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Different Procedures (different + procedure)
Selected AbstractsExpression of Interferon-tau mRNA in Bovine Embryos Derived from Different ProceduresREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 1 2009N Yao Contents Interferon-tau (IFN-,) is a secreted conceptus protein which plays a critical role in the establishment of ruminant pregnancy by its antiluteolytic and antiviral effects. In the present study, we hypothesized that IFN-, expression was temporally and spatially regulated in different pre-implantation embryos and the levels of IFN-, expression were different among bovine embryos derived from parthenogenetic activation (PA), in vitro fertilization (IVF) and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). By using in situ hybridization with Digoxingenin (DIG)-labelled IFN-, cDNA as a probe, we detected IFN-, mRNA in bovine embryos from days 3 to 9 in culture. However, the timing of the initiation of IFN-, mRNA expression was different among PA, IVF and SCNT embryos. Interferon-, mRNA was first expressed in 16-cell stage IVF embryos on day 4, in SCNT morula on day 5 and early PA blastocyst on day 6. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that the expression levels of IFN-, mRNA did not differ significantly among IVF, SCNT and PA embryos on day 7. In addition, freezing and thawing did not have a major impact either on IFN-, mRNA expression in IVF or in vivo -produced bovine blastocysts. [source] A new endoscopic technique for suspension of esophageal prosthesis for refractory caustic esophageal stricturesDISEASES OF THE ESOPHAGUS, Issue 3 2008E. Ancona SUMMARY., There is no clear consensus concerning the best endoscopic treatment of benign refractory esophageal strictures due to caustic ingestion. Different procedures are currently used: frequent multiple dilations, retrievable self-expanding stent, nasogastric intubation and surgery. We describe a new technique to fix a suspended esophageal silicone prosthesis to the neck in benign esophageal strictures; this permits us to avoid the frequent risk of migration of the expandable metallic or plastic stents. Under general anesthesia a rigid esophagoscope was placed in the patient's hypopharynx. Using transillumination from the optical device, the patient's neck was pierced with a needle. A n.0 monofilament surgical wire was pushed into the needle, grasped by a standard foreign body forceps through the esophagoscope and pulled out of the mouth (as in percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy procedure). After tying the proximal end of the silicone prosthesis with the wire, it was placed through the strictures under endoscopic view. This procedure was successfully utilized in four patients suffering from benign refractory esophageal strictures due to caustic ingestion. The prosthesis and its suspension from the neck were well-tolerated until removal (mean duration 4 months). A postoperative transitory myositis was diagnosed in only one patient. One of the most frequent complications of esophageal prostheses in refractory esophageal strictures due to caustic ingestion is distal migration. Different solutions were proposed. For example the suspension of a wire coming from the nose and then fixed behind the ear. This solution is not considered optimal because of patient complaints and moreover the aesthetic aspect is compromised. The procedure we utilized in four patients utilized the setting of a silicone tube hanging from the neck in a way similar to that of endoscopic pharyngostomy. This solution is a valid alternative both for quality of life and for functional results. [source] Direct solution of ill-posed boundary value problems by radial basis function collocation methodINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 1 2005A. H.-D. Abstract Numerical solution of ill-posed boundary value problems normally requires iterative procedures. In a typical solution, the ill-posed problem is first converted to a well-posed one by assuming the missing boundary values. The new problem is solved by a conventional numerical technique and the solution is checked against the unused data. The problem is solved iteratively using optimization schemes until convergence is achieved. The present paper offers a different procedure. Using the radial basis function collocation method, we demonstrate that the solution of certain ill-posed problems can be accomplished without iteration. This method not only is efficient and accurate, but also circumvents the stability problem that can exist in the iterative method. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The algebraic approach to the phase problemACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION A, Issue 5 2005A. Cervellino A rather detailed report is presented on the present status of the algebraic approach to the phase problem in the case of an ideal crystal in order to make clear that some points must still be proven for it to apply to neutron scattering. To make this extension, the most important results that were previously obtained in the case of X-ray scattering are derived again by a different procedure. By so doing, the three-dimensional case is treated explicitly, the polynomial equations in a single variable whose roots determine the positions of the scattering centres are explicitly reported and the procedure is shown to generalize to neutron scattering, overcoming the difficulty related to the non-positivity of the scattering density. In this way, it is fully proven that the atomicity assumption removes the phase ambiguity in the sense that the full diffraction pattern of an ideal crystal can uniquely be reconstructed from a suitable finite portion of it in both X-ray and neutron scattering. The procedures able to isolate these portions that contain the pattern's full information are also given. [source] Oral Isotretinoin as Part of the Treatment of Cutaneous AgingDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 7 2000Enrique Hernandez-Perez MD Background. A number of drugs have been used to prevent aging changes. However, studies of oral isotretinoin, the commonly used acne drug, as an antiaging drug are lacking. Objective. To determine improvement in cutaneous aging utilizing oral isotretinoin combined with different procedures of facial rejuvenation. Methods. Sixty patients ranging in age from 35 to 65 years, in whom additional modalities of rejuvenation were also used, were randomly assigned to receive treatment with oral isotretinoin (10,20 mg three times a week for 2 months, group A). Their results were compared with 60 patients who had undergone the same surgical procedures but with no oral isotretinoin (group B). Results. All patients treated with oral isotretinoin noted improvement in wrinkles, thickness and color of the skin, size of pores, skin elasticity, tone, and reduction in pigmented lesions and mottled hyperpigmentation. A statistically significant difference was found in the improvement of group A (Wilcoxon test <0.01). Using minimal amounts of this drug, the side effects were practically negligible. Conclusion. Utilizing various procedures with oral isotretinoin allowed us to improve the effects of cutaneous aging. Our results using isotretinoin in these cases have been satisfactory. We believe that this is one of the first reports of the use of oral isotretinoin in intrinsic and photoaged skin. [source] Inelastic spectra for infilled reinforced concrete framesEARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING AND STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS, Issue 15 2004Matja Abstract In two companion papers a simplified non-linear analysis procedure for infilled reinforced concrete frames is introduced. In this paper a simple relation between strength reduction factor, ductility and period (R,µ,T relation) is presented. It is intended to be used for the determination of inelastic displacement ratios and of inelastic spectra in conjunction with idealized elastic spectra. The R,µ,T relation was developed from results of an extensive parametric study employing a SDOF mathematical model composed of structural elements representing the frame and infill. The structural parameters, used in the proposed R,µ,T relation, in addition to the parameters used in a usual (e.g. elasto-plastic) system, are ductility at the beginning of strength degradation, and the reduction of strength after the failure of the infills. Formulae depend also on the corner periods of the elastic spectrum. The proposed equations were validated by comparing results in terms of the reduction factors, inelastic displacement ratios, and inelastic spectra in the acceleration,displacement format, with those obtained by non-linear dynamic analyses for three sets of recorded and semi-artificial ground motions. A new approach was used for generating semi-artificial ground motions compatible with the target spectrum. This approach preserves the basic characteristics of individual ground motions, whereas the mean spectrum of the whole ground motion set fits the target spectrum excellently. In the parametric study, the R,µ,T relation was determined by assuming a constant reduction factor, while the corresponding ductility was calculated for different ground motions. The mean values proved to be noticeably different from the mean values determined based on a constant ductility approach, while the median values determined by the different procedures were between the two means. The approach employed in the study yields a R,µ,T relation which is conservative both for design and performance assessment (compared with a relation based on median values). Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Geographic variation in the field response of male European pine sawflies, Neodiprion sertifer, to different pheromone stereoisomers and estersENTOMOLOGIA EXPERIMENTALIS ET APPLICATA, Issue 3 2000O. Anderbrant Abstract The European pine sawfly, Neodiprion sertifer (Geoffroy) (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae), is a widespread and economically important forest insect. The sex pheromone communication system of this species has been previously investigated in North America, Japan and Europe, with the acetate or propionate of the alcohol (2S,3S,7S)-3,7-dimethyl-2-pentadecanol (diprionol) shown to be the main pheromone component. In some locations, male attraction either increased or decreased by the addition of the (2S,3R,7R)-diprionyl acetate isomer. However, these studies were made with different batches of synthetic pheromones, with different types of traps and according to different procedures, so the observed differences might not reflect true geographic variation. Here we investigate the geographic pattern of male sawfly response by using identical chemicals, traps and experimental procedures at eight field sites ranging from Japan in the east to Canada in the west. We found an increased inhibitory effect of the (2S,3R,7R)-isomer from Japan and Siberia to Europe. At the eastern sites, increasing amounts of the (2S,3R,7R)-isomer up to and equal to the amount of the (2S,3S,7S )-isomer, did not influence the trap catch, whereas at sites in Europe, as little as 1% of the (2S,3R,7R)-isomer almost completely inhibited the attraction. The response of the North American population was intermediate. The only site in which the (2S,3R,7R)-isomer was essential for the attraction of males was in Siberia. A similar pattern was found for the (2S,3R,7S)-isomer. Both the acetate and the propionate form of the (2S,3S,7S)-isomer were attractive by themselves in Japan, Europe and North America, and neither the (2S,3R,7S)-isomer nor the (2S,3R,7R)-isomer alone were attractive, in the acetate or propionate form. We discuss the significance of our findings for the development of more efficient monitoring schemes and for the causes of population divergence and speciation in the European pine sawfly. [source] Caecal impactions managed surgically by typhlotomy in 10 cases (1988,1998)EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, Issue S32 2000C. T. ROBERTS Summary Surgical management of caecal impactions has included several different procedures suggested over the years. Complete bypass of the caecum through an ileocolic or jejunocolic anastomosis has become common practice for first time caecal impaction management, especially when dysfunction is suspected. In our practice, however, caecal impactions have been managed surgically by typhlotomy alone and of the 10 cases (July 1988-June 1998), 9 underwent surgery for first time caecal impactions, received a typhlotomy, and had survived an average of 43 months at time of case review. At the time of surgery, all were considered to have a dysfunctional caecum. All horses received routine postoperative care with the addition of anthelmintics as recovery of Anoplocephala perfoliata occurred in several cases. Typhlotomy should be considered an acceptable technique for surgical management of first time caecal impactions. Postoperative pyrantel pamoate and larvicidal anthelmintics should also be considered. [source] Extraction, purification and characterization of wax from flax (Linum usitatissimum) strawEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF LIPID SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 7 2009Yasantha Athukorala Abstract The chemical composition and selected physical parameters of wax extracted from flax straw with supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) and hexane have been determined. From the GC/MS results, clear variations in composition and component distributions were observed between SC-CO2 - and hexane-extracted samples. The major components of the SC-CO2 and hexane extracts from three flax cultivars were: fatty acids (36,49%), fatty alcohols (20,26%), aldehydes (10,14%), wax esters (5,12%), sterols (7,9%) and alkanes (4,5%). Purification of SC-CO2 -extracted wax with silica gel chromatography yielded 0.4,0.5% (dry matter) and was composed primarily of wax esters (C44, C46 and C48) and alkanes (C27, C29 and C31). UV-Vis scans of the purified wax samples exhibited two main peaks indicating the presence of conjugated dienes and carotenoids or related compounds. Fourier transform infrared results showed prominent peaks at 2918 (-C-H), 2849 (-C-H), 1745 (-C=O), 1462 (-C-H), 1169 (-C-O) and 719,cm,1 (-(CH2)n -), with NorLin wax showing a slightly deviating pattern compared to the other samples. Thermal analysis by differential scanning calorimetry revealed a mean melting point of 55,56,°C and oxidation temperatures of 146,153,°C for purified wax from flax straw processed using different procedures. [source] REM sleep enhancement induced by different procedures improves memory retention in ratsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 9 2003Wolfram Wetzel Abstract Growing evidence supports the idea that sleep following learning is critically involved in memory formation. Recent studies suggest that information acquired during waking is reactivated and possibly consolidated during subsequent sleep, especially during rapid-eye movement (REM) or paradoxical sleep (PS). Critical reviews, however, have questioned PS and memory relationships, particularly because of shortcomings of the PS deprivation paradigm applied in many studies. Therefore, in the present study we used an opposite strategy, i.e. we investigated the effects of PS enhancement on memory retention. In three experiments, we found that selective PS enhancement, induced by different procedures after discrimination training in rats, results in increased retention tested 24 h later. Moreover, calculated in all animals (n = 61), there was a highly significant correlation between post-training PS values and retention scores. Our results suggest that an experimentally induced increase of PS after learning facilitates memory consolidation. [source] A comparison of different models of stroke on behaviour and brain morphologyEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 7 2003C.L.R. Gonzalez Abstract We compared the effects of three models of permanent ischemia, as well as cortical aspiration, on behaviour and brain morphology. Rats received a stroke either by devascularization or by two different procedures of medial cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO; small vs. large). Animals were trained in a reaching task, forepaw asymmetry, forepaw inhibition, sunflower seed task and tongue extension. Behaviour was assessed 1 week after the lesion and at 2-week intervals for a total of 9 weeks. One week after the surgery all animals were severely impaired on all tasks and although they improved over time they only reached preoperative base lines on tongue extension. Animals with small MCAOs performed better in reaching and sunflower tasks; no other behavioural differences were detected among the groups. Pyramidal cells in forelimb and cingulate areas as well as spiny neurons of the striatum were examined for dendritic branching and spine density using a Golgi,Cox procedure. Each lesion type had a different impact on cell morphology. Overall, different changes (atrophy or hypertrophy) were observed with each kind of lesion and these changes were specific for the region (forelimb, cingulate, striatum) and the condition (intact vs. damaged hemisphere). These results suggest that: (i) different lesions to the motor cortex produce subtle differences in behaviour, and (ii) the method used to induce the lesion produces striking differences in cortical and subcortical plasticity. [source] What determines the degree of compactness of a calcium-binding protein?FEBS JOURNAL, Issue 4 2009Liliane Mouawad The EF-hand calcium-binding proteins may exist either in an extended or a compact conformation. This conformation is sometimes correlated with the function of the calcium-binding protein. For those proteins whose structure and function are known, calcium sensors are usually extended and calcium buffers compact; hence, there is interest in predicting the form of the protein starting from its sequence. In the present study, we used two different procedures: one that already exists in the literature, the sosuidumbbell algorithm, mainly based on the charges of the two EF-hand domains, and the other comprising a novel procedure that is based on linker average hydrophilicity. The linker consists of the residues that connect the domains. The two procedures were tested on 17 known-structure calcium-binding proteins and then applied to 59 unknown-structure centrins. The sosuidumbbell algorithm yielded the correct conformations for only 15 of the known-structure proteins and predicted that all centrins should be in a closed form. The linker average hydrophilicity procedure discriminated well between all the extended and non-extended forms of the known-structure calcium-binding proteins, and its prediction concerning centrins reflected well their phylogenetic classification. The linker average hydrophilicity criterion is a simple and powerful means to discriminate between extended and non-extended forms of calcium-binding proteins. What is remarkable is that only a few residues that constitute the linker (between 2 and 20 in our tested sample of proteins) are responsible for the form of the calcium-binding protein, showing that this form is mainly governed by short-range interactions. [source] M-theory and gauged supergravities,FORTSCHRITTE DER PHYSIK/PROGRESS OF PHYSICS, Issue 2 2005D. Roest Abstract We present a pedagogical discussion of the emergence of gauged supergravities from M-theory. First, a review of maximal supergravity and its global symmetries and supersymmetric solutions is given. Next, different procedures of dimensional reduction are explained: reductions over a torus, a group manifold and a coset manifold and reductions with a twist. Emphasis is placed on the consistency of the truncations, the resulting gaugings and the possibility to generate field equations without an action. Using these techniques, we construct a number of gauged maximal supergravities in diverse dimensions with a string or M-theory origin. One class consists of the CSO gaugings, which comprise the analytic continuations and group contractions of SO(n) gaugings. We construct the corresponding half-supersymmetric domain walls and discuss their uplift to D- and M-brane distributions. Furthermore, a number of gauged maximal supergravities are constructed that do not have an action. [source] Identifying and managing inhibitor patients requiring orthopaedic surgery , the multidisciplinary team approachHAEMOPHILIA, Issue 2005C. LUDLAM Summary., Until recently, surgery in haemophilia patients with inhibitors was strongly contraindicated and was therefore often not even contemplated. Inhibitor patients entering the surgical arena face unique challenges; the most frequently encountered problem during surgical intervention is bleeding, and thrombosis is occasionally observed. The activated prothrombin complex concentrate, FEIBATM, and recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) are available as haemostatic cover during surgery. The use of rFVIIa enables inhibitor patients to undergo orthopaedic surgery with an expectation of success, and results are generally good. An organized team approach is critical to this success. However, further information is required to enable different procedures to be optimized in terms of both outcome and safety. [source] Effects of different pre-freezing blanching procedures on the physicochemical properties of Brassica rapa leaves (Turnip Greens, Grelos)INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 9 2006Alicia del Carmen Mondragón-Portocarrero Summary For optimal freeze storage, green vegetables should first be blanched. The present study compared four different procedures for the blanching of grelos (leaves of Brassica rapa L.): steaming for 2 min, immersion in boiling water for 2 min, immersion in boiling water containing 1% citric acid for 1 min, and immersion in boiling water containing 5% citric acid for 1 min. After blanching, the grelos were stored for up to 120 days at ,18 °C, with sampling at two-weekly intervals for analysis of physicochemical properties (ash weight, vitamin C content, pH, acid value, moisture content and CIEL*a*b* colour variables). In almost all respects steam blanching gave the best results: notably, vitamin C losses were markedly lower, while moisture content and colour remained closer to those of the fresh product. [source] The role of economics in irrigation water management,,IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE, Issue 2 2006Petra J. G. J. Hellegers allocation optimale de l'eau; fonction de satisfaction sociale; instruments économiques Abstract Economic literature and international conferences have extensively discussed the importance of treating irrigation water as an economic good, but there is still confusion about the role of economics in irrigation water management. Economics provides us with two contributions: analytical tools that help predict and interpret implications of various allocation procedures, and economic instruments that can assist in guiding users towards socially desirable outcomes. In this article the potential role of both contributions to improved irrigation water management is discussed, which is an extension of conventional work in this field. It becomes clear that, at this point in time, there is little empirical evidence of the effectiveness of economic instruments in irrigation water management. Economics mainly plays a role in understanding the implications of different procedures for allocating water, and guiding policymakers in defining appropriate allocation rules. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. La littérature économique et les conférences internationales ont débattu en détail de l'importance de traiter l'eau d'irrigation comme un bien économique, mais il règne encore une certaine confusion sur le rôle de l'économie dans la gestion de l'eau en irrigation. La science économique nous fournit deux contributions: des outils analytiques qui aident à prévoir et à interpréter les implications de diverses procédures d'allocation, et des instruments économiques qui peuvent aider à guider les usagers vers des effets socialement souhaitables. Dans cet article le rôle potentiel de ces deux apports dans l'amélioration de la gestion de l'eau en irrigation est examiné, ce qui va plus loin que l'approche traditionnelle dans ce domaine. Il devient clair que, à ce jour, il existe peu de preuves empiriques de l'effectivité des instruments économiques dans la gestion de l'eau en irrigation. L'économie joue surtout un rôle dans la compréhension des implications des différentes procédures d'allocation de l'eau, et dans la définition des règles d'allocation appropriées. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The Legislative Powers and Impact of the European ParliamentJCMS: JOURNAL OF COMMON MARKET STUDIES, Issue 2 2003Andreas Maurer This article investigates the impact of the legislative powers of the European Parliament (EP), particularly the co-decision procedure. After explaining the development of the legislative procedures, the article analyses the extent to which the different procedures have been used since their creation. It then considers how growing legislative power has affected the EP's internal development, how far the EP has been able to influence EU legislation, and whether EP involvement in legislation has enhanced or impeded the efficiency of the EU legislative process. The article concludes by considering possible areas for further reform of the EP's role in the EU's legislative system. [source] Membranes of cellulose triacetate produced from sugarcane bagasse cellulose as alternative matrices for doxycycline incorporationJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 6 2009Guimes Rodrigues Filho Abstract Cellulose triacetate (CTA) membranes were prepared using polyethylene glycol, 600 g mol,1, (PEG) as additive and were utilized in essays of doxycycline (DOX) incorporation using two different procedures: (i) incorporation of the drug during the membrane preparation and (ii) incorporation of the drug to a previously prepared membrane. In the first, the produced membrane presented high compatibility between DOX and CTA, what was evidenced by analyzing the DSC curve for a CTA/PEG 50%/DOX system. Results showed that the drug is homogeneously distributed throughout the matrix, molecularly. In the second method, the drug was molecularly and superficially adsorbed, as seen through the DSC curve for the system CTA/PEG 10%/DOX, which nearly does not present alterations in relation to the original material, and through the isotherm of drug adsorption that follows the Langmuir model. Results showed that the membranes produced from sugarcane bagasse are adequate to produce matrices for drug-controlled release, both for enteric use (Method (i)) and topic use (Method (ii)). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009 [source] Technical limits of comparison of step-sectioning,immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR on breast cancer sentinel nodes: a study on methacarn-fixed tissueJOURNAL OF CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE, Issue 9b 2009Lorenzo Daniele Abstract The optimal pathological assessment of sentinel nodes (SLNs) in breast cancer is a matter of debate. Currently, multilevel histological evaluation and immunohistochemistry (IHC) are recommended, but alternative RT-PCR procedures have been developed. To assess the reliability of these different procedures, we devised a step-sectioning protocol at 100 micron-intervals of 74 SLNs using methacarn fixation. mRNA was extracted from sections collected from levels 4 to 5. Mammaglobin, CEA and CK19 were used for RT-PCR. mRNA extraction was successful in 69 SLNs. Of these, 7 showed macrometastases (>2mm), 2 showed micrometastases (<2 mm) and 7 showed isolated tumour cells (ITC) by IHC. RT-PCR was positive for the three markers in 6 of 7 macrometastases and in 1 of 2 micrometastases. In the 2 RT-PCR negative cases, metastases were detected only on sections distant from those analysed by RT-PCR. CEA and/or CK19 were positive by RT-PCR in 3 of 7 ITC and in 23 morphologically negative SLNs. In conclusion, the main goal of our study was to show that the use of alternate sections of the same sample for different procedures is the key reason for the discrepancies between molecular and morphological analyses of SLN. We believe that only prospective studies with quantitative mRNA analysis of specific metastatic markers on the whole lymph node can elucidate the utility of molecular assessments of SLN. [source] Comparison of infrabony defects treated with enamel matrix derivative versus guided tissue regeneration with a nonresorbable membraneJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 5 2003A multicenter controlled clinical trial Abstract Aim: The purpose of the present multicenter clinical trial was to compare the efficacy of two different procedures in the treatment of infrabony defects: guided tissue regeneration (GTR) with nonresorbable membranes and enamel matrix derivative (EMD). Material and methods: Six centers participated in this study. Ninety-eight patients with an interproximal infrabony defect were selected. All patients were treated with an initial phase of scaling and root planing, and at the study's baseline the selected defects presented a value of probing depth (PD) ,6 mm with an infrabony component ,4 mm. Forty-nine patients were treated with GTR procedures (using ePTFE membranes (Gore-Tex W.L. Gore and Associates, Flagstaff, AZ, USA)) and forty-nine with EMDs (Emdogain® (Û Biora AB Malm, Sweden)). The efficacy of each treatment modality was investigated through covariance analysis. Results: The patients were reevaluated at one year postop. Probing attachment level (PAL) gain and PD reduction were analyzed. In the Emdogain® group the PAL before surgery (PAL 0) and the PD before surgery (PD 0) were respectively 9.9±1.4 and 8.5±1.6 mm. The PAL gain and the PD reduction at 1 year postsurgery were respectively 4.1±1.8 and 5.3±1.9 mm. The group of patients treated with membranes showed that PAL 0 and PD 0 were respectively 8.9±1.9 and 8.1±1.9. The PAL gain was 4.3±1.9 mm and the PD reduction was 5.6±1.5 mm. The mean PAL gain expressed by percentage (PAL gain/PAL 0) for the group treated with EMD was 41%, while it was 48% for the group treated with GTR. Results from our analysis suggest that there is no statistically significant difference between GTR and EMD treatments in terms of PAL gain, PD reduction and recession variation. Applying the regression model to a group of patients with a PAL 0 ,8 mm, we observed a better clinical outcome in terms of PAL gain (difference of 0.3 mm) in patients treated with the GTR procedure compared to those treated with EMD. Covariance analysis showed a strong correlation in both groups of patients between PAL gain and full mouth bleeding score, and between PAL gain and defect morphology and depth. Zusammenfassung Ziel: Der Zweck der vorliegenden klinischen Multicenterstudie war der Vergleich der Effektivität von zwei unterschiedlichen Prozeduren in der Behandlung von intraalveolären Defekten: gesteuerte Geweberegeneration (GTR) mit nicht resorbierbaren Membranen und Schmelz-Matrix-Derivaten (EMD). Material und Methoden: Sechs Zentren nahmen an der Studie teil. 98 Patienten mit approximalen intraalveolären Defekten wurden ausgesucht. Alle Patienten wurden in der initialen Phase mit Wurzelreinigung und ,glättung behandelt, und zur Basis der Studie zeigten die ausgewählten Defekte Sondierungstiefen von 6 mm mit einem intraalveolären Anteil von 4 mm. 49 Patienten wurden mit dem GTR Verfahren (unter Nutzung einer e-PTFE Membran1) und 49 Patienten mit den Schmelz-Matrix-Derivaten (Emdogain®2) behandelt. Die Effektivität von jeder Behandlungsvariante wurde mit der Kovarianzanalyse untersucht. Ergebnisse: Die Patienten wurden 1 Jahr nach der Operation reevaluiert. Die Veränderungen des Stützgewebeniveaus (PAL) und die Reduktion der Sondierungstiefen (PD) wurden analysiert. In der Emdogain® Gruppe betrugen die PAL (PAL 0) und die PD (PD 0) vor der Chirurgie 9,9±1,4 mm und 8,5±1,6 mm. Der PAL Gewinn und die PD Verringerung nach einem Jahr postoperativ waren 4,1±1,8 mm und 5,3±1,9 mm. Die Gruppe der Patienten, die mit Membranen behandelt worden waren, zeigten Werte von PAL 0 und PD 0 von 8,9±1,9 mm und 8,1±1,9 mm. Der PAL Gewinn betrug 4,3±1,9 mm und die PD Reduktion 5,6±1,5 mm. Der mittlere PAL Gewinn in Prozent (PAL Gewinn/PAL 0) für die EMD-Gruppe war 41%, während er für die GTR-Gruppe 48 % betrug. Die Ergebnisse unserer Analyse zeigen, dass keine statistisch signifikante Differenz zischen GTR und EMD Behandlungen in Bezug auf PAL Gewinn, PD Reduktion und REC Veränderung bestand. Unter Nutzung der Regressionsanalyse für eine Gruppe mit PAL 0 ,8 mm beobachteten wir ein besseres klinisches Ergebnis bezüglich des PAL Gewinns (Differenz 0,3 mm) bei GTR-Patienten verglichen mit EMD-Patienten. Die Kovarianzanalyse zeigte eine starke Korrelation in beiden Patientengruppen zwischen PAL Gewinn und dem vollständigen Blutungsindex (FMBS) sowie zwischen PAL Gewinn und Morphologie und Tiefe des Defektes. Résumé Le but de cet essai clinique multicentrique a été de comparer l'efficacité de deux processus différents dans le traitement des lésions intraosseuses : la régénération tissulaire guidée (GTR) avec des membranes non-résorbables et les dérivés de la matrice amélaire (EMD). Six centres ont participéà cette étude. Nonante-huit patients avec une lésion intraosseuse interproximale ont été sélectionnés. Tous ont été traités par une phase initiale de détartrage et surfaçage, et au début de l'étude les lésons sélectionnées avaient une profondeur de poche de 6 mm (PD) avec un composant infraosseux ,4 mm. Quarante-neuf patients ont été traités par GTR en utilisant une membrane en téflon et 49 par EMD (Emdogain®2). L'efficacité de chaque traitement a étéétudiée par l'analyse de co-variance. Les patients ont été réévalués un an après l'opération. Le gain du niveau d'attache au sondage (PAL) et la réduction de PD ont été analysés. Dans le groupe EMD, le PAL et le PD présents avant la chirurgie, (PAL 0) et (PD 0), étaient respectivement de 9,9±1,4 mm et de 8,5±1,6 mm. Le gain PAL et la réduction de PD après une année étaient respectivement de 4,1±1,8 mm et 5,3±1,9 mm. Le groupe de patients traités avec les membranes accusaient un PAL 0 et un PD 0 qui étaient respectivement de 8,9±1,9 mm et de 8,1±1,9 mm. Le gain PAL était de 4,3±1,9 mm après une année tandis que la réduction PD était de 5,6±1,5 mm. Le gain PAL moyen exprimé en pourcentage (gain PAL/PAL 0) pour le groupe traité avec EMD était de 41% tandis qu'il était de 48 % dans le groupe traité par GTR. Les résultats de cette analyse suggèrent qu'il n'y a aucune différence statistique entre les traitements GTR et EMD en terme de gain PAL, de réduction PD et dans le changement de récession. Lors de l'utilisation du modèle de régression sur un groupe de patients avec un PAL 0 ,8 mm, une guérison clinique supérieure était observée dans le gain PAL (différence de 0,3 mm) chez les patients traités avec GTR comparés à ceux traités par EMD. L'analyse de co-variance montrait une relation importante dans les deux groupes de patients entre le gain PAL et le score de saignement de l'ensemble de la bouche, et entre le gain PAL et la morphologie de la lésion et sa profondeur. [source] Psychometric Properties of Scale Scores and Performance Levels for Performance Assessments Using Polytomous IRTJOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL MEASUREMENT, Issue 2 2000Tianyou Wang With a focus on performance assessments, this paper describes procedures for calculating conditional standard error of measurement (CSEM) and reliability of scale scores and classification consistency of performance levels. Scale scores that are transformations of total raw scores are the focus of these procedures, although other types of raw scores are considered as well. Polytomous IRT models provide the psychometric foundation for the procedures that are described. The procedures are applied using test data from ACT's Work Keys Writing Assessment to demonstrate their usefulness. Two polytomous IRT models were compared, as were two different procedures for calculating scores. One simulation study was done using one of the models to evaluate the accuracy of the proposed procedures. The results suggest that the procedures provide quite stable estimates and have the potential to be useful in a variety of performance assessment situations. [source] A STUDY ON SUITABILITY OF FOUR ENRICHMENT BROTHS FOR PCR-BASED DETECTION OF LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES FROM RAW MEATJOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 1 2006J. BALAMURUGAN ABSTRACT Four enrichment broths were evaluated for their compatibility with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of Listeria monocytogenes from raw meat after single-step enrichment. Standardized PCR protocols for listeriolysin O (hlyA) gene were used for the species-specific identification of L. monocytogenes. Four broths, namely, modified University of Vermont broth (MUVM), Listeria enrichment broth (LEB), Fraser broth (FB) and polymyxin, acriflavin, lithium chloride, ceftazidime, aesculin, mannitol, egg yolk broth (PALCAM) , were inoculated with L. monocytogenes. The enriched cultures were subjected for PCR. Similarly, meat samples were artificially spiked with various concentrations of L. monocytogenes, these spiked samples were enriched in the above-mentioned four broths and subjected to PCR to determine the medium that was most compatible for PCR-based detection of L. monocytogenes. The aliquots taken during different incubation periods were subjected to three different procedures for the concentration of the target organism for use in PCR. Results revealed that MUVM was better than other broths for the detection of L. monocytogenes by both PCR and cultural method; moreover, it was able to support the growth of as low as 10 cfu/g of meat. Concentration of the target organisms by centrifugation and washing with PCR buffer was the most suitable method for improving PCR performance for detection of L. monocytogenes. Goat (n = 67) and buffalo (n = 45) meat samples from local markets were also screened by both PCR and cultural method to validate the results obtained from the spiking studies. Both results were in agreement in spiking studies as well as screening of market meat samples. [source] Biological evaluation and comparison of three different procedures for labelling of amino acids tyrosine and lysine with technetium-99mJOURNAL OF LABELLED COMPOUNDS AND RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS, Issue 3 2007D. Djoki Abstract The 99mTc-labelling of the amino acids tyrosine (Tyr) and lysine (Lys), fundamental building blocks of proteins and peptides, as well as biological properties of the labelled compounds are investigated. Three different approaches for the labelling with 99mTc have been investigated: direct reduction with stannous tin in the presence of the amino acids, the preformed chelate approach through polydentate chelates DTPA and GH, and the ,organometallic approach' using [99m Tc(CO)3(H2O)3]+ precursor. The direct labelling approach was not successful and the yield was poor. In the presence of DTPA and GH, the labelling efficiency was between 43.6 and 97.8%, depending on the amino acid and the polydentate chelate. The use of [99mTc(CO)3(H2O)3]+ precursor point at the formation of 99m Tc(I) co-ordinated complexes with high yield. In this approach, pH and heating influenced the yields. The results of organ distribution study for [99mTc(Tyr)(H2O)(CO)3] and [99mTc(Lys)(H2O)(CO)3] show accumulation in liver, kidneys and intestine. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Parents' Union Dissolution and Adolescents' School Performance: Comparing Methodological ApproachesJOURNAL OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY, Issue 3 2007Michelle L. Frisco We use data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health and the Adolescent Health and Academic Achievement Study to estimate how parents' union dissolution influences changes in adolescents' mathematics course work gains, overall grade point average, and course failure rates during a window of approximately 1 year (N =2,629). A primary purpose of this study is demonstrating the utility of propensity score matching techniques for studying topics such as ours that pose methodological challenges such as dealing with endogeneity and selection bias. We compare propensity score matching techniques to ordinary least squares (OLS) regression methods to show and discuss comparability of results obtained using these different procedures. Findings suggest that associations between parents' union dissolution and achievement may be causal, regardless of method used. [source] PTR-TOF-MS and data-mining methods for rapid characterisation of agro-industrial samples: influence of milk storage conditions on the volatile compounds profile of Trentingrana cheese,JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (INCORP BIOLOGICAL MASS SPECTROMETRY), Issue 9 2010Alessandra Fabris Abstract Proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry (PTR-MS), a direct injection mass spectrometric technique based on an efficient implementation of chemical ionisation, allows for fast and high-sensitivity monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The first implementations of PTR-MS, based on quadrupole mass analyzers (PTR-Quad-MS), provided only the nominal mass of the ions measured and thus little chemical information. To partially overcome these limitations and improve the analytical capability of this technique, the coupling of proton transfer reaction ionisation with a time-of-flight mass analyser has been recently realised and commercialised (PTR-TOF-MS). Here we discuss the very first application of this new instrument to agro-industrial problems and dairy science in particular. As a case study, we show here that the rapid PTR-TOF-MS fingerprinting coupled with data-mining methods can quickly verify whether the storage condition of the milk affects the final quality of cheese and we provide relevant examples of better compound identification in comparison with the previous PTR-MS implementations. In particular, ,Trentingrana' cheese produced by four different procedures for milk storage are compared both in the case of winter and summer production. It is indeed possible to set classification models with low prediction errors and to identify the chemical formula of the ion peaks used for classification, providing evidence of the role that this novel spectrometric technique can play for fundamental and applied agro-industrial themes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Comprehensive 2-D chromatography of random and block methacrylate copolymersJOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 10 2010Monique van Hulst Abstract A comprehensive 2-D separation method was developed for the characterization of methacrylate copolymers. In both dimensions conditions were employed that give a critical separation for the homopolymer of one of the monomers in the copolymer, and exclusion behaviour for the other. The 2-D separation was realized by using a normal-phase column in one dimension and a reversed phase column in the other, and by precisely tuning the compositions of the two mobile phases employed. In the normal-phase dimension mixtures of THF and n -hexane or n -heptane were used as mobile phase, and in the reversed-phase dimension mixtures of ACN and THF. Moreover, stationary phase particles had to be selected for both columns that gave an exclusion window appropriate for the molecular size of the sample polymers to be characterized. The 2-D critical chromatography principle was tested with a polystyrene (PS)-polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) block copolymer and with block and random polybutylmethacrylate (PBMA)-PMMA copolymers. Ideally, the retention time for a copolymer in both dimensions of this system would depend on the size of only one of the blocks, or on the contribution of only one of the monomers to the size of a random copolymer. However, it was found that the elution of the PS-PMMA block copolymer depended on the size of both blocks, even when the corresponding homopolymer of one of the monomers showed critical elution behaviour. Therefore, the method could not be calibrated for block sizes by using homopolymer standards alone. Still, it was shown that the method can be used to determine differences between samples (PS-PMMA and PBMA-PMMA) with respect to total molecular size or block sizes separately, or to average size and chemical composition for random copolymers. Block and random PBMA-PMMA copolymers showed a distinctly different pattern in the 2-D plots obtained with 2-D critical chromatography. This difference was shown to be related to the different procedures followed in the polymerization process, and the different molecular distributions resulting from these. [source] Enrichment and low-level determination of glyphosate, aminomethylphosphonic acid and glufosinate in drinking water after cleanup by cation exchange resinJOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 8 2010Markus Küsters Abstract For the determination of glyphosate, aminomethylphosphonic acid and glufosinate in drinking water, different procedures of enrichment and cleanup were examined using anion exchange or SPE. In many cases interactions of, e.g. alkaline earth metal ions especially calcium could be observed during enrichment and cleanup resulting in loss of analytes. For that reason, a novel cleanup and enrichment procedure for the determination of these phosphonic acid herbicides has been developed in drinking water using cation-exchange resin. In summary, the cleanup procedure with cation-exchange resin developed in this study avoids interactions as described above and is applicable to calcium-rich drinking water samples. After derivatization with 9-fluorenylmethylchloroformate followed by LC with fluorescence detection, LOD of 12, 14 and 12,ng/L and mean recoveries from real-world drinking water samples of 98±9, 100±16 and 101±11% were obtained for glyphosate, aminomethylphosphonic acid and glufosinate, respectively. The low LODs and the high precision permit the analysis of these phosphonic acid herbicides according to the guidelines of the European Commission. [source] CHAOTIC FORECASTING OF DISCHARGE TIME SERIES: A CASE STUDY,JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION, Issue 2 2001Francesco Lisi ABSTRACT: This paper considers the problem of forecasting the discharge time series of a river by means of a chaotic approach. To this aim, we first check for some evidence of chaotic behavior in the dynamic by considering a set of different procedures, namely, the phase portrait of the attractor, the correlation dimension, and the largest Lyapunov exponent. Their joint application seems to confirm the presence of a nonlinear deterministic dynamic of chaotic type. Second, we consider the so-called nearest neighbors predictor and we compare it with a classical linear model. By comparing these two predictors, it seems that nonlinear river flow modeling, and in particular chaotic modeling, is an effective method to improve predictions. [source] Bayesian models for relative archaeological chronology buildingJOURNAL OF THE ROYAL STATISTICAL SOCIETY: SERIES C (APPLIED STATISTICS), Issue 4 2000Caitlin E. Buck For many years, archaeologists have postulated that the numbers of various artefact types found within excavated features should give insight about their relative dates of deposition even when stratigraphic information is not present. A typical data set used in such studies can be reported as a cross-classification table (often called an abundance matrix or, equivalently, a contingency table) of excavated features against artefact types. Each entry of the table represents the number of a particular artefact type found in a particular archaeological feature. Methodologies for attempting to identify temporal sequences on the basis of such data are commonly referred to as seriation techniques. Several different procedures for seriation including both parametric and non-parametric statistics have been used in an attempt to reconstruct relative chronological orders on the basis of such contingency tables. We develop some possible model-based approaches that might be used to aid in relative, archaeological chronology building. We use the recently developed Markov chain Monte Carlo method based on Langevin diffusions to fit some of the models proposed. Predictive Bayesian model choice techniques are then employed to ascertain which of the models that we develop are most plausible. We analyse two data sets taken from the literature on archaeological seriation. [source] Effect of age on the incidence of venous thromboembolism after major surgeryJOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, Issue 8 2004R. H. White Summary.,Background:,Most guidelines for administration of thromboprophylaxis after major surgery use age as a major predictor of postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE). We sought to quantify the effect of age on the risk of symptomatic VTE after a spectrum of surgical procedures. Methods:,Using the California Patient Discharge Data Set and specific ICD-9-CM surgical procedure codes, we retrospectively determined the incidence of VTE diagnosed within 91 days after 40 different urgent or elective surgeries performed in the hospital between 1992 and 1996. Logistic regression was used to quantify the effect of age on the incidence of postoperative VTE and to adjust for other risk factors. Results:,1 464 452 cases underwent one of 40 different procedures (mean cases per procedure = 35 718, range 4500,145 500). There was a significant interaction between age and the type of surgery performed (P<0.0001). Qualitative analysis of the effect of age on the incidence of VTE stratified by the presence or absence of malignancy revealed three general patterns: a steady increase in the incidence of VTE with age, exemplified by appendectomy or cholecystectomy; an increase in VTE up to approximately age 65 with no increase thereafter, exemplified by total hip arthroplasty; and no effect of age on the incidence of VTE, exemplified by vascular surgery. Conclusions:,The relationship between age and the risk of VTE after surgery is complex and depends on the nature of the surgery and the underlying pathologic process. Advancing age was a significant predictor for VTE following surgeries performed for conditions not inherently associated with significant comorbidity. Conversely, advancing age was not associated with a higher incidence of VTE after surgeries performed for conditions strongly associated with serious underlying comorbidity, such as a malignancy or severe peripheral vascular disease. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||