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VC
Terms modified by VC Selected AbstractsTumor imaging in small animals with a combined micro-CT/micro-DSA system using iodinated conventional and blood pool contrast agentsCONTRAST MEDIA & MOLECULAR IMAGING, Issue 4 2006Cristian T. Badea Abstract X-ray based micro-computed tomography (CT) and micro-digital subtraction angiography (DSA) are important non-invasive imaging modalities for following tumorogenesis in small animals. To exploit these imaging capabilities further, the two modalities were combined into a single system to provide both morphological and functional data from the same tumor in a single imaging session. The system is described and examples are given of imaging implanted fibrosarcoma tumors in rats using two types of contrast media: (a) a new generation of blood pool contrast agent containing iodine with a concentration of 130,mg/mL (FenestraÔ VC, Alerion Biomedical, San Diego, CA, USA) for micro-CT and (b) a conventional iodinated contrast agent (Isovue®-370,mg/mL iodine, trademark of Bracco Diagnostics, Princeton, NJ, USA) for micro-DSA. With the blood pool contrast agent, the 3D vascular architecture is revealed in exquisite detail at 100,µm resolution. Micro-DSA images, in perfect registration with the 3D micro-CT datasets, provide complementary functional information such as mean transit times and relative blood flow through the tumor. This imaging approach could be used to understand tumor angiogenesis better and be the basis for evaluating anti-angiogenic therapies. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. [source] The Role of the Venture Capitalist as Monitor of the Company: a corporate governance perspectiveCORPORATE GOVERNANCE, Issue 3 2002L.A.A. Van den Berghe The monitoring and stewardship role of the owner is an important corporate governance issue that deserves far more attention. Our analysis focuses on the role of the venture capitalist (VC) as monitor of high,tech venture,backed companies. We provide evidence from the literature as well as a qualitative descriptive view of the experiences of Belgian VCs. The position of the VC sheds more light on the plenitude of roles an active owner can play. Furthermore, our findings highlight the need for a better understanding of the governance structure and processes of high,tech companies. [source] Ascorbic acid oral treatment modifies lipolytic response and behavioural activity but not glucocorticoid metabolism in cafeteria diet-fed ratsACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 4 2009D. F. Garcia-Diaz Abstract Aim:, To analyse the effects of vitamin C (VC), a potent dietary antioxidant, oral supplementation on body weight gain, behavioural activity, lipolytic response and glucocorticoid metabolism in the early stages of diet-induced overweight in rats. Methods:, Food intake, locomotive activity and faecal corticosterone were assessed during the 14 day trial period. After 2 weeks, the animals were sacrificed and the body composition, biochemical markers and lipolytic response from isolated adipocytes from retroperitoneal white adipose tissue were examined. Results:, The intake of a high-fat diet by rats induced a significant increase in body weight, adiposity and insulin resistance markers as well as a decrease in faecal corticosterone levels compared with standard diet-fed rats. Interestingly, the animals fed on the cafeteria diet showed a significant increase in the isoproterenol-induced lipolytic response in isolated adipocytes. Furthermore, this cafeteria-fed group showed a reduced locomotive behaviour than the control rats. On the other hand, oral VC supplementation in animals receiving the high-fat diet restored the cafeteria diet effect in some of the analysed variables such as final body weight and plasma insulin to control group levels. Remarkably, increases in locomotive behaviour and a significant decrease in the lipolytic response induced by isoproterenol on isolated adipocytes from animals treated with VC were observed. Conclusion:, This work demonstrates that an oral ascorbic acid supplementation has direct effects on behavioural activity and on adipocyte lipolysis in early obesity stages in rats, which could indicate a protective short-term role of this vitamin against adiposity induced by chronic high-fat diet consumption. [source] Color M-Mode Regurgitant Flow Propagation Velocity: A New Echocardiographic Method for Grading of Mitral RegurgitationECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Issue 9 2005Ramazan Akdemir M.D. Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of mitral regurgitation color M-mode regurgitant flow propagation velocity (RFPV) in grading mitral regurgitation (MR).Methods: We prospectively examined 52 consecutive patients with grades of MR mild in 10 patients, moderate in 19 patients, and severe in 23 patients with quantitative pulse Doppler echocardiography. MR was evaluated by vena contracta diameter (VCD), regurgitant jet area (RJA), and RFPV. These qualitative and quantitative methods were compared with the pulsed Doppler quantitative flow measurements and concordance of these three methods was determined.Results: The mean RFPV for mild, moderate, and severe MR were 26.4 ± 7 cm/sec, 43.3 ± 7 cm/sec, and 60.3 ± 7.3 respectively (P < 0.001). RFPV is highly sensitive and moderately specific in differentiating mild and severe MR from other subgroups. Sensitivity and specificity were 92.1%,64.3% for mild and 100%,68.5% for severe MR, respectively. Significant correlation was observed between pulse Doppler quantitative grades, RFPV, VC, and RJA (P < 0.0001, r = 0.87; P < 0.0001, r =,0.84; P < 0.0001, r = 0.76, respectively).Conclusion: This results show that RFPV is a reliable and simple semiquantitative new method that can be used for determining severity of MR. [source] Venture Capitalists as Catalysts to New Venture Internationalization: The Impact of Their Knowledge and Reputation ResourcesENTREPRENEURSHIP THEORY AND PRACTICE, Issue 1 2009Stephanie A. Fernhaber Venture Capitalists (VC) play an important role in influencing the strategic direction of the firms in which they invest. The findings of this study reveal that VCs can serve as a catalyst to new venture internationalization through the provision of knowledge and reputation resources. Furthermore, the international knowledge of a VC is more positively related to new venture internationalization when the VC is also reputable. [source] Malathion-induced oxidative stress in human erythrocytes and the protective effect of vitamins C and E in vitroENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Dilek Durak Abstract Malathion is an organophosphate (OP) pesticide that has been shown to induce oxidative stress in erythrocytes through the generation of free radicals and alteration of the cellular antioxidant defense system. We examined the effect of several different doses of malathion (25, 75, 200 ,M), or malathion in combination with vitamin C (VC; 10 ,M) or vitamin E (VE; 30 ,M), on the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in human erythrocytes in vitro. Erythrocytes were incubated under various treatment conditions (malathion alone, vitamins alone, or malathion plus vitamin) at 37°C for 60 min, and the levels of MDA, and SOD, CAT and GPx activities, were determined. Treatment with malathion alone increased the levels of MDA and decreased SOD, CAT, and GPx activities in erythrocytes (P < 0.05). There were no statistical differences among VC-treated, VE-treated, or VC + VE-treated erythrocyes, as compared with nontreated control cells. Treatment of cells with malathion + VC, malathion + VE, or a combination of all three agents prevented malathion-induced changes in antioxidant enzyme activity and lipid peroxidation. However, this effect was seen only at low concentrations of malathion (25 and 75 ,M), and the combination of VC + VE had a more protective effect than VC or VE alone. These results indicated that the presence of vitamins at concentrations that are similar to the levels found in plasma have no effect on malathion-induced toxicity in erythrocytes at a concentration of malathion (200 ,M) that is typically used in pesticides. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2009. [source] The Effect of Venture Capital Financing on the Sensitivity to Cash Flow of Firm's InvestmentsEUROPEAN FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2010Fabio Bertoni G32; D92; G23 Abstract This work studies the effect of venture capital (VC) financing on firms' investments in a longitudinal sample of 379 Italian unlisted new-technology-based firms (NTBFs) observed over the 10-year period from 1994 to 2003. We distinguish the effects of VC financing according to the type of investor: independent VC (IVC) funds and corporate VC (CVC) investors. Previous studies argue that NTBFs are the firms most likely to be financially constrained. The technology-intensive nature of their activity and their lack of a track record increase adverse selection and moral hazard problems. Moreover, most of their assets are firm-specific or intangible and hence cannot be pledged as collateral. In accordance with this view, we show that the investment rate of NTBFs is strongly positively correlated with their current cash flows. We also find that after receiving VC financing, NTBFs increase their investment rate independently of the type of VC investor. However, the investments of CVC-backed firms remain sensitive to shocks in cash flows, whereas IVC-backed firms exhibit a low and statistically not significant investment,cash flow sensitivity that we interpret as a signal of the removal of financial constraints. [source] A Novel Fe-Mn-Si Shape Memory Alloy With Improved Shape Recovery Properties by VC PrecipitationADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 1-2 2009Zhizhong Dong In this work, a nominally new Fe-Mn-Si based shape memory alloy with a small amount of VC was designed. After an optimized thermo-mechanical treatment, a shape recovery of more than 90% after an elongation of 4% could be achieved when the alloys were heated up to 225°C. In addition, high recovery stresses of up to 380 MPa could be obtained after heating to 225°C, whereas 330 MPa were obtained after heating to 160°C. [source] Novel DLC model for QoS enhancement of bursty VBR traffic in wireless ATM networksEUROPEAN TRANSACTIONS ON TELECOMMUNICATIONS, Issue 8 2008Hosam El-Ocla Several data-link control (DLC) protocol procedures have been proposed in order to provide reliable data transmission over powerless radio links. However, many quality of service (QoS) issues still need to be achieved such as balance between cell transfer delay (CTD) and cell loss rate (CLR), absence of cell delay variation (CDV) and network traffic utilisation. The main problem with wireless ATM is how to overcome the unreliability of the wireless link in order to maintain QoS requirements especially for variable bit rate (VBR) application. Here, we propose a model that provides QoS support for ATM virtual connections (VC) and solves the unreliability problem of the wireless ATM through an efficient DLC protocol for bursty VBR traffic. This model mainly concerns with enhancing QoS to gain error-free wireless transmission and regulating VBR Traffic. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Aerobic biodegradation of the chloroethenes: pathways, enzymes, ecology, and evolutionFEMS MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS, Issue 4 2010Timothy E. Mattes Abstract Extensive use and inadequate disposal of chloroethenes have led to prevalent groundwater contamination worldwide. The occurrence of the lesser chlorinated ethenes [i.e. vinyl chloride (VC) and cis -1,2-dichloroethene (cDCE)] in groundwater is primarily a consequence of incomplete anaerobic reductive dechlorination of the more highly chlorinated ethenes (tetrachloroethene and trichloroethene). VC and cDCE are toxic and VC is a known human carcinogen. Therefore, their presence in groundwater is undesirable. In situ cleanup of VC- and cDCE-contaminated groundwater via oxidation by aerobic microorganisms is an attractive and potentially cost-effective alternative to physical and chemical approaches. Of particular interest are aerobic bacteria that use VC or cDCE as growth substrates (known as the VC- and cDCE-assimilating bacteria). Bacteria that grow on VC are readily isolated from contaminated and uncontaminated environments, suggesting that they are widespread and influential in aerobic natural attenuation of VC. In contrast, only one cDCE-assimilating strain has been isolated, suggesting that their environmental occurrence is rare. In this review, we will summarize the current knowledge of the physiology, biodegradation pathways, genetics, ecology, and evolution of VC- and cDCE-assimilating bacteria. Techniques (e.g. PCR, proteomics, and compound-specific isotope analysis) that aim to determine the presence, numbers, and activity of these bacteria in the environment will also be discussed. [source] MCMC-based linkage analysis for complex traits on general pedigrees: multipoint analysis with a two-locus model and a polygenic componentGENETIC EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 2 2007Yun Ju Sung Abstract We describe a new program lm_twoqtl, part of the MORGAN package, for parametric linkage analysis with a quantitative trait locus (QTL) model having one or two QTLs and a polygenic component, which models additional familial correlation from other unlinked QTLs. The program has no restriction on number of markers or complexity of pedigrees, facilitating use of more complex models with general pedigrees. This is the first available program that can handle a model with both two QTLs and a polygenic component. Competing programs use only simpler models: one QTL, one QTL plus a polygenic component, or variance components (VC). Use of simple models when they are incorrect, as for complex traits that are influenced by multiple genes, can bias estimates of QTL location or reduce power to detect linkage. We compute the likelihood with Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) realization of segregation indicators at the hypothesized QTL locations conditional on marker data, summation over phased multilocus genotypes of founders, and peeling of the polygenic component. Simulated examples, with various sized pedigrees, show that two-QTL analysis correctly identifies the location of both QTLs, even when they are closely linked, whereas other analyses, including the VC approach, fail to identify the location of QTLs with modest contribution. Our examples illustrate the advantage of parametric linkage analysis with two QTLs, which provides higher power for linkage detection and better localization than use of simpler models. Genet. Epidemiol. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Semiparametric variance-component models for linkage and association analyses of censored trait dataGENETIC EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 7 2006G. Diao Abstract Variance-component (VC) models are widely used for linkage and association mapping of quantitative trait loci in general human pedigrees. Traditional VC methods assume that the trait values within a family follow a multivariate normal distribution and are fully observed. These assumptions are violated if the trait data contain censored observations. When the trait pertains to age at onset of disease, censoring is inevitable because of loss to follow-up and limited study duration. Censoring also arises when the trait assay cannot detect values below (or above) certain thresholds. The latent trait values tend to have a complex distribution. Applying traditional VC methods to censored trait data would inflate type I error and reduce power. We present valid and powerful methods for the linkage and association analyses of censored trait data. Our methods are based on a novel class of semiparametric VC models, which allows an arbitrary distribution for the latent trait values. We construct appropriate likelihood for the observed data, which may contain left or right censored observations. The maximum likelihood estimators are approximately unbiased, normally distributed, and statistically efficient. We develop stable and efficient numerical algorithms to implement the corresponding inference procedures. Extensive simulation studies demonstrate that the proposed methods outperform the existing ones in practical situations. We provide an application to the age at onset of alcohol dependence data from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism. A computer program is freely available. Genet. Epidemiol. 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] E-cadherin abnormalities resulting from CPG methylation promoter in metastatic and nonmetastatic oral cancerHEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 1 2008Renato Vieira de Moraes MSc Abstract Background. This study aims to compare the alterations in the methylation profiles of E-cadherin in oral cancer, especially in tumors with lowest metatastic potential. Methods. Nine oral verrucous carcinomas (VCs), 20 oral well-differentiated squamous cell carcinomas without lymph node involvement (SCC-pN0), and 17 with lymph node involvement (SCC-pN+) were analyzed using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical expression of E-cadherin gene. Results. The immunohistochemical expression of E-cadherin in VC was significantly higher (p = .016) when compared with SCC-pN0 and SCC-pN+ groups. The E-cadherin gene methylation was not correlated with its abnormal immunohistochemical expression in VC and SCC-pN0. All tumors of the SCC-pN+ group with unmethylated E-cadherin gene showed significant loss of E-cadherin immunoexpression (p = .044). Conclusions. The E-cadherin gene methylation presence in tumors with lowest invasive and metastatic potential, such as VC, suggests the early involvement of this epigenetic event in the multistep progression of the oral carcinogenesis. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2008 [source] Modifying the Output Characteristics of an Organic Light-Emitting Device by Refractive-Index Modulation,ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 18 2006T. Höfler Abstract In order to modify the output characteristics of organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs), the optical properties of an active layer within the device are patterned without introducing any thickness modulation. For this purpose a new conjugated copolymer, which serves as a hole-transporting material and at the same time can be index patterned using UV techniques, is synthesized. Poly(VC- co -VBT) (VC: N -vinylcarbazole; VBT: 4-vinylbenzyl thiocyanate) is prepared by free-radical copolymerization of VC and VBT. The material contains photoreactive thiocyanate groups that enable altering of the material's refractive index under UV illumination. This copolymer is employed as a patternable hole-transporting layer in multilayer OLEDs. Refractive-index gratings in poly(VC- co -VBT) are inscribed using a holographic setup based upon a Lloyd mirror configuration. The fourth harmonic of a Nd:YAG (YAG: yttrium aluminum garnet) laser (266,nm) serves as the UV source. In this way 1D photonic structures are integrated in an OLED containing AlQ3 (tris(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum) as the emitting species. It is assured that only a periodical change of the refractive index (,n,=,0.006 at ,,=,540,nm) is generated in the active material but no surface-relief gratings are generated. The patterned devices show more forward-directed out-coupling behavior than unstructured devices (increase in luminosity by a factor of five for a perpendicular viewing direction). This effect is most likely due to Bragg scattering. For these multilayer structures, optimum outcoupling was observed for grating periods ,,,,390,nm. [source] Benzo[a]heptalenes from Heptaleno[1,2- c]furans.HELVETICA CHIMICA ACTA, Issue 4 2007Abstract It is shown in this ,Part 2' that heptaleno[1,2- c]furans 1 react thermally in a Diels,Alder -type [4+2] cycloaddition at the furan ring with vinylene carbonate (VC), phenylsulfonylallene (PSA), , -(acetyloxy)acrylonitrile (AAN), and (1Z)-1,2-bis(phenylsulfonyl)ethene (ZSE) to yield the corresponding 1,4-epoxybenzo[d]heptalenes (cf. Schemes,1, 5, 6, and 8). The thermal reaction of 1a and 1b with VC at 130° and 150°, respectively, leads mainly to the 2,3- endo -cyclocarbonates 2,3- endo - 2a and - 2b and in minor amounts to the 2,3- exo -cyclocarbonates 2,3- exo - 2a and - 2b. In some cases, the (P*)- and (M*)-configured epimers were isolated and characterized (Scheme,1). Base-catalyzed cleavage of 2,3- endo - 2 gave the corresponding 2,3-diols 3, which were further transformed via reductive cleavage of their dimesylates 4 into the benzo[a]heptalenes 5a and 5b, respectively (Scheme,2). In another reaction sequence, the 2,3-diols 3 were converted into their cyclic carbonothioates 6, which on treatment with (EtO)3P gave the deoxygenated 1,4-dihydro-1,4-epoxybenzo[d]heptalenes 7. These were rearranged by acid catalysis into the benzo[a]heptalen-4-ols 8a and 8b, respectively (Scheme,2). Cyclocarbonate 2,3- endo - 2b reacted with lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) at ,70° under regioselective ring opening to the 3-hydroxy-substituted benzo[d]heptalen-2-yl carbamate 2,3- endo - 9b (Scheme,3). The latter was O -methylated to 2,3- endo -(P*)- 10b. The further way, to get finally the benzo[a]heptalene 13b with MeO groups in 1,2,3-position, could not be realized due to the fact that we found no way to cleave the carbamate group of 2,3- endo -(P*)- 10b without touching its 1,4-epoxy bridge (Scheme,3). The reaction of 1a with PSA in toluene at 120° was successful, in a way that we found regioisomeric as well as epimeric cycloadducts (Scheme,5). Unfortunately, the attempts to rearrange the products under strong-base catalysis as it had been shown successfully with other furan,PSA adducts were unsuccessful (Scheme,4). The thermal cycloaddition reaction of 1a and 1b with AAN yielded again regioisomeric and epimeric adducts, which could easily be transformed into the corresponding 2- and 3-oxo products (Scheme,6). Only the latter ones could be rearranged with Ac2O/H2SO4 into the corresponding benzo[a]heptalene-3,4-diol diacetates 20a and 20b, respectively, or with trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TfOSiMe3/Et3N), followed by treatment with NH4Cl/H2O, into the corresponding benzo[a]heptalen-3,4-diols 21a and 21b (Scheme,7). The thermal cycloaddition reaction of 1 with ZSE in toluene gave the cycloadducts 2,3- exo - 22a and - 22b as well as 2- exo,3- endo - 22c in high yields (Scheme,8). All three adducts eliminated, by treatment with base, benzenesulfinic acid and yielded the corresponding 3-(phenylsulfonyl)-1,4-epoxybenzo[d]heptalenes 25. The latter turned out to be excellent Michael acceptors for H2O2 in basic media (Scheme,9). The Michael adducts lost H2O on treatment with Ac2O in pyridine and gave the 3-(phenylsulfonyl)benzo[d]heptalen-2-ones 28a and 3- exo - 28b, respectively. Rearrangement of these compounds in the presence of Ac2O/AcONa lead to the formation of the corresponding 3-(phenylsulfonyl)benzo[a]heptalene-1,2-diol diacetates 30a and 30b, which on treatment with MeONa/MeI gave the corresponding MeO-substituted compounds 31a and 31b. The reductive elimination of the PhSO2 group led finally to the 1,2-dimethoxybenzo[a]heptalenes 32a and 32b. Deprotonation experiments of 32a with t -BuLi/N,N,N,,N,-tetramethylethane-1,2-diamine (tmeda) and quenching with D2O showed that the most acid CH bond is HC(3) (Scheme,9). Some of the new structures were established by X-ray crystal-diffraction analyses (cf. Figs.,1, 3, 4, and 5). Moreover, nine of the new benzo[a]heptalenes were resolved on an anal. Chiralcel OD-H column, and their CD spectra were measured (cf. Figs.,8 and 9). As a result, the 1,2-dimethoxybenzo[a]heptalenes 32a and 32b showed unexpectedly new Cotton -effect bands just below 300,nm, which were assigned to chiral exciton coupling between the heptalene and benzo part of the structurally highly twisted compounds. The PhSO2 -substituted benzo[a]heptalenes 30b and 31b showed, in addition, a further pair of Cotton -effect bands in the range of 275,245,nm, due to chiral exciton coupling of the benzo[a]heptalene chromophore and the phenylsulfonyl chromophore (cf. Fig.,10). [source] Virtual colonoscopy compared with conventional colonoscopy for stricturing postoperative recurrence in Crohn's diseaseINFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 6 2003Dr. Livia Biancone Abstract Background The place of virtual colonoscopy (VC) in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) requiring endoscopic follow-up after surgery is unknown. The authors compared findings from VC versus conventional colonoscopy (CC) for assessing the postoperative recurrence of CD. Methods Sixteen patients with ileocolonic anastomosis for CD were prospectively enrolled from January 2001 to January 2002. Recurrence was assessed by CC according to Rutgeerts et al. VC was performed with a computed tomography scanner, with images examined by three radiologists who were unaware of the endoscopic findings. Results CC showed perianastomotic recurrence in 15 of 16 patients. Perianastomotic narrowing or stenosis was detected by VC in 11 of these 15 patients. There were 11 true positive, 1 true negative, 0 false-positive, and 4 false-negative findings (73% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value, 20% negative predictive value, 75% accuracy). Among the eight patients showing a rigid stenosis of the anastomosis not allowing passage of the colonoscope, VC detected narrowing or stenosis in seven patients. Conclusions The current findings suggest that although the widespread use of VC in CD is currently not indicated because of possible false-negative findings, this technique may represent an alternative to CC in noncompliant postsurgical patients with a rigid stenosis not allowing passage of the endoscope. [source] Ex vivo evaluation of the accuracy and coefficient of repeatability of three electronic apex locators using a simple mounting model: a preliminary reportINTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 4 2010F. L. C. D'Assunção D'Assunção FLC, Albuquerque DS, Salazar-Silva JR, Dos Santos VC, Sousa JCN.Ex vivo evaluation of the accuracy and coefficient of repeatability of three electronic apex locators using a simple mounting model: a preliminary report. International Endodontic Journal, 43, 269,274, 2010. Abstract Aim, To compare ex vivo the accuracy and coefficient of repeatability of three electronic apex locators in locating the apical constriction. Methodology, Thirty-one single-rooted teeth were used. The teeth were sectioned at the cement,-enamel junction. A mounting model was used for the measurement of electronic length (EL). The Root ZX-II, the Mini Apex Locator and the Novapex were used for electronic measurements. Each electronic measurement was obtained and repeated. After the last measurement, the file was cemented in place, and the apical 4 mm of each root canal was exposed. The distance from the tip of the file to the apical constriction was determined by three investigators and compared with the corresponding ELs. Results, The coefficient of repeatability of all devices was acceptable: Root ZX-II, 0.04 mm; Mini Apex Locator, 0.10 mm; and Novapex, 0.08 mm. There was little variation in inter-examiner agreement; the ,C (Lin) correlation coefficient was 0.83 for examiners 1 and 2, 0.88 for examiners 1 and 3 and 0.99 for examiners 2 and 3. Using the Root ZX-II, 13 of 31 electronic measurements were located at the apical constriction (42%). Otherwise, the tip of the file was not located at the apical constriction in any of the electronic measurements with the other two devices. The Wilcoxon signed rank test did not reveal any statistical difference between the Root ZX-II measurements and the actual length (P = 0.628), but there was a statistical difference between the Mini Apex Locator and Novapex measurements and the actual length position (P < 0.05). Conclusions, The devices tested in this study had a high coefficient of repeatability. The Root ZX-II was accurate, but the Mini Apex Locator and Novapex were not accurate in locating the apical constriction. [source] Kinetics of the sulfate radical-mediated photo-oxidation of humic substancesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL KINETICS, Issue 1 2008Pedro M. David Gara The kinetics of the aqueous phase reaction of sulfate radicals with commercial humic acids and with organic matter extracted from vermicompost (VC) was studied by flash-photolysis. The results can be interpreted by a mechanism that in a first step considers the reversible binding of the sulfate radicals by the humic substances. Both the bound and free sulfate radicals decay to oxidized products. From experiments performed with Aldrich humic acids in the temperature range from 283 to 303 K, the enthalpy change associated with the binding process was estimated to be ,(36 ± 11) kJ mol,1. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 40: 19,24, 2008 [source] Measured average cell rate-based congestion avoidance schemeINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, Issue 1 2001Hyun M. Choi Abstract Techniques for congestion control of available bit-rate (ABR) traffic in ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) networks remain an important issue. Several congestion control schemes have been proposed to adjust the cell rates of sources with a modified or mean allowed cell rate. To make these schemes work effectively in practice, the modified or mean allowed cell rate must converge under all conditions. However, it is not easy to obtain an accurate value, and an inaccurate value could result in network performance degradation such as severe oscillations and considerable unfairness. Therefore, we propose a measured average cell rate-based congestion avoidance for ABR traffic in ATM networks. The scheme has high throughput and achieves shorter queue lengths without congestion. With measured average cell rate, the scheme provides fast convergence to a start-up virtual connection (VC) and rate of equalization from different initial conditions of the sources. Thus, this scheme provides better fairness among connections. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] International venture capital research: From cross-country comparisons to crossing bordersINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT REVIEWS, Issue 3 2005Mike Wright Venture capital (VC) has become an international phenomenon, and VC firms are a specific kind of service firm whose characteristics have distinctive implications for international behaviour. There is now a disparate body of research on international aspects of VC across a number of disciplines comprising finance, economics, strategy, entrepreneurship, international business and economic geography. A novel aspect of this paper is that we review and synthesize this disparate literature. A number of research gaps and limitations in the theoretical and methodological approaches involved in previous studies are identified and suggestions made for further research. We show that the vast majority of the literature relates to cross-country comparisons; that is, macro-level comparisons of VC industries across different countries and micro-level comparisons of VC behaviour across countries. From our review of the literature, we argue that an under-researched area concerns the influence of institutional contexts, especially the role of social networks and cultures. Furthermore, our review of the literature indicates that there is a major research gap in relation to work dealing with the crossing of country borders by VC firms. We suggest that resource-based, capabilities, institutional and network theories may be offer insights to further our understanding of the behaviour of VC firms in this area. [source] It Ain't Broke: The Past, Present, and Future of Venture CapitalJOURNAL OF APPLIED CORPORATE FINANCE, Issue 2 2010Steven N. Kaplan This article presents a selective history of the U.S. venture capital (VC) industry, a discussion of the current state of the market, and some predictions about where the market is going. There is no doubt that the U.S. venture capital industry has been very successful. The VC model has provided an efficient solution to a difficult problem,that of enabling people with promising ideas but often limited track records to raise capital from outside investors. A large fraction of IPOs, including many of the most successful, have been funded by venture capitalists, and the U.S. VC model has been copied around the world. Armed with this historical perspective, the authors view with skepticism the recent claims that the VC model is broken. In the past, VC investments in companies have represented a remarkably constant 0.15% of the total value of the stock market; and commitments to VC funds, while more variable, have been consistently in the 0.10% to 0.20% range. Both of these percentages have continued to hold in recent years. And despite the relatively low number of IPOs, the returns to VC funds this decade have largely maintained their historical relationship to the overall stock market. To be sure, VC investment and returns continue to be subject to boom-and-bust cycles. But if the recent period has most of the features of a bust, the authors view today's historically low level of commitments to U.S. VC funds as a fairly reliable indicator of relatively high expected returns for the 2009 and (probably) 2010 vintage years. Perhaps the most promising future role for venture capital, as the authors suggest in closing, is to increase the productivity of the corporate research and development function through various kinds of partnerships and outsourcing arrangements. [source] Osteoporosis-Related Kyphosis and Impairments in Pulmonary Function: A Systematic Review,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 3 2007Robyn A Harrison Abstract We conducted a systematic review to examine the relationship between osteoporotic vertebral fractures, kyphosis, and pulmonary function. Findings suggest modest but predictable declines in vital capacity related to the degree of kyphosis. However, there were only four studies, and all had significant methodologic limitations. Further high-quality research is needed. Introduction: Our objective was to systematically review the extent to which osteoporosis-related vertebral fractures and kyphosis affect pulmonary function. Materials and Methods: We used a literature search from 1966 to 2006 (using Medline, EMBASE, and hand searches of references) for studies examining pulmonary function in patients without known lung disease who had vertebral fractures or kyphosis secondary to osteoporosis. Two reviewers independently abstracted data. Heterogeneity precluded formal meta-analysis. Results: Initial searches yielded 453 articles. After applying eligibility criteria, only four case-control studies of limited quality (e.g., only one study was blinded) remained. Since 1966, only 109 patients (6 men) have been studied. All four studies reported reductions in vital capacity (VC), with values ranging from 68% to 94% of predicted values. This was quantified as a 9% reduction in predicted VC per vertebral fracture in one study. The degree of kyphosis clinically (one study) or radiographically (three studies) correlated with declines in VC; impairments were most notable at kyphotic angles >55°. Statistically significant differences in percent predicted VC were obtained only when arm span or recalled height, rather than measured height, was used (two studies). Conclusions: Despite conventional teaching, the evidence relating osteoporotic vertebral fractures or kyphosis to pulmonary function is limited. On the basis of available studies, declines in VC secondary to kyphosis seem modest and directly related to the number of vertebral fractures or degree of kyphosis. Future studies need longitudinal follow-up of larger numbers of men and women, appropriate proxies for height, standardized measures for pulmonary function and kyphosis, and efforts to blind outcomes ascertainment. [source] Prethymectomy plasmapheresis in myasthenia gravisJOURNAL OF CLINICAL APHERESIS, Issue 4 2005Jiann-Horng Yeh Abstract Plasma exchange before thymectomy may decrease the time on mechanical ventilation (MV) and shorten the stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) for patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). This study evaluated the effects of prethymectomy plasmapheresis. A total of 29 myasthenic patients, 18 women and 11 men aged 20,73 years, were treated with double filtration plasmapheresis (DFP) for two to five consecutive sessions over a period between 2 and 21 days (mean 8.1 days) before transsternal thymectomy. Acetylcholine receptor antibody (AchRAb) titers, vital capacity (VC), maximal inspiratory pressure (Pimax), and MG score were measured before and after the course of DFP. Three outcome measures including duration of postoperative hospital stay, duration of ICU stay, and duration of MV were analyzed for correlation with clinical variables. The duration of MV ranged from 6 to 93 h, with a median of 21 h. The median ICU stay was one day and the median postoperative hospital stay was 10 days. A higher removal rate of AchRAb was associated with a shorter duration of ICU and postoperative hospital stay (P = 0.001 and 0.019, respectively). Postoperative hospital stay was strongly correlated with post-DFP Pimax (P = 0.010), and marginally correlated with pre-DFP VC (P = 0.047) and to a lesser extent with pre-DFP Pimax (P = 0.063). Univariate analysis using the log rank test revealed that removal rate of AchRAb <30% (P = 0.043) and pre-DFP Pimax <,60 cmH2O (P = 0.024) were significantly associated with prolonged ICU stay. Risk factors for prolonged postoperative stay included post-DFP Pimax <,60 cmH2O (P = 0.017), pre-DFP Pimax <,60 cmH2O (P = 0.031), and post-DFP VC < 1.0 L (P = 0.046). Our results confirmed the efficacy and safety of DFP in prethymectomy preparation for myasthenic patients. J. Clin. Apheresis, 2005 © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] New Shade Guide for Evaluation of Tooth Whitening,Colorimetric StudyJOURNAL OF ESTHETIC AND RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY, Issue 5 2007RADE D. PARAVINA DDS ABSTRACT Statement of the Problem:, Available shade guides lack colorimetric uniformity, which compromises the validity of visual evaluation of tooth whitening efficacy. Purpose:, The objective of this study was to perform a colorimetric analysis of a new shade guide designed primarily for the visual evaluation of tooth whitening efficacy and to compare this shade guide with two commercial shade guides. Materials and Methods:, Color ranges and color distribution of three shade guides (prototype of the new Vita Bleachedguide 3D-Master [BG, Vita Zahnfabrik, Bad Säckingen, Germany], value scale of Vitapan Classical [VC, Vita], and color-ordered Trubyte Bioform porcelain shade guide [TB, Dentsply International, York, PA, USA]) were analyzed (N=3). A circular area (d=1.7 mm) on the middle of the labial surface of the tab, excluding the cervical portion, was measured with a spectroradiometer (D65, 2). Whiteness and yellowness indices were computed. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance and Fisher's PLSD test at a 0.05 level of significance. Results:, The range of color difference (,E*) from the lightest to the darkest tab was 33.8 (BG), 17.1 (VC), and 23.2 (TB). Mean values of ,E* among pairs of adjacent tabs were 3.0 (BG), 4.2 (VC), and 3.3 (TB). BG exhibited the highest R2 values between color coordinate pairs and between whiteness and yellowness indices with the respective color coordinates. Conclusions:, BG exhibited the widest color range and had the most consistent color distribution as compared with the two commercial products. Extension of the lightness range of BG toward higher L* values (bleach shades) was confirmed. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE A dental shade guide that is colorimetrically uniform might increase the reliability of visual comparisons of tooth whitening efficacy, whereas the inclusion of realistic bleaching shades in the shade guide will complement contemporary esthetic dentistry. (J Esthet Restor Dent 19:276,283, 2007) [source] Comparison of relative forced expiratory volume of one second with dynamic magnetic resonance imaging parameters in healthy subjects and patients with lung cancer,JOURNAL OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING, Issue 3 2005Christian Plathow MD Abstract Purpose To assess relative forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1/vital capacity (VC)) in healthy subjects and patients with a lung tumor using dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) parameters. Materials and Methods In 15 healthy volunteers and 31 patients with a non-small-cell lung carcinoma stage I (NSCLC I), diaphragmatic length change (LE1) and craniocaudal (CC) intrathoracic distance change within one second from maximal inspiration (DE1) were divided by total length change (LEtotal, DEtotal) as a surrogate of spirometric FEV1/VC using a true fast imaging with steady-state precession (trueFISP) sequence (TE/TR = 1.7/37.3 msec, temporal resolution = 3 images/second). Influence of tumor localization was examined. Results In healthy volunteers FEV1/VC showed a highly significant correlation with LE1/LEtotal and DE1/DEtotal (r > 0.9, P < 0.01). In stage IB tumor patients, comparing tumor-bearing with the non-tumor-bearing hemithorax, there was a significant difference in tumors of the middle (LE1/LEtotal = 0.63 ± 0.05 vs. 0.73 ± 0.04, DE1/DEtotal = 0.66 ± 0.05 vs. 0.72 ± 0.04; P < 0.05) and lower (P < 0.05) lung region. Stage IA tumor patients showed no significant differences with regard to healthy subjects. Conclusion dMRI is a simple noninvasive method to locally determine LE1/LEtotal and DE1/DEtotal as a surrogate of FEV1/VC in volunteers and patients. Tumors of the middle and lower lung regions have a significant influence on these MRI parameters. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2005;21:212,218. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] A Property Rights Perspective on Venture Capital Investment DecisionsJOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES, Issue 7 2010Dimo Dimov abstract To understand how ownership differences influence specific types of strategic decisions, we examine the investment decisions of venture capital (VC) firms, for which a variety of property rights arrangements exist. We describe how VC firms are characterized by important differences in how and to whom various property rights are allocated. On this basis, we develop a series of hypotheses regarding differences in the range and types of investment opportunities pursued by private, corporate, and bank affiliated VC firms. Evaluating our hypotheses using data on investments carried out by 3557 firms, we find that these types of firm perform distinct roles in the ecology of VC financing. [source] Kinetic study on the prooxidative effect of vitamin C on the autoxidation of glycerol trioleate in micellesJOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2006Zai-Qun Liu Abstract Vitamin C (L -ascorbic acid) protects human health by scavenging toxic free radicals and other reactive oxygen species formed in cell metabolism. The surplus supplementation of vitamin C, however, may be harmful to health because the level of 8-oxoguanine and 8-oxoadenine in lymphocyte DNA varies remarkably. In the process of the kinetic investigation on the 2,2,-azobis(2-amidinopropane dihydrochloride) (AAPH)-induced autoxidation of glycerol trioleate (GtH) in the micelles of cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and Triton X-100, the addition of vitamin C accelerates the autoxidation of GtH even in the absence of the free radical initiator, AAPH. The initiating rate, Ri, of vitamin C (VC)-induced autoxidation of GtH is related to the micelle charge, i.e. Ri,=,14.4,×,10,6 [VC] s,1 in SDS (anionic micelle), Ri,=,1961,×,10,6 [VC] s,1 in Triton X-100 (neutral micelle) and Ri is a maximum in CTAB (cationic micelle) when the vitamin C concentration is ,300,µM. Thus, vitamin C can initiate autoxidation of GtH in micelles, especially in the neutral one. Moreover, the attempt to explore whether ,-tocopherol (TocH) could rectify vitamin C-induced autoxidation of GtH leads us to find that the rate constant of TocH reacting with the anionic radical of vitamin C (VC.,), k,inh, is ,103M,1,s,1, which is less than that of the ,-tocopherol radical (Toc.) with vitamin C (kinh,=,,105,M,1,s,1). Thus, the equilibrium constant of the reaction Toc.+VC,,TocH+VC., is prone strongly to the regeneration of Toc. by vitamin C rather than the reverse reaction. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Vegetative Compatibility Among Isolates of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides from Yam (Dioscorea spp.) in NigeriaJOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2004M. M. Abang Abstract Isolates of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides obtained from yam-based cropping systems in Nigeria, previously characterized on the basis of morphology, virulence and rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence variation were further compared for vegetative compatibility (VC). Chlorate-resistant nitrate non-utilizing (nit) mutants were generated from the isolates and used in complementation (heterokaryon) tests. Tests of VC between complementary mutants from different isolates indicated the presence of several genotypes within a single field, suggesting limited clonal spread. In some cases, isolates obtained from the same lesion were observed to belong to different vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs). No compatibility was observed between isolates of the highly virulent slow-growing grey (SGG), the moderately virulent fast-growing salmon (FGS) and the avirulent/weakly virulent fast-growing grey (FGG) strains. Forty-one C. gloeosporioides isolates belonged to 28 VCGs, giving a genotype diversity estimate of 0.68. This diversity confirmed the high variability of the pathogen population as revealed by previous characterization studies, however, a correlation between VCGs and isolate groupings based on morphology and virulence was not found. The finding that an isolate from weed was compatible with yam isolates indicated that transfer of important traits, such as virulence, may take place between isolates from yam and non-yam hosts. The VCG diversity revealed by this study suggests that in addition to asexual reproduction, sexual reproduction may play an important role in the epidemiology of anthracnose on yam. [source] A Chemical Co-Reduction Route to Synthesize Nanocrystalline Vanadium CarbideJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 1 2006Cun Li Nanocrystalline vanadium carbide (VC) was synthesized via a chemical co-reduction process, in which VCl4 and CCl4 were used as the vanadium source and the carbon source, respectively, and metallic Na as a reductant in an autoclave at 500°C for 12 h. X-ray powder diffraction indicated that the product was an NaCl type of VC with a cell constant a=4.171 Å. A transmission electron microscopy image showed the VC particles were 10,40 nm in size. X-ray photoelectron spectrum and Raman spectrum showed the surface covered with oxide and graphite. The formation of nanocrystalline VC was discussed based on thermodynamics. [source] Role of Vanadium Carbide Additive during Sintering of WC,Co: Mechanism of Grain Growth InhibitionJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 1 2003Hyoung R. Lee In a WC,Co specimen, the shape of WC crystals was a triangular prism with truncated corners. When VC was added to inhibit grain growth, the crystal shape changed to a triangular prism without truncation. This shape change was related to the variation of edge energy, which has a significant influence on the coarsening process of WC grains. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||