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Qualitative Examination (qualitative + examination)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	75%

Selected Abstracts

The effect of pH on surface hardness and microstructure of mineral trioxide aggregate

INTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 2 2008
M. S. Namazikhah
Abstract Aim, To evaluate the surface microhardness of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) specimens following exposure of their surface to a range of acidic environments during hydration. In addition, the morphological microstructure features of samples were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Methodology, White ProRoot MTA (Dentsply Tulsa Dental, Johnson City, TN, USA) was mixed and packed into cylindrical polycarbonate tubes. Four groups, each of 10 specimens, were formed using a pressure of 3.22 MPa and exposed to pH 4.4, 5.4, 6.4 and 7.4, respectively, for 4 days. Vickers microhardness of the surface of each specimen was measured after exposure. Four groups of two specimens were prepared and treated in the same way prior to qualitative examination by SEM. Data were subjected to one-way anova and post hoc Tukey's test. Result, The greatest mean surface hardness values (53.19 ± 4.124) were observed following exposure to pH 7.4 with the values decreasing to 14.34 ± 6.477 following exposure to pH 4.4. The difference between these values at the 95% CI (33.39,44.30) was statistically significant (P < 0.0001). There were no distinct morphological differences between groups in terms of the internal microstructure. However, a trend was observed that the more acidic the solution, the more extensive the porosity of the specimens. Conclusion, Under the conditions of this study, surface hardness of MTA was impaired in an acidic environment. [source]

U.S. Policy toward Israel, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia: An Integrated Analysis, 1981,2004

INTERNATIONAL STUDIES PERSPECTIVES, Issue 4 2008
Rachel Bzostek
This project is an integrated quantitative and qualitative examination of the influences on U.S. foreign policy toward a sample of Middle East states (Israel, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia) over the last quarter century. Examinations of general trends in the relationships between these dyads, regression analyses, and brief case studies look at a number of factors contributing to the construction of these relationships, what these relationships look like, and how they have changed over time. The findings show that both policy reciprocation and U.S. executive play key roles in determining U.S. foreign policy outcomes. Also discussed is the utility of a broad-based research approach including the integration of qualitative and quantitative work, the examination of individual-level, state-level, and structure-level influences in an inclusive framework, as well as the taking interactive trends over time and the various degrees of conflict within these trends ("high,""low," and "middle") into account. [source]

Optical coherence tomography is helpful in the diagnosis of foveal hypoplasia

ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 4 2010
Gerd Holmström
Abstract. Purpose:, To investigate whether optical coherence tomography (OCT) is helpful in the diagnosis of foveal hypoplasia in children. Methods:, Children with albinism and aniridia were examined with Stratus OCT 3 software 4.0.1 (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, California, USA). A qualitative examination of the macular area was performed with a 128 A-scans/second-single-scan. Macular thickness was measured quantitatively with an automatic fast macular map protocol. The average thickness/volume of the macula was presented as numerical values and as a false colour code in nine modified early treatment of diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) areas (A1,A9). A previously collected control group of children was used for comparison. Results:, Macular thickness in 13 children with albinism and three children with aniridia was measured with OCT. Comparison with healthy children in the same population was performed. Patients with albinism and aniridia had significantly thicker central macula (A1) and foveola than children in the control group. Conclusion:, OCT was found to be useful in the diagnosis of foveal hypoplasia in children. [source]

The Influence of Pre- and Post-ovulatory Insemination and Early Pregnancy on the Infiltration by Cells of the Immune System in the Sow Oviduct

REPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 5 2006
J Jiwakanon
Contents The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of pre- and post-ovulatory insemination and early pregnancy on the distribution of immune cells in the oviduct. Eighteen sows were pre-ovulatory and sixteen sows were post-ovulatory inseminated and slaughtered at different times, 5,6 h after insemination, 20,25 h and approximately 70 h after ovulation, day 11 and day 19. Immediately after slaughter, oviductal samples of three different segments (isthmus, ampulla and infundibulum) were fixed, embedded in plastic resin and stained with toluidine blue or cryofixed and stored in a freezer at ,70°C until analysed by immunohistochemistry (pre-ovulatory inseminated sows) with an avidin,biotin peroxidase method. Quantitative and qualitative examinations of oviductal epithelium and subepithelial connective tissue were performed by light microscopy. After pre- or post-ovulatory insemination, neutrophils were not observed in the oviductal epithelium from any of the segments or groups. The numbers of intraepithelial lymphocytes of all sows as well as CD2- and CD3-positive cells of the pre-ovulatory inseminated sows were higher in the infundibulum than in the other segments (p , 0.001). In the subepithelial connective tissue of the pre-ovulatory inseminated sows, significantly higher numbers of lymphocytes (p , 0.001) and plasma cells (p , 0.001) were found in infundibulum than in isthmus. Neutrophils were found mainly in infundibulum, the number approximately 40 h after pre-ovulatory insemination was significantly higher (p , 0.05) than in the other groups and segments. Significantly higher numbers of CD2 than CD3-positive cells were found for all groups and segments. In the subepithelial connective tissue of post-ovulatory inseminated sows, the numbers of lymphocytes was higher (p , 0.001) at day 19 than up to 50 h after insemination and lower (p , 0.001) in isthmus than in ampulla and infundibulum. Neutrophils were found in infundibulum in almost all groups and the number was significantly higher (p , 0.05) in the infundibulum up to 50 h after insemination than in other segments. In the oviductal epithelium, no influence of insemination was found on the presence of phagocytes, i.e. neutrophils and macrophages, but on lymphocytes. In the infundibular connective tissue, pre-ovulatory insemination had an effect on neutrophil distribution, indicating an active immune response to insemination in the upper segment. Post-ovulatory insemination changed the oviductal immune cell pattern. [source]