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Efficient Tool (efficient + tool)
Selected AbstractsENTRY-LEVEL POLICE CANDIDATE ASSESSMENT CENTER: AN EFFICIENT TOOL OR A HAMMER TO KILL A FLY?PERSONNEL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 4 2002KOBI DAYAN The study examined the validity of the assessment center (AC) as a selection process for entry-level candidates to die police and its unique value beyond cognitive ability tests. The sample included 712 participants who responded to personality and cognitive ability testing (CAT), and underwent an AC procedure. AC results included the overall assessment rating (OAR) and peer evaluation (PE). Seven criterion measures were collected for 585 participants from a training stage and on-the-job performance. Results showed that the selection system was valid. Findings yielded significant unique validities of OAR and PE beyond CAT and of PE beyond OAR even after corrections for restriction of range. Results support the use of ACs for entry-level candidates. [source] ChemInform Abstract: The Oxime Bond Formation as an Efficient Tool for the Conjugation of Ruthenium Complexes to Oligonucleotides and Peptides.CHEMINFORM, Issue 7 2008Mathilde Villien Abstract ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a "Full Text" option. The original article is trackable via the "References" option. [source] Thermodynamic activity-based enzyme kinetics: Efficient tool for nonaqueous enzymologyAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 3 2001Georgina C. Sandoval Lipase-catalyzed synthesis reactions must be performed in nonaqueous media (organic solvents or solvent-free systems). The choice of the optimal solvent is usually a fastidious task that necessitates the determination of kinetic parameters in each solvent. The approach used here, to overcome the lack of a model that can predict the kinetics whatever the solvent, consists in the use of thermodynamic activities instead of concentrations of components, and assumes that activity-based kinetic parameters are the same in all solvents. This assumption is discussed, and a solution is proposed which takes into account some observed residual solvent effects. The reaction chosen to test this approach was the esterification of oleic acid with ethanol catalyzed by an immobilized lipase, Lipozyme. For this reaction, the kinetics predicted in various organic solvents and in solvent-free systems is in agreement with the experimental data. [source] Management Strategies and Improvement of Performance of Sewer NetworksCOMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, Issue 7 2007Denys Breysse Even when they are conscious about the needs of maintenance to keep the system in a good condition, they lack efficient methods and tools that may help them in taking appropriate decisions. One can say that no really satisfactory and efficient tool exists, enabling the optimization of Inspection, Maintenance, or Rehabilitation (IMR) strategies on such systems. Sewer managers and researchers have been involved for many years in the French National Research Project for Renewal of Non Man Entry Sewer System (RERAU,Réhabilitation des Réseaux d'Assainissement Urbains, in French) to improve their knowledge of these systems and the management policies. During the RERAU project, a specific action has been dedicated to the modeling of asset ageing and maintenance. A special attention has been dedicated to the description of defects and dysfunctions, to the evaluation of performances and its modeling, accounting for its various dimensions (from the point of view of the manager, of the user, of the environment,). After having defined an Index of Technical Performance (ITp), we will introduce the Index of Technical and Economic Performance (ITEp) that is a combined measure of performance (including social costs) and technical costs. This index provides an objective standard tool for managers to compare different alternatives. It is used in the article to compare some simple IMR strategies. It sets the basis of a new method for no-man entry sewer system management, enabling us to analyze the profitableness of investment in terms of both technical and economic performance. [source] A 3-D Graphical Database System for Landfill Operations Using GPSCOMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2002H. Ping Tserng Landfill space is an important commodity for landfill companies. It is desirable to develop an efficient tool to assist space management and monitor space consumption. When recyclable wastes or particular waste materials need to be retrieved from the landfill site, the excavation operations become more difficult without an efficient tool to provide waste information (i.e., location and type). In this paper, a methodology and several algorithms are proposed to develop a 3-D graphical database system (GDS) for landfill operations. A 3-D GDS not only monitors the space consumption of a landfill site, but can also provide exact locations and types of compacted waste that would later benefit the landfill excavation operations or recycling programs after the waste is covered. [source] An automated in situ hybridization screen in the medaka to identify unknown neural genesDEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 3 2005Carole Deyts Abstract Despite the fact that a large body of factors that play important roles in development are known, there are still large gaps in understanding the genetic pathways that govern these processes. To find previously unknown genes that are expressed during embryonic development, we optimized and performed an automated whole-mount in situ hybridization screen on medaka embryos at the end of somitogenesis. Partial cDNA sequences were compared against public databases and identified according to similarities found to other genes and gene products. Among 321 isolated genes showing specific expression in the central nervous system in at least one of five stages of development, 55.14% represented genes whose functions are already documented (in fish or other model organisms). Additionally, 16.51% were identified as conserved unknown genes or genes with unknown function. We provide new data on eight of these genes that presented a restricted expression pattern that allowed for formulating testable hypotheses on their developmental roles, and that were homologous to mammalian molecules of unknown function. Thus, gene expression screening in medaka is an efficient tool for isolating new regulators of embryonic development, and can complement genome-sequencing projects that are producing a high number of genes without ascribed functions. Developmental Dynamics 234:698,708, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Evaluation of a sunscreen photoprotective effect by ascorbic acid assessment in human dermis using microdialysis and gas chromatography mass spectrometryEXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2005Nathalie Lévêque Abstract:, Ultraviolet irradiation causes adverse effects like sunburn, photosensitivity reactions or immunologic suppression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the photo-protective outcome of a sunscreen cream (SPF8) by the determination of erythema indexes and the assessment of ascorbic acid and its metabolites in human dermis. These substances were used as markers of oxidative effect. Eight healthy female subjects were enrolled in this study. Two abdominal areas were exposed to solar simulated irradiation with three minimal erythema dose, one with SPF8 application and the other site without SPF8 application. Two other areas were used as control, one without SPF8 application and the other site after SPF8 application. Ascorbic acid and its metabolites (dehydroascorbic acid, threonic acid, oxalic acid and xylose) were collected from human dermis by microdialysis and assessed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Irradiated site without sunscreen application had significantly demonstrated lower dermis ascorbic acid concentrations and a higher erythema index than the three other sites (P < 0.05). Threonic acid, oxalic acid and xylose dermis concentrations were significantly higher in site III than in the control site I (P < 0.05). The protected-irradiated site did not show erythema formation and there was stability of ascorbic acid dermis concentrations with non-variation in its metabolites. The assessment of ascorbic acid and its metabolites in human dermis could be an efficient tool to demonstrate the oxidative process and consequently to control the efficiency of sunscreen creams against undesirable UV effects. [source] Electrode design for skin electroporation with minimal nerve stimulationEXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 9 2004U. Pliquett Electroporation is an efficient tool for transdermal delivery of water-soluble molecules sizing up to several kDa. The main barrier to these agents is the stratum corneum, a 15 mm thin layer of dead keratinized cells. Once this layer is charged (approximately 50 V) by an outer electric field, structural rearrangements of the lipids create aqueous pathways (electroporation). Due to the high electric field within the stratum corneum, (E = 50 V/15 µm = 33 kV/cm) electrophoresis can drive charged molecules into the deeper skin layers. A major concern is the high electric field required, because nerve stimulation is inconvenient for the patient. Taking advantage of the fact that up to a depth of 50 µm no nervous receptors appear, a confinement of the field within the upper 15 µm would circumvent sensation. Field confinement within the stratum corneum is arranged by a special electrode geometry, an array of 300 µm holes within a 0.5 mm thick dielectric. The bottom, facing the stratum corneum, is metalized with a gap to the holes. The size of this gap (3,10 µm) is critical for the penetration depth of the electric field between the metalized bottom and a distant electrode at the other side of the holes. A drug reservoir is implemented below the distant electrode and the dielectric. [source] Application of pharmacokinetic modelling to the routine therapeutic drug monitoring of anticancer drugsFUNDAMENTAL & CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 4 2002Annick Rousseau Abstract Over the last 10 years, proofs of the clinical interest of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of certain anticancer drugs have been established. Numerous studies have shown that TDM is an efficient tool for controlling the toxicity of therapeutic drugs, and a few trials have even demonstrated that it can improve their efficacy. This article critically reviews TDM tools based on pharmacokinetic modelling of anticancer drugs. The administered dose of anticancer drugs is sometimes adjusted individually using either a priori or a posteriori methods. The most frequent clinical application of a priori formulae concerns carboplatin and allows the computation of the first dose based on biometrical and biological data such as weight, age, gender, creatinine clearance and glomerular filtration rate. A posteriori methods use drug plasma concentrations to adjust the subsequent dose(s). Thus, nomograms allowing dose adjustment on the basis of blood concentration are routinely used for 5-fluorouracil given as long continuous infusions. Multilinear regression models have been developed, for example for etoposide, doxorubicin, carboplatin, cyclophosphamide and irinotecan, to predict a single exposure variable [such as area under concentration,time curve (AUC)] from a small number of plasma concentrations obtained at predetermined times after a standard dose. These models can only be applied by using the same dose and schedule as the original study. Bayesian estimation offers more flexibility in blood sampling times and, owing to its precision and to the amount of information provided, is the method of choice for ensuring that a given patient benefits from the desired systemic exposure. Unlike the other a posteriori methods, Bayesian estimation is based on population pharmacokinetic studies and can take into account the effects of different individual factors on the pharmacokinetics of the drug. Bayesian estimators have been used to determine maximum tolerated systemic exposure thresholds (e.g. for topotecan or teniposide) as well as for the routine monitoring of drugs characterized by a very high interindividual pharmacokinetic variability such as methotrexate or carboplatin. The development of these methods has contributed to improving cancer chemotherapy in terms of patient outcome and survival and should be pursued. [source] Die Detektionseffizienz von Vorausbohrungen im TunnelbauGEOMECHANICS AND TUNNELLING, Issue 5 2008Hans-Jakob Ziegler Dr. phil.nat. Vor allem im Zusammenhang mit den großen Tunnelprojekten werden Vorausbohrungen zur Erkundung des Gebirges systematisch durchgeführt. Wie die Erfahrungen vom Lötschberg- und Gotthard-Basistunnel zeigen, handelt es sich dabei um ein effizientes Hilfsmittel, um "unerwünschte Ereignisse" wie Schlamm- und Wassereinbrüche oder das Anfahren von unerwarteten Störungszonen zu vermeiden. Nur in drei Fällen traten solche "unerwünschten Ereignisse" bisher auf der betrachteten, ausgebrochenen Tunnelstrecke von insgesamt etwa 100 km auf. Dies zeigt klar den großen Nutzen von Vorausbohrungen für die Arbeits- und Planungssicherheit im modernen Tunnelbau. Die vorgestellten Beispiele belegen aber auch, dass auch mit den effizientesten Vorausbohrungen die Eintretenswahrscheinlichkeit von "unerwünschten Ereignissen" nie Null sein wird. The detection efficacy of reconnaissance drilling in tunnelling Mainly in connection with major tunnel projects, reconnaissance drilling is systematically used to survey the host rock. As shows the experience from the Lötschberg- and the Gotthard basetunnels, reconnaissance drilling is an efficient tool in avoiding "unwanted hazards" like mud or water intrusions, or the penetration of unexpected fracture or failure zones. On the observed excavated tunnel distance of about 100 km, up to now, such "unwanted hazards" occurred tree times only. This clearly demonstrates the important benefit of reconnaissance drilling for work and planning security in modern tunnelling. However, the examples presented also make obvious, that even with the most efficient reconnaissance drilling the probability of an "unwanted hazard" will never become zero. [source] Utility of the Gyrus open forceps in hepatic parenchymal transectionHPB, Issue 3 2009Matthew R. Porembka Abstract Objective:, This study aimed to evaluate if the Gyrus open forceps is a safe and efficient tool for hepatic parenchymal transection. Background:, Blood loss during hepatic transection remains a significant risk factor for morbidity and mortality associated with liver surgery. Various electrosurgical devices have been engineered to reduce blood loss. The Gyrus open forceps is a bipolar cautery device which has recently been introduced into hepatic surgery. Methods:, We conducted a single-institution, retrospective review of all liver resections performed from November 2005 through November 2007. Patients undergoing resection of at least two liver segments where the Gyrus was the primary method of transection were included. Patient charts were reviewed; clinicopathological data were collected. Results:, Of the 215 open liver resections performed during the study period, 47 patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean patient age was 61 years; 34% were female. The majority required resection for malignant disease (94%); frequent indications included colorectal metastasis (66%), hepatocellular carcinoma (6%) and cholangiocarcinoma (4%). Right hemihepatectomy (49%), left hemihepatectomy (13%) and right trisectionectomy (13%) were the most frequently performed procedures. A total of 26 patients (55%) underwent a major ancillary procedure concurrently. There were no operative mortalities. Median operative time was 220 min (range 97,398 min). Inflow occlusion was required in nine patients (19%) for a median time of 12 min (range 3,30 min). Median total estimated blood loss was 400 ml (range 10,2000 ml) and 10 patients (21%) required perioperative transfusion. All patients had macroscopically negative margins. Median length of stay was 8 days. Two patients (4%) had clinically significant bile leak. The 30-day postoperative mortality was zero. Conclusions:, Use of the Gyrus open forceps appears to be a safe and efficient manner of hepatic parenchymal transection which allows rapid transection with acceptable blood loss, a low rate of perioperative transfusion, and minimal postoperative bile leak. [source] UMD-predictor, a new prediction tool for nucleotide substitution pathogenicity,application to four genes: FBN1, FBN2, TGFBR1, and TGFBR2,HUMAN MUTATION, Issue 6 2009Mélissa Yana Frédéric Abstract Approximately half of gene lesions responsible for human inherited diseases are due to an amino acid substitution, showing that this mutational mechanism plays a large role in diseases. Distinguishing neutral sequence variations from those responsible for the phenotype is of major interest in human genetics. Because in vitro validation of mutations is not always possible in diagnostic settings, indirect arguments must be accumulated to define whether a missense variation is causative. To further differentiate neutral variants from pathogenic nucleotide substitutions, we developed a new tool, UMD-Predictor®. This tool provides a combinatorial approach that associates the following data: localization within the protein, conservation, biochemical properties of the mutant and wild-type residues, and the potential impact of the variation on mRNA. To evaluate this new tool, we compared it to the SIFT, PolyPhen, and SNAP software, the BLOSUM62 and Yu's Biochemical Matrices. All tools were evaluated using variations from well-validated datasets extracted from four UMD,LSDB databases (UMD,FBN1, UMD,FBN2, UMD,TGFBR1, and UMD,TGFBR2) that contain all published mutations of the corresponding genes, that is, 1,945 mutations, among which 796 different substitutions corresponding to missense mutations. Our results show that the UMD-Predictor® algorithm is the most efficient tool to predict pathogenic mutations in this context with a positive predictive value of 99.4%, a sensitivity of 95.4%, and a specificity of 92.2%. It can thus enhance the interpretation of variations in these genes, and could easily be applied to any other disease gene through the freely available UMD® generic software (http://www.umd.be). Hum Mutat 30:1,8, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Major histocompatibility complex class I binding predictions as a tool in epitope discoveryIMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Claus Lundegaard Summary Over the last decade, in silico models of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I pathway have developed significantly. Before, peptide binding could only be reliably modelled for a few major human or mouse histocompatibility molecules; now, high-accuracy predictions are available for any human leucocyte antigen (HLA) -A or -B molecule with known protein sequence. Furthermore, peptide binding to MHC molecules from several non-human primates, mouse strains and other mammals can now be predicted. In this review, a number of different prediction methods are briefly explained, highlighting the most useful and historically important. Selected case stories, where these ,reverse immunology' systems have been used in actual epitope discovery, are briefly reviewed. We conclude that this new generation of epitope discovery systems has become a highly efficient tool for epitope discovery, and recommend that the less accurate prediction systems of the past be abandoned, as these are obsolete. [source] Volume-dependent pressure loading and its influence on the stability of structuresINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 2 2003T. Rumpel Abstract Deformation-dependent pressure loading on solid structures is created by the interaction of gas with the deformable surface of a structure. Such fairly simple load models are valid for static and quasi-static analyses and they are a very efficient tool to represent the influence of gas on the behaviour of structures. Completing previous studies on the deformation dependence of the loading with the assumption of infinite gas volumes, the current contribution is focusing on the influence of modifications of the size and shape of a finite volume containing the gas in particular on the stability of structures. The linearization of the corresponding virtual work expression necessary for a Newton-type solution leads to additional terms for the volume dependence. Investigating these terms the conservativeness of the problem can be proven by the symmetry of the linearized form. The discretization with finite elements leads to standard stiffness matrix forms plus the so-called load stiffness matrices and a rank-one update for each enclosed volume part, if the loaded surface segments are identical with element surfaces. Some numerical examples show first the effectiveness of the approach and the necessity to take the corresponding terms in the variational expression and in the following linearization into account, and second the particular influence of this term on the stability of structures is shown with some specific examples. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Buckling analysis for delaminated composites using plate bending elements based on higher-order zig-zag theoryINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 11 2002Jun-Sik Kim Abstract A finite element based on the efficient higher-order zig-zag theory with multiple delaminations is developed. The bending part of the formulation is constructed from the concept of DKQ element. Unlike conventional elements, a developed element has its reference in the bottom surface which simplifies zig-zag terms on formulation. Exact patch solutions are developed on elements which have the bottom reference system. The present element passes proper bending patch tests in the arbitrary mesh configurations in isotropic materials. Zig-zag formulation is adopted to model laminated plates with multiple delaminations. To assess the accuracy and efficiency of the present element based on higher-order zig-zag theory with multiple delaminations, the linear buckling problem of laminated plates with multiple delaminations has been analysed. The results have been compared with three-dimensional elasticity solutions. The present element works as an efficient tool for analysing the behaviour of the laminated composites with multiple delaminations. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A parallel cell-based DSMC method on unstructured adaptive meshesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUIDS, Issue 12 2004Min Gyu Kim Abstract A parallel DSMC method based on a cell-based data structure is developed for the efficient simulation of rarefied gas flows on PC-clusters. Parallel computation is made by decomposing the computational domain into several subdomains. Dynamic load balancing between processors is achieved based on the number of simulation particles and the number of cells allocated in each subdomain. Adjustment of cell size is also made through mesh adaptation for the improvement of solution accuracy and the efficient usage of meshes. Applications were made for a two-dimensional supersonic leading-edge flow, the axi-symmetric Rothe's nozzle, and the open hollow cylinder flare flow for validation. It was found that the present method is an efficient tool for the simulation of rarefied gas flows on PC-based parallel machines. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A new parameter extraction method for accurate modeling of PEM fuel cellsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 11 2009M. T. Outeiro Abstract In this paper, a new parameter extraction method for accurate modeling of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell systems is presented. The main difficulty in obtaining an accurate PEM fuel cell dynamical model is the lack of manufacturer information about the exact values of the parameters needed for the model. In order to obtain a realistic dynamic model of the PEM system, the electrochemical considerations of the system are incorporated into the model. Although many models have been reported in the literature, the parameter extraction issue has been neglected. However, model parameters must be precisely identified in order to obtain accurate simulation results. The main contribution of the present work is the application of the simulated annealing (SA) optimization algorithm as a method for identification of PEM fuel cell model parameter identification. The major advantage of SA is its ability to avoid becoming trapped in local minimum, as well as its flexibility and robustness. The parameter extraction and performance validation are carried out by comparing experimental and simulated results. The good agreement observed confirms the usefulness of the proposed extraction approach together with adopted PEM fuel cell model as an efficient tool to help design of power fuel cell power systems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] An optimized method to separate reticulocytes from peripheral blood for molecular analysisINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LABORATORY HEMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2009R. PETRUZZELLI Summary A method based on immunomagnetic sorting of reticulocytes from peripheral blood was set up and combined to a commercial extraction kit for the isolation of total RNA from whole blood. This procedure resulted in high-quality RNA samples suitable for molecular analysis. We used this procedure to analyse erythroid-specific transcripts, starting from peripheral blood samples, to search for differently expressed mRNAs in patients with hereditary persistence of foetal haemoglobin. After erythrocyte lysis, CD15+and CD45+ peripheral cells were negatively sorted to remove leucocyte populations that could have affected the subsequent screening procedure. The cell sorting and RNA extraction procedure was completed within 1,2 h of erythrocyte lysis, which represents a consistent saving of time compared with other procedures. Moreover, it produced 1 ,g of total RNA per ml of blood samples, which is sufficient for molecular analysis. Therefore, our method is a reliable and efficient tool to isolate RNA from specific cell subpopulations poorly represented in peripheral blood, particularly when accurate detection and characterization of highly unstable and poorly expressed molecules is required. [source] Spin-optimized resonating Hartree-Fock configuration interactionINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUANTUM CHEMISTRY, Issue 15 2007Ryo Takeda Abstract The resonating Hartree-Fock Configuration Interaction (Res HF-CI) method is an efficient tool to investigate complicated strongly correlated systems such as ion-radical systems. In this method, we explore several spin-unrestricted Hartree-Fock (UHF) solutions that are energetically low-lying. However it is difficult to choose the symmetry-broken references appropriately as the site increases. In this study, we present the spin-optimized procedure, which is based on the Löwdin spin-projection method, for the Res HF-CI theory, denoted as SO Res-HF CI. We apply this SO Res-HF CI method to depict the potential curves of typical polyradical systems and compared the computational results using complete-active-space (CAS) CI based on UHF natural orbital (UNO), spin-projected UHF, and the previous version of Res HF-CI. We discuss the relation between computational results and the electronic configurations that are important to cover the electron correlation effects for each system. Further, we apply SO Res-HF CI method for the simple organic radical. In addition, we extend this scheme to the GHF case, and show that the use of GHF as a seed of SO Res-HF CI is desirable for the spin-frustrated systems. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007 [source] Sampling plan for the coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella with sex pheromone trapsJOURNAL OF APPLIED ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 6 2008T. Bacca Abstract The population density of the coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Méneville & Perrottet) (Lep., Lyonetiidae) can be estimated using pheromone traps in coffee fields as male capture reflects this pest damage based on previous correlational study. However, the spatial distribution of pheromone traps and their density are necessary to optimize the sampling procedure with pheromone traps. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were to determine the pheromone trap density required per hectare to sample coffee leaf miner populations and to determine the spatial distribution of the males of this pest species. The males were sampled every 8 days in 12 consecutive evaluations. Taylor's power law and frequency distributions were used to recognize the distribution of the male capture data, which followed a negative binomial distribution. A common K was obtained, allowing the establishment of a single conventional sampling plan for the 12 fields investigated. The adjusted sampling plan requires eight traps in an area of 30 ha for a 25% precision error. Kriging-generated maps allowed the simulation of male captures for 8, 12 and 20 traps per 30 ha and the results were compared with those obtained with absolute sampling resulting in R2 -values of 0.30, 0.57 and 0.60 respectively. The traps were able to identify the more highly infested areas within the field and are a precise and efficient tool for sampling populations of L. coffeella. [source] Initial Clinical Experience with Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Utilizing a Magnetic Navigation SystemJOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 2 2007PETER GALLAGHER M.D. Introduction: The placement of left ventricular (LV) leads during cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) involves many technical difficulties. These difficulties increase procedural times and decrease procedural success rates. Methods and Results: A total of 50 patients with severe cardiomyopathy (mean LV ejection fraction was 21 ± 6%) and a wide QRS underwent CRT implantation. Magnetic navigation (Stereotaxis, Inc.) was used to position a magnet-tipped 0.014, guidewire (CronusÔ guidewire) within the coronary sinus (CS) vasculature. LV leads were placed in a lateral CS branch, either using a standard CS delivery sheath or using a "bare-wire" approach without a CS delivery sheath. The mean total procedure time was 98.1 ± 29.1 minutes with a mean fluoroscopy time of 22.7 ± 15.1 minutes. The mean LV lead positioning time was 10.4 ± 7.6 minutes. The use of a delivery sheath was associated with longer procedure times 98 ± 32 minutes vs 80 ± 18 minutes (P = 0.029), fluoroscopy times 23 ± 15 minutes vs 13 ± 4 minutes (P = 0.0007) and LV lead positioning times 10 ± 6 minutes vs 4 ± 2 minutes (P = 0.015) when compared to a "bare-wire" approach. When compared with 52 nonmagnetic-assisted control CRT cases, magnetic navigation reduced total LV lead positioning times (10.4 ± 7.6 minutes vs 18.6 ± 18.9 minutes; P = 0.005). If more than one CS branch vessel was tested, magnetic navigation was associated with significantly shorter times for LV lead placement (16.2 ± 7.7 minutes vs 36.4 ± 23.4 minutes; P = 0.004). Conclusions: Magnetic navigation is a safe, feasible, and efficient tool for lateral LV lead placement during CRT. Magnetic navigation during CRT allows for control of the tip direction of the CronusÔ 0.014, guidewire using either a standard CS delivery sheath or "bare-wire" approach. Although there are some important limitations to the 0.014, CronusÔ magnetic navigation can decrease LV lead placement times compared with nonmagnetic-assisted control CRT cases, particularly if multiple CS branches are to be tested. [source] A diagonal measure and a local distance matrix to display relations between objects and variables,JOURNAL OF CHEMOMETRICS, Issue 1 2010Gergely Tóth Abstract Proper permutation of data matrix rows and columns may result in plots showing striking information on the objects and variables under investigation. To control the permutation first, a diagonal matrix measureD was defined expressing the size relations of the matrix elements. D is essentially the absolute norm of a matrix where the matrix elements are weighted by their distance to the matrix diagonal. Changing the order of rows and columns increases or decreases D. Monte Carlo technique was used to achieve maximum D in the case of the object distance matrix or even minimal D in the case of the variable correlation matrix to get similar objects or variables close together. Secondly, a local distance matrix was defined, where an element reflects the distances of neighboring objects in a limited subspace of the variables. Due to the maximization of D in the local distance matrix by row and column changes of the original data matrix, the similar objects were arranged close to each other and simultaneously the variables responsible for their similarity were collected close to the diagonal part defined by these objects. This combination of the diagonal measure and the local distance matrix seems to be an efficient tool in the exploration of hidden similarities of a data matrix. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Application of the Sakurai-Sugiura projection method to core-excited-state calculation by time-dependent density functional theoryJOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY, Issue 14 2008Takashi Tsuchimochi Abstract The Sakurai-Sugiura projection (SS) method was implemented and numerically assessed for diagonalization of the Hamiltonian in time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). Since the SS method can be used to specify the range in which the eigenvalues are computed, it may be an efficient tool for use with eigenvalues in a particular range. In this article, the SS method is applied to core excited calculations for which the eigenvalues are located within a particular range, since the eigenvalues are unique to atomic species in molecules. The numerical assessment of formaldehyde molecule by TDDFT with core-valence Becke's three-parameter exchange (B3) plus Lee-Yang-Parr (LYP) correlation (CV-B3LYP) functional demonstrates that the SS method can be used to selectively obtain highly accurate eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Thus, the SS method is a new and powerful alternative for calculating core-excitation energies without high computation costs. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 2008. [source] SPECIFIC DETECTION OF AMANITA PHALLOIDES MYCELIUM AND SPORES BY PCR AMPLIFICATION OF THE GPD (GLYCERALDEHYDE-3-PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE) GENE FRAGMENTJOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2000OWSKI, ROMAN KOT ABSTRACT Oligonucleotide primers designed to flank a 635 bp fragment of the gene encoding glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gpd) from Araanita muscaria were used to amplify the corresponding gpd fragment from Amanita phalloides. The A. phalloides PCR product was cloned, sequenced and found to be 70 - 77% similar to the known basidiomycetes gpd genes within the exon part and 25 - 52% within the intron part. Based on these data, species-specific amplification was achieved using a pair of oligonucleotide primers complementary to the A. phalloides gpd intron sequences. These primers allowed the amplification of the corresponding gpd fragment from the A. phalloides but not from various other basidiomycetes, ascomycetes and human matrices. PCR amplification of the A. phalloides DNA gave the predicted PCR product of 284 bp. The created PCR system is an efficient tool for the specific, rapid and sensitive detection of A. phalloides mycelium and spores. [source] Changes on Enological Parameters of White Wine Packaged in Bag-in-Box during Secondary Shelf LifeJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 8 2009Y. Fu ABSTRACT:, This study investigated the effects of temperature (22, 35, and 45 °C), storage time (48, 30, and 15 d), and packaging type on the quality of white wine in bag-in-box (BIB) during the secondary shelf life. Several enological parameters (color and contents of free and total SO2, total aldehyde, and total phenol) were monitored and correlated with oxygen transmission rate (OTR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectral data. Time and temperature had significant effects on color development and SO2 depletion during storage. The increased absorbance at 420 nm was correlated with decreases of free SO2 and total SO2. Overall, total phenol content correlated negatively with total aldehyde content. The variance of the enological parameters can be correlated with the OTR data, indicating the barrier properties for the tested packages were different. FTIR,ATR spectra of the wine were analyzed chemometrically using PLS algorithm. The resulting models were able to predict the,A420, free SO2, total SO2, total phenol, total aldehyde, and storage time of the wines. This technique can potentially be used as an efficient tool to evaluate the quality of wine. [source] Spatial distributions of mean age and higher moments in steady continuous flowsAICHE JOURNAL, Issue 10 2010M. Liu Abstract Transport equations and boundary conditions for spatial distribution of age moments in steady continuous flows are derived. Mean age is the first moment. The coefficient of variation is obtained from the second moment. Mixing-cup averaged mean age and higher moments across the exit plane are identical to the corresponding moments of the residence-time distribution. Numerical solutions for a 2-D (two-dimensional) reactor are studied and compared with those from a transient tracer equation. Agreement is excellent. Local tracer distribution function curves reveal that mean age is located on the long tail for both convection dominated short circuiting paths and diffusion dominated dead zones. Computing cost for the mean age and higher moment equations is orders of magnitude lower than that for the transient tracer concentration equation, making this mean age method an efficient tool to study mixing in steady continuous flow systems. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2010 [source] Pollen-inferred palaeoclimate reconstructions in mountain areas: problems and perspectives,JOURNAL OF QUATERNARY SCIENCE, Issue 6 2006Elena Ortu Abstract Transfer functions are an efficient tool for the quantitative reconstruction of past climate from low to mid-elevation pollen sites. However, the application of existing methods to high-altitude pollen assemblages frequently leads to unrealistic results. In the aim of understanding the causes of these biases, the standard ,best modern analogue' method has been applied to two high-altitude pollen sequences to provide quantitative climate estimates for the Lateglacial and Holocene periods. Both pollen sequences (Laghi dell'Orgials, 2130,m, SW aspect and Lago delle Fate, 2240,m, E aspect) are located in the subalpine belt, on opposing sides of the St. Anna di Vinadio Valley (Italian Maritime Alps). Different results were obtained from the two sequences. The largest differences occurred in palaeotemperature reconstruction, with notable differences in both the values and trends at each site. These biases may be attributed to: (1) a lack of high elevation ,best modern analogues' in the database of modern samples; (2) the problem of pollen taxa that have multiple climatic significance; (3) problems related to the complexity of mountainous ecosystems, such as the phenomenon of uphill transport of tree pollen by wind. Possible improvements to the reconstruction process are discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Evaluation of HIV/AIDS Education in Russia Using a Video ApproachJOURNAL OF SCHOOL HEALTH, Issue 6 2000Mohammad R. Torabi ABSTRACT: HIV/AIDS has intruded upon the geographic, political, ethnic, gender, and sexual orientation of communities all over the world. As of April 1999, Russia has recorded approximately 13,532 cases of HIV infection. Since the costs of treatment are expensive for many countries, and especially for Russia, educational intervention appears to offer the most effective and affordable solution. A quasi-experimental design, with pre/post tests and intervention (through video education)/control groups, was used to study 20 public schools in St. Petersburg, Russia. Results confirmed the lack of HIV/AIDS education in schools and insufficient information sources from parents, friends, and public health education. ANCOVA statistics demonstrated that use of video education significantly improved students' scores on knowledge and attitudes related to HIV/AIDS prevention. Thus, health educators should consider video education as an effective and efficient tool to present facts to a young audience when they face constraints of shortage of funds, lack of trained teachers, and scarcity of related information. [source] EVALUATION OF REPLICATED PROJECTIVE MAPPING OF GRANOLA BARSJOURNAL OF SENSORY STUDIES, Issue 5 2010JESSICA KENNEDY ABSTRACT The application of projective mapping to quickly gather information on overall product differences provides a unique way to probe consumer perceptions and gather product information. A group of 15 consumers performed a projective mapping exercise three times on a set of eight "berry flavored" granola bars, including descriptors of the products. The projective mapping task was performed in replicates to evaluate the consistency of results obtained via this technique. Analysis of the replications by multifactor analysis indicated for the majority of consumers, that the three individual maps did not show a high degree of similarity (80% of RV coefficients < 0.5). However, consensus maps from the three replications indicated a similar group perception of the products over the replications, as depicted by hierarchical multifactor analysis. Terms collected from the maps were summarized and regressed into the product space for interpretation, both in terms of consumer criteria used to differentiate among products and identification of key product attributes. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The findings from this study add to the growing knowledge on projective mapping. The results presented here aimed to substantiate the value and reliability of projective mapping when used with consumers. Although projective mapping is not a replacement for quantitative descriptive analysis, it is an efficient tool for consumer research; as well as product or category exploration which can be utilized early in the product development process. The addition of descriptors directly onto the maps by panelists makes it possible to use projective mapping as a stand-alone method by increasing the amount and interpretability of data provided by panelists. When used with consumers, projective mapping links the consumer perception of the product space with a consumer-driven lexicon. [source] Fruit physical, chemical and aromatic attributes of early, intermediate and late apricot cultivarsJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 6 2010Riccardo Lo Bianco Abstract BACKGROUND: In order to reach good fruit quality, apricots require a balance of sugars and acids as well as a strong apricot aroma. In this study, fruit quality of early, intermediate and late apricot cultivars was evaluated by measuring physical, chemical and olfactory attributes. Multivariate analysis of quality and aroma attributes was used to identify groups of similar cultivars and association with ripening season. RESULTS: Physical, chemical and aromatic attributes showed great variation among cultivars but no relation to ripening season. Aromatic profiles (34 volatiles) of fruit tissues indicated qualitative and quantitative differences among cultivars. Ninfa and Mandorlon were richest in aroma, with a prevailing fruity component; Goldrich and Orange Red were also highly aromatic, with all odour components well represented; Pinkot, Alba and Pellecchiella were lowest in aroma, with a prevailing grassy component. Linear functions including five volatiles (concentrations) and fruit diameter or six aromatic compounds (odour units) and peel colour were found to discriminate cultivars by ripening season. Principal component analysis individuated three groups of cultivars: Ninfa and Mandorlon with sweet and fruity-flavoured fruits; Bulida, Alba, Goldrich, Ouardy and Silvercot with large, acidic and well-coloured fruits; and Fracasso, Pellecchiella, Palummella and Pinkot with small and floral/grassy-flavoured fruits. CONCLUSION: In apricot, detailed analysis of the aromatic profile may represent an efficient tool for classification of genotypes by ripening season, and volatiles with relevant odour contribution may serve as quality markers for selecting towards an extended ripening season of best quality apricots. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||