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Large-scale
Terms modified by Large-scale Selected AbstractsLarge-Scale "Surface-Programmed Assembly" of Pristine Vanadium Oxide Nanowire-Based Devices,ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 19 2005S. Myung "Surface-programmed assembly" is presented as a technique (see Figure) to achieve high-precision assembly and alignment of a large number of pristine V2O5 nanowires on solid substrates. Positively charged surface molecular patterns guide the assembly and alignment of negatively charged V2O5 nanowires on solid substrates. Large-scale assembly of V2O5 nanowire-based transistors is demonstrated and their gating effects are confirmed. [source] Neurocognitive effects of switching from methylphenidate-IR to OROS-methylphenidate in children with ADHDHUMAN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL, Issue 2 2009Yeni Kim Abstract Objectives This study evaluated neurocognitive changes after switching from immediate release forms of methylphenidate (MPH-IR) to osmotic release oral system methylphenidate (OROS-MPH). Methods 102 children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) participated in an open label, 28,day trial, performing neurocognitive test at baseline and at 28 days after the switch from MPH-IR to OROS-MPH. Results There were significant improvements in the commission error and the reaction time of both visual and auditory continuous performance tests (CPTs) at 28 days after switching from MPH-IR to OROS-MPH. A positive correlation was observed between the improvement in parent/caregiver-rated IOWA Conners total score (, IOWA) and the reduction in commission error (r,=,0.3, p,=,0.001) and reduction in reaction time variability (r,=,0.3, p,=,0.006) of visual CPT. In a linear regression model, the change in parent/caregiver-rated IOWA Conners scale total scores were significant predictors of change in commission error (,,=,0.3, p,=,0.005, CI,=,0.4,2.3, adjusted R2,=,0.12) and RT variability (,,=,0.3, p,=,0.004, CI,=,0.5,2.4, adjusted R2,=,0.09) of visual CPT. Conclusions These data suggest that MPH-IR may be successfully switched to OROS-MPH treatment with associated improvements in neurocognitive performance. Large-scale controlled trials are needed to replicate these findings. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Large-scale folding in the Asemi-gawa region of the Sanbagawa Belt, southwest JapanISLAND ARC, Issue 2 2010Hiroshi Mori Abstract The Sanbagawa Belt generally shows higher metamorphic grade at higher structural levels. This inversion can be interpreted as reflecting an original inverted thermal structure typical of subduction zone environments. However, repetitions in the distribution of the metamorphic zones seen in central Shikoku, Japan, clearly show the original thermal structure has been affected by deformation after the peak of metamorphism. This repetition has been attributed to both the action of tectonic discontinuities and regional folding. It is important to distinguish between these two interpretations to determine the extent to which the original subduction zone sequence is preserved. Analyses of lithological and structural data reveal the presence of a large-scale post-metamorphic fold in the central part of the highest grade region. This folding has an axis that coincides with the thermal axis implied by the distribution of the metamorphic zonation, suggesting the repetition of metamorphic zones in this area can be accounted for by folding without the need for major discontinuities. [source] Large-scale chaotically mixed sedimentary body within the Late Pliocene to Pleistocene Chikura Group, Central JapanISLAND ARC, Issue 4 2007Yuzuru Yamamoto No abstract is available for this article. [source] Large-scale molecular dynamics simulations of HLA-A*0201 complexed with a tumor-specific antigenic peptide: Can the ,3 and ,2m domains be neglected?JOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY, Issue 15 2004Shunzhou Wan Abstract Large-scale massively parallel molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the human class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) protein HLA-A*0201 bound to a decameric tumor-specific antigenic peptide GVYDGREHTV were performed using a scalable MD code on high-performance computing platforms. Such computational capabilities put us in reach of simulations of various scales and complexities. The supercomputing resources available for this study allow us to compare directly differences in the behavior of very large molecular models; in this case, the entire extracellular portion of the peptide,MHC complex vs. the isolated peptide binding domain. Comparison of the results from the partial and the whole system simulations indicates that the peptide is less tightly bound in the partial system than in the whole system. From a detailed study of conformations, solvent-accessible surface area, the nature of the water network structure, and the binding energies, we conclude that, when considering the conformation of the ,1,,2 domain, the ,3 and ,2m domains cannot be neglected. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 25: 1803,1813, 2004 [source] INHIBITION OF STALING IN CHAPATI (INDIAN UNLEAVENED FLAT BREAD)JOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION, Issue 3 2008IRSHAD M. SHAIKH ABSTRACT Chapati is an unleavened Indian flat bread made from whole wheat flour usually consumed immediately after preparation as it becomes hard on keeping because of staling. Large-scale mechanized preparation of ready-to-eat chapatis will have to address this problem. Investigations were made to study the effect of sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate (SSL), glycerol monostearate, propylene glycol, sorbitol, ,-amylase, xylanase, maltodextrin and guar gum when added to chapati dough, on the inhibition of staling in chapatis stored at 29 ± 1C and 4 ± 1C. Chapatis were prepared from whole wheat flour dough containing (salt, 5% oil, appropriate preservatives and the aforementioned additives. Chapatis were packed in self-sealing low-density polyethylene bags and were stored for 10 days at 29 ± 1C and 4 ± 1C. Stored chapatis were analyzed for various staling parameters such as moisture content, texture, water-soluble starch, in vitro enzyme digestibility, enthalpy change (,H) and sensory quality. Staling of chapatis at 29 ± 1C and at 4 ± 1C of storage was inhibited by all additives to different extents; the extent of staling was less at 4 ± 1C. Maltodextrin at 0.3% (w/w) was found to be the most effective. Several combinations of additives were also studied, and the best combination was (100 ppm) + SSL (0.375%) levels. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Chapati, a traditional staple food of Indians, is unleavened flat bread made from whole wheat flour. With rapidly changing lifestyles, changing socio-economic trends and increasing urbanization and consumerism there is a rising demand for convenience foods which require minimum or no preparation time particularly the ready-to-eat (RTE) type of foods. Chapatis are generally baked fresh twice a day for lunch and dinner, and unless eaten immediately after baking, these stale rapidly and become difficult to chew. The most important parameter of chapati quality is its texture. The texture is generally evaluated in terms of tenderness, flexibility and its suitability to be folded into a spoon shape for eating with curried preparation. RTE chapatis are the latest addition to the species of "convenience foods." Keeping this in mind the research was undertaken to improve quality of chapati with the addition of various additives and improvements for the inhibition of staling in chapati. [source] Large-scale submerged fermentation of Antrodia cinnamomea for anti-hepatoma activityJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 13 2008Jih-Hung Pan Abstract BACKGROUND: Submerged cultivation of Antrodia cinnamomea was carried out for manufacturing the fermentation product with anti-hepatoma activity. The fermentation process was optimized for different parameters at shake flask level to obtain products with high inhibition potency against Hep G2 hepatoma cells. Scale-up of the fermentation process was then achieved from 250 mL shake flask to 5 L, 500 L and 5-ton fermenters. RESULTS: Glucose and malt extract were found to be the best carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. The initial pH of 5.0 and an operating temperature of 22 °C were the best for a product with lowest IC50 value. A shorter cultivation time was required when the scale of fermentation increased from 5 L to 5 tons. The reducing sugar and solids contents of the broth filtrate were correlated exponentially with the IC50 of the ethanolic extract of mycelium for hepatoma cells, and the level of ergosterol in the mycelium extract follows the same profile as the increase in Hep G2 cells inhibition. CONCLUSION: When Antrodia cinnamomea is cultured in a 5-ton fermenter, 4 weeks are required for the fermentation product to reach the highest anti-hepatoma activity. The solid and reducing sugar contents of the broth filtrate as well as the ergosterol content in the ethanol extract of mycelium can serve as the marker during fermentation for manufacturing product with anti-hepatoma activity. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Biodiversity characteristics of small high-altitude tropical man-made reservoirs in the Eastern Rift Valley, KenyaLAKES & RESERVOIRS: RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2002Francis Mwaura Abstract The biodiversity characteristics in eight small (0.065,0.249 km2) public man-made reservoirs in the central part of the Eastern Rift Valley, Kenya, were studied between 1995 and 1998. A total of 71 phytoplankton species belonging to approximately 50 taxa were identified. Chlorophytes and cyanobacteria dominated the crop. The dominant taxa included Botryococcus, Syunura, Microsystis, Anabaena, and Cosmarium. A total of over 40 zooplankton species were identified. The community was composed mainly of crustacea, rotifers and protozoa. The most dominant group was Keratella but Brachionus and Nauplius were equally abundant. The diversity and abundance of benthic invertebrates was not high, and only 18 species were identified throughout the study period with the range of species number being 1,7 per reservoir. The benthic fauna was mainly composed of Lumbriculidae and Chironomid worms. A total of six monthly bird counts found an average of 60 birds per reservoir, and a total of 49 species was identified. Ducks, geese and coots dominated the waterfowl, especially during the dry season. Large-scale breeding by Black-headed Heron (Ardea melanocephala) and Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) was observed in one of the sites, and other species were also breeding in the reservoirs. The population of waterbirds in reservoirs was closely related to the biomass of benthic invertebrates, and the findings of the study indicate that the structure and dynamics of life forms within small man-made reservoirs can serve as excellent sensors and indicators of the state of watershed health. [source] Large-scale, Uniform DNA Network on 11-mercaptoundecanoic Acid Modified Gold (111) Surface: Atomic Force Microscopy StudyMICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE, Issue 7 2007Yonghai Song Abstract Large-scale, uniform plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) network has been successfully constructed on 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid modified gold (111) surface using a self-assembly technique. The effect of DNA concentration on the characteristics of the DNA network was investigated by atomic force microscopy. It was found that the size of meshes and the height of fibers in the DNA network could be controlled by varying the concentration of DNA with a constant time of assembly of 24 h. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Large-scale stopping and switching treatment with COX-2 inhibitors after the rofecoxib withdrawal,PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 1 2008Myrthe P. P. Sukel MSc Abstract Purpose To compare treatment changes after the rofecoxib withdrawal with changes occurring normally and to re-assess 12 months afterwards. Methods The PHARMO database comprised medication and hospital discharge records of over 3 million inhabitants in the Netherlands. The Study cohort included chronic coxib users with a coxib prescription on 30th September 2004; the Reference cohort others with a coxib prescription on 1st June 2004. Initial treatment changes were based on first new prescription since cohort entry. Twelve-month changes were studied within the Study cohort only. Results The Study cohort (n,=,6974) and Reference cohort (n,=,5393) had similar demographics, stratified on type of coxib. In the Study cohort, 3341 (48%) initially stopped coxibs, of whom 1121 (16%) stopped all analgesic, versus 13 and 5% in the Reference cohort (p,<,0.001). Among ,other coxib' users 32% stopped coxibs, and 15% stopped all analgesics, versus 14% and 4%, p,<,0.001 in the Reference cohort. Among those who stopped coxibs, 34% switched to non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (nsNSAID) without PPI, 21% to nsNSAID with PPI, and 45% stopped NSAID treatment (Reference cohort: 35, 20, and 44%, respectively). These rates for ,other coxib users' were: switching to nsNSAID without PPI 23% (Study Cohort) versus 35% (Reference Cohort), 13 versus 28%, and 64 versus 37% respectively (p,<,0.001). Twelve months later, stopping NSAID increased to 43%, stopping all analgesics to 32%. Rheumatologists continued coxibs more frequently than other caregivers (87, 65, 54%, respectively). Conclusions The rofecoxib withdrawal resulted in a large proportion of patients who discontinued analgesic treatment altogether regardless of original coxib therapy. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A Hybrid SPC Method with the Chi-Square Distance Monitoring Procedure for Large-scale, Complex Process DataQUALITY AND RELIABILITY ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2006Nong Ye Abstract Standard multivariate statistical process control (SPC) techniques, such as Hotelling's T2, cannot easily handle large-scale, complex process data and often fail to detect out-of-control anomalies for such data. We develop a computationally efficient and scalable Chi-Square () Distance Monitoring (CSDM) procedure for monitoring large-scale, complex process data to detect out-of-control anomalies, and test the performance of the CSDM procedure using various kinds of process data involving uncorrelated, correlated, auto-correlated, normally distributed, and non-normally distributed data variables. Based on advantages and disadvantages of the CSDM procedure in comparison with Hotelling's T2 for various kinds of process data, we design a hybrid SPC method with the CSDM procedure for monitoring large-scale, complex process data. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Detection and management of decreased fetal movements in Australia and New Zealand: A survey of obstetric practiceAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Vicki FLENADY Background:, Decreased fetal movement (DFM) is associated with increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcome. However, there is limited research to inform practice in the detection and management of DFM. Aims:, To identify current practices and views of obstetricians in Australia and New Zealand regarding DFM. Methods:, A postal survey of Fellows and Members, and obstetric trainees of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Results:, Of the 1700 surveys distributed, 1066 (63%) were returned, of these, 805 (76% of responders) were currently practising and included in the analysis. The majority considered that asking women about fetal movement should be a part of routine care. Sixty per cent reported maternal perception of DFM for 12 h was sufficient evidence of DFM and 77% DFM for 24 h. KICK charts were used routinely by 39%, increasing to 66% following an episode of DFM. Alarm limits varied, the most commonly reported was < 10 movements in 12 h (74%). Only 6% agreed with the internationally recommended definition of < 10 movements in two hours. Interventions for DFM varied, while 81% would routinely undertake a cardiotocograph, 20% would routinely perform ultrasound and 20% more frequent antenatal visits. Conclusions:, While monitoring fetal movement is an important part of antenatal care in Australia and New Zealand, variation in obstetric practice for DFM is evident. Large-scale randomised controlled trials are required to identify optimal screening and management options. In the interim, high quality clinical practice guidelines using the best available advice are needed to enhance consistency in practice including advice provided to women. [source] Automated, scalable culture of human embryonic stem cells in feeder-free conditionsBIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 6 2009Rob J. Thomas Abstract Large-scale manufacture of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) is prerequisite to their widespread use in biomedical applications. However, current hESC culture strategies are labor-intensive and employ highly variable processes, presenting challenges for scaled production and commercial development. Here we demonstrate that passaging of the hESC lines, HUES7, and NOTT1, with trypsin in feeder-free conditions, is compatible with complete automation on the CompacT SelecT, a commercially available and industrially relevant robotic platform. Pluripotency was successfully retained, as evidenced by consistent proliferation during serial passage, expression of stem cell markers (OCT4, NANOG, TRA1-81, and SSEA-4), stable karyotype, and multi-germlayer differentiation in vitro, including to pharmacologically responsive cardiomyocytes. Automation of hESC culture will expedite cell-use in clinical, scientific, and industrial applications. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 1636,1644. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Maintaining Case-Based Reasoners: Dimensions and DirectionsCOMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE, Issue 2 2001David C. Wilson Experience with the growing number of large-scale and long-term case-based reasoning (CBR) applications has led to increasing recognition of the importance of maintaining existing CBR systems. Recent research has focused on case-base maintenance (CBM), addressing such issues as maintaining consistency, preserving competence, and controlling case-base growth. A set of dimensions for case-base maintenance, proposed by Leake and Wilson, provides a framework for understanding and expanding CBM research. However, it also has been recognized that other knowledge containers can be equally important maintenance targets. Multiple researchers have addressed pieces of this more general maintenance problem, considering such issues as how to refine similarity criteria and adaptation knowledge. As with case-base maintenance, a framework of dimensions for characterizing more general maintenance activity, within and across knowledge containers, is desirable to unify and understand the state of the art, as well as to suggest new avenues of exploration by identifying points along the dimensions that have not yet been studied. This article presents such a framework by (1) refining and updating the earlier framework of dimensions for case-base maintenance, (2) applying the refined dimensions to the entire range of knowledge containers, and (3) extending the theory to include coordinated cross-container maintenance. The result is a framework for understanding the general problem of case-based reasoner maintenance (CBRM). Taking the new framework as a starting point, the article explores key issues for future CBRM research. [source] Meta-Optimization Using Cellular Automata with Application to the Combined Trip Distribution and Assignment System Optimal ProblemCOMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, Issue 6 2001Wael M. ElDessouki In this paper, meta-optimization and cellular automata have been introduced as a modeling environment for solving large-scale and complex transportation problems. A constrained system optimum combined trip distribution and assignment problem was selected to demonstrate the applicability of the cellular automata approach over classical mixed integer formulation. A mathematical formulation for the selected problem has been developed and a methodology for applying cellular automata has been presented. A numerical example network was used to illustrate the potential for using cellular automata as a modeling environment for solving optimization problems. [source] Advanced Analysis of Steel Frames Using Parallel Processing and VectorizationCOMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2001C. M. Foley Advanced methods of analysis have shown promise in providing economical building structures through accurate evaluation of inelastic structural response. One method of advanced analysis is the plastic zone (distributed plasticity) method. Plastic zone analysis often has been deemed impractical due to computational expense. The purpose of this article is to illustrate applications of plastic zone analysis on large steel frames using advanced computational methods. To this end, a plastic zone analysis algorithm capable of using parallel processing and vector computation is discussed. Applicable measures for evaluating program speedup and efficiency on a Cray Y-MP C90 multiprocessor supercomputer are described. Program performance (speedup and efficiency) for parallel and vector processing is evaluated. Nonlinear response including postcritical branches of three large-scale fully restrained and partially restrained steel frameworks is computed using the proposed method. The results of the study indicate that advanced analysis of practical steel frames can be accomplished using plastic zone analysis methods and alternate computational strategies. [source] Visualizing massively multithreaded applications with ThreadScopeCONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 1 2010Kyle B. Wheeler Abstract As highly parallel multicore machines become commonplace, programs must exhibit more concurrency to exploit the available hardware. Many multithreaded programming models already encourage programmers to create hundreds or thousands of short-lived threads that interact in complex ways. Programmers need to be able to analyze, tune, and troubleshoot these large-scale multithreaded programs. To address this problem, we present ThreadScope: a tool for tracing, visualizing, and analyzing massively multithreaded programs. ThreadScope extracts the machine-independent program structure from execution trace data from a variety of tracing tools and displays it as a graph of dependent execution blocks and memory objects, enabling identification of synchronization and structural problems, even if they did not occur in the traced run. It also uses graph-based analysis to identify potential problems. We demonstrate the use of ThreadScope to view program structure, memory access patterns, and synchronization problems in three programming environments and seven applications. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Reliability in grid computing systems,CONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 8 2009Christopher Dabrowski Abstract In recent years, grid technology has emerged as an important tool for solving compute-intensive problems within the scientific community and in industry. To further the development and adoption of this technology, researchers and practitioners from different disciplines have collaborated to produce standard specifications for implementing large-scale, interoperable grid systems. The focus of this activity has been the Open Grid Forum, but other standards development organizations have also produced specifications that are used in grid systems. To date, these specifications have provided the basis for a growing number of operational grid systems used in scientific and industrial applications. However, if the growth of grid technology is to continue, it will be important that grid systems also provide high reliability. In particular, it will be critical to ensure that grid systems are reliable as they continue to grow in scale, exhibit greater dynamism, and become more heterogeneous in composition. Ensuring grid system reliability in turn requires that the specifications used to build these systems fully support reliable grid services. This study surveys work on grid reliability that has been done in recent years and reviews progress made toward achieving these goals. The survey identifies important issues and problems that researchers are working to overcome in order to develop reliability methods for large-scale, heterogeneous, dynamic environments. The survey also illuminates reliability issues relating to standard specifications used in grid systems, identifying existing specifications that may need to be evolved and areas where new specifications are needed to better support the reliability. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A new task scheduling method for distributed programs that require memory managementCONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 9 2006Hiroshi Koide Abstract In parallel and distributed applications, it is very likely that object-oriented languages, such as Java and Ruby, and large-scale semistructured data written in XML will be employed. However, because of their inherent dynamic memory management, parallel and distributed applications must sometimes suspend the execution of all tasks running on the processors. This adversely affects their execution on the parallel and distributed platform. In this paper, we propose a new task scheduling method called CP/MM (Critical Path/Memory Management) which can efficiently schedule tasks for applications requiring memory management. The underlying concept is to consider the cost due to memory management when the task scheduling system allocates ready (executable) coarse-grain tasks, or macro-tasks, to processors. We have developed three task scheduling modules, including CP/MM, for a task scheduling system which is implemented on a Java RMI (Remote Method Invocation) communication infrastructure. Our experimental results show that CP/MM can successfully prevent high-priority macro-tasks from being affected by the garbage collection arising from memory management, so that CP/MM can efficiently schedule distributed programs whose critical paths are relatively long. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Advanced eager scheduling for Java-based adaptive parallel computingCONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 7-8 2005Michael O. Neary Abstract Javelin 3 is a software system for developing large-scale, fault-tolerant, adaptively parallel applications. When all or part of their application can be cast as a master,worker or branch-and-bound computation, Javelin 3 frees application developers from concerns about inter-processor communication and fault tolerance among networked hosts, allowing them to focus on the underlying application. The paper describes a fault-tolerant task scheduler and its performance analysis. The task scheduler integrates work stealing with an advanced form of eager scheduling. It enables dynamic task decomposition, which improves host load-balancing in the presence of tasks whose non-uniform computational load is evident only at execution time. Speedup measurements are presented of actual performance on up to 1000 hosts. We analyze the expected performance degradation due to unresponsive hosts, and measure actual performance degradation due to unresponsive hosts. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A double-blind study of the efficacy of venlafaxine extended-release, paroxetine, and placebo in the treatment of panic disorderDEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 1 2007Mark H. Pollack M.D. Abstract To date, no large-scale, controlled trial comparing a serotonin,norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor with placebo for the treatment of panic disorder has been reported. This double-blind study compares the efficacy of venlafaxine extended-release (ER) and paroxetine with placebo. A total of 664 nondepressed adult outpatients who met DSM-IV criteria for panic disorder (with or without agoraphobia) were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of treatment with placebo or fixed-dose venlafaxine ER (75,mg/day or 150,mg/day), or paroxetine 40,mg/day. The primary measure was the percentage of patients free from full-symptom panic attacks, assessed with the Panic and Anticipatory Anxiety Scale (PAAS). Secondary measures included the Panic Disorder Severity Scale, Clinical Global Impressions,Severity (CGI-S) and ,Improvement (CGI-I) scales; response (CGI-I rating of very much improved or much improved), remission (CGI-S rating of not at all ill or borderline ill and no PAAS full-symptom panic attacks); and measures of depression, anxiety, phobic fear and avoidance, anticipatory anxiety, functioning, and quality of life. Intent-to-treat, last observation carried forward analysis showed that mean improvement on most measures was greater with venlafaxine ER or paroxetine than with placebo. No significant differences were observed between active treatment groups. Panic-free rates at end point with active treatment ranged from 54% to 61%, compared with 35% for placebo. Approximately 75% of patients given active treatment were responders, and nearly 45% achieved remission. The placebo response rate was slightly above 55%, with remission near 25%. Adverse events were mild or moderate and similar between active treatment groups. Venlafaxine ER and paroxetine were effective and well tolerated in the treatment of panic disorder. Depression and Anxiety 24:1,14, 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] China's Rangelands under Stress: A Comparative Study of Pasture Commons in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous RegionDEVELOPMENT AND CHANGE, Issue 2 2000Peter Ho China's economic reforms have exacerbated the problems of over-grazing and desertification in the country's pastoral areas. In order to deal with rangeland degradation, the Chinese government has resorted to nationalization, or semi-privatization. Since the implementation of rangeland policy has proved very difficult, however, experiments with alternative rangeland tenure systems merit our attention. In Ningxia, in northwest China, local attempts have been undertaken to establish communal range management systems with the village as the basic unit of use and control. Some of these management regimes are under severe stress, due to large-scale digging for medicinal herbs in the grasslands. This digging has resulted in serious conflicts between Han and Hui Muslim Chinese, during which several farmers have been killed. It is against this backdrop that this article explores the institutional dynamics of range management in two different villages. [source] The rise of methamphetamine in Southeast and East AsiaDRUG AND ALCOHOL REVIEW, Issue 3 2008REBECCA McKETIN Abstract Introduction and Aims. Southeast and East Asia has become a global hub for methamphetamine production and trafficking over the past decade. This paper describes the rise of methamphetamine supply and to what extent use of the drug is occurring in the region. Method and Design. The current review uses data collected through the Drug Abuse Information Network for Asia and the Pacific (DAINAP) and other available sources to analyse retrospectively methamphetamine trends within Southeast and East Asia. Results. Southeast and East Asia has experienced a methamphetamine epidemic in the past decade which began around 1997 and peaked in 2000,2001. While the situation has since stabilised in many countries, methamphetamine trafficking and use are still increasing in parts of the Mekong region and there is evidence of large-scale manufacture in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Methamphetamine is typically smoked or ingested, but injection of the drug is apparent. Conclusion. While the peak of the methamphetamine epidemic has passed in parts of Southeast and East Asia, attention is needed to minimise the potential consequences of spreading methamphetamine production, trafficking and use in the Mekong region and in the peninsular and archipelago of Southeast Asia. [source] Effects of landscape structure and habitat type on a plant-herbivore-parasitoid communityECOGRAPHY, Issue 3 2003Andreas Kruess The effects of local habitat and large-scale landscape factors on species diversity and species interactions were studied using the insect community in stems of the creeping thistle Cirsium arvense. Thistle abundance was higher in fallows than in crop fields and field margins, with fallows providing 67% of thistle abundance within 15 study areas on a landscape scale. Species richness of the herbivores was positively related with thistle abundance, parasitoid species richness was influenced by habitat type and was positively correlated with herbivore species richness. The abundance of herbivores and parasitoids was affected by local factors such as habitat type and host abundance, but also by landscape factors such as the percentage of non-crop area and the isolation of habitats. The infestation rate caused by the agromyzid Melanagromyza aeneoventris was positively related to percent non-crop area, whereas the parasitism rate of this fly increased with increasing habitat diversity on the landscape scale. For these two interactions and for total herbivore abundance, a scale-dependency of the landscape effects was found. The results emphasize that biological diversity and ecological functions within a plant-insect community are not only affected by local habitat factors but also by large-scale landscape characteristics. Hence, to improve future agri-environmental schemes for biodiversity conservation and biological control large-scale landscape effects and their scale-dependency should be considered. [source] Assessing human germ-cell mutagenesis in the Postgenome Era: A celebration of the legacy of William Lawson (Bill) Russell,ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS, Issue 2 2007Andrew J. Wyrobek Abstract Birth defects, de novo genetic diseases, and chromosomal abnormality syndromes occur in ,5% of all live births, and affected children suffer from a broad range of lifelong health consequences. Despite the social and medical impact of these defects, and the 8 decades of research in animal systems that have identified numerous germ-cell mutagens, no human germ-cell mutagen has been confirmed to date. There is now a growing consensus that the inability to detect human germ-cell mutagens is due to technological limitations in the detection of random mutations rather than biological differences between animal and human susceptibility. A multidisciplinary workshop responding to this challenge convened at The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine. The purpose of the workshop was to assess the applicability of an emerging repertoire of genomic technologies to studies of human germ-cell mutagenesis. Workshop participants recommended large-scale human germ-cell mutation studies be conducted using samples from donors with high-dose exposures, such as cancer survivors. Within this high-risk cohort, parents and children could be evaluated for heritable changes in (a) DNA sequence and chromosomal structure, (b) repeat sequences and minisatellites, and (c) global gene expression profiles and pathways. Participants also advocated the establishment of a bio-bank of human tissue samples from donors with well-characterized exposure, including medical and reproductive histories. This mutational resource could support large-scale, multiple-endpoint studies. Additional studies could involve the examination of transgenerational effects associated with changes in imprinting and methylation patterns, nucleotide repeats, and mitochondrial DNA mutations. The further development of animal models and the integration of these with human studies are necessary to provide molecular insights into the mechanisms of germ-cell mutations and to identify prevention strategies. Furthermore, scientific specialty groups should be convened to review and prioritize the evidence for germ-cell mutagenicity from common environmental, occupational, medical, and lifestyle exposures. Workshop attendees agreed on the need for a full-scale assault to address key fundamental questions in human germ-cell environmental mutagenesis. These include, but are not limited to, the following: Do human germ-cell mutagens exist? What are the risks to future generations? Are some parents at higher risk than others for acquiring and transmitting germ-cell mutations? Obtaining answers to these, and other critical questions, will require strong support from relevant funding agencies, in addition to the engagement of scientists outside the fields of genomics and germ-cell mutagenesis. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2007. Published 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Wind power and ,the planning problem': the experience of WalesENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND GOVERNANCE, Issue 5 2007Richard Cowell Abstract Across Europe, spatial planning has acquired an important role in steering wind power to more socially acceptable locations. However, the tendency for planning decisions to become a focus of opposition has also led to planning being represented as ,a problem' in meeting renewable energy targets. Using Jessop's dialectical relationship between modes and objects of governance, this paper seeks to understand why certain states are inclined to resolve ,the planning problem' for wind through strengthened national control. The case study is the Welsh Assembly Government's 2005 planning guidance on renewable energy, which superimposes centrally-determined ,Strategic Search Areas' for large-scale, onshore wind farm development onto local decision-making processes. Motivations for adopting this approach reflect the UK's centralizing planning culture, and beliefs that local planning processes will not yield sufficient sites to meet targets for wind power expansion. Responses to this planning guidance suggest that it may stabilizing the regulatory conditions for large-scale wind investment in the short term, in some parts of Wales, but faces a number of points of vulnerability in the longer term. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [source] Partition Behavior of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Between Aged Coal Tar and Water,ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 8 2009Lihua Liu Abstract Coal tar aged in a large-scale, artificial aquifer experiment for five years was subsequently investigated for leaching behavior of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). After five years, the initially liquid coal tar had solidified and formed segregated particles with a grain size similar to that of the sandy aquifer material. The composition of the aged coal tar (ACT) with regard to PAHs was remarkably different from that of the original bulk coal tar (BCT), because most of the low-molecular-weight compounds had been depleted. Equilibrium aqueous-phase concentrations of 17 PAHs leaching from the aquifer material containing the ACT were measured from consecutive equilibration steps at increasing temperatures of between 25 and 100C using accelerated solvent extraction. The results showed 2-to 5,000-fold lower concentrations than those from BCT, indicating dramatic changes of dissolution behavior of PAHs from coal tar after the five-year aging period. Predictions based on Raoult's law with the subcooled liquid solubilities substantially overestimated the equilibrium aqueous-phase concentrations of the PAHs from ACT, whereas the estimations were reasonable if the solid solubilities were employed instead. The enthalpies of phase transfer from ACT to water were determined based on the van't Hoff equation. The resulting values agreed with the dissolution enthalpies of pure solid rather than subcooled liquid PAHs. [source] Hormesis: Why it is important to toxicology and toxicologists,ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 7 2008Edward J. Calabrese Abstract This article provides a comprehensive review of hormesis, a dose-response concept that is characterized by a low-dose stimulation and a high-dose inhibition. The article traces the historical foundations of hormesis, its quantitative features and mechanistic foundations, and its risk assessment implications. The article indicates that the hormetic dose response is the most fundamental dose response, significantly outcompeting other leading dose-response models in large-scale, head-to-head evaluations. The hormetic dose response is highly generalizable, being independent of biological model, endpoint measured, chemical class, and interindividual variability. Hormesis also provides a framework for the study and assessment of chemical mixtures, incorporating the concept of additivity and synergism. Because the hormetic biphasic dose response represents a general pattern of biological responsiveness, it is expected that it will become progressively more significant within toxicological evaluation and risk assessment practices as well as have numerous biomedical applications. [source] Simple statistical structure in time series for daily air flow characteristicsENVIRONMETRICS, Issue 1 2008Piia Post Abstract The structure function is used for quantifying of non-stationarity in time series for certain daily air flow characteristics (DAFC). The National Center for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis 30 year (1968,97) dataset given over 5°,×,10° latitude longitude grid is used to calculate the DAFC series for the Baltic Sea region. The quantification on the basis of the Hurst exponent H enables us to discriminate between the strong synoptic scale non-stationarity and a mild large-scale one. Presented examples show that the change of H is accompanied by a change of the distribution for the series' increments. Long-range increments for various DAFC appear to be approximately normally distributed with approximately constant variance independent of the increment length over a remarkably wide range. The property might be useful in describing a long-range variability of the air flow characteristics. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The creation of an international audit and database of equine colic surgery: Survey of attitudes of surgeonsEQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue 4 2008T. S. MAIR Summary Reasons for performing study: Currently, there is a lack of available evidence-based data concerning the optimum treatments for horses affected by different types of colic and this precludes the application of clinical audit in this area. In order to accumulate such data, a large-scale, multicentre database of the outcomes of colic surgery is proposed. The attitudes of surgeons is an important consideration in determining the feasibility of developing this database. Objectives: To assess attitudes and opinions of equine surgeons concerning clinical audit and to assess the perceived advantages and problems of setting up a large-scale international audit/database of colic surgery. Methods: Interviews were conducted with 30 equine surgeons (large animal/equine surgeons who are diplomates of either the American College of Veterinary Surgeons or the European College of Veterinary Surgeons). Questionnaires were sent by e-mail to 98 equine surgeons. Results: Face to face interviews were conducted (n = 30) and 43/98 completed questionnaires received (44%). The results of the 2 techniques were very similar. There was generally a high level of interest in the development of a large scale database of colic surgery, but perceived problems included time to collect and submit data, and confidentiality issues. A minority of surgeons reported that they were undertaking any form of specific monitoring of the results of colic surgery within their hospitals. Conclusions: There is a good level of interest among equine surgeons to develop a large scale database of colic surgery and most would be willing to contribute data from their own hospitals provided that data collection is quick and easy, and that confidentiality is maintained. Potential relevance: A large scale audit and database would provide relevant information to equine surgeons concerning the current success and complication rates of colic surgery. Such evidence-based data could be used in clinical audits within individual equine hospitals. The data would also be useful to identify trends within the discipline and could highlight areas that would benefit from active research. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||