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Preliminary Work (preliminary + work)
Selected AbstractsHigh-resolution wide-angle X-ray scattering of protein solutions: effect of beam dose on protein integrityJOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION, Issue 5 2003Robert F. Fischetti Wide-angle X-ray scattering patterns from proteins in solution contain information relevant to the determination of protein fold. At relevant scattering angles, however, these data are weak, and the degree to which they might be used to categorize the fold of a protein is unknown. Preliminary work has been performed at the BioCAT insertion-device beamline at the Advanced Photon Source which demonstrates that one can collect X-ray scattering data from proteins in solution to spacings of at least 2.2,Å (q = 2.8,Å,1). These data are sensitive to protein conformational states, and are in good agreement with the scattering predicted by the program CRYSOL using the known three-dimensional atomic coordinates of the protein. An important issue in the exploitation of this technique as a tool for structural genomics is the extent to which the high intensity of X-rays available at third-generation synchrotron sources chemically or structurally damage proteins. Various data-collection protocols have been investigated demonstrating conditions under which structural degradation of even sensitive proteins can be minimized, making this technique a viable tool for protein fold categorization, the study of protein folding, unfolding, protein,ligand interactions and domain movement. [source] The build-up of haloes within Press,Schechter theoryMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 4 2001Will J. Percival Modelling the build-up of haloes is important for linking the formation of galaxies with cosmological models. A simple model of halo growth is provided by Press,Schechter (PS) theory, where the initial field of density fluctuations is smoothed using spherically symmetric filters centred on a given position to obtain information about the likelihood of later collapse on varying scales. In this paper the predicted halo mass growth is compared for three filter shapes: Gaussian, top-hat and sharp k -space. Preliminary work is also presented analysing the build-up of haloes within numerical simulations using a friends-of-friends group finder. The best-fit to the simulation mass function was obtained using PS theory with a top-hat filter. By comparing both the backwards conditional mass function, which gives the distribution of halo progenitors, and the distribution of halo mergers in time, the build-up of haloes in the simulations is shown to be better fitted by PS theory with a sharp k -space filter. This strengthens previous work, which also found the build-up of haloes in simulations to be well matched to PS theory with a sharp k -space filter by providing a direct comparison of different filters and by extending the statistical tools used to analyse halo mass growth. The usefulness of this work is illustrated by showing that the cosmological evolution in the proportion of haloes that have undergone recent merger is predicted to be independent of mass and power spectrum and to only depend upon cosmology. Recent results from observations of field galaxies are shown to match the evolution expected, but are not sufficiently accurate to distinguish usefully between cosmological parameters. [source] The Diagnostic Utility of an Electronic Nose: Rhinologic ApplicationsTHE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 9 2002Erica R. Thaler MD Abstract Objective/Hypothesis The thesis explores the applicability of electronic nose technology in medical decision-making. Specifically, the studies undertaken in the thesis were designed to test the ability of the electronic nose to assist in diagnostic questions encountered in the field of rhinology. Study Design Three separate studies were undertaken. All involved analysis of specimens by the electronic nose, obtained either in vitro or in vivo: known matched sets of cerebrospinal fluid and serum, bacterial samples from known plated specimens, and culture swabs taken from patients suspected of having rhinosinusitis who also had a matched standard bacterial culture taken from the same site. The goal of analysis was to determine whether the electronic nose was able to identify or categorize specimens or groups of specimens. Methods Each specimen was tested using the organic semiconductor-based Cyranose 320 electronic nose. Data from the 32-element sensor array were subjected to principal-component analysis to depict differences in odorant patterns. Distinction of specimens was identified by calculation of Mahalanobis distance. Results The electronic nose was able to distinguish serum from cerebrospinal fluid in pure isolates as well as in isolates collected on small cottonoid pledgets at amounts of 0.2 mL or greater. It was also able to distinguish between control swabs and bacterial samples as well as among bacterial samples collected in vitro. Preliminary work suggests that it may be able to distinguish between presence and absence of bacterial infection in specimens collected on nasal swabs. Conclusions The electronic nose is able to distinguish reliably between cerebrospinal fluid and serum sampled in small amounts, may be able to identify presence and type of bacterial pathogen in vitro, and is able to identify presence or absence of bacteria on nasal swabs. Because this information is available immediately, the electronic nose may be a powerful new technology for diagnostic use, not only for rhinologic purposes but in many other aspects of medicine as well. [source] Interactions between dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) and the arbovirus vector Culicoides brevitarsis Kieffer (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 2 2005Alan L Bishop Abstract, The potential for dung beetles to reduce populations of the biting midge and arbovirus vector Culicoides brevitarsis in bovine dung was studied in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales (NSW) between 1999 and 2003 using natural populations of insects. Preliminary work to develop experimental procedures showed that: a few C. brevitarsis could survive in buried dung; dung beetles and C. brevitarsis coming to dung were unaffected by a background of shade-cloth used experimentally to prevent dung burial; the most abundant dung beetle, Onthophagus gazella L. and C. brevitarsis oviposition occurred concurrently in the first 2 d after dung deposition, and the potential for interaction between dung beetles and C. brevitarsis was greatest in open pasture adjacent to trees where cattle congregate at night. Laboratory experiments on dung burial showed that C. brevitarsis numbers decreased as numbers of dung beetles increased or as the dry weight of dung decreased due to burial. This was seldom reflected in the field where, although significant burial occurred experimentally in 9 of 20 trials over 3 years, a significant decline in C. brevitarsis numbers attributable to burial only occurred once. C. brevitarsis numbers in the field were lower in unburied dung in 70% of trials. Differences were significant twice and were considered the result of dung disturbance. In the laboratory, decreasing numbers of C. brevitarsis were related to three characteristics of disturbance: the flattening, spreading and reduction in wet weight of the dung. Evidence of C. brevitarsis activity throughout coastal NSW suggests that, while C. brevitarsis numbers may be modified by dung beetles, the interaction is insufficient to prevent their increase, spread and ability to transmit viruses to livestock. [source] Variable-field relaxometry of iron-containing human tissues: a preliminary studyCONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING, Issue 4 2009Aline Hocq Abstract Excess iron is found in brain nuclei from neurodegenerative patients (with Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases) and also in the liver and spleen of cirrhosis, hemochromatosis and thalassaemia patients. Ferritin, the iron-storing protein of mammals, is known to darken T2 -weighted MR images. Understanding NMR tissue behavior may make it possible to detect those diseases, to follow their evolution and finally to establish a protocol for non-invasive measurement of an organ's iron content using MRI methods. In this preliminary work, the MR relaxation properties of embalmed iron-containing tissues were studied as well as their potential correlation with the iron content of these tissues. Relaxometric measurements (T1 and T2) of embalmed samples of brain nuclei (caudate nucleus, dentate nucleus, globus pallidus, putamen, red nucleus and substantia nigra), liver and spleen from six donors were made at different magnetic fields (0.00023,14 T). The influence of the inter-echo time on transverse relaxation was also studied. Moreover, iron content of tissues was determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. In brain nuclei, 1/T2 increases quadratically with the field and depends on the inter-echo time in CPMG sequences at high fields, both features compatible with an outer sphere relaxation theory. In liver and spleen, 1/T2 increases linearly with the field and depends on the inter-echo time at all fields. In our study, a correlation between 1/T2 and iron concentration is observed. Explaining the relaxation mechanism for these tissues is likely to require a combination of several models. The value of 1/T2 at high field could be used to evaluate iron accumulation in vivo. In the future, confirmation of those features is expected to be achieved from measurements of fresh (not embalmed) human tissues. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Cover Picture: Electrophoresis 8/2008ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 8 2008Article first published online: 17 APR 200 Regular issues provide a wide range of research and review articles covering all aspects of electrophoresis. Here you will find cutting-edge articles on methods and theory, instrumentation, nucleic acids, CE and CEC, miniaturization and microfluidics, proteomics and two-dimensional electrophoresis. On April 2 Professor Hjertén celebrated his 80th birthday, and it is an honor to take this opportunity to congratulate him on this special occasion and at the same time on his fruitful work. Stellan Hjertén's distinguished personality in research and life makes this celebration very special. It is therefore appropriate to devote a separate laudation in ELECTROPHORESIS to his achievements through which he has attained renown within the separation science community: indeed, he is considered undoubtedly to be the "Father of Capillary Electrophoresis". Professor Hjertén's preliminary work with Arne Tiselius motivated him to commit his career to electrophoresis: the development of free zone electrophoresis certainly revolutionized separation science, and since the construction of the first "capillary electrophoresis" equipment, one of the most cited works in this field carries his name. His friends were very keen to contribute manuscripts to this Issue, covering almost all areas in which Professor Hjertén has worked in his distinguished career. [source] Extraction and purification of the zwitterions cylindrospermopsin and deoxycylindrospermopsin from Cylindrospermopsis raciborskiiENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 5 2001R. L. G. Norris Abstract The hepatotoxin cylindrospermopsin (CYN) has been isolated from the cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (C. raci.). Efforts to study this toxin have been hampered by the time-consuming requirement to extract it from cultures of the organism. It is usually extracted from lyophilized cells collected from a laboratory culture. Our preliminary work suggested far more of the toxin is available in solution in the culture media than in the cells collected. We have therefore investigated the use of commercially available solid phase extraction sorbents to extract CYN from culture media in which C. raci. has been grown. A range of reverse phase and ion-exchange sorbents were tested across a range of pHs for their ability to retain CYN without success. Subsequently, graphitized carbon cartridges were found to retain CYN strongly. Elution with 5% formic acid in methanol allowed the CYN to be regained for final purification by HPLC. Deoxy-CYN, an analog of CYN can also be extracted using this procedure. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Environ Toxicol 16: 391,396, 2001 [source] The "Ductilities" in Single Phase Steels from Usual to Nanoscale MicrostructuresADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 10 2009Olivier Bouaziz Abstract The control and the improvement of the ductility of nanostructured structural steels is one of the key challenges in assessing the technological viability of this metallurgical strategy. In the present paper, it is shown that more rigorous definitions of the ductility are required in order to avoid possible confusions. After this preliminary work, a more transparent analysis is done concerning the effect of the microstructural scale showing clearly the weaknesses and the strengths of ultra-fine single phase steels. Finally, possible ways to overcome the main limitations are presented. [source] A preliminary study on bladder-assisted rotomolding of thermoplastic polymer compositesADVANCES IN POLYMER TECHNOLOGY, Issue 1 2007A. Salomi Abstract In this preliminary work, a new process is examined for manufacturing hollow parts from continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic polymer. The new process combines the basic idea of bag forming (or bladder-assisted forming) with the rotation of the mold for the processing of thermoplastic matrix composites. A pressurized membrane is used to compact the composite on the inner wall of a mold, which is placed inside a forced convection oven. The mold is removed from the oven for the cooling stage. The process was initially developed by using a thermoplastic pre-preg obtained using yarns of commingled E-glass fibers with isotactic polypropylene (iPP). A preliminary characterization of the thermoplastic composite showed that the material can be consolidated with pressures as low as 0.01 MPa, which is readily achievable with the process of this study. The design of the mold and membrane was carried out on the basis of both structural analysis of the aluminum shell and thermal analysis of the mold. The mold thickness is of great importance with respect to both the maximum pressure allowed in the process and the overall cycle time. Molding was performed on stacks of three and six layers of yarn, varying the applied pressure between 0.01 and 0.05 MPa and maximum temperature of the internal air between 185°C and 215°C. The composite shells obtained under different processing conditions were characterized in terms of physical and mechanical properties. Mechanical properties comparable with those obtained by compression molding and vacuum bagging were obtained. The maximum values obtained are 12.1 GPa and 290 MPa for the flexural modulus and the flexural strength, respectively. Furthermore, the results obtained show that mechanical properties improve with increasing the pressure during the cycle and with the maximum temperature used in the process. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 26:21,32, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/adv.20085 [source] Reproducibility of black blood dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in aortic plaques of atherosclerotic rabbitsJOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 1 2010Claudia Calcagno MD Abstract Purpose: To investigate the short-term reproducibility of black-blood dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in atherosclerotic rabbits to evaluate the potential of this technique to be a reliable readout of plaque progression and/or regression upon therapeutic intervention. Materials and Methods: Atherosclerotic rabbits were imaged at baseline and 24 hours later with DCE-MRI on a 1.5T MRI system. DCE-MRI images were analyzed by calculating the area under the signal intensity versus time curve (AUC). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to evaluate interscan, intraobserver, and interobserver reproducibility. In addition, the test,retest coefficient of variation (CoV) was evaluated. Results: Statistical analyses showed excellent interscan, intraobserver, and interobserver agreement. All ICCs were greater than 0.75, P < 0.01 indicating excellent agreement between measurements. Conclusion: Experimental results show good interscan and excellent intra- and interobserver reproducibility, suggesting that DCE-MRI could be used in preclinical settings as a read-out for novel therapeutic interventions for atherosclerosis. This preliminary work encourages investigating the reproducibility of DCE-MRI also in clinical settings, where it could be used for monitoring high-risk patients and in longitudinal clinical drug trials. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010;32:191,198. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Rapid identification of pseudomonas avellanae field isolates, causing hazelnut decline in central italy, by repetitive PCR genomic fingerprintingJOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 3 2000M. Scortichini Pseudomonas avellanae is the main cause of hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) decline, the so called ,moria', in central Italy where it has already killed more than 30 000 trees. Its current identification is very long requiring biochemical, physiological and nutritional tests as well as pathogenicity tests and takes not less than 6 months for its completion. In the present study the reliability of the repetitive polymerase chain reaction (rep-PCR) technique for a rapid and accurate identification of such a pathogen was compared with the traditional identification method. In order to assess the variability of the pathogen, REP, BOX and ERIC primer sets were used in preliminary work to generate genomic fingerprints of 60 P. avellanae reference strains previously isolated from different areas of hazelnut cultivation. ERIC primers yielded the most discriminative clustering of strains that were grouped according to their geographic origin. Sixty field isolates collected from hazelnut orchards of central Italy, planted with different cultivars, during the years 1996,98 were submitted to either the traditional identification methods or to rep-PCR by using ERIC primers. The latter technique accurately identified all the isolates that were also identified by the traditional methods. Whole-cell protein analysis by means of sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis confirmed this achievement. Rep-PCR can be successfully adopted for the rapid and accurate identification of P. avellanae in central Italy and it constitutes a very useful tool for the sanitation of the area. Zusammenfassung Eine schnelle Bestimmung von Pseudomonas avellanae -Feldisolaten, dem Erreger einer HaselnuIapoplexie in Zentralitalien, durch rep-PCR genomisches Fingerprinting [source] Dynamic imaging with multiple resolutions along phase-encode and slice-select dimensionsMAGNETIC RESONANCE IN MEDICINE, Issue 6 2001Lawrence P. Panych Abstract An implementation is reported of an imaging method to obtain MUltiple Resolutions along Phase-encode and Slice-select dimensions (MURPS), which enables dynamic imaging of focal changes using a graded, multiresolution approach. MURPS allows one to trade spatial resolution in part of the volume for improved temporal resolution in dynamic imaging applications. A unique method of Hadamard slice encoding is used, enabling the varying of the phase encode and slice resolution while maintaining a constant effective TR throughout the entire 3-D volume. MURPS was implemented using a gradient-recalled echo sequence, and its utility was demonstrated for MR temperature monitoring. In this preliminary work, it has been shown that changes throughout a large volume can be effectively monitored in times that would normally only permit dynamic imaging in one or a very few slices. Magn Reson Med 45:940,947, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Diffusion tensor imaging in fixed brain tissue at 7.0 TNMR IN BIOMEDICINE, Issue 2 2003David N. Guilfoyle Abstract The purpose of this work is to assess the feasibility of performing quantitative in vitro brain tissue diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) measurements and to examine their comparability to in vivo measurements. DTI of fixed tissue at high field strength is potentially a very valuable investigative tool as very high spatial resolution can be achieved. DTI was applied to human and mouse brain fixed tissue samples as well as in vivo measurements of the mouse brain. T1 and T2 relaxography of the fixed tissue samples was also performed to provide further characterization of the tissue. All experiments were performed at 7,T. The fractional anisotropy (FA) of the human fixed brain tissue samples is found to be higher in the corpus callosum than in the occipital white matter region, consistent with in vivo measurements reported in the literature. Our FA measurements of the corpus callosum of a mouse brain are also found to be the same both in vitro and in vivo. This preliminary work supports the use of DTI in both fixed human and fixed animal brain tissue as a valid investigative tool. With the increased availability of brain banks in different brain disorders, DTI in fixed tissue may prove to be a very useful method for the study of white matter abnormalities. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Nonimmersive Virtual Reality Mirror Visual Feedback Therapy and Its Application for the Treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: An Open-Label Pilot StudyPAIN MEDICINE, Issue 4 2010Kenji Sato MD Abstract Objective., Chronic pain conditions such as phantom limb pain and complex regional pain syndrome are difficult to treat, and traditional pharmacological treatment and invasive neural block are not always effective. Plasticity in the central nervous system occurs in these conditions and may be associated with pain. Mirror visual feedback therapy aims to restore normal cortical organization and is applied in the treatment of chronic pain conditions. However, not all patients benefit from this treatment. Virtual reality technology is increasingly attracting attention for medical application, including as an analgesic modality. An advanced mirror visual feedback system with virtual reality technology may have increased analgesic efficacy and benefit a wider patient population. In this preliminary work, we developed a virtual reality mirror visual feedback system and applied it to the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome. Design., A small open-label case series. Five patients with complex regional pain syndrome received virtual reality mirror visual feedback therapy once a week for five to eight sessions on an outpatient basis. Patients were monitored for continued medication use and pain intensity. Results., Four of the five patients showed >50% reduction in pain intensity. Two of these patients ended their visits to our pain clinic after five sessions. Conclusion., Our results indicate that virtual reality mirror visual feedback therapy is a promising alternative treatment for complex regional pain syndrome. Further studies are necessary before concluding that analgesia provided from virtual reality mirror visual feedback therapy is the result of reversing maladaptive changes in pain perception. [source] Aortic isthmus Doppler velocimetry: role in assessment of preterm fetal growth restrictionPRENATAL DIAGNOSIS, Issue 5 2010M. M. Kennelly Abstract Intrauterine fetal growth restriction (IUGR) is an important pregnancy complication associated with significant adverse clinical outcome, stillbirth, perinatal morbidity and cerebral palsy. To date, no uniformly accepted management protocol of Doppler surveillance that reduces mortality and cognitive morbidity has emerged. Aortic isthmus (AoI) evaluation has been proposed as a potential monitoring tool for IUGR fetuses. In this review, the current knowledge of the relationship between AoI Doppler velocimetry and preterm fetal growth restriction is reviewed. Relevant technical aspects and reproducibility data are reviewed as we discuss AoI Doppler and its place within the existing repertoire of Doppler assessments in placental insufficiency. The AoI is a link between the right and left ventricles which perfuse the lower and upper body, respectively. The clinical use of AoI waveforms for monitoring fetal deterioration in IUGR has been limited, but preliminary work suggests that abnormal AoI impedance indices are an intermediate step between placental insufficiency-hypoxemia and cardiac decompensation. Further prospective studies correlating AoI indices with arterial and venous Doppler indices and perinatal outcome are required before encorporating this index into clinical practice. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Rodlet cells and the sensory systems in zebrafish (Danio rerio)THE ANATOMICAL RECORD : ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2007Bahram Sayyaf Dezfuli Abstract This preliminary work was designed to study, using routine procedures for light and transmission electron microscopy, the presence of rodlet cells (RCs) in or near the sensory systems of 12 adult specimens (4.0 ± 1.2 cm, LT ± SD) of zebrafish, Danio rerio Hamilton, 1822. Rodlet cells, characterized by a distinctive cell cortex (range, 0.4,1.5 ,m in thickness) and conspicuous inclusions named "rodlets," have a round to ovoid nucleus with irregular outline. Mature RCs are 11.5 ± 1.2 ,m (mean ± SD) long and 7.8 ± 1.1 ,m (mean ± SD) wide. These cells are more numerous near neuromasts enclosed by an epithelial roof and/or ossified canal wall. In contrast, very few RCs were noticed near superficial neuromasts. Based on the presence of RCs around the two cranial neuromasts of each fish, a variable number from 1 to 15 rodlet cells was found (10.4 ± 3.6, mean ± SD). The RCs were located 1.5 ,m (minimal) to 73.3 ,m (maximal) from the neuromast (27.9 ± 17.2, mean ± SD). Moreover, RCs were found in olfactory epithelium and in proximity to some taste buds. Interestingly, RCs were absent in the inner ear, eye, and brain. Anat Rec, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Advanced da Vinci surgical system simulator for surgeon training and operation planningTHE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ROBOTICS AND COMPUTER ASSISTED SURGERY, Issue 3 2007L. W. Sun Abstract Background Although patients benefit considerably from minimally invasive surgery, the use of new instruments such as robotic systems is challenging for surgeons, and extensive training is required. Method We developed a computer-based simulator of the da Vinci Surgical System, modelling the robot and designing a new interface. Results The simulator offers users a two-handed interface to control a realistic model of the da Vinci robot. The simulator can be applied (i) to provide an environment in which to practice simple surgical skills and (ii) to serve as a visualization platform on which to validate port placement and robot pose for operation planning. Conclusions Virtual reality is a useful technique for medical training. The simulator is currently in its early stages, but this preliminary work is promising. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Epithelial differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells for laryngeal tissue engineering,THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 1 2010Jennifer L. Long MD Abstract Objectives/Hypothesis: One potential treatment option for severe vocal fold scarring is to replace the vocal fold cover layer with a tissue-engineered structure containing autologous cells. As a first step toward that goal, we sought to develop a three-dimensional cell-populated matrix resembling the vocal fold layers of lamina propria and epithelium. Study Design: Basic science investigation. Methods: Adipose-derived stem cells were cultured in fibrin hydrogels with various growth factors. At the end of the culture period, matrices were sectioned and labeled with immunomarkers to identify cell phenotype. Results: Adipose-derived stem cells survived, attached, and populated three-dimensional fibrin matrices. Under select conditions, a superficial layer of cells expressing epithelial marker proteins overlay a deeper mesenchymal cell layer. Conclusions: A three-dimensional structure of fibrin and adipose-derived stem cells was created as a prototype vocal fold replacement. Two segregated cell phenotypes occurred, producing a bilayered structure resembling epithelium over lamina propria. This preliminary work demonstrates the feasibility of tissue engineering to produce structures for vocal fold replacement. Laryngoscope, 2010 [source] Separation and Mineralogical Analysis of Bayer Red MudASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 5-6 2002T. Picaro This paper describes preliminary work to assess the potential for recovering valuable components from Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL) red mud by physical beneficiation. Upgrading of Weipa bauxites residue was trialed using a 50 mm hydrocyclone and a Mozley Multigravity Separator (MGS) to recover desilication product (DSP) and TiO2 fractions. The mineralogy of the original red muh and the various sub-fractions produced was studied by chemical assay, selective leaching, XRD and SEM techniques. DSP is present in QAL red mud in two forms: (i) as balls in the size range from 0.8 to 10 ,m that appear to be liberated; and (ii) as finely grained DSP intermixed with the other minerals. The hydrocycloning tests produced a DSP rich (39.5 wt%) fraction at 89% recovery from a feed containing 31.9 wt.% DSP. This represents an upgrade (enrichment) of 1.24 times. These results suggest that the greatest DSP enrichment will be achieved by targeting the 0.8 to 10 ,m DSP balls. The richest TiO2 fraction produced varied from 20 to 36 wt.% TiO2 from a feed value of 7 wt.% at a recovery of 7.5%. Mineralogical examination showed that most of the TiO2 in this fraction was as liberated particles in the size range 8 to 20 ,m. Most of the TiO2 particles in the other fractions were not fully liberated from mainly iron minerals. The present work indicates that it is possible to further upgrade DSP fractions by investigating finer particle separation techniques, e.g. smaller, 25 mm and 10 mm, hydrocyclones. [source] What is the meaning of palliative care in the Asia-Pacific region?ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Margaret O'CONNOR Abstract This paper describes the preliminary work required to understand cultural differences in palliative care in the United Kingdom and three countries in the Asia-Pacific region, in preparation for a cross-country study. The study is intended to address cultural understandings of palliative care, the role of the family in end of life care, what constitutes good care and the ethical issues in each country. Suggestions are then made to shape the scope of the study and to be considered as outcomes to improve care of the dying in these countries. It is anticipated that the method used to achieve consensus on cross-country palliative care issues will be both qualitative and quantitative. Identifying key priorities in the delivery and quality measures of palliative care will involve participants in focus groups, a Delphi survey and in the development of clinical indicators towards creating standards of palliative care common to the Asian Pacific region. [source] Family-Based Weight Management With Latino Mothers and ChildrenJOURNAL FOR SPECIALISTS IN PEDIATRIC NURSING, Issue 4 2008Kathy Shadle James PURPOSE.,This paper aims to design a culturally appropriate weight management intervention for high-risk Latino families and to examine the feasibility of recruiting program participants. DESIGN AND METHODS.,A descriptive design using qualitative and quantitative data collected during preliminary phases of an ongoing intervention study. RESULTS.,From the preliminary works, a curriculum was revised for Latino families who have overweight children. The curriculum was modified to include suggestions from the focus groups, including helping mothers set limits with their children and make the transition to lighter foods and a more active family life. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS.,The information will aid professionals in the process of program design for Latino families who have weight concerns. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||