Valuable Parameter (valuable + parameter)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Linear retention indices in gas chromatographic analysis: a review

FLAVOUR AND FRAGRANCE JOURNAL, Issue 5 2008
Barbara d'Acampora Zellner
Abstract The main purpose of any chromatographic analysis is to resolve mixtures of compounds into less complex mixtures or ultimately into pure components. In addition to this function, the chromatographic system can provide retention data which serve as complementary information for the positive identification of resolved components. The need to express gas chromatographic retention data in a standardized system has long been recognized and retention index values presented to be a valuable parameter. Those values are mainly calculated by applying the equations proposed by Kováts, for isothermal analysis, and van den Dool and Kratz, for programmed gas chromatographic runs. In general, these indices denote the retention behaviour of the compounds of interest according to a uniform scale determined by a series of closely related standard substances. The use of retention indices in the flavour and fragrance field is well-documented, and they are widely applied for the comparison of results between laboratories, as well as to characterize stationary phases. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Enhanced type I interferon signaling and recruitment of chemokine receptor CXCR3-expressing lymphocytes into the skin following treatment with the TLR7-agonist imiquimod

JOURNAL OF CUTANEOUS PATHOLOGY, Issue 4 2005
Joerg Wenzel
Introduction:, Imiquimod (AldaraÔ) is an immune response modifier approved for the topical treatment of external genital and perianal warts which can mediate regression of several cutaneous malignancies [basal cell carcinoma (BCC), Bowen's disease, actinic keratosis, and metastasis of malignant melanoma]. Recently, it was discovered that imiquimod acts through the toll-like receptor (TLR) 7. We hypothesize that TLR7-signaling strongly induces the production of interferon (IFN) ,, which is able to enhance Th1-mediated cellular antiviral and antitumor immunity. Patients and methods:, In the present study we analyzed the expression of MxA, a protein specifically induced by type I IFNs during topical imiquimod treatment in several patients suffering from different cutaneous malignancies (BCC, cutaneous metastasis of melanoma, and breast cancer), and characterized the inflammatory infiltrate, along with the expression of chemokine receptor CXCR3, by immunohistochemistry. Results:, Treatment with the TLR7-agonist imiquimod induced a significant lesional lymphocytic inflammation, associated with strong expression of MxA, indicating the induction of type I IFN signaling. The extent of lesional MxA staining closely correlated with the number of infiltrating T lymphocytes and the expression of the chemokine receptor CXCR3, characteristic for Th1-biased immune responses. Discussion:, Our in vivo results suggest an important role for TLR7-induced production of type I IFN, which links innate and adaptive immunity and promotes specific Th1-biased cellular immune response capable of eliminating cutaneous malignancies. MxA appears to be a valuable parameter to demonstrate IFN-type I expression in imiquimod therapy. [source]


Estimating Subglottal Pressure via Airflow Redirection,

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 8 2007
Christopher D. Baggott
Abstract Subglottal pressure (SGP) is a valuable parameter in the research and clinical assessment of laryngeal function. The lungs serve as a constant pressure source during sustained phonation, and that pressure, SGP, can be used to determine the efficiency with which the larynx converts aerodynamic power to acoustic power. As the larynx serves as an aerodynamic transducer, the vocal efficiency (Ve) coefficient, defined as acoustic power (dB) divided by aerodynamic power (SGP × glottal airflow) has been shown to reliably reflect vocal health. However, current SGP measurement techniques are hesitantly used because of either an invasive nature or the requirement of intensive patient training. This study tests a novel device that has been designed to noninvasively estimate SGP through mechanical airflow redirection, producing a numeric output on completion of the trial, which lasts only a few seconds. The novelty of this design lies in the ease of use for both the patient and the clinician. Multiple mechanical airflow redirections occlude the airway for only 135 ms, which is predicted to limit the effect of confounding laryngeal reflexes that may occur during the trials. Additionally, the airflow redirection into a retention device allows for the pneumatic in-trial comparison of the estimated SGP with the pressure achieved by the patient, providing a numeric output to the clinician on completion. [source]


Anelastic Behavior of Plasma-Sprayed Zirconia Coatings

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 12 2008
Yajie Liu
Low-temperature thermal cycling of plasma-sprayed zirconia coatings reveals unique mechanical responses in their curvature measurements, namely nonlinear and cyclic hysteresis, collectively termed as anelastic. These features arise from the inherent layered, porous, and cracked morphology of thermal-sprayed ceramic materials. In this paper, the mechanisms of anelasticity are characterized by crack closure and frictional sliding models, and stress,strain relations of various thermal-sprayed zirconia coatings were determined via an inverse analysis procedure. These results demonstrate process conditions such as powder morphology and spray parameters significantly influence the mechanical behaviors of coatings. The unique anelastic responses can be used as valuable parameters in identifying coating quality as well as process reliability in manufacturing. [source]