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Selected AbstractsStudies on epidermal growth factor receptor signaling in vertebrate limb patterningDEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 2 2005Minoru Omi Abstract The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) regulates multiple patterning events in Drosophila limb development, but its role in vertebrate limb morphogenesis has received little attention. The EGFR and several of its ligands are expressed in developing vertebrate limbs in manners consistent with potential patterning roles. To gain insight into functions of EGFR signaling in vertebrate limb development, we expressed a constitutively active EGFR in developing chick limbs in ovo. Expression of activated EGFR causes pre- and postaxial polydactyly, including mirror-image,type digit duplication, likely due to induction of ectopic expression and/or modulation of genes involved in anterior,posterior (AP) patterning such as Sonic hedgehog (Shh), dHand, Patched (Ptc), Gli3, Hoxd13, Hoxd11, bone morphogenetic protein 2 (Bmp2), Gremlin, and FGF4. Activation of EGFR signaling dorsalizes the limb and alters expression of the dorsal,ventral (DV) patterning genes Wnt7a, Lmx, and En1. Ectopic and/or extended FGF8 expressing apical ectodermal ridges (AERs) are also seen. Interdigital regression is inhibited and the digits fail to separate, leading to syndactyly, likely due to antiapoptotic and pro-proliferative effects of activated EGFR signaling on limb mesoderm, and/or attenuation of interdigital Bmp4 expression. These findings suggest potential roles for EGFR signaling in AP and DV patterning, AER formation, and cell survival during limb morphogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 233:288,300, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] A computer program (WDTSRP) designed for computation of sand drift potential (DP) and plotting sand rosesEARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 6 2007W. A. Saqqa Abstract Wind Data Tabulator and Sand Rose Plotter (WDTSRP) is an interactive developed computer program accessible for estimating sand transport potential by winds in barren sandy deserts. The Fryberger (1979) formula for determining sand drift potential (DP) was adopted to create and develop the computer program. WDTSRP is capable of working out weighting factors (WFs), frequency of wind speed occurrence (t), drift potential (DP), resultant drift potential (RDP) and directional variability of winds (DV) and of plotting sand roses. The developed computer program is built up of a simplified system driven by a group of options and dialogue boxes that allow users to input and handle data easily and systematically. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Vascular endothelium: the battlefield of dengue virusesFEMS IMMUNOLOGY & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2008Atanu Basu Abstract Increased vascular permeability without morphological damage to the capillary endothelium is the cardinal feature of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF)/dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Extensive plasma leakage in various tissue spaces and serous cavities of the body, including the pleural, pericardial and peritoneal cavities in patients with DHF, may result in profound shock. Among various mechanisms that have been considered include immune complex disease, T-cell-mediated, antibodies cross-reacting with vascular endothelium, enhancing antibodies, complement and its products, various soluble mediators including cytokines, selection of virulent strains and virus virulence, but the most favoured are enhancing antibodies and memory T cells in a secondary infection resulting in cytokine tsunami. Whatever the mechanism, it ultimately targets vascular endothelium (making it a battlefield) leading to severe dengue disease. Extensive recent work has been done in vitro on endothelial cell monolayer models to understand the pathophysiology of vascular endothelium during dengue virus (DV) infection that may be translated to help understand the pathogenesis of DHF/DSS. The present review provides a broad overview of the effects of DV infection and the associated host responses contributing towards alterations in vascular endothelial cell physiology and damage that may be responsible for the DHF/DSS. [source] Domestic Violence and Out-of-hospital ProvidersA Potential Resource to Protect Battered WomenACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 3 2000M. Elaine Husni MD Abstract Objective: The primary objective was to determine the prevalence of domestic violence (DV) in a subset of women presenting to the Boston emergency medical services (EMS) system and to evaluate documentation. A secondary objective was to determine the rate of refusal of transport to the hospital for DV-positive patients, compared with the general population. Methods: A retrospective chart review of ambulance run sheets from a nonconsecutive, convenience sample between July and December 1995 was performed. Women presenting with injury, obstetric/gynecologic complaints, or psychiatric complaints were included. Records were reviewed, and labeled as positive, probable, suggestive, or negative for DV, based on a previously used classification system. A weighted kappa test was performed, and data were analyzed using chi-square and t-test. Results: Among 1,251 charts reviewed, 876 met criteria for inclusion. The percentage of positive cases was 5.4% (95% CI = 3.9% to 6.9%), probable 10.8% (8.8% to 12.9%), suggestive 2.6% (1.6% to 3.7%), and negative 81.2% (78.6% to 83.6%). Among DV-positive patients, the refusal to transport rate was 23.4% (11.3% to 35.5%), compared with a 7.1% (5.8% to 9.3%) rate for the entire study population (n= 876), and 4.7% for the general Boston EMS population during the same year. More DV patients presented during the night shift compared with other shifts. Conclusions: Domestic violence is common in this high-risk population. A substantial proportion of women in this population refuse transport to the hospital. Out-of-hospital personnel should be trained with the tools to identify and document DV, assess patient safety, offer timely resources, and empower victims to make choices. [source] Understanding the "ghosts in the nursery" of pregnant women experiencing domestic violence: Prenatal maternal representations and histories of childhood maltreatment,INFANT MENTAL HEALTH JOURNAL, Issue 4 2010Johanna C. Malone Selma Fraiberg and colleagues (1975) conceptualized the "ghosts in the nursery" as experiences from a mother's past that influenced her ability to form a warm and attuned relationship with her child. Contemporary infant mental health interventions often ask the mother to reflect on her own history of attachment relationships to gain insight into as well as to strengthen her developing relationship with her child. This study investigated the association between a mother's history of childhood maltreatment (CM) and her subsequent prenatal maternal representation during the third trimester of pregnancy. Controlling for domestic violence (DV), distorted prenatal representations were associated with higher rates of self-reported childhood physical neglect. In addition, DV moderated the relationship between representations and CM, such that women who were exposed to DV during pregnancy and had distorted prenatal representations were least likely to report childhood physical and sexual abuse. Implications are discussed in relation to infant mental health interventions which rely on a parent's ability to psychologically access and reflect on childhood histories to more sensitively parent her own child. Selma Fraiberg y colegas (1975) definió el concepto de "fantasmas en el cuarto de los niños" como experiencias del pasado de las madres que ejercen influencia en la habilidad de ella para formarse una cálida y afinada relación con su infante. A menudo, las intervenciones contemporáneas de la salud mental infantil les piden a las madres que reflexionen sobre su propia historia de relaciones afectivas con el fin de lograr un mejor conocimiento y al mismo tiempo hacer más fuerte la relación que están desarrollando con sus hijos. Este estudio investigó la asociación entre la historia de una madre que tuvo una niñez llena de maltratos (CM) y su subsiguiente representación maternal prenatal durante el tercer trimestre del embarazo. Considerando por medio del experimento de control la variable de la violencia doméstica, (DV), las representaciones prenatales distorsionadas se asociaron con puntajes más altos de la auto-reportada negligencia física en la niñez. Es más, la violencia doméstica (DV) sirvió para moderar la relación entre las representaciones y el maltrato en la niñez (CM), a tal punto de que las mujeres que habían estado expuestas a la violencia doméstica (DV) durante el embarazo y tenían representaciones prenatales distorsionadas fueron las menos propensas a reportar el abuso físico y sexual en la niñez. Se discuten las implicaciones en relación con las intervenciones de la salud mental infantil que dependen de la habilidad de la madre de acceder a y reflexionar sobre sus historias de la niñez, sicológicamente, con el fin de criar a su propio infante con una mayor sensibilidad. Selma Fraiberg et collègues (1975) conceptualisa les "fantômes dans la crèche" en tant qu'expériences d'un passé de la mère qui ont influencé sa capacité à former une relation chaleureuse et sensible avec son enfant. Les interventions contemporaines de santé mentale du nourrisson demandent souvent à la mère de faire un effort de réflexion sur sa propre histoire de relations d'attachement afin d'arriver à mieux connaître sa relation qui se développe avec son enfant, et aussi de la renforcer. Cette étude s'est penchée sur l'association entre l'histoire de maltraitance durant l'enfance de la mère (abrégé CM en anglais) et sa représentation maternelle prénatale ultérieure durant le troisième trimestre de la grossesse. Avec un contrôle pour la violence conjugale (abrégée DV en anglais), les représentations prénatales déformées étaient liées à des taux plus élevés de négligence physique durant l'enfance auto-rapportées. De plus, la violence conjugale (DV) modérait la relation entre les représentations et la maltraitance durant l'enfance (CM), d'une telle manière que les femmes qui ont été exposées à la violence conjugale (DV) durant la grossesse et qui faisaient preuve de représentations prénatales déformées étaient les moins à même de signaler une maltraitance physique et des abus sexuels. Les implications sont discutées en relation aux interventions de santé mentale du nourrisson qui reposent que la capacité d'un parent à accéder psychologiquement aux histoires de son enfance et à y réfléchir de fa,on à élever son propre enfant de plus sensiblement. Selma Fraiberg und Kollegen (1975) konzeptualisiert die "Gespenster im Kinderzimmer", als Erfahrungen aus der Vergangenheit der Mutter, die ihre Fähigkeit, eine warme und angemessene Beziehung zu ihrem Kind aufzubauen. Zeitgemäße Interventionen der seelische Gesundheit von Kleinkindern fragen Mütter oft nach ihrer eigenen Geschichte von Bindungsbeziehungen, um einen Einblick zu bekommen, damit die sich entwickelnde Beziehung zu ihrem Kind gestärkt werden kann. Die vorliegende Studie untersuchte den Zusammenhang zwischen mütterlichen Misshandlungserfahrungen (CM) und deren späteren Schilderungen im dritten Trimenon ihrer eigenen Schwangerschaft. Maßgeblich für häusliche Gewalt (DV) war eine verzerrte Darstellung, die mit einer höheren Rate von selbst berichteter körperlicher Verwahrlosung assoziiert war. Darüber hinaus beeinflusste DV die Beziehung zwischen den Vorstellungen und den CM, so dass Frauen, die während der Schwangerschaft DV ausgesetzt waren, und verzerrten Darstellungen hatten mit großer Wahrscheinlichkeit von körperlichen und sexuellen Missbrauch berichteten. Die Auswirkungen werden in Bezug auf Interventionen der psychischen Gesundheit von Kindern diskutiert, die die elterliche Fähigkeit, psychologische Zusammenhänge zu verstehen und darüber hinaus zu Reflexion über die eigenen Kindheitsgeschichten anregen, damit die Eltern sensibler auf ihr eigenes Kind reagieren können. [source] Calculation of the electronic structure of AmO2 and Pr6O11 for XANES analysis with redox propertyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUANTUM CHEMISTRY, Issue 12 2009Chikashi Suzuki Abstract We calculated X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) of Am LIII of AmO2 and Pr LIII of Pr6O11 using the relativistic discrete-variational (DV)-X, method based on the Dirac,Slater method, and compared it with the experimental spectra. These spectra were calculated on a model of AmO2 ([AmO8]12,) and Pr6O11 ([PrO8]12,). In spite of using small cluster models, the calculated spectra were in good agreement with the experiment ones. Besides, we calculated the electronic structure of AmO2 and Pr6O11 to analyze the peak structures of XANES. From this calculation, it was found that O s, p, and f components had influence on the specific peak structures but that O d component had influence on various peak structures for AmO2 and Pr6O11. From this result, it was suggested that the change of the electronic structure of actinide 6d and O d or f was important for actinide LIII XANES corresponding to oxygen to metal ratio in the oxide nuclear fuel. On the basis of these results, we calculated the fine structures of densities of states and the transition energy from the HOMO to the white line of AmO2, UO2, and Pr6O11 and investigated redox properties of Am and U in the oxide nuclear fuel with the evaluation of validity of Pr as simulant materials of Am. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009 [source] Screening of domestic violence against women in the perinatal setting: A systematic reviewJAPAN JOURNAL OF NURSING SCIENCE, Issue 2 2004Yaeko KATAOKA Abstract Aim:, To review published studies focusing on the screening of domestic violence (DV) against women, in particular, the instruments, the screening methods and the interventions used to help abused women after screening. Based on the results of the review, the suitability of introducing routine screening for DV in the perinatal setting in Japan would be assessed. Methods:, National Guideline Clearinghouse database, HSTAT, PubMed, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library and the Ichushi-Web were all used to searched from when records were first held until February 2003 for eligible primary studies and systematic reviews for this literature review. Each selected article was independently read and appraised by two reviewers who finally selected 12 primary studies and three systematic reviews that fulfilled the criteria for inclusion. Results:, Three studies evaluated screening instruments for DV (i.e. Abuse Assessment Screen, Partner Violence Screen and Violence Against Women Screen) and of these, the Violence Against Women Screen was the most valid, reliable and suitable for use in the clinical setting in Japan. The three studies that examined the screening method had differing results, but the one conducted in Japan showed a significantly higher rate of identification in the self-administered questionnaire group compared with the interview group. The six studies that tested the effectiveness of interventions for abused women showed that counseling sessions after screening and the advocacy program for postsheltered women were effective in reducing DV. Conclusion:, Routine screening of all pregnant women in Japan for DV should be introduced, considering the high burden of suffering that women expose to DV experience, and the existence of both acceptable screening instruments and effective interventions. [source] Domestic Violence Research: Methodological Issues Related to a Community-Based Intervention With a Vulnerable Population,JOURNAL OF APPLIED BIOBEHAVIORAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2005Clarissa A. Shavers Presently, in our society, thousands of children, adolescents, and adults are physically, mentally, and emotionally traumatized from exposure to domestic violence (DV). Exposure to DV, defined here as male violence against their female partners, occurs among all ethnic, cultural, socioeconomic, geographical, and racial groups. DV can lead to depression, negative self-esteem, and general psychological distress in women. Children exposed to DV have an increased risk of behavioral, emotional, and social problems. DV shelters often provide group counseling and support services for battered women, children, and adolescents residing there, but the programs do not reach the majority of women living in the broader community. Furthermore, few studies have examined the effectiveness and efficacy of support group treatment intervention programs for battered women and children. This is due, in part, to the methodological difficulties inherent in this design. As a way to meet the needs of families that have experienced DV, academic researchers from a Midwestern university and a director of counseling services from a local domestic violence agency have partnered to offer a psycho-educational intervention designed to [source] Middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity and ductus venosus velocity in the investigation of nonimmune hydropsJOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND, Issue 7 2009Sedigheh Borna MD Abstract Purpose. This study was performed to investigate the cause of nonimmune hydrops fetalis by measuring the peak systolic velocity (PSV) in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) and velocity waveforms of the ductus venosus (DV) with Doppler. Methods. This cross-sectional study was done on 19 pregnancies referred to three university teaching hospitals for further investigation of nonimmune hydrops fetalis in 2007 and 2008. The MCA-PSV and DV velocity waveforms were recorded in all fetuses. Anemia was investigated in cases with MCA-PSV values greater than 1.50 MoM (multiple of the median). Cardiovascular causes and chromosomal abnormalities were investigated in fetuses with abnormal DV velocity. Results. Four of 19 fetuses had MCA-PSV values greater than 1.50 MoM. The causes of anemia were cytomegalovirus, parvovirus B19 infections, congenital heart disease, and Turner syndrome. Four cases had reversed flow in the DV; three of them had congenital heart disease on echocardiography; and one had a normal echocardiogram, but an abnormal karyotype was detected. Conclusion. Assessment of the MCA-PSV and DV velocity waveforms during sonographic examination of fetuses with nonimmune hydrops fetalis may improve our knowledge about the etiology of this condition. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2009 [source] Genetic Analysis of ele Mutants and Comparative Mapping of ele1 Locus in the Control of Organ Internal Asymmetry in Garden PeaJOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2010Xin Li Previous study has shown that during zygomorphic development in garden pea (Pisum sativum L.), the organ internal (IN) asymmetry of lateral and ventral petals was regulated by a genetic locus, SYMMETRIC PETAL 1 (SYP1), while the dorsoventral (DV) asymmetry was determined by two CYC - like TCP genes or the PsCYC genes, KEELED WINGS (K) and LOBED STANDARD 1 (LST1). In this study, two novel loci, ELEPHANT EAR-LIKE LEAF 1 (ELE1) and ELE2 were characterized. These mutants exhibit a similar defect of IN asymmetry as syp1 in lateral and ventral petals, but also display pleiotropic effects of enlarged organ size. Genetic analysis showed that ELE1 and ELE2 were involved in same genetic pathway and the enlarged size of petals but not compound leaves in ele2 was suppressed by introducing k and lst1, indicating that the enlargement of dorsal petal in ele2 requires the activities of K and LST1. An experimental framework of comparative genomic mapping approach was set up to map and clone LjELE1 locus in Lotus japonicus. Cloning the ELE1 gene will shed light on the underlying molecular mechanism during zygomorphic development and further provide the molecular basis for genetic improvement on legume crops. [source] Reasoning from data: How students collect and interpret data in science investigationsJOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN SCIENCE TEACHING, Issue 7 2004Zoe Kanari This study explored the understandings of data and measurement that school students draw upon, and the ways that they reason from data, when carrying out a practical science inquiry task. The two practical tasks used in the study each involved investigations of the relationships between two independent variables (IVs) and a dependent variable (DV); in both tasks, one IV covaried with the DV, whereas the other did not. Each was undertaken by 10 students, aged 10, 12, and 14 years (total n,=,60 students), working individually. Their actions were video-recorded for analysis. In a subsequent interview, each student was asked to discuss and interpret data collected by two other students, undertaking a similar (but different) practical task, shown on a video-recording. An analysis of the sample students' performance on the practical tasks and their interview responses showed few differences across task contexts, or with age, in students' reasoning, but significant differences in performance when investigating situations of covariation and non-covariation. Few students in the sample displayed sufficient understanding of measurement error to deal effectively with the latter. Investigations of non-covariation cases revealed, much more clearly than investigations of covariation cases, the students' ideas about data and measurement, and their ways of reasoning from data. Such investigations therefore provide particularly valuable contexts for teaching and research. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 41: 748,769, 2004 [source] Synthesis of Poly(lauryl acrylate) by Single-Electron Transfer/Degenerative Chain Transfer Living Radical Polymerization Catalyzed by Na2S2O4 in WaterMACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS, Issue 11 2007Jorge F. J. Coelho Abstract Living radical polymerization of lauryl acrylate was achieved by SET/DTLRP in water catalyzed by sodium dithionite. The work describes the synthesis of a highly hydrophobic and polar monomer in aqueous medium. The plots of versus conversion and ln[M]0/[M] versus time are linear, indicating a controlled polymerization. This method leads to ,,, -diiodopoly(lauryl acrylate)s that can be further functionalized. The MWDs were determined using a combination of three detectors: RALLS, DV, and RI. The method studied in this work represents a possible route to prepare well-tailored macromolecules made of LA in environment friendly reaction medium. The syndiotactic content is 75%. [source] Refugial isolation and secondary contact in the dyeing poison frog Dendrobates tinctoriusMOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 14 2006BRICE P. NOONAN Abstract Recent palaeoclimactic research suggests that fluctuating environmental conditions throughout the Pleistocene of Amazonia occurred with previously unrecognized frequency. This has resulted in a theoretical shift from glacially influenced fluctuations to those driven by precessional rhythms. This theoretical revolution has a profound impact on expectations of biotic diversity within biogeographical regions that have long been based on the idea of large-scale landscape fragmentation associated with increased aridity and glacial cycles. Generally speaking, this shifts phylogeographical expectations from that of (i) large areas of sympatry of closely related (but not sister) species whose origins lie in separate refugia, and current distributions are the results of cyclic connectivity of those two refugia (refuge hypothesis), to that of (ii) fine scale genetic structure, often associated with elevation, and divergence well below expected speciation levels [disturbance,vicariance (DV) hypothesis]. To date there have been few tests of the expectations of the DV hypothesis based on empirical studies of Neotropical floral and faunal communities. Herein we examine phylogeographical structure of Dendrobates tinctorius, an amphibian species endemic to the uplands of the eastern Guiana Shield, based on sampling of 114 individuals from 24 localities. Phylogenetic, nested clade, and dispersal,vicariance (DIVA) analyses of cytochrome b sequence data reveal the presence of two mitochondrial lineages that are associated with previously identified western and eastern uplands of this area. The geographical distribution of mitochondrial haplotypes and the results of DIVA and coalescent analyses suggest that there has been extensive secondary contact between these lineages indicating a complex history of connectivity between these western and eastern highlands, supporting the predictions of the DV hypothesis. [source] PfCRT and the trans -vacuolar proton electrochemical gradient: regulating the access of chloroquine to ferriprotoporphyrin IXMOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2006Patrick G. Bray Summary It is accepted that resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine (CQ) is caused primarily by mutations in the pfcrt gene. However, a consensus has not yet been reached on the mechanism by which resistance is achieved. CQ-resistant (CQR) parasite lines accumulate less CQ than do CQ-sensitive (CQS) parasites. The CQR phenotype is complex with a component of reduced energy-dependent CQ uptake and an additional component that resembles energy-dependent CQ efflux. Here we show that the required energy input is in the form of the proton electrochemical gradient across the digestive vacuole (DV) membrane. Collapsing the DV proton gradient (or starving the parasites of glucose) results in similar levels of CQ accumulation in CQS and CQR lines. Under these conditions the accumulation of CQ is stimulated in CQR parasite lines but is reduced in CQS lines. Energy deprivation has no effect on the rate of CQ efflux from CQR lines implying that mutant PfCRT does not function as an efflux pump or active carrier. Using pfcrt -modified parasite lines we show that the entire CQ susceptibility phenotype is switched by the single K76T amino acid change in PfCRT. The efflux of CQ in CQR lines is not directly coupled to the energy supply, consistent with a model in which mutant PfCRT functions as a gated channel or pore, allowing charged CQ species to leak out of the DV. [source] How nurses' experiences of domestic violence influence service provision: Study conducted in North-west province, South AfricaNURSING & HEALTH SCIENCES, Issue 1 2005Nicola J. Christofides Abstract This study was undertaken to determine whether nurses' experiences of domestic violence (DV) influence their management of DV and rape cases. In total, 212 nurses were interviewed in two South African health districts using a standardized questionnaire. We measured sociodemographic characteristics, quality of care in the areas of rape and DV management, and experiences of DV in their own lives and amongst family and friends. A total of 39% nurses reported having experienced either physical or emotional abuse themselves and 40.6% amongst family and friends. Having personally experienced DV had no influence on DV identification and management. Those with experience from friends and family were more likely to have provided better care for patients who presented after DV (mean quality of care score = 23.1), while nurses who reported no personal experience of DV, either in their own lives or among family and friends, had a lower quality of care score of 19.8 (P = 0.02). Having ever intervened in a domestic dispute was associated with higher quality of care (P < 0.001). This suggests that the greater degree to which nurses identify with DV and intervene, the more likely they are to provide higher quality of care. Training of nurses in DV must try to build such empathy. [source] Large-scale extrusion processing and characterization of hybrid nylon-6/SiO2 nanocompositesPOLYMERS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, Issue 4 2004Monserrat García Abstract Solution impregnations, pulltrusion and film stacking are widely used methods to prepare thermoplastic composite materials. Extruders are used to melt the polymer and to incorporate fibers into the polymer in order to modify physical properties. In this article, the compounding of colloidal silica nanoparticles filled polyamide-6 (PA-6) is achieved using a twin-screw extruder, which has a significant market share due to its low cost and easy maintenance. The experiments were performed at 250 rpm and the bulk throughput was 6,kg,h,1 with a pump pressure of 30 bars. The composites were characterized with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). As determined by WAXD, the PA-6 showed higher amounts of , -phase when compared to other synthesis methods such as in situ polymerization. TEM pictures showed that the silica particles aggregated nevertheless, upon addition of 14% (w/w) silica the E-modulus increased from 2.7 to 3.9,GPa indicating that an effective mechanical coupling with the polymer was achieved. The behavior, illustrated with dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) curves, indicated that in general when a filled system is compared to unfilled material, the values of the moduli (E, and E,) increased and tan , decreased. Determination of molecular mass distribution of the samples by means of size exclusion chromatography (SEC) coupled to a refractive index (RI), viscosity (DV) and light scattering (LS) detector revealed that the addition of silica did not decrease the average molecular weight of the polymer matrix, which is of importance for composite applications. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The nuchal translucency and the fetal heart: a literature reviewPRENATAL DIAGNOSIS, Issue 8 2009S. A. Clur Abstract In this overview the current knowledge of the relationship between an increased nuchal translucency (NT) measurement and fetal heart structure and function in chromosomally normal fetuses is reviewed. Relevant pathophysiological theories behind the increased NT are discussed. Fetuses with an increased NT have an increased risk for congenital heart disease (CHD) with no particular bias for one form of CHD over another. This risk increases with increasing NT measurement. Although the NT measurement is only a modestly effective screening tool for all CHD when used alone, it may indeed be effective in identifying specific CHD "likely to benefit" from prenatal diagnosis. The combination of an increased NT, tricuspid regurgitation and an abnormal ductus venosus (DV) Doppler flow profile, is a strong marker for CHD. A fetal echocardiogram should be performed at 20 weeks' gestation in fetuses with an NT , 95th percentile but < 99th percentile. When the NT measurement is , 99th percentile, or when tricuspid regurgitation and/or an abnormal DV flow pattern is found along with the increased NT, an earlier echocardiogram is indicated, followed by a repeat scan at around 20 weeks' gestation. The resultant increased demand for early fetal echocardiography and sonographers with this special expertise needs to be planned and provided for. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Prenatal diagnosis of ductus venosus agenesis and its association with cytogenetic/congenital anomaliesPRENATAL DIAGNOSIS, Issue 11 2002Paolo Volpe Abstract Objectives We present an observational study of 12 cases of anomalies of the umbilical and portal vein systems associated with absence of the ductus venosus (DV) diagnosed over the past 5 years. The hemodynamic implications of each pattern of umbilico-portal system anomalies associated with absence of the DV have been investigated, as well as the frequency and types of associated anomalies and their embryological origin. Methods In all cases ultrasound, color Doppler, and cytogenetic investigations were performed. Results Four main patterns of abnormal venous circulation were documented: (1) the umbilical vein (UV) bypasses the liver and drains into the right atrium directly or through a dilated coronary sinus (three cases); (2) the UV bypasses the liver, with an infrahepatic or suprahepatic connection directly to the inferior vena cava (IVC) (two cases); (3) the UV bypasses the liver and drains directly into the iliac or renal veins (four cases); and (4) the UV drains directly into the portal veins (three cases). Among seven cases with other associated anomalies (58%), there were three cases of Turner's and Noonan's syndromes. Two fetuses and two neonates died and there were two terminations of pregnancy (TOP). Conclusions In utero diagnosis of ultrasound patterns associated with DV anomalies is feasible. Fetal karyotyping should be considered, serial ultrasound examinations recommended and, in the presence of heart failure, delivery can be anticipated. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] User-level QoS and traffic engineering for 3G wireless 1xEV-DO systemsBELL LABS TECHNICAL JOURNAL, Issue 2 2003Simon C. Borst Third-generation (3G) wireless systems such as 3G1X, 1xEV-DO, and 1xEV-DV provide support for a variety of high-speed data applications. The success of these services critically relies on the capability to ensure an adequate quality of service (QoS) experience to users at an affordable price. With wireless bandwidth at a premium, traffic engineering and network planning play a vital role in addressing these challenges. We present models and techniques that we have developed for quantifying the QoS perception of 1xEV-DO users generating file transfer protocol (FTP) or Web browsing sessions. We show how user-level QoS measures may be evaluated by means of a Processor-Sharing model that explicitly accounts for the throughput gains from multi-user scheduling. The model provides simple analytical formulas for key performance metrics such as response times, blocking probabilities, and throughput. Analytical models are especially useful for network deployment and in-service tuning purposes due to the intrinsic difficulties associated with simulation-based optimization approaches. © 2003 Lucent Technologies Inc. [source] Organizing chordates with an organizerBIOESSAYS, Issue 7 2007Jordi Garcia-Fernàndez Understanding how the chordate body plan originated and evolved is still controversial. The discovery by Spemann and Mangold in 1924 of the vertebrate organizer and its inductive properties in patterning the AP and DV axis was followed by a long gap until the 1960s when scientists started characterizing the molecular events responsible for such inductions. However, the evolutionary origin of the organizer itself remained obscure until very recently; did it appear together with the origin and radiation of vertebrates, or was it a chordate affair? A recent study by Yu and collaborators,1 which analyses the expression of several organizer-specific genes in amphioxus together with recent phylogenetic data that reversed the position of invertebrate extant chordates (e.g. urochordates and cephalochordates), indicates that the organizer probably appeared in early chordates. It likely had separate signalling centres generating BMP and Wnt signalling gradients along the DV and AP axis. The organizer was then lost in the urochordate lineage, most probably as an adaptation to a rapid and determinate development. BioEssays 29:619,624, 2007. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] The concomitant occurrence of multiple epidermal cysts, osteomas and thyroid gland nodules is not diagnostic for Gardner syndrome in the absence of intestinal polyposis: a clinical and genetic reportBRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2003S.-M. Herrmann Summary Gardner syndrome, a phenotypic variant of familial adenomatous polyposis, is characterized by the classical clinical triad of skin and soft tissue tumours, osteomas and intestinal polyposis, but disease patterns with pairs of these findings have also been reported. Different mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene have been shown to be associated with Gardner syndrome disease phenotypes. A 36-year-old patient presented with multiple epidermal cysts on the face, left ear lobe and neck, and the possible diagnosis of Gardner syndrome was based on the additional findings of two classical osteomas in the left radius and ulna and a cold non-malignant nodule of the thyroid gland. Intestinal polyposis was lacking at the time of examination. Major deletions but not microdeletions were excluded by a cytogenetic analysis with 650 chromosomal bands per haploid set. Systematic sequencing of the entire coding region of the APC gene (> 8500 bp) of the patient and five healthy controls was also performed. As a results, new APC gene polymorphisms were identified in exons 13 [A545A (A/G)] and 15 [G1678G (A/G), S1756S (G/T), P1960P (A/G)]. We also detected D1822V (A/T) which has recently been reported to be potentially related to colorectal carcinoma, and genotyped 194 randomly chosen healthy individuals from the Glasgow area for this as well as for the above variants in exons 13 and 15. Interestingly, of the 194 controls, 112 carried the DD (57·7%), 71 the DV (36·6%), and the remaining 11 (5·7%), including our patient, the VV genotype. It is therefore unlikely that APC D1822V serves as an important marker for colorectal carcinoma. In conclusion, we failed to identify obvious germline candidate mutations in >,8500 bp of the coding region of the APC gene in a patient with multiple epidermal cysts, osteomas and a thyroid gland nodule; major chromosomal deletions were excluded. Therefore, we assume that only the presence of intestinal polyposis is a marker for Gardner syndrome. [source] Assessment of a Cross-Disciplinary Domestic Violence Training for Emergency Medicine Residents and Law StudentsACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 2008Cameron Crandall Objectives:, Domestic violence (DV) patients often have complex medical, social and legal issues that challenge assessment, treatment and referral. We designed a brief cross-disciplinary training for emergency medicine residents and upper level law students to determine the baseline level of resident and law student competence in assessment and management of patients with a history of domestic violence. Methods:, The study included 23 emergency medicine residents and 28 upper level law students at an urban university. The design included pretest, intervention, and retest with 4 standardized patient assessments. The intervention included for each 2 hours of cross-disciplinary lectures on DV and one joint case-based 2 hour learning session with the medical and legal learners. Communication skills (CSs) were assessed using a validated criterion standard. History taking competence (HX) was assessed with a prespecified checklist of critical elements designed to elicit key medico-legal factors relevant to each case. Data were compared with t tests. Results:, 18 (78%) residents and 26 (93%) law students completed the study. Pre-intervention, residents scored 63% (8% standard deviation (SD)) on CS and gathered 71% (13%) of critical HX elements. Law students scored 62% (8%) on CS and gathered 66% (8%) of critical HX elements. Residents (64% (6%)) and law students (63% (6%) showed similar post-intervention CS scores. Both residents (77% (10%), improvement 6%, p = 0.13) and law students (71% (14%), improvement 8%, p = .15) showed modest but non-significant improvement in critical HX gathering. Conclusions:, A brief cross-disciplinary training between medical and legal learners demonstrated low baseline scores in DV assessment for both learning groups with modest, but non-significant improvements in gathering of critical HX elements following intervention. Longer didactic training or more focused skill building might improve skills. [source] Clinical involvement in daughters of men with fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndromeCLINICAL GENETICS, Issue 1 2010W Chonchaiya Chonchaiya W, Nguyen DV, Au J, Campos L, Berry-Kravis EM, Lohse K, Mu Y, Utari A, Hervey C, Wang L, Sorensen P, Cook K, Gane L, Tassone F, Hagerman RJ. Clinical involvement in daughters of men with fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndrome. Women with the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) premutation often have concerns about neurological and medical problems, as they become older and if their fathers experience fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). We therefore determined the prevalence of these problems in 110 daughters of men with FXTAS [mean age of 44.8 years (SD 8.2)]. We compared them with 43 female controls with normal FMR1 alleles [mean age of 43.8 years (SD 8.1)] and 36 premutation carrier daughters of parents with the premutation, but without FXTAS [mean age of 43.5 years (SD 7.7)]. Overall, daughters of men with FXTAS have a higher prevalence of neurological symptoms including tremor, balance problems, memory problems, and dizziness, menopausal symptoms, and psychiatric involvement including sleep problems and anxiety when compared with non-carrier female controls. Reported balance problems and menopausal symptoms were significantly higher in daughters of men with FXTAS than in carrier daughters of parents without FXTAS, suggesting the potential influence of background gene effects. Therefore, neurological, psychological and gynecological surveillance should be warranted to better provide appropriate counseling, management and care for daughters of men with FXTAS. Biological markers of additional gene effects that predispose individuals with the premutation to FXTAS need to be developed. [source] Hepatic and cardiac iron overload among patients with end-stage liver disease referred for liver transplantationCLINICAL TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 5 2010Avital Y. O'Glasser O'Glasser AY, Scott DL, Corless CL, Zaman A, Sasaki A, Gopal DV, Rayhill SC, Orloff SL, Ham JM, Rabkin JM, Flora K, Davies CH, Broberg CS, Schwartz JM. Hepatic and cardiac iron overload among patients with end-stage liver disease referred for liver transplantation. Clin Transplant 2009 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0012.2009.01136.x. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract:,Background:, Iron overload is associated with fatal cardiovascular events following liver transplantation. Myocardial iron deposits were observed post-mortem in patients who died of cardiac events after transplantation at our institution. This observation prompted testing to exclude cardiac iron in subsequent transplant candidates. Aims:, To assess the results of testing for iron overload in liver transplant candidates at our institution. Methods:, Ferritin, TIBC, and serum iron were measured in cirrhotics referred for transplantation. Patients with transferrin saturation ,50% and ferritin ,250 ng/mL underwent liver biopsy graded for iron. Patients with 3,4+ hepatic iron deposits underwent HFE mutation analysis and endomyocardial biopsy with iron staining. Results:, Eight hundred and fifty-six patients were evaluated for liver transplantation between January 1997 and March 2005. Two hundred and eighty-seven patients (34%) had transferrin saturation ,50% and ferritin ,250 ng/mL. Patients with markers of iron overload had more advanced liver disease than those with normal iron indices. One hundred and fifty-three patients underwent liver biopsy. Twenty-six patients (17%) had 3,4+ hepatic iron staining. One patient was a C282Y heterozygote. Endomyocardial biopsy was performed in 14 patients of whom nine had cardiac iron deposition. Conclusions:, Non-HFE-related cardiac iron overload can occur in advanced liver disease We therefore recommend screening for cardiac iron prior to liver transplantation. [source] Synthesis and preliminary characterization of sulfamethazine-theophylline co-crystalJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 9 2010Jie Lu Abstract Co-crystals containing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) represent a new type of pharmaceutical materials. In this work, sulfamethazine (STH) and theophylline (TP) were employed as the co-crystal formers. Neat cogrinding, solvent-drop cogrinding and slow evaporation were applied to synthesize the sulfamethazine,theophylline co-crystal (hereafter STH,TP co-crystal). The co-crystalline phase was characterized by DSC, TGA, Raman, PXRD, and dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) techniques. The STH,TP co-crystal structure was determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction data. The results show that, the STH,TP co-crystal, obtained in a 2:1 molar ratio of sulfamethazine and theophylline only by slow evaporation, possesses unique thermal, spectroscopic, and X-ray diffraction properties. Besides, in the STH,TP co-crystal, the sulfamethazine molecules form a dimer through the intermolecular hydrogen bonding (O ··· H N), and two intermolecular hydrogen bonds (O ··· H N and N ··· H N) keep the theophylline attached the dimer. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 99:4042,4047, 2010 [source] Determination of outer layer and bulk dehydration kinetics of trehalose dihydrate using atomic force microscopy, gravimetric vapour sorption and near infrared spectroscopyJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 10 2008Matthew D. Jones Abstract Knowledge of the kinetics of solid state reactions is important when considering the stability of many medicines. Potentially, such reactions could follow different kinetics on the surface of particles when compared with their interior, yet solid state processes are routinely followed using only bulk characterisation techniques. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has previously been shown to be a suitable technique for the investigation of surface processes, but has not been combined with bulk techniques in order to analyse surface and bulk kinetics separately. This report therefore describes the investigation of the outer layer and bulk kinetics of the dehydration of trehalose dihydrate at ambient temperature and low humidity, using AFM, dynamic vapour sorption (DVS) and near infrared spectroscopy (NIR). The use of AFM enabled the dehydration kinetics of the outer layers to be determined both directly and from bulk data. There were no significant differences between the outer layer dehydration kinetics determined using these methods. AFM also enabled the bulk-only kinetics to be analysed from the DVS and NIR data. These results suggest that the combination of AFM and bulk characterisation techniques should enable a more complete understanding of the kinetics of certain solid state reactions to be achieved. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 97:4404,4415, 2008 [source] Stability and Drug Loading of Spontaneous Vesicles of Comb-Like PEG DerivatesMACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS, Issue 5 2007Xiaolin Li Abstract A novel comb-like derivative CPEG- g -cholesterol was prepared by the reaction of cholesteryl chloroformate with hydroxyl groups of CPEG. The TEM and SEM results showed that CPEG-cholesterol spontaneously aggregated vesicles with the membrane thickness of 4.27,±,0.48 nm. Compared with the vesicles formed by comb-like PEG (CPEG), the derivation of cholesteryl chloroformate increased the thickness of vesicle membrane and developed corrugations. The hydrophobic doxorubicin (Dox) was added into the solution of CPEG and CPEG- g -cholesterol to test their vesicle stability. The drug-loaded vesicles of CPEG- g -cholesterol still existed but those of CPEG disappeared, which indicated that stability of vesicles was enhanced by the derived cholesteryl chloroformate. The vesicles were further cross-linked by the reaction between divinyl sulfone (DVS) and the hydroxy groups in the side chains of the CPEG and CPEG- g -cholesterol. Both cross-linked vesicles of CPEG and CPEG- g -cholesterol entrapped considerable hydrophobic Dox in the vesicles membrane. The spontaneous vesicles of CPEG- g -cholesterol and the crosslinked vesicles of CPEG and CPEG- g -cholesterol might have great potential as a cargo of the hydrophobic drug. [source] Untersuchung der Kristallisation amorpher Lactose in Milchpulver anhand Dynamischer WasserdampfsorptionCHEMIE-INGENIEUR-TECHNIK (CIT), Issue 3 2008W. Danzl Dipl.-Ing. Abstract Milchpulver enthalten Lactose in amorpher Form und sind daher hygroskopisch und instabil. Bei unkontrollierter Kristallisation der amorphen Lactose kann es zu Schwierigkeiten durch Verklumpen oder Bräunungsreaktionen in Milchpulvern oder trockenmilchhaltigen Folgeprodukten kommen. Um die Kristallisationsneigung der amorphen Lactose zu bestimmen, wurden geeignete Methoden anhand dynamischer Wasserdampfsorption (Dynamic Vapour Sorption ,DVS) entwickelt und an Sprühvollmilchpulver demonstriert. [source] The personal nature of depression: Assessing the operation of self-schema in depressionCLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY (AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF THEORY & PRACTICE), Issue 2 2001Ken Laidlaw The operation of the self-schema in depression is investigated using a mainstream measure of personality (NEO PI-R) that depressed participants complete on two separate occasions. On the first occasion depressed participants provide a view of themselves when depressed (depressed view of self: DVS). On the second occasion depressed participants are asked to disregard their symptoms and provide a view of themselves prior to the onset of depression (imagined pre-morbid view of self: IPVS). Results indicate depressed participants provide premorbid descriptions of themselves that are significantly different from their present (depressed) self-view. The two views of self (DVS versus IPVS) are compared to peer descriptions provided by significant others (appraisers). Whereas the depressed views of self are congruent with appraisals provided by significant others, the imagined premorbid views of self are not. Results are discussed in line with cognitive theories of state-trait vulnerability and mood-state dependence. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF TWO POPULAR INDIAN POTATO VARIETIESJOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING, Issue 4 2006D.K. SINGH ABSTRACT Physical properties of potatoes, often required for analyzing heat and mass transfer during cooling and storage applications, were determined for the Kufri Jyoti and Kufri Sinduri varieties. The average values of linear dimensions, Dp, Sp, Ra, mass, ,, Acand A of these two varieties were measured. The Kufri Jyoti was found to have comparatively more variations in a, b and c than the Kufri Sinduri. The average values of Dp, Sp, Ra, ,, Acand A for the Kufri Jyoti and Kufri Sinduri were found to be 4.647 and 3.692 cm; 82.45 and 86.65%; 82.99 and 91.78%; 1113.3 and 1092.1 kg/m3; 30.86 and 12.10 cm2; and 79.05 and 47.10 cm2, respectively. The average values of ,, Dv, average Dpi, ,and bulk density for the Kufri Jyoti and Kufri Sinduri in a commercially used 50-kg gunny bag were found to be 0.42 ± 0.01 and 0.43 ± 0.008; 4.998 and 4.056 cm, 4.817 ± 0.534 and 3.922 ± 0.211 cm, 0.58 and 0.57; and 647.6 and 622.5 kg/m3, respectively. Relationships were also established for calculating the A of potato as a function of volume and weight. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||