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Terms modified by Additional Selected AbstractsA Review of the Biologic Effects, Clinical Efficacy, and Safety of Silicone Elastomer Sheeting for Hypertrophic and Keloid Scar Treatment and ManagementDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 11 2007BRIAN BERMAN MD Silicone elastomer sheeting is a medical device used to prevent the development of and improve the appearance and feel of hypertrophic and keloid scars. The precise mechanism of action of silicone elastomer sheeting has not been defined, but clinical trials report that this device is safe and effective for the treatment and prevention of hypertrophic and keloid scars if worn over the scar for 12 to 24 hours per day for at least 2 to 3 months. Some of the silicone elastomer sheeting products currently on the market are durable and adhere well to the skin. These products are an attractive treatment option because of their ease of use and low risk of adverse effects compared to other treatments, such as surgical excision, intralesional corticosteroid injections, pressure therapy, radiation, laser treatment, and cryotherapy. Additional controlled clinical trials with large patient populations may provide further evidence for the efficacy of silicone elastomer sheeting in the treatment and prevention of hypertrophic and keloid scars. The purpose of this article is to review the literature on silicone elastomer sheeting products and to discuss their clinical application in the treatment and prevention of hypertrophic and keloid scars. [source] A displacement-based seismic design procedure for RC buildings and comparison with EC8EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 10 2001T. B. Panagiotakos Abstract A procedure for displacement-based seismic design (DBD) of reinforced concrete buildings is described and applied to a 4-storey test structure. The essential elements of the design procedure are: (a) proportioning of members for gravity loads; (b) estimation of peak inelastic member deformation demands in the so-designed structure due to the design (,life-safety') earthquake; (c) revision of reinforcement and final detailing of members to meet these inelastic deformation demands; (d) capacity design of members and joints in shear. Additional but non-essential steps between (a) and (b) are: (i) proportioning of members for the ULS against lateral loads, such as wind or a serviceability (,immediate occupancy') earthquake; and (ii) capacity design of columns in flexure at joints. Inelastic deformation demands in step (b) are estimated from an elastic analysis using secant-to-yield member stiffnesses. Empirical expressions for the deformation capacity of RC elements are used for the final proportioning of elements to meet the inelastic deformation demands. The procedure is applied to one side of a 4-storey test structure that includes a coupled wall and a two-bay frame. The other side is designed and detailed according to Eurocode 8. Major differences result in the reinforcement of the two sides, with significant savings on the DBD-side. Pre-test calculations show no major difference in the seismic performance of the two sides of the test structure. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Fine Structural Analysis of the Silk Apparatus in the Funnel-web Spider, Agelena limbata (Araneae: Agelenidae)ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2002Jong-Gu PARK ABSTRACT Silk apparatus of the funnel-web spider, Agelena limbata was located at the ventral end of the abdominal part, and was composed of internal silk glands and external spinnerets. Among the three pairs of spinnerets, the posterior pairs were highly elongated along the body axis. By the light and electron microscopic inspections, it was found that four types of silk glands were connected through the typical spinning tubes of each spinneret. Anterior spinnerets comprise 2 pairs of the ampullate and 125 to 150 pairs (female) or 110 to 114 (male) of pyriform glands. Another 2 pairs of ampullate glands in both sexes, 5 to 8 pairs of tubuliform glands in females, and 20 to 26 pairs (female) or 15 to 17 pairs (male) of aciniform glands were connected on the median spinnerets. Additional 8 to 10 pairs of tubuliforms in female and 41 to 53 pairs (female) or 27 to 32 pairs (male) of aciniform glands were on the posterior spinnerets, respectively. While the ampullate and tubuliform glands were connected with the spigot-type spinning tubes, the pyriform and aciniform glands with that of spool-type tubes. It has been also revealed that the tubuliform glands were only observed in female spiders, however the flagelliform and aggregate glands which had the function of adhesive thread production in orb-web spiders were not observed at both sexes of this spiders. [source] Substances with estrogenic activity in effluents of sewage treatment plants in southwestern Germany.ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 10 2001Abstract The proliferation test with human estrogen receptor-positive MCF-7 breast cancer cells (E-Screen assay) was applied for quantitative determination of total estrogenic activity in 24-h composite effluent samples from 16 municipal and two industrial sewage treatment plants (STPs) in the state of Baden-Württemberg, southwestern Germany. The estrogenic efficacy relative to the positive control, 17,-estradiol, was between 26 and 74% (median, 48%) for the 16 municipal STPs. Estradiol equivalent concentrations (EEQs) were between 0.2 and 7.8 ng/L (median, 1.6 ng/L) and, thereby, were lower than those found in a pilot study, which revealed EEQs of greater than 10 ng/L in the effluents of two other STPs. The EEQs in 14 of the 16 effluent samples were very similar (0.9,3.3 ng/L), indicating a rather constant input of estrogenic substances via STPs into rivers. Additional activated charcoal filtration turned out to be very efficient in further eliminating estrogenic activity from effluents. The EEQs of the E-Screen assay and those calculated from the results of extensive chemical analysis using the estradiol equivalency factors determined for 13 natural and synthetic estrogenic substances were comparable for most of the effluent samples. 17,-Estradiol, 17,-ethinylestradiol, and, to a lesser extent, estrone contributed to 90% or more of the EEQ value. [source] Effects of additional and extended acid etching on bonding to caries-affected dentineEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCES, Issue 5 2004César Augusto Galvão Arrais This study evaluated the effects of additional and extended acid etching on microtensile bond strength (µTBS) of two adhesive systems to sound (SD) and caries-affected dentine (CAD). Flat surfaces of CAD surrounded by SD of 36 extracted carious third molars were assigned to four treatments (i): self-etching adhesive system (Clearfil SE Bond) applied to dentine surfaces following manufacturer's instructions (MI); (ii) after additional etching for 15 s (35% phosphoric acid, PA); (iii) total-etch one-bottle adhesive (Single Bond) applied to dentine surfaces following MI; or (iv), after etching for 45 s with PA. Composite ,blocks' were built on bonded surfaces and restored teeth were vertically sectioned to obtain bonded slices of 0.7 mm thick. Slices were trimmed to create hourglass-shaped specimens (cross-sectional area of 1 mm2), which were tested under tension in a universal testing machine. Additional CAD and SD samples were prepared for scanning electron microscopy observations. Additional and extended etching significantly increased µTBS to CAD; however, µTBS of both adhesives to CAD were significantly lower than to SD. Additional and extended etching can improve bonding to CAD; however, adhesives applied on SD showed the best results for bonding. [source] PECTIVE: HERE'S TO FISHER, ADDITIVE GENETIC VARIANCE, AND THE FUNDAMENTALTHEOREM OF NATURAL SELECTIONEVOLUTION, Issue 7 2002James F. Crow Abstract Fisher's fundamental theorem of natural selection, that the rate of change of fitness is given by the additive genetic variance of fitness, has generated much discussion since its appearance in 1930. Fisher tried to capture in the formula the change in population fitness attributable to changes of allele frequencies, when all else is not included. Lessar's formulation comes closest to Fisher's intention, as well as this can be judged. Additional terms can be added to account for other changes. The "theorem" as stated by Fisher is not exact, and therefore not a theorem, but it does encapsulate a great deal of evolutionary meaning in a simple statement. I also discuss the effectiveness of reproductive-value weighting and the theorem in integrated form. Finally, an optimum principle, analogous to least action and Hamilton's principle in physics, is discussed. [source] Genome characterization, analysis of virulence and transformation of Microbacterium nematophilum, a coryneform pathogen of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegansFEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 2 2006Tatiana Akimkina Abstract A coryneform bacterium designated Microbacterium nematophilum has previously been reported to act as a pathogen for Caenorhabditis elegans. This bacterium is able to colonize the rectum of infected worms and cause localized swelling, constipation and slowed growth. Additional isolates and analysis of this bacterium are described here. Tests of pathogenicity on other Caenorhabditis nematodes show that M. nematophilum infection is lethal to most species in the genus, in contrast to its relatively mild effects on C. elegans. The size and geometry of the pathogen genome have been determined as a closed circular molecule of 2.85 Mb with high G+C content. Bacteria also harbor a 55 kb plasmid, pMN1, which is largely composed of a lysogenic bacteriophage genome. Mutagenesis experiments have yielded stable avirulent mutants of M. nematophilum. As a first step towards molecular genetic analysis, methods for low-efficiency transformation of M. nematophilum have been developed. [source] Geochemical Factors Controlling Radium Activity in a Sandstone AquiferGROUND WATER, Issue 4 2006Tim Grundl Geochemical processes behind the occurrence of radium activities in excess of the U.S. EPA's drinking water limit of 5 pCi/L combined radium were investigated in a regional sandstone aquifer located in southeastern Wisconsin. Geochemical speciation modeling (PHREEQC 2.7) combined with a detailed understanding of the regional flow system provided by recent flow modeling efforts was used to determine that radium coprecipitation into barite controls radium activity in the unconfined portion of the aquifer. As the aquifer transitions from unconfined to confined conditions, radium levels rise and the water becomes more sulfate rich yet the aquifer remains at saturation with barite throughout. Calculations based on published distribution coefficients and the observed Ra:Ba atomic ratios indicate that barite contains ,12 ,g/kg coprecipitated radium. Confined portions of the aquifer have high concentrations of sulfate, and barium concentrations become too low to be an effective control on radium activity. Additional, as yet undefined, controls on radium are operative in the downgradient, confined portion of the aquifer. [source] The Reaction of Peroxynitrite with Morpholine (Secondary Amines) Revisited: The Overlooked Hydroxylamine FormationHELVETICA CHIMICA ACTA, Issue 10 2006Michael Kirsch Abstract The reaction of peroxynitrite/peroxynitrous acid with morpholine as a model compound for secondary amines is reinvestigated in the absence and presence of carbon dioxide. The concentration- and pH-dependent formation of N -nitrosomorpholine and N -nitromorpholine as reported in three previous papers ([25],[26],[14]) is basically confirmed. However, 13C-NMR spectroscopic product analysis shows that, in the absence of CO2, N -hydroxymorpholine is, at pH,,,7, the major product of this reaction, even under anaerobic conditions. The formation of N -hydroxymorpholine has been overlooked in the three cited papers. Additional (ring-opened) oxidation products of morpholine are also detected. The data account for radical pathways for the formation of these products via intermediate morpholine-derived aminyl and , -aminoalkyl radicals. This is further supported by EPR-spectrometric detection of morpholine-derived nitroxide radicals, i.e., morpholin-4-yloxy radicals. N -Nitrosomorpholine, however, is very likely formed by electrophilic attack of peroxynitrite-derived N2O4. 15N-CIDNP Experiments establish that, in the presence of CO2, N -nitro- and C -nitromorpholine are generated by radical recombination. The present results are in full accord with a fractional (28,±,2%) homolytic decay of peroxynitrite/peroxynitrous acid with release of free hydroxyl and nitrogen dioxide radicals. [source] Robust adaptive output-feedback control for a class of nonlinear systems with time-varying actuator faultsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADAPTIVE CONTROL AND SIGNAL PROCESSING, Issue 9 2010Zhengqiang Zhang Abstract A robust adaptive output-feedback control scheme is proposed for a class of nonlinear systems with unknown time-varying actuator faults. Additional unmodelled terms in the actuator fault model are considered. A new linearly parameterized model is proposed. The boundedness of all the closed-loop signals is established. The desired control performance of the closed-loop system is guaranteed by appropriately choosing the design parameters. The properties of the proposed control algorithm are demonstrated by two simulation examples. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Climatological radar delineation of urban convection for Atlanta, GeorgiaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLIMATOLOGY, Issue 11 2010Mace L. Bentley Abstract The distribution of warm season (June through August) thunderstorm activity surrounding Atlanta, Georgia from 1997 to 2006 was determined utilizing composite reflectivity data obtained from the network of National Weather Service radars. The radar data, at 2 km and 5 min spatial and temporal resolutions, allows for high resolution analyses of urban convective trends when grid averaged over a 10-year period. Maxima of medium- to high-reflectivity episodes were identified to the north of and within downtown Atlanta and immediately east of the primary urban expansion of the central business district (CBD). Additional enhanced, high-reflectivity areas are found in southern Fulton and Clayton counties, located south of downtown Atlanta. These regions are also collocated with high-density urban expansion south of the Atlanta CBD. The research presented is the most comprehensive spatial and temporal analysis of grid averaged composite reflectivity data for urban convection conducted to date. Copyright © 2009 Royal Meteorological Society [source] Conditioning polymers in today's shampoo formulations , efficacy, mechanism and test methodsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 1 2000Hössel Synopsis Today's shampoo formulations are beyond the stage of pure cleansing of the hair. Additional benefits are expected, e.g. conditioning, smoothing of the hair surface, improvement of combability and lather creaminess. Cationic polymers play an important role in providing many of those features. Therefore, within the last few years their use in shampoos has increased greatly. In the only last two decades, shampoo designation has gradually changed from ,2-in-1' to ,3-in-1' and then to ,multifunctional', as at present. The consumer demands products which live up to their promises. Modern shampoos contain a wide variety of ingredients such as co-surfactants, vitamins and pro-vitamins, protein derivatives, silicones, natural-based plant extracts and other ,active ingredients', but there is still a need for conditioning polymers. The specific objective of this study is to assess the conditioning efficacy of cationic polymers and to investigate their mechanisms in a shampoo system. The investigations were carried out on formulations that contained sodium lauryl ether sulphate and different cationic polymers, e.g. Polyquaternium 7, 10, 11, cationic guar gum and Luviquat Care (Polyquaternium 44), a new branched copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone (VP) and quaternized vinylimidazolium salts (QVI). We used test methods relevant to the applications in question, such as combing force measurements, the feel of the hair and the creaminess of the lather, to assess the efficacy. Atomic force microscopy and electrokinetics (streaming potential) were used to detect polymer residues on treated hair. All the polymers under investigation improved the overall performance of the shampoo formulations. This was demonstrated by means of combing force measurements, sensorial tests and analytical methods, namely zeta potential measurement and atomic force microscopy. Polyquaternium 44 exhibited the best conditioning properties on wet hair without sacrificing removability or absence of build-up. The latter are the most striking weaknesses of cationic Guar Gum-based polymers. Polyquaternium 10 can also be removed from the hair after rinsing with anionic surfactant but it does not perform as well as Polyquaternium 44 in the fields of wet combability and sensorial criteria such as lather creaminess and feel of the hair. We postulate that the outstanding properties of Polyquaternium 44 as a conditioning agent for shampoos are due to its tailor-made ,branched' structure. There is a clear correlation between the molecular weight and the efficacy of the new copolymers of VP and QVI. Only cationic polymers with a very high molecular weight are effective as conditioners in shampoos based on anionic surfactants. Surprisingly, they do not have to have a high cationic charge. On the basis of all our results, our postulation is that the polymer residue which is responsible for conditioning does not form a flat layer on the hair. Rather, the polymer residue adsorbs with the few cationic moieties, while the uncharged part of the polymer forms loops, which are orientated away from the hair and which are responsible for the reduced friction between hairs. Résumé Les formulations actuelles de shampoing font plus qu'un simple nettoyage des cheveux. On en attend un intérêt supplémentaire, par exemple après-shampoing, lissage de la surface du cheveu, amélioration de la coiffabilité et aspect crémeux du savon. Les polymères cationiques jouent un rôle important dans l'apport de nombre de ces caractéristiques. Par conséquent, ces quelques dernières années leur utilisation a considérablement augmenté dans les shampoings. Dans les seules deux dernières décades, l'appellation du shampoing est progressivement passée de "2 en 1"à"3 en 1" puis ensuite à"multifonctionnel", comme actuellement. Le consommateur recherche des produits qui tiennent leurs promesses. Les shampoings modernes contiennent une grande diversité d'ingrédients tels que des co-tensioactifs, des vitamines et des provitamines, des dérivés de protéines, des silicones, des extraits à base de plantes naturelles et autres "ingrédients actifs", mais il existe toujours un besoin pour des polymères d'après shampoing. L'objectif spécifique de cette étude est d'évaluer l'efficacité comme après-shampoing de polymères cationiques et de rechercher leurs mécanismes dans le système de shampoing. Les recherches ont été menées sur des formulations qui contiennent du sulfate de lauryl éther sodium et différents polymères cationiques, par exemple du Polyquaternium 7, 10, 11, de la gomme de guar cationique et du Luviquat Care (Polyquaternium 44), un nouveau copolymère ramifié de vinylpyrrolidone (VP) et de sels quaternaires de vinylimidazolium (QVI). Nous avons utilisé les procédés de contrôle appropriées aux applications en question, tels que les mesures de force de coiffage, le toucher du cheveu et l'aspect crémeux du savon, pour évaluer l'efficacité. La microscopie atomique et l'électrocinétique (potentiel d'écoulement) ont été utilisées pour détecter les résidus de polymère sur le cheveu traité. Tous les polymères étudiés améliorent le comportement global des formulations de shampoing. Ceci est démontré au moyen des mesures de force de coiffage, des tests sensoriels et des méthodes analytiques, en l'occurrence la mesure du potentiel zêta et la microscopie atomique. Le Polyquaternium 44 présente les meilleures propriétés d'après-shampoing sur cheveu mouillé sans diminuer sa capacité d'élimination ou l'absence d'accumulation. Ces dernières sont les faiblesses les plus frappantes des polymères à base de gomme de guar cationique. Le Polyquaternium 10 peut aussi être éliminé du cheveu après rinçage avec un tensioactif anionique mais il ne se comporte pas aussi bien que le Polyquaternium 44 dans les domaines de la coiffabilitéà l'état mouillé et des critères sensoriels tels que l'aspect crémeux du savon et du toucher du cheveu. Nous supposons que les propriétés exceptionnelles du Polyquaternium 44 comme agent après-shampoing pour shampoings sont dues à sa structure "ramifiée" conçue sur mesure. Il existe une corrélation claire entre le poids moléculaire et l'efficacité des nouveaux copolymères de VP et QVI. Seuls les polymères cationiques avec un poids moléculaire très élevé sont efficaces comme après shampoings dans des shampoings à base de tensioactifs anioniques. Etonnamment, ils n'ont pas besoin d'avoir une charge cationique élevée. Sur la base de tous nos résultats, notre hypothèse est que le fragment de polymère qui est responsable du traitement ne forme pas une couche plate sur le cheveu. Le fragment de polymère adsorbe plutôt les quelques fragments cationiques, tandis que la partie non chargée du polymère forme des boucles, qui sont orientées à l'extérieur du cheveu et qui sont responsables de la friction réduite entre les cheveux. [source] Numerical and analytical calculations of the temperature and flow field in the upwind power plantINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 6 2004Henry Pastohr Abstract The upwind power plant is an interesting system to generate electrical power from free solar energy. The authors have carried out an analysis to improve the description of the operation mode and efficiency. The pressure drop at the turbine and the mass flow rate have a decisive influence on the efficiency. This can be determined only by coupling of all parts of an upwind power plant. In this study the parts ground, collector, chimney and turbine are modelled together numerically. The basis for all sections is the numerical CFD programme FLUENT. This programme solves the basic equations of the thermal fluid dynamics. Model development and parameter studies particularly arise with this tool. Additional to the calculations using FLUENT a simple model is developed for comparison purposes and parameter studies. The numerical results with FLUENT compare well with the results given by the simple model, therefore, we can use the simple model for parameter studies. The basis for the geometry is the prototype Manzanares. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Constrained Kalman Filtering: Additional ResultsINTERNATIONAL STATISTICAL REVIEW, Issue 2 2010Adrian Pizzinga Summary This paper deals with linear state space modelling subject to general linear constraints on the state vector. The discussion concentrates on four topics: the constrained Kalman filtering versus the recursive restricted least squares estimator; a new proof of the constrained Kalman filtering under a conditional expectation framework; linear constraints under a reduced state space modelling; and state vector prediction under linear constraints. The techniques proposed are illustrated in two real problems. The first problem is related to investment analysis under a dynamic factor model, whereas the second is about making constrained predictions within a GDP benchmarking estimation. Résumé Cet article traite des modèles espace-état sujets aux restrictions linéaires générales sur le vecteur d'état. La discussion se concentre autour de quatre aspects: le filtrage de Kalman restreint versus l'estimateur de moindres carrés restreint recursive; une nouvelle preuve du filtrage de Kalman restreint sous le cadre de l'espérance conditionelle; restrictions linéaires aux modèles espace-état réduits; et la prédiction d'état sous restrictions linéaires. Les techniques proposées sont illustrées par deux problèmes réels. Le premier problème est concerné par l'analyse d'investissement sous un modèle à facteur dynamique, tandis que le second concerne les prédictions restreintes dans l'estimation de benchmarking. [source] Repigmentation of pretibial vitiligo with calcineurin inhibitors under occlusionJOURNAL DER DEUTSCHEN DERMATOLOGISCHEN GESELLSCHAFT, Issue 5 2008Anke Hartmann Summary Treatment of vitiligo is a challenge, especially in children. Recently, topical calcineurin inhibitors have been introduced in the management of vitiligo, but significant repigmentation is not achieved except on the face. Large pretibial lesions of a 15-year-old female with progressive vitiligo were treated twice daily over six months with 0.1% tacrolimus ointment on the right and 1% pimecrolimus cream on the left side without effect. Additional overnight occlusion with polyurethane and hydrocolloid foils during the following 18 months led to substantial repigmentation on both sides (tacrolimus-treated side, 88% repigmented area; pimecrolimus-treated side, 73%). Tacrolimus serum levels measured at four different time points did not exceed 1.8 ng/ml. This case report on a direct comparison of topical tacrolimus and pimecrolimus in vitiligo shows that on the shins considerable improvement could be induced with both agents only by additional long-term occlusion and that tacrolimus was somewhat more effective than pimecrolimus. [source] Rodents as Taphonomic Agents: Bone Gnawing by Brown Rats and Gray Squirrels,JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, Issue 4 2007Walter E. Klippel Ph.D. Abstract:, Passive infrared technology was used to film diurnal and nocturnal scavenging behavior of brown rats and gray squirrels at the University of Tennessee's Anthropological Research Facility. This direct documentation demonstrated that brown rats modified fat-laden cancellous bone while gray squirrels generally gnawed the thicker bone cortices only after fats had leached away. A case study placed in a shaded portion of the Facility indicated the postmortem interval for initial gnawing by gray squirrels was slightly over 30 months. An examination of 53 human skeletons in the William M. Bass Forensic Skeletal Collection revealed that 10 cases had gnaw marks consistent with those made by gray squirrels. One of the 10 cases had been gnawed within 16 months of time-since-death, while the remaining nine had postmortem intervals >30 months. Additional observed modifications made to nonhuman bone by gray squirrels indicate that squirrel gnaw marks on bone can serve as a minimal estimate of time-since-death in a temperate environment similar to that of East Tennessee. [source] BURIAL HISTORY RECONSTRUCTION USING LATE DIAGENETIC PRODUCTS IN THE EARLY PERMIAN SILICICLASTICS OF THE FARAGHAN FORMATION, SOUTHERN ZAGROS, IRANJOURNAL OF PETROLEUM GEOLOGY, Issue 2 2009S. M. Zamanzadeh In spite of the increasing importance to hydrocarbon exploration and production of the Palaeozoic succession in the Zagros area of SW Iran, few burial history and palaeothermal modelling studies of the interval have been carried out. This paper attempts to assess the burial and palaeotemperature history of the Lower Permian Faraghan Formation which is composed of stromatolitic dolomites overlain by mainly cross-bedded sandstones. The formation grades up into the thick bedded carbonates of the Upper Permian Dalan Formation. The Faraghan and Dalan Formations are major hydrocarbon reservoir units in SW Iran and are time-equivalents of the Unayzah and Khuff Formations in Saudi Arabia, respectively. The Faraghan Formation consists of shallow-marine siliciclastics and foreshore deposits, including tidal-flat and tidal-channel, estuarine, sabkha, shoreface and offshore facies. In this study, diagenetic constituents are used to evaluate the formation's burial history in the Southern Zagros, an area for which only limited subsurface data is available. A burial history diagram for the formation was constructed for well Finu # 1 using WinBuryTM software. The diagram shows that the formation underwent progressive burial at variable rates between its deposition and the mid-Tertiary, since when it has undergone rapid uplift. Burial diagenetic products in the Faraghan Formation comprise saddle, ferroan and zoned dolomites, together with dickite, illite/sericite and chlorite minerals. Additional burial-related features include stylolites and dissolution seams. Isotopic signatures (,18O versus ,13C) of the ferroan dolomites suggest a burial trend for the formation. Reconstruction of the paragenetic sequence together with the burial history diagram suggests a maximum burial depth of about 5000 m and a wide palaeotemperature range of 80-160°C. However considering the saddle dolomites as a palaeothermometer, the temperature range narrows to 78 to 138 °C. The burial depth and temperature ranges closely correlate with the main stage of oil generation to the dry gas zone. [source] Alcoholism Susceptibility Loci: Confirmation Studies in a Replicate Sample and Further MappingALCOHOLISM, Issue 7 2000Tatiana Foroud Background: There is substantial evidence for a significant genetic component to the risk for alcoholism. A previous study reported linkage to chromosomes 1, 2, and 7 in a large data set that consisted of 105 families, each with at least three alcoholic members. Methods: Additional, genotyping in the 105 families has been completed in the chromosomal regions identified in the initial analyses, and a replication sample of 157 alcoholic families ascertained under identical criteria has been genotyped. Two hierarchical definitions of alcoholism were employed in the linkage analyses: (1) Individuals who met both Feighner and DSM-III-R criteria for alcohol dependence represented a broad definition of disease; and (2) individuals who met ICD-10 criteria for alcoholism were considered affected under a more severe definition of disease. Results: Genetic analyses of affected sibling pairs supported linkage to chromosome 1 (LOD = 1.6) in the replication data set as well as in a combined analysis of the two samples (LOD = 2.6). Evidence of linkage to chromosome 7 increased in the combined data (LOD = 2.9). The LOD score on chromosome 2 in the initial data set increased after genotyping of additional markers; however, combined analyses of the two data sets resulted in overall lower LOD scores (LOD = 1.8) on chromosome 2. A new finding of linkage to chromosome 3 was identified in the replication data set (LOD = 3.4). Conclusions: Analyses of a second large sample of alcoholic families provided further evidence of genetic susceptibility loci on chromosomes 1 and 7. Genetic analyses also have identified susceptibility loci on chromosomes 2 and 3 that may act only in one of the two data sets. [source] Review article: medication non-adherence in ulcerative colitis , strategies to improve adherence with mesalazine and other maintenance therapiesALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 12 2008A. B. HAWTHORNE Summary Background, Significant number of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) fail to comply with treatment. Aims, To review issues surrounding medication non-adherence in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including the clinical and health service implications in the UK, and discuss strategies for optimizing medication adherence. Methods, Articles cited were identified via a PubMed search, utilizing the words IBD, adherence, compliance, medication and UC. Results, Medication non-adherence is multifactorial involving factors other than dosing frequency. Male gender (OR: 2.06), new patient status (OR: 2.14), work and travel pressures (OR: 4.9) and shorter disease duration (OR: 2.1), among others are proven predictors of non-adherence in UC. These indicators can identify ,at-risk' patients and allow an individually tailored treatment approach to be introduced that optimizes medication adherence. A collaborative relationship between physician and patient is important; several strategies for improving adherence have been proven effective including open dialogue that takes into consideration the patient's health beliefs and concerns, providing educational (e.g. verbal/written information, self-management programmes) and behavioural interventions (e.g. calendar blister packs, cues/reminders). Conclusions, Educational and behavioural interventions tailored to individual patients can optimize medication adherence. Additional studies combining educational and behavioural interventions may provide further strategies for improving medication adherence rates in UC. [source] Sputum eosinophilia: an early marker of bronchial response to occupational agentsALLERGY, Issue 5 2009O. Vandenplas Background:, False-negative responses to specific inhalation challenge (SIC) with occupational agents may occur. We explored whether assessing changes in sputum cell counts would help improve the identification of bronchial reactivity to occupational agents during SICs. Methods:, The predictive value of the changes in sputum cell counts after a negative FEV1 response to a first challenge exposure to an occupational agent was determined using the changes in airway calibre observed during repeated challenges as the ,gold standard'. The study included 68 subjects investigated for work-related asthma in a tertiary centre. After a control day, the subjects were challenged with the suspected occupational agent(s) for up to 2 h. All subjects who did not show an asthmatic reaction were re-challenged on the following day. Additional challenges were proposed to those who demonstrated a , 2% increase in sputum eosinophils or an increase in nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness to histamine after the second challenge day. Results:, Six of the 35 subjects without changes in FEV1 on the first challenge developed an asthmatic reaction on subsequent challenges. ROC analysis revealed that a >3% increase in sputum eosinophils at the end of the first challenge day was the most accurate parameter for predicting the development of an asthmatic response on subsequent challenges with a sensitivity of 67% and a specificity of 97%. Conclusions:, An increase in sputum eosinophils is an early marker of specific bronchial reactivity to occupational agents, which may help to identify subjects who will develop an asthmatic reaction only after repeated exposure. [source] Resonant properties of the Sierpinski-based fractal resonator and its application on low-loss miniaturized dual-mode bandpass filterMICROWAVE AND OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 5 2009Chang-Sin Ye Abstract In this article, resonant characteristics of novel microstrip resonators based on the Sierpinski carpet fractal geometries are proposed in detail. With increasing the iteration order of the Sierpinski-based fractal resonators, the resonant frequency is decreased but the unloaded quality factor is slightly enhanced. The resonant properties are discussed using the RLC equivalent circuit. Additional, the design guide for bandpass filter using the nth order resonator is also developed. Using these fractal resonators, several dual-mode bandpass filters using different order resonators can be designed and fabricated to verify the advantages of the size and insertion loss reduction. It is also found good agreement between the simulation and measurement is achieved. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 1358,1361, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24321 [source] Multicontextual occupational therapy intervention: a case study of traumatic brain injuryOCCUPATIONAL THERAPY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2001Belkis Landa-Gonzalez Abstract Cognitive deficits after a traumatic brain injury can result in significant functional limitations in all areas of daily living. An individual's ability to generalize learning may be limited, thus making it harder to live independently in the community. Assessing a client's metacognitive skills and awareness level may help to establish a baseline understanding about the supervision required and the most suitable living arrangements. This study describes a multicontextual, community re-entry occupational therapy programme directed at awareness training and compensation for cognitive problems in a 34-year-old man with traumatic brain injury. Intervention consisted of metacognitive training, exploration and use of effective processing strategies, task gradations and practice of functional activities in multiple environmental contexts. Strategies such as self-prediction, self-monitoring, role reversal and the use of checklists were used. Results after six months of intervention show improvements in the client's awareness level, enhancement of his occupational function, increased satisfaction with performance and a decrease in the level of attendant care. Additional studies are recommended to validate the findings. Copyright © 2001 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source] An open-label, phase 2 trial of denosumab in the treatment of relapsed or plateau-phase multiple myeloma,,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY, Issue 10 2009Ravi Vij RANKL is a key mediator of osteoclast differentiation, activation, and survival. Preclinical data suggest that aberrant production and activation of osteoclasts may influence proliferation of multiple myeloma (MM) cells in the bone marrow. Reports have also shown that inhibiting RANKL may have a direct effect on RANK-expressing myeloma cells and a therapeutic role in treating the disease. In mouse myeloma models, inhibition of RANKL led to reduced serum paraprotein levels and tumor burden. Based on this hypothesis, this proof-of-concept, single-arm study investigated whether RANKL inhibition with denosumab could reduce serum M-protein levels in relapsed or plateau-phase myeloma subjects. All subjects received denosumab monthly, with loading doses on days 8 and 15 of month one, until disease progression or subject discontinuation. Results of this ongoing study demonstrated that no subjects in either cohort met the protocol-defined objective response criteria of complete response (CR) or partial response (PR), but that denosumab effectively inhibited the RANKL pathway regardless of previous exposure to bisphosphonates, as evidenced by suppressed levels of the bone turnover marker, serum C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (sCTx). Eleven (21%) subjects who relapsed within 3 months before study entry maintained stable disease for up to 16.5 months. Nineteen (46%) subjects with plateau-phase myeloma maintained stable disease for up to 18.3 months. The adverse event (AE) profile for denosumab and its dosing schedule in these populations was consistent with that for advanced cancer patients receiving systemic therapy. Additional controlled clinical studies of denosumab in subjects with both relapsed and plateau-phase MM are warranted. Am. J. Hematol. 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Potential role of the cellular allergen stimulation test (CAST) in diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) in cystic fibrosisPEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 4 2007Stephanie Ringer MD Abstract Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a severe complication in cystic fibrosis (CF), which is difficult to identify because of overlapping unspecific diagnostic features with common CF-manifestations. The cellular allergen stimulation test (CAST) is used in diagnosis of allergic and pseudoallergic reactions. This assay is based on the determination of sulfidoleukotrienes, which are produced by allergen-stimulated basophils in vitro. The potential role of CAST in diagnosis of ABPA was evaluated in this study. The CAST assay was applied in 27 CF-patients including eight subjects with positive clinical and serological signs of ABPA. Additional to the Nelson-criteria for diagnosis of ABPA specific IgE against recombinant Aspergillus antigens (rAsp f 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6) were assessed. The CAST results were positive in all ABPA-patients and in five controls without any sign of ABPA except positive specific IgE against Aspergillus fumigatus (sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 74%). Specific IgE against rAsp f 4 and/or f 6 were positive in six of the eight ABPA-patients, but not in the controls. Positive CAST results, total serum IgE,>,500 U/ml and positive IgE antibodies against rAsp f 4 and/or f 6 were only found in ABPA-patients (specificity of 100%). The CAST assay on its own includes high sensitivity with lower specificity. For the discrimination of ABPA from sensitization to Aspergillus, the CAST, the highly elevated total serum IgE and rAsp in combination are potential auxiliary diagnostic parameters. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2007; 42:314,318. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Mycophenolate mofetil without antibody induction in cadaver vs. living donor pediatric renal transplantationPEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 2 2003O. Ojogho Abstract: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a new immunosuppressive agent that blocks de novo purine synthesis in T and B lymphocytes via a potent selective inhibition of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase. MMF has been shown to significantly reduce the incidence of acute rejection in both adult and pediatric renal transplantation. The impact of MMF on routine antibody induction therapy in pediatric renal transplantation has not been defined. Remarkably, a recent North American Pediatric Transplant Cooperative Study concluded that T-cell antibody induction therapy was deleterious for patients who received MMF. Our study examines the use of MMF in an evolving immunosuppressive strategy to avoid antibody induction in both living (LD) and cadaver (CAD) donor pediatric renal transplantation. We retrospectively analyzed the records of 43 pediatric renal transplants that received MMF-based triple therapy without antibody induction therapy between November 1996 and April 2000. We compared CAD (n = 17) with LD (n = 26). The two groups were similar demographically except that CAD had significantly younger donors than LD, 26.1 ± 13.7 vs. 36.2 ± 9.2 yr (p = 0.006). All the patients received MMF at 600 mg/m2/b.i.d. (maximum dose of 2 g/d) and prednisone with cyclosporine (86%) or tacrolimus (14%). Mean follow-up was >36 months for each group. Acute rejection rate at 6 months was 11.8% (CAD) vs. 15.4% (LD) (p = 0.999) and at 1 yr was 23.5% (CAD) vs. 26.9% (LD) (p = 0.999). Mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (ml/min/1.73 m2) at 6 months was 73.3 ± 15.3 (CAD) vs. 87.6 ± 24.2 (LD) (p = 0.068). Patient survival at 1, 2, and 3 yr was 100, 100, and 100% for CAD vs. 100, 96, and 96% for LD, respectively. Graft survival at 1, 2, and 3 yr was 100, 100, and 94% for CAD vs. 96, 88, and 71% for LD, respectively. Graft loss in CAD was because of chronic rejection (n = 2) while in LD it was because of non-compliance (n = 6), post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (n = 1), and sepsis (n = 1). In conclusion, MMF without antibody induction in both CAD and LD pediatric renal transplantation provides statistically similar and effective prophylaxis against acute rejection at 6 months and 1 yr post-transplant. The short-term patient and graft survival rates are excellent, however, non-compliance remains a serious challenge to long-term graft survival. Additional controlled studies are needed to define the role of MMF without antibody induction therapy in pediatric renal transplantation. [source] A recurrent ITGA9 missense mutation in human fetuses with severe chylothorax: possible correlation with poor response to fetal therapyPRENATAL DIAGNOSIS, Issue 11 2008Gwo-Chin Ma Abstract Objectives To assess the possible correlations between the reported candidate genes (VEGFR3, FOXC2, ITGA9 and ITGB1) and the clinical response in fetuses with severe congenital chylothorax (CC) treated by prenatal OK-432 pleurodesis. Methods We studied 12 unrelated fetuses with severe CC, receiving fetal therapy by OK-432 pleurodesis. Genotyping of the candidate genes and the clinical parameters of these 12 fetuses were investigated. Additional 96 control individuals were enrolled to evaluate the possible polymorphisms at these candidate genes in population. Results A recurrent heterozygous missense mutation (c.1210G > A, p.G404S) was identified in the beta-propeller domain of integrin ,9 (ITGA9), a cell adhesion receptor, in four of the five fetuses who failed to respond to the OK-432 treatment. Computer modeling of the p.G404S substitution supported the deleterious nature of this mutation. Family analyses in three affected fetuses demonstrated that the heterozygous mutant allele is of parental origin, suggesting an autosomal recessive inheritance of this genetic defect. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first insight into the possible link between ITGA9 and CC in human fetuses. The identification of pathogenetic mutations and their possible link to the clinical responses of particular treatments may contribute to better pregnancy counseling and management. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Pre-structured motifs in the natively unstructured preS1 surface antigen of hepatitis B virusPROTEIN SCIENCE, Issue 10 2007Seung-Wook Chi Abstract The preS1 surface antigen of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is known to play an important role in the initial attachment of HBV to hepatocytes. We have characterized structural features of the full-length preS1 using heteronuclear NMR methods and discovered that this 119-residue protein is inherently unstructured without a unique tertiary structure under a nondenaturing condition. Yet, combination of various NMR parameters shows that the preS1 contains "pre-structured" domains broadly covering its functional domains. The most prominent domain is formed by residues 27,45 and overlaps with the putative hepatocyte-binding domain (HBD) encompassing residues 21,47, within which two well-defined pre-structured motifs, formed by Pro32,Ala36 and Pro41,Phe45 are found. Additional, somewhat less prominent, pre-structured motifs are also formed by residues 11,18, 22,25, 37,40, and 46,50. Overall results suggest that the preS1 is a natively unstructured protein (NUP) whose N-terminal 50 residues, populated with multiple pre-structured motifs, contribute critically to hepatocyte binding. [source] Physiological adaptation of Corynebacterium glutamicum to benzoate as alternative carbon source , a membrane proteome-centric viewPROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 14 2009Ute Haußmann Abstract The ability of microorganisms to assimilate aromatic substances as alternative carbon sources is the basis of biodegradation of natural as well as industrial aromatic compounds. In this study, Corynebacterium glutamicum was grown on benzoate as sole carbon and energy source. To extend the scarce knowledge about physiological adaptation processes occurring in this cell compartment, the membrane proteome was investigated under quantitative and qualitative aspects by applying shotgun proteomics to reach a comprehensive survey. Membrane proteins were relatively quantified using an internal standard metabolically labeled with 15N. Altogether, 40 proteins were found to change their abundance during growth on benzoate in comparison to glucose. A global adaptation was observed in the membrane of benzoate-grown cells, characterized by increased abundance of proteins of the respiratory chain, by a starvation response, and by changes in sulfur metabolism involving the regulator McbR. Additional to the relative quantification, stable isotope-labeled synthetic peptides were used for the absolute quantification of the two benzoate transporters of C. glutamicum, BenK and BenE. It was found that both transporters were expressed during growth on benzoate, suggesting that both contribute substantially to benzoate uptake. [source] Fallback foods of temperate-living primates: A case study on snub-nosed monkeysAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Cyril C. Grueter Abstract Only a few primate species thrive in temperate regions characterized by relatively low temperature, low rainfall, low species diversity, high elevation, and especially an extended season of food scarcity during which they suffer from dietary stress. We present data of a case study of dietary strategies and fallback foods in snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus bieti) in the Samage Forest, Northwest Yunnan, PRC. The snub-nosed monkeys adjusted intake of plant food items corresponding with changes in the phenology of deciduous trees in the forest and specifically showed a strong preference for young leaves in spring. A non-plant food, lichens (Parmeliaceae), featured prominently in the diet throughout the year (annual representation in the diet was about 67%) and became the dominant food item in winter when palatable plant resources were scarce. Additional highly sought winter foods were frost-resistant fruits and winter buds of deciduous hardwoods. The snub-nosed monkeys' choice of lichens as a staple fallback food is likely because of their spatiotemporal consistency in occurrence, nutritional and energetic properties, and the ease with which they can be harvested. Using lichens is a way to mediate effects of seasonal dearth in palatable plant foods and ultimately a key survival strategy. The snub-nosed monkeys' fallback strategy affects various aspects of their biology, e.g., two- and three-dimensional range use and social organization. The higher abundance of lichens at higher altitudes explains the monkeys' tendency to occupy relatively high altitudes in winter despite the prevailing cold. As to social organization, the wide temporal and spatial availability of lichens strongly reduces the ecological costs of grouping, thus allowing for the formation of "super-groups." Usnea lichens, the snub-nosed monkeys' primary dietary component, are known to be highly susceptible to human-induced environmental changes such as air pollution, and a decline of this critical resource base could have devastating effects on the last remaining populations. Within the order Primates, lichenivory is a rare strategy and only found in a few species or populations inhabiting montane areas, i.e., Macaca sylvanus, Colobus angolensis, and Rhinopithecus roxellana. Other temperate-dwelling primates rely mainly on buds and bark as winter fallback foods. Am J Phys Anthropol 140:700,715, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Populations at Risk Across the Lifespan: Case Studies: Psychological and Physical Abuse Among Pregnant Women in a Medicaid-Sponsored Prenatal ProgramPUBLIC HEALTH NURSING, Issue 5 2010Jennifer E. Raffo ABSTRACT Objectives: To document psychological and physical abuse during pregnancy among women enrolled in enhanced prenatal services (EPS); explore the associations between maternal risk factors and type of abuse; and examine the relationship between abuse and EPS participation. Design and Sample: Cross-sectional study utilizing screening data collected between 2005 and 2008. Convenience sample of Medicaid-insured pregnant women enrolled in EPS selected from urban and rural providers. Measures: A prenatal screening tool that included measures such as Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale-4, Patient Health Questionnaire-2, and Abuse Assessment Screen was used. Results: Logistic regressions showed that high perceived stress and lack of father support were associated with all types of abuse and abuse history. Women with risk factors, such as a positive depression screen (odds ratio [OR]=2.36), were associated with psychological abuse but not with physical abuse during pregnancy. Less than a 12th-grade education was associated with physical abuse (OR=1.64) but not psychological abuse during pregnancy. The amount or the timing of EPS participation was not significantly associated with abuse history or abuse during pregnancy. Conclusions: Risk factors, such as high perceived stress and lack of father support, may alert nurses to further explore abuse during pregnancy. Additional research is needed for understanding the relationship between abuse and EPS participation. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||