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Strong Indication (strong + indication)
Selected AbstractsIsolation and characterization of Tn -Dha1, a transposon containing the tetrachloroethene reductive dehalogenase of Desulfitobacterium hafniense strain TCE1ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2005Julien Maillard Summary A new 9.9 kb catabolic transposon, Tn -Dha1, containing the gene responsible for tetrachloroethene (PCE) reductive dechlorination activity, was isolated from Desulfitobacterium hafniense strain TCE1. Two fully identical copies of the insertion sequence ISDha1, a new member of the IS256 family, surround the gene cluster pceABCT, a truncated gene for another transposase and a short open reading frame with homology to a member of the twin-arginine transport system (tatA). Evidence was obtained by Southern blot for an alternative form of the transposon element as a circular molecule containing only one copy of ISDha1. This latter structure most probably represents a dead-end product of the transposition of Tn -Dha1. Strong indications for the transposition activity of ISDha1 were given by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing of the intervening sequence located between both inverted repeats (IR) of ISDha1 (IR junction). A stable genomic ISDha1 tandem was excluded by quantitative real-time PCR. Promoter mapping of the pceA gene, encoding the reductive dehalogenase, revealed the presence of a strong promoter partially encoded in the right inverted repeat of ISDha1. A sequence comparison with pce gene clusters from Desulfitobacterium sp. strains PCE-S and Y51 and from Dehalobacter restrictus, all of which show 100% identity for the pceAB genes, indicated that both Desulfitobacterium strains seem to possess the same transposon structure, whereas only the pceABCT gene cluster is conserved in D. restrictus. [source] Indications, results, and complications of tacrolimus conversion in pediatric renal transplantationPEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 6 2001Joseph T. Flynn Abstract: It is the practice of many pediatric renal transplant programs to ,convert' children taking cyclosporin A (CsA) to tacrolimus, although the indications for, outcome, and complications of this practice remain obscure. To better understand these aspects of tacrolimus ,conversion', a fax survey was sent to 119 North American pediatric renal transplant centers. Analyzable responses were received from 52 centers (44%), and included data from ,,1,815 pediatric renal transplants performed between 1991 and 98. Strong indications for tacrolimus conversion were: antibody-resistant rejection, CsA-resistant rejection, and CsA intolerance (strong indication in 72%, 65%, and 52% of centers, respectively). Steroid-resistant rejection and cosmetic side-effects were considered strong indications less often. Initial anti-rejection therapy was usually increased corticosteroid dose (47/52 centers). Antibody therapy was most commonly used for steroid-resistant rejection (44 centers). For steroid- and antibody-resistant rejection, tacrolimus conversion was most common (33 centers). Tacrolimus conversion for antibody-resistant rejection led to improvement of serum creatinine (SCr) in 27% of patients, stabilization of SCr in 46%, worsening of SCr in 11%, and graft loss in 16%. Reported complications after tacrolimus conversion included hyperglycemia, hyperkalemia, lymphoproliferative disorder, infection, and neurologic problems. We conclude that the major indication for tacrolimus conversion in pediatric transplant programs appears to be rejection. Outcome after tacrolimus conversion appears good, with the majority of patients experiencing stable or improved allograft function. These data provide direction for further study, including timing of tacrolimus conversion and interaction with other therapies. [source] A chaos-based iterated multistep predictor for blast furnace ironmaking processAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 4 2009Chuanhou Gao Abstract The prediction and control of the inner thermal state of a blast furnace, represented as silicon content in blast furnace hot metal, pose a great challenge because of complex chemical reactions and transfer phenomena taking place in blast furnace ironmaking process. In this article, a chaos-based iterated multistep predictor is designed for predicting the silicon content in blast furnace hot metal collected from a pint-sized blast furnace. The reasonable agreement between the predicted values and the observed values indicates that the established high dimensional chaotic predictor can predict the evolvement of silicon series well, which conversely render the strong indication of existing deterministic mechanism ruling the dynamics of complex blast furnace ironmaking process, i.e., a high-dimensional chaotic system is suitable for representing the blast furnace system. The results may serve as guidelines for characterizing blast furnace ironmaking process, an extremely complex but fascinating field, with chaos in the future investigation. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2009 [source] Raman phonons and Raman Jahn,Teller bands in perovskite-like manganitesJOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 10 2001Milko N. Iliev The perovskite-like manganites R1,xAxMnO3, where R is a trivalent rare earth or Y and A is a divalent alkaline earth element, are characterized by a strong interplay of magnetism, electric transport and crystallographic distortion. At doping levels 0.15 < x < 0.45 the materials exhibit colossal magnetoresistance near the concomitant ferromagnetic and insulator,metal transitions. At a fractional doping level, such as x = 0.5, the crystallographic and magnetic environment is strongly modified and charge ordering between Mn3+ and Mn4+ or phase separation takes place. In this work, the polarized Raman spectra of the orthorhombic and rhombohedral phases of parent RMnO3 compound were analyzed in close comparison with results of lattice dynamic calculations. We argue that the strong high-wavenumber bands between 400 and 700 cm,1, which dominate the Raman spectra of rhombohedral RMnO3 and magnetoresistive La1,xAxMnO3 are not proper Raman modes for the R3c or Pnma structures. Rather, the bands are of phonon density-of-states origin and correspond to oxygen phonon branches activated by the non-coherent Jahn,Teller distortions of the Mn3+O6 octahedra. The reduction of these bands upon doping of La1,xAxMnO3 and their disappearance in the ferromagnetic metallic phase support the model. The variation with temperature of the Raman spectra of La0.5Ca0.5MnO3 is also discussed. The results give a strong indication for charge and orbital ordering and formation of superstructure at low temperatures. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Guidelines for the laboratory diagnosis of trichomoniasis in East European countriesJOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 10 2010M Domeika Abstract The laboratory diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections in many Eastern European countries remains suboptimal. The main objective of the present evidence-based guidelines is to provide comprehensive information regarding the laboratory diagnosis of infections caused by Trichomonas vaginalis in East European countries. In particular, the present guidelines recommend: (i) to encourage examination of the wet mounts of vaginal exudates, instead of stained smears, at all clinical settings; (ii) nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) or culture could be employed if no trichomonads are detected on microscopic examination of the wet preparation and there is a strong indication of infection and (iii) the use of NAATs is encouraged in screening, using non-invasive specimens, or high volume testing situations. In the absence of internationally recognized commercial NAAT systems, tests developed in-house should be validated using obtainable international standards and quality assured strictly. Individual East European countries may be required to make minor national adjustments to these guidelines as a result of lack of accessibility to some reagents or equipment, or laws in a specific country. [source] Factors influencing Soay sheep survivalJOURNAL OF THE ROYAL STATISTICAL SOCIETY: SERIES C (APPLIED STATISTICS), Issue 4 2000E. A. Catchpole We present a survival analysis of Soay sheep mark recapture and recovery data. Unlike previous conditional analyses, it is not necessary to assume equality of recovery and recapture probabilities; instead these are estimated by maximum likelihood. Male and female sheep are treated separately, with the higher numbers and survival probabilities of the females resulting in a more complex model than that used for the males. In both cases, however, age and time aspects need to be included and there is a strong indication of a reduction in survival for sheep aged 7 years or more. Time variation in survival is related to the size of the population and selected weather variables, by using logistic regression. The size of the population significantly affects the survival probabilities of male and female lambs, and of female sheep aged 7 or more years. March rainfall and a measure of the North Atlantic oscillation are found to influence survival significantly for all age groups considered, for both males and females. Either of these weather variables can be used in a model. Several phenotypic and genotypic individual covariates are also fitted. The only covariate which is found to influence survival significantly is the type of horn of first-year female sheep. There is a substantial variation in the recovery probabilities over time, reflecting in part the increased effort when a population crash was expected. The goodness of fit of the model is checked by using graphical procedures. [source] On an initial-boundary value problem for a wide-angle parabolic equation in a waveguide with a variable bottomMATHEMATICAL METHODS IN THE APPLIED SCIENCES, Issue 12 2009V. A. Dougalis Abstract We consider the third-order Claerbout-type wide-angle parabolic equation (PE) of underwater acoustics in a cylindrically symmetric medium consisting of water over a soft bottom B of range-dependent topography. There is strong indication that the initial-boundary value problem for this equation with just a homogeneous Dirichlet boundary condition posed on B may not be well-posed, for example when B is downsloping. We impose, in addition to the above, another homogeneous, second-order boundary condition, derived by assuming that the standard (narrow-angle) PE holds on B, and establish a priori H2 estimates for the solution of the resulting initial-boundary value problem for any bottom topography. After a change of the depth variable that makes B horizontal, we discretize the transformed problem by a second-order accurate finite difference scheme and show, in the case of upsloping and downsloping wedge-type domains, that the new model gives stable and accurate results. We also present an alternative set of boundary conditions that make the problem exactly energy conserving; one of these conditions may be viewed as a generalization of the Abrahamsson,Kreiss boundary condition in the wide-angle case. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Changes in lymphocyte populations in suckling piglets during primary infections with Isospora suisPARASITE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 4 2010H. L. WORLICZEK Summary Isospora suis, a common intestinal parasite of piglets, causes neonatal porcine coccidiosis, which results in reduced and uneven weaning weights and economic losses in pig production. Nevertheless, there are no detailed studies available on the immune response to I. suis. The aim of this study was to carry out phenotypical characterization of lymphocytes during primary infections on day 3 after birth. Infected and noninfected piglets were investigated between days 7 and 16 after birth. Lymphocytes from the blood, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes (flow cytometry) and of the jejunal mucosa (immunohistochemistry) were analysed. A decrease in T cells, especially with the phenotype of resting T-helper cells, T-cell receptor-,,-T cells, and regulatory T cells in the blood, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes was noticeable. An increase in cells with the phenotype of natural killer cells in the spleen of infected animals was found, and the subset of TcR-,,-T cells was strongly increased in the gut mucosa. Our findings suggest an accelerated migration of those cells into the gut. This study provides a strong indication for the involvement of adaptive and innate immune response mechanisms in the primary immune response to I. suis, especially of TcR-,,-T cells as a linkage between innate and adaptive immunity. [source] Indications, results, and complications of tacrolimus conversion in pediatric renal transplantationPEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 6 2001Joseph T. Flynn Abstract: It is the practice of many pediatric renal transplant programs to ,convert' children taking cyclosporin A (CsA) to tacrolimus, although the indications for, outcome, and complications of this practice remain obscure. To better understand these aspects of tacrolimus ,conversion', a fax survey was sent to 119 North American pediatric renal transplant centers. Analyzable responses were received from 52 centers (44%), and included data from ,,1,815 pediatric renal transplants performed between 1991 and 98. Strong indications for tacrolimus conversion were: antibody-resistant rejection, CsA-resistant rejection, and CsA intolerance (strong indication in 72%, 65%, and 52% of centers, respectively). Steroid-resistant rejection and cosmetic side-effects were considered strong indications less often. Initial anti-rejection therapy was usually increased corticosteroid dose (47/52 centers). Antibody therapy was most commonly used for steroid-resistant rejection (44 centers). For steroid- and antibody-resistant rejection, tacrolimus conversion was most common (33 centers). Tacrolimus conversion for antibody-resistant rejection led to improvement of serum creatinine (SCr) in 27% of patients, stabilization of SCr in 46%, worsening of SCr in 11%, and graft loss in 16%. Reported complications after tacrolimus conversion included hyperglycemia, hyperkalemia, lymphoproliferative disorder, infection, and neurologic problems. We conclude that the major indication for tacrolimus conversion in pediatric transplant programs appears to be rejection. Outcome after tacrolimus conversion appears good, with the majority of patients experiencing stable or improved allograft function. These data provide direction for further study, including timing of tacrolimus conversion and interaction with other therapies. [source] Population structure, genetic variation and morphological diversity in indigenous sheep of EthiopiaANIMAL GENETICS, Issue 6 2007S. Gizaw Summary We investigated genetic and morphological diversity and population structure of 14 traditional sheep populations originating from four ecological zones in Ethiopia (sub-alpine, wet highland, sub-humid lowland and arid lowland). All animals (n = 672) were genotyped for 17 microsatellite markers and scored for 12 morphological characters. The sheep were initially classified as fat-tailed (11 populations), thin-tailed (one population) and fat-rumped sheep (two populations). These classifications are thought to correspond to three consecutive introduction events of sheep from the Near-East into East Africa. For the 14 populations, allelic richness ranged from 5.87 to 7.51 and expected heterozygosity (HE) from 0.66 to 0.75. Genetic differentiations (FST values) between all pairs of populations, except between sub-alpine populations, were significantly different from zero (P < 0.001). Cluster analysis of morphological characters and a dendrogram constructed from genetic distances were broadly consistent with the classification into fat-tailed, thin-tailed and fat-rumped sheep. Bayesian cluster analysis using microsatellite markers indicated that there has been further genetic differentiation after the initial introduction of sheep into Ethiopia. Investigation of factors associated with genetic variation showed that an isolation-by-distance model, independently of other factors, explained most of the observed genetic variation. We also obtained a strong indication of adaptive divergence in morphological characters, patterns of morphological variation being highly associated with ecology even when the effect of neutral genetic divergence (FST) was parcelled out in partial Mantel tests. Using a combination of FST values, Bayesian clustering analysis and morphological divergence, we propose a classification of Ethiopian sheep into six breed groups and nine breeds. [source] Phosphatase inhibitors with anti-angiogenic effect in vitroAPMIS, Issue 1 2010LENE SYLVEST Sylvest L, Bendiksen CD, Houen G. Phosphatase inhibitors with anti-angiogenic effect in vitro. APMIS 2010; 118: 49,59. Levamisole has previously been identified as an inhibitor of angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo, but the mechanism behind the anti-angiogenic behavior has not yet been established. However, one known effect of levamisole is the inhibition of alkaline phosphatase, and this fact encouraged us to test other phosphatase inhibitors for their anti-angiogenic effects by using the same method as used to identify levamisole: an ELISA-based co-culture angiogenesis assay giving quantitative and qualitative results. Historically, intracellular phosphatases have been associated with the downregulation of signaling pathways, and kinases with their upregulation, but lately, the phospatases have also been coupled to positive signaling, which is why inhibition of phosphatases has become associated with anti-tumorigenic and anti-angiogenic effects. The results obtained in this work reveal several agents with anti-angiogenic potential and give a strong indication that phosphatase inhibition is linked to anti-angiogenic activity. An apparent disruption of endothelial tube formation was seen for seven of eight phosphatase inhibitors tested in the angiogenesis assay. By looking at the morphological results, it was seen that most of the inhibitors impaired proliferation and elongation of the endothelial cells, which still had a differentiated appearance. One inhibitor, PTP inhibitor IV, seemed to impair endothelial cell differentiation and induced the same morphology as when cells were treated with levamisole, although at a 200 times lower concentration than that of levamisole. Hence, our work points out compounds with a potential that may be of use in the search for new medical products for the treatment of malignant tumors, or other conditions where angiogenesis plays a central role. [source] A quantitative analysis of the Eutherian orbit: correlations with masticatory apparatusBIOLOGICAL REVIEWS, Issue 1 2008Philip G. Cox Abstract The mammalian orbit, or eye-socket, is a highly plastic region of the skull. It comprises between seven and nine bones, all of which vary widely in their contribution to this region among the different mammalian orders and families. It is hypothesised that the structure of the mammalian orbit is principally influenced by the forces generated by the jaw-closing musculature. In order to quantify the orbit, fourteen linear, angular and area measurements were taken from 84 species of placental mammals using a Microscribe-3D digitiser. The results were then analysed using principal components analysis. The results of the multivariate analysis on untransformed data showed a clear division of the mammalian taxa into temporalis-dominant forms and masseter-dominant forms. This correlation between orbital structure and masticatory musculature was reinforced by results from the size-corrected data, which showed a separation of the taxa into the three specialised feeding types proposed by Turnbull (1970): i.e. ,carnivore-shear', ,ungulate-grinding' and ,rodent-gnawing'. Moreover, within the rodents there was a clear distinction between species in which the masseter is highly developed and those in which the temporalis has more prominence. These results were reinforced by analysis of variance which showed significant differences in the relative orbital areas of certain bones between temporalis-dominant and masseter-dominant taxa. Subsequent cluster analysis suggested that most of the variables could be grouped into three assemblages: those associated with the length of the rostrum; those associated with the width of the skull; and those associated with the relative size of the orbit and the shape of the face. However, the relative area of the palatine bone showed weak correlations with the other variables and did not fit into any group. Overall the relative area of the palatine was most closely correlated with feeding type, and this measure that appeared to be most strongly associated with the arrangement of the masticatory musculature. These results give a strong indication that, although orbital structure is in part determined by the relative size and orientation of the orbits, the forces generated by the muscles of mastication also have a large effect. [source] Fine-needle aspiration biopsy and other biopsies in suspected intraocular malignant disease: a reviewACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 6 2009Nils Eide Abstract. Ocular oncologists require a strong indication for intraocular biopsy before the procedure can be performed because it carries a risk for serious eye complications and the dissemination of malignant cells. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the extent to which this restricted practice is supported by evidence from previous reports and to outline our main indications and contraindications. The different intraocular biopsy techniques in the anterior and posterior segment are discussed with a focus on our preferred method, fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). In the literature, complications are typically under-reported, which reduces the possibilities of evaluating the risks correctly and of making fair comparisons with other biopsy methods. In FNAB, the exact placement of the needle is critical, as is an accurate assessment of the size of the lesion. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is usually not a reliable diagnostic tool in lesions < 2 mm in thickness. It is very advantageous to have a cytopathologist present in the operating theatre or close by. This ensures adequate sampling and encourages repeated biopsy attempts if necessary. This approach reduces false negative results to < 3%. Adjunct immunocytochemistry is documented to increase specificity and is essential for diagnosis and management in about 10% of cases. In some rare pathological processes the diagnosis depends ultimately on the identification of specific cell markers. An accurate diagnosis may have a decisive influence on prognosis. The cytogenetic prognostications made possible after FNAB are reliable. Biopsy by FNA has a low complication rate. The calculated risk for retinal detachment is < 4%. Intraocular haemorrhage is frequently observed, but clears spontaneously in nearly all cases. Only a single case of epibulbar seeding of malignant cells at the scleral pars plana puncture site of transvitreal FNAB has been documented. Endophthalmitis has been reported and adequate standard preoperative preparation is obligatory. An open biopsy is still an option in the anterior segment, but has been abandoned in the posterior segment. Although vitrectomy-based procedures are becoming increasingly popular, we recommend using FNAB as part of a stepwise approach. A vitrectomy-assisted biopsy should be considered in cases where FNAB fails. In any adult patient with suspected intraocular malignancy in which enucleation is not the obvious treatment, the clinician should strive for a diagnosis based on biopsy. When the lesion is too small for biopsy or the risks related to the procedure are too great, it is reasonable to be reluctant to biopsy. The standards applied in the treatment of intraocular malignant diseases should be equivalent to those in other fields of oncology. Our view is controversial and contrary to opinion that supports current standards of care for this group of patients. [source] Zwitterionic States in Gas-Phase Polypeptide Ions Revealed by 157-nm Ultra-Violet PhotodissociationCHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 30 2006Frank Kjeldsen Dr. Abstract A new method of detecting the presence of deprotonation and determining its position in gas-phase polypeptide cations is described. The method involves 157-nm ultra-violet photodissociation (UVPD) and is based on monitoring the losses of CO2 (44 Da) from electronically excited deprotonated carboxylic groups relative to competing COOH losses (45 Da) from neutral carboxylic groups. Loss of CO2 is a strong indication of the presence of a zwitterionic [(+),,,(,),,,(+)] salt bridge in the gas-phase polypeptide cation. This method provides a tool for studying, for example, the nature of binding within polypeptide clusters. Collision-activated dissociation (CAD) of decarboxylated cations localizes the position of deprotonation. Fragment abundances can be used for the semiquantitative assessment of the branching ratio of deprotonation among different acidic sites, however, the mechanism of the fragment formation should be taken into account. Cations of Trp-cage proteins exist preferentially as zwitterions, with the deprotonation position divided between the Asp9 residue and the C terminus in the ratio 3:2. The majority of dications of the same molecule are not zwitterions. Furthermore, 157-nm UVPD produces abundant radical cations M.+ from protonated molecules through the loss of a hydrogen atom. This method of producing M.+ ions is general and can be applied to any gas-phase peptide cation. The abundance of the molecular radical cations M.+ produced is sufficient for further tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), which, in the cases studied, yielded side-chain loss of a basic amino acid as the most abundant fragmentation channel together with some backbone cleavages. [source] SELDI-TOF as a method for biomarker discovery in the urine of aristolochic-acid-treated miceELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 7 2009Feilei Huang Abstract Aristolochic acids (AAs) present in Aristolochia plants are substances responsible for Chinese herbs nephropathy. Recently, strong indications have also been presented, which dietary poisoning with AA is responsible for endemic (Balkan) nephropathy (EN), an enigmatic renal disease that affects rural population living in some countries in Southeastern Europe. A mouse model was applied to follow the effects of two forms of AA, AAI and AAII. SDS-PAGE and SELDI-TOF mass spectrometry with normal phase chips were used to evaluate changes in the urine of treated animals. These two methods are demonstrated to be comparable. The use of SELDI-TOF MS for rapid analysis of a large number of samples and the combination of this method with nano-LC-ESI MS/MS for protein identification were demonstrated. Biomarker discovery after analysis of large cohort of EN patients will be the final aim of these investigations. [source] MR1-restricted V,19i T cells , a second population recognizing lipid antigens?EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 7 2007Jens Schümann Abstract There is increasing evidence that T cells recognizing lipid antigens contribute to the immunological regulation of different disease conditions including autoimmunity. The best-known subset is CD1d-restricted lipid-reactive T cells characterized by the expression of an invariant TCR, chain. Much less is known about the biology of another invariant T cell subset, which is restricted to the MHC class I-like molecule MR1. A beneficial role of MR1-restricted T cells has been suggested in a mouse EAE model. However, the nature of antigens that can be presented by MR1 to this invariant T cell subset remained largely unclear. An article in this issue of the European Journal of Immunology presents strong indications that derivatives of ,-mannosyl ceramide (,-ManCer), i.e. glycolipids, can serve as ligands for MR1-restricted invariant T cells. In addition to that, the structure of the ,-ManCer sphingosine chain influences the Th1-Th2 polarization of the cytokine response. These important new findings will foster further research on the identity of physiological ligands for MR1-restricted T cells and on their relation with immunoregulation. See accompanying article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/eji.200636689 [source] The PSCz dipole revisitedMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 3 2006Spyros Basilakos ABSTRACT We re-examine the gravitational acceleration (dipole) induced on the Local Group of galaxies by the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) galaxy distribution of the Point Source Catalog redshift (PSCz) survey. We treat the cirrus-affected low galactic latitudes by utilizing a spherical harmonic expansion of the galaxy surface density field up to the octapole order. We find strong indications for significant contributions to the Local Group motion from depths up to ,185 h,1 Mpc and a possible contribution even from ,210 h,1 Mpc, in agreement with the recent analysis of Kocevski & Ebeling of a whole-sky X-ray cluster survey. What changes with respect to the previous PSCz dipole analyses is: (i) the large-scale dipole contributions and (ii) an increase of the overall dipole amplitude due to the important contribution of the local volume (, 4 h,1 Mpc), which we now take into account. This results in a lower value of the , (,,0.6m/b) parameter, which we find to be ,IRAS, 0.49 in real space. Therefore, for the concordance cosmological model (,m= 1 ,,,= 0.3), the IRAS galaxies bias factor is bIRAS, 1, which means that IRAS galaxies are good tracers of the underlying matter distribution. [source] WR 143: a Wolf,Rayet binaryMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 1 2006Watson P. Varricatt ABSTRACT Near-infrared spectroscopy and photometry of the Wolf,Rayet star WR 143 (HD 195177) were obtained in the JHK photometric bands. High-resolution spectra observed in the J and H bands exhibit a narrow 1.083-,m He i line and the H i Pa, and Brackett series lines in emission superposed on the broad emission-line spectrum of the Wolf,Rayet star, giving strong indications of the presence of a companion. From the narrow emission lines observed, the companion is identified to be an early-type Be star. The photometric magnitudes exhibit variations in the JHK bands, which are probably due to the variability of the companion star. The flux density distribution is too steep for a Wolf,Rayet atmosphere. This is identified to be mainly due to the increasing contribution from the early-type companion star towards shorter wavelengths. [source] Searching for cluster substructure using APM and ROSAT dataMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 1 2001V. Kolokotronis We present a detailed study of the morphological features of 22 rich galaxy clusters. Our sample is constructed from a cross-correlation of optical data with X-ray (0.1,2.4 keV) ROSAT pointed observations. We systematically compare cluster images and morphological parameters in an attempt to reliably identify possible substructure in both optical and the X-ray images. To this end, we compute various moments of the optical and X-ray surface-brightness distribution such as the ellipticities, centre-of-mass shifts and ellipsoidal orientations. We assess the significance of our results using Monte Carlo simulations. We find significant correlations between the optical and X-ray morphological parameters, indicating that in both parts of the spectrum it is possible to identify correctly the dynamical state of a cluster. Most of our clusters (17/22) have a good one-to-one correspondence between the optical and the X-ray images, and about 10 appear to have strong indications of substructure. This corresponds to a minimum percentage of order ,45 per cent, which is in very good accordance with other similar analyses. Finally, five out of 22 systems (,22 per cent) seem to have distinct subclumps in the optical which are not verified in the X-ray images, and thus are suspect of being due to optical projection effects. These results will serve as a useful guide in interpreting subsequent analyses of large optical cluster catalogues. [source] Indications, results, and complications of tacrolimus conversion in pediatric renal transplantationPEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 6 2001Joseph T. Flynn Abstract: It is the practice of many pediatric renal transplant programs to ,convert' children taking cyclosporin A (CsA) to tacrolimus, although the indications for, outcome, and complications of this practice remain obscure. To better understand these aspects of tacrolimus ,conversion', a fax survey was sent to 119 North American pediatric renal transplant centers. Analyzable responses were received from 52 centers (44%), and included data from ,,1,815 pediatric renal transplants performed between 1991 and 98. Strong indications for tacrolimus conversion were: antibody-resistant rejection, CsA-resistant rejection, and CsA intolerance (strong indication in 72%, 65%, and 52% of centers, respectively). Steroid-resistant rejection and cosmetic side-effects were considered strong indications less often. Initial anti-rejection therapy was usually increased corticosteroid dose (47/52 centers). Antibody therapy was most commonly used for steroid-resistant rejection (44 centers). For steroid- and antibody-resistant rejection, tacrolimus conversion was most common (33 centers). Tacrolimus conversion for antibody-resistant rejection led to improvement of serum creatinine (SCr) in 27% of patients, stabilization of SCr in 46%, worsening of SCr in 11%, and graft loss in 16%. Reported complications after tacrolimus conversion included hyperglycemia, hyperkalemia, lymphoproliferative disorder, infection, and neurologic problems. We conclude that the major indication for tacrolimus conversion in pediatric transplant programs appears to be rejection. Outcome after tacrolimus conversion appears good, with the majority of patients experiencing stable or improved allograft function. These data provide direction for further study, including timing of tacrolimus conversion and interaction with other therapies. [source] Hopping relaxation of excitons in GaInNAs/GaNAs quantum wellsPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 1 2004H. Grüning Abstract Exciton photoluminescence (PL) in a GaInNAs/GaNAs quantum well was measured in the temperature range from 15 K to 300 K. Two striking features of the PL were observed: the nonmonotoneous temperature dependence of the Stokes shift and the abrupt increase of the PL linewidth in a rather narrow temperature range. These features are known to be strong indications of the hopping relaxation of excitons via localized states distributed in space and energy. Computer simulations of the hopping relaxation of excitons were carried out. Comparison between the simulation results and the experimental data provides an important and reliable information on the energy shape of the density of states and also on the energy range, in which localized states for excitons are distributed. (© 2003 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Measurement Equivalence of Paper-and-Pencil and Internet Organisational Surveys: A Large Scale Examination in 16 CountriesAPPLIED PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Alain De Beuckelaer In multinational surveys, mixed-mode administration modes (e.g. combining Internet and paper-and-pencil administration) are increasingly used. To date, no studies have investigated whether measurement equivalence exists between Internet data collection and data collection using the conventional paper-and-pencil method in organisational surveys which include a large number of countries. This paper examined the measurement equivalence of a truly global organisational survey across Internet and paper-and-pencil survey administrations. Data from an organisational survey in 16 countries (N = 52,461) across the globe were used to assess the measurement equivalence of an organisational climate measure within each country in which the survey was administered. The empirical data provided strong indications which support the measurement equivalence of the multi-item survey instrument across Internet and paper-and-pencil surveys in virtually all countries in which the survey was conducted. These findings suggest that merging data obtained through Internet and paper-and-pencil data administration in a particular country is legitimate as no evidence was found for differential effects across both modes of data collection. Dans les enquêtes internationales, les modalités d'administration mixtes, c'est-à-dire combinant les solution Internet et papier-crayon, sont de plus en plus utilisées. Jusqu'à présent, on ignore si le recueil de données par Internet est méthodologiquement équivalent au recueil traditionnel sur papier dans les enquêtes organisationnelles qui couvrent un grand nombre de pays. Dans cet article, on analyse l'analogie des mesures d'une enquête organisationnelle véritablement universelle utilisant à la fois une administration Internet et papier-crayon. Des données provenant de seize pays (N = 52,461) répartis sur l'ensemble de la planète ont été exploitées pour évaluer l'équivalence méthodologique d'une mesure du climat organisationnel dans chacun de ces pays. Les résultats empiriques sont en faveur de l'équivalence méthodologique de l'ensemble des items pour les recueils Internet et papier-crayon dans pratiquement tous les pays retenus pour l'enquête. Ces résultats montrent qu'il est légitime de traiter ensemble les données obtenues par Internet et par papier-crayon dans un même pays puisque rien ne nous permet d'affirmer l'existence d'un effet différentiel dû aux deux modes d'administration. [source] THE PATIENT TRANSIT ASSISTANCE SCHEME: A CONSUMER'S PERSPECTIVEAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF RURAL HEALTH, Issue 4 2000Pam McGrath ABSTRACT: This article presents findings from State-wide research in Queensland on experiences with the Patient Transit Assistance Scheme (PTAS) from the point of view of patients with a haematological malignancy who travelled for specialist treatment. The findings indicate that the PTAS is of crucial importance to patients and their families and goes some way to buffering the financial hardship incurred from relocation. However, there are also strong indications that there is insufficient community awareness of the scheme, with the consequence that it is not appropriately accessed by those in need. The results confirm previous research that points to the hardship, both financial and emotional, associated with the experience of relocation for specialist treatment. [source] The brain's calendar: neural mechanisms of seasonal timingBIOLOGICAL REVIEWS, Issue 1 2004Michel A. Hofman ABSTRACT The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus is the principal component of the mammalian biological clock, the neural timing system that generates and coordinates a broad spectrum of physiological, endocrine and behavioural circadian rhythms. The pacemaker of the SCN oscillates with a near 24 h period and is entrained to the diurnal light-dark cycle. Consistent with its role in circadian timing, investigations in rodents and non-human primates furthermore suggest that the SCN is the locus of the brain's endogenous calendar, enabling organisms to anticipate seasonal environmental changes. The present review focuses on the neuronal organization and dynamic properties of the biological clock and the means by which it is synchronized with the environmental lighting conditions. It is shown that the functional activity of the biological clock is entrained to the seasonal photic cycle and that photoperiod (day length) may act as an effective zeitgeber. Furthermore, new insights are presented, based on electrophysiological and molecular studies, that the mammalian circadian timing system consists of coupled oscillators and that the clock genes of these oscillators may also function as calendar genes. In summary, there are now strong indications that the neuronal changes and adaptations in mammals that occur in response to a seasonally changing environment are driven by an endogenous circadian clock located in the SCN, and that this neural calendar is reset by the seasonal fluctuations in photoperiod. [source] Benign scrotal pathology: should all patients undergo surgery?BJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2001V.S. Menon Objective To evaluate the justification for operative intervention in patients undergoing surgery for benign scrotal pathology, and to assess the associated morbidity. Patients and methods Consecutive patients in two surgical firms who underwent surgery for benign intrascrotal pathology over a 5-year period were studied retrospectively. Results In all, 102 patients were included in the study (mean age 51.6 years, range 16,86). Most patients had either epididymal cysts (59) or hydroceles (31) or a combination of the two (eight). Some patients (37) underwent ultrasonography before surgery. The indications for surgery were deemed to be strong in 25% of patients but weak or absent in the remainder. Complications occurred in 31 patients, being minor in 18, but significant in 13, resulting in four re-admissions to hospital. There was no significant difference in the complication rate between those patients with strong indications for surgery (37%) and those with weak indications (28%). Conclusions Surgery for benign intrascrotal pathology is frequently undertaken for weak clinical indications and carries significant associated morbidity. This could be avoided in many cases by simple reassurance. Judicious use of ultrasonography is advised. A policy of selective surgical intervention is strongly advocated. [source] Fluid shifts during cardiopulmonary bypass with special reference to the effects of hypothermiaBRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY (NOW INCLUDES EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY), Issue 7 2000J. K. Heltne Background Generalized overhydration, oedema and organ dysfunction occurs in patients undergoing open heart surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and hypothermia. Inflammatory reactions induced by contact between blood and the foreign surfaces of the extracorporeal circuit are commonly held responsible for the disturbances in fluid balance (,capillary leak syndrome'). Using the CPB circuit reservoir as a fluid gauge (measuring continuous extracorporeal blood volume), fluid shifts between the intravascular and the extravascular space, and differences between normothermic and moderately hypothermic CPB, were examined. Methods Piglets were placed on CPB (thoracotomy) under general anaesthesia. In the normothermic group (n = 7) the core temperature was kept at 38°C before and during 2 h on CPB, whereas in the hypothermic group (n = 7) the temperature was lowered to 29°C during bypass. In addition to accurate recording of fluid during operation, the extracorporeal blood volume was kept constant by maintaining a certain blood level in the CPB circuit's reservoir. Acetated Ringer was used as priming solution in the CPB, as maintenance fluid and for adding fluid to the reservoir if necessary. Results Cardiac output, serum electrolytes and arterial blood gases were all similar in the two groups. Haematocrit fell significantly following the start of CPB in both groups. The reservoir fluid level fell markedly in both groups necessitating fluid supplementation. This extra fluid requirement was transient in the normothermic group, but persisted in hypothermic animals. At the end of 2 h of CPB the hypothermic animals had received seven times more extra fluid than the normothermic pigs. Conclusion There were strong indications of a greater fluid extravasation induced by hypothermia. The model described, using the PBC circuit reservoir as a fluid gauge, provides the opportunity for further study of fluid volume shifts, their causes and potential ways to manipulate fluid pathophysiology related to hypothermia and to PBC. © 2000 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||