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Size Measurements (size + measurement)
Kinds of Size Measurements Selected AbstractsSize Measurement of Very Small Spherical Particles by Mie Scattering Imaging (MSI)PARTICLE & PARTICLE SYSTEMS CHARACTERIZATION, Issue 5 2004Arne Graßmann Abstract The Mie Scattering Imaging method (MSI) gathers out-of-focus images of dispersed spherical particles present in a laser light sheet and extracts the individual particle diameter from these images. The general idea of the method has been around for more than a decade and a number of papers has dealt with it over recent years. Our work focuses on small particle sizes from 20 ,m down to 2 ,m, a range which has not been tackled so far although it is of great importance in particle systems. We present an optical set-up with a special arrangement of camera lenses that allows to work in this range. An evaluation algorithm based on correlation of the experimental optical information with theoretical Mie scattering was found to give the most accurate results for particle sizing. Besides accuracy measurements on solid spheres the versatility of the method is demonstrated by an example of transient droplet growth between 2,7,,m. [source] Online Particle Size Measurement in Microgel Particle Suspensions: Principles and Data AnalysisCHEMIE-INGENIEUR-TECHNIK (CIT), Issue 10 2010Prof. Dr.-Ing. Abstract If a gelled system is subjected to shearing or the concentration of reactive components is low, microgel particles are formed. Since labile microgel particles with high water capacities can often be found in food systems, and as they are important for the textural properties, particle size measurement is relevant for fundamental research and control of industrial processes. A chord length measurement system was tested for online particle sizing. [source] Estimating fat and protein fuel from fat and muscle scores in passerinesIBIS, Issue 4 2009VOLKER SALEWSKI Fat is the prime energy source for birds during prolonged exercise, but protein is also catabolized. Estimates of the amount of catabolizable fat and protein (termed fat and protein fuel) are therefore important for studying energetics of birds. As fat and protein fuel can only be measured by sacrificing individuals or by use of technically complex methods, scoring systems were invented to estimate fat and protein fuel of birds in the field. The visible subcutaneous fat deposits and the thickness of the flight muscles are each scored on an ordinal scale but these scales do not correspond linearly to fat and protein fuel within species, which is needed for analyses such as flight range estimates. We developed an anova -type model to estimate fat and protein fuel from fat scores (FS) and muscle scores (MS) along with total mass and a size measurement. Using data from 11 337 individuals of eight passerine species (Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos, Eurasian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus, Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta, Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus, Orphean Warbler Sylvia hortensis, Garden Warbler Sylvia borin, Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis, Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans) mist-netted in Mauritania, West Africa, we tested for independence of FS and MS and for variation in the relationship between scores and associated mass in response to physiological state. FS, MS and third primary length (size) explained variation in body mass of all eight species analysed (R2: 0.56,0.77). The parameter estimates of the model showed that fat and protein fuel increased monotonically with increasing fat and muscle scores. In two species we found small differences in the estimates between physiological states (seasons). We evaluated our model by comparing the predicted body mass of birds with both FS and MS equal to 0 with the mean body mass of individuals mist-netted with both scores equal to zero. The values were very close. The amount of fat extracted from dead Garden and Willow Warblers was within the range of predicted fat fuel derived from the model. We conclude that our model is a useful non-invasive method to estimate simultaneously mean fat and protein fuel of small passerines and we provide recommendations on its use. [source] The sizes of species' geographic rangesJOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2009Kevin J. Gaston Summary 1Geographic range size and how it changes through time is one of the fundamental ecological and evolutionary characteristics of a species, and a strong predictor of extinction risk. However, the measurement of range size remains a substantial challenge. Indeed, there is significant confusion in the literature as to how this should be done, particularly in the context of the distinction between the fundamentally different concepts of extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO), and the use of these quantities, including in assessments of the threat status of species. 2Here we review the different approaches to determining the geographic distributions of species, the measurement of their range sizes, the relationships between the two, and other difficulties posed by range size measurement (especially those of range discontinuities when measuring EOO, and spatial scale when measuring AOO). 3We argue that it is important to (i) distinguish the estimation of the distribution of a species from the measurement of its geographic range size; (ii) treat measures of EOO and AOO as serving different purposes, rather than regarding them as more or less accurate ways of measuring range size; and (iii) measure EOO including discontinuities in habitat or occupancy. 4Synthesis and applications. With the availability and collation of extensive data sets on species occurrences, a rapidly increasing number of studies are investigating geographic range size, and particularly how various measures of range size predict macroecological patterns and inform assessments of the conservation status of species and areas. The distinction between EOO and AOO is becoming blurred in many contexts, but most particularly in that of threatened species assessments for Red Listing. Continued progress in these fields demands greater clarity in the meaning and derivation of measures of geographic range size. The two principal measures serve different purposes, and should not be regarded as alternatives that simply differ in accuracy. [source] Sonography of the rotator cuff in painful shoulders performed without knowledge of clinical information: Results from 58 sonographic examinations with surgical correlationJOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND, Issue 1 2007Stefan Moosmayer MD Abstract Purpose. To assess the value of sonography as an isolated diagnostic test for the detection and quantification of rotator cuff tears. Methods. Preoperative sonographic examination was performed on 58 shoulders. Key biases on sonographic interpretation such as history-taking, physical examination, or concurrent imaging examinations were excluded by way of blinding. Tears of the rotator cuff were the positive findings of interest. Assessment of tear size and localization was done sonographically, and the results were compared with operative findings. Results. All 24 full-thickness tears observed at surgery had been diagnosed correctly via sonography. In 19 of 20 cases with an intact rotator cuff, preoperative sonography was negative. Thirteen of 14 partial-thickness tears were not detected via sonography; 1 was misinterpreted as a full-thickness tear. Location of the tears relative to the rotator cuff tendons was described correctly in 21 of 25 cases. For tear size measurement, the 95% range of agreement was less than ±1 cm. Conclusions. Blinded sonographic examination is effective in the detection and quantification of full-thickness tears of the rotator cuff but lacks sensitivity in the detection of partial-thickness tears. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 2007 [source] Synthesis, characterization and in vivo activity of salmon calcitonin coconjugated with lipid and polyethylene glycolJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 4 2009Weiqiang Cheng Abstract An irreversible lipidized salmon calcitonin (sCT) analog, Mal-sCT, was previously shown to have comparable hypocalcemic activity to sCT in vivo. This study reports on the synthesis, characterization and pharmacological activity of novel PEGylated Mal-sCT analogs. Mal-sCT, prepared by conjugating sCT via thio-ether bonds with aqueous-soluble palmitic acid derivative at Cys 1 and Cys 7, was reacted with mPEG-succinimide (mPEG-Suc, 5 kDa). The products were purified and then identified by MALDI-TOF MS and HPLC. Mal-sCT was conjugated with 1 (1PEG-Mal-sCT) or 2 (2PEG-Mal-sCT) PEG chains at Lys 11 and Lys 18, the former being the preferred site of conjugation at higher mPEG-Suc/Mal-sCT ratio. Circular dichroism analysis showed the PEGylated Mal-sCT analogs to possess a robust helical conformation, while size measurement by dynamic light scattering indicated a propensity of the peptides to self-aggregate in aqueous solutions. Both 1PEG-Mal-sCT and 2PEG-Mal-sCT were more stable in rodent intestinal fluids than sCT or Mal-sCT. However, 1PEG-Mal-sCT had comparable hypocalcemic activity to Mal-sCT when injected subcutaneously in the rat, while 2PEG-Mal-sCT was inactive. 1PEG-Mal-sCT was inactive when administered orally in the rat. This study suggested PEGylation of Mal-sCT increased the stability of the lipidized peptide to enzyme degradation, but did not enhance its hypocalcemic activity. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 98:1438,1451, 2009 [source] Field studies using functional size measurement in building estimation models for software maintenanceJOURNAL OF SOFTWARE MAINTENANCE AND EVOLUTION: RESEARCH AND PRACTICE, Issue 1 2002Alain Abran Abstract Even though a significant number of estimation models have been proposed for development projects, few have been proposed for software maintenance. This paper reports on two field studies carried out on the use of functional size measures in building estimation models for sets of maintenance projects implementing small functional enhancements in existing software. The first field-study reports on models built with 15 projects making functional enhancements to an internet-based software program for linguistic applications. The second field study analyses 19 maintenance projects on a single real-time embedded software program in the defense industry. Both field studies collected functional size measures using version 2.0 of the COSMIC-FFP functional size measurement method. Also both field studies classified projects into two classes of project difficulty in order to aid identifying subsets of projects with greater homogeneity in the relationship of project effort to functional size. This paper is the first published paper reporting on the use this second generation of functional size-measurement methods in a maintenance-estimation context. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] On-line size measurement of yeast aggregates using image analysisBIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 2 2001Sandrine Mas Abstract Alcohol fermentation productivity can be strongly improved using a flocculation-based yeast recycle. However, the efficiency of the biomass retention system depends strongly on the yeast particle size. Accordingly, the monitoring and control of yeast floc diameter are of primary importance. The on-line measurement of mean floc diameter has been achieved using on-line image analysis, based on the evaluation of image texture. The texture analysis method consisted in the building of a co-occurrence matrix from which the so-called "Energy parameter" was extracted. While image texture is usually used for classification purposes, it has been used here as a quantitative descriptor: a correlation has been found between this statistical image feature and off-line manual floc-size determinations. In the floc-size range investigated (|bu 0.5,4.3 mm), the evaluated mean diameter was in good agreement with the actual particle size, with a determination coefficient equal to 0.980. In contrast with manual measurements, slow and tedious, this method gave the value of the mean particle diameter in real-time, without sampling. This novel tool has been used to investigate the behavior of yeast aggregates as a function of fermentation conditions. While biomass concentration was kept constant, step increases of the feed rate led to a decrease of the mean floc diameter. Image analysis showed that the particle-size reduction could occur within a few minutes after modification of the medium dilution rate, demonstrating the disruptive effect of the CO2 efflux. The kinetic of aggregate formation was dependent on the gas-phase composition. Instead of recycling fermentation gas, sparging the fermentor with nitrogen, to reduce dissolved CO2 concentration, increased the rate of floc-size growth. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 76: 91,98, 2001. [source] Online Particle Size Measurement in Microgel Particle Suspensions: Principles and Data AnalysisCHEMIE-INGENIEUR-TECHNIK (CIT), Issue 10 2010Prof. Dr.-Ing. Abstract If a gelled system is subjected to shearing or the concentration of reactive components is low, microgel particles are formed. Since labile microgel particles with high water capacities can often be found in food systems, and as they are important for the textural properties, particle size measurement is relevant for fundamental research and control of industrial processes. A chord length measurement system was tested for online particle sizing. [source] ORIGINAL INVESTIGATIONS: Comparison of Left Atrial Dimensions by Transesophageal and Transthoracic EchocardiographyECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 10 2005Harshinder Singh M.D. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is an established cardiovascular diagnostic technique. Left atrial (LA) size, as measured by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), is associated with cardiovascular disease and is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation, stroke, death, and the success of cardioversion. Assessment of LA size has not been as well validated on TEE as on TTE. We determined LA size measurements in four standard views in 122 patients undergoing TEE and TTE at the same setting. In this study, we found that measurement of LA dimensions by TEE suffers from significant limitations in all views except the basal long-axis view (mid-esophageal level) with transducer plane at 120,150 degrees. This view had the best correlation with transthoracic LA measurements: r = 0.79 for TEE long axis (CI 0.71,0.85), P <.0001. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 22, November 2005) [source] A fatigue and creep study in austenitic stainless steel 316L used in exhaust pipes of naval gas turbinesFATIGUE & FRACTURE OF ENGINEERING MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES, Issue 9 2004R. F. MARTINS ABSTRACT Exhaust pipes of naval gas turbines are made of thin wall tubing of stainless steel grade AISI 316L. The tubes are fabricated by butt welding of different sections with longitudinal and circumferential joints. The plate thickness is about 4.0 mm, and the working temperature varies between 600 °C and 400 °C in the critical zones of the pipe, in the lower and central areas, respectively. The loadings in the tube induce high-temperature fatigue and creep-fatigue cracks have nucleated and propagated in the tube near some welded joints. The paper presents FCGR data obtained in CT specimens of used material taken from the pipes and tested at RT, 335, 500 and 600 °C. Preliminary creep data obtained in tension, in thin-sheet specimens (about 4 mm thickness), also taken from the conduct wall and tested at 500, 550 and 600 °C are also given. These results are crucial to perform a fatigue-creep interaction life assessment of the critical parts of the structure in the near future. Finally, the paper presents results of research work to investigate carbide precipitation and formation in virgin thin-sheet specimens subjected to several types of thermal exposures. In some cases, 3,4 d was the time interval between exposures. Grain size measurements were carried out together with microstructural observations in the SEM. The influence of time, temperature and time interval between thermal exposures was assessed comparing the microstructures. [source] Cladoceran community responses to biomanipulation and re-oligotrophication in Lake Vesijärvi, Finland, as inferred from remains in annually laminated sedimentFRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2010MIRVA NYKÄNEN Summary 1. We studied the role of zooplankton in biomanipulation and the subsequent recovery phase in the Enonselkä basin of Lake Vesijärvi, using subfossil cladocerans in annually laminated sediment. Measures to restore the Enonselkä basin included reduction in external nutrient loading and mass removal of plankti- and benthivorous fish. Water clarity increased and the lake changed from a eutrophic to a mesotrophic state. However, some signs of increased turbidity were observed after 5,10 years of successful recovery. 2. Annual laminae in a freeze core sample were identified and sliced, based on the seasonal succession of diatoms. Cladoceran remains and rotifer eggs were counted, and Daphnia ephippia and Eubosmina and Bosmina ephippia and carapaces were measured. Annual changes in pelagic species composition were studied with principal component analysis. Individual species abundance, size measurements and various cladoceran-based indices or ratios (commonly used to reconstruct changes in trophic state and fish predation) were tested for change between four distinct periods: I (1985,1988) dense fish stocks, poor water quality; II (1989,1992) fish removal; III (1993,1997) low fish density, improved water quality; IV (1998,2002) slightly increased fish density and poorer water quality. 3. After the removal of fish, the mean size of Daphnia ephippia and Eubosmina crassicornis ephippia and carapaces increased significantly. In contrast, the percentage of Daphnia did not increase. When based on ephippia, the ratio Daphnia/(Daphnia + E. crassicornis) increased, but the interpretation was obscured by the tolerance of fish predation by small Daphnia and by the fact that bosminids were the preferred food of roach. Moreover, ephippial production by E. crassicornis decreased in recent years. 4. The abundance of Diaphanosoma brachyurum and Limnosida frontosa increased significantly after the fish population was reduced, while that of Ceriodaphnia and rotifers decreased. 5. The expanding littoral vegetation along with improved water clarity was clearly reflected in the concentration of littoral species in the deep sediment core. The species diversity index for the entire subfossil community also increased. 6. The period of faltering recovery was characterised by greater interannual variability and an increased percentage of rotifers. Nevertheless, the mean sizes of Daphnia ephippia and E. crassicornis ephippia and carapaces indicated a low density of fish. The deteriorating water quality was apparently related to multiple stressors in the catchment after rehabilitation, such as intensified lakeshore building, as well as to exceptional weather conditions, challenging the management methods in use. [source] Body size and the timing of egg production in parasitoid wasps: a comparative analysisFUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2003M. A. Jervis Summary 1.,The ovigeny index, previously identified as both a significant fitness variable in parasitoid wasps and an important factor in parasitoid,host population dynamics, is the proportion of the maximum potential lifetime complement of eggs that is mature when the female emerges into the environment following pupal development. We tested the hypothesis that ovigeny index varies with female body size in parasitoid wasps. Body size measurements were obtained for 40 species in 13 families, representing a broad taxonomic and morphological diversity of parasitoid wasps. There was an almost 18-fold difference in size between the smallest and the largest species. 2.,Ovigeny index is shown to be negatively correlated with body size across species , smaller wasps have a higher proportion of eggs mature at emergence than do larger wasps , a result supporting the hypothesis. This relationship has previously been observed within species. 3.,The previously reported cross-species negative correlation between life-span and ovigeny index is robust, as it still holds when variation in body size is controlled for. 4.,We discuss the likely selective factors in the evolution of a link between ovigeny index and body size across species. [source] Stimuli-Responsive Thin Coatings Using Elastin-Like Polymers for Biomedical ApplicationsADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 20 2009Rui R. Costa Abstract Smart thin coatings using a recombinant elastin-like polymer (ELP) containing the cell attachment sequence arginine,glycine,(aspartic acid) (RGD) are fabricated for the first time through simple deposition of the ELP dissolved in aqueous-based solutions. The biopolymer is produced and characterized using electrophoresis and mass spectroscopy. The temperature and pH responsiveness are assessed by aggregate size measurements and differential scanning calorimetry. The deposition of the studied ELP onto chitosan is followed in situ with a quartz-crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D). Contact angle measurements are performed at room temperature and at 50,°C, showing reversible changes from a moderate hydrophobic behavior to an extremely wettable surface. AFM analysis performed at room temperature reveals a smooth surface and no organized structure. At 50,°C, the surface presents spherical nanometer-sized structures of collapsed biopolymer chains. Such results suggest that the ELP chains, when collapsed, aggregate into micelle-like structures at the surface of the substrate, increasing its water affinity. Cell adhesion tests on the developed coatings are conducted using a SaOS-2 cell line. Enhanced cell adhesion could be observed in the H-RGD6-coated surfaces, as compared with the original chitosan monolayer. An intermediate behavior is found in chitosan coated with the corresponding ELP without the RGD sequence. Therefore, the developed films have great potential as biomimetic coatings of biomaterials for different biomedical applications, including tissue engineering and controlled delivery of bioactive agents. Their thermo-responsive behavior can also be exploited for tunable cell adhesion and controlled protein adsorption. [source] A Polygenetic Landform At Stķgį, Öręfajökull, Southern IcelandGEOGRAFISKA ANNALER SERIES A: PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Issue 2 2004Tim Harris Abstract Recent research has identified problems inherent in the identification and description of landforms. Morphologically similar small-scale glacial and periglacial landforms can be misinterpreted, thus hindering environmental reconstruction. This study reveals that a landform resembling a moraine at Stķgįrjökull, southern Iceland, is the product of both glacial deposition and mass movement. The landform has two distinct morphological and sedimentological components: a basal, lithologically diverse component, and an upper, lithologically homogenous component. Clast lithological analysis, particle shape and particle size measurements demonstrate that the basal component of the landform consists of sediment whose characteristics match nearby moraines. In contrast, the source of the upper component is a narrow outcrop of rock above the valley floor. Evidence suggests that frost-shattered material was transported across a perennial snow patch to a small moraine, leading to growth of the ,moraine'. This combination of processes is unlikely to be unique, but the geological peculiarities of the field site permitted their identification. It is possible that many similar ,moraines' could be enlarged by subaerial feeding, leading to false reconstruction of glacier form and/or associated rates of erosion and sedimentation. Such polygenetic landform genesis therefore has implications for environmental reconstruction. [source] Probing the droplet cluster structure in acidified temperature-cycled o/w emulsion gels by means of SESANS,INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, Issue 6 2007Arjen Bot Summary The structure of the emulsion droplet aggregates in whey-protein-stabilised oil-in-water (o/w) model emulsion gels was investigated using the novel spin-echo small-angle neutron scattering (SESANS) technique. This technique allows the assessment of the droplet cluster structure in an emulsion gel in terms of a density correlation function at relatively long length scales (,100 nm,10 µm) compared with regular SANS. As an example, the effect of one/two homogenisation stages on emulsion droplet cluster structure was studied in relation to acidification and temperature cycling. It is found that temperature cycling and acidification induce bigger changes in emulsion droplet cluster structure than the application of one or two homogenisation stages, and the results are compared with droplet size measurements (by pfg-NMR), firmness measurements and confocal microscopic images. [source] Manipulation of offspring number and size: benefits of large body size at birth depend upon the rearing environmentJOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2003Tuula A. Oksanen Summary 1Allocation of reproductive effort between the number and size of offspring determines the immediate rearing environment for the growing young. As the number of offspring increases, the amount of parental investment per individual offspring decreases, and the quality of the rearing environment is expected to decrease. This may result in a lower quality of offspring reared in such conditions. 2We studied the effects of the rearing environment on the quality of juvenile bank voles, Clethrionomys glareolus, with different initial body sizes at birth in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment. The rearing environment was manipulated by enlarging both the litter size by two extra pups, and mean offspring body size at birth by replacing the original litter with heavier pups from smaller litters. Offspring quality was estimated from body size measurements, parasitic infection with Eimeria spp. and the level of immune response to a novel antigen. 3The analyses revealed that large body size at birth was an advantage in ,normal' rearing environments, but a disadvantage in poor ones. The initially normal sized offspring grown in enlarged litters had a relatively good capacity for growth and high immune function confirming that a poor rearing environment alone does not reduce their quality. 4Our findings that the benefits of large body size depend on the rearing environment suggest that offspring body size is adjusted in relation to litter size, and thus the evolution of these two traits is combined. [source] Interaction between the fluorinated amphiphilic copolymer poly(2,2,3,4,4,4-hexafluorobutyl methacrylate)- graft -poly(SPEG) and DNAJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 1 2010Ling Li Abstract A synthesized copolymer, synthesized from HFMA (hexaflurobutyl methacrylate) and SPEG (PHFMA- g -PSPEG), was synthesized. PHFMA- g -PSPEG intercalated to the DNA base pair via a strong hydrophobic force, and this was conformed by ultraviolet spectroscopy, transmittance measurements, micropolarity measurements, resonance light scattering (RLS) spectroscopy, and particle size measurements. The copolymer was used as a new probe to detect DNA according to the RLS technique. The hydrophobic interaction between PHFMA- g -PSPEG and DNA significantly enhanced the RLS signal, and the enhanced RLS intensity at 422 nm was proportional to the nucleic acid concentration within the range of 0.09,0.90 mg/L with a detection limit (3,) of 4.0 ,g/L. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010 [source] Evidence for selection on coloration in a Panamanian poison frog: a coalescent-based approachJOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY, Issue 5 2010Jason L. Brown Abstract Aim, The strawberry poison frog, Oophaga pumilio, has undergone a remarkable radiation of colour morphs in the Bocas del Toro archipelago in Panama. This species shows extreme variation in colour and pattern between populations that have been geographically isolated for < 10,000 years. While previous research has suggested the involvement of divergent selection, to date no quantitative test has examined this hypothesis. Location, Bocas del Toro archipelago, Panama. Methods, We use a combination of population genetics, phylogeography and phenotypic analyses to test for divergent selection in coloration in O. pumilio. Tissue samples of 88 individuals from 15 distinct populations were collected. Using these data, we developed a gene tree using the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) d-loop region. Using parameters derived from our mtDNA phylogeny, we predicted the coalescence of a hypothetical nuclear gene underlying coloration. We collected spectral reflectance and body size measurements on 94 individuals from four of the populations and performed a quantitative analysis of phenotypic divergence. Results, The mtDNA d-loop tree revealed considerable polyphyly across populations. Coalescent reconstructions of gene trees within population trees revealed incomplete genotypic sorting among populations. The quantitative analysis of phenotypic divergence revealed complete lineage sorting by colour, but not by body size: populations showed non-overlapping variation in spectral reflectance measures of body coloration, while variation in body size did not separate populations. Simulations of the coalescent using parameter values derived from our empirical analyses demonstrated that the level of sorting among populations seen in colour cannot reasonably be attributed to drift. Main conclusions, These results imply that divergence in colour, but not body size, is occurring at a faster rate than expected under neutral processes. Our study provides the first quantitative support for the claim that strong diversifying selection underlies colour variation in the strawberry poison frog. [source] Using a modified shepards method for optimization of a nanoparticulate cyclosporine a formulation prepared by a static mixer techniqueJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 2 2008Dionysios Douroumis Abstract An innovative methodology has been used for the formulation development of Cyclosporine A (CyA) nanoparticles. In the present study the static mixer technique, which is a novel method for producing nanoparticles, was employed. The formulation optimum was calculated by the modified Shepard's method (MSM), an advanced data analysis technique not adopted so far in pharmaceutical applications. Controlled precipitation was achieved injecting the organic CyA solution rapidly into an aqueous protective solution by means of a static mixer. Furthermore the computer based MSM was implemented for data analysis, visualization, and application development. For the optimization studies, the gelatin/lipoid S75 amounts and the organic/aqueous phase were selected as independent variables while the obtained particle size as a dependent variable. The optimum predicted formulation was characterized by cryo-TEM microscopy, particle size measurements, stability, and in vitro release. The produced nanoparticles contain drug in amorphous state and decreased amounts of stabilizing agents. The dissolution rate of the lyophilized powder was significantly enhanced in the first 2 h. MSM was proved capable to interpret in detail and to predict with high accuracy the optimum formulation. The mixer technique was proved capable to develop CyA nanoparticulate formulations. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 97:919,930, 2008 [source] Determination of fluidized bed granulation end point using near-infrared spectroscopy and phenomenological analysisJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 3 2005W. Paul Findlay Abstract Simultaneous real-time monitoring of particle size and moisture content by near-infrared spectroscopy through a window into the bed of a fluidized bed granulator is used to determine the granulation end point. The moisture content and particle size determined by the near-infrared monitor correlates well with off-line moisture content and particle size measurements. The measured particle size is modeled using a population balance approach, and the moisture content is shown to follow accepted models during drying. Given a known formulation, with predefined parameters for peak moisture content, final moisture content, and final granule size, the near-infrared monitoring system can be used to control a fluidized bed granulation by determining when binder addition should be stopped and when drying of the granules is complete. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 94:604,612, 2005 [source] Characterization of the interactions between polymethacrylate-based aqueous polymeric dispersions and aluminum lakesJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 12 2001Nasser Nyamweya Abstract Instability in film coating formulations can arise from interactions between aluminum lake pigments and aqueous polymeric dispersions. The purpose of this study was to characterize the interactions between three polymethacrylate-based aqueous polymeric dispersions (Eudragit® RS 30 D, Eudragit® L 30 D-55, and Eudragit® NE 30 D) and aluminum lakes. Particle size measurements, pH stability profiles, zeta potential measurements, and microscopy were used to study mixed dispersions of the polymeric latices and the lakes. Interactions leading to dispersion instability were related to the surface charge of the components in the formulation. Interactions between the ionic polymers and the lakes arose from instability of the lakes outside a certain pH range resulting in the release of electrolytes, which led to aggregation of the polymeric particles. Interactions between the nonionic polymer and the lakes were related to the polymer modifying the surface charge of the lakes, resulting in aggregation of the pigment particles. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmaceutical Association J Pharm Sci 90:1937,1947, 2001 [source] Transition from microemulsion to emulsion polymerization: Mechanism and final propertiesJOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 20 2004Kevin D. Hermanson Abstract Microemulsion and emulsion polymerization can have some similarities in starting conditions and polymerization mechanisms, but the resulting latices are unalike in particle size and molecular weight. Here we show that polymerizations can be formulated that display the characteristics often separately associated with microemulsion or emulsion polymerization. Kinetic modeling and particle size measurements show that emulsion polymerizations with initial concentrations close to the microemulsion,emulsion phase boundary demonstrate relatively fast consumption of monomer droplets and produce smaller particles. Because of their high surfactant concentrations, none of the emulsion polymerizations examined demonstrate the classical Smith,Ewart kinetics usually associated with emulsion polymerization. Instead these emulsion polymerizations have a long period of particle nucleation that subsides only after the disappearance of monomer droplets. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5253,5261, 2004 [source] Improvement of the Dispersion of Al2O3 Slurries Using EDTA-4NaJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 4 2006Jingxian Zhang Polyacrylic acid (PAA) is known to be an effective dispersant for Al2O3 powder in aqueous media. However, at high solid loading (>55 vol%), the dispersion of the Al2O3 suspensions became difficult with only PAA as a dispersant. In this paper, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, tetrasodium salt, dihydrate (EDTA-4Na) was introduced to improve the dispersion of the Al2O3 suspensions. With the aid of EDTA-4Na, the adsorption amount of sodium polyacrylic acid (PAA-Na) increased, while the apparent viscosity of 60 vol% Al2O3 slurries decreased significantly. Particle size measurements showed that EDTA-4Na could help to reduce larger agglomerates, possibly by modifying the adsorbed layer thickness. The interactions between EDTA-4Na and PAA-Na were studied using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. Results showed that it was possible to introduce EDTA-4Na as the second dispersant to improve the dispersion of high solid content Al2O3 slurries. [source] Distribution and phenology of ixodid ticks in southern ZambiaMEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 4 2002N. Speybroeck Abstract Distribution data for epidemiologically important ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in the Southern Province of Zambia, one of the main cattle areas of the country, are presented. Boophilus microplus (Canestrini) was not recorded in southern Zambia, whereas Boophilus decoloratus (Koch) is present throughout the area. New distribution patterns for less economically important ixodid ticks are also discussed. Southern Zambia is a transition zone because it is the most northern area in Africa where mixed Rhipicephalus appendiculatus Neumann and Rhipicephalus zambeziensis Walker, Norval & Corwin populations were reported. Although a second generation of adult R. appendiculatus/R. zambeziensis was encountered, simulations indicated that this phenomenon is very rare in southern Zambia, mainly because of the colder temperatures during the early dry season and lower rainfall. These simulations were supported by a development trial under experimental conditions. Tick body size measurements showed that southern Zambian ticks are larger than eastern Zambian R. appendiculatus. It is hypothesized that body size is related to diapausing intensity in this species. The epidemiological consequences are that a different approach to control Theileria parva (Theiler) (Piroplasmida: Theileriidae) and other tick-borne diseases is needed in southern Zambia, compared to the one adopted in eastern Zambia. [source] Detection of compact radio emission from Circinus X-1 with the first Southern hemisphere e-VLBI experimentMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY: LETTERS (ELECTRONIC), Issue 1 2007C. J. Phillips ABSTRACT Circinus X-1 has recently returned to a state of strong radio flaring. Here we report on the first VLBI observations, and detection, undertaken in the 25 years since the 1975,1985 period of strong recurrent flaring activity. We detected Circinus X-1 with the first observations conducted by a recently developed Southern hemisphere e-VLBI array, at both 1.6 and 8.4 GHz, over a three-day period. At 1.6 GHz, the compact source has a total flux density of 11 mJy and a size of 60 ± 15 mas (Gaussian model full width at half maximum). At 8.4 GHz, the compact source is less than 60 mas. The size variation with frequency is consistent with a broadened image due to scattering in the turbulent, ionized interstellar medium of our Galaxy. However, these size measurements appear inconsistent with the ,2.2 variation expected for strong interstellar scattering and previous VLBI observations made at 2.3 GHz in the early 1980s. To explain this apparent inconsistency, we suggest that Circinus X-1 supports a weak, non-varying component of 35 mas extent (175 au at 5 kpc distance), corresponding to compact structure in the extended radio nebula. No significant variation in the flux density at 1.6 GHz is evident between two observations 24 h apart. No jet-like structures are evident on scales of tens of mas, simply a scatter broadened source, presumably coincident with the suggested neutron star in the binary system. [source] Age-related lens yellowing per se contributes little to the increase in Farnsworth-Munsell 100 hue error scores with ageOPHTHALMIC AND PHYSIOLOGICAL OPTICS, Issue 1 2008Raymond O. Beirne Purpose:, To investigate the effects of real and simulated age-related changes in crystalline lens yellowing on Farnsworth,Munsell (FM) 100 hue total and partial error scores. Methods:, FM 100 hue total and partial error scores were measured in a group of younger (n = 10, mean age 22.2 ± 2.65 years) and a group of older (n = 10, mean age = 54.5 ± 2.64 years) normal observers along with psychophysical estimates of crystalline lens optical density and pupil size measurements. Three younger observers underwent repeated FM 100 hue testing using a variety of simulated age-related lens yellowing conditions, using filters with well-defined absorption properties which mimicked the real age-related lens yellowing changes of the older group. FM 100 hue scores were also measured under different levels of background illumination and pupil size in the 3 younger observers. Results:, FM 100 hue total and partial error scores were significantly higher in the older age group compared to the younger group (p <0.01). Lens density measures were significantly higher in the older age group compared to the young group (p<0.01), but showed less scatter with age than FM 100 hue error scores. Pupil size was significantly larger in the younger group compared to the older group (p<0.01). Simulated lens yellowing in the three younger observers, equivalent to the level of that of the older observers, did not affect any of their FM 100 hue total or partial error scores. Reductions in pupil size and illumination significantly affected the younger observers' performance, with increases in error score equivalent to the observed age-related decline between the younger and older group. Conclusions:, Lens yellowing per se makes little contribution to the increase in Farnsworth,Munsell 100 hue error score with increasing age. Retinal illumination levels and pupil size can significantly affect the error score and should be considered when interpreting FM 100 hue error scores in older subjects. Clinicians should also consider iris colour and macular pigment density when interpreting FM 100 hue error scores. [source] Comparison of optical coherence tomography and fundus photography for measuring the optic disc sizeOPHTHALMIC AND PHYSIOLOGICAL OPTICS, Issue 1 2006Aljoscha S. Neubauer Abstract Purpose:, To assess the agreement and repeatability of optic nerve head (ONH) size measurements by optical coherence tomography (OCT) as compared to conventional planimetry of fundus photographs in normal eyes. Methods:, For comparison with planimetry the absolute size of the ONH of 25 eyes from 25 normal subjects were measured by both OCT and digital fundus photography (Zeiss FF camera 450). Repeatability of automated Stratus OCT measurements were investigated by repeatedly measuring the optic disc in five normal subjects. Results:, Mean disc size was 1763 ± 186 vertically and 1632 ± 160 ,m horizontally on planimetry. On OCT, values of 1772 ± 317 ,m vertically (p = 0.82) and a significantly smaller horizontal diameter of 1492 ± 302 ,m (p = 0.04) were obtained. The 95% limits of agreement were (,546 ,m; +527 ,m) for vertical and (,502 ,m; +782 ,m) for horizontal planimetric compared to OCT measurements. In some cases large discrepancies existed. Repeatability of automatic measurements of the optic disc by OCT was moderately good with intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) of 0.78 horizontally and 0.83 vertically. The coefficient of repeatability indicating instrument precision was 80 ,m for horizontal and 168 ,m for vertical measurements. Conclusions:, OCT can be used to determine optic disc margins in moderate agreement with planimetry in normal subjects. However, in some cases significant disagreement with photographic assessment may occur making manual inspection advisable. Automatic disc detection by OCT is moderately repeatable. [source] Selection of Descriptors for Particle Shape CharacterizationPARTICLE & PARTICLE SYSTEMS CHARACTERIZATION, Issue 1 2003Abstract Conventional shape descriptors, formed from a ratio of two particle size measurements, are among the simplest of the many methods used for quantitative particle shape characterization. However, a significant limitation of using one of these shape descriptors is that its value is often not unique to a specific shape. Use of several different shape descriptors may circumvent this problem but, as particle size can be defined in a large number of ways, a similarly large number of shape descriptors can be defined. While some differ substantially, others are only subtly different, conveying similar information. Thus, it is not obvious which of the many possible descriptors should be utilized. In this paper, two-dimensional particle shape descriptors obtained by image analysis of six different commercially sourced powders were considered. Techniques of cluster and correlation analysis were applied to assist in identifying redundant descriptors for shape characterization of these powder particles, allowing for efficient description of shape using a reduced set. It was found that at least two descriptors are required: aspect ratio and the square root of form factor. Significantly, each descriptor is most sensitive to a different attribute of shape: elongation and ruggedness, respectively. [source] Reactive compatibilization of nylon copolymer/EPDM blends: experimental aspects and their comparison with theoryPOLYMERS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, Issue 5 2008Cibi Komalan Abstract In situ reactive compatibilization was first time applied to a low melting nylon (nylon 6 and 66 copolymer) and EPDM blend system. The effects of in situ compatibilization and concentration of compatibilizer on the morphology and mechanical properties of nylon/EPDM blends have been investigated. The influence of EPM-g-MA on the phase morphology was examined by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after preferential extraction of the minor phase. The SEM micrographs were quantitatively analyzed for domain size measurements. The compatibilizer concentrations used were 0, 1, 2.5, 5, and 10,wt%. The graft copolymer (nylon-g-EPM) formed at the interface showed relatively high emulsifying activity. A maximum phase size reduction was observed when 2.5,wt% of compatibilizer was added to the blend system. This was followed by a leveling-off at higher loadings indicating interfacial saturation. The conformation of the compatibilizer at the interface was deduced based on the area occupied by the compatibilizer at the blend interface. The experimental compatibilization results were compared with theoretical predictions of Noolandi and Hong. It was concluded that the molecular state of compatibilizer at interface changes with concentration. The in situ compatibilized blends showed considerable improvement in mechanical properties. Measurement of tensile properties shows increased elongation as well as enhanced modulus and strength up on compatibilization. At higher concentrations of compatibilizer, a leveling-off of the tensile properties was observed. A good correlation has been observed between the mechanical properties and morphological parameters. 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