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Selected AbstractsSVG Linearization and AccessibilityCOMPUTER GRAPHICS FORUM, Issue 4 2002Ivan Herman Abstract The usage of SVG (Scaleable Vector Graphics) creates new possibilities as well as new challenges for theaccessibility of Web sites. This paper presents a metadata vocabulary to describe the information content ofan SVG file geared towards accessibility. When used with a suitable tool, this metadata description can helpin generating a textual ("linear") version of the content, which can be used for users with disabilities or withnon-visual devices. Although this paper concentrates on SVG, i.e. on graphics on the Web, the metadata approach and vocabularypresented below can be applied in relation to other technologies, too. Indeed, accessibility issues have a muchwider significance, and have an effect on areas like CAD, cartography, or information visualization. Hence, theexperiences of the work presented below may also be useful for practitioners in other areas. ACM CSS: I.3.4 Graphics Utilities,Graphics Packages, I.3.6 Methodology and Techniques,Graphics datastructures and data types, Standards, K.4.2 Social Issues,Assistive technologies for persons with disabilities [source] Past and present potential distribution of the Iberian Abies species: a phytogeographic approach using fossil pollen data and species distribution modelsDIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS, Issue 2 2010Francisca Alba-Sįnchez Abstract Aim, Quaternary palaeopalynological records collected throughout the Iberian Peninsula and species distribution models (SDMs) were integrated to gain a better understanding of the historical biogeography of the Iberian Abies species (i.e. Abies pinsapo and Abies alba). We hypothesize that SDMs and Abies palaeorecords are closely correlated, assuming a certain stasis in climatic and topographic ecological niche dimensions. In addition, the modelling results were used to assign the fossil records to A. alba or A. pinsapo, to identify environmental variables affecting their distribution, and to evaluate the ecological segregation between the two taxa. Location, The Iberian Peninsula. Methods, For the estimation of past Abies distributions, a hindcasting process was used. Abies pinsapo and A. alba were modelled individually, first calibrating the model for their current distributions in relation to the present climate, and then projecting it into the past,the last glacial maximum (LGM) and the Middle Holocene periods,in relation to palaeoclimate simulations. The resulting models were compared with Iberian-wide fossil pollen records to detect areas of overlap. Results, The overlap observed between past Abies refugia,inferred from fossil pollen records,and the SDMs helped to construct the Quaternary distribution of the Iberian Abies species. SDMs yielded two well-differentiated potential distributions: A. pinsapo throughout the Baetic mountain Range and A. alba along the Pyrenees and Cantabrian Range. These results propose that the two taxa remained isolated throughout the Quaternary, indicating a significant geographical and ecological segregation. In addition, no significant differences were detected comparing the three projections (present-day, Mid-Holocene and LGM), suggesting a relative climate stasis in the refuge areas during the Quaternary. Main conclusions, Our results confirm that SDM projections can provide a useful complement to palaeoecological studies, offering a less subjective and spatially explicit hypothesis concerning past geographic patterns of Iberian Abies species. The integration of ecological-niche characteristics from known occurrences of Abies species in conjunction with palaeoecological studies could constitute a suitable tool to define appropriate areas in which to focus proactive conservation strategies. [source] The role of biomarkers to assess oil-contaminated sediment quality using toxicity tests with clams and crabs,ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 6 2008Carmen Morales-Caselles Abstract A 28-d bioassay was conducted with two invertebrate species with different feeding habits, the clam Ruditapes philippinarum and the shore crab Carcinus maenas. The purpose of the present study was to assess the quality of sediments affected by oil spills in different areas of the Spanish coast. The organisms were exposed to environmental samples of oil-contaminated sediments during four weeks and, after the experiment, a suite of biomarkers of exposure was measured: The phase one detoxification system was assessed by ethoxyresorufin- O -deethylase (EROD) activity; glutathione- S -transferase (GST) is a phase-two detoxification enzyme but also is implicated in oxidative stress events; glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR), and the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) assay were analyzed to determine the antioxidant activity of the tissues. The biomarker results were correlated with the chemical compounds bound to sediments (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs], polychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs], Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, Co, V) and a principal component analysis was carried out with the purpose of linking all the variables and to detect those contaminated sediments potentially harmful to the biota. Results showed induction of biomarkers in both invertebrate species and significant differences (p < 0.05; p < 0.01) were established among sediments affected by different spills. The use of the selected biomarkers together with the sediment chemical analysis assesses the bioavailability of contaminants and has proven to be a suitable tool to monitor the environmental quality of sediments affected by oil spills. [source] Random forest can predict 30-day mortality of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage with remarkable discriminationEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 7 2010S. -Y. Background and purpose:, Risk-stratification models based on patient and disease characteristics are useful for aiding clinical decisions and for comparing the quality of care between different physicians or hospitals. In addition, prediction of mortality is beneficial for optimizing resource utilization. We evaluated the accuracy and discriminating power of the random forest (RF) to predict 30-day mortality of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH). Methods:, We retrospectively studied 423 patients admitted to the Taichung Veterans General Hospital who were diagnosed with spontaneous SICH within 24 h of stroke onset. The initial evaluation data of the patients were used to train the RF model. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) were used to quantify the predictive performance. The performance of the RF model was compared to that of an artificial neural network (ANN), support vector machine (SVM), logistic regression model, and the ICH score. Results:, The RF had an overall accuracy of 78.5% for predicting the mortality of patients with SICH. The sensitivity was 79.0%, and the specificity was 78.4%. The AUCs were as follows: RF, 0.87 (0.84,0.90); ANN, 0.81 (0.77,0.85); SVM, 0.79 (0.75,0.83); logistic regression, 0.78 (0.74,0.82); and ICH score, 0.72 (0.68,0.76). The discriminatory power of RF was superior to that of the other prediction models. Conclusions:, The RF provided the best predictive performance amongst all of the tested models. We believe that the RF is a suitable tool for clinicians to use in predicting the 30-day mortality of patients after SICH. [source] Nanoindentation of a Pseudoelastic NiTiFe Shape Memory Alloy,ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 1-2 2010Janine Pfetzing-Micklich Nanoindentation is a suitable tool for characterizing the local mechanical properties of shape memory alloys (SMA) and to study their pseudoelastic behavior. There is a special interest in indenting with different indenter tips (as not all tips are associated with strain states that predominantly induce the martensitic transformation) and in indenting at different temperatures, where different phases are present. In this study, we perform nanoindentation on a ternary NiTiFe SMA with different indenter tips and at various testing temperatures. For nanoindentation with spherical tips, load,displacement hystereses clearly indicate pseudoelastic behavior, whereas indentation with Berkovich tips results in more pronounced plastic deformation. Testing at different temperatures is associated with different volume fractions of austenite, martensite, and R-phase. The corresponding nanoindentation responses differ considerably in terms of pseudoelastic behavior. Best pseudoelastic recovery is found at testing temperatures close to the R-phase start temperature, even though this temperature is below the austenite finish temperature, which is a well-known lower temperature bound for full recovery in macroscopic tests. Our results are discussed considering micromechanical aspects and the interaction between stress-induced phase transformation and dislocation plasticity. [source] Group-level variations in motor representation areas of thenar and anterior tibial muscles: Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation StudyHUMAN BRAIN MAPPING, Issue 8 2010Eini Niskanen Abstract Navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can be used to stimulate functional cortical areas at precise anatomical location to induce measurable responses. The stimulation has commonly been focused on anatomically predefined motor areas: TMS of that area elicits a measurable muscle response, the motor evoked potential. In clinical pathologies, however, the well-known homunculus somatotopy theory may not be straightforward, and the representation area of the muscle is not fixed. Traditionally, the anatomical locations of TMS stimulations have not been reported at the group level in standard space. This study describes a methodology for group-level analysis by investigating the normal representation areas of thenar and anterior tibial muscle in the primary motor cortex. The optimal representation area for these muscles was mapped in 59 healthy right-handed subjects using navigated TMS. The coordinates of the optimal stimulation sites were then normalized into standard space to determine the representation areas of these muscles at the group-level in healthy subjects. Furthermore, 95% confidence interval ellipsoids were fitted into the optimal stimulation site clusters to define the variation between subjects in optimal stimulation sites. The variation was found to be highest in the anteroposterior direction along the superior margin of the precentral gyrus. These results provide important normative information for clinical studies assessing changes in the functional cortical areas because of plasticity of the brain. Furthermore, it is proposed that the presented methodology to study TMS locations at the group level on standard space will be a suitable tool for research purposes in population studies. Hum Brain Mapp, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Step-by-step: The effects of physical practice on the neural correlates of locomotion imagery revealed by fMRIHUMAN BRAIN MAPPING, Issue 5 2010Silvio Ionta Abstract Previous studies have shown that mental imagery is a suitable tool to study the progression of the effect of practice on brain activation. Nevertheless, there is still poor knowledge of changes in brain activation patterns during the very early stages of physical practice. In this study, early and late practice stages of different kinds of locomotion (i.e., balanced and unbalanced) have been investigated using functional magnetic resonance imaging during mental imagery of locomotion and stance. During the task, cardiac activity was also recorded. The cerebral network comprising supplementary motor area, basal ganglia, bilateral thalamus, and right cerebellum showed a stronger activation during the imagery of locomotion with respect to imagery of stance. The heart beat showed a significant increase in frequency during the imagery of locomotion with respect to the imagery of stance. Moreover, early stages of practice determined an increased activation in basal ganglia and thalamus with respect to late stages. In this way, it is proposed the modulation of the brain network involved in the imagery of locomotion as a function of physical practice time. Hum Brain Mapp, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Health effects of nanomaterials: A critical appraisal approach and research to practiceHUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS IN MANUFACTURING & SERVICE INDUSTRIES, Issue 3 2008Reynold Sequeira Background Researchers across the globe are studying health effects of various nanomaterials and nanostructures. Most of these studies are qualitative in nature and lack parallel research to compare and validate the reliability of the findings. Objective This research targets a critical appraisal of such clinical studies by first developing a suitable tool and then evaluating the quality of reporting of these trials. Methods The published articles were collected from a search of electronic databases and bibliographies of identified articles. A critical appraisal (ExpAI) suitable for assessment of such experimental studies was developed and the articles were appraised using this instrument. The main findings of the study were evaluated for their use in the development of new techniques for practice using a linguistic scale. Results Twenty-eight articles were found to satisfy the inclusion criteria adopted in this research. The methodological qualities of the published studies ranged from marginal to average. Conclusions Though the studies evaluated in this research have proven that nanoparticles do have adverse health effects, nanoparticles should not be discounted without exploring the possibility of using them to benefit companies and the general population. Reengineering should be considered while creating these new systems to overcome the health effects found by various studies. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Implications of seasonal and diurnal variations of wind velocity for power output estimation of a turbine: a case study of GrenadaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH, Issue 13 2003D. Weisser Abstract This case study highlights the importance of taking into consideration diurnal variations of wind velocity for wind energy resources assessment. Previous studies of wind energy distribution that are based on the two-parameter Weibull density function have so far neglected to consider time of day fluctuations in wind speed, instead concentrating primarily on seasonal deviations. However, this has serious implications where such a wind energy model is the underpinning of calculations for the potential power production from a wind turbine and in particular where the timing of the energy output is essential to meet electricity loads. In the case of Grenada the energy output from a wind turbine during the day is approximately two times the output at night thereby fluctuating enormously around the seasonal mean distribution. When this is not taken into account the economic and technological viability of a wind turbine project may be overestimated or not even be identified. This work shows how a wind energy resources assessment based on the Weibull distribution model can be done and how the power output of a horizontal axis turbine is calculated. An analysis of the recorded wind data confirms the application of the Weibull density function as a suitable tool for modelling wind regimes. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] ROTEM and multiplate , a suitable tool for POC?ISBT SCIENCE SERIES: THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INTRACELLULAR TRANSPORT, Issue n1 2010A. Pape First page of article [source] Effects of sediment eluates and extracts from differently polluted small rivers on zebrafish embryos and larvaeJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2002M. Strmac The effects on newly fertilized eggs, embryos and larvae of zebrafish Danio rerio following exposure to sediment samples from the more heavily contaminated River Körsch, southern Germany, occurred earlier and were more prominent than in samples from the less contaminated Krähenbach. Dose- and time-related effects following exposure to Körsch sediment eluates and extracts included: (1) hatching failure and subsequent death of larvae exposed to undiluted aqueous sediment eluates and reduced hatching rates at sediment extract concentrations 0·0125%; (2) increased mortality after exposure to 25 and 50% dilutions of aqueous sediment eluates, and dilutions of 0·00625% sediment extracts; (3) reduction of heart beat frequency for 50% dilutions of sediment eluates and concentrations of 0·025% extracts; (4) increased frequency of heart and yolk sac oedema after exposure to 0·0125% sediment extracts. Since adverse effects of sediment extracts observed in zebrafish laboratory tests correlated with reproductive failure in natural populations of brown trout Salmo trutta f. fario in the severely polluted River Körsch, early life stages tests with zebrafish appear to be a suitable tool to assess the contamination rate of natural sediments. [source] HPLC-MS of anthraquinoids, flavonoids, and their degradation products in analysis of natural dyes in archeological objectsJOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 13 2007Izabella Surowiec Abstract LC with MS detection was optimized for sensitive and selective analysis of main classes of natural dyes used in ancient times for dyeing textiles , red anthraquinoids, yellow flavonoids, and known degradation products of flavonols , hydroxybenzoic acids. Fragmentation patterns of both negative and positive molecular ions for the above mentioned compounds were investigated. Three acquisition modes of MS analysis: scanning, SIM, and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) in both positive and negative ion modes were optimized and compared with each other and with the UV-Vis diode-array detection. Even though in the applied chromatographic system formic acid was used in the mobile phase, SIM in the negative ion mode was the most selective and sensitive detection for all the investigated compounds when both mixtures of standards and analysis of extracts from archeological samples were concerned, with one exception , alizarin, for which MS detection in positive ion mode was more sensitive. Detection limits obtained with MS detection for all investigated compounds except quinizarin were lower than the ones obtained with the diode-array UV-Vis detection, making MS detection the most suitable tool for the analysis of natural dyes and their degradation products in extracts from archeological samples. [source] Using structuration theory to analyze knowledge and process management in a consortium: a case studyKNOWLEDGE AND PROCESS MANAGEMENT: THE JOURNAL OF CORPORATE TRANSFORMATION, Issue 2 2007Ping Gao Through a case study, this paper attempts to establish an argument that structuration theory is a suitable tool for analyzing the issue of knowledge and process management in a consortium. To do so, we first theoretically demonstrate that structuration theory can be linked with the theory of organizational knowledge creation, assuming that structure is a type of categorization of knowledge, and knowledge creation is a structuration process. We then use structuration theory to dissect a consortium designing mobile commerce services. The case study concludes that the structuration perspective enables researchers to expose the improvisatory mechanism of organizational knowledge creation, in which distributed tacit knowledge is crystallized into collective explicit knowledge. The empirical observation argues that a consortium should have a pre-project phase when a common vocabulary is developed and an integrator is introduced. The experience of our case consortium,that the white book has emerged as a tool of knowledge and process management,can be drawn upon by other cases. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] An attempt to design an isoluminol,hydrogen peroxidase-amplified CL that measures intracellularly produced H2O2 in phagocytes: sensitivity for H2O2 is not high enough to allow detectionLUMINESCENCE: THE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL LUMINESCENCE, Issue 5 2007Anna-Lena Stenfeldt Abstract A technique was designed for the determination of hydrogen peroxide release. We found, however, that the isoluminol-amplified chemiluminescence technique is a suitable tool for measuring secretion of superoxide but not hydrogen peroxide. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Experimental model of heterotopic uterus transplantation in the laboratory ratMICROSURGERY, Issue 3 2003Lucian P. Jiga M.D. The present study describes a standardized experimental model of whole-uterus-and-ovaries heterotopic allotransplantation in the laboratory rat. Fifteen transplantation procedures were done. The anatomy of the pelvic region was studied with an additional 20 dissections, noting the topographical and vascular anatomy of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovarian vessels. Recipients were randomized into three groups. The average operative time was 150 min. The postoperative survival rate was 100%. Postoperative vascular anastomosis patency was 100%, and 26% at 72 hr. Recipients were euthanized at 24 hr (group I), 48 hr (group II), and 72 hr (group III); grafts were harvested and examined macroscopically, and fixed in formaline for histopathological and immunocytochemical analysis. Failure in 74% of the grafts at 72 hr was due to early thrombosis, starting from the capillary bed and progressing towards the main feeding pedicles. More studies must be undertaken to further understand the rejection mechanisms in transplanted reproductive organs. The efficiency, feasibility, and safety for such an operation in humans remain to be proven. We consider the present model a suitable tool to study all the above-mentioned goals. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 23:246,250 2003 [source] Muscle biopsy substantiates long-term MRI alterations one year after a single dose of botulinum toxin injected into the lateral gastrocnemius muscle of healthy volunteers,MOVEMENT DISORDERS, Issue 10 2009A. Sebastian Schroeder MD Abstract Despite numerous clinical and experimental studies on botulinum toxin type A (BoNT/A), long-term alterations of muscle texture and fine structure following BoNT/A treatment have thus far not been studied in normal human skeletal muscle. After obtaining institutional review board approval, we performed a prospective, placebo-controlled, double-blinded follow-up study on two healthy adults using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and muscle biopsy to visualize long-term alterations after a single BoNT/A injection into the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle. MRI disclosed a high-signal-intensity pattern in short tau inversion recovery sequences, and a reduction of the cross-sectional area in the BoNT/A-injected, but not in the saline-injected contralateral control muscle (at 6 to 9 months in volunteer A: 73%, in B: 62%; at 12 months in A: 88%, and in B: 78%). Enzyme histochemistry, 12 months after injection, confirmed neurogenic atrophy of muscle fibers only in the BoNT/A-injected muscle. Electron microscopy revealed additional degenerative changes at the neuromuscular junction. The data confirm that MRI is a suitable tool to monitor the long-term effect of BoNT/A on skeletal muscle. Neurogenic muscle atrophy following a single BoNT/A injection should be taken into consideration when repeated BoNT/A injections into the same muscles are proposed. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society [source] Root cadmium desorption methods and their evaluation with compartmental modelingNEW PHYTOLOGIST, Issue 1 2010Wayne T. Buckley Summary ,Desorption of plant roots is often employed in studies of plant physiology and nutrition; however, there have been few studies on the validity of desorption procedures. ,Branched and in-line kinetic models with five compartments , cadmium (Cd)-chelate, Cd2+, root apoplast, root symplast and vacuole , were developed to evaluate the efficacy of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and CaCl2 methods for the desorption of Cd from roots of durum wheat seedlings. Solution Cd2+ could exchange with apoplast and symplast Cd simultaneously in the branched model and sequentially in the in-line model. ,A 10-min desorption with 1 × 10,6 M DTPA at room temperature or cold (0°C) 5 × 10,3 M CaCl2 was required to achieve 99% recovery of apoplast-bound 109Cd when experimental results were interpreted with the branched model. However, when the same data sets were analysed with the in-line model, only partial desorption was achieved. Arguments are presented that suggest that the branched model is correct. ,It is suggested that compartmental modeling is a suitable tool for the study of plant root uptake and desorption kinetics, and that there are advantages over more commonly used calculation procedures. [source] Insights into the membrane proteome of rat liver peroxisomes: Microsomal glutathione-S-transferase is shared by both subcellular compartmentsPROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 3 2006Markus Islinger Dr. Abstract Peroxisomes are ubiquitous "multipurpose" organelles of eukaryotic cells. Their matrix enzymes catalyze mainly catabolic and anabolic reactions of lipid metabolism, thus contributing to the regulation of lipid homeostasis. Since most metabolites must be actively transported across the peroxisomal membrane and since individual proteins and protein complexes play functional roles in such transport processes, we analyzed the peroxisomal membrane proteome. Benzyldimethyl- n -hexadecylammoniumchloride (16-BAC)/SDS-2-D-PAGE and mass spectrometry were used to characterize the proteomes of highly purified "light" and "heavy" peroxisomes of rat liver obtained by density gradient centrifugation. In both populations, the major integral membrane proteins could be detected in high concentrations, verifying 16-BAC/SDS-2-D-PAGE as a suitable tool for the preparation of membrane proteomes destined for mass spectrometric analysis. Both reliable and reproducible detection of a distinct set of microsomal (ER) membrane proteins, including microsomal glutathione-S-transferase (mGST), in light and heavy peroxisomal fractions was also possible. Compared with the abundance of most microsomal membrane proteins, we found mGST to be specifically enriched in peroxisomal membrane fractions. Furthermore, C terminus epitope-tagged mGST versions were localized at least in part to peroxisomes in different mammalian cell lines. Taken together, these data suggest that the peroxisomal GST is not a mere ER-contaminant, but a bona fide protein comprising the membrane proteome of both intracellular compartments. In addition, we could detect several mitochondrial proteins in light peroxisome fractions. This finding may likely indicate a physical association of light peroxisomes with mitochondria, since the organelles could be partly separated by mechanical stress. Whether this association is of functional importance awaits further investigation. [source] DoE in engine developmentQUALITY AND RELIABILITY ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL, Issue 6 2008Karsten Röpke Abstract Stricter legal emission limits and increasing customer expectations lead to a growing number of controllable engine components and thus to a higher engine control complexity. For engine development, however, this means much greater time and effort is required to find the optimal combination of all selectable parameters. This trend can be observed in the field of Gasoline as well as for Diesel engines. At the same time, the development time from the first idea up to the introduction of a new production engine has become even shorter, and the costs have to be reduced. Since the number of measuring points required for complete operational-test measurements rises exponentially with the number of input variables, it is quite obvious that full factorial measurements are no longer possible. Therefore the method ,Design of Experiments' (DoE) is widely accepted as a suitable tool in the automotive sector and among its suppliers. In the meantime the term ,DoE'/,DoE-Process' covers often also the measurement procedure and the modeling. Likewise, this method is broadly applied in the IAV (author's note: IAV is a German provider of engineering services to the automotive industry) during the advanced development stage up to the production engine applications. Whereas DoE is used mainly in the area of steady-state applications recent research work shows a great potential also to optimize transient engine behavior. This paper will give an overview about the usage of statistical methods (mainly Design of Experiments) in the production engine calibration. ,Engine calibration' is the term for finding the optimal settings of the engine controller unit; optimal in terms of minimal emissions, minimal fuel consumption, good drivability and other brand specific goals. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Features of Kansei Engineering Characterizing its Use in Two Studies: Men's Everyday Footwear and Historic FootwearQUALITY AND RELIABILITY ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL, Issue 6 2006Carolyn van Lottum Abstract The consumer goods sector is increasingly competitive with many manufacturers now operating in a global market. The growing numbers of on-line stores and product review Web sites have given the consumer new ways to compare and contrast product features before making a choice. The need for manufacturers to understand and interpret the wishes of their target consumer has led to the development of a number of techniques aimed at bringing the ,voice of the customer' into the design process. These have been successfully used by European manufacturers to identify quality and functional features critical to their customer base. However, an approach called Kansei engineering developed in the Far East uses the voice of the customer in a different way, identifying subjective emotional requirements as opposed to quality/functional requirements. Using Kansei engineering, it is possible to incorporate consumer emotion into the product design process, creating products that appeal to customers on a subjective level. This paper outlines the results of two field studies carried out as part of KENSYS, a Fifth Framework European project examining the use of Kansei engineering and product semantics as a suitable tool for European small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Exploring the suitability of the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence Model as a framework for delivering clinical governance in the UK National Health ServiceQUALITY ASSURANCE JOURNAL, Issue 1 2001Sue Jackson Abstract In December 1997 the United Kingdom (UK) government publicized its vision for the National Health Service (NHS) to become the best health care system in the world. In line with this vision a number of consultative and directive documents were circulated, one of which was Clinical Governance: in the new NHS. This particular document provided insight into the principles and proposed framework for delivering clinical governance. However, the document suggested that health care organizations create mechanisms for delivering clinical governance which implied that the government had failed to recognize that suitable mechanisms were already available. The author suggests that one such suitable mechanism/framework is the EFQM Excellence Model. The article therefore examines the similarities of the principles behind clinical governance and the EFQM Excellence Model and recommends the latter as a suitable tool for ensuring that the country's people have the best health care system in the world. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The lower genital tract microbiota in relation to cytokine-, SLPI- and endotoxin levels: application of checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization (CDH),APMIS, Issue 4 2008NATALIA NIKOLAITCHOUK In the present study the lower genital tract microbiota in asymptomatic fertile women (n=34) was identified and quantified by culturing vaginal secretions. Also, vaginal and cervical samples were analyzed by a semiquantitative checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridization technique (CDH) based on genomic probes prepared from 13 bacterial species (Bacteroides ureolyticus, Escherichia coli, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Gardnerella vaginalis, Mobiluncus curtisii ss curtisii, Prevotella bivia, Prevotella disiens, Prevotella melaninogenica, Atopobium vaginae, Lactobacillus iners, Staphylococcus aureus ss aureus, Streptococcus anginosus, and Streptococcus agalactiae). The bacterial species found by either culture or CDH were correlated with proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1,, IL-1,, IL-6, IL-8), secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), and endotoxin in the cervicovaginal samples. Grading the women into healthy, intermediate, or bacterial vaginosis (BV) as based on Gram staining of vaginal smears, the viable counts of lactobacilli (L. gasseri) and of streptococci-staphylococci combined were highest in the intermediate group. In BV, particularly the high concentrations of Actinomyces urogenitalis, Atopobium vaginae, and Peptoniphilus harei were noted (,1011 per ml). The total viable counts correlated with both cervical IL-1, and IL-1,. A strong negative correlation was observed between L. iners and total viable counts, G. vaginalis, or cervical IL-1,, while it correlated positively with SLPI. Analysis of vaginal and cervical samples from 26 out of the 34 women by CDH showed that anaerobic bacteria were more frequently detected by CDH compared to culture. By this method, A. vaginae correlated with G. vaginalis, and L. iners with S. aureus. With regard to cytokines, B. ureolyticus correlated with both cervical and vaginal IL-1, as well as with cervical IL-8, while F. nucleatum, S. agalactiae, S. anginosus, or S. aureus correlated with vaginal IL-1,. Furthermore, all Gram-negative bacteria taken together, as measured by CDH, correlated with vaginal endotoxin and inversely with vaginal SLPI. The significance of the results is discussed. In summary, mapping of the identity and quantity of vaginal bacterial species and their association with locally produced host innate immune factors will help in defining various types of abnormal vaginal microbiota, developing new ways of assessing the risk of ascending subclinical infections, and in treating them. CDH appears to be a suitable tool for future analyses of large numbers of clinical samples with an extended number of bacterial probes. [source] Construction and Performance of a Minibioreactor Suitable as Experimental Bioartificial LiverARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 4 2008Joaquķn V. Rodriguez Abstract:, This work deals with the construction and performance of a hollow fiber-based minibioreactor (MBR). Due to its simple design and the utilization of standard materials, it could serve as a suitable tool to evaluate the behavior and performance of cold preserved or cultured hepatocytes in bioartificial liver devices. The system consists of 140 fiber capillaries through which goat blood is pumped at a flow of 9 mL/min. The cell compartment contains 90 × 106 rat hepatocytes (volume 10 mL) and an internal oxygenator made of silicone tubing. To test the in vitro function of the system, 2-h perfusion experiments were performed, the evolution of hematocrit, plasma and extra-fiber fluid osmolality, and plasma urea and creatinine concentrations were evaluated. The detoxication efficiency of an ammonia overload was tested, showing that the system has enough capacity to remove ammonium. Also, the MBR oxygen transfer capacity to hepatocytes was tested, showing that the cells received an adequate oxygen supply. [source] Hydrocolloid Coating of Xenopus laevis EmbryosBIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 3 2000N. Kampf A novel technology for coating single cells and embryos with thin hydrocolloid (water-soluble polymer) films has been invented and patented. Coating is different from entrapment and immobilization in that the coating around the cell is thinner, comprising only a small fraction of the cell or embryo's diameter. Xenopus laevis embryos were coated with thin films of low-methoxy pectin (LMP), alginate, and ,- and ,-carrageenans. These gums have different compositions and structures and as such created different coatings around the fertilized cells. All coated embryos appeared to develop normally, similar to noncoated embryos. Elemental detection by ICP-AES spectroscopy revealed that the embryo can control the diffusion of excess ions to which it is exposed during the coating process. The coatings delayed hatching by 18,24 h. Consequently, at hatch the embryos were at a more developed stage than their noncoated counterparts. The hydrocolloid coating reduced the thickness of the natural jelly coating (JC). With the ,-carrageenan coating, percent hatch was maximal, while with LMP it was minimal, as a result of the films' mechanical properties and thicknesses. LMP and alginate created smoother coatings than the carrageenans. Potential interactions between the coating and the natural JC are hypothesized. Overall, coatings appear to be a suitable tool for laboratories interested in performing longer-term experiments with embryos. [source] Population pharmacokinetics of darbepoetin alfa in healthy subjectsBRITISH JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Issue 1 2007Balaji Agoram Aim To develop and evaluate a population pharmacokinetic (PK) model of the long-acting erythropoiesis-stimulating protein, darbepoetin alfa in healthy subjects. Methods PK profiles were obtained from 140 healthy subjects receiving single intravenous and/or single or multiple subcutaneous doses of darbepoetin alfa (0.75,8.0 µg kg,1, or either 80 or 500 µg). Data were analysed by a nonlinear mixed-effects modelling approach using NONMEM software. Influential covariates were identified by covariate analysis emphasizing parameter estimates and their confidence intervals, rather than stepwise hypothesis testing. The model was evaluated by comparing simulated profiles (obtained using the covariate model) to the observed profiles in a test dataset. Results The population PK model, including first-order absorption, two-compartment disposition and first-order elimination, provided a good description of data. Modelling indicated that for a 70-kg human, the observed nearly twofold disproportionate dose,exposure relationship at the 8.0 µg kg,1 -dose relative to the 0.75 µg kg,1 -dose may reflect changing relative bioavailability, which increased from ,,48% at 0.75 µg kg,1 to 78% at 8.0 µg kg,1. The covariate analysis showed that increasing body weight may be related to increasing clearance and central compartment volume, and that the absorption rate constant decreased with increasing age. The full covariate model performed adequately in a fixed-effects prediction test against an external dataset. Conclusion The developed population PK model describes the inter- and intraindividual variability in darbepoetin alfa PK. The model is a suitable tool for predicting the PK response of darbepoetin alfa using clinically untested dosing regimens. [source] Activity Prediction and Structural Insights of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase 2 Inhibitors with Molecular Dynamics SimulationsCHEMICAL BIOLOGY & DRUG DESIGN, Issue 6 2009Alberto Del Rio A computational application to predict, probe and interpret the activities of a series of congeneric compounds inhibiting extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 protein kinase is presented. The study shows that molecular dynamics coupled with molecular mechanics Poisson,Boltzmann solvent accessible surface area free energy estimation is a suitable tool for investigating the experimental binding activities of ligands to protein kinases. Computed and experimental binding activities were found to be significantly correlated. Moreover, the interpretation of the X-ray co-crystal structure in conjunction with computational results shows that the hinge region of the protein insure the principal binding site via multiple hydrogen bonding interactions, whereas fine-modulation of biological activities along the series is accomplished through the combination of weak and strong interactions that compete with water. These are located in the substituent moieties of the ligands interfacing with the DFG motif, the sugar region and the hydrophobic pocket of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2. The study suggests that a wider interaction framework that is well beyond the hinge region is required to predict and rationalize at molecular level the experimental biological activities of congeneric compound series. [source] Goal Attainment Scaling in paediatric rehabilitation: a report on the clinical training of an interdisciplinary teamCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 4 2008D. Steenbeek Abstract Background Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) is a responsive method for individual goal setting and treatment evaluation. However, current knowledge about its reliability when used in paediatric rehabilitation treatment is insufficient and depends highly on standardization of the GAS method. A training programme was developed to introduce GAS to a team of 27 professionals from five disciplines. The purpose of the paper is to share the experiences of professionals and parents during this training. Methods The training consisted of three 2-h general discussion sessions and intensive individual feedback from the study leader (i.e. the first author). Feedback was given until the GAS scales met predetermined criteria of ordinality, described specific, measurable, acceptable, realistic abilities and activities in a single dimension, used the ,can-do' principle and could be scored within 10 min. Therapists and parents were asked to give their opinion by completing a questionnaire. Results One hundred and fifteen GAS scales were developed and scored by professionals. The development of a GAS scale remained a time-consuming procedure, despite the training: 45 (SD = 27) minutes per scale. The content criteria of GAS were found to be useful by all participants. Common issues requiring revision of the initial scales were equal scale intervals, specificity, measurability and selection of a single variable. After the training, 70% of the therapists and 60% of the parents regarded GAS as a suitable tool to improve the quality of rehabilitation treatment. Examples of GAS scales developed by the various disciplines are presented and discussed. Conclusions The experiences reported in this paper support the further development of training procedures for GAS before it can be used as an outcome measure in effect studies. The findings may be helpful in introducing GAS in the field of childhood disability. [source] Frequency of constitutional MSH6 mutations in a consecutive series of families with clinical suspicion of HNPCCCLINICAL GENETICS, Issue 3 2007B Roncari A large majority of constitutional mutations in hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) are because of the MHL1 or MSH2 genes. In a lower fraction of cases, another gene of the mismatch repair (MMR) machinery, MSH6, may be responsible. Families with MSH6 mutations are difficult to recognize, as microsatellite instability (MSI) may not be detectable and immunohistochemistry (IHC) may give ambiguous results. In the present study, we proposed (i) to determine the frequency of MSH6 mutations in a selected population of colorectal cancer patients obtained from a tumor registry, (ii) to assess whether IHC is a suitable tool for selecting and identifying MSH6 mutation carriers. One hundred neoplasms of the large bowel from suspected HNPCC families were analyzed for MSI (BAT25 and BAT26 markers) and immunohistochemical expression of the MSH6 protein. We found on 12 tumors (from different families) showing instability or lack of MSH6 expression. Among these, four potentially pathogenic MSH6 mutations were detected (del A at 2984; del TT at 3119; del AGG cod 385; and del CGT cod 1242) by direct gene sequencing. These represented 12.9% of all families with constitutional mutations of the DNA MMR genes. Thus, some 5% of all HNPCC families are featured by constitutional mutation of the MSH6 gene. This appears, however, as a minimum estimate; routine use of IHC and the study of large numbers of individuals and families with little or no evidence of Lynch syndrome might reveal that mutation of this gene account for a large fraction of HNPCC. [source] A method for verifying concurrent Java components based on an analysis of concurrency failuresCONCURRENCY AND COMPUTATION: PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE, Issue 3 2007Brad Long Abstract The Java programming language supports concurrency. Concurrent programs are harder to verify than their sequential counterparts due to their inherent non-determinism and a number of specific concurrency problems, such as interference and deadlock. In previous work, we have developed the ConAn testing tool for the testing of concurrent Java components. ConAn has been found to be effective at testing a large number of components, but there are certain classes of failures that are hard to detect using ConAn. Although a variety of other verification tools and techniques have been proposed for the verification of concurrent software, they each have their strengths and weaknesses. In this paper, we propose a method for verifying concurrent Java components that includes ConAn and complements it with other static and dynamic verification tools and techniques. The proposal is based on an analysis of common concurrency problems and concurrency failures in Java components. As a starting point for determining the concurrency failures in Java components, a Petri-net model of Java concurrency is used. By systematically analysing the model, we come up with a complete classification of concurrency failures. The classification and analysis are then used to determine suitable tools and techniques for detecting each of the failures. Finally, we propose to combine these tools and techniques into a method for verifying concurrent Java components. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The use of taxonomic distinctness indices in assessing patterns of biodiversity in modular organismsMARINE ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2009Stanislao Bevilacqua Abstract Estimating diversity of modular organisms may be problematic due to actual difficulties in discriminating between ,individuals' and quantifying their abundances. Quantitative data, when available, are collected through methods that could preclude the application of classical diversity indices, making comparisons among studies difficult. Taxonomic distinctness indices, such as the ,Average Taxonomic Distinctness' (,+) and the ,Variation in Taxonomic Distinctness' (,+) may represent suitable tools in investigating diversity beyond the simple species number. The potential usefulness of such indices has been explored almost exclusively on unitary organisms, neglecting modular ones. In this study, we employed ,+ and ,+ to analyse patterns of diversity of epiphytic hydroid assemblages living on Cystoseira seaweeds at a hierarchy of spatial scales, along 800 km of rocky coast (SE Italy). ANOVA on species richness and ,+ showed no significant difference in sample diversity at the investigated spatial scales. In contrast, there were significant differences at the scale of 10s of km in ,+. Analyses based on simulations detected significant variations at all spatial scales in ,+. Such findings underline the potential of ,+ in highlighting relevant spatial scales of variation in patterns of hydroid diversity. Our results also suggest that the interplay between natural environmental variations and the complex ecological traits of modular organisms might affect taxonomic distinctness indices. We stress the need for further investigations focusing on modular organisms before any generalizations on the use of taxonomic relatedness measures in examining marine biodiversity can be made. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||