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Kinds of Determined Terms modified by Determined Selected AbstractsHAUL-OUT ACTIVITY OF RINGED SEALS (PHOCA HISPIDA) DETERMINED FROM SATELLITE TELEMETRYMARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE, Issue 1 2002E. W. Born Abstract The haul-out activity of 15 ringed seals (Phoca hispida) equipped with satellite-linked radio transmitters was studied in NW Greenland (ca. 73°-78°N). Between 19 June 1997 and 30 June 1999, telemetry data on haulout activity were obtained by the "Land-Sea-Reporter" (LSR), "Time-at-Depth" (TAD), and "Timelines" (TIM) systems housed within the satellite transmitters. The haul-out activity (% of total time hauled out) reported by the TIM system, which is specifically designed for collecting haul-out data, was about 1.4 times higher than that inferred from the LSR, but only about 0.7 of that inferred from TAD data. The TIM were used to describe haul-out activity. A total of 1,011 d with TIM were obtained (64.5% of a total of 1,568 "seal-days" monitored) representing data from nearly an entire annual cycle. No differences were found in percentage of time hauled out per month among various age categories. At all seasons the haul-out time showed considerable individual variation. There were no trends in percentage of time hauled out per month during late summer, fall, and winter (August-February). During the High Arctic winter darkness (November-January) the percentage of haul-out per month ranged between 3.9% in an adult (SD = 2.44, range: 1.1%-5.7%, n= 3 mo) and 15.7% in a subadult (SD = 1.95, range: 13.7%-17.6%, n= 3 mo). From late March there was a significant increase in haul-out time. Between 1 and 30 June, when aerial surveys of basking ringed seals usually are conducted, the haul-out time (% per day) increased from about 25% to about 57%. No tendencies in diel haul-out activity were revealed. [source] Reduced Labial Temperature in Response to Sexual Films with Distractors among Women with Lower Sexual DesireTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 2pt2 2010Nicole Prause PhD ABSTRACT Introduction., Sexual desire variation traditionally has been treated as due to variance in affective response to sexual stimulation, but differences in attention to the stimuli may better account for differences in sexual desire. Aim., Determine whether sexual desire varies due to attention biases towards sexual stimuli. Main outcome measures., Sexual arousal was quantified by physiological (labia minus temperature) and experienced (continuously adjusting a potentiometer) indicators. Methods., Twenty-two women who varied in their level of sexual desire attended one laboratory session during which they viewed a neutral nature film, a sexual film, and a sexual film with distractors while their labial temperature and self-reported sexual arousal were recorded. Results., Participants reported and displayed lower sexual arousal during the sexual stimulus with distractors as compared to the sexual film without distractors. While all women reported lower sexual arousal to the sexual film with distractors, women with relatively lower sexual desire also reported lower sexual arousal to the sexual film with no distractors than women with higher sexual desire. Physiologically, women with lower sexual desire exhibited lower labial temperature. Conclusions., Since the predicted lower self-reported and physiological sexual arousal to the sexual stimulus with distractors for the women with lower sexual desire did not emerge, this study does not support that sexual desire levels vary due to differential attention to sexual stimuli. Prause N, and Heiman J. Reduced labial temperature in response to sexual films with distractors among women with lower sexual desire. J Sex Med 2010;7:951,963. [source] Shear Modulus of Polycrystalline Rhenium Diboride Determined from Surface Brillouin SpectroscopyADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 42 2009Sergey N. Tkachev Surface Brillouin specotroscopy of a densified powder compact of rhenium diboride (see scanning electron microscopy image) results in a determined shear modulus of 223,GPa. This value is comparable to the shear modulus of c-BC2N and provides evidence for the superhard nature of ReB2. [source] Disease Status in Autosomal Dominant Osteopetrosis Type 2 Is Determined by Osteoclastic Properties,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 7 2006Kang Chu Abstract Asymptomatic gene carriers and clinically affected ADO2 subjects have the same ClCN7 mutation. We examined osteoclastic bone resorption in vitro as well as osteoclast formation, several markers, acid secretion, and cytoskeletal structure. We found that ADO2 expression results from osteoclast specific properties. Introduction: Autosomal dominant osteopetrosis type II (ADO2) is a heritable osteosclerotic disorder that results from heterozygous mutations in the ClCN7 gene. However, of those individuals with a ClCN7 mutation, one third are asymptomatic gene carriers who have no clinical, biochemical, or radiological manifestations. Disease severity in the remaining two thirds is highly variable. Materials and Methods: Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and differentiated into osteoclasts by stimulation with hRANKL and human macrophage-colony stimulating factor (hM-CSF). Study subjects were clinically affected subjects, unaffected gene carriers, and normal controls (n = 6 in each group). Pit formation, TRACP staining, RANKL dose response, osteoclast markers, acid secretion, F-actin ring, and integrin ,v,3 expression and co-localization were studied. Results: Osteoclasts from clinically affected subjects had severely attenuated bone resorption compared with those from normal controls. However, osteoclasts from unaffected gene carriers displayed similar bone resorption to those from normal controls. In addition, the resorption lacunae from both unaffected gene carriers and normal controls appeared much earlier and spread much more rapidly than those from clinically affected subjects. As time progressed, the distinction between clinically affected subjects and the other two groups increased. No significant difference was found in acidic secretion or osteoclast formation between the three groups. Osteoclast cytoskeletal organization showed no difference between the three groups but there was low cellular motility in clinically affected subjects. Conclusions: Osteoclasts from the unaffected gene carriers, in contrast to those from the clinically affected subjects, functioned normally in cell culture. This finding supports the hypothesis that intrinsic osteoclast factors determine disease expression in ADO2. Further understanding of this mechanism is likely to lead to the development of new approaches to the treatment of clinically affected patients. [source] Relating Instrumental Texture, Determined by Variable-Blade and Allo-Kramer Shear Attachments, to Sensory Analysis of Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, FilletsJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 7 2010Aunchalee Aussanasuwannakul Abstract:, Texture is one of the most important quality attributes of fish fillets, and accurate assessment of variation in this attribute, as affected by storage and handling, is critical in providing consistent quality product. Trout fillets received 4 treatments: 3-d refrigeration (R3), 7-d refrigeration (R7), 3-d refrigeration followed by 30-d frozen storage (R3F30), and 7-d refrigeration followed by 30-d frozen storage (R7F30). Instrumental texture of raw and cooked fillets was determined by 3 approaches: 5-blade Allo-Kramer (AK) and variable-blade (VB) attachment with 12 blades arranged in perpendicular (PER) and parallel (PAR) orientations to muscle fibers. Correlation between instrumental texture and sensory hardness, juiciness, elasticity, fatness, and coarseness was determined. Muscle pH remained constant at 6.54 to 6.64. Raw fillets lost 3.66% of their original weight after 30-d frozen storage. After cooking, weight loss further increased to 15.97%. Moisture content decreased from 69.11 to 65.02%, while fat content remained constant at 10.41%. VBPER detected differences in muscle sample strength (P= 0.0019) and demonstrated effect of shear direction reported as maximum force (g force/g sample). AKPER detected differences in energy of shear (g × mm; P= 0.0001). Fillets that received F30 treatments were less extensible. Cooking increased muscle strength and toughness. Force determined by VBPER was correlated with sensory hardness (r= 0.423, P= 0.0394) and cook loss (r= 0.412, P= 0.0450). VB attachment is accurate, valid, and less destructive in fillet texture analysis. Practical Application:, A new shearing device was validated with sensory analysis. Settings and parameters obtained could be used to define fillet texture quality associated with muscle fiber orientation. [source] Antibacterial Effects of Allspice, Garlic, and Oregano Essential Oils in Tomato Films Determined by Overlay and Vapor-Phase MethodsJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 7 2009W-X. Du ABSTRACT:, Physical properties as well as antimicrobial activities against,Escherichia coli,O157:H7,,Salmonella enterica, and,Listeria monocytogenes,of allspice, garlic, and oregano essential oils (EOs) in tomato puree film-forming solutions (TPFFS) formulated into edible films at 0.5% to 3% (w/w) concentrations were investigated in this study. Antimicrobial activities were determined by 2 independent methods: overlay of the film on top of the bacteria and vapor-phase diffusion of the antimicrobial from the film to the bacteria. The results indicate that the antimicrobial activities against the 3 pathogens were in the following order: oregano oil > allspice oil > garlic oil.,Listeria monocytogenes,was less resistant to EO vapors, while,E. coli,O157:H7 was more resistant to EOs as determined by both overlay and vapor-phase diffusion tests. The presence of plant EO antimicrobials reduced the viscosity of TPFFS at the higher shear rates, but did not affect water vapor permeability of films. EOs increased elongation and darkened the color of films. The results of the present study show that the 3 plant-derived EOs can be used to prepare tomato-based antimicrobial edible films with good physical properties for food applications by both direct contact and indirectly by vapors emanating from the films. [source] Host Range of an Iranian Isolate of Watermelon Chlorotic Stunt Virus as Determined by Whitefly-mediated Inoculation and Agroinfection, and its Geographical DistributionJOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 8-9 2002K. Bananej Abstract Virus like symptoms appeared on most watermelon plants grown at different locations in southern provinces of Iran. The symptoms included chlorotic patches on leaves, vein yellowing and stunting of watermelon plants. The causal agent of watermelon chlorotic stunt disease was transmitted to healthy watermelon, jimsonweed and bean by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci, but not by sap inoculation. Coat protein and nucleic acid of Watermelon chlorotic stunt virus (WmCSV) were detected in infected plants using a dot-immunobinding assay (DIBA) and squash-blot hybridization, respectively. The data obtained confirmed that watermelon chlorotic stunt disease in Iran is caused by WmCSV. Agroinoculation of some plant species by the cloned genomic components (DNA-A and DNA-B) of a non-sap-transmissible Iranian isolate of WmCSV (WmCSV-Ir) has been demonstrated. Host range studies using agroinoculation indicated that most plant species in the Cucurbitaceae and some species of the Solanaceae are susceptible to WmCSV-Ir. Infection of agroinoculated plants was confirmed by DIBA and polymerase chain reaction. The virus from agroinfected plants was transmissible by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci. Results obtained from a limited survey during 1997,2000 indicated the presence of WmCSV-Ir in some watermelon-growing provinces of southern but not in northern, central, and north-eastern provinces of Iran. WmCSV has apparently not yet spread to these regions. [source] Are Sobriety and Consciousness Determined by Water in Protein Cavities?ALCOHOLISM, Issue 1 2004James R. Trudell No abstract is available for this article. [source] Orientation and Phase Relationships between Titania Films and Polycrystalline BaTiO3 Substrates as Determined by Electron Backscatter Diffraction MappingJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 9 2010Nina V. Burbure Titania films have been grown on polycrystalline BaTiO3 (BTO) substrates at 700°C by pulsed laser deposition. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) was used to determine grain orientations in the substrate before growth, and the phase and orientation of the supported films after growth. All BaTiO3 grains within 26° of (001) were covered by anatase films with an orientation relationship of (001)Anatase||(001)BTO and [100]Anatase||[100]BTO. Rutile with a variety of orientations grew on BaTiO3 grains with orientations closer to (110) and (111). EBSD mapping provides an efficient means for determining phase and orientation relationships of films over all orientation parameters. [source] Correlations and Fluctuations of Charged Colloids as Determined by Anomalous Small-Angle X-Ray ScatteringMACROMOLECULAR THEORY AND SIMULATIONS, Issue 3 2006Arben Jusufi Abstract Summary: We performed molecular dynamics simulation of a charged colloidal particle with explicit counterions. Our work provides a direct comparison between simulations and ASAXS-experiments, offering insight into the counterion distribution of charged colloidal suspensions. We give a detailed constitution of the appearing scattering terms with their physical meaning. It is shown that the cross-correlation between a macroion and its counterions gives the meanfield approximation of the counterion density even if the counterion system is highly fluctuating. Furthermore, it is shown that cross-correlations can be negative due to oscillations of the density amplitudes of the macroion and counterions and, therefore, must be distinguished from other scattering contributions. These oscillations become more pronounced if the counterions exhibit a fixed shape and if the size of the macroion and that of the counterion system are different. Simulation sanpshot of a charged colloid (big central sphere) with counterions (small spheres). [source] Underestimation of Pacing Threshold as Determined by an Automatic Ventricular Threshold Testing AlgorithmPACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 9 2006WILLIAM H. SAUER In this case report, we describe markedly different pacing thresholds determined by a manual threshold test and the automatic Ventricular Capture Management algorithm. The discrepancy in pacing threshold values reported was due to the difference in the AV intervals used with the different testing methods. We propose that the differences in right ventricular dimensions with altered diastolic filling periods affected the threshold in this patient with a new passive fixation lead in the right ventricular apex. [source] Circadian Variation in QT Dispersion Determined from a 12-Lead Holter Recording: A Methodological Study of an Age- and Sex-Stratified Group of Healthy SubjectsANNALS OF NONINVASIVE ELECTROCARDIOLOGY, Issue 3 2007Stig Hansen M.D. Background: QT dispersion is considered to reflect inhomogeneity of myocardial repolarization. Method: The circadian variation of QT interval dispersion was examined in 95 healthy subjects using 24-hour Holter monitoring. Three different methods of lead selection were applied: all 12 leads (QTdisp 12), only precordial leads (QTdisp 6), and the pair of leads selected at 3 a.m. in which the longest and shortest QT intervals were found in each individual subject (QTdisp 2). Results: A preliminary methodological study including measurements from every minute in 10 subjects revealed no significant circadian variation using mean values of QTdisp 12, QTdisp 6, or QTdisp 2 obtained every hour, every 2, or every 4 hours, except in QTdisp 6, which demonstrated a significant circadian variation (P < 0.01) in 1-hour measurements. Analysis of all 95 subjects using measurements obtained every 4 hours revealed a significant circadian variation in QTdisp 12 and QTdisp 6 (P < 0.0001), whereas no circadian variation was seen in QTdisp 2. A subdivision into 10-year age groups revealed that subjects at age >50 years had a significant circadian variation in QTdisp 12 and QTdisp 6, but not in QTdisp 2. Only in males a significant circadian variation was seen in QTdisp 12 (P < 0.0001), whereas QTdisp 6 demonstrated a circadian variation both in females (P < 0.001) and in males (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Selection of leads is of crucial importance for repetitive measurements of QT dispersion. Circadian variation was detected in subjects over 50 years of age, when all 12 or only the 6 precordial leads were taken into account. [source] Thermochemistry and Crystal Structure of Lithium, Sodium and Potassium Alanates as Determined by ab initio Simulations.CHEMINFORM, Issue 30 2004Sai-Cheong Chung No abstract is available for this article. [source] Oligonucleotides with Sugars Other Than Ribo- and 2,-Deoxyribofuranose in the Backbone: the Solution Structures Determined by NMR in the Context of the ,Etiology of Nucleic Acids' Project of Albert EschenmoserCHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY, Issue 9 2010Marc-Olivier Ebert [source] A Restoratively Driven Ridge Categorization, as Determined by Incorporating Ideal Restorative Positions on Radiographic Templates Utilizing Computed Tomography Scan AnalysisCLINICAL IMPLANT DENTISTRY AND RELATED RESEARCH, Issue 4 2009Nicolas Elian DDS ABSTRACT Background: The introduction of implants into the field of dentistry has revolutionized the way we evaluate edentulous ridges. In an attempt to evaluate the deficient edentulous ridge, numerous classification systems have been proposed. Each of these classification systems implements a different approach for evaluating and planning treatment for the ridge deficiency. Purpose: The purpose of the present investigation was to propose a restoratively driven ridge categorization (RDRC) for horizontal ridge deformities based on an ideal implant position as determined through implant simulation, utilizing computed tomography (CT) scan images. Materials and Methods: Radiographic templates were developed to capture the ideal restorative tooth position. Measurements were performed using CT scan software in a cross-sectional view and by virtual placement of a parallel-sided implant with a 3.25-mm diameter. Results: Edentulous ridges were divided into five groupings: Group I, simulated implants with at least 2 mm of facial bone, accounted for 19.4% of ridges; Group II, simulated implant completely surrounded by bone, with less than 2 mm of facial plate thickness, accounted for 10.4% of ridges; Group III, wherein dehiscences are detected but no fenestrations are present, accounted for 33.3% of ridges; Group IV, wherein fenestrations are detected but no dehiscence is present, accounted for 6.3% of ridges; and Group V, wherein both dehiscences and fenestrations are present, accounted for 30.6% of ridges. Conclusion: The use of RDRC indicates that a high number of cases in the maxillary anterior area would require augmentation procedures in order to achieve ideal implant placement and restoration. [source] Humanitarian Crises: What Determines the Level of Emergency Assistance?DISASTERS, Issue 2 2003Donor Interests, Media Coverage, the Aid Business This paper proposes a basic hypothesis that the volume of emergency assistance any humanitarian crisis attracts is determined by three main factors working either in conjunction or individually. First, it depends on the intensity of media coverage. Second, it depends on the degree of political interest, particularly related to security, that donor governments have in a particular region. Third, the volume of emergency aid depends on strength of humanitarian NGOs and international organisations present in a specific country experiencing a humanitarian emergency. The empirical analysis of a number of emergency situations is carried out based on material that has never been published before. The paper concludes that only occasionally do the media play a decisive role in influencing donors. Rather, the security interests of Western donors are important together with the presence and strength of humanitarian stakeholders, such as NGOs and international organisations lobbying donor governments. [source] A Time-Resolved Spectroscopic Study of the Bichromophoric Phototrigger 3,,5,-Dimethoxybenzoin Diethyl Phosphate: Interaction Between the Two Chromophores Determines the Reaction PathwayCHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 17 2010Chensheng Ma Dr. Abstract 3,,5,-Dimethoxybenzoin (DMB) is a bichromophoric system that has widespread application as a highly efficient photoremovable protecting group (PRPG) for the release of diverse functional groups. The photodeprotection of DMB phototriggers is remarkably clean, and is accompanied by the formation of a biologically benign cyclization product, 3,,5,-dimethoxybenzofuran (DMBF). The underlying mechanism of the DMB deprotection and cyclization has, however, until now remained unclear. Femtosecond transient absorption (fs-TA) spectroscopy and nanosecond time-resolved resonance Raman (ns-TR3) spectroscopy were employed to detect the transient species directly, and examine the dynamic transformations involved in the primary photoreactions for DMB diethyl phosphate (DMBDP) in acetonitrile (CH3CN). To assess the electronic character and the role played by the individual sub-chromophore, that is, the benzoyl, and the di- meta -methoxybenzylic moieties, for the DMBDP deprotection, comparative fs-TA measurements were also carried out for the reference compounds diethyl phosphate acetophenone (DPAP), and 3,,5,-dimethoxybenzylic diethyl phosphate (DMBnDP) in the same solvent. Comparison of the fs-TA spectra reveals that the photoexcited DMBDP exhibits distinctly different spectral character and dynamic evolution from those of the reference compounds. This fact, combined with the related steady-state spectral and density functional theoretical results, strongly suggests the presence in DMBDP of a significant interaction between the two sub-chromophores, and that this interaction plays a governing role in determining the nature of the photoexcitation and the reaction channel of the subsequent photophysical and photochemical transformations. The ns-TR3 results and their correlation with the fs-TA spectra and dynamics provide evidence for a novel concerted deprotection,cyclization mechanism for DMBDP in CH3CN. By monitoring the direct generation of the transient DMBF product, the cyclization time constant was determined unequivocally to be ,1,ns. This indicates that there is little relevance for the long-lived intermediates (>10,ns) in giving the DMBF product, and excludes the stepwise mechanism proposed in the literature as the major pathway for the DMB cyclization reaction. This work provides important new insights into the origin of the 3,,5,-dimethoxy substitution effect for the DMB photodeprotection. It also helps to clarify the many different views presented in previous mechanistic studies of the DMB PRPGs. In addition to this, our fs-TA results on the reference compound DMBnDP in CH3CN provide the first direct observation (to the best of our knowledge) showing the predominance of a prompt (,2,ps) heterolytic bond cleavage after photoexcitation of meta -methoxybenzylic compounds. This provides insight into the long-term controversies about the photoinitiated dissociation mode of related substituted benzylic compounds. [source] Functional benefits of predator species diversity depend on prey identityECOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 5 2005A. Wilby Abstract., 1.,Determining the functional significance of species diversity in natural enemy assemblages is a key step towards prediction of the likely impact of biodiversity loss on natural pest control processes. While the biological control literature contains examples in which increased natural enemy diversity hinders pest control, other studies have highlighted mechanisms where pest suppression is promoted by increased enemy diversity. 2.,This study aimed to test whether increased predator species diversity results in higher rates of predation on two key, but contrasting, insect pest species commonly found in the rice ecosystems of south-east Asia. 3.,Glasshouse experiments were undertaken in which four life stages of a planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) and a moth (Marasmia patnalis) were caged with single or three-species combinations of generalist predators. 4.,Generally, predation rates of the three-species assemblages exceeded expectation when attacking M. patnalis, but not when attacking N. lugens. In addition, a positive effect of increased predator species richness on overall predation rate was found with M. patnalis but not with N. lugens. 5.,The results are consistent with theoretical predictions that morphological and behavioural differentiation among prey life stages promotes functional complementarity among predator species. This indicates that emergent species diversity effects in natural enemy assemblages are context dependent; they depend not only on the characteristics of the predators species, but on the identity of the species on which they prey. [source] Immediate Benefits of a Brief 10-Minute Exercise Protocol in a Chronic Pain Population: A Pilot StudyPAIN MEDICINE, Issue 4 2010Amy Burleson Sullivan PsyD Abstract Objective., Determining the acute effects of a brief, 10-minute exercise protocol on pain, mood, and perceived exertion. Patients., Twenty-eight subjects who were admitted to the Cleveland Clinic Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program (CPRP), and who were capable of completing an experimenter-designed and controlled treadmill protocol were included in this pilot study. Methods., A within-group repeated measure analysis was used to compare 28 subjects admitted to the Cleveland Clinic CPRP. Measures of heart rate were obtained using the Nellcor Oximax, pulse oximeter; measures of mood and pain were obtained using a 0,10 Likert scale, and perceived exertion measured with a visual analog scale. Each measure was taken pre- and post-10-minute exercise protocol. Results., The brief exercise protocol was associated with self-report of immediate antidepressant and anxiolytic effects. Additionally, after the 3-week CPRP, self-reports in perceived exertion decreased. Brief exercise was not found to have an acute analgesic effect. Conclusion., This preliminary research revealed a temporal association of improvement in self-rated anxiety and depression, following a brief exercise protocol, and over the course of 3 weeks leads to decreased perceived exertion. Therefore suggesting that brief exercise is a safe, nonpharmacologic strategy for immediately improving mood, and has further implications for mortality risk. [source] Development of Feminizing Genitoplasty for Gender DysphoriaTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 4i 2007FRCS(Urol), Jonathan Charles Goddard MD ABSTRACT Introduction., Determining the history and development of feminizing genitoplasty is fascinating and instructive but fraught with difficulty. Earliest examples relate to practices carried out in ancient cultures. Gender reassignment surgery (GRS) developed from reconstructive procedures for congenital abnormalities. Some surgery was disguised, techniques were not recorded, and operations were carried out in secret. Aim., The aim of this article is to review the historical development of male-to-female GRS. Methods., Information was gleaned from Medline and general Internet searches. Further evidence was found by reviewing the references of early articles. A fascinating insight was also found in the autobiographies of GRS patients. Results., The first recorded case was by Abrahams in 1931. Techniques evolved from the early vaginal absence work of Beck and Graves. Pioneers of GRS were Sir Harold Gillies in England and Georges Burou of Casablanca. In the 1950s, they both used invagination of the penile skin sheath to form a vagina. Howard Jones, of Johns Hopkins, published the second classic technique using penile and scrotal skin flaps. These two methods form the basis of male-to-female GRS today. The history of GRS reveals a struggle to improve functionality as well as cosmesis. In particular, the neovagina but also a functioning neoclitoris, which has developed from a cosmetic swelling into an innovated organ, derived from the glans penis and harvested penile neurovascular bundle. Conclusions., Improved function and cosmesis continue to be the aim of the gender dysphoria surgeon. However, this review suggests the future management of transwomen should address not only refinements of surgical techniques but also prospective collection of posttreatment quality-of-life issues. Goddard JC, Vickery RM, and Terry TR. Development of feminizing genitoplasty for gender dysphoria. J Sex Med 2007;4:981,989. [source] A fast triangle to triangle intersection test for collision detectionCOMPUTER ANIMATION AND VIRTUAL WORLDS (PREV: JNL OF VISUALISATION & COMPUTER ANIMATION), Issue 5 2006Oren Tropp Abstract The triangle-to-triangle intersection test is a basic component of all collision detection data structures and algorithms. This paper presents a fast method for testing whether two triangles embedded in three dimensions intersect. Our technique solves the basic sets of linear equations associated with the problem and exploits the strong relations between these sets to speed up their solution. Moreover, unlike previous techniques, with very little additional cost, the exact intersection coordinates can be determined. Finally, our technique uses general principles that can be applied to similar problems such as rectangle-to-rectangle intersection tests, and generally to problems where several equation sets are strongly related. We show that our algorithm saves about 20% of the mathematical operations used by the best previous triangle-to-triangle intersection algorithm. Our experiments also show that it runs 18.9% faster than the fastest previous algorithm on average for typical scenarios of collision detection (on Pentium 4). Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Effect of low-dose cisapride on gastric emptying and QTc interval in preterm infantsACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 12 2000C Costalos The aim of the study was a prospective survey of the effects of low-dose cisapride on gastric emptying and QTc interval in very low birthweight infants. Twenty low birthweight infants were studied: mean (SD) gestation 30.5 (2.2) wk; birthweight 1320 (150)g. Gastric emptying was assessed ultrasonically in 15 of these infants, in a randomized blind crossover study, following 24-h low-dose oral cisapride administration (0.1 mg/kg given 8 hourly), or placebo. The QTc interval was also determined in all 20 infants following a 7-d course of cisapride or placebo. Conclusions: Cisapride significantly shortened both gastric emptying time and QTc interval (p < 0.05) compared to placebo. All infants completed the study without any apparent adverse effects. In conclusion, low-dose cisapride administration significantly improves gastric emptying without increasing the QTc interval. [source] Gradient-based Interpolation and Sampling for Real-time Rendering of Inhomogeneous, Single-scattering MediaCOMPUTER GRAPHICS FORUM, Issue 7 2008Zhong Ren Abstract We present a real-time rendering algorithm for inhomogeneous, single scattering media, where all-frequency shading effects such as glows, light shafts, and volumetric shadows can all be captured. The algorithm first computes source radiance at a small number of sample points in the medium, then interpolates these values at other points in the volume using a gradient-based scheme that is efficiently applied by sample splatting. The sample points are dynamically determined based on a recursive sample splitting procedure that adapts the number and locations of sample points for accurate and efficient reproduction of shading variations in the medium. The entire pipeline can be easily implemented on the GPU to achieve real-time performance for dynamic lighting and scenes. Rendering results of our method are shown to be comparable to those from ray tracing. [source] GPU-Based Nonlinear Ray TracingCOMPUTER GRAPHICS FORUM, Issue 3 2004Daniel Weiskopf In this paper, we present a mapping of nonlinear ray tracing to the GPU which avoids any data transfer back to main memory. The rendering process consists of the following parts: ray setup according to the camera parameters, ray integration, ray-object intersection, and local illumination. Bent rays are approximated by polygonal lines that are represented by textures. Ray integration is based on an iterative numerical solution of ordinary differential equations whose initial values are determined during ray setup. To improve the rendering performance, we propose acceleration techniques such as early ray termination and adaptive ray integration. Finally, we discuss a variety of applications that range from the visualization of dynamical systems to the general relativistic visualization in astrophysics and the rendering of the continuous refraction in media with varying density. Categories and Subject Descriptors (according to ACM CCS): I.3.3 [Computer Graphics]: Picture/Image Generation I.3.7 [Computer Graphics]: Three-Dimensional Graphics and Realism [source] Long-Term Monitoring and Identification of Bridge Structural ParametersCOMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, Issue 2 2009Serdar Soyoz This three-span 111-m long bridge is instrumented with 13 acceleration sensors at both the superstructure and the columns. The sensor data are transmitted to a server computer wirelessly. Modal parameters of the bridge, that is, the frequencies and the modal shapes were identified by processing 1,707 vibration data sets collected under traffic excitations, based on which the bridge structural parameters, stiffness and mass, and the soil spring values were identified by employing the neural network technique. The identified superstructure stiffness at the beginning of the monitoring was 97% of the stiffness value based on the design drawings. In the identified modal frequencies, a variation from ,10% to +10% was observed over the monitoring period. In the identified stiffness values of the bridge superstructure, a variation from ,3% to +3% was observed over the monitoring period. Based on the statistical analysis of the collected data for each year, 5% decrease in the first modal frequency and 2% decrease in the superstructure stiffness were observed over the 5-year monitoring period. Probability density functions were obtained for stiffness values each year. Stiffness threshold values for the collapse of the bridge under the operational loading can be determined. Then the number of years can be assessed for which the area under the proposed probability density functions is greater than the threshold value. So the information obtained in this study is valuable for studying aging and long-term performance assessment of similar bridges. [source] Collapse of Reinforced Concrete Column by Vehicle ImpactCOMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, Issue 6 2008Hing-Ho Tsang The column slenderness ratio can be in the order of 6,9. Some of these buildings are right next to busy streets and hence continuously exposed to the potential hazard of a vehicle impacting on a column in an accident. In the early part of this study, the ultimate energy absorption capacity of a reinforced concrete column is compared to the kinetic energy embodied in the moving vehicle. The energy-absorption capacity is calculated from the force-displacement curve of the column as determined from a nonlinear static (push-over) analysis. The ultimate displacement of the column is defined at the point when the column fails to continue carrying the full gravitational loading. Results obtained from the nonlinear static analysis have been evaluated by computer simulations of the dynamic behavior of the column following the impact. Limitations in the static analysis procedure have been demonstrated. The effects of strain rate have been discussed and the sensitivity of the result to changes in the velocity function and stiffness of the impacting vehicle has also been studied. [source] Position-Invariant Neural Network for Digital Pavement Crack AnalysisCOMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, Issue 2 2004Byoung Jik Lee This system includes three neural networks: (1) image-based neural network, (2) histogram-based neural network, and (3) proximity-based neural network. These three neural networks were developed to classify various crack types based on the subimages (crack tiles) rather than crack pixels in digital pavement images. These spatial neural networks were trained using artificially generated data following the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guidelines. The optimal architecture of each neural network was determined based on the testing results from different sets of the number of hidden units, learning coefficients, and the number of training epochs. To validate the system, actual pavement pictures taken from pavements as well as the computer-generated data were used. The proximity value is determined by computing relative distribution of crack tiles within the image. The proximity-based neural network effectively searches the patterns of various crack types in both horizontal and vertical directions while maintaining its position invariance. The final result indicates that the proximity-based neural network produced the best result with the accuracy of 95.2% despite its simplest neural network structure with the least computing requirement. [source] 3D Image Segmentation of Aggregates from Laser ProfilingCOMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, Issue 4 2003Hyoungkwan Kim Automated scanners of different designs use cameras or lasers to obtain digital images of groups of aggregate particles. To accurately determine particle size and shape parameters, each particle region in the image must be isolated and processed individually. Here, a method for segmenting a particle image acquired from laser profiling is developed using a Canny edge detector and a watershed transformation. Canny edges with rigorous and liberal threshold values are used to outline particle boundaries on a binary image and to check the validity of watersheds, respectively. To find appropriate regional minima in the watershed transformation, a varying search window method is used, where the number of neighboring pixels being compared with the pixel of interest is determined from the height value of the pixel. Test results with this method are promising. When implemented in automated systems that are designed to rapidly assess size and shape characteristics of stone particles, this technique can not only reduce the amount of time required for aggregate preparation, but also increase the accuracy of analysis results. [source] Calculated on 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts of 2,4-difluorobenzaldehyde isonicotinoylhydrazone and 2,3-dichlorobenzaldehyde isonicotinoylhydrazone with GIAO, IGAIM, and CSGT modelsCONCEPTS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE, Issue 5 2009N. Günay Abstract The 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts of the 2,4-difluorobenzaldehyde isonicotinoylhydrazone (I) and 2,3-dichlorobenzaldehyde isonicotinoylhydrazone (II) were determined with the help of full spectral analysis. The geometry and electronic structure of the title compounds were investigated at both the ab initio Hartree-Fock and the B3LYP levels with 6-31+G(d,p) basis set. The NMR data were calculated by means of the GIAO, CSGT, and IGAIM methods. All quantum-chemical calculations, including those of NMR data, were performed by ab initio level HF and DFT methods. Excellent agreement between the theoretical and experimental results was found for the HF level 1H and 13C chemical shifts. The parameters of molecular geometry and 1H and 13C chemical shift values of the title compounds (I, II) in the ground state have been calculated and and compared with corresponding experimental result. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 34A: 297,304, 2009. [source] Effect of slice angle on inhomogeneity artifact and its correction in slice-selective MR imagingCONCEPTS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE, Issue 4 2009Kwan-Jin Jung Abstract The inhomogeneity of a local magnetic field causes an image artifact of geometric distortion and intensity abnormality because of the slice offset and readout shift in slice-selective MR imaging. It has been found that this artifact can be corrected by the projection of the slice offset onto the readout axis at a certain oblique slice angle. The slice angle for the artifact correction is determined by the amplitude of slice selection and readout gradients, and is independent of the magnetic field inhomogeneity and the main magnetic field direction. In addition, the existing view-angle tilting technique is found to be valid only for the slice orientation orthogonal to the object axis. The slice angle effect on the inhomogeneity artifact was confirmed experimentally through phantom and volunteer's head imaging for both regular and view-angle tilted spin echo sequences at 3 T. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Concepts Magn Reson Part A 34A: 238,248, 2009. [source] |