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Considerable Differences (considerable + difference)
Selected AbstractsReasons for variation in coverage in the NHS cervical screening programmeCYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 6 2001C. E. McGAHAN Reasons for variation in coverage in the NHS cervical screening programme In order to investigate reasons for variation in coverage of cervical screening, data from standard Department of Health returns were obtained for all Health Authorities for 1998/1999. Approximately 80% of the variation between health authorities is explained by differences in age distribution and area classification. Considerable differences between Health Authority and Office of National Statistics (ONS) population figures in City and Urban (London) areas for the age group 25,29 years and for City (London) for age group 30,34 years, suggest an effect of list inflation in these groups. Coverage as a performance indicator may be more accurately represented using the age range 35,64 years. Using this narrower age range, the percentage of health authorities meeting the 80% 5-year coverage target increases from 87% to 90%. [source] Wood storage in a wide mountain river: case study of the Czarny Dunajec, Polish CarpathiansEARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 12 2005omiej Wy Abstract Storage of large woody debris in the wide, mountain, Czarny Dunajec River, southern Poland, was investigated following two floods of June and July 2001 with a seven-year frequency. Within a reach, to which wood was delivered only by bank erosion and transport from upstream, wood quantities were estimated for eighty-nine, 100 m long, channel segments grouped into nine sections of similar morphology. Results from regression analysis indicated the quantity of stored wood to be directly related to the length of eroded, wooded banks and river width, and inversely related to unit stream power at the flood peak. The largest quantities of wood (up to 33 t ha,1) were stored in wide, multi-thread river sections. Here, the relatively low transporting ability of the river facilitated deposition of transported wood while a considerable length of eroded channel and island banks resulted in a large number of trees delivered from the local riparian forest. In these sections, a few morphological and ecological situations led to the accumulation of especially large quantities of wood within a small river area. Very low amounts of wood were stored in narrow, single-thread sections of regulated or bedrock channel. High stream power facilitated transport of wood through these sections while the high strength of the banks and low channel sinuosity prevented bank retreat and delivery of trees to the channel. Considerable differences in the character of deposited wood existed between wide, multi-thread channel sections located at different distances below a narrow, 7 km long, channellized reach of the river. Wood deposited close to the downstream end of the channellized reach was highly disintegrated and structured into jams, whereas further downstream well preserved shrubs and trees prevailed. This apparently reflects differences in the distance of wood transport and shows that in a mountain river wider than the height of trees growing on its banks, wood can be transported long distances along relatively narrow, single-thread reaches but is preferentially deposited in wide, multi-thread reaches. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Simplification of separation of the reaction mixture after transesterification of vegetable oilEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF LIPID SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 4 2008Martin Hájek Abstract A heterogeneous reaction mixture is formed by transesterification of vegetable oils. The reaction mixture contains mainly methyl esters of higher fatty acids and glycerol. From this mixture, biodiesel is gained by spontaneous sedimentation in the gravitational field. The sedimentation can be considerably accelerated by controlled addition of water. It was found that addition of small amounts of water to the crude reaction mixture significantly affected the mixture, and substantial changes in the speed of the separation took place. Considerable differences in the composition and quality of the ester and glycerol phases occurred. The optical properties (transmittance and refractive indices) of the heterogeneous reaction mixture are changed after addition of water; this change can be observed spectrophotometrically. This method is applicable to all types of vegetable oils including waste frying oils. [source] Predicting creep crack initiation in austenitic and ferritic steels using the creep toughness parameter and time-dependent failure assessment diagramFATIGUE & FRACTURE OF ENGINEERING MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES, Issue 10 2009C. M. DAVIES ABSTRACT Methods for evaluating the creep toughness parameter, Kmatc, are reviewed and Kmatc data are determined for a ferritic P22 steel from creep crack growth tests on compact tension, C(T), specimens of homogenous parent material (PM) and heterogeneous specimen weldments at 565 °C and compared to similar tests on austenitic type 316H stainless steel at 550 °C. Appropriate relations describing the time dependency of Kmatc are determined accounting for data scatter. Considerable differences are observed in the form of the Kmatc data and the time-dependent failure assessment diagrams (TDFADs) for both the 316H and P22 steel. The TDFAD for P22 shows a strong time dependency, but is insensitive to time for 316H. Creep crack initiation (CCI) time predictions are obtained using the TDFAD approach and compared to experimental results from C(T) specimens and feature components. The TDFAD based on parent material properties can be used to obtain conservative predictions of CCI on weldments. Conservative predictions are almost always obtained when lower bound Kmatc values are employed. Long-term test are generally more relevant to industrial component lifetimes. The different trends between long- and short-term CCI time and growth data indicate that additional long-term test are required to further validate the procedure to predict the lifetimes of high temperature components. [source] Relationships between the yield of perennial ryegrass and of small-leaved white clover under cutting or continuous grazing by sheepGRASS & FORAGE SCIENCE, Issue 3 2001T. A. Williams Seven varieties or advanced breeding lines of white clover (Trifolium repens L.), all of small leaf size, were grown separately in mixtures with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) in an experiment encompassing three harvest years. Harvestable dry-matter (DM) yield measurements were taken of these mixtures and of perennial ryegrass monocultures under two management regimes: cutting and continuous sheep grazing. Considerable differences were observed in the harvestable DM yields of white clover, perennial ryegrass and total yields of the mixtures between plots containing different white clover varieties. White clover yields were generally higher under cutting, and perennial ryegrass yields were higher under grazing. The difference between perennial ryegrass yield in monoculture and in mixture was variable. In the second harvest year, a significant interaction effect was seen between management and white clover variety for white clover yield but not for perennial ryegrass yield. The relationship between clover yield and grass yield differed between the two management regimes. Under cutting, a negative correlation was observed, indicative of competitive effects. However, under grazing, no such correlation was seen. Possible mechanisms underlying these outcomes are discussed. [source] Prescribed medications and pharmacy interventions for acute respiratory tract infections in Swiss primary careJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 4 2009K. E. Hersberger PhD Summary Background and objectives:, Symptomatic medications are often not considered in clinical studies assessing interventions to reduce prescribing of antibiotics for acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI). Our study objectives were to examine prescribing patterns of antibiotics and symptomatic medications for ARTI in Swiss primary care and to monitor pharmacists' interventions during the prescription-dispensing process. Methods:, Medical records of 695 patients participating in a clinical trial which was designed to reduce use of antibiotics for ARTI in primary care, were linked to their prescriptions. Matching of prescribed and dispensed medications enabled the assessment of interventions by community pharmacists. Results:, On average, 2·4 different drugs were prescribed per patient (in total 142 antibiotics, 1599 symptomatic medications, and 56 non-ARTI-medication). Most patients (80%) were treated only with symptomatic medications. Most frequently prescribed symptomatic ARTI-medications were nasal decongestants (39%), cough suppressants (36%), and mucolytics (31%). Patients with prescribed antibiotics received significantly fewer symptomatic medications (odds ratio, 0·24; 95% confidence interval 0·16,0·37). Over 20% of prescriptions prompted at least one intervention by a pharmacist in the dispensing process. A discrepancy between prescribed and dispensed medications was seen in 19% of patients. Conclusions:, Prescription rates of antibiotics for ARTI in this trial were low and patients were treated mainly with non-antibiotic symptomatic medications. Efforts to reduce antibiotic prescribing may induce higher rates of use of medications for intensive symptomatic treatment. Considerable differences between prescribed and dispensed medications were noted. [source] Multiple spin-echo spectroscopic imaging for rapid quantitative assessment of N-acetylaspartate and lactate in acute strokeMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 2 2004Astrid Stengel Abstract Monitoring the signal levels of lactate (Lac) and N-acetylaspartate (NAA) by chemical shift imaging can provide additional knowledge about tissue damage in acute stroke. Despite the need for this metabolic information, spectroscopic imaging (SI) has not been used routinely for acute stroke patients, mainly due to the long acquisition time required. The presented data demonstrate that the application of a fast multiple spin-echo (MSE) SI sequence can reduce the measurement time to 6 min (four spin echoes per echo train, 32 × 32 matrix). Quantification of Lac and NAA in terms of absolute concentrations (i.e., mmol/l) can be achieved by means of the phantom replacement approach, with correction terms for the longitudinal and transversal relaxation adapted to the multiple spin-echo sequence. In this pilot study of 10 stroke patients (symptom onset < 24 hr), metabolite concentrations obtained from MSE-SI add important information regarding tissue viability that is not provided by other sequences (e.g., diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI)). Metabolic changes extended beyond the borders of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) lesion in nine of the 10 patients, showing a rise in Lac concentrations up to 18 mmol/l, while NAA levels sometimes dropped below the detection level. Considerable differences among the patients in terms of the Lac concentrations and the size of the SI-ADC mismatch were observed. Magn Reson Med 52:228,238, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Simulation of the Asian summer monsoon in five European general circulation modelsATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE LETTERS, Issue 1 2000G. M. Martin Abstract A comparison is made of the mean monsoon climatology in five different general circulation models (GCMs) which have been used by the participants of a project, funded by the European Union, entitled Studies of the Influence, Hydrology and Variability of the Asian summer monsoon (SHIVA). The models differ considerably, in horizontal and vertical resolution, numerical schemes and physical parametrizations, so that it is impossible to isolate the cause of differences in their monsoon simulations. Instead, the purpose of this comparison is to document and compare the representation of the mean monsoon in models which are being used to investigate the characteristics of the monsoon, its variability and its response to different boundary forcings. All of the models produce a reasonable representation of the monsoon circulation, although there are regional variations in the magnitude and pattern of the flow at both 850 hPa and 200 hPa. Considerable differences between the models are seen in the amount and distribution of precipitation. The models all reproduce the basic monsoon seasonal variation, although the timing of the onset and retreat, and the maxima in the winds and precipitation during the established phase, differ between them. There are corresponding differences in the evolution of the atmospheric structure between the pre-monsoon season and its established phase. It is hoped that this study will set in context the investigations of the monsoon system and its impacts carried out using these models, both during SHIVA and in the future. Copyright © 2000 Royal Meteorological Society. [source] Lactate concentration in umbilical cord blood is gestational age-dependent: a population-based study of 17 867 newbornsBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 6 2008N Wiberg Objective, To study the influence of gestational age on lactate concentration in arterial and venous umbilical cord blood at birth and to define gestational age-specific reference values for lactate in vigorous newborns. Design, Population-based comparative. Setting, University hospitals. Sample, Vigorous newborns with validated umbilical cord blood samples. Material and methods, From 2000 to 2004, routine cord blood gases, lactate and obstetric data from two university hospitals were available for 17 867 newborns from gestational week 24 to 43. After validation of blood samples and inclusion only of singleton pregnancies aimed for vaginal delivery, 10 700 women remained. Among those, reference values were defined in 10 169 vigorous newborns, that is in newborns with a 5-minute Apgar score corresponding to the gestational age-specific median value minus 1 point score, or better. Main outcome measures, Cord lactate concentration relative to gestational age. Results, The arterial and venous lactate concentrations increased monotonously with gestational age from 34 weeks. Considerable differences were found between mean and median values, but after logarithmic transformation the log-lactate values were normally distributed. Simple linear regression analysis showed a significant association between the log-lactate values and gestational age (P < 10,6, R2= 0.024). Reference curves were constructed after anti-logarithmic transformation. Both the gestational age and the time of the second stage of labour influenced, independently of each other, the lactate concentrations. Conclusions, Lactate concentrations in arterial and venous umbilical cord blood are increasing significantly with advancing gestational age. [source] Recent trends and racial/ethnic differences in the incidence and treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast in California women ,CANCER, Issue 4 2003Kaire Innos M.D., Ph.D. Abstract BACKGROUND The rapid increase in the incidence of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast in the U.S. has been associated with the widespread adoption of screening mammography. Little is known regarding the incidence and treatment of DCIS in women of racial/ethnic groups other than white and black. The current investigation examined recent trends and racial/ethnic differences in the incidence and treatment of DCIS in California. METHODS All cases of DCIS diagnosed in women age , 40 years in California between 1988,1999 were included. Age-adjusted incidence rates for white, black, Hispanic, and Asian-Pacific Islander women were calculated using the 2000 U.S. female population as the standard. The estimated annual percent change (EAPC) in the rates was calculated using least squares regression. RESULTS The average annual age-adjusted incidence of DCIS (1988,1999) was 45.3 per 100,000 in white women, 35.0 in black women, 30.9 in Asian-Pacific Islander women, and 21.8 in Hispanic women. Although a steady increase in the incidence of DCIS was noted in all racial/ethnic groups over the study period, Asian-Pacific Islander women were found to have experienced the steepest increase (EAPC = 9.1%), particularly in the age group 50,64 years (EAPC = 12.0%). The DCIS incidence was reported to increase with age in white, black, and Hispanic women, but remained fairly constant after the age of 50 years in Asian-Pacific Islanders. The proportion of women with DCIS treated with mastectomy decreased from 53% in 1988 to 32% in 1999. Younger women and Asian-Pacific Islander women reportedly were more likely to undergo mastectomy. CONCLUSIONS Considerable differences by race/ethnicity and age were observed in DCIS incidence and the change in the incidence in California between 1988 and 1999. Further information is needed to determine whether these differences are because of differential utilization of screening mammography or biologic characteristics of DCIS lesions. Cancer 2003;97:1099,106. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11104 [source] Pain Sensation during Intradermal Injections of Three Different Botulinum Toxin Preparations in Different Doses and DilutionsDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 7 2006GOTTFRIED KRANZ MD BACKGROUND Pain sensation associated with injections of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is commonly reported. To date differences in pain sensation between the commercially available products containing BoNT have not been quantified. OBJECTIVES The pain sensations during injection of Dysport, Botox, Neurobloc, and pure saline (control) were compared. In addition, the nociceptive effect of different volumes used for the dilution of the same BoNT dose was investigated. METHODS In a prospective, double-blind, controlled trial, 10 healthy subjects were injected intradermally with Dysport (12 U), Botox (3 and 4 U), Neurobloc (150 and 300 U) reconstituted in 0.9% saline, and pure saline. Pain sensation was quantified during injections. RESULTS Neurobloc injections caused significantly more injection pain than Botox, Dysport, and saline. No significant differences between Dysport, Botox, and saline were found, although there was a trend toward less pain with pure saline injections. Higher pain levels with higher volumes could not be demonstrated significantly. CONCLUSION Our data demonstrate that BoNT type B injections are associated with substantial pain. There is a considerable difference between the commercially available BoNT type B compared to the two BoNT type A preparations. Therefore, considering mitigation of injection pain seems necessary when using BoNT type B. [source] Pore properties as indicators of breakdown mechanisms in experimentally weathered limestonesEARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 8 2001Dawn T. Nicholson Abstract The results are reported of four experimental weathering tests , freeze , thaw, wetting and drying, slake durability and salt weathering , on five different types of limestone. Effective porosity, mercury intrusion porosimetry and scanning electron microscopy were used to evaluate changes in pore properties, while weight loss and fracture density were used to assess deterioration severity. A primary aim was to observe modifications in porosity due to weathering and to draw inferences about the internal rock deterioration mechanisms taking place. It is concluded that the five limestones not only show a wide range of resistance to weathering in general but considerable difference in resistance to particular weathering processes. Consequently, when assessing durability it is essential to consider rock properties in the context of the weathering process to which the rock is subject. The type of deterioration indicator used is also important in interpretation of durability. A variety of pore modification mechanisms operate, including changes in pore connectivity, pore infilling, and the introduction of additional void space. There are indications that changes to the internal pore structure of rocks due to weathering may be a precursor to more substantial macrodeterioration. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Effect of brown trout body size on post-stocking survival and pike predationECOLOGY OF FRESHWATER FISH, Issue 2 2004P. Hyvärinen Abstract,,, A total of 40 (20 age-3 + 20 age-4) radio-tagged hatchery-reared brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) and 40 wild radio-tagged northern pike (Esox lucius L.) were released into a regulated river. Age-3 brown trout were predicted and observed to be highly vulnerable to predation by pike (50% mortality), whereas age-4 brown trout were predicted and observed to enjoy an almost absolute size refuge from predation (5% mortality). Almost half of the fish from both age groups similarly emigrated and survived from the river within 3 days of the release. However, there was a considerable difference in survival between age groups for fish that remained in the river for a longer period. Of these, all except one age-3 brown trout were eaten by pike, whereas all but one age-4 fish survived predation. Resumen 1. Un total de 40 individuos de Salmo trutta (20 de edad-3 y 20 de edad-4) procedentes de piscifactoría fueron marcados con radio-transmisores y 40 individuos de Esox lucius también marcados con radio-transmisores, fueron soltados en un río regulado. Predecimos y observamos que los individuos de edad-3 de S. trutta fueron altamente vulnerables a la predación por Esox lucius (50 % de mortalidad) mientras que los individuos de edad-4 gozaron de refugio de tamaño casi absoluto de la predación (5% de mortalidad). 2. Casi la mitad de los peces de ambos grupos de edad sobrevivieron y emigraron del río durante los tres días siguientes a la suelta. Sin embargo, hubo una considerable diferencia en la supervivencia entre grupos de edad para los peces que permanecieron en el río por un período mayor de tiempo. De estos, todos excepto 1 individuo de S. trutta de edad-3 fueron comidos por E. lucius mientras que todos excepto un individuo de edad-4 sobrevivieron a la predación. [source] Community health nurses in action: a case study from JordanINTERNATIONAL NURSING REVIEW, Issue 2 2007K. Shishani phd Community health nurses can make a considerable difference in the lives of disadvantaged population groups. One of their major roles is to conduct studies that focus on at-risk populations and to use the findings to implement nursing actions to promote the public's health. This case study describes one such activity in Jordan. [source] X-ray diffraction analysis of GaInNAs double-quantum-well structuresJOURNAL OF APPLIED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY, Issue 1 2004Kiichi Nakashima The structures of GaInNAs/GaAs double-quantum-well (DQW) samples with various well-layer thicknesses were analysed by X-ray diffraction measurements. Two types of rocking-curve analysis were applied with different scanning configurations: a conventional configuration without a receiving slit and one with an analyser crystal placed in front of the receiving detector (the latter is the same as that usually used in reciprocal-space mapping measurements). It was found that systematic combination of both types of analysis is essential for the characterization of the sample structures. The two types of X-ray profiles obtained using the different scanning configurations exhibit a considerable difference in intensity as the thickness of the well layers increases. The increasing difference clearly indicates deterioration of the DQW structures. The two profiles exhibit little difference in terms of shape, merely showing that the DQW layers are coherently strained relative to the substrate. This implies that measurement in only one of the configurations is insensitive to the deterioration and leads to the wrong conclusion that a sample has a perfect structure without dislocations and defects. Photoluminescence and transmission electron microscope analyses both reveal that defects really do exist in the DQW structures, which is consistent with the difference in intensity observed in the X-ray measurements. From these results, a clear picture that consistently explains the sensitivity of X-ray diffraction analysis to the deterioration of samples is presented. In addition, based on this picture, it is proposed that the procedure of comparing the two types of profiles represents a new type of analysis method for the precise characterization of samples. [source] Redox-induced configuration conversion for thioacetamide dimer can function as a molecular switchJOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY, Issue 14 2010Haiying Liu Abstract The electronic switching properties of thioacetamide dimer (TAD) were investigated using the nonequilibrium Green's function method combined with density functional theory for design of a novel molecular switch. The H-bonded TAD can be converted upon hole-trapping to a three-electron (3e)-bonded configuration with a S,S linkage which could provide a more favorable channel for charge transfer than the before. The redox-induced configuration conversion between the H-bonded and the 3e-bonded TADs could govern the charge migration through the molecular junction with a considerable difference in conduction currents. The calculated I,V characteristic curves of two configurations exhibit a switching behavior with an On-Off ratio in a range of about 4.3,7.6 within the applied voltages. Clearly, this hypothetical scheme provides a potential way to explore the novel conformation-dependent molecular switch. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 2010 [source] Nitrogen-to-Protein Conversion Factors for Some Cereal Products in JapanJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 3 2008S. Fujihara ABSTRACT:, To evaluate a practical method of determining more accurately conversion factors for calculating the protein contents of foods from the total nitrogen content, 19 cereal products found in Japan were analyzed for total nitrogen, amino acid nitrogen, and amide nitrogen, and then the nitrogen-to-protein conversion factors were calculated. The average conversion factors were 5.75 for rice, 5.81 for wheat, and 5.95 for others. These values, corresponding to the proportion of the amino acid residue to amino acid nitrogen recovered from 20 amino acids, were lower than the currently applied factors to these foods, except for wheat flour and amaranth. The use of this factor for estimating the protein content results in a considerable difference from the estimate based on amino acid residue concentrations, due to the wide variations in amino acid composition and to the presence of a significant level of nonprotein nitrogen. The distribution of the protein nitrogen recovered from the amino acids to total nitrogen averaged 93%. Adjusted conversion factors corresponding to the proportion of the amino acid residue to total nitrogen averaged 5.26 for rice, 5.47 for wheat, and 5.54 for other cereal products. Protein contents estimated using these factors are in good agreement with the contents defined as amino acid residues. [source] Stomach contents of mass-stranded short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) from North CarolinaMARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE, Issue 2 2008Vanessa J. Mintzer Abstract We examined the stomach contents of 27 short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) that mass stranded on the North Carolina coast on 15 January 2005. Eleven whales had prey parts in their forestomachs. We used frequency of occurrence and numerical abundance to assess the relative importance of prey. Brachioteuthis riisei (numerical abundance 28%), an oceanic species, was the most important cephalopod prey, but Taonius pavo (12%) and Histioteuthis reversa (9%) also represented a substantial part of the diet. A large number of otoliths belonging to the fish Scopelogadus beanii were present (25%). These results differ from reports of the stomach contents of short-finned pilot whales from the Pacific coast in which neritic species dominate the diet. Our findings also suggest that there is a considerable difference between the diet of short- and long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) in the western North Atlantic. The latter feed predominantly on the long-finned squid (Loligo pealei) whereas the former feed on deep-water species. Our results indicate the whales fed primarily off the continental shelf prior to stranding. [source] Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission among high school students in GreecePEDIATRICS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2005Christos Hadjichristodoulou AbstractBackground:,The aim of this study was to investigate the requirements and practical steps for screening of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) transmission among high school student populations in two regional high schools of central Greece. Case-matched control populations from other regional schools were included. Methods:,Case study of two indexed cases, 61 close contacts, 212 casual contacts and 369 controls were investigated. Detailed questionnaires, tuberculin-skin test (PPD test), chest radiography, medical evaluation and DNA fingerprinting of sputum isolates were used. Results:,In case A, three (1.97%) of 152 close and casual contacts developed tuberculosis, and a further 25 (16.4%) were classified as infected. In contrast, none of the 121 close or casual contacts investigated for Case B developed tuberculosis or were classified as infected. None of the control populations contained infected individuals. Contacts of case A had a much higher risk (3.08 < RR = 22.29 < 161.69, P < 0.001) of being infected than contacts of case B. Two different strains of MTB were found responsible for these outbreaks. Conclusion:,There was a considerable difference in the infectivity of the two cases presumably due to environmental and clinical factors, although two different MTB strains were responsible. It is proposed that the extent of case investigation should be individualized with particular emphasis placed among close contacts. [source] Prenatal synthetic glucocorticoid exposure alters hypothalamic,pituitary,adrenal regulation and pregnancy outcomes in mature female guinea pigsTHE JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 5 2010Elizabeth Dunn Preterm delivery occurs in approximately 10% of all pregnancies. Prenatal exposure to synthetic glucocorticoids (sGCs) reduces the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in these babies. Therefore, administration of multiple courses of sGCs became common practice. Animal and human studies have demonstrated that multiple courses of sGCs can have long-term effects. While the majority of animal studies have been undertaken in male offspring, it is emerging that there are profound sex differences in the consequences of prenatal sGC exposure. To our knowledge, no studies have determined the effects of prenatal sGC exposure on hypothalamic,pituitary,adrenal (HPA) axis function in female offspring while accounting for reproductive cycle status, or determined if there are effects on pregnancy parameters. Pregnant guinea pigs were administered three courses of betamethasone (Beta), dexamethasone (Dex) or vehicle on gestational days 40/41, 50/51 and 60/61. In adulthood (age range: postnatal days 126,165), basal and activated HPA axis function were assessed at various stages of the reproductive cycle. The female offspring were then mated and underwent an undisturbed pregnancy. Females were killed in the luteal phase of the reproductive cycle following litter weaning, and molecular analysis undertaken. In the luteal phase, Beta-exposed females exhibited significantly lower basal salivary cortisol levels (P < 0.05). Dex-exposed females also exhibited significantly lower basal salivary cortisol levels during the luteal phase (P < 0.05), but increased basal salivary cortisol levels during the ostrous phase (P < 0.01). The Beta-exposed females exhibited increased glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mRNA expression in the CA1/2 region of the hippocampus (P < 0.05) and MC2R mRNA in the adrenal cortex (P < 0.05). The Dex-exposed animals exhibited higher hippocampal GR and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) mRNA levels (P < 0.05). Beta-exposed females showed reduced fecundity (P < 0.05). In Dex-exposed females there was a lower male to female sex ratio. In conclusion, prenatal sGC exposure affects HPA axis activity, in a cycle-dependent manner, and long-term reproductive success. The clinical implications of the findings on endocrine function and pregnancy in females are profound and further follow-up is warranted in human cohorts. Furthermore, we have shown there are considerable difference in phenotypes between the Beta- and Dex-exposed females and the specific endocrine and maternal outcome is contingent on the specific sGCs administered during pregnancy. [source] Modeling of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon SLE in aromatic solventsASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 3 2010Thenmozhi Muthukumarasamy Abstract Equilibrium solubilities of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) solutes naphthalene, fluorene, acenaphthalene, fluoranthene, anthracene, phenanthrene, pyrene, chrysene and triphenylene in benzene and substituted benzene solvents are predicted using the Dortmund-AU model. The Dortmund-AU method performs better than the UNIFAC and modified UNIFAC (Dortmund) models when applied to PAH in benzene systems, but the accuracy of predictions deteriorates in the case of PAHs that have melting points greater than 380 K. Accounting for the heat capacity change on melting term makes considerable difference to the ideal solubility calculation in the case of higher-melting PAHs. A new term is added to the residual part of activity coefficient in the UNIFAC model to derive a modified empirical version. Application of this model to PAH solid,liquid equilibria is verified and the results are compared with those of Dortmund-AU model. Copyright © 2009 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Effect of Electronic Structures of Enantiomers of Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Complexes on DNA Binding BehaviorsCHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY, Issue 8 2010Haimei Luo Abstract A pair of Ru(II) complex enantiomers, , - and , -[Ru(bpy)2(p -mpip)]2+ {bpy=2,2,-bipyridine, p -mpip=2-(4-methylphenyl)imidazo[4,5-f]-1,10-phenanthroline} have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Both experimental results from crystallography, NMR, electrochemistry and theoretical calculations applying the density functional theory (DFT) method based on their crystal structures show that small difference in geometric structure existed can cause a considerable difference in electronic structure between enantiomers. In addition, the binding of the two enantiomers to calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) has been investigated with UV spectroscopy titration and viscosity measurements. It is very rare that the , enantiomer binds to DNA more strongly than the , enantiomer, which can be reasonably explained by their different electronic structures for the first time, suggesting that the dominant factor governing the stereoselectivity of DNA binding of Ru(II) complex may be the different electronic structures of its enantiomers. [source] Approaches to corporate sustainability among German companiesCORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2006Tobias Hahn Abstract In this article we present the results of an online survey on the state of corporate sustainability in German companies. The survey focused on the meaning and relevance of sustainability to German companies, the motivations behind their commitment to sustainability and the use of different management tools to implement sustainability in corporate practice. Although the majority of the companies declared that sustainability plays an important role, our analysis reveals considerable differences between these companies' approaches to corporate sustainability. A cluster analysis enables us to distinguish between three significantly distinct types of approach to corporate sustainability among the respondents: sustainability leaders, environmentalists and traditionalists. These three types are characterized and discussed against previous research. The results suggest that there are substantial differences with regard to the motivation for and the implementation of corporate sustainability that are covered behind the corporate rhetoric of a high commitment to sustainability. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [source] The role of Variovorax and other Comamonadaceae in sulfur transformations by microbial wheat rhizosphere communities exposed to different sulfur fertilization regimesENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2008Achim Schmalenberger Summary Sulfonates are a key component of the sulfur present in agricultural soils. Their mobilization as part of the soil sulfur cycle is mediated by rhizobacteria, and involves the oxidoreductase AsfA. In this study, the effect of fertilization regime on rhizosphere bacterial asfA distribution was examined at the Broadbalk long-term wheat experiment, Rothamsted, UK, which was established in 1843, and has included a sulfur-free treatment since 2001. Direct isolation of desulfonating rhizobacteria from the wheat rhizospheres led to the identification of several Variovorax and Polaromonas strains, all of which contained the asfA gene. Rhizosphere DNA was isolated from wheat rhizospheres in plots fertilized with inorganic fertilizer with and without sulfur, with farmyard manure or from unfertilized plots. Genetic profiling of 16S rRNA gene fragments [denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE)] from the wheat rhizospheres revealed that the level of inorganic sulfate in the inorganic fertilizer was correlated with changes in the general bacterial community structure and the betaproteobacterial community structure in particular. Community analysis at the functional gene level (asfA) showed that 40% of clones in asfAB clone libraries were affiliated to the genus Variovorax. Analysis of asfAB -based terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) fingerprints showed considerable differences between sulfate-free treatments and those where sulfate was applied. The results suggest the occurrence of desulfonating bacterial communities that are specific to the fertilization regime chosen and that arylsulfonates play an important role in rhizobacterial sulfur nutrition. [source] Responses of zooplankton in lufenuron-stressed experimental ditches in the presence or absence of uncontaminated refuges,ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 6 2008Patricia López-Mancisidor Abstract Outdoor experimental ditches were used to evaluate the influence of untreated refuges on the recovery of zooplankton communities following treatment with the fast-dissipating insecticide lufenuron. Each experimental ditch was divided into three sections of the same surface area. The treatments differed in the proportion of ditch (0, 33, 67, and 100% of the surface area) to which the insecticide was applied at the same nominal treatment (3 ,g/L). During the first week postapplication, a barrier was placed between treated and untreated ditch sections. The untreated sections were included to provide a source of organisms for recovery of affected zooplankton populations in the treated sections of the ditch after the removal of the barrier. Cyclopoida were the most affected by lufenuron treatment, followed by Daphnia gr. galeata. These and other direct effects of treatment on larvae of the phantom midge Chaoborus spp. resulted in clear indirect effects on populations of Calanoida, Ceriodaphnia, and Rotifera. Overall, faster recovery of the zooplankton community was observed in the treated sections of ditches that were sprayed for a smaller proportion of their surface area. Nevertheless, individual zooplankton populations showed considerable differences in rate of recovery. Cyclopoida showed a relatively slow rate of recovery even in the partially treated ditches. Daphnia gr. galeata recovered more rapidly in treated ditch sections in the presence of unsprayed ditch sections, illustrating the potential influence of unexposed refuges. Furthermore, the presence of refuges most likely dampened the magnitude and duration of indirect effects in the ditches treated with lufenuron. [source] Processed animal products with emphasis on polyunsaturated fatty acid contentEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF LIPID SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 5 2009Sabine Sampels Abstract The fat composition of processed fish and meat varies due to the source of the animal diet and to the fats used during processing. The aim of this study was to analyse the fatty acid profiles in some commonly available fish and meat fast foods. Variation between similar products from different brands indicated the use of different fat sources during processing. Especially in fish products, a high variation was found in the n -6/n -3 ratio, being up to more than 400-fold higher than in plain fish, which might be of special concern in the evaluation of diet-related health claims. Many products showed considerable differences compared to those included in the official database used for calculation of dietary intake. This leads to the conclusion that the fat sources used during processing of fast food should be reported and available to the consumers. Interdisciplinary dialogue between all sectors involved in food production, processing and health care is proposed to evaluate optimal development of fast foods with nutritionally favourable fat composition. [source] Volatile compounds of original African black and white shea butter from Tchad and CameroonEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF LIPID SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 7 2006Sabine Krist Abstract Shea butter is used as an edible vegetable fat in many African countries. It can be utilized as a substitute or complete replacement for cocoa butter in various applications and plays an important role in traditional African medicinal practice. Although detection of volatile compounds by solid-phase micro-extraction gas-chromatography mass-spectroscopy (SPME-GC-MS) is a very reliable and reproducible technique, which can be used as an important part of authenticity checking, production monitoring and contamination detection, no published data about volatile compounds of shea butter are available so far. In this investigation, the characteristic volatiles in the headspace of original African shea butter samples were identified by using SPME-capillary-GC coupled to a mass selective detector. Almost 100,different volatile components were identified, e.g. fatty acids, saturated and unsaturated aldehydes and ketones, terpenes, and typical Maillard reaction products such as methylfuranes and pyrazines. Furthermore, the samples have been olfactorily evaluated by a panel of professional flavorists and trained analytical chemists. It can be stated that variations in processing conditions of shea butter result in considerable differences in the composition of headspace volatiles, detected by SPME-GC-MS and human olfaction. [source] Contested decisions: Empirical analysis of voting in the European Union Council of MinistersEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF POLITICAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2004Mikko Mattila This article analyses voting records of the European Union's (EU) Council of Ministers. Governments' voting patterns are assumed to be partly affected by national-level factors and partly by EU-level factors. The results support the view that the political space of the EU is defined by two dimensions: the traditional left-right dimension, and the independence versus integration dimension. In general, left-wing governments tend to vote less against the Council majority than their right-wing counterparts. However, if the government is a strong supporter of increased integration, its position on the left-right dimension does not matter much. All other things being equal, pro-integration governments are least likely to raise their voice against the Council majority. However, considerable differences are found among eurosceptic parties. Of these, right-wing governments are the most active ,no' voters. In addition, large countries are more likely to vote ,no' than small countries. When they hold the presidency, governments take the role of arbitrator and vote less against the majority in the Council than otherwise. [source] BEHAVIORAL ADAPTATIONS INCREASE THE VALUE OF ENEMY-FREE SPACE FOR HELIOTHIS SUBFLEXA, A SPECIALIST HERBIVOREEVOLUTION, Issue 4 2002Sara J. Oppenheim Abstract We investigated the importance of specialized behaviors in the use of enemy-free space by comparing the host-use behavior of two closely related moths, Heliothis subflexa Guenee and H. virescens Fabricius. Heliothis subflexa is a specialist on plants in the genus Physalis, whereas H. virescens is an extreme generalist, feeding on plants in at least 14 families. Heliothis subflexa uses the inflated calyx surrounding Physalis fruits as enemy-free space, and field rates of parasitism for H. subflexa on Physalis are much lower than for H. virescens on tobacco and cotton, common hosts found in the same habitat as Physalis. If Physalis' architecture were solely responsible for H. subflexa's low rates of parasitism on Physalis, we predicted thatH. virescens larvae experimentally induced to feed on Physalis would experience parasitism rates similar to those ofH. subflexa. We found, however, that specialized host-use and host-acceptance behaviors are integral to the use of enemy-free space on Physalis and strongly augment the effects of the structural refuge. In laboratory assays, we found considerable differences between the larval behavior of the specialist, H. subflexa, and the generalist, H. virescens, and these contributed to H. subflexa's superior use of enemy-free space on Physalis. We tested the importance of these behavioral differences in the field by comparing parasitism of H. virescens on Physalis, H. virescens on tobacco, and H. subflexa on Physalis by Cardiochiles nigriceps Vierick, a specialist braconid parasitoid. For H. virescens, a threefold decrease in parasitism occurred when feeding on Physalis (mean parasitism ± SEM = 13 ± 4%) rather than tobacco (43 ± 4%), a difference we attribute to the structural refuge provided by Physalis. However, parasitism ofH. virescens on Physalis was more than ten times as great as that of H. subflexa on Physalis (1 ± 4%), supporting the hypothesis that specialized behaviors have a substantial impact on use of Physalis as enemy-free space. Behavioral adaptations may be central to the use of enemy-free space by phytophagous insects and may act as an important selective force in the evolution of dietary specialization. [source] Comparing in-work benefits and the reward to work for families with children in the US and the UKFISCAL STUDIES, Issue 1 2001Mike Brewer Abstract The income transfer systems for low-income families in the US and the UK try both to reduce poverty and to encourage work. In-work benefits are a key part of both countries' strategies through the earned income tax credit and the working families' tax credit (and predecessors) respectively. But tax credits are only one part of the whole tax and welfare system. In-work benefits, taxes and welfare benefits combine in both countries to provide good financial incentives for lone parents to do minimum-wage work, but poorer incentives to increase earnings further. But direct comparisons of budget constraints hide important points of detail. First, not enough is known about what determines take-up of in-work benefits. Second, the considerable differences in assessment and payment mechanisms and frequency between EITC and WFTC mean that low-income families in the US and the UK may respond very differently to apparently similar financial incentives. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||