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Special Conditions (special + condition)
Selected AbstractsClinicopathologic presentations of dermatomycoses in cancer patientsJOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 8 2008P Quatresooz Abstract Many of the skin fungal infections in cancer patients may look similar to those infections in non-cancer patients. However, in some cases, they become more extensive and even life threatening. Prolonged and severe neutropenia is the main risk factor for the dramatic issue of fungal infections. The dermatomycoses in cancer patients can be classified in four broad groups: primary superficial dermatophytoses, primary superficial yeast infections, opportunistic mold infections with distinct potential for dissemination and secondary cutaneous manifestations of fungaemia. Occasionally, more than one fungus are found inside a given skin lesion. A special condition is represented by the mycotic colonization of mucosal squamous cell carcinomas. Angio-invasion by fungi accounts for the frequency of disseminated infections prevailing in immunocompromised cancer patients. In case of skin involvement, the dermatologist may assist by recognizing subtle semiological signs and performing biopsies for swift histological examination, molecular biology and/or culture. [source] Computer programs for estimating substrate flux into steady-state biofilms from pseudoanalytical solutionsCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION, Issue 1 2002Chetan T. Goudar Abstract Fixed-film processes employing microorganisms attached to an inert surface (biofilms) are widely used for biological treatment of municipal and industrial wastewater. For optimal design and analysis of these processes, mathematical models are necessary that describe the dynamics of contaminant transport within these biofilms and the associated contaminant utilization by the microorganisms. However, these governing equations that typically involve Fickian diffusion for contaminant transport and Monod kinetics for contaminant utilization are inherently nonlinear and have no closed form solutions except under special conditions. This can restrict their use in the classroom as cumbersome numerical techniques must be used for their solution. This problem is well documented in the literature and several authors have presented pseudoanalytical solutions that replace numerical solutions with algebraic equations. In the present study, we present pseudoanalytical solution-based computer programs for estimating substrate flux and biofilm thickness for a steady-state biofilm. Depending upon the intended end use, these programs can either partially or totally automate the solution process. In the partial automation mode, they can serve to enhance student understanding of important concepts related to steady-state biofilms, while complete automation can help bring more challenging and realistic problems associated with steady-state biofilms into the classroom. The programs have been tested on MATLAB version 5.0 and are available as freeware for educational purposes. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 10: 26,32, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com.); DOI 10.1002/cae.10017 [source] Synthesis and characterization of compounds LixMn1+xFe2,2xO4 with spinel structure in the quasiternary system "LiO0,5 , MnOx , FeOx"CRYSTAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 1 2006C. Wende Abstract The thermal decomposition of freeze-dried Li-Mn(II)-Fe(III)-formate precursors was investigated by means of DTA, TG and mass spectroscopy. By the thermal treatment of the prefired precursors between 400 and 1000°C, single phase solid solutions LixMn1+xFe2,2xO4 (0 , x , 1) with cubic spinel structure were obtained. To get single phase spinels, special conditions concerning the temperature T and the oxygen partial pressure p(O2) during the synthesis are required. Because of the high reactivity of the freeze-dried precursors, in comparison with the conventional solid state reaction, the reaction temperature can be lowered by 200°C. The cation distribution and the properties of the Li-Mn-ferrites were studied by chemical analysis, X-ray powder diffraction and magnetization measurements. It was found that for high substitution rates, almost all lithium occupies the tetrahedral coordinated A-sites of the spinel lattice AB2O4, while at small x-values, lithium ions are distributed over the tetrahedral and octahedral sites. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Fracture resistance of incisor teeth restored using fibre-reinforced posts and threaded metal posts: effect of post length, location, pretreatment and cementation of the final restorationINTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 5 2010M. Schmitter Schmitter M, Lippenberger S, Rues S, Gilde H, Rammelsberg P. Fracture resistance of incisor teeth restored using fibre-reinforced posts and threaded metal posts: effect of post length, location, pretreatment and cementation of the final restoration. International Endodontic Journal, 43, 436,442, 2010. Abstract Objective, The hypothesis of this study was that the fracture load of incisor teeth restored using short, threaded, parallel-sided posts (TMP) is, under special conditions, not inferior to that of teeth restored using long TMPs or fibre-reinforced posts (FRP). Methodology, Seventy-two maxillary incisors and 72 mandibular incisors were collected. Sixty-four in each group were root filled; in half of these FRPs were cemented, and in the other half TMPs were used. Half of the FRPs were pretreated; the others were not pretreated. In the TMP-group, half of the teeth received a long post (10 mm), the other half a short post (3 mm). Crowns were fabricated and cemented with Ketac-cem or Panavia. Eight maxillary incisors and eight mandibular incisors with intact natural crowns were used as control groups. All specimens were loaded until fracture. Results, Fracture loads were higher for pretreated FRPs than for untreated FRPs. If the FRPs were not pretreated, fracture loads for maxillary incisors after use of short metal posts were significantly higher (248 N compared with 133 N, P = 0.027). Fracture loads for teeth restored using long TMPs were not higher than for teeth restored using short TMPs (277 N compared with 266 N). Fracture loads for mandibular incisors restored using long (10 mm) pretreated FRP were higher than for mandibular incisors restored using short (3 mm) metal posts (436 N compared with 285 N). Cementation of the crowns using an adhesive resin cement did not increase the fracture load for mandibular incisors, whereas for maxillary incisors, this cementation technique tended to increase fracture loads in teeth restored with FRP, although this increase was not significant at the P < 0.05 level (P = 0.06). In both groups, fracture loads were higher for mandibular incisors. Conclusions, Short, threaded, parallel-sided metal posts might be an alternative to fibre- reinforced posts for maxillary incisors, for teeth with short roots or when FRP cannot be pretreated. [source] Expanding definitions of gain by taking harmonic content into account,INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RF AND MICROWAVE COMPUTER-AIDED ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2003Jeffrey Jargon Abstract We expand the definitions of power gain, transducer gain, and available gain by taking harmonic content into account. Furthermore, we show that under special conditions, these expanded definitions of gain can be expressed in terms of nonlinear large-signal scattering parameters. Finally, we provide an example showing how these expanded forms of gain and nonlinear large-signal scattering parameters can provide us with valuable information regarding the behavior of nonlinear models. Published 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 13, 357,369, 2003. [source] Dynamics of regional coexistence for more or less equal competitorsJOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2003C. Patrick Doncaster Summary 1Competition between two species in a metapopulation involves each inhibiting the other's ability firstly to colonize an already occupied area and then to persist in it. Models for regional competition of this kind have 3-D dynamics, from which it has proved difficult to extract useful predictions except for special conditions. We introduce a 2-D general model for species that are equally vigorous at inhibiting the ability of others to remain in an occupied patch as to arrive there. The model covers the full spectrum of competitive interactions, from weak to strong and symmetrical to asymmetrical. Its Lotka,Volterra dynamics extend the general theory of competitive coexistence by generating clear predictions for community structure, amenable to cross-system comparisons and experimental manipulations. 2Previous 2-D models of interactions between dominant and fugitive species are special cases of the 2-D general model. Moderately asymmetrical competition has two outcomes distinctly different from dominant,fugitive interactions, at both the scale of metapopulation and population: (i) slow growing and weak competitors coexist with faster growing superior competitors, albeit at reduced densities; and (b) habitat removal always yields relative gains in abundance for species with higher growth capacity, but the gains are absolute only for species subjected to competitive impacts that exceed within-species impacts. Extinctions of slow growing and weak competitors provide the most sensitive indication of habitat degradation, and their losses also have the least effect on community structure. 3The 2-D general model further predicts that highly productive communities will tolerate differences between species in their capacity for population growth, whereas less productive communities will tolerate stronger competitive interactions between species. This prediction applies equally to a population of resource consumers as to a metapopulation of colonists. The model explicitly links local and regional population dynamics to r,K selection in community structure by predicting a prevalence of growth-orientated species in resource-poor habitats and competition-orientated species in resource-rich habitats. [source] Perceptions about services and dropout from a substance abuse case management programJOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 5 2007Michael R. Sosin This article uses event history analysis to examine certain determinants of dropout from a case management program that serves homeless adults with substance abuse problems. The examined determinants are perceptions of conventional treatment services: (a) client perceptions concerning the value of the conventional services that case managers help them to obtain, (b) the views of use services held by social contacts, and (c) client perceptions of the legitimacy of conventional services. The findings, some of which involve statistical interactions, suggest that clients drop out of case management services more slowly (a) when they favor pursuit of particularly efficacious conventional programs; (b) when they find conventional programs to be of low legitimacy; (c) when, under special conditions, they perceive that conventional services are less caring; or (d) when social contracts do not pressure them. These findings generally imply that clients look to case management services when they are more skeptical about conventional services. The variables predicting dropout from case management poorly predict continuation in conventional substance abuse services, indicating that dropout is linked to perceptions of services in context-specific ways. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comm Psychol 35: 583,602, 2007. [source] Circular dichroism spectroscopic study of non-covalent interactions of poly- L -glutamic acid with a porphyrin derivative in aqueous solutionsJOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE, Issue 9 2005Palivec Abstract The interactions of poly- L -glutamic acid and a cationic porphyrin derivative in aqueous solutions were studied by the combination of vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopies. It was found that non-covalent interactions between both agents influence the structure of the polymeric matrix and the guest porphyrins and vice versa, but the physico-chemical properties of the solutions, especially the pH and the relative permittivity of the solvent, play a key role in the structure of the polypeptide part of the formed complexes. It was shown that the interaction with porphyrins prevents the precipitation of poly- L -glutamic acid in aqueous solution at acidic pH. In special conditions, the porphyrins attached to the polypeptide probably possess face-to-face interaction as demonstrated by the enhancement of the characteristic ECD signal and the appearance of sidebands on its short and long wavelength sides. Copyright © 2005 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Synthesis of (2E)-2-methyl-3-(4-{[4-(quinolin-2-ylmethoxy)phenyl]sulfanyl}phenyl)prop-2-enoic acid (VUFB 20609) and 2-methyl-3-(4-{[4-(quinolin-2-ylmethoxy)phenyl]sulfanyl}phenyl)propanoic acid (VUFB 20584) as potential antileukotrienic agentsJOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 6 2004J. Jampílek The Synthesis of (2E)-2-methyl-3-(4-{[4-(quinolin-2-ylmethoxy)phenyl]sulfanyl}phenyl) prop-2-enoic acid (VUFB 20609) and racemic 2-methyl-3-(4-{[4-(quinolin-2-ylmethoxy) phenyl]sulfanyl}phenyl)propanoic acid (VUFB 20584) as new potential antileukotrienic drugs are described. Due to a low reactivity of the 4-substituted aryl bromides (coupling of the 4-substituted aryl bromides do not provide an activating functional group with 4-methoxybenzene-1-thiol), special conditions, in particular specific heterogeneous copper catalysts, were used. Catalytic hydrogenation of the conjugated double bond on Pd/C in the presence of the sulfanyl group is discussed. In-vitro cytotoxicity testing was performed using a microplate colorimetric acid phosphatase assay. Antiplatelet activity was evaluated using an in-vitro test in human platelet-rich plasma. Some substances inhibited arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation. [source] Regimes of Interest Rates, Income Shares, Savings and Investment: A Kaleckian Model and Empirical Estimations for some Advanced OECD EconomiesMETROECONOMICA, Issue 4 2003Eckhard Hein ABSTRACT The first part of the paper deals with the effects of an exogenous variation in the monetary interest rate on the real equilibrium position of the economic system in a Kaleckian effective demand model. Different regimes of accumulation are derived and it is shown that a negative relation between the interest rate and the equilibrium rates of capacity utilization, accumulation and profit usually expected in post-Keynesian theory only exists under special conditions. In the second part the model is applied to the data of some major OECD countries, the relevant coefficients are estimated and the relevance for an explanation of the course of GDP and capital stock growth since the early 1960s is discussed. [source] Structural,functional Aspects in the Evolution of Operculate Corals (Rugosa)PALAEONTOLOGY, Issue 4 2002Michael Gudo Among the Rugosa operculae were developed by only a few genera. One is the slipper,shaped Calceola and another is the pyramidal shaped Goniophyllum. On the basis of biological and morphological knowledge of recent corals, the two different bauplans of the soft bodies of Calceola and Goniophyllum have been reconstructed. The soft body (i.e. the polyp) of a rugose coral is thought to have all the basic structures of anthozoan polyps: a barrel,like body shape, a flat oral disc with tentacles, and a mouth from which a pharynx reaches inside the gastric cavity. Furthermore, as in all Anthozoa, Rugosa had internal mesenteries that act as tensile cords; during growth in the diameter further mesenteries were inserted. In contrast to all other Anthozoa, in the Rugosa new single mesenteries were added in four insertion sectors. The bauplans of Calceola and Goniophyllum differ in the pattern of mesentery insertion into these four sectors. Calceola had a serial insertion pattern and Goniophyllum had a symmetrical insertion pattern. They are representatives of the two different bauplans within the Rugosa. The lid corals are examples of convergent evolved genera; Calceola as well as Goniophyllum originated by quite simple modifications of the ancestral type. The peculiar shapes, the operculae and especially the straight hinges between the calyx and the lid(s) result only from mechanical necessity. Under special conditions (such as high sedimentation rates) these modifications of the corallites represent suitable tactics for survival. [source] Behaviour of sulcotrione and mesotrione in two soilsPEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 1 2008Hančne Chaabane Abstract The behaviour of sulcotrione, a recently introduced triketone herbicide, in various soil types was studied under laboratory conditions. In particular, degradation and sorption processes were examined on Ghent and Perpignan soils. Kinetics showed that the degradation of sulcotrione was influenced by biotic and/or abiotic factors. Half-lives ranged between 45 and 65 days. Among the degradation compounds identified were 1,3-cyclohexanedione (CHD) and 2-chloro-4-mesyl benzoic acid (CMBA), previously described as hydrolysis products, and, under special conditions, a derivative of phenylheptanoic acid (PHD). This new degradation product suggested that sulcotrione could follow two possible pathways in the soil, as in water. During the sorption study, a moderate retention of sulcotrione and CMBA relative to CHD and PHD, which were highly adsorbed whatever the soil type, was reported. Experiments carried out under the same conditions for sulcotrione and mesotrione, another triketone herbicide recommended in maize culture, made it possible to compare the two triketones and to conclude that they exhibited relatively similar behaviour in the soil, i.e. that their leaching potential needs to be properly addressed and risks evaluated. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Extrusion of polyethylene/polypropylene blends with microfibrillar-phase morphologyPOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 8 2010Martina Polaskova Extrusion of immiscible polymers under special conditions can lead to creation of microfibrillar-phase morphology, ensuring significant increase of mechanical properties of polymer profiles. Polyethylene/polypropylene blend extrudates with microfibrillar-phase morphology (polypropylene microfibrils reinforcing polyethylene matrix phase) were prepared through continuous extrusion with semihyperbolic-converging die enabling elongation and orientation of microfibrils in flow direction. Structure of extruded profiles was examined using electron microscopy and wide-angle X-ray scattering. Tensile tests proved that extrudates with microfibrillar-phase morphology show significantly higher mechanical properties than the conventional extrudates. The presented concept offers possibility of replacing the existing expensive multi-component medical devices with fully polymeric tools. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1427,1433, 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Phenological growth stages of roses (Rosa sp.): codification and description according to the BBCH scaleANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2009U. Meier Abstract The phenological development stages of plants and their BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt, CHemische Industrie)-coding system are used in agricultural and horticultural science and practice, botanical sciences, meteorology and climatic science as well as agricultural insurance, each with their own varying individual objectives. A proposal for a code for the phenological development of roses in general on the basis of the BBCH extended scale is presented. Ten principal growth stages have been defined from germination/sprouting, through leaf and shoot production to bud, flower and fruit production and to senescence and dormancy. Every principal growth stage has been subdivided into secondary growth stages. Under special conditions, it is helpful to use mesostages with three-digit codes. The mesostages are particularly relevant to roses, as many rose plants have more than one flower per plant. Descriptive keys with illustration aids for the use of the system are included. [source] Predicted SAR in sprague-dawley rat as a function of permittivity values,,BIOELECTROMAGNETICS, Issue 6 2001P. Gaj Abstract Specific absorption rate (SAR) value is dependent on permittivity value. However, variability in the published permittivity values for human and animal tissue and the development of sophisticated 3-dimensional digital anatomical models to predict SAR values has resulted in the need to understand how model parameters (permittivity value) affect the predicted whole body and localized SAR values. In this paper, we establish the partial derivative of whole body SARs and localized SAR values (defined as SAR for individual organs with respect to a change in the permittivity values of all tissue types, as well as for those tissues with the most variable permittivity values. Variations in the published permittivity values may substantially influence whole body and localized SAR values, but only under special conditions. Orientation of the exposed object to the incident electromagnetic wave is one of the most crucial factors. Bioelectromagnetics 22:384,400, 2001. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Plant invasions , the role of mutualismsBIOLOGICAL REVIEWS, Issue 1 2000DAVID M. RICHARDSON ABSTRACT Many introduced plant species rely on mutualisms in their new habitats to overcome barriers to establishment and to become naturalized and, in some cases, invasive. Mutualisms involving animalmediated pollination and seed dispersal, and symbioses between plant roots and microbiota often facilitate invasions. The spread of many alien plants, particularly woody ones, depends on pollinator mutualisms. Most alien plants are well served by generalist pollinators (insects and birds), and pollinator limitation does not appear to be a major barrier for the spread of introduced plants (special conditions relating to Ficus and orchids are described). Seeds of many of the most notorious plant invaders are dispersed by animals, mainly birds and mammals. Our review supports the view that tightly coevolved, plant-vertebrate seed dispersal systems are extremely rare. Vertebrate-dispersed plants are generally not limited reproductively by the lack of dispersers. Most mycorrhizal plants form associations with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi which, because of their low specificity, do not seem to play a major role in facilitating or hindering plant invasions (except possibly on remote islands such as the Galapagos which are poor in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi). The lack of symbionts has, however, been a major barrier for many ectomycorrhizal plants, notably for Pinus spp. in parts of the southern hemisphere. The roles of nitrogen-fixing associations between legumes and rhizobia and between actinorhizal plants and Frankia spp. in promoting or hindering invasions have been virtually ignored in the invasions literature. Symbionts required to induce nitrogen fixation in many plants are extremely widespread, but intentional introductions of symbionts have altered the invasibility of many, if not most, systems. Some of the world's worst invasive alien species only invaded after the introduction of symbionts. Mutualisms in the new environment sometimes re-unite the same species that form partnerships in the native range of the plant. Very often, however, different species are involved, emphasizing the diffuse nature of many (most) mutualisms. Mutualisms in new habitats usually duplicate functions or strategies that exist in the natural range of the plant. Occasionally, mutualisms forge totally novel combinations, with profound implications for the behaviour of the introduced plant in the new environment (examples are seed dispersal mutualisms involving wind-dispersed pines and cockatoos in Australia; and mycorrhizal associations involving plant roots and fungi). Many ecosystems are becoming more susceptible to invasion by introduced plants because: (a) they contain an increasing array of potential mutualistic partners (e.g. generalist frugivores and pollinators, mycorrhizal fungi with wide host ranges, rhizobia strains with infectivity across genera); and (b) conditions conducive for the establishment of various alienalien synergisms are becoming more abundant. Incorporating perspectives on mutualisms in screening protocols will improve (but not perfect) our ability to predict whether a given plant species could invade a particular habitat. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||