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Small Differences (small + difference)
Kinds of Small Differences Selected AbstractsThe Public Pay Gap in Britain: Small Differences That (Don't?) Matter,THE ECONOMIC JOURNAL, Issue 523 2007Fabien Postel-Vinay The existing literature on inequality between private and public sectors focuses on cross-section differences in earnings levels. Forward-looking agents, however, care about income and job mobility too, which we show are substantially different between the two sectors. Using data from the BHPS, we estimate a model of income and employment dynamics, allowing for unobserved heterogeneity in the propensity to be employed in either job sector. We detect a positive average public premium both in income flows and in the present discounted sum of future income flows. We also find that income inequality is lower but more persistent in the public sector. [source] Links between methane flux and transcriptional activities of methanogens and methane oxidizers in a blanket peat bogFEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Thomas E. Freitag Abstract The relationship between biogeochemical process rates and microbial functional activity was investigated by analysis of the transcriptional dynamics of the key functional genes for methanogenesis (methyl coenzyme M reductase; mcrA) and methane oxidation (particulate methane monooxygenase; pmoA) and in situ methane flux at two peat soil field sites with contrasting net methane-emitting and -oxidizing characteristics. qPCR was used to quantify the abundances of mcrA and pmoA genes and transcripts at two soil depths. Total methanogen and methanotroph transcriptional dynamics, calculated from mcrA and pmoA gene : transcript abundance ratios, were similar at both sites and depths. However, a linear relationship was demonstrated between surface mcrA and pmoA transcript dynamics and surface flux rates at the methane-emitting and methane-oxidizing sites, respectively. Results indicate that methanotroph activity was at least partially substrate-limited at the methane-emitting site and by other factors at the methane-oxidizing site. Soil depth also contributed to the control of surface methane fluxes, but to a lesser extent. Small differences in the soil water content may have contributed to differences in methanogen and methanotroph activities. This study therefore provides a first insight into the regulation of in situ, field-level surface CH4 flux at the molecular level by an accurate reflection of gene : transcript abundance ratios for the key genes in methane generation and consumption. [source] Effect of tourniquet pressure and intra-individual variability on plasma fibrinogen, platelet P-selectin and monocyte tissue factorINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LABORATORY HEMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2000J. L. Ritchie Small differences in levels of certain haemostatic components may be clinically significant. It is important therefore to eliminate potential sources of confounding variability. This study investigated the effect of removing tourniquet pressure prior to sample collection on plasma fibrinogen levels, platelet P-selectin and monocyte tissue factor expression. Blood was collected from the right arm under maintained tourniquet pressure and from the left arm following the release of pressure once the vein was sufficiently inflated for insertion of a needle. Whole blood was labelled within one hour of venepuncture to allow analysis of platelet P-selectin and monocyte tissue factor by flow cytometry. Plasma fibrinogen levels were analysed in samples stored at ,70 °C, for all individuals at the end of the study using a method based on the Clauss technique. Intra-individual variability for each of the components was assessed by collecting samples under tourniquet pressure from four individuals on the same day on three consecutive weeks. Intra-individual variations were greater than assay CVs for all three components. There were no significant differences between the two tourniquet methods of collection for fibrinogen, P-selectin or tissue factor. In conclusion, there is no reason not to use a tourniquet during collection of blood for analysis of plasma fibrinogen, platelet P-selectin or monocyte tissue factor. [source] Weight status, energy-balance behaviours and intentions in 9,12-year-old inner-city childrenJOURNAL OF HUMAN NUTRITION & DIETETICS, Issue 1 2010W. Jansen Abstract Background:, Dutch youth health care promotes four so-called energy-balance behaviours for the prevention of obesity: increasing physical activity, reducing sedentary behaviour and sugar-containing drinks, and eating breakfast. However, data on the prevalence of these behaviours and intentions to engage in them among primary schoolchildren is limited, especially for multi-ethnic, inner-city populations. The present study aimed to provide these data and explore differences according to socio-demographic characteristics and weight status. Methods:, Data on behaviours and accompanying intentions were collected using classroom questionnaires. Stature and body weight were measured by trained staff. Twenty primary schools in Rotterdam participated. Data on 1095 9,12 year olds (81.7% response rate) were available for analysis. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine associations between behaviours (favourable or unfavourable), intentions (positive or not), gender, age, ethnicity, neighbourhood income level and weight status. Results:, The prevalence of being overweight was 30.4%, including 9.0% obesity. Engagement in energy-balance behaviours varied from 58.6% for outdoor play (>1 h previous day) to 85.9% for active transportation to school (day of survey). The highest positive intentions were reported for taking part in sports (83.9%), and lowest for reducing computer time (41.3%). Small differences in behaviours and intentions according to socio-demographic characteristics were found, most notably a lower engagement in physical activity by girls. Skipping breakfast and total number of energy-balance behaviours were associated with being overweight. Conclusions:, The prevalence of being overweight among Dutch inner-city schoolchildren is high. A general rather than a differentiated approach is needed to improve engagement in energy-balance behaviours among inner-city schoolchildren. [source] Raman microscopy of the mixite mineral BiCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6·3H2O from the Czech RepublicJOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 5 2010Ray L. Frost Abstract Raman microscopy of the mixite mineral BiCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6·3H2O from Jáchymov and from Smrkovec (both Czech Republic) has been used to study their molecular structure. The presence of (AsO4)3,, (AsO3OH)2,, (PO4)3, and (PO3OH)2, units, as well as molecular water and hydroxyl ions, was inferred. OH···O hydrogen bond lengths were calculated from the Raman and infrared spectra using Libowitzky's empirical relation. Small differences in the Raman spectra between both samples were observed and attributed to compositional and hydrogen-bonding network differences. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] HBV core sequence: definition of genotype-specific variability and correlation with geographical originJOURNAL OF VIRAL HEPATITIS, Issue 6 2004M. Jazayeri Summary., There are eight genotypes and nine subtypes of HBV. Small differences in geographical origin are associated with sequence changes in the surface gene. Here, we compared core gene sequences from different genotypes and geographical regions. Specific combinations of 24 amino acid substitutions at nine residues allowed allocation of a sequence to a subtype. Six of these nine residues were located in different T cell epitopes depending on HBV geographical area and/or genotype. Thirty-seven nucleotide changes were associated uniquely with specific genotypes and subtypes. Unique amino acid and nucleotide variants were found in a majority of sequences from specific countries as well as within subtype ayw2 and adr. Specific nucleotide motifs were defined for Korean, Indian, Chinese, Italian and Pacific region isolates. Finally, we observed amino acid motifs that were common to either South-east Asian or Western populations, irrespective of subtype. We believe that HBV strains spread within constrained ethnic groups, result in selection pressures that define sequence variability within each subtype. It suggests that particular T cell epitopes are specific for geographical regions, and thus ethnic groups; this may affect the design of immunomodulatory therapies. [source] Radial velocity variations of the pulsating subdwarf B star PG 1605+072MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 3 2002Vincent M. Woolf We present an analysis of high-speed spectroscopy of the pulsating subdwarf B star PG 1605+072. Periodic radial motions are detected at frequencies similar to those reported for photometric variations in the star, with amplitudes of up to 6 km s,1. Differences between relative strengths for given frequency peaks for our velocity data and previously measured photometry are probably a result of shifting of power between modes over time. Small differences in the detected frequencies may also indicate mode-shifting. We report the detection of line-shape variations using the moments of the cross-correlation function profiles. It may be possible to use the moments to identify the pulsation modes of the star. [source] Building Bones in Babies: Can and Should We Exceed the Human Milk-Fed Infant's Rate of Bone Calcium Accretion?NUTRITION REVIEWS, Issue 11 2006Steven A. Abrams MD Increasing calcium absorption and bone calcium accretion to levels above those achieved by human milk-fed, full-term infants is possible with infant formulas. However, no data support such a goal or suggest that it is beneficial to short- or long-term bone health. Small differences in the bioavailability of calcium between infant formulas are unlikely to have long-term consequences. Long-term studies of the effects of infant feeding type on ultimate bone mass are needed. For now, the vitamin-replete breast-fed infant's rate of calcium accretion during the first year of life should be the standard targeted for infant formulas [source] Maxillary arch width in unoperated adult bilateral cleft lip and alveolus and complete bilateral cleft lip and palateORTHODONTICS & CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH, Issue 2 2010BS Latief To cite this article: Latief BS, Lekkas C, Kuijpers MAR: Maxillary arch width in unoperated adult bilateral cleft lip and alveolus and complete bilateral cleft lip and palate Orthod Craniofac Res 2010;13:82,88 Structured Abstract Authors,,, Latief BS, Lekkas C, Kuijpers MAR Objectives,,, To study maxillary arch width in adult patients with bilateral cleft lip and alveolus (BCLA) or with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP), who have not had any surgery. Setting and Sampling Population,,, Eighteen patients with BCLA, 13 patients with BCLP, and 24 controls from remote areas of Indonesia collected over 10 years. Materials and Methods,,, Dental casts were digitized three-dimensionally using an industrial coordinate measuring machine (CCM) (Zeiss Numerex; Carl Zeiss®, Stuttgart, Germany). Transversal distance between molars was measured on the tip of the distobuccal cusp and the tip of the mesiobuccal cusp, and for premolars and canines, the tip of the buccal cusps was recorded. Means and standard deviations were calculated for all variables. t -Test was used to determine whether the mean values of the cleft groups showed significant differences from each other and from the controls. Level of significance was set at p < 0.05. Results,,, Transversal arch dimensions in the BCLA group were comparable to the controls except at the canine level. Intercanine distance, which is close to the alveolar cleft, was 4.3 mm (SE 1.4) smaller in the BCLA group (p = 0.002). In the BCLP group, a comparable pattern was found. At the canine level, mean transversal width was 7.2 mm (SE 1.9) smaller compared to the control group, but no significant differences were found in the other transversal dimensions. Conclusions,,, Small differences are found in transversal dimensions in patients with BCLA and BCLP compared to a control group. Differences are most outspoken in the area near the cleft. [source] Pitfalls of data mining: triclinic polymorph of 2,2-aziridinedicarboxamide revisitedACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION B, Issue 1 2007Marcin Podsiad Several procedures have been employed for validating structural models refined on poor quality single-crystal diffraction data. Analysis of intra- and intermolecular distances in the structures of 2,2-aziridinedicarboxamide polymorphs proved to be a robust means, and a means independent of the chosen unit cell and symmetry, of detecting several incorrect atom-type assignments in the reported structure of the triclinic polymorph of 2,2-aziridinedicarboxamide [Brückner (1982). Acta Cryst. B38, 2405,2408]. The corrected model, refined in the space group , rules out the existence of any conformational polymorphism in this compound. Small differences in the powder-diffraction patterns calculated for the original and corrected structures of the triclinic polymorph illustrate the sensitivity of the above method for polymorph validation. [source] The impact of site conditions and seed dispersal on restoration success in alluvial meadowsAPPLIED VEGETATION SCIENCE, Issue 1 2003Tobias W. Donath Wisskirchen & Haeupler (1998) Abstract. We studied the restoration success of flood plain meadows in the northern Upper Rhine valley, where between 1988 and 1992, 35 ha of arable land was converted into grassland and subsequently managed for nature conservation. Remnant populations of typical alluvial meadow species were found in old meadows and along drainage ditches that dissect the whole area. We analysed the site conditions and phytosociological relevés in old and new meadows. Small differences in site parameters between old and new meadows contrasted with a clear floristic differentiation between the two meadow types. The vegetation of old meadows was much more differentiated along prevailing environmental gradients than the vegetation of new meadows. Despite the favourable site conditions for the re-establishment of species-rich meadows on the former arable land, restoration success was limited to the vicinity of remnant stands. In contrast to old meadows, indicator species of new grassland were still typical species of regularly disturbed ruderal and arable habitats, often capable of building up a persistent seed bank. The precise mapping of 23 target species revealed that even wind dispersal predominantly leads to re-establishment in the close circumference of parent plants. We found no indication that regular flooding, hay-making and autumnal grazing had an impact on recolonization of newly created grassland. Even under favourable conditions for the re-establishment of target species, restoration success in alluvial meadows proved to be strongly dispersal limited. We discuss the implications of our findings for future restoration management in grasslands. [source] The prophylactic effect of long-term lithium administration in bipolar patients entering treatment in the 1970s and 1980sBIPOLAR DISORDERS, Issue 2 2001Janusz K Rybakowski Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the prophylactic effect of long-term lithium administration in patients with bipolar mood disorders entering treatment in the 1970s and 1980s at the outpatient clinic of the Department of Psychiatry, University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland. Methods: The clinical characteristics of two groups of patients before and during lithium therapy were compared, namely, the 60 bipolar patients who entered lithium prophylaxis in the 1970s and 49 patients who entered in the 1980s. Both groups received the drug over a 10-year period. Results: The patients who entered lithium in the 1970s had fewer previous episodes of depression and more of mania than the patients who entered the therapy in the 1980s, although the total number of affective episodes was similar in both groups. The overall prophylactic efficacy of lithium over a 10-year period of administration was similar in both groups, except for a trend towards a greater number of depressive episodes in the first year of lithium prophylaxis in the 1980s group. The excellent lithium responders constituted 35% of the 1970s patients and 27% of those in the 1980s group. The 1970s patients were maintained on a higher level of serum lithium compared to the patients in the 1980s group and had more lithium-induced side effects. Conclusions: A decrease in lithium prophylactic efficacy in consecutive decades was not observed. Small differences between the bipolar patients entering lithium therapy in the 2 decades were observed in terms of the previous history of illness and during the course of lithium administration. [source] Application of the equivalent-core calculation to the Cl in core level on condensed SiCl4INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUANTUM CHEMISTRY, Issue 13 2006G. V. S. Mota Abstract Utilization of the equivalent core may be of great help in the determination of excitation energies for condensed systems. This method presents a small difference in the excitation potential in relation to the experimental values, thus, enabling a better symmetry assignment for the excitations involved in the process. With the help of (Z+1)-core model, we estimated the absorption position and the symmetry for the discrete core-excitation state of the Cl K edge on SiCl4 and were able to understand the process of selective fragmentation for condensed systems with good calculation approximation. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006 [source] Predictive ability of models for calving difficulty in US HolsteinsJOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS, Issue 3 2009E.L. De Maturana Summary The performance of alternative threshold models for analyzing calving difficulty (CD) in Holstein cows was evaluated in terms of predictive ability. Four models were considered, with CD classified into either three or four categories and analysed either as a single trait or jointly with gestation length (GL). The data contained GL and CD records from 90 393 primiparous cows, sired by 1122 bulls and distributed over 935 herd-calving year classes. Predictive ability of each model was evaluated using four criteria: mean squared error of the difference between observed and predicted CD scores; a Kullback-Leibler divergence measure between the observed and predicted distributions of CD scores; Pearson's correlation between observed and predicted CD scores and ability to correctly classify bulls as above or below average for incidence of CD. In general, the four models had similar predictive abilities. The joint analysis of CD with GL produced little, if any, improvement in predictive ability over univariate models. In light of the small difference in predictive ability between models treating CD with three or four categories and considering that a greater number of categories can provide more information, analysis of CD classified into four categories seems warranted. [source] Tree species range shifts at a continental scale: new predictive insights from a process-based modelJOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2008Xavier Morin Summary 1Climate change has already caused distribution shifts in many species, and climate predictions strongly suggest that these will accelerate in the future. Obtaining reliable predictions of species range shifts under climate change is thus currently one of the most crucial challenges for both ecologists and stakeholders. 2Here we simulate the distributions of 16 North American tree species at a continental scale for the 21st century according to two IPCC storylines, using a process-based species distribution model that for the first time allows identification of the possible causes of distribution change. 3Our projections show local extinctions in the south of species ranges (21% of the present distribution, on average), and colonizations of new habitats in the north, though these are limited by dispersal ability for most species. Areas undergoing local extinctions are slightly larger under climate scenario A2 (+3.2 C, +22% on average) than B2 (+1.0 C, +19% on average). This small difference is caused by nonlinear responses of processes (leaves and flowers phenological processes in particular) to temperature. We also show that local extinction may proceed at a slower rate than forecasted so far. 4Although predicted distribution shifts are very species-specific, we show that the loss of habitats southward will be mostly due to increased drought mortality and decreased reproductive success, while northward colonizations will be primarily promoted by increased probability of fruit ripening and flower frost survival. 5Synthesis. Our results show that different species will not face the same risks due to climate change, because their responses to climate differ as well as their dispersal rate. Focusing on processes, our study therefore tempers the alarming conclusions of widely used niche-based models about biodiversity loss, mainly because our predictions take into account the local adaptation and trait plasticity to climate of the species. [source] New species of Moenkhausia Eigenmann (Characiformes: Characidae) from Rio Xingu and Rio Tapajós basins, Brazil, with comments on a putative case of polymorphic Batesian mimicryJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 10 2009A. M. Zanata A new species of Moenkhausia is described from Rio Xingu and Rio Tapajós basins, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from its congeners, except from Moenkhausia moisae, by having more scales in the lateral series, 43,47 (v. 23,41 in the remaining congeners). The new species is distinguished from M. moisae by its colour pattern, which consists of a dark midlateral stripe, and an asymmetrical caudal blotch (inconspicuous or faded in specimens from the Rio Arinos) continuous with the midlateral stripe (v. narrow dark midlateral line and conspicuous, regularly rounded and symmetrical blotch not continuous with the midlateral line). The new species is putatively assumed to be mimetic to Jupiaba apenima, in the Rio Xingu and Rio Teles Pires drainages, and to Jupiaba yarina in the Rio Arinos. The two species of Jupiaba are sympatric and remarkably similar in size, general external morphology and colouration to the new species. A small difference occurs in the colouration between the two species of Jupiaba and is also observed in the two respectively sympatric morphotypes of the new species of Moenkhausia. The occurrence of polymorphic Batesian mimicry is therefore discussed for neotropical freshwater fishes. [source] The effect of supplementation of a white clover or perennial ryegrass diet with grape seed extract on indole and skatole metabolism and the sensory characteristics of lambJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 6 2007Nicola M Schreurs Abstract Condensed tannin in the form of a grape seed extract (GSE) was dosed to weaned wether lambs fed white clover (WC) or perennial ryegrass (PRG) over a 9-week period to determine whether the ,pastoral' flavour and odour of meat could be altered. The concentrations of the pastoral flavour compounds indole and skatole were determined in the rumen fluid, blood plasma and intermuscular fat. The odour and flavour of fat and meat from the slaughtered lambs was assessed by a trained panel. The rumen fluid and blood plasma concentrations of indole and skatole were higher in those lambs fed WC compared to PRG (P < 0.05) and the overall meat flavour intensity was greater when feeding WC (P < 0.01). The observed concentration of indole and skatole in the fat between WC and PRG feeding treatments was not statistically different. Power analysis indicated that increasing the number of lambs per treatment group from 20 to 65 would result in a higher fat skatole concentration (P < 0.05) being detected in lambs fed WC compared to PRG. Dosing with GSE gave a small reduction in skatole concentration in the rumen fluid and reduced plasma concentration of indole and skatole (P < 0.001). Odour and flavour scores of the fat and meat samples were not particularly high however, dosing with GSE lowered the overall and sweet odour and the sheepy, camphor, faecal and barnyard flavour (P < 0.05). Although the plasma concentration of indole and skatole suggests that GSE reduced indole and skatole formation, the intermittent supply of the GSE to the rumen environment was not sufficient to reduce their concentration in the fat. Hence, the small difference in the scores for pastoral odour and flavour attributes associated with GSE treatment may arise from other unknown factors. From a primary investigation, there was no difference in the concentration of indole and skatole in fat samples collected from carcasses before and after chilling. Further investigations into meat pastoral flavour are warranted through feeding condensed tannin-containing forages. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Comparison of a 1,550,nm Erbium:Glass fractional laser and a chemical reconstruction of skin scars (CROSS) method in the treatment of acne scars: A simultaneous split-face trialLASERS IN SURGERY AND MEDICINE, Issue 8 2009Hee Jung Kim MD Abstract Background and Objective Acne scarring is a common complication of acne but no effective single treatment modality has been developed. To compare the efficacy of 1,550,nm Er:Glass fractional laser and chemical reconstruction of skin scar (CROSS) method in the treatment of acne scars. Study Design/Materials and Methods A split-face trial was conducted in 20 patients (10 rolling, 10 icepick types) with acne scars. One side was treated with the 1,550,nm Er:Glass fractional laser three times with a 6-week interval. And the other side was treated with CROSS method two times every 12 weeks. Results Significant improvement was observed in both sides of the face. In rolling type, the objective and subjective improvement rates were significantly higher in the sides treated with laser than CROSS method. However, in icepick type, there were no statistically significant differences between the two treatment sides. In the laser sides, grades of pain were significantly higher than that of treated with CROSS method. However, downtimes and lasting days of erythema were significantly longer in the sides treated with CROSS method. Conclusion A 1,550,nm Er:Glass fractional laser and CROSS method are both well-tolerated and effective treatment options in the acne scars. However, there was a relatively small difference between the two treatment modalities. Therefore, dermatologists should consider the acne scar type to select the treatment options. Lasers Surg. Med. 41:545,549, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Conversion from a calcineurin inhibitor to everolimus therapy in maintenance liver transplant recipients: A prospective, randomized, multicenter trialLIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 10 2009Paolo De Simone Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) contribute to renal dysfunction following liver transplantation. This prospective, randomized, multicenter, 6-month study (with an additional 6 months of follow-up) evaluated whether everolimus with CNI reduction or discontinuation would improve renal function in maintenance liver transplant recipients experiencing CNI-related renal impairment. Patients started everolimus therapy with CNI reduction or discontinuation (n = 72) or continued receiving standard-exposure CNI (n = 73). At month 6, 80% of the patients who had converted to everolimus had discontinued the CNI. The mean change in creatinine clearance (CrCl) from baseline to month 6 was similar between groups (everolimus, 1.0 ± 10.2 mL/minute; controls, 2.3 ± 7.8 mL/minute; P = 0.46), so the primary study endpoint (8 mL/minute difference in the change in CrCl) was not achieved. Among patients who continued everolimus according to the protocol, the mean increase in CrCl was 2.1 (n = 53) and 3.8 mL/minute (n = 38) at months 6 and 12, respectively, versus 2.4 (n = 68) and 3.5 mL/minute in controls (n = 51). The high frequency of CNI dose reductions in controls (77% of the patients) and the relatively long mean time post-transplant (>3 years) likely contributed to the small difference in CrCl. Biopsy-proven acute rejection occurred in 1.4% of the patients in each group, with no graft losses. Study drug discontinuation was higher in everolimus-treated patients, and adverse events were more frequent. These data demonstrate that everolimus allows for discontinuation or a major reduction of CNI exposure in liver allograft recipients suffering CNI-related renal dysfunction without a loss of efficacy. Trials targeting earlier conversion post-transplantation are required to confirm the efficacy and safety of everolimus for improving renal function after liver transplantation. Liver Transpl 15:1262,1269, 2009. © 2009 AASLD. [source] X-ray characterization of epi-Ge/Pr2O3/Si(111) layer stacks by pole figures and reciprocal space mappingPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 8 2009Peter Zaumseil Abstract An epi-Ge/Pr2O3/Si(111) layer structure prepared by consecutive steps of epitaxial deposition and annealing is used to demonstrate the possibility of a complex characterization by combination of different X-ray diffraction techniques. Especially pole figure measurements, reciprocal space mapping (RSM) and high resolution (HR) ,/2, scans at selected inclined netplanes were successfully used to determine the in-plane lattice orientation of the layers relative to the substrate, the strain state of all layers and the structural perfection of the epi-Ge film. It was found that the major part of the epi-Ge layer has the same type A stacking orientation as the Si substrate, but about 0.6% is of type B. The Pr2O3 buffer layer exhibits type B only. The strain state of oxide and epi-Ge was determined, and a small difference in the lattice constant of type A and B epi-Ge was found. Microtwins lying in inclined {111} planes were unambiguously identified by pole figure measurements as the dominating structural defects in the epi-Ge layer. They cause a characteristic scattering pattern in reciprocal space maps. The proposed combination of X-ray techniques allows a relatively fast, integral and non-destructive analysis of heteroepitaxial semiconductor oxide semiconductor structures. [source] Relation between Mössbauer spectroscopy and geometrical frustration factors in MCr1.9857Fe0.02O4 (M = Co, Zn)PHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (B) BASIC SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 12 2007Kang Ryong Choi Abstract In order to elucidate the role of Cr ions in MCr2O4(M = Co, Zn) exhibiting geometrically frustration and multiferroic property, we have substituted a small amount of Fe ions for Cr sites and investigated the magnetic behavior of Fe ions with Mössbauer spectroscopy. The crystal structure was found to be single-phase cubic spinel with space group of Fd3m. The lattice constants a0 and the internal structural parameter (x) of the oxygen were determined to be 8.340, 8.331 Ĺ and 0.261 and 0.260, respectively. The Mössbauer absorption spectra at 4.2 K show that the well-developed two sextets are superposed with small difference of hyperfine fields(Hhf). The hyperfine fields of CoCr1.9857Fe0.02O4 and ZnCr1.9857Fe0.02O4 were determined to be 490 , 480 kOe and 460 , 450 kOe, respectively. Isomer shift values (,) of the two sextets are found to be 0.33 , 0.35 mm/s relative to those of Fe metal, which are consistent with the high spin Fe3+ charge state. From the results of Mössbauer measurement, it is suggested that Cr3+ ions have two different magnetic sites, and there is a correlation between hyperfine fields and degree of magnetic geometrical frustration. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Low temperature effects on photosynthesis and growth of grapevinePLANT CELL & ENVIRONMENT, Issue 7 2004L. HENDRICKSON ABSTRACT Growth and photosynthesis of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) planted on two sloping cool climate vineyards were measured during the early growth season. At both vineyards, a small difference in mean minimum air temperature (1,3 °C) between two microsites accumulated over time, producing differences in shoot growth rate. The growth rates of the warmer (upper) microsite were 34,63% higher than the cooler (lower) site. Photosynthesis measurements of both east and west canopy sides revealed that the difference in carbon gain between the warmer and cooler microsites was due to low temperatures restricting the photosynthetic contribution of east-facing leaves. East-facing leaves at the warmer microsite experienced less time at suboptimal temperature while being exposed to high irradiance, contributing to an average 10% greater net carbon gain compared to the east-facing leaves at the cooler microsite. This chilling-induced reduction in photosynthesis was not due to net photo-inhibition. Further analysis revealed that CO2 - and light-saturated photosynthesis of grapevines was restricted by stomatal closure from 15 to 25 °C and by a limitation of RuBP regeneration and/or end-product limitation from 5 to 15 °C. Changes in photosynthetic carboxylation efficiency implied that Rubisco activity may also play a regulatory role at all temperatures. This restriction of total photosynthetic carbon gain is proposed to be a major contributor to the temperature dependence of growth rate at both vineyards during the early season growth period. [source] Accounting for overlap of fractional cloud in infrared radiationTHE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, Issue 570 2000J. Li Abstract The cloud-matrix method for describing the mutual cloud-coverage relationship between any two levels is systematically discussed. A general method is devised for calculating the effective cloud emissivity for maximum-random overlap clouds. For several cloud configurations with extreme variation in fractional cloud amounts, the errors are generally very small (<5%). The radiative-transfer process that corresponds to the random-overlap cloud scheme is discussed. Compared with the purely random clouds scheme, the maximum-random overlap scheme always produces a smaller cooling rate in the lower layers of a cloud block and a smaller downward flux. The difference in cooling rate can be about 3 K d,1 and the difference in the downward flux near the surface can be as large as 20 W m,2. The calculations show that the scheme of effective cloud emissivity commonly used in general-circulation models could cause underestimation of cloud cooling rate. The clear-sky and the cloudy-sky radiation field can be obtained through a single calculation process but with different water-vapour profiles. The results show that for the all-sky case the separate treatment of the water-vapour profile for clear and cloudy portions makes only a very small difference in the cooling rate and upward flux at the top of the atmosphere in comparison with the results of an averaged water-vapour profile. [source] Spatial Properties of QT and the T-Wave MorphologyANNALS OF NONINVASIVE ELECTROCARDIOLOGY, Issue 3 2000Kaspar Lund M.S.S.E. Objective: To describe the relation between the QT interval and the T-wave morphology. Material and methods: Frank orthogonal leads X, Y, Z of one subject and resting 12-lead ECG of 40 subjects. QT was measured by the tangent method. The QT values are organized according to the anatomic orientation of the leads: I, -aVR, II, aVF, III, -aVL, -I, aVR, -II, -aVF, -III, aVL. and: V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6, -V1 -V2, -V3, -V4, -V5, -V6. The T-wave amplitudes and QT were categorized according to QT into four groups with increasing mean QT. Results: Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test showed that the shortest and longest QT values are measured on the T wave with the smallest amplitudes (P < 0.001). Inspection of plots of QT and T waves reveals that the shortest and longest QT values are usually measured in leads with a small difference in orientation (neighbor leads). The mechanism behind these characteristics is mainly that the shortest and longest QT values are measured on T waves that are close to a lead orientation, whereas the T waves are flat or biphasic. We also observed an almost significant (P = 0.057) decrease in the T-wave amplitude with increasing dispersion. Conclusion: The relation between T-wave morphology and QT in the same cardiac plane is highly organized. The shortest and longest QT values are measured on the T wave with the smallest amplitudes (P < 0.001). [source] Microarray analysis of gene expression changes in feeding female and male lone star ticks, Amblyomma americanum (L)ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY (ELECTRONIC), Issue 4 2009Majd N. Aljamali Abstract A collection of EST clones from female tick Amblyomma americanum salivary glands was hybridized to RNA from different feeding stages of female tick salivary glands and from unfed or feeding adult male ticks. In the female ticks, the expression patterns changed dramatically upon starting feeding, then changed again towards the end of feeding. On beginning feeding, genes possibly involved in survival on the host increased in expression as did many housekeeping genes. As feeding progressed, some of the survival genes were downregulated, while others were upregulated. When the tick went into the rapid feeding phase, many of the survival genes were downregulated, while a number of transport-associated genes and genes possibly involved in organ degeneration increased. In the males, the presence of females during feeding made a small difference, but feeding made a larger difference. Males showed clear differences from females in expression, as well. Protein synthesis genes were expressed more in all male groups than in the partially fed females, while the putative secreted genes involved in avoiding host defenses were expressed less. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] cDNA characterization and expression analysis of two arylphorin-like hexameric protein genes from the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.)ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY (ELECTRONIC), Issue 4 2007Muhammad Ashfaq Abstract We cloned and characterized two hexameric storage protein genes, PxAry1 and PxAry2, from Plutella xylostella and investigated the expression pattern in different developmental stages and in response to treatment by a juvenile hormone (JH) analog. The complete coding sequences of PxAry1 and PxAry2 are comprised of 2,097 and 2,094 bp with 699 and 698 amino acid residues, respectively. Signal peptides of 16 amino acids are predicted at the N-termini. According to both the phylogenetic analysis and amino acid composition (>16% aromatic amino acids), PxAry1 and PxAry2 belong to the arylphorin-like protein genes. Analysis using Northern hybridization and RT-PCR showed varying levels of genes expression in the developmental stages with a small difference between sexes. Expression of both genes in fourth instar larvae was suppressed after treatment with a JH-analog. Southern hybridization revealed the presence of multiple arylphorin genes in the genome. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 64:175,185, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Increased postvoid residual volume after measuring the isovolumetric bladder pressure using the noninvasive condom catheter methodBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 6 2007Sandra De Zeeuw The papers in this section cover a variety of topics, from urodynamics using a noninvasive method, the morbidity associated with long-term urinary catheters and attempts being made to lower this, the use of botulinum toxin in refractory idiopathic detrusor overactivity, and finally, a study into the effect of chronic prostatitis-like symptoms on the quality of life in a relatively large patient sample. OBJECTIVE To test, in an ongoing noninvasive longitudinal study in healthy men, whether the condom catheter method (a noninvasive urodynamic test to assess bladder function and bladder outlet obstruction) inhibits bladder function and whether this affects the reliability of the measured isovolumetric bladder pressure (Pves.iso). SUBJECTS AND METHODS Subjects (754, aged 40,79 years) voided three times, i.e. one free void and two condom measurements. The postvoid residual volume (PVR) was measured after each void using transabdominal ultrasonography. The statistical significance of differences was tested using Wilcoxon rank test and the Mann,Whitney U -test. RESULTS After free voiding the median (interquartile range) PVR was 18 (37) mL, and independent of the amount of fluid intake. In a subgroup of volunteers, when the free void was done last, the PVR was no different (P = 0.25), suggesting that the bladder did not become exhausted during the protocol. The PVR after two subsequent condom measurements was significantly higher than after free voiding, at 45 (78) and 57 (88) (both P < 0.05), independent of the number of interruptions in voiding. After supplementary fluid intake before the condom measurements, the PVR was double that with a normal fluid intake (P = 0.03). The median Pves.iso was 3 cmH2O higher in the second condom measurement than in the first (P < 0.05), although this small difference was not clinically relevant. CONCLUSIONS The condom measurement is associated with a significantly higher PVR, partly caused by supplementary fluid intake. This effect was only temporary and did not affect the measured Pves.iso. [source] Is cytochrome P450 2C9 genotype associated with NSAID gastric ulceration?BRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 6 2001Jennifer H. Martin Aims, The aim of this study was to explore whether genetic variation of cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) contributes to NSAID-associated gastric ulceration. The hypothesis tested was that CYP2C9 poor metabolizer genotype would predict higher risk of gastric ulceration in patients on NSAIDs that are metabolized by CYP2C9, due to higher plasma NSAID concentrations. Methods, Peripheral blood DNA samples from 23 people with a history of gastric ulceration attributed to NSAIDs metabolized by CYP2C9, and from 32 people on NSAIDs without gastropathy, were analysed to determine CYP2C9 genotype. Results, The following genotypes were found: *1/*1 (wild type) in 70% of cases and 58% of controls, *1/*2 in 17% of cases and 29% of controls, *1/*3 in 13% of cases and 13% of controls. The difference between case and control nonwild-type genotype frequency was 11.5% (95% CI ,14,37%), with the direction of the difference being against the hypothesis. No individuals with homozygote poor metaboliser genotype were identified. The differences in genotype frequencies between the two groups were not significant and the frequencies were similar to those in a large published population study. Ninety-five percent binomial confidence interval analysis confirms that there is no apparent clinically significant relationship between CYP2C9 genotype and risk of gastric ulceration although a small difference in risk in poor metabolizers cannot be excluded. Conclusions, These results do not support the hypothesis that gastric ulceration resulting from NSAID usage is linked to the poor metabolizing genotypes of CYP2C9. [source] Effect of Electronic Structures of Enantiomers of Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Complexes on DNA Binding BehaviorsCHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY, Issue 8 2010Haimei Luo Abstract A pair of Ru(II) complex enantiomers, , - and , -[Ru(bpy)2(p -mpip)]2+ {bpy=2,2,-bipyridine, p -mpip=2-(4-methylphenyl)imidazo[4,5-f]-1,10-phenanthroline} have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Both experimental results from crystallography, NMR, electrochemistry and theoretical calculations applying the density functional theory (DFT) method based on their crystal structures show that small difference in geometric structure existed can cause a considerable difference in electronic structure between enantiomers. In addition, the binding of the two enantiomers to calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) has been investigated with UV spectroscopy titration and viscosity measurements. It is very rare that the , enantiomer binds to DNA more strongly than the , enantiomer, which can be reasonably explained by their different electronic structures for the first time, suggesting that the dominant factor governing the stereoselectivity of DNA binding of Ru(II) complex may be the different electronic structures of its enantiomers. [source] Audiometric evaluation of an attempt to optimize the fixation of the transducer of a middle-ear implant to the ossicular chain with bone cementCLINICAL OTOLARYNGOLOGY, Issue 1 2004A. Snik Audiometric evaluation of an attempt to optimize the fixation of the transducer of a middle-ear implant to the ossicular chain with bone cement Typically, an implantable hearing device consists of a transducer that is coupled to the ossicular chain and electronics. The coupling is of major importance. The Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) is such an implantable device; normally, the VSB transducer is fixed to the ossicular chain by means of a special clip that is crimped around the long process of the incus. In addition to crimping, bone cement was used to optimize the fixation in six patients. Long-term results were compared to those of five controls with crimp fixation alone. To assess the effect of bone cement (SerenoCem®, Corinthian Medical Ltd, Nottingham, UK) on hearing thresholds, long-term post-surgery thresholds were compared to pre-surgery thresholds. Bone cement did not have any negative effect. Next, to test the hypothesis that aided thresholds might be better with the use of bone cement, aided thresholds were studied. After correction for the severity of hearing loss, only a small difference was found between the two groups at one frequency, viz. 2 kHz. It was concluded that there was no negative effect of using bone cement; however, there is also no reason to use bone cement in VSB users on a regular basis. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||