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Replicas
Kinds of Replicas Selected AbstractsProcessing Routes to Macroporous Ceramics: A ReviewJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 6 2006André R. Studart Macroporous ceramics with pore sizes from 400 nm to 4 mm and porosity within the range 20%,97% have been produced for a number of well-established and emerging applications, such as molten metal filtration, catalysis, refractory insulation, and hot gas filtration. These applications take advantage of the unique properties achieved through the incorporation of macropores into solid ceramics. In this article, we review the main processing routes that can be used for the fabrication of macroporous ceramics with tailored microstructure and chemical composition. Emphasis is given to versatile and simple approaches that allow one to control the microstructural features that ultimately determine the properties of the macroporous material. Replica, sacrificial template, and direct foaming techniques are described and compared in terms of microstructures and mechanical properties that can be achieved. Finally, directions to future investigations on the processing of macroporous ceramics are proposed. [source] Comparative analysis of dental enamel polyvinylsiloxane impression and polyurethane casting methods for SEM researchMICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE, Issue 4 2006Jordi Galbany Abstract Dental casting is a very common procedure for making high-quality replicas of paleo-anthropological remains. Replicas are frequently used, instead of original remains, to study both fossil and extant Primate teeth in morphological and metrical analyses. Several commercial products can be used in molds. This study analyzed SEM image resolution and enamel surface feature definition of tooth molds at various magnification levels and obtained, with both Coltène® and 3MTM low-viscosity body polyvinylsiloxane impression, materials and polyurethane casts. Results, through comparison with the original teeth, show that both the negative molds and the positive casts are highly reliable in replicating enamel surfaces. However, positive cast quality is optimal for SEM observation only till the fourth consecutive replica from the original mold, especially at high SEM magnification levels. Microsc. Res. Tech 69:246,252, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] A Grid-enabled problem-solving environment for advanced reservoir uncertainty analysisCONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 18 2008Zhou Lei Abstract Uncertainty analysis is critical for conducting reservoir performance prediction. However, it is challenging because it relies on (1) massive modeling-related, geographically distributed, terabyte, or even petabyte scale data sets (geoscience and engineering data), (2) needs to rapidly perform hundreds or thousands of flow simulations, being identical runs with different models calculating the impacts of various uncertainty factors, (3) an integrated, secure, and easy-to-use problem-solving toolkit to assist uncertainty analysis. We leverage Grid computing technologies to address these challenges. We design and implement an integrated problem-solving environment ResGrid to effectively improve reservoir uncertainty analysis. The ResGrid consists of data management, execution management, and a Grid portal. Data Grid tools, such as metadata, replica, and transfer services, are used to meet massive size and geographically distributed characteristics of data sets. Workflow, task farming, and resource allocation are used to support large-scale computation. A Grid portal integrates the data management and the computation solution into a unified easy-to-use interface, enabling reservoir engineers to specify uncertainty factors of interest and perform large-scale reservoir studies through a web browser. The ResGrid has been used in petroleum engineering. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Restoring landscapes: the authenticity problemEARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS, Issue 13 2006Isis Brook Abstract Philosophical concerns about restoring landscapes often revolve around two, connected, issues. First is the idea that a restored landscape, even if it is a perfect replica, has lost some of its value. The claim might appeal to a break in the continuity of the landscape and that continuity is part of what is valuable. Alternatively, often in the case of natural landscapes, the appeal is that any human manipulation is inauthentic; here the analogy is sometimes made with the art world and the restoration is deemed a fake. The second problem highlighted in philosophical debates is that the greater the success of restoration projects, the more threatened natural landscapes become: any claim that something must be preserved in its pristine or historically layered state is undermined by the claim that it could be put back again. Initially I discuss two opposing potential responses to these claims: (1) that humans are part of nature and thus cannot be an alien dominating force outside of nature; and (2) that nature is itself a social construct. Neither of these positions is entirely satisfactory, but what they jointly reveal is the reality of our fluid and multifaceted relationship with the world. I then show that Elliot's claim of the additional value of pristine nature is actually not based on an inherent value, but is dependent on the human valuation of it. I propose an alternative that places the source of value in the thing itself and thus arrive at a positive role for restoration as the setting in train and guiding of positive relationships above and beyond their social or public amenity value to us. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Synthesis and Structure,Property Relations of a Series of Photochromic Molecular Glasses for Controlled and Efficient Formation of Surface Relief NanostructuresADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 16 2009Roland Walker Abstract This paper reports on the synthesis and properties of a new series of photochromic molecular glasses and their structure,property relations with respect to a controlled and efficient formation of surface relief nanostructures. The aim of the paper is to establish a correlation between molecular structure, optical susceptibility, and the achievable surface relief heights. The molecular glasses consist of a triphenylamine core and three azobenzene side groups attached via an ester linkage. Structural variations are performed with respect to the substitution at the azobenzene moiety in order to promote a formation of a stable amorphous phase and to tune absorption properties and molecular dynamics. Surface relief gratings (SRGs) and complex surface patterns can easily be inscribed via holographic techniques. The modulation heights are determined with an equation adapted from the theory for thin gratings, and the values are confirmed with AFM measurements. Temperature-dependent holographic measurements allow for monitoring of SRG build-up and decay and the stability at elevated temperatures, as well as determination of the glass transition temperature. SRG modulation heights of above 600,nm are achieved. These are the highest values reported for molecular glasses to date. The surface patterns of the molecular glasses are stable enough to be copied in a replica molding process. It is demonstrated that the replica can be used to transfer the surface pattern onto a common thermoplastic polymer. [source] The occurrence of porosity in reline acrylic resins.GERODONTOLOGY, Issue 1 2009Effect of microwave disinfection Background:, Microwave energy has proved to be an effective method for disinfecting acrylic dentures. However, the effect of microwave heating on the porosity of autopolymerising denture reline resins has not been investigated. Objective:, The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of microwave disinfection on the porosity of autopolymerised denture reline materials (Kooliner-K, New Truliner-NT, Tokuso Rebase Fast-TR and Ufi Gel Hard-UGH) and a conventional heat-polymerised denture base resin (Lucitone 550-L). Material and methods:, Specimens (10 mm × 20 mm × 1 mm) were obtained from the impression surface of the palatal mucosa in a single person and divided into four groups (n = 5). The porosity was evaluated after polymerisation (C1), after two cycles of microwave disinfection (MW2), after seven cycles of microwave disinfection (MW7) and after 7 days storage in water at 37°C (C2). Specimens from group MW7 were exposed to microwave disinfection daily being stored in water at 37°C between exposures. All the replicas were sputter coated with gold and micrographs/digital images were taken of each replica using scanning electron microscopy at magnification × 100. The SEM micrographs were then examined using an image analyser to determine the number of pores. Comparison between materials and groups were made using Kruskal,Wallis tests. Results:, MW7 resulted in a significant increase in the number from the pores of material K, but decreased in number in reline material TR and UGH reline resin. The number of pores in materials NT and L remained unaffected following microwave disinfection. Conclusion:, Differences in the porosity amongst the materials and for different experimental conditions were observed following microwave disinfection. [source] Quantitative two-dimensional analysis of facial wrinkles of Japanese women at various agesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 2 2002K. Tsukahara Synopsis To evaluate individual differences in the recognition of facial wrinkles, we asked 40 Japanese female observers to identify wrinkles using transparent sheets over frontal facial photos of four females aged 20, 39, 55 or 75 years. We then measured the number and length of those wrinkles by image analysis. Wrinkles identified by those 40 observers showed aged-related increases in the standard deviation (SD) values for number and length but age-related decreases in the coefficient of variation (CV)%. Therefore, to clarify factors affecting the degree of wrinkle detection, wrinkles were identified by two groups of age-matched male and female observers, by two groups that differed by age, and by two other groups, one of which who felt that there was an improvement in their wrinkles after application of an antiwrinkle agent and another group who did not feel that there was any improvement after the same treatment. Improvement was observed by replica image analysis in all groups. The degree of wrinkles identified was not affected by the age or by the sex of the observer group. However, the group who felt that there was an improvement in their wrinkles after treatment with the antiwrinkle agent identified a significantly higher number of wrinkles than did the group who did not feel that there was an improvement. These results suggest marked individual differences in the recognition of wrinkles. Fine wrinkles in relatively young subjects are difficult to detect, but moderate to marked wrinkles in middle-aged and in aged subjects can easily be detected. Concerning the cause of individual differences in the extent of wrinkle detection, observers who identified a large number of wrinkles tended to recognize not only pronounced wrinkles but also recognized fine wrinkles as ,wrinkles'. This seems to have also affected their feelings about the success of treatment with the antiwrinkle agent. Résumé Pour pouvoir évaluer les différences individuelles dans la l'identification des rides faciale, nous avons demandéà 40 femmes japonaises d'identifier des rides en utilisant des feuilles transparentes sur des photos faciales frontales de quatre femmes, âgées respectivement de 20, 39, 55 et 75 ans. Nous avons alors mesuré le nombre et la longueur de ces rides par analyse d'images. Les rides identifiées par ces 40 femmes montraient que le vieillissement qui s'y rattachait augmentait selon les valeurs d'un écart standard (ES) pour le nombre et la longueur, mais que le vieillissement qui s'y rattachait diminuait dans le pourcentage du coefficient de variation. Par conséquent, pour clarifier les facteurs affectant le degré de détection des rides, ces dernières furent identifiées par deux groupes d'hommes et de femmes dont l'âge coïncidait, âgés de 26,6 ans et de 44,5 ans, et par deux autres groupes. Un groupe qui a estimé qu'il y avait eu une amélioration dans les rides après une application de 6 semaines d'un agent antirides aux coins des yeux et un autre groupe qui a considéré qu'après le même traitement il n'y avait pas eu d'amélioration. Une amélioration fut remarquée par la copie d'une analyse d'images dans tous les groupes. Le degré d'importance des rides identifiées n'était pas affecté par l'âge ou le sexe des groupes étudiés. Cependant, le groupe qui a estimé qu'il y avait eu une amélioration concernant leurs rides après un traitement avec un agent antirides a identifié un nombre significativement plus élevé de rides que le groupe qui estimait qu'il n'y avait pas eu d'amélioration. Ces résultats suggèrent des différences individuelles notoires dans l'identification de rides. De minces rides dans les groupes relativement jeunes sont difficiles à déceler. Mais des rides modérées remarquées dans les groupes de personnes d'un,ge moyen et, âgées peuvent être facilement localisées. Concernant la cause de ces différences individuelles dans l'importance d'un décèlement des rides, les sujets qui identifièrent un grand nombre de rides avaient tendance à ne pas prononcer le mot ,rides', mais trouvaient que de fines rides n'étaient que des ,rides'. Cela semblait aussi affecter leurs sentiments après le succès du traitement avec des agents antirides. [source] Oral fish cartilage polysaccharides in the treatment of photoageing: biophysical findingsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 2 2002F. Distante Synopsis The topically applied cosmetic products can be helpful in improving the aged skin condition. The present study shows how oral fish-cartilage food supplementation can be helpful in improving the treatment of ageing skin. A total of 30 healthy women with signs of skin ageing were studied. Fifteen of the women were treated with a food supplement based on polysaccharides derived from the fish cartilage and a natural mix of antioxidants for 2 months and the other 15 with a placebo. Clinical evaluation and biophysical parameters related to skin function and wrinkle severity, such as silicone replica, skin thickness, mechanical properties, skin colour and capacitance, were measured. The results showed statistically significant changes in the active-treated group in comparison to the placebo. In particular, dermal thickness (treatment: from 1.13 to 1.23 mm; P < 0.001), skin wrinkling (treatment: from 9.5 to 3.5 Ra; P< 0.002), skin colour (treatment: brighter and less pigmented; P < 0.02) and viscoelasticity (treatment: from 0.70 to 0.97%; P < 0.02) showed considerable improvement. Most of these parameters are related to changes occurring within the dermal matrix, which is improved after the treatment, whereas most of the topically applied cosmetic products have a short-term effect on superficial structures. A combination treatment (oral and topical) can be more effective in reducing the signs of skin-ageing. Résumé Les produits cosmétiques en topiques locaux ont montré leur efficacité pour ralentir le vieillissement cutané. Cette étude montre qu'un traitement oral, à base de cartilage de poisson sous forme de suppléments nutritifs, peut être un complément efficace dans le traitement du vieillissement cutané. 30 femmes en bonne santé présentant des signes de vieillissement cutané ont été incluses dans notre étude. 15 d'entre elles ont reçu pendant 2 mois une supplémentation alimentaire à base de polysaccharides dérivés de cartilage de poisson, associée à un mélange normal d'antioxydants. Les 15 autres femmes ont été traitées avec un placebo. Les paramètres cliniques et biophysiques suivants, évaluant la fonction de la peau et la sévérité des rides ont été mesurés: réplica?? de silicone, épaisseur de la peau, propriétés mécaniques, couleur de peau et état d'hydratation cutanée. Les résultats ont mis en évidence des changements significatifs entre le groupe placebo et le groupe traité pour les paramètres étudiés. En particulier, l'épaisseur cutanée (traitement: de 1.13 à 1.23 mm; P < 0.001), les rides (traitement: de 9.5 à,3.5 Ra; P < 0.002), la couleur de la peau (traitement: plus claire et moins pigmentée; P < 0.02) et la visco-élasticité (traitment: de 0.70 à 0.97%; P < 0.02) ont été considérablement améliorées. La plupart de ces paramètres sont liées aux changements qui se produisent en profondeur dans la matrice dermique, alors que la plupart des produits cosmétiques topiques ont un effet à court terme sur les structures superficielles. La combinaison d'un traitement oral associéà un traitement local peut être plus efficace dans la prévention du vieillissement cutané. [source] Estimating Projectile Perpendicular Impact Velocity on Metal Sheet Targets from the Shape of the Target HoleJOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, Issue 1 2009Tsadok Tsach M.Sc. Abstract:, The correlation between bullet hole shapes in metal and projectile impact velocity was examined. A series of shots were fired from an M-16A1 assault rifle of 5.56 mm caliber toward a 1-mm thick metal target. All shots were fired at a perpendicular angle to the metal sheets, and the velocity was measured just before the projectile hit the target. Velocities ranged between 400 and 900 m/sec. From the replica of the shooting hole, a perpendicular plane was created, showing the symmetrical properties of the hole. The best mathematical equation describing the shape of the entrance hole was the exponential function in the form: The empirical equation of the hole defined using the regression method is: This equation describes the general shape of shooting holes created by velocities ranging from 440 to 750 m/sec. From this equation, one can estimate the bullet velocity when it hits the target. [source] In vitro analysis of the cement mantle of femoral hip implants: Development and validation of a CT-scan based measurement toolJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 4 2005Thierry Scheerlinck Abstract We developed, validated and assessed inter- and intraobserver reliability of a CT-scan based measurement tool to evaluate morphological characteristics of the bone,cement,stem complex of hip implants in cadaver femurs. Two different models were investigated: the stem-cavity model using a double tapered polished femoral-stem that is removed after cement curing and the plastic-replica model using a stereolithographic stem replica that is left in place during CT-scanning. Software was developed to segment and analyze connective CT-images and identify the contours of bone, cement, and stem based on their respective gray values. Volume parameters (whole specimen, cement, stem, air contents of bone and cement), concentricity parameters (distances between centroids of stem and cement, cement and bone, stem and bone), contact surfaces (bone/air and cement/bone) and bone cement mantle thickness parameters were calculated. A three-dimensional protocol was developed to evaluate the minimal mantle thickness out of the CT-plane. The average accuracy for surfaces within CT-images was 7.47 mm2 (1.80%), for bone and cement mantle thickness it was 0.51 mm (9.39%), for distances between centroids it was 0.38 mm (18.5%) and contours: 0.27 mm (2.57%). The intra- and interobserver reliability of air content in bone and cement was sub-optimal (intraclass-correlation coefficient (JCC) as low as 0.54 with an average ICC of 0.85). All other variables were reliable (ICC > 0.81, average ICC: 0.96). This in vitro technique can assess characteristics of cement mantles produced by different cementing techniques, stem types or centralizers. © 2005 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. [source] Microtensile Bond Strength and Impact Energy of Fracture of CAD-Veneered Zirconia RestorationsJOURNAL OF PROSTHODONTICS, Issue 3 2009Moustafa N. Aboushelib DDS Abstract Purpose: With state-of-the-art CAD/CAM technology, the fabrication of large and complex zirconia frameworks is just a click away. On the other hand, veneering of the frameworks is still operator-dependent. The aim of this work was to evaluate CAD veneering of zirconia restorations in terms of zirconia veneer bond strength and impact energy of fracture in a step towards complete automation of the fabrication process. Materials and Methods: A new CAD/CAM system was used to fabricate a resin replica of the esthetic ceramic required to veneer a zirconia framework. The replica was seated on the zirconia framework and further processed using press-on technology. The bond strength between zirconia and the CAD veneer was evaluated using microtensile bond strength test. The impact energy of fracture of the specimens was also investigated. Manually layered zirconia specimens served as a control (,= 0.05). Results: There was no significant difference in the microtensile bond strength between zirconia and either of the used veneers (39 MPa). Even though the impact energy of fracture of the CAD-veneered and manually layered specimens was almost identical (0.13 J), the former demonstrated a cohesive fracture of the veneer, while the latter failed by delamination of the veneer ceramic. Conclusion: CAD veneering is a reliable method for veneering zirconia restorations. [source] Improved laboratory results for fixed restorations using sequential tooth preparationJOURNAL OF PROSTHODONTICS, Issue 1 2000David W. Eggleston DDS Laboratory reference guides provided by the dentist help ensure optimum results in fixed prosthodontics. A technique is described in which a master cast is made before preparation of the last tooth to be treated. Through this technique, the laboratory prescription includes the dimensions of the new restorations in relation to those of the unprepared tooth replica on the master cast. Thus, the technician is afforded not only a precise guide to restoration contour and size, but also a helpful pretreatment record of the patient's vertical dimension. [source] Pair designing as practice for enforcing and diffusing design knowledgeJOURNAL OF SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE AND EVOLUTION: RESEARCH AND PRACTICE, Issue 6 2005Emilio Bellini Abstract Evolving software's design requires that the members of the team acquire a deep and complete knowledge of the domain, the architectural components, and their integration. Such information is scarcely addressed within the design documentation and it is not trivial to derive it. A strategy for enforcing the consciousness of such hidden aspects of software's design is needed. One of the expected benefits of pair programming is fostering (tacit) knowledge building between the components of the pair and fastening its diffusion within the project's team. We have applied the paradigm of pair programming to the design phase and we have named it ,pair designing'. We have realized an experiment and a replica in order to understand if pair designing can be used as an effective means for diffusing and enforcing the design knowledge while evolving the system's design. The results suggest that pair designing could be a suitable means to disseminate and enforce design knowledge. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Biomimetic Polymer Nanostructures by Injection MoldingMACROMOLECULAR MATERIALS & ENGINEERING, Issue 1 2003Nikolaj Gadegaard Abstract The nanometer scale topography of self-assembling structural protein complexes in animals is believed to induce favorable cell responses. An important example of such nanostructured biological complexes is fibrillar collagen that possesses a cross-striation structure with a periodicity of 69 nm and a peak-to-valley distance of 4,6 nm. Bovine collagen type I was assembled into fibrillar structures in vitro and sedimented onto solid supports. Their structural motif was transferred into a nickel replica by physical vapor deposition of a small-grained metal layer followed by galvanic plating. The resulting inverted nickel structure was found to faithfully present most of the micrometer and nanometer scale topography of the biological original. This nickel replica was used as a die for the injection molding of a range of different thermoplastic polymers. Total injection molding cycle times were in the range of 30,45 seconds. One of the polymer materials investigated, polyethylene, displayed poor replication of the biological nanotopographical motif. However, the majority of the polymers showed very high replication fidelity as witnessed by their ability to replicate the cross-striation features of less than 5 nm height difference. The latter group of materials includes poly(propylene), poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(L -lactic acid), polycaprolactone, and a copolymer of cyclic and linear olefins (COC). This work suggests that the current limiting factor for the injection molding of nanometer scale topography in thermoplastic polymers lies with the grain size of the initial metal coating of the mold rather than the polymers themselves. [source] Comparative analysis of dental enamel polyvinylsiloxane impression and polyurethane casting methods for SEM researchMICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE, Issue 4 2006Jordi Galbany Abstract Dental casting is a very common procedure for making high-quality replicas of paleo-anthropological remains. Replicas are frequently used, instead of original remains, to study both fossil and extant Primate teeth in morphological and metrical analyses. Several commercial products can be used in molds. This study analyzed SEM image resolution and enamel surface feature definition of tooth molds at various magnification levels and obtained, with both Coltène® and 3MTM low-viscosity body polyvinylsiloxane impression, materials and polyurethane casts. Results, through comparison with the original teeth, show that both the negative molds and the positive casts are highly reliable in replicating enamel surfaces. However, positive cast quality is optimal for SEM observation only till the fourth consecutive replica from the original mold, especially at high SEM magnification levels. Microsc. Res. Tech 69:246,252, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Optical and magnetic properties of c -oriented ZnCoO filmsPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 11 2006Huijuan Zhou Abstract We investigated ZnCoO thin films prepared via sol-gel methods and dip-coating techniques. The Co concentrations range from 0.5% to 5%. The films show the wurtzite crystal structure of ZnO and are highly c -axis oriented grown on the quartz substrates. They have a typical grain size of 20 to 50 nm and a thickness between 300 nm and 1 µm. The fine structures of the Co (3d7) internal absorptions are well resolved, all zero-phonon lines (ZPL) and phonon replica related to the 4T1(F) , 4A2 are observed, demonstrating the good crystalline quality of the layers and the incorporation of the Co2+ on Zn2+ lattice sites. The films show paramagnetic behaviour. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Light emitting diodes on silicon substrates: preliminary resultsPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (C) - CURRENT TOPICS IN SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 10 2009Alexandre Bondi Abstract III-V quantum wells (QW) superlattices have been grown by molecular beam epitaxy on GaP substrates for photonics applications on silicon. We first present room temperature photoluminescence (PL) results for GaAsP/GaP QWs. A detailed analysis of low temperature PL experiments is then performed. QW contribution is pointed out, and the structuration of the QW emission is attributed to LA phonon replica. A comparison with electronic bandstructure is performed, and a discussion is proposed on the nature of the observed transition (direct or indirect). Finally, it is shown that these QWs can be used as active zone in light emitters on silicon. Growth of good quality GaP epilayers on silicon is also presented. The crystalline quality of the deposited GaP near the GaP/Si interface is studied by Raman spectroscopy. (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Proteomic profiling of animal models mimicking skeletal muscle disordersPROTEOMICS - CLINICAL APPLICATIONS, Issue 9 2007Philip Doran Abstract Over the last few decades of biomedical research, animal models of neuromuscular diseases have been widely used for determining pathological mechanisms and for testing new therapeutic strategies. With the emergence of high-throughput proteomics technology, the identification of novel protein factors involved in disease processes has been decisively improved. This review outlines the usefulness of the proteomic profiling of animal disease models for the discovery of new reliable biomarkers, for the optimization of diagnostic procedures and the development of new treatment options for skeletal muscle disorders. Since inbred animal strains show genetically much less interindividual differences as compared to human patients, considerably lower experimental repeats are capable of producing meaningful proteomic data. Thus, animal model proteomics can be conveniently employed for both studying basic mechanisms of molecular pathogenesis and the effects of drugs, genetic modifications or cell-based therapies on disease progression. Based on the results from comparative animal proteomics, a more informed decision on the design of clinical proteomics studies could be reached. Since no one animal model represents a perfect pathobiochemical replica of all of the symptoms seen in complex human disorders, the proteomic screening of novel animal models can also be employed for swift and enhanced protein biochemical phenotyping. [source] Non-linear EEG synchronization during observation: Effects of instructions and expertisePSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 5 2010Claire Calmels Abstract The aim of this study was to examine the effects of instructions and expertise upon neuronal changes during observation of sequential finger movements. Professional pianists and musically naïve subjects observed these movements with the aim of either replicating or recognizing them at a later stage. A non-linear measure of functional coupling was used to investigate EEG activity. In the 10,13 Hz frequency band and in musically naïve subjects, functional coupling during observation for replica was greater within central and neighboring areas than during observation for recognition. An opposite pattern was found in the 4,8 Hz frequency band. In the 10,13 Hz band and in areas including the parietal cortex, functional coupling in musically naïve subjects was greater compared to professional pianists under observation for replica. Results are discussed in the light of recent findings from the cognitive and behavioral neuroscience literature. [source] Evaluation of anti-wrinkle effects of a novel cosmetic containing niacinamideTHE JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 10 2008Akira KAWADA ABSTRACT Niacinamide is known to have effectiveness on sallowness, wrinkling, red blotchiness and hyperpigmented spots in aging skin. In this study, we have evaluated the anti-wrinkle effects of a new cosmetic containing niacinamide. A randomized, placebo-controlled, split face study was performed in 30 healthy Japanese females who had wrinkles in the eye areas. The tested cosmetic containing 4% niacinamide was applied on wrinkles of one side for 8 weeks, and a control cosmetic without niacinamide on another site. Anti-wrinkle effects were evaluated with two methods: (i) doctors' observation and photographs based on the guideline of the Japan Cosmetic Industry Association; and (ii) average roughness of skin surface (Ra value) using skin replica. This cosmetic showed marked and moderate improvement in 64% of the subjects with a significant difference as compared with the control site (P < 0.001). Wrinkle grades in the tested area significantly reduced more than pre-application (P < 0.001) and the control (P < 0.001). Reduction in Ra value on the tested area was more than pre-application (P < 0.01) and the control site (P < 0.05) with significant differences Only one subject stopped the study with minimal irritation. These results indicated that the tested lotion was well tolerated and may be an optional preparation for the treatment of wrinkles in the eye areas. [source] Original and a ,bench study' replicaANAESTHESIA, Issue 4 2010D. Pavlovic No abstract is available for this article. [source] Selective retrieval and induced forgetting in eyewitness memoryAPPLIED COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 9 2007Malen Migueles This study analyses retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF) in eyewitness memory. Selective retrieval of specific information about an event could cause eyewitnesses to forget related contents. Based on a video of a man being robbed while withdrawing money from a cash machine, we examined the effects of partial retrieval on the most relevant aspects of the event: actions (Experiment 1) and offender characteristics (Experiment 2), in both immediate and long-term recall (24 hours). In both experiments long-term recall was a replica of immediate recall for correct information as well as errors. The effects of partial retrieval practice were also repeated in long-term recall. Conventional RIF was found for offender characteristics but selective retrieval of the actions of the event produced no comparable effect. It is assumed that the organisation and integration of the actions of the event protected them from RIF. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Tompion clock goes homeASTRONOMY & GEOPHYSICS, Issue 4 2010Article first published online: 23 JUL 2010 A replica of one of Thomas Tompion's 1676 clocks has been installed in the Octagon Room at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, in the space built for the original instrument , the first time for 300 years that a year-going clock with 13-foot pendulum and prototype "dead-beat" escapement will occupy the original Wren space. [source] An in vitro study of the antimicrobial activity of some endodontic medicaments against Enteroccus faecalis biofilmsAUSTRALIAN DENTAL JOURNAL, Issue 2 2010B Athanassiadis Abstract Background:, The in vitro antimicrobial activity of a series of endodontic medicaments and their bases against biofilms of Enterococcus faecalis was investigated. Methods:, The medicaments tested were Pulpdent paste, Ledermix paste, a 50:50 Ledermix and Pulpdent mixture, and a replica of Ledermix paste. Bases included methyl cellulose with water, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and PEG with zinc oxide, calcium chloride and the other components (inactives) that make up the Ledermix paste base. Biofilms grown on cellulose nitrate membrane filters were exposed to the medicaments for up to 5 days. The number of surviving colony forming units (CFU) was determined at days 1, 3 and 5. The results were expressed as a bacterial survival index (BSI) when compared to the unexposed control. Results:, Pulpdent produced the greatest reduction of BSI, followed by the 50:50 mixture of Pulpdent and Ledermix pastes. Ledermix paste, its replica and the individual bases showed no significant reductions in the BSI for E. faecalis. Conclusions:, Within the limitations of this laboratory study, calcium hydroxide containing preparations had greater potential for reducing the survival of E. faecalis in a biofilm environment. [source] Bacterial artificial chromosome library for genome-wide analysis of Chinese hamster ovary cellsBIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 5 2009Takeshi Omasa Abstract Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines are widely used for scientific research and biotechnology. A CHO genomic bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library was constructed from a mouse dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene-amplified CHO DR1000L-4N cell line for genome-wide analysis of CHO cell lines. The CHO BAC library consisted of 122,281 clones and was expected to cover the entire CHO genome five times. A CHO chromosomal map was constructed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) imaging using BAC clones as hybridization probes (BAC-FISH). Thirteen BAC-FISH marker clones were necessary to identify all the 20 individual chromosomes in a DHFR-deficient CHO DG44 cell line because of the aneuploidy of the cell line. To determine the genomic structure of the exogenous Dhfr amplicon, a 165-kb DNA region containing exogenous Dhfr was cloned from the BAC library using high-density replica (HDR) filters and Southern blot analysis. The nucleotide sequence analysis revealed a novel genomic structure in which the vector sequence containing Dhfr was sandwiched by long inverted sequences of the CHO genome. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009; 104: 986,994. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Can implants be correctly angulated based on surgical templates used for osseointegrated dental implants?CLINICAL ORAL IMPLANTS RESEARCH, Issue 5 2000Munetaka Naitoh When placing osseointegrated dental implants, the site, angulation and depth of implants can be designed using a computed tomography (CT) or conventional X-ray tomography. To correctly identify placement pre-surgically, various kinds of surgical templates have been proposed. Although it is thought to be important to use templates, no material has been published on their accuracy. The purpose of this study was to propose a method for evaluating the placement accuracy using a specific surgical template. Twenty-one implants were evaluated in 6 patients with mean age of 50.7 years. All implants were implanted by two step surgery in the posterior mandible. A surgical template based on the CT images and the abutment replica on the working models were used for the evaluation of the accuracy of implant placement. The difference between the proposed and actual directions was measured by a milling machine. The difference in the angles between the proposed direction and actual direction were from 0.5 degrees to 14.5 degrees. The average was 5.0 degrees, and there were 12 implants (57%) within 5.0 degrees. This study demonstrated the accuracy of the template described in this article. [source] The Neutralizer: a self-configurable failure detector for minimizing distributed storage maintenance costCONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 2 2009Zhi Yang Abstract To achieve high data availability or reliability in an efficient manner, distributed storage systems must detect whether an observed node failure is permanent or transient, and if necessary, generate replicas to restore the desired level of replication. Given the unpredictability of network dynamics, however, distinguishing permanent and transient failures is extremely difficult. Though timeout-based detectors can be used to avoid mistaking transient failures as permanent failures, it is unknown how the timeout values should be selected to achieve a better tradeoff between detection latency and accuracy. In this paper, we address this fundamental tradeoff from several perspectives. First, we explore the impact of different timeout values on maintenance cost by examining the probability of their false positives and false negatives. Second, we propose a self-configurable failure detector called the Neutralizer based on the idea of counteracting false positives with false negatives. The Neutralizer could enable the system to maintain a desired replication level on average with the least amount of bandwidth. We conduct extensive simulations using real trace data from a widely deployed peer-to-peer system and synthetic traces based on PlanetLab and Microsoft PCs, showing a significant reduction in aggregate bandwidth usage after applying the Neutralizer (especially in an environment with a low average node availability). Overall, we demonstrate that the Neutralizer closely approximates the performance of a perfect ,oracle' detector in many cases. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Toward replication in grids for digital libraries with freshness and correctness guaranteesCONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 17 2008Fuat Akal Abstract Building digital libraries (DLs) on top of data grids while facilitating data access and minimizing access overheads is challenging. To achieve this, replication in a Grid has to provide dedicated features that are only partly supported by existing Grid environments. First, it must provide transparent and consistent access to distributed data. Second, it must dynamically control the creation and maintenance of replicas. Third, it should allow higher replication granularities, i.e. beyond individual files. Fourth, users should be able to specify their freshness demands, i.e. whether they need most recent data or are satisfied with slightly outdated data. Finally, all these tasks must be performed efficiently. This paper presents an approach that will finally allow one to build a fully integrated and self-managing replication subsystem for data grids that will provide all the above features. Our approach is to start with an accepted replication protocol for database clusters, namely PDBREP, and to adapt it to the grid. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] 3D In-Vivo Optical Skin Imaging for Topographical Quantitative Assessment of Non-Ablative Laser TechnologyDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 3 2002Paul M. Friedman MD background. A new method for treating facial rhytides and acne scars with nonablative laser and light source techniques has recently been introduced. Given the inherent limitations of photographic and clinical evaluation to assess subtle changes in rhytides and surface topography, a new noninvasive objective assessment is required to accurately assess the outcomes of these procedures. objective. The purpose of this study was to measure and objectively quantify facial skin using a novel, noninvasive, In-vivo method for assessing three-dimensional topography. This device was used to quantify the efficacy of five treatment sessions with the 1064 nm QS Nd:YAG laser for rhytides and acne scarring, for up to six months following laser treatment. methods. Two subjects undergoing facial rejuvenation procedures were analyzed before and after therapy using a 30-mm, three-dimensional microtopography imaging system (PRIMOS, GFM, Teltow, Germany). The imaging system projects light on to a specific surface of the skin using a Digital Micromirror Device (DMDÔ Texas Instruments, Irving, TX) and records the image with a CCD camera. Skin Surface microtopography is reconstructed using temporal phase shift algorithms to generate three-dimensional images. Measurements were taken at baseline, at various times during the treatment protocol, and then at three and six-month follow-up visits. Silicone skin replicas (FLEXICO, Herts, England) were also made before and after the laser treatment protocol for comparison to In-vivo acquisition. results. Skin roughness decreased by 11% from baseline after three treatment sessions in the wrinkles subject, while a 26% improvement of skin roughness was recorded by 3D In-vivo assessment six months following the fifth treatment session. The subject with acne scarring demonstrated a 33% decrease in roughness analysis after three treatment sessions by 3D In-vivo assessment. A 61% improvement in surface topography was recorded 3-months following the fifth treatment session, which was maintained at the 6-month follow-up. conclusion. Three-dimensional In-vivo optical skin imaging provided a rapid and quantitative assessment of surface topography and facial fine lines following multiple treatment sessions with a 1064-nm QS Nd:YAG laser, correlating with clinical and subjective responses. This imaging technique provided objective verification and technical understanding of nonablative laser technology. Wrinkle depth and skin roughness decreased at the three and six-month follow-up evaluations by 3D In-vivo assessment, indicating ongoing dermal collagen remodeling after the laser treatment protocol. Future applications may include comparison of nonablative laser technology, optimization of treatment regimens, and objective evaluation of other aesthetic procedures performed by dermatologists. [source] Bio-Inspired Bottom-Up Assembly of Diatom-Templated Ordered Porous Metal Chalcogenide Meso/NanostructuresEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2009Han Zhou Abstract We put forward a novel and straightforward sonochemical process as a generic bottom-up assembly routeto produce ordered porous metal chalcogenide meso/nanostructures by templating of diatom frustules. We work with one of the most beautiful species of diatoms, Coscinodiscus lineatus, as a representative of diatoms with central symmetry, and with ZnS as the prototype, as it is a high refractive index material and is a typical material widely used in optics and photonics. ZnS replicas have been successfully synthesized from the interaction between the reactive surfaces of the frustules and the precursors under ultrasound. The inorganic replicas copy the morphology of the ordered porous structure and inherit its optical property, such as the existence of the photonic bandgap of the diatom frustules. It is possible to achieve tunable photonic properties in the replicas by assembly of various metal chalcogenide semiconductors of different refractive indexes. This bio-inspired discovery provides insight into the facile synthesis of elaborate meso/nanostructures from these marine microbes.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009) [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||