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Several Parameters (several + parameter)
Selected AbstractsEmission Intensity Enhancement of DC Arc Plasma Induced by External Oscillating Magnetic FieldCONTRIBUTIONS TO PLASMA PHYSICS, Issue 10 2007M. M. Stoiljkovi Abstract Direct current (dc) arc plasma with continuous aerosol supply was coupled with an external oscillatingmagnetic field of a few tens of mT and a frequency of up to 1 kHz. Such configuration was used to alter the plasma-related radiative properties. The magnetic field was oriented perpendicularly to the electric field in the plasma and forced the arc column to oscillate as a whole with respect to the surrounding atmosphere. The magnitude of the appliedmagnetic.eld controls the amplitude of the oscillatory motion. Several parameters that can contribute to the radiative properties of the plasma were investigated (arc current, composition of aerosol introduced into the plasma, amplitude and frequency of the magnetic field applied). Spectral emission from different zones of the plasma column was measured by optical emission spectroscopy (OES). In comparison to steady-state plasma, the applied magnetic field induces an intensity enhancement of emission of the most analytes considered. The intensity enhancement is strongly affected by the amplitude and frequency of plasma column oscillations, i.e. by plasma column velocity. Also, intensity enhancement depends on the plasma zone observed. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Voltammetric Reduction of a 4-Nitroimidazole Derivative on a Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Modified Glassy Carbon ElectrodeELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 13 2008P. Jara-Ulloa Abstract We report the electrochemical behavior of a 4-nitroimidazole derivative, 1-methyl-4-nitro-2-hydroxymethylimidazole (4-NImMeOH), on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). As dispersing agents, dimethylformamide (DMF) and water were used. The electrochemical response of the resulting electrodes was evaluated using linear sweep, cyclic and square-wave voltammetry (LSV, CV and SWV). Several parameters such as medium pH, nature and concentration of the CNTs dispersion and accumulation time were tested. The optimal conditions determined for obtain better response were: pH,2, dispersion concentration=4,mg/mL of CNT in water, accumulation time=7,min. The MWCNT-modified GCE exhibited attractive electrochemical properties producing enhanced currents with a significant reduction in the overpotential and good signal-to-noise characteristics, in comparison with the bare GCE. The modified electrode is highly repeatable for consecutive measurements, reaching a variation coefficient of 2.9% for ten consecutive runs. [source] Chiral separation of cetirizine by capillary electrophoresisELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 12 2006Ann Van Eeckhaut Abstract Chiral separation of cetirizine, a second-generation H1 -antagonist, was studied by CD-mediated CE. Several parameters, including pH, CD type, buffer concentration, type of co-ion, applied voltage and temperature, were investigated. The best conditions for chiral separation were obtained using a 75,mM triethanolamine-phosphate buffer (pH,2.5) containing 0.4,mg/mL heptakis(2,3-diacetyl-6-sulfato)-,-CD and 10%,ACN. Online UV detection was performed at 214,nm, a voltage of 20,kV was applied and the capillary was temperature controlled at 25°C by liquid cooling. Hydrodynamic injection was performed for 1,s. The method was validated for the quantification of levocetirizine in tablets and for enantiomeric purity testing of the drug substance. Selectivity, linearity, LOD and LOQ, precision and accuracy were evaluated for both methods. The amount of levocetirizine dihydrochloride in the commercially available tablets was quantified and was found to be within the specification limits of the claimed amount (5,mg). The amount of distomer in levocetirizine drug substance was found to be 0.87 ± 0.09%,w/w, which is in agreement with the certificate of analysis supplied by the company. [source] Rapid determination of acyclovir in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid by micellar electrokinetic chromatography with direct sample injection and its clinical applicationELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 4 2006Hsin-Hua Yeh Abstract A simple MEKC with UV detection at 254,nm for analysis of acyclovir in plasma and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by direct injection without any sample pretreatment is described. The separation of acyclovir from biological matrix was performed at 25°C using a BGE consisting of Tris buffer with SDS as the electrolyte solution. Several parameters affecting the separation of the drug from biological matrix were studied, including the pH and concentrations of the Tris buffer and SDS. Using dyphylline as an internal standard, the linear ranges of the method for the determination of acyclovir in plasma and in CSF all exceeded the range of 2,50,,g/mL; the detection limit of the drug in plasma and in CSF (S/N = 3; injection 3.45,kPa, 5,s) was 1.0,,g/mL. The applicability of the proposed method for determination of acyclovir in plasma and CSF collected at 8,h after intravenous administration of 500,mg acyclovir (Zovirax®) in two patients with herpes simplex encephalitis was demonstrated. [source] MUTYH mutations associated with familial adenomatous polyposis: functional characterization by a mammalian cell-based assay,HUMAN MUTATION, Issue 2 2010Sara Molatore Abstract MUTYH -associated polyposis (MAP) is a colorectal cancer syndrome, due to biallelic mutations of MUTYH. This Base Excision Repair gene encodes for a DNA glycosylase that specifically mitigates the high mutagenic potential of the 8-hydroxyguanine (8-oxodG) along the DNA. Aim of this study was to characterize the biological effects, in a mammalian cell background, of human MUTYH mutations identified in MAP patients (137insIW [c.411_416dupATGGAT; p.137insIleTrp]; R171W [c.511C>T; p.Arg171Trp]; E466del [c.1395_1397delGGA; p.Glu466del]; Y165C [c.494A>G; p.Tyr165Cys]; and G382D [c.1145G>A; p.Gly382Asp]). We set up a novel assay in which the human proteins were expressed in Mutyh,/, mouse defective cells. Several parameters, including accumulation of 8-oxodG in the genome and hypersensitivity to oxidative stress, were then used to evaluate the consequences of MUTYH expression. Human proteins were also obtained from Escherichia coli and their glycosylase activity was tested in vitro. The cell-based analysis demonstrated that all MUTYH variants we investigated were dysfunctional in Base Excision Repair. In vitro data complemented the in vivo observations, with the exception of the G382D mutant, which showed a glycosylase activity very similar to the wild-type protein. Our cell-based assay can provide useful information on the significance of MUTYH variants, improving molecular diagnosis and genetic counseling in families with mutations of uncertain pathogenicity. Hum Mutat 30:1,8, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] pKa optimized catalysis in serine proteinases, an ab initio study on the catalaytic HisINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUANTUM CHEMISTRY, Issue 11 2007Péter Hudáky Abstract First principle models of catalytic apparatus of enzymes can be used for studying stability as well as the atomic details of a catalytic mechanism. For example, the catalytic triad of chymotrypsin was recently investigated by using an ab initio geometry optimized (Hudáky and Perczel, Proteins: Struct Funct Genet, 2006, 62, 749) self-stabilizing molecule ensemble without the presence of the complete enzyme and substrate. Several parameters of the above catalytic reaction turned out to be the same within the model and the in vitro enzymatic reaction. Among the numerous parameters of the catalytic process geometrical changes of the catalytic histidine was investigated here and the variation of its pKa value was determined. A relatively large range, 3.5 unit, was determined as the variation of pKa as function of the conformational subspace available in serine proteases. Comparing PDB structures of the free and the complex enzymes it was shown, that histidine, after accepting the proton from the OH group of the catalytic serine, undergoes a minor conformational change accompanied by a 2.5 unit decrease in pKa. We conclude that the changes of pKa during catalysis are predominantly determined by the geometrical arrangement of the histidine moiety and this change serves as a significant driving force in the catalytic process. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007 [source] Effect of the carboxylic acid monomer type on the emulsifier-free emulsion copolymerization of styrene and butadieneJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 2 2007Mahdi Abdollahi Abstract Carboxylated styrene,butadiene rubber latexes were prepared through the emulsifier-free emulsion copolymerization of styrene and butadiene with various carboxylic acid monomers. The effects of various carboxylic acid monomers on the particle formation process were investigated. The type of carboxylic acid monomer strongly affected the particle nucleation. The number of particles and thus the polymerization rate increased with the increasing hydrophobicity of the carboxylic acid monomers. There was a significant difference in the polymerization rate per particle. The results showed that particle nucleation and growth were dependent on the hydrophilic nature of the carboxylic acid monomers. The average particle diameter of the carboxylated styrene,butadiene rubber latexes in the dry state was obtained through some calculations using direct measurements of the average particle diameter in the monomer-swollen state by a dynamic light scattering technique. Several parameters, such as the polymerization rate, number of latex particles per unit of volume of the aqueous phase, and polymerization rate per particle, were calculated. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007 [source] The Impact of Age on the Electroanatomical Characteristics and Outcome of Catheter Ablation in Patients with Atrial FibrillationJOURNAL OF CARDIOVASCULAR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 9 2010TA-CHUAN TUAN M.D. Age and Atrial Fibrillation.,,Background: Previous studies have indicated that atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients over the age of 60 at diagnosis is a risk factor for a substantial increase in cardiovascular events. However, information about the impact of age on the atrial substrate and clinical outcome after catheter ablation of AF is limited. Methods: This study included 350 patients (53 ± 12 years, 254 males) who underwent circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (CPVI) of AF, guided by a NavX mapping system. The subjects were divided into three groups according to their age, as follows: Group I: age ,50 (n = 141), Group II: age = 51,64 (n = 149) and Group III: age ,65 years old (n = 60). The mean voltage and total activation time of the individual atria were obtained by using a NavX mapping system before ablation. Several parameters, including the gender, AF duration, and left atrial (LA) diameter were analyzed. Results: The younger age group had a significantly smaller LA diameter (Group I vs Group II vs Group III, 36.89 ± 7.11 vs 39.16 ± 5.65 vs 40.77 ± 4.95 mm, P = 0.002) and higher LA bipolar voltage (2.09 ± 0.83 vs 1.73 ± 0.73 vs 1.86 ± 0.67 mV, respectively, P = 0.024), compared with the older AF patients. The LA bipolar voltage exhibited a significant reduction when the patients became older, however, that did not occur in the right atrium. The incidence of an AF recurrence was higher in the older age group than in the younger age groups. A subgroup of patients with lone AF was analyzed and age was found to be an independent predictor of the AF recurrence after receiving the first CPVI in the multivariable model (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Age has a significant impact on the LA substrate properties and outcome of the catheter ablation of AF. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 966-972, September 2010) [source] The effect of periodontal treatment on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitusJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 4 2001James E. Stewart Abstract Background, aims: This study was designed to explore the effect of periodontal therapy on glycemic control in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: 36 patients with type 2 DM (treatment group) received therapy for adult periodontitis during an 18-month period. A 36-person control group was randomly selected from the same population of persons with type 2 DM who did not receive periodontal treatment. Results: These groups were well matched for most of the parameters investigated. During the nine-month observation period, there was a 6.7% improvement in glycemic control in the control group when compared to a 17.1% improvement in the treatment group, a statistically significant difference. Several parameters that could confound or moderate this glycemic control were explored. These included the treatment of non-dental infections, weight and medication changes. No moderating effect was associated with any of these variables. However, there were too few subjects in the study to have the statistical power necessary to assess these possible moderators of glycemic control. Conclusions: We interpret the data in the study to suggest that periodontal therapy was associated with improved glycemic control in persons with type 2 DM. Zusammenfassung Zielsetzung: Untersuchung der Wirkung parodontaler Therapie auf die Blutzuckerkontrolle bei Patienten mit Typ-2-Diabetes mellitus (DM2). Material und Methoden: 260 Patienten, die am Veteranenhospital in Los Angeles ambulant wegen Diabetes mellitus betreut wurden, wurde eine zahnmedizinische Behandlung empfohlen und angeboten. Von den 92 DM2-Patienten, die dieses Angebot wahrnahmen, wurden 36 Patienten, die an Erwachsenenparodontitis litten, parodontal behandelt: Wurzelglättung, subgingivale Kürettage, Extraktionen (Testgruppe). Von den DM2-Patienten, die keine Parodontalbehandlung durchführen ließen, wurde eine Kontrollgruppe mit 36 Personen gebildet. Die Blutzuckerkontrolle wurde in der Testgruppe vor Therapie und 10 Monate später über den arameter Hämoglobin A1C (HbA1C) bestimmt. In der Kontrollgruppe lagen 8,10 Monate zwischen den HbA1C -Untersuchungszeitpunkten. Ergebnisse: Beide Gruppen entsprachen einander sehr gut für die meisten untersuchten Parameter. Während der Beobachtungszeit von 9 Monaten verbesserte sich die Blutzuckerkontrolle in der Kontrolgruppe um 6.7% und in der Testgruppe um 17.1% (p=0.02). Verschiedene Parameter, die die Kontrolle des Blutzuckerspiegels beeinflussen könnten, wurden untersucht (z.B. nicht-dentale Infektionen, Veränderungen des Körpergewichtes oder der Medikation). Es konnte kein Einfluß dieser Faktoren gefunden werden. Allerdings ist die Stichprobe zu klein, um diese Aussage mit genügender Teststärke treffen zu können. Schlußfolgerungen: Parodontale Therapie der Erwachsenenparodontitis ist mit einer verbesserten Blutzuckerkontrolle bei DM2-Patienten assoziiert. Résumé Cette étude a été réalisée pour examiner les effets du traitement parodontal chez des personnes atteintes de diabète mellitus type 2 (DM). 36 patients atteints de DM type 2 (groupe traitement) furent traités pour une partodontite de l'adulte pendant une période de 18 mois. Un groupe contrôle de 36 personnes fut sélectionnê au hasard à partir de la même population (DM) mais sans recevoir de traitement parodontal. Ces groupes furent comparés entre eux pour la plupart des paramètres examinés. Pendant la période d'observation de 9 mois, il y avait une amélioration de 6.7% du controle de la glycémie dans le groupe contrôle comparéà une amélioration de 17.1% pour le groupe traité, cette différence étant statistiquement significative. Plusieurs paramètres comme le traitement d'infections non dentaires et les changements de poids et de prescription, qui auraient pu moduler le controle de la glycémie ont été explorés. Aucun effect de modulation ne put être associé avec aucune de ces variables. Cependant, il y avait trop peu de sujets inclus dans l'étude pour permettre un pouvoir statistique nécessaire pour préciser ces possibles modulateurs du contróle de la glycémie. Nous interprétons les données de l'étude pour suggérer que le traitement paradontal est associéà une amélioration de la glycémie chez les personnes atteintes de diabéte mellitus type 2. [source] Solid phase microextraction-high performance liquid chromatographic determination of octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate surfactantJOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 12 2008Gaurav Abstract A simple and sensitive method has been developed using preconcentration technique solid phase microextraction (SPME) and analytical technique HPLC-UV for the determination of octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) from the environmental samples. Aqueous solution of anionic surfactant SDS was used for the extraction of both nitramine high explosives, viz., HMX and RDX from soil samples which were subsequently sorbed on SPME fiber. The static desorption was carried out in the desorption chamber of the SPME-HPLC interface in the presence of mobile phase ACN/methanol/water (30:35:35) and the subsequent chromatographic analysis at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min and detection at 230 nm. For this purpose, a C18, 5 ,m RP analytical column was used as a separation medium in this method. Several parameters relating to SPME, e.g., adsorption/desorption time, concentration of salt, stirring rate, etc., were optimized. The method was linear over the range of 20,400 ng/mL for HMX and RDX standards in the presence of surfactant in aqueous phase, respectively. The correlation coefficient (R2) for HMX and RDX are 0.9998 and 0.9982, respectively. With SPME, the detection limits (S/N = 3) in ng/mL are 0.05 and 0.1 for HMX and RDX, respectively in the presence of the SDS surfactant. The developed method has been applied successfully to the analysis of real environmental samples like bore well water, river water, and ground alluvial soil. [source] Hollow-fibre supported liquid membrane extraction for determination of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine concentration at ultra trace level in sewage samplesJOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 15 2007Saioa Zorita Abstract In this study, a method was developed for determining the concentration of the pharmaceutical fluoxetine and its metabolite, norfluoxetine, in sewage water samples. Sample preparation was performed by hollow-fibre supported liquid membrane (HF-SLM) extraction with final analysis using liquid chromatography with UV detection. Several parameters were studied including type of organic solvent, sample and acceptor pH, and salt and humic acid content. The optimised method allowed determination of the analyte at the ng/L level in sewage water. A linear plot gave a correlation coefficient better than 0.991 for both analytes and resulted in limits of detection in sewage water of 11 and 12 ng/L, for fluoxetine and norfluoxetine, respectively. The enrichment factor was over 1700 for both analytes in sewage water. The repeatability and reproducibility were better than 8% and 17%, respectively. The developed methodology was used to study daily variations of fluoxetine and norfluoxetine in municipal sewage streams. Norfluoxetine has been detected for the first time in sewage water and a preliminary analysis gave average concentrations of 150 and 225 ng/L for norfluoxetine and fluoxetine, respectively. [source] Development of a method for quantitative analysis of the major whey proteins by capillary electrophoresis with on-capillary derivatization and laser-induced fluorescence detectionJOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 9-10 2005María Teresa Veledo Abstract The main whey proteins have been derivatized on-capillary with 3-(2-furoyl)quinoline-2-carboxaldehyde (FQ) and analyzed using a laboratory-made capillary electrophoresis apparatus provided with a laser-induced fluorescence detector. Several parameters controlling on-capillary derivatization of proteins, including pH, mixing time, reaction time, concentration of the reagents (potassium cyanide and FQ), and reaction temperature, were optimized. Coefficient variations were lower than 1% for migration time and 7% for peak height. Assay detection limits for the different proteins were in the range 5 nM to 10 nM. The method developed was applied to the separation of the major whey proteins in a laboratory-made cheese whey and in an infant food formulated with milk. In addition, the ,-LG content of these samples was quantitated. The results showed good agreement with those given by an RP-HPLC method and with those reported in the literature. [source] Simultaneous determination of digoxin and digitoxin by micellar electrokinetic chromatography and application to drug formulationsJOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 18 2003Hsiu-Hui Tseng Abstract A simple micellar electrokinetic chromatographic method is described for simultaneous determination of digoxin and digitoxin. The simultaneous analysis of digoxin and digitoxin was performed in Tris buffer (10 mM; pH 9) with 90 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate and 10% isopropyl alcohol as an anionic surfactant and organic modifier. Under these conditions, good separation with high efficiency is achieved in short analysis times. Several parameters affecting the separation of the drugs were studied, including the pH and concentrations of the Tris buffer and sodium dodecyl sulfate. The linear range of the method for the determination of digoxin and digitoxin was over 0.01,0.3 mg/mL; the detection limit (signal to noise ratio = 3; injection 3.5 kPa 3 s) was 4 and 6 ,g/mL, respectively. Application of the proposed method to the determination of digoxin in commercial tablets and in injections proved to be feasible. [source] Simulating growth of the h-indexJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Raf Guns Temporal growth of the h-index in a diachronous cumulative time series is predicted to be linear by Hirsch (2005), whereas other models predict a concave increase. Actual data generally yield a linear growth or S-shaped growth. We study the h-index's growth in computer simulations of the publication-citation process. In most simulations the h-index grows linearly in time. Only occasionally does an S-shape occur, while in our simulations a concave increase is very rare. The latter is often signalled by the occurrence of plateaus,periods of h-index stagnation. Several parameters and their influence on the h-index's growth are determined and discussed. [source] Mechanical behaviour and quality traits of highbush blueberry during postharvest storageJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 6 2009Valentina Chiabrando Abstract BACKGROUND: Berry firmness is one of the most important characteristics for fresh market consumption. Blueberry firmness is also an important attribute because it is considered to be a measure of its freshness. Berries lose their firmness by loss of water and by changes in their structure. RESULTS: The postharvest life of two highbush blueberry cultivars (Bluecrop and Coville) was investigated. Several parameters related to blueberry quality were evaluated during the postharvest storage period. To assess berry texture characteristics (firmness, hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess, chewiness, springiness, resilience), a rapid non-destructive penetrometer test by Durofel® and texture profile analysis (TPA) using a texture analyser were carried out. Low temperature inhibited the decrease of total soluble solids, total titratable acidity and increase of flesh pH value, thereby maintaining good taste quality. There was an increase in fruit firmness (Durofel index) and hardness and a decrease in chewiness and springiness during storage. CONCLUSION: There was a significant correlation among the TPA parameters and Durofel index. The Durofel index could therefore be used as a suitable indicator of fruit quality and storability, and low-temperature storage is beneficial to maintain the taste quality of blueberry fruit after harvest. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Electrogenerated chemiluminescence of luminol for oxidase-based fibre-optic biosensorsLUMINESCENCE: THE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL LUMINESCENCE, Issue 2 2001Christophe A. Marquette Abstract The luminol electrochemiluminescence has been exploited for the development of several fibre-optic biosensors allowing the detection of hydrogen peroxide and of substrates of H2O2 -producing oxidases. Electro-optical flow injection analysis of glucose, lactate, cholesterol and choline are thus described. To perform the experiments, a glassy carbon electrode was polarized at a fixed potential. Luminol was then electrochemically oxidized and could react in the presence of hydrogen peroxide to produce light. Several parameters had to be optimized to obtain reliable optical biosensors. An optimum applied potential of +425 mV between the glassy carbon electrode and the platinum pseudo-reference electrode was determined, allowing the best signal: noise ratio to be obtained. It was also necessary to optimize the experimental conditions for the immobilization of the different oxidases involved (preactivated membranes, chemically activated collagen membranes, photopolymerized matrix). For each biosensor developed, the optimum reaction conditions have been studied: buffer composition, pH, temperature, flow rate and luminol concentration. Under optimal conditions, the detection limits (S/N,=,3) were 30,pmol, 60,pmol, 0.6,nmol and 10,pmol for lactate, glucose, cholesterol and choline, respectively. The miniaturization of electrochemiluminescence-based biosensors has been realized using screen-printed electrodes instead of a glassy carbon macroelectrode, with choline oxidase as a model H2O2 -generating oxidase. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Use of Dexamethasone on the Prophylaxis of Nausea and Vomiting After Tympanomastoid Surgery,THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 7 2001Yun-Hou Liu MD Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the prophylactic effect of dexamethasone on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in patients undergoing tympanomastoid surgery. Study Design Eighty patients (n = 40 in each of two groups) undergoing tympanomastoid surgery under general anesthesia were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Methods After tracheal intubation, group 1 received 10 mg dexamethasone intravenously, whereas group 2 received saline intravenously. Several parameters concerning with the occurrence of PONV were evaluated. Results We found that dexamethasone reduced the total incidence of nausea and vomiting by 45%, with a 95% confidence interval of 26% to 64% (P <.001). Furthermore, dexamethasone reduced the incidence of vomiting episodes >4 times and the incidence of patients requiring rescue antiemetics (P <.05). Conclusion Dexamethasone at a dosage of 10 mg administered intravenously is effective in preventing PONV in patients undergoing tympanomastoid surgery. [source] Examination of fatigue crack driving force parameterFATIGUE & FRACTURE OF ENGINEERING MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES, Issue 9 2008Y. XIONG ABSTRACT Most of the previous parameters that utilized as a crack driving force were established in modifying the parameter Kop in Elber's effective SIF range ,Keff(=Kmax,Kop). However, the parameters that replaced the traditional parameter Kop were based on different measurements or theoretical calculations, so it is difficult to distinguish their differences. This paper focuses on the physical meaning of compliance changes caused by plastic deformation at the crack tip; the tests were carried out under different amplitude loading for structural steel. Based on these test results, differences of several parameter ,Keff in literature are analysed and an improved two-parameter driving force ,Kdrive(=(Kmax)n(,K,)1-n) has been proposed. Experimental data for several different types of materials taken from literature were used in the analyses. Presented results indicate that the ,Kdrive parameter was equally effective or better than ,K(=Kmax,Kmin), ,Keff(=Kmax,Kop) and ,K*(= (Kmax),(,K+)1,,) in correlating and predicting the R -ratio effects on fatigue crack growth rate. [source] Real-time primer design for DNA chipsCONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 9 2004H. Simmler Abstract The design of PCR or DNA chip experiments is a time-consuming process where bioinformatics is extensively used. The selection of the primers, which are immobilized on the DNA chip, requires a complex algorithm. Based on several parameters an optimized set of primers is automatically determined for a given gene sequence. This paper describes a parallel architecture which performs the optimization of the primer selection on a hardware accelerator. In contrast to the pure software approach, the parallel architecture gains a speedup of factor 500 using a PCI-based hardware accelerator. This approach allows an optimization of a specified primer set in real time. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Fluid Model of a Sheath Formed in Front of an Electron Emitting Electrode Immersed in a Plasma with Two Electron TemperaturesCONTRIBUTIONS TO PLASMA PHYSICS, Issue 2 2005T. Gyergyek Abstract The formation of a sheath in front of a negatively biased electrode (collector) that emits electrons is studied by a one-dimensional fluid model. Electron and ion emission coefficients are introduced in the model. It is assumed that the electrode is immersed in a plasma that contains energetic electrons. The electron velocity distribution function is assumed to be a sum of two Maxwellian distributions with two different temperatures, while the ions and the emitted electrons are assumed to be monoenergetic. The condition for zero electric field at the collector is derived. Using this equation the dependence of electron and ion critical emission coefficients on various parameters - like the ratio between the hot and cool electron density, the ratio between hot and cool electron temperature and the initial velocity of secondary electrons - is calculated for a floating collector. A modification of the Bohm criterion due to the presence of hot and emitted electrons is also given. The transition between space charge limited and temperature limited electron emission for a current-carrying collector is also analyzed. The critical potential, where this transition occurs, is calculated as a function of several parameters like the Richardson emission current, the ratio between the hot and cool electron density, the ratio between hot and cool electron temperature and the initial velocity of secondary electrons. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Glutamate AMPA/kainate receptors, not GABAA receptors, mediate estradiol-induced sex differences in the hypothalamusDEVELOPMENTAL NEUROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2007Brigitte J. Todd Abstract Sex differences in brain morphology underlie physiological and behavioral differences between males and females. During the critical perinatal period for sexual differentiation in the rat, gonadal steroids act in a regionally specific manner to alter neuronal morphology. Using Golgi-Cox impregnation, we examined several parameters of neuronal morphology in postnatal day 2 (PN2) rats. We found that in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMN) and in areas just dorsal and just lateral to the VMN that there was a sex difference in total dendritic spine number (males greater) that was abolished by treating female neonates with exogenous testosterone. Dendritic branching was similarly sexually differentiated and hormonally modulated in the VMN and dorsal to the VMN. We then used spinophilin, a protein that positively correlates with the amount of dendritic spines, to investigate the mechanisms underlying these sex differences. Estradiol, which mediates most aspects of masculinization and is the aromatized product of testosterone, increased spinophilin levels in female PN2 rats to that of males. Muscimol, an agonist at GABAA receptors, did not affect spinophilin protein levels in either male or female neonates. Kainic acid, an agonist at glutamatergic AMPA/kainate receptors, mimicked the effect of estradiol in females. Antagonizing AMPA/kainate receptors with NBQX prevented the estradiol-induced increase in spinophilin in females but did not affect spinophilin level in males. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2007 [source] Lithium monitoring before and after the distribution of clinical practice guidelinesACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 5 2000John M. Eagles Objective: To determine whether distribution of clinical practice guidelines improves lithium monitoring and whether standards of monitoring differed between patients in psychiatric contact and those seen only in primary care. Method: Standards of monitoring were assessed for patients on lithium in northeast Scotland throughout 1995 and/or throughout 1996. Guidelines were circulated in January 1996 to all local general practitioners and psychiatrists. Monitoring was compared between 1995 and 1996 and for patients with and without psychiatric contact. Results: Both primary care and psychiatric records were scrutinized for 422 and 403 patients prescribed lithium throughout 1995 and 1996, respectively. While monitoring was poor on several parameters during both years, frequency of measurement of both thyroid and renal function improved in 1996. Standards of monitoring were better for patients in psychiatric care. Conclusion: Standards of lithium monitoring require further improvement. Locally agreed practice guidelines are helpful but patients on lithium should be in continuing contact with an experienced psychiatrist. [source] Bone turnover markers and sex hormones in men with idiopathic osteoporosisEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 5 2001P. Pietschmann Background In contrast to osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, osteoporosis in men has received much less attention. Patients and We determined various biochemical parameters of bone metabolism and sex hormones in 31 men with idiopathic osteoporosis and 35 age matched control subjects. Results In the men with osteoporosis, a significantly increased urinary excretion of deoxypyridinoline (5·3 ± 0·2 vs. 4·6 ± 0·2 nmol mmol,1 creatinine; P = 0·033) in addition to increased serum levels of the c-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (2677 ± 230 vs. 2058 ± 153 pmol; P = 0·037) were found. While parameters of bone formation were not significantly different in the patients and controls, serum bone sialoprotein levels were significantly decreased in the patients (3·7 ± 0·8 vs. 12·4 ± 4·0 ng mL,1; P = 0·021). Moreover, in men with idiopathic osteoporosis, lower levels of estradiol (91·3 ± 5·8 vs. 114·6 ± 7·8 pmol L,1; P = 0·044), higher levels of sex hormone binding globulin (31·5 ± 3·1 vs. 24·2 ± 1·4 nmol L,1; P = 0·034) and a decreased free androgen index (42·6 ± 5·2 vs. 56·4 ± 5·9; P = 0·016) were seen. Serum estradiol levels correlated negatively with several parameters of bone resorption. Conclusions In men with idiopathic osteoporosis, bone resorption is increased and exceeds bone formation. The excessive bone resorption seen in idiopathic male osteoporosis may be due to decreased estradiol levels and low levels of bioavailable testosterone. [source] Hierarchic Nanostructure for Auto-Modulation of Material Release: Mesoporous Nanocompartment FilmsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 11 2009Qingmin Ji The preparation of mesoporous nanocompartment films composed of both hollow silica capsules and silica particles by using layer-by-layer (LbL) adsorption is described. The resultant nanocompartment films exhibit stepwise release of encapsulated water molecules without application of external stimuli. The hollow hierarchic pore structure of the silica capsules, including their internal void and mesoporous walls, is a key factor for the regulation and stepwise release of water, and is probably caused by the non-equilibrated concurrent evaporation of material from the mesopore and capillary penetration into the mesopores. The number of release steps and rate of release can be tuned by variation of several parameters including water content, ambient temperature, layer multiplicity, and co-adduct particle size. Application of the mesoporous nanocompartment films for the release of substances, including therapeutic agents and fragrances, indicates that the stepwise material release can be applied for a wide range of liquid substances. The films should lead to a novel material release system useful even for biomedical applications capable of controlled and sustained delivery of drug molecules. [source] Estimating the spatial distribution of available biomass in grazing forests with a satellite image: A preliminary studyGRASSLAND SCIENCE, Issue 2 2005Michio Tsutsumi Abstract We tested whether available biomass in grazing forests could be estimated by analyzing a satellite image with field data. Our study site was situated in north-eastern Japan and was composed of coniferous forest differing in afforested years, multilayered coniferous forest and deciduous broadleaf forest. The data of available biomass collected in previous studies was used to analyze a Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) image acquired in summer and we tried to depict a map of the spatial distribution of available biomass in the forest. It was suggested that an analysis should be conducted separately in each of the multilayered coniferous, the other coniferous and broadleaf forests. As a result of regression analysis on the relationship between available biomass and each of several parameters, the first principal component computed with reflectance of the six bands of the Landsat TM was the most appropriate parameter to estimate available biomass. The answer to the question ,Can the spatial distribution of available biomass in a forest be estimated with a satellite image?' is ,Yes, in coniferous forests'. We propose a procedure for depicting a precise map of the distribution of available biomass in a forest with analysis of a satellite image. [source] Prognostic factors for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia or high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes undergoing myeloablative or non-myeloablative allogeneic blood stem cell transplantationHEMATOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY, Issue 4 2007Thorsten Graef Abstract In this uni-centre retrospective study, we studied 120 adults with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) (n,=,88) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) (n,=,32) who received first allogeneic HSCT to determine prognostic factors which are correlated with the outcome after myeloablative (MA) or non-myeloablative (non-MA) allogeneic HSCT. The median age of our cohort was 44 years. Fifty-nine per cent of the patients were transplanted in complete remission (CR) and 41% were in relapse or refractory to induction or salvage therapy. A total of 97 patients received a MA regimen and 23 were treated with a non-MA regimen. The prognostic impact for several parameters was assessed by univariate and by multivariate analyses using the Cox regression model. Three-year probabilities of non-relapse mortality (34 vs. 54%; p,=,0.9) did not differ in the MA and non-MA groups, but differences were observed in the disease-free survival (DFS) (43 vs. 17%; p,=,0.1) and the relapse rate (RR) (29 vs. 62%; p,=,0.01). Independently from the regimen, in uni- and multivariate analysis, survival was best in those patients who were transplanted in CR and experienced cGvHD. Interestingly, outcome of patients with complex cytogenetic aberrations was identical to that of better prognostic subgroups. In this study, the clinical benefit of a lower toxicity regimen was offset by higher RR resulting in inferior results in the non-MA group, especially when no CR was achieved by prior induction or salvage therapy. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Iron chelation prevents lung injury after major hepatectomyHEPATOLOGY RESEARCH, Issue 8 2010Konstantinos Kalimeris Aim:, Oxidative stress has been implicated in lung injury following ischemia/reperfusion and resection of the liver. We tested whether alleviating oxidative stress with iron chelation could improve lung injury after extended hepatectomy. Methods:, Twelve adult female pigs subjected to liver ischemia for 150 min, 65,70% hepatectomy and reperfusion of the remnant liver for 24 h were randomized to a desferrioxamine (DF) group (n = 6) which received i.v. desferrioxamine to a total dose of 100 mg/kg during both ischemia and reperfusion, and a control (C) group (n = 6). We recorded hemodynamic and respiratory parameters, plasma interleukin-6 and malondialdehyde levels, as well as liver malondialdehyde and protein carbonyls content. Total non-heme iron was measured in lung and liver. Pulmonary tissue was evaluated histologically for its nitrotyrosine and protein carbonyls content and for superoxide dismutase (SOD) and platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AcH) activities. Results:, Reperfusion of the remnant liver resulted in gradual deterioration of gas-exchange and pulmonary vascular abnormalities. Iron chelation significantly decreased the oxidative markers in plasma, liver and the lung and lowered activities of pulmonary SOD and PAF-AcH. The improved liver function was followed by improved arterial oxygenation and pulmonary vascular resistance. DF also improved alveolar collapse and inflammatory cell infiltration, while serum interleukin-6 increased. Conclusion:, In an experimental pig model that combines liver resection with prolonged ischemia, iron chelation during reperfusion of the remnant liver is associated with improvement of several parameters of oxidative stress, lung injury and arterial oxygenation. [source] Optimal convergence properties of the FETI domain decomposition methodINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN FLUIDS, Issue 1 2007Y. Maday Abstract In this paper an original variant of the FETI domain decomposition method is introduced for heterogeneous media. This method uses new absorbing interface conditions in place of the Neumann interface conditions defined in the classical FETI method. The optimal convergence properties of the classical FETI method and of its variant are first demonstrated, both in the case of homogeneous and heterogeneous media. Secondly, novel and efficient absorbing interface conditions, which avoid rigid body motions, are investigated and analysed. Numerical experiments illustrate the dependence of the proposed method upon several parameters, and confirm the robustness and efficiency of this method when equipped with such absorbing interface conditions. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The characterization of the semi-solid W/O/W emulsions with low concentrations of the primary polymeric emulsifierINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 2 2005D. Vasiljevic Synopsis Semi-solid multiple W/O/W emulsions with low concentrations (0.8, 1.6 and 2.4% w/w) of lipophilic polymeric primary emulsifier PEG-30-dipolyhydroxystearate (PDHS) have been formulated. Both emulsions, primary and multiple, were prepared with high content of inner phase (,1 = ,2 = 0.8). All the formulations differ only in the lipophilic emulsifier concentration. Evaluating several parameters such as macroscopic and microscopic aspect, droplet size, accelerated stability under centrifugation and flow and oscillatory rheological behaviour, assessed the multiple systems. It is possible to formulate the semi-solid W/O/W multiple emulsions with low concentrations of PDHS as the primary emulsifier. It appeared that the highest long-term stable multiple emulsion with the lowest droplet size, the highest apparent viscosity and highest elastic characteristic, was the sample with the highest concentration (2.4% w/w) of the primary emulsifier. Résumé Les émulsions H/L/H semi-solides ont été formulées avec les concentrations basses (0.8, 1.6 et 2.4% m/m) de l'émulsifiant lipophile polymèrique PEG-30-dipolyhydroxystearate. Les émulsions simples et multiples ont été préparées avec la teneur élevée en phase intérieure (,1 = ,2 = 0.8). La teneur en émulsifiant lipophile était la seule différence entre ces formulations. L'aspect macroscopique et microscopique, la taille de globules, la stabilité physique déterminée par le test de centrifugation ainsi que le comportement rhéologique (rhéologie d'écoulement et oscillatoire) ont permis l'évaluation des émulsions multiples. Il est possible de formuler les émulsions H/L/H semi-solides multiples avec les concentrations basses de PEG-30-dipolyhydroxystearate comme émulsifiant primaire. Il a été découvert que l'émulsion H/L/H multiple avec le plus grand pourcentage (2.4% m/m) de l'émulsifiant primaire a le diamètre de globule le plus petit, la plus grande viscosité apparente et le plus grand module élastique ainsi que la plus longue stabilité. [source] Quality counts: new parameters in blood cell countingINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LABORATORY HEMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2009C. BRIGGS Summary Recently several parameters have been introduced to the complete blood count such as nucleated red blood cells, immature granulocytes; immature reticulocyte fraction, immature platelet fraction and red cell fragments as well as new parameters for detection of functional iron deficiency. Leucocyte positional parameters, which may diagnose specific diseases (e.g. differentiate between abnormal lymphocytes in leukaemia and viral conditions and may also detect malarial infection) are now available. At this time they are only used for research; however, generally such parameters later become reportable. One manufacturer's routine analyser allows measurement of cells by flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies. Currently, there are no accredited external quality assessment schemes (EQAS) for these parameters. For a number of parameters, on some instruments, there is no internal quality control, which brings into question whether these parameters should be used for clinical decision making. Other more established parameters, such as mean platelet volume, red cell distribution width and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate do not have EQAS available. The UK National EQAS for General Haematology held a workshop earlier this year in 2008 to discuss these parameters. Participants were asked to provide a consensus opinion on which parameters are the most important for inclusion in future haematology EQAS. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||