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EI
Selected AbstractsApplication of a New Intense Pulsed Light Device in the Treatment of Photoaging Skin in Asian PatientsDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 11 2008YUAN-HONG LI MD BACKGROUND Intense pulsed light (IPL) technology has long been used in the treatment of photoaging skin. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new IPL device in the treatment of photoaging skin in Asian patients. METHODS One hundred fifty-two Chinese women with photoaging skin were enrolled in this open-labeled study. Subjects received four IPL treatments at 3- to 4-week intervals. Changes of photoaging were evaluated using a global evaluation, an overall self-assessment, a Mexameter, and a Corneometer. RESULTS One hundred thirty-nine of 152 patients (91.44%) experienced a score decrease of 3 or 2 grades, according to the dermatologist. One hundred thirty-six of 152 patients (89.47%) rated their overall improvement as excellent or good. The mean skin melanin index (MI) and erythema index values deceased with each session. MI on forehead and EI on cheilion decreased most significantly. Adverse effects were limited to mild pain and transient erythema. CONCLUSION IPL treatment is a safe and effective method for photoaging skin in Asian patients. Adverse effects were minimal and acceptable. [source] Demonstration of Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Eccentricity by Real Time 3D Echocardiography: Implications for the Determination of Aortic Valve AreaECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 8 2007Sanjay Doddamani M.D. Background: Determination of the left ventricular outflow tract cross-sectional area (ALVOT) is necessary for calculating aortic valve area (AVA) by echocardiography using the continuity equation (CE). In the commonly applied form of CE, ,r2 is used to estimate ALVOT utilizing the assumptions that LVOT is round and the parasternal long axis (PLAX) plane bisects LVOT. Imaging LVOT using real time 3D echocardiography (RT3DE) eliminates the need for these assumptions. We tested the hypothesis that LVOT is round based on a formula for eccentricity. Methods and Results: In 53 patients, 2D echocardiography (2DE) and RT3DE were acquired. ALVOT was calculated by 2DE using ,r2 (ALVOT-2D). Using RT3DE, ALVOT planimetry was performed immediately beneath the aortic valve (ALVOT-3Dplan). Eccentricity Index (EI) was calculated using the shortest and longest LVOT diameters. The long axis was measured to be larger by 0.53 cm ± 0.36 (P < 0.005). The median EI was 0.20 (0.00,0.54), indicating that half the subjects had at least a 20% difference between the major and minor diameters. ALVOT-3Dplan was larger than ALVOT-2D (3.73 ± 0.95 cm2 vs. 3.18 ± 0.73 cm2; P < 0.001) by paired analysis. Using the equation of an ellipse (,ab), ALVOT-3Dellip was 3.57 ± 0.95 resulting in improved agreement with ALVOT-3Dplan. Conclusions: In our small patient sample with normal aortic valves, we showed the LVOT shape is usually not round and frequently, elliptical. Incorrectly assuming a round LVOT underestimated the ALVOT-3Dplan and consequently the AVA by 15%. Investigating the LVOT in aortic stenosis is warranted to evaluate whether RT3DE may improve measurement of AVA. [source] Elongation Index as a New Index Determining the Severity of Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction and Mitral Regurgitation in Patients with Congestive Heart FailureECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 7 2005Mehmet Yokusoglu M.D. The shape of the left ventricle is an important echocardiographic feature of left ventricular dysfunction. Progression of the mitral regurgitation and consequent left ventricular remodeling is unpredictable in heart failure. Elongation index is an index of left ventricular sphericity. The surface area of the elongated ventricle is larger than that of a spherical one. The objective of this study was to assess the relation between elongation index and the degree of mitral regurgitation along with noninvasive indices of left ventricular function. Thirty-two patients (21 male, 11 female, mean age: 57 ± 6 yrs) with congestive heart failure and mitral regurgitation were included. Patients were stratified into three groups according to vena contracta width as having mild (n = 11), moderate (n = 11) and severe mitral regurgitation (n = 10). The elongation index (EI) was considered as equal to {[(left ventricular internal area-measured) , (theoretical area of the sphere with measured left ventricular volume)]/(theoretical area of the sphere with measured left ventricular volume)}. Ejection fractions by the modified Simpson rule, dP/dt and sphericity index (SI) were also recorded. The relationship between (EI), ejection fraction, dP/dt and SI reached modest statistical significance (p < 0.05). When the EI and SI were compared, the correlation was also significant (p < 0.01). The areas under the receiver operator curve of EI and SI for discriminating dP/dt < 1000 mm Hg/s were 0.833 and 0.733, respectively. In conclusion, the elongation, which defines the shape of the left ventricle, might be related to the systolic function of the left ventricle and the degree of the mitral regurgitation. Further studies are needed to demonstrate its use in other clinical entities. [source] "EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE" IN THE CLASSROOM?EDUCATIONAL THEORY, Issue 1 2006AN ARISTOTELIAN CRITIQUE In making his famous claim that the good life would have to include appropriate emotions, Aristotle obviously considered the schooling of emotions to be an indispensable part of moral education. However, in this essay Kristján Kristjánsson casts doubt on the assumption that Aristotelians should approve of the clarion call for EI, as understood by Daniel Goleman and the proponents of social and emotional learning, in the classroom. Various marked differences between EI and Aristotelian emotional virtue are highlighted and explored. Kristjánsson argues that the claims of EI lack moral ballast and that when this fact is added to an existing heap of educational problems attached to the implementation of EI programs, educators had better rethink their reliance on EI as a model of emotion cultivation, and perhaps revert to the teachings of Aristotle himself. [source] Growth hormone and changes in energy balance in growth hormone deficient adultsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 9 2008D. Deepak ABSTRACT Background, Adults with growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) have an adverse body composition with an increased prevalence of obesity. It is not known whether growth hormone replacement (GHR) results in alterations in energy intake (EI) and/or energy expenditure (EE). The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of GHR on EI and EE. Materials and methods, Nineteen hypopituitary adults (14 males, 5 females, mean age 46·2 years) with severe GHD (peak GH response to glucagon , 9 mU L,1) were studied. All patients self-injected recombinant human GH starting with 0·3 mg s.c. daily. The following were measured before and following 6 months of stable maintenance of GHR: food intake during a test meal, appetite ratings, resting EE (indirect calorimetry) and voluntary physical activity (accelerometry). Results, GHR nearly doubled voluntary physical activity (mean activity units 3319 vs. 1881, P = 0·007) and improved quality of life score (mean score 9·1 vs. 16·5, P < 0·0001). Subjects reported higher fasting hunger ratings (mean 64·8 vs. 49·6, P = 0·02) but ad libitum energy intake remained unchanged. Eating behavioural traits were favourably altered with lower disinhibition (mean 6·0 vs. 7·2, P = 0·02) and lower susceptibility to hunger ratings (4·6 vs. 6·8, P = 0·001) after GHR. Additionally, GHR did not result in significant changes in resting EE, body weight and body mass index. Conclusions, GHR in AGHD significantly improves voluntary physical activity and quality of life. Following GHR, subjects experience greater ,state' (physiological) hunger, reductions in eating disinhibition and hunger susceptibility, but no effects on calorie intake or macronutrient choice were detected. [source] Structural Characterization of N -Methylpyridoxine (MePN; PN = Vitamin B6) and Its Diorganotin Complexes [SnR2(MePN-H)]I (R = Me, Et, Bu and Ph)EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 15 2003José S. Casas Abstract For comparison with the corresponding pyridoxine complexes we have prepared dimethyl-, diethyl-, dibutyl- and diphenyltin(IV) complexes of N -methylpyridoxine (MePN). The compounds [SnMe2(MePN,H)]I (1), [SnEt2(MePN,H)]I (2), [SnBu2(MePN,H)]I (3) and [SnPh2(MePN,H)]I·H2O (4) were isolated and characterized by IR, Raman, Mössbauer, 1H, 13C and 119Sn NMR spectroscopy, and by EI and FAB mass spectrometry. The crystal structures of [HMePN]I and of compounds 1, 2·2H2O and 3 were determined by X-ray diffractometry. Their lattices contain dimeric [SnR2(MePN,H)]22+ units (R = Me, Et, Bu) in which two bridging-chelating methylpyridoxinato anions link pentacoordinate Sn atoms with coordination polyhedra closer to square pyramids than to trigonal bipyramids. NMR results show that the dimeric cations persist in (CD3)2SO. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2003) [source] Predicting psychological health: assessing the incremental validity of emotional intelligence beyond personality, Type A behaviour, and daily hasslesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY, Issue 6 2005Arla L. Day Although some research has linked emotional intelligence (EI) and psychological health, little research has examined EI's ability to predict health outcomes after controlling for related constructs, or EI's ability to moderate the stressor,strain relationship. The present study explored the relationships among EI (as assessed by a trait-based measure, the EQ-i), Big Five personality factors, Type A Behaviour Pattern (TABP), daily hassles, and psychological health/strain factors (in terms of perceived well-being, strain, and three components of burnout). The EQ-i was highly correlated with most aspects of personality and TABP. After controlling for the impact of hassles, personality, and TABP, the five EQ-i subscales accounted for incremental variance in two of the five psychological health outcomes. However, the EQ-i scales failed to moderate the hassles,strain relationship. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Is trait-Emotional Intelligence simply or more than just a trait?EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY, Issue 4 2004Karen van der Zee The present study examined the usefulness of trait-Emotional Intelligence (EI) among a sample of 1186 top managers who filled out questionnaires for Emotional Intelligence and the Big Five and were evaluated by a consultant on their competencies. Three higher-order factors were found to underlie the Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory (Bar-On, 1997): sense of accomplishment, empathy, and planfulness. Trait-EI was found to be substantially related to Extraversion, Agreeableness, Emotional Stability, and Autonomy. Nevertheless, the EI-factors predicted additional variance over and above the Big Five in competency to support. On the whole, top managers scored higher on the EI dimensions compared with a general population sample. High EI scores were particularly found among managers from enterprising occupational environments, that is environments dominated by activities that entail persuading and leading others to attain organizational goals or economic gain. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Trait emotional intelligence: behavioural validation in two studies of emotion recognition and reactivity to mood inductionEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY, Issue 1 2003K. V. Petrides This paper presents two experiments concerning trait emotional intelligence (,trait EI'). In study 1, ten high and ten low trait EI individuals were selected from a sample of 85 persons to participate in a computerized experiment involving the recognition of morphed emotional expressions. As hypothesized, high trait EI participants were faster at identifying the expressions than their low trait EI counterparts. In study 2, trait EI scores from 102 persons were residualized on the Big Five and subsequently 15 high and 15 low trait EI individuals were selected to participate in a mood induction experiment. As hypothesized, high trait EI participants exhibited greater sensitivity to the mood induction procedure than their low trait EI counterparts. The findings are discussed in terms of the construct validity of trait EI, with particular emphasis on the issue of incremental validity vis-à-vis broad personality traits. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Trait emotional intelligence: psychometric investigation with reference to established trait taxonomiesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY, Issue 6 2001K V Petrides This paper sets out the theoretical foundation of emotional intelligence (EI) as a constellation of traits and self-perceived abilities. The discriminant validity of trait EI is explored in two studies. In study 1 (N,=,227), the psychometric properties of the BarOn Emotional Quotient inventory were scrutinized through confirmatory factor analysis and the measure was found to be unifactorial. When the EQ-i was examined concurrently with the Eysenck Personality Profiler, a clear trait EI factor emerged in Eysenckian factor space. In study 2 (N,=,166), a modified version of the EQ-i was examined concurrently with the NEO PI-R and a truncated trait EI factor was isolated within the Five-Factor Model. Results are discussed with explicit reference to established personality models and it is concluded that trait EI can be conceptualized as a distinct composite construct at the primary level of hierarchical trait structures. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Choosing among tests of emotional intelligence: What is the evidence?HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT QUARTERLY, Issue 1 2006Mary Pat McEnrue This article provides a comprehensive review of research regarding five types of validity for each of four major tests used to measure emotional intelligence (EI). It culls and synthesizes information scattered among a host of articles in academic journals, technical reports, chapters, and books, as well as unpublished papers and manuscripts. It enables human resource development professionals and researchers to determine the absolute and incremental value they are likely to derive by using any one of the tests to assess and develop emotional intelligence among managers and employees. [source] Emotional Intelligence: Toward Clarification of a ConceptINDUSTRIAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 2 2010CARY CHERNISS There has been much confusion and controversy concerning the concept of emotional intelligence (EI). Three issues have been particularly bothersome. The first concerns the many conflicting definitions and models of EI. To address this issue, I propose that we distinguish between definitions and models and then adopt a single definition on which the major theorists already seem to agree. I further propose that we more clearly distinguish between EI and the related concept of emotional and social competence (ESC). The second issue that has generated concern is the question of how valid existing measures are. After reviewing the research on the psychometric properties of several popular tests, I conclude that although there is some support for many of them, they all have inherent limitations. We need to rely more on alternative measurement strategies that have been available for some time and also develop new measures that are more sensitive to context. The third area of contention concerns the significance of EI for outcomes such as job performance or leadership effectiveness. Recent research, not available to earlier critics, suggests that EI is positively associated with performance. However, certain ESCs are likely to be stronger predictors of performance than EI in many situations. Also, EI is likely to be more important in certain kinds of situations, such as those involving social interaction or significant levels of stress. Context makes a difference. [source] Employee buyouts and employee involvement: a case study investigation of employee attitudesINDUSTRIAL RELATIONS JOURNAL, Issue 5 2000Lisa Trewhitt This article investigates the association between employee share ownership (ESO) and employee involvement (EI) in an employee-owned firm.Based on data from the firm's employers and employees, the article concludes that the mere presence of share ownership is no guarantee on increased involvement for employees, highlighting instead the significance of other variables. [source] Influence of endodontic sealer cement on fibreglass post bond strength to root dentineINTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 6 2008M. S. Menezes Abstract Aim, To test the hypothesis that the composition of endodontic sealer cements and the time elapsed between root filling and fibreglass post fixation interferes with adhesion to root canal dentine. Methodology, Sixty bovine incisor roots were divided into five groups (n = 12): CI, unfilled; SI, filled with a calcium hydroxide-based cement-Sealer 26, and immediate post fixation; S7, Sealer 26 and post fixation after 7 days; EI, filled with a zinc oxide and eugenol-based cement-Endofill and immediate fixation; and E7 Endofill and post fixation after 7 days. The posts were cemented with adhesive system and dual resin cement. Ten roots were cross-sectioned to obtain two 1-mm-thick discs for each cervical (TC), middle (TM) and apical (TA) third of the prepared root portion. The posts were submitted to a micropush-out test. The other two teeth were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy to analyse the bond interface. Data were analysed using anova, Tukey and Dunnett tests (P < 0.05). Results, Group EI was associated with a significant reduction in bond strength values irrespective of the root region; TC = 3.50 MPa (P = 0.0001); TM = 2.22 MPa (P = 0.0043) and TA = 1.45 MPa (P = 0.003). Region of canal had an influence on the values for the cement used in group E7, in which only the TA presented differences from the CI. Conclusions, Endofill interfered negatively with the bond to root dentine along its full length and in the TA when post fixation was delayed for 7 days. Bond strength decreased from crown to apex in all groups. [source] Interface reconstruction with least-square fit and split Eulerian,Lagrangian advectionINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUIDS, Issue 3 2003Ruben Scardovelli Abstract Two new volume-of-fluid (VOF) reconstruction algorithms, which are based on a least-square fit technique, are presented. Their performance is tested for several standard shapes and is compared to a few other VOF/PLIC reconstruction techniques, showing in general a better convergence rate. The geometric nature of Lagrangian and Eulerian split advection algorithms is investigated in detail and a new mixed split Eulerian implicit,Lagrangian explicit (EI,LE) scheme is presented. This method conserves the mass to machine error, performs better than split Eulerian and Lagrangian algorithms, and it is only slightly worse than unsplit schemes. However, the combination of the interface reconstruction with the least-square fit and its advection with the EI,LE scheme appears superior to other existing approaches. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Elicited imitation:a brief overviewINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED LINGUISTICS, Issue 1 2002Thora Vinther This article considers the key concepts of elicited imitation (EI), with the aim of contributing to the understanding of this technique for language testing. EI has been widely debated and often criticized, but there seems now to be an agreement as to its usefulness, as long as it is applied with great care. The article reviews the literature on EI and suggests some issues for discussion, such as the process of imitating, the length and structure of the stimulus, contextual support, whether the test evaluates comprehension or production skills, whether it assesses imitative or spontaneous language capacity, and how scoring is carried out. Although the focus is on foreign language acquisition (FLA), studies about EI within other areas have been included where this is considered useful for the understanding of the technique. [source] Restraint, hunger, and disinhibition following treatment for binge-eating disorderINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue 6 2009Kristina A. Downe MS Abstract Objective: To examine changes in total, flexible and rigid restraint, hunger, and disinhibition in obese individuals with Binge-Eating Disorder (BED), and assess whether these variables are associated with binge abstinence at post-treatment and during two-year follow-up. Method: A total of 116 obese individuals with BED were randomized to a 20-week treatment trial plus two-year follow-up. Using the Eating Inventory (EI), we assessed these factors at pretreatment, post-treatment, and follow-up time-points and examined their relationship to binge abstinence at post-treatment, 12- and 24-month follow-up. Results: Low disinhibition and high-total restraint are associated with post-treatment binge abstinence. There are no significant relationships between post-treatment EI variables and binge abstinence at 12- and 24-month follow-up. Discussion: Reducing disinhibition as well as increasing EI dietary restraint during BED treatment may be important for short-term success. © 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2009 [source] Emotional intelligence, its measurement and implications for the workplaceINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT REVIEWS, Issue 2 2008Susan Cartwright The concept of emotional intelligence (EI) has attracted a huge amount of interest from both academics and practitioners and has become linked to a whole range of outcomes, including career success, life satisfaction and health. Yet the concept itself and the way in which it is measured continue to fuel considerable debate. This paper takes a critical review of the methodologies and robustness of the validation and application studies that have used EI measures. In addition, the links between EI and other related theoretical perspectives such as emotional labour are considered. [source] A review of the Chinese cultural influences on Chinese enterprise managementINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT REVIEWS, Issue 4 2000Kit-Fai Pun In order to create and sustain competitive advantage, a company should not only develop technologies to create products and processes that meet customer needs, but also stimulate a corporate culture that commits to continuous performance improvement. Managing corporate culture is one of a number of important factors that make for organizational change and business success. This paper reviews the cultural roots and identifies the characteristics of Chinese cultural values and management. A comparative analysis of the differences between Anglo-American and Chinese cultures is made. The cultural influences on Chinese management systems are then elaborated with reference to enterprise management in Mainland China and Hong Kong. With unique cultural heritage, collective orientation has a pervasive influence on the mode of Chinese management and organization. The prevailing Chinese culture values stress largely the paternalistic approach to management, acceptance of hierarchy and the importance of relationships. Today's Chinese enterprises need to determine changes in practice or value or both aspects of corporate culture in order to facilitate organizational change and maintain a competitive edge over their rivals. The paper also discusses the links of cultural values to employee involvement (EI) and total quality management (TQM), and initiates a need to manage cultural influences on EI/TQM practices to improve organizational performance in Chinese enterprises. [source] European Integration, the Problem of Complexity and the Revision of TheoryJCMS: JOURNAL OF COMMON MARKET STUDIES, Issue 1 2003Robert Geyer Recently, European integration (EI) and international relations (IR) debates have been locked into two camps: rationalists, modelling themselves on the natural sciences, and reflectivists, opposing themselves to the natural sciences. The division is based on an out-of-date view of the orderly nature of the natural sciences. Since the middle of the twentieth century a new complexity framework in the natural sciences has developed. This framework provides a new and intriguing ontological and epistemological foundation for addressing the problem of complexity and helps to explain and overcome the separation between the two poles of debate in European integration and international relations. [source] Tall Fescue Adaptation to Low Nitrogen Fertilization in Relation to Germplasm Type and Endophyte InfectionJOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE, Issue 3 2008L. Pecetti Abstract Efficient crop growth with low nitrogen (N) application is becoming a requirement to face the concern on excessive N emission to the environment and the increasing cost of fertilizers. This study compared six natural populations and three improved varieties of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) for dry-matter yield over 4 years under ordinary N fertilization (450 kg ha,1 in the 4 years) and very low N fertilization (only 40 kg ha,1 prior to sowing). Both endophyte-infected (EI) and endophyte-free (EF) forms of each accession were sown. On average, ordinary fertilization implied 30 % higher yield than very low fertilization and the EI germplasm outyielded the corresponding EF germplasm (+4.4 %). Mean yield of improved varieties was higher than that of natural populations under ordinary fertilization (P < 0.05), whereas the two germplasm groups did not differ under very low fertilization. Accession × N fertilization interaction was found among natural populations but not among varieties (P < 0.05). A few natural populations were top-yielding under very low fertilization and may be exploited, possibly in combination with endophyte infection, to select tall fescue varieties with enhanced performance under limited N application. [source] Spatial and temporal analysis of vegetation mosaics for conservation: poor fen communities in a Cornish valley mireJOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY, Issue 9 2003E. J. Southall Abstract Aim Biogeographers increasingly realize the importance of seeing plant communities as spatial mosaics and understanding the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of a site is often a key to successful conservation. The aim of this paper is to examine the approaches to the description and analysis of spatial and temporal variation in sub-communities within patch mosaics of vegetation in order to inform conservation management. The activities of the tin streaming industry in Cornwall over the last century have created a highly varied mosaic of poor fen vegetation on Goss Moor National Nature Reserve (NNR). The wetland mosaics comprise dry hummocks and different sized wet pools. The size and depth of the pools determines the rate and type of vegetation that develops, as does the nature of boundary or edge. The ergodic hypothesis is used to describe the various plant sub-communities and their boundaries to identify pathways of hydroseral succession. A further aim was to test the use of Ellenberg Indicator (EI) values as a tool for the rapid description of spatial and temporal environmental change on wetland sites with a view to their management. Location Goss Moor National Nature Reserve, Cornwall, UK. Methods An extensive survey of the whole wetland complex was undertaken to identify patches of poor fen vegetation containing Potentilla palustris (L.) Scop. and Menyanthes trifoliata L. At each patch, species abundance data were collected as well as associated environmental information such as depth of the organic layer and standing water depth, patch location, patch size and boundary type. The plant sub-communities present were defined using techniques of numerical classification [two-way indicator species analysis (twinspan)] and ordination [detrended correspondence analysis (DCA)] and these were ordered using the ergodic hypothesis in order to characterize the stages of the hydrosere. Floristic and environmental relationships were examined using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). Further environmental differences between the poor fen sub-community types were characterized by weighted EI values for acidity (R), moisture (F), nitrogen (N) and light (L). Results and conclusions Twelve poor fen sub-community types were described and found to be distributed along a primary environmental gradient of organic matter depth, surface water height and bare substrate. Separation of the poor fen communities by a moisture gradient was considered as spatial evidence for hydroseral succession, which begins with the colonization of open-water pools created by tin excavations. High water levels were associated with the swamp communities, increased organic depth was associated with poor fen, and the type of boundary was shown to affect the resulting community composition. Weighted Community Ellenberg Indicator values for nitrogen, light, reaction and moisture are recommended as an effective tool for indicating differences between plant (sub-)communities. The importance of examining sub-community mosaics in the study of hydroseral development is stressed and the manner in which both sets of information may be used to underpin the conservation management of the site is demonstrated. [source] Slowed Progression or Elimination of Atherosclerosis by Low-Frequency Electrical ImpulsesJOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 1 2003Ph.D., Valeri Chekanov M.D. In this investigation we demonstrated the slow progression or elimination of atherosclerosis by low-frequency EI in case of moderate atherosclerosis (after eight weeks of HCD). Methods: Series I rabbits (control group) were fed HCD for eight weeks. Series II rabbits were fed HCD for eight weeks and were then switched to normal diet for eight weeks (no EI). Series III rabbits were fed HCD for eight weeks and then switched to a normal diet with simultaneous EI (applied near the abdominal aorta) for eight weeks (3 V, 30 single impulses per minute, 24 hours/day). After euthanization, the level of atherosclerosis, percentage of surface area involved in the atherosclerosis process, and an atherosclerosis score were calculated in the aortic arch, thoracic and abdominal aorta. Results: Statistically significant differences were seen in the level of atherosclerosis in the abdominal aorta between series III animals (0.4 ± 0.2) and the other two groups: 1.5 ± 0.4 in series I (HCD only), 1.2 ± 0.3 in series II (HCD then normal diet). Gross examination of the surface also revealed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in the percentage of atherosclerosis between the control series I (30.1 ± 4.1%) and series II (21.3 ± 3.6%), compared with series III (5.5 ± 5.4%). In addition, the atherosclerosis score was also significantly different: 45.8 ± 3.9 in series I, 25.2 ± 6.9 in series II, and 2.2 ± 2.0 in series III (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our study showed that, when applied near the abdominal aorta, low-frequency electrical impulses decrease atherosclerotic deposition in the abdominal aorta. (J Card Surg 2003; 18:47-58) [source] Comparison of Cool Tip Versus 8-mm Tip Catheter in Achieving Electrical Isolation of Pulmonary Veins for Long-Term Control of Atrial Fibrillation: A Prospective Randomized Pilot StudyJOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 10 2006SANJAY DIXIT M.D. Objective: To compare safety and efficacy of 8-mm versus cooled tip catheter in achieving electrical isolation (EI) of pulmonary veins (PV) for long-term control of atrial fibrillation (AF). Background: There is paucity of studies comparing safety/efficacy of 8-mm and cooled tip catheters in patients undergoing AF ablation. Methods and Results: This was a randomized and patient-blinded study. Subjects were followed by clinic visits (at 6 weeks and 6 months) and transtelephonic monitoring (3-week duration) done around each visit. Primary endpoints were: (1) long-term AF control (complete freedom and/or >90% reduction in AF burden on or off antiarrhythmic drugs at 6 months after a single ablation), and (2) occurrence of serious adverse events (cardiac tamponade, stroke, LA-esophageal fistula, and/or death). Eighty-two patients (age 56 ± 9 years, 60 males, paroxysmal AF = 59) were randomized (42 patients to 8-mm tip and 40 patients to cooled tip). EI of PVs was achieved in shorter time by the 8-mm tip as compared with cooled tip catheter (40 ± 23 minutes vs 50 ± 30 minutes; P < 0.05) but long-term AF control was not different between the two (32 patients [78%] vs 28 patients [70%], respectively; P = NS). One serious adverse event occurred in each group (LA-esophageal fistula and stroke, respectively) and no significant PV stenosis was observed in either. Conclusion: EI of PVs using either 8-mm or cooled tip catheter results in long-term AF control in the majority after a single ablation procedure, with comparable efficacy and safety. [source] Assessing the ecological integrity of a grassland ecosystem: the applicability and rapidity of the SAGraSS methodAFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2009W. Kaiser Abstract The Grassland Biome is currently one of the most threatened biomes in South Africa and is in dire need of a biomonitoring protocol. The components of ecological integrity in these ecosystems are, however, too diverse and time-consuming to measure scrupulously. It is therefore necessary to develop a set of grassland indicators that are efficient and rapid in their assessment of grassland ecosystem integrity. The South African Grassland Scoring System (SAGraSS), based on the grassland insect community, is such a suggested indicator. The present study is the first to investigate the applicability and rapidity of this proposed method. Although SAGraSS scores correlated significantly with Ecological Index values (the most commonly used index by which veld condition is evaluated in central South Africa), the method proved to be tedious and the identification of insects taxing. We offer a number of changes to make the SAGraSS method a more rapid method of assessment. Résumé Le Biome « Prairies » est aujourd'hui un des plus menacés d'Afrique du Sud et a sérieusement besoin d'un protocole de biomonitoring. Les composantes de l'intégritéécologique de ces écosystèmes sont cependant trop diverses, et il faudrait trop de temps pour les mesurer scrupuleusement. Il est donc nécessaire de mettre au point un ensemble d'indicateurs pour les prairies qui soient efficaces et permettent d'évaluer rapidement l'intégrité de ces écosystèmes. Le système sud-africain South African Grassland Scoring System (SAGraSS), basé sur la communauté des insectes des prairies, est un des indicateurs qui fut proposé. Cette étude est la première qui analyse l'applicabilité et la rapidité de cette méthode. Bien que les résultats du SAGraSS soient significativement reliés aux valeurs de l'Indice Ecologique (EI , l'indice le plus utilisé pour évaluer les conditions écologiques du Veld au centre de l'Afrique du Sud), la méthode s'est avérée fastidieuse, et l'identification des insectes assez longue. Nous proposons un certain nombre de changements à apporter pour faire de la méthode SAGraSS une méthode d'évaluation plus rapide. [source] Tuberculids as sentinel lesions of tuberculous epididymo-orchitisJOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 11 2007Pratistadevi K. Ramdial Background:, Tuberculids are rarely associated with male genital tract tuberculosis (TB). Tuberculous epididymo-orchitis (TBEO) has been associated rarely with papulonecrotic tuberculid (PNT) but not with erythema induratum (EI) or the simultaneous occurrence of different tuberculids. Methods:, A retrospective assessment of tuberculids that occurred with underlying TBEO was carried out. Results:, Five patients, four with one and one with two skin biopsies, with clinical diagnoses of PNT (two), EI (one), impetigo (two) and calf ulcer (one), formed the study cohort. Histopathological evaluation confirmed PNT and EI in four and two skin biopsies, respectively. Two patients who returned for follow-up were commenced on anti-tuberculous therapy. All patients sought medical attention 3,34 months later for tender right-sided (two) and left-sided (three) testicular masses. Orchidectomy was undertaken following a poor clinical response to empirical treatment with trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole. Pathological examination of the testis and epididymis confirmed TBEO. The patients were initiated on anti-tuberculous therapy. There was dramatic healing of the skin lesions. Conclusion:, Tuberculids are a sentinel cutaneous manifestation of visceral TB and a valuable external audit of treatment compliance and response. Heightened recognition of and more rigorous genitourinary tract investigation are necessary to identify occult or asymptomatic TBEO as the underlying cause of tuberculids. [source] Value of quantitative MRI biomarkers (Evans' index, aqueductal flow rate, and apparent diffusion coefficient) in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalusJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 4 2009FRCR, Samuel E.S. Ng MBBS Abstract Purpose To define the value of Evans' index (EI), aqueductal flow rate (FR), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in the diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and to assess the ability of these markers preoperatively to predict shunt response. To shed some light as to the mechanisms responsible for the symptoms of NPH. Materials and Methods Preoperative EI, FR, and ADC readings in nine cases of clinically diagnosed NPH were compared with those of age- and gender-matched controls. Similar pre- and postoperative readings of responders and nonresponders were subsequently compared. Results Compared with the controls, all measurements were statistically significant except for peak systolic flow rate (pSfr), which was near statistical significance. Comparison of pre- and postoperative readings of responders and nonresponders revealed a decrease in ADC in all responders (P = 0.032). Subdural hemorrhage was found in all nonresponders (P = 0.012). Conclusion For patients presenting with signs and symptoms of NPH, readings on MRI greater than 0.3, 10 mL/min, ,9.0 mL/min, and 10.65 × 10,4 mm2/s for EI, peak diastolic flow rate (pDfr), pSfr, and ADC, respectively, add further weight to the diagnosis. The strong correlation between shunt response and ADC decline support our hypothesis that water accumulation in the cerebrum is the major cause for the symptoms of NPH. The presence of subdural hemorrhage in all nonresponders raises suspicion of decreased compliance as the other major cause. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;30:708,715. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Differentiation between completely hyalinized uterine leiomyomas and ordinary leiomyomas: Three-phase dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) vs. diffusion-weighted MRI with very small b-factorsJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 1 2004Ken Shimada MD Abstract Purpose To assess the possibility of differentiating between completely hyalinized leiomyomas and ordinary leiomyomas by using diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (DWI) employing very small b-factors (b = 1.51 and 55.3 seconds/mm2) in comparison with three-phase dynamic MRI. Materials and Methods The subjects were 25 patients with 52 histopathologically confirmed uterine leiomyomas. All leiomyomas were divided into two histopathologic subtypes (5 completely hyalinized leiomyomas and 47 ordinary leiomyomas). For each leiomyoma, the enhancement index (EI) at three-phase dynamic MRI and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were obtained and then compared. Results The EIs at second and third dynamic phases clearly differentiated the two types of leiomyomas without overlap of values. ADCs also clearly differentiated the two types of leiomyomas without overlap of values. Moreover, there were significant positive correlations between ADCs and EIs at all dynamic phases (r = 0.41,0.50, P < 0.01). Conclusion Not only three-phase dynamic MRI but also DWI with very small b-factors could be useful for differentiating completely hyalinized leiomyomas from ordinary leiomyomas. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:97,104. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The evolution of volatile compounds profile of "Toscano" dry-cured ham during ripening as revealed by SPME-GC-MS approach,JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (INCORP BIOLOGICAL MASS SPECTROMETRY), Issue 9 2010C. Pugliese Abstract The volatile compounds profile is an important feature for the characterization of dry-cured hams. Some minor typical Italian products, such as ,Toscano' ham, have been poorly studied in regards to their composition of volatile compounds. In this article, we studied the evolution of the aromatic profile of ,Toscano' dry-cured ham by solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatographic-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) with ripening. Ten right thighs were cured according to the ,Toscano' PDO protocol, sampled at 0, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months and submitted to volatile compounds analysis by SPME with a Divinylbenzene (DVB)/Carboxen/Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) 75-µ Stable Flex fibre. An Agilent 5975C mass selective detector (MSD) spectrometer with electron ionization (EI) source operating in scan mode within the m/z 29,350 range was used for data collection. Seven internal standards, either deuterium labeled or absent in the specimens and chosen to represent low or high boiling esters, alcohols, acids or phenols, were added to the homogenized samples and used to normalize the SPME fibre response to account for response changes upon wearing. Linear calibrations were obtained in this way for selected representative compounds. Over 60 compounds belonging to esters, aldehydes, organic acids, ketones and alcohols were identified by comparison with spectral libraries and Kovats indices. Aldehydes were the most represented chemical family, followed by organic acids, alcohols, ketones and esters. The aldehydes and ketones increased during the first 3 months, when the larger formation of volatiles occurred. For other families, the evolution over time was less evident. The principal component and discriminant analyses of the aromatic profile were effective in classifying the hams at 0, 6 or 12 months of ripening while for 1 and 3 months' samples a partial overlapping was shown. These results represent the first characterization of ,Toscano' ham and may constitute the basis to identify the best ripening time and define an analytical quality standard for this typical ham. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Electron ionization mass spectrometric study of monomeric models of O -polysaccharides of Vibrio cholerae O:1, serotypes Ogawa and InabaJOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (INCORP BIOLOGICAL MASS SPECTROMETRY), Issue 9 2003Vladimír Ková Abstract Fragmentation mechanisms of electron ionization (EI) mass spectrometry of the title compounds have been elucidated by high-resolution (HR) mass spectrometric measurements of the elemental composition and measurements of the metastable transitions (B2/E, CID). The experimental results were interpreted with the help of Mass Frontier 3.0 software, which aided the elucidation of fragmentation mechanisms and helped to deduce structures of the ions formed. Characteristic under the conditions of EI-MS measurement was the production of protonated adducts. Three distinct pathways observed include the formation of oxonium type ions, the conjugated transfer of electrons in the pyranose ring, and cleavage of the acylamide side chains. By applying the results obtained, the molecular mass, as well as the structures of both the saccharide and acylamide side chain involved in related substances, can be determined. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||