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Kinds of Series Terms modified by Series Selected AbstractsENDOSCOPIC SUBMUCOSAL DISSECTION FOR EARLY GASTRIC CANCER: TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY, OPERATION TIME AND COMPLICATIONS FROM A LARGE CONSECUTIVE SERIESDIGESTIVE ENDOSCOPY, Issue 1 2005Ichiro Oda Background:, Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is a recognized treatment for early gastric cancer (EGC). One-piece resection is considered to be a gold standard of EMR, as it provides accurate histological assessment and reduces the risk of local recurrence. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a new technique developed to obtain one-piece resection even for large and ulcerative lesions. The present study aims to identify the technical feasibility, operation time and complications from a large consecutive series. Methods:, We reviewed all patients with EGC who underwent ESD using the IT knife at National Cancer Center Hospital in the period between January 2000 and December 2003. Results:, During the study period of 4 years we identified a total of 1033 EGC lesions in 945 consecutive patients who underwent ESD using the IT knife. We found a one-piece resection rate (OPRR) of 98% (1008/1033). Our OPRR with tumor-free margins was 93% (957/1033). On subgroup analysis it was found to be 86% (271/314) among large lesions (, 21 mm) and 89% (216/243) among ulcerative lesions. The overall non-evaluable resection rate was 1.8% (19/1033). The median operation time was 60 min (range; 10,540 min). Evidence of immediate bleeding was found in 7%. Delayed bleeding after ESD was seen in 6% and perforation in 4% of the cases. All cases with complications except one were successfully treated by endoscopic treatment. Conclusion:, The present study shows the technical feasibility of ESD, which provides one-piece resections even in large and ulcerative EGC. [source] HEARING PEOPLE TALK: THE CONTINUED IMPORTANCE OF ADDICTION's JOURNAL INTERVIEW SERIESADDICTION, Issue 6 2005Article first published online: 20 MAY 200 No abstract is available for this article. [source] VARIATION OF SHELL SHAPE IN THE CLONAL SNAIL MELANOIDES TUBERCULATA AND ITS CONSEQUENCES FOR THE INTERPRETATION OF FOSSIL SERIESEVOLUTION, Issue 2 2000Sarah Samadi Abstract., Interpreting paleontological data is difficult because the genetic nature of observed morphological variation is generally unknown. Indeed, it is hardly possible to distinguish among several sources of morphological variation including phenotypic plasticity, sexual dimorphism, within-species genetic variation or differences among species. This can be addressed using fossil organisms with recent representatives. The freshwater snail Melanoides tuberculata ranks in this category. A fossil series of this and other species have been studied in the Turkana Basin (Kenya) and is presented as one of the best examples illustrating the punctuated pattern of evolution by the tenants of this theory. Melanoides tuberculata today occupies most of the tropics. We studied variation of shell shape in natural populations of this parthenogenetic snail using Raup's model of shell coiling. We considered different sources of variation on estimates of three relevant parameters of Raup's model: (1) variation in shell shape was detected among clones, and had both genetic and environmental bases; (2) sexual dimorphism, in those clones in which males occur, appeared as an additional source of shell variation; and (3) ecophenotypic variation was detected by comparing samples from different sites and years within two clones. We then tested the performance of discriminant function analyses, a classical tool in paleontological studies, using several datasets. Although the three sources of variation cited above contributed significantly to the observed morphological variance, they could not be detected without a priori knowledge of the biological entities studied. However, it was possible to distinguish between M. tuberculata and a related thiarid species using these analyses. Overall, this suggests that the tools classically used in paleontological studies are poorly efficient when distinguishing between important sources of within-species variation. Our study also gives some empirical bases to the doubts cast on the interpretation of the molluscan series of the Turkana Basin. [source] A NOTE ON CHAMBERS'S "LONG MEMORY AND AGGREGATION IN MACROECONOMIC TIME SERIES",INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC REVIEW, Issue 3 2005Leonardo Rocha Souza This note reviews some results on aggregating discrete-time long memory processes, providing a formula for the spectrum of the aggregates that considers the aliasing effect. [source] IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT OF DOMOIC ACID PRODUCTION IN OCEANIC PSEUDO-NITZSCHIA (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE) FROM IRON-LIMITED WATERS IN THE NORTHEAST SUBARCTIC PACIFIC,JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY, Issue 3 2008Adrian Marchetti We identified and investigated the potential toxicity of oceanic Pseudo-nitzschia species from Ocean Station Papa (OSP), located in a high-nitrate, low-chlorophyll (HNLC) region of the northeast (NE) subarctic Pacific Ocean. Despite their relatively low abundances in the indigenous phytoplankton assemblage, Pseudo-nitzschia species richness is high. The morphometric characteristics of five oceanic Pseudo-nitzschia isolates from at least four species are described using SEM and TEM. The species identified are Pseudo-nitzschia dolorosa Lundholm et Moestrup, P. granii Hasle, P. heimii Manguin, and P. cf. turgidula (Hust.) Hasle. Additional support for the taxonomic classifications based on frustule morphology is provided through the sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) rDNA. Pseudo-nitzschia species identification was also assessed by the construction of ITS1 clone libraries and using automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA) for environmental samples collected during the Subarctic Ecosystem Response to Iron Enrichment Study (SERIES), conducted in close proximity to OSP in July of 2002. Based on ITS1 sequences, the presence of P. granii, P. heimii, P. cf. turgidula, and at least five other putative, unidentified Pseudo-nitzschia ITS1 variants was confirmed within iron-enriched phytoplankton assemblages at OSP. None of the oceanic isolates produced detectable levels of particulate domoic acid (DA) when in prolonged stationary phase due to silicic acid starvation. The lack of detectable concentrations of DA suggests that either these strains produce very little or no toxin, or that the physiological conditions required to promote particulate DA production were not met and thus differ from their coastal, toxigenic congeners. [source] DETERMINING A SERIES OF WHOLE WHEAT DIFFERENCE THRESHOLDS FOR USE IN A GRADUAL ADJUSTMENT INTERVENTION TO IMPROVE CHILDREN'S LIKING OF WHOLE-WHEAT BREAD ROLLSJOURNAL OF SENSORY STUDIES, Issue 6 2007JOANNE DELK ABSTRACT The first objective of this research was to determine if elementary school-aged children preferred refined bread to whole-wheat bread. The second objective was to set a series of difference threshold steps that could be used for an intervention to gradually and undetectably increase whole-wheat flour content in a bread roll. We conducted a taste test with 103 elementary school children in which they rated their liking of bread rolls containing various levels of whole wheat. The rolls with lower levels of whole wheat were liked better than the rolls with higher levels. We established difference thresholds for whole-wheat flour in rolls over the range of 0,100% whole wheat using ascending forced-choice tests. From these thresholds, we established the following series of concentrations (%): 1, 2, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 26, 32, 38, 47, 59, 72 and 91. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The series of whole wheat concentrations we determined can be used in an intervention to gradually increase the whole-wheat content of bread rolls. More broadly, they could be used by any foodservice operation, manufacturer or cook that wants to gradually increase the whole-wheat content of bread or related products and have that increase remain undetected by consumers. This strategy of gradually increasing whole-wheat content has the potential to markedly increase the consumption of whole grains, thus, improving health. [source] CHAOTIC FORECASTING OF DISCHARGE TIME SERIES: A CASE STUDY,JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION, Issue 2 2001Francesco Lisi ABSTRACT: This paper considers the problem of forecasting the discharge time series of a river by means of a chaotic approach. To this aim, we first check for some evidence of chaotic behavior in the dynamic by considering a set of different procedures, namely, the phase portrait of the attractor, the correlation dimension, and the largest Lyapunov exponent. Their joint application seems to confirm the presence of a nonlinear deterministic dynamic of chaotic type. Second, we consider the so-called nearest neighbors predictor and we compare it with a classical linear model. By comparing these two predictors, it seems that nonlinear river flow modeling, and in particular chaotic modeling, is an effective method to improve predictions. [source] PERCUTANEOUS THERMORHIZOTOMY IN A CLINICAL SERIES OF 80 PATIENTS WITH TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA.JOURNAL OF THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, Issue 1 2002F. Rychlicki At the time of this report, 80 patients have been operated upon for typical trigeminal neuralgia by the percutaneous rhizotomy approach. Through follow-up evaluation extending over a period of 1 to 20 years, it has been completed for 65 of these patients. The average age was 63 years and 60% of patients were female. In 60% of patients pain was located on the right, and the second and third division of the trigeminal nerve were commonly involved. Isolated pain in the first or third division was less frequent than the second division. The disease had been present for an average of 8 years and was characterized by increasingly severe episodes of paroxismal pain and shortening period of remission. Nearly all patients had been treated with either diphenylhydantoin or carbamazepine, as well as other forms of medical and physical remedies. Response to follow-up was obtained for all 65 patients. All were contacted by questionnaire on phone and a family member was contacted if the patient had died. At the time of evaluation, 94% of patients reported excellent to good results from the procedure. The remaining patients obtained only fair results because of undesirable side-effects or recurrence of pain. The authors emphasize the importance of surgical therapy in trigeminal neuralgia when medical therapy fails. [source] FURTHER COMMENTS ON STATIONARITY TESTS IN SERIES WITH STRUCTURAL BREAKS AT UNKNOWN POINTSJOURNAL OF TIME SERIES ANALYSIS, Issue 2 2003Fabio Busetti First page of article [source] FORECASTING QUARTERLY AGGREGATE CRIME SERIES,THE MANCHESTER SCHOOL, Issue 6 2005MICHAEL P. CLEMENTS In this paper we assess the forecasting performance of quarterly economic models of aggregate property and personal crime. We show that models that include long-run relationships between crime and its economic determinants tend to generate inaccurate forecasts, and attribute this to structural change. The forecast performance of the economic models is compared with that of time-series models, and forecast encompassing tests are reported. [source] OUTCOMES OF A CONTEMPORARY AMPUTATION SERIESANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 5 2006Tao S. Lim Background: The aim of this study was to determine the outcomes of a contemporary amputation series. Methods: A retrospective audit of 87 cases of major lower limb amputation from January 2000 to December 2002 from the Department of Vascular Surgery, Royal Perth Hospital, was conducted. Results: The mean age of the study population was 70.1 ± 14.3 years; the male : female ratio was 3.35:1. Comorbid problems included diabetes (49.4%), smoking (81.6%), hypertension (77.0%), ischaemic heart disease (58.6%), stroke (25.3%), raised creatinine level (34.5%) and chronic airway limitation (25.3%). Preamputation vascular reconstructive procedures were common, 34.5% in a previous admission and 23.0% in the same admission. The main indication was critical limb ischaemia (75.9%) followed by diabetic infection (17.2%). There were 51 below-knee (58.6%), 5 through-knee (5.7%) and 31 above-knee (35.6%.) amputations. The below-knee amputation to above-knee amputation ratio was 1.65:1. The overall wound infection rate was 26.4%; the infection rates for below-knee (29.4%) and above-knee (22.6%) amputation did not differ significantly (P = 0.58). Revision rates were 17.6% for below-knee, 20% for through-knee and none for above-knee amputations. Twenty patients (23.0%) underwent subsequent contralateral amputation. Thirty-nine patients (44.8%) were selected as suitable for a prosthesis by a rehabilitation physician; 31 (79.5%) used the prosthesis both indoors and outdoors and 6 (15.4%) used it indoors only within 3 months. Cumulative mortality at 30 days, 6 months, 12 months and 24 months was 10.1, 28.7, 43.1 and 51.7%, respectively. Conclusion: This series agrees with the current published work in finding that patients undergoing major lower limb amputation are older, with a high prevalence of comorbid conditions. Successful prosthesis rehabilitation depends on patient selection and a multidisciplinary approach. Despite a low immediate mortality, the overall long-term results of lower limb amputation remain dismal. [source] ON THE CHANGE POINT OF THE MEAN RESIDUAL LIFE OF SERIES AND PARALLEL SYSTEMSAUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF STATISTICS, Issue 1 2010Yan Shen Summary This paper considers the mean residual life in series and parallel systems with independent and identically distributed components and obtains relationships between the change points of the mean residual life of systems and that of their components. Compared with the change point for single components, should it exists, the change point for a series system occurs later. For a parallel system, however, the change point is located before that for the components, if it exists at all. Moreover, for both types of systems, the distance between the change points of the mean residual life for systems and for components increases with the number of components. These results are helpful in the determination of optimal burn-in time and related decision making in reliability analysis. [source] HEAVY-TAILED-DISTRIBUTED THRESHOLD STOCHASTIC VOLATILITY MODELS IN FINANCIAL TIME SERIESAUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF STATISTICS, Issue 1 2008Cathy W. S. Chen Summary To capture mean and variance asymmetries and time-varying volatility in financial time series, we generalize the threshold stochastic volatility (THSV) model and incorporate a heavy-tailed error distribution. Unlike existing stochastic volatility models, this model simultaneously accounts for uncertainty in the unobserved threshold value and in the time-delay parameter. Self-exciting and exogenous threshold variables are considered to investigate the impact of a number of market news variables on volatility changes. Adopting a Bayesian approach, we use Markov chain Monte Carlo methods to estimate all unknown parameters and latent variables. A simulation experiment demonstrates good estimation performance for reasonable sample sizes. In a study of two international financial market indices, we consider two variants of the generalized THSV model, with US market news as the threshold variable. Finally, we compare models using Bayesian forecasting in a value-at-risk (VaR) study. The results show that our proposed model can generate more accurate VaR forecasts than can standard models. [source] ELICITING A DIRECTED ACYCLIC GRAPH FOR A MULTIVARIATE TIME SERIES OF VEHICLE COUNTS IN A TRAFFIC NETWORKAUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF STATISTICS, Issue 3 2007Catriona M. Queen Summary The problem of modelling multivariate time series of vehicle counts in traffic networks is considered. It is proposed to use a model called the linear multiregression dynamic model (LMDM). The LMDM is a multivariate Bayesian dynamic model which uses any conditional independence and causal structure across the time series to break down the complex multivariate model into simpler univariate dynamic linear models. The conditional independence and causal structure in the time series can be represented by a directed acyclic graph (DAG). The DAG not only gives a useful pictorial representation of the multivariate structure, but it is also used to build the LMDM. Therefore, eliciting a DAG which gives a realistic representation of the series is a crucial part of the modelling process. A DAG is elicited for the multivariate time series of hourly vehicle counts at the junction of three major roads in the UK. A flow diagram is introduced to give a pictorial representation of the possible vehicle routes through the network. It is shown how this flow diagram, together with a map of the network, can suggest a DAG for the time series suitable for use with an LMDM. [source] European Standard Series patch test results from a contact dermatitis clinic in Israel during the 7-year period from 1998 to 2004CONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 2 2006Aneta Lazarov The results of a 7-year retrospective study (1998,2004) from patch testing with the European Standard Series (ESS) establishing the frequency of sensitization in a contact dermatitis clinic in Israel are presented. 23 allergens were patch tested on 2156 patients, 1462 females (67.8%) and 694 males (32.2%). Atopy and asthma were present in 21.9% of the patients. One or more allergic reactions were observed in 937 patients (43.5%). The highest yield of patch test positives from the 1076 positive reactions were obtained from nickel sulfate (13.9%), fragrance mix (7.1%), potassium dichromate (3.8%), Balsam of Peru (3.6%), CL + Me-isothiazolinone (3.4%) and cobalt chloride (3.4%). Allergens which produced the least amount of positive results were primin and clioquinol. Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) was established in 32.8%, whereas occupationally related allergic (8.0) and irritant contact dermatitis (5.6%) affected a total of 13.6% of the cases studied. The most common clinical forms of dermatitis were chronic dermatitis (47.7%) followed by acute dermatitis (22.8%), and lichenification and hyperkeratosis (7.9%). The hands (30.7%), face and neck (23.9%) and extremities (11.3%) were the most frequently affected areas. Four allergens in our study differed from the top 10 allergens in Europe namely: Cl + Me-isothiazolinone, formaldehyde, 4-tert-butylphenol formaldehyde resin and sesquiterpene lactone mix reflecting an existing difference in environmental exposure. Our study is the first to provide data on the frequency of sensitization and important allergens in the aetiology of ACD in Israel. In spite of the existing differences with Europe, we conclude that ESS is an appropriate screening system for the diagnosis of ACD in Israel. [source] Experiential Approaches to the Study of Multiculturalism in Education: Introduction to the Special Series on Multiculturalism in Curriculum InquiryCURRICULUM INQUIRY, Issue 4 2003Joann Phillion No abstract is available for this article. [source] Microcystic Adnexal Carcinoma: A Case Series Treated with Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Identification of Patients in Whom Paraffin Sections May Be PreferableDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 4 2010IOULIOS PALAMARAS MD BACKGROUND Microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) is a rare cutaneous tumor characterized by aggressive local infiltration, including a high propensity for perineural invasion (PNI). OBJECTIVES To report our experience in treating MAC using Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) with frozen sections and to identify patients in whom that technique may have limitations. MATERIALS & METHODS A review of records between 1992 and 2008. RESULTS Nine patients with MAC were identified. All tumors were located on the face. PNI was noted in the diagnostic biopsies of two patients with periocular MAC, in both of whom tumor persisted after MMS. The mean duration of follow-up was 5.4 years. CONCLUSIONS MMS with frozen sections is reliable for treating primary MAC in which PNI is not present on a diagnostic biopsy. Previous surgery and PNI were associated with greater risk of persistence in periocular MAC. In these patients, it may be appropriate to consider MMS with paraffin-embedded sections, possibly as a layer after apparent clearance on frozen sections. Further excision of orbital contents should be considered in periocular MAC that infiltrate the deep orbital fat or are noted to have PNI. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters. [source] The Lateral Ala's Volume and Position Are Critical Determinants of Aesthetically Successful Nasal Reconstruction: A Photographic Case SeriesDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 4 2009JONATHAN L. COOK MD First page of article [source] Modified Single-Sling Myocutaneous Island Pedicle Flap: Series of 61 ReconstructionsDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 11 2008ANDREA WILLEY MD BACKGROUND Bilevel undermining above and below the transverse nasalis muscle in the construction of a myocutaneous island pedicle flap produces a bilateral or unilateral muscular sling with exceptional vascular supply for reconstruction of defects on the distal nose. We present further modification of the single-sling myocutaneous island pedicle flap that expands its application to a wide variety of nasal defects and further defines its usefulness in nasal reconstruction. METHODS A series of 61 consecutive myocutaneous island pedicle flap reconstructions performed after Mohs surgery between March 2005 and July 2006 are presented. Flap modifications are presented, and advantages and limitations are discussed. RESULTS Flap modifications introduce additional reach and rotational mobility to the flap that permit extension of the flap to defects on the nasal tip and distal ala. CONCLUSION Modifications of the bilevel approach to the single-sling nasalis myocutaneous island pedicle flap further define its practicality in nasal reconstruction and expand its application to a variety of nasal defects. [source] Early and Late Complications after a Nonabsorbable Hydrogel Polymer Injection: A Series of 14 Patients and Novel ManagementDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 2007OREN GOLDAN MD First page of article [source] Multiple Primary Acral Melanomas in African-Americans: A Case Series and Review of the LiteratureDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 1 2007ANGELA C. S. HUTCHESON MD BACKGROUND Although melanoma accounts for only 4% to 5% of all skin cancers in the United States, it causes most skin cancer,related deaths. We describe a unique group of African-American patients with multiple primary acral lentiginous melanomas (ALMs). OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to review the case histories and management of a cohort of patients in the Mohs practice of our dermatologic surgeon with multiple primary ALM. METHODS This is a case series of patients with multiple ALM identified by chart review from 2000 to 2005. A thorough review of the literature was performed. RESULTS Four patients, all African-American, were identified with multiple ALM. All patients were managed with excision or Mohs micrographic surgery utilizing permanent sections. None of the patients with ALM had melanomas at nonacral sites or other types of skin cancer. Several had acral melanosis. Information in the literature on patients with multiple primary acral melanomas was insufficient. CONCLUSION Patients with multiple acral melanomas have not, to our knowledge, been reported thus far. It can be extrapolated from current literature, however, that appropriate management of these patients, including staging work and surgical intervention, is to be determined by the individual characteristics of the melanoma and the patient's concomitant risk factors, if any. [source] Nonablative Acne Scar Reduction after a Series of Treatments with a Short-Pulsed 1,064-nm Neodymium:YAG LaserDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 8 2006GRAEME M. LIPPER MD BACKGROUND Effective treatment of facial acne scarring presents a major challenge. Nonablative lasers and radiofrequency devices work by thermally stimulating dermal collagen remodeling, thereby softening acne scars in a minimally invasive fashion. One such laser, a 1,064-nm short-pulsed Nd:YAG, uses rapidly scanned low-energy infrared pulses to heat the dermis selectively through the normal dermal microvasculature. OBJECTIVE In this pilot study, the safety and efficacy of a novel short-pulsed Nd:YAG laser were investigated for the treatment of moderate to severe facial acne scarring. MATERIALS AND METHODS Nine of 10 enrolled patients with moderate to severe facial acne scarring received eight sequential 1,064-nm Nd:YAG treatments (laser parameters 14 J/cm2, 0.3 milliseconds, 5-mm spot size, 7-Hz pulse rate, 2,000 pulses per side of face). Patients were graded for the presence and severity of three scar morphologies: superficial (rolling), medium-depth (boxcar), and deep (ice pick). Outcome measures included blinded evaluation of before and after photographs by three physician observers (scar severity score) and patient self-assessment. RESULTS Acne scarring improved in 100% of the nine patients completing the study. Scar severity scores improved by a mean of 29.36% (95% confidence interval, 16.93%,41.79%; p=.006); 89% of patients noted greater than 10% scar improvement. No treatment-related adverse events were seen. CONCLUSION Our findings support the use of a short-pulsed, low-fluence 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser as a safe, effective treatment for facial acne scarring. Scar improvement was noted in all treated subjects with minimal discomfort and no downtime. This protocol appears to be most effective at reducing scar depth and softening scar contours. [source] In-Transit Metastasis From Primary Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Organ Transplant Recipients and Nonimmunosuppressed Patients: Clinical Characteristics, Management, and Outcome in a Series of 21 PatientsDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 4p2 2004John A. Carucci MD Background. In-transit metastases from cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) may occur in organ transplant recipients and may indicate aggressive disease and poor prognosis. Objective. The objective of this study was to describe in-transit metastases from cutaneous SCC and to identify factors associated with this phenomenon in a series of 21 patients. We also attempted to evaluate outcome with respect to status as an organ transplant recipient or nonorgan transplant recipient. Methods. A multicenter case series of patients was reviewed; factors included clinical presentation, management, and outcome. Results. Twenty-one patients, 15 organ transplant recipients, and 6 nontransplant recipients with in-transit metastases were reviewed. In-transit metastases presented most commonly as discrete, dermal papules distinct from but in the vicinity of the primary tumor site. Histologic differentiation was variable. At a mean follow up of 24 months, 33% the transplant patients had no evidence of disease compared with 80% of nontransplant patients. Thirty-three percent were dead from disease and 33% were alive with nodal or distant metastases. In contrast, 80% of nonimmunosuppressed patients had no evidence of disease and none had died at mean follow-up of 24 months. Conclusion. In-transit metastasis from cutaneous SCC is a unique presentation of metastatic SCC, more commonly described in organ transplant recipients, and is associated with poor prognosis in that group. This description represents the largest experience with in-transit metastases from cutaneous SCC in the literature. [source] Effects of hind limb denervation on the development of appendicular ossicles in the Dwarf African Clawed Frog, Hymenochirus boettgeri (Anura: Pipidae)ACTA ZOOLOGICA, Issue 4 2009Hyoung Tae Kim Abstract Sesamoids and other appendicular ossicles are common in other classes of vertebrates but comparatively rare in amphibians. The pipid frog Hymenochirus boettgeri (Boulenger, G. A. 1899. On Hymenochirus, a new type of aglossal batrachians. , Annals of the Magazine of Natural History Series 7: 122,125) is unusual among anurans in having seven (or more) appendicular ossicles in each hind limb. Sesamoids are often associated with muscles and tendons, and their development is usually regarded as mediated by or correlated with function. This study investigated the effects of paralysis (loss of function) on development of ossicles in the hind limb of Hymenochirus. Complete denervation of the right sciatic nerve was performed at developmental stages 63 and 66, and the animals maintained for a further 6,7 or 12,13 weeks. Specimens were cleared and double stained for cartilage and bone. There were no gross morphological differences between control and sham operated groups. The lunulae were not affected by paralysis, whereas the fabella arose later and/or regressed in some specimens. The distal os sesamoides tarsalia (OST) was shorter in paralysed individuals, and both the distal OST and cartilagines plantares showed delayed maturation. Denervation of the hind limb thus affected the timing of appearance, maintenance and rate of maturation of some sesamoid bones in Hymenochirus, but had no effect on others. [source] Palaeomonsoon variability in the southern fringe of the Badain Jaran Desert, China, since 130 ka BPEARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 3 2006Quanzhou Gao Abstract Taking the Chagelebulu Stratigraphic Profile as a typical example, a comprehensive study has been conducted to elucidate the palaeoclimatic and geomorphic evolution patterns in the southern fringe of the Badain Jaran Desert, which were found to be complex and polycyclic in the past 130 ka. However, the fluctuating magnitude is not as remarkable as that in the eastern China sandy region. The shift in climate from interglacial to glacial and the uplift process of the Qinghai,Xizang Plateau are the two leading forces driving the evolution of the climate and desert landforms in this area. Seventeen cycles of cold, dry and warm, humid climatic stages were recognized in the Upper Pleistocene Series of the profile. The sharp uplift of the Qinghai,Xizang Plateau superimposed a cool and arid climatic trend in this area. As a result of the climatic changes, the desert in this area has undergone multiple stages of expansion and contraction since 130 ka bp. The middle Holocene Epoch and the early stage of the Late Pleistocene Period were the main periods when the sand dunes became stabilized, and the early and late phases of the Holocene Epoch and late phase of the Pleistocene Epoch were the main periods when the previously stabilized sand dunes became mobile. The late phase of the Pleistocene Epoch was the most mobile stage, when the aeolian sand activities formed the essential geomorphic pattern of the Badain Jaran Desert. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Effect of soil interaction on the performance of liquid column dampers for seismic applicationsEARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 11 2005Aparna Ghosh Abstract The effects of soil,structure interaction (SSI) while designing the liquid column damper (LCD) for seismic vibration control of structures have been presented in this study. The formulation for the input,output relation of a flexible-base structure with attached LCD has been presented. The superstructure has been modelled by a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) system. The non-linearity in the orifice damping of the LCD has been replaced by equivalent linear viscous damping by using equivalent linearization technique. The force,deformation relationships and damping characteristics of the foundation have been described by complex valued impedance functions. Through a numerical stochastic study in the frequency domain, the various aspects of SSI on the functioning of the LCD have been illustrated. A simpler approach for studying the LCD performance considering SSI, using an equivalent SDOF model for the soil,structure system available in literature by Wolf (Dynamic Soil,Structure Interaction. International Series in Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics. Prentice-Hall: Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1985) has also been presented. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Submission of Manuscripts to the Econometric Society Monograph SeriesECONOMETRICA, Issue 4 2009Article first published online: 21 JUL 200 No abstract is available for this article. [source] Submission of Manuscripts to the Econometric Society Monograph SeriesECONOMETRICA, Issue 1 2009Article first published online: 15 DEC 200 No abstract is available for this article. [source] Report of the Editors of the Monograph SeriesECONOMETRICA, Issue 1 2008Article first published online: 19 FEB 200 No abstract is available for this article. [source] Report of the Editors of the Monograph SeriesECONOMETRICA, Issue 1 2007Article first published online: 29 JAN 200 No abstract is available for this article. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||