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Procedure
Kinds of Procedure Terms modified by Procedure Selected AbstractsRELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HIP FRACTURE SUBTYPES, SURGICAL PROCEDURE, AND ANALGESIA USEJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 12 2009FAFRM(RACP), FRACP, Jenson C. S. Mak MBBS No abstract is available for this article. [source] SUCROSE DETECTION AND THE STABILITY OF THE 2-AFC PROCEDURE IN THE PRESENCE OF A CONFOUNDING VARIABLEJOURNAL OF SENSORY STUDIES, Issue 5 2008DANIEL SHEPHERD ABSTRACT This study attempted to measure absolute thresholds for sucrose in aqueous solution for 51 experienced judges. Two experiments utilizing the two-alternative forced-choice (2-AFC) procedure generated 6-point psychometric functions plotting percentage correct as a function of sucrose concentration. In both experiments, the judges were divided into two groups and tested in either purpose-built sensory booths or on open tables situated in a laboratory. In the first experiment, the influence of a confounding variable was apparent, with nonmonotonic psychometric functions being obtained. In experiment II, the confounding variable was eliminated, permitting the estimation of absolute thresholds. In both experiments, there was no main effect of gender or session, though there was an effect of testing locality (P < 0.05). Data are reported to emphasize the importance of controlling extraneous variables and to demonstrate the robustness of the 2-AFC procedure. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS This research contributes to an otherwise impoverished database on the detection of sucrose in a solution. The uses of the research include estimates of sucrose detection thresholds for comparative purposes; confirmation of the stability of the two-alternative forced-choice procedure; the utility of using formal testing areas as opposed to ad hoc testing stations; and the dangers of utilizing substandard experimental equipment while conducting research of this nature. [source] DEVELOPMENT OF SAMPLE PREPARATION, PRESENTATION PROCEDURE AND SENSORY DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF GREEN TEAJOURNAL OF SENSORY STUDIES, Issue 4 2008SOH MIN LEE ABSTRACT Although the infusing condition of green tea is critical in determining green tea quality, the green tea industries lack a validated standardized tea preparation procedure. The objectives were (1) to develop an effective sample preparation and presentation procedure to conduct an objective sensory analysis; and (2) to elucidate the effects of green tea types and infusing conditions on the sensory characteristics of green tea. The optimum infusing times for green tea at two temperatures (60 and 80C) were determined using the just-about-right scale evaluated by consumers. Then, a descriptive analysis was conducted. The panelists developed 16 descriptors, and determined the reference samples and the tasting procedure. The optimum infusing time,temperature combinations are approximately 3 min at 60C or 1 min at 80C. The intensity of fermented-like flavor increased, but cut grass and floral flavor decreased with the lower-graded tea leaf. Samples infused at 60C,3 min were sweeter but less bitter than samples at 80C,1 min. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The sample preparation method and evaluating conditions developed in this study have been validated using both analytical and consumer studies. The protocols showed to be powerful in discriminating the sensory characteristics between the samples when conducting objective sensory analyses. The sensory lexicons and standards established should be useful to researchers and product developers who are working with flavors of green tea. Additionally, the sample preparation method and evaluation procedure introduced in this study are relatively straightforward, thus, making it possible for the general sensory scientist group to use an effective standardized method when conducting objective sensory analyses of green tea. [source] A PANEL PERFORMANCE PROCEDURE IMPLEMENTED IN RJOURNAL OF SENSORY STUDIES, Issue 3 2005EVA DERNDORFER ABSTRACT Monitoring performance is essential for the efficient use of a sensory panel both during training and while carrying out product assessments. We present a concise procedure to monitor panel performance based on classical statistical methods. The program includes tests for the ability to discriminate between products, repeatability of assessments, scale use, agreement between panelists and a principal component analysis map of panelist means across attributes. The algorithm is implemented in R , a state-of-the-art, freely available statistical software package. The program output is summarized in graphs and tables. This easily applicable panel performance procedure is aimed at improving sensory practice, especially in areas where the use of highly complex systems is not feasible. [source] EVIDENCE THEORY AS A PROCEDURE FOR HANDLING NOVEL EVENTSMETROECONOMICA, Issue 2 2009Article first published online: 12 AUG 200, Guido Fioretti ABSTRACT Evidence Theory is a branch of the mathematics of uncertain reasoning that entails profound epistemological differences with respect to Probability Theory. In fact, its paradigmatic situation is the judge who must evaluate testimonies, rather than the gambler who must evaluates odds. Unlike a gambler, who faces a definite set of possibilities, a judge maybe forced to change her evaluation because of novel possibilities suggested by unexpected testimonies. In this sense, Evidence Theory provides a formalization of some among Shackles intuitions. While the details of the connections between Shackle's theory and Evidence Theory have been explored elsewhere, this article is devoted to a detailed explanation of the working of Evidence Theory. An example is discussed in detail and several domains of application are briefly sketched. [source] BT02 LAPAROSCOPIC SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY AS A SINGLE-STAGE BARIATRIC PROCEDUREANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 2009T. Sammour Purpose: , Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is increasingly being recognised as a stand-alone procedure in bariatric surgery, with long term follow-up data now emerging. We present our early experience patients with a mean BMI in the super-obese range. Methodology: , Retrospective review of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomies performed by two surgeons at Middlemore Hospital, between March 2007 and July 2008. Results: , One hundred and one patients were identified, with a mean age of 42.7 years (95% CI 40.9,44.5). Maori and Pacific Islanders made up 31% of the patient subset. Patients had a mean BMI of 50.2 kg/m2 (95% CI 48.8,51.7), and 45 patients were super-obese. They had a median hospital stay of 2 days (1,7 days), and a mean follow-up of 6.0 months. Mean excess BMI loss (excluding patients with a major complication) was 46% (95% CI 43.3,48.7). 64% of diabetics and 37% of hypertensives showed in an improvement in medication requirement. There was a major complication rate of 8%, including 3 staple line leaks (one of which required laparotomy), 2 staple line bleeds (one requiring laparotomy), 1 infected haematoma, and 1 critical stricture. There were no deaths. Conclusion: , Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy has achieved satisfactory weight-loss results with an acceptable complication rate in the short to medium term. [source] A STEPWISE CONFIDENCE INTERVAL PROCEDURE BASED ON AN ASYMMETRIC LOSS FUNCTION WITH APPLICATIONS TO TOXICOLOGICAL EVALUATIONAUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF STATISTICS, Issue 1 2010Jian Tao Summary The purpose of toxicological studies is a safety assessment of compounds (e.g. pesticides, pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals and food additives) at various dose levels. Because a mistaken declaration that a really non-equivalent dose is equivalent could have dangerous consequences, it is important to adopt reliable statistical methods that can properly control the family-wise error rate. We propose a new stepwise confidence interval procedure for toxicological evaluation based on an asymmetric loss function. The new procedure is shown to be reliable in the sense that the corresponding family-wise error rate is well controlled at or below the pre-specified nominal level. Our simulation results show that the new procedure is to be preferred over the classical confidence interval procedure and the stepwise procedure based on Welch's approximation in terms of practical equivalence/safety. The implementation and significance of the new procedure are illustrated with two real data sets: one from a reproductive toxicological study on Nitrofurazone in Swiss CD-1 mice, and the other from a toxicological study on Aconiazide. [source] A GENERALIZED TWO-STAGE RANDOMIZED RESPONSE PROCEDURE IN COMPLEX SAMPLE SURVEYSAUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF STATISTICS, Issue 4 2006Amitava Saha Summary The randomized response (RR) technique pioneered by Warner, S.L. (1965)[Randomised response: a survey technique for eliminating evasive answer bias. J. Amer. Statist. Assoc.60, 63,69] is a useful tool in estimating the proportion of persons in a community bearing sensitive or socially disapproved characteristics. Mangat, N.S. & Singh, R. (1990)[An alternative rendomized response procedure. Biometrika77, 439,442] proposed a modification of Warner's procedure by using two RR techniques. Presented here is a generalized two-stage RR procedure and derivation of the condition under which the proposed procedure produces a more precise estimator of the population parameter. A comparative study on the performance of this two-stage procedure and conventional RR techniques, assuming that the respondents' jeopardy level in this proposed method remains the same as that offered by the traditional RR procedures, is also reported. In addition, a numerical example compares the efficiency of the proposed method with the traditional RR procedures. [source] SURGICAL INDICATIONS AND PROCEDURES FOR BLEEDING PEPTIC ULCERDIGESTIVE ENDOSCOPY, Issue 2010Nobutsugu Abe Recent important insights into the surgical treatment of bleeding peptic ulcer are reviewed in this article. Although the widespread use of endoscopic treatment and interventional radiology has reduced the number of surgical cases, surgery still plays a pivotal role in managing bleeding peptic ulcer. Failure to stop the bleeding by endoscopy and/or interventional radiology is the most important indication for emergency surgery. An early elective/planned surgery after the initial endoscopic control to prevent life-threatening rebleeding seems justified in patients who have risk factors for rebleeding, although its true efficacy still remains controversial. The surgical procedures in emergency situations should be limited to safe hemostasis. The addition of acid-reduction surgery may be unnecessary as a result of the increasing utilization of proton pump inhibitors. Angiographic embolization may be a less invasive alternative to surgery, and may further enhance endoscopic hemostasis. [source] MANAGEMENT OF ANTIPLATELET THERAPY FOR ENDOSCOPIC PROCEDURES: OPTIMAL CESSATION PERIOD OF ANTIPLATELET THERAPY FOR JAPANESEDIGESTIVE ENDOSCOPY, Issue 4 2007Yoshiko Tamai Although antiplatelet agents are widely used for the treatment and prevention of thrombotic diseases, only a few studies have reported the validity of the cessation period prior to endoscopic procedures. In 2002, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) published a reference on the management of anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy for endoscopic procedures, but it should be confirmed as appropriate for use in Asian patients. To evaluate the optimal cessation period of antiplatelet agents prior to endoscopic procedures for Japanese, we have studied: (i) the current clinically adopted cessation period of antiplatelet agents prior to invasive endoscopic procedures in Japan; (ii) the relationship between the cessation period of antiplatelet agents and complications around the invasive endoscopic procedures; (iii) colonic mucosal bleeding time after aspirin ingestion; and (iv) the time course of primary hemostasis after cessation of antiplatelet agents. We conclude that 3 days cessation period for aspirin, 5 days cessation for ticlopidine and 7 days cessation for aspirin + ticlopidine administration should be sufficient for Japanese. [source] OBLIQUE-VIEWING ENDOSCOPE FACILITATES ENDOSCOPIC RETROGRADE CHOLANGIOPANCREATOGRAPHY AND ASSOCIATED PROCEDURES IN POST-BILLROTH II GASTRECTOMY PATIENTSDIGESTIVE ENDOSCOPY, Issue 1 2005Masataka Kikuyama Background:, Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and associated procedures have been reported to be difficult to perform in patients with Billroth II gastrectomy. We evaluated the feasibility of using an oblique-viewing endoscope equipped with a cannula deflector for these procedures in such patients. Patients and Methods:, Twenty-four patients with Billroth II gastrectomy were enrolled in the present study and underwent ERCP, endoscopic sphincterotomy, endoscopic nasobiliary drainage, expandable metal stent placement or tube stent placement. All procedures were performed with an oblique-viewing endoscope equipped with a cannula deflector. Results:, In all patients, afferent loops were entered. Reaching the papilla of Vater was achieved in 22 (91.7%) patients, in whom all planned procedures were accomplished. One patient experienced acute pancreatitis, hemorrhage from the papilla of Vater after sphincterotomy, and intestinal perforation. Conclusions:, We believe an oblique-viewing endoscope equipped with a cannula deflector to be useful in performing ERCP and associated procedures in many patients with Billroth II gastrectomy. However, one should be aware of major complications, such as perforation, that may occur. [source] NONPARAMETRIC BOOTSTRAP PROCEDURES FOR PREDICTIVE INFERENCE BASED ON RECURSIVE ESTIMATION SCHEMES,INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC REVIEW, Issue 1 2007Valentina Corradi We introduce block bootstrap techniques that are (first order) valid in recursive estimation frameworks. Thereafter, we present two examples where predictive accuracy tests are made operational using our new bootstrap procedures. In one application, we outline a consistent test for out-of-sample nonlinear Granger causality, and in the other we outline a test for selecting among multiple alternative forecasting models, all of which are possibly misspecified. In a Monte Carlo investigation, we compare the finite sample properties of our block bootstrap procedures with the parametric bootstrap due to Kilian (Journal of Applied Econometrics 14 (1999), 491,510), within the context of encompassing and predictive accuracy tests. In the empirical illustration, it is found that unemployment has nonlinear marginal predictive content for inflation. [source] DIAGNOSTICS AND IMAGING PROCEDURESINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES, Issue 2006Article first published online: 6 JUL 200 No abstract is available for this article. [source] DIAGNOSTICS AND IMAGING PROCEDURESINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES, Issue 2006Article first published online: 6 JUL 200 First page of article [source] KINETICS OF SOYBEAN LIPOXYGENASES ARE RELATED TO pH, SUBSTRATE AVAILABILITY AND EXTRACTION PROCEDURESJOURNAL OF FOOD BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2008VERONICA S. CHEDEA ABSTRACT The kinetic patterns of pure soy lipoxygenase LOX-1 and crude or defatted soybean extracts containing LOX isoenzymes (LOX-1, LOX-2 and LOX-3) were studied by UV spectrometry at 234 and 280 nm, depending on their extraction and measurement conditions. Different pHs (from 6.0 to 9.0), corresponding to specific activation of LOX isoenzymes and the ratios of enzyme protein per substrate were used in order to evaluate the enzyme rates, as indicators of its affinity for substrate in different environments. The crude soy extract contained mainly LOX-1 activity (measured at 234 nm, at pH 9.0) and LOX-3, in an approximate ratio of 3:1. The LOX-2 activity was very low. The defatted extracts buffered at pH 6.8 and 7.1 showed a low LOX-1 and LOX 2 activity, but mostly LOX-3 activity (measured at 280 nm, at pH 7.1), with a mirror-type relation between the enzyme/substrate ratio and their enzymatic specific activity. The results suggest that defatting inhibits specifically the LOX-1 activity and indicate the possibility to modulate LOX activity by modifications of enzyme/substrate ratios and modifications of pH in the enzyme environment. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Because of the specific kinetic behaviors of the three different LOXs found in crude soy extracts involved in off-flavor generation, one can modulate the inhibition of these isoenzymes during soybean processing. Our experiments showed that pH variation could be a simple solution to inhibit the LOX isoenzymes, and therefore, the off-flavor generation. From the analytical point of view, the techniques described in this article are designed to be as simple as possible, and easy to use at large-scale level in food industry (food chain control). The idea is to minimize the number of separate chemical manipulations and, thereby, minimize errors. These studies can offer the background of further inhibition experiments in vitro using natural extracts. The LOX inhibition by natural antioxidants is related as well to pH and other factors influencing the enzyme's activity; this idea can be also valorized practically in the future. [source] IMMIGRANTS FLEEING A DYING INDUSTRY: APPLYING RAPID ETHNOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES TO THE STUDY OF TOBACCO FARMWORKERSANNALS OF ANTHROPOLOGICAL PRACTICE, Issue 1 2009David GriffithArticle first published online: 13 JUL 200 Recent assaults on the tobacco industry have led to a decline in tobacco production across North Carolina, the largest tobacco producing state in the nation. Although a great deal of attention has been focused on tobacco farmers, considerably less work has been aimed at determining the effects of these changes on tobacco farmworkers, many of whom are Latinos. In this article, I discuss Rapid Ethnographic Assessment Procedures used to estimate the impact of changes in the tobacco industry on tobacco farmworkers. I find that the tobacco farm labor force is highly complex and that the effects of the economic downturns have had fewer effects on Latino farmworkers than on tobacco farm owners, in part because of the Latinization of the rural South. [source] DELETE-2 AND DELETE-3 JACKKNIFE PROCEDURES FOR UNMASKING IN REGRESSIONAUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF STATISTICS, Issue 1 2010Michael A. Martin Summary Single-case deletion regression diagnostics have been used widely to discover unusual data points, but such approaches can fail in the presence of multiple unusual data points and as a result of masking. We propose a new approach to the use of single-case deletion diagnostics that involves applying these diagnostics to delete-2 and delete-3 jackknife replicates of the data, and considering the percentage of times among these replicates that points are flagged as unusual as an indicator of their influence. By considering replicates that exclude certain collections of points, subtle masking effects can be uncovered. [source] DOSE,RESPONSE OF ROPIVACAINE ADMINISTERED CAUDALLY TO CHILDREN UNDERGOING SURGICAL PROCEDURES UNDER SEDATION WITH MIDAZOLAMCLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 7 2004F Tonatiu Aguirre-Garay SUMMARY 1.,In a double-blind randomized controlled design, 50 children were allocated to receive bupivacaine 0.25% or ropivacaine 0.25%, 0.32%, 0.40% or 0.50% by caudal block. 2.,Caudal block was performed after induction of anaesthesia with 2,5% sevoflurane, atropine 10 µg/kg and midazolam 100,300 µg/kg. During the surgical procedure, patients were maintained under spontaneous ventilation and no intravenous or inhalatory anaesthetic agent was administered. For transoperative sedation, midazolam 100,300 µg/kg was administered every 0.5,1.0 h. Transoperative cardiovascular response, postoperative analgesia and local and systemic complications were evaluated. 3.,Groups were similar (P > 0.05) in sex, age, weight and in the time elapsed from caudal block to the beginning of the surgical procedure. The surgical time was significantly lower in the ropivacaine 0.25% group. The duration of analgesia was 24 h with ropivacaine 0.25% and approximately 10 h in the other four groups (P < 0.001). Linear regression analysis revealed a significant relationship between the postoperative analgesic period produced by ropivacaine and the surgical time (r = , 0.48, two-sided P = 0.002). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures remained in the physiologically normal range for the duration of the transoperative period. Vomiting was present in only one patient receiving ropivacaine 0.50%. 4.,In children, the duration of analgesia produced by caudal block with ropivacaine may be affected by surgical time. At surgical times of 0.5,1 h, ropivacaine 0.25% produced at least 24 h postoperative analgesia. At similar surgical times, ropivacaine 0.32%, 0.40% and 0.50% produced similar analgesic times to bupivacaine 0.25%. [source] Development of an Estimation Procedure for an Activity-Based Travel Demand ModelCOMPUTER-AIDED CIVIL AND INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEERING, Issue 7 2008W. Recker The method uses a genetic algorithm to estimate coefficient values of the utility function, based on a particular multidimensional sequence alignment method to deal with the nominal, discrete attributes of the activity/travel pattern (e.g., which household member performs which activity, which vehicle is used, sequencing of activities), and a time sequence alignment method to handle temporal attributes of the activity pattern (e.g., starting and ending time of each activity and/or travel). The estimation procedure is tested on data drawn from a well-known activity/travel survey. [source] Early and Midterm Results of an Alternative Procedure to Homografts in Primary Repair of Truncus Arteriosus CommunisCONGENITAL HEART DISEASE, Issue 3 2010Pedro Curi-Curi MD ABSTRACT Background., Repair of truncus arteriosus communis (TAC) in the neonatal and early infant period has become a standard practice. We report our experience on primary repair of TAC with a bovine pericardial-valved woven Dacron conduit as an alternative procedure to homografts, with a focus on early and midterm results. Methods., From January 2001 to December 2007, 15 patients with mean age 1.5 years (range 3 months to 8 years), underwent primary repair of simple TAC. Cases with cardiogenic shock, complex-associated cardiac lesions, or adverse anatomy of the truncal valve were excluded. The Collett and Edwards anatomical type classification of TAC was as follows: type I, 13 (87%); and type II, 2 (13%). Right ventricular outflow tract was reconstructed in all the cases with a bovine pericardial-valved woven Dacron conduit. Results., Overall mortality was 6.6% (1 death due to severe pulmonary hypertension). At a mean follow-up of 31 months (range 6,51), there were no deaths (5-year actuarial survival 93.4%). Out of the 14 midterm survivors, three developed stenosis of the pericardial-valved woven Dacron conduit, but only one underwent interventional procedure including percutaneous balloon dilation with stenting for associated left pulmonary artery hypoplasia. The rate of patients with no surgical or percutaneous reinterventions performed because of obstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in the midterm (5 years) was 86%. Conclusions., Truncus arteriosus communis repair with a bovine pericardial-valved woven Dacron conduit can be performed with a very low perioperative mortality and satisfactory midterm morbidity, favorably compared with that reported for the use of homografts. Interventional cardiac catheterization may delay the time of reoperation for inevitable conduit replacement due to stenosis. [source] Cardiogenic Unilateral Pulmonary Edema: An Unreported Complication of a Digestive Endoscopic ProcedureCONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE, Issue 5 2009Enrique M. Baldessari MD Unilateral pulmonary edema is an uncommon clinical situation that may be difficult to distinguish from other conditions that cause lung infiltrates. Most cases occur in the right lung, and there are no reports about cardiogenic unilateral pulmonary edema as a complication of an endoscopic procedure of gastrointestinal tract. The authors describe a case of a 79-year-old woman with acute cardiac heart failure that developed soon after a diagnostic upper and lower digestive endoscopy. Continuous positive airway pressure, intravenous nitroglycerin, and furosemide treatment resulted in rapid improvement of symptoms and the progressive resolution of left-sided infiltrates on chest radiography. This case is of particular importance because of the rarity of cardiogenic unilateral edema in the left lung. This clinical finding was associated with the prolonged rest on the left side during the gastrointestinal endoscopic procedure. [source] An Alternate Multiple-Choice Scoring Procedure in a Macroeconomics CourseDECISION SCIENCES JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE EDUCATION, Issue 1 2004David A. Bradbard ABSTRACT In the standard scoring procedure for multiple-choice exams, students must choose exactly one response as correct. Often students may be unable to identify the correct response, but can determine that some of the options are incorrect. This partial knowledge is not captured in the standard scoring format. The Coombs elimination procedure is an alternate scoring procedure designed to capture partial knowledge. This paper presents the results of a semester-long experiment where both scoring procedures were compared on four exams in an undergraduate macroeconomics course. Statistical analysis suggests that the Coombs procedure is a viable alternative to the standard scoring procedure. Implications for classroom instruction and future research are also presented. [source] Suture Granuloma Following Surgical Neck Rejuvenation ProcedureDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 5 2006JOSHUA MARC LEVIN MD No abstract is available for this article. [source] Alar Reconstruction with Subcutaneous Pedicled Nasolabial Flap: Difficulties, Considerations, and Conclusions for This ProcedureDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 10 2005Fumiya Iwao MD Background. The subcutaneous pedicled nasolabial flap is a useful material for alar reconstruction. Objective. This article describes the difficulties and considerations in this procedure and discusses the procedural problems involved, drawing conclusions from them. Methods. Case 1: a folded flap was used with a conchal cartilage strut sandwich. Case 2: only a folded flap was used. Case 3: the flap was used to cover the outer surface of the ala, and a mucoperiosteal graft from the hard palate was used for the ala lining. Results. The cartilage strut was not sufficient to support the shape of the ala in case 1. Harvesting a sufficiently wide flap is thought to be important. However, a folded flap had some drawbacks, with the formation of a thick alar rim. Conclusions. The combination of a flap for the outer surface and a mucoperiosteal graft as a lining is thought to be an excellent option for alar reconstruction. [source] The Versatility of the Nasolabial Flap Enhanced by the Delay ProcedureDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 2 2001Isaac Zilinsky MD Background. The nasolabial flap is a versatile and effective option for the closure of nasal defects of the cheek and nasal sidewall following Mohs surgery. However, both extirpation of a tumor in the region of the base of the flap or previous use of the flap often destroy the proximal axial blood supply to the flap, excluding its immediate utilization. We describe a different use of the nasolabial flap and a technique for preserving its capacity in the case of reutilization Objective. To describe the versatility of the nasolabial flap and a delay procedure that enables its exploitation despite prior disruption of the proximal blood supply. Methods. Three different uses of the same nasolabial flap are demonstrated in one patient. The surgical techniques are discussed in detail. Results. The reconstructive results were excellent. There were no postoperative complications. Conclusion. The nasolabial flap is a versatile and effective option for the closure of nasal defects of the cheek and nasal sidewall. When the nasolabial flap has been used before, or its blood supply compromised, the delay procedure can reestablish its applicability. [source] Intra-individual variability in infancy: Structure, stability, and nutritional correlatesDEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2008Theodore D. Wachs Abstract Intra-individual variability (IIV) refers to relatively stable differences between individuals in the degree to which they show behavioral fluctuations over relatively short time periods. Using temperament as a conceptual framework the structure, stability, and biological roots of IIV were assessed over the first year of life. Biological roots were defined by maternal and infant nutrition. The sample was 249 Peruvian neonates, followed from the second trimester of pregnancy through the first 12 months of life. Maternal anthropometry, diet, iron status, and fetal growth were assessed prenatally. Neonatal anthropometry and iron status were assessed at birth. Degree of exclusive breastfeeding was assessed at 3 and 6 months, infant anthropometry was assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months, infant dietary intake was assessed at 6 and 12 months and infant iron status was tested at 12 months. Individual differences in IIV at 3, 6, and 12 months were derived from a residual standard deviation score based on infant behaviors measured using the Louisville Temperament Assessment Procedure. Principal components analysis indicated that individual differences in IIV were defined by two components at 3, 6, and 12 months. There was modest stability between IIV components assessed at 3 and 12 months. Reduced levels of IIV at 3 months were predicted by higher maternal weight and higher fetal weight gains in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. Higher levels of IIV at 3 months were predicted by higher levels of maternal hemoglobin during pregnancy and higher levels of neonatal ferritin. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 50: 217,231, 2008. [source] Immediate and Follow-Up Results of Repeat Percutaneous Mitral Balloon Commissurotomy for Restenosis After a Succesful First ProcedureECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 7 2010Nuran Yaz, lu M.D. Background: The widespread use of percutaneous mitral commissurotomy (PMC) has led to an increase in restenosis cases. The data regarding follow-up results of repeat PMC are quite limited. The aim of this retrospective analysis is to evaluate the immediate and midterm results of the second PMC, in patients with symptomatic mitral restenosis after a succesful first procedure. Methods: Twenty patients (95% female, mean age 37 ± 4 years) who have undergone a second PMC, 6.3 ± 2.5 years after a first successful intervention built the study group. All were in sinus rhythm, with a mean Wilkins score of 8.5 ± 1.2. Results: The valve area increased from 1.2 ± 0.2 to 1.9 ± 0.2 cm2 and mean gradient decreased from 10.5 ± 3.4 to 6.1 ± 1.1 mmHg. There were no complications except for a transient embolic event without sequela (5%) and two cases (10%) of severe mitral regurgitation. The immediate success rate was 90%. The mean follow-up was 70 ± 29 months (36,156 months). The 5-year restenosis and intervention (repeat PMC or valve replacement) rates were 9.1 ± 5.2% and 3.6 ± 3.3%, respectively. The intervention free 5-year survival in good functional capacity (New York Heart Association [NYHA] I,II) was 95.1 ± 5.5% and restenosis and intervention free 5-year survival with good functional capacity was 89.7 ± 6.8%. Conclusions: Although from a limited number of selected patients, these findings indicate that repeat PMC is a safe and effective method, with follow-up results similar to a first intervention and should be considered as the first therapeutic option in suitable patients. (Echocardiography 2010;27:765-769) [source] Procedure for separating the selection effect from other effects in diversity,productivity relationshipECOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 6 2001pačková In a greenhouse pot experiment we cultivated six meadow species in a replacement series design. The plants were grown at two sowing densities in monocultures and all possible species combinations. Our aim was to separate the selection effect from other diversity effects. This distinction is based on the notion that true overyielding is not a consequence of the selection effect. We suggest a hierarchical procedure, which is based on a repeated division of samples into the pots with the most productive species present and missing. Overyielding can be then demonstrated by a positive dependence of productivity on species richness in the subsets with the most productive species present. Although we found a strong dependence of biomass on species richness in the entire data set, the hierarchical method revealed no evidence of overyielding. Above-ground biomass in a monoculture was a good predictor of species success in a species mix. [source] Computation of locational and hourly maximum output of a distributed generator connected to a distribution feederELECTRICAL ENGINEERING IN JAPAN, Issue 2 2009Yasuhiro Hayashi Abstract Recently, the total number of distributed generation such as photovoltaic generation systems and wind turbine generation systems connected to a distribution network has drastically increased. Distributed generation using renewable energy can reduce the distribution loss and emission of CO2. However, the distribution network with the distributed generators must be operated while maintaining the reliability of the power supply and power quality. In this paper, the authors propose a computational method to determine the maximum output of a distributed generator under operational constraints [(1) voltage limit, (2) line current capacity, and (3) no reverse flow to bank] at arbitrary connection points and hourly periods. In the proposed method, a three-phase iterative load flow calculation is applied to evaluate the above operational constraints. The three-phase iterative load flow calculation has two simple procedures: (Procedure 1) addition of load currents from the terminal node of the feeder to root one, and (Procedure 2) subtraction of voltage drop from the root node of the feeder to terminal one. In order to check the validity of the proposed method, numerical simulations are performed for a distribution system model. Furthermore, the characteristics of locational and hourly maximum output of a distributed generator connected to a distribution feeder are analyzed using several numerical examples. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 167(2): 38,47, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20610 [source] Elimination Procedure as a Novel and Promising Mathematical Approach in Voltammetric MethodsELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 17-18 2010Nuria Serrano Abstract In the contribution, it has been demonstrated that Elimination Voltammetry with Linear Scan (EVLS) introduces an enhancement of the linear sweep and/or cyclic voltammetric results, and provides information about the type of the currents involved in the considered process. An extension of EVLS has been developed for any combination of scan rates (integers) for six elimination functions that are capable of conserving or eliminating of some voltammetric current components. Simple procedure to obtain the necessary coefficients from the chosen scan rates has been reported. In addition, the calculation and discussion of the relative error of elimination function (REEF) have been presented. The verification of the presented calculations has been done by studying different ratios of scan rates for reduction and oxidation processes of Cd(II) at a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||