case design (SCD) data focused on teaching speech generating device use to individuals with…

Prophylaxis versus pre-emptive antibiotics in third molar surgery: a randomised control study.

PubMed

Olusanya, A A; Arotiba, J T; Fasola, O A; Akadiri, A O

2011-06-01

This study was carried out to compare the efficacy of preoperative single bolus antibiotics with a 5 day- postoperative antibiotic regimen in reducing pain, swelling, and trismus, surgical site infection (SSI) and alveolar osteitis (AO) after third molar surgery. A randomised experiment was done involving eighty-four patients. The patients were divided into two groups consisting of 42 patients each. A preoperative group was given an oral bolus of 2g amoxycillin capsules and 1g metronidazole tablets one hour before extraction, while those in the postoperative group were given a five-day regimen oral 500mg amoxycillin capsules thrice daily and 400mg metronidazole tablets thrice daily. The occurrence of postoperative pain, swelling, trismus, SSI and AO were compared between the groups. Seventy-nine patients completed the study; 38 patients in the preoperative group and 41 patients in the postoperative group. There was no difference between the groups in respect of the inflammatory complications. The four cases of AO occurred in the preoperative group. Single bolus antibiotic prophylaxis should be adequate for most cases of third molar surgery as the degree of degree of postoperative pain, swelling and trismus was similar in both groups. The use of single bolus antibiotic prophylaxis would also help reduce the cost of treatment in developing countries as well as reduce the risk of development of resistant strains. However, a five-day postoperative antibiotic regimen is advised in patient with risk factors for AO.

Site-specific N-glycosylation analysis: matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization quadrupole-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectral signatures for recognition and identification of glycopeptides.

PubMed

Krokhin, Oleg; Ens, Werner; Standing, Kenneth G; Wilkins, John; Perreault, Hélène

2004-01-01

The identification of glycosylation sites in proteins is often possible through a combination of proteolytic digestion, separation, mass spectrometry (MS) and tandem MS (MS/MS). Liquid chromatography (LC) in combination with MS/MS has been a reliable method for detecting glycopeptides in digestion mixtures, and for assigning glycosylation sites and glycopeptide sequences. Direct interfacing of LC with MS relies on electrospray ionization, which produces ions with two, three or four charges for most proteolytic peptides and glycopeptides. MS/MS spectra of such glycopeptide ions often lead to ambiguous interpretation if deconvolution to the singly charged level is not used. In contrast, the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) technique usually produces singly charged peptide and glycopeptide ions. These ions require an extended m/z range, as provided by the quadrupole-quadrupole time-of-flight (QqTOF) instrument used in these experiments, but the main advantages of studying singly charged ions are the simplicity and consistency of the MS/MS spectra. A first aim of the present study is to develop methods to recognize and use glycopeptide [M+H]+ ions as precursors for MS/MS, and thus for glycopeptide/glycoprotein identification as part of wider proteomics studies. Secondly, this article aims at demonstrating the usefulness of MALDI-MS/MS spectra of N-glycopeptides. Mixtures of diverse types of proteins, obtained commercially, were prepared and subjected to reduction, alkylation and tryptic digestion. Micro-column reversed-phase separation allowed deposition of several fractions on MALDI plates, followed by MS and MS/MS analysis of all peptides. Glycopeptide fractions were identified after MS by their specific m/z spacing patterns (162, 203, 291 u) between glycoforms, and then analyzed by MS/MS. In most cases, MS/MS spectra of [M+H]+ ions of glycopeptides featured peaks useful for determining sugar composition, peptide sequence, and thus probable glycosylation site. Peptide-related product ions could be used in database search procedures and allowed the identification of the glycoproteins. Copyright 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Exposure to benzene in a pooled analysis of petroleum industry case-control studies.

PubMed

Glass, D C; Schnatter, A R; Tang, G; Armstrong, T W; Rushton, L

2017-11-01

Cases of lymphohematopoietic cancer from three petroleum industry cohorts, matched to controls from the respective cohort, were pooled into single study. Average benzene exposure was quantitatively estimated in ppm for each job based on measured data from the relevant country, adjusted for the specific time period, site and job exposure characteristics and the certainty of the exposure estimate scored. The probability of dermal exposure and of peak exposure was also assessed. Before risk was examined, an exposure estimate comparison and rationalisation exercise was performed across the studies to ensure accuracy and consistency of approach. This article evaluates the final exposure estimates and their use in the risk assessments. Overall benzene exposure estimates were low: 90% of participants accumulated less than 20 ppm-years. Mean cumulative exposure was estimated as 5.15 ppm-years, mean duration was 22 years, and mean exposure intensity was 0.2 ppm. 46% of participants were allocated a peak exposure (>3 ppm at least weekly). 40% of participants had a high probability of dermal exposure (based on the relative probability of at least weekly exposure). There were differences in mean intensity of exposure, probability of peak, and/or dermal exposure associated with job category, job site, and decade of exposure. Terminal Operators handling benzene-containing products were the most highly exposed group, followed by Tanker Drivers carrying gasoline. Exposures were higher around 1940-1950 and lower in more recent decades. Overall confidence in the exposure estimates was highest for recently held jobs and for white-collar jobs. We used sensitivity analyses, which included and excluded case-sets on the basis of exposure certainty scores, to inform the risk assessment. The above analyses demonstrated that the different patterns of exposure across the three studies are largely attributable to differences in jobs, site types, and time frames rather than study. This provides reassurance that the previous rationalisation of exposures achieved inter-study consistency and that the data could be confidently pooled.

Intraseptal vs. periodontal ligament anaesthesia for maxillary tooth extraction: quality of local anaesthesia and haemodynamic response.

PubMed

Brkovic, Bozidar M B; Savic, Miroslav; Andric, Miroslav; Jurisic, Milan; Todorovic, Ljubomir

2010-12-01

There is no data concerning the use of the intraseptal anaesthesia (ISA) for single tooth extraction. The aims of this study were to compare the clinical efficacy and haemodynamic responses of the ISA with the periodontal ligament anaesthesia (PLA) for single tooth extraction. Thirty-five randomly selected healthy patients (ASA I) undergoing maxillary lateral incisors extraction entered the study. Onset of anaesthesia, the width of the anaesthetic field and duration of anaesthesia were recorded by pinprick testing. Intensity of anaesthesia was evaluated on a visual analogue scale. Haemodynamic parameters were recorded simultaneously at different time points after anaesthesia injection. The two techniques of local anaesthesia did not show statistically significant differences regarding the success rate and onset of anaesthesia, while the duration of the ISA on the buccal site was significantly longer in comparison with the PLA. The intensity of the achieved anaesthesia, estimated by the experienced pain during procedure, pointed out that pain was recorded in 24% of cases in the ISA group, and in 19% in the PLA group without significant differences. Postoperative pain was found to be smaller in the ISA group (70.9% of treated sites) than in the PLA group (81.3% of treated sites); however, this difference was not significant. Although the heart rate increased in both groups, there were no significant differences in the patients' haemodynamic response between the ISA and the PLA. The results of the present study indicate that both techniques are useful and suitable for the routine tooth extraction.

Subepidermal moisture surrounding pressure ulcers in persons with a spinal cord injury: A pilot study

PubMed Central

Harrow, Jeffrey John; Mayrovitz, Harvey N.

2014-01-01

Objective Characterization of a non-invasive method of quantifying subepidermal moisture (SEM) surrounding stages III and IV pressure ulcers (PrUs) in spinal cord injury (SCI). Design Prospective, single-visit, single-rater, observational study, using repeated-measures analysis. Method Setting-inpatient units of one VA SCI Center. Participants Convenience sample of 16 subjects with SCI with stage III or IV PrUs over sacrum or ischium. Interventions Measurement with the MoistureMeter-D, a hand-held device using 300 MHz electromagnetic waves. Outcome measures Dielectric constant, a dimensionless number which increases with the moisture content. Each subject had a PrU site and a control site. Measurements were made at each site, on intact skin, at four points spaced angularly around the site, in triplicate. Results (1) Short-term, single-rater relative error was 2.5%. (2) Order effect: first readings were higher than second readings in 55 of 64 measurement sets. Order effect was significant for control sites (P < 0.0001) but not for PrU sites. (3) Angular effect: SEM varied by angle at the PrU sites (P < 0.01); 12 o'clock position the highest and 6 o'clock the lowest. (4) Ability to differentiate PrUs from intact skin: SEM at PrU sites was greater by 9.0% than control sites (P < 0.05). (5) Site effect: SEM was higher at sacral locations than ischial at control sites by 20% (P < 0.005). Conclusions SEM differentiates PrUs from intact skin. Future study designs must take into account order, angular, and site effects on this measure. This information will inform designers of future studies of SEM in healing of PrUs. PMID:25398030

Intra-Trackway Morphological Variations Due to Substrate Consistency: The El Frontal Dinosaur Tracksite (Lower Cretaceous, Spain)

PubMed Central

Razzolini, Novella L.; Vila, Bernat; Castanera, Diego; Falkingham, Peter L.; Barco, José Luis; Canudo, José Ignacio; Manning, Phillip L.; Galobart, Àngel

2014-01-01

An ichnological and sedimentological study of the El Frontal dinosaur tracksite (Early Cretaceous, Cameros basin, Soria, Spain) highlights the pronounced intra-trackway variation found in track morphologies of four theropod trackways. Photogrammetric 3D digital models revealed various and distinct intra-trackway morphotypes, which reflect changes in footprint parameters such as the pace length, the track length, depth, and height of displacement rims. Sedimentological analyses suggest that the original substrate was non-homogenous due to lateral changes in adjoining microfacies. Multidata analyses indicate that morphological differences in these deep and shallow tracks represent a part of a continuum of track morphologies and geometries produced by a gradient of substrate consistencies across the site. This implies that the large range of track morphologies at this site resulted from similar trackmakers crossing variable facies. The trackways at the El Frontal site present an exemplary case of how track morphology, and consequently potential ichnotaxa, can vary, even when produced by a single trackmaker. PMID:24699696

75 FR 65355 - Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-10-22

... Project Case Studies of Communities and States Funded under Community Activities under the Communities..., system, and environmental changes. Intensive case studies will be conducted with 24 sites: Six ARRA... Act. The case study sites will be selected to include a mix of State or community characteristics...

Interventions and approaches to integrating HIV and mental health services: a systematic review.

PubMed

Chuah, Fiona Leh Hoon; Haldane, Victoria Elizabeth; Cervero-Liceras, Francisco; Ong, Suan Ee; Sigfrid, Louise A; Murphy, Georgina; Watt, Nicola; Balabanova, Dina; Hogarth, Sue; Maimaris, Will; Otero, Laura; Buse, Kent; McKee, Martin; Piot, Peter; Perel, Pablo; Legido-Quigley, Helena

2017-11-01

The frequency in which HIV and AIDS and mental health problems co-exist, and the complex bi-directional relationship between them, highlights the need for effective care models combining services for HIV and mental health. Here, we present a systematic review that synthesizes the literature on interventions and approaches integrating these services. This review was part of a larger systematic review on integration of services for HIV and non-communicable diseases. Eligible studies included those that described or evaluated an intervention or approach aimed at integrating HIV and mental health care. We searched multiple databases from inception until October 2015, independently screened articles identified for inclusion, conducted data extraction, and assessed evaluative papers for risk of bias. Forty-five articles were eligible for this review. We identified three models of integration at the meso and micro levels: single-facility integration, multi-facility integration, and integrated care coordinated by a non-physician case manager. Single-site integration enhances multidisciplinary coordination and reduces access barriers for patients. However, the practicality and cost-effectiveness of providing a full continuum of specialized care on-site for patients with complex needs is arguable. Integration based on a collaborative network of specialized agencies may serve those with multiple co-morbidities but fragmented and poorly coordinated care can pose barriers. Integrated care coordinated by a single case manager can enable continuity of care for patients but requires appropriate training and support for case managers. Involving patients as key actors in facilitating integration within their own treatment plan is a promising approach. This review identified much diversity in integration models combining HIV and mental health services, which are shown to have potential in yielding positive patient and service delivery outcomes when implemented within appropriate contexts. Our review revealed a lack of research in low- and middle- income countries, and was limited to most studies being descriptive. Overall, studies that seek to evaluate and compare integration models in terms of long-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness are needed, particularly at the health system level and in regions with high HIV and AIDS burden. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press in association with The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

[The application of Y-shaped self-expandable covered metal stents in the thoracostomach-airway fistula: a single center, 11 years experience].

PubMed

Fang, Yi; Li, Tengfei; Han, Xinwei; Wu, Gang; Ren, Jianzhuang; Ren, Kewei; Lu, Huibin; Zhang, Quanhui; Li, Zongming

2015-08-01

To investigate the clinical feasibility and efficacy of Y-shaped self-expandable covered metal stents (Y-stents) in the management of thoracostomach-airway fistula. Retrospective analysis was performed for 108 patients treated for thoracostomach-airway fistula with Y-shaped self-expandable coated metal stents between April 2003 and October 2014. Y-stents were designed based on the dimensions of trachea and bronchus and sites of the fistula and then were inserted under DSA monitoring. There were 65 cases with single big Y-stent placement, 26 cases with single small Y-stent placement, 23 cases with double Y-stents placement, and 1 case with 3 Y-stents placement. Stent implantation was successfully accomplished with single manipulation in all patients. Complete occlusion of the fistula was obtained in 104 patients after the primary manipulation, and 4 patients required a secondary manipulation where a double Y-stents was inserted because of failure of primary manipulate. Ninety-two patients completed the follow-up , while 16 were lost. Fifty-nine patients died while 33 were alive with marked improvement in their quality of life. The placement of Y-stents can effectively occlude the thoracostomach-airway fistula in patients who had had the esophageal tumors resected. The technique is not only feasible but reliable to improve the quality of life of the patients.

[Consumption of medications, alcohol and smoking in pregnancy and assessment of teratogenic risks].

PubMed

Rocha, Rebeca Silveira; Bezerra, Samara Cavalcante; Lima, José Welington de Oliveira; Costa, Fabrício da Silva

2013-06-01

Medications, alcohol and smoking can cause fetal damage. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 326 mothers of the Fortaleza General Hospital to evaluate the use of drugs, alcohol and smoking during pregnancy and its relation to teratogenic potential in different population characteristics, between 2006 and 2007. Postpartum women who had their babies in the research site were included and those whose babies were not admitted as hospital inpatients were excluded. Chi-square tests and t-tests were used in the analysis, with a p value <0.05 considered significant. 96.6% of the mothers took medications (2.8 drugs/ pregnancy) and self-medication occurred in 11.3% of the cases. Single women took more drugs with high teratogenic potential (p=0.037). 11 cases of fetal malformation were observed, five of them were exposed to high teratogenic risks. Smoking occurred in 11.3% and alcohol use in 16%. Being single was found to be a risk factor for exposure to high teratogenic potential. Quality of prenatal care and other sociodemographic variables weren't related to exposure to teratogenic risks.

Conjoined twins: morphogenesis of the heart and a review.

PubMed

Gilbert-Barness, Enid; Debich-Spicer, Diane; Opitz, John M

2003-08-01

Five cases of conjoined twins have been studied. These included three thoracopagus twins, one monocephalus diprosopus (prosop = face), and one dicephalus dipus dibrachus. The thoracopagus twins were conjoined only from the upper thorax to the umbilicus with a normal foregut. These three cases shared a single complex multiventricular heart, one with a four chambered heart with one atrium and one ventricle belonging to each twin with complex venous and arterial connection; two had a seven chambered heart with four atria and three ventricles. The mono-cephalus diprosopus twins had a single heart with tetralogy of Fallot. The dicephalus twins had two separate axial skeletons to the sacrum, two separate hearts were connected between the right atria with a shared inferior vena cava. Thoracopagus twinning is associated with complex cardiac malformations. The cardiac anlagen in cephalopagus or diprosopus are diverted and divided along with the entire rostral end of the embryonic disc and result in two relatively normal shared hearts. However, in thoracopagus twins the single heart is multiventricular and suggests very early union with fusion of the cardiac anlagen before significant differentiation. Cardiac morphogenesis in conjoined twins therefore appears to depend on the site of the conjoined fusion and the temporal and spatial influence that determines morphogenesis as well as abnormally oriented embryonic axes. Copyright 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Polymorphisms in MicroRNA Genes And Genes Involving in NMDAR Signaling and Schizophrenia: A Case-Control Study in Chinese Han Population.

PubMed

Zhang, Yanxia; Fan, Mei; Wang, Qingzhong; He, Guang; Fu, Yingmei; Li, Huafang; Yu, Shunying

2015-08-10

Disturbances in glutamate signaling caused by disruption of N-methyl-D-aspartate-type glutamate receptor (NMDAR) have been implicated in schizophrenia. Findings suggested that miR-219, miR-132 and miR-107 could involve in NMDAR signaling by influencing the expression of pathway genes or the signaling transmission and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within miRNA genes or miRNA target sites could result in their functional changes. Therefore, we hypothesized that SNPs in miRNAs and/or their target sites were associated with schizophrenia. 3 SNPs in hsa-pri-miR-219/132/107 and 6 SNPs in 3'UTRs of GRIN2A/2B/3A and CAMK2G were selected and genotyped in a case-control study of 1041 schizophrenia cases and 953 healthy controls in Chinese Han population. In the present study, GRIN2B rs890 showed significant associations with schizophrenia. Further functional analyses showed that the rs890 variant C allele led to significantly lower luciferase activity, compared with the A allele. MDR analysis showed that a 4-locus model including rs107822, rs2306327, rs890 and rs12342026 was the best model. These findings suggest that GRIN2B may be associated with schizophrenia and interaction effects of the polymorphisms in hsa-miR-219, CAKM2G, GRIN2B and GRIN3A may confer susceptibility to schizophrenia in the Chinese Han population.

a R-Shiny Based Phenology Analysis System and Case Study Using Digital Camera Dataset

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Y. K.

2018-05-01

Accurate extracting of the vegetation phenology information play an important role in exploring the effects of climate changes on vegetation. Repeated photos from digital camera is a useful and huge data source in phonological analysis. Data processing and mining on phenological data is still a big challenge. There is no single tool or a universal solution for big data processing and visualization in the field of phenology extraction. In this paper, we proposed a R-shiny based web application for vegetation phenological parameters extraction and analysis. Its main functions include phenological site distribution visualization, ROI (Region of Interest) selection, vegetation index calculation and visualization, data filtering, growth trajectory fitting, phenology parameters extraction, etc. the long-term observation photography data from Freemanwood site in 2013 is processed by this system as an example. The results show that: (1) this system is capable of analyzing large data using a distributed framework; (2) The combination of multiple parameter extraction and growth curve fitting methods could effectively extract the key phenology parameters. Moreover, there are discrepancies between different combination methods in unique study areas. Vegetation with single-growth peak is suitable for using the double logistic module to fit the growth trajectory, while vegetation with multi-growth peaks should better use spline method.

Atomic adsorption on graphene with a single vacancy: systematic DFT study through the periodic table of elements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pašti, Igor A.; Jovanović, Aleksandar; Dobrota, Ana S.; Mentus, Slavko V.; Johansson, Börje; Skorodumova, Natalia V.

Vacancies in graphene present sites of altered chemical reactivity and open possibilities to tune graphene properties by defect engineering. The understanding of chemical reactivity of such defects is essential for successful implementation of carbon materials in advanced technologies. We report the results of a systematic DFT study of atomic adsorption on graphene with a single vacancy for the elements of rows 1 to 6 of the Periodic Table of Elements (PTE), excluding lanthanides. The calculations have been performed using PBE, long-range dispersion interaction-corrected PBE (PBE+D2 and PBE+D3) and non-local vdW-DF2 functional. We find that most elements strongly bind to the vacancy, except for the elements of groups 11 and 12, and noble gases, for which the contribution of dispersion interaction to bonding is most significant. The strength of the interaction with the vacancy correlates with the cohesive energy of the elements in their stable phases: the higher the cohesive energy is the stronger bonding to the vacancy can be expected. As most atoms can be trapped at the SV site we have calculated the potentials of dissolution and found that in most cases the metals adsorbed at the vacancy are more "noble" than they are in their corresponding stable phases.

Atomic adsorption on graphene with a single vacancy: systematic DFT study through the periodic table of elements.

PubMed

Pašti, Igor A; Jovanović, Aleksandar; Dobrota, Ana S; Mentus, Slavko V; Johansson, Börje; Skorodumova, Natalia V

2018-01-03

Vacancies in graphene present sites of altered chemical reactivity and open possibilities to tune graphene properties by defect engineering. The understanding of chemical reactivity of such defects is essential for successful implementation of carbon materials in advanced technologies. We report the results of a systematic DFT study of atomic adsorption on graphene with a single vacancy for the elements of rows 1-6 of the periodic table of elements (PTE), excluding lanthanides. The calculations have been performed using the PBE, long-range dispersion interaction-corrected PBE (PBE+D2 and PBE+D3) and non-local vdW-DF2 functionals. We find that most elements strongly bind to the vacancy, except for the elements of groups 11 and 12, and noble gases, for which the contribution of dispersion interaction to bonding is most significant. The strength of the interaction with the vacancy correlates with the cohesive energy of the elements in their stable phases: the higher the cohesive energy is, the stronger bonding to the vacancy can be expected. As most atoms can be trapped at the SV site we have calculated the potentials of dissolution and found that in most cases the metals adsorbed at the vacancy are more "noble" than they are in their corresponding stable phases.

Chemocoding as an identification tool where morphological- and DNA-based methods fall short: Inga as a case study.

PubMed

Endara, María-José; Coley, Phyllis D; Wiggins, Natasha L; Forrister, Dale L; Younkin, Gordon C; Nicholls, James A; Pennington, R Toby; Dexter, Kyle G; Kidner, Catherine A; Stone, Graham N; Kursar, Thomas A

2018-04-01

The need for species identification and taxonomic discovery has led to the development of innovative technologies for large-scale plant identification. DNA barcoding has been useful, but fails to distinguish among many species in species-rich plant genera, particularly in tropical regions. Here, we show that chemical fingerprinting, or 'chemocoding', has great potential for plant identification in challenging tropical biomes. Using untargeted metabolomics in combination with multivariate analysis, we constructed species-level fingerprints, which we define as chemocoding. We evaluated the utility of chemocoding with species that were defined morphologically and subject to next-generation DNA sequencing in the diverse and recently radiated neotropical genus Inga (Leguminosae), both at single study sites and across broad geographic scales. Our results show that chemocoding is a robust method for distinguishing morphologically similar species at a single site and for identifying widespread species across continental-scale ranges. Given that species are the fundamental unit of analysis for conservation and biodiversity research, the development of accurate identification methods is essential. We suggest that chemocoding will be a valuable additional source of data for a quick identification of plants, especially for groups where other methods fall short. © 2018 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2018 New Phytologist Trust.

Masked Visual Analysis: Minimizing Type I Error in Visually Guided Single-Case Design for Communication Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Byun, Tara McAllister; Hitchcock, Elaine R.; Ferron, John

2017-01-01

Purpose: Single-case experimental designs are widely used to study interventions for communication disorders. Traditionally, single-case experiments follow a response-guided approach, where design decisions during the study are based on participants' observed patterns of behavior. However, this approach has been criticized for its high rate of…

Obstacles in Using Randomization Tests in Single-Case Experimentation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kazdin, Alan E.

1980-01-01

Problems associated with randomization tests in single- case experiments are discussed. This article follows a discussion of randomization tests in single case studies in the same issue of this journal. (See TM 505 799; 505 801).(Author/JKS)

The repair of umbilical hernia in cirrhotic patients: 18 consecutive case series in a single institute

PubMed Central

Yu, Byung Chul; Lee, Giljae

2015-01-01

Purpose Traditionally, the surgical repair of umbilical hernia in cirrhotic patients with ascites is avoided because of a significant recurrence rate and perioperative morbidity/mortality. However, recent reports recommend early elective surgery in these patients because surgery-related complications can be reduced with minimally invasive surgery and development of perioperative patient care. The current study was conducted to analyze safety and feasibility of umbilical hernia repairs performed in a single institute. Methods A single center retrospective analysis of patients' data was conducted. Eighteen patients with umbilical hernia accompanied by liver cirrhosis underwent hernia repair in the period between 2005 and 2012. The charts of these patients were reviewed and demographic data, postoperative complications, and recurrence were recorded. Results Eleven males and seven females with a mean age of 62.9 years were analyzed. Two of the patients were classified as Child's class A, 11 as Child's class B, and five as Child's class C. Four patients underwent emergency surgery because of perforations in the hernia sac in two cases and incarcerated hernias in the other two cases. Of the 18 patients who underwent surgery, four (22%) experienced a recurrence, three (17%) developed edema at the surgical sites, one (5%) experienced hepatic coma, and one (5%) showed postoperative variceal hemorrhage. All of these events occurred after emergency surgery. Conclusion In contrast to traditional concepts, early and elective repair of umbilical hernia can be performed easily and safely in cirrhotic patients. PMID:26236698

The repair of umbilical hernia in cirrhotic patients: 18 consecutive case series in a single institute.

PubMed

Yu, Byung Chul; Chung, Min; Lee, Giljae

2015-08-01

Traditionally, the surgical repair of umbilical hernia in cirrhotic patients with ascites is avoided because of a significant recurrence rate and perioperative morbidity/mortality. However, recent reports recommend early elective surgery in these patients because surgery-related complications can be reduced with minimally invasive surgery and development of perioperative patient care. The current study was conducted to analyze safety and feasibility of umbilical hernia repairs performed in a single institute. A single center retrospective analysis of patients' data was conducted. Eighteen patients with umbilical hernia accompanied by liver cirrhosis underwent hernia repair in the period between 2005 and 2012. The charts of these patients were reviewed and demographic data, postoperative complications, and recurrence were recorded. Eleven males and seven females with a mean age of 62.9 years were analyzed. Two of the patients were classified as Child's class A, 11 as Child's class B, and five as Child's class C. Four patients underwent emergency surgery because of perforations in the hernia sac in two cases and incarcerated hernias in the other two cases. Of the 18 patients who underwent surgery, four (22%) experienced a recurrence, three (17%) developed edema at the surgical sites, one (5%) experienced hepatic coma, and one (5%) showed postoperative variceal hemorrhage. All of these events occurred after emergency surgery. In contrast to traditional concepts, early and elective repair of umbilical hernia can be performed easily and safely in cirrhotic patients.

Integrating enzyme fermentation in lignocellulosic ethanol production: life-cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis.

PubMed

Olofsson, Johanna; Barta, Zsolt; Börjesson, Pål; Wallberg, Ola

2017-01-01

Cellulase enzymes have been reported to contribute with a significant share of the total costs and greenhouse gas emissions of lignocellulosic ethanol production today. A potential future alternative to purchasing enzymes from an off-site manufacturer is to integrate enzyme and ethanol production, using microorganisms and part of the lignocellulosic material as feedstock for enzymes. This study modelled two such integrated process designs for ethanol from logging residues from spruce production, and compared it to an off-site case based on existing data regarding purchased enzymes. Greenhouse gas emissions and primary energy balances were studied in a life-cycle assessment, and cost performance in a techno-economic analysis. The base case scenario suggests that greenhouse gas emissions per MJ of ethanol could be significantly lower in the integrated cases than in the off-site case. However, the difference between the integrated and off-site cases is reduced with alternative assumptions regarding enzyme dosage and the environmental impact of the purchased enzymes. The comparison of primary energy balances did not show any significant difference between the cases. The minimum ethanol selling price, to reach break-even costs, was from 0.568 to 0.622 EUR L -1 for the integrated cases, as compared to 0.581 EUR L -1 for the off-site case. An integrated process design could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from lignocellulose-based ethanol production, and the cost of an integrated process could be comparable to purchasing enzymes produced off-site. This study focused on the environmental and economic assessment of an integrated process, and in order to strengthen the comparison to the off-site case, more detailed and updated data regarding industrial off-site enzyme production are especially important.

Evaluation of Flygt Propeller Xixers for Double Shell Tank (DST) High Level Waste Auxiliary Solids Mobilization

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

PACQUET, E.A.

The River Protection Project (RPP) is planning to retrieve radioactive waste from the single-shell tanks (SST) and double-shell tanks (DST) underground at the Hanford Site. This waste will then be transferred to a waste treatment plant to be immobilized (vitrified) in a stable glass form. Over the years, the waste solids in many of the tanks have settled to form a layer of sludge at the bottom. The thickness of the sludge layer varies from tank to tank, from no sludge or a few inches of sludge to about 15 ft of sludge. The purpose of this technology and engineeringmore » case study is to evaluate the Flygt{trademark} submersible propeller mixer as a potential technology for auxiliary mobilization of DST HLW solids. Considering the usage and development to date by other sites in the development of this technology, this study also has the objective of expanding the knowledge base of the Flygt{trademark} mixer concept with the broader perspective of Hanford Site tank waste retrieval. More specifically, the objectives of this study delineated from the work plan are described.« less

Meta- and statistical analysis of single-case intervention research data: quantitative gifts and a wish list.

PubMed

Kratochwill, Thomas R; Levin, Joel R

2014-04-01

In this commentary, we add to the spirit of the articles appearing in the special series devoted to meta- and statistical analysis of single-case intervention-design data. Following a brief discussion of historical factors leading to our initial involvement in statistical analysis of such data, we discuss: (a) the value added by including statistical-analysis recommendations in the What Works Clearinghouse Standards for single-case intervention designs; (b) the importance of visual analysis in single-case intervention research, along with the distinctive role that could be played by single-case effect-size measures; and (c) the elevated internal validity and statistical-conclusion validity afforded by the incorporation of various forms of randomization into basic single-case design structures. For the future, we envision more widespread application of quantitative analyses, as critical adjuncts to visual analysis, in both primary single-case intervention research studies and literature reviews in the behavioral, educational, and health sciences. Copyright © 2014 Society for the Study of School Psychology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Robot-assisted laparoendoscopic single site adrenalectomy: A comparison of 3 different port platforms with 3 case reports.

PubMed

Kan, Hung-Cheng; Pang, See-Tong; Wu, Chun-Te; Chang, Ying-Hsu; Liu, Chung-Yi; Chuang, Cheng-Keng; Lin, Po-Hung

2017-12-01

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is currently the standard of care for adrenal lesion. Minimal invasive laparoscopic surgery such as laparoendoscopic single site surgery (LESS) and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) have been developed to improve cosmetic outcomes and reduce postoperative pain. However, there are still some problems related to instruments and port limitation during LESS surgery. Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery may help to overcome these problems, and port platforms selection is an important issue. Three cases received robot-assisted LESS adrenalectomy due to adrenal tumor were enrolled. Blood loss, hospital stay, and analgesia injection were compared. Preoperative evaluations were done in a usual manner. Benign tumors were suspect for two patients, while metastatic tumor could not be excluded for the other patient with prior malignancy history. The pathology reports were all benign adrenal cortical adenoma after operation. Three different port platforms, Da Vinci Single-Site Surgical Platform, GelPOINT, and homemade glove port were used. Trans-peritoneal approach was used for two patients, while the other one received trans-retroperitoneal approach. The advantage and disadvantage of different port platforms were discussed. All patients underwent the operation smoothly without major complications or conversion to open surgery. Blood loss amount was small, hospital stay was short, and only one patient received one single dose of opioid analgesia injection after the surgery. The main problems of LESS are the loss of a working triangle and the limitations of the instruments. Robot-assisted LESS may help surgeons overcome part of these problems. Many different port platforms are available, and based on our initial experience, we believe that the GelPoint may be a more suitable platform, for it maintains the endo-wrist function of the Da Vinci instruments, and allows the surgeon to design the position of ports freely to minimize external and internal collision. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Site-specific colloidal crystal nucleation by template-enhanced particle transport

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mishra, Chandan K.; Sood, A. K.; Ganapathy, Rajesh

2016-10-01

The monomer surface mobility is the single most important parameter that decides the nucleation density and morphology of islands during thin-film growth. During template-assisted surface growth in particular, low surface mobilities can prevent monomers from reaching target sites and this results in a partial to complete loss of nucleation control. Whereas in atomic systems a broad range of surface mobilities can be readily accessed, for colloids, owing to their large size, this window is substantially narrow and therefore imposes severe restrictions in extending template-assisted growth techniques to steer their self-assembly. Here, we circumvented this fundamental limitation by designing templates with spatially varying feature sizes, in this case moiré patterns, which in the presence of short-range depletion attraction presented surface energy gradients for the diffusing colloids. The templates serve a dual purpose: first, directing the particles to target sites by enhancing their surface mean-free paths and second, dictating the size and symmetry of the growing crystallites. Using optical microscopy, we directly followed the nucleation and growth kinetics of colloidal islands on these surfaces at the single-particle level. We demonstrate nucleation control, with high fidelity, in a regime that has remained unaccessed in theoretical, numerical, and experimental studies on atoms and molecules as well. Our findings pave the way for fabricating nontrivial surface architectures composed of complex colloids and nanoparticles as well.

Novel inborn error of folate metabolism: identification by exome capture and sequencing of mutations in the MTHFD1 gene in a single proband.

PubMed

Watkins, David; Schwartzentruber, Jeremy A; Ganesh, Jaya; Orange, Jordan S; Kaplan, Bernard S; Nunez, Laura Dempsey; Majewski, Jacek; Rosenblatt, David S

2011-09-01

An infant was investigated because of megaloblastic anaemia, atypical hemolytic uraemic syndrome, severe combined immune deficiency, elevated blood levels of homocysteine and methylmalonic acid, and a selective decreased synthesis of methylcobalamin in cultured fibroblasts. Exome sequencing was performed on patient genomic DNA. Two mutations were identified in the MTHFD1 gene, which encodes a protein that catalyses three reactions involved in cellular folate metabolism. This protein is essential for the generation of formyltetrahydrofolate and methylenetetrahydrofolate and important for nucleotide and homocysteine metabolism. One mutation (c.727+1G>A) affects the splice acceptor site of intron 8. The second mutation, c.517C>T (p.R173C), changes a critical arginine residue in the NADP-binding site of the protein. Mutations affecting this arginine have previously been shown to affect enzyme activity. Both parents carry a single mutation and an unaffected sibling carries neither mutation. The combination of two mutations in the MTHFRD1 gene, predicted to have severe consequences, in the patient and their absence in the unaffected sibling, supports causality. This patient represents the first case of an inborn error of folate metabolism affecting the trifunctional MTHFD1 protein. This report reinforces the power of exome capture and sequencing for the discovery of novel genes, even when only a single proband is available for study.

Multi-institutional Experience in Laparoendoscopic Single-site Surgery (LESS): For Major Extirpative and Reconstructive Procedures in Pediatric Urology.

PubMed

Gor, Ronak A; Long, Christopher J; Shukla, Aseem R; Kirsch, Andrew J; Perez-Brayfield, Marcos; Srinivasan, Arun K

2016-02-01

To review peri-procedural outcomes from a large, multi-institutional series of pediatric urology patients treated with laparaendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) for major extirpative and reconstructive procedures. Consecutive LESS cases between January 2011 and May 2014 from three free-standing pediatric referral centers were reviewed. Data include age, sex, operative time, blood loss, length of stay, and complications according to the modified Clavien-Dindo classification. Hasson technique was used for peritoneal entry, GelPOINT advanced access platform was inserted, and standard 5mm laparoscopic instruments were used. Fifty-nine patients (median age 5 years, 4 months-17 years) met inclusion criteria: 29 nephrectomies, 9 nephroureterectomies, 3 bilateral nephrectomies, 5 heminephrectomies, 5 renal cyst decortications, 3 bilateral gonadectomies, 2 Malone antegrade continence enema, 2 calyceal diverticulectomy, and 1 ovarian detorsion with cystectomy. Median operative times for each case type were comparable to published experiences with traditional laparoscopy. Overall mean and median length of stay was 36.2 hours and 1 day, respectively. There were two complications: port site hernia requiring surgical repair (Clavien IIIb) and a superficial port site infection that resolved with antibiotics (Clavien II). Cosmetic outcomes were subjectively well received by patients and their parents. Operative time was significantly shorter between the first half of the experience and the second half (102 vs 70 minutes, P  <  .05). LESS approach can be broadly applied across many major extirpative and reconstructive procedures within pediatric urology. Our series advances our field's utilization of this technique and its safety. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

High-precision radiocarbon dating of political collapse and dynastic origins at the Maya site of Ceibal, Guatemala

PubMed Central

Inomata, Takeshi; Triadan, Daniela; MacLellan, Jessica; Burham, Melissa; Aoyama, Kazuo; Palomo, Juan Manuel; Yonenobu, Hitoshi; Pinzón, Flory; Nasu, Hiroo

2017-01-01

The lowland Maya site of Ceibal, Guatemala, had a long history of occupation, spanning from the Middle Preclassic Period through the Terminal Classic (1000 BC to AD 950). The Ceibal-Petexbatun Archaeological Project has been conducting archaeological investigations at this site since 2005 and has obtained 154 radiocarbon dates, which represent the largest collection of radiocarbon assays from a single Maya site. The Bayesian analysis of these dates, combined with a detailed study of ceramics, allowed us to develop a high-precision chronology for Ceibal. Through this chronology, we traced the trajectories of the Preclassic collapse around AD 150–300 and the Classic collapse around AD 800–950, revealing similar patterns in the two cases. Social instability started with the intensification of warfare around 75 BC and AD 735, respectively, followed by the fall of multiple centers across the Maya lowlands around AD 150 and 810. The population of Ceibal persisted for some time in both cases, but the center eventually experienced major decline around AD 300 and 900. Despite these similarities in their diachronic trajectories, the outcomes of these collapses were different, with the former associated with the development of dynasties centered on divine rulership and the latter leading to their downfalls. The Ceibal dynasty emerged during the period of low population after the Preclassic collapse, suggesting that this dynasty was placed under the influence from, or by the direct intervention of, an external power. PMID:28115691

High-precision radiocarbon dating of political collapse and dynastic origins at the Maya site of Ceibal, Guatemala.

PubMed

Inomata, Takeshi; Triadan, Daniela; MacLellan, Jessica; Burham, Melissa; Aoyama, Kazuo; Palomo, Juan Manuel; Yonenobu, Hitoshi; Pinzón, Flory; Nasu, Hiroo

2017-02-07

The lowland Maya site of Ceibal, Guatemala, had a long history of occupation, spanning from the Middle Preclassic Period through the Terminal Classic (1000 BC to AD 950). The Ceibal-Petexbatun Archaeological Project has been conducting archaeological investigations at this site since 2005 and has obtained 154 radiocarbon dates, which represent the largest collection of radiocarbon assays from a single Maya site. The Bayesian analysis of these dates, combined with a detailed study of ceramics, allowed us to develop a high-precision chronology for Ceibal. Through this chronology, we traced the trajectories of the Preclassic collapse around AD 150-300 and the Classic collapse around AD 800-950, revealing similar patterns in the two cases. Social instability started with the intensification of warfare around 75 BC and AD 735, respectively, followed by the fall of multiple centers across the Maya lowlands around AD 150 and 810. The population of Ceibal persisted for some time in both cases, but the center eventually experienced major decline around AD 300 and 900. Despite these similarities in their diachronic trajectories, the outcomes of these collapses were different, with the former associated with the development of dynasties centered on divine rulership and the latter leading to their downfalls. The Ceibal dynasty emerged during the period of low population after the Preclassic collapse, suggesting that this dynasty was placed under the influence from, or by the direct intervention of, an external power.

Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the right hemisphere improves auditory comprehension in a case of dementia.

PubMed

Costa, Vanessa; Brighina, Filippo; Piccoli, Tommaso; Realmuto, Sabrina; Fierro, Brigida

2017-01-01

Noninvasive transcranial stimulation methods have been increasingly employed in order to improve cognitive performance in neurological patients. In previous studies with both stroke patients and healthy subjects, noninvasive stimulation of temporal-parietal regions and their homologue produced an improvement in linguistic tasks. The aim of the current study was to evaluate if anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over Brodmann areas 39/40 (angular and supramarginal gyri) could promote the recovery of linguistic functions, in particular comprehension and naming, in a single patient affected by dementia. Three preliminary explorative single sessions (right-side anodal, left-side anodal and sham tDCS) were carried out (Experiment 1). This procedure allows targeting the more effective site of stimulation for the treatment. Subsequently, we carried out a five-days tDCS treatment on the selected hemisphere (Experiment 2). We report verb comprehension amelioration after 5 days of anodal tDCS over the right BAs 39/40 compared with the placebo tDCS. This result is maintained until two weeks after the end of the 5-days treatment. Our findings provide new evidence for the therapeutic use of tDCS in degenerative diseases, suggesting that an explorative study can be useful for targeting the more appropriate stimulation site, and confirm the involvement of right-sided areas associated with language activities.

Design of Single-Site Photocatalyst using Metal-Organic Framework as Matrix.

PubMed

Wen, Meicheng; Mori, Kohsuke; Kuwahara, Yasutaka; An, Taicheng; Yamashita, Hiromi

2018-05-14

Single-site photocatalyst generally displays excellent photocatalytic activtiy and considerable high stability as compared to homogeneous catalytic system. A rational structural design of single-site photocatalyst with isolated, uniform and spatially separated active sites in a given solid is of prime importance to achieve high photocatalytic activity. Intense attentions have been focused on the engineering and fabrication of single-site photocatalys by using porous materials as platform. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) hold great potential for the design and fabrication of single-site photocatalysts due to their remarkable porosity, ultrahigh surface area, extraordinary tailorability and significant diversity. MOFs can provide abundant number of binding sites for anchoring active sites, result in significant enhancement of photocatalytic performance. In this focus review, the development of single-site MOF photocatalysts that perform in important and challenging chemical redox reaction such as photocatalytic water splitting, photocatalytic CO₂ conversion and organic transformations is summarized thoroughly. The successful strategies applied for the construction of single-site MOF photocatalysts and major challenge toward practical application was summarized and pointed out, respectively. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Distributed query plan generation using multiobjective genetic algorithm.

PubMed

Panicker, Shina; Kumar, T V Vijay

2014-01-01

A distributed query processing strategy, which is a key performance determinant in accessing distributed databases, aims to minimize the total query processing cost. One way to achieve this is by generating efficient distributed query plans that involve fewer sites for processing a query. In the case of distributed relational databases, the number of possible query plans increases exponentially with respect to the number of relations accessed by the query and the number of sites where these relations reside. Consequently, computing optimal distributed query plans becomes a complex problem. This distributed query plan generation (DQPG) problem has already been addressed using single objective genetic algorithm, where the objective is to minimize the total query processing cost comprising the local processing cost (LPC) and the site-to-site communication cost (CC). In this paper, this DQPG problem is formulated and solved as a biobjective optimization problem with the two objectives being minimize total LPC and minimize total CC. These objectives are simultaneously optimized using a multiobjective genetic algorithm NSGA-II. Experimental comparison of the proposed NSGA-II based DQPG algorithm with the single objective genetic algorithm shows that the former performs comparatively better and converges quickly towards optimal solutions for an observed crossover and mutation probability.

Distributed Query Plan Generation Using Multiobjective Genetic Algorithm

PubMed Central

Panicker, Shina; Vijay Kumar, T. V.

2014-01-01

A distributed query processing strategy, which is a key performance determinant in accessing distributed databases, aims to minimize the total query processing cost. One way to achieve this is by generating efficient distributed query plans that involve fewer sites for processing a query. In the case of distributed relational databases, the number of possible query plans increases exponentially with respect to the number of relations accessed by the query and the number of sites where these relations reside. Consequently, computing optimal distributed query plans becomes a complex problem. This distributed query plan generation (DQPG) problem has already been addressed using single objective genetic algorithm, where the objective is to minimize the total query processing cost comprising the local processing cost (LPC) and the site-to-site communication cost (CC). In this paper, this DQPG problem is formulated and solved as a biobjective optimization problem with the two objectives being minimize total LPC and minimize total CC. These objectives are simultaneously optimized using a multiobjective genetic algorithm NSGA-II. Experimental comparison of the proposed NSGA-II based DQPG algorithm with the single objective genetic algorithm shows that the former performs comparatively better and converges quickly towards optimal solutions for an observed crossover and mutation probability. PMID:24963513

Types, Subtypes, and Severity of Substantiated Child Neglect in U.S. Army Communities.

PubMed

Cozza, Stephen J; Ortiz, Claudio D; Fullerton, Carol S; McCarroll, James E; Holmes, Allison K; Harris, April M; Wryter, Christina L; Ursano, Robert J

2015-11-01

Neglect has been linked to short-term and long-term deleterious outcomes in children, but has received little attention in the research literature. Identify types, subtypes, and severity of child neglect in a sample of substantiated cases at 4 U.S. Army installations. Describe demographic correlates of victims and offenders by type and subtype. Data were collected from archived clinical records. A stratified random sample of 100 substantiated child neglect case files were selected per site (N = 400). Data from a single child per case file were used. 5 types and 17 subtypes of neglect were represented, singly or in combination, with varying severity. Lack of Supervision was most common (n = 177, 35.3%), followed by Emotional Neglect (n = 159, 31.8%), Failure to Provide Physical Needs (n = 131, 26.2%), Moral-Legal Neglect (n = 20, 4%), and Educational Neglect (n = 13; 2.6%). Child neglect occurred mostly among young children and in young enlisted families. Current results highlight the need to focus on types, subtypes, and severity of neglect incidents that provide specific understanding of child risk to better inform policy. Further study should examine specific risk factors and their relationship to neglect types and severity outcomes. Reprint & Copyright © 2015 Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S.

Upper urinary tract laparoendoscopic single-site surgery based on a novel cost-effective reusable platform.

PubMed

Schwentner, Christian; Todenhöfer, Tilman; Seibold, Joerg; Alloussi, Saladin H; Aufderklamm, Stefan; Mischinger, Johannes; Germann, Miriam; Stenzl, Arnulf; Gakis, Georgios

2013-02-01

Several disposable platforms have been introduced for laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) surgery. Besides technical issues, cost is one of the main limiting factors for their widespread use. We present our experience with LESS surgery for kidney pathologies using the first completely reusable LESS platform. We performed LESS kidney procedures in 29 patients including nephrectomy (18), partial nephrectomy (3), pyeloplasty (4), and renal cyst ablation (4). All procedures were performed using a completely reusable single-port device (X-Cone) with a simplified combination of standard and prebent instruments. We obtained perioperative and demographic data including a visual analog pain scale (VAS); complications were recorded using Clavien grading. Mean patient age was 49.31 years. Conversion to standard laparoscopy was necessary in one and addition of a needlescopic instrument in four cases. No open conversion was necessary. Intra- and postoperative complications occurred in two (Clavien II) cases. Mean operative time was 110, 90, and 89 minutes, and hospital stay was 4.9, 3.1, and 3.6 days for nephrectomy, partial nephrectomy, and pyeloplasty, respectively. Mean VAS was 2.13, 1.67, and 1.5 while blood loss was 81.3 mL, 140 mL, and 17.5 mL, respectively. There were no positive resection margins. LESS with a completely reusable platform is feasible for different upper urinary tract procedures yielding favorable functional and cosmetic results. A simplified combination of standard straight instruments and a single prebent grasper facilitates handling and shortens the learning curve. Reusable materials significantly reduce cost and may help to further adopt LESS surgery in surgical practice.

In vitro transcription in the presence of DNA oligonucleotides can generate strong anomalous initiation sites.

PubMed

Chow, C W; Clark, M P; Rinaldo, J E; Chalkley, R

1996-03-01

In the present study, we have explored an unexpected observation in transcription initiation that is mediated by single-stranded oligonucleotides. Initially, our goal was to understand the function of different upstream regulatory elements/initiation sites in the rat xanthine dehydrogenase/oxidase (XDH/XO) promoter. We performed in vitro transcription with HeLa nuclear extracts in the presence of different double-stranded oligonucleotides against upstream elements as competitors. A new and unusual transcription initiation site was detected by primer extension. This new initiation site maps to the downstream region of the corresponding competitor. Subsequent analyses have indicated that the induction of a new transcription initiation site is anomalous which is due to the presence of a small amount of single-stranded oligonucleotide in the competitor. We found that this anomalous initiation site is insensitive to the orientation of the promoter and requires only a small amount of single-stranded oligonucleotide (< 2-fold molar excess relative to template). We surmise that a complementary interaction between the single-stranded oligonucleotide and transiently denatured promoter template may be responsible for this sequence-specific transcription initiation artifact. To study the regulation of transcription initiation by in vitro transcription approaches, we propose that one should probe the effect of removing transacting factors by adding an excess of a cognate oligonucleotide which does not bear exact sequence identity to the template.

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

Zukin, R.S.; Eghbali, M.; Olive, D.

{kappa} opioid receptors ({kappa} receptors) have been characterized in homogenates of guinea pig and rat brain under in vitro binding conditions. {kappa} receptors were labeled by using the tritiated prototypic {kappa} opioid ethylketocyclazocine under conditions in which {mu} and {delta} opioid binding was suppressed. In the case of guinea pig brain membranes, a single population of high-affinity {kappa} opioid receptor sites was observed. In contrast, in the case of rat brain, two populations of {kappa} sites were observed. To test the hypothesis that the high- and low-affinity {kappa} sites represent two distinct {kappa} receptor subtypes, a series of opioids weremore » tested for their abilities to compete for binding to the two sites. U-69,593 and Cambridge 20 selectively displaced the high-affinity {kappa} site in both guinea pig and rat tissue, but were inactive at the rat-brain low-affinity site. Other {kappa} opioid drugs competed for binding to both sites, but with different rank orders of potency. Quantitative light microscopy in vitro autoradiography was used to visualize the neuroanatomical pattern of {kappa} receptors in rat and guinea pig brain. The distribution patterns of the two {kappa} receptor subtypes of rat brain were clearly different. Collectively, these data provide direct evidence for the presence of two {kappa} receptor subtypes; the U-69,593-sensitive, high-affinity {kappa}{sub 1} site predominates in guinea pig brain, and the U-69,593-insensitive, low-affinity {kappa}{sub 2} site predominates in rat brain.« less

Benign metastasizing leiomyoma: A review of current literature in respect to the time and type of previous gynecological surgery

PubMed Central

Barnaś, Edyta; Książek, Mariusz; Raś, Renata; Skręt, Andrzej; Skręt- Magierło, Joanna; Dmoch- Gajzlerska, Ewa

2017-01-01

Introduction Benign metastasizing leiomyoma (BML) is a rare disorder that affects women with a history of uterine leiomyoma, which is found to metastasise within extrauterine sites. The aetiology of BML remains unexplained. Because BML is rare, and most publications contain descriptions of single cases, no statistically determined time relations were found between the primary and secondary surgeries, which may have aetiological implications. Objectives To determine age before BML surgery, age during diagnosis of BML, type of prior surgery, and location of metastasis based on the literature. Methods A systematic review of four databases (Medline/PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane) covering articles published from 1 January 1965 to 10 April 2016. The inclusion criteria were full-text articles in English and articles containing case reports. Articles in languages other than English (39), articles containing incomplete data (14), i.e. no information regarding the time of surgery and/or the site of metastasis, articles bereft of case studies (25), and articles with access only to summaries, without access to the complete text (10) were excluded. Of 321 titles identified, only 126 articles met the aforementioned criteria. Results and conclusions The mean age during primary surgery and BML diagnosis was 38.5 years and 47.3 years, respectively. The most common surgery was total hysterectomy. The most frequent site of metastasis was the lungs; other organs were affected less frequently.The site of metastases and their number were not related to the longer time span between the patient’s initial surgery and occurrence of metastasis. The analysed data, such as the age during primary surgery, age during BML diagnosis, site and type of metastasis, do not provide us a clear answer. Thus, BML pathogenesis is most probably complex in nature and requires further multidirectional research. PMID:28426767

The role of HH interactions in the formation of ordered structures on Ni and Pd single crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muscat, J. P.

1981-09-01

The interaction between H adatoms on a surface is calculated within the embedded cluster model of chemisorption. The model is first applied to the case of two H atoms on a free electron surface. The interaction energy is found to be an oscillatory function of the H-H separation Rab. Application of the free electron model to the problem of chemisorption on transition metal surfaces leads to unphysical results with the prediction of formation of ordered H overlayers which are not observed in LEED experiments. We next include the l = 2 TM muffin tins. Results for H adsorption on the low index faces of Ni and Pd substrates are presented. Graphitic structures are predicted for the (111) faces of both Ni and Pd with the H atoms occupying both types of three-fold hollow sites on the surface. This agrees with the results of LEED experiments for H/Ni(111). Comparison with experiment is not possible in the case of H/Pd(111) owing to the lack of low temperature studies for that system. Zig-zag chains with the H atoms adsorbed in sites of three-fold coordination on alternate sides of the TM(110) rows are predicted for both Ni and Pd. This is in agreement with the results of He diffraction experiments for H/Ni(110). No structure determination has been done for H/Pd(110). Adsorption in the four-fold centre sites for H on the (100) faces of Ni and Pd is found to be unfavourable. The H atoms are expected to adsorb in sites of three-fold symmetry below the (100) surface for H on Pd with formation of a c(2 × 2) structure in agreement with the LEED observations. For H/Ni(100) the H atoms are believed to adsorb above the surface, away from the centre site and to bond to two surface Ni atoms. No short-range ordered structures are predicted in this case.

Case studies, cross-site comparisons, and the challenge of generalization: comparing agent-based models of land-use change in frontier regions

PubMed Central

Parker, Dawn C.; Entwisle, Barbara; Rindfuss, Ronald R.; Vanwey, Leah K.; Manson, Steven M.; Moran, Emilio; An, Li; Deadman, Peter; Evans, Tom P.; Linderman, Marc; Rizi, S. Mohammad Mussavi; Malanson, George

2009-01-01

Cross-site comparisons of case studies have been identified as an important priority by the land-use science community. From an empirical perspective, such comparisons potentially allow generalizations that may contribute to production of global-scale land-use and land-cover change projections. From a theoretical perspective, such comparisons can inform development of a theory of land-use science by identifying potential hypotheses and supporting or refuting evidence. This paper undertakes a structured comparison of four case studies of land-use change in frontier regions that follow an agent-based modeling approach. Our hypothesis is that each case study represents a particular manifestation of a common process. Given differences in initial conditions among sites and the time at which the process is observed, actual mechanisms and outcomes are anticipated to differ substantially between sites. Our goal is to reveal both commonalities and differences among research sites, model implementations, and ultimately, conclusions derived from the modeling process. PMID:19960107

Case studies, cross-site comparisons, and the challenge of generalization: comparing agent-based models of land-use change in frontier regions.

PubMed

Parker, Dawn C; Entwisle, Barbara; Rindfuss, Ronald R; Vanwey, Leah K; Manson, Steven M; Moran, Emilio; An, Li; Deadman, Peter; Evans, Tom P; Linderman, Marc; Rizi, S Mohammad Mussavi; Malanson, George

2008-01-01

Cross-site comparisons of case studies have been identified as an important priority by the land-use science community. From an empirical perspective, such comparisons potentially allow generalizations that may contribute to production of global-scale land-use and land-cover change projections. From a theoretical perspective, such comparisons can inform development of a theory of land-use science by identifying potential hypotheses and supporting or refuting evidence. This paper undertakes a structured comparison of four case studies of land-use change in frontier regions that follow an agent-based modeling approach. Our hypothesis is that each case study represents a particular manifestation of a common process. Given differences in initial conditions among sites and the time at which the process is observed, actual mechanisms and outcomes are anticipated to differ substantially between sites. Our goal is to reveal both commonalities and differences among research sites, model implementations, and ultimately, conclusions derived from the modeling process.

A mathematical model of single target site location by Brownian movement in subcellular compartments.

PubMed

Kuthan, Hartmut

2003-03-07

The location of distinct sites is mandatory for many cellular processes. In the subcompartments of the cell nucleus, only very small numbers of diffusing macromolecules and specific target sites of some types may be present. In this case, we are faced with the Brownian movement of individual macromolecules and their "random search" for single/few specific target sites, rather than bulk-averaged diffusion and multiple sites. In this article, I consider the location of a distant central target site, e.g. a globular protein, by individual macromolecules executing unbiased (i.e. drift-free) random walks in a spherical compartment. For this walk-and-capture model, the closed-form analytic solution of the first passage time probability density function (p.d.f.) has been obtained as well as the first and second moment. In the limit of a large ratio of the radii of the spherical diffusion space and central target, well-known relations for the variance and the first two moments for the exponential p.d.f. were found to hold with high accuracy. These calculations reinforce earlier numerical results and Monte Carlo simulations. A major implication derivable from the model is that non-directed random movement is an effective means for locating single sites in submicron-sized compartments, even when the diffusion coefficients are comparatively small and the diffusing species are present in one copy only. These theoretical conclusions are underscored numerically for effective diffusion constants ranging from 0.5 to 10.0 microm(2) s(-1), which have been reported for a couple of nuclear proteins in their physiological environment. Spherical compartments of submicron size are, for example, the Cajal bodies (size: 0.1-1.0 microm), which are present in 1-5 copies in the cell nucleus. Within a small Cajal body of radius 0.1 microm a single diffusing protein molecule (with D=0.5 microm(2) s(-1)) would encounter a medium-sized protein of radius 2.5 nm within 1 s with a probability near certainty (p=0.98).

Surgeon-Specific Reports in General Surgery: Establishing Benchmarks for Peer Comparison Within a Single Hospital.

PubMed

Hatfield, Mark D; Ashton, Carol M; Bass, Barbara L; Shirkey, Beverly A

2016-02-01

Methods to assess a surgeon's individual performance based on clinically meaningful outcomes have not been fully developed, due to small numbers of adverse outcomes and wide variation in case volumes. The Achievable Benchmark of Care (ABC) method addresses these issues by identifying benchmark-setting surgeons with high levels of performance and greater case volumes. This method was used to help surgeons compare their surgical practice to that of their peers by using merged National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) and Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) data to generate surgeon-specific reports. A retrospective cohort study at a single institution's department of surgery was conducted involving 107 surgeons (8,660 cases) over 5.5 years. Stratification of more than 32,000 CPT codes into 16 CPT clusters served as the risk adjustment. Thirty-day outcomes of interest included surgical site infection (SSI), acute kidney injury (AKI), and mortality. Performance characteristics of the ABC method were explored by examining how many surgeons were identified as benchmark-setters in view of volume and outcome rates within CPT clusters. For the data captured, most surgeons performed cases spanning a median of 5 CPT clusters (range 1 to 15 clusters), with a median of 26 cases (range 1 to 776 cases) and a median of 2.8 years (range 0 to 5.5 years). The highest volume surgeon for that CPT cluster set the benchmark for 6 of 16 CPT clusters for SSIs, 8 of 16 CPT clusters for AKIs, and 9 of 16 CPT clusters for mortality. The ABC method appears to be a sound and useful approach to identifying benchmark-setting surgeons within a single institution. Such surgeons may be able to help their peers improve their performance. Copyright © 2016 American College of Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Abandoned metal mines and their impact on receiving waters: A case study from Southwest England.

PubMed

Beane, Steven J; Comber, Sean D W; Rieuwerts, John; Long, Peter

2016-06-01

Historic mine sites are a major source of contamination to terrestrial and river environments. To demonstrate the importance of determining the significance of point and diffuse metal contamination and the related bioavailability of the metals present from abandoned mines a case study has been carried out. The study provides a quantitative assessment of a historic mine site, Wheal Betsy, southwest England, and its contribution to non-compliance with Water Framework Directive (WFD) Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. Surface water and sediment samples showed significant negative environmental impacts even taking account of the bioavailability of the metal present, with lead concentration in the stream sediment up to 76 times higher than the Canadian sediment guidelines 'Probable Effect Level'. Benthic invertebrates showed a decline in species richness adjacent to the mine site with lead and cadmium the main cause. The main mine drainage adit was the single most significant source of metal (typically 50% of metal load from the area, but 88% for Ni) but the mine spoil tips north and south of the adit input added together discharged roughly an equivalent loading of metal with the exception of Ni. The bioavailability of metal in the spoil tips exhibited differing spatial patterns owing to varying ambient soil physico-chemistry. The data collected is essential to provide a clear understanding of the contamination present as well as its mobility and bioavailability, in order to direct the decision making process regarding remediation options and their likely effectiveness. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Melanocytic nevi, nevus genes and melanoma risk in a large case-control study in the United Kingdom

PubMed Central

Newton-Bishop, Julia A; Chang, Yu-Mei; Iles, Mark M; Taylor, John C; Bakker, Bert; Chan, May; Leake, Susan; Karpavicius, Birute; Haynes, Sue; Fitzgibbon, Elaine; Elliott, Faye; Kanetsky, Peter A.; Harland, Mark; Barrett, Jennifer H; Bishop, D Timothy

2010-01-01

Background Increased number of melanocytic nevi is a potent melanoma risk factor. We have carried out a large population-based case-control study to explore the environmental and genetic determinants of nevi and the relationship with melanoma risk. Methods We report nevus phenotype in relation to differing patterns of sun exposure, inherited variation at loci shown in recent genome-wide association studies to be nevus genes, and risk. Results Increased numbers of nevi were associated with holiday sun exposure, particularly on intermittently sun-exposed body sites (test for trend p<0.0001). Large nevi were also associated with holiday sun exposure (p=0.002). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on chromosomes 9 and 22 were associated with increased numbers of nevi (p=0.04 and p=0.002 respectively) and larger nevi (p=0.03 and p=0.002), whereas that on chromosome 6 was associated only with large nevi (p=0.01). Melanoma risk was associated with increased nevus count, large nevi and atypical nevi for tumors in all body sites (including rare sites) irrespective of age. The risk persisted when adjusted for inheritance of nevus SNPs. Conclusions The at-risk nevus phenotype is associated with behaviors known to increase melanoma risk (holiday sun exposure). Although SNPs on chromosomes 6, 9 and 22 were shown to be nevus genes they explained only a small proportion of melanoma risk and nevus phenotype; therefore a number of nevus genes likely remain to be identified. Impact This paper confirms the importance of nevi in melanoma pathogenesis and increases understanding of their genetic determinants. PMID:20647408

Right parietal cortex and calculation processing: intraoperative functional mapping of multiplication and addition in patients affected by a brain tumor.

PubMed

Della Puppa, Alessandro; De Pellegrin, Serena; d'Avella, Elena; Gioffrè, Giorgio; Munari, Marina; Saladini, Marina; Salillas, Elena; Scienza, Renato; Semenza, Carlo

2013-11-01

The role of parietal areas in number processing is well known. The significance of intraoperative functional mapping of these areas has been only partially explored, however, and only a few discordant data are available in the surgical literature with regard to the right parietal lobe. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical impact of simple calculation in cortical electrostimulation of right-handed patients affected by a right parietal brain tumor. Calculation mapping in awake surgery was performed in 3 right-handed patients affected by high-grade gliomas located in the right parietal lobe. Preoperatively, none of the patients presented with calculation deficits. In all 3 cases, after sensorimotor and language mapping, cortical and intraparietal sulcus areas involved in single-digit multiplication and addition calculations were mapped using bipolar electrostimulation. In all patients, different sites of the right parietal cortex, mainly in the inferior lobule, were detected as being specifically related to calculation (multiplication or addition). In 2 patients the intraparietal sulcus was functionally specific for multiplication. No functional sites for language were detected. All sites functional for calculation were spared during tumor resection, which was complete in all cases without postoperative neurological deficits. These findings provide intraoperative data in support of an anatomofunctional organization for multiplication and addition within the right parietal area. Furthermore, the study shows the potential clinical relevance of intraoperative mapping of calculation in patients undergoing surgery in the right parietal area. Further and larger studies are needed to confirm these data and assess whether mapped areas are effectively essential for function.

Free-style Deepithelialized Propeller Flaps: An Ideal Local Flap to Obliterate Wounds with Dead Space.

PubMed

Datli, Asli; Suh, HyunSuk; Kim, Young Chul; Choi, Doon Hoon; Hong, Joon Pio Jp

2017-03-01

The reconstruction of the posterior trunk, especially with large dead spaces, remains challenging. Regional muscle flaps may lack adequate volume and reach. The purpose of this report was to evaluate the efficacy of deepithelialized free-style perforator-based propeller flaps to obliterate defects with large dead space. A total of 7 patients with defects on the posterior trunk with large dead spaces were evaluated. After complete debridement or resection, all flaps were designed on a single perforator adjacent to the defect, deepithelialized, and then rotated in a propeller fashion. Flaps were further modified in some cases such as folding the flap after deepithelialization to increase bulk and to obliterate the dead space. The flap dimension ranged from 10 × 5 × 1 to 15 × 8 × 2.5 cm based on a single perforator. The rotation arch of the flap ranged from 90 to 180 degrees. Uneventful healing was noted in all cases. One case showed latent redness and swelling at 7 months after falling down, which resolved with medication. During the average follow-up of 28 months, there were no other flap and donor site complications. The deepithelialized propeller flap can be used efficiently to obliterate dead spaces in the posterior trunk and retains advantages such as having a good vascular supply, adequate bulk, sufficient reach without tension, and minimal donor site morbidity.

Defect Effects on TiO2 Nanosheets: Stabilizing Single Atomic Site Au and Promoting Catalytic Properties.

PubMed

Wan, Jiawei; Chen, Wenxing; Jia, Chuanyi; Zheng, Lirong; Dong, Juncai; Zheng, Xusheng; Wang, Yu; Yan, Wensheng; Chen, Chen; Peng, Qing; Wang, Dingsheng; Li, Yadong

2018-03-01

Isolated single atomic site catalysts have attracted great interest due to their remarkable catalytic properties. Because of their high surface energy, single atoms are highly mobile and tend to form aggregate during synthetic and catalytic processes. Therefore, it is a significant challenge to fabricate isolated single atomic site catalysts with good stability. Herein, a gentle method to stabilize single atomic site metal by constructing defects on the surface of supports is presented. As a proof of concept, single atomic site Au supported on defective TiO 2 nanosheets is prepared and it is discovered that (1) the surface defects on TiO 2 nanosheets can effectively stabilize Au single atomic sites through forming the Ti-Au-Ti structure; and (2) the Ti-Au-Ti structure can also promote the catalytic properties through reducing the energy barrier and relieving the competitive adsorption on isolated Au atomic sites. It is believed that this work paves a way to design stable and active single atomic site catalysts on oxide supports. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Pure retroperitoneal natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) transvaginal nephrectomy using standard laparoscopic instruments: a safety and feasibility study in a porcine model.

PubMed

Wei, Dechao; Han, Yili; Li, Mingchuan; Wang, Yongxing; Chen, Yatong; Luo, Yong; Jiang, Yongguang

2016-06-11

Among the different organs used for NOTES (natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery) technique, the transvaginal approach may be the optimal choice because of a simple and secure closure of colpotomy site. Pure and hybrid NOTES transvaginal operations were routinely performed via transperitoneal access. In this study, we investigate the safety and feasibility of pure retroperitoneal natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) transvaginal nephrectomy using conventional laparoscopic techniques in a porcine model. Six female pigs, weighing an average of 30 kg, were used in this study. Under general anesthesia, pure retroperitoneal NOTES transvaginal nephrectomy was conducted using standard laparoscopic instruments. Posterolateral colpotomy was performed, and the incision was enlarged laterally using blunt dissection and pneumatic dilation. A single-port device was inserted to construct the operative channel. The retroperitoneal space was created using sharp and blunt dissection under endoscopic guidance up to the level of the kidney. Dissection and removal of the kidney were performed according to standard surgical procedure, and the colpotomy site was closed using interrupted sutures. The survival and complications were observed 1 week postoperatively. Our results showed that two cases failed because of peritoneal rupture. One case was successful, but required the assistance of an extra 5 mm laparoscopic trocar inserted in the flank. Three cases of pure retroperitoneal NOTES transvaginal nephrectomy were completed, and survived 1 week after the operation. In these three cases, no intra- or postoperative complications were observed. All findings confirmed the safety and feasibility of the retroperitoneal pure retroperitoneal NOTES transvaginal nephrectomy using standard laparoscopic instruments, which suggested the possibility of clinical application in human beings in the future.

The endovascular treatment of a spinal perimedullary arteriovenous fistula with coils: a case report.

PubMed

Pasqualetto, L; Papa, R; Isalberti, M; Nuzzi, N P; Branca, V

2011-03-01

We report a case of direct spinal intradural ventral arteriovenous fistula of the thoraco-lumbar region. Angiography demonstrated a single feeder from the anterior spinal artery that drained directly into a markedly dilated vein without an intervening nidus. The endovascular treatment was performed by a transarterial approach and the occlusion of the fistula, after a failed treatment by a detachable balloon, was obtained by coils released in the initial fistulous site inside a venous dilatation with complete clinical cure. This case indicates that endovascular treatment is possible using coils as a valid and safe alternative to a balloon, glue or surgical approach.

Plasmacytoma of larynx--a case report.

PubMed

Pratibha, C B; Sreenivas, V; Babu, M K; Rout, Pritilata; Nayar, Ravi C

2009-11-01

Plasma cell myeloma, the most common plasma cell neoplasm, is characterized by the presence of multiple lesions in the bone marrow. A single isolated lesion may occur either in bone (solitary plasmacytoma of bone) or in soft tissue (extramedullary plasmacytoma). Most cases of extramedullary plasmacytoma occur in the head and neck region. The diagnosis is established by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. A detailed evaluation for lesions at other sites is recommended as extramedullary plasmacytoma treated by radiation therapy has better survival rates than plasma cell myeloma, which is treated by chemotherapy. A case of plasmacytoma of the larynx is presented highlighting clinical and histological features with a review of literature.

Agreement between T2 and haste sequences in the evaluation of thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease in dogs.

PubMed

Mankin, Joseph M; Hecht, Silke; Thomas, William B

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study was to compare half-Fourier-acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE) and T2-weighted (T2-W) sequences in dogs with thoracolumbar disc extrusion. MRI studies in 60 dogs (767 individual intervertebral disc spaces) were evaluated. Agreement between T2-W and HASTE sequences was assessed for two criteria: presence of an extradural lesion and treatment recommendation. There was moderate agreement between T2-W and HASTE sequences as to presence of an extradural lesion (kappa = 0.575). HASTE was in agreement in 96.1% of the sites where no extradural lesion was identified on T2-W images, but only in 58.1% of the sites where extradural lesions were identified on T2-W images. There was also moderate agreement between T2-W and HASTE sequences as to treatment recommendations (kappa = 0.476). HASTE was in agreement in 98.4% of the sites where a lesion was considered nonsurgical on T2 but only 82.1% of sites a lesion was considered surgical on T2. In 1.0% of sites considered not surgical and in 9.8% of sites considered equivocal based on T2-W images, a surgical lesion was identified on HASTE. Acquisition of a HASTE sequence in addition to conventional sequences may be beneficial in determining the severity of spinal cord compression in some cases when evaluating the canine spine.

Enumeration of antigen-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes by single-platform, HLA tetramer-based flow cytometry: a European multicenter evaluation.

PubMed

Heijnen, Ingmar A F M; Barnett, David; Arroz, Maria J; Barry, Simon M; Bonneville, Marc; Brando, Bruno; D'hautcourt, Jean-Luc; Kern, Florian; Tötterman, Thomas H; Marijt, Erik W A; Bossy, David; Preijers, Frank W M B; Rothe, Gregor; Gratama, Jan W

2004-11-01

HLA class I peptide tetramers represent powerful diagnostic tools for detection and monitoring of antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells. The impetus for the current multicenter study is the critical need to standardize tetramer flow cytometry if it is to be implemented as a routine diagnostic assay. Hence, the European Working Group on Clinical Cell Analysis set out to develop and evaluate a single-platform tetramer-based method that used cytomegalovirus (CMV) as the antigenic model. Absolute numbers of CMV-specific CD8(+) T cells were obtained by combining the percentage of tetramer-binding cells with the absolute CD8(+) T-cell count. Six send-outs of stabilized blood from healthy individuals or CMV-carrying donors with CMV-specific CD8(+) T-cell counts of 3 to 10 cells/microl were distributed to 7 to 16 clinical sites. These sites were requested to enumerate CD8(+) T cells and, in the case of CMV-positive donors, CMV-specific subsets on three separate occasions using the standard method. Between-site coefficients of variation of less than 10% (absolute CD8(+) T-cell counts) and approximately 30% (percentage and absolute numbers of CMV-specific CD8(+) T cells) were achieved. Within-site coefficients of variation were approximately 5% (absolute CD8(+) T-cell counts), approximately 9% (percentage CMV-specific CD8(+) T cells), and approximately 17% (absolute CMV-specific CD8(+) T-cell counts). The degree of variation tended to correlate inversely with the proportion of CMV-specific CD8(+) T-cell subsets. The single-platform MHC tetramer-based method for antigen-specific CD8(+) T-cell counting has been evaluated by a European group of laboratories and can be considered a reproducible assay for routine enumeration of antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells. (c) 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Characterization of a splicing mutation in group A xeroderma pigmentosum

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

Satokata, Ichiro; Tanaka, Kiyoji; Miura, Naoyuki

1990-12-01

The molecular basis of group A xeroderma pigmentosum (WP) was investigated by comparison of the nucleotide sequences of multiple clones of the XP group A complementing gene (XPAC) from a patient with group A XP with that of a normal gene. The clones showed a G {r arrow} C substitution at the 3{prime} splice acceptor site of intron 3, which altered the obligatory AG acceptor dinucleotide to AC. Nucleotide sequencing of cDNAs amplified by the polymerase chain reaction revealed that this single base substitution abolishes the canonical 3{prime} splice site, thus creating two abnormally spliced mRNA forms. The larger formmore » is identical with normal mRNA except for a dinucleotide deletion at the 5{prime} end of exon 4. This deletion results in a frameshift with premature translation termination in exon 4. The smaller form has a deletion of the entire exon 3 and the dinucleotide at the 5{prime} end of exon 4. The result of a transfection study provided additional evidence that this single base substitution is the disease-causing mutation. This single base substitution creates a new cleavage site for the restriction nuclease AlwNI. Analysis of AlwNI restriction fragment length polymorphism showed a high frequency of this mutation in Japanese patients with group A XP: 16 of 21 unrelated Japanese patients were homozygous and 4 were heterozygous for this mutation. However, 11 Caucasians and 2 Blacks with group A XP did not have this mutant allele. The polymorphic AlwNI restriction fragments are concluded to be useful for diagnosis of group A XP in Japanese subjects, including prenatal cases and carriers.« less

Statistics of opinion domains of the majority-vote model on a square lattice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peres, Lucas R.; Fontanari, José F.

2010-10-01

The existence of juxtaposed regions of distinct cultures in spite of the fact that people’s beliefs have a tendency to become more similar to each other’s as the individuals interact repeatedly is a puzzling phenomenon in the social sciences. Here we study an extreme version of the frequency-dependent bias model of social influence in which an individual adopts the opinion shared by the majority of the members of its extended neighborhood, which includes the individual itself. This is a variant of the majority-vote model in which the individual retains its opinion in case there is a tie among the neighbors’ opinions. We assume that the individuals are fixed in the sites of a square lattice of linear size L and that they interact with their nearest neighbors only. Within a mean-field framework, we derive the equations of motion for the density of individuals adopting a particular opinion in the single-site and pair approximations. Although the single-site approximation predicts a single opinion domain that takes over the entire lattice, the pair approximation yields a qualitatively correct picture with the coexistence of different opinion domains and a strong dependence on the initial conditions. Extensive Monte Carlo simulations indicate the existence of a rich distribution of opinion domains or clusters, the number of which grows with L2 whereas the size of the largest cluster grows with lnL2 . The analysis of the sizes of the opinion domains shows that they obey a power-law distribution for not too large sizes but that they are exponentially distributed in the limit of very large clusters. In addition, similarly to other well-known social influence model—Axelrod’s model—we found that these opinion domains are unstable to the effect of a thermal-like noise.

Preliminary analysis of the role of lake basin morphology on the modern diatom flora in the Ruby Mountains and East Humboldt Range, Nevada, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Starratt, Scott W.

2014-01-01

As paleolimnologists, we often look at the world through a 5-cm-diameter hole in the bottom of a lake, and although a number of studies have shown that a single core in the deepest part of a lake does not necessarily reflect the entire diatom flora, time and money often limit our ability to collect more than one core from a given site. This preliminary study is part of a multidisciplinary research project to understand Holocene climate variability in alpine regions of the Great Basin, and ultimately, to compare these high elevation records to the better studied pluvial records from adjacent valleys, in this case, the Ruby Valley.

Single Molecule Raman Spectroscopy Under High Pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, Yuanxi; Dlott, Dana

2014-06-01

Pressure effects on surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectra of Rhdoamine 6G adsorbed on silver nanoparticle surfaces was studied using a confocal Raman microscope. Colloidal silver nanoparticles were treated with Rhodamine 6G (R6G) and its isotopically substituted partner, R6G-d4. Mixed isotopomers let us identify single-molecule spectra, since multiple-molecule spectra would show vibrational transitions from both species. The nanoparticles were embedded into a poly vinyl alcohol film, and loaded into a diamond anvil cell for the high-pressure Raman scattering measurement. Argon was the pressure medium. Ambient pressure Raman scattering spectra showed few single-molecule spectra. At moderately high pressure ( 1GPa), a surprising effect was observed. The number of sites with observable spectra decreased dramatically, and most of the spectra that could be observed were due to single molecules. The effects of high pressure suppressed the multiple-molecule Raman sites, leaving only the single-molecule sites to be observed.

7 CFR 1924.115 - Single Family Housing site evaluation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 12 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Single Family Housing site evaluation. 1924.115 Section 1924.115 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) RURAL HOUSING... Work § 1924.115 Single Family Housing site evaluation. (a) Site review. The site approval official will...

7 CFR 1924.115 - Single Family Housing site evaluation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 12 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Single Family Housing site evaluation. 1924.115... SERVICE, RURAL BUSINESS-COOPERATIVE SERVICE, RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, AND FARM SERVICE AGENCY, DEPARTMENT... Work § 1924.115 Single Family Housing site evaluation. (a) Site review. The site approval official will...

Dynamic Changes of QRS Morphology of Premature Ventricular Contractions During Ablation in the Right Ventricular Outflow Tract: A Case Report.

PubMed

Yue-Chun, Li; Jia-Feng, Lin; Jia-Xuan, Lin

2015-10-01

Electrocardiographic characteristics can be useful in differentiating between right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) and aortic sinus cusp (ASC) ventricular arrhythmias. Ventricular arrhythmias originating from ASC, however, show preferential conduction to RVOT that may render the algorithms of electrocardiographic characteristics less reliable. Even though there are few reports describing ventricular arrhythmias with ASC origins and endocardial breakout sites of RVOT, progressive dynamic changes in QRS morphology of the ventricular arrhythmias during ablation obtained were rare.This case report describes a patient with symptomatic premature ventricular contractions of left ASC origin presenting an electrocardiogram (ECG) characteristic of right ventricular outflow tract before ablation. Pacing at right ventricular outflow tract reproduced an excellent pace map. When radiofrequency catheter ablation was applied to the right ventricular outflow tract, the QRS morphology of premature ventricular contractions progressively changed from ECG characteristics of right ventricular outflow tract origin to ECG characteristics of left ASC origin.Successful radiofrequency catheter ablation was achieved at the site of the earliest ventricular activation in the left ASC. The distance between the successful ablation site of the left ASC and the site with an excellent pace map of the RVOT was 20 mm.The ndings could be strong evidence for a preferential conduction via the myocardial bers from the ASC origin to the breakout site in the right ventricular outflow tract. This case demonstrates that ventricular arrhythmias with a single origin and exit shift may exhibit QRS morphology changes.

Angiosarcoma of the liver in Great Britain in proximity to vinyl chloride sites.

PubMed

Elliott, P; Kleinschmidt, I

1997-01-01

To study the incidence of angiosarcoma of the liver in England and Wales 1979-86 and Scotland 1975-87. To investigate whether any non-occupational neighbourhood cases occurred near a vinyl chloride site. This is a geographical study of incident cases among the general population of Great Britain. Diagnosis of angiosarcoma of the liver was based mainly on the national cancer registry, the world register of cases among vinyl chloride workers, and the register of cases (including histological review) maintained by the Health and Safety Executive. Proximity (< 10 km) of residence to a vinyl chloride site was based on postcode of address at the time of diagnosis. 55 cases were ascribed to angiosarcoma of the liver in England and Wales with a further six cases in Scotland (annual incidence in Great Britain from all sources of around 1.4 cases per 10 million population). There were two cases with documented exposure to Thorotrast, and 10 cases among vinyl chloride workers. There were no vinyl chloride sites in Scotland. Among the 25 cases in England and Wales with histological diagnosis after review by a panel of pathologists, only 15 were confirmed as angiosarcoma, and one of the two Scottish cases after histological review was also confirmed. Overall, 11 cases ascribed to angiosarcoma were resident within 10 km of a vinyl chloride site; nine were vinyl chloride workers, one further case on histological review was not considered to have been correctly diagnosed as angiosarcoma, and the remaining case, confirmed as angiosarcoma, was employed at a vinyl chloride factory during the late 1950s, although not as a vinyl chloride worker. The incidence of angiosarcoma of the liver in Great Britain remains extremely rare. The one confirmed case in a non-vinyl chloride worker within 10 km of a site must nevertheless be presumed to have been exposed to vinyl chloride in the workplace. In the period of study, there were no confirmed non-occupationally exposed cases of angiosarcoma among residents living near a vinyl chloride site in Great Britain.

Angiosarcoma of the liver in Great Britain in proximity to vinyl chloride sites.

PubMed Central

Elliott, P; Kleinschmidt, I

1997-01-01

OBJECTIVES: To study the incidence of angiosarcoma of the liver in England and Wales 1979-86 and Scotland 1975-87. To investigate whether any non-occupational neighbourhood cases occurred near a vinyl chloride site. METHODS: This is a geographical study of incident cases among the general population of Great Britain. Diagnosis of angiosarcoma of the liver was based mainly on the national cancer registry, the world register of cases among vinyl chloride workers, and the register of cases (including histological review) maintained by the Health and Safety Executive. Proximity (< 10 km) of residence to a vinyl chloride site was based on postcode of address at the time of diagnosis. RESULTS: 55 cases were ascribed to angiosarcoma of the liver in England and Wales with a further six cases in Scotland (annual incidence in Great Britain from all sources of around 1.4 cases per 10 million population). There were two cases with documented exposure to Thorotrast, and 10 cases among vinyl chloride workers. There were no vinyl chloride sites in Scotland. Among the 25 cases in England and Wales with histological diagnosis after review by a panel of pathologists, only 15 were confirmed as angiosarcoma, and one of the two Scottish cases after histological review was also confirmed. Overall, 11 cases ascribed to angiosarcoma were resident within 10 km of a vinyl chloride site; nine were vinyl chloride workers, one further case on histological review was not considered to have been correctly diagnosed as angiosarcoma, and the remaining case, confirmed as angiosarcoma, was employed at a vinyl chloride factory during the late 1950s, although not as a vinyl chloride worker. CONCLUSION: The incidence of angiosarcoma of the liver in Great Britain remains extremely rare. The one confirmed case in a non-vinyl chloride worker within 10 km of a site must nevertheless be presumed to have been exposed to vinyl chloride in the workplace. In the period of study, there were no confirmed non-occupationally exposed cases of angiosarcoma among residents living near a vinyl chloride site in Great Britain. PMID:9072028

View from the top: CEO perspectives on executive development and succession planning practices in healthcare organizations.

PubMed

Groves, Kevin S

2006-01-01

Many healthcare professionals question whether the industry's hospitals and multi-site systems are implementing the necessary executive development and succession planning systems to ensure that high potential managers are prepared and aptly selected to assume key executive roles. Survey data, case studies, and cross-industry comparisons suggest that healthcare organizations may face a leadership crisis as the current generation of chief executive officers (CEOs) nears retirement while traditional means of developing the leadership pipeline, including middle-management positions and graduate programs requiring formal residencies, continue to dissipate. Given the daunting challenges that accompany the healthcare industry's quest to identify, develop, and retain leadership talent, this article provides best practice findings from a qualitative study of 13 healthcare organizations with a record of exemplary executive development and succession planning practices. CEOs from six single-site hospitals, six healthcare systems, and one medical group were interviewed to identify industry best practices so that healthcare practitioners and educators may utilize the findings to enhance the industry's leadership capacity.

All-Inside Single-Bundle Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament with the Anterior Half of the Peroneus Longus Tendon Compared to the Semitendinosus Tendon: A Two-Year Follow-Up Study.

PubMed

Bi, Mingguang; Zhao, Chen; Zhang, Shuijun; Yao, Bin; Hong, Zheping; Bi, Qing

2018-02-08

The anterior half of the peroneus longus tendon (AHPLT) has been reported to be acceptable for ligament reconstruction with respect to strength and safety. However, there is little information regarding the clinical outcomes after using the AHPLT compared with other autograft tendons. A prospective randomized controlled study was performed to compare the results of 62 cases of all-inside anatomical single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using the AHPLT and 62 cases using semitendinosus graft with an average of 30.0 ± 3.6 months' follow-up. Tunnel placements of enrolled cases were measured on three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) and X-ray imaging. Knee stability was assessed using the anterior drawer test, pivot shift test, and KT-1000. The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) 2000 subjective score was used to evaluate functional outcomes. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) and the assessment of eversion muscle strength were performed to evaluate the function of the ankle donor site. Tunnel positions, which were confirmed with 3D CT, were in the anatomical positions. At the final follow-up, there were no significant differences between the semitendinosus group and the AHPLT group in the IKDC score (90.4 ± 7.1 vs. 89.3. ± 8.4), KT 1000 measurements (1.71 ± 0.57 vs. 1.85 ± 0.77), pivot shift test, and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) (0.15 ± 0.36 vs. 0.10 ± 0.30). No obvious ankle site complications were found at 24 months. The average AOFAS score of the AHPLT group was comparable to that of the semitendinosus tendon group (99.1 ± 1.40 vs. 99.5 ± 1.21). There was no significant difference in clinical outcomes or knee stability between the semitendinosus group and the AHPLT group at the 2-year follow-up. An AHPLT autograft may be a good alternative for all-inside ACL reconstruction with respect to its strength, safety, and donor site morbidity. Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Mobile Platforms for Continuous Spatial Measurements of Urban Trace Gases and Criteria Pollutants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fasoli, B.; Mitchell, L.; Bares, R.; Crosman, E.; Bush, S. E.; Horel, J.; Lin, J. C.; Bowling, D. R.; Ehleringer, J. R.

2015-12-01

Surface-based observations of atmospheric trace gases and criteria pollutants provide critical data on how emissions and pollutant concentrations vary over time. However, traditional stationary measurement sites only quantify concentrations at a single point in space, limiting our ability to understand spatial patterns. Using trace gas instrumentation capable of making continuous high-frequency (~1s) measurements, we have developed mobile platforms to complement stationary observation sites in order to better constrain the heterogeneity and complexities of urban emissions. These compact trace gas and criteria pollutant measurement systems are capable of precisely measuring CO2, CH4 PM2.5, O3, NOx, and several meteorological parameters on TRAX, Salt Lake City's light-rail system, and in a van-based mobile laboratory. Using case study observations, we discuss mobile measurement methodologies and the practical applications of mobile trace gas sampling platforms.

Magnetic Characterization of Stream-Sediments From Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, Affected by Pollution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaparro, M. A.; Sinito, A. M.; Bidegain, J. C.; Gogorza, C. S.; Jurado, S.

2001-12-01

A wide urban area from Northeast of Buenos Aires Province is exposed to an important anthropogenic influence, mainly due to industrial activity. In this two water streams were chosen: one of them (Del Gato stream, G) next to La Plata City and the another one (El Pescado stream, P) on the outskirts of the city. Both streams have similar characteristics, although the first one (G) has a higher input of pollutants (fluvial effluents, fly ashes, solid wastes, etc.) than the last one (P). Sediments analyzed in this work are limes from continental origin of PostPampeano (Holocene). Although, some cores were affected by sandy-limy sediments with mollusc valves from Querandino Sea (Pleistocene - later Holocene) and limy sediments of chestnut color with calcareous concretions from the Ensenadense. Magnetic measurements and geochemical studies were carried out on the samples. Among the magnetic parameters, specific susceptibility (X), X frequency-dependence (Xfd%), X temperature-dependence, Natural Remanent Magnetization (NRM), Isothermal Remanent Magnetization (IRM), Saturation IRM (SIRM), coercivity of remanence (Bcr), S ratio and SIRM/X ratio, Anhysteric Remanent Magnetization (ARM), Magnetic and Thermal Demagnetization were studied. The magnetic characteristics for both sites indicate the predominance of magnetically soft minerals on G site and relatively hard minerals on P site. Magnetite is the main magnetic carrier, Pseudo Single Domain and Single Domain grains were found. Chemical studies show (in some cases) a high concentration for some heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Zn, Ni and Fe) on the upper 22-cm. Contents of heavy metals and ARM were correlated. Very good correlation (R> 0.81) is found for Cu, Zn, Ni, Fe and the sum (of Pb, Cu, Zn and Ni), and a weaker correlation for Pb.

Evaluation of Cirrus Cloud Simulations Using ARM Data - Development of a Case Study Data Set

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

O'C.Starr, David; Demoz, Belay; Lare, Andrew; Poellot, Michael; Sassen, Kenneth; Heymsfield, Andrew; Brown, Philip; Mace, Jay; Einaudi, Franco (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

Cloud-resolving models (CRMs) provide an effective linkage in terms of parameters and scales between observations and the parametric treatments of clouds in global climate models (GCMs). They also represent the best understanding of the physical processes acting to determine cloud system lifecycle. The goal of this project is to improve state-of-the-art CRMs used for studies of cirrus clouds and to establish a relative calibration with GCMs through comparisons among CRMs, single column model (SCM) versions of the GCMs, and observations. This project will compare and evaluate a variety of CRMs and SCMs, under the auspices of the GEWEX Cloud Systems Study (GCSS) Working Group on Cirrus Cloud Systems (WG2), using ARM data acquired at the Southern Great Plains (SGP) site. This poster will report on progress in developing a suitable WG2 case study data set based on the September 26, 1996 ARM IOP case - the Hurricane Nora outflow case. The environmental data (input) will be described as well as the wealth of validating cloud observations. We plan to also show results of preliminary simulations. The science questions to be addressed derive significantly from results of the GCSS WG2 cloud model comparison projects, which will be briefly summarized.

Clinical spectrum of intrathoracic Castleman disease: a retrospective analysis of 48 cases in a single Chinese hospital.

PubMed

Luo, Jin Mei; Li, Shan; Huang, Hui; Cao, Jian; Xu, Kai; Bi, Ya Lan; Feng, Rui E; Huang, Cheng; Qin, Ying Zhi; Xu, Zuo Jun; Xiao, Yi

2015-04-09

Thorax is the common place to develop Castleman disease (CD), but there is no systemic clinical analysis for intrathoracic CD. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 48 intrathoracic CD patients with definite pathological diagnosis who were hospitalized between 1992 and 2012 in a Chinese tertiary referral hospital. The study included 16 cases with unicentric CD (UCD) and 32 cases with multicentric CD (MCD). UCD were younger than MCD (30.5y vs 41.6ys, P < 0.05). MCD were more symptomatic (50% vs 96.9%, P < 0.001) and sicker than UCD, including more fever, hepatomegaly and/or splenomegaly and hypoalbuminemia. All of UCD showed solitary mass in various sites and two of them were complicated by small pleural effusion. In the MCD group, their chest CT showed obvious lymphadenopathy in the hilum and/or mediastinum (100%), diffuse parenchymal lung shadows (43.75%), pleural effusion (40.6%), mass in the mediastinum (6.25%) or hilum (3.12%) and bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) (3.12%). Besides LIP-like images, multiple nodules of different size and sites, patchy, ground-glass opacities and consolidation were showed in their chest CT. Surgery were arranged for all UCD for diagnosis and treatment and all were alive. In MCD group, superficial lymph nodes biopsies (21 cases), surgery biopsy (9 cases) and CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy (2 cases) were performed. Hyaline vascular (HV) variant were more common in the UCD group (75% vs 37.5%, P < 0.05). In MCD group, 28 cases were prescribed with chemotherapy, one refused to receive therapy and the rest three were arranged for regular follow-up. Among MCD, 18 cases was improved, 7 cases was stable, 4 cases lost follow-up and 3 cases died. Intrathoracic MCD was more common than UCD in our hospital. MCD was older, more symptomic and sicker than UCD. HV variant were more common in UCD. All of UCD showed mass in various intrathoracic locations and surgery resection was performed for all and all were alive. Mass, pleural effusion, BO and diffuse pulmonary shadows, including LIP-like images, multiple nodules of different size and sites, patchy, GGO and consolidations were showed in our MCD. Most of MCD cases were arranged with chemotherapy and their prognosis were worse than UCD's.

Robustness of Reconstructed Ancestral Protein Functions to Statistical Uncertainty.

PubMed

Eick, Geeta N; Bridgham, Jamie T; Anderson, Douglas P; Harms, Michael J; Thornton, Joseph W

2017-02-01

Hypotheses about the functions of ancient proteins and the effects of historical mutations on them are often tested using ancestral protein reconstruction (APR)-phylogenetic inference of ancestral sequences followed by synthesis and experimental characterization. Usually, some sequence sites are ambiguously reconstructed, with two or more statistically plausible states. The extent to which the inferred functions and mutational effects are robust to uncertainty about the ancestral sequence has not been studied systematically. To address this issue, we reconstructed ancestral proteins in three domain families that have different functions, architectures, and degrees of uncertainty; we then experimentally characterized the functional robustness of these proteins when uncertainty was incorporated using several approaches, including sampling amino acid states from the posterior distribution at each site and incorporating the alternative amino acid state at every ambiguous site in the sequence into a single "worst plausible case" protein. In every case, qualitative conclusions about the ancestral proteins' functions and the effects of key historical mutations were robust to sequence uncertainty, with similar functions observed even when scores of alternate amino acids were incorporated. There was some variation in quantitative descriptors of function among plausible sequences, suggesting that experimentally characterizing robustness is particularly important when quantitative estimates of ancient biochemical parameters are desired. The worst plausible case method appears to provide an efficient strategy for characterizing the functional robustness of ancestral proteins to large amounts of sequence uncertainty. Sampling from the posterior distribution sometimes produced artifactually nonfunctional proteins for sequences reconstructed with substantial ambiguity. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution.

Firearm-related deaths in Brescia (Northern Italy) between 1994 and 2006: a retrospective study.

PubMed

Verzeletti, Andrea; Astorri, Paolo; De Ferrari, Francesco

2009-08-01

This retrospective study analyzes post-mortem examination data of 164 firearm-related casualties recorded by the Brescia, Italy Institute of Forensic Medicine between the years 1994 and 2006. The following variables were considered: year, month and day of death, gender and age of the victim, manner of death (homicide, suicide, accidental), type of weapon used, anatomical site and number of wounds, scene of death, and, whenever requested by the local District Attorney's Office, results of the toxicological examinations conducted on the corpses of the deceased. In the County of Brescia, Italy, the 2006 firearm-related mortality rate amounted to 0.84 per 100,000 residents, with an average of 12.6 cases per year. The most common manner of death was suicide (60.4%), followed by homicide (35.9%) and accidental death (3.7%). Most victims were male, with an average age of 47.2 in cases of suicide, 37.9 in cases of homicide, and 47.5 in cases of accidental death. Considering all of the death manners contemplated in this study, the weapon types most frequently resorted to were single-action, short-barrelled guns, followed by multiple-action, long-barrelled ones. In cases of suicide, entry wounds were primarily situated on the head (right temple) and chest (precordium), while in cases of homicide no conclusions could be drawn as to the entry wounds' predominant location.

Intraoperative vancomycin use in spinal surgery: single institution experience and microbial trends.

PubMed

Ghobrial, George M; Thakkar, Vismay; Andrews, Edward; Lang, Michael; Chitale, Ameet; Oppenlander, Mark E; Maulucci, Christopher M; Sharan, Ashwini D; Heller, Joshua; Harrop, James S; Jallo, Jack; Prasad, Srinivas

2014-04-01

Retrospective case series. To demonstrate the microbial trends of spinal surgical site infections in patients who had previously received crystallized vancomycin in the operative bed. Prior large, case control series demonstrate the significant decrease in surgical site infection with the administration of vancomycin in the wound bed. A single institution, electronic database search was conducted for all patients who underwent spinal surgery who had received prophylactic crystalline vancomycin powder in the wound bed. Patients with a prior history of wound infection, intrathecal pumps, or spinal stimulators were excluded. A total of 981 consecutive patients (494 males, 487 females; mean age, 59.4 yr; range, 16-95 yr) were identified from January 2011 to June 2013. The average dose of vancomycin powder was 1.13 g (range, 1-6 g). Sixty-six patients (6.71%) were diagnosed with a surgical site infection, of which 51 patients had positive wound cultures (5.2%). Of the 51 positive cultures, the most common organism was Staphylococcus aureus. The average dose of vancomycin was 1.3 g in the 38 cases where a gram-positive organism was cultured. A number of gram-negative infections were encountered such as Serratia marcescens, Enterobacter aerogenes, Bacteroides fragilis, Enterobacter cloacae, Citrobacter koseri, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The average dose of vancomycin was 1.2 g in 23 cases where a gram-negative infection was cultured. Fifteen of the 51 positive cultures (29.4%) were polymicrobial. Eight (53%) of these 15 polymicrobial cultures contained 3 or more distinct organisms. Prophylactic intraoperative vancomycin use in the wound bed in spinal surgery may increase the incidence of gram-negative or polymicrobial spinal infections. The use of intraoperative vancomycin may correlate with postoperative seromas, due to the high incidence of nonpositive cultures. Large, randomized, prospective trials are needed to demonstrate causation and dose-response relationship.

Recruitment of ethnic minorities for public health research: An interpretive synthesis of experiences from six interlinked Danish studies.

PubMed

Nielsen, Annemette Ljungdalh; Jervelund, Signe Smith; Villadsen, Sarah Fredsted; Vitus, Kathrine; Ditlevsen, Kia; TØrslev, Mette Kirstine; Kristiansen, Maria

2017-03-01

This paper examines the importance of recruitment site in relation to the recruitment of ethnic minorities into health research. It presents a synthesis of experiences drawn from six interlinked Danish studies which applied different methods and used healthcare facilities and educational settings as sites for recruitment. Inspired by interpretive reviewing, data on recruitment methods from the different studies were synthesized with a focus on the various levels of recruitment success achieved. This involved an iterative process of comparison, analysis and discussion of experiences among the researchers involved. Success in recruitment seemed to depend partly on recruitment site. Using healthcare facilities as the recruitment site and healthcare professionals as gatekeepers was less efficient than using schools and employees from educational institutions. Successful study designs also depended on the possibility of singling out specific locations with a high proportion of the relevant ethnic minority target population. The findings, though based on a small number of cases, indicate that health professionals and healthcare institutions, despite their interest in high-quality health research into all population groups, fail to facilitate research access to some of the most disadvantaged groups, who need to be included in order to understand the mechanisms behind health disparities. This happens despite the genuine wish of many healthcare professionals to help facilitate such research. In this way, the findings indirectly emphasize the specific challenge of accessing more vulnerable and sick groups in research studies.

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the infratemporal fossa: a rare case report.

PubMed

Thakur, Jagdeep S; Minhas, Ravinder S; Mohindroo, Narinder K; Sharma, Dev R; Mohindroo, Shobha; Thakur, Anamika

2009-06-21

The head and neck are two of the most common sites of extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). However, primary tumors of the infratemporal fossa are infrequent, and NHL in this region is extremely rare. We present a case of a 41-year-old female that presented with swelling in the right preauricular region that had persisted for the past two years. The patient was diagnosed as having a small lymphocytic NHL. She initially underwent chemo-radiation but reported relapse. The tumor was excised and again the patient underwent chemotherapy. The patient remained symptomatic and developed a second primary squamous cell carcinoma in the right retromolar trigone. We discussed NHL with an emphasis on extranodal manifestations. Extranodal NHL that is limited to a single site can be managed by surgery and regular follow up. To the best of our knowledge, this is only the second case of primary NHL of the infratemporal fossa to be reported in the literature.

Structure/cleavage-based insights into helical perturbations at bulge sites within T. thermophilus Argonaute silencing complexes

PubMed Central

Sheng, Gang; Gogakos, Tasos; Wang, Jiuyu; Zhao, Hongtu; Serganov, Artem; Juranek, Stefan

2017-01-01

Abstract We have undertaken a systematic structural study of Thermus thermophilus Argonaute (TtAgo) ternary complexes containing single-base bulges positioned either within the seed segment of the guide or target strands and at the cleavage site. Our studies establish that single-base bulges 7T8, 5A6 and 4A5 on the guide strand are stacked-into the duplex, with conformational changes localized to the bulge site, thereby having minimal impact on the cleavage site. By contrast, single-base bulges 6’U7’ and 6’A7’ on the target strand are looped-out of the duplex, with the resulting conformational transitions shifting the cleavable phosphate by one step. We observe a stable alignment for the looped-out 6’N7’ bulge base, which stacks on the unpaired first base of the guide strand, with the looped-out alignment facilitated by weakened Watson–Crick and reversed non-canonical flanking pairs. These structural studies are complemented by cleavage assays that independently monitor the impact of bulges on TtAgo-mediated cleavage reaction. PMID:28911094

Low-energy electron diffraction study of potassium adsorbed on single-crystal graphite and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite

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

Ferralis, N.; Diehl, R.D.; Pussi, K.

2004-12-15

Potassium adsorption on graphite has been a model system for the understanding of the interaction of alkali metals with surfaces. The geometries of the (2x2) structure of potassium on both single-crystal graphite (SCG) and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) were investigated for various preparation conditions for graphite temperatures between 55 and 140 K. In all cases, the geometry was found to consist of K atoms in the hollow sites on top of the surface. The K-graphite average perpendicular spacing is 2.79{+-}0.03 A , corresponding to an average C-K distance of 3.13{+-}0.03 A , and the spacing between graphite planes ismore » consistent with the bulk spacing of 3.35 A. No evidence was observed for a sublayer of potassium. The results of dynamical LEED studies for the clean SCG and HOPG surfaces indicate that the surface structures of both are consistent with the truncated bulk structure of graphite.« less

Clinical Inquiry: Is megestrol acetate safe and effective for malnourished nursing home residents?

PubMed

Wen, Frances K; Millar, James; Oberst-Walsh, Linda; Nashelsky, Joan

2018-02-01

No. Megestrol acetate (MA) is neither safe nor effective for stimulating appetite in malnourished nursing home residents. It increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis (strength of recommendation [SOR]: C, 2 retrospective chart reviews), but isn't associated with other new or worsening events or disorders (SOR: B, single randomized controlled trial [RCT]). Over a 25-week period, MA wasn't associated with increased mortality (SOR: B, single RCT). After 44 months, however, MA-treated patients showed decreased median survival (SOR: B, single case-control study). Consistent, meaningful weight gain was not observed with MA treatment (SOR: B, single case-control study, single RCT, 2 retrospective chart reviews, single prospective case-series).

Photoinduced High-Frequency Charge Oscillations in Dimerized Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yonemitsu, Kenji

2018-04-01

Photoinduced charge dynamics in dimerized systems is studied on the basis of the exact diagonalization method and the time-dependent Schrödinger equation for a one-dimensional spinless-fermion model at half filling and a two-dimensional model for κ-(bis[ethylenedithio]tetrathiafulvalene)2X [κ-(BEDT-TTF)2X] at three-quarter filling. After the application of a one-cycle pulse of a specifically polarized electric field, the charge densities at half of the sites of the system oscillate in the same phase and those at the other half oscillate in the opposite phase. For weak fields, the Fourier transform of the time profile of the charge density at any site after photoexcitation has peaks for finite-sized systems that correspond to those of the steady-state optical conductivity spectrum. For strong fields, these peaks are suppressed and a new peak appears on the high-energy side, that is, the charge densities mainly oscillate with a single frequency, although the oscillation is eventually damped. In the two-dimensional case without intersite repulsion and in the one-dimensional case, this frequency corresponds to charge-transfer processes by which all the bonds connecting the two classes of sites are exploited. Thus, this oscillation behaves as an electronic breathing mode. The relevance of the new peak to a recently found reflectivity peak in κ-(BEDT-TTF)2X after photoexcitation is discussed.

How ligands improve the hydrothermal stability and affect the adsorption in the IRMOF family.

PubMed

Bellarosa, Luca; Gutiérrez-Sevillano, Juan J; Calero, Sofía; López, Núria

2013-10-28

Metal-Organic Frameworks are considered to be the next generation of sorbents both because of their synthetic versatility and high selectivity potential. In the first generation (IRMOF), the main drawback for commercial implementation is the lack of hydrothermal stability. Even if several studies have been conducted to elucidate the reasons behind their structural weakness in humid environments, how apparently small changes in the stoichiometry of the building units affect the stability of the lattice is still poorly understood. Using density functional theory and ab initio molecular dynamics we investigated the reason behind the different behaviour of several substituted IRMOF-1 structures. We show that hydrophilic variations in the organic linkers work as new basins of attraction for the incoming water molecules, thus depleting the water content at the metal center. To confirm this, we performed Monte Carlo simulations to provide insights into the adsorption energies and check the effectiveness of the adsorption sites in the substituted structures for a variety of polar and non-polar molecules. The results show that linker modification affects molecular adsorption and can improve the overall stability of the lattice redirecting water to the new sites in the case of hydrophilic units. Three key parameters have been singled out to rationalize this behaviour, and used to predict the favoured adsorption sites in the case of gas mixtures.

Local variability but landscape stability in coral reef communities following repeated hurricane impacts

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bythell, John C.; Hillis-Star, Zandy M; Rogers, Caroline S.

2000-01-01

Coral reef community structure has remained remarkably stable over a 10 yr period within a small protected marine area despite repeated hurricane impacts. Local community dynamics have been highly variable, however. Sites that were destroyed by disease in the 1970s are showing little or no recovery, while sites less than a kilometre away that were devastated by Hurricane Hugo in 1989 are recovering well. Strong coral recruitment has occurred in shallow, exposed areas that showed the greatest hurricane impacts, and these areas are now more species rich than in 1988, although coral cover has not reached pre-hurricane levels. Coral colony survivorship has been high throughout most of the study area. Partial mortality rates were elevated for several years following Hurricane Hugo, but significant whole coral-head mortality only occurred during periods with hurricane impacts and only at the most exposed sites. Overall, the coral community has proved resilient to closely repeated major hurricane impacts. From a single case study we cannot attribute this resilience to the relatively low level of human impacts, but grazing fish populations have apparently remained high enough to keep macroalgae in check despite the mass mortality of the herbivore Diadema antillarum in the 1980s.

Structural and optical properties of GaAs(100) with a thin surface layer doped with chromium

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

Seredin, P. V., E-mail: paul@phys.vsu.ru; Fedyukin, A. V.; Arsentyev, I. N.

The aim of this study is to explore the structural and optical properties of single-crystal GaAs(100) doped with Cr atoms by burning them into the substrate at high temperatures. The diffusion of chromium into single-crystal GaAs(100) substrates brings about the formation of a thin (~20–40 μm) GaAs:Cr transition layer. In this case, chromium atoms are incorporated into the gallium-arsenide crystal lattice and occupy the regular atomic sites of the metal sublattice. As the chromium diffusion time is increased, such behavior of the dopant impurity yields changes in the energy structure of GaAs, a decrease in the absorption at free chargemore » carriers, and a lowering of the surface recombination rate. As a result, the photoluminescence signal from the sample is significantly enhanced.« less

Rationality in collective decision-making by ant colonies.

PubMed

Edwards, Susan C; Pratt, Stephen C

2009-10-22

Economic models of animal behaviour assume that decision-makers are rational, meaning that they assess options according to intrinsic fitness value and not by comparison with available alternatives. This expectation is frequently violated, but the significance of irrational behaviour remains controversial. One possibility is that irrationality arises from cognitive constraints that necessitate short cuts like comparative evaluation. If so, the study of whether and when irrationality occurs can illuminate cognitive mechanisms. We applied this logic in a novel setting: the collective decisions of insect societies. We tested for irrationality in colonies of Temnothorax ants choosing between two nest sites that varied in multiple attributes, such that neither site was clearly superior. In similar situations, individual animals show irrational changes in preference when a third relatively unattractive option is introduced. In contrast, we found no such effect in colonies. We suggest that immunity to irrationality in this case may result from the ants' decentralized decision mechanism. A colony's choice does not depend on site comparison by individuals, but instead self-organizes from the interactions of multiple ants, most of which are aware of only a single site. This strategy may filter out comparative effects, preventing systematic errors that would otherwise arise from the cognitive limitations of individuals.

Cooperative interplay of let-7 mimic and HuR with MYC RNA.

PubMed

Gunzburg, Menachem J; Sivakumaran, Andrew; Pendini, Nicole R; Yoon, Je-Hyun; Gorospe, Myriam; Wilce, Matthew C J; Wilce, Jacqueline A

2015-01-01

Both RNA-binding proteins (RBP) and miRNA play important roles in the regulation of mRNA expression, often acting together to regulate a target mRNA. In some cases the RBP and miRNA have been reported to act competitively, but in other instances they function cooperatively. Here, we investigated HuR function as an enhancer of let-7-mediated translational repression of c-Myc despite the separation of their binding sites. Using an in vitro system, we determined that a let-7 mimic, consisting of single-stranded (ss)DNA complementary to the let-7 binding site, enhanced the affinity of HuR for a 122-nt MYC RNA encompassing both binding sites. This finding supports the biophysical principle of cooperative binding by an RBP and miRNA purely through interactions at distal mRNA binding sites.

Electron interactions, spin-orbit coupling, intersite correlations in pyrochlore iridates: a comparison of single-site and cluster calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Runzhi; Go, Ara; Millis, Andrew

Pyrochlore iridates (R2 Ir2O7) are studied using density functional theory plus single-site and cluster dynamical mean-field theory (DFT+DMFT). The calculations include spin-orbit coupling. Significant differences between the single-site and cluster calculations are found. The single-site approximation fails to account for the properties of the paramagnetic insulator phase, in particular predicting a larger gap than found in experiments, while cluster calculations yield gaps consistent with transport data. A ground-state phase diagram is computed. Paramagnetic metal, metallic all-in/all-out (AIAO) and insulating AIAO phases are found. Tilted Weyl cones are observed in the AIAO metallic phase for a relatively wide range of interaction strength. Our paramagnetic calculations predict almost identical behaviors for the Y and Eu compound, conflicting with the strong material dependence reported in experiments. Inclusion of magnetic order restores the material difference. The physical origin of the difference is discussed. The results indicate that intersite effects, most likely of antiferromagnetic origin, play an important role in studying the physics of pyrochlore iridates. This work is supported by DOE-ER046169.

MicroRNA Related Polymorphisms and Breast Cancer Risk

PubMed Central

Khan, Sofia; Greco, Dario; Michailidou, Kyriaki; Milne, Roger L.; Muranen, Taru A.; Heikkinen, Tuomas; Aaltonen, Kirsimari; Dennis, Joe; Bolla, Manjeet K.; Liu, Jianjun; Hall, Per; Irwanto, Astrid; Humphreys, Keith; Li, Jingmei; Czene, Kamila; Chang-Claude, Jenny; Hein, Rebecca; Rudolph, Anja; Seibold, Petra; Flesch-Janys, Dieter; Fletcher, Olivia; Peto, Julian; dos Santos Silva, Isabel; Johnson, Nichola; Gibson, Lorna; Aitken, Zoe; Hopper, John L.; Tsimiklis, Helen; Bui, Minh; Makalic, Enes; Schmidt, Daniel F.; Southey, Melissa C.; Apicella, Carmel; Stone, Jennifer; Waisfisz, Quinten; Meijers-Heijboer, Hanne; Adank, Muriel A.; van der Luijt, Rob B.; Meindl, Alfons; Schmutzler, Rita K.; Müller-Myhsok, Bertram; Lichtner, Peter; Turnbull, Clare; Rahman, Nazneen; Chanock, Stephen J.; Hunter, David J.; Cox, Angela; Cross, Simon S.; Reed, Malcolm W. R.; Schmidt, Marjanka K.; Broeks, Annegien; Veer, Laura J. V. a. n't.; Hogervorst, Frans B.; Fasching, Peter A.; Schrauder, Michael G.; Ekici, Arif B.; Beckmann, Matthias W.; Bojesen, Stig E.; Nordestgaard, Børge G.; Nielsen, Sune F.; Flyger, Henrik; Benitez, Javier; Zamora, Pilar M.; Perez, Jose I. A.; Haiman, Christopher A.; Henderson, Brian E.; Schumacher, Fredrick; Le Marchand, Loic; Pharoah, Paul D. P.; Dunning, Alison M.; Shah, Mitul; Luben, Robert; Brown, Judith; Couch, Fergus J.; Wang, Xianshu; Vachon, Celine; Olson, Janet E.; Lambrechts, Diether; Moisse, Matthieu; Paridaens, Robert; Christiaens, Marie-Rose; Guénel, Pascal; Truong, Thérèse; Laurent-Puig, Pierre; Mulot, Claire; Marme, Frederick; Burwinkel, Barbara; Schneeweiss, Andreas; Sohn, Christof; Sawyer, Elinor J.; Tomlinson, Ian; Kerin, Michael J.; Miller, Nicola; Andrulis, Irene L.; Knight, Julia A.; Tchatchou, Sandrine; Mulligan, Anna Marie; Dörk, Thilo; Bogdanova, Natalia V.; Antonenkova, Natalia N.; Anton-Culver, Hoda; Darabi, Hatef; Eriksson, Mikael; Garcia-Closas, Montserrat; Figueroa, Jonine; Lissowska, Jolanta; Brinton, Louise; Devilee, Peter; Tollenaar, Robert A. E. M.; Seynaeve, Caroline; van Asperen, Christi J.; Kristensen, Vessela N.; Slager, Susan; Toland, Amanda E.; Ambrosone, Christine B.; Yannoukakos, Drakoulis; Lindblom, Annika; Margolin, Sara; Radice, Paolo; Peterlongo, Paolo; Barile, Monica; Mariani, Paolo; Hooning, Maartje J.; Martens, John W. M.; Collée, J. Margriet; Jager, Agnes; Jakubowska, Anna; Lubinski, Jan; Jaworska-Bieniek, Katarzyna; Durda, Katarzyna; Giles, Graham G.; McLean, Catriona; Brauch, Hiltrud; Brüning, Thomas; Ko, Yon-Dschun; Brenner, Hermann; Dieffenbach, Aida Karina; Arndt, Volker; Stegmaier, Christa; Swerdlow, Anthony; Ashworth, Alan; Orr, Nick; Jones, Michael; Simard, Jacques; Goldberg, Mark S.; Labrèche, France; Dumont, Martine; Winqvist, Robert; Pylkäs, Katri; Jukkola-Vuorinen, Arja; Grip, Mervi; Kataja, Vesa; Kosma, Veli-Matti; Hartikainen, Jaana M.; Mannermaa, Arto; Hamann, Ute; Chenevix-Trench, Georgia; Blomqvist, Carl; Aittomäki, Kristiina; Easton, Douglas F.; Nevanlinna, Heli

2014-01-01

Genetic variations, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in microRNAs (miRNA) or in the miRNA binding sites may affect the miRNA dependent gene expression regulation, which has been implicated in various cancers, including breast cancer, and may alter individual susceptibility to cancer. We investigated associations between miRNA related SNPs and breast cancer risk. First we evaluated 2,196 SNPs in a case-control study combining nine genome wide association studies (GWAS). Second, we further investigated 42 SNPs with suggestive evidence for association using 41,785 cases and 41,880 controls from 41 studies included in the Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC). Combining the GWAS and BCAC data within a meta-analysis, we estimated main effects on breast cancer risk as well as risks for estrogen receptor (ER) and age defined subgroups. Five miRNA binding site SNPs associated significantly with breast cancer risk: rs1045494 (odds ratio (OR) 0.92; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.88–0.96), rs1052532 (OR 0.97; 95% CI: 0.95–0.99), rs10719 (OR 0.97; 95% CI: 0.94–0.99), rs4687554 (OR 0.97; 95% CI: 0.95–0.99, and rs3134615 (OR 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01–1.05) located in the 3′ UTR of CASP8, HDDC3, DROSHA, MUSTN1, and MYCL1, respectively. DROSHA belongs to miRNA machinery genes and has a central role in initial miRNA processing. The remaining genes are involved in different molecular functions, including apoptosis and gene expression regulation. Further studies are warranted to elucidate whether the miRNA binding site SNPs are the causative variants for the observed risk effects. PMID:25390939

MicroRNA related polymorphisms and breast cancer risk.

PubMed

Khan, Sofia; Greco, Dario; Michailidou, Kyriaki; Milne, Roger L; Muranen, Taru A; Heikkinen, Tuomas; Aaltonen, Kirsimari; Dennis, Joe; Bolla, Manjeet K; Liu, Jianjun; Hall, Per; Irwanto, Astrid; Humphreys, Keith; Li, Jingmei; Czene, Kamila; Chang-Claude, Jenny; Hein, Rebecca; Rudolph, Anja; Seibold, Petra; Flesch-Janys, Dieter; Fletcher, Olivia; Peto, Julian; dos Santos Silva, Isabel; Johnson, Nichola; Gibson, Lorna; Aitken, Zoe; Hopper, John L; Tsimiklis, Helen; Bui, Minh; Makalic, Enes; Schmidt, Daniel F; Southey, Melissa C; Apicella, Carmel; Stone, Jennifer; Waisfisz, Quinten; Meijers-Heijboer, Hanne; Adank, Muriel A; van der Luijt, Rob B; Meindl, Alfons; Schmutzler, Rita K; Müller-Myhsok, Bertram; Lichtner, Peter; Turnbull, Clare; Rahman, Nazneen; Chanock, Stephen J; Hunter, David J; Cox, Angela; Cross, Simon S; Reed, Malcolm W R; Schmidt, Marjanka K; Broeks, Annegien; Van't Veer, Laura J; Hogervorst, Frans B; Fasching, Peter A; Schrauder, Michael G; Ekici, Arif B; Beckmann, Matthias W; Bojesen, Stig E; Nordestgaard, Børge G; Nielsen, Sune F; Flyger, Henrik; Benitez, Javier; Zamora, Pilar M; Perez, Jose I A; Haiman, Christopher A; Henderson, Brian E; Schumacher, Fredrick; Le Marchand, Loic; Pharoah, Paul D P; Dunning, Alison M; Shah, Mitul; Luben, Robert; Brown, Judith; Couch, Fergus J; Wang, Xianshu; Vachon, Celine; Olson, Janet E; Lambrechts, Diether; Moisse, Matthieu; Paridaens, Robert; Christiaens, Marie-Rose; Guénel, Pascal; Truong, Thérèse; Laurent-Puig, Pierre; Mulot, Claire; Marme, Frederick; Burwinkel, Barbara; Schneeweiss, Andreas; Sohn, Christof; Sawyer, Elinor J; Tomlinson, Ian; Kerin, Michael J; Miller, Nicola; Andrulis, Irene L; Knight, Julia A; Tchatchou, Sandrine; Mulligan, Anna Marie; Dörk, Thilo; Bogdanova, Natalia V; Antonenkova, Natalia N; Anton-Culver, Hoda; Darabi, Hatef; Eriksson, Mikael; Garcia-Closas, Montserrat; Figueroa, Jonine; Lissowska, Jolanta; Brinton, Louise; Devilee, Peter; Tollenaar, Robert A E M; Seynaeve, Caroline; van Asperen, Christi J; Kristensen, Vessela N; Slager, Susan; Toland, Amanda E; Ambrosone, Christine B; Yannoukakos, Drakoulis; Lindblom, Annika; Margolin, Sara; Radice, Paolo; Peterlongo, Paolo; Barile, Monica; Mariani, Paolo; Hooning, Maartje J; Martens, John W M; Collée, J Margriet; Jager, Agnes; Jakubowska, Anna; Lubinski, Jan; Jaworska-Bieniek, Katarzyna; Durda, Katarzyna; Giles, Graham G; McLean, Catriona; Brauch, Hiltrud; Brüning, Thomas; Ko, Yon-Dschun; Brenner, Hermann; Dieffenbach, Aida Karina; Arndt, Volker; Stegmaier, Christa; Swerdlow, Anthony; Ashworth, Alan; Orr, Nick; Jones, Michael; Simard, Jacques; Goldberg, Mark S; Labrèche, France; Dumont, Martine; Winqvist, Robert; Pylkäs, Katri; Jukkola-Vuorinen, Arja; Grip, Mervi; Kataja, Vesa; Kosma, Veli-Matti; Hartikainen, Jaana M; Mannermaa, Arto; Hamann, Ute; Chenevix-Trench, Georgia; Blomqvist, Carl; Aittomäki, Kristiina; Easton, Douglas F; Nevanlinna, Heli

2014-01-01

Genetic variations, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in microRNAs (miRNA) or in the miRNA binding sites may affect the miRNA dependent gene expression regulation, which has been implicated in various cancers, including breast cancer, and may alter individual susceptibility to cancer. We investigated associations between miRNA related SNPs and breast cancer risk. First we evaluated 2,196 SNPs in a case-control study combining nine genome wide association studies (GWAS). Second, we further investigated 42 SNPs with suggestive evidence for association using 41,785 cases and 41,880 controls from 41 studies included in the Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC). Combining the GWAS and BCAC data within a meta-analysis, we estimated main effects on breast cancer risk as well as risks for estrogen receptor (ER) and age defined subgroups. Five miRNA binding site SNPs associated significantly with breast cancer risk: rs1045494 (odds ratio (OR) 0.92; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.88-0.96), rs1052532 (OR 0.97; 95% CI: 0.95-0.99), rs10719 (OR 0.97; 95% CI: 0.94-0.99), rs4687554 (OR 0.97; 95% CI: 0.95-0.99, and rs3134615 (OR 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01-1.05) located in the 3' UTR of CASP8, HDDC3, DROSHA, MUSTN1, and MYCL1, respectively. DROSHA belongs to miRNA machinery genes and has a central role in initial miRNA processing. The remaining genes are involved in different molecular functions, including apoptosis and gene expression regulation. Further studies are warranted to elucidate whether the miRNA binding site SNPs are the causative variants for the observed risk effects.

First comprehensive inventory of a tropical site for a megadiverse group of insects, the true flies (Diptera)

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Tropical insect biodiversity remains largely unknown for most research sites in the world, due to the overwhelming number of species and lack of focus by taxonomists. Single-site studies are necessary, however to establish baselines for comparative studies across space, and as the basis for ecologic...

On the use of haplotype phylogeny to detect disease susceptibility loci

PubMed Central

Bardel, Claire; Danjean, Vincent; Hugot, Jean-Pierre; Darlu, Pierre; Génin, Emmanuelle

2005-01-01

Background The cladistic approach proposed by Templeton has been presented as promising for the study of the genetic factors involved in common diseases. This approach allows the joint study of multiple markers within a gene by considering haplotypes and grouping them in nested clades. The idea is to search for clades with an excess of cases as compared to the whole sample and to identify the mutations defining these clades as potential candidate disease susceptibility sites. However, the performance of this approach for the study of the genetic factors involved in complex diseases has never been studied. Results In this paper, we propose a new method to perform such a cladistic analysis and we estimate its power through simulations. We show that under models where the susceptibility to the disease is caused by a single genetic variant, the cladistic test is neither really more powerful to detect an association nor really more efficient to localize the susceptibility site than an individual SNP testing. However, when two interacting sites are responsible for the disease, the cladistic analysis greatly improves the probability to find the two susceptibility sites. The impact of the linkage disequilibrium and of the tree characteristics on the efficiency of the cladistic analysis are also discussed. An application on a real data set concerning the CARD15 gene and Crohn disease shows that the method can successfully identify the three variant sites that are involved in the disease susceptibility. Conclusion The use of phylogenies to group haplotypes is especially interesting to pinpoint the sites that are likely to be involved in disease susceptibility among the different markers identified within a gene. PMID:15904492

Masked Visual Analysis: Minimizing Type I Error in Visually Guided Single-Case Design for Communication Disorders

PubMed Central

Hitchcock, Elaine R.; Ferron, John

2017-01-01

Purpose Single-case experimental designs are widely used to study interventions for communication disorders. Traditionally, single-case experiments follow a response-guided approach, where design decisions during the study are based on participants' observed patterns of behavior. However, this approach has been criticized for its high rate of Type I error. In masked visual analysis (MVA), response-guided decisions are made by a researcher who is blinded to participants' identities and treatment assignments. MVA also makes it possible to conduct a hypothesis test assessing the significance of treatment effects. Method This tutorial describes the principles of MVA, including both how experiments can be set up and how results can be used for hypothesis testing. We then report a case study showing how MVA was deployed in a multiple-baseline across-subjects study investigating treatment for residual errors affecting rhotics. Strengths and weaknesses of MVA are discussed. Conclusions Given their important role in the evidence base that informs clinical decision making, it is critical for single-case experimental studies to be conducted in a way that allows researchers to draw valid inferences. As a method that can increase the rigor of single-case studies while preserving the benefits of a response-guided approach, MVA warrants expanded attention from researchers in communication disorders. PMID:28595354

Masked Visual Analysis: Minimizing Type I Error in Visually Guided Single-Case Design for Communication Disorders.

PubMed

Byun, Tara McAllister; Hitchcock, Elaine R; Ferron, John

2017-06-10

Single-case experimental designs are widely used to study interventions for communication disorders. Traditionally, single-case experiments follow a response-guided approach, where design decisions during the study are based on participants' observed patterns of behavior. However, this approach has been criticized for its high rate of Type I error. In masked visual analysis (MVA), response-guided decisions are made by a researcher who is blinded to participants' identities and treatment assignments. MVA also makes it possible to conduct a hypothesis test assessing the significance of treatment effects. This tutorial describes the principles of MVA, including both how experiments can be set up and how results can be used for hypothesis testing. We then report a case study showing how MVA was deployed in a multiple-baseline across-subjects study investigating treatment for residual errors affecting rhotics. Strengths and weaknesses of MVA are discussed. Given their important role in the evidence base that informs clinical decision making, it is critical for single-case experimental studies to be conducted in a way that allows researchers to draw valid inferences. As a method that can increase the rigor of single-case studies while preserving the benefits of a response-guided approach, MVA warrants expanded attention from researchers in communication disorders.

Riparian buffer design guidelines for water quality and wildlife habitat functions on agricultural landscapes in the Intermountain West: Case Study

Treesearch

Craig W. Johnson; Susan Buffler

2008-01-01

This hypothetical case study illustrates how the riparian buffer planning protocol described in the RB handbook is used to plan a buffer for both water quality and wildlife conservation on a specific project site. The case study site includes riparian buffer characteristics typical of the study area-variable topography and soils, flood plain wetlands, seeps, springs,...

Analysis of the distribution and expression of claudin-1 tight junction protein in the oral cavity.

PubMed

Ouban, Abderrahman; Ahmed, Atif

2015-07-01

Claudins are the main sealing proteins of the intercellular tight junctions and play an important role in cancer cell progression and dissemination. The authors have previously shown that overexpression of claudin-1 is associated with angiolymphatic and perineural invasion, consistent with aggressive tumor behavior and with advanced stage disease in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs). Our goal in this study was to examine claudin-1 expression in a tissue microarray of OSCCs taken from multiple sites within the oral cavity. This study examined and compared the expression of claudin-1 by immunohistochemistry in 60 tissue samples (49 OSCCs and 10 cases of non-neoplastic tissue, single core per case) were analyzed for claudin-1 expression by immunohistochemistry. The tumors included SCCs from the tongue (n=28), the cheek (n=9), gingival (n=4), lip (n=3), and oral cavity (n=5). Nonmalignant normal oral mucosa from the tongue (unmatched cases, n=2). Cancer adjacent tissue samples were taken from the tongue (n=6), gingival (n=2), and palate (n=1). This study demonstrates the expression of claudin-1 protein across a sample of OSCCs originating from multiple locations in the oral cavity. The highest expression of claudin-1 was observed in well-differentiated OSCCs, whereas poorly differentiated OSCCs exhibited mostly negative staining for claudin-1. In addition, we hereby report differential pattern of expression among tumors of different sites within the oral cavity, and between benign and cancerous samples. Our understanding of the exact function and role of claudin-1 in tumorigenesis is expanding exponentially.

A Difference in Cutaneous Pigmentary Response to LED Versus Halogen Incandescent Visible Light: A Case Report from a Single Center, Investigational Clinical Trial Determining a Minimal Pigmentary Visible Light Dose.

PubMed

Soleymani, Teo; Soter, Nicholas A; Folan, Lorcan M; Elbuluk, Nada; Okereke, Uchenna R; Cohen, David E

2017-04-01

BACKGROUND: While most of the attention regarding skin pigmentation has focused on the effects on ultraviolet radiation, the cutaneous effects of visible light (400 to 700nm) are rarely reported. In this report, we describe a case of painful erythema and induration that resulted from direct irradiation of UV-naïve skin with visible LED light in a patient with Fitzpatrick type II skin.

METHODS AND RESULTS: A 24-year-old healthy woman with Fitzpatrick type II skin presented to our department to participate in a clinical study. As part of the study, the subject underwent visible light irradiation with an LED and halogen incandescent visible light source. After 5 minutes of exposure, the patient complained of appreciable pain at the LED exposed site. Evaluation demonstrated erythema and mild induration. There were no subjective or objective findings at the halogen incandescent irradiated site, which received equivalent fluence (0.55 Watts / cm2). The study was halted as the subject was unable to tolerate the full duration of visible light irradiation.

CONCLUSION: This case illustrates the importance of recognizing the effects of visible light on skin. While the vast majority of investigational research has focused on ultraviolet light, the effects of visible light have been largely overlooked and must be taken into consideration, in all Fitzpatrick skin types.

J Drugs Dermatol. 2017;16(4):388-392.

Vital Roles of the Second DNA-binding Site of Rad52 Protein in Yeast Homologous Recombination*

PubMed Central

Arai, Naoto; Kagawa, Wataru; Saito, Kengo; Shingu, Yoshinori; Mikawa, Tsutomu; Kurumizaka, Hitoshi; Shibata, Takehiko

2011-01-01

RecA/Rad51 proteins are essential in homologous DNA recombination and catalyze the ATP-dependent formation of D-loops from a single-stranded DNA and an internal homologous sequence in a double-stranded DNA. RecA and Rad51 require a “recombination mediator” to overcome the interference imposed by the prior binding of single-stranded binding protein/replication protein A to the single-stranded DNA. Rad52 is the prototype of recombination mediators, and the human Rad52 protein has two distinct DNA-binding sites: the first site binds to single-stranded DNA, and the second site binds to either double- or single-stranded DNA. We previously showed that yeast Rad52 extensively stimulates Rad51-catalyzed D-loop formation even in the absence of replication protein A, by forming a 2:1 stoichiometric complex with Rad51. However, the precise roles of Rad52 and Rad51 within the complex are unknown. In the present study, we constructed yeast Rad52 mutants in which the amino acid residues corresponding to the second DNA-binding site of the human Rad52 protein were replaced with either alanine or aspartic acid. We found that the second DNA-binding site is important for the yeast Rad52 function in vivo. Rad51-Rad52 complexes consisting of these Rad52 mutants were defective in promoting the formation of D-loops, and the ability of the complex to associate with double-stranded DNA was specifically impaired. Our studies suggest that Rad52 within the complex associates with double-stranded DNA to assist Rad51-mediated homologous pairing. PMID:21454474

The Aggregation of Single-Case Results Using Hierarchical Linear Models

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Van den Noortgate, Wim; Onghena, Patrick

2007-01-01

To investigate the generalizability of the results of single-case experimental studies, evaluating the effect of one or more treatments, in applied research various simultaneous and sequential replication strategies are used. We discuss one approach for aggregating the results for single-cases: the use of hierarchical linear models. This approach…

Influence of Observed Diurnal Cycles of Aerosol Optical Depth on Aerosol Direct Radiative Effect

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arola, A.; Eck, T. F.; Huttunen, J.; Lehtinen, K. E. J.; Lindfors, A. V.; Myhre, G.; Smirinov, A.; Tripathi, S. N.; Yu, H.

2013-01-01

The diurnal variability of aerosol optical depth (AOD) can be significant, depending on location and dominant aerosol type. However, these diurnal cycles have rarely been taken into account in measurement-based estimates of aerosol direct radiative forcing (ADRF) or aerosol direct radiative effect (ADRE). The objective of our study was to estimate the influence of diurnal aerosol variability at the top of the atmosphere ADRE estimates. By including all the possible AERONET sites, we wanted to assess the influence on global ADRE estimates. While focusing also in more detail on some selected sites of strongest impact, our goal was to also see the possible impact regionally.We calculated ADRE with different assumptions about the daily AOD variability: taking the observed daily AOD cycle into account and assuming diurnally constant AOD. Moreover, we estimated the corresponding differences in ADREs, if the single AOD value for the daily mean was taken from the the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Terra or Aqua overpass times, instead of accounting for the true observed daily variability. The mean impact of diurnal AOD variability on 24 h ADRE estimates, averaged over all AERONET sites, was rather small and it was relatively small even for the cases when AOD was chosen to correspond to the Terra or Aqua overpass time. This was true on average over all AERONET sites, while clearly there can be much stronger impact in individual sites. Examples of some selected sites demonstrated that the strongest observed AOD variability (the strongest morning afternoon contrast) does not typically result in a significant impact on 24 h ADRE. In those cases, the morning and afternoon AOD patterns are opposite and thus the impact on 24 h ADRE, when integrated over all solar zenith angles, is reduced. The most significant effect on daily ADRE was induced by AOD cycles with either maximum or minimum AOD close to local noon. In these cases, the impact on 24 h ADRE was typically around 0.1-0.2W/sq m (both positive and negative) in absolute values, 5-10% in relative ones.

Hybridization Capture Using RAD Probes (hyRAD), a New Tool for Performing Genomic Analyses on Collection Specimens

PubMed Central

Suchan, Tomasz; Pitteloud, Camille; Gerasimova, Nadezhda S.; Kostikova, Anna; Schmid, Sarah; Arrigo, Nils; Pajkovic, Mila; Ronikier, Michał; Alvarez, Nadir

2016-01-01

In the recent years, many protocols aimed at reproducibly sequencing reduced-genome subsets in non-model organisms have been published. Among them, RAD-sequencing is one of the most widely used. It relies on digesting DNA with specific restriction enzymes and performing size selection on the resulting fragments. Despite its acknowledged utility, this method is of limited use with degraded DNA samples, such as those isolated from museum specimens, as these samples are less likely to harbor fragments long enough to comprise two restriction sites making possible ligation of the adapter sequences (in the case of double-digest RAD) or performing size selection of the resulting fragments (in the case of single-digest RAD). Here, we address these limitations by presenting a novel method called hybridization RAD (hyRAD). In this approach, biotinylated RAD fragments, covering a random fraction of the genome, are used as baits for capturing homologous fragments from genomic shotgun sequencing libraries. This simple and cost-effective approach allows sequencing of orthologous loci even from highly degraded DNA samples, opening new avenues of research in the field of museum genomics. Not relying on the restriction site presence, it improves among-sample loci coverage. In a trial study, hyRAD allowed us to obtain a large set of orthologous loci from fresh and museum samples from a non-model butterfly species, with a high proportion of single nucleotide polymorphisms present in all eight analyzed specimens, including 58-year-old museum samples. The utility of the method was further validated using 49 museum and fresh samples of a Palearctic grasshopper species for which the spatial genetic structure was previously assessed using mtDNA amplicons. The application of the method is eventually discussed in a wider context. As it does not rely on the restriction site presence, it is therefore not sensitive to among-sample loci polymorphisms in the restriction sites that usually causes loci dropout. This should enable the application of hyRAD to analyses at broader evolutionary scales. PMID:26999359

Large outbreak of Salmonella Thompson related to smoked salmon in the Netherlands, August to December 2012.

PubMed

Friesema, I; de Jong, A; Hofhuis, A; Heck, M; van den Kerkhof, H; de Jonge, R; Hameryck, D; Nagel, K; van Vilsteren, G; van Beek, P; Notermans, D; van Pelt, W

2014-10-02

On 15 August 2012, an increase in the number of Salmonella Thompson cases was noticed by the Salmonella surveillance in the Netherlands. A case–control study was performed, followed by a food investigation. In total 1,149 cases were laboratory-confirmed between August and December 2012 of which four elderly (76–91 years) were reported to have died due to the infection. The cause of the outbreak was smoked salmon processed at a single site. The smoked salmon had been continuously contaminated in the processing lines through reusable dishes, which turned out to be porous and had become loaded with bacteria. This is the largest outbreak of salmonellosis ever recorded in the Netherlands. The temporary closure of the processing site and recall of the smoked salmon stopped the outbreak. An estimated four to six million Dutch residents were possibly exposed to the contaminated smoked salmon and an estimated 23,000 persons would have had acute gastroenteritis with S. Thompson during this outbreak. This outbreak showed that close collaboration between diagnostic laboratories, regional public health services, the national institute for public health and the food safety authorities is essential in outbreak investigations.

Single Shot Epidural Injection for Cervical and Lumbosaccral Radiculopathies: A Preliminary Study

PubMed Central

Nawani, Digambar Prasad; Asthana, Veena

2010-01-01

Background Epidural steroid injection is an established treatment modality for intervertebral disc prolapse leading to radiculopathy. In cases where two levels of radiculopathy are present, two separate injections are warranted. Herein, we present our experience of management of such cases with a single epidural injection of local anaesthetic, tramadol and methylprednisolone, and table tilt for management of both radiculopathies. Methods 50 patients of either sex aged between 35-65 years presenting with features of cervical and lumbar radiculopathic pain were included and were subjected to single lumbar epidural injection of local anaesthetic, tramadol and methylprednisolone, in the lateral position. The table was then tilted in the trendelberg position with a tilt of 25 degrees, and patients were maintained for 10 minutes before being turned supine. All patients were administered 3 such injections with an interval of 2 weeks between subsequent injections, and pain relief was assessed with a visual analogue scale. Immediate complications after the block were assessed. Results Immediate and post procedural complications observed were nausea and vomiting (20%), painful injection site (4%), hypotension (10%) and high block (4%). Pain relief was assessed after the three injections by three grades: 37 (74%) had complete resolution of symptoms; 18% had partial relief and 8% did not benefit from the procedure. Conclusions This technique may be used as an alternative technique for pain relief in patients with unilateral cervical and lumbar radiculopathies. PMID:21217889

Single-arm evaluation of the AccuCirc device for early infant male circumcision in Botswana.

PubMed

Plank, Rebeca M; Wirth, Kathleen E; Ndubuka, Nnamdi O; Abdullahi, Rasak; Nkgau, Maggie; Lesetedi, Chiapo; Powis, Kathleen M; Mmalane, Mompati; Makhema, Joseph; Shapiro, Roger; Lockman, Shahin

2014-05-01

: Existing devices for early infant male circumcision (EIMC) have inherent limitations. We evaluated the newly developed AccuCirc device by circumcising 151 clinically well, full-term male infants with birth weight ≥2.5 kg within the first 10 days of life from a convenience sample in 2 hospitals in Botswana. No major adverse events were observed. There was 1 local infection, 5 cases of minor bleeding, and 1 case of moderate bleeding. In 3 cases, the device made only partial incisions that were completed immediately by the provider without complications. Parental satisfaction was high: >96% of mothers stated that they would circumcise a future son. The pre-assembled, sterile AccuCirc kit has the potential to overcome obstacles related to supply chain management and on-site instrument disinfection that can pose challenges in resource-limited settings. In our study, the AccuCirc was safe and it should be considered for programmatic EIMC in resource-limited settings.

Do variations in the theatre team have an impact on the incidence of complications?

PubMed Central

Baylis, Oliver J; Adams, Wendy E; Allen, David; Fraser, Scott G

2006-01-01

Background To examine whether variations in non-medical personnel influence the incidence of complications in a cataract theatre. Methods A retrospective Case-Control study was undertaken in a single-site, designated cataract theatre. Staffing variations within theatre were examined and the incidence of cataract complications was assessed. Results 100 complicated lists and 200 uncomplicated control lists were chosen. At least 7 nurses were present for every list. Mean experience of the nurses was 6.4 years for case lists and 6.5 years for control lists. Average scrub nurse experience in years was 7.6 years for complicated lists and 8.0 years for controls. 26% of complicated case lists were affected by unplanned leave and 17% in control lists. Odds ratio 1.7 (1.0 to 3.1) 95% CI. Conclusion Unplanned leave can have a detrimental effect on the operating list. The impact of this may be modifiable with careful planning. PMID:16542439

The Experiences of Single Fathers Who Have Reared Academically Successful Children: A Collective Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Long, Cheri Gentry

2014-01-01

This qualitative collective case study explored single fathers' experiences in rearing academically successful children. Academic success was defined as the completion of high school or college, entering college, or attending college. A purposeful maximal sampling of five bounded systems of single fathers and their academically successful children…

The worth of data in predicting aquitard continuity in hydrogeological design

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

James, Bruce R.; Freeze, R. Allan

1993-07-01

A Bayesian decision framework is developed for addressing questions of hydrogeological data worth associated with engineering design at sites in heterogeneous geological environments. The specific case investigated is one of remedial contaminant containment in an aquifer underlain by an aquitard of uncertain continuity. The framework is used to evaluate the worth of hard and soft data in investigating the aquitard's continuity. The analysis consists of four modules: (1) an aquitard realization generator based on indicator kriging, (2) a procedure for the Bayesian updating of the uncertainty with respect to aquitard windows, (3) a Monte Carlo simulation model for advective contaminant transport, and (4) an economic decision model. A sensitivity analysis for a generic design example involving a design decision between a no-action alternative and a containment alternative indicates that the data worth of a single borehole providing a hard point datum was more sensitive to economic parameters than to hydrogeological or geostatistical parameters. For this case, data worth is very sensitive to the projected cost of containment, the discount rate, and the estimated cost of failure. When it comes to hydrogeological parameters, such as the representative hydraulic conductivity of the aquitard or underlying aquifer, the sensitivity analysis indicates that it is more important to know whether the field value is above or below some threshold value than it is to know its actual numerical value. A good conceptual understanding of the site geology is important in estimating prior uncertainties. The framework was applied in a retrospective fashion to the design of a remediation program for soil contaminated by radioactive waste disposal at the Savannah River site in South Carolina. The cost-effectiveness of different patterns of boreholes was studied. A contour map is presented for the net expected value of sample information (EVSI) for a single borehole. The net EVSI of patterns of precise point measurements is also compared to that of an imprecise seismic survey.

Durham Smith Vest-Over-Pant Technique: Simple Procedure for a Complex Problem (Post-Hypospadias Repair Fistula).

PubMed

Gite, Venkat A; Patil, Saurabh R; Bote, Sachin M; Siddiqui, Mohd Ayub Karam Nabi; Nikose, Jayant V; Kandi, Anitha J

2017-01-01

Urethrocutaneous fistula, which occurs after hypospadias surgery, is often a baffling problem and its treatment is challenging. The study aimed to evaluate the results of the simple procedure (Durham Smith vest-over-pant technique) for this complex problem (post-hypospadias repair fistula). During the period from 2011 to 2015, 20 patients with post-hypospadias repair fistulas underwent Durham Smith repair. Common age group was between 5 and 12 years. Site wise distribution of fistula was coronal 2 (10%), distal penile 7 (35%), mid-penile 7 (35%), and proximal-penile 4 (20%). Out of 20 patients, 15 had fistula of size <5 mm (75%) and 5 patients had fistula of size >5 mm (25%). All cases were repaired with Durham Smith vest-over-pant technique by a single surgeon. In case of multiple fistulas adjacent to each other, all fistulas were joined to form single fistula and repaired. We have successfully repaired all post-hypospadias surgery urethrocutaneous fistulas using the technique described by Durham Smith with 100% success rate. Durham Smith vest-over-pant technique is a simple solution for a complex problem (post hypospadias surgery penile fistulas) in properly selected patients. © 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Association analysis identifies 65 new breast cancer risk loci.

PubMed

Michailidou, Kyriaki; Lindström, Sara; Dennis, Joe; Beesley, Jonathan; Hui, Shirley; Kar, Siddhartha; Lemaçon, Audrey; Soucy, Penny; Glubb, Dylan; Rostamianfar, Asha; Bolla, Manjeet K; Wang, Qin; Tyrer, Jonathan; Dicks, Ed; Lee, Andrew; Wang, Zhaoming; Allen, Jamie; Keeman, Renske; Eilber, Ursula; French, Juliet D; Qing Chen, Xiao; Fachal, Laura; McCue, Karen; McCart Reed, Amy E; Ghoussaini, Maya; Carroll, Jason S; Jiang, Xia; Finucane, Hilary; Adams, Marcia; Adank, Muriel A; Ahsan, Habibul; Aittomäki, Kristiina; Anton-Culver, Hoda; Antonenkova, Natalia N; Arndt, Volker; Aronson, Kristan J; Arun, Banu; Auer, Paul L; Bacot, François; Barrdahl, Myrto; Baynes, Caroline; Beckmann, Matthias W; Behrens, Sabine; Benitez, Javier; Bermisheva, Marina; Bernstein, Leslie; Blomqvist, Carl; Bogdanova, Natalia V; Bojesen, Stig E; Bonanni, Bernardo; Børresen-Dale, Anne-Lise; Brand, Judith S; Brauch, Hiltrud; Brennan, Paul; Brenner, Hermann; Brinton, Louise; Broberg, Per; Brock, Ian W; Broeks, Annegien; Brooks-Wilson, Angela; Brucker, Sara Y; Brüning, Thomas; Burwinkel, Barbara; Butterbach, Katja; Cai, Qiuyin; Cai, Hui; Caldés, Trinidad; Canzian, Federico; Carracedo, Angel; Carter, Brian D; Castelao, Jose E; Chan, Tsun L; David Cheng, Ting-Yuan; Seng Chia, Kee; Choi, Ji-Yeob; Christiansen, Hans; Clarke, Christine L; Collée, Margriet; Conroy, Don M; Cordina-Duverger, Emilie; Cornelissen, Sten; Cox, David G; Cox, Angela; Cross, Simon S; Cunningham, Julie M; Czene, Kamila; Daly, Mary B; Devilee, Peter; Doheny, Kimberly F; Dörk, Thilo; Dos-Santos-Silva, Isabel; Dumont, Martine; Durcan, Lorraine; Dwek, Miriam; Eccles, Diana M; Ekici, Arif B; Eliassen, A Heather; Ellberg, Carolina; Elvira, Mingajeva; Engel, Christoph; Eriksson, Mikael; Fasching, Peter A; Figueroa, Jonine; Flesch-Janys, Dieter; Fletcher, Olivia; Flyger, Henrik; Fritschi, Lin; Gaborieau, Valerie; Gabrielson, Marike; Gago-Dominguez, Manuela; Gao, Yu-Tang; Gapstur, Susan M; García-Sáenz, José A; Gaudet, Mia M; Georgoulias, Vassilios; Giles, Graham G; Glendon, Gord; Goldberg, Mark S; Goldgar, David E; González-Neira, Anna; Grenaker Alnæs, Grethe I; Grip, Mervi; Gronwald, Jacek; Grundy, Anne; Guénel, Pascal; Haeberle, Lothar; Hahnen, Eric; Haiman, Christopher A; Håkansson, Niclas; Hamann, Ute; Hamel, Nathalie; Hankinson, Susan; Harrington, Patricia; Hart, Steven N; Hartikainen, Jaana M; Hartman, Mikael; Hein, Alexander; Heyworth, Jane; Hicks, Belynda; Hillemanns, Peter; Ho, Dona N; Hollestelle, Antoinette; Hooning, Maartje J; Hoover, Robert N; Hopper, John L; Hou, Ming-Feng; Hsiung, Chia-Ni; Huang, Guanmengqian; Humphreys, Keith; Ishiguro, Junko; Ito, Hidemi; Iwasaki, Motoki; Iwata, Hiroji; Jakubowska, Anna; Janni, Wolfgang; John, Esther M; Johnson, Nichola; Jones, Kristine; Jones, Michael; Jukkola-Vuorinen, Arja; Kaaks, Rudolf; Kabisch, Maria; Kaczmarek, Katarzyna; Kang, Daehee; Kasuga, Yoshio; Kerin, Michael J; Khan, Sofia; Khusnutdinova, Elza; Kiiski, Johanna I; Kim, Sung-Won; Knight, Julia A; Kosma, Veli-Matti; Kristensen, Vessela N; Krüger, Ute; Kwong, Ava; Lambrechts, Diether; Le Marchand, Loic; Lee, Eunjung; Lee, Min Hyuk; Lee, Jong Won; Neng Lee, Chuen; Lejbkowicz, Flavio; Li, Jingmei; Lilyquist, Jenna; Lindblom, Annika; Lissowska, Jolanta; Lo, Wing-Yee; Loibl, Sibylle; Long, Jirong; Lophatananon, Artitaya; Lubinski, Jan; Luccarini, Craig; Lux, Michael P; Ma, Edmond S K; MacInnis, Robert J; Maishman, Tom; Makalic, Enes; Malone, Kathleen E; Kostovska, Ivana Maleva; Mannermaa, Arto; Manoukian, Siranoush; Manson, JoAnn E; Margolin, Sara; Mariapun, Shivaani; Martinez, Maria Elena; Matsuo, Keitaro; Mavroudis, Dimitrios; McKay, James; McLean, Catriona; Meijers-Heijboer, Hanne; Meindl, Alfons; Menéndez, Primitiva; Menon, Usha; Meyer, Jeffery; Miao, Hui; Miller, Nicola; Taib, Nur Aishah Mohd; Muir, Kenneth; Mulligan, Anna Marie; Mulot, Claire; Neuhausen, Susan L; Nevanlinna, Heli; Neven, Patrick; Nielsen, Sune F; Noh, Dong-Young; Nordestgaard, Børge G; Norman, Aaron; Olopade, Olufunmilayo I; Olson, Janet E; Olsson, Håkan; Olswold, Curtis; Orr, Nick; Pankratz, V Shane; Park, Sue K; Park-Simon, Tjoung-Won; Lloyd, Rachel; Perez, Jose I A; Peterlongo, Paolo; Peto, Julian; Phillips, Kelly-Anne; Pinchev, Mila; Plaseska-Karanfilska, Dijana; Prentice, Ross; Presneau, Nadege; Prokofyeva, Darya; Pugh, Elizabeth; Pylkäs, Katri; Rack, Brigitte; Radice, Paolo; Rahman, Nazneen; Rennert, Gadi; Rennert, Hedy S; Rhenius, Valerie; Romero, Atocha; Romm, Jane; Ruddy, Kathryn J; Rüdiger, Thomas; Rudolph, Anja; Ruebner, Matthias; Rutgers, Emiel J T; Saloustros, Emmanouil; Sandler, Dale P; Sangrajrang, Suleeporn; Sawyer, Elinor J; Schmidt, Daniel F; Schmutzler, Rita K; Schneeweiss, Andreas; Schoemaker, Minouk J; Schumacher, Fredrick; Schürmann, Peter; Scott, Rodney J; Scott, Christopher; Seal, Sheila; Seynaeve, Caroline; Shah, Mitul; Sharma, Priyanka; Shen, Chen-Yang; Sheng, Grace; Sherman, Mark E; Shrubsole, Martha J; Shu, Xiao-Ou; Smeets, Ann; Sohn, Christof; Southey, Melissa C; Spinelli, John J; Stegmaier, Christa; Stewart-Brown, Sarah; Stone, Jennifer; Stram, Daniel O; Surowy, Harald; Swerdlow, Anthony; Tamimi, Rulla; Taylor, Jack A; Tengström, Maria; Teo, Soo H; Beth Terry, Mary; Tessier, Daniel C; Thanasitthichai, Somchai; Thöne, Kathrin; Tollenaar, Rob A E M; Tomlinson, Ian; Tong, Ling; Torres, Diana; Truong, Thérèse; Tseng, Chiu-Chen; Tsugane, Shoichiro; Ulmer, Hans-Ulrich; Ursin, Giske; Untch, Michael; Vachon, Celine; van Asperen, Christi J; Van Den Berg, David; van den Ouweland, Ans M W; van der Kolk, Lizet; van der Luijt, Rob B; Vincent, Daniel; Vollenweider, Jason; Waisfisz, Quinten; Wang-Gohrke, Shan; Weinberg, Clarice R; Wendt, Camilla; Whittemore, Alice S; Wildiers, Hans; Willett, Walter; Winqvist, Robert; Wolk, Alicja; Wu, Anna H; Xia, Lucy; Yamaji, Taiki; Yang, Xiaohong R; Har Yip, Cheng; Yoo, Keun-Young; Yu, Jyh-Cherng; Zheng, Wei; Zheng, Ying; Zhu, Bin; Ziogas, Argyrios; Ziv, Elad; Lakhani, Sunil R; Antoniou, Antonis C; Droit, Arnaud; Andrulis, Irene L; Amos, Christopher I; Couch, Fergus J; Pharoah, Paul D P; Chang-Claude, Jenny; Hall, Per; Hunter, David J; Milne, Roger L; García-Closas, Montserrat; Schmidt, Marjanka K; Chanock, Stephen J; Dunning, Alison M; Edwards, Stacey L; Bader, Gary D; Chenevix-Trench, Georgia; Simard, Jacques; Kraft, Peter; Easton, Douglas F

2017-11-02

Breast cancer risk is influenced by rare coding variants in susceptibility genes, such as BRCA1, and many common, mostly non-coding variants. However, much of the genetic contribution to breast cancer risk remains unknown. Here we report the results of a genome-wide association study of breast cancer in 122,977 cases and 105,974 controls of European ancestry and 14,068 cases and 13,104 controls of East Asian ancestry. We identified 65 new loci that are associated with overall breast cancer risk at P < 5 × 10 -8 . The majority of credible risk single-nucleotide polymorphisms in these loci fall in distal regulatory elements, and by integrating in silico data to predict target genes in breast cells at each locus, we demonstrate a strong overlap between candidate target genes and somatic driver genes in breast tumours. We also find that heritability of breast cancer due to all single-nucleotide polymorphisms in regulatory features was 2-5-fold enriched relative to the genome-wide average, with strong enrichment for particular transcription factor binding sites. These results provide further insight into genetic susceptibility to breast cancer and will improve the use of genetic risk scores for individualized screening and prevention.

Negative pressure wound therapy reduces incidence of postoperative wound infection and dehiscence after long-segment thoracolumbar spinal fusion: a single institutional experience.

PubMed

Adogwa, Owoicho; Fatemi, Parastou; Perez, Edgar; Moreno, Jessica; Gazcon, Gustavo Chagoya; Gokaslan, Ziya L; Cheng, Joseph; Gottfried, Oren; Bagley, Carlos A

2014-12-01

Wound dehiscence and surgical site infections (SSIs) can have a profound impact on patients as they often require hospital readmission, additional surgical interventions, lengthy intravenous antibiotic administration, and delayed rehabilitation. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) exposes the wound site to negative pressure, resulting in the improvement of blood supply, removal of excess fluid, and stimulation of cellular proliferation of granulation tissue. To assess the incidence of wound infection and dehiscence in patients undergoing long-segment thoracolumbar fusion before and after the routine use of NPWT. Retrospective study. One hundred sixty patients undergoing long-segment thoracolumbar spine fusions were included in this study. Postoperative incidence of wound infection and dehiscence. All adult patients undergoing thoracolumbar fusion for spinal deformity over a 6-year period at Duke University Medical Center by the senior author (CB) were included in this study. In 2012, a categorical change was made by the senior author (CB) that included the postoperative routine use of incisional NPWT devices after primary wound closure in all long-segment spine fusions. Before 2012, NPWT was not used. After primary wound closure, a negative pressure device is contoured to the size of the incision and placed over the incision site for 3 postoperative days. We retrospectively review the first 46 cases in which NPWT was used and compared them with the immediately preceding 114 cases to assess the incidence of wound infection and dehiscence. One hundred sixty (NPWT: 46 cases, non-NPWT: 114 cases) long-segment thoracolumbar spine fusions were performed for deformity correction. Baseline characteristics were similar between both cohorts. Compared with the non-NPWT cohort, a 50% decrease in the incidence of wound dehiscence was observed in the NPWT patient cohort (6.38% vs. 12.28%, p=.02). Similarly, compared with the non-NPWT cohort, the incidence of postoperative SSIs was significantly decreased in the NPWT cohort (10.63% vs. 14.91%, p=.04). Routine use of incisional NPWT was associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of postoperative wound infection and dehiscence. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Interim Site-index Curves for Longleaf Pine Plantations

Treesearch

William D. Boyer

1980-01-01

No single set of site-index curves can be uniformly applied to young longleaf pine plantations without a sacrifice in reliability. A recent study using plantation remeasurement data indicated that planting-site condition (old fields and mechanically prepared or unprepared cutover forest sites) has a major impact on early plantation height growth. Stand density (...

RNA secondary structures of the bacteriophage phi6 packaging regions.

PubMed

Pirttimaa, M J; Bamford, D H

2000-06-01

Bacteriophage phi6 genome consists of three segments of double-stranded RNA. During maturation, single-stranded copies of these segments are packaged into preformed polymerase complex particles. Only phi6 RNA is packaged, and each particle contains only one copy of each segment. An in vitro packaging and replication assay has been developed for phi6, and the packaging signals (pac sites) have been mapped to the 5' ends of the RNA segments. In this study, we propose secondary structure models for the pac sites of phi6 single-stranded RNA segments. Our models accommodate data from structure-specific chemical modifications, free energy minimizations, and phylogenetic comparisons. Previously reported pac site deletion studies are also discussed. Each pac site possesses a unique architecture, that, however, contains common structural elements.

Sinus Floor Elevation with Modified Crestal Approach and Single Loaded Short Implants: A Case Report with 4 Years of Follow-Up

PubMed Central

Perelli, Michele; Abundo, Roberto; Corrente, Giuseppe; Saccone, Carlo

2017-01-01

Tooth extraction is usually followed by bone reduction. In the maxillary posterior region, this remodelling combined with sinus pneumatisation and periodontal defects may lead to a reduced basal bone height available for implant placement. Sinus floor elevation can be performed with different surgical techniques. Crestal approach has demonstrated to be effective, less invasive, and associated with a reduced morbidity. This article reports a modified sinus floor elevation by means of rotary, noncutting instruments, addition of xenograft, and 2 short-threaded implant placements. The aim of the study was to evaluate the implant's success and intrasinus radiographical bone gain after 4 years of functional loading. The premolar implant site presented a starting basal bone height of 6 mm, while the molar site was of 2 mm. In the first surgical step, sinus floor elevation was performed mesially and the implant was inserted, and distally only sinus floor elevation was performed. After 6 months, the mesial implant was uncovered and the second implant was inserted; 4 months later, the second fixture was uncovered, and both fixtures were loaded with single provisional screw-retained crowns and later with single screw-retained porcelain fused to metal crowns. Implants integrated successfully, and crestal bone remodelling did not exceed the smooth collar. Bone gain was 3 mm for the mesial implant and more than 5 mm for the distal one. PMID:29403665

Sinus Floor Elevation with Modified Crestal Approach and Single Loaded Short Implants: A Case Report with 4 Years of Follow-Up.

PubMed

Perelli, Michele; Abundo, Roberto; Corrente, Giuseppe; Saccone, Carlo; Arduino, Paolo G

2017-01-01

Tooth extraction is usually followed by bone reduction. In the maxillary posterior region, this remodelling combined with sinus pneumatisation and periodontal defects may lead to a reduced basal bone height available for implant placement. Sinus floor elevation can be performed with different surgical techniques. Crestal approach has demonstrated to be effective, less invasive, and associated with a reduced morbidity. This article reports a modified sinus floor elevation by means of rotary, noncutting instruments, addition of xenograft, and 2 short-threaded implant placements. The aim of the study was to evaluate the implant's success and intrasinus radiographical bone gain after 4 years of functional loading. The premolar implant site presented a starting basal bone height of 6 mm, while the molar site was of 2 mm. In the first surgical step, sinus floor elevation was performed mesially and the implant was inserted, and distally only sinus floor elevation was performed. After 6 months, the mesial implant was uncovered and the second implant was inserted; 4 months later, the second fixture was uncovered, and both fixtures were loaded with single provisional screw-retained crowns and later with single screw-retained porcelain fused to metal crowns. Implants integrated successfully, and crestal bone remodelling did not exceed the smooth collar. Bone gain was 3 mm for the mesial implant and more than 5 mm for the distal one.

Single case studies as a means for developing psychological theories.

PubMed

Skvortsov, Anatoliy; Romashchuk, Alexander

2015-12-01

The Socratic function of single case studies (SCSs) is described in its relation to the problem of scientific theory development. Contrary to the traditional point of view, the single case study is not a demonstration or verification of theoretical concepts, but a method of their generation and opportunity for analysis of their interrelations. Considering the case study from the perspective of the Socratic function brings to light important conclusions about the ecological validity of theory development. The essential features of the Socratic function are illustrated using the example of the famous Romantic Essays of Alexandr Luria. © 2015 The Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

EVALUATION OF GROUNDWATER EXTRACTION REMEDIES - VOLUME II

EPA Science Inventory

This volume was prepared as part of an evaluation of groundwater extraction remedies completed under EPA Contract No. 68-W8-0098. It presents 19 case studies of individual sites where ground-water extraction systems have been implemented. These case studies present site characte...

Simulations & Case Studies. [SITE 2002 Section].

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Seymour, Cathy R., Ed.

This document contains the following papers on simulations and case studies from the SITE (Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education) 2002 conference: "3-D Virtual Classroom Technology" (Kimberly Arseneau Miller, Angela Glod); "Simulated Lesson Design Studios" (Willis Copeland); "Lights, Camera, Integration: Presentation Programs and…

Persistent non-union of the humeral shaft treated by plating and autologous bone grafting.

PubMed

Pollon, Tristan; Reina, Nicolas; Delclaux, Stéphanie; Bonnevialle, Paul; Mansat, Pierre; Bonnevialle, Nicolas

2017-02-01

Surgical treatment of persistent non-union of the humeral shaft is a complex situation because of the risk of failure and surgery-related complications. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate clinical and radiological results of a continuous series of persistent non-union treated with plating and bone grafting. The secondary objective was to expose factors contributing to the failure of prior bone union attempts. Sixteen patients (average age of 52 years) were treated for persistent non-union of the humeral shaft in our department; six of these patients had predisposing comorbidities or addictions. The persistent non-union was treated by plating with autologous bone graft from the iliac crest in a single-stage procedure in 12 cases and a two-stage procedure in three cases; one case was treated with plating and vascularized fibula graft. At a minimum follow-up of 12 months (average 78 months), four (25 %) failed to heal. The 12 other patients had bone union after an average of eight months. The average QuickDASH score was 48 points (18-72). A retrospective analysis of the prior attempts to treat the non-union revealed three cases of unstable fixation, four cases with no osteogenic supply and seven cases of positive microbiological cultures at the non-union site. Plating and autologous bone grafting resulted in union in only 75 % of persistent non-union of the humeral shaft. The persistent nature of the humeral shaft non-union could be attributed to deviating from validated rules for surgical treatment and/or the presence of a surgical site infection.

The evaluation of muscle recovery after anatomical single-bundle ACL reconstruction using a quadriceps autograft.

PubMed

Iriuchishima, Takanori; Ryu, Keinosuke; Okano, Tatsumasa; Suruga, Makoto; Aizawa, Shin; Fu, Freddie H

2017-05-01

The purpose of this study was to reveal the degree of muscle recovery and report the clinical results of anatomical single-bundle ACL reconstruction using a quadriceps autograft. Twenty subjects undergoing anatomical single-bundle ACL reconstruction using a quadriceps autograft were included in this study. A 5-mm-wide, 8-cm-long graft, involving the entire layer of the quadriceps tendon, was harvested without bone block. The average graft diameter was 8.1 ± 1.4 mm. An initial tension of 30 N was applied. The femoral tunnel was created from the far-medial portal. Each femoral and tibial tunnel was created close to the antero-medial bundle insertion site. For the evaluation of muscle recovery (quadriceps and hamstring), a handheld dynamometer was used. The evaluation of muscle recovery was performed pre-operatively, and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after surgery. Muscle recovery data were calculated as a percentage of leg strength in the non-operated leg. Anterior tibial translation (ATT), pivot shift test, and IKDC score were evaluated. The average quadriceps strength pre-operatively, and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after ACL reconstruction was 90.5 ± 19, 67.8 ± 21.4, 84 ± 17.5, and 85.1 ± 12.6 %, respectively. The average hamstring strength pre-operatively, and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after ACL reconstruction was 99.5 ± 13.7, 78.7 ± 11.4, 90.5 ± 19, and 96.7 ± 13.8 %, respectively. ATT pre-operatively and at 12 months after surgery was 5.4 ± 1.3 and 1.0 ± 0.8 mm, respectively. No subjects exhibited positive pivot shift after surgery. Within 6 months following surgery, quadriceps hypotrophy was observed in all subjects. However, the hypotrophy had recovered at 12 months following surgery. No subjects complained of donor site pain after surgery. Anatomical single-bundle ACL reconstruction using a quadriceps autograft resulted in equivalent level of muscle recovery and knee stability when compared with previously reported ACL reconstruction using hamstrings tendon with no donor site complications. Case controlled study, Level III.

Robot-assisted single port radical nephrectomy and cholecystectomy: description and technical aspects

PubMed Central

Mota, Francisco Hidelbrando Alves; Sávio, Luis Felipe; Sakata, Rafael Eiji; Ivanovic, Renato Fidelis; da Silva, Marco Antonio Nunes; Maia, Ronaldo Soares; Passerotti, Carlo Camargo

2018-01-01

ABSTRACT Introduction Robot-Assisted Single Site Radical Nephrectomy (RASS-RN) has been reported by surgeons in Europe and United States (1–3). To our best knowledge this video presents the first RASS-RN with concomitant cholecystectomy performed in Latin America. Case A 66 year-old renal transplant male due to chronic renal failure presented with an incidental 1.3cm nodule in the upper pole of the right kidney. In addition, symptomatic gallbladder stones were detected. Results Patient was placed in modified flank position. Multichannel single port device was placed using Hassan's technique through a 3 cm supra-umbilical incision. Standard radical nephrectomy and cholecystectomy were made using an 8.5mm camera, two 5mm robotic arms and an assistant 5mm access. Surgery time and estimated blood loss were 208 minutes and 100mL, respectively. Patient did well and was discharged within less than 48 hours, without complications. Pathology report showed benign renomedullary tumor of interstitial cells and chronic cholecystitis. Discussion Robotic technology improves ergonomics, gives better precision and enhances ability to approach complex surgeries. Robot-assisted Single Port aims to reduce the morbidity of multiple trocar placements while maintaining the advantages of robotic surgery (2). Limitations include the use of semi-rigid instruments providing less degree of motion and limited space leading to crash between instruments. On the other hand, it is possible to perform complex and concomitant surgeries with just one incision. Conclusion RASS-RN seems to be safe and feasible option for selected cases. Studies should be performed to better understand the results using single port technique in Urology. PMID:29039889

Dysbindin-1 is reduced in intrinsic, glutamatergic terminals of the hippocampal formation in schizophrenia

PubMed Central

Talbot, Konrad; Eidem, Wess L.; Tinsley, Caroline L.; Benson, Matthew A.; Thompson, Edward W.; Smith, Rachel J.; Hahn, Chang-Gyu; Siegel, Steven J.; Trojanowski, John Q.; Gur, Raquel E.; Blake, Derek J.; Arnold, Steven E.

2004-01-01

Eleven studies now report significant associations between schizophrenia and certain haplotypes of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene encoding dysbindin-1 at 6p22.3. Dysbindin-1 is best known as dystrobrevin-binding protein 1 (DTNBP1) and may thus be associated with the dystrophin glycoprotein complex found at certain postsynaptic sites in the brain. Contrary to expectations, however, we found that when compared to matched, nonpsychiatric controls, 73–93% of cases in two schizophrenia populations displayed presynaptic dysbindin-1 reductions averaging 18–42% (P = 0.027–0.0001) at hippocampal formation sites lacking neuronal dystrobrevin (i.e., β-dystrobrevin). The reductions, which were not observed in the anterior cingulate of the same schizophrenia cases, occurred specifically in terminal fields of intrinsic, glutamatergic afferents of the subiculum, the hippocampus proper, and especially the inner molecular layer of the dentate gyrus (DGiml). An inversely correlated increase in vesicular glutamate transporter-1 (VGluT-1) occurred in DGiml of the same schizophrenia cases. Those changes occurred without evidence of axon terminal loss or neuroleptic effects on dysbindin-1 or VGluT-1. Our findings indicate that presynaptic dysbindin-1 reductions independent of the dystrophin glycoprotein complex are frequent in schizophrenia and are related to glutamatergic alterations in intrinsic hippocampal formation connections. Such changes may contribute to the cognitive deficits common in schizophrenia. PMID:15124027

Dysbindin-1 is reduced in intrinsic, glutamatergic terminals of the hippocampal formation in schizophrenia.

PubMed

Talbot, Konrad; Eidem, Wess L; Tinsley, Caroline L; Benson, Matthew A; Thompson, Edward W; Smith, Rachel J; Hahn, Chang-Gyu; Siegel, Steven J; Trojanowski, John Q; Gur, Raquel E; Blake, Derek J; Arnold, Steven E

2004-05-01

Eleven studies now report significant associations between schizophrenia and certain haplotypes of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene encoding dysbindin-1 at 6p22.3. Dysbindin-1 is best known as dystrobrevin-binding protein 1 (DTNBP1) and may thus be associated with the dystrophin glycoprotein complex found at certain postsynaptic sites in the brain. Contrary to expectations, however, we found that when compared to matched, nonpsychiatric controls, 73-93% of cases in two schizophrenia populations displayed presynaptic dysbindin-1 reductions averaging 18-42% (P = 0.027-0.0001) at hippocampal formation sites lacking neuronal dystrobrevin (i.e., beta-dystrobrevin). The reductions, which were not observed in the anterior cingulate of the same schizophrenia cases, occurred specifically in terminal fields of intrinsic, glutamatergic afferents of the subiculum, the hippocampus proper, and especially the inner molecular layer of the dentate gyrus (DGiml). An inversely correlated increase in vesicular glutamate transporter-1 (VGluT-1) occurred in DGiml of the same schizophrenia cases. Those changes occurred without evidence of axon terminal loss or neuroleptic effects on dysbindin-1 or VGluT-1. Our findings indicate that presynaptic dysbindin-1 reductions independent of the dystrophin glycoprotein complex are frequent in schizophrenia and are related to glutamatergic alterations in intrinsic hippocampal formation connections. Such changes may contribute to the cognitive deficits common in schizophrenia.

Single-row versus double-row capsulolabral repair: a comparative evaluation of contact pressure and surface area in the capsulolabral complex-glenoid bone interface.

PubMed

Kim, Doo-Sup; Yoon, Yeo-Seung; Chung, Hoi-Jeong

2011-07-01

Despite the attention that has been paid to restoration of the capsulolabral complex anatomic insertion onto the glenoid, studies comparing the pressurized contact area and mean interface pressure at the anatomic insertion site between a single-row repair and a double-row labral repair have been uncommon. The purpose of our study was to compare the mean interface pressure and pressurized contact area at the anatomic insertion site of the capsulolabral complex between a single-row repair and a double-row repair technique. Controlled laboratory study. Thirty fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders (mean age, 61 ± 8 years; range, 48-71 years) were used for this study. Two types of repair were performed on each specimen: (1) a single-row repair and (2) a double-row repair. Using pressure-sensitive films, we examined the interface contact area and contact pressure. The mean interface pressure was greater for the double-row repair technique (0.29 ± 0.04 MPa) when compared with the single-row repair technique (0.21 ± 0.03 MPa) (P = .003). The mean pressurized contact area was also significantly greater for the double-row repair technique (211.8 ± 18.6 mm(2), 78.4% footprint) compared with the single-row repair technique (106.4 ± 16.8 mm(2), 39.4% footprint) (P = .001). The double-row repair has significantly greater mean interface pressure and pressurized contact area at the insertion site of the capsulolabral complex than the single-row repair. The double-row repair may be advantageous compared with the single-row repair in restoring the native footprint area of the capsulolabral complex.

Identification of a genetic variant associated with abdominal aortic aneurysms on chromosome 3p12.3 by genome wide association.

PubMed

Elmore, James R; Obmann, Melissa A; Kuivaniemi, Helena; Tromp, Gerard; Gerhard, Glenn S; Franklin, David P; Boddy, Amy M; Carey, David J

2009-06-01

The goal of this project was to identify genetic variants associated with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). A genome wide association study was carried out using pooled DNA samples from 123 AAA cases and 112 controls matched for age, gender, and smoking history using Affymetrix 500K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays (Affymetrix, Inc, Santa Clara, Calif). The difference in mean allele frequency between cases and controls was calculated for each SNP and used to identify candidate genomic regions. Association of candidate SNPs with AAA was confirmed by individual TaqMan genotype assays in a total of 2096 cases and controls that included an independent replication sample set. A genome wide association study of AAA cases and controls identified a candidate AAA-associated haplotype on chromosome 3p12.3. By individual genotype analysis, four SNPs in this region were significantly associated with AAA in cases and controls from the original study population. One SNP in this region (rs7635818) was genotyped in a total of 502 cases and 736 controls from the original study population (P = .017) and 448 cases and 410 controls from an independent replication sample (P = .013; combined P value = .0028; combined odds ratio [OR] = 1.33). An even stronger association with AAA was observed in a subset of smokers (391 cases, 241 controls, P = .00041, OR = 1.80), which represent the highest risk group for AAA. The AAA-associated haplotype is located approximately 200 kbp upstream of the CNTN3 gene transcription start site. This study identifies a region on chromosome 3 that is significantly associated with AAA in 2 distinct study populations.

Dynamic formation of single-atom catalytic active sites on ceria-supported gold nanoparticles

PubMed Central

Wang, Yang-Gang; Mei, Donghai; Glezakou, Vassiliki-Alexandra; Li, Jun; Rousseau, Roger

2015-01-01

Catalysis by gold supported on reducible oxides has been extensively studied, yet issues such as the nature of the catalytic site and the role of the reducible support remain fiercely debated topics. Here we present ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of an unprecedented dynamic single-atom catalytic mechanism for the oxidation of carbon monoxide by ceria-supported gold clusters. The reported dynamic single-atom catalytic mechanism results from the ability of the gold cation to strongly couple with the redox properties of the ceria in a synergistic manner, thereby lowering the energy of redox reactions. The gold cation can break away from the gold nanoparticle to catalyse carbon monoxide oxidation, adjacent to the metal/oxide interface and subsequently reintegrate back into the nanoparticle after the reaction is completed. Our study highlights the importance of the dynamic creation of active sites under reaction conditions and their essential role in catalysis. PMID:25735407

Therapeutic benefits of carbon dioxide (CO2) laser on single-site HPV lesions in the lower female genital tract

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Urru, Giovanni; Moretti, Gianfranco

1998-01-01

Numerous studies have shown contradictory variable percentages of recurrent HPV lesions, after various therapies. The present study therefore evaluates the effectiveness of CO2 laser vaporization in the treatment of single-site HPV lesions of the lower female genital tract in order to confirm the conviction that physical therapy alone, in agreement with some findings reported in the literature, is capable of guaranteeing a high cure rate in selected patients. From January 1995 to June 1996, seventy- five female patients were treated with CO2 laser vaporization for single-site genital HPV lesions, some of which were associated with low-grade intra-epithelial neoplasia. The success rate after 12 months proved to be 97%. The pre-existing clinical symptoms disappeared in all the patients treated. No complication in the vaporization procedure was encountered.

Verification of the exponential model of body temperature decrease after death in pigs.

PubMed

Kaliszan, Michal; Hauser, Roman; Kaliszan, Roman; Wiczling, Paweł; Buczyñski, Janusz; Penkowski, Michal

2005-09-01

The authors have conducted a systematic study in pigs to verify the models of post-mortem body temperature decrease currently employed in forensic medicine. Twenty-four hour automatic temperature recordings were performed in four body sites starting 1.25 h after pig killing in an industrial slaughterhouse under typical environmental conditions (19.5-22.5 degrees C). The animals had been randomly selected under a regular manufacturing process. The temperature decrease time plots drawn starting 75 min after death for the eyeball, the orbit soft tissues, the rectum and muscle tissue were found to fit the single-exponential thermodynamic model originally proposed by H. Rainy in 1868. In view of the actual intersubject variability, the addition of a second exponential term to the model was demonstrated to be statistically insignificant. Therefore, the two-exponential model for death time estimation frequently recommended in the forensic medicine literature, even if theoretically substantiated for individual test cases, provides no advantage as regards the reliability of estimation in an actual case. The improvement of the precision of time of death estimation by the reconstruction of an individual curve on the basis of two dead body temperature measurements taken 1 h apart or taken continuously for a longer time (about 4 h), has also been proved incorrect. It was demonstrated that the reported increase of precision of time of death estimation due to use of a multiexponential model, with individual exponential terms to account for the cooling rate of the specific body sites separately, is artifactual. The results of this study support the use of the eyeball and/or the orbit soft tissues as temperature measuring sites at times shortly after death. A single-exponential model applied to the eyeball cooling has been shown to provide a very precise estimation of the time of death up to approximately 13 h after death. For the period thereafter, a better estimation of the time of death is obtained from temperature data collected from the muscles or the rectum.

Single-case research design in pediatric psychology: considerations regarding data analysis.

PubMed

Cohen, Lindsey L; Feinstein, Amanda; Masuda, Akihiko; Vowles, Kevin E

2014-03-01

Single-case research allows for an examination of behavior and can demonstrate the functional relation between intervention and outcome in pediatric psychology. This review highlights key assumptions, methodological and design considerations, and options for data analysis. Single-case methodology and guidelines are reviewed with an in-depth focus on visual and statistical analyses. Guidelines allow for the careful evaluation of design quality and visual analysis. A number of statistical techniques have been introduced to supplement visual analysis, but to date, there is no consensus on their recommended use in single-case research design. Single-case methodology is invaluable for advancing pediatric psychology science and practice, and guidelines have been introduced to enhance the consistency, validity, and reliability of these studies. Experts generally agree that visual inspection is the optimal method of analysis in single-case design; however, statistical approaches are becoming increasingly evaluated and used to augment data interpretation.

Cost Analysis and Surgical Site Infection Rates in Total Knee Arthroplasty Comparing Traditional vs. Single-Use Instrumentation.

PubMed

Siegel, Geoffrey W; Patel, Neil N; Milshteyn, Michael A; Buzas, David; Lombardo, Daniel J; Morawa, Lawrence G

2015-12-01

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a significant complications in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate if traditional vs. single-use instrumentation had an effect on SSI's. We compared SSI rates and costs of TKAs performed with single-use (449) and traditional (169) TKA instrumentation trays. Total OR Time was, on average, 30 min less when single-use instrumentation was used. SSIs decreased in the single-use group (n=1) compared to the traditional group (n=5) (P=0.006). Single-use instrumentation added $490 in initial costs; however it saved between $480 and $600. Single-use instrumentation may provide a benefit to the patient by potentially decreasing the risk of infection and reducing the overall hospital costs. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Development and validation of the Single Item Trait Empathy Scale (SITES).

PubMed

Konrath, Sara; Meier, Brian P; Bushman, Brad J

2018-04-01

Empathy involves feeling compassion for others and imagining how they feel. In this article, we develop and validate the Single Item Trait Empathy Scale (SITES), which contains only one item that takes seconds to complete. In seven studies (N=5,724), the SITES was found to be both reliable and valid. It correlated in expected ways with a wide variety of intrapersonal outcomes. For example, it is negatively correlated with narcissism, depression, anxiety, and alexithymia. In contrast, it is positively correlated with other measures of empathy, self-esteem, subjective well-being, and agreeableness. The SITES also correlates with a wide variety of interpersonal outcomes, especially compassion for others and helping others. The SITES is recommended in situations when time or question quantity is constrained.

Reliability of quadriceps surface electromyography measurements is improved by two vs. single site recordings.

PubMed

Balshaw, T G; Fry, A; Maden-Wilkinson, T M; Kong, P W; Folland, J P

2017-06-01

The reliability of surface electromyography (sEMG) is typically modest even with rigorous methods, and therefore further improvements in sEMG reliability are desirable. This study compared the between-session reliability (both within participant absolute reliability and between-participant relative reliability) of sEMG amplitude from single vs. average of two distinct recording sites, for individual muscle (IM) and whole quadriceps (WQ) measures during voluntary and evoked contractions. Healthy males (n = 20) performed unilateral isometric knee extension contractions: voluntary maximum and submaximum (60%), as well as evoked twitch contractions on two separate days. sEMG was recorded from two distinct sites on each superficial quadriceps muscle. Averaging two recording sites vs. using single site measures improved reliability for IM and WQ measurements during voluntary (16-26% reduction in within-participant coefficient of variation, CV W ) and evoked contractions (40-56% reduction in CV W ). For sEMG measurements from large muscles, averaging the recording of two distinct sites is recommended as it improves within-participant reliability. This improved sensitivity has application to clinical and research measurement of sEMG amplitude.

Long-Term Environmental Research Programs - Evolving Capacity for Discovery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Swanson, F. J.

2008-12-01

Long-term forestry, watershed, and ecological research sites have become critical, productive nodes for environmental science research and in some cases for work in the social sciences and humanities. The Forest Service's century-old Experimental Forests and Ranges and the National Science Foundation's 28- year-old Long-Term Ecological Research program have been remarkably productive in both basic and applied sciences, including characterization of acid rain and old-growth ecosystems and development of forest, watershed, and range management systems for commercial and other land use objectives. A review of recent developments suggests steps to enhance the function of collections of long-term research sites as interactive science networks. The programs at these sites have evolved greatly, especially over the past few decades, as the questions addressed, disciplines engaged, and degree of science integration have grown. This is well displayed by small, experimental watershed studies, which first were used for applied hydrology studies then more fundamental biogeochemical studies and now examination of complex ecosystem processes; all capitalizing on the legacy of intensive studies and environmental monitoring spanning decades. In very modest ways these collections of initially independent sites have functioned increasingly as integrated research networks addressing inter-site questions by using common experimental designs, being part of a single experiment, and examining long-term data in a common analytical framework. The network aspects include data sharing via publicly-accessible data-harvester systems for climate and streamflow data. The layering of one research or environmental monitoring network upon another facilitates synergies. Changing climate and atmospheric chemistry highlight a need to use these networks as continental-scale observatory systems for assessing the impacts of environmental change on ecological services. To better capitalize on long-term research sites and networks, agencies and universities 1) need to encourage collaboration among sites and between science and land manager communities while 2) maintaining long- term studies and monitoring efforts, and staffing the collaboration in each partner organization, including positions specifically designated as liaisons among the participating communities.

Synchronous volvulus of the sigmoid colon and caecum, a very rare cause of large bowel obstruction.

PubMed

Islam, Shariful; Hosein, Devin; Bheem, Vinoo; Dan, Dilip

2016-10-14

Colonic volvulus usually occurs as a single event that can affect various parts of the colon. The usual sites affected being the sigmoid colon (75%) and the caecum (22%). The phenomenon of multiple sites simultaneously undergoing volvulus is an extremely rare occurrence. Synchronous double colonic volvulus is extremely rare and to the best of our knowledge, this is the 4th reported case of simultaneous sigmoid and caecal volvulus in the English literature. The clinical presentation and the radiological findings are that of large bowel obstruction. Classic radiological findings may not be present or may be overlooked due to its rarity. Treatment of this condition is early surgical intervention to prevent the sequalae of a colonic volvulus and its associated mortality. We report a case of an 80-year-old man with synchronous volvulus of the sigmoid colon and caecum. 2016 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

Allele-specific locus binding and genome editing by CRISPR at the p16INK4a locus.

PubMed

Fujita, Toshitsugu; Yuno, Miyuki; Fujii, Hodaka

2016-07-28

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system has been adopted for a wide range of biological applications including genome editing. In some cases, dissection of genome functions requires allele-specific genome editing, but the use of CRISPR for this purpose has not been studied in detail. In this study, using the p16INK4a gene in HCT116 as a model locus, we investigated whether chromatin states, such as CpG methylation, or a single-nucleotide gap form in a target site can be exploited for allele-specific locus binding and genome editing by CRISPR in vivo. First, we showed that allele-specific locus binding and genome editing could be achieved by targeting allele-specific CpG-methylated regions, which was successful for one, but not all guide RNAs. In this regard, molecular basis underlying the success remains elusive at this stage. Next, we demonstrated that an allele-specific single-nucleotide gap form could be employed for allele-specific locus binding and genome editing by CRISPR, although it was important to avoid CRISPR tolerance of a single nucleotide mismatch brought about by mismatched base skipping. Our results provide information that might be useful for applications of CRISPR in studies of allele-specific functions in the genomes.

Single mutations that redirect internal proton transfer in the ba3 oxidase from Thermus thermophilus

PubMed Central

Smirnova, Irina; Chang, Hsin-Yang; von Ballmoos, Christoph; Ädelroth, Pia; Gennis, Robert B.; Brzezinski, Peter

2014-01-01

The ba3-type cytochrome c oxidase from Thermus thermophilus is a membrane-bound proton pump. Results from earlier studies have shown that with the aa3-type oxidases proton uptake to the catalytic site and “pump site” occur simultaneously. However, with the ba3 oxidase the pump site is loaded before proton transfer to the catalytic site because the proton transfer to the latter is slower than with the aa3 oxidases. In addition, the timing of formation and decay of catalytic intermediates is different in the two types of oxidases. In the present study, we have investigated two mutant ba3 CytcOs in which residues of the proton pathway leading to the catalytic site as well as the pump site were exchanged, Thr312Val and Tyr244Phe. Even though the ba3 CytcO uses only a single proton pathway for transfer of the substrate and “pumped” protons, the amino-acid residue substitutions had distinctly different effects on the kinetics of proton transfer to the catalytic site and the pump site, respectively. The results indicate that the rates of these reactions can be modified independently by replacement of single residues within the proton pathway. Furthermore, the data suggest that the Thr312Val and Tyr244Phe mutations interfere with a structural rearrangement in the proton pathway that is rate limiting for proton transfer to the catalytic site. PMID:24004023

Chemical shift imprint of intersubunit communication in a symmetric homodimer

PubMed Central

Falk, Bradley T.; Sapienza, Paul J.; Lee, Andrew L.

2016-01-01

Allosteric communication is critical for protein function and cellular homeostasis, and it can be exploited as a strategy for drug design. However, unlike many protein–ligand interactions, the structural basis for the long-range communication that underlies allostery is not well understood. This lack of understanding is most evident in the case of classical allostery, in which a binding event in one protomer is sensed by a second symmetric protomer. A primary reason why study of interdomain signaling is challenging in oligomeric proteins is the difficulty in characterizing intermediate, singly bound species. Here, we use an NMR approach to isolate and characterize a singly ligated state (“lig1”) of a homodimeric enzyme that is otherwise obscured by rapid exchange with apo and saturated forms. Mixed labeled dimers were prepared that simultaneously permit full population of the lig1 state and isotopic labeling of either protomer. Direct visualization of peaks from lig1 yielded site-specific ligand-state multiplets that provide a convenient format for assessing mechanisms of intersubunit communication from a variety of NMR measurements. We demonstrate this approach on thymidylate synthase from Escherichia coli, a homodimeric enzyme known to be half-the-sites reactive. Resolving the dUMP1 state shows that active site communication occurs not upon the first dUMP binding, but upon the second. Surprisingly, for many sites, dUMP1 peaks are found beyond the limits set by apo and dUMP2 peaks, indicating that binding the first dUMP pushes the enzyme ensemble to further conformational extremes than the apo or saturated forms. The approach used here should be generally applicable to homodimers. PMID:27466406

Genome Engineering in Bacillus anthracis Using Cre Recombinase

PubMed Central

Pomerantsev, Andrei P.; Sitaraman, Ramakrishnan; Galloway, Craig R.; Kivovich, Violetta; Leppla, Stephen H.

2006-01-01

Genome engineering is a powerful method for the study of bacterial virulence. With the availability of the complete genomic sequence of Bacillus anthracis, it is now possible to inactivate or delete selected genes of interest. However, many current methods for disrupting or deleting more than one gene require use of multiple antibiotic resistance determinants. In this report we used an approach that temporarily inserts an antibiotic resistance marker into a selected region of the genome and subsequently removes it, leaving the target region (a single gene or a larger genomic segment) permanently mutated. For this purpose, a spectinomycin resistance cassette flanked by bacteriophage P1 loxP sites oriented as direct repeats was inserted within a selected gene. After identification of strains having the spectinomycin cassette inserted by a double-crossover event, a thermo-sensitive plasmid expressing Cre recombinase was introduced at the permissive temperature. Cre recombinase action at the loxP sites excised the spectinomycin marker, leaving a single loxP site within the targeted gene or genomic segment. The Cre-expressing plasmid was then removed by growth at the restrictive temperature. The procedure could then be repeated to mutate additional genes. In this way, we sequentially mutated two pairs of genes: pepM and spo0A, and mcrB and mrr. Furthermore, loxP sites introduced at distant genes could be recombined by Cre recombinase to cause deletion of large intervening regions. In this way, we deleted the capBCAD region of the pXO2 plasmid and the entire 30 kb of chromosomal DNA between the mcrB and mrr genes, and in the latter case we found that the 32 intervening open reading frames were not essential to growth. PMID:16369025

Solitary plasmacytoma of the mandible: A rare case report

PubMed Central

Sharma, Naresh Kumar; Singh, Akhilesh Kumar; Pandey, Arun; Verma, Vishal

2015-01-01

Plasmacytoma is a monoclonal, neoplastic proliferation of plasma cells that usually arises within bone marrow or soft tissue sites. It can involve either a single bone (solitary) or multiple bones. Solitary plasmacytoma has a predisposition for the red marrow-containing axial skeleton and is most frequently seen in the thoracic vertebrae, followed by the ribs, sternum, clavicle, or scapula. Its presence in the jaws is extremely rare. We present a case of a 54-year-old female with a well-defined radiolucency of the body region of the mandible later diagnosed as solitary plasmacytoma. PMID:26668458

A Case Study of Single-Sex Middle School Mathematics Classes in a Mixed-Sex Public School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kawasha, Fridah Singongi Silishebo

2010-01-01

The purpose of this case study was to (a) examine the main and interaction effects of gender, race and class-type on mathematics achievement, mathematics attitudes and sources of mathematics self-efficacy, (b) investigate teacher-student interactions in the single-sex mathematics classes and (c) investigate perspectives about single-sex…

Lidar observation of transition of cirrus clouds over a tropical station Gadanki (13.45° N, 79.18° E): case studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Srinivasan, M. A.; Rao, C. Dhananjaya; Krishnaiah, M.

2016-05-01

The present study describes Mie lidar observations of the cirrus cloud passage showing transition between double thin layers into single thick and single thick layer into double thin layers of cirrus over Gadanki region. During Case1: 17 January 2007, Case4: 12 June 2007, Case5: 14 July 2007 and Case6: 24 July 2007 the transition is found to from two thin cirrus layers into single geometrically thick layer. Case2: 14 May 2007 and Case3: 15 May 2007, the transition is found to from single geometrically thick layer into two thin cirrus layers. Linear Depolarization Ratio (LDR) and Back Scatter Ration (BSR) are found to show similar variation with strong peaks during transition; both LDR and Cloud Optical Depth (COD) is found to show similar variation except during transition with strong peaks in COD which is not clearly found from LDR for the all cases. There is a significant weakening of zonal and meridional winds during Case1 which might be due to the transition from multiple to single thick cirrus indicating potential capability of thick cirrus in modulating the wind fields. There exists strong upward wind dominance contributed to significant ascent in cloud-base altitude thereby causing transition of multiple thin layers into single thick cirrus.

Unusual Legionnaires' outbreak in cool, dry Western Canada: an investigation using genomic epidemiology.

PubMed

Knox, N C; Weedmark, K A; Conly, J; Ensminger, A W; Hosein, F S; Drews, S J

2017-01-01

An outbreak of Legionnaires' disease occurred in an inner city district in Calgary, Canada. This outbreak spanned a 3-week period in November-December 2012, and a total of eight cases were identified. Four of these cases were critically ill requiring intensive care admission but there was no associated mortality. All cases tested positive for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 (LP1) by urinary antigen testing. Five of the eight patients were culture positive for LP1 from respiratory specimens. These isolates were further identified as Knoxville monoclonal subtype and sequence subtype ST222. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the isolates differed by no more than a single vertically acquired single nucleotide variant, supporting a single point-source outbreak. Hypothesis-based environmental investigation and sampling was conducted; however, a definitive source was not identified. Geomapping of case movements within the affected urban sector revealed a 1·0 km common area of potential exposure, which coincided with multiple active construction sites that used water spray to minimize transient dust. This community point-source Legionnaires' disease outbreak is unique due to its ST222 subtype and occurrence in a relatively dry and cold weather setting in Western Canada. This report suggests community outbreaks of Legionella should not be overlooked as a possibility during late autumn and winter months in the Northern Hemisphere.

A CASE STUDY ILLUSTRATING THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCURATE SITE CHARACTERIZATION

EPA Science Inventory

Too frequently, researchers rely on incomplete site characterization data to determine the placement of the sampling wells. They forget that it is these sampling wells that will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of their research efforts. This case study illustrates the eff...

Detailed anatomy of the abducens nerve in the lateral rectus muscle.

PubMed

Nam, Yong Seok; Kim, In-Beom; Shin, Sun Young

2017-10-01

The aims of this study were to elucidate the detailed anatomy of the abducens nerve in the lateral rectus muscle (LRM) and the intramuscular innervation pattern using Sihler staining. In this cohort study, 32 eyes of 16 cadavers were assessed. Dissection was performed from the LRM origin to its insertion. The following distances were measured: from LRM insertion to the bifurcation point of the abducens nerve, from LRM insertion to the entry site of the superior branch or inferior branch, from the upper border of the LRM to the entry site of the superior branch, from the lower border of LRM to the entry site of inferior branch, and the widths of the main trunk and superior and inferior branches. The single trunk of the abducens nerve divided into two branches 37 mm from insertion of the LRM, and 22 of 32 (68.8%) orbits showed only two superior and inferior branches with no subdivision. The superior branch entered the LRM more anteriorly (P = 0.037) and the superior branch was thinner than the inferior branch (P = 0.040). The most distally located intramuscular nerve ending was observed at 52.9 ± 3.5% of the length of each muscle. Non-overlap between the superior and inferior intramuscular arborization of the nerve was detected in 27 of 32 cases (84.4%). Five cases (15.6%) showed definite overlap of the superior and inferior zones. This study revealed the detailed anatomy of the abducens nerve in the LRM and provides helpful information to understand abducens nerve palsy. Clin. Anat. 30:873-877, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Cooperative interplay of let-7 mimic and HuR with MYC RNA

PubMed Central

Gunzburg, Menachem J; Sivakumaran, Andrew; Pendini, Nicole R; Yoon, Je-Hyun; Gorospe, Myriam; Wilce, Matthew Cj; Wilce, Jacqueline A

2015-01-01

Both RNA-binding proteins (RBP) and miRNA play important roles in the regulation of mRNA expression, often acting together to regulate a target mRNA. In some cases the RBP and miRNA have been reported to act competitively, but in other instances they function cooperatively. Here, we investigated HuR function as an enhancer of let-7-mediated translational repression of c-Myc despite the separation of their binding sites. Using an in vitro system, we determined that a let-7 mimic, consisting of single-stranded (ss)DNA complementary to the let-7 binding site, enhanced the affinity of HuR for a 122-nt MYC RNA encompassing both binding sites. This finding supports the biophysical principle of cooperative binding by an RBP and miRNA purely through interactions at distal mRNA binding sites. PMID:26177105

Minimizing impacts of land use change on ecosystem services using multi-criteria heuristic analysis.

PubMed

Keller, Arturo A; Fournier, Eric; Fox, Jessica

2015-06-01

Development of natural landscapes to support human activities impacts the capacity of the landscape to provide ecosystem services. Typically, several ecosystem services are impacted at a single development site and various footprint scenarios are possible, thus a multi-criteria analysis is needed. Restoration potential should also be considered for the area surrounding the permanent impact site. The primary objective of this research was to develop a heuristic approach to analyze multiple criteria (e.g. impacts to various ecosystem services) in a spatial configuration with many potential development sites. The approach was to: (1) quantify the magnitude of terrestrial ecosystem service (biodiversity, carbon sequestration, nutrient and sediment retention, and pollination) impacts associated with a suite of land use change scenarios using the InVEST model; (2) normalize results across categories of ecosystem services to allow cross-service comparison; (3) apply the multi-criteria heuristic algorithm to select sites with the least impact to ecosystem services, including a spatial criterion (separation between sites). As a case study, the multi-criteria impact minimization algorithm was applied to InVEST output to select 25 potential development sites out of 204 possible locations (selected by other criteria) within a 24,000 ha property. This study advanced a generally applicable spatial multi-criteria approach for 1) considering many land use footprint scenarios, 2) balancing impact decisions across a suite of ecosystem services, and 3) determining the restoration potential of ecosystem services after impacts. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

ActiveDriverDB: human disease mutations and genome variation in post-translational modification sites of proteins

PubMed Central

Krassowski, Michal; Paczkowska, Marta; Cullion, Kim; Huang, Tina; Dzneladze, Irakli; Ouellette, B F Francis; Yamada, Joseph T; Fradet-Turcotte, Amelie

2018-01-01

Abstract Interpretation of genetic variation is needed for deciphering genotype-phenotype associations, mechanisms of inherited disease, and cancer driver mutations. Millions of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in human genomes are known and thousands are associated with disease. An estimated 21% of disease-associated amino acid substitutions corresponding to missense SNVs are located in protein sites of post-translational modifications (PTMs), chemical modifications of amino acids that extend protein function. ActiveDriverDB is a comprehensive human proteo-genomics database that annotates disease mutations and population variants through the lens of PTMs. We integrated >385,000 published PTM sites with ∼3.6 million substitutions from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), the ClinVar database of disease genes, and human genome sequencing projects. The database includes site-specific interaction networks of proteins, upstream enzymes such as kinases, and drugs targeting these enzymes. We also predicted network-rewiring impact of mutations by analyzing gains and losses of kinase-bound sequence motifs. ActiveDriverDB provides detailed visualization, filtering, browsing and searching options for studying PTM-associated mutations. Users can upload mutation datasets interactively and use our application programming interface in pipelines. Integrative analysis of mutations and PTMs may help decipher molecular mechanisms of phenotypes and disease, as exemplified by case studies of TP53, BRCA2 and VHL. The open-source database is available at https://www.ActiveDriverDB.org. PMID:29126202

Site response variation due to the existence of near-field cracks based on strong motion records in the Shi-Wen river valley, southern Taiwan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Chi-Shin; Yu, Teng-To; Peng, Wen-Fei; Yeh, Yeoin-Tein; Lin, Sih-Siao

2014-10-01

Site effect analysis has been applied to investigate soil classification, alluvium depth, and fracture detection, although the majority of previous studies have typically focused only on the response of large-scale single structures. In contrast, we investigated the site effect for small-scale cracks using a case study in southern Taiwan to provide a means of monitoring slope stability or foundation integrity in situ using only an accelerometer. We adopted both the reference site and horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio methods. We obtained seismographs associated with the typhoon-related development of a crack set (52 m long, 5 m deep) in a steep slope and compared the resonance frequency between two conditions (with and without cracks). Moreover, we divided the seismic waves into P, S, and coda waves and examined the seismic source effect. Our results demonstrate that frequencies of 14.5-17.5 Hz are most sensitive to these cracks, particularly for the E-W component of the P-waves, which coincides with the crack’s strike. Peak ground acceleration, which is controlled by seismic moment and attenuated distance, is another important factor determining the resonance results. Our results demonstrate that the ratio of temporal seismic waves can be used to detect the existence of nearby subsurface cracks.

Endoscopic Ultrasound Guided Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy in Diagnosis of Pancreatic and Peripancreatic Lesions: A Single Center Experience in Korea

PubMed Central

Hwang, Chang Yun; Song, Tae Jun; Moon, Sung-Hoon; Lee, Don; Park, Do Hyun; Seo, Dong Wan; Lee, Sung Koo; Kim, Myung-Hwan

2009-01-01

Background/Aims Although endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) has been introduced and its use has been increasing in Korea, there have not been many reports about its performance. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of EUS-FNA without on-site cytopathologist in establishing the diagnosis of solid pancreatic and peripancreatic masses from a single institution in Korea. Methods Medical records of 139 patients who underwent EUS-FNA for pancreatic and peripancreatic solid mass in the year 2007, were retrospectively reviewed. By comparing cytopathologic diagnosis of FNA with final diagnosis, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were determined, and factors influencing the accuracy as well as complications were analyzed. Results One hundred twenty out of 139 cases had final diagnosis of malignancy. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of EUS-FNA were 82%, 89%, and 83%, respectively, and positive and negative predictive values were 100% and 46%, respectively. As for factors influencing the accuracy of FNA, lesion size was marginally significant (p-value 0.08) by multivariate analysis. Conclusions EUS-FNA performed without on-site cytopathologist was found to be accurate and safe, and thus EUS-FNA should be a part of the standard management algorithm for pancreatic and peripancreatic mass. PMID:20431733

Selective impairment of facial recognition due to a haematoma restricted to the right fusiform and lateral occipital region

PubMed Central

Wada, Y; Yamamoto, T

2001-01-01

A 67 year old right handed Japanese man developed prosopagnosia caused by a haemorrhage. His only deficit was the inability to perceive and discriminate unfamiliar faces, and to recognise familiar faces. He did not show deficits in visual or visuospatial perception of non-facial stimuli, alexia, visual agnosia, or topographical disorientation. Brain MRI showed a haematoma limited to the right fusiform and the lateral occipital region. Single photon emission computed tomography confirmed that there was no decreased blood flow in the opposite left cerebral hemisphere. The present case indicates that a well placed small right fusiform gyrus and the adjacent area can cause isolated impairment of facial recognition. As far as we know, there has been no published case that has demonstrated this exact lesion site, which was indicated by recent functional MRI studies as the most critical area in facial recognition.

 PMID:11459906

Benefits of additional courses of systemic azithromycin in periodontal disease case report.

PubMed

Schmidt, Edgard F; Bretz, Walter A

2007-01-01

The strong association of subgingival anaerobic bacteria, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola and Tannerella forsythia, with destructive periodontal disease has been well documented in the literature. Several double-blind studies have also shown the beneficial use of systemic antimicrobials that are active against these microorganisms in conjunction with conventional periodontal treatment, especially when periodontal abscesses and/or suppuration upon probing are present. Four cases with periodontal abscesses were treated with scaling/root planing in conjunction with systemic azithromycin. Partial improvement led to retreatment with two additional courses of azithromycin. Bone formation was noted on periapical radiographs after the patients took additional courses of azithromycin. In view of the benefits of using additional courses of azithromycin in the treatment of destructive periodontal disease, we conclude that the single course of systemic antimicrobials currently used in periodontal therapy may be insufficient to reach necessary therapeutic levels in infected sites.

Soliton-impurity interaction in two Ablowitz-Ladik chains with different coupling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamburova, R. S.; Primatarowa, M. T.

2014-12-01

The interaction of solitons with point defects in a system of coupled Ablowitz- Ladik (AL) chains is studied numerically. The system is a discrete analog of coupled nonlinear Schrodinger equations. Two types of interchain coupling are investigated: one which admits reduction of the system to the standard integrable AL model (dispersive coupling) and one which couples opposite sites of the chains and does not admit reduction to the AL model (nondispersive coupling). The action of the two coupling types is additive and they can compensate each other in some cases. We have obtained that the single-peak bound soliton-defect solution (attractive impurity) is stable against perturbations, while the double-peak bound soliton-defect solution (repulsive impurity) is unstable and can be easily destroyed. Linear point defects do not influence the period of energy transfer and it is close to the period for the homogeneous case.

Efficient green luminescence of terbium oxalate crystals: A case study with Judd-Ofelt theory and single crystal structure analysis and the effect of dehydration on luminescence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alexander, Dinu; Joy, Monu; Thomas, Kukku; Sisira, S.; Biju, P. R.; Unnikrishnan, N. V.; Sudarsanakumar, C.; Ittyachen, M. A.; Joseph, Cyriac

2018-06-01

Design and synthesis of Lanthanide based metal organic framework is a frontier area of research owing to their structural diversity enabling specific applications. The luminescence properties of rare earths, tuned by the structural features of Ln-MOFs are investigated extensively. Rare earth oxalates which can be synthesized in a facile method, ensuring the structural features of MOFs with excellent photoluminescence characteristics deserves much attention. This work is the first time report on the single crystal structure and Judd-Ofelt (JO) theoretical analysis - their correlation with the intense and sharp green luminescence of Terbium oxalate crystals. The intense green luminescence observed for Terbium oxalate crystals for a wide range of excitation from DUV to visible region despite the luminescence limiting factors are discussed. The absence of concentration quenching and lifting up of forbidden nature of f-f transitions, allowing direct excitation of Terbium ions is analysed with the help of JO theory and single crystal structure analysis. The JO analysis predicted the asymmetry of Terbium sites, allowing the electric dipole transitions and from the JO intensity parameters, promising spectroscopic parameters - emission cross section, branching ratio, gain band width and gain coefficient of the material were calculated. The single crystal structure analysis revealed the asymmetry of Tb sites and structure of Terbium oxalate is formed by the hydrogen bonded stacking of overlapped six Terbium membered rings connected by the oxalate ligands. The molecularly thick layers thus formed on the crystal surface are imaged by the atomic force microscopy. The presence of water channels in the structure and the effect of lattice water molecules on the luminescence intensity are also investigated.

GET-SERF, a new gradient encoded SERF experiment for the trivial edition of 1H-19F couplings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Di Pietro, Maria Enrica; Aroulanda, Christie; Merlet, Denis

2013-09-01

A new spatially encoded heteronuclear 1H-19F selective refocusing NMR experiment (GET-SERF) is proposed. This sequence allows editing in one single 2D experiment all couplings between a selected fluorine site and all the proton nuclei of the molecule. Its efficiency is illustrated in the case of diflunisal, a difluorinated anti-inflammatory drug, in isotropic and anisotropic media.

A case of adult dermatomyositis with calcinosis universalis.

PubMed

Jayanthi, Mohan Roop; Basher, Rajender Kumar; Bhadada, Sanjay Kumar; Bhattacharya, Anish; Mittal, Bhagwant Rai

2014-10-01

Calcinosis, although frequent in juvenile dermatomyositis is a rare finding in adults. It is more common in later phases of the disease, involving sites under chronic stress and trauma. We present a 52-year-old female patient of dermatomyositis who on single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography hybrid images showed exclusive subcutaneous fat calcinosis, also known as calcinosis universalis - a phenomenon that is only rarely reported in adult-onset dermatomyositis.

Engineering Single-Atom Cobalt Catalysts toward Improved Electrocatalysis.

PubMed

Wan, Gang; Yu, Pengfei; Chen, Hangrong; Wen, Jianguo; Sun, Cheng-Jun; Zhou, Hua; Zhang, Nian; Li, Qianru; Zhao, Wanpeng; Xie, Bing; Li, Tao; Shi, Jianlin

2018-04-01

The development of cost-effective catalysts to replace noble metal is attracting increasing interests in many fields of catalysis and energy, and intensive efforts are focused on the integration of transition-metal sites in carbon as noble-metal-free candidates. Recently, the discovery of single-atom dispersed catalyst (SAC) provides a new frontier in heterogeneous catalysis. However, the electrocatalytic application of SAC is still subject to several theoretical and experimental limitations. Further advances depend on a better design of SAC through optimizing its interaction with adsorbates during catalysis. Here, distinctive from previous studies, favorable 3d electronic occupation and enhanced metal-adsorbates interactions in single-atom centers via the construction of nonplanar coordination is achieved, which is confirmed by advanced X-ray spectroscopic and electrochemical studies. The as-designed atomically dispersed cobalt sites within nonplanar coordination show significantly improved catalytic activity and selectivity toward the oxygen reduction reaction, approaching the benchmark Pt-based catalysts. More importantly, the illustration of the active sites in SAC indicates metal-natured catalytic sites and a media-dependent catalytic pathway. Achieving structural and electronic engineering on SAC that promotes its catalytic performances provides a paradigm to bridge the gap between single-atom catalysts design and electrocatalytic applications. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Double incision iso-anatomical ACL reconstruction: the freedom to place the femoral tunnel within the anatomical attachment site without exception.

PubMed

Arnold, Markus P; Duthon, Victoria; Neyret, Philippe; Hirschmann, Michael T

2013-02-01

The present paper describes the rationale behind the surgical technique and the clinical results of the iso-anatomical, single bundle bone patellar-tendon bone anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Using a second incision on the distal lateral femur an outside-in femoral tunnel is drilled. Guided by a special aiming device it is possible to place the femoral tunnel in the centre of the ACL footprint in every single case. Since every crucial step of the procedure is under visual control, the technique is safe and reliable, which is mirrored by good clinical results.

The use of UAVs to monitor archeological sites: the case study of Choirokoitia within the PROTHEGO project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Themistocleous, K.

2017-09-01

PROTHEGO (PROTection of European Cultural HEritage from GeO-hazards) is a collaborative research project funded in the framework of the Joint Programming Initiative on Cultural Heritage and Global Change (JPICH) - Heritage Plus in 2015-2018 (www.prothego.eu). PROTHEGO aims to make an innovative contribution towards the analysis of geo-hazards in areas of cultural heritage, and uses novel space technology for the management of sites and world heritage monuments located throughout Europe, using specialized remote sensing techniques. Τhe methodology will include the 395 monuments of UNESCO in Europe, with case studies conducted in 4 UNESCO sites in England, Spain, Italy and Cyprus. For the Cyprus case study in Choirokoitia, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are used to monitor and assess the risk from natural hazards on the archaeological site to evaluate cultural heritage sites deformation. The UAVs were flown over the study area to produce time-series data, including orthoimages, 3D models and digital elevation models of the Choirokoitia site in order to identify changes in the area caused by natural hazards.

Novel doping alternatives for single-layer transition metal dichalcogenides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Onofrio, Nicolas; Guzman, David; Strachan, Alejandro

2017-11-01

Successful doping of single-layer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) remains a formidable barrier to their incorporation into a range of technologies. We use density functional theory to study doping of molybdenum and tungsten dichalcogenides with a large fraction of the periodic table. An automated analysis of the energetics, atomic and electronic structure of thousands of calculations results in insightful trends across the periodic table and points out promising dopants to be pursued experimentally. Beyond previously studied cases, our predictions suggest promising substitutional dopants that result in p-type transport and reveal interesting physics behind the substitution of the metal site. Doping with early transition metals (TMs) leads to tensile strain and a significant reduction in the bandgap. The bandgap increases and strain is reduced as the d-states are filled into the mid TMs; these trends reverse as we move into the late TMs. Additionally, the Fermi energy increases monotonously as the d-shell is filled from the early to mid TMs and we observe few to no gap states, indicating the possibility of both p- (early TMs) and n- (mid TMs) type doping. Quite surprisingly, the simulations indicate the possibility of interstitial doping of TMDs; the energetics reveal that a significant number of dopants, increasing in number from molybdenum disulfide to diselenide and to ditelluride, favor the interstitial sites over adsorbed ones. Furthermore, calculations of the activation energy associated with capturing the dopants into the interstitial site indicate that the process is kinetically possible. This suggests that interstitial impurities in TMDs are more common than thought to date and we propose a series of potential interstitial dopants for TMDs relevant for application in nanoelectronics based on a detailed analysis of the predicted electronic structures.

Metal–organic and covalent organic frameworks as single-site catalysts

PubMed Central

Rogge, S. M. J.; Bavykina, A.; Hajek, J.; Garcia, H.; Olivos-Suarez, A. I.; Sepúlveda-Escribano, A.; Vimont, A.; Clet, G.; Bazin, P.; Kapteijn, F.

2017-01-01

Heterogeneous single-site catalysts consist of isolated, well-defined, active sites that are spatially separated in a given solid and, ideally, structurally identical. In this review, the potential of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) as platforms for the development of heterogeneous single-site catalysts is reviewed thoroughly. In the first part of this article, synthetic strategies and progress in the implementation of such sites in these two classes of materials are discussed. Because these solids are excellent playgrounds to allow a better understanding of catalytic functions, we highlight the most important recent advances in the modelling and spectroscopic characterization of single-site catalysts based on these materials. Finally, we discuss the potential of MOFs as materials in which several single-site catalytic functions can be combined within one framework along with their potential as powerful enzyme-mimicking materials. The review is wrapped up with our personal vision on future research directions. PMID:28338128

Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Breeding Site and Territory Summary - 2007

USGS Publications Warehouse

Durst, Scott L.; Sogge, Mark K.; Stump, Shay D.; Walker, Hira A.; Kus, Barbara E.; Sferra, Susan J.

2008-01-01

The Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus; hereafter references to willow flycatcher and flycatcher refer to E.t. extimus, except where specifically noted) is an endangered bird that breeds only in dense riparian habitats in parts of six Southwestern states (Arizona, New Mexico, southern California, extreme southern Nevada, southern Utah, and southwestern Colorado). Since 1993, hundreds of Southwestern willow flycatcher surveys have been conducted each year, and many new flycatcher breeding sites located. This document synthesizes the most current information available on all known Southwestern willow flycatcher breeding sites. This rangewide data synthesis was designed to meet two objectives: (1) identify all known Southwestern willow flycatcher breeding sites and (2) assemble data to estimate population size, location, habitat, and other information for all breeding sites, for as many years as possible, from 1993 through 2007. This report provides data summaries in terms of the number of flycatcher sites and the number of territories. When interpreting and using this information, it must be kept in mind that a 'site' is a geographic location where one or more willow flycatchers establishes a territory. Sites with unpaired territorial males are considered breeding sites, even if no nesting attempts were documented. A site is often a discrete patch of riparian habitat but may also be a cluster of riparian patches; there is no standardized definition for site, and its use varies within and among states. For example, five occupied habitat patches along a 10-km stretch of river might be considered five different sites in one state but only a single site in another state. This lack of standardization makes comparisons based on site numbers problematic. Researchers for this report generally deferred to statewide summary documents or to local managers and researchers when delineating a site for inclusion in the database. However, to avoid inflating the number of sites and to establish more consistent definitions of the term 'site', adjacent and nearby sites from statewide reports were sometimes considered as a single site for the purposes of the rangewide data summary. Any combining or splitting of sites at the rangewide level was done on a case-by-case basis. Because of differences in site definitions, one should not evaluate the relative importance of a geographic region (such as drainage, watershed, or state) simply according to the number of flycatcher sites. A 'territory' is an exclusive defended area within a breeding site. Although detailed monitoring studies have identified unpaired territorial males and polygynous males at some flycatcher breeding sites, for the purposes of this report a territory is equivalent to the exclusive breeding area of a pair of flycatchers. In general, the concept of territory is more similar among states and different investigators than site; thus, it is a more robust unit to use for summaries and comparisons. However, note that the definition of a polygynous territory is not consistent among states; a male polygynously paired with two females would be considered one territory in some states and two territories in other states. For each site, we referred to reports or spoke directly with researchers and managers to gather information such as management entity/agency, location (state, drainage, elevation), gross habitat type (native, exotic, or mixed; dominant tree species), and number of flycatcher territories. Synthesizing the information on more than 200 breeding sites is challenging because annual data-collection and survey-reporting requirements are not standardized rangewide, and the nature and degree of readily available information varies widely from state to state. This is particularly true for areas such as California, where there are many flycatcher sites but surveyors are not required to submit standardized flycatcher survey forms. The lack of c

Multi-scale habitat selection in highly territorial bird species: Exploring the contribution of nest, territory and landscape levels to site choice in breeding rallids (Aves: Rallidae)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jedlikowski, Jan; Chibowski, Piotr; Karasek, Tomasz; Brambilla, Mattia

2016-05-01

Habitat selection often involves choices made at different spatial scales, but the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood, and studies that investigate the relative importance of individual scales are rare. We investigated the effect of three spatial scales (landscape, territory, nest-site) on the occurrence pattern of little crake Zapornia parva and water rail Rallus aquaticus at 74 ponds in the Masurian Lakeland, Poland. Habitat structure, food abundance and water chemical parameters were measured at nests and random points within landscape plots (from 300-m to 50-m radius), territory (14-m) and nest-site plots (3-m). Regression analyses suggested that the most relevant scale was territory level, followed by landscape, and finally by nest-site for both species. Variation partitioning confirmed this pattern for water rail, but also highlighted the importance of nest-site (the level explaining the highest share of unique variation) for little crake. The most important variables determining the occurrence of both species were water body fragmentation (landscape), vegetation density (territory) and water depth (at territory level for little crake, and at nest-site level for water rail). Finally, for both species multi-scale models including factors from different levels were more parsimonious than single-scale ones, i.e. habitat selection was likely a multi-scale process. The importance of particular spatial scales seemed more related to life-history traits than to the extent of the scales considered. In the case of our study species, the territory level was highly important likely because both rallids have to obtain all the resources they need (nest site, food and mates) in relatively small areas, the multi-purpose territories they defend.

Housing Retention in Single-Site Housing First for Chronically Homeless Individuals With Severe Alcohol Problems

PubMed Central

Malone, Daniel K.; Clifasefi, Seema L.

2013-01-01

Objectives. We studied housing retention and its predictors in the single-site Housing First model. Methods. Participants (n = 111) were chronically homeless people with severe alcohol problems who lived in a single-site Housing First program and participated in a larger nonrandomized controlled trial (2005–2008) conducted in Seattle, Washington. At baseline, participants responded to self-report questionnaires assessing demographic, illness burden, alcohol and other drug use, and psychiatric variables. Housing status was recorded over 2 years. Results. Participants were interested in housing, although a sizable minority did not believe they would be able to maintain abstinence-based housing. Only 23% of participants returned to homelessness during the 2-year follow-up. Commonly cited risk factors—alcohol and other drug use, illness burden, psychiatric symptoms, and homelessness history—did not predict resumed homelessness. Active drinkers were more likely to stay in this housing project than nondrinkers. Conclusions. We found that single-site Housing First programming fills a gap in housing options for chronically homeless people with severe alcohol problems. PMID:24148063

Non-traumatic hemorrhage is controlled with REBOA in acute phase then mortality increases gradually by non-hemorrhagic causes: DIRECT-IABO registry in Japan.

PubMed

Matsumura, Y; Matsumoto, J; Idoguchi, K; Kondo, H; Ishida, T; Kon, Y; Tomita, K; Ishida, K; Hirose, T; Umakoshi, K; Funabiki, T

2017-08-22

Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is now a feasible and less invasive resuscitation procedure. This study aimed to compare the clinical course of trauma and non-trauma patients undergoing REBOA. Patient demographics, etiology, bleeding sites, hemodynamic response, length of critical care, and cause of death were recorded. Characteristics and outcomes were compared between non-trauma and trauma patients. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was then conducted. Between August 2011 and December 2015, 142 (36 non-trauma; 106 trauma) cases were analyzed. Non-traumatic etiologies included gastrointestinal bleeding, obstetrics and gynecology-derived events, visceral aneurysm, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and post-abdominal surgery. The abdomen was a common bleeding site (69%), followed by the pelvis or extra-pelvic retroperitoneum. None of the non-trauma patients had multiple bleeding sites, whereas 45% of trauma patients did (P < 0.001). No non-trauma patients required resuscitative thoracotomy compared with 28% of the trauma patients (P < 0.001). Non-trauma patients presented a lower 24-h mortality than trauma patients (19 vs. 51%, P = 0.001). The non-trauma cases demonstrated a gradual but prolonged increased mortality, whereas survival in trauma cases rapidly declined (P = 0.009) with similar hospital mortality (68 vs. 64%). Non-trauma patients who survived for 24 h had 0 ventilator-free days and 0 ICU-free days vs. a median of 19 and 12, respectively, for trauma patients (P = 0.33 and 0.39, respectively). Non-hemorrhagic death was more common in non-trauma vs. trauma patients (83 vs. 33%, P < 0.001). Non-traumatic hemorrhagic shock often resulted from a single bleeding site, and resulted in better 24-h survival than traumatic hemorrhage among Japanese patients who underwent REBOA. However, hospital mortality increased steadily in non-trauma patients affected by non-hemorrhagic causes after a longer period of critical care.

The relationship between nurse staffing and failure to rescue: where does it matter most?

PubMed

Talsma, AkkeNeel; Jones, Katherine; Guo, Ying; Wilson, Deleise; Campbell, Darrell A

2014-09-01

This study further expands on the relationship between nurse staffing levels and patient outcomes, in particular, failure to rescue. Many studies are based on single-site hospitals or single-year data, thus limiting the generalizations of the findings. The purpose was to evaluate in a multisite multiyear study the relationship between unit-level nurse staffing and FTR mortality, for ICU and non-ICU patients. Using administrative and actual unit level nurse staffing data, we used AHRQ 2003 Patient Safety Indicator (2003) software and matched those with the patient's discharge month. Fixed effects multilevel logistic analyses were used to take into account the hierarchical structure of the database and patient clustering within units. We controlled for patient demographics, clinical conditions, and CCS categories. The majority (94%) of cases were discharged from general care units, ICUs reported higher nurse staffing levels based on patient complexity. Expired cases were 3 years older, male, and nonwhite. For general care discharges, the relationship between RN level HPPD approached significance (P = 0.07), suggesting increased odds of higher FTR mortality with higher staffing levels. We did not observe any of the expected associations between the nurse staffing variables and FTR for either general care unit or ICU discharges. The comprehensive risk adjustments provided adequate "leveling of the playing field" to evaluate the impact of unit-based nurse staffing levels on FTR mortality. Future studies should evaluate the influence of unit environment and patient risk.

Heating-induced phase transformation in zeolite brewsterite: new 4- and 5-coordinated (Si,Al) sites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alberti, A.; Sacerdoti, M.; Quartieri, S.; Vezzalini, G.

The dehydration-rehydration processes and phase transformations of brewsterite (space group P21/m, ideal formula (Sr,Ba)Al2Si6O16.5H2O) were studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction on two samples heated in an evacuated capillary for 24 h at 280°C and 330°C, respectively, and then cooled to room temperature. After the data collection, the capillary of the crystal heated at 280°C was broken, the sample was kept at room conditions for one month, and diffraction data were recollected. Brewsterite heated in vacuum at 280°C shows a strong decrease of the unit cell volume (about 10%) and the statistical breaking of the T1-O7-T2 bridge of the 4-ring of the 4254 PBU. T1 cation, in 31% of cases, migrates to a new tetrahedral site, which shares three vertices with the previously occupied one; the fourth vertex is on the mirror plane, and joins two adjacent layers. T2 cation, in 20% of cases, migrates to a new site, which is characterized by a 5-fold coordination. This coordination polyhedron shares three vertices with the previously occupied tetrahedron; the fourth vertex is on the mirror plane, and joins two adjacent layers; the fifth one is unshared. The formation of these new T-O-T bridges prevents the re-expansion and rehydration of the heated brewsterite; as a consequence, the crystal brought back to room conditions does not show any noticeable structural difference with respect to that heated at 280°C. The exchangeable cations, which occupy only one extraframework site in the untreated brewsterite, spread over several sites. The sample heated at 330°C shows a further decrease in the unit cell volume of about 2% with respect to the sample heated at 280°C, and an increase in the migration percentage of T1 and T2 cations to the new sites.

Comparison of anchorage reinforcement with temporary anchorage devices or a Herbst appliance during lingual orthodontic protraction of mandibular molars without maxillary counterbalance extraction.

PubMed

Metzner, Rebecca; Schwestka-Polly, Rainer; Helms, Hans-Joachim; Wiechmann, Dirk

2015-06-20

Orthodontic protraction of mandibular molars without maxillary counterbalance extraction in cases of aplasia or extraction requires stable anchorage. Reinforcement may be achieved by using either temporary anchorage devices (TAD) or a fixed, functional appliance. The objective was to compare the clinical effectiveness of both methods by testing the null-hypothesis of no significant difference in velocity of space closure (in mm/month) between them. In addition, we set out to describe the quality of posterior space management and treatment-related factors, such as loss of anchorage (assessed in terms of proportions of gap closure by posterior protraction or anterior retraction), frequencies of incomplete space closure, and potential improvement in the sagittal canine relationship. Twenty-seven subjects (15 male/12 female) with a total of 36 sites treated with a lingual multi-bracket appliance were available for retrospective evaluation of the effects of anchorage reinforcement achieved with either a Herbst appliance (n(subjects) = 15; 7 both-sided/8 single-sided Herbst appliances; n(sites) = 22) or TADs (n(subjects )= 12; 2 both-sided; 10 single-sided; n(sites) = 14). Descriptive analysis was based on measurements using intra-oral photographs which were individually scaled to corresponding plaster casts and taken on insertion of anchorage mechanics (T1), following removal of anchorage mechanics (T2), and at the end of multi-bracket treatment (T3). The null-hypothesis was rejected: The rate of mean molar protraction was significantly faster in the Herbst-reinforced group (0.51 mm/month) than in the TAD group (0.35). While complete space closure by sheer protraction of posterior teeth was achieved in all Herbst-treated cases, space closure in the TAD group was achieved in 76.9% of subjects by sheer protraction of molars, and it was incomplete in 50% of cases (mean gap residues: 1 mm). Whilst there was a deterioration in the canine relationship towards Angle-Class II malocclusion in 57.14% of space closure sites in TAD-treated subjects (indicating a loss of anchorage), an improvement in canine occlusion was observed in 90.9% of Herbst-treated cases. Subjects requiring rapid space closure by molar protraction in combination with a correction of distal occlusion may benefit from using Herbst appliances for anterior segment anchorage reinforcement rather than TAD anchorage.

Case Study of Home-School Visits

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aguerrebere, Yolanda

2009-01-01

This case study evaluated one site of a California teacher home visit program. Home visits have been an important means of connecting families and schooling. In 1999, California inaugurated a statewide home visit program to promote effective partnership between home and school for low-achieving schools. At this site, families in 3 kindergarten…

Elective gastropexy with a reusable single-incision laparoscopic surgery port in dogs: 14 cases (2012-2013).

PubMed

Stiles, Mandy; Case, J Brad; Coisman, James

2016-08-01

OBJECTIVE To describe the technique, clinical findings, and short-term outcome in dogs undergoing laparoscopic-assisted incisional gastropexy with a reusable single-incision surgery port. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 14 client-owned dogs. PROCEDURES Medical records of dogs referred for elective laparoscopic gastropexy between June 2012 and August 2013 were reviewed. History, signalment, results of physical examination and preoperative laboratory testing, surgical procedure, duration of surgery, postoperative complications, duration of hospital stay, and short-term outcome were recorded. All patients underwent general anesthesia and were positioned in dorsal recumbency. After an initial limited laparoscopic exploration, single-incision laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy was performed extracorporeally in all dogs via a conical port placed in a right paramedian location. Concurrent procedures included laparoscopic ovariectomy (n = 4), gastric biopsy (2), and castration (7). Short-term outcome was evaluated. RESULTS Median duration of surgery was 76 minutes (range, 40 to 90 minutes). Intraoperative complications were minor and consisted of loss of pneumoperitoneum in 2 of 14 dogs. A postoperative surgical site infection occurred in 1 dog and resolved with standard treatment. Median duration of follow-up was 371 days (range, 2 weeks to 1.5 years). No dogs developed gastric dilation-volvulus during the follow-up period, and all owners were satisfied with the outcome. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that single-incision laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy with a reusable conical port was feasible and effective in appropriately selected cases. Investigation of the potential benefits of this reusable port versus single-use devices for elective gastropexy in dogs is warranted.

Implementing a low-cost web-based clinical trial management system for community studies: a case study.

PubMed

Geyer, John; Myers, Kathleen; Vander Stoep, Ann; McCarty, Carolyn; Palmer, Nancy; DeSalvo, Amy

2011-10-01

Clinical trials with multiple intervention locations and a single research coordinating center can be logistically difficult to implement. Increasingly, web-based systems are used to provide clinical trial support with many commercial, open source, and proprietary systems in use. New web-based tools are available which can be customized without programming expertise to deliver web-based clinical trial management and data collection functions. To demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing low-cost configurable applications to create a customized web-based data collection and study management system for a five intervention site randomized clinical trial establishing the efficacy of providing evidence-based treatment via teleconferencing to children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. The sites are small communities that would not usually be included in traditional randomized trials. A major goal was to develop database that participants could access from computers in their home communities for direct data entry. Discussed is the selection process leading to the identification and utilization of a cost-effective and user-friendly set of tools capable of customization for data collection and study management tasks. An online assessment collection application, template-based web portal creation application, and web-accessible Access 2007 database were selected and customized to provide the following features: schedule appointments, administer and monitor online secure assessments, issue subject incentives, and securely transmit electronic documents between sites. Each tool was configured by users with limited programming expertise. As of June 2011, the system has successfully been used with 125 participants in 5 communities, who have completed 536 sets of assessment questionnaires, 8 community therapists, and 11 research staff at the research coordinating center. Total automation of processes is not possible with the current set of tools as each is loosely affiliated, creating some inefficiency. This system is best suited to investigations with a single data source e.g., psychosocial questionnaires. New web-based applications can be used by investigators with limited programming experience to implement user-friendly, efficient, and cost-effective tools for multi-site clinical trials with small distant communities. Such systems allow the inclusion in research of populations that are not usually involved in clinical trials.

Comparative, Diachronic, Ethnographic Research on Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tobin, Joseph

2014-01-01

Most qualitative studies in international education take place in a single site in a single nation. When studies are of more than one country, they most often use more quantitative than qualitative approaches. Beatrice and John Whiting conducted the most systematic of comparative cross-cultural studies of child rearing in their "Six…

Equine nasal and paranasal sinus tumours: part 2: a contribution of 28 case reports.

PubMed

Dixon, P M; Head, K W

1999-05-01

The clinical and pathological findings of 28 cases (27 horses, 1 donkey) of equid sinonasal tumours examined at the Edinburgh Veterinary School are presented and include: seven cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC); five adenocarcinomas; three undifferentiated carcinomas; two adenomas; five fibro-osseous and bone tumours; and single cases of ameloblastoma, fibroma, fibrosarcoma, undifferentiated sarcoma, melanoma and lymphosarcoma. The median ages of animals affected with epithelial, and fibro-osseous/bone tumours were 14 and 4 years, respectively. Unilateral purulent or mucopurulent nasal discharge (81% of cases) and gross facial swellings (82% of cases) were the most common presenting signs with sinonasal tumours, with epistaxis recorded in just 23% of cases. Radiology and endoscopy were the most useful ancillary diagnostic techniques. The maxillary area was the most common site of tumour origin, and only three cases were definitively identified as originating in the nasal cavity. Four of the maxillary SCC lesions originated within the nasal cavities or maxillary sinuses, while two originated in the oral cavity. Fourteen of 15 carcinomas, but only two of the 13 remaining tumours, spread to other sites in the head. Only three cases of sinonasal tumour had lymph node metastases, and none had distant metastases. In the long term, surgical treatment with seven malignant tumours was unsuccessful (6 months median survival post-operatively), but was successful with four out of five benign tumours (no regrowth at a median of 4 years post-operatively).

Operationally Comparable Effect Sizes for Quantifying Changes in Behavior, with Application to Meta-Analysis of Single-Case Studies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pustejovsky, James E.

2013-01-01

Single-case designs (SCDs) are a class of research methods for evaluating intervention effects by taking repeated measurements of an outcome over time on a single case, both before and after the deliberate introduction of a treatment. SCDs are used heavily in fields such as special education, school psychology, social work, and applied behavior…

The Heart of School Improvement: A Multi-Site Case Study of Leadership for Teacher Learning in Vietnam

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tran, Ngoc H.; Hallinger, Philip; Truong, Thang

2018-01-01

This study addressed the research question: How do Vietnamese principals lead the professional learning of teachers? The research was comprised of a multiple-site case study of leadership and teacher learning in four Vietnamese schools. Qualitative data analysis aimed at identifying modal practices adopted by these Vietnamese principals to lead…

The Peculiar Institution?: A Multisite Case Study of Athletic Department Cultures at Small Christian Institutions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ramseyer, Paul Robert

2017-01-01

This multisite case study explored the perceptions of athletic department members of the important factors of organizational cultures in athletic departments at small Christian institutions in the Midwestern United States. The study comprised of site visits to three small Christian institutions in the Midwestern United States. At each site, six…

A Qualitative Multi-Site Case Study: Examining Principals' Leadership Styles and School Performance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Preyear, Loukisha

2015-01-01

The purpose of this qualitative multi-site case study was to explore the impact of principals' leadership styles on student academic achievement in a high-poverty low-performing school district in Louisiana. A total of 17 participants, principals and teachers, from this school district were used in this study. Data source triangulation of…

Quantifying the rambunctious journey of the anesthesia provider's hands during simulated, routine care.

PubMed

Biddle, Chuck; Robinson, Kathryn; Pike, Benjamin; Kammerman, Michael; Gay, Beverly; Verhulst, Brad

2016-08-01

The role of anesthesia providers in dispersing potentially pathogenic material from one patient to another during intraoperative care needs further study. In this study we aimed (1) to quantify the dispersion of a surrogate pathogen from a simulated patient's mouth to the anesthesia workstation during routine anesthetic induction, (2) to test the hypothesis that there would be fewer contamination sites by providers who used a double-gloving technique, and (3) to examine the effectiveness of between-case anesthesia apparatus disinfection. Twenty subjects were randomized to a single pair of gloves group (group 1) or a double-gloved group (group 2) and completed a simulated general anesthesia induction, completing a standardized set of interventions. Dispersion of a surrogate pathogen dye placed in the oral cavity of the simulated patient was tracked by a blinded observer and photography. Standard cleaning of the workstation was performed, and residual dye was quantified. Group performance was plotted using regression analysis and rate of contamination compared using parametric statistics. Group 1 contaminated an average of 16.0 (SEM = 0.89) sites compared with group 2, who contaminated an average of 7.6 (SEM = 0.85). The cart drawers, gas flow dials, medication vials, and ventilator controls were significantly contaminated by group 1, but not by group 2 (P < .05 in all cases). There were similar rates of contamination in both groups for the airway equipment, breathing system, intravenous access ports, and the roll of tape used to secure the endotracheal tube. Once the airway management phase of the induction ended, new site contamination continued at a high rate in group 1 but not group 2. A double-gloving technique was associated with less spread of an oral inoculum to the workstation but was not uniformly protective. Between-case cleaning was ineffective in removing the contaminant, indicating that biologic material from one patient may be present when subsequent patients are cared for. This suggests risks for the current patient (eg, skin or oral site transfer to an intravenous site) and also may place future patients at risk. Importantly, using models that simulate actual clinical events can inform clinical practice and decipher challenging areas of ergonomics. Copyright © 2016 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Single stab injuries.

PubMed

Burke, Michael P; Baber, Yeliena; Cheung, Zoe; Fitzgerald, Mark

2018-05-01

Determining the manner of death in cases involving multiple stab injuries from a knife is generally straightforward. The medico-legal investigation of a stabbing death caused by a single stab injury from a knife comprises a smaller but potentially more problematic subset of forensic cases. We reviewed our institute's experience with single stab injuries and endeavored to identify features identified at the post-mortem examination which may aid in the differentiation between cases of homicide, suicide and accidental death. The single stab injury was to the left chest in the majority of deaths from homicide and from suicide. Clothing was nearly always involved in cases of homicide, but was also seen in cases of suicide. The knife was found in situ in 9 of the 11 cases of suicide involving a chest injury, but was not seen in any of the cases of homicide. There were no cases of an accidental single stab death from a knife in our records. Clinical data on accidental stab injuries was sought via a search of the medical records of a major tertiary referral hospital. A single non-fatal case of an accidental single stab injury from a knife was identified after the conclusion of our study period. Accidental stab injuries from a knife causing injury or death are rare.

A systematic review of the prevalence and attribution of human papillomavirus types among cervical, vaginal, and vulvar precancers and cancers in the United States.

PubMed

Insinga, Ralph P; Liaw, Kai-Li; Johnson, Lisa G; Madeleine, Margaret M

2008-07-01

To describe prevalence and estimated attribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) types in U.S. cervical, vaginal, and vulvar precancers and cancers. U.S. studies reporting HPV typing for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN), and vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN) and/or invasive cancers of those sites were gathered from the PubMed database (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/). Selected studies had PCR testing data for > or =10 cases for a disease endpoint. Analytic methods augmented prior reviews of cervical disease with an updated and expanded analysis (including vulvar and vaginal disease), new selection criteria for specimens, and adjustment for histologic type, where possible, among pooled cancer cases. In addition, for analyses of estimated attribution of HPV types, we incorporated accounting methods for lesions infected with multiple HPV types. Data from 22 U.S. studies meeting review eligibility criteria were tabulated. Following adjustment for the presence of multiple HPV types in a single specimen, the top two HPV types contributing to disease were CIN 1 (HPV 16/66; 15.3%), CIN 2/3 (HPV 16/31; 61.9%), cervical cancer (HPV 16/18; 79.2%), VIN 1 (HPV 6/11; 41.7%), VIN 3 (HPV 16/18; 84.0%), vulvar cancer (HPV 16/33; 55.5%), VaIN 3 (HPV 16/18; 65.1%), and vaginal cancer (HPV 16/18; 72.7%). The HPV type distribution and proportion of cases testing positive for any HPV type were observed to vary among U.S. cervical, vulvar, and vaginal neoplasias and by grade of disease. Adjustment for the presence of multitype HPV infections can have an important effect on the estimated attribution of HPV types to disease, particularly for types other than HPV 16.

A Systematic Review of the Prevalence and Attribution of Human Papillomavirus Types Among Cervical, Vaginal and Vulvar Pre-cancers and Cancers in the United States

PubMed Central

Insinga, Ralph P.; Liaw, Kai-Li; Johnson, Lisa G.; Madeleine, Margaret M.

2008-01-01

Objectives To describe (1) prevalence and (2) estimated attribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) types in U.S. cervical, vaginal and vulvar precancers and cancers. Methods U.S. studies reporting HPV typing for cervical (CIN), vulvar (VIN) and vaginal (VaIN) intraepithelial neoplasias and/or invasive cancers of those sites were gathered from the PubMed database (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez/). Selected studies had polymerase chain reaction testing data for ≥10 cases for a disease endpoint. Analytic methods augmented prior reviews of cervical disease with an updated and expanded analysis (including vulvar and vaginal disease), new selection criteria for specimens, and adjustment for histologic type, where possible, among pooled cancer cases. In addition, for analyses of estimated attribution of HPV types, we incorporated accounting methods for lesions infected with multiple HPV types. Results Data from 22 U.S. studies meeting review eligibility criteria were tabulated. Following adjustment for the presence of multiple HPV types in a single specimen, the top two HPV types contributing to disease were: CIN 1 (HPV 16/66) [15.3%], CIN 2/3 (16/31) [61.9%], cervical cancer (16/18) [79.2%], VIN 1 (6/11) [41.7%], VIN 3 (16/18) [84.0%], vulvar cancer (16/33) [55.5%], VaIN 3 (16/18) [65.1%], vaginal cancer (16/18) [72.7%]. Conclusions The HPV type distribution and proportion of cases testing positive for any HPV type were observed to vary among U.S. cervical, vulvar and vaginal neoplasias and by grade of disease. Adjustment for the presence of multi-type HPV infections can have an important impact on the estimated attribution of HPV types to disease, particularly for types other than HPV 16. PMID:18628412

Single-Case Experimental Designs to Evaluate Novel Technology-Based Health Interventions

PubMed Central

Cassidy, Rachel N; Raiff, Bethany R

2013-01-01

Technology-based interventions to promote health are expanding rapidly. Assessing the preliminary efficacy of these interventions can be achieved by employing single-case experiments (sometimes referred to as n-of-1 studies). Although single-case experiments are often misunderstood, they offer excellent solutions to address the challenges associated with testing new technology-based interventions. This paper provides an introduction to single-case techniques and highlights advances in developing and evaluating single-case experiments, which help ensure that treatment outcomes are reliable, replicable, and generalizable. These advances include quality control standards, heuristics to guide visual analysis of time-series data, effect size calculations, and statistical analyses. They also include experimental designs to isolate the active elements in a treatment package and to assess the mechanisms of behavior change. The paper concludes with a discussion of issues related to the generality of findings derived from single-case research and how generality can be established through replication and through analysis of behavioral mechanisms. PMID:23399668

Understanding rapid changes in phase partitioning between cloud liquid and ice in an Arctic stratiform mixed-phase cloud

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalesse, Heike; de Boer, Gijs; Solomon, Amy; Oue, Mariko; Ahlgrimm, Maike; Zhang, Damao; Shupe, Matthew; Luke, Edward; Protat, Alain

2016-04-01

In the Arctic, a region particularly sensitive to climate change, mixed-phase clouds occur as persistent single or multiple stratiform layers. For many climate models, the correct partitioning of hydrometeor phase (liquid vs. ice) remains a challenge. However, this phase partitioning plays an important role for precipitation processes and the radiation budget. To better understand the partitioning of phase in Arctic clouds, observations using a combination of surface-based remote sensors are useful. In this study, the focus is on a persistent low-level single-layer stratiform Arctic mixed-phase cloud observed during March 11-12, 2013 at the US Department of Energy's (DOE) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) North Slope of Alaska (NSA) permanent site in Barrow, Alaska. This case is of particular interest due to two significant shifts in observed precipitation intensity over a 36 hour period. For the first 12 hours of this case, the observed liquid portion of the cloud cover featured a stable cloud top height with a gradually descending liquid cloud base and continuous ice precipitation. Then the ice precipitation intensity significantly decreased. A second decrease in ice precipitation intensity was observed a few hours later coinciding with the advection of a cirrus over the site. Through analysis of the data collected by extensive ground-based remote-sensing and in-situ observing systems as well as Nested Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) simulations and ECMWF radiation scheme simulations, we try to shed light on the processes responsible for these rapid changes in precipitation rates. A variety of parameters such as the evolution of the internal dynamics and microphysics of the low-level mixed-phase cloud and the influence of the cirrus cloud are evaluated.

DFN Modeling for the Safety Case of the Final Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel in Olkiluoto, Finland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vanhanarkaus, O.

2017-12-01

Olkiluoto Island is a site in SW Finland chosen to host a deep geological repository for high-level nuclear waste generated by nuclear power plants of power companies TVO and Fortum. Posiva, a nuclear waste management organization, submitted a construction license application for the Olkiluoto repository to the Finnish government in 2012. A key component of the license application was an integrated geological, hydrological and biological description of the Olkiluoto site. After the safety case was reviewed in 2015 by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority in Finland, Posiva was granted a construction license. Posiva is now preparing an updated safety case for the operating license application to be submitted in 2022, and an update of the discrete fracture network (DFN) model used for site characterization is part of that. The first step describing and modelling the network of fractures in the Olkiluoto bedrock was DFN model version 1 (2009), which presented an initial understanding of the relationships between rock fracturing and geology at the site and identified the important primary controls on fracturing. DFN model version 2 (2012) utilized new subsurface data from additional drillholes, tunnels and excavated underground facilities in ONKALO to better understand spatial variability of the geological controls on geological and hydrogeological fracture properties. DFN version 2 connected fracture geometric and hydraulic properties to distinct tectonic domains and to larger-scale hydraulically conductive fault zones. In the version 2 DFN model, geological and hydrogeological models were developed along separate parallel tracks. The version 3 (2017) DFN model for the Olkiluoto site integrates geological and hydrogeological elements into a single consistent model used for geological, rock mechanical, hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical studies. New elements in the version 3 DFN model include a stochastic description of fractures within Brittle Fault Zones (BFZ), integration of geological and hydrostructural interpretations of BFZ, greater use of 3D geological models to better constrain the spatial variability of fracturing and fractures using hydromechanical principles to account for material behavior and in-situ stresses.

Rationality in collective decision-making by ant colonies

PubMed Central

Edwards, Susan C.; Pratt, Stephen C.

2009-01-01

Economic models of animal behaviour assume that decision-makers are rational, meaning that they assess options according to intrinsic fitness value and not by comparison with available alternatives. This expectation is frequently violated, but the significance of irrational behaviour remains controversial. One possibility is that irrationality arises from cognitive constraints that necessitate short cuts like comparative evaluation. If so, the study of whether and when irrationality occurs can illuminate cognitive mechanisms. We applied this logic in a novel setting: the collective decisions of insect societies. We tested for irrationality in colonies of Temnothorax ants choosing between two nest sites that varied in multiple attributes, such that neither site was clearly superior. In similar situations, individual animals show irrational changes in preference when a third relatively unattractive option is introduced. In contrast, we found no such effect in colonies. We suggest that immunity to irrationality in this case may result from the ants’ decentralized decision mechanism. A colony's choice does not depend on site comparison by individuals, but instead self-organizes from the interactions of multiple ants, most of which are aware of only a single site. This strategy may filter out comparative effects, preventing systematic errors that would otherwise arise from the cognitive limitations of individuals. PMID:19625319

Multi-element compound specific stable isotope analysis of chlorinated aliphatic contaminants derived from chlorinated pitches.

PubMed

Filippini, Maria; Nijenhuis, Ivonne; Kümmel, Steffen; Chiarini, Veronica; Crosta, Giovanni; Richnow, Hans H; Gargini, Alessandro

2018-05-30

Tetrachloroethene and trichloroethene are typical by-products of the industrial production of chloromethanes. These by-products are known as "chlorinated pitches" and were often dumped in un-contained waste disposal sites causing groundwater contaminations. Previous research showed that a strongly depleted stable carbon isotope signature characterizes chlorinated compounds associated with chlorinated pitches whereas manufactured commercial compounds have more enriched carbon isotope ratios. The findings were restricted to a single case study and one element (i.e. carbon). This paper presents a multi-element Compound-Specific Stable Isotope Analysis (CSIA, including carbon, chlorine and hydrogen) of chlorinated aliphatic contaminants originated from chlorinated pitches at two sites with different hydrogeology and different producers of chloromethanes. The results show strongly depleted carbon signatures at both sites whereas the chlorine and the hydrogen signatures are comparable to those presented in the literature for manufactured commercial compounds. Multi-element CSIA allowed the identification of sources and site-specific processes affecting chloroethene transformation in groundwater as a result of emergency remediation measures. CSIA turned out to be an effective forensic tool to address the liability for the contamination, leading to a conviction for the crimes of unintentional aggravated public water supply poisoning and environmental disaster. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Percutaneous insertion of peritoneal dialysis catheters using ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance: A single centre experience and review of literature.

PubMed

De Boo, Diederick W; Mott, Nigel; Tregaskis, Peter; Quach, Trung; Menahem, Solomon; Walker, Rowan G; Koukounaras, Jim

2015-12-01

Various methods of peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter insertion are available. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a percutaneous insertion technique using ultrasound (US) and fluoroscopy performed under conscious sedation and as day case procedure. Data of 87 percutaneous inserted dialysis catheters were prospectively collected, including patients' age, gender, body mass index, history of previous abdominal surgery and cause of end stage renal failure. Length of hospital stay, early complications and time to first use were also recorded. Institutional review board approval was obtained. A 100% technical success rate was observed. Early complications included bleeding (n = 3), catheter dysfunction (n = 6), exit site infection (n = 1) and exit site leakage (n = 1). All cases of catheter dysfunction and one case of bleeding required surgical revision. Median time of follow-up was 18 months (range 3-35), and median time from insertion to first use was days 14 (1-47). Of the 82 patients who started dialysis, 20 (23%) ceased PD at some stage during follow-up. Most frequently encountered reasons include deteriorating patient cognitive or functional status (n = 5), successful transplant kidney (n = 4) and pleuro-peritoneal fistula (n = 4). Sixty-two (71%) PD catheter insertions were performed as day case. The remaining insertions were performed on patients already admitted to the hospital. Percutaneous insertion of dialysis catheter using US and fluoroscopy is not only safe but can be performed as day case procedure in most patients, even with a medical history of abdominal surgery and/or obesity. © 2015 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists.

Effect of surgical guide design and surgeon's experience on the accuracy of implant placement.

PubMed

Hinckfuss, Simon; Conrad, Heather J; Lin, Lianshan; Lunos, Scott; Seong, Wook-Jin

2012-08-01

Implant position is a key determinant of esthetic and functional success. Achieving the goal of ideal implant position may be affected by case selection, prosthodontically driven treatment planning, site preparation, surgeon's experience and use of a surgical guide. The combined effect of surgical guide design, surgeon's experience, and size of the edentulous area on the accuracy of implant placement was evaluated in a simulated clinical setting. Twenty-one volunteers were recruited to participate in the study. They were divided evenly into 3 groups (novice, intermediate, and experienced). Each surgeon placed implants in single and double sites using 4 different surgical guide designs (no guide, tube, channel, and guided) and written instructions describing the ideal implant positions. A definitive typodont was constructed that had 3 implants in prosthetically determined ideal positions of single and double sites. The position and angulation of implants placed by the surgeons in the duplicate typodonts was measured using a computerized coordinate measuring machine and compared to the definitive typodont. The mean absolute positional error for all guides was 0.273, 0.340, 0.197 mm in mesial-distal, buccal-lingual, vertical positions, respectively, with an overall range of 0.00 to 1.81 mm. The mean absolute angle error for all guides was 1.61° and 2.39° in the mesial-distal and buccal-lingual angulations, respectively, with an overall range of 0.01° to 9.7°. Surgical guide design had a statistically significant effect on the accuracy of implant placement regardless of the surgeon's experience level. Experienced surgeons had significantly less error in buccal-lingual angulation. The size of the edentulous sites was found to affect both implant angle and position significantly. The magnitude of error in position and angulation caused by surgical guide design, surgeon's experience, and site size reported in this study are possibly not large enough to be clinically significant; however, it is likely that errors would be magnified in clinical practice. Future research is recommended to evaluate the effect of surgical guide design in vivo on implant angulation and position error.

Detection and evaluation of DNA methylation markers found at SCGN and KLF14 loci to estimate human age.

PubMed

Alghanim, Hussain; Antunes, Joana; Silva, Deborah Soares Bispo Santos; Alho, Clarice Sampaio; Balamurugan, Kuppareddi; McCord, Bruce

2017-11-01

Recent developments in the analysis of epigenetic DNA methylation patterns have demonstrated that certain genetic loci show a linear correlation with chronological age. It is the goal of this study to identify a new set of epigenetic methylation markers for the forensic estimation of human age. A total number of 27 CpG sites at three genetic loci, SCGN, DLX5 and KLF14, were examined to evaluate the correlation of their methylation status with age. These sites were evaluated using 72 blood samples and 91 saliva samples collected from volunteers with ages ranging from 5 to 73 years. DNA was bisulfite modified followed by PCR amplification and pyrosequencing to determine the level of DNA methylation at each CpG site. In this study, certain CpG sites in SCGN and KLF14 loci showed methylation levels that were correlated with chronological age, however, the tested CpG sites in DLX5 did not show a correlation with age. Using a 52-saliva sample training set, two age-predictor models were developed by means of a multivariate linear regression analysis for age prediction. The two models performed similarly with a single-locus model explaining 85% of the age variance at a mean absolute deviation of 5.8 years and a dual-locus model explaining 84% of the age variance with a mean absolute deviation of 6.2 years. In the validation set, the mean absolute deviation was measured to be 8.0 years and 7.1 years for the single- and dual-locus model, respectively. Another age predictor model was also developed using a 40-blood sample training set that accounted for 71% of the age variance. This model gave a mean absolute deviation of 6.6 years for the training set and 10.3years for the validation set. The results indicate that specific CpGs in SCGN and KLF14 can be used as potential epigenetic markers to estimate age using saliva and blood specimens. These epigenetic markers could provide important information in cases where the determination of a suspect's age is critical in developing investigative leads. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Retroperitoneal laparoendoscopic single-site ureterolithotomy and ureteroureterostomy for retrocaval ureter with ureteral calculus: first case report.

PubMed

Chen, Zhi; Chen, Xiang; Luo, Yan-Cheng; He, Yao; Li, Nan-Nan; Xie, Chao-Qun; Lai, Chen; Fang, Xiao-Long

2012-12-01

A 53-year-old man presented with a 6-month history of intermittent right flank pain. Radiological imaging confirmed the diagnosis of retrocaval ureter (RCU) and ureteral calculus. Retroperitoneal laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) ureterolithotomy and ureteroureterostomy was successfully performed. The operative time was 185 min and the blood loss was approximately 20 ml. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful. Postoperative analgesia was not needed. The patient was discharged on the third postoperative day. The drain and double-J stent were respectively removed at 1 and 8 weeks postoperatively. At the 3-month follow-up, nuclear scan showed no evidence of obstruction of the right kidney and the patient also remained symptom free. It may be concluded that retroperitoneal LESS repair for RCU is a feasible and safe procedure, which can be considered as a option for the management of RCU even if it is complicated by the presence of a ureteral calculus.

Should Aggressive Surgical Local Control Be Attempted in All Patients with Metastatic or Pelvic Ewing's Sarcoma?

PubMed Central

Thorpe, Steven W.; Weiss, Kurt R.; Goodman, Mark A.; Heyl, Alma E.; McGough, Richard L.

2012-01-01

In previous reports, patients with Ewing's sarcoma received radiation therapy (XRT) for definitive local control because metastatic disease and pelvic location were thought to preclude aggressive local treatment. We sought to determine if single-site metastatic disease should be treated differently from multicentric-metastatic disease. We also wanted to reinvestigate the impact of XRT, pelvic location, and local recurrence on outcomes. Our results demonstrated a significant difference in overall survival (OS) between patients with either localized disease or a single-metastatic site and patients with multicentric-metastatic disease (P = 0.004). Local control was also found to be an independent predictor of outcomes as demonstrated by a significant difference in OS between those with and without local recurrence (P = 0.001). Axial and pelvic location did not predict a decreased OS. Based on these results, we concluded that pelvic location and the diagnosis of metastatic disease at diagnosis should not preclude aggressive local control, except in cases of multicentric-metastatic disease. PMID:22550427

Evaluation of borehole geophysical and video logs, at Butz Landfill Superfund Site, Jackson Township, Monroe County, Pennsylvania

USGS Publications Warehouse

Low, Dennis J.; Conger, Randall W.

2001-01-01

Between February 1996 and November 2000, geophysical logging was conducted in 27 open borehole wells in and adjacent to the Butz Landfill Superfund Site, Jackson Township, Monroe County, Pa., to determine casing depth and depths of water-producing zones, water-receiving zones, and zones of vertical borehole flow. The wells range in depth from 57 to 319 feet below land surface. The geophysical logging determined the placement of well screens and packers, which allow monitoring and sampling of water-bearing zones in the fractured bedrock so that the horizontal and vertical distribution of contaminated ground water migrating from known sources could be determined. Geophysical logging included collection of caliper, natural-gamma, single-point-resistance, fluid-resistivity, fluid-temperature, and video logs. Caliper and video logs were used to locate fractures, joints, and weathered zones. Inflections on single-point-resistance, fluid-temperature, and fluid-resistivity logs indicated possible water-bearing fractures, and heatpulse-flowmeter measurements verified these locations. Natural-gamma logs provided information on stratigraphy.

Chopper GEN2 + Glyphosate efficacy for height classes of hardwood sprouts recolonizing six clearcut pine sites

Treesearch

Jimmie Yeiser; Andrew Ezell

2015-01-01

The purpose of this study was to assess sprout size as a determinant of subsequent control by a standard, single rate of imazapyr +glyphosate applied during site preparation. All study sites were in the hilly upper coastal plain of Mississippi (Winston or Oktibbeha Counties) or Louisiana (Sabine or Winn Parishes) and supported loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations...

[Aspergillus spondylodiscitis. Apropos of 5 cases].

PubMed

Cortet, B; Deprez, X; Triki, R; Savage, C; Flipo, R M; Duquesnoy, B; Delcambre, B

1993-01-01

Five cases of Aspergillus discitis in male patients are reported. Three patients had impaired immune responses as a result of immunosuppressive therapy following a heart transplant (two cases) or hairy cell leukemia (one case). Two patients had a recent history of mycobacterial infection. All five patients were hospitalized for severe spinal pain suggestive of an inflammatory disease with no neurological abnormalities. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was elevated in every case. The diagnosis of discitis was suspected on spinal roentgenograms and established by computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging. In three patients the spine was the only site of Aspergillus infection (lumbar discitis in two cases and thoracic discitis in one case). One patient developed Aspergillus infection of several disks (L1-L2, L2-L3, and L4-L5) after Aspergillus endocarditis with embolization to the left lower limb. Another patient developed discitis after an Aspergillus lung infection. In every case, Aspergillus fumigatus was recovered in cultures of specimens harvested by a percutaneous needle biopsy of the intervertebral disk. All five patients were treated by itraconazole which was given as single drug therapy in one case and in combination with 5-flucytosine and amphotericin B in four cases. Recovery was achieved in every case after four to six months of this drug therapy. In contrast to most previously reported cases, none of the five patients reported herein required surgical treatment. Efficacy of conservative treatment in this study may be related to the use of itraconazole in every case.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Prospective evaluation of surgical site infection rate among patients with Mohs micrographic surgery without the use of prophylactic antibiotics.

PubMed

Maragh, Sherry L H; Brown, Marc D

2008-08-01

Antibiotics may be indiscriminately given to patients undergoing Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) for the prevention of surgical site infections, despite a low risk of infection in these patients. We sought to evaluate the rate of wound infections among patients undergoing MMS without the use of prophylactic antibiotics. We prospectively evaluated 1000 consecutive patients undergoing MMS for nonmelanoma skin cancer or modified MMS/"slow Mohs" for lentigo maligna melanoma in situ. The overall wound infection rate among 1000 patients with 1115 tumors was 0.7% (8/1115 tumors). Five (62.5%) of 8 infections occurred on the nose with an overall 1.7% (5/302) nose infection rate. Seven (87.5%) of 8 infections occurred after flap reconstruction with an overall 2.4% (7/296) flap closure infection rate. Four (50%) of 8 infections occurred in patients requiring more than one Mohs stage for tumor clearance with a 0.8% (4/487) overall infection rate in cases requiring multiple Mohs stages. Two (25%) of 8 infections had cultures positive for oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. No wound infections occurred in cases involving the lips or ears, skin-graft closures, or below-knee or modified MMS procedures. This was a prospective single institution uncontrolled study. Rates of infections among patients undergoing MMS or modified MMS are exceedingly low. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics increases patient risk to adverse drug reactions and antibiotic resistance. Administration of antibiotics to patients undergoing MMS should be on a case-by-case basis according to the known risk factors combined with clinical judgment.

Berm design to reduce risks of catastrophic slope failures at solid waste disposal sites.

PubMed

De Stefano, Matteo; Gharabaghi, Bahram; Clemmer, Ryan; Jahanfar, M Ali

2016-11-01

Existing waste disposal sites are being strained by exceeding their volumetric capacities because of exponentially increasing rates of municipal solid waste generation worldwide, especially in densely populated metropolises. Over the past 40 years, six well-documented and analyzed disposal sites experienced catastrophic failure. This research presents a novel analysis and design method for implementation of a series of in-situ earth berms to slow down the movement of waste material flow following a catastrophic failure. This is the first study of its kind that employs a dynamic landslide analysis model, DAN-W, and the Voellmy rheological model to approximate solid waste avalanche flow. A variety of single and multiple berm configuration scenarios were developed and tested to find an optimum configuration of the various earth berm geometries and number of berms to achieve desired energy dissipation and reduction in total waste material runout length. The case study application of the novel mitigation measure shows that by constructing a series of six relatively inexpensive 3 m high earth berms at an optimum distance of 250 m from the slope toe, the total runout length of 1000 m and associated fatalities of the Leuwigajah dumpsite catastrophic failure in Bandung, Indonesia, could have been reduced by half. © The Author(s) 2016.

Spatiotemporal Targeting of a Dual-Ligand Nanoparticle to Cancer Metastasis

PubMed Central

Doolittle, Elizabeth; Peiris, Pubudu M.; Doron, Gilad; Goldberg, Amy; Tucci, Samantha; Rao, Swetha; Shah, Shruti; Sylvestre, Meilyn; Govender, Priya; Turan, Oguz; Lee, Zhenghong; Schiemann, William P.; Karathanasis, Efstathios

2015-01-01

Various targeting strategies and ligands have been employed to direct nanoparticles to tumors that upregulate specific cell-surface molecules. However, tumors display a dynamic, heterogeneous microenvironment, which undergoes spatiotemporal changes including the expression of targetable cell-surface biomarkers. Here, we investigated a dual-ligand nanoparticle to effectively target two receptors overexpressed in aggressive tumors. By using two different chemical specificities, the dual-ligand strategy considered the spatiotemporal alterations in the expression patterns of the receptors in cancer sites. As a case study, we used two mouse models of metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer using the MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 cells. The dual-ligand system utilized two peptides targeting P-selectin and αvβ3 integrin, which are functionally linked to different stages of the development of metastatic disease at a distal site. Using in vivo multimodal imaging and post mortem histological analyses, this study shows that the dual-ligand nanoparticle effectively targeted metastatic disease that was otherwise missed by single-ligand strategies. The dual-ligand nanoparticle was capable of capturing different metastatic sites within the same animal that overexpressed either receptor or both of them. Furthermore, the highly efficient targeting resulted in 22% of the injected dual-ligand nanoparticles being deposited in early-stage metastases within 2 h after injection. PMID:26203676

Spatiotemporal Targeting of a Dual-Ligand Nanoparticle to Cancer Metastasis.

PubMed

Doolittle, Elizabeth; Peiris, Pubudu M; Doron, Gilad; Goldberg, Amy; Tucci, Samantha; Rao, Swetha; Shah, Shruti; Sylvestre, Meilyn; Govender, Priya; Turan, Oguz; Lee, Zhenghong; Schiemann, William P; Karathanasis, Efstathios

2015-08-25

Various targeting strategies and ligands have been employed to direct nanoparticles to tumors that upregulate specific cell-surface molecules. However, tumors display a dynamic, heterogeneous microenvironment, which undergoes spatiotemporal changes including the expression of targetable cell-surface biomarkers. Here, we investigated a dual-ligand nanoparticle to effectively target two receptors overexpressed in aggressive tumors. By using two different chemical specificities, the dual-ligand strategy considered the spatiotemporal alterations in the expression patterns of the receptors in cancer sites. As a case study, we used two mouse models of metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer using the MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 cells. The dual-ligand system utilized two peptides targeting P-selectin and αvβ3 integrin, which are functionally linked to different stages of the development of metastatic disease at a distal site. Using in vivo multimodal imaging and post mortem histological analyses, this study shows that the dual-ligand nanoparticle effectively targeted metastatic disease that was otherwise missed by single-ligand strategies. The dual-ligand nanoparticle was capable of capturing different metastatic sites within the same animal that overexpressed either receptor or both of them. Furthermore, the highly efficient targeting resulted in 22% of the injected dual-ligand nanoparticles being deposited in early-stage metastases within 2 h after injection.

Risk Assessment and Prediction of Heavy Metal Pollution in Groundwater and River Sediment: A Case Study of a Typical Agricultural Irrigation Area in Northeast China

PubMed Central

Zhong, Shuang; Geng, Hui; Zhang, Fengjun; Liu, Zhaoying; Wang, Tianye; Song, Boyu

2015-01-01

The areas with typical municipal sewage discharge river and irrigation water function were selected as study sites in northeast China. The samples from groundwater and river sediment in this area were collected for the concentrations and forms of heavy metals (Cr(VI), Cd, As, and Pb) analysis. The risk assessment of heavy metal pollution was conducted based on single-factor pollution index (I) and Nemerow pollution index (NI). The results showed that only one groundwater sampling site reached a polluted level of heavy metals. There was a high potential ecological risk of Cd on the N21-2 sampling site in river sediment. The morphological analysis results of heavy metals in sediment showed that the release of heavy metals can be inferred as one of the main pollution sources of groundwater. In addition, the changes in the concentration and migration scope of As were predicted by using the Groundwater Modeling System (GMS). The predicted results showed that As will migrate downstream in the next decade, and the changing trend of As polluted areas was changed with As content districts because of some pump wells downstream to form groundwater depression cone, which made the solute transfer upstream. PMID:26366176

Investigation of Synthetic Mg(1.3)V(1.7)O4 Spinel with MgO Inclusions: Case Study of a Spinel with an Apparently occupied Interstitial Site

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Uchida, Hinako; Righter, Kevin; Lavina, Barbara; Nowell, Matthew M.; Wright, Stuart I.; Downs, Robert T.; Yang, Hexiong

2007-01-01

A magnesium vanadate spinel crystal, ideally MgV2O4, synthesized at 1 bar, 1200 C and equilibrated under FMQ + 1.3 log f(sub o2) condition, was investigated using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, electron microprobe, and electron backscatter (EBSD). The initial X-ray structure refinements gave tetrahedral and octahedral site occupancies, along with the presence of 0.053 apfu Mg at an interstitial octahedral site . Back-scattered electron (BSE) images and electron microprobe analyses revealed the existence of an Mg-rich phase in the spinel matrix, which was too small (less than or equal to 3microns) for an accurate chemical determination. The EBSD analysis combined with X-ray energy dispersive spectroscop[y (XEDS) suggested that the Mg-rich inclusions are periclase oriented coherently with the spinel matrix. The final structure refinements were optimized by subtracting the X-ray intensity contributions (approx. 9%) of periclase reflections, which eliminated the interstitial Mg. This study provides insight into possible origins of refined interstitial cations reported in the the literature for spinel, and points to the difficulty of using only X-ray diffraction data to distinguish a spinel with interstitial cations from one with coherently oriented MgO inclusions.

Identification and molecular characterization of a new ovarian cancer susceptibility locus at 17q21.31

PubMed Central

Permuth-Wey, Jennifer; Lawrenson, Kate; Shen, Howard C.; Velkova, Aneliya; Tyrer, Jonathan P.; Chen, Zhihua; Lin, Hui-Yi; Chen, Y. Ann; Tsai, Ya-Yu; Qu, Xiaotao; Ramus, Susan J.; Karevan, Rod; Lee, Janet; Lee, Nathan; Larson, Melissa C.; Aben, Katja K.; Anton-Culver, Hoda; Antonenkova, Natalia; Antoniou, Antonis; Armasu, Sebastian M.; Bacot, François; Baglietto, Laura; Bandera, Elisa V.; Barnholtz-Sloan, Jill; Beckmann, Matthias W.; Birrer, Michael J.; Bloom, Greg; Bogdanova, Natalia; Brinton, Louise A.; Brooks-Wilson, Angela; Brown, Robert; Butzow, Ralf; Cai, Qiuyin; Campbell, Ian; Chang-Claude, Jenny; Chanock, Stephen; Chenevix-Trench, Georgia; Cheng, Jin Q.; Cicek, Mine S.; Coetzee, Gerhard A.; Cook, Linda S.; Couch, Fergus J.; Cramer, Daniel W.; Cunningham, Julie M.; Dansonka-Mieszkowska, Agnieszka; Despierre, Evelyn; Doherty, Jennifer A; Dörk, Thilo; du Bois, Andreas; Dürst, Matthias; Easton, Douglas F; Eccles, Diana; Edwards, Robert; Ekici, Arif B.; Fasching, Peter A.; Fenstermacher, David A.; Flanagan, James M.; Garcia-Closas, Montserrat; Gentry-Maharaj, Aleksandra; Giles, Graham G.; Glasspool, Rosalind M.; Gonzalez-Bosquet, Jesus; Goodman, Marc T.; Gore, Martin; Górski, Bohdan; Gronwald, Jacek; Hall, Per; Halle, Mari K.; Harter, Philipp; Heitz, Florian; Hillemanns, Peter; Hoatlin, Maureen; Høgdall, Claus K.; Høgdall, Estrid; Hosono, Satoyo; Jakubowska, Anna; Jensen, Allan; Jim, Heather; Kalli, Kimberly R.; Karlan, Beth Y.; Kaye, Stanley B.; Kelemen, Linda E.; Kiemeney, Lambertus A.; Kikkawa, Fumitaka; Konecny, Gottfried E.; Krakstad, Camilla; Kjaer, Susanne Krüger; Kupryjanczyk, Jolanta; Lambrechts, Diether; Lambrechts, Sandrina; Lancaster, Johnathan M.; Le, Nhu D.; Leminen, Arto; Levine, Douglas A.; Liang, Dong; Lim, Boon Kiong; Lin, Jie; Lissowska, Jolanta; Lu, Karen H.; Lubiński, Jan; Lurie, Galina; Massuger, Leon F.A.G.; Matsuo, Keitaro; McGuire, Valerie; McLaughlin, John R; Menon, Usha; Modugno, Francesmary; Moysich, Kirsten B.; Nakanishi, Toru; Narod, Steven A.; Nedergaard, Lotte; Ness, Roberta B.; Nevanlinna, Heli; Nickels, Stefan; Noushmehr, Houtan; Odunsi, Kunle; Olson, Sara H.; Orlow, Irene; Paul, James; Pearce, Celeste L; Pejovic, Tanja; Pelttari, Liisa M.; Pike, Malcolm C.; Poole, Elizabeth M.; Raska, Paola; Renner, Stefan P.; Risch, Harvey A.; Rodriguez-Rodriguez, Lorna; Rossing, Mary Anne; Rudolph, Anja; Runnebaum, Ingo B.; Rzepecka, Iwona K.; Salvesen, Helga B.; Schwaab, Ira; Severi, Gianluca; Shridhar, Vijayalakshmi; Shu, Xiao-Ou; Shvetsov, Yurii B.; Sieh, Weiva; Song, Honglin; Southey, Melissa C.; Spiewankiewicz, Beata; Stram, Daniel; Sutphen, Rebecca; Teo, Soo-Hwang; Terry, Kathryn L.; Tessier, Daniel C.; Thompson, Pamela J.; Tworoger, Shelley S.; van Altena, Anne M.; Vergote, Ignace; Vierkant, Robert A.; Vincent, Daniel; Vitonis, Allison F.; Wang-Gohrke, Shan; Weber, Rachel Palmieri; Wentzensen, Nicolas; Whittemore, Alice S.; Wik, Elisabeth; Wilkens, Lynne R.; Winterhoff, Boris; Woo, Yin Ling; Wu, Anna H.; Xiang, Yong-Bing; Yang, Hannah P.; Zheng, Wei; Ziogas, Argyrios; Zulkifli, Famida; Phelan, Catherine M.; Iversen, Edwin; Schildkraut, Joellen M.; Berchuck, Andrew; Fridley, Brooke L.; Goode, Ellen L.; Pharoah, Paul D. P.; Monteiro, Alvaro N.A.; Sellers, Thomas A.; Gayther, Simon A.

2013-01-01

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) has a heritable component that remains to be fully characterized. Most identified common susceptibility variants lie in non-protein-coding sequences. We hypothesized that variants in the 3′ untranslated region at putative microRNA (miRNA) binding sites represent functional targets that influence EOC susceptibility. Here, we evaluate the association between 767 miRNA binding site single nucleotide polymorphisms (miRSNPs) and EOC risk in 18,174 EOC cases and 26,134 controls from 43 studies genotyped through the Collaborative Oncological Gene-environment Study. We identify several miRSNPs associated with invasive serous EOC risk (OR=1.12, P=10−8) mapping to an inversion polymorphism at 17q21.31. Additional genotyping of non-miRSNPs at 17q21.31 reveals stronger signals outside the inversion (P=10−10). Variation at 17q21.31 associates with neurological diseases, and our collaboration is the first to report an association with EOC susceptibility. An integrated molecular analysis in this region provides evidence for ARHGAP27 and PLEKHM1 as candidate EOC susceptibility genes. PMID:23535648

Painful Temporomandibular Disorder: Decade of Discovery from OPPERA Studies.

PubMed

Slade, G D; Ohrbach, R; Greenspan, J D; Fillingim, R B; Bair, E; Sanders, A E; Dubner, R; Diatchenko, L; Meloto, C B; Smith, S; Maixner, W

2016-09-01

In 2006, the OPPERA project (Orofacial Pain: Prospective Evaluation and Risk Assessment) set out to identify risk factors for development of painful temporomandibular disorder (TMD). A decade later, this review summarizes its key findings. At 4 US study sites, OPPERA recruited and examined 3,258 community-based TMD-free adults assessing genetic and phenotypic measures of biological, psychosocial, clinical, and health status characteristics. During follow-up, 4% of participants per annum developed clinically verified TMD, although that was a "symptom iceberg" when compared with the 19% annual rate of facial pain symptoms. The most influential predictors of clinical TMD were simple checklists of comorbid health conditions and nonpainful orofacial symptoms. Self-reports of jaw parafunction were markedly stronger predictors than corresponding examiner assessments. The strongest psychosocial predictor was frequency of somatic symptoms, although not somatic reactivity. Pressure pain thresholds measured at cranial sites only weakly predicted incident TMD yet were strongly associated with chronic TMD, cross-sectionally, in OPPERA's separate case-control study. The puzzle was resolved in OPPERA's nested case-control study where repeated measures of pressure pain thresholds revealed fluctuation that coincided with TMD's onset, persistence, and recovery but did not predict its incidence. The nested case-control study likewise furnished novel evidence that deteriorating sleep quality predicted TMD incidence. Three hundred genes were investigated, implicating 6 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as risk factors for chronic TMD, while another 6 SNPs were associated with intermediate phenotypes for TMD. One study identified a serotonergic pathway in which multiple SNPs influenced risk of chronic TMD. Two other studies investigating gene-environment interactions found that effects of stress on pain were modified by variation in the gene encoding catechol O-methyltransferase. Lessons learned from OPPERA have verified some implicated risk factors for TMD and refuted others, redirecting our thinking. Now it is time to apply those lessons to studies investigating treatment and prevention of TMD. © International & American Associations for Dental Research 2016.

Review of ecological-based risk management approaches used at five Army Superfund sites.

PubMed

Poucher, Sherri L; Tracey, Gregory A; Johnson, Mark S; Haines, Laurie B

2012-04-01

Factors used in environmental remedial decision making concerning ecological risk are not well understood or necessarily consistent. Recent Records of Decision (RODs) for Army CERCLA sites were reviewed to select case studies where remedial management occurred in response to ecological risks. Thirty-four Army RODs were evaluated representing decisions promulgated between 1996 and 2004. Five were selected based on assessments that remedial actions were clearly linked to concern for ecological receptors. The Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) approach and the subsequent risk management process were reviewed for each site. The case studies demonstrated that the ERA findings, as well as critical management decisions regarding interpretation of identified ecological risks, were determinants of remedial action objectives. Decisions regarding the selection of remedial alternatives were based on a set of criteria prescribed by Superfund requirements and guidance. Remedial alternative evaluations require protection of human health and the environment, but protective conditions were determined using different methods at each site. Examining the remedial management process for the 5 case study sites revealed that uncertainty in the risk assessment and decisions regarding appropriate spatial scales for both risk assessment and remediation were important factors influencing remedial action decisions. The case reviews also revealed that levels of documentation were variable from site to site. In the future, more detailed documentation of decision criteria and the development of criteria that consider the resilience of the site will result in more technically defensible ecological risk management. Copyright © 2011 SETAC.

Deconstructing thermodynamic parameters of a coupled system from site-specific observables.

PubMed

Chowdhury, Sandipan; Chanda, Baron

2010-11-02

Cooperative interactions mediate information transfer between structural domains of a protein molecule and are major determinants of protein function and modulation. The prevalent theories to understand the thermodynamic origins of cooperativity have been developed to reproduce the complex behavior of a global thermodynamic observable such as ligand binding or enzyme activity. However, in most cases the measurement of a single global observable cannot uniquely define all the terms that fully describe the energetics of the system. Here we establish a theoretical groundwork for analyzing protein thermodynamics using site-specific information. Our treatment involves extracting a site-specific parameter (defined as χ value) associated with a structural unit. We demonstrate that, under limiting conditions, the χ value is related to the direct interaction terms associated with the structural unit under observation and its intrinsic activation energy. We also introduce a site-specific interaction energy term (χ(diff)) that is a function of the direct interaction energy of that site with every other site in the system. When combined with site-directed mutagenesis and other molecular level perturbations, analyses of χ values of site-specific observables may provide valuable insights into protein thermodynamics and structure.

CNG site-specific and methyl-sensitive endonuclease WEN1 from wheat seedlings.

PubMed

Fedoreyeva, L I; Vanyushin, B F

2011-06-01

Endonuclease WEN1 with apparent molecular mass about 27 kDa isolated from cytoplasmic vesicular fraction of aging coleoptiles of wheat seedlings has expressed site specificity action. This is a first detection and isolation of a site-specific endonuclease from higher eukaryotes, in general, and higher plants, in particular. The enzyme hydrolyzes deoxyribooligonucleotides of different composition on CNG (N is G, A, C, or T) sites by splitting the phosphodiester bond between C and N nucleotide residues in CNG sequence independent from neighbor nucleotide context except for CCCG. WEN1 prefers to hydrolyze methylated λ phage DNA and double-stranded deoxyribooligonucleotides containing 5-methylcytosine sites (m(5)CAG, m(5)CTG) compared with unmethylated substrates. The enzyme is also able to hydrolyze single-stranded substrates, but in this case it splits unmethylated substrates predominantly. Detection in wheat seedlings of WEN1 endonuclease that is site specific, sensitive to the substrate methylation status, and modulated with S-adenosyl-L-methionine indicates that in higher plants restriction--modification systems or some of their elements, at least, may exist.

Cognitive neuropsychology and its vicissitudes: The fate of Caramazza's axioms.

PubMed

Shallice, Tim

2015-01-01

Cognitive neuropsychology is characterized as the discipline in which one draws conclusions about the organization of the normal cognitive systems from the behaviour of brain-damaged individuals. In a series of papers, Caramazza, later in collaboration with McCloskey, put forward four assumptions as the bridge principles for making such inferences. Four potential pitfalls, one for each axiom, are discussed with respect to the use of single-case methods. Two of the pitfalls also apply to case series and group study procedures, and the other two are held to be indirectly testable or avoidable. Moreover, four other pitfalls are held to apply to case series or group study methods. It is held that inferences from single-case procedures may profitably be supported or rejected using case series/group study methods, but also that analogous support needs to be given in the other direction for functionally based case series or group studies. It is argued that at least six types of neuropsychological method are valuable for extrapolation to theories of the normal cognitive system but that the single- or multiple-case study remains a critical part of cognitive neuropsychology's methods.

Sensitizing Carbon Nanotube Transistors for Single Molecule Sensor Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Collins, Philip G.; Akhterov, Maxim; Sims, Patrick C.; Fuller, Elliot J.; Gul, O. Tolga; Pan, Deng

2015-03-01

Recent work has demonstrated single-charge sensitivity in two types of carbon nanotube transistors. In one case, a two-level system near the nanotube or noncovalently attached to the nanotube perturbs the current electrostatically. In a second case, a sidewall defect or other covalent modification sensitizes one site along the conductor. Comparative research has helped reveal differences in the transduction mechanisms of the two cases and provides design rules for maximizing reliable signals for sensing applications. The covalent modifications are not mere perturbations and they are far more sensitive than noncovalent attachments, for example. However, the new degrees of freedom that accompany covalent disorder often have similar energy scales, leading to multiple independent fluctuations that degrade the overall signal-to-noise. Noncovalent sensitization generally produces a smaller signal amplitude in a background of other low-energy fluctuators, but a well-designed noncovalent linker can result in a highly predictable signal amplitudes. Furthermore, noncovalent fabrication methods are scalable, so that wafer-scale arrays of molecular sensors are most likely to follow this path. This work was supported by NSF (ECCS-1231910).

The value of non-echo planar HASTE diffusion-weighted MR imaging in the detection, localisation and prediction of extent of postoperative cholesteatoma.

PubMed

Khemani, S; Lingam, R K; Kalan, A; Singh, A

2011-08-01

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of half-Fourier-acquisition single-shot turbo-spin-echo (HASTE) diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the detection, localisation and prediction of extent of cholesteatoma following canal wall up mastoid surgery. Prospective blinded observational study. University affiliated teaching hospital. Forty-eight patients undergoing second-look surgery after previous canal wall up mastoid surgery for primary acquired cholesteatoma. All patients underwent non-echo planar HASTE diffusion-weighted imaging prior to being offered 'second-look' surgery. Radiological findings were correlated with second-look intra-operative findings in 38 cases with regard to presence, location and maximum dimensions of cholesteatoma. Half-Fourier-acquisition single-shot turbo-spin-echo diffusion-weighted imaging accurately predicted the presence of cholesteatoma in 23 of 28 cases, and it correctly excluded in nine of 10 cases. Five false negatives were caused by keratin pearls of <2 mm and in one case 5 mm. Overall sensitivity and specificity for detection of cholesteatoma were 82% (95% confidence interval [CI] 62-94%) and 90% (CI 55-100%), respectively. Positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 96% (CI 79-100%) and 64% (CI 35-87%), respectively. Overall accuracy for detection of cholesteatoma was 84% (CI 69-94%). Half-Fourier-acquisition single-shot turbo-spin-echo diffusion-weighted imaging has good performance in localising cholesteatoma to a number of anatomical sub-sites within the middle ear and mastoid (sensitivity ranging from 75% to 88% and specificity ranging from 94% to 100%). There was no statistically significant difference in the size of cholesteatoma detected radiologically and that found during surgery (paired t-test, P = 0.16). However, analysis of size agreement suggests possible radiological underestimation of size when using HASTE diffusion-weighted imaging (mean difference -0.6 mm, CI -5.3 to 4.6 mm). Half-Fourier-acquisition single-shot turbo-spin-echo diffusion-weighted imaging performs reasonably well in predicting the presence and location of postoperative cholesteatoma but may miss small foci of disease and may underestimate the true size of cholesteatoma. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Community Relations Plan: Galena Airport and Campion Air Force Station, Alaska

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-11-11

toxic 0k Corporations that are not wastes at any facility listed or proposed for incorporated for the specific listing on the NPL and where site work ... working toward for awarding a TAG, and how to obtain incorporation under state laws. additional information are described. The Applications are...for similar work in the area. Notification Procedures and In special cases, where an applicant Evaluation Criteria group intends to apply for a single

A case of adult dermatomyositis with calcinosis universalis

PubMed Central

Jayanthi, Mohan Roop; Basher, Rajender Kumar; Bhadada, Sanjay Kumar; Bhattacharya, Anish; Mittal, Bhagwant Rai

2014-01-01

Calcinosis, although frequent in juvenile dermatomyositis is a rare finding in adults. It is more common in later phases of the disease, involving sites under chronic stress and trauma. We present a 52-year-old female patient of dermatomyositis who on single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography hybrid images showed exclusive subcutaneous fat calcinosis, also known as calcinosis universalis - a phenomenon that is only rarely reported in adult-onset dermatomyositis. PMID:25400376

Factors Influencing Teachers' Technology Self-Efficacy: A Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Farah, Amy Caroline

2012-01-01

Factors influencing teachers' levels of technology self-efficacy were examined through a qualitative multi-site, multi-subject case study research design. An initial survey was administered to all full-time, certified teachers at three school sites in order to gauge teachers' current level of technology self-efficacy. From that…

Case Study of the Triad Approach: Expedited Characterization of Petroleum Constituents and PCBs Using Test Kits and a Mobile Chromatography Laboratory at the Former Cos Cob Power Plant Site

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The case study was developed as part of EPA's ongoing initiative to promote the use of an integrated Triad approach to limit decision uncertainty at hazardous waste sites through the use of sound science.

Analysis of spin-Hamiltonian and molecular orbital coefficients of Cu2+ doped C8H11KO8 single crystal through EPR technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Juliet sheela, K.; Krishnan, S. Radha; Shanmugam, V. M.; Subramanian, P.

2018-04-01

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies have been investigated at X-band microwave frequency on Cu2+ ion incorporated into the single crystal of potassium succinate-succinic acid (KSSA) at room temperature. The angular variation of the EPR spectra has shown two magnetically in-equivalent Cu2+ sites in the KSSA single crystal system. The spin Hamiltonian parameters g and A are determined which reveals that the site I and site II occupied in rhombic and axial local field symmetry around the impurity ion. Among the two paramagnetic impurity ions, sites one occupies at substituitional position in the place of monovalent cation (K+) in the crystal whereas the other enters in its lattice interstitially by the correlation of EPR and crystal structure data. From the calculated principle values gxx, gyy, gzz and Axx, Ayy, Azz of both the sites, the admixture coefficients and molecular orbital coefficients were evaluated which gives the information of ground state wave function and types of bonding of impurity ions with the ligands.

Transportation planning effectiveness: twenty case studies

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1977-12-31

This document consists of 20 site-specific case studies of urban area experience with the Technical Study Grant Program of the Urban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA). The objective of the case studies is to determine how the Technical Study ...

Lower omega-3 fatty acids are associated with the presence of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide autoantibodies in a population at risk for future rheumatoid arthritis: a nested case-control study

PubMed Central

Gan, Ryan W.; Young, Kendra A.; Zerbe, Gary O.; Demoruelle, M. Kristen; Weisman, Michael H.; Buckner, Jane H.; Gregersen, Peter K.; Mikuls, Ted R.; O’Dell, James R.; Keating, Richard M.; Clare-Salzler, Michael J.; Deane, Kevin D.; Holers, V. Michael

2016-01-01

Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate omega-3 fatty acid (FA) supplement use and omega-3 FAs in erythrocyte membranes [omega-3 FA % in erythrocyte membranes (RBC)] and their association with anti-CCP autoantibodies in a population without RA, but who are at genetic risk for RA. Methods. The multicentre Studies of the Etiology of RA (SERA) cohort includes RA-free subjects who are first-degree relatives of RA probands or are enriched with the HLA-DR4 allele. In a nested case-control study, 30 SERA cases were identified who were anti-CCP2 antibody positive. We further identified 47 autoantibody negative controls, frequency matched to cases on age at study visit, sex, race and study site. Anti-CCP2 status, self-reported omega-3 FA supplement use and omega-3 FA % in RBCs were obtained from a single visit. Results. Anti-CCP2 positive cases were less likely than controls to report omega-3 FA supplement use (odds ratio: 0.14; 95% CI 0.03, 0.68). In addition, the likelihood of anti-CCP2 positivity was inversely associated with total omega-3 FA % in RBCs (odds ratio: 0.47; 95% CI 0.24, 0.92, for a s.d. increase). Conclusion. The inverse association between anti-CCP2 positivity and self-reported omega-3 FA supplement use and omega-3 FA % in RBCs suggests that omega-3 FAs may protect against the development of RA-related autoimmunity in pre-clinical RA. PMID:26370400

Assessing the challenges of multi-scope clinical research sites: an example from NIH HIV/AIDS clinical trials networks.

PubMed

Rosas, Scott R; Cope, Marie T; Villa, Christie; Motevalli, Mahnaz; Utech, Jill; Schouten, Jeffrey T

2014-04-01

Large-scale, multi-network clinical trials are seen as a means for efficient and effective utilization of resources with greater responsiveness to new discoveries. Formal structures instituted within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials facilitate collaboration and coordination across networks and emphasize an integrated approach to HIV/AIDS vaccine, prevention and therapeutics clinical trials. This study examines the joint usage of clinical research sites as means of gaining efficiency, extending capacity, and adding scientific value to the networks. A semi-structured questionnaire covering eight clinical management domains was administered to 74 (62% of sites) clinical site coordinators at single- and multi-network sites to identify challenges and efficiencies related to clinical trials management activities and coordination with multi-network units. Overall, respondents at multi-network sites did not report more challenges than single-network sites, but did report unique challenges to overcome including in the areas of study prioritization, community engagement, staff education and training, and policies and procedures. The majority of multi-network sites reported that such affiliations do allow for the consolidation and cost-sharing of research functions. Suggestions for increasing the efficiency or performance of multi-network sites included streamlining standards and requirements, consolidating protocol activation methods, using a single cross-network coordinating centre, and creating common budget and payment mechanisms. The results of this assessment provide important information to consider in the design and management of multi-network configurations for the NIH HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials Networks, as well as others contemplating and promoting the concept of multi-network settings. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Ethical approval for research involving geographically dispersed subjects: unsuitability of the UK MREC/LREC system and relevance to uncommon genetic disorders.

PubMed

Lewis, J C; Tomkins, S; Sampson, J R

2001-10-01

To assess the process involved in obtaining ethical approval for a single-centre study involving geographically dispersed subjects with an uncommon genetic disorder. Observational data of the application process to 53 local research ethics committees (LRECs) throughout Wales, England and Scotland. The Multicentre Research Ethics Committee (MREC) for Wales had already granted approval. Application to the 53 LRECs required 24,552 sheets of paper and took two months of the researcher's time. The median time taken for approval was 39 days with only seven (13%) of committees responding within the recommended 21 days. In at least nineteen cases (36%) a subcommittee considered the application. Thirty-three committees (62%) accepted the proposal without amendments but, of the remainder, four (8%) requested changes outside of the remit of LRECs. Difficulties still exist with the system for obtaining ethical approval for studies involving a single centre but with patients at multiple sites, as is often required for genetic observational research. As such studies differ from true multicentre studies, it may be advantageous to develop a separate and specific process of application to ensure that resources are not unnecessarily expended in the quest for ethical approval.

Classical and Bayesian Seismic Yield Estimation: The 1998 Indian and Pakistani Tests

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shumway, R. H.

2001-10-01

- The nuclear tests in May, 1998, in India and Pakistan have stimulated a renewed interest in yield estimation, based on limited data from uncalibrated test sites. We study here the problem of estimating yields using classical and Bayesian methods developed by Shumway (1992), utilizing calibration data from the Semipalatinsk test site and measured magnitudes for the 1998 Indian and Pakistani tests given by Murphy (1998). Calibration is done using multivariate classical or Bayesian linear regression, depending on the availability of measured magnitude-yield data and prior information. Confidence intervals for the classical approach are derived applying an extension of Fieller's method suggested by Brown (1982). In the case where prior information is available, the posterior predictive magnitude densities are inverted to give posterior intervals for yield. Intervals obtained using the joint distribution of magnitudes are comparable to the single-magnitude estimates produced by Murphy (1998) and reinforce the conclusion that the announced yields of the Indian and Pakistani tests were too high.

Classical and Bayesian Seismic Yield Estimation: The 1998 Indian and Pakistani Tests

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shumway, R. H.

The nuclear tests in May, 1998, in India and Pakistan have stimulated a renewed interest in yield estimation, based on limited data from uncalibrated test sites. We study here the problem of estimating yields using classical and Bayesian methods developed by Shumway (1992), utilizing calibration data from the Semipalatinsk test site and measured magnitudes for the 1998 Indian and Pakistani tests given by Murphy (1998). Calibration is done using multivariate classical or Bayesian linear regression, depending on the availability of measured magnitude-yield data and prior information. Confidence intervals for the classical approach are derived applying an extension of Fieller's method suggested by Brown (1982). In the case where prior information is available, the posterior predictive magnitude densities are inverted to give posterior intervals for yield. Intervals obtained using the joint distribution of magnitudes are comparable to the single-magnitude estimates produced by Murphy (1998) and reinforce the conclusion that the announced yields of the Indian and Pakistani tests were too high.

Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma in India: A Single-center Experience.

PubMed

Bansal, Deepak; Das, Anirban; Trehan, Amita; Kapoor, Rakesh; Panda, Naresh K; Srinivasan, Radhika; Panda, Naresh K; Srinivasan, Radhika; Kakkar, Nandita; Sodhi, Kushaljit S; Saxena, Akshay K; Narasimha Rao, Katragadda Lakshmi

2017-09-15

Analyze the profile and outcome of children with rhabdomyosarcoma from a pediatric-oncology unit. Retrospective analysis of case records over 23 years (1990-2012). Government-run, tertiary-care, university hospital in Northern India. 159 children (<12-years) with a diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma were enrolled. The median age was 4 years; 13% were infants. Five-year event free survival. The median symptom interval was 2-months. Head and neck region was the most frequent site (44%), followed by tumors in the extremity (15.7%). The majority (67%) of the tumors were located at 'unfavorable' sites; 68% were >5 cm in size. The most frequent (58%) pathological subtype was embryonal. Treatment was based on the 'Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study (IRS) Group' risk-stratification. 33% were 'low-risk' children, 11% were 'high-risk'. Treatment-refusal (18%) and abandonment (33%) were major impediments. The median ± SE five-year event free survival of those taking treatment was 43.6 ± 6%. Large sized tumors, tumors at unfavorable locations, and treatment refusal/abandonment contributed to inferior outcome in children with rhabdomyosarcoma.

Spatial and temporal seed dispersal of squarrose knapweed (Centaurea virgata Lam. ssp. squarrosa (Willd.) Gugler) in west central Utah, a case study

Treesearch

Scott L. Jensen; Stephen B. Monsen; Pat Fosse

2008-01-01

This case study documents temporal and spatial squarrose knapweed (Centaurea virgata Lam. spp. squarrosa (Willd.) Gugler) seed dispersal from study sites in central Utah. Felt seed traps were placed along transects extending from sites occupied by squarrose knapweed into adjacent plant communities. Seed dispersal from knapweed...

Brain single photon emission computed tomography in neonates

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

Denays, R.; Van Pachterbeke, T.; Tondeur, M.

1989-08-01

This study was designed to rate the clinical value of ({sup 123}I)iodoamphetamine (IMP) or ({sup 99m}Tc) hexamethyl propylene amine oxyme (HM-PAO) brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in neonates, especially in those likely to develop cerebral palsy. The results showed that SPECT abnormalities were congruent in most cases with structural lesions demonstrated by ultrasonography. However, mild bilateral ventricular dilatation and bilateral subependymal porencephalic cysts diagnosed by ultrasound were not associated with an abnormal SPECT finding. In contrast, some cortical periventricular and sylvian lesions and all the parasagittal lesions well visualized in SPECT studies were not diagnosed by ultrasound scans.more » In neonates with subependymal and/or intraventricular hemorrhage the existence of a parenchymal abnormality was only diagnosed by SPECT. These results indicate that ({sup 123}I)IMP or ({sup 99m}Tc)HM-PAO brain SPECT shows a potential clinical value as the neurodevelopmental outcome is clearly related to the site, the extent, and the number of cerebral lesions. Long-term clinical follow-up is, however, mandatory in order to define which SPECT abnormality is associated with neurologic deficit.« less

Social, Organizational, and Contextual Characteristics of Clinical Decision Support Systems for Intensive Insulin Therapy: A Literature Review and Case Study

PubMed Central

Campion, Thomas R.; Waitman, Lemuel R.; May, Addison K.; Ozdas, Asli; Lorenzi, Nancy M.; Gadd, Cynthia S.

2009-01-01

Introduction: Evaluations of computerized clinical decision support systems (CDSS) typically focus on clinical performance changes and do not include social, organizational, and contextual characteristics explaining use and effectiveness. Studies of CDSS for intensive insulin therapy (IIT) are no exception, and the literature lacks an understanding of effective computer-based IIT implementation and operation. Results: This paper presents (1) a literature review of computer-based IIT evaluations through the lens of institutional theory, a discipline from sociology and organization studies, to demonstrate the inconsistent reporting of workflow and care process execution and (2) a single-site case study to illustrate how computer-based IIT requires substantial organizational change and creates additional complexity with unintended consequences including error. Discussion: Computer-based IIT requires organizational commitment and attention to site-specific technology, workflow, and care processes to achieve intensive insulin therapy goals. The complex interaction between clinicians, blood glucose testing devices, and CDSS may contribute to workflow inefficiency and error. Evaluations rarely focus on the perspective of nurses, the primary users of computer-based IIT whose knowledge can potentially lead to process and care improvements. Conclusion: This paper addresses a gap in the literature concerning the social, organizational, and contextual characteristics of CDSS in general and for intensive insulin therapy specifically. Additionally, this paper identifies areas for future research to define optimal computer-based IIT process execution: the frequency and effect of manual data entry error of blood glucose values, the frequency and effect of nurse overrides of CDSS insulin dosing recommendations, and comprehensive ethnographic study of CDSS for IIT. PMID:19815452

Robotic Single-Site Surgery for Female-to-Male Transsexuals: Preliminary Experience

PubMed Central

Bogliolo, Stefano; Cassani, Chiara; Babilonti, Luciana; Gardella, Barbara; Zanellini, Francesca; Santamaria, Valentina; Nappi, Rossella Elena; Spinillo, Arsenio

2014-01-01

Hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is a part of gender reassignment surgery for the treatment of female-to-male transsexualism. Over the last years many efforts were made in order to reduce invasiveness of laparoscopic and robotic surgery such as the introduction of single-site approach. We report our preliminary experience on single-site robotic hysterectomy for cross-sex reassignment surgery. Our data suggest that single-site robotic hysterectomy is feasible and safe in female-to-male transsexualism with some benefits in terms of postoperative pain and aesthetic results. PMID:24982976

Employer-Sponsored Child Care Models and Related Issues.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Renfroe, Martha Lou

This study was designed to describe the different models of Employer-Sponsored Child Care (ESCC) available to employers and child care professionals. Examples of specific child care programs sponsored by employers are described, and five ESCC models are identified: on-site and off-site centers for a single employer, off-site centers for multiple…

Overlaps with arbitrary two-site states in the XXZ spin chain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pozsgay, B.

2018-05-01

We present a conjectured exact formula for overlaps between the Bethe states of the spin-1/2 XXZ chain and generic two-site states. The result takes the same form as in the previously known cases: it involves the same ratio of two Gaudin-like determinants, and a product of single-particle overlap functions, which can be fixed using a combination of the quench action and quantum transfer matrix methods. Our conjecture is confirmed by numerical data from exact diagonalization. For one-site states, the formula is found to be correct even in chains with odd length. It is also pointed out that the ratio of the Gaudin-like determinants plays a crucial role in the overlap sum rule: it guarantees that in the thermodynamic limit there remains no term in the quench action.

How to include the variability of TMS responses in simulations: a speech mapping case study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Geeter, N.; Lioumis, P.; Laakso, A.; Crevecoeur, G.; Dupré, L.

2016-11-01

When delivered over a specific cortical site, TMS can temporarily disrupt the ongoing process in that area. This allows mapping of speech-related areas for preoperative evaluation purposes. We numerically explore the observed variability of TMS responses during a speech mapping experiment performed with a neuronavigation system. We selected four cases with very small perturbations in coil position and orientation. In one case (E) a naming error occurred, while in the other cases (NEA, B, C) the subject appointed the images as smoothly as without TMS. A realistic anisotropic head model was constructed of the subject from T1-weighted and diffusion-weighted MRI. The induced electric field distributions were computed, associated to the coil parameters retrieved from the neuronavigation system. Finally, the membrane potentials along relevant white matter fibre tracts, extracted from DTI-based tractography, were computed using a compartmental cable equation. While only minor differences could be noticed between the induced electric field distributions of the four cases, computing the corresponding membrane potentials revealed different subsets of tracts were activated. A single tract was activated for all coil positions. Another tract was only triggered for case E. NEA induced action potentials in 13 tracts, while NEB stimulated 11 tracts and NEC one. The calculated results are certainly sensitive to the coil specifications, demonstrating the observed variability in this study. However, even though a tract connecting Broca’s with Wernicke’s area is only triggered for the error case, further research is needed on other study cases and on refining the neural model with synapses and network connections. Case- and subject-specific modelling that includes both electromagnetic fields and neuronal activity enables demonstration of the variability in TMS experiments and can capture the interaction with complex neural networks.

Randomization and Data-Analysis Items in Quality Standards for Single-Case Experimental Studies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heyvaert, Mieke; Wendt, Oliver; Van den Noortgate, Wim; Onghena, Patrick

2015-01-01

Reporting standards and critical appraisal tools serve as beacons for researchers, reviewers, and research consumers. Parallel to existing guidelines for researchers to report and evaluate group-comparison studies, single-case experimental (SCE) researchers are in need of guidelines for reporting and evaluating SCE studies. A systematic search was…

Phase Diagram of the ABC Model on an Interval

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ayyer, A.; Carlen, E. A.; Lebowitz, J. L.; Mohanty, P. K.; Mukamel, D.; Speer, E. R.

2009-12-01

The three species asymmetric ABC model was initially defined on a ring by Evans, Kafri, Koduvely, and Mukamel, and the weakly asymmetric version was later studied by Clincy, Derrida, and Evans. Here the latter model is studied on a one-dimensional lattice of N sites with closed (zero flux) boundaries. In this geometry the local particle conserving dynamics satisfies detailed balance with respect to a canonical Gibbs measure with long range asymmetric pair interactions. This generalizes results for the ring case, where detailed balance holds, and in fact the steady state measure is known, only for the case of equal densities of the different species: in the latter case the stationary states of the system on a ring and on an interval are the same. We prove that in the limit N→∞ the scaled density profiles are given by (pieces of) the periodic trajectory of a particle moving in a quartic confining potential. We further prove uniqueness of the profiles, i.e., the existence of a single phase, in all regions of the parameter space (of average densities and temperature) except at low temperature with all densities equal; in this case a continuum of phases, differing by translation, coexist. The results for the equal density case apply also to the system on the ring, and there extend results of Clincy et al.

Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and subsequent risk of total and site specific cancers in Japanese population: large case-cohort study within Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study cohort

PubMed Central

Budhathoki, Sanjeev; Hidaka, Akihisa; Sawada, Norie; Tanaka-Mizuno, Sachiko; Kuchiba, Aya; Charvat, Hadrien; Goto, Atsushi; Kojima, Satoshi; Sudo, Natsuki; Shimazu, Taichi; Sasazuki, Shizuka; Inoue, Manami; Tsugane, Shoichiro; Iwasaki, Motoki

2018-01-01

Abstract Objective To evaluate the association between pre-diagnostic circulating vitamin D concentration and the subsequent risk of overall and site specific cancer in a large cohort study. Design Nested case-cohort study within the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study cohort. Setting Nine public health centre areas across Japan. Participants 3301 incident cases of cancer and 4044 randomly selected subcohort participants. Exposure Plasma concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D measured by enzyme immunoassay. Participants were divided into quarters based on the sex and season specific distribution of 25-hydroxyvitamin D among subcohorts. Weighted Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate the multivariable adjusted hazard ratios for overall and site specific cancer across categories of 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration, with the lowest quarter as the reference. Main outcome measure Incidence of overall or site specific cancer. Results Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration was inversely associated with the risk of total cancer, with multivariable adjusted hazard ratios for the second to fourth quarters compared with the lowest quarter of 0.81 (95% confidence interval 0.70 to 0.94), 0.75 (0.65 to 0.87), and 0.78 (0.67 to 0.91), respectively (P for trend=0.001). Among the findings for cancers at specific sites, an inverse association was found for liver cancer, with corresponding hazard ratios of 0.70 (0.44 to 1.13), 0.65 (0.40 to 1.06), and 0.45 (0.26 to 0.79) (P for trend=0.006). A sensitivity analysis showed that alternately removing cases of cancer at one specific site from total cancer cases did not substantially change the overall hazard ratios. Conclusions In this large prospective study, higher vitamin D concentration was associated with lower risk of total cancer. These findings support the hypothesis that vitamin D has protective effects against cancers at many sites. PMID:29514781

Tauopathy PET and amyloid PET in the diagnosis of chronic traumatic encephalopathies: studies of a retired NFL player and of a man with FTD and a severe head injury.

PubMed

Mitsis, E M; Riggio, S; Kostakoglu, L; Dickstein, D L; Machac, J; Delman, B; Goldstein, M; Jennings, D; D'Antonio, E; Martin, J; Naidich, T P; Aloysi, A; Fernandez, C; Seibyl, J; DeKosky, S T; Elder, G A; Marek, K; Gordon, W; Hof, P R; Sano, M; Gandy, S

2014-09-16

Single, severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) which elevates CNS amyloid, increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD); while repetitive concussive and subconcussive events as observed in athletes and military personnel, may increase the risk of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). We describe two clinical cases, one with a history of multiple concussions during a career in the National Football League (NFL) and the second with frontotemporal dementia and a single, severe TBI. Both patients presented with cognitive decline and underwent [(18)F]-Florbetapir positron emission tomography (PET) imaging for amyloid plaques; the retired NFL player also underwent [(18)F]-T807 PET imaging, a new ligand binding to tau, the main constituent of neurofibrillary tangles (NFT). Case 1, the former NFL player, was 71 years old when he presented with memory impairment and a clinical profile highly similar to AD. [(18)F]-Florbetapir PET imaging was negative, essentially excluding AD as a diagnosis. CTE was suspected clinically, and [(18)F]-T807 PET imaging revealed striatal and nigral [(18)F]-T807 retention consistent with the presence of tauopathy. Case 2 was a 56-year-old man with personality changes and cognitive decline who had sustained a fall complicated by a subdural hematoma. At 1 year post injury, [(18)F]-Florbetapir PET imaging was negative for an AD pattern of amyloid accumulation in this subject. Focal [(18)F]-Florbetapir retention was noted at the site of impact. In case 1, amyloid imaging provided improved diagnostic accuracy where standard clinical and laboratory criteria were inadequate. In that same case, tau imaging with [(18)F]-T807 revealed a subcortical tauopathy that we interpret as a novel form of CTE with a distribution of tauopathy that mimics, to some extent, that of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), despite a clinical presentation of amnesia without any movement disorder complaints or signs. A key distinguishing feature is that our patient presented with hippocampal involvement, which is more frequently seen in CTE than in PSP. In case 2, focal [(18)F]-Florbetapir retention at the site of injury in an otherwise negative scan suggests focal amyloid aggregation. In each of these complex cases, a combination of [(18)F]-fluorodeoxyglucose, [(18)F]-Florbetapir and/or [(18)F]-T807 PET molecular imaging improved the accuracy of diagnosis and prevented inappropriate interventions.

Site-Selection in Single-Molecule Junction for Highly Reproducible Molecular Electronics.

PubMed

Kaneko, Satoshi; Murai, Daigo; Marqués-González, Santiago; Nakamura, Hisao; Komoto, Yuki; Fujii, Shintaro; Nishino, Tomoaki; Ikeda, Katsuyoshi; Tsukagoshi, Kazuhito; Kiguchi, Manabu

2016-02-03

Adsorption sites of molecules critically determine the electric/photonic properties and the stability of heterogeneous molecule-metal interfaces. Then, selectivity of adsorption site is essential for development of the fields including organic electronics, catalysis, and biology. However, due to current technical limitations, site-selectivity, i.e., precise determination of the molecular adsorption site, remains a major challenge because of difficulty in precise selection of meaningful one among the sites. We have succeeded the single site-selection at a single-molecule junction by performing newly developed hybrid technique: simultaneous characterization of surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and current-voltage (I-V) measurements. The I-V response of 1,4-benzenedithiol junctions reveals the existence of three metastable states arising from different adsorption sites. Notably, correlated SERS measurements show selectivity toward one of the adsorption sites: "bridge sites". This site-selectivity represents an essential step toward the reliable integration of individual molecules on metallic surfaces. Furthermore, the hybrid spectro-electric technique reveals the dependence of the SERS intensity on the strength of the molecule-metal interaction, showing the interdependence between the optical and electronic properties in single-molecule junctions.

An evaluation of North Carolina Department of Transportation wetland mitigation sites : selected case studies, phase 2 report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-03-01

Phase 1 of this study evaluated 50 NCDOT wetland compensatory mitigation sites and 11 reference sites in 1999. The : Phase 2 component (this report) examines five of the compensatory mitigation sites to provide a more in-depth analysis. The : objecti...

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of septic bursitis.

PubMed

Lieber, Sarah B; Fowler, Mary Louise; Zhu, Clara; Moore, Andrew; Shmerling, Robert H; Paz, Ziv

2017-12-01

Limited data guide practice in evaluation and treatment of septic bursitis. We aimed to characterize clinical characteristics, microbiology, and outcomes of patients with septic bursitis stratified by bursal involvement, presence of trauma, and management type. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult patients admitted to a single center from 1998 to 2015 with culture-proven olecranon and patellar septic bursitis. Baseline characteristics, clinical features, microbial profiles, operative interventions, hospitalization lengths, and 60-day readmission rates were determined. Patients were stratified by bursitis site, presence or absence of trauma, and operative or non-operative management. Of 44 cases of septic bursitis, patients with olecranon and patellar bursitis were similar with respect to age, male predominance, and frequency of bursal trauma; patients managed operatively were younger (p = 0.05). Clinical features at presentation and comorbidities were similar despite bursitis site, history of trauma, or management. The most common organism isolated from bursal fluid was Staphylococcus aureus. Patients managed operatively were discharged to rehabilitation less frequently (p = 0.04). This study of septic bursitis is among the largest reported. We were unable to identify presenting clinical features that differentiated patients treated surgically from those treated conservatively. There was no clear relationship between preceding trauma or bursitis site and clinical course, management, or outcomes. Patients with bursitis treated surgically were younger. Additional study is needed to identify patients who would benefit from early surgical intervention for septic bursitis.

Categorizing natural disaster damage assessment using satellite-based geospatial techniques

USGS Publications Warehouse

Myint, S.W.; Yuan, M.; Cerveny, R.S.; Giri, C.

2008-01-01

Remote sensing of a natural disaster's damage offers an exciting backup and/or alternative to traditional means of on-site damage assessment. Although necessary for complete assessment of damage areas, ground-based damage surveys conducted in the aftermath of natural hazard passage can sometimes be potentially complicated due to on-site difficulties (e.g., interaction with various authorities and emergency services) and hazards (e.g., downed power lines, gas lines, etc.), the need for rapid mobilization (particularly for remote locations), and the increasing cost of rapid physical transportation of manpower and equipment. Satellite image analysis, because of its global ubiquity, its ability for repeated independent analysis, and, as we demonstrate here, its ability to verify on-site damage assessment provides an interesting new perspective and investigative aide to researchers. Using one of the strongest tornado events in US history, the 3 May 1999 Oklahoma City Tornado, as a case example, we digitized the tornado damage path and co-registered the damage path using pre- and post-Landsat Thematic Mapper image data to perform a damage assessment. We employed several geospatial approaches, specifically the Getis index, Geary's C, and two lacunarity approaches to categorize damage characteristics according to the original Fujita tornado damage scale (F-scale). Our results indicate strong relationships between spatial indices computed within a local window and tornado F-scale damage categories identified through the ground survey. Consequently, linear regression models, even incorporating just a single band, appear effective in identifying F-scale damage categories using satellite imagery. This study demonstrates that satellite-based geospatial techniques can effectively add spatial perspectives to natural disaster damages, and in particular for this case study, tornado damages.

Valuing fire planning alternatives in forest restoration: using derived demand to integrate economics with ecological restoration.

PubMed

Rideout, Douglas B; Ziesler, Pamela S; Kernohan, Nicole J

2014-08-01

Assessing the value of fire planning alternatives is challenging because fire affects a wide array of ecosystem, market, and social values. Wildland fire management is increasingly used to address forest restoration while pragmatic approaches to assessing the value of fire management have yet to be developed. Earlier approaches to assessing the value of forest management relied on connecting site valuation with management variables. While sound, such analysis is too narrow to account for a broad range of ecosystem services. The metric fire regime condition class (FRCC) was developed from ecosystem management philosophy, but it is entirely biophysical. Its lack of economic information cripples its utility to support decision-making. We present a means of defining and assessing the deviation of a landscape from its desired fire management condition by re-framing the fire management problem as one of derived demand. This valued deviation establishes a performance metric for wildland fire management. Using a case study, we display the deviation across a landscape and sum the deviations to produce a summary metric. This summary metric is used to assess the value of alternative fire management strategies on improving the fire management condition toward its desired state. It enables us to identify which sites are most valuable to restore, even when they are in the same fire regime condition class. The case study site exemplifies how a wide range of disparate values, such as watershed, wildlife, property and timber, can be incorporated into a single landscape assessment. The analysis presented here leverages previous research on environmental capital value and non-market valuation by integrating ecosystem management, restoration, and microeconomics. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Categorizing natural disaster damage assessment using satellite-based geospatial techniques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Myint, S. W.; Yuan, M.; Cerveny, R. S.; Giri, C.

2008-07-01

Remote sensing of a natural disaster's damage offers an exciting backup and/or alternative to traditional means of on-site damage assessment. Although necessary for complete assessment of damage areas, ground-based damage surveys conducted in the aftermath of natural hazard passage can sometimes be potentially complicated due to on-site difficulties (e.g., interaction with various authorities and emergency services) and hazards (e.g., downed power lines, gas lines, etc.), the need for rapid mobilization (particularly for remote locations), and the increasing cost of rapid physical transportation of manpower and equipment. Satellite image analysis, because of its global ubiquity, its ability for repeated independent analysis, and, as we demonstrate here, its ability to verify on-site damage assessment provides an interesting new perspective and investigative aide to researchers. Using one of the strongest tornado events in US history, the 3 May 1999 Oklahoma City Tornado, as a case example, we digitized the tornado damage path and co-registered the damage path using pre- and post-Landsat Thematic Mapper image data to perform a damage assessment. We employed several geospatial approaches, specifically the Getis index, Geary's C, and two lacunarity approaches to categorize damage characteristics according to the original Fujita tornado damage scale (F-scale). Our results indicate strong relationships between spatial indices computed within a local window and tornado F-scale damage categories identified through the ground survey. Consequently, linear regression models, even incorporating just a single band, appear effective in identifying F-scale damage categories using satellite imagery. This study demonstrates that satellite-based geospatial techniques can effectively add spatial perspectives to natural disaster damages, and in particular for this case study, tornado damages.

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1: analysis of germline MEN1 mutations in the Italian multicenter MEN1 patient database.

PubMed

Marini, Francesca; Giusti, Francesca; Fossi, Caterina; Cioppi, Federica; Cianferotti, Luisella; Masi, Laura; Boaretto, Francesca; Zovato, Stefania; Cetani, Filomena; Colao, Annamaria; Davì, Maria Vittoria; Faggiano, Antongiulio; Fanciulli, Giuseppe; Ferolla, Piero; Ferone, Diego; Loli, Paola; Mantero, Franco; Marcocci, Claudio; Opocher, Giuseppe; Beck-Peccoz, Paolo; Persani, Luca; Scillitani, Alfredo; Guizzardi, Fabiana; Spada, Anna; Tomassetti, Paola; Tonelli, Francesco; Brandi, Maria Luisa

2018-03-01

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is caused by germline inactivating mutations of the MEN1 gene. Currently, no direct genotype-phenotype correlation is identified. We aim to analyze MEN1 mutation site and features, and possible correlations between the mutation type and/or the affected menin functional domain and clinical presentation in patients from the Italian multicenter MEN1 database, one of the largest worldwide MEN1 mutation series published to date. The study included the analysis of MEN1 mutation profile in 410 MEN1 patients [370 familial cases from 123 different pedigrees (48 still asymptomatic at the time of this study) and 40 single cases]. We identified 99 different mutations: 41 frameshift [small intra-exon deletions (28) or insertions (13)], 13 nonsense, 26 missense and 11 splicing site mutations, 4 in-frame small deletions, and 4 intragenic large deletions spanning more than one exon. One family had two different inactivating MEN1 mutations on the same allele. Gastro-entero-pancreatic tumors resulted more frequent in patients with a nonsense mutation, and thoracic neuroendocrine tumors in individuals bearing a splicing-site mutation. Our data regarding mutation type frequency and distribution are in accordance with previously published data: MEN1 mutations are scattered through the entire coding region, and truncating mutations are the most common in MEN1 syndrome. A specific direct correlation between MEN1 genotype and clinical phenotype was not found in all our families, and wide intra-familial clinical variability and variable disease penetrance were both confirmed, suggesting a role for modifying, still undetermined, factors, explaining the variable MEN1 tumorigenesis.

Multipartite entanglement in fermionic systems via a geometric measure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lari, Behzad; Durganandini, P.; Joag, Pramod S.

2010-12-01

We study multipartite entanglement in a system consisting of indistinguishable fermions. Specifically, we have proposed a geometric entanglement measure for N spin-(1)/(2) fermions distributed over 2L modes (single-particle states). The measure is defined on the 2L qubit space isomorphic to the Fock space for 2L single-particle states. This entanglement measure is defined for a given partition of 2L modes containing m⩾2 subsets. Thus this measure applies to m⩽2L partite fermionic systems where L is any finite number, giving the number of sites. The Hilbert spaces associated with these subsets may have different dimensions. Further, we have defined the local quantum operations with respect to a given partition of modes. This definition is generic and unifies different ways of dividing a fermionic system into subsystems. We have shown, using a representative case, that the geometric measure is invariant under local unitary operators corresponding to a given partition. We explicitly demonstrate the use of the measure to calculate multipartite entanglement in some correlated electron systems.

Recent selective sweeps in North American Drosophila melanogaster show signatures of soft sweeps.

PubMed

Garud, Nandita R; Messer, Philipp W; Buzbas, Erkan O; Petrov, Dmitri A

2015-02-01

Adaptation from standing genetic variation or recurrent de novo mutation in large populations should commonly generate soft rather than hard selective sweeps. In contrast to a hard selective sweep, in which a single adaptive haplotype rises to high population frequency, in a soft selective sweep multiple adaptive haplotypes sweep through the population simultaneously, producing distinct patterns of genetic variation in the vicinity of the adaptive site. Current statistical methods were expressly designed to detect hard sweeps and most lack power to detect soft sweeps. This is particularly unfortunate for the study of adaptation in species such as Drosophila melanogaster, where all three confirmed cases of recent adaptation resulted in soft selective sweeps and where there is evidence that the effective population size relevant for recent and strong adaptation is large enough to generate soft sweeps even when adaptation requires mutation at a specific single site at a locus. Here, we develop a statistical test based on a measure of haplotype homozygosity (H12) that is capable of detecting both hard and soft sweeps with similar power. We use H12 to identify multiple genomic regions that have undergone recent and strong adaptation in a large population sample of fully sequenced Drosophila melanogaster strains from the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP). Visual inspection of the top 50 candidates reveals that in all cases multiple haplotypes are present at high frequencies, consistent with signatures of soft sweeps. We further develop a second haplotype homozygosity statistic (H2/H1) that, in combination with H12, is capable of differentiating hard from soft sweeps. Surprisingly, we find that the H12 and H2/H1 values for all top 50 peaks are much more easily generated by soft rather than hard sweeps. We discuss the implications of these results for the study of adaptation in Drosophila and in species with large census population sizes.

Evidence-based care bundles for preventing surgical site infections in spinal instrumentation surgery.

PubMed

Yamada, Koji; Abe, Hiroaki; Higashikawa, Akiro; Tonosu, Juichi; Kuniya, Takashi; Nakajima, Koji; Fujii, Haruko; Niwa, Kazuki; Shinozaki, Tomohiro; Watanabe, Kenichi; Sakae, Tanaka; Okazaki, Hiroshi

2018-05-22

Retrospective study, using prospectively collected data. To evaluate the impact of evidence-based care bundles for preventing surgical site infections (SSI) in spinal instrumentation surgery. About half of all SSIs are preventable via evidence-based methods. For successful SSI prevention, the bacterial load must be minimized, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) protection must be maximized. However, it is difficult to cover all of these requirements by single preventative method. We screened consecutive patients scheduled for spinal instrumentation surgeries at a single tertiary referral hospital for high surgical, SSI, and MRSA colonization risks. Evidence-based care bundles were implemented for high risk patients and included: 1) additional vancomycin prophylaxis, 2) diluted povidone-iodine irrigation, and 3) nasal and body decontamination. Patient demographics, comorbidities, operative features, and SSIs reported to the Japanese Nosocomial Infections Surveillance system were prospectively obtained in the same method by the same assessor and were used for the analyses. The results were compared before and after the application of the bundle. There were 1,042 spinal instrumentation surgeries (741 before and 301 after care bundles) performed from November 2010 to December 2015. Of 301 surgeries, 57 cases (18.9%) received care bundles. There were no significant differences in patient backgrounds before and after the intervention. The SSI rate decreased significantly from 3.8% to 0.7% (P < 0.01) after the intervention, with an overall 82% relative risk reduction. A significant protective effect was observed in the multivariate analysis (adjusted odds ratio 0.18, 95% confidence interval: 0.04-0.77, P = 0.02). There were no MRSA-related SSIs among those that received care bundles, even though MRSA was the predominant pathogen in the study population. Evidence-based care bundles, applied in selected high-risk spinal instrumentation cases, minimized bacterial load, maximized MRSA protection, and significantly reduced SSI rates without topical vancomycin powder. 4.

Implant failure and history of failed endodontic treatment: A retrospective case-control study.

PubMed

Chatzopoulos, Georgios S; Wolff, Larry F

2017-11-01

Residual bacterial biofilm and/or bacteria in planktonic form may be survived in the bone following an extraction of an infected tooth that was endodontically treated unsuccessfully Failed endodontic treatment may be associated with failure of implants to osseointegrate in the same sites. Therefore, the aim of this retrospective case-control study is to examine the risk of implant failure in previous failed endodontic sites. This retrospective case-control study is based on 94 dental records of implants placed at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. Dental records of patients who received an implant in sites with previously failed endodontic therapy in the dental school were identified from the electronic database, while control subjects were obtained from the same pool of patients with the requirement to have received an implant in a site that was not endodontically treated. The mean age of the population was 62.89±14.17 years with 57.4% of the sample being females and 42.6% of them being males. In regards to the socio-economic status and dental insurance, 84.0% of this population was classified as low socio-economic status and 68.1% had dental insurance. Tobacco use was self-reported by 9.6% and hypercholesterolemia was the most prevalent systemic medical condition. Dental implant failure was identified in two of the included records (2.1%), both of which were placed in sites with a history of failed endodontic treatment. Within the limitations of this retrospective case-control study, further investigation with a larger population group into implant failure of sites that previously had unsuccessful endodontic treatment would be warranted. Implant failure may be associated with a history of failed endodontic treatment. Key words: Implantology, endodontics, osseointegration, treatment outcome, case-control study.

Innovations in Site Characterization: Streamlining Cleanup at Vapor Intrusion and Product Removal Sites Using the Triad Approach: Hartford Plume Site, Hartford, Illinois

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The Hartford Plume Site case study provides a detailed example of the strategies and technologies used at the site that are available to environmental practitioners to use at large and small hydrocarbon sites.

Single-site properties of U impurities doped in La2Zn17 (abstract)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suzuki, H.; Anzai, K.; Takagi, S.

1997-04-01

Thermodynamic and transport properties of heavy Fermion (HF) U compounds show similar behavior to HF Ce compounds. Although most of the magnetic properties of HF Ce compounds can be qualitatively understood on the basis of the impurity Kondo model, no such consensus for HF U compounds has been reached. In addition to this, the single-site properties of U impurities are not understood so well, in contrast to the case of Ce impurities. Recent works for dilute U systems reported new features as are not seen in dilute Ce systems. We have investigated a dilute-U2Zn17 system of (La1-zUz)2Zn17 in order to reveal the single U ion site properties of this system by preparing single crystals. The impurity contributions to various physical quantities such as ρimp(T), χimp(T), and Cimp(T) can be scaled by the U concentration between z=0.025 and 0.05, and the system is considered as in the dilute limit still for z=0.05. The electrical resistivity shows the typical impurity-Kondo upturn at low temperatures. The electronic specific-heat coefficient is strongly enhanced (γimp≈1.5 J/K2 mole U) and about 4 times as large as that for dense U2Zn17. Suppressions of the Kondo effect by the magnetic field are seen in γimp(H) and magnetoresistance. The relatively large anisotropy in χimp(T) indicates an existence of the crystal field. These features of this system will be explained in terms of the Kondo effect in the presence of the crystal field.