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Discrepancy
Kinds of Discrepancy Selected AbstractsDiscrepancies in Reported Levels of International Wildlife TradeCONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2005ARTHUR G. BLUNDELL aduanas; CITES; especies en peligro; programa de aranceles armonizados Abstract:,The international wildlife trade is a principal cause of biodiversity loss, involving hundreds of millions of plants and animals each year, yet wildlife trade records are notoriously unreliable. We assessed the precision of wildlife trade reports for the United States, the world's largest consumer of endangered wildlife, by comparing data from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) with U.S. Customs data. For both U.S. imports and exports, CITES and Customs reported substantially different trade volumes for all taxa in all years. Discrepancies ranged from a CITES-reported volume 376% greater than that reported by Customs (live coral imports, 2000) to a Customs' report 5202% greater than CITES (conch exports, 2000). These widely divergent data suggest widespread inaccuracies that may distort the perceived risk of targeted wildlife exploitation, leading to misallocation of management resources and less effective conservation strategies. Conservation scientists and practitioners should reexamine assumptions regarding the significance of the international wildlife trade. Resumen:,El comercio internacional de vida silvestre es una causa principal de la pérdida de biodiversidad, ya que involucra a cientos de millones de plantas y animales cada ańo; no obstante eso, los registros del comercio son notoriamente poco confiables. Evaluamos la precisión de los registros de comercio de vida silvestre de Estados Unidos, el mayor consumidor de vida silvestre en peligro en el mundo, mediante la comparación de datos del Convenio Internacional para el Comercio de Especies de Flora y Fauna Silvestre en Peligro (CITES) con datos de la Aduana de E.U.A. Tanto para importaciones como exportaciones, CITES y Aduana reportaron volúmenes de comercio de todos los taxa sustancialmente diferentes en todos los ańos. Las discrepancias abarcaron desde un volumen reportado por CITES 376% más grande que el reportado por la Aduana (importaciones de coral vivo, 2000) hasta un reporte de la Aduana 5202% mayor que el de CITES (exportaciones de caracol, 2000). Estos datos ampliamente divergentes sugieren imprecisiones generalizadas que pueden distorsionar el riesgo percibido por la explotación de vida silvestre, lo que conducirá a la incorrecta asignación de recursos para la gestión y a estrategias de conservación menos efectivas. Los científicos y profesionales de la conservación deberían reexaminar sus suposiciones respecto al significado del comercio internacional de vida silvestre. [source] Macroscopic Classificatrion of Early Colorectal Carcinoma: A Comparison Between Japan and ChinaDIGESTIVE ENDOSCOPY, Issue 4 2000Fang-yu Wang Background: To clarify the similarities and dissimilarities in the macroscopic classification criteria for early colorectal carcinoma (CRC) between Japan and China. Methods: Six early CRC cases were included in this study. Eleven Japanese and Chinese endoscopists were asked to review the colonoscopic pictures of these cases, including before and after indigocarmine spraying. After viewing the pictures, all the endoscopists individually made their classificatory diagnoses of these cases and indicated the findings on which they based each diagnosis. Results: Some lesions diagnosed by Japanese endoscopists as IIa or IIa + IIc, might be classified as Is or Isp by Chinese endoscopists. For superficial lesions consisting of elevation with central depression, IIa + depression, IIa + IIc or IIc + IIa were classified according to the ratio of elevated area/depressed area. However, international as well as interobserver differences still existed in the classification of such lesions. In addition, most Chinese endoscopists overlooked the slightly depressed part on the top of a protruded lesion. Conclusion: Discrepancies on macroscopic classification for early CRC do exist between Japanese and Chinese endoscopists, which were found not only in terminology, but also in recognition of some lesions. In order to develop a universal macroscopic classification, there is a great need for international communication and cooperation. [source] Diagnostic Accuracy of Handheld Echocardiography for Evaluation of Aortic StenosisECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 5 2010Arnd Schaefer M.D. Background: Symptomatic severe aortic stenosis is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Early identification of these patients by echocardiography is crucial. We conducted this study to evaluate a handheld ultrasound device (HCU) in patients with suspected severe aortic stenosis (AS) in comparison to a standard echocardiography device (SE). Methods: A HCU (Vivid I; GE Healthcare) and a SE device (Philips iE 33) were used to evaluate 50 consecutive patients with suspected severe AS. Two consecutive echocardiographic studies were performed by two experienced and blinded examiners using HCU and SE device. AS was graded by mean transaortic pressure, aortic valve area (AVA), and indexed AVA (AVA adjusted for body surface area). Results: Mean difference for mean transaortic gradient, AVA and indexed AVA for the SE and HCU device were 1.28 mmHg (,0.70 to 3.26 mmHg), ,0.02 cm2 (,0.06 to 0.01 cm2), and ,0.01 cm2/m2 (,0.03 to 0.01 cm2/m2), respectively. Discrepancies between both devices were not associated with misinterpretation of the degree of AS. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that HCU can be used to evaluate patients with suspected AS. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY 2010;27:481-486) [source] Catheterization,Doppler Discrepancies in Nonsimultaneous Evaluations of Aortic StenosisECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 5 2005Payam Aghassi M.D. Prior validation studies have established that simultaneously measured catheter (cath) and Doppler mean pressure gradients (MPG) correlate closely in evaluation of aortic stenosis (AS). In clinical practice, however, cath and Doppler are rarely performed simultaneously; which may lead to discrepant results. Accordingly, our aim was to ascertain agreement between these methods and investigate factors associated with discrepant results. We reviewed findings in 100 consecutive evaluations for AS performed in 97 patients (mean age 72 ± 10 yr) in which cath and Doppler were performed within 6 weeks. We recorded MPG, aortic valve area (AVA), cardiac output, and ejection fraction (EF) by both methods. Aortic root diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVIDd) and posterior wall thickness (PWT) were measured by echocardiography and gender, heart rate, and heart rhythm were also recorded. An MPG discrepancy was defined as an intrapatient difference > 10 mmHg. Mean pressure gradients by cath and Doppler were 36 ± 22 mmHg and 37 ± 20 mmHg, respectively (P = 0.73). Linear regression showed good correlation (r = 0.82) between the techniques. An MPG discrepancy was found in 36 (36%) of 100 evaluations; in 19 (53%) of 36 evaluations MPG by Doppler was higher than cath, and in 17 (47%) of 36, it was lower. In 33 evaluations, EF differed by >10% between techniques. Linear regression analyses revealed that EF difference between studies was a significant predictor of MPG discrepancy (P = 0.004). Women had significantly higher MPG than men by both cath and Doppler (43 ± 25 mmHg versus 29 ± 15 mmHg [P = 0.001]; 42 ± 23 mmHg versus 32 ± 15 mmHg [P = 0.014], respectively). Women exhibited discrepant results in 23 (47%) of 49 evaluations versus 13 (25%) of 51 evaluations in men (P = 0.037). After adjustment for women's higher MPG, there was no statistically significant difference in MPG discrepancy between genders (P = 0.22). No significant interactions between MPG and aortic root diameter, relative wall thickness (RWT), heart rate, heart rhythm, cardiac output, and time interval between studies were found. In clinical practice, significant discrepancies in MPG were common when cath and Doppler are performed nonsimultaneously. No systematic bias was observed and Doppler results were as likely yield lower as higher MPGs than cath. EF difference was a significant predictor of discrepant MPG. Aortic root diameter, relative wall thickness, heart rate, heart rhythm, cardiac output, presence or severity of coronary artery disease, and time interval between studies were not predictors of discrepant results. [source] Discrepancies Between Score Trends from NAEP and State Tests: A Scale-Invariant PerspectiveEDUCATIONAL MEASUREMENT: ISSUES AND PRACTICE, Issue 4 2007Andrew D. Ho State test score trends are widely interpreted as indicators of educational improvement. To validate these interpretations, state test score trends are often compared to trends on other tests such as the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). These comparisons raise serious technical and substantive concerns. Technically, the most commonly used trend statistics,for example, the change in the percent of proficient students,are misleading in the context of cross-test comparisons. Substantively, it may not be reasonable to expect that NAEP and state test score trends should be similar. This paper motivates then applies a "scale-invariant" framework for cross-test trend comparisons to compare "high-stakes" state test score trends from 2003 to 2005 to NAEP trends over the same period. Results show that state trends are significantly more positive than NAEP trends. The paper concludes with cautions against the positioning of trend discrepancies in a framework where only one trend is considered "true." [source] Capillary electrophoresis versus differential scanning calorimetry for the analysis of free enzyme versus enzyme-ligand complexes: In the search of the ligand-free status of cholinesterasesELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 2 2006Daniel Rochu Dr. Abstract Cholinesterases (ChEs) are highly efficient biocatalysts whose active site is buried in a deep, narrow gorge. The talent of CE to discover inhibitors in the gorge of highly purified preparations has fairly altered the meaning of a ChE ligand-free status. To attempt at a description of this one, we investigated the stability of Bungarus fasciatus acetylcholinesterase (AChE), alone or complexed with different inhibitors. Determination of midtransition temperature for thermal denaturation, using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and CE, provided conflicting results. Discrepancies strongly question the reality of a ligand-free AChE state. DSC allowed estimation of the stability of AChE-ligands complexes, and to rank the stabilizing effect of different inhibitors. CE acted as a detector of hidden ligands, provided that they were charged, reversibly bound, and thus dissociable upon action of electric fields. Then, CE allowed quantification of the stability of ligand-free AChE. CE and DSC providing each fractional and nonredundant information, cautious attention must be paid for actual estimation of the conformational stability of ChEs. Because inhibitors used in purification of ChEs by affinity chromatography are charged, CE remains a leading method to estimate enzyme stability and detect the presence of bound hidden ligands. [source] Metallothionein gene expression and protein levels in triploid and diploid oysters Crassostrea gigas after exposure to cadmium and zincENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2006Véronique Marie Abstract Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to compare for the first time the differential expression of metallothionein (MT) isoform genes, together with biosynthesis of the total MT proteins, in the gills of triploid and diploid juvenile Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas in response to cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) exposure. Oysters were exposed to Cd (0.133 ,M), Zn (15.3 ,M), and Cd+Zn for 14 d. Results showed similar response capacities to metal exposures in the two populations. No significant difference was revealed in terms of MT gene expression, MT protein synthesis, and Cd accumulation. However, triploid oysters bioaccumulated Zn 30% less efficiently than diploid oysters. Among the three MT isoform genes, CgMT2 appeared to be more expressed than CgMT1, whereas CgMT3 appeared to be anecdotal (106 times lower than CgMT2). CgMT2 and CgMT1 gene expression levels were increased sevenfold in the presence of Cd, whereas Zn appeared to have no effect. A twofold increase in MT protein levels occurred in response to Cd exposure. Discrepancies between mRNA and protein levels suggest that in C. gigas MT are regulated at the transcriptional level, as well as at the translational level. [source] Using measured octanol-air partition coefficients to explain environmental partitioning of organochlorine pesticidesENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 5 2002Mahiba Shoeib Abstract Octanol-air partition coefficients (Koa) were measured directly for 19 organochlorine (OC) pesticides over the temperature range of 5 to 35°C. Values of log Koa at 25°C ranged over three orders of magnitude, from 7.4 for hexachlorobenzene to 10.1 for 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis (p-chlorophenyl) ethane. Measured values were compared to values calculated as KowRT/H (where R is the ideal gas constant [8.314 J mol,1 K,1], T is absolute temperature, and H is Henry's law constant) were, in general, larger. Discrepancies of up to three orders of magnitude were observed, highlighting the need for direct measurements of Koa. Plots of Koa versus inverse absolute temperature exhibited a log-linear correlation. Enthalpies of phase transition between octanol and air (,Hoa) were determined from the temperature slopes and were in the range of 56 to 105 kJ mol,1 K,1. Activity coefficients in octanol (,o) were determined from Koa and reported supercooled liquid vapor pressures (p), and these were in the range of 0.3 to 12, indicating near-ideal solution behavior. Differences in Koa values for structural isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane were also explored. A Koa -based model was described for predicting the partitioning of OC pesticides to aerosols and used to calculate particulate fractions at 25 and ,10°C. The model also agreed well with experimental results for several OC pesticides that were equilibrated with urban aerosols in the laboratory. A log-log regression of the particle-gas partition coefficient versus Koa had a slope near unity, indicating that octanol is a good surrogate for the aerosol organic matter. [source] VIQ-PIQ Discrepancies in Partial Epilepsy: On the Relation to Lat- eralities of Focal MRI Lesions, P3 Peaks, and Focal Spikes.EPILEPSIA, Issue 2000Osamu Kanazawa Purpose: A number of previous ncurophysiological studies have indicated that the glutamatergic system is important in the induction of epileptiform activity and the dcvelopment of epileptogenesis. Clutamate transport is the primary mechanism of inactivation of syiiaptically released glutamate. GLAST is classified BS an astrocytic transporter and occurs in high concentrations in the ccrebcllum. The pathophysiologic rolc of GLAST in epilepsy is not known in detail. To investigate the role of thc astroglial glutamatc transporter GLAST in epileptogenesis, we compared amygdalu-kindling and pentylenctetrazolc (PTZ) induced seizures in GLAST-deficient mice (GLAST(-/-)) wild-type mice (GLAST(+/+)), and maternal C57Black6/J mice (C57). Purpose: Subtest IQ such as verbal IQ (VIQ) and performance IQ (PIQ) in WAIS or WISC are thought to represent neuropsychological functions of the left and right hemispheres, respectively. The P300 (P3) event-related potential reflects cognitive processes. We do not ye1 know the brain site of P3 origin or how epileptogenic foci (EF) influ- ence P3 potentials. To examine neuropsychological influence by partial epilepsy (PE), we studied VIQ-PIQ discrepancies in PE in relation to lateralities of focal MRI lesions, P3 peaks, and EF. Methods: Thirteen patients showed VIQ-PIQ discrepancies significant at the p7lt;O.O5 level, represented by a>l2-point spread for the WAIS in adults, and a 15-point spread in the WISC in children. We evoked P3 potentials in the individuals with discrepant IQ differences by asking them to keep a mental count of rare tones, including introduction of oddbail tones. EEGs were recorded by the international 10,20 system and P3 peaks were shown in a topographical view by offline analysis. Patients were divided into normal and abnormal groups according to MRI findings, and were examined for the laterali- ties of the dominant side in subtest IQ (conventionally, we regarded higher VIQ as left hemisphere dominant and higher PIQ as right hemisphere dominant), P3 peaks, and EF. We did not correlate results with lert or right handedness. Results: Five patients (38.5%) were in the normal group and 8 patients (61.5%) were in the abnormal group. Concordance of the lateralities in P3 peaks and dominant side in subtest IQ was shown in 1 patient (20%) in the normal group and 5 patients (62.5%) in the abnormal group. In the normal group, all patients showed contralateral P3 peak shift to EF, and all except I patient showed contralateral P3 peak shift to the dominant side in subtest IQ. The other 3 patients in the abnormal group showed unilateral focal cortical dysplasias (FCD), ipsilateral P3 shift, and contralateral dominant side in subtest IQ to the focal MRI lesions. Conclusion: In our partial epilepsy series with VIQ-PIQ discrepancies, concordance of the lateralities in P3 peaks and dominant side in subtest IQ was shown in < half of the patients. Epileptogenic foci seem to have 3 different grades of influence on P3 peak shift and dominant side in subtest IQ according to the severities of accompanying focal MRI lesions: 1. Without MRI lesions, EF can make P3 peak shift contralaterally, but the dominant side in the subtest IQ shift ipsilaterally; 2. With less severe focal MRI lesions such as hippocampal atrophy etc., EF can make not only P3 peaks but also the dominant side in the subtest IQ shift contralaterally; 3. With severe focal MRI lesions such as FCD, EF can make the dominant side in the subtest IQ shift contralaterally, but the P3 peak may shift ipsilaterally. Epileptogenic foci without MRI lesions seem to control ipsilateral P3 potentials. MRI lesions render a hemisphere unlikely to become dominant, but epileptogenic foci can coexist with apparently normal neuropsychological function. [source] Lack of seasonal variation in eating attitudes and behaviours among female college studentsEUROPEAN EATING DISORDERS REVIEW, Issue 2 2005Melissa A. Munn Abstract Objective Previous studies have found a season of birth effect for women with eating disorders. However, findings regarding the two types of season of birth (i.e. month of birth and temperature at conception) have been conflicting, and few studies have examined relationships between season of birth and general disordered eating in non-clinical populations. The present study sought to examine this relationship more closely by investigating both month of birth and temperature at conception in undergraduate women. Method Subjects included 427 undergraduate females from a large university in the United States. Disordered eating in the areas of body dissatisfaction, compensatory behaviour, binge eating and weight preoccupation was assessed with the Minnesota Eating Behaviors Survey (MEBS). Results No significant mean differences in MEBS scores were found between those individuals born in the first versus second half of the year. Furthermore, no significant associations were found between disordered eating and temperature at conception. Discussion Our findings suggest that disordered eating symptoms do not show a season of birth effect. Discrepancies between these findings and those for clinical samples suggest the possible presence of different aetiological mechanisms for general eating symptoms versus clinical eating disorders. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [source] Immunophenotypic discrepancies between granulocytic and erythroid lineages in peripheral blood of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuriaEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2000Kriangsak Pakdeesuwan Abstract: In paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH), somatic mutation of the PIG-A gene is thought to result in altered expression of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins. This study was performed to determine if there were any heterogeneities of cellular phenotypes between two major peripheral blood cells, erythrocytes and granulocytes. Using CD59-based immunocytometry, the patterns of CD59 expression were shown to be conserved in the circulating erythroid cells (reticulocytes and mature erythrocytes) in all 29 patients with PNH. Twenty-one patients had distinct combinations of PNH type I, II, and III cells in different lineages. Only eight patients exhibited similar patterns of CD59 expression between the two lineages. Approximately one third of the patients had PNH type II cells in either or both of the two lineages indicating variable lineage involvement. The proportion of abnormal granulocutes was higher than those of abnormal reticulocytes and erythrocytes. In patients with appropriate erythropoietic responses to haemolysis (RPI>2.0), shift reticulocytes display predominantly PNH phenotypes. These immature erythroid cells with altered expression of GPI-anchored proteins may dominate the peripheral blood during periods of increased marrow activity resulting in greater phenotypic mosaicism in such patients. Discrepancies in expression of GPI-anchored proteins in PNH which are highly variable between the two lineages may be the result of their different life spans and the influence of complement-mediated cytolysis. The phenomena also indicated the possible occurrence of more than one PNH clones with variable clonal dominance. [source] The road to the unconscious self not taken: Discrepancies between self- and observer-inferences about implicit dispositions from nonverbal behavioural cuesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY, Issue 4 2009Wilhelm Hofmann Abstract To what extent can individuals gain insight into their own or another person's implicit dispositions' We investigated whether self-perceivers versus neutral observers can detect implicit dispositions from nonverbal behavioural cues contained in video feedback (cue validity) and whether these cues are in turn used as a valid basis for explicit dispositional inferences (cue utilization). Across three studies in the domains of extraversion and anxiety we consistently obtained reliable cue validity and cue utilization for neutral observers but not for self-perceivers. An additional measure of state inferences in Study 3 showed that one reason for the lack of mediation in self-perceivers is their reluctance to use their state inferences as a basis for more general trait inferences. We conclude that people have a ,blind spot' with respect to the nonverbal behavioural manifestations of their unconscious selves, even though neutral observers may readily detect and utilize this information for dispositional inferences. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Re-Dating the Moraines at Skálafellsjökull and Heinabergsjökull using different Lichenometric Methods: Implications for the Timing of the Icelandic Little Ice Age MaximumGEOGRAFISKA ANNALER SERIES A: PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Issue 4 2004Krista M. Mckinzey Abstract Little Ice Age (LIA) moraines along the margins of Skálafellsjökull and Heinabergsjökull, two neighbouring outlet glaciers flowing from the Vatnajökull ice-cap, have been re-dated to test the reliability of different lichenometric approaches. During 2003, 12 000 lichens were measured on 40 moraine fragments at Skálafellsjökull and Heinabergsjökull to provide surface age proxies. The results are revealing. Depending on the chosen method of analysis, Skálafellsjökull either reached its LIA maximum in the early 19th century (population gradient) or the late 19th century (average of five largest lichens), whereas the LIA maximum of Heinabergsjökull occurred by the mid-19th century (population gradient) or late-19th century (average of 5 largest lichens). Discrepancies (c. 80 years for Skálafellsjökull and c. 40 years for Heinabergsjökull) suggest that the previously cited AD 1887 LIA maxima for both glaciers should be reassessed. Dates predicted by the lichen population gradient method appear to be the most appropriate, as mounting evidence from other geochronological reconstructions and sea-ice records throughout Iceland tends to support an earlier LIA glacier maximum (late 18th to mid-19th century) and probably reflects changes in the North Atlantic Oscillation. These revised chronologies shed further light on the precise timing of the Icelandic LIA glacier maximum, whilst improving our understanding of glacier-climate interactions in the North Atlantic. [source] A new global biome reconstruction and data-model comparison for the Middle PlioceneGLOBAL ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2008U. Salzmann ABSTRACT Aim, To produce a robust, comprehensive global biome reconstruction for the Middle Pliocene (c. 3.6,2.6 Ma), which is based on an internally consistent palaeobotanical data set and a state-of-the-art coupled climate,vegetation model. The reconstruction gives a more rigorous picture of climate and environmental change during the Middle Pliocene and provides a new boundary condition for future general circulation model (GCM) studies. Location, Global. Methods, Compilation of Middle Pliocene vegetation data from 202 marine and terrestrial sites into the comprehensive GIS data base TEVIS (Tertiary Environmental Information System). Translation into an internally consistent classification scheme using 28 biomes. Comparison and synthesis of vegetation reconstruction from palaeodata with the outputs of the mechanistically based BIOME4 model forced by climatology derived from the HadAM3 GCM. Results, The model results compare favourably with available palaeodata and highlight the importance of employing vegetation,climate feedbacks and the anomaly method in biome models. Both the vegetation reconstruction from palaeobotanical data and the BIOME4 prediction indicate a general warmer and moister climate for the Middle Pliocene. Evergreen taiga as well as temperate forest and grassland shifted northward, resulting in much reduced tundra vegetation. Warm-temperate forests (with subtropical taxa) spread in mid and eastern Europe and tropical savannas and woodland expanded in Africa and Australia at the expense of deserts. Discrepancies which occurred between data reconstruction and model simulation can be related to: (1) poor spatial model resolution and data coverage; (2) uncertainties in delimiting biomes using climate parameters; or (3) uncertainties in model physics and/or geological boundary conditions. Main conclusions, The new global biome reconstruction combines vegetation reconstruction from palaeobotanical proxies with model simulations. It is an important contribution to the further understanding of climate and vegetation changes during the Middle Pliocene warm interval and will enhance our knowledge about how vegetation may change in the future. [source] The Absolute Configuration of (+)-Ethyl cis -1-Benzyl-3-hydroxypiperidine-4-carboxylate and (+)-4-Ethyl 1-Methyl cis -3-Hydroxypiperidine-1,4-dicarboxylate; a RevisionHELVETICA CHIMICA ACTA, Issue 12 2006Piergiorgio Abstract Discrepancies between chiroptical data from the literature and our determination of the structure of the title compounds (+)- 5 and (+)- 9a were resolved by an unambiguous assignment of their absolute configuration. Accordingly, the dextrorotatory cis -3-hydroxy esters have (3R,4R)- and the laevorotatory enantiomers (3S,4S)-configuration. The final evidences were demonstrated on both enantiomers (+)- and (,)- 5 by biological reduction of 4 by bakers' yeast and stereoselective [RuII(binap)]-catalyzed hydrogenations of 4 (Scheme,2), by the application of the NMR Mosher method on (+)- and (,)- 5 (Scheme,3), as well as by the transformation of (+)- 5 into a common derivative and chiroptical correlation (Scheme,4). [source] Trends in fungal colonization of pancreatic necrosis in patients undergoing necrosectomy for acute pancreatitisHPB, Issue 2 2005N. K. K. KING Abstract Background. This study examines fungal colonization of post-inflammatory pancreatic necrosis in a cohort of patients undergoing open surgical necrosectomy in a single, tertiary referral unit over a 10-year period. Methods. The charts of all patients with acute pancreatitis who underwent surgical necrosectomy during the period January 1992 to December 2001 were examined. Following exclusions a population of 30 patients were identified. There were 18 men with a median (range) age of 42 (20,69) years. Sixteen (53%) underwent surgery because of positive fine needle aspirates and the remainder underwent surgery on clinical grounds. Twenty-nine (97%) received antibiotics prior to necrosectomy. Principal outcomes were the results of microbiological culture with reference to isolation of fungi, site of isolates, trends in colonization and outcome. Results. Candida were cultured from pancreatic necrosis in 5 (17%). These 5 individuals also had positive candidal cultures from sputum or bronchial aspirates. There were no deaths in patients with fungal colonization of necrosis. There was no change in the annual incidence of fungal colonization of necrosis over the study period. Conclusion. Although this is a small study, there are two consistent observations: mortality in fungal colonization of necrosis was low and there was no change in the annual incidence of fungal colonization of necrosis over the decade. Discrepancies between these findings and those of previous reports mandate larger prospective evaluation. [source] Performance analysis of different meteorological data and resolutions using MaScOD hydrological modelHYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 16 2004Roshan Shrestha Abstract Distributed meteorological data collected from different sources are rarely identical within the same domain of space and time. Discrepancies of these data in magnitude, pattern, and resolution play an important role in hydrological simulation. Using four different sets of distributed meteorological data (from the HUBEX-Intense Observation Period and GAME experimental products at different resolutions), hydrological simulations are conducted through a distributed hydrological model called MaScOD (macro-scale OHyMoS assisted distributed) hydrological model. The model's performance is measured using 12 different indexes. Based on these indexes, a relative normalized score is calculated to evaluate the overall performance of the result from each data set. Three sub-basins of the Huaihe River basin in China, taking the cases at Bengbu (132 350 km2), Wangjiaba (29 844 km2) and Suiping (2093 km2), are used for numerical experiments. This study shows the competence of coarse-resolution meteorological data, the GAME reanalysis 1·25° data, to apply in hydrological simulations of large catchments. However, that data failed to simulate the hydrograph in smaller catchments. The results are significantly improved by including spatial variability at finer resolution in that data. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Prediction of unsteady, separated boundary layer over a blunt body for laminar, turbulent, and transitional flowINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUIDS, Issue 12 2004D. Scott Holloway Abstract The focus of this paper is to study the ability of unsteady RANS-based CFD to predict separation over a blunt body for a wide range of Reynolds numbers particularly the ability to capture laminar-to-turbulent transition. A perfect test case to demonstrate this point is the cylinder-in-crossflow for which a comparison between experimental results from the open literature and a series of unsteady simulations is made. Reynolds number based on cylinder diameter is varied from 104 to 107 (subcritical through supercritical flow). Two methods are used to account for the turbulence in the simulations: currently available eddy,viscosity models, including standard and realizable forms of the k,, model; and a newly developed eddy,viscosity model capable of resolving boundary layer transition, which is absolutely necessary for the type and range of flow under consideration. The new model does not require user input or ,empirical' fixes to force transition. For the first time in the open literature, three distinct flow regimes and the drag crisis due to the downstream shift of the separation point are predicted using an eddy,viscosity based model with transition effects. Discrepancies between experimental and computational results are discussed, and difficulties for CFD prediction are highlighted. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Rate coefficients for the reaction of OH with OClO between 242 and 392 K,INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL KINETICS, Issue 4 2006Tomasz Gierczak Rate coefficients are reported for the gas phase reaction of OH with OClO over the temperature range 242,392 K at 25, 50, and 100 Torr (He). Kinetic measurements were made using pulsed laser photolysis with laser induced fluorescence detection of the OH radical. The measured rate coefficients were independent of pressure and are well represented by k1(T) = (1.43,±,0.3),×,10,12 exp(597,±,36/T) cm3 molecule,1 s,1 (k1(298 K) = 1.06,×,10,11 cm3 molecule,1 s,1). The quoted uncertainties are 2, (95% confidence level) and include estimated systematic errors. Discrepancies with the previous OH + OClO rate coefficient measurement by Poulet et al. (Int J Chem Kinet 1986, 18, 847,859) are discussed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 38: 234,241, 2006 [source] Management of hypertension and stroke prevention: results of the Italian cardiologist surveyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 2 2009G. Tocci Summary Objective: To provide an overview of current habits, priorities, perceptions and knowledge of cardiologists with regard to hypertension and stroke prevention in outpatient practice. Methods: A sample of 203 cardiologists operating in outpatient clinics and randomly selected amongst members of the largest Italian Outpatient Cardiologist Association were interviewed by e-mail, in April,May 2007. Results: The interviewed cardiologists reported that hypertensive outpatients represent a large percentage of their practice population, in which the clinical priority was blood pressure (BP) reduction. Stroke was identified as the most important event to prevent and it was also perceived as the most preventable hypertension-related cardiovascular event. A remarkably high rate of achieved BP control was reported, to a degree that it is inconsistent with current epidemiological reports and with the relatively low percentage use of combination therapies declared by cardiologists. Additional risk factors, organ damage, diabetes mellitus and atrial fibrillation were consistently reported in hypertensive patients. Among antihypertensive drug classes, a preference for angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors has been expressed by the majority of physicians; this choice was generally justified by evidence derived from international trials or by the antihypertensive efficacy of this drug class. Conclusions: The results confirm the presence of weaknesses in the current services for patients with hypertension, even when being managed by cardiologists. Discrepancies between perceptions and reality, or clinical practice and guideline recommendations are also highlighted. An analysis of these aspects may help to identify current areas of potential improvement for stroke prevention in the clinical management of hypertension in cardiology practice. [source] The role of trout in stream food webs: integrating evidence from field surveys and experimentsJOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2006KRISTIAN MEISSNER Summary 1We evaluated the effects of brown trout on boreal stream food webs using field surveys and enclosure/exclosure experiments. Experimental results were related to prey preference of uncaged trout in the same stream, as well as to a survey of macroinvertebrate densities in streams with vs. without trout. Finally, we assessed the generality of our findings by examining salmonid predation on three groups of macroinvertebrate prey (chironomid midges, epibenthic grazers, invertebrate predators) in a meta-analysis. 2In a preliminary experiment, invertebrate predators showed a strong negative response to trout, whereas chironomids benefited from trout presence. In the main experiment, trout impact increased with prey size. Trout had the strongest effect on invertebrate predators and cased caddis larvae, whereas Baetis mayfly and chironomid larvae were unaffected. Trout impact on the largest prey seemed mainly consumptive, because prey emigration rates were low and independent of fish presence. Despite strong effects on macroinvertebrates, trout did not induce a trophic cascade on periphyton. Uncaged trout showed a strong preference for the largest prey items (predatory invertebrates and aerial prey), whereas Baetis mayflies and chironomids were avoided by trout. 3Densities of invertebrate predators were significantly higher in troutless streams. Baetis mayflies also were less abundant in trout streams, whereas densities of chironomids were positively, although non-significantly, related to trout presence. Meta-analysis showed a strong negative impact of trout on invertebrate predators, a negative but variable impact on mobile grazers (mainly mayfly larvae) and a slightly positive impact on chironomid larvae. 4Being size-selective predators, salmonid fishes have a strong impact on the largest prey types available, and this effect spans several domains of scale. Discrepancies between our experimental findings and those from the field survey and meta-analysis show, however, that for most lotic prey, small-scale experiments do not reflect fish impact reliably at stream-wide scales. 5Our findings suggest that small-scale experiments will be useful only if the experimental results are evaluated carefully against natural history information about the experimental system and interacting species across a wide array of spatial scales. [source] Extending Ellenberg's indicator values to a new area: an algorithmic approachJOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2000Mark O. Hill Summary 1.,Ellenberg's indicator values scale the flora of a region along gradients reflecting light, temperature, continentality, moisture, soil pH, fertility and salinity. They can be used to monitor environmental change. 2.,Ellenberg values can be extended from central Europe, for which they were defined, to nearby parts of Europe. Given a database of quadrat samples, they can be repredicted by a simple algorithm consisting of two-way weighted averaging, followed by local regression. 3.,A database of British samples was assembled from two large surveys. Ellenberg values were repredicted. 4.,Except for the indicator of continentality, the correlation of repredicted and original values was in the range 0·72 (light) to 0·91 (moisture). The continentality indicator could not be adequately repredicted by the algorithm, and is unusable in Britain. 5.,Discrepancies between original and repredicted values can be attributed to various causes, including wrong original values, differing ecological requirements in Britain and central Europe, biased sampling of the British range of habitats, and the occurrence of small plants in shaded or basic microhabitats within well illuminated or predominantly acid quadrats. 6.,The repredicted values were generally reliable, but a small proportion was clearly wrong. Wrong values were due to either inadequate sampling of species' realized niches in Britain or sampling with quadrats that were too large and included species that were not close associates. [source] If We Produce Discrepancies, Then How?JOURNAL OF APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 9 2010Testing a Computational Process Model of Positive Goal Revision Within the self-regulation literature on goals, both discrepancy reduction and discrepancy production are considered important theoretical and practical processes. Yet, discrepancy production has only been examined in a limited number of goal-striving contexts, and the analytical strategies employed (e.g., difference scores) are difficult to interpret. This study extends discrepancy production research to multiple goal contexts where the goals are in conflict. Computational modeling and an organizational simulation were used to test a control theory explanation of discrepancy production. The occurrence of discrepancy production in the computational model and participants was assessed using hierarchical linear modeling. Comparing the data from the computational model with participants' data indicated a good fit. Implications of the findings and methods are discussed. [source] Sonographically guided fine needle aspiration of thyroid nodule: Discrepancies between cytologic and histopathologic findingsJOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND, Issue 1 2008Young Hen Lee MD Abstract Purpose To analyze the discrepancies between the cytologic results of sonographically (US)-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) of thyroid nodules and final histopathologic results and to discuss the limitations of US-guided FNA. Materials and Methods The results of US-guided FNAs performed by a single experienced radiologist in 315 thyroid nodules in 292 patients (246 women, 46 men aged 12,79 years) were retrospectively correlated with their surgical pathologic results. The FNA results were classified as nondiagnostic, indeterminate, negative, or positive, whereas final pathologic diagnoses were classified as malignant or benign. Results The FNA results were nondiagnostic in 31 cases (9.8%), indeterminate in 97 cases (30.8%), and determinate in 187 cases (59.4%). Of the 187 conclusive cases, 169 (90.4%) were concordant with the final pathologic results, whereas 18 (9.6%) were discordant with 14 false-positive and 4 false-negative results. These discrepancies were caused by atypical nuclear features. Among the 97 indeterminate and 31 nondiagnostic cases, a malignancy was found in 14 (14.4%) and 8 (25.8%) cases, respectively. In addition, 10 papillary carcinomas, which were not visualized on sonograms, were detected incidentally in thyroidectomy specimens. Conclusion The diagnostic accuracy of US-guided FNA of thyroid nodule has limitations that should be minimized by careful interpretation of the cytologic findings and accurate sampling. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2008 [source] The integration of experimental in-situ EBSD observations and numerical simulations: a novel technique of microstructural process analysisJOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY, Issue 3 2004S. Piazolo Summary The combination of subgrain- and grain-scale microstructural data collected during in-situ heating experiments and numerical simulations of equivalent microstructural development offers an innovative and powerful tool in the advancement of the understanding of microstructural processes. We present a system that fully integrates subgrain- to grain-scale crystallographic data obtained during in-situ observations during heating experiments in a scanning electron microscope and the two-dimensional hybrid numerical modelling system Elle. Such a system offers the unique opportunity to test and verify theories for microstructural development, as predictions made by numerical simulations can be directly coupled to appropriate physical experiments and, conversely, theoretical explanations of experimental observations should be testable with numerical simulations. Discrepancies between data obtained with both techniques suggest the need for an in-depth investigation and thus open up new avenues of theory development, modification and verification. In addition, because in numerical models it is possible to select the processes modelled, the effect of individual processes on the microstructural development of a specific material can be quantified. To illustrate the potential and methodology of the so-called EBSD2Elle system, two in-situ experiments and their equivalent numerical experiments are presented. These are static heating experiments of (a) an annealed Ni-foil coupled with a front tracking model for grain growth and (b) a cold deformed rock salt with kinetic Monte Carlo simulations for subgrain growth. [source] Discrepancies between the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Lactococcus lactis cheese isolatesLETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2006M. De La Plaza Abstract Aims:, The use of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR fingerprinting and plasmid profiles to determine at the strain level, the similarity of Lactococcus lactis isolates obtained during sampling of traditional cheeses and to verify its correspondence to the selected phenotypic characteristics. Methods and Results:, A total of 45 L. lactis isolates were genotypically analysed by RAPD-PCR fingerprinting and plasmid patterns. Phenotypic traits used to compare strains were proteolytic, acidifying, aminotransferase (aromatic and branched chain aminotransferase) and , -ketoisovalerate decarboxylase (Kivd) activities. The results show that 23 isolates could be grouped in clusters that exhibited 100% identity in both their RAPD and plasmid patterns, indicating the probable isolation of dominant strains during the cheese sampling process. However, there were phenotypic differences between isolates within the same cluster that included the loss of relevant technological properties such as proteinase activity and acidifying capacity or high variation in their amino acid converting enzyme activities. Likewise, the analysis of a specific attribute, Kivd activity, indicated that 7 of 15 isolates showed no detectable activity despite the presence of the encoding (kivd) gene. Conclusion:, Phenotypic differences found between genotypically similar strains of L. lactis strains could be linked to differences in enzymatic expression. Significance and Impact of the Study:, Phenotypic analysis of L. lactis isolates should be considered when selecting strains with new cheese flavour forming capabilities. [source] Model Development in Thermal Styrene PolymerizationMACROMOLECULAR SYMPOSIA, Issue 1 2007Bryan Matthews Abstract Summary: The thermal polymerization of styrene is usually modeled by relying on a reaction scheme and a set of equations that were developed more than three decades ago by Hui and Hamielec. Many detailed models of styrene polymerization are available in the open literature and they are mostly based on the work of Hui and Hamielec, which nearly makes this the standard to follow in explaining the behavior of polystyrene reactors. The model of Hui and Hamielec does a very nice job of describing monomer conversion data but discrepancies are seen between observed and predicted values of number and weight average molecular weights, Mn and Mw. Discrepancies in number average molecular weight seem to be the result of random noise. Discrepancies in weight average molecular weight grow as the polymerization temperature decreases and some of the trends observed in the residuals over the entire temperature range cannot be attributed to random noise. Hui and Hamielec attributed the observed deficiencies to a standard deviation of ±10% in their GPC measurements. A new data set with an experimental error of 2% for average molecular weights is presented. The set contains measured values of Mn, Mw and Mz, so the polymerization scheme has been extended to include third order moments. The data set also includes the effect of ethylbenzene as a chain transfer agent. We present the results of comparing model predictions to our measurements and the adjustments made in the original set of kinetic parameters published by Hui and Hamielec. [source] Taxonomic and biogeographical status of guanaco Lama guanicoe (Artiodactyla, Camelidae)MAMMAL REVIEW, Issue 2 2006BENITO A. GONZÁLEZ ABSTRACT 1We review the status of the four currently recognized guanaco Lama guanicoe subspecies, and provide information about their taxonomy and distribution. The success of guanaco in inhabiting open habitats of South America is based mainly on the flexibility of their social behaviour and ecophysiological adaptations to harsh environments. 2Lönnberg described the first subspecies, L. g. cacsilensis, at the beginning of the 20th century. Forty years later Krumbiegel described L. g. voglii, based on skull measurements and pelage colouration. The other two subspecies, L. g. huanacus and L. g. guanicoe, were classified as subspecies by Krumbiegel based on pelage colouration and body size, while maintaining the original Latin names and descriptors. 3Further guanaco populations have been incorporated into each of these subspecies, based on their proximity to the type locality but without attention to the homogeneity of phenotype or habitat and only limited consideration of Bergmann's rule based on scarce skulls. Two alternative geographical ranges were proposed in the middle and towards the end of the 20th century. Discrepancies occur in the geographical range of each subspecies. 4Molecular studies based on mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b sequences recognized only two subspecies: the Peruvian L. guanicoe cacsilensis and the rest of the populations grouped in the clade recognized as L. g. guanicoe. We conclude that the evolutionary biology of L. guanicoe requires a significant revision with respect to biogeography. Phylogeographical data hold particular value in developing conservation strategies, particularly for some of the reduced and marginal populations and/or subspecies and will support IUCN (The World Conservation Union) Red List classification. [source] Contrasting mtDNA diversity and population structure in a direct-developing marine gastropod and its trematode parasitesMOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 22 2009DEVON B. KEENEY Abstract The comparative genetic structure of hosts and their parasites has important implications for their coevolution, but has been investigated in relatively few systems. In this study, we analysed the genetic structure and diversity of the New Zealand intertidal snail Zeacumantus subcarinatus (n = 330) and two of its trematode parasites, Maritrema novaezealandensis (n = 269) and Philophthalmus sp. (n = 246), using cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) sequences. Snails and trematodes were examined from 11 collection sites representing three regions on the South Island of New Zealand. Zeacumantus subcarinatus displayed low genetic diversity per geographic locality, strong genetic structure following an isolation by distance pattern, and low migration rates at the scale of the study. In contrast, M. novaezealandensis possessed high genetic diversity, genetic homogeneity among collection sites and high migration rates. Genetic diversity and migration rates were typically lower for Philophthalmus sp. compared to M. novaezealandensis and it displayed weak to moderate genetic structure. The observed patterns likely result from the limited dispersal ability of the direct developing snail and the utilization of bird definitive hosts by the trematodes. In addition, snails may occasionally experience long-distance dispersal. Discrepancies between trematode species may result from differences in their effective population sizes and/or life history traits. [source] Discrepancies in population differentiation at microsatellites, mitochondrial DNA and plumage colour in the pied flycatcher , inferring evolutionary processesMOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 8 2000J. Haavie Abstract Genetic differentiation between three populations of the pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca (Norway, Czech Republic and Spain, respectively) was investigated at microsatellite loci and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences and compared with the pattern of differentiation of male plumage colour. The Czech population lives sympatrically with the closely related collared flycatcher (F. albicollis) whereas the other two are allopatric. Allopatric populations are on average more conspicuously coloured than sympatric ones, a pattern that has been explained by sexual selection for conspicuous colour in allopatry and a character displacement on breeding plumage colour in sympatry that reduces the rate of hybridization with the collared flycatcher. The Czech population was genetically indistinguishable from the Norwegian population at microsatellite loci and mtDNA sequences. Recent isolation and/or gene flow may explain the lack of genetic differentiation. Accordingly, different selection on plumage colour in the two populations is either sufficiently strong so that gene flow has little impact on the pattern of colour variation, or differentiation of plumage colour occurred so recently that the (presumably) neutral, fast evolving markers employed here are unable to reflect the differentiation. Genetically, the Spanish population was significantly differentiated from the other populations, but the divergence was much more pronounced at mtDNA compared to microsatellites. This may reflect increased rate of differentiation by genetic drift at the mitochondrial, compared with the nuclear genome, caused by the smaller effective population size of the former genome. In accordance with this interpretation, a genetic pattern consistent with effects of small population size in the Spanish population (genetic drift and inbreeding) were also apparent at the microsatellites, namely reduced allelic diversity and heterozygous deficiency. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||