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Extent
Kinds of Extent Terms modified by Extent Selected AbstractsA NEW METHOD FOR STUDYING THE EXTENT, STABILITY, AND PREDICTORS OF INDIVIDUAL SPECIALIZATION IN VIOLENCE,CRIMINOLOGY, Issue 2 2007D. WAYNE OSGOOD Specialization in violence is an important scientific and policy topic, and over the past several decades, many analysis techniques for studying specialization have emerged. Research in this area continues to be hampered, however, by remaining methodological problems. To overcome these problems, we propose a new method for studying specialization in violence based on an item-response theory measurement approach that is implemented through a multilevel regression model. Our approach defines specialization as an individual level latent variable, takes into account the inherent confounds between specialization and overall level of offending, and gauges specialization relative to the population base rates of each offense. Our method also enables researchers to 1) estimate the extent and statistical significance of specialization, 2) assess the stability of specialization over time, and 3) relate specialization to explanatory variables. Using data from three studies, we found substantial levels of specialization in violence, considerable stability in specialization over time, and several significant and relatively consistent relationships of specialization to explanatory variables such as gender, parental education, and risk-seeking. [source] REVIEW OF THE EXTENT TO WHICH ORCHIDOPEXY IS PERFORMED AT THE OPTIMAL AGE: IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH SERVICESANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 11 2008Christine J. P. Bruijnen Background: In recent decades, the recommended age for orchidopexy for primary undescended testes has decreased, in the expectation that this might improve subsequent fertility. The aim of this study was to investigate whether this is reflected in a reduction in the age at which orchidopexies are carried out, and the implications for child health services. Methods: All boys who underwent an orchidopexy for an undescended testis carried out by the Christchurch-based paediatric surgical service between January 1997 and December 2007 were identified through a prospectively collected database. They were analysed according to the age at time of operation and year of surgery to determine whether there was any trend over time. The proportions of children younger than 2 years and between 2 and 5 years of age were calculated for each year. Results: In total, 788 boys underwent orchidopexies for primary undescended testes, with 335 (42.5%) boys having surgery before the age of 2 (mean age 54.3 months, median 31.1 months). During the whole 11-year period, there was no significant change in age at orchidopexy, whereas from 2003, a significant trend towards lower age at operation (Spearman's rank ,0.1112, P = 0.0071) and a significant increase in the proportion of boys having surgery before the age of 2 (Spearman's rank 0.9000, P = 0.0374) were seen. Conclusions: Although there has been a modest reduction in the mean age of orchidopexy since 2003, overall, the mean age at orchidopexy remains well above the recommended optimal age, implying that more attention should be paid towards earlier diagnosis and referral for primary undescended testes. [source] Evaluation of Right Ventricular Fibrosis in Adult Congenital Heart Disease Using Gadolinium-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Initial Experience in Patients with Right Ventricular Loading ConditionsCONGENITAL HEART DISEASE, Issue 5 2006Lopa P. Hartke MD ABSTRACT Objective., Gadolinium-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging has been used to show myocardial fibrosis, a finding that appears as late gadolinium enhancement. Its role in the evaluation of right ventricular fibrosis in congenital heart disease is unclear. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate late gadolinium enhancement of the right ventricle in adult and adolescent congenital heart disease and to investigate the relationship between this enhancement and clinical and pathophysiological data. Design., In total, 24 patients, 16 patients with congenital heart disease and right ventricular loading conditions and 8 controls, underwent gadolinium-enhanced viability imaging. Diagnoses varied and included repaired, palliated, and unrepaired lesions. The presence and extent of right ventricular late gadolinium enhancement was compared with patient clinical and hemodynamic data. Exact Wilcoxon tests, Fisher's exact tests, and Spearman's rank correlation were used to compare variables. Results., Nine of 16 patients (56%) were found to have right ventricular late gadolinium enhancement, ranging from 5% to 80% of right ventricular myocardium affected (mean 36.1%, SD 29.7). The combination of right ventricular systolic pressure ,98 mm Hg and systemic oxygen saturation ,93% strongly suggested the presence of right ventricular late gadolinium enhancement (positive predictive value 100%), but no single variable or combination of variables could reliably predict its absence (negative predictive values ,75%). Extent of right ventricular late gadolinium enhancement did not correlate with degree of either hypoxia or right ventricular hypertension. Conclusions., Gadolinium-enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance demonstrates right ventricular late gadolinium enhancement in some patients with congenital heart disease and right ventricular loading conditions. Clinical variables were associated with the presence of fibrosis but did not reliably predict severity. Myocardial preservation is likely a multifactorial process that may affect the right and left ventricles differently. [source] Increased Expression of p53 Protein Correlates With the Extent of Myocyte Damage in Cardiac Allograft RejectionCONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE, Issue 6 2008Bernadette K. McLaren MD Acute cardiac allograft rejection (ACAR) has been associated with a poor prognosis. The early diagnosis of ACAR necessitates the accurate detection of myocyte damage. Nuclear damage activates p53, a transcription factor that initiates apoptosis and repair. Endomyocardial biopsies (n=25) from 10 cardiac allograft recipients were stained for nuclear p53. The biopsies were divided into rejection groups based on the grading of ACAR: group 1, grade 0; group 2, grade Ia and Ib; group 3, grades II and III. While clinical indices did not correlate with myocyte damage, significantly more myocytes in group 3 stained for nuclear p53 (2.48±0.60/mm2) compared with group 1 (0.22±0.12/mm2) and group 2 (0.43±0.18/mm2). Increased expression of p53 in cardiac myocytes with grade II or grade III rejection provides an objective quantification as an aid in the diagnosis of ACAR. [source] Extent of Nontimber Resource Extraction in Tropical Forests: Accessibility to Game Vertebrates by Hunters in the Amazon BasinCONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2003Carlos A. Peres We conducted a basin-wide geographic information system analysis of the nonmotorized accessibility of Amazonian NTFP extraction and estimated the proportion of the Amazon drainage basin within Brazil ( 3.74 million km 2 ) that can be accessed on foot from the nearest navigable river or functional road. We use a long-term series of standardized line-transect vertebrate censuses conducted throughout the region to illustrate the effects of physical accessibility on wildlife densities in terms of hunting pressure as a function of distance from the nearest point of access. Population abundance in large-bodied, prime-target species preferred by game hunters tended to increase at greater distances from the access matrix, whereas small-bodied species ignored by hunters usually showed the reverse trend. In addition, we estimated the proportion of presumably inviolate core areas within nature, extractive, and indigenous reserves of Brazilian Amazonia that are prohibitively remote and unlikely to be overhunted; for instance, only 1.16% of the basin-wide area is strictly protected on paper and is reasonably safe from extractive activities targeted to game vertebrates and other valuable NTFPs. Finally, we discuss the concept of truly undisturbed wildlands in the last major tropical forest regions by distinguishing potentially overharvested areas from those that remain largely or entirely pristine and that maintain viable populations of a full complement of harvest-sensitive species. Resumen: Las actividades de extracción enfocadas en un amplio rango de productos forestales no maderables ( NTFPs ) son omnipresentes en los bosques tropicales. Sin embargo, la extensión de bosques estructuralmente intactos en una determinada región afectada por esta forma de perturbación críptica ha sido escasamente documentada. Realizamos un análisis GIS del acceso no motorizado para la extracción NTFP en el Amazonas y estimamos la proporción de la desembocadura de la cuenca amazónica ( ,3.74 millones de km2 ) a la cual se puede acceder a pie a partir del río navegable o la carretera funcional más cercana. Utilizamos series de censos de vertebrados a largo plazo empleando transectos en línea estandarizados a lo largo de la región para ejemplificar los efectos del acceso físico sobre las densidades de vida silvestre en términos de presión de caza como función de la distancia al punto de acceso más cercano. La abundancia poblacional de especies de cuerpo grande que son blancos preferidos por los cazadores tendió a crecer a mayores distancias de la matriz de acceso, mientras que las especies de cuerpo pequeño ignoradas por los cazadores generalmente muestran la tendencia inversa. Además, estimamos la proporción de áreas medulares presuntamente inviolables dentro de las reservas naturales, extractivas e indígenas del Amazonas brasileño que son prohibitivamente remotas y poco probables de ser sobreexplotadas: por ejemplo, solo el 1.16% del área de la cuenca estrictamente proyectada en papel está razonablemente a salvo de las actividades extractivas de los vertebrados de caza y otras NTFPs valiosas. Finalmente, discutimos el concepto de tierras silvestres verdaderamente no perturbadas en las grandes regiones de bosque tropical restantes diferenciando las áreas potencialmente sobreexplotadas de aquellas que son en su mayor parte o totalmente prístinas y que mantienen poblaciones viables de un complemento total de especies sensibles a la cosecha. [source] The stability of correlates of labour force activityACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 5 2009G. Waghorn Objective:, To investigate the stability of correlates of labour force activity among people with affective and anxiety disorders, compared with healthy adults, between 1998 and 2003. Method:, Secondary analyses of multi-stage probability samples of community residents (n1998 = 37 580 and n2003 = 36 088) obtained from repeat administrations of an Australian population survey. Results:, Proportionally, fewer people with affective or anxiety disorders were employed compared with well controls. Extent of employment restrictions, sex, age left school, country of birth, age and educational attainment were strong correlates of labour force participation and current employment. These effects were stable despite improved labour market conditions in 2003. Conclusion:, These results can inform decisions about access to substantial forms of employment assistance. Subgroups of people with anxiety and depression, with severe employment restrictions, low education, low language proficiency, aged 15,24 years, or aged 55 years or more, may require greater access to substantial employment assistance. [source] Extent of initial injury determines language lateralization in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (MTLE-HS)EPILEPSIA, Issue 10 2009Chaturbhuj Rathore Summary Purpose:, To assess the prevalence and attributes of atypical language lateralization (ALL) in patients with left mesial temporal lobe epilepsy associated with hippocampal sclerosis (MTLE-HS). Methods:, We recruited consecutive patients with left MTLE-HS, who had undergone resective surgery and had pathologically proven HS. Based on the Wada test, language lateralization was classified into typical (left hemispheric) or atypical (right hemispheric or codominant). We assessed the attributes of patients with ALL using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results:, Of 124 patients with left MTLE-HS, 23 (18.5%) had ALL. ALL occurred more frequently in patients with severe initial precipitating injury (IPI), early onset of epilepsy, and a short latent period between IPI and onset of habitual seizures. ALL was more common in patients with bitemporal and extratemporal interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) on electroencephalogram (EEG) and extratemporal changes on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). On multivariate analyses, the age at onset of habitual seizures <6 years, atypical IPI, nonunilateral temporal IEDs, and extratemporal MRI abnormalities independently predicted ALL. The likelihood of ALL was very low (,1%) when all of these four risk factors were absent, whereas it was very high (>95%), if any three or all four of them were present. Conclusions:, ALL occurs in one-fifth of patients with left MTLE-HS. ALL is more frequent in those with structural or functional extrahippocampal involvement and early onset of epilepsy interrupting the development of normal language networks. Because ALL is uncommon in those with damage/dysfunction restricted to the hippocampus, the hippocampus itself may have only a limited role in determining language lateralization. [source] FDG-PET Images Quantified by Probabilistic Atlas of Brain and Surgical Prognosis of Temporal Lobe EpilepsyEPILEPSIA, Issue 9 2002Sang Kun Lee Summary: ,Purpose: This study evaluated the relation between hypometabolism, diagnosed by fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), and the surgical outcome of a large and homogeneous series of cases of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE), by using a probabilistic atlas of the human brain (statistical probabilistic anatomical maps: SPAM). Methods: Ninety-five surgically proven intractable mTLE patients and 22 age-matched controls were spatially normalized to the average brain PET template of international consortium of brain mapping (ICBM). The diagnosis of mTLE was confirmed by the presence of hippocampal sclerosis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and video-EEG monitoring. Counts from normalized PET images were multiplied by the probability from 98 volumes of interest (VOIs) of SPAM. Asymmetric indexes (AIs) reflecting the severity of hypometabolism were calculated by counts of selected 12 VOIs from SPAM images in both temporal lobes. Extent of hypometabolism was determined by the number of voxels showing decreased metabolism in each VOI segmented by SPAM. Results: Of the 95 patients studied, 76 (80%) were seizure free, and 19 (20%) had postoperative seizures for the ,2-year follow-up period. No significant association between the severity of hypometabolism in each VOI of the temporal lobe and surgical outcome was identified (p > 0.05). The number of voxels showing decreased hypometabolism was not significantly different between the good- and poor-outcome groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that focal severity and extent of hypometabolism quantified by a probabilistic atlas of brain were not related to the surgical outcome in mTLE patients who had hippocampal sclerosis on MRI. We should develop a more localized and specified anatomic map for mTLE for further results. [source] Extent and Nature of Sexual Harassment in the Fashion Retail Workplace: 10 Years LaterFAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES RESEARCH JOURNAL, Issue 1 2005Catherine Amoroso Leslie Sexual harassment continues to be a pervasive and costly problem for businesses, government, and educational institutions. In the past 15 years, workplace sexual harassment has become prominent in the public consciousness. In fashion retailing, an industry with a large number of young, unmarried female employees and relatively large power differentials between organizational levels, sexual harassment is an important issue. The purpose of this study was to replicate Workman's 1993 article "Extent and Nature of Sexual Harassment in the Fashion Retail Workplace." The same instrument was administered to 144 female clothing and textile students at a large state university. One hundred six participants (73.6%) had experienced at least one incident of sexual harassing behavior. This was consistent with Workman's finding of 73.5%. In the majority of the variables tested, very little had changed between 1993 and 2003. [source] Susceptibility to Heterobasidion parviporum in Picea abies clones grown in different environmentsFOREST PATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2008B. Karlsson Summary Thirty-five Norway spruce, Picea abies, clones from Sweden were tested for resistance to Heterobasidion parviporum. Rooted cuttings of the clones were planted in Italy and Greece and cultivated for two growing seasons before inoculation with H. parviporum. Extent of infection was determined 6 weeks later. The results were compared to those of earlier inoculations in Sweden. Plant growth traits were under strong genetic control in all locations with broad sense heritability estimates between 0.14 and 0.54. Lesion and fungal extension heritabilities were moderate, H2 ranged from 0.09 to 0.20, and exhibited rather large genetic variation. There was significant genotypic correlation between Italy and Greece with respect to both lesions and fungal extension. No such correlations were found between Sweden and the two other countries. The lack of repeatability in testing susceptibility is unsatisfactory. It could be explained by C-effects associated with propagation of the host plants. Height growth correlated significantly and positively among all countries. [source] Understanding the Impacts of Anisotropy on the Extent of DrawdownGROUND WATER, Issue 4 2010Ty P.A. Ferré No abstract is available for this article. [source] To What Extent Does the Financial Reporting Process Curb Earnings Surprise Games?JOURNAL OF ACCOUNTING RESEARCH, Issue 5 2007LAWRENCE D. BROWN ABSTRACT Managers play earnings surprise games to avoid negative earnings surprises by managing earnings upward or by managing analysts' earnings expectations downward. We investigate the effectiveness of the financial reporting process at restraining earnings surprise games. Because the annual reporting process is subject to an independent audit and more rigorous expense recognition rules than interim reporting, it provides managers with fewer opportunities to manage earnings upward. We document that, relative to interim reporting, annual reporting reduces the likelihood of income-increasing earnings management and, to a lesser extent, of negative surprise avoidance, but increases the magnitude of downward expectations management. Our findings suggest that regulatory attempts to monitor corporations' internal checks and balances are likely to be more effective at curbing upward earnings management than at mitigating negative surprise avoidance. [source] Extent of peri-implantitis-associated bone lossJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Christer Fransson Abstract Objective: The purpose of the present study was to describe the extent of peri-implantitis-associated bone loss with regard to implant position. Material and methods: Patient files and intra-oral radiographs from 182 subjects were analysed. Among the 1070 examined implants, 419 exhibited peri-implantitis-associated bone loss. The position of each implant within the jaw and fixed reconstructions was determined. In the radiographs the distance between the abutment-fixture junction and the most coronal position of bone to implant contact was assessed at the 419 "affected" implants using a magnifying lens (× 7) with a 0.1 mm graded scale. Results: About 40% of the implants in each subject was affected by peri-implantitis-associated bone loss. The proportion of such implants varied between 30% and 52% in different jaw positions and the most common position was the lower front region. In addition, affected implants were found in larger proportions among "mid" than "end" abutments irrespective of supporting fixed complete or fixed partial dentures. Conclusion: It is suggested that peri-implantitis occurs in all jaw positions and that an "end"-abutment position in a fixed reconstruction is not associated with an enhanced risk for peri-implantitis. [source] An Integrative Framework for Measuring the Extent to which Organizational Variables Influence the Success of Process Improvement ProgrammesJOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES, Issue 7 2005Peter Lok abstract Studies on the three types of process improvement programmes (Continuous Improvement, Reengineering and Benchmarking) have appeared many times in the literature. These studies suggest that certain organizational variables act as enablers and their presence or absence can significantly influence success rates. Such studies have tended to examine companies where a single programme has been implemented. In contrast, this paper examines a sample of companies who have experienced all three programmes. Our aim is to compare and contrast each programme's impact on firm performance and identify which organizational variables are common and which are programme-specific enablers of success. We build and test an integrative framework to support our analysis. Our study found that: (1) Reengineering delivered the greatest impact on performance; (2) executive commitment was needed to make this happen; (3) strategic alignment was the major influence on the success rate of Reengineering and Continuous Improvement programmes; and (4) employee empowerment was necessary for each programme to work effectively. [source] Extent and mechanism of solvation and partitioning of isomers of substituted benzoic acids: A thermodynamic study in the solid state and in solutionJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 9 2008German L. Perlovich Abstract Temperature dependency of saturated vapour pressure and thermochemical characteristics of fusion processes for 2-, 3- and 4-methoxybenzoic acids (anisic acids) were measured and thermodynamic functions of sublimation, fusion, and evaporation calculated. A new approach to split specific and nonspecific energetic terms in the crystal lattice was developed. For methoxybenzoic acid isomers as well as for a number of analogous molecules, a parameter describing molecular packing density by the ratio of free volume of the molecules in the crystal lattice and van der Waals molecular volume is defined. Its relationship to Gibbs energy of sublimation and to the respective melting points was analysed. Temperature dependencies of solubility in buffers with pH 2.0 and 7.4, n -octanol and n -hexane were measured. The thermodynamic functions of solubility, solvation and transfer processes were deduced. Concentration dependence of partition coefficients for the outlined isomers was measured. Specific and nonspecific solvation terms were distinguished using the transfer from the ,inert' n -hexane to the other solvents. Comparison analysis of specific and nonspecific interactions in the solid state and in solution was carried out. A diagram enabling analysis of the mechanism of the partitioning process was applied. It was found that position of substituents essentially affects the mechanism of partitioning in buffer pH 2.0, however, at pH 7.4, the mechanism is independent of the position of the substituent. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 97:3883,3896, 2008 [source] Excess nickel,induced changes in antioxidative processes in maize leavesJOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION AND SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 6 2007Praveen Kumar Abstract Maize (Zea mays L. cv. 777) plants grown in hydroponic culture were treated with 100 µM NiSO4 (moderate nickel (Ni) excess). In addition to growth parameters, metabolic parameters representative of antioxidant responses in leaves were assessed 24 h and 3, 7, and 14 d after initiating the Ni treatment. Extent of oxidative damage was measured as accumulation of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide in leaves 7 and 14 d after treatment initiation. Apart from increasing membrane-lipid peroxidation and H2O2 accumulation, excess supply of Ni suppressed plant growth and dry mass of shoots but increased dry mass of roots and decreased the concentrations of chloroplastic pigments. Excess supply of Ni, though inhibited the catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) activity, increased peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7), ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11), and superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1) activities. Localization of isoforms of these enzymes (peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase) on native gels also revealed increases in the intensities of pre-existing bands. Enhanced activities of peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase, however, did not appear to be sufficient to ameliorate the effects of excessively generated reactive oxygen species due to excess supply of Ni. [source] Extent of the last ice sheet in northern Scotland tested with cosmogenic 10Be exposure ages,JOURNAL OF QUATERNARY SCIENCE, Issue 2 2008William M. Phillips Abstract The extent of the last British,Irish Ice Sheet (BIIS) in northern Scotland is disputed. A restricted ice sheet model holds that at the global Last Glacial Maximum (LGM; ca. 23,19,ka) the BIIS terminated on land in northern Scotland, leaving Buchan, Caithness and the Orkney Islands ice-free. An alternative model implies that these three areas were ice-covered at the LGM, with the BIIS extending offshore onto the adjacent shelves. We test the two models using cosmogenic 10Be surface exposure dating of erratic boulders and glacially eroded bedrock from the three areas. Our results indicate that the last BIIS covered all of northern Scotland during the LGM, but that widespread deglaciation of Caithness and Orkney occurred prior to rapid warming at ca. 14.5,ka. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Effect of School Policy on Tobacco Use by School Personnel in Bihar, IndiaJOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, Issue 1 2004Dhirendra N. Sinha ABSTRACT: This study examined the relationship between school tobacco policies and tobacco use prevalence among school personnel. Two subsets of schools were identified in Bihar, India: Federal schools (with a tobacco policy), and State schools (without a tobacco policy). Stratified probability samples of 50 schools each were selected. The survey was conducted through an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. School personnel from State schools (non-policy schools) reported significantly higher daily cigarette smoking and daily current smokeless tobacco use compared to personnel in Federal schools (policy schools). Teachers in State schools did not teach about health consequences of tobacco, and they had not received training for such teaching. Extent of teaching about health consequences of tobacco varied across topics for teachers in Federal schools. They received negligible training, but more than 35% reported access to teaching materials. More than one-half the personnel from Federal schools knew about their school's policy prohibiting tobacco use among students and school personnel, and about policy enforcement. Personnel in State schools did not know about tobacco control policy in their schools. All school personnel in both types of schools were near unanimous in supporting policy prohibiting tobacco use in schools. The study demonstrated an association between enacting a school policy regarding tobacco use and school personnel's use of tobacco, curricular teaching, and practical training of students. Findings suggest that more extensive introduction of comprehensive school policies may help reduce tobacco use among school personnel. [source] Extent of pelvic lymphadenectomy in women with squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix: Is there any prognostic value?JOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY, Issue 3 2009José Humberto Tavares Guerreiro Fregnani MD Abstract Background and Objectives Some authors states that the removal of lymph node would only contribute towards assessing the lymph node status and regional disease control, without any benefit for the patients' survival. The aim of this paper was to assess the influence of the number of surgically dissected pelvic lymph nodes (PLN) on disease-free survival. Methods Retrospective cohort study on 42 women presenting squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the uterine cervix, with metastases in PLN treated by radical surgery. The Cox model was used to identify risk factors for recurrence. The model variables were adjusted for treatment-related factors (year of treatment, surgical margins and postoperative radiotherapy). The cutoff value for classifying the lymphadenectomy as comprehensive (15 PLN or more) or non-comprehensive (<15 PLN) was determined from analysis of the ROC curve. Results Fourteen recurrences (32.6%) were recorded: three pelvic, eight distant, two both pelvic and distant, and one at an unknown location. The following risk factors for recurrence were identified: invasion of the deep third of the cervix and number of dissected lymph nodes <15. Conclusions Deep invasion and non-comprehensive pelvic lymphadenectomy are possible risk factors for recurrence of SCC of the uterine cervix with metastases in PLN. J. Surg. Oncol. 2009;100:252,257. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Elongational Rheology of Polymer/Clay Dispersions: Determination of Orientational Extent in Elongational Flow Processes,MACROMOLECULAR MATERIALS & ENGINEERING, Issue 4 2008Eduard A. Stefanescu Abstract The purpose of the present contribution is to provide an efficient method that would help to quantify the orientational levels occurring in polymer/clay dispersions subjected to elongational flow. The extent of internal orientation developed in salt containing montmorillonite/poly(ethylene oxide) gels is investigated, combining shear and elongational rheology methods. Entropic changes indicate that the strength of the transient network present in each gel affects the orientational ability of clay particles and polymer chains. We found that an increased Hencky strain of the hyperbolic die leads to a higher variation of the calculated entropy of the material. [source] An Improved Non-Isothermal Kinetic Model for Prediction of Extent of Transesterification Reaction and Degree of Randomness in PET/PEN BlendsMACROMOLECULAR THEORY AND SIMULATIONS, Issue 4-5 2008Mahdi Golriz Abstract An improved non-isothermal kinetic model was developed based on mass balance and Arrhenius laws using a second-order reversible reaction capable of predicting the extent of transesterification reaction (X) and the degree of randomness (RD) in poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/poly(ethylene naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylate) (PEN) blends prepared by a twin screw micro-compounder over a full composition range under different processing conditions. The experimental values of X and RD were determined by 1H-NMR and a direct relationship between them developed. The model constants were tuned by an optimization method using half of the experimental data, with the other half used for verification. Good agreement was found between the experimental and theoretical data in the verification stage and, therefore, it was concluded that the model is capable of predicting the extent of transesterification reaction with a high level of confidence for a wide range of processing conditions. Similarly to the experimental results, the model showed that, among all parameters affecting the extent of transesterification reaction, the time and temperature play the major role, whereas the blend composition does not have a significant role. [source] Extent of thermal ablation suffered by model organic microparticles during aerogel capture at hypervelocitiesMETEORITICS & PLANETARY SCIENCE, Issue 10 2009M. J. Burchell Commercial polystyrene particles (20 ,m diameter) were coated with an ultrathin 20 nm overlayer of an organic conducting polymer, polypyrrole. This overlayer comprises only 0.8% by mass of the projectile but has a very strong Raman signature, hence its survival or destruction is a sensitive measure of the extent of chemical degradation suffered. After aerogel capture, microparticles were located via optical microscopy and their composition was analyzed in situ using Raman microscopy. The ultrathin polypyrrole overlayer survived essentially intact for impacts at ,1 km s,1, but significant surface carbonization was found at 2 km s,1, and major particle mass loss at ,3 km s,1. Particles impacting at ,6.1 km s,1 (the speed at which cometary dust was collected in the NASA Stardust mission) were reduced to approximately half their original diameter during aerogel capture (i.e., a mass loss of 84%). Thus significant thermal ablation occurs at speeds above a few km s,1. This suggests that during the Stardust mission the thermal history of the terminal dust grains during capture in aerogel may be sufficient to cause significant processing or loss of organic materials. Further, while Raman D and G bands of carbon can be obtained from captured grains, they may well reflect the thermal processing during capture rather than the pre-impact particle's thermal history. [source] Computing the Extent of Circumvention of Proposition 13: A NoteAMERICAN JOURNAL OF ECONOMICS AND SOCIOLOGY, Issue 1 2000Sarkis J. Khoury We analyze the own-source revenues of California state and local governments relative to the State's personal income in order to examine the extent to which the growth in non-tax revenues has circumvented the reduction in taxes produced by Proposition 13. Our results show that, while non-tax revenues have been the favored means to circumvent California's fiscal constitution, the circumvention has been only marginal. [source] Computing the Extent of Circumvention of Proposition 13: A ResponseAMERICAN JOURNAL OF ECONOMICS AND SOCIOLOGY, Issue 1 2000Gary M. Galles Galles and Sexton (1998) showed that California state and local revenues exceeded their previous real per capita levels as did the sum of property taxes plus charges and miscellaneous revenues within a decade after Proposition 13 passed, and concluded that Proposition 13 was only temporarily successful at shrinking California state and local governments. Khoury and Pal (2000) challenge this conclusion. However, their conclusion that Proposition 13'mvention "n only marginal"from using per $1000 of income comparisons rather than real per capita comparisons and from using growth rate changes, which fail to adjust for U.S. fiscal trends, instead of changes in the levels of variables as their primary measure. [source] Refractory Neuropathic Pain: The Nature and Extent of the ProblemPAIN PRACTICE, Issue 1 2006David Niv MD, FIPP First page of article [source] Predicting behavioral problems in craniopharyngioma survivors after conformal radiation therapyPEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER, Issue 7 2009Eugenia P. Dolson BS Abstract Background Although radiation therapy is a primary treatment for craniopharyngioma, it can exacerbate existing problems related to the tumor and pre-irradiation management. Survival is often marked by neurologic deficits, panhypopituitarism, diabetes insipidus, cognitive deficiencies, and behavioral and social problems. Procedure The Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was used to evaluate behavioral and social problems during the first 5 years of follow-up in 27 patients with craniopharyngioma treated with conformal radiation therapy. Results All group averages for the CBCL scales were within the age-typical range at pre-irradiation baseline. Extent of surgical resection was implicated in baseline differences for the internalizing, externalizing, behavior problem and social scores. Significant longitudinal changes were found in internalizing, externalizing, behavior problem and school scores that correlated with tumor and treatment-related factors. Conclusions The most common variables implicated in post-irradiation behavioral and social problems were CSF shunting, presence of an Ommaya reservoir, diabetes insipidus, and low pre-irradiation growth hormone levels. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:860,864. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Management of retinoblastoma with proximal optic nerve enhancement on MRI at diagnosisPEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER, Issue 4 2008Saro H. Armenian DO Abstract Background In North America, retinoblastoma rarely presents with gross clinical evidence of tumor involving the optic nerve. Extent of microscopic tumor infiltration into the postlaminar optic nerve is a significant risk factor for metastasis, especially if there is tumor at the cut end. Due to poor outcomes in patients with metastatic disease, historical treatment for patients with clinical evidence of extraocular optic nerve involvement has included upfront enucleation followed by aggressive adjuvant chemotherapy. Additional orbital irradiation is advocated for individuals with optic nerve involvement at the surgical margin. Little is known about the role of neoadjuvant therapy in the setting of orbital optic nerve enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at diagnosis. Methods A retrospective review of consecutive retinoblastoma cases at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles over a 3-year period (2004,2006) found to have gadolinium contrast enhancement in the proximal portion of optic nerve on MRI at diagnosis. Results Nine patients fit the inclusion criteria. Two had secondary glaucoma of a sufficient degree to cause an enlarged eye (buphthalmos). Median age at presentation was 17 months (2,36 months). All patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to enucleation. Only two received external beam radiation. All are disease-free with a median follow-up of 22 months (12,41 months). Conclusions Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is well tolerated prior to enucleation of retinoblastoma-containing eyes associated with contrast enhancement of the proximal optic nerve on MRI at diagnosis. Such an approach may be used to decrease intensity or duration of chemotherapy and need for external beam radiation. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:479,484. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Serum Concentration of IL-18 Correlates with Disease Extent in Young Children with Atopic DermatitisPEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2004Kam Lun Ellis Hon F.A.A.P. Previous studies have suggested that IL-18 may be an inflammatory marker for atopic dermatitis (AD). The purpose of our study was to test whether the serum concentration of IL-18 is a useful inflammatory marker for assessing AD severity in young children. Nineteen AD patients with a median age of 2.2 years (interquartile range 0.7,4.6 years) were recruited. The severity of AD was clinically determined using the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index. Their SCORAD score was 23.9 (range 18.6,34.8). Serum IL-18 levels were determined by sandwich enzyme immunoassay. The median serum concentration of IL-18 was 394 pg/ml (interquartile range 204,612 pg/ml). Serum IL-18 levels correlated with SCORAD scores (r = 0.502, p = 0.029) and their extent component (r = 0.633, p = 0.004). When compared with mild disease with low SCORAD scores, the serum concentration in moderate to severe disease was significantly higher (p = 0.014). We concluded that serum IL-18 concentration is elevated in young children with AD. It may be a useful inflammatory marker that correlates with the extent component of AD in particular, and differentiates mild disease from more severe disease when used for assessing AD severity in young children. [source] Changes in utilisation of anticholinergic drugs after initiation of cholinesterase inhibitors,PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 8 2009M Robinson BPharm, MedSc Abstract Purpose Cholinesterase Inhibitors (CEIs) have been subsidised in Australia since February 2001 for cognitive decline associated with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease. The number of people with Alzheimer Disease is expected to increase, with a continuing increase in the number of people receiving CEI's. Many anticholinergic drugs (ACDs) are also prescribed to people receiving CEIs and concerns about the impact of the interaction have been raised. The aim of this study was to describe co-prescribing of a group of important ACDs in patients initiating treatment with CEIs in Australia. Methods Pharmacy claim data for Australia (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) was examined for the period 1 April to 30 June 2006. All selected prescriptions supplied for patients receiving their first supply of any CEIs (initiators) were extracted for 14 weeks prior to and post the first date of supply. The numbers of initiating people co-administering CEIs and ACDs was examined. Results 5797 persons received their first prescription for CEIs between 1 April and 30 June 2006. Thirty-two per cent of these also received prescriptions for at least one ACD. There was a statistically significant increase in the number of initiators receiving an ACD. The significant increase was in patients receiving atypical antipsychotics. There was a trend towards an increase in patients receiving oxybutynin. Conclusions Extent of co-administration of ACDs and CEIs is similar to other international studies however the most significant increase is seen in patients receiving atypical antipsychotics. The implications of adding atypical antipsychotics are potential for worsening disease, increasing adverse effects and increased health resource utilisation in this vulnerable group. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Enhanced Bactericidal Activity of Modified Titania in Sunlight against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a Water-Borne PathogenPHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2010S. Swetha Photocatalyst-mediated inactivations generate reactive oxygen species and OH radicals, which induce oxidative destruction of membrane integrity, causing damage to membrane phospholipids of gram negative bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Nanosized TiO2 was synthesized by gel to crystalline conversion and Zr-doped TiO2 was synthesized by pulverization using appropriate precursor. The doped nanocrystals retained the anatase phase with a marginal increase in crystallite size, averaging at 25 nm. SEM,EDX analysis of the doped sample depicts the substantial growth of grain size with 1.33 atomic weight % of zirconium. The created electron states in the doped sample act as charge carrier traps suppressing recombination which later detraps the same to the surface of the catalyst causing enhanced interfacial charge transfer. Zr-doped TiO2 at the molecular scale exhibits better photocatalytic activity with lower bandgap energy that can respond to visible light. The redshift caused by the dopants in absorption spectra of TiO2 facilitated the nonintrinsic sample to exhibit nearly 2-fold enhancement of photoinactivation in sunlight. Extent of photoinactivation of P. aeruginosa was observed to be complete (100%) within 150 min of sunlight exposure in the presence of modified TiO2. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||