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Preliminary Results (preliminary + result)
Selected AbstractsCHOICES AND RETIREMENT SAVINGS: SOME PRELIMINARY RESULTS ON SUPERANNUATION FUND MEMBER DECISIONSECONOMIC PAPERS: A JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECONOMICS AND POLICY, Issue 3 2001MARILYN CLARK-MURPHY First page of article [source] II. METHODS AND PRELIMINARY RESULTSMONOGRAPHS OF THE SOCIETY FOR RESEARCH IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT, Issue 1 2004Article first published online: 3 AUG 200 First page of article [source] Preliminary Results from the Use of New Vascular Access (Hemaport) for HemodialysisHEMODIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2003J Ahlmén One of the most important factors for an optimal chronic hemodialysis is a well- functioning vascular access. Still the A-V-fistula is the best alternative. When repeated failures arise new access alternatives are needed. The Hemaport combines a PTFE-graft with a percutaneous housing of titan. Starting and stopping the dialysis session is simple and needle-free. The first clinical experiences are presented. Thirteen patients (m-age 60 years) in 6 centres had used the Hemaport system. Out of 11 functioning devices 7 were placed on the upper arm and 4 were located on the thigh. The total days in observation were 2.156 days with 769 dialysis sessions performed. Six patients had used the Hemaport system for more than 6 months. Mean blood flow was 364, range 100,450 ml/min with a mean venous and arterial pressure of 100 mm Hg, range 30,250, and 16 mm Hg respectively, range , 140 to + 259. Thrombosis interventions have been required in 14 percent to obtain a functioning vascular access. Two patients contributed with more than half of these events. Mechanical or pharmacological thrombolysis can be performed through the Hemaport dialysis lid without open surgery. Six implants have been removed and in 5 of these cases a new Hemaport was implanted. The reasons for removing the device were related to insufficient vascular flow, thrombosis, and/or infection. In patients with repeated access problems, a new vascular access (Hemaport) has been clinically used for about 1 year. By its design, Hemaport offers a novel approach. [source] The Arade 1 Shipwreck: Preliminary Results of the 2004 and 2005 Field SeasonsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NAUTICAL ARCHAEOLOGY, Issue 2 2008Vanessa Loureiro Lost after partial destruction by dredging in 1970, Arade 1 was a priority for the Centro Nacional de Arqueologia Náutica e Subaquática (CNANS). The upper part of the hull, lying over a 7-m-long area of the bed of the Arade river, was fully observed and recorded during the first two seasons (2001 and 2002) and dismantled in a third phase (2003). The 2004 and 2005 seasons aimed at the excavation, full recording and dismantling of the lower hull, briefly observed at the end of 2002. This second, detached, portion of the hull, was buried in the sediment and corresponds to midships. © 2008 The Authors [source] Navigation Aided Image Processing in UAV Surveillance: Preliminary Results and Design of an Airborne Experimental SystemJOURNAL OF FIELD ROBOTICS (FORMERLY JOURNAL OF ROBOTIC SYSTEMS), Issue 2 2004Jonas Nygårds This paper describes an airborne reconfigurable measurement system being developed at Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), Sensor Technology, Sweden. An image processing oriented sensor management architecture for UAV (unmanned aerial vehicles) IR/EO-surveillance is presented. Some preliminary results of navigation aided image processing in UAV applications are demonstrated, such as SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping), structure from motion and geolocation, target tracking, and detection of moving objects. The design goal of the measurement system is to emulate a UAV-mounted sensor gimbal using a stand-alone system. The minimal configuration of the system consists of a gyro-stabilized gimbal with IR and CCD sensors and an integrated high-performance navigation system. The navigation system combines dGPS real-time kinematics (RTK) data with data from an inertial measurement unit (IMU) mounted with reference to the optical sensors. The gimbal is to be used as an experimental georeferenced sensor platform, using a choice of carriers, to produce military relevant image sequences for studies of image processing and sensor control on moving surveillance and reconnaissance platforms. Furthermore, a high resolution synthetic environment, developed for sensor simulations in the visual and infrared wavelengths, is presented. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] 145 Preliminary Results of Cytoskeletal Components in Various Red Algae Using Confocal Laser Scanning MicroscopyJOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY, Issue 2003W. E. Schmidt Data concerning the cytoskeletal components of red algae are scant. The goal of this ongoing comparative survey is to develop a more complete characterization of the red algal cytoskeleton, and subsequent elucidation of its function, using representative taxa belonging to major evolutionary lineages within the Rhodophyta. Preliminary data were obtained using enzyme digestion of cell walls and detergent rinses with direct (phalloidin) and indirect (monoclonal antibodies) labeling methods for microfilaments and tubulin, respectively. Samples were viewed using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Results will be discussed in light of the more thoroughly understood cytoskeletal system reported for green algae. [source] Preliminary Results with the Simultaneous Use of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators and Permanent Biventricular Pacemakers: Implications for Device Interaction and DevelopmentPACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2000S. WALKER We report our preliminary experience with the combined use of implantable cardioverter defibrillutors (ICD) and biventricular pacemakers in six patients with heart failure and malignant ventricular arrhythmia. Two patients underwent ICD implantation for malignant ventricular arrhythmia after previous biventricular pacemaker implantation. One patient underwent biventricular pacemaker insertion for NYHA Class III heart failure after previous ICD implantation. Two patients underwent single device implantation. In the sixth patient, a combined implantation failed due to an inability to obtain a satisfactory left ventricular pacemaker lead position. The potential for device interaction was explored during implantation. In two patients a potentially serious interaction was discovered. Subsequent alterations in device configuration and programming prevented these interactions with long-term use. No complication of combined device use has been demonstrated during a mean follow-up of 2 months (range 1-4 months). Satisfactory ICD and pacemaker function has also been demonstrated. We conclude that combined device implantation may be feasible with currently available pacing technology and that further prospective studies are required in this area. [source] Design of a Symmetry Controller for Cycling Induced by Electrical Stimulation: Preliminary Results on Post-Acute Stroke PatientsARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 8 2010Emilia Ambrosini Abstract This study deals with the design of a controller for cycling induced by functional electrical stimulation. The controller will be exploitable in the rehabilitation of hemiparetic patients who need to recover motor symmetry. It uses the pulse width as the control variable in the stimulation of the two legs in order to nullify the unbalance between the torques produced at the two crank arms. It was validated by means of isokinetic trials performed both by healthy subjects and stroke patients. The results showed that the controller was able to reach, and then maintain, a symmetrical pedaling. In the future, the controller will be validated on a larger number of stroke patients. [source] Preliminary Results of In-situ Stress Measurements along the Longmenshan Fault Zone after the Wenchuan Ms 8.0 EarthquakeACTA GEOLOGICA SINICA (ENGLISH EDITION), Issue 4 2009Manlu WU Abstract: Four months after the Wenchuan Ms 8 earthquake in western Sichuan, China, in situ stress measurements were carried out along the Longmenshan fault zone with the purpose of obtaining stress parameters for earthquake hazard assessment. In-situ stresses were measured in three new boreholes by using overcoring with the piezomagnetic stress gauges for shallow depths and hydraulic fracturing for lower depths. The maximum horizontal stress in shallow depths (,20 m) is about 4.3 MPa, oriented N19°E, in the epicenter area at Yingxiu Town, about 9.7 MPa, oriented N51°W, at Baoxing County in the southwestern Longmenshan range, and about 2.6 MPa, oriented N39°E, near Kangding in the southernmost zone of the Longmenshan range. Hydraulic fracturing at borehole depths from 100 to 400 m shows a tendency towards increasing stress with depth. A comparison with the results measured before the Wenchuan earthquake along the Longmenshan zone and in the Tibetan Plateau demonstrates that the stress level remains relatively high in the southwestern segment of the Longmenshan range, and is still moderate in the epicenter zone. These results provide a key appraisal for future assessment of earthquake hazards of the Longmenshan fault zone and the aftershock occurrences of the Wenchuan earthquake. [source] Guided Surgery and Presurgical Prosthesis: Preliminary Results of 33 Fully Edentulous Maxillae Treated in Accordance with the NobelGuide® ProtocolCLINICAL IMPLANT DENTISTRY AND RELATED RESEARCH, Issue 2010Luc Gillot DDS ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to present the preliminary results of 33 edentulous maxillary patients treated using the Nobelguide® (Nobel Biocare AB, Göteborg, Sweden) technique. Materials and Methods: Thirty-three patients were treated according to the conventional protocol of the Nobelguide® technique in two clinical centers. This group of patients received 211 implants. Monitoring was carried out for over 12,51 months, depending on the patient. The Nobelguide® protocol was used for all patients. Results: Of the 211 implants loaded, four were lost (1.9%). The implant survival rate was therefore 98.1%. The prosthetic survival rate was 100%. There were some per-operative complications (four) and some postoperative complications (10 fractures of resin). Conclusion: These preliminary results seemed rather promising. These were the first cases of experienced surgeons who needed to learn a new implant placement protocol. It was clear that analysis and understanding of the system were essential in order to obtain such a success. Only one implant was replaced without there being any impact on the prosthesis survival rate which is 100%. [source] Low Recruitment of Trees Dispersed by Animals in African Forest FragmentsCONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2001N. J. Cordeiro We compared adult and juvenile trees in forest transects in a 3500,ha submontane forest with those in four forest fragments of 521, 30, 9, and 0.5 ha. Preliminary results show that recruitment of seedlings and juveniles of 31 animal-dispersed tree species was more than three times greater in continuous forest and large forest fragments (,30 ha) than in small forest fragments (,9 ha), whereas recruitment of eight wind- and gravity-dispersed trees of the forest interior was unaffected. Recruitment of 10 endemic, animal-dispersed tree species was 40 times lower in small fragments than in continuous forest or large fragments. Counts of diurnal primates and birds in all five sites indicated that frugivorous species have declined with decreasing fragment size. These results are consistent with the idea that loss of dispersal agents depresses tree recruitment in the course of forest fragmentation. Resumen: Investigamos los efectos de la fragmentación del bosque en la desaparición de animales frugívoros y el reclutamiento de árboles dispersados por animales y viento en parches de bosques de 80 años de edad en las montañas del este de Usambara, Tanzania. Comparamos árboles adultos y juveniles en transectos de bosque en un bosque submontañoso de 3500 ha con transectos de cuatro fragmentos de bosque de 521, 30, 9 y 0.5 ha. Los resultados preliminares muestran que el reclutamiento de plántulas y juveniles especies de árboles dispersados por animales fue tres veces mayor en el bosque continuo y fragmentos grandes (,30 ha) que en fragmentos pequeños (,9 ha), mientras que el reclutamiento de ocho árboles dispersados por viento y gravedad del interior del bosque no fue afectado. El reclutamiento de 10 especies endémicas de árboles dispersados por animales fue 40 veces menor en los fragmentos pequeños que en el bosque continuo o en los fragmentos grandes. Los conteos de primates diurnos y aves en los cinco sitios indican que las especies frugívoras han disminuido con la disminución del tamaño del fragmento. Estos resultados son consistentes con la idea de que la pérdida de los agentes dispersores deprime el reclutamiento de los árboles en el transcurso de la fragmentación del bosque. [source] MR imaging in assessing cardiovascular interventions and myocardial injuryCONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING, Issue 1 2007Alexis Jacquier Abstract Performing an MR-guided endovascular intervention requires (1) real-time tracking and guidance of catheters/guide wires to the target, (2) high-resolution images of the target and its surroundings in order to define the extent of the target, (3) performing a therapeutic procedure (delivery of stent or injection of gene or cells) and (4) evaluating the outcome of the therapeutic procedure. The combination of X-ray and MR imaging (XMR) in a single suite was designed for new interventional procedures. MR contrast media can be used to delineate myocardial infarcts and microvascular obstruction, thereby defining the target for local delivery of therapeutic agents under MR-guidance. Iron particles, or gadolinium- or dysprosium-chelates are mixed with the soluble injectates or stem cells in order to track intramyocardial delivery and distribution. Preliminary results show that genes encoded for vascular endothelial and fibroblast growth factor and cells are effective in promoting angiogenesis, arteriogenesis, perfusion and LV function. Angiogenic growth factors, genes and cells administered under MR-guided minimally invasive catheter-based procedures will open up new avenues in treating end-stage ischemic heart disease. The optimum dose of the therapeutic agents, delivery devices and real-time imaging techniques to guide the delivery are currently the subject of ongoing research. The aim of this review is to (1) provide an updated review of experiences using MR imaging to guide transcatheter therapy, (2) address the potential of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR contrast media in assessing myocardial injury at a molecular level and labeling cells and (3) illustrate the applicability of the non-invasive MR imaging in the field of angiogenic therapies through recent clinical and experimental publications. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Environmental management in large-scale building projects,learning from Hammarby SjöstadCORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2002Rolf Johansson In an old industrial and harbour area of Stockholm, a new city for 30 000 people will be built in the next ten years. The Hammarby Sjöstad project is unique in its size and municipal organization as well as in its ambitious environmental objectives. In a case study based on interviews and document analysis, the environmental management process of this project is researched. The City of Stockholm will follow up the compliance with set goals; our study is a qualitative one focusing on the management process. We develop concepts and models as an aid for municipal management of future construction projects. Many factors outside the formal ones are considered important. Data is structured chronologically as events and from a stakeholder perspective, including the City, the developers and the contractors. The main focus is, however, on the City's Project Management Team. Collected data is furthermore analysed with the aid of key concepts, derived from organization theory, planning and construction practice and as suggested by the data. Preliminary results indicate that the continued study of informal means of control is just as important as that of the formal ones, and that identifying key situations and tools for environmental management should be in focus for the rest of the research study. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. and ERP Environment [source] Using the SWAP-200 in a personality-disordered forensic population: is it valid, reliable and useful?CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR AND MENTAL HEALTH, Issue 1 2005Luisa E. Marin-Avellan Background Treatment and risk management of forensic patients relies heavily on diagnosing psychopathology, yet the reliability of clinical diagnoses of personality disorder has been found to be only fair to low. Structured instruments for the global assessment of personality disorder are infrequently used in clinical assessments possibly due to their limited validity and clinical utility. Aims/methods The Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure-200 (SWAP-200) was developed in an effort to address these limitations. Although good reliability and validity in relation to clinicians' diagnosis of personality disorder has been reported, to date the validity of this instrument has not been assessed in relation to other standardized instruments or in a personality-disordered, forensic population. This study aims to establish the reliability and validity of the SWAP-200 against other diagnostic instruments and measures of interpersonal functioning in a personality disordered forensic population. Results This paper reports the results of 30 subjects from a high secure hospital in the UK who were assessed with the SWAP-200, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Personality Disorders (SCID-II), the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) and the Chart of Interpersonal Reactions in Closed Living Environments (CIRCLE). Preliminary results suggest that the SWAP-200 is a reliable instrument for the diagnosis of personality disorder in forensic patients. Conclusions Although the small sample size allows only preliminary conclusions about the validity of this instrument, early results show a reduction of the diagnosis of comorbidity compared with the SCID-II, together with an increased number of expected associations between independent measures of interpersonal functioning and categories of personality disorder. Copyright © 2005 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source] Preliminary results of a fine-grain analysis of mood swings and treatment modalities of bipolar I and II patients using the daily prospective life-chart-methodologyACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 6 2009C. Born Objective:, The study aimed to increase the knowledge about the detailed course differences between different forms of bipolar disorder. Method:, Using the prospective life-chart-clinician version, we compared the fine-grain analysis of mood swings and treatment modalities of 18 bipolar II with 31 bipolar I patients. Results:, During an observational period of a mean of 26 months we observed an increase of euthymic days, and a decrease of (sub)depressive and (hypo)manic days. Days in a (sub)depressed state were more frequent than days of (hypo)mania as well as days of subdepression or hypomania in comparison to days of full-blown depression or mania. Bipolar II patients showed an increase in hypomanic days receiving more frequently antidepressants. Bipolar I patients, with a decrease of manic days, were significantly taking more often mood stabilizers. Conclusion:, Treatment in a specialized bipolar clinic improves the overall outcome, but bipolar II disorder seems to be still treated sub-optimally with a possible iatrogenic increase of hypomanic days. [source] Cover Picture: Electrophoresis 21'2009ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 21 2009Article first published online: 27 OCT 200 Issue no. 21 is a regular issue with Emphasis on "Nucleic Acids". The first part has 7 articles on nucleic acids covering various topics, e.g., sequencing, genotyping, PCR, insertion, mutation, etc. The remaining 11 articles are concerned with monoliths, pseudo-phases, coating, and sample pretreatment such as derivatization and concentration. Selected articles are: Applications of MALDI-TOF MS to large-scale human mtDNA population-based studies ((10.1002/elps.200900294)) Visual DNA as a diagnostic tool ((10.1002/elps.200900273)) Preliminary results for two-dimensional separation with high performance thin-layer chromatography and pressurized planar electrochromatography ((10.1002/elps.200900471)) [source] Fate of air toxics and VOCs in the odor control scrubbers at the deer island treatment plantENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY, Issue 4 2000Thomas Myslinski Process off-gases at the Deer Island wastewater treatment plant in Boston are collected and treated and its stack emissions regulated for selected gases including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are monitored as nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHC). The air treatment processes of countercurrent wet oxidation scrubbing and granulated activated carbon adsorption are available for emissions control at Deer Island. In addition, since the wastewater treatment process of biochemical oxidation is fully enclosed at the site, microbial destruction of VOCs is an intrinsic treatment process for organic gases. Surveyed results of wastewater research literature indicate that the use of scrubbers for the removal of VOCs is controversial, as the fate of volatile hydrocarbon molecules across odor control scrubbers is complex and not fully understood. Continuous emission monitoring tests across the Deer Island scrubbers have consistently shown a VOC removal efficiency in excess of 50%. The fate of the scrubber inlet VOCs at Deer Island was researched as part of a plant-wide, on-going VOC study. Removal efficiencies across the pure oxygen bioreactors were also investigated. Preliminary results of this study indicate chemical reactions involving VOCs in odor control scrubbers partially oxidize and chlorinate derivatives possibly destroying a fraction of the compounds by complete oxidation. In addition, VOC reduction across the enclosed aerobic bioreactors was found to be significant. This article represents the opinions and(legal) conclusions of the authors and not necessarily those of the MWRA. [source] Subfield atrophy pattern in temporal lobe epilepsy with and without mesial sclerosis detected by high-resolution MRI at 4 Tesla: Preliminary resultsEPILEPSIA, Issue 6 2009Susanne G. Mueller Summary Purpose:, High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 4 Tesla depicts details of the internal structure of the hippocampus not visible at 1.5 Tesla, and so allows for in vivo parcellation of different hippocampal subfields. The aim of this study was to test if distinct subfield atrophy patterns can be detected in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) with mesial temporal sclerosis (TLE-MTS) and without (TLE-no) hippocampal sclerosis. Methods:, High-resolution T2 -weighted hippocampal images were acquired in 34 controls: 15 TLE-MTS and 18 TLE-no. Entorhinal cortex (ERC), subiculum (SUB), CA1, CA2, and CA3, and dentate (CA3&DG) volumes were determined using a manual parcellation scheme. Results:, TLE-MTS had significantly smaller ipsilateral CA1, CA2, CA3&DG, and total hippocampal volume than controls or TLE-no. Mean ipsilateral CA1 and CA3&DG z-scores were significantly lower than ipsilateral CA2, ERC, and SUB z-scores. There were no significant differences between the various subfield or hippocampal z-scores on either the ipsi- or the contralateral side in TLE-no. Using a z-score ,,2.0 to identify severe volume loss, the following atrophy patterns were found in TLE-MTS: CA1 atrophy, CA3&DG atrophy, CA1 and CA3&DG atrophy, and global hippocampal atrophy. Significant subfield atrophy was found in three TLE-no: contralateral SUB atrophy, bilateral CA3&DG atrophy, and ipsilateral ERC and SUB atrophy. Discussion:, Using a manual parcellation scheme on 4 Tesla high-resolution MRI, we found the characteristic ipsilateral CA1 and CA3&DG atrophy described in TLE-MTS. Seventeen percent of the TLE-no had subfield atrophy despite normal total hippocampal volume. These findings indicate that high-resolution MRI and subfield volumetry provide superior information compared to standard hippocampal volumetry. [source] Italian validation of INQoL, a quality of life questionnaire for adults with muscle diseasesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 9 2010V. A. Sansone Background and purpose:, A quality of life (QoL) questionnaire for neuromuscular diseases was recently constructed and validated in the United Kingdom in a sample of adult patients with a variety of muscle disorders. Preliminary results suggested it could be a more relevant and practical measure of QoL in muscle diseases than generic health measures of QoL. The purpose of our work was: (i) To validate INQoL in Italy on a larger sample of adult patients with muscle diseases (ii) to compare INQoL to SF-36. Methods:, We have translated into Italian and applied language adaptations to the original UK INQoL version. We studied 1092 patients with different muscle disorders and performed (i) test,retest reliability (n = 80); (ii) psychometric (n = 345), known-group (n = 1092), external criterion (n = 70), and concurrent validity with SF-36 (n = 183). Results:, We have translated and formally validated the Italian version of INQoL confirming and extending results obtained in the United Kingdom. In addition to good results in terms of reliability, known-group and criterion validity, a comparison with the SF-36 scales showed a stronger association between INQoL total index and SF-36 physical (r = ,0.72) than mental (r = ,0.38) summary health indexes. When considering comparable domains of INQoL and SF-36 with respect to an objective measure of muscle strength assessment (MMRC), regression analysis showed a stronger correlation using INQoL rather than SF-36 scores. Conclusions:, INQoL is recommended to assess QoL in muscle diseases because of its ability to capture physical limitations that are specifically relevant to the muscle condition. [source] Raised water temperature lowers diversity of hyporheic aquatic hyphomycetesFRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2008FELIX BÄRLOCHER Summary 1. The hyporheic zone of a permanent first-order stream was divided into a treatment and a control section using a 1 m deep sheet-metal barrier. During a 4-month pre-treatment period, water temperatures in two transects of the two sections were not different. Upon heating, the water temperature in the treatment transect increased by an average of 4.3 °C over values in the control transect. 2. Eleven bimonthly core samples were taken from a treatment and a control transect, and recovered CPOM was classified as twigs, wood, grass, roots, cedar and deciduous leaves. 3. In both transects, twigs were the most common and deciduous leaves the least common substrates. The number of leaf fragments declined significantly in the heat-treated transect. 4. Diversity and frequencies of occurrence of aquatic hyphomycetes were highest on leaves and lowest on grass and wood. On leaves, their frequency of occurrence was higher in control than in treatment samples. 5. Preliminary results with amplified and cloned 18S DNA sequences revealed many fungal taxa with high affinities to Basidiomycota, particularly to Limnoperdon incarnatum. 6. By itself, higher water temperature due to global warming is likely to lower the availability of substrates for, and therefore the occurrence of, aquatic hyphomycetes. [source] Using an airgun array in a land reservoir as the seismic source for seismotectonic studies in northern China: experiments and preliminary resultsGEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTING, Issue 4 2008Yong Chen ABSTRACT This paper reports the field setup and preliminary results of experiments utilizing an airgun array in a reservoir in north China for a seismotectonic study. Commonly used in offshore petroleum resource exploration, the airgun source was found to be more useful than a traditional explosive source for large-scale and long offset land seismic surveys. The airgun array, formed by four 1,500 in3 airguns (a total of 6,000 in3 in volume) was placed at a depth of 6,9 m into the reservoir to generate the pressure impulse. No direct evidence was found that the airgun source adversely affected the fish in the reservoir. The peak ground acceleration recorded on the top of the reservoir dam 100 m away was 17.8 gal in the horizontal direction; this is much less than the designed earthquake-resistance threshold of 125 gal for this dam. The energy for one shot of this airgun array is about 6.68 MJ, equivalent to firing a 1.7 kg explosive. The seismic waves generated by the airgun source were recorded by receivers of the regional seismic networks and a temporary wide-angle reflection and refraction profile formed by 100 short-period seismometers with the maximum source-receiver offset of 206 km. The seismic wave signature at these long-offset stations is equivalent to that generated by a traditional blast source in a borehole with a 1,000,2,000 kg explosive. Preliminary results showed clear seismic phases from refractions from the multi-layer crustal structures in the north China region. Forward modelling using numerical simulation confirms that the seismic arrivals are indeed from lower crustal interfaces. The airgun source is efficient, economical, environmentally friendly and suitable for being used in urbanized areas. It has many advantages over an explosive source for seismotectonic studies such as the high repeatability that is supreme for stacking to improve signal qualities. The disadvantage is that the source is limited to existing lakes or reservoirs, which may restrict experimental geometry. [source] Microgel-Based Stimuli-Responsive CapsulesADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 4 2009Sebastian Berger Abstract In this paper, a preparation of stimuli-responsive capsules based on aqueous microgels is described. Microgel particles act as stabilizers for oil-in-water emulsion and organize themselves on the surface of chloroform droplets containing the biodegradable polymer poly(4-hydroxybutyrate- co -4-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV). After chloroform evaporation, composite capsules consisting of a thin PHBV wall with integrated microgels are obtained. Due to the presence of microgels acting as sensitive building blocks, the capsules respond to different stimuli (temperature, solvent concentration). Preliminary results indicate that the capsule dimensions and morphology can be tuned by microgel and PHBV concentration in water and chloroform, respectively. [source] Use of ristocetin cofactor activity in the management of von Willebrand diseaseHAEMOPHILIA, Issue 2001B.M. Ewenstein von Willebrand disease (vWD), the most common of the hereditary bleeding disorders, arises from quantitative or qualitative defects in von Willebrand factor (vWF). vWF is a multimeric plasma protein that plays a key role in primary and secondary haemostasis. In the current classification scheme, vWD is divided into six subtypes that are based on the nature of the vWF defect. Therapeutic strategies depend on the accurate identification of these subtypes. In most clinical situations, desmopressin is effective treatment for the great majority of patients with mild (type 1) disease, while replacement therapy with factor VIII/vWF concentrates that contain high levels of vWF activity is required for most type 2 and nearly all type 3 vWD patients. Several factor VIII/vWF replacement products are available, one of which (Humate P) has been approved for the treatment of vWD by the US Food and Drug Administration. Preliminary results of recent studies support the hypothesis that treatment with factor VIII/vWF concentrates based upon the content of vWF activity as reflected in the ristocetin cofactor assay is practicable, safe and efficacious. The establishment of optimal treatment regimens with respect to dose intensity and duration will require further study. [source] Postoperative intensity-modulated radiation therapy for cancers of the paranasal sinuses, nasal cavity, and lacrimal glands: Technique, early outcomes, and toxicity,HEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 7 2008Bradford S. Hoppe MD Abstract Background Our aim was to review Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center's experience with postoperative intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for paranasal sinus, nasal cavity, and lacrimal gland cancer and report dosimetric measures, toxicity, and outcomes. Methods Between September 2000 and June 2006, 37 patients with paranasal sinus, nasal cavity, or lacrimal gland cancer underwent postoperative IMRT. Median values were as follows: prescription dose, 60 Gy (range, 50,70); PTVD95, 99% (range, 79,101%); optic nerve Dmax, 53 Gy (range, 2,54); optic chiasm Dmax, 51Gy (range, 2,55). Acute and late toxicities were scored by Radiation Therapy Oncology Group morbidity criteria. Results Median follow-up was 28 months. Two-year local progression,free and overall survivals were 75% and 80%. No early- or late-grade 3/4 radiation-induced ophthalmologic toxicity occurred. Conclusions Preliminary results show that adjuvant IMRT in these patients is feasible, allowed for excellent planning target volume (PTV) coverage, and minimized dose delivered to optic structures. Longer follow-up is warranted to assess the extent of late effects and outcomes. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2008 [source] Intraoperative radiation therapy as an "early boost" in locally advanced head and neck cancer: Preliminary results of a feasibility studyHEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 6 2008Laura Marucci MD Abstract Background The acute toxicity of intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) delivered as an "early boost" after tumor resection in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer was evaluated. Methods Twenty-five patients were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent surgery with radical intent, and 17 had microvascular flap reconstruction. The IORT was delivered in the operating room. Twenty patients received adjuvant external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). Results Five patients experienced various degrees of complications in the postoperative period, all of which were treated conservatively. One patient had a partial flap necrosis after EBRT that was treated with flap removal. Six deaths were recorded during the mean follow-up period of 8 months; none of the deaths were related to radiation treatment. Conclusion This feasibility study shows that the use of IORT as an early boost is feasible with no increase in acute toxicity directly attributable to radiation. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2008 [source] Preliminary results obtained with cefoperazone plus corticosteroids in the treatment of active Crohn's diseaseINFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 8 2009Ezio Gaia MD No abstract is available for this article. [source] High-Triplet-Energy Poly(9,9,-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-3,6-fluorene) as Host for Blue and Green Phosphorescent Complexes,ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 12 2008Zhonglian Wu A novel polyfluorene with high triplet energy level the soluble conjugated homopolymer poly(9,9,-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-3,6-fluorene)) (P36EHF) is successfully synthesized and characterized. Preliminary results indicate that P36EHF could be a good host material for green and blue phosphorescent complexes (see figure), making it a wide-bandgap conjugated polymer host suitable for blue- or green-phosphorescent polymer LEDs. [source] Thermal Barrier Coatings Design with Increased Reflectivity and Lower Thermal Conductivity for High-Temperature Turbine ApplicationsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED CERAMIC TECHNOLOGY, Issue 2 2006Matthew J. Kelly High reflectance thermal barrier coatings consisting of 7% Yittria-Stabilized Zirconia (7YSZ) and Al2O3 were deposited by co-evaporation using electron beam physical vapor deposition (EB-PVD). Multilayer 7YSZ and Al2O3 coatings with fixed layer spacing showed a 73% infrared reflectance maxima at 1.85 ,m wavelength. The variable 7YSZ and Al2O3 multilayer coatings showed an increase in reflection spectrum from 1 to 2.75 ,m. Preliminary results suggest that coating reflectance can be tailored to achieve increased reflectance over a desired wavelength range by controlling the thickness of the individual layers. In addition, microstructural enhancements were also used to produce low thermal conductive and high hemispherical reflective thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) in which the coating flux was periodically interrupted creating modulated strain fields within the TBC. TBC showed no macrostructural differences in the grain size or faceted surface morphology at low magnification as compared with standard TBC. The residual stress state was determined to be compressive in all of the TBC samples, and was found to decrease with increasing number of modulations. The average thermal conductivity was shown to decrease approximately 30% from 1.8 to 1.2 W/m-K for the 20-layer monolithic TBC after 2 h of testing at 1316°C. Monolithic modulated TBC also resulted in a 28% increase in the hemispherical reflectance, and increased with increasing total number of modulations. [source] Unified algorithm for undirected discovery of exception rulesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS, Issue 7 2005Einoshin Suzuki This article presents an algorithm that seeks every possible exception rule that violates a commonsense rule and satisfies several assumptions of simplicity. Exception rules, which represent systematic deviation from commonsense rules, are often found interesting. Discovery of pairs that consist of a commonsense rule and an exception rule, resulting from undirected search for unexpected exception rules, was successful in various domains. In the past, however, an exception rule represented a change of conclusion caused by adding an extra condition to the premise of a commonsense rule. That approach formalized only one type of exception and failed to represent other types. To provide a systematic treatment of exceptions, we categorize exception rules into 11 categories, and we propose a unified algorithm for discovering all of them. Preliminary results on 15 real-world datasets provide an empirical proof of effectiveness of our algorithm in discovering interesting knowledge. The empirical results also match our theoretical analysis of exceptions, showing that the 11 types can be partitioned in three classes according to the frequency with which they occur in data. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Int Syst 20: 673,691, 2005. [source] Patient Response to the Fast-Track ExperienceINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING TERMINOLOGIES AND CLASSIFICATION, Issue 2003Jane Flanagan PURPOSE To describe patients' functional health, symptom distress, and recovery at home across a fasttrack perioperative experience. METHODS A nonexperimental, descriptive, correlational design using pre/post test measures and openended questions captured the fast-tracking experience. A convenience sample included 77 patients entering the same-day surgery unit to undergo arthroscopy with general anesthesia and planned fast-track recovery. In the preadmission test area, patients were asked by a nurse to participate in the study. If they agreed and met selection criteria, a nurse completed a demographic sheet, the Foster and Jones Functional Health Pattern Assessment Screeing Tool (FHPAST), and the Symptom Distress Scale (SDS). On the evening of surgery, a nurse called the patient to review the SDS to be completed by phone. At 72 hours after surgery, the FHPAST, the SDS, and a 72-hour open-ended questionnaire were administered to understand the patient experience of fast-tracking. FINDINGS At 12 hours nurses reported patients were "euphoric" and it was difficult to imagine pain or other symptoms. Some patients complained of nausea and fatigue. Most patients had family present. At 72 hours patients described unmet expectations, fatigue, immobility, ineffective pain management, sleep disturbance, and nausea. Interventions included teaching, coaching, and reassurance. Some patients continued to have nursing problems at 72 hours and benefited from a telephone follow-up call. CONCLUSIONS Preliminary results suggest that nursing diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes can be used to describe patient responses to the fast-track experience. Results indicate a need for practice changes to include innovative models and further research to measure outcomes. Fast-tracking can be effective, but requires clinical reasoning by nurses to guide the individual's healing. A coaching intervention seems to enhance patient satisfaction and a sense of being cared for. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||