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Average Reduction (average + reduction)
Selected AbstractsChanges to the elevational limits and extent of species ranges associated with climate changeECOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 11 2005Robert J. Wilson Abstract The first expected symptoms of a climate change-generated biodiversity crisis are range contractions and extinctions at lower elevational and latitudinal limits to species distributions. However, whilst range expansions at high elevations and latitudes have been widely documented, there has been surprisingly little evidence for contractions at warm margins. We show that lower elevational limits for 16 butterfly species in central Spain have risen on average by 212 m (± SE 60) in 30 years, accompanying a 1.3 °C rise (equivalent to c. 225 m) in mean annual temperature. These elevational shifts signify an average reduction in habitable area by one-third, with losses of 50,80% projected for the coming century, given maintenance of the species thermal associations. The results suggest that many species have already suffered climate-mediated habitat losses that may threaten their long-term chances of survival. [source] Antimicrobial effect of vapours of geraniol, (R)-(,)-linalool, terpineol, , -terpinene and 1,8-cineole on airborne microbes using an airwasherFLAVOUR AND FRAGRANCE JOURNAL, Issue 5 2007Kei Sato Abstract Five selected compounds, geraniol, (R)-(,)-linalool, terpineol, , -terpinene and 1,8-cineole, were tested for their influence on airborne microbes when vaporized with an air washer. Terpineol and 1,8-cineole showed the highest antimicrobial activities. The average reduction of germ count was 68% and 64%, respectively. Although , -terpinene gave the lowest result among the compounds investigated, the average reduction of germ count was still 40%. When water without volatile compounds was sprayed, the colony forming units increased. These results show the positive effect of selected aroma compounds on the reduction of microbes in the room. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Drought changes phosphorus and potassium accumulation patterns in an evergreen Mediterranean forestFUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2007J. SARDANS Summary 1Climate models predict more extreme weather in Mediterranean ecosystems, with more frequent drought periods and torrential rainfall. These expected changes may affect major process in ecosystems such as mineral cycling. However, there is a lack of experimental data regarding the effects of prolonged drought on nutrient cycling and content in Mediterranean ecosystems. 2A 6-year drought manipulation experiment was conducted in a Quercus ilex Mediterranean forest. The aim was to investigate the effects of drought conditions expected to occur over the coming decades, on the contents and concentrations of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in stand biomass, and P and K content and availability in soils. 3Drought (an average reduction of 15% in soil moisture) increased P leaf concentration by 18·2% and reduced P wood and root concentrations (30·9% and 39·8%, respectively) in the dominant tree species Quercus ilex, suggesting a process of mobilization of P from wood towards leaves. The decrease in P wood concentrations in Quercus ilex, together with a decrease in forest biomass growth, led to an overall decrease (by approximately one-third) of the total P content in above-ground biomass. In control plots, the total P content in the above-ground biomass increased 54 kg ha,1 from 1999 to 2005, whereas in drought plots there was no increase in P levels in above-ground biomass. Drought had no effects on either K above-ground contents or concentrations. 4Drought increased total soil soluble P by increasing soil soluble organic P, which is the soil soluble P not directly available to plant capture. Drought reduced the ratio of soil soluble inorganic P : soil soluble organic P by 50% showing a decrease of inorganic P release from P bound to organic matter. Drought increased by 10% the total K content in the soil, but reduced the soil soluble K by 20·4%. 5Drought led to diminished plant uptake of mineral nutrients and to greater recalcitrance of minerals in soil. This will lead to a reduction in P and K in the ecosystem, due to losses in P and K through leaching and erosion, if the heavy rainfalls predicted by IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) models occur. As P is currently a limiting factor in many Mediterranean terrestrial ecosystems, and given that P and K are necessary for high water-use efficiency and stomata control, the negative effects of drought on P and K content in the ecosystem may well have additional indirect negative effects on plant fitness. [source] Patterns and Determinants of International Trade Costs in the Food IndustryJOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, Issue 2 2009Alessandro Olper F1; F13; F14 Abstract This paper documents patterns in international trade costs in processed foods for a large cross-section of developing and developed countries, during the 1976,2000 period. A trade costs index is inferred from a micro-founded gravity equation that incorporates bilateral ,iceberg' trade costs. For 2000, the trade costs, expressed as weighted average tariff equivalent, range from 73% for the north to 134% for the south countries. The time patterns show an average reduction of about 13% in the observed period that rises to 26% for the emerging countries. However, the same does not occur for south countries. On ranking the trade costs determinants, we find that, on average, geographical and historical factors seem to dominate those of infrastructure and institutions. However, trade policy emerges as an important determinant of the trade costs between north and emerging countries. [source] FUNGI AND PATULIN IN APPLES AND THE ROLE OF PROCESSING ON PATULIN LEVELS IN JUICES: A STUDY ON NATURALLY CONTAMINATED APPLESJOURNAL OF FOOD SAFETY, Issue 2 2010JULIANE ELISA WELKE ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to determine the predominant fungal species, including toxigenic strains, patulin levels in apples used for juice production and in produced juices. The possibility of use of apple highly contaminated with patulin to produce juice with lower patulin levels than the limit permitted by Codex Alimentarius was also checked. Sixteen lots of apples and juices were analyzed. The most prevalent fungal population was Penicillium spp. (93%) followed by the Aspergillus spp. (3.5%) and the Rhizopus spp. (3.5%). The mycoflora of apples was composed mainly of species that produce patulin. P. expansum was identified as the most frequently isolated species (66%). Species able to produce patulin were P. expansum and P. griseofulvum. Patulin levels in apples from cold storage ranged from 254.6 to 653.4 µg/kg. Apple juice processing caused average reduction of 95% in patulin levels. Patulin levels ranged from 14.3 to 46.7 µg/L in apple juices. In all samples were found patulin levels lower than the limit of 50 µg/L considered acceptable by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS This study was performed to define the mycoflora of apples and patulin levels in apples that were used for juice production. This approach is useful to evaluate the quality of apples and the effect of processing on patulin to determine if the toxin level can be managed through postharvest procedures. Besides, information about patulin levels in juices is important to contribute for establishing national regulation. [source] In vivo horizontal forces on implants depending on the type of occlusionJOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 9 2002T. MORNEBURG Minimizing horizontal forces on implants is one of the important aims of an occlusal design. Therefore, several proposals have been made in literature, e.g. flat cuspal slopes or narrow occlusal surfaces. Our aim was to test how these occlusal designs would influence horizontal forces. Ten healthy subjects with unilateral partially edentulous arches were provided with fixed partial dentures (FPD) on two ITI-implants. The opposing jaw was fully dentate. After an adaptation of 6 month measurement setups with a measuring FPD were put into the mouth. The sensoring device, which consisted of two abutments equipped with strain gauges, evaluated the forces in three dimensions. For each person three FPDs were made with a different design of the occlusal surface. The first FPD exhibited cusps with steep slopes (S), the second showed flat cusps (F) and the third had a narrow occlusal surface (N). The peak forces of the chewing cycles of each patient were evaluated. While chewing wine gum the average values of the vertical forces of the three different FPDs showed no significant differences and amounted to between 253·8 N (s.d. 85·7 N) and 273·9 N (s.d. 63·7 N). With the first FPD (S) mean horizontal forces of 47·9 N (s.d. 34·8 N) were found whereas with the flat surface an average force of 47·4 N (s.d. 37·1 N) was measured. The narrow occlusal surface was associated with an average reduction of the horizontal forces of about 50·9% to a mean value of 24·4 N (s.d. 10·6 N) (P < 0·005). The inclination of occlusal slopes did neither affect vertical nor horizontal forces significantly. However, narrowing of the occlusal surface in the oro-vestibular direction by 30% showed a significant reduction of the lateral forces exerted on the implants by more than 50%. A reduced oro-vestibular width of the occlusal surface is recommended especially for diameter-reduced implants, in case of an unfavourable relationship between implant and crown length or for implants that are strongly inclined to the occlusal plane. [source] Detection of changes in articular cartilage proteoglycan by T1, magnetic resonance imagingJOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 1 2005Andrew J. Wheaton Abstract The purpose of this work is to demonstrate the feasibility of T1, -weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to quantitatively measure changes in proteoglycan content in cartilage. The T1, MRI technique was implemented in an in vivo porcine animal model with rapidly induced cytokine-mediated cartilage degeneration. Six pigs were given an intra-articular injection of recombinant porcine interleukin-1, (IL-1,) into the knee joint before imaging to induce changes in cartilage via matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) induction. The induction of MMPs by IL-1 was used since it has been extensively studied in many systems and is known to create conditions that mimic in part characteristics similar to those of osteoarthritis. The contralateral knee joint was given a saline injection to serve as an internal control. T1, -weighted MRI was performed on a 4 T whole-body clinical scanner employing a 2D fast spin-echo-based T1, imaging sequence. T1, relaxation parameter maps were computed from the T1, -weighted image series. The average T1, relaxation rate, R1, (1/T1,) of the IL-1,-treated patellae was measured to be on average 25% lower than that of saline-injected patellae indicating a loss of proteoglycan. There was an average reduction of 49% in fixed charge density, measured via sodium MRI, of the IL-1,-treated patellae relative to control corroborating the loss of proteoglycan. The effects of IL-1,, primarily loss of PG, were confirmed by histological and immunochemical findings. The results from this study demonstrate that R1, is able to track proteoglycan content in vivo. © 2004 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. [source] Placebo Effect in Canine Epilepsy TrialsJOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2010K.R. Muńana Background: The placebo effect is a well-recognized phenomenon in human medicine; in contrast, little information exists on the effect of placebo administration in veterinary patients. Hypothesis: Nonpharmacologic therapeutic effects play a role in response rates identified in canine epilepsy trials. Animals: Thirty-four dogs with epilepsy. Methods: Meta-analysis of the 3 known prospective, placebo-controlled canine epilepsy trials. The number of seizures per week was compiled for each dog throughout their participation in the trial. Log-linear models were developed to evaluate seizure frequency during treatment and placebo relative to baseline. Results: Twenty-two of 28 (79%) dogs in the study that received placebo demonstrated a decrease in seizure frequency compared with baseline, and 8 (29%) could be considered responders, with a 50% or greater reduction in seizures. For the 3 trials evaluated, the average reduction in seizures during placebo administration relative to baseline was 26% (P= .0018), 29% (P= .17), and 46% (P= .01). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: A positive response to placebo administration, manifesting as a decrease in seizure frequency, can be observed in epileptic dogs. This is of importance when evaluating open label studies in dogs that aim to assess efficacy of antiepileptic drugs, as the reported results might be overstated. Findings from this study highlight the need for more placebo-controlled trials in veterinary medicine. [source] Microsurgery for lymphedema: Clinical research and long-term resultsMICROSURGERY, Issue 4 2010Corradino Campisi M.D., Ph.D. Objectives: To report the wide clinical experience and the research studies in the microsurgical treatment of peripheral lymphedema. Methods: More than 1800 patients with peripheral lymphedema have been treated with microsurgical techniques. Derivative lymphatic microvascular procedures recognize today its most exemplary application in multiple lymphatic-venous anastomoses (LVA). In case of associated venous disease reconstructive lymphatic microsurgery techniques have been developed. Objective assessment was undertaken by water volumetry and lymphoscintigraphy. Results: Subjective improvement was noted in 87% of patients. Objectively, volume changes showed a significant improvement in 83%, with an average reduction of 67% of the excess volume. Of those patients followed-up, 85% have been able to discontinue the use of conservative measures, with an average follow-up of more than 10 years and average reduction in excess volume of 69%. There was a 87% reduction in the incidence of cellulitis after microsurgery. Conclusions: Microsurgical LVA have a place in the treatment of peripheral lymphedema, and should be the therapy of choice in patients who are not sufficiently responsive to nonsurgical treatment. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2010. [source] Lymphatic microsurgery for the treatment of lymphedemaMICROSURGERY, Issue 1 2006C. Campisi M.D. One of the main problems of microsurgery for lymphedema consists of the discrepancy between the excellent technical possibilities and the subsequently insufficient reduction of the lymphoedematous tissue fibrosis and sclerosis. Appropriate treatment based on pathologic study and surgical outcome have not been adequately documented. Over the past 25 years, more than 1000 patients with peripheral lymphedema have been treated with microsurgical techniques. Derivative lymphatic micro-vascular procedures has today its most exemplary application in multiple lymphatic-venous anastomoses (LVA). For those cases where a venous disease is associated to more or less latent or manifest lymphostatic pathology of such severity to contraindicate a lymphatic-venous shunt, reconstructive lymphatic microsurgery techniques have been developed (autologous venous grafts or lymphatic-venous-Iymphatic-plasty - LVLA). Objective assessment was undertaken by water volumetry and lymphoscintigraphy. Subjective improvement was noted in 87% of patients. Objectively, volume changes showed a significant improvement in 83%, with an average reduction of 67% of the excess volume. Of those patients followed-up, 85% have been able to discontinue the use of conservative measures, with an average follow-up of more than 7 years and average reduction in excess volume of 69%. There was a 87% reduction in the incidence of cellulitis after microsurgery. Microsurgical lymphatic-venous anastomoses have a place in the treatment of peripheral lymphedema and should be the therapy of choice in patients who are not sufficiently responsive to nonsurgical treatment. Improved results can be expected with operations performed earlier at the very first stages of lymphedema. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 26: 65,69, 2006. [source] Peripheral Nerve Stimulation: A Treatment for Chronic Low Back Pain and Failed Back Surgery Syndrome?NEUROMODULATION, Issue 1 2009Paul Verrills MD ABSTRACT Objective., This study aims to evaluate the usefulness of peripheral nerve stimulation as a treatment option for patients with chronic low back pain. Materials and Methods., More than 12 months, we collected data on consecutive patients who had successful trials and were subsequently implanted with octrode percutaneous leads placed subcutaneously within the major area of pain. Eleven patients met diagnostic criteria for failed back surgery syndrome. A questionnaire assessed outcomes including: pain, analgesic use, and patient satisfaction. The response rate was 93% (13/14): average follow-up time was seven months. Results., There was a significant decrease in pain levels: an average reduction of 3.77 visual analog scale points. Eleven patients (85%) reported successful outcomes and an average pain reduction of 4.18 points but two reported a poor response. Pain relief was highly correlated with reduced analgesia and patient satisfaction. No complications were reported. Conclusion., This study demonstrates a treatment option that is safe, nonpharmacologic, reversible, and effective for patients with chronic low back pain that have exhausted other treatment options. [source] The effects of differentiated water supply after anthesis and nitrogen fertilization on ,15N of wheat grainRAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY, Issue 3 2010Ivana Raimanová The ,15N signature of plants integrates various processes in soil and plant. In this study, the effect of different water regimes applied during the period of grain growth of winter wheat on grain ,15N was examined in a 4-year field experiment. The treatments comprised water shortage (S), an ample water supply (W), and rain-fed crop (R). Zero fertilization (N0) and 200,kg,N.ha,1 in mineral fertilizer (N1) treatments were studied. The grain 15N was determined during grain growth and at maturity. The water regime, nitrogen application and year had a significant effect on mature grain ,15N (p,<,0.001). Water and nitrogen explained 54.6% of the variability of ,15N in the experiment, the year accounted for 10.7% and the interactions for another 19.6% of the total variability. The analysis of non-mature grain ,15N showed significant effects of N and year but not of water. Nitrogen fertilization reduced the ,15N of mature grain in years by 0.7,6.3, in comparison with N0 plants; the reduction was more pronounced under stress (average reduction by 4.1,) than under rain-fed (2.4,) and ample water supply (2.2,). Water stress decreased the grain ,15N in fertilized wheat, by 0.1,2.1, and 0.6,3.6, in experimental years, on average by 1.30, and 1.79, in comparison with the R and W water supply, respectively. The effect of water supply was not significant in non-fertilized wheat. A significant negative linear relationship between grain N concentration and ,15N in maturity or during the grain growth (R2,=,0.83, R2,=,0.76, respectively) was found. The observed sources of grain ,15N variability should be taken into consideration when analyzing and interpreting the data on the ,15N signature of plant material from field conditions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Increasing Use of the Scapula Osteocutaneous Free Flap ,THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 9 2000Sean C. Coleman MD Abstract Objectives To determine the appropriate use of the scapula osteocutaneous free flap (SOFF) and to document donor site morbidity. Study Design Retrospective review and prospective physical therapy evaluation. Methods A computer database of all free flap procedures performed at a single institution was created. Specific clinical and operative details from cases involving a bone flap were extracted from the database. Rates of usage of the various osteocutaneous flaps were compared over four successive 2-year intervals (1992,1999). A single physical therapist performed a structured evaluation of the donor site. Results Overall, 64 bone flap procedures were performed, of which 24 (37.5%) were SOFF procedures. The SOFF utilization has increased from 6.6% to 63.6%, while fibula and iliac crest utilization has fallen significantly. This is in part because of the greater versatility of the SOFF, with the possibility of separate skin paddles and adequate bone length. The mean cutaneous area harvested with the SOFF was 110 cm2 (range, 48,200 cm2) compared with 55.4 cm2 (range, 25,102 cm2) and 77.6 cm2 (range, 50,120 cm2) for the fibula and iliac crest, respectively. Mean bone flap lengths were 8.37, 7.65, and 10.1 cm, respectively, for the SOFF, fibula, and iliac crest. Dual skin paddles were used in 50% of the SOFF procedures versus 2.8% for the fibula flap procedures. There were no significant complications of the donor site in any patient, and there was only one flap failure (4.1%). Related to the SOFF, donor site morbidity was subjectively judged as "mild," for pain, mobility, and strength. There were no complaints of poor appearance of the donor site. Activities of daily living were judged as "not limited" or "limited a little" in the majority of patients. Objective measurements of range of motion revealed an average reduction of 1° to 12° in five different shoulder functions. Elbow and arm ranges of motion were not limited. Strength was minimally reduced in the shoulder, while the arm and forearm showed no reduction in strength. Conclusions The SOFF is a versatile osteocutaneous free flap that can be used for a multitude of reconstructive problems. This and its relative lack of significant donor site morbidity have caused its use to increase significantly. [source] Single Implants and Buccal Bone Grafts in the Anterior Maxilla: Measurements of Buccal Crestal Contours in a 6-Year Prospective Clinical StudyCLINICAL IMPLANT DENTISTRY AND RELATED RESEARCH, Issue 3 2005Odont Dr/PhD, Torsten Jemt DDS ABSTRACT Background: Patients provided with buccal bone grafts seem to lose a substantial part of the graft in the short term. Purpose: To measure long-term changes in buccal and proximal tissue volumes after local bone grafting and single implant treatment. Materials and Methods: Eight of 10 originally treated male patients were followed up for 6 years after treatment with buccal bone grafts in the central incisor region. After a healing time of 6 months, a two-stage implant surgery procedure was performed followed by single crown placement. Clinical photographs and impressions were taken prior to the surgical interventions and after crown placement and at first and fifth annual checkups. The photographs were analyzed with regard to papilla regeneration by means of a clinical papilla index. The models were used to measure the clinical length of teeth and tooth movements adjacent to the implants. Changes in buccal crest volume during the study period were measured by means of optical scanning of obtained study models. Results: Papillae volume increased significantly (p < .05) during the first year, thereafter showing a slow further increase during the 4 following years. Three of the patients (38%) presented small movements of their adjacent central incisor in a vertical or palatal direction of less than 1 mm during the follow-up period. All patients showed resorption during the first year after grafting (p < .01), in which three patients (38%) had lost basically all of increased volume at second surgery. After abutment or crown placement, all patients showed an increased volume (p < .01), followed by an average reduction during the first year, reaching a significant level in the apical part of the crest (p < .05). Thereafter, a relatively stable average situation was observed during the following 4 years, with individual variations, however. Conclusion: Local bone grafting seems to create sufficient bone volume for implant placement after 6 months, but individual variations in resorption pattern make the grafting procedure unpredictable for long-term prognosis. Instead, the abutment and the crown seem to play a more important role for building up and maintaining the buccal contour in the coronal part of the crest long term. [source] Issues in targeted observingTHE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, Issue 613 2005(Invited paper for the Q. J. R. Meteorol. Abstract This paper summarizes successes and limitations of targeted observing field programmes starting from the Fronts and Atlantic Storm-Track Experiment in 1997 through recent programmes targeting winter storms and tropical cyclones. These field programmes have produced average reductions in short-range forecast errors of about 10 per cent over regional verification areas, and maximum forecast error reductions as large as 50 per cent in certain cases. The majority of targeting cases investigated so far involve sets of dropsondes and other observation data that provide partial coverage of target areas. The primary scientific challenges for targeting include the refinement of objective methods that can identify optimal times and locations for targeted observations, as well as identify the specific types of satellite and in situ measurements that are required for the improvement of numerical weather forecasts. The most advanced targeting procedures, at present, include: the ensemble transform Kalman Filter, Hessian singular vectors, and observation-space targeting using the adjoint of a variational data assimilation procedure. Targeted observing remains an active research topic in numerical weather prediction, with plans for continued refinement of objective targeting procedures, and field tests of new satellite and in situ observing systems. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society [source] Low-Density Lipoprotein Apheresis: Clinical Results with Different MethodsARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 2 2002Rolf Bambauer Abstract: In 40 patients (22 women, 18 men) suffering from familial hypercholesterolemia resistant to diet and lipid lowering drugs, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) apheresis was performed over 84.9 ± 43.2 months. Four different systems (Liposorber, 28 of 40, Kaneka, Osaka, Japan; Therasorb, 6 of 40, Baxter, Munich, Germany; Lipopak, 2 of 40, Pocard, Moscow, Russia; and Dali, 4 of 40, Fresenius, St. Wendel, Germany) were used. With all methods, average reductions of 50.6% for total cholesterol, 52.2% for LDL, 64.3% for lipoprotein (a) (Lp[a]), and 43.1% for triglycerides, and an average increase of 10.3% for high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were reached. Severe side effects such as shock or allergic reactions were very rare (0.5%) in all methods. In the course of treatment, an improvement in general well being and increased performance were experienced by 39 of 40 patients. Assessing the different apheresis systems used, at the end of the trial, there were no significant differences with respect to the clinical outcome experienced with the patients' total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglyceride concentrations. However, to reduce high Lp(a) levels, the immunoadsorption method with special Lp(a) columns (Lipopak) seems to be most effective: ,59% versus ,25% (Kaneka) , (Baxter), and ,29% (Dali). The present data demonstrate that treatment with LDL apheresis of patients suffering from familial hypercholesterolemia resistant to maximum conservative therapy is very effective and safe even in long-term application. [source] | ||||||||||||||||