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Factor Values (factor + value)
Selected AbstractsShort-term effect of a single levodopa dose on micturition disturbance in Parkinson's disease patients with the wearing-off phenomenonMOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 5 2003Tomoyuki Uchiyama MD Abstract We investigated the short-term effects of a single dose of levodopa (L -dopa) on micturition function in PD patients with wearing-off phenomenon. Eighteen PD patients who had median Hoehn and Yahr scores of 5 during the off phase and 3 during the on phase were recruited. We carried out urodynamic studies before and about 1 hour after the patients had taken 100 mg of L -dopa with dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor (DCI). After taking the L -dopa/DCI, urinary urgency and urge incontinence aggravated, whereas voiding difficulty was alleviated in all 12 patients. When compared to the baseline assessment, urodynamic study results after taking 100 mg of L -dopa/DCI showed aggravated detrusor hyperreflexia; decreased maximum bladder capacity (P = 0.006); an increased maximum Watts Factor value (P = 0.001), reflecting the detrusor power on voiding; an increased Abrams-Griffiths number (P = 0.042), reflecting urethral obstruction on voiding; decreased residual urine volume (P = 0.025); and increased static urethral closure pressure (P = 0.012). One hundred milligrams of L -dopa/DCI worsened detrusor hyperreflexia, producing worsened urinary urgency and urge incontinence during the storage (bladder-filling) phase. It also increased detrusor contractility much more than it did urethral obstruction in the voiding phase, producing overall lessening of voiding difficulty and improving voiding efficiency in our PD patients with the wearing-off phenomenon. © 2003 Movement Disorder Society [source] Water pipeline failure due to water hammer effectsFATIGUE & FRACTURE OF ENGINEERING MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES, Issue 12 2006C. SCHMITT ABSTRACT A numerical model has been established in order to simulate the propagation of pressure waves in water networks. The present model formulation is based on a system of partial hyperbolic differential equations. This system has been solved via the characteristics method. The current model provides the necessary data and the necessary damping of water hammer waves, taking into account the structure of the pipe network and the pressure loss. The numerical algorithm estimates the maximum pressure values resulting from the water hammer when closing valves in the network and consequently, the maximum stresses in the pipes have been calculated. In the case of simultaneous closing of several valves, the over pressure can exceed the admissible pressure. In this case, the severity of a defect such as a corrosion crater (pit) has been estimated by computing a safety factor for the stress distribution at the defect tip. This allows the applied notch stress intensity factor to be obtained. To investigate the defect geometry effects, semi-spherical and semi-elliptical defects are deemed to exist in up to one-half of the thickness of the pipe wall. The outcomes have been introduced into the structural integrity assessment procedure (SINTAP) failure diagram assessment (FAD) in order to obtain the safety factor value. Conventionally, it is considered that a failure hazard exists if this safety factor is less than two. [source] Low- and high-frequency C,V characteristics of the contacts formed by sublimation of the nonpolymeric organic compound on p-type Si substratePHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 14 2004C. Temirci Abstract The Sn/pyronine- B/p-Si Schottky structures have been obtained by sublimation of the organic compound pyronine- B onto the top of a p-Si surface. Barrier height and ideality factor value of 0.79 eV and 1.13, respectively, for the device have been determined from the forward-bias current,voltage (I,V) characteristics. The interface state density obtained from the forward bias high and low capacitance,voltage characteristics increases exponentially with bias between the midgap and the top of the valance band, from 2.15 × 1010 cm,2 eV,1 at (0.79,Ev) eV to 1.16 × 1012 cm,2 eV,1 at (0.53,Ev) eV. These values have been compared to those of the metal/Si structures in the literature, and it is seen that the presence of the nonreactive organic materials at the inorganic semiconductor and metal interface may obstruct the generation of the interface states at the semiconductor surface that strongly influence the Schottky barrier formation. (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Damping factor in Google page rankingAPPLIED STOCHASTIC MODELS IN BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY, Issue 5-6 2006Hwai-Hui Fu Abstract Google, the largest search engine worldwide, adopts PageRank technology to determine the rank of website listings. This paper describes how damping factor is a critical factor in changing a website's ranking in traditional Google PageRank technology. A modified algorithm based on input,output ratio concept is proposed to substitute for the damping factor. Besides there is no need to choose an optimal damping factor value, the modified algorithm has an equivalent effect on computation as the traditional Google's PageRank algorithm. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Effect of Alkyl Side-Chain Length on Photovoltaic Properties of Poly(3-alkylthiophene)/PCBM Bulk HeterojunctionsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 20 2009Abay Gadisa Abstract The morphological, bipolar charge-carrier transport, and photovoltaic characteristics of poly(3-alkylthiophene) (P3AT):[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) blends are studied as a function of alkyl side-chain length m, where m equals the number of alkyl carbon atoms. The P3ATs studied are poly(3-butylthiophene) (P3BT, m,=,4), poly(3-pentylthiophene) (P3PT, m,=,5), and poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT, m,=,6). Solar cells with these blends deliver similar order of photo-current yield (exceeding 10,mA cm,2) irrespective of side-chain length. Power conversion efficiencies of 3.2, 4.3, and 4.6% are within reach using solar cells with active layers of P3BT:PCBM (1:0.8), P3PT:PCBM (1:1), and P3HT:PCBM (1:1), respectively. A difference in fill factor values is found to be the main source of efficiency difference. Morphological studies reveal an increase in the degree of phase separation with increasing alkyl chain length. Moreover, while P3PT:PCBM and P3HT:PCBM films have similar hole mobility, measured by hole-only diodes, the hole mobility in P3BT:PCBM lowers by nearly a factor of four. Bipolar measurements made by field-effect transistor showed a decrease in the hole mobility and an increase in the electron mobility with increasing alkyl chain length. Balanced charge transport is only achieved in the P3HT:PCBM blend. This, together with better processing properties, explains the superior properties of P3HT as a solar cell material. P3PT is proved to be a potentially competitive material. The optoelectronic and charge transport properties observed in the different P3AT:PCBM bulk heterojunction (BHJ) blends provide useful information for understanding the physics of BHJ films and the working principles of the corresponding solar cells. [source] Environment-related life-history trait variations of the red-bellied piranha Pygocentrus nattereri in two river basins of the Bolivian AmazonJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2007F. Duponchelle Life-history traits of Pygocentrus nattereri were compared in two populations inhabiting connected tributaries of the upper Madera River: the white water Mamoré River and the clear water Iténez River. As white waters provide better trophic conditions than clear waters, the size at maturity, fecundity, reproductive effort, condition and growth of P. nattereri should be greater in the more productive white water river (Mamoré) than in the less-productive clear water river (Iténez). Breeding periods were highly seasonal and similar in both rivers and under strong influence of photoperiod. Oocyte size-frequency distributions, together with the frequent occurrence of recovering females indicated that an individual female spawns at least twice during the breeding season. As predicted, fish of the Mamoré were significantly larger at maturity and had higher fecundity and condition factor values than those of the Iténez. Fish from both rivers matured as yearlings. The higher growth potential of females was better expressed in the Mamoré than in the Iténez, where growth differences between sexes were weak. Females had a significantly better growth in the Mamoré than in the Iténez. The observed life-history traits associations were consistent with the hypothesis of better trophic conditions in the Mamoré. In addition, previous genetic analyses evidenced that the colonization of the two basins is recent and that extant populations have very similar genetic backgrounds. This suggests that the observed variations in life-history traits of P. nattereri are not related to historical factors (genetic drift) between two phylogeographically distinct lineages, but rather due to the contrasting environmental conditions in the white and clear waters. [source] Parental relationships among three grape varieties studied by MALDI of grape seed protein profiles,JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (INCORP BIOLOGICAL MASS SPECTROMETRY), Issue 9 2010Antonella Bertazzo Abstract Two Raboso cultivars, i.e. Raboso Veronese and Raboso Piave, are two black Vitis vinifera varieties. A genetic study suggested that Raboso Veronese is the progeny of a spontaneous cross between Raboso Piave and Marzemina Bianca cultivars. Parental relationships are usually investigated by genetic studies, which are effective to establish genetic links among different cultivars. Considering that proteome is the genome expression, in this article we evaluated the power of seed protein profiles obtained by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)/MS for parentage investigation. The three cultivars lead to very similar spectra with differences in the relative intensity of the most abundant species and the presence of very weak specific ions. In order to evaluate the analytical significance of these aspects, the variability due to instrumental factors and due to different harvesting areas and years of the same cultivars have been considered and measured by the calculation of discrepancy factor values. On one hand, the results obtained can be considered a valid confirmation of the genomic findings, whereas on the other hand, the results provide evidence for the ability of MALDI/MS to individuate minor differences in protein profiles of complex protein mixtures. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Barium Holmium Zirconate, A New Complex Perovskite Oxide: I, Synthesis, Characterization, and Potential Use as a Substrate for High-Critical-Temperature SuperconductorsJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 10 2002Rajan Jose Barium holmium zirconate, a new complex perovskite ceramic oxide, has been synthesized through liquid-phase sintering for the first time. The conventional solid-state reaction method using constituent oxides and carbonates was found to be inadequate for the synthesis of Ba2HoZrO5.5 material. During high-temperature annealing, the development of stable BaZrO3 and BaHoO2.5 phases prevented the formation of Ba2HoZrO5.5 as a single-phase material, even at 1650°C. However, an addition of a small amount of CuO (1 wt%) in the reaction mixture has resulted in the formation of an ordered complex perovskite Ba2HoZrO5.5 phase during the heating process. The structure of Ba2HoZrO5.5 was studied by X-ray diffraction and found to have a cubic perovskite structure with a lattice constant of a= 8.482 Å. Dielectric constant and loss factor values of Ba2HoZrO5.5 are also in the range suitable for use as a substrate for microwave applications. The X-ray diffraction and resistivity measurements have shown that there is no detectable chemical reaction in YBa2Cu3O7,,,Ba2HoZrO5.5 and Bi(2212),Ba2HoZrO5.5 composites, even under extreme processing conditions. Dip-coated and melt-textured YBa2Cu3O7,, and Bi(2212) thick films developed on polycrystalline Ba2HoZrO5.5 gave zero-resistivity transition temperatures of Tc(0) = 92 and 85 K, respectively. [source] Effect of hindered piperidine light stabilizer molecular structure and UV absorber addition on the oxidation of HDPE.JOURNAL OF VINYL & ADDITIVE TECHNOLOGY, Issue 4 2004Part 2: Mechanistic aspects, electron spin resonance spectroscopy study, molecular modeling The first in this series of papers explored the effect of the structural characteristics of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-based hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS) on the thermal and photostabilization of high-density polyethylene. In the second part, the energies (stabilities) of the nitroxyl radicals and various intermediate species have been predicted using AccuModel® and related to stabilization performance and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectral data. Nitroxyl radicals with low predicted stability generally afforded improved thermal and photostabilization. ESR spectra were used to obtain values of nitroxyl radical concentration ([>NO·]) and g -factor as a function of pre-aging time for combinations of pre-aged HDPE and >NH HALS. Demethylation reactions of > N-methyl HALS resulted in uselessly weak ESR spectra. The HALS that afforded poor thermal oxidative stabilization gave rise to pronounced minima in [>NO·] that coincided with a maximum in hydroperoxide concentration. The g -factor values indicated that a predominant nitroxyl canonical form generally promoted superior thermal oxidative stabilization, whereas a predominance of the dipolar N·+O, form promoted superior photo-oxidative stabilization. These trends may be related to greater radical-scavenging and peroxide-trapping effects, respectively. Molecular modeling and ESR spectra can therefore provide valuable insight into the effectiveness of HALS and stabilization mechanisms. J. Vinyl Addit. Technol. 10:159,167, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers. [source] Assessment of soil erosion hazard and prioritization for treatment at the watershed level: Case study in the Chemoga watershed, Blue Nile basin, EthiopiaLAND DEGRADATION AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 6 2009W. Bewket Abstract Soil erosion by water is the most pressing environmental problem in Ethiopia, particularly in the Highlands where the topography is highly rugged, population pressure is high, steeplands are cultivated and rainfall is erosive. Soil conservation is critically required in these areas. The objective of this study was to assess soil erosion hazard in a typical highland watershed (the Chemoga watershed) and demonstrate that a simple erosion assessment model, the universal soil loss equation (USLE), integrated with satellite remote sensing and geographical information systems can provide useful tools for conservation decision-making. Monthly precipitation, soil map, a 30-m digital elevation model derived from topographic map, land-cover map produced from supervised classification of a Land Sat image, and land use types and slope steepness were used to determine the USLE factor values. The results show that a larger part of the watershed (>58 per cent of total) suffers from a severe or very severe erosion risk (>80,t,ha,1,y,1), mainly in the midstream and upstream parts where steeplands are cultivated or overgrazed. In about 25 per cent of the watershed, soil erosion was estimated to exceed 125,t,ha,1,y,1. Based on the predicted soil erosion rates, the watershed was divided into six priority categories for conservation intervention and 18 micro-watersheds were identified that may be used as planning units. Finally, the method used has yielded a fairly reliable estimation of soil loss rates and delineation of erosion-prone areas. Hence, a similar method can be used in other watersheds to prepare conservation master plans and enable efficient use of limited resources. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the liver of hepatitis C patientsNMR IN BIOMEDICINE, Issue 3 2003Yvan Boulanger Abstract Magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of the liver was investigated to determine whether this method could be used to differentiate between the stages of fibrosis and inflammation for hepatitis C viral infection. DWI data were recorded for 18 hepatitis C patients and 10 control subjects using a modified pulse sequence allowing a 52,ms echo time delay. Acquisitions were performed with breath holding using five different b gradient factor values ranging between 50 and 250,s/mm2 and in the three axes. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were measured from a 5.7,cm2 area in the central region of the liver. The inflammation and fibrosis grades were evaluated histologically on a biopsy sample. The mean ADC values were 2.30,±,1.28,×,10,3 and 1.79,±,0.25,× 10,3,mm2/s for hepatitis C patients and control subjects, respectively. Using our technique, no correlation could be found between the ADC values and the inflammation or fibrosis scores, indicating that tissue changes produced by hepatitis C do not appear to be quantifiable by DWI. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Highly efficient bismuth telluride doped p-type Pb0.13Ge0.87Te for thermoelectric applicationsPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI - RAPID RESEARCH LETTERS, Issue 6 2007Yaniv Gelbstein Abstract Bi2Te3 doped p-type Pb0.13Ge0.87Te samples were prepared by hot pressing. We report on very high power factor values of ,30 ,W/cm K2 at 500 °C, as were determined from Seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity measurements. From dilatometric characterization, the phase transition from the low temperature rhombohedral to the high temperature cubic NaCl structures, takes place at 373 °C. This transition is accompanied by a continuous and gradual change of the lattice parameters, as was observed by hot stage XRD, suggesting a good mechanical durability upon thermal cycling and operating in large thermal gradients. Rhombohedral distortion of the cubic NaCl structure of Pb1,xGex Te upon cooling, characterized by changes in the interaxial angle , and the lattice parameter. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Novel epoxy compositions for vibration damping applicationsPOLYMERS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, Issue 10 2004D. Ratna Abstract Three epoxy compositions have been developed by using polyether amine hardeners having varying chain lengths of polyethers. Unlike normal epoxies, the compositions show low glass transition temperatures (0,45°C). Dynamic mechanical analysis and time,temperature superposition of the isotherms indicate that they have broad and high loss factor values over broad frequency and temperature ranges suggesting their application as viscoelastic materials in constrained layer damping of structural vibrations. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] On the use of logarithmic scales for analysis of diffraction dataACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D, Issue 12 2009Alexandre Urzhumtsev Predictions of the possible model parameterization and of the values of model characteristics such as R factors are important for macromolecular refinement and validation protocols. One of the key parameters defining these and other values is the resolution of the experimentally measured diffraction data. The higher the resolution, the larger the number of diffraction data Nref, the larger its ratio to the number Nat of non-H atoms, the more parameters per atom can be used for modelling and the more precise and detailed a model can be obtained. The ratio Nref/Nat was calculated for models deposited in the Protein Data Bank as a function of the resolution at which the structures were reported. The most frequent values for this distribution depend essentially linearly on resolution when the latter is expressed on a uniform logarithmic scale. This defines simple analytic formulae for the typical Matthews coefficient and for the typically allowed number of parameters per atom for crystals diffracting to a given resolution. This simple dependence makes it possible in many cases to estimate the expected resolution of the experimental data for a crystal with a given Matthews coefficient. When expressed using the same logarithmic scale, the most frequent values for R and Rfree factors and for their difference are also essentially linear across a large resolution range. The minimal R -factor values are practically constant at resolutions better than 3,Å, below which they begin to grow sharply. This simple dependence on the resolution allows the prediction of expected R -factor values for unknown structures and may be used to guide model refinement and validation. [source] Determinants and sequelae associated with utilization of acetaminophen versus traditional nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs in an elderly populationARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 11 2002Elham Rahme Objective Acetaminophen is recommended as initial therapy for patients with arthritis, particularly those at increased risk of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID),induced gastrointestinal (GI) side effects. However, higher doses of acetaminophen inhibit prostaglandin synthesis and have been associated with GI events. This study was undertaken to compare the observed and adjusted rates of GI events (hospitalizations, ulcers, dyspepsia, GI prophylaxis) occurring with higher versus lower doses of acetaminophen. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of subjects ages ,65 years who received a prescription for acetaminophen or NSAID between 1994 and 1996. Pharmaceutical and medical records were reviewed for 1 year of historical data prior to the index prescription of acetaminophen or non-aspirin NSAID. Risk factors for GI events were identified based on the historical data. To further control for bias, patients were categorized by propensity score (the likelihood of receiving acetaminophen, given defined risk factor values). Records were then reviewed for the duration of the index prescription or 30 days, whichever was less, to generate data on the occurrence of GI events. Determinants of acetaminophen utilization were identified using logistic regression, and rates of GI events for each therapy were examined using Poisson regression analyses, controlling for duration of exposure, individual risk factors, and propensity scores. Results The study included 26,978 patients in the NSAID cohort and 21,207 in the acetaminophen cohort. Determinants of acetaminophen utilization compared with NSAIDs (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]) included recent hospitalization (8.6 [7.7,9.5]), concomitant anticoagulation therapy (3.2 [2.7,3.8]), age >85 years (2.3 [2.1,2.4]), and history of prior GI events, especially those requiring hospitalization (14.6 [11.7,18.7]). Unadjusted rates of GI hospitalization, ulcer, and dyspepsia were higher for patients in the acetaminophen cohort than for those in the NSAID cohort. The occurrence of GI events in acetaminophen-treated patients was dose dependent, with rate ratios (compared with high-dose NSAIDs and adjusted for risk susceptibility) ranging from 0.6 (95% confidence interval 0.5,0.7) for ,650 mg/day to 1.0 (0.9,1.1) for >3,250 mg/day. Conclusion In this cohort, acetaminophen utilization is more common in patients at higher risk of GI events. After adjustment for risk susceptibility, patients receiving higher doses of acetaminophen have higher rates of GI events compared with those receiving lower doses. [source] Pseudosymmetry, high copy number and twinning complicate the structure determination of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans (ATCC 29577) flavodoxinACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D, Issue 6 2009Megan Guelker The crystal structure of oxidized flavodoxin from Desulfovibrio desulfuricans (ATCC 29577) was determined by molecular replacement in two crystal forms, P3121 and P43, at 2.5 and 2.0,Å resolution, respectively. Structure determination in space group P3121 was challenging owing to the presence of pseudo-translational symmetry and a high copy number in the asymmetric unit (8). Initial phasing attempts in space group P3121 by molecular replacement using a poor search model (46% identity) and multi-wavelength anomalous dispersion were unsuccessful. It was necessary to solve the structure in a second crystal form, space group P43, which was characterized by almost perfect twinning, in order to obtain a suitable search model for molecular replacement. This search model with complementary approaches to molecular replacement utilizing the pseudo-translational symmetry operators determined by analysis of the native Patterson map facilitated the selection and manual placement of molecules to generate an initial solution in the P3121 crystal form. During the early stages of refinement, application of the appropriate twin law, (,h, ,k, l), was required to converge to reasonable R -factor values despite the fact that in the final analysis the data were untwinned and the twin law could subsequently be removed. The approaches used in structure determination and refinement may be applicable to other crystal structures characterized by these complicating factors. The refined model shows flexibility of the flavin mononucleotide coordinating loops indicated by the isolation of two loop conformations and provides a starting point for the elucidation of the mechanism used for protein-partner recognition. [source] A comparison of refined X-ray structures of hydrogenated and perdeuterated rat ,E-crystallin in H2O and D2OACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D, Issue 11 2005Jean-Baptiste Artero Rat ,E-crystallin was overexpressed, purified under different labelling conditions and crystallized and X-ray data were collected at resolutions between 1.71 and 1.36,Å. The structures were determined by molecular replacement. In these structures, the cd loop of the Greek-key motif 3, which is the major structural key motif of the two phase-transition groups of ,-crystallins, presents a double conformation. The influence of the perdeuteration on the protein structure was determined by comparison of the atomic positions and temperature factors of the different models. The perdeuterated proteins have a similar structure to their hydrogenated counterparts, but partial or full deuteration may have some effect on the atomic B -factor values. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||