Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Force
Kinds of Force Terms modified by Force Selected AbstractsEFFECT OF CENTRIFUGAL FORCE ON THE AQUEOUS EXTRACTION OF SOLUTE FROM SUGAR BEET TISSUE PRETREATED BY A PULSED ELECTRIC FIELDJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 4 2005KAMAL EL-BELGHITI ABSTRACT In this article, the centrifugal aqueous extraction of solute from sugar beet tissue is investigated at ambient temperature after a pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment. Two kinds of samples of fresh sugar beet were used: a sample with a determined discoid shape and gratings. Both samples were pretreated by a PEF with 250 rectangular pulses of 100 µS each. The PEF intensity was fixed at 940 V/cm for the disk samples and 670 V/cm for gratings. The pretreated samples were placed in distilled water at ambient temperature with a water-to-solid ratio equal to 3 and subjected to different centrifugal accelerations. The centrifugal field significantly enhanced the kinetics of extraction from the electrically pretreated tissues of sugar beet. However, the increase of centrifugal acceleration was only effective up to a certain value (5430 × g for disk samples and 600 × g for gratings). The centrifugal extraction can be assumed to proceed in two stages: a first rapid washing followed by a slow diffusion stage. A two-exponential kinetics model taking into account these two stages was applied and correctly described the centrifugal extraction from beet samples (disks and gratings). [source] EFFECT OF SAMPLE THICKNESS ON THE BITE FORCE FOR APPLESJOURNAL OF TEXTURE STUDIES, Issue 3 2003HARUKA DAN The thickness of a piece of food and its mechanical properties affected the bite force. A multiple-point sheet sensor was used to measure the bite force applied to apple specimens of various thicknesses during the first bite with incisors. The results of wedge penetration tests on the same samples were compared with results of the bite measurements. The maximum bite force increased with the sample thickness for two apple varieties, though the maximum load measured by the wedge penetration test did not change. Therefore, it is important to consider that not only the mechanical properties but also the thickness of the sample affects the required bite force. [source] HAMILTON'S FORCES OF NATURAL SELECTION AFTER FORTY YEARSEVOLUTION, Issue 6 2007Michael R. Rose In 1966, William D. Hamilton published a landmark paper in evolutionary biology: "The Moulding of Senescence by Natural Selection." It is now apparent that this article is as important as his better-known 1964 articles on kin selection. Not only did the 1966 article explain aging, it also supplied the basic scaling forces for natural selection over the entire life history. Like the Lorentz transformations of relativistic physics, Hamilton's Forces of Natural Selection provide an overarching framework for understanding the power of natural selection at early ages, the existence of aging, the timing of aging, the cessation of aging, and the timing of the cessation of aging. His twin Forces show that natural selection shapes survival and fecundity in different ways, so their evolution can be somewhat distinct. Hamilton's Forces also define the context in which genetic variation is shaped. The Forces of Natural Selection are readily manipulable using experimental evolution, allowing the deceleration or acceleration of aging, and the shifting of the transition ages between development, aging, and late life. For these reasons, evolutionary research on the demographic features of life history should be referred to as "Hamiltonian." [source] THE COMMODIFICATION OF THE DANISH DEFENCE FORCES AND THE TROUBLED IDENTITIES OF ITS OFFICERSFINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY & MANAGEMENT, Issue 3 2007Peter Skærbæk The accounting literature has given much attention to the New Public Management and attempts at making the government's performances auditable while influencing the core working of the public sector. This paper contributes to this debate by demonstrating how particular accounting devices participate in the definition of the identities of the officers in the Danish Defence. It shows how the definition of the officers' identities is complex and dynamic and does not necessarily have outcomes of stability and closure. Applying Actor-Network Theory we demonstrate how their identities are caught up in processes of continual or never ending reconfigurations. The major implication is that the occupational identity of the Danish officers is subject to attempts of being defined as ,a manager' in the period 1989-2006. The paper demonstrates how accounting devices participated in defining a hybrid identity of the officers as ,warrior' and ,manager' and that officers in different spaces and times experienced problems with the hybrid identity. [source] Force,frequency and force,length properties in skeletal muscle following unilateral focal ischaemic insult in a rat modelACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 3 2009G. N. Dormer Abstract Aim:, Our purpose was to quantify skeletal muscle properties following unilateral focal ischaemic insult (stroke) in a rat model. Methods:, Male rats were divided into two groups: stroke and 2 weeks recovery (n = 8) and control group (n = 7). Stroke was induced in the area of the motor neocortex containing hind limb corticospinal neurones. Contractile properties of the medial gastrocnemius muscle were measured in situ in both limbs. Force,length and force,frequency properties were measured before and 35 min after 5 min fatiguing stimulation. Results:, Stroke resulted in bilateral tetanic fade during 200 Hz stimulation. When normalized to 100 Hz contractions, force at 200 Hz was 95.4 ± 0.9% for the paretic muscles, 96.7 ± 1.7% for non-paretic muscles and 102.2 ± 1.0% for muscles of control rats (P = 0.006). Prior to fatiguing contractions, there was no difference in the length dependence of force. During repetitive contractions, active force fell significantly to 19 ± 4 and 25 ± 5% of initial force in paretic and non-paretic muscles of animals with a stroke respectively. In control animals active force fell to 37 ± 5%. During repetitive contractions, fusion index increased in muscles of stroke animals to 1.0 ± 0 but in control animals it was 0.95 ± 0.02. There was selective force depression at short lengths for fatigued paretic muscle (significant difference at muscle lengths less than reference length ,2 mm). Conclusion:, The tetanic fade at high stimulation frequencies indicates that there may be activation failure following focal ischaemic insult. The greater magnitude of fatigue and selective depression at short lengths following repetitive contractions should be investigated further. [source] The 5/95 gap in the indexation of psychiatric journals of low- and middle-income countriesACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2 2010J. J. Mari Mari JJ, Patel V, Kieling C, Razzouk D, Tyrer P, Herrman H. The 5/95 gap in the indexation of psychiatric journals of low- and middle-income countries. Objective:, To investigate the relationship between science production and the indexation level of low- and middle-income countries (LAMIC) journals in international databases. Method:, Indicators of productivity in research were based on the number of articles produced over the 1994,2004 period. A survey in both Medline and ISI/Thomson was conducted to identify journals according to their country of origin. A WPA Task Force designed a collaborative process to assess distribution and quality of non-indexed LAMIC journals. Results:, Twenty LAMIC were found to present more than 100 publications and a total of 222 indexed psychiatric journals were found, but only nine were from LAMIC. The Task Force received 26 questionnaires from editors of non-indexed journals, and concluded that five journals would meet criteria for indexation. Conclusion:, Barriers to indexation of journals contribute to the difficulties in achieving fair representation in the main literature databases for the scientific production in these countries. [source] Prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders,DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES RESEARCH REVIEW, Issue 3 2009R. Louise Floyd Abstract Alcohol use among women of childbearing age is a leading, preventable cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities in the United States. Although most women reduce their alcohol use upon pregnancy recognition, some women report drinking during pregnancy and others may continue to drink prior to realizing they are pregnant. These findings emphasize the need for effective prevention strategies for both pregnant and nonpregnant women who might be at risk for an alcohol-exposed pregnancy (AEP). This report reviews evidence supporting alcohol screening and brief intervention as an effective approach to reducing problem drinking and AEPs that can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. In addition, this article highlights a recent report of the National Task Force on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effect that describes effective interventions to reduce alcohol use and AEPs, and outlines recommendations on promoting and improving these strategies. Utilizing evidence-based alcohol screening tools and brief counseling for women at risk for an AEP and other effective population-based strategies can help achieve future alcohol-free pregnancies. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Dev Disabil Res Rev 2009;15:193,199. [source] EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS AND MILITARY SERVICE: AN ANALYSIS OF ENLISTMENT, REENLISTMENT, AND VETERANS' BENEFIT USAGE 1991,2005,ECONOMIC INQUIRY, Issue 4 2010CURTIS J. SIMON Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) educational benefits are a prime recruiting tool in today's all-volunteer military. This paper studies the effects of changes in education benefits using data of the period 1990,2005. Higher benefits lead to higher separation due to both pure incentive effects and by attracting more college-oriented youth into military service. We deal with potential selection issues by distinguishing between anticipated and unanticipated benefit changes. Higher education benefits are associated with higher separation from the Army and Air Force, but not the other services. A $10,000 increase in MGIB benefits is estimated to increase usage by about 5 percentage points, but the duration of usage is estimated to be insensitive to benefit levels. (JEL H52, I21, J24) [source] Overreachers: Hyperbole, the "circle in the water," and Force in 1 Henry 6ENGLISH LITERARY RENAISSANCE, Issue 3 2003Michael Harrawood Overreachers: hyperbole, the "circle in the water," and the imposition of force in Henry VI, Part One This essay considers Joan of Arc's "Glory is like a circle in the water," speech from Henry VI, Part One. My argument is that the circle in the water,a model for the former English victories which now Joan claims will disperse to nothing,is both a figure for and a model of what the period called "overreaching." An examination of Joan's verbal tactics in this brief speech leads me first to a historical claim that Shakespeare, through Joan, deliberately sophisticates (by weakening) the model of Tamburlainian speech which constituted his chief competition in the amphitheaters. The circle in the water simile gets its power by thematizing the pathos of its own eventual exhaustion; and unlike Tamburlaine the power of the early English histories is derived from a series of ego surges that lead ultimately to failed and exhausted verbal performers. This historical claim leads to an examination of contemporary theories about hyperbolical speech and about the personal risks of using hyperbole in public speech performances. [source] AIChE offers technological insights to the public policy debate on global climate changeENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, Issue 3 2000David E. Gushee Global climate change has been a major issue on the national political agenda since 1988. Several Committees on Capitol Hill conducted hearings concerning the heat waves then searing the nation. Testimony by several well-regarded scientists at those hearings that "we ain't seen nothing yet" led to impressive headlines in the national media. Since then, unusually high temperatures, a succession of forecasts of serious negative impacts from the projected continued warming, and well-publicized Congressional hearings led to the creation of the United Nation's Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) and its Kyoto Protocol. As a result, climate change is on just about every technology organization's agenda. In 1996, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers joined the list of organizations formally responding to the issue. The Government Relations Committee (GRC) formed a Task Force on Climate Change, made up of Institute members active in a number of aspects of the issue area. The charge to the Task Force: Look for opportunities for the Institute to contribute to the public policy debate on the issue and frame position papers accordingly. The first major conclusion of the Task Force was that AIChE is not in a position to state whether or not global climate change is a real public policy problem. However, to the extent that the public policy process treats climate change as an issue, the Institute is well positioned to comment on the technical merits of proposed policy responses. The Task Force recommended this posture to the GRC, which agreed. [source] Review of the validation of models used in Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act Environmental exposure assessmentsENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 8 2002Russell L. Jmones Abstract The first activity of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Environmental Model Validation Task Force, established to increase confidence in the use of environmental models used in regulatory assessments, was to review the literature information on validation of the pesticide root zone model (PRZM) and the groundwater loading effects of agricultural management systems (GLEAMS). This literature information indicates that these models generally predict the same or greater leaching than observed in actual field measurements, suggesting that these models are suitable for use in regulatory assessments. However, additional validation research conducted using the newest versions of the models would help improve confidence in runoff and leaching predictions because significant revisions have been made in models over the years, few of the literature studies focused on runoff losses, the number of studies having quantitative validation results is minimal, and modelers were aware of the field results in most of the literature studies. Areas for special consideration in conducting model validation research include improving the process for selecting input parameters, developing recommendations for performing calibration simulations, devising appropriate procedures for keeping results of field studies from modelers performing simulations to validate model predictions while providing access for calibration simulations, and developing quantitative statistical procedures for comparing model predictions with experimental results. [source] Report of the ILAE Classification Core GroupEPILEPSIA, Issue 9 2006Jerome Engel Jr Chair Summary:, A Core Group of the Task Force on Classification and Terminology has evaluated the lists of epileptic seizure types and epilepsy syndromes approved by the General Assembly in Buenos Aires in 2001, and considered possible alternative systems of classification. No new classification has as yet been proposed. Because the 1981 classification of epileptic seizure types, and the 1989 classification of epilepsy syndromes and epilepsies are generally accepted and workable, they will not be discarded unless, and until, clearly better classifications have been devised, although periodic modifications to the current classifications may be suggested. At this time, however, the Core Group has focused on establishing scientifically rigorous criteria for identification of specific epileptic seizure types and specific epilepsy syndromes as unique diagnostic entities, and is considering an evidence-based approach. The short-term goal is to present a list of seizure types and syndromes to the ILAE Executive Committee for approval as testable working hypotheses, subject to verification, falsification, and revision. This report represents completion of this work. If sufficient evidence subsequently becomes available to disprove any hypothesis, the seizure type or syndrome will be reevaluated and revised or discarded, with Executive Committee approval. The recognition of specific seizure types and syndromes, as well as any change in classification of seizure types and syndromes, therefore, will continue to be an ongoing dynamic process. A major purpose of this approach is to identify research necessary to clarify remaining issues of uncertainty, and to pave the way for new classifications. [source] Smoking habits and obesity in young adultsADDICTION, Issue 7 2005Eyal Zimlichman ABSTRACT Aims The aim of this work was to study the association between obesity and smoking habits in young adults. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that obesity does not prevent young adults from smoking and conversely smoking does not protect against obesity. Design and setting Trained nurses interviewed participants concerning demographic data and health behaviors such as smoking. At the time of the interview, weight and height were measured. Data were analyzed retrospectively. Participants A representative sample of Israel Defense Force (IDF) personnel upon discharge from compulsory service, usually at the age of 20,21 years. Findings Overall, 29 745 participants were included during the 13-year study (16 363 males and 13 382 females). Smoking rates were higher among obese participants than among overweight and non-obese participants (34.9%, 37.1%, 43.6% for non-obese, overweight and obese, respectively; P < 0.001). Mean number of cigarettes smoked per day were also higher among smokers that were obese and overweight compared to the non-obese (15.2 ± 9.2, 15.6 ± 10.7, 18.0 ± 9.8, respectively; P < 0.001). Overweight and obesity were associated with the father's lower academic educational level. In logistic regression analysis, obesity, year of study and parental academic education were correlated independently with smoking (P < 0.001). Conclusion The positive association between obesity and smoking suggests that obesity is not a deterrent to smoking and also that smoking does not help to prevent obesity. [source] Glossary of Descriptive Terminology for Ictal Semiology: Report of the ILAE Task Force on Classification and TerminologyEPILEPSIA, Issue 9 2001Warren T. Blume First page of article [source] A Proposed Diagnostic Scheme for People with Epileptic Seizures and with Epilepsy: Report of the ILAE Task Force on Classification and TerminologyEPILEPSIA, Issue 6 2001Jerome Engel Jr. First page of article [source] Quality assurance and benchmarking: an approach for European dental schoolsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DENTAL EDUCATION, Issue 3 2007M. L. Jones Abstract:, This document was written by Task Force 3 of DentEd III, which is a European Union funded Thematic Network working under the auspices of the Association for Dental Education in Europe (ADEE). It provides a guide to assist in the harmonisation of Dental Education Quality Assurance (QA) systems across the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). There is reference to the work, thus far, of DentEd, DentEd Evolves, DentEd III and the ADEE as they strive to assist the convergence of standards in dental education; obviously QA and benchmarking has an important part to play in the European HE response to the Bologna Process. Definitions of Quality, Quality Assurance, Quality Management and Quality Improvement are given and put into the context of dental education. The possible process and framework for Quality Assurance are outlined and some basic guidelines/recommendations suggested. It is recognised that Quality Assurance in Dental Schools has to co-exist as part of established Quality Assurance systems within faculties and universities, and that Schools also may have to comply with existing local or national systems. Perhaps of greatest importance are the 14 ,requirements' for the Quality Assurance of Dental Education in Europe. These, together with the document and its appendices, were unanimously supported by the ADEE at its General Assembly in 2006. As there must be more than one road to achieve a convergence or harmonisation standard, a number of appendices are made available on the ADEE website. These provide a series of ,toolkits' from which schools can ,pick and choose' to assist them in developing QA systems appropriate to their own environment. Validated contributions and examples continue to be most welcome from all members of the European dental community for inclusion at this website. It is realised that not all schools will be able to achieve all of these requirements immediately, by definition, successful harmonisation is a process that will take time. At the end of the DentEd III project, ADEE will continue to support the progress of all schools in Europe towards these aims. [source] AAN-EFNS guidelines on trigeminal neuralgia managementEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 10 2008G. Cruccu Several issues regarding diagnosis, pharmacological treatment, and surgical treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) are still unsettled. The American Academy of Neurology and the European Federation of Neurological Societies launched a joint Task Force to prepare general guidelines for the management of this condition. After systematic review of the literature the Task Force came to a series of evidence-based recommendations. In patients with TN MRI may be considered to identify patients with structural causes. The presence of trigeminal sensory deficits, bilateral involvement, and abnormal trigeminal reflexes should be considered useful to disclose symptomatic TN, whereas younger age of onset, involvement of the first division, unresponsiveness to treatment and abnormal trigeminal evoked potentials are not useful in distinguishing symptomatic from classic TN. Carbamazepine (stronger evidence) or oxcarbazepine (better tolerability) should be offered as first-line treatment for pain control. For patients with TN refractory to medical therapy early surgical therapy may be considered. Gasserian ganglion percutaneous techniques, gamma knife and microvascular decompression may be considered. Microvascular decompression may be considered over other surgical techniques to provide the longest duration of pain freedom. The role of surgery versus pharmacotherapy in the management of TN in patients with multiple sclerosis remains uncertain. [source] EFNS guidelines on neurostimulation therapy for neuropathic painEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 9 2007G. Cruccu Pharmacological relief of neuropathic pain is often insufficient. Electrical neurostimulation is efficacious in chronic neuropathic pain and other neurological diseases. European Federation of Neurological Societies (EFNS) launched a Task Force to evaluate the evidence for these techniques and to produce relevant recommendations. We searched the literature from 1968 to 2006, looking for neurostimulation in neuropathic pain conditions, and classified the trials according to the EFNS scheme of evidence for therapeutic interventions. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is efficacious in failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type I (level B recommendation). High-frequency transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) may be better than placebo (level C) although worse than electro-acupuncture (level B). One kind of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has transient efficacy in central and peripheral neuropathic pains (level B). Motor cortex stimulation (MCS) is efficacious in central post-stroke and facial pain (level C). Deep brain stimulation (DBS) should only be performed in experienced centres. Evidence for implanted peripheral stimulations is inadequate. TENS and r-TMS are non-invasive and suitable as preliminary or add-on therapies. Further controlled trials are warranted for SCS in conditions other than failed back surgery syndrome and CRPS and for MCS and DBS in general. These chronically implanted techniques provide satisfactory pain relief in many patients, including those resistant to medication or other means. [source] EFNS guidelines on pharmacological treatment of neuropathic painEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 11 2006N. Attal Neuropathic pain treatment remains unsatisfactory despite a substantial increase in the number of trials. This EFNS Task Force aimed at evaluating the existing evidence about the pharmacological treatment of neuropathic pain. Studies were identified using first the Cochrane Database then Medline. Trials were classified according to the aetiological condition. All class I and II controlled trials (according to EFNS classification of evidence) were assessed, but lower-class studies were considered in conditions that had no top level studies. Only treatments feasible in an outpatient setting were evaluated. Effects on pain symptoms/signs, quality of life and comorbidities were particularly searched for. Most of the randomized controlled trials included patients with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and painful polyneuropathies (PPN) mainly caused by diabetes. These trials provide level A evidence for the efficacy of tricyclic antidepressants, gabapentin, pregabalin and opioids, with a large number of class I trials, followed by topical lidocaine (in PHN) and the newer antidepressants venlafaxine and duloxetine (in PPN). A small number of controlled trials were performed in central pain, trigeminal neuralgia, other peripheral neuropathic pain states and multiple-aetiology neuropathic pains. The main peripheral pain conditions respond similarly well to tricyclic antidepressants, gabapentin, and pregabalin, but some conditions, such as HIV-associated polyneuropathy, are more refractory. There are too few studies on central pain, combination therapy, and head-to-head comparison. For future trials, we recommend to assess quality of life and pain symptoms or signs with standardized tools. [source] A systematic review on the diagnosis and treatment of primary (idiopathic) dystonia and dystonia plus syndromes: report of an EFNS/MDS-ES Task ForceEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 5 2006A. Albanese chairman To review the literature on primary dystonia and dystonia plus and to provide evidence-based recommendations. Primary dystonia and dystonia plus are chronic and often disabling conditions with a widespread spectrum mainly in young people. Computerized MEDLINE and EMBASE literature reviews (1966,1967 February 2005) were conducted. The Cochrane Library was searched for relevant citations. Diagnosis and classification of dystonia are highly relevant for providing appropriate management and prognostic information, and genetic counselling. Expert observation is suggested. DYT-1 gene testing in conjunction with genetic counselling is recommended for patients with primary dystonia with onset before age 30 years and in those with an affected relative with early onset. Positive genetic testing for dystonia (e.g. DYT-1) is not sufficient to make diagnosis of dystonia. Individuals with myoclonus should be tested for the epsilon-sarcoglycan gene (DYT-11). A levodopa trial is warranted in every patient with early onset dystonia without an alternative diagnosis. Brain imaging is not routinely required when there is a confident diagnosis of primary dystonia in adult patients, whereas it is necessary in the paediatric population. Botulinum toxin (BoNT) type A (or type B if there is resistance to type A) can be regarded as first line treatment for primary cranial (excluding oromandibular) or cervical dystonia and can be effective in writing dystonia. Actual evidence is lacking on direct comparison of the clinical efficacy and safety of BoNT-A vs. BoNT-B. Pallidal deep brain stimulation (DBS) is considered a good option, particularly for generalized or cervical dystonia, after medication or BoNT have failed to provide adequate improvement. Selective peripheral denervation is a safe procedure that is indicated exclusively in cervical dystonia. Intrathecal baclofen can be indicated in patients where secondary dystonia is combined with spasticity. The absolute and comparative efficacy and tolerability of drugs in dystonia, including anticholinergic and antidopaminergic drugs, is poorly documented and no evidence-based recommendations can be made to guide prescribing. [source] EFNS guidelines on management of neurological problems in liver transplantationEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 1 2006M. Guarino Neurological impairment after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is common and represents a major source of morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis and management of neurological problems occurring after OLT are difficult and evidence-based guidelines for this task are currently lacking. A Task Force was set up under the auspices of the European Federation of Neurological Societies to devise guidelines to prevent and manage neurological problems in OLT. We selected six major neurological problems and approached them combining an evidence-based scientific literature analysis with a search of consensus by means of a Delphi process. Search results were translated into a series of recommendations constituting a basis for better care of patients with neurological complications after OLT. [source] Guidelines on use of anti-IFN- , antibody measurements in multiple sclerosis: report of an EFNS Task Force on IFN- , antibodies in multiple sclerosisEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 11 2005P. S. Sørensen Therapy-induced binding and neutralizing antibodies is a major problem in interferon (IFN)- , treatment of multiple sclerosis. The objective of this study was to provide guidelines outlining the methods and clinical use of the measurements of binding and neutralizing antibodies. Systematic search of the Medline database for available publications on binding and neutralizing antibodies was undertaken. Appropriate publications were reviewed by one or more of the task force members. Grading of evidence and recommendations was based on consensus by all task force members. Measurements of binding antibodies are recommended for IFN- , antibody screening before performing a neutralizing antibody (NAB) assay (Level A recommendation). Measurement of NABs should be performed in specialized laboratories with a validated cytopathic effect assay or MxA production assay using serial dilution of the test sera. The NAB titre should be calculated using the Kawade formula (Level A recommendation). Tests for the presence of NABs should be performed in all patients at 12 and 24 months of therapy (Level A recommendation). In patients who remain NAB-negative during this period measurements of NABs can be discontinued (Level B recommendation). In patient with NABs, measurements should be repeated, and therapy with IFN- , should be discontinued in patients with high titres of NABs sustained at repeated measurements with 3- to 6-month intervals (Level A recommendation). [source] EFNS guidelines on cognitive rehabilitation: report of an EFNS task forceEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 9 2005Members of the Task Force on Cognitive Rehabilitation Disorders of language, spatial perception, attention, memory, calculation and praxis are a frequent consequence of acquired brain damage [in particular, stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI)] and a major determinant of disability. The rehabilitation of aphasia and, more recently, of other cognitive disorders is an important area of neurological rehabilitation. We report here a review of the available evidence about effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation. Given the limited number and generally low quality of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in this area of therapeutic intervention, the Task Force considered, besides the available Cochrane reviews, evidence of lower classes which was critically analysed until a consensus was reached. In particular, we considered evidence from small group or single cases studies including an appropriate statistical evaluation of effect sizes. The general conclusion is that there is evidence to award a grade A, B or C recommendation to some forms of cognitive rehabilitation in patients with neuropsychological deficits in the post-acute stage after a focal brain lesion (stroke, TBI). These include aphasia therapy, rehabilitation of unilateral spatial neglect (ULN), attentional training in the post-acute stage after TBI, the use of electronic memory aids in memory disorders, and the treatment of apraxia with compensatory strategies. There is clearly a need for adequately designed studies in this area, which should take into account specific problems such as patient heterogeneity and treatment standardization. [source] Teaching of neuroepidemiology in Europe: time for actionEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 12 2004V. Feigin Many epidemiological and clinical studies in Europe, especially in Eastern Europe and countries in transition, are of poor methodological quality because of lack of background knowledge in clinical epidemiology methods and study designs. The only way to improve the quality of epidemiological studies is to provide adequate undergraduate and/or postgraduate education for the health professionals and allied health professions. To facilitate this process, the European Federation of Neurological Societies (EFNS) Task Force on teaching of clinical epidemiology in Europe was set up in October 2000. Based on analyses of the current teaching and research activities in neuroepidemiology in Europe, this paper describes the Task Force recommendations aimed to improve these activities. [source] Neurophysiological tests and neuroimaging procedures in non-acute headache: guidelines and recommendationsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 4 2004G. Sandrini The use of instrumental examinations in headache patients varies widely. In order to evaluate their usefulness, the most common instrumental procedures were evaluated, on the basis of evidence from the literature, by an EFNS Task Force (TF) on neurophysiological tests and imaging procedures in non-acute headache patients. The conclusions of the TF regarding each technique are expressed in the following guidelines for clinical use. 1Interictal electroencephalography (EEG) is not routinely indicated in the diagnostic evaluation of headache patients. Interictal EEG is, however, indicated if the clinical history suggests a possible diagnosis of epilepsy (differential diagnosis). Ictal EEG could be useful in certain patients suffering from hemiplegic and basilar migraine. 2Recording of evoked potentials is not recommended for the diagnosis of headache disorders. 3There is no evidence to justify the recommendation of autonomic tests for the routine clinical examination of headache patients. 4Manual palpation of pericranial muscles, with standardized palpation pressure, can be recommended for subdividing patient groups but not for diagnosis. Pressure algometry and electromyography (EMG) cannot be recommended as clinical diagnostic tests. 5In adult and paediatric patients with migraine, with no recent change in attack pattern, no history of seizures, and no other focal neurological signs or symptoms, the routine use of neuroimaging is not warranted. In patients with atypical headache patterns, a history of seizures and/or focal neurological signs or symptoms, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be indicated. 6If attacks can be fully accounted for by the standard headache classification [International Headache Society (IHS)], a positron emission tomography (PET) or single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) and scan will generally be of no further diagnostic value. 7Nuclear medicine examinations of the cerebral circulation and metabolism can be carried out in subgroups of headache patients for diagnosis and evaluation of complications, when patients experience unusually severe attacks, or when the quality or severity of attacks has changed. 8Transcranial Doppler examination is not helpful in headache diagnosis. Although many of the examinations described are of little or no value in the clinical setting, most of the tools have a vast potential for further exploring the pathophysiology of headaches and the effects of pharmacological treatment. [source] Enamel microhardness and bond strengths of self-etching primer adhesivesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCES, Issue 2 2010Olabisi A. Adebayo Adebayo OA, Burrow MF, Tyas MJ, Adams GG, Collins ML. Enamel microhardness and bond strengths of self-etching primer adhesives. Eur J Oral Sci 2010; 118: 191,196. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 Eur J Oral Sci The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between enamel surface microhardness and microshear bond strength (,SBS). Buccal and lingual mid-coronal enamel sections were prepared from 22 permanent human molars and divided into two groups, each comprising the buccal and lingual enamel from 11 teeth, to analyze two self-etching primer adhesives (Clearfil SE Bond and Tokuyama Bond Force). One-half of each enamel surface was tested using the Vickers hardness test with 10 indentations at 1 N and a 15-s dwell time. A hybrid resin composite was bonded to the other half of the enamel surface with the adhesive system assigned to the group. After 24 h of water storage of specimens at 37º°C, the ,SBS test was carried out on a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm min,1 until bond failure occurred. The mean ,SBS was regressed on the mean Vickers hardness number (VHN) using a weighted regression analysis in order to explore the relationship between enamel hardness and ,SBS. The weights used were the inverse of the variance of the ,SBS means. Neither separate correlation analyses for each adhesive nor combined regression analyses showed a significant correlation between the VHN and the ,SBS. These results suggest that the ,SBS of the self-etch adhesive systems are not influenced by enamel surface microhardness. [source] Nitric oxide synthase inhibition reduces O2 cost of force development and spares high-energy phosphates following contractions in pump-perfused rat hindlimb musclesEXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2006David J. Baker The purpose of the present experiments was to test the hypotheses that: (i) nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition reduces the O2 cost of force development across a range of contractile demands; and (ii) this reduced O2 cost of force development would be reflected in a sparing of intramuscular higher energy phosphates. Rat distal hindlimb muscles were pump perfused in situ and electrically stimulated (200 ms trains with pulses at 100 Hz, each pulse 0.05 ms duration) for 1 min each at 15, 30 and 60 tetani min,1 and for 2 min at 90 tetani min,1 in three groups: 0.01 mm adenosine; 1 mm d -NAME and 0.01 mm adenosine (d -NAME); and 1 mm l -NAME and 0.01 mm adenosine (l -NAME). The gastrocnemius,plantaris,soleus muscle group was freeze clamped post-contractions for metabolite analyses. Force was 19% higher and oxygen uptake was 20% lower with l -NAME versus adenosine, and there was a 35% reduction in /time-integrated tension versus adenosine and 24% versusd -NAME that was independent of contraction frequency. l -NAME treatment produced a 33% sparing of muscle phosphocreatine (PCr), and intramuscular lactate was no different between groups. In contrast, d -NAME reduced force by 30%, by 29% and the O2 cost of force development by 15% compared with adenosine, but had no effect on the degree of intramuscular ATP and PCr depletion. These results show that NOS inhibition improved the metabolic efficiency of force development, either by improving the ATP yield for a given O2 consumption or by reducing the ATP cost of force development. In addition, these effects were independent of contraction frequency. [source] Trimetazidine Reduces Basal Cytosolic Ca2+ Concentration During Hypoxia in Single Xenopus Skeletal MyocytesEXPERIMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2003C. M. Stary We tested the hypotheses that: (1) Ca2+ handling and force production would be irreversibly altered in skeletal muscle during steady-state contractions when subjected to severe, prolonged hypoxia and subsequent reoxygenation; and (2) application of the cardio-protective drug trimetazidine would attenuate these alterations. Single, living skeletal muscle fibres from Xenopus laevis were injected with the Ca2+ indicator fura 2, and incubated for 1 h prior to stimulation in 100 ,M TMZ-Ringer solution (TMZ; n = 6) or standard Ringer solution (CON; n = 6). Force and relative free cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]c) were measured during continuous tetanic contractions produced every 5 s as fibres were sequentially perfused in the following manner: 3 min high extracellular PO2 (159 mmHg), 15 min hypoxic perfusion (3-5 mmHg) then 3 min high PO2. Hypoxia caused a decrease in force and peak [Ca2+]c in both the TMZ and CON fibres, with no significant (P < 0.05) difference between groups. However, basal [Ca2+]c was significantly lower during hypoxia in the TMZ group vs. the CON group. While reoxygenation generated only modest recovery of relative force and peak [Ca2+]c in both groups, basal [Ca2+]c remained significantly less in the TMZ group. These results demonstrated that in contracting, single skeletal muscle fibres, TMZ prevented increases in basal [Ca2+]c generated during a severe hypoxic insult and subsequent reoxygenation, yet failed to protect the cell from the deleterious effects of prolonged hypoxia followed by reoxygenation. [source] American Humanitarian Intervention: Toward a Theory of CoevolutionFOREIGN POLICY ANALYSIS, Issue 1 2007ALYNNA J. LYON The goal of this study is twofold. First, it seeks to move beyond the exploration of motivations for understanding why the United States launches some humanitarian interventions and avoids others. Second, it initiates a theory building process to map the complex international and domestic environment that frames American humanitarianism. To explain the selectivity of U.S. engagement, the article establishes a typology of actors, restraints, and concerns involved in the humanitarian policy-making process. It then presents a theory of coevolution that serves as a framework for understanding the interactive and diffusive dynamics between policy makers and their broader operating environment. With illustrative case studies on Operation Provide Comfort in Iraq (1991), Operation Allied Force in Kosovo (1999), and Operation Unified Assistance in response to the Asian Tsunami (2004), this study suggests that U.S.-led humanitarian interventions are part of larger episodes of engagement that hold consequences for subsequent involvements. It finds that altruistic interventions are often blurred with self-interested power pursuits, as American humanitarianism is the product of a confluence of domestic political factors, historical milieu, and international normative advancement. [source] Action of Force on Rock Mass by Crack Water PressureGEOMECHANICS AND TUNNELLING, Issue 6 2008Guntram Innerhofer Dipl.-Ing. The formula of effective stress used in soil mechanics is adapted to the properties of rock mass by implementation of the wetting factor and the Saint-Venant factor. The wetting factor defines the area over which a hydrostatic force can actually be developed, the Saint Venant factor defines the component of this force which is balanced by reduction of the effective stress in the crack zone. Here, the consequences of this concept are discussed with respect to uniaxial, plain stress and a continuum mechanical model. The effect of the concept is considered in relation to the state of stress in crack zones, and in the adjacent rock mass, and on the action of forces on the system. The development of crack propagation and of shear failure is discussed. The intention is to contribute towards a basic understanding of the complex effects of water pressure in rock masses, applicable to engineering practice. Kraftwirkung des Kluftwasserdrucks auf Fels Die Formel für Effektivspannungen der Bodenmechanik wird, den Eigenschaften von Fels entsprechend, durch Einführen des Benetzungsgrads und des Saint-Venant-Faktors erweitert. Der Benetzungsgrad definiert die Fläche, auf die eine hydrostatische Kraft wirken kann, der Saint-Venant-Faktor die Komponente dieser Kraft, die in der Kluftfläche durch Reduktion der Effektivspannungen ausgeglichen wird. Die andere Komponente belastet das System. Anhand eines einachsigen, eines ebenen und eines Kontinuum-Mechanischen Modells werden die aus diesem Ansatz abgeleiteten Spannungszustände in der Kluftfläche beziehungsweise im klüftigen Fels diskutiert. Die Entwicklung von Kluftsprengung und Scherbruch und das Verhalten hoch- und tiefliegender Druckstollen werden beschrieben. Beabsichtigt ist, mit einer möglichst geschlossenen, auf das Wesentliche beschränkten Darstellung das Verständnis der komplexen Zusammenhänge zu fördern. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||