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Effective Methods (effective + methods)
Selected AbstractsEffective Methods for the Synthesis of N -Methyl , -Amino Acids from All Twenty Common , -Amino Acids Using 1,3-Oxazolidin-5-ones and 1,3-Oxazinan-6-onesHELVETICA CHIMICA ACTA, Issue 11 2006Andrew Abstract N -Methyl , -amino acids are generally required for application in the synthesis of potentially bioactive modified peptides and other oligomers. Previous work highlighted the reductive cleavage of 1,3-oxazolidin-5-ones to synthesise N -methyl , -amino acids. Starting from , -amino acids, two approaches were used to prepare the corresponding N -methyl , -amino acids. First, , -amino acids were converted to N -methyl , -amino acids by the so-called ,1,3-oxazolidin-5-one strategy', and these were then homologated by the Arndt,Eistert procedure to afford N -protected N -methyl , -amino acids derived from the 20 common , -amino acids. These compounds were prepared in yields of 23,57% (relative to N -methyl , -amino acid). In a second approach, twelve N -protected , -amino acids could be directly homologated by the Arndt,Eistert procedure, and the resulting , -amino acids were converted to the 1,3-oxazinan-6-ones in 30,45% yield. Finally, reductive cleavage afforded the desired N -methyl , -amino acids in 41,63% yield. One sterically congested , -amino acid, 3-methyl-3-aminobutanoic acid, did give a high yield (95%) of the 1,3-oxazinan-6-one (65), and subsequent reductive cleavage gave the corresponding AIBN-derived N -methyl , -amino acid 61 in 71% yield (Scheme,2). Thus, our protocols allow the ready preparation of all N -methyl , -amino acids derived from the 20 proteinogenic , -amino acids. [source] Effective Methods to Improve Recruitment and Retention in School-Based Substance Use Prevention StudiesJOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, Issue 9 2009Jean-Marie Bruzzese PhD ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Poor recruitment and high attrition may invalidate results of research studies. This paper describes successful recruitment and retention strategies in a school-based substance use prevention trial and explores factors associated with intervention attendance and retention. METHODS: A total of 384 parent-child dyads from 15 schools in the New York Metropolitan area participated in a control trial, testing the efficacy of parent-training to prevent youth substance use. Assessments were completed immediately post-intervention and 6-, 12-, and 24-month postintervention. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine which familial and study characteristics predicted attendance in the intervention and retention by parents and youth. RESULTS: 84% of intervention parents attended 4 of the 5 workshops; 83% of control parents attended their single workshop. Intervention attendance was predicted by parent job status, but this was not significant after controlling for other family factors. Retention rates ranged from 87% to 91% over the 2 years. No family characteristics predicted retention, but time since baseline and attendance at treatment workshops and the control workshop did. For children, age at baseline and ethnicity predicted retention, but this did not remain significant in the adjusted model. CONCLUSION: Intervention attendance was high and retention rates far exceeded the minimum standard of 70% retention in behavioral studies. Recruitment and retention strategies were effective for different family constellations. Efforts to maximize participation in both treatment and control interventions are critical to retention in longitudinal trials. [source] Sensitive skin: closing in on a physiological causeCONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 3 2010Miranda A. Farage The phenomenon of ,sensitive skin' is a relatively recent complaint in which certain individuals report more intense and frequent adverse sensory effects than the normal population upon use of cosmetic (personal-care) products. Originally defined as a minority complaint, sensitive skin is now claimed by a majority of women in industrialized countries and nearly half of men. Sensitive skin is self-diagnosed and typically unaccompanied by any obvious physical signs of irritation, and the number of individuals who claim sensitivity has risen steadily with the number of consumer products targeted towards this supposedly uncommon group. Believed by many dermatologists, therefore, to be a ,princess and the pea' phenomenon, the problem of sensitive skin has largely avoided focussed research. Over the last few years, however, the evidence of documentable biophysical changes associated with the largely sensory symptoms of this disorder has accumulated, including some gained by improved methods of identifying subclinical signs of skin irritation. Although the understanding of the aetiology of this phenomenon is as yet incomplete, existing research now supports a biophysical origin for this disorder. Effective methods of diagnosis, intrinsic and extrinsic contributors to exaggerated neural sensitivity, and the specific mechanisms of the discomfort associated with the compliant are required, as are appropriate means of prevention and treatment. [source] Prevention of respiratory infections in the elderlyGERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2002Mutsuo Yamaya The risk of nosocomial infections is 3,5-fold higher among older patients than among younger adults. Both the increased incidence of respiratory infections and the high mortality among older people are a consequence of a number of age-related factors, including coexisting illnesses, therapeutic interventions, and the aging process itself. Risk factors for the development of respiratory infections in older people can be broadly classified into factors that alter host defenses and factors that increase exposure to bacteria. These factors combine to adversely affect the person's capacity to defend against pathogens of the upper and lower respiratory tract. Despite the availability of potent new antimicrobials, the increasingly limited treatment efficacy of these antimicrobials is related to emerging microbial resistance. Recently, new methods of treating respiratory infections according to the mechanisms of infection have been introduced. Effective methods of preventing respiratory infections in older people were reviewed. [source] A modified choline-deficient, ethionine-supplemented diet protocol effectively induces oval cells in mouse liverHEPATOLOGY, Issue 3 2001Barbara Akhurst Several reliable and reproducible methods are available to induce oval cells in rat liver. Effective methods often involve inhibiting proliferation in hepatocytes using an alkylating agent, then subjecting the rat to partial hepatectomy (PH). The surgery is difficult to perform reproducibly in mice. Approaches that do not include partial hepatectomy, such as administration of D -galactosamine, are ineffective in mice. We found that a choline-deficient, ethionine-supplemented (CDE) diet, which is very effective in rats, leads to high morbidity and mortality when administered to mice. This article outlines an alternative protocol by which a CDE diet can be administered to mice. This diet is shown to be highly effective for oval cell induction, without causing high mortality. It takes less time and is at least as effective as other commonly used protocols for inducing oval cells in mice. (HEPATOLOGY 2001;34:519-522.) [source] A sociotechnical approach to achieve zero defect manufacturing of complex manual assembliesHUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS IN MANUFACTURING & SERVICE INDUSTRIES, Issue 2 2007Kitty Hong Traditional approaches to defect reduction in manufacturing environments rely heavily on the introduction of technology-based detection techniques that require significant investments in equipment and technical skills. In this article, the authors outline a novel, alternative approach that utilizes the largely untapped abilities of assembly-line operators. Targeting zero-defect manufacturing, the SEISMIC (stabilize, evaluate, identify, standardize, monitor, implement, and control) methodology developed herein is a sociotechnical-based system built on the decentralization of technical knowledge and the transfer of responsibility for product quality from technical staff to manual operators. Along with defect reduction, important secondary goals of the SEISMIC methodology are improved operator performance and job satisfaction. The SEISMIC methodology provides a quantitative approach for classifying assembly environments and determining their required skill sets. Effective methods for transferring the identified skills throughout the production team are also provided. A pilot application of the protocol in an automotive assembly environment has achieved promising results in the target areas of defect reduction and operator performance. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Hum Factors Man 17: 137,148, 2007. [source] Inactivation or removal of the budded particles of a nuclear polyhedrosis virus of a silkworm, Bombyx mori L. (Lep., Bombycidae)JOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 3 2001Arakawa Effective methods to inactivate or remove budded particles of a nuclear polyhedrosis virus of Bombyx mori (BmNPV) from a cell-cultured media or from host haemolymph that is infected by this virus have been developed. Two types of suspensions containing BmNPV budded virus particles, TC-100 media that cultured BmN4 cells infected by this virus and haemolymph of B. mori larvae infected by this virus, were treated by 6% (w/v) polyethylene glycol (PEG), 0.01% (w/v) chitosan, 0.05% (v/v) linoleic acid (an emulsion), and/or diethylether. Treatment by linoleic acid followed by PEG-precipitation and treatment by diethylether followed by PEG-precipitation were so effective that these treatments suppressed the viral titre of BmNPV-infected larval haemolymph from an original titre (> 109 TCID50 units/ml) to below a detectable limit. These methods are suggested as being potentially useful in an insect factory system; that is, a protein production system utilizing a baculovirus vector and its insect host or cultured cells on a large scale. [source] Artificial gynogenesis in Cynoglossus semilaevis with homologous sperm and its verification using microsatellite markersAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 6 2010Xiang-Shan Ji Abstract Effective methods for induction of gynogenetic diploids in Cynoglossus semilaevis are needed to initiate monosex culture. An effective protocol to induce half-smooth tongue sole gynogenesis using homologous sperm was developed in this study. A UV dose of 50 mJ cm,2 was found to be the most effective for genetic inactivation of tongue sole sperm. Treatment optima for cold shocks were 5 °C for 20,23 min at 5 min after fertilization and the hatching rate of gynogenetic diploids was 10.0%. Microsatellite analysis at locus Csou 6 revealed that there was no genetic contribution from the paternal genome in 24 progenies of a meiotic gynogenetic family. Polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that only four individuals of 24 meiotic gynogenetic diploids produced the female-specific band of about 205 bp. The female/male ratio of gynogenetic diploids was significantly different from the theoretical ratio of 1:1. It is possible that there are some recessive lethal genes in W chromosome. [source] New Concepts in Evolutionary Search for Boolean Functions in CryptologyCOMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE, Issue 3 2004William Millan In symmetric cryptology the resistance to attacks depends critically on the nonlinearity properties of the Boolean functions describing cipher components like Substitution boxes (S-boxes). Some of the most effective methods known to generate functions that satisfy multiple criteria are based on evolutionary heuristics. In this paper, we improve on these algorithms by employing an adaptive strategy. Additionally, using recent improvements in the understanding of these combinatorial structures, we discover essential properties of the graph formed by affine equivalence classes of Boolean functions, which offers several advantages as a conceptual model for multiobjective seeking evolutionary heuristics. Finally, we propose the first major global cooperative effort to discover new bounds for cryptographic properties of Boolean functions. [source] Approach to procedures in neonatesDERMATOLOGIC THERAPY, Issue 2 2005Valerie B. Lyon ABSTRACT:, Physical constraints and metabolic differences in neonates require that special attention is given to performing procedures in this patient group. Neonates have a thinner dermis and a greater surface-to-weight ratio, allowing for easier invasion through the skin barrier. The enzymes for metabolism of agents and defense against organisms inside the body are not fully developed in infants. Very premature neonates also have less circulating albumin, making the effective concentration of circulating agent even greater. The infant is prone to unanticipated movement during procedures, such as rolling on the procedure table. The neonatal period is the most common time period for malformations to become manifest on the skin, and invasion of some of these lesions can produce morbidity. These and other factors affect the choice of the type of procedure used, the timing for intervention, and the approach to intervention in this age group. This article reviews the important considerations for approaching procedures and offers suggestions for safe and effective methods of reliably producing the intended outcome. [source] From scrubland to vintage wine: Australia's response to substance-related problems in the last 40 years,DRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, Issue 3 2003FAChAM (Hon), FAFPHM, FRACP, FRCPC, Professor JAMES G. RANKIN MB Abstract Over the last 40 years Australia's response to substance-related problems compared with most western nations has been outstandingly good. Since the 1960s concerns about problems of substance use have expanded from a focus on alcohol to include tobacco and a wide range of other licit as well as illicit psychoactive substances. During this period there have been major advances in our knowledge and understanding of substance-related problems and effective methods of prevention, intervention and treatment. In parallel has been the development of a large number of non-government, government and professional organizations concerned with problems of substance use. These groups, individually and collectively, have contributed to the development of policies, plans, resources and programmes to prevent and minimize substance-related harm. Although significant progress in these endeavours took place between 1960 and 1986, there has been accelerated growth since and largely as a result of the establishment of the National Campaign Against Drug Abuse in 1986 and the ensuing National Drug Strategy and the Illicit Drug Strategy. However, much of this more recent success was possible because of the existence of the organizations, networks and infrastructures established in the earlier period and the Nation's general health, social and educational programmes. These initiatives have been associated with reductions in alcohol and tobacco use and related problems and evidence of reductions in some problem areas associated with illicit drug use. Despite these gains, there have been areas of failure and missed opportunities. Finally, it is critical to ensure that past achievements and opportunities for continued successful initiatives are not undermined by identifiable impediments and risks that could imperil the philosophy, goals, infrastructure and programmes that form the basis for Australia's success to date. [source] Teaching and assessment of Professional attitudes in UK dental schools , CommentaryEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DENTAL EDUCATION, Issue 3 2010J. Field Abstract The General Dental Council expects professionalism to be embedded and assessed through-out the undergraduate dental programme. Curricula need therefore to accommodate these recommendations. A stroll poll of UK dental schools provided a basis for understanding the current methods of teaching and assessing professionalism. All respondent schools recognised the importance of professionalism and reported that this was taught and assessed within their curriculum. For most the methods involved were largely traditional, relying on lectures and seminars taught throughout the course. The most common form of assessment was by grading and providing formative feedback after a clinical encounter. Whilst clinical skills and knowledge can perhaps be readily taught and assessed using traditional methods, those involved in education are challenged to identify and implement effective methods of not only teaching, but also assessing professionalism. A variety of standalone methods need to be developed that assess professionalism and this will, in turn, allow the effectiveness of teaching methods to be assessed. [source] Application of a genetic algorithm in the reduction of loss and control of the voltage of distribution networks using the real optimization of fixed and switched capacitorsEUROPEAN TRANSACTIONS ON ELECTRICAL POWER, Issue 5 2005R. Hooshmand Abstract For a long time, reduction of the loss and control of the voltage of electric distribution networks have been considered to be some of the most important problems of such networks. The importance of these two features arises from the fact that they are directly related to the loss of electric energy. One of the essential and effective methods in solving these two problems is the use of fixed and switched capacitors. In this paper, a new method has been presented on the basis of a genetic algorithm aimed at reducing the loss and controlling the network voltage by using fixed and switched capacitors in the form of real optimization. By real optimization in this method, we mean the use of the range of low- and medium-voltage capacitors available in the market with their real prices and by modelling the load at its different levels, the real model of the network is also taken into consideration. With due regard to the above facts and considering the large number of variables of optimization, the use of the genetic algorithm is an important factor in finding the real optimal method in the application of capacitors. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Acquiring knowledge with limited experienceEXPERT SYSTEMS, Issue 3 2007Der-Chiang Li Abstract: From computational learning theory, sample size in machine learning problems indeed affects the learning performance. Since only few samples can be obtained in the early stages of a system and fewer exemplars usually lead to a low learning accuracy, this research compares different machine learning methods through their classification accuracies to improve small-data-set learning. Techniques used in this paper include the mega-trend diffusion technique, a backpropagation neural network, a support vector machine, and decision trees to explore the machine learning issue with two real medical data sets concerning cancer. The result of the experiment shows that the mega-trend diffusion technique and backpropagation approaches are effective methods of small-data-set learning. [source] Spatial and temporal heterogeneity of the bacterial communities in stream epilithic biofilmsFEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2008Gavin Lear Abstract The spatial and temporal variability in bacterial communities within freshwater systems is poorly understood. The bacterial composition of stream epilithic biofilms across a range of different spatial and temporal scales both within and between streams and across the profile of individual stream rocks was characterised using a community DNA-fingerprinting technique (Automated Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Analysis, ARISA). The differences in bacterial community structure between two different streams were found to be greater than the spatial variability within each stream site, and were larger than the weekly temporal variation measured over a 10-week study period. Greater variations in bacterial community profiles were detected on different faces of individual stream rocks than between whole rocks sampled within a 9-m stream section. Stream temperature was found to be the most important determinant of bacterial community variability using distance-based redundancy analysis (dbRDA) of ARISA data, which may have broad implications for riparian zone management and ecological change as a consequence of global warming. The combination of ARISA with multivariate statistical methods and ordination, such as multidimensional scaling (MDS), permutational manova and RDA, provided rapid and effective methods for quantifying and visualising variation in bacterial community structure, and to identify potential drivers of ecological change. [source] Exclusion of SMAD4 mutation as an early genetic change in human pancreatic ductal tumorigenesisGENES, CHROMOSOMES AND CANCER, Issue 3 2001Hiroko Inoue Pancreatic ductal carcinoma is one of the malignant diseases with the poorest prognosis. To develop effective methods for better treatment of pancreatic cancer patients, we tried to analyze the course of multistep carcinogenesis of the pancreatic ductal cells. IPMT (intraductal papillary-mucinous tumor) is thought to be one of the premalignant lesions of the pancreas, which would transform into carcinomas. Loss of 18q at the SMAD4 locus is known to be an early genetic change in pancreatic ductal carcinomas. It is not clear, however, whether or not the target gene for inactivation is SMAD4. Using 18 IPMTs, we analyzed LOH at the SMAD4 locus and observed frequent LOH (7/14, 50%). No mutations were observed in any of the tumors. Moreover, the expression level of the SMAD4 protein did not show a reduction in IPMTs. These results suggested that (i) inactivating mutation of the SMAD4 gene is a rather late genetic change in pancreatic carcinogenesis, and (ii) there may be an unknown tumor suppressor gene in 18q, other than SMAD4, that is involved in pancreatic ductal carcinogenesis. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Evaluation of coalbed methane reservoirs from geophysical log data using an improved fuzzy comprehensive decision method and a homologous neural networkGEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTING, Issue 5 2002J. Hou The evaluation of coalbed methane reservoirs using log data is an important approach in the exploration and development of coalbed methane reservoirs. Most commonly, regression techniques, fuzzy recognition and neural networks have been used to evaluate coalbed methane reservoirs. It is known that a coalbed is an unusual reservoir. There are many difficulties in using regression methods and empirical qualitative recognition to evaluate a coalbed, but fuzzy recognition, such as the fuzzy comprehensive decision method, and neural networks, such as the back-propagation (BP) network, are widely used. However, there are no effective methods for computing weights for the fuzzy comprehensive decision method, and the BP algorithm is a local optimization algorithm, easily trapped in local minima, which significantly affect the results. In this paper, the recognition method for coal formations is developed; the improved fuzzy comprehensive decision method, which uses an optimization approach for computing weighted coefficients, is developed for the qualitative recognition of coalbed methane reservoirs. The homologous neural network, using a homologous learning algorithm, which is a global search optimization, is presented for the quantitative analysis of parameters for coalbed methane reservoirs. The applied procedures for these methods and some problems related to their application are also discussed. Verification of the above methods is made using log data from the coalbed methane testing area in North China. The effectiveness of the methods is demonstrated by the analysis of results for real log data. [source] The heat transfer and pressure loss characteristics of a heat exchanger for recovering latent heat (the heat transfer and pressure loss characteristics of the heat exchanger with wing fin)HEAT TRANSFER - ASIAN RESEARCH (FORMERLY HEAT TRANSFER-JAPANESE RESEARCH), Issue 4 2007Kiyoshi Kawaguchi Abstract In recent years the requirement for reduction of energy consumption has been increasing to solve the problems of global warming and the shortage of petroleum resources. A latent heat recovery type heat exchanger is one of the effective methods of improving thermal efficiency by recovering latent heat. This paper described the heat transfer and pressure loss characteristics of a latent heat recovery type heat exchanger having a wing fin (fin pitch: 4 mm, fin length: 65 mm). These were clarified by measuring the exchange heat quantity, the pressure loss of heat exchanger, and the heat transfer coefficient between outer fin surface and gas. The effects of condensate behavior in the fins on heat transfer and pressure loss characteristics were clarified. Furthermore, the equations for predicting the heat transfer coefficient and pressure loss which are necessary in the design of the heat exchanger were proposed. ©2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 36(4): 215,229, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20154 [source] Correction of an anemia in patients with a terminal stage chronic renal insufficiency on haemodialysisHEMODIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2005R.Z. Ismagilov One of the basic symptoms of a terminal stage chronic renal insufficiency is anemia. From everything, used methods of correction of an anemia, it is considered the most effective application of preparations recombinant human erythropoietin (r-Hu EPO). Since 1994 in the Scientific Centre of Surgery begins application r-Hu EPO. Application r-Hu EPO in patients with a terminal stage chronic renal insufficiency in 90,95% of cases had a positive effect, but 5,10% of patients have intolerance to erythropoietin, that has induced to search of new effective methods of correction of anemia. During research were determined quantity erythrocytes, hemoglobin, reticulocyte in peripheral blood and acid-alkaline condition of blood. All hematology parameters were defined at the beginning of treatment, over 5 day and for 15 day of stimulation of a bone marrow. For 15 days after stimulation of a bone marrow by the laser there was an authentic increase of quantity erythrocyte, hemoglobin, hematocrit. The initial contents erythrocytes made 2.22 ± 0.1 10 × 12, hemoglobin 67.7 ± 3.2 g/l and hematocrit 18.2 ± 1.2%. During treatment by the laser parameters erythrocytes have increased up to 2.9 ± 0.8 10 × 12, hemoglobin up to 89.6 ± 2.9 g/l and hematocrit up to 28.2 ± 1.3%(P < 0,005). Hematology parameters in blood of control group authentically have not changed. [source] Patient perceptions of the risks and benefits of infliximab for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseaseINFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 1 2008Corey A. Siegel MD Abstract Background: For a patient to make informed, preference based decisions, they must be able to balance the risks and benefits of treatment. The aim of this study was to determine patients' and parents' perceptions of the risks and benefits of infliximab for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: Adult patients with IBD and parents of patients attending IBD patient education symposiums were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding the risks and benefits of infliximab. Results: One hundred and sixty-five questionnaires were completed. A majority (59%) of respondents expected a remission rate greater than 50% at 1 year and 18% expected a remission rate greater than 70% at 1 year. More than one-third (37%) of respondents answered that infliximab is not associated with a risk of lymphoma and 67% responded that the lymphoma risk is no higher than twice that of the general population. When presented a scenario of a hypothetical new drug for IBD with risks mirroring those estimated for infliximab, 64% of respondents indicated that they would not take the medication, despite its described benefits. Thirty percent of these patients were either currently taking or had previously taken infliximab. Patients actively taking infliximab predicted the highest remission rates for the infliximab (P = 0.05), and parents of patients predicted the lowest (P = 0.01). Parents estimated a higher risk of lymphoma than patients (P = 0.003). Risk and benefit perception was independent of gender and age of patient respondents. Conclusions: Compared to published literature, patients and parents of patients overestimate the benefit of infliximab and underestimate its risks. We conclude that effective methods for communicating risks and benefits to patients need to be developed. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2007) [source] Ethics and conflicts, the role of insolvency professionals in the integrity of the Canadian bankruptcy and insolvency system,INTERNATIONAL INSOLVENCY REVIEW, Issue 3 2004Janis Sarra Insolvency practice involves a balance between adherence to rules of ethical conduct and the avoidance of conflicts of interest, and the need to find cost effective methods of debt collection or restructuring under the statutory regime. Potential conflicts of interest are inherent in the multiple roles granted to such professionals under the insolvency system, whether the financial distress is personal or commercial. This article begins to explore whether or not these conflicts serve as barriers to the effective administration of the insolvency and bankruptcy system. It also examines whether oversight of professional ethics and avoidance of conflicts is a matter for legislative intervention or best left to the profession, including temporal and materiality issues in disclosure of potential conflicts, and accountability to stateholders through the appointment process. The key issue is how one manages those conflicts while maintaining the integrity of the system. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Rational Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes Leading to Electrochemical Devices with Striking Applications,ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 15 2008Jie Yan Abstract As one-dimensional carbon nanostructures, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are a member of the carbon family but they possess very different structural and electronic properties from other kinds of carbon materials frequently used in electrochemistry, such as glassy carbon, graphite, and diamond. Although the past decade has witnessed rapid and substantial progress in both the fundamental understanding of CNT-oriented electrochemistry and the development of various kinds of electrochemical devices with carbon nanotubes, the increasing demand from both academia and industry requires CNT-based electrochemical devices with vastly improved properties, such as good reliability and durability, and high performance. As we outline here, the smart functionalization of CNTs and effective methods for the preparation of devices would pave the way to CNT-based electronic devices with striking applications. [source] Laparoscopic adrenalectomy: Troublesome casesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 5 2009Gaku Kawabata Among 143 cases of laparoscopic adrenalectomy carried out from 1993 to the present, 13 patients in whom the surgical manipulation presented problems were examined. Problems occurred due to the condition of the adrenal tumors themselves in six patients, whereas problems occurred due to the operative history in four patients. There were three patients with no operative history but with strong intraperitoneal adhesion. In patients with a history of laparotomy in other fields such as open cholecystectomy, gastrectomy or colostomy, operations were possible in most patients by examining the trocar site preoperatively. Patients with strong adhesion even without a history of surgery could be handled by full separation of the adhesion during surgery. In patients with bleeding in the adrenal tumors, large adrenal tumors, or tumors impacted in the liver, methods such as changing the sequence of separation procedures were required. In patients with a history of renal subcapsular hematomas due to extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), it was not possible to understand the conditions of adrenal or perinephritic adhesion in preoperative imaging diagnosis, but resection was possible by changing the order of separation procedures and by using optimal instruments and devices. As with any surgery, including open surgeries, it is necessary to obtain knowledge on how to deal with variations in laparoscopic adrenalectomy to assure safe outcomes and to always consider effective methods for coping with unexpected difficulties. [source] Continuing Medical Education, Continuing Professional Development, and Knowledge Translation: Improving Care of Older Patients by Practicing PhysiciansJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 10 2006David C. Thomas MD Many community-based internists and family physicians lack familiarity with geriatrics knowledge and best practices, but they face overwhelming fiscal and time barriers to expanding their skills and improving their behavior in the care of older people. Traditional lecture-and-slide-show continuing medical education (CME) programs have been shown to be relatively ineffective in changing this target group's practice. The challenge for geriatrics educators, then, is to devise CME programs that are highly accessible to practicing physicians, that will have an immediate and significant effect on practitioners' behavior, and that are financially viable. Studies of CME have shown that the most effective programs for knowledge translation in these circumstances involve what is known as active-mode learning, which relies on interactive, targeted, and multifaceted techniques. A systematic literature review, supplemented by structured interviews, was performed to inventory active-mode learning techniques for geriatrics knowledge and skills in the United States. Thirteen published articles met the criteria, and leaders of 28 active-mode CME programs were interviewed. This systematic review indicates that there is a substantial experience in geriatrics training for community-based physicians, much of which is unpublished and incompletely evaluated. It appears that the most effective methods to change behaviors involved multiple educational efforts such as written materials or toolkits combined with feedback and strong communication channels between instructors and learners. [source] Effect of Person-Centered Showering and the Towel Bath on Bathing-Associated Aggression, Agitation, and Discomfort in Nursing Home Residents with Dementia: A Randomized, Controlled TrialJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 11 2004Philip D. Sloane MD Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of two nonpharmacological techniques in reducing agitation, aggression, and discomfort in nursing home residents with dementia. The techniques evaluated were person-centered showering and the towel bath (a person-centered, in-bed bag-bath with no-rinse soap). Design: A randomized, controlled trial, with a usual-care control group and two experimental groups, with crossover. Setting: Nine skilled nursing facilities in Oregon and six in North Carolina. Participants: Seventy-three residents with agitation during bathing (69 completed the trial) and 37 nursing assistants who bathed them. Measurements: Agitation and aggression were measured using the Care Recipient Behavior Assessment; discomfort was measured using a modification of the Discomfort Scale for Dementia of the Alzheimer Type. Raters who were blinded to subject status coded both from videotaped baths. Secondary measures of effect included bath duration, bath completeness, skin condition, and skin microbial flora. Results: All measures of agitation and aggression declined significantly in both treatment groups but not in the control group, with aggressive incidents declining 53% in the person-centered shower group (P<.001) and 60% in the towel-bath group (P<.001). Discomfort scores also declined significantly in both intervention groups (P<.001) but not in the control group. The two interventions did not differ in agitation/aggression reduction, but discomfort was less with the towel bath (P=.003). Average bath duration increased significantly (by a mean of 3.3 minutes) with person-centered showering but not with the towel bath. Neither intervention resulted in fewer body parts being bathed; both improved skin condition; and neither increased colonization with potentially pathogenic bacteria, corynebacteria, or Candida albicans. Conclusion: Person-centered showering and the towel bath constitute safe, effective methods of reducing agitation, aggression, and discomfort during bathing of persons with dementia. [source] Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: Quantitative assessment of liver fat content by computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopyJOURNAL OF DIGESTIVE DISEASES, Issue 4 2009Liang ZHONG OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical application of imaging technology in the quantitative assessment of fatty liver with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and proton MR spectroscopy. METHODS: Overall 36 patients with diffuse fatty liver who had undertaken the computed tomography (CT) scan, MRI and proton MR spectroscopy (1H MRS) were analyzed. Their body mass index (BMI) was measured and their liver to spleen CT ratio (L/S) calculated on the plain CT scan. MR T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) was obtained with in-phase (IP) and out-of-phase (OP) images. T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) was acquired with or without the fat-suppression technique. The liver fat content (LFC) was quantified as the percentage of relative signal intensity loss on T1WI or T2WI images. The intrahepatic content of lipid (IHCL) was expressed as the percentage of peak value ratio of lipid to water by 1H MRS. RESULTS: The results of BMI measurement, CT L/S ratio, LFC calculated from MR T1WI and T2WI images, as well as IHCL measured by 1H MRS were 27.26 ± 3.01 kg/m2, 0.88 ± 0.26, 13.80 ± 9.92%, 40.67 ± 16.04% and 30.98 ± 20.43%, respectively. The LFC calculated from MR T1WI, T2WI images and IHCL measured by 1H MRS correlated significantly with the CT L/S ratio (r=,0.830, P= 0.000; r=,0.736, P= 0.000; r=,0.461, P= 0.005, respectively). BMI correlated significantly only with the liver fat contents measured by T1WI IP/OP and 1H MRS (r=,0.347, P= 0.038; r=,0.374, P= 0.025, respectively). CONCLUSION: CT, MR imaging and 1H MRS were effective methods for the quantitative assessment of LFC. The MR imaging, especially 1H MRS, would be used more frequently in the clinical evaluation of fatty liver and 1H MRS could more accurately reflect the severity of fatty liver. [source] Concept, mechanisms and therapeutics of angiogenesis in cancer and other diseasesJOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 8 2003Tayade Pralhad Angiogenesis supports normal physiology as well as contributing to the progression of various diseases including cancer. Determination of the key role of angiogenesis in cancer has led to much optimism for the development of targeted drugs without cytotoxic side-effects. Currently, research in angiogenesis therapy is robust, with the discovery of a growing number of pro- and anti-angiogenic molecules. More time, however, is required to be able to elucidate the complex interactions among these molecules, how they affect vasculature and their functions in different environments. As we learn more about the molecular mechanisms of angiogenesis, a number of effective methods to treat cancer and other diseases will be developed. [source] Natural Abundance 43Ca NMR Spectroscopy of Tobermorite and Jennite: Model Compounds for C,S,HJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 2 2009Geoffrey M. Bowers There are few effective methods for characterizing the molecular scale structural environments of Ca2+ in hydrated cements, which has limited our ability to understand the structure of, for example, Ca,silicate hydrate (C,S,H). 43Ca nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has long been considered too insensitive to provide useful data in this regard, but 43Ca magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectra reported here for synthetic tobermorite and jennite with naturally abundant levels of 43Ca demonstrate that this is a viable approach. We show that spectra with useful signal/noise ratios can be obtained in a reasonable acquisition period (,2 days) using an H0 field strength of 21.1 T, 5 mm rotors spinning at a frequency of 5 kHz, and a double frequency sweep preparatory pulse sequence. Tobermorite and jennite produce relatively broad resonances due to their complex structures and structural disorder, however, the chemical shift differences between six-coordinate 43Ca in jennite and seven-coordinate 43Ca in 11 Å tobermorite are large enough that the signals are entirely resolved at this field. These data suggest that signal from ideal tobermorite-like and jennite-like sites in cement C,S,H can most likely be distinguished by 43Ca NMR and that this method will be a powerful approach for studying cement-based ceramic materials in the coming decade. [source] Application of Compensatory Growth to Enhance Production in Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatusJOURNAL OF THE WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY, Issue 3 2001Nagaraj G. Chatakondi Four treatment groups that received repeating cycles of fixed feed deprivation for either 0, 1, 2, or 3 d (control, treatment 1, treatment 2, and treatment 3, respectively), followed by periods of refeeding with a 36% protein commercial catfish feed once daily as long as the active phase of compensatory growth (CG) persisted, were assessed in flow-through aquaria. No-feed periods elicited the CG state and were immediately followed by days of ad libatum refeeding. At the end of 10 wk, average growth rate (AGR) of fish was higher (P < 0.05) than the control by 40%, 180%, and 191% for treatment 1, treatment 2, and treatment 3, respectively. The average weight of fish in treatment 3 was heavier (P < 0.05) than the average control group at the end of the study period. Mean daily feed consumption was 3.91%, 5.03%, 5.36%, and 5.98% for control, treatment 1, treatment 2, and treatment 3, respectively. Mean feed consumption per fish per day was 24%, 71.3%, and 70.7% higher than the control in treatment 1, treatment 2, and treatment 3, respectively. Restricted feeding is one of the effective methods to contain ESC-related losses in commercial channel catfish fingerling operations. The mean cumulative survival of treatment groups registered higher (P < 0.05) survival to Edwardsiella ictaluri infection compared to the daily fed control fish. Results from this study show that compensatory growth response triggered by periodic non-feeding days can improve growth rate, feed consumption, and improved survival to ESC infections in channel catfish fingerlings. [source] Effects of meiosis-inhibiting agents and equine chorionic gonadotropin on nuclear maturation of canine oocytesMOLECULAR REPRODUCTION & DEVELOPMENT, Issue 4 2003N. Songsasen Abstract Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of meiosis-inhibiting-agents and gonadotropins on nuclear maturation of canine oocytes. The culture medium was TCM199,+,10 ng/ml epidermal growth factor supplemented with 25 ,M ,-mercaptoethanol, 0.25 mM pyruvate, and 1.0 mM L-glutamine (Basal TCM). Initially, oocytes were cultured in Basal TCM alone or in Basal TCM,+,dibutylryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (0.5, 1, 5, or 10 mM dbcAMP) for 24 hr. Dibutylryl cAMP inhibited resumption of meiosis in a dose-dependent manner; 60% of oocytes remained at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage after being cultured for 24 hr in 5 mM dbcAMP. The meiosis-inhibitory effect of dbcAMP appeared to be reversible, as the oocytes resumed meiosis and completed nuclear maturation after being cultured for an additional 48 hr in its absence. Oocytes were then cultured in Basal TCM alone or in Basal TCM,+,roscovitine (12.5, 25, or 50 ,M) for 24 hr. Although ,60% of oocytes cultured in 25 ,M roscovitine remained at the GV stage, this percentage was not significantly different from the 48% that also remained at the GV stage when cultured in its absence. Oocytes were cultured in Basal TCM,+ 25 ,M roscovitine for 17 hr, exposed briefly to equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), and then cultured in Basal TCM for 48 hr. Short exposure of oocytes to eCG was beneficial, as it significantly increased the proportion of oocytes developing beyond germinal vesicle breakdown (P,<,0.05) with ,20,30% of these were metaphase I (MI) oocytes. Study of the kinetics of nuclear maturation demonstrated that large numbers of oocytes remained at MI even after being cultured for 52 hr following brief exposure to eCG. This study showed that in vitro maturation of canine oocytes can be somewhat improved by short exposure of oocytes to eCG. However, further studies are still required to derive effective methods to mature canine oocytes in vitro. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 65: 435,445, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||