Science.gov (United States)

... WHS- Washington Headquarters Service ... present a framework based on political campaigns theory for both the Joint Task Force Commander down ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

It is urged that the lesson of gauge invariance in quantum electrodynamics implies the irrelevance of `Schwinger term` difficulties in current algebra. The divergence equations of Veltman form the basis of a gauge-variation formalism in which these questions are avoided. (author). 9 refs.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

AIM: To review the features of gonococcal infection in men in the 1990s. METHODS: A retrospective study of all men with gonorrhoea presenting to an inner city department of genitourinary medicine in...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

A mollusciciding campaign was begun in Cul-de-Sac Valley, St Lucia, at the end of 1970, following several years of epidemiological studies in which transmission of Schistosoma mansoni...Full Text Available

Wastenet

... For example, moving from incentives for deepwater drilling for dirty oil to real support for renewables, and from hidden subsidies for nuclear power to transforming the UK to a thriving low carbon economy. Thanks once again to those who came along. There will be more opportunities to campaign with us soon, to help get the support we need to move the UK beyond oil. GoBeyondOilCampaigningCamden1 Comments(...

Science.gov (United States)

This study investigated how men and women perceive online and offline sexual and emotional infidelity. Undergraduates from a large university in Northern Ireland participated in the study. It was found that men, when forced to decide, were more upset by sexual infidelity and women by emotional infidelity. It was also found that men were more likely to believe that women have sex when in love and that women believe that men have sex even when they are not in love. It was not, however, found that either men or women believed that having cybersex implied the other was also in love or that being in love online implied they were having cybersex. These results are explained through a social-cognitive lens.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Department of Energy has used its seldom-used statutory authority and filed comments with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission urging support for Public Service Company of Indiana's request that the FERC allow it to sell up to 450 megawatts of firm power to eligible wholesale purchasers at negotiated or market-based rates in exchange for open transmission access for other generators.

Science.gov (United States)

The goal of this experiment is to evaluate the usefulness of existing normal gravity two-phase flow heat transfer augmentation techniques under microgravity ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

OBJECTIVE--To investigate the cause of post-operative retention of urine in elderly men. DESIGN--Prospective study. SETTING--Northern General Hospital, Sheffield. PATIENTS--32 consecutive men (median...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The goal of this study was to evaluate the clinical and urodynamic features in Korean men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and to determine non-invasive parameters for predicting bladder outlet...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Every year nearly 200,000 men in the United States are diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa), and another 29,000 men succumb to the disease. Within certain regions of the world population based...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects up to 50% of men between the ages of 40 and 70. Treatment with PDE-5 inhibitors is effective in the majority of men with ED. However, PDE-5 inhibitors are not effective...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

... alpha spectroscopy comparative evaluations diet electroplating men natural

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The results for development of methods and computer programs for integrated optimization of parameters of perspective fast reactors are given. The possibilities of the program for the reactor campaign calculation are analysed. This program is based on utilisation of the Bubnov-Galerkin method and Wigner disturbance theory. The possibility of application of approximation methods for the optimization researches is discussed. The results of development of the programs for complex reactor computations with account of control rods system and change of physical parameters in the reactor campaign are discussed. (author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Based on the enhanced cooperation between Republic of Korea (ROK) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), IAEA installed new safeguards equipment (Unattended Monitoring System, UMS) at Wolsung unit 2 on January, 2005. The UMS was utilized in parallel with traditional human surveillance during the transfer campaign of Wolsung unit 2 (7 March - 22 July). Installation of UMS at all Wolsung units will be decided on the basis of the result of this test. The transfer campaign with UMS at Wolsung units 2 and 4 was started from September 1, 2006 at the same time. Implementation of UMS to the transfer campaign in Wolsung site will be considerably reduced the IAEA's inspection effort and burden of operator.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

In a double blind test on 40 men and women high performance fencers the influence of a multivitamin-electrolyte-preparation on reaction time, hit-frequency and neuromuscular irritability was determined....Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

PurposeUltrasonically measured intravesical prostatic protrusion may be a promising noninvasive method of assessing bladder outlet obstruction. Previous investigations...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Background:Children of people with alcohol dependence (COAs) are at high risk for behavioral and cognitive problems.Aim:Aim of...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundHearing loss is a common sensory disorder, yet prospective data on potentially modifiable risk factors are limited. Regularly used analgesics, the most...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

It was agreed that both of the Republic Of Korea (ROK) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) cooperate with the new approach using the Unattended Monitoring Systems (UMS), the mailbox declaration and the short notice inspections, which can decrease the agency inspection efforts and operator' s burden. As a result of the positive cooperation of ROK for applying new approach, the IAEA could accomplish a successful implementation of new safeguards approach during last transfer campaigns at Wolsung site. As of the end of Feb. 2007, the IAEA installed the UMS at Wolsung units 2, 3 and 4. The transfer campaigns at Wolsung units 2 and 4 are performing from April, 2007. The IAEA will install the UMS at Wolsung unit 1 by the end of 2007. Then agency will inspect all of transfer campaign at Wolsung units by using new approach with UMS, mailbox declaration and SNI. It is based on the SSAC full cooperation with IAEA to meet ...

Science.gov (United States)

The October 2000 terrorist attack on the guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) in the port of Aden, Yemen, is commonly viewed in the larger context of al-Qa'ida's September 11th campaign. Beyond the initial official investigations, the military force...

Science.gov (United States)

Field campaigns were conducted in 1981 and 1982/83 on the Dutch coast near Egmond. Measurements were made of surface elevations, water velocities and sediment concentrations in 3 to 8 surf zone locations and 2 to 5 offshore locations simultaneously. A des...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Presentation of electromagnetic sources constituted by various radio transmitters contributing to different radio communication services in the environment. Results of a measures campaign to assess the electromagnetic field in the close neighbourhood of various stations. Analysis by frequency domains. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An overview of the past, present and future research activities at the CERN neutron time of flight facility n_TOF is given, with special focus on the astrophysical aspects. During the first campaign (Phase I), neutron capture cross sections of relevance for several aspects of the s-process nucleosynthesis have been measured. A second campaign has recently started (Phase II), aiming at the study of the weak s-process component via accurate (n,#gamma#) measurements of the Fe and Ni isotopes. Some changes in the facility will allow us to perform these measurements with improved experimental conditions.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This document is intended to serve two purposes. Its first purpose is that of a program status report of the considerable progress that the Department of Energy (DOE) has made since 1993, the time of the last such report (DOE/ER-0536, {open_quotes}The DOE Program in HPCC{close_quotes}), toward achieving the goals of the High Performance Computing and Communications (HPCC) Program. The second purpose is that of a summary report of the many research programs administered by the Mathematical, Information, and Computational Sciences (MICS) Division of the Office of Energy Research under the auspices of the HPCC Program and to provide, wherever relevant, easy access to pertinent information about MICS-Division activities via universal resource locators (URLs) on the World Wide Web (WWW). The information pointed to by the URL is updated frequently, and the interested reader is urged to access the WWW for the latest information.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Active contrast material extravasation can be recognized with conventional CT scanners, though it has been considered a rare finding. Helical CT seems to increase the detection rate and especially to boost the radiologist's confidence in this diagnosis. Though active bleeding is defined in severely-injured subjects requiring urgent intervention and may be associated with findings of hypovolaemic shock, it should not be considered itself as a negative prognostic factor. Contrast extravasation is due to ongoing hemorrhage and its detection is critical for urged treatment. Accurate anatomical location permits to choose surgical management or transcatheter embolization and thus decreases time consumption for precis e bleeding site identification.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Paraspeckles (PSPs) are nuclear bodies associated with the retention in the nucleus of specific mRNAs. Two isoforms of a long noncoding RNA (NEAT1_v1/Menε and NEAT1_v2/Menβ)...Full Text Available

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Conclusions. There are gender differences when it comes to the risk factors for sleep apnea. Large tonsils, a high tongue and a wide uvula are risk factors for sleep apnea in men, while large tonsils and a retrognathic mandible are risk factors in women. Upper airway abnormalities including mandibular retrognathia are, however, unable to predict sleep apnea among snorers being investigated for suspected sleep apnea. Objectives. To identify gender-specific risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea and the diagnostic performance from physical upper airway examinations among snoring men and women investigated because of suspected sleep apnea. Patients and methods. The dimensions of the uvula, tonsils, velopharynx and tongue, and nasal septal deviation, mandibular position, neck circumference, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In two pilot projects Maingas AG has complemented an existing marketing mix with a telephone marketing segment. One of these telephone marketing campaigns was conducted for the purpose of `Intensification`, the other for `Activation of Unused Mains Connections`. The aim was to provide professional support to canvassing campaigns in their various phases in order to minimise diffusion losses and increase the probability of winning new customers. The slogan chosen for the drive was therefore: `Its no good being present unless one`s efficient in the preparation, execution, and revision of a campaign`. (orig.) [Deutsch] Die Maingas AG hat in zwei Pilotprojekten das bestehende Marketing-Mix durch das Segment Telefonmarketing ergaenzt. Es wurde eine Telefonmarketing-Aktion im Bereich `Verdichtung` und eine Telefonmarketing-Aktion im Bereich `Aktivierung Inaktive Hausanschluesse` durchgefuehrt. Ziel war es, durch einen ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The report sums up the experience gained with energy efficiency pilot campaigns in Schleswig-Holstein (Schoeth et al., to appear, and Wortman et al., 2000, 2001). The information is to help other actors in this field to develop and optimize their own campaigns. [German] Dieser Bericht resuemiert die wesentlichen Erkenntnisse und Erfahrungen mit wirkungsvoller Umweltwerbung auf Basis der ausfuehrlichen Werbewirkungskontrollen zu den Energieeffizienz-Pilotkampagnen in Schleswig-Holstein (vgl. ausfuehrlicher Schoetz et al., im Druck sowie Wortmann et al., 2000, 2001). Die abschliessenden Abschnitte 'Empfehlungen' und 'Ausblick' kennzeichnen den aktuellen Stand des Wissens und sollen anderen Akteuren mit gleicher oder aehnlicher Zielsetzung Hilfestellung und Anregung fuer die optimierte eigene Planung von Kampagnen geben. (orig.)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This analysis of the June 8, 1976 California Nuclear Initiative was prepared by the Pacific Gas and Electric Co. The defeat of Proposition 15 in the California election was successful for several reasons. A record 70 percent of the voters in California went to the polls and 97 percent of those voted on the nuclear issue with the results showing defeat by two-to-one. Apparently, the voters perceived the Nuclear Initiative as being too drastic. The campaign for defeat of the initiative stressed the consequences of closing down existing plants and closing off the nuclear option in California, namely: higher costs, job losses, and less-desirable alternatives. The campaign waged for the Initiative seems to have suffered from weak management and lack of consistent messages.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundFinasteride, a 5 alpha reductase inhibitor, is an established treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia. The recommended dosage is 5 mg a day, however case reports have...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Trichomonas vaginalis is an important pathogen in both men and women. Culture is considered the diagnostic gold standard, although studies have shown that PCR is more sensitive than...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Leptin is involved in the endocrine control of energy expenditure and body weight regulation. Previous studies emphasize a relationship between hypoxic states and leptin concentrations. The aim of this...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

IntroductionMale sexual dysfunction is a common complication of diabetes (DM), but the relative impact of erectile dysfunction (ED), orgasmic dysfunction (OD), and/or...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Two men reported previously with vitiligo after occupational exposure to hydroquinone monomethyl ether (HMME) have been reviewed after eight years. Repigmentation of significant degree was found in...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The efficacy and safety of roxithromycin 300 mg once a day was compared with that of erythromycin 500 mg twice a day, both for seven days, in a double blind study of 281 patients (188 men, 93 women)...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Young men's errors in sexual perception have been linked to sexual coercion. The current investigation sought to explicate the perceptual and decisional sources of these social perception errors,...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

Theoretically, the outcome of World War II in Europe hung in the balance as the Allies poured onto the Normandy beachhead. Following the June 6, 1944 invasion, the Allies continue to come ashore, massively building up men and material inside the beachhead...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The plasma metabolic clearance of biologically active luteinizing hormone (bioactive LH) was studied using the rat interstitial cell testosterone (RICT) bioassay in six hypogonadotropic men after single...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

We describe two cases of septic arthritis occurring in association with lower urinary tract infection in elderly men. In both cases the organism isolated from both the joint and the urine was Staphylococcus...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Isometric handgrip force, isokinetic knee flexion and extension torque, and anthropometric data were obtained on 67 older men and women (ranging in age from 45 to 75 years, mean 59.7 years). Hydrostatic...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a complex and progressive disease common in aging men. While associated with bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms, it may also result in additional serious complications...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Background/Objective:Reports in the literature suggest that administration of intrathecal baclofen to control spasticity may have deleterious effects on erectile function...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

tumors make up two-thirds of all adult brain tumors and one-third of childhood brain tumors. Cancer Among Men, 2003-2007 Incidence rates decreased for lung, colorectal,...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

In a consecutive series of 26 patients (10 men and 16 women) undergoing abdominoperineal resection of the rectum, cystometry and pressure-flow-EMG measurements were made preoperatively and three and...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Selective phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) have revolutionized the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. As an on-demand treatment, PDE5Is have excellent efficacy and safety in...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundSaw palmetto is commonly used by men for lower urinary tract symptoms. Despite its widespread use, very little is known about the potential toxicity of...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A major problem in the maintenance and rehabilitation of pipelines is the removal of the original coating system, particularly in cases where the coating contains sticky components or adhesives. It has been found that such coatings can be removed by use of a cleaning machine with a plurality of counter-rotating carbide-tipped tools mounted to an oscillating head embracing the pipe, and which is operable at the same time to travel along the length of the pipe. Such a machine can be designed to effect a positive, gentle milling operation on the pipe surface to remove the coating efficiently and at relatively low power consumption. A particular advantage of the pipe cleaning machine of the invention is that its design and manner of operation allows it to be used in the field to clean an uncovered section of pipeline, for example a natural gas pipeline, without the requirement of removing the pipeline section from the ditch in which it is seated. The machine of the invention includes a ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The CLARA-PRISMA setup, composed of an array of 25 Clover detectors placed at the target position of the magnetic spectrometer PRISMA, has recently concluded its campaign to study the structure of moderately neutron-rich nuclei. In this contribution, results obtained in the vicinity of the doubly-magic nucleus "4"8Ca are presented, together with results obtained for the heavy iron isotopes. The perspectives offered by the forthcoming operation of the AGATA Demonstrator Array coupled to PRISMA are also discussed. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An indoor survey in order to estimate the population exposure in five towns of an Italian Region is presented. A particular methodology for the campaign was planned and is being applied. Gamma spectrometry of building materials, exposure rate measurements indoors and outdoors and radon concentration measurements indoors were taken with different techniques. A correlation was found between mean gamma exposure rate and mean radon concentration in the houses investigated. An evaluation of mean effective dose equivalents for the inhabitants of the five towns is reported.

Wastenet

... The male GM mosquitoes mate with normal females to produce larvae that die unless the antibiotic tetracycline is present. In tetracycline's absence an enzyme accumulates to a toxic level, killing the larvae. The developers hope the strategy could be combined with other mosquito control methods to reduce transmission in dengue-prone areas. Ricarda Steinbrecher, a geneticist and co-director of EcoNexus - a UK-based non-profit research organization - ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Electric cars have long been seen as science fiction. This may be changing. As the 1990s began, several companies chose to launch publicity campaigns for electric vehicles. In California, experimental programmes are gaining momentum, in the context of LA's appalling air pollution problems and tightening clean air standards. Supporters claim that electric motive power is a key to solving several environmental problems involving atmospheric pollution. These claims are examined. (author).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The main objectives of this study was to determine the bone density for the purposes of i) determining the age of peak bone mass in each study group and ii) quantifying the differences in bone density as functions of age and sex. The results of estimating the age dependence of mineral density for the femoral neck, spine and total body of healthy women and men using DEXA are given. The age changes in concentrations of major minerals and electrolytes found for compact and trabecular bones of healthy male femoral neck with regard for the wet and dry tissue calculations are represented. Information about femoral neck water content depending on the age of healthy men is tabulated. The number of performed observations and analyses is evidently insufficient to make any final decision, however some preliminary conclusions can be drawn. In accordance with DEXA results, BMD maximum for the femoral neck, spine and total body of healthy women is found for ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Previous work suggests that supplemental ascorbic acid (AA) may inhibit intestinal copper absorption by stabilizing the less absorbable cuprous state. The authors studied copper absorption in healthy men (age 19-32) fed a constant diet with different amounts of ascorbic acid supplements. The 6 men were confined to a metabolic unit for the entire 14 week study. The basal diet consisted of a 7 day rotating menu which provided an average of 2.1 mg Cu/d and was adequate in all other nutrients except AA (5 mg/d). The basal diet was supplemented with either zero, 60, or 600 mg of AA daily, added to grape juice and consumed at each meal. All feces were collected. Blood was taken weekly for monitoring AA and copper status. Copper absorption was determined by both balance and "6"5Cu stable isotope techniques. As determined by fecal Cu excretion, varying intakes of AA between 0.1 to 10 times the RDA had no significant effect on copper retention. This is ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This guide accompanies the following article: Gabrielle Poeschl, `What Family Organization Tells Us about Fairness and Power in Marital Relationships', Social and Personality Compass 1/1 (2007): 557-571, 10.1111/j.1751-9004.2007.00026.x Author's Introduction One thing that often strikes me, when I talk with people, is the human capacity to accept and defend surprising aspects of the social life. Thus, we have some feeling that the separation between the domestic and the public spheres has not always existed, but we are ready to assume that in the first human groups, men went out hunting to feed their family, while women stayed in the camp to take care of the children. Even in the face of evidence to the contrary, we are reluctant to question the opinion that men and women differ in persona...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The optimal management of men with very favorable clinicopathological factors who develop biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP) has not been previously reported. Both local and systemic recurrences are unlikely in this cohort. This study examines their management and outcomes. Between October 2000 to March 2010, 1627 men underwent open RP by a single surgeon. In all, 448 (27.5%) met the following criteria for extremely low risk disease: preoperative PSA level <10?ng?ml?1, clinical stage T1c/T2a, Gleason score ?6, estimated cancer volume in the surgical specimen ?5% and no evidence for positive surgical margin. Undetectable PSA was defined as ?0.04?ng?ml?1. BCR was defined as PSA ?0.2?ng?ml&#...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

ObjectivesVaricocele is a common cause of infertility, and varicocele-associated testicular hypotrophy has been described as a potential cause of decreased semen quality. We investigated the relationship between testicular hypotrophy and poor semen quality in infertile men with varicoceles. We hypothesized that bilateral hypotrophy is required before the semen quality is severely impaired.MethodsWe retrospectively identified consecutive patients with palpable varicoceles undergoing an infertility evaluation at a single academic center. Each patient was evaluated by the same clinician with history and physical examination. Testicular hypotrophy was defined as a size discrepancy of greater than 3 mL or an absolute size of less than 14 mL. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to...

CERN Document Server

We report results of the 2006 April multi-wavelengths campaign of SS 433, focusing on X-ray data observed with Suzaku at two orbital phases (in- and out-of- eclipse) and simultaneous optical spectroscopic observations. By analyzing the Fe25 K_alpha lines originating from the jets, we detect rapid variability of the Doppler shifts, dz/dt ~ 0.019/0.33 day^-1, which is larger than those expected from the precession and/or nodding motion. This phenomenon probably corresponding to "jitter" motions observed for the first time in X-rays, for which significant variability both in the jet angle and intrinsic speed is required. From the time lag of optical Doppler curves from those of X-rays, we estimate the distance of the optical jets from the base to be ~(3-4) \\times 10^14 cm. Based on the radiatively cooling jet model, we determine the innermost temperature of the jets to be T_0 = 13 +/- 2 keV and 16 +/- 3 keV (the average of the blue and red jets) for the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the frame of the European Technology R and D program for ITER, and in the area of High Heat Flux plasma facing Components (HHFC), representative small-scale mock-ups were manufactured and tested to compare different concepts and joining technologies (i.e. active brazing, Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIPping), diffusion bonding, etc.). On the basis of the results obtained by thermal fatigue tests, the monoblock concept resulted to be the most promising one, particularly when the HIPping manufacturing technology is used. Within this program, ENEA manufactured tungsten monoblock mock-ups by using the HIPping technology. The mock-ups were tested with respect to thermal fatigue and, upon screening tests, the best performance obtained was 15 MW/m{sup 2} for 200 cycles. One of these mock-ups was enclosed in the 'Paride' neutron irradiation campaign. This campaign has the scope of enlarging the available database on the performance ...

Science.gov (United States)

We have developed a transportable container based direct detection Doppler lidar based on the double-edge molecular technique. The pulsed solid state system was built at the University of Geneva. It was used to make range resolved measurements of the atmospheric wind field as part of the VALID campaign at the Observatoire de Haute Provence in Provence, France in July 1999. Comparison of our lidar wind measurements, which were analyzed without knowledge of the results of rawinsonde measurements made under the supervision of ESA, show good agreement with these rawinsondes. These are the first Doppler lidar field measurements made with an eyesafe direct detection molecular-based system at 355 nm and serve as a demonstrator for future spaceborne direct detection wind systems such as the Atmospheric Dynamics mission. Winds are an important contributor to sea surface temperature measurements made with the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and also affect the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Results related to the experimental measurement campaign to characterize atmospheric aerosol carried out near Avigliana (Turin) from 18 to 22 October 1994 are presented in this paper. In the frame of the project aimed at evaluating the impact of the mountain motor way A-32 Rivoli-Bardonecchia-Frejus on the Susa Valley environment and on man the present measurement campaign is the second, and last, one envisaged in the project. The sampling place is in the initial part of the Susa Valley while previous measurements were carried out in the high part of it. Mass mean concentrations result greater in the low than in the high part of the valley approximately by a factor of 3. It is not possible to prove a difference between the 3 sampling positions transversely placed from 20 to 80 m. in comparison with the motor way axis. Whereas mass mean concentrations dropped substantially due to atmospheric precipitations during the last two measurement day. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Convective and Orographically-induced Precipitation Study (COPS) has the aim to advance the quality of forecasts of orographically-induced precipitation in complex terrain. COPS is a Research and Development Project of the World Weather Research Program and considered to be one of the largest field campaigns on quantitative precipitation forecasting that has been performed so far. A network of state-of-the-art active and passive remote sensing systems was combined with in total 10 airborne platforms, Meteosat rapid scans and dense networks of standard meteorological instruments during the three months long field phase (June-August, 2007) in south-western Germany/eastern France to observe atmospheric variables in the three spatial dimensions and in time. By the University of Hohenheim, two novel ground-based mobile scanning lidar systems were deployed: a scanning rotational Raman lidar which provides combined measurements of the field of atmospheric temperature ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This article analyses the emergence of the Reseau Education Sans Frontieres (RESF) in France, a movement that emerged in response to fear about the deportation of immigrant children who were pupils in French schools. Mobilising ethical concerns about children's welfare, the movement has been able to create public debate about the French State's moral responsibility to protect these children of 'sans-papiers'. Based on qualitative research, this article analyses the membership of RESF and its modes of action to show how this mobilisation has taken place, stressing the importance of 'everyday interactions' in this mobilisation, and the use of new frames of moral injustice concerning children's welfare.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Meteorological and radon concentration data referring to a measurement campaign carried out in Urbino, Central Italy, are reported and discussed. This study presents a method allowing monitoring of the vertical atmospheric stability using continuous measurements of radon gas near ground. In particular radon evidences the presence of temperature inversion such as the formation of the nocturnal stable layer and gives information on the vertical turbulence and the motion of air masses. This technique is very useful in describing the temporal evolution of the pollutants in the atmosphere. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Steam generator tube denting is primarily caused by build-up of corrosion products at the tubesheet and the tube support plates. The mechanism of dent growth and the identification of tubes which should be removed from service have been studied. The practical outcome has been to prevent in-service tube leaks and to avoid unnecessary plugging of large numbers of tubes. A finite element study of tubesheet deformation (of pulled leaking tubes from reactors) was undertaken. Profilometry results for characterizing dents are given. Although several modifications have been made the high resolution profilometry system performance and the results obtained have proved satisfactory. (U.K.).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This technical memorandum (TM) documents the 1995 characterization of eight underground radioactive waste tanks at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). These tanks belong to the Gunite and Associated Tanks (GAAT) operable unit, and the characterization is part of the ongoing GAAT remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS) process. This TM reports both field observations and analytical results; analytical results are also available from the Oak Ridge Environmental Information System (OREIS) data base under the project name GAAT (PROJ-NAME = GAAT). This characterization effort (Phase II) was a follow-up to the {open_quotes}Phase I{close_quotes} sampling campaign reported in Results of Fall 1994 Sampling of Gunite and Associated Tanks at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, ORNL/ER/Sub/87-99053/74, June 1995. The information contained here should be used in conjunction with that in the previous TM. The sampling plan is documented in ORNL ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The Neutral Beam Test Facility (NBTF) to be realized in Padoa will test the Neutral Beam Injection (NBI), one of the Heating and Current Drive Systems foreseen for ITER. The NBI is based on the acceleration of hydrogen or deuterium negative ions up to 1 MeV. This work has been aimed at assessing the tritium release from the NBTF in order to provide data for the safety analysis. In particular, the diffusion of the tritium through the neutral beam target material (the CuCrZr alloy calorimeter panels) has been assessed by using literature data of the diffusion coefficient. The tritium generated inside the calorimeter panels moves into both the vacuum and water side: the tritium diffusion flux has been evaluated during the beam-on (200 deg. C) and the beam-off (20 deg. C) phases of the NBTF experiments consisting of an interim campaign and a final test. The penetration depth of the tritium through the 2 mm thick CuCrZr alloy material has been also evaluated by using a ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

To evaluate the relationship between sperm motility and total seminal plasma zinc concentration and high molecular weight zinc bound protein values in infertile Iraqi men. A case-control study was conducted at the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, College of Medicine, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq between March 2005 to February 2006. The subjects for the study included 60 infertile male patients who were recruited Al-Kadhimiya Teaching Hospital, and Institute of Embryo Research and Infertility Treatment, Baghdad, Iraq. They were categorized according to their seminal parameters to oligozoospermia (n=32), azoospermia (n=22), and asthenozoospermia (n=6). Thirty nine fertile men (age range 31.87 +/- 3.76 years) were selected as controls, whose partners had conceived within the last year before participation with this study, and having normal spermiogram parameters. Seminal plasma zinc concentration and high molecular weight zinc ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundThe association between infertility and sperm disomy is well documented. Results vary but most report that men with severely compromised semen parameters have a significantly...Full Text Available

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

In male rodents, anogenital distance (AGD) provides a sensitive and continuous correlate of androgen exposure in the intrauterine environment and predicts later reproductive success. Some endocrine-disrupting chemicals can alter male reproductive tract development, including shortening AGD, in both rodents and humans. Whether AGD is related to semen quality in human is unknown.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The IWA and ISWA congresses organized in Paris in july showed the latest research developments in the field of water and wastes management. The water sector is more mature than the waste sector but for both a closer association of the public and private is increasing. A summary of the presentations in successively the water and the wastes management is proposed bringing an analysis of the international situation and regulations. (A.L.B.)

Wastenet

... Jared Deacon, former Olympian and Commonwealth Gold Medallist, who coaches out of PowerBase and Loughborough's High Performance Athletics Centre, and Pete McKnight of Leicestershire County Cricket Club who formerly worked out of PowerBase with EIS and continues to work for UKA at the University, will also take ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The efficacy of a heat inactivated hepatitis B virus vaccine, containing 3 micrograms hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), was studied in a high risk group of 800 susceptible homosexual men by a randomised...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BACKGROUNDSeveral carotid endarterectomy (CEA) randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and series have reported higher perioperative stroke and death rates for women...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Full text: Immunoassays for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) are used to detect early-stage prostate cancer, monitor disease progress, and evaluate therapeutic response. At least two forms of PSA, free PSA (F-PSA) and PSA complexed to alpha-1 anti-chymotrypsin (PSA-ACT) are detected by commercial PSA assays. The fraction of F-PSA is shown to be smaller in patients with untreated prostate cancer than in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). Thus, combined measurements of both total and free PSA are used for a better discrimination between BPH and prostate cancer. Detection of PSA for screening of prostate cancer has been a subject of debate for many years. The reason of this debate is mainly because screening for prostate cancer is not cost-effective, as was shown by studies undertaken in Europe and United States. In Lebanon, no previous programs of screening for prostate cancer were done and so the incidence of this cancer is not known. Recently, the cancer registry in ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In developing countries with rapidly growing economies, energy consumption will more than triple by 2030. This will require more than 8 trillion euros in investments in energy in these countries. The way these investments are made will be crucial in determining whether greenhouse gas emissions will rise proportionately. By creating a worldwide, lucrative market for clean technologies, countries can use the money they set aside for fighting climate change to stimulate large-scale private investment in clean energy production and efficient energy consumption. A well-functioning market ensures that money is invested where it will be the most cost-effective and will have the greatest impact in helping to solve a generally recognised problem. This also means making sure that innovations get to the market, so as to take advantage of economies of scale. The conference on 16 and 17 October 2006 in Amsterdam was the official start of the collaboration of governments, business and financial ...

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A system is described adapted for alternative use as a diverter or a blowout preventer for a bottom supported drilling rig and adapted for connection to a permanent housing attached to rig structural members beneath a drilling rig rotary table, the permanent housing having an outlet connectable to a rig fluid system flow line. The system consists of: a fluid flow controller having a controller housing with a lower cylindrical opening and an upper cylindrical opening and a vertical path therebetween and a first outlet passage and a second outlet passage provided in its wall, a packing element disposed within the controller housing, and annular piston means adapted for moving from a first position to a second position, whereby in the first position the piston means wall prevents interior fluid from communicating with the outlet passages in the controller housing wall and in the second position the piston means wall allows fluid communication of interior fluid with the outlet passages and ...

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Already in 1998, the city of Hanover, the Stadtwerke Hannover and six further cities of the region initiated the funding programme 'Hannover proKlim' for promoting energy-relevant modernization measures in domestic buildings. One year later, the social marketing campaign 'Haus-Partner Hannover / Der (H)Eissbaer'' was started, which addresses building owners in Hanover with the intention to induce them to action. The 'Energiepass Hannover' is another important instrument of the campaign. This report takes stock of the results achieved so far. [German] Beim Klimaschutz im Gebaeudebestand lassen sich in Hannover drei Ansaetze hervorheben, die parallel zueinander entwickelt wurden und die in besonderer Weise dazu beitragen, die CO{sub 2}-Emissionen im Gebaeudebestand zu reduzieren: Bereits 1998 hat die Landeshauptstadt Hannover gemeinsam mit den Stadtwerken Hannover und sechs weiteren ...

Science.gov (United States)

Russian field surgery with its long history and distinctive characteristics has accumulated great experience in the long-time practice of warfare. Chinese field surgery was established and developed on the basis of studying from the Russian model, which opened up new areas of traffic medicine, molecular traumatology and assessment of biological effects on weapon destruction and carried out in-depth research on wound ballistics, blast injury, burns and combined injury etc. through decades of construction with continuous development and innovation, and a series of major achievements have been made in these fields. By making comparative study on the historical evolution, structure system, characteristics of campaigns and development of society between Chinese and Russian field surgery, it can be found that there are great gaps between them and we should strengthen the research for more rapid development. PMID:20510098

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This paper explores the potential of combining substance-flow modelling with water and wastewater sampling to trace consumption-related substances emitted through the urban wastewater. The method is exemplified on sucralose. Sucralose is a chemical sweetener that is 600 times sweeter than sucrose and has been on the European market since 2004. As a food additive, sucralose has recently increased in usage in a number of foods, such as soft drinks, dairy products, candy and several dietary products. In a field campaign, sucralose concentrations were measured in the inflow and outflow of the local wastewater treatment plant in Linkoping, Sweden, as well as upstream and downstream of the receiving stream and in Lake Roxen. This allows the loads emitted from the city to be estimated. A method c...

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Abstract Policy-makers are increasingly recognising that the promotion of more sustainable consumption patterns is an indispensable prerequisite for achieving sustainable development in the long term. Policy documents and action plans have been published, and a wide array of policy instruments has been implemented with the aim of reducing the environmental and social burdens of consuming goods and services. But what are the latest trends and innovative approaches in sustainable consumption (SC) policies? What could be learnt for future policy-making? Based on an overview of European policy instruments and several case studies, the paper discusses instructive examples of SC policy instruments, in particular the Danish information campaign "One Tonne Less", the Dutch tax incentive scheme "Gr...

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A detailed discussion of airborne CO{sub 2}, DIAL measurements obtained from the first joint N-ABLE field campaign at INEL is presented. System performance characteristics, including return signal strength, averaging statistics, and temporal correlation as well as multi-line DIAL spectral data are discussed. In particular, we review data acquisition and analysis strategies pertinent to chemical detection from a moving platform, such as range determination and correction, and return signal processing (waveform vs. box-car integration, baseline correction). We also report observed effects and variations due to near-field light scattering, pointing and tracking stability, and stack-release plume dynamics.

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Runit Island on Enewetak Atoll was very heavily impacted by the U.S. nuclear testing campaign in the northern Marshall Islands (1946?58). The primary source of contamination on Runit Island was the 1958 Quince safety test where a large quantity of device plutonium (Pu) was scattered over the area near the GZ. A second low-yield device was detonated on the same site 10?days later, further disturbing the soil and leaving behind a very heterogeneous pattern of contamination including milligram-size particles of plutonium. A limited cleanup of the Fig-Quince zone was carried out in 1979. During this period, the effectiveness of the cleanup operations was primarily evaluated on the basis of bulk soil concentration data with little consideration given to the heterogeneity and long-term material-...

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The objective of this work is to improve the process for CO{sub 2} capture by alkanolamine absorption/stripping by developing an alternative solvent, aqueous K{sub 2}CO{sub 3} promoted by piperazine. Stripper modeling suggests the energy requirement with a simple stripper will be about the same for 5 m K{sup +}/2.5 m PZ and 7 m MEA. Modeling with a generic solvent shows that the optimum heat of CO{sub 2} desorption to minimize heat duty lies between 15 and 25 kcal/gmol. On-line pH and density measurements are effective indicators of loading and total alkalinity for the K+/PZ solvent. The baseline pilot plant campaign with 30% MEA has been started.

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Science plays paradoxical roles in environmental planning. As a process for generating and adapting knowledge of the biophysical environment to human use, it is essential to achieving sustainability. As the socially contested evaluation of competing claims to truth, however, adversarial science often becomes the focus of conflict in the planning process. British Columbia's Central Coast Land and Resource Management Plan (CCLRMP) planning process took place amid industrial restructuring, market campaigns, and scientific disputes over the conservation of the world's largest remaining temperate rainforest. This article shows how adversarial science set the terms of the policy debate, as well as the means for compromise. A multisector interdisciplinary information team played a key role in arr...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Radon concentration measurements in atmosphere were taken in years from 1997 to 1999 in Milan and at pre-alpine sites located north of Lombardy. In this paper the results of measuring campaigns and a comparison of radon levels observed in the hilly area north of the town and on the pre-Alps are reported. The general criteria of the measurements and the interpretative models of radon concentration are presented. The Lake Maggiore area shows evidence of a great nocturnal stability and frequent formation of Nocturnal Stable Layer. The peculiar findings in the high altitude stations confirm the use of radon as an indicator of atmospheric dispersion of pollutants in an area with complex orography. The afternoon minimum values are concordant for the different stations: this implies a remixing in afternoon hours over the whole area investigated.

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We examined whether or not BMD or bone markers were useful for assessing the risk of vertebral fractures in 248 Japanese men with type 2 diabetes. We analyzed the relationships between bone markers (osteocalcin [OC], bone-specific alkaline phosphatase [BAP], urinary N-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type-I collagen) or BMD and HbA1c, urinary C-peptide, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), parathyroid hormone, 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D, and the presence of prevalent vertebral fractures. Multiple regression analysis adjusted for age, body height, weight, duration of diabetes, and serum creatinine showed that serum OC and OC/BAP ratio were correlated negatively with HbA1c (P?P?P?

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Based on the replies to a questionnaire distributed throughout Japan in 1983, genetically significant dose (GSD), per Caput mean bone marrow dose (CMD), leukemogenically significant dose (LSD), malignantly significant dose (MSD), and per Caput effective dose equivalent (EDE) from using small sealed radiation sources for radiotherapy were estimated. Annual frequencies of brachytherapy were estimated to be 2.6 x 10"3 for men and 36.3 x 10"3 for women, with a total of 38.9 x 10"3. The annual frequencies of using afterloading technique were 0.3 x 10"3 for men and 18.8 x 10"3 for women, with a total of 19.1 x 10"3. The annual population doses per person were 7.9 nGy for GSD, 118 #mu#Gy for CMD, 19.3 #mu#Gy for LSD, 172 #mu#Gy for MSD, and 428 #mu#Gy for EDE. The annual collective effective dose equivalent was estimated to be 5.13 x 10"4 man Sv. (Namekawa, K.).

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Six men were fed a diet composed of conventional foods with all bread as whole wheat bread. Intrinsically labeled "6"5Cu bread (containing 6.5 ppm Cu and 48 atom % "6"5Cu) was substituted for unlabeled bread for 3 days, and stools were collected for 24 days. Extrinsically labeled bread was then substituted for 3 days and another 24-day stool collection made. "6"5Cu excretion was measured by mass spectrometry. Mean Cu intake was 1.10 mg of Cu/day. Average Cu balance was /minus/0.06 /+-/ 0.08 mg/day. Average absorption of the intrinsic copper was 72.2 /+-/ 9.3% and of extrinsic Cu 64.2 /+-/ 5.8%. The ratio of extrinsic to intrinsic absorption was 0.906 /+-/ 0.164. Absorption of intrinsic and extrinsic tracers did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) by a paired t-test, and the ratio (E/I) was not significantly different from 1. Use of extrinsic Cu tracers to assess Cu absorption is supported by these results.

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The effect of a carbohydrate, a 20% protein, or a carbohydrate +0.3% tryptophan TRP breakfast on plasma large neutral amino acid ratio was studied in 6 healthy men. The carbohydrate-rich meal produced shifts in plasma amino acid concentrations such that plasma TRP/LNAA ratios increased from 0.13 to 0.15 (p<0.04) and the protein meal decreased the ratio from 0.14 to 0.11 (p<0.04) after 1 hour. Addition of 0.3% TRP to the carbohydrate-rich meal increased plasma TRP/LNAA ratios more than 2-fold. The TRP containing meal was thus the only one likely to influence brain 5-HT synthesis, although the difference between the plasma TRP/LNAA ratios after carbohydrate and protein breakfasts suggests that the brain may distinguish, by synthesizing more or less 5-HT, the composition of breakfast meals. (Author).

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Although the majority of men presenting with non-seminomatous germ cell tumours (NSGCT) are cured, late relapse (occurring more than 2 years after obtaining a complete response to treatment) is increasingly recognized. The typical patterns of disease spread have been well-documented, but the findings at late relapse are more variable and less well-described. We discuss the phenomenon of late relapse, the characteristics of teratoma differentiated (TD), and the issue of long-term imaging surveillance of patients with NSGCT. The potential sites of late relapse of NSGCT and the associated spectrum of imaging appearances are illustrated.

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Some of the known toxic effects of lead in mammals including man are, impaired heme synthesis, anemia, nepatopathy, nephropathy, behavioral disorders and neuropathy. However, very little is known about the effect of lead on endocrine physiology. Some data are available on lead induced impairment of thyroid function in occupationally exposed men and experimental rats. As lead nitrate is largely consumed through water and food, in this study the wild rodents Funambulus pennanti were administered lead through their drinking water and their thyroid structure, radioiodine 131-I percentage uptake and protein bound iodine (PBI) level were assessed.

Science.gov (United States)

In November 1977, 627 soldiers belonging primarily to the First Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, stationed at Fort Bragg, were sent to the Canal Zone, Panama, for jungle warfare training. A medical surveillance program incorporating pre- and post-evaluations over a 6-month period with dermatologic examinations, questionnaires, and serologic tests was established. Ten cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis (1.6/100 men) were diagnosed by positive Leishmania culture. The demonstrated lack of sensitivity and specificity of the indirect fluorescent antibody test and the direct agglutination test render these serological methods useless as diagnostic screening methods in the early stages of this disease. PMID:7406101

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Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (Hologic QDR-1000) was used to quantitatively analyze the diagnosis and prevention of osteoporosis. The peak bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine appeared in normal men in their twenties and in normal women in their thirties. There was acceleration of bone loss in the 50 to 60 year age bracket (premenopause and postmenopause) in normal women. On the contrary, the peak BMD of the femoral neck in normal men and women appeared in their twenties after which it decreased slightly with age. Comparison showed that the femoral neck BMD of normal women was lower than that of men throughout all ages. The fracture threshold, 0.756 g/cm[sup 2] for the spine, was obtained by scanning 73 females with spinal fractures, the mean BMDs for L2-L4 at the 90th percentile level were used as the fracture threshold. The fracture threshold of femoral neck fracture was the femoral proximal BMD of the 9th decile. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The autors examined the hypothesis that current recommendations on dietary energy requirements may underestimate the total energy needs of young adult men, by measuring total energy expenditure (TEE) and resting energy expenditure (REE) in 14 weight-maintaining healthy subjects leading unrestricted lives. TEE and body composition were measured by using 2H(2)18O, and REE was measured by using indirect calorimetry. All subjects had sedentary full-time occupations and participated in strenuous leisure activities for 34 #+-# 6 (SE) min/d. TEE and REE were 14.61 #+-# 0.76 and 7.39 #+-# 0.26 MJ/d, respectively, and 202 #+-# 2 and 122 #+-# 2 kJ.kg-1.d-1. There were significant relationships between TEE and both body fat-free mass (r = 0.732, P less than 0.005) and measured REE (r = 0.568, P less than 0.05). Measured TEE:REE values were significantly higher than the recommended energy requirement (1.98 #+-# 0.09, compared with 1.55 or 1.67, P less than 0.005). These ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Objective: To apply the obtained results from 3 stages of research in Chinese radiation protection field. Methods: Based on the identification of physical, chemical and biological qualities for element and its radionuclides under equilibrium condition, main application of these results in Chinese radiation protection field have been discussed by using reported methods in literature. Results: Based on developing elemental reference values of organs or tissues, whole body burdens and their distribution for Chinese Reference Man, discussed in the above 3 articles, current dietary elemental intakes of 42 elements have been updated, and related basis for certain important parameters of bio-kinetic model for use in radiation protection (for example, f_l, T_e and T_b) have been provided. The internal doses from primordial radionuclides and transfer coefficients of elements from environment into the critical organs of Chinese adult men have been estimated. Conclusions: The ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The US Department of Energy (DOE) is preparing to perform significant remediation activities of the sites for which it is responsible. To accomplish this, it is preparing a corporate global plan focused on activities over the next decade. Significant in these planned activities is the transportation of the waste arising from the remediation. The costs of this transportation are expected to be large. To support the initial assessment of the plan, a cost estimating model was developed, peer-reviewed against other available packaging and transportation cost data, and applied to a significant number of shipping campaigns of radioactive waste. This cost estimating model, known as the Ten-year Plan Transportation Cost Model (TEPTRAM), can be used to model radioactive material shipments between DOE sites or from DOE sites to non-DOE destinations. The model considers the costs for (a) recovering and processing of the wastes, (b)packaging the wastes for transport, and (c) ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Evaluation of severe functional gastrointestinal motility disorders requires an investigation of the entire gastrointestinal tract. This should be possible with a single radionuclide imaging study. The purpose of this study was (1) to define normal values of small-bowel transit in men and women and (2) to assess a possible difference between gender or test meal, since it has been shown that women have slower gastric emptying than men, and gastric emptying of solids is slower than liquids. A standard gastric-emptying test for a solid (technetium-99m sulphur colloids, 230 Kcal) and liquid (indium-111 DTPA water) test meal was performed in 12 healthy male and 12 healthy female volunteers. After 135 min, the volunteer was place in the supine position for static imaging of the abdomen every 15 min for 6 h. Decay and crossover-corrected geometric mean gastric-emptying data were fit to a modified power exponential function to determine the 10% stomach ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This study uses data from a random sample of births in the Netherlands during the period 1850-1922 to examine the relationships between social class, social mobility and mortality at middle and old age. Population registers and personal cards covering the period from 1850 to 2004 for all Dutch provinces were used to reconstruct individual life histories of 14,900 births. For men we did not find an effect of the social class of origin (using two different SES-classifications) on mortality in age group 18 to 35. We also did not observe an effect of own social class on mortality after age 35. For women effects of social class of origin and social class of husband were generally absent as well. Our conclusion is that the standard ideas about the negative effects of processes of industrializati...

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Sex differences in pain are frequently reported in the literature. However, less is known about possible sex differences in the experience of pain secondary to a disability. The current study explored these issues in persons with limb loss (n = 335, 72% men) who were recruited as part of a postal survey. Participants provided ratings of phantom limb pain (PLP), residual limb pain (RLP), and general pain intensity. Participants also completed measures of pain-related interference, catastrophizing, coping, and beliefs. Results indicated that a greater proportion of males than females (86% vs 77%, respectively) reported the presence of PLP; however, this difference was no longer prominent when cause of limb loss was controlled. No sex differences were found in the presence of RLP, or in avera...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Background: Incidence, characteristics and predictive factors of transient ST-segment changes after DC shock are poorly known. Methods: 91 consecutive pts referred for external cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (AF) (61 men, 69+/-10yo) were prospectively included. The presence of ST elevation or depression was assessed on 12 lead-ECG immediately after the first DC shock. Correlations with DC shock characteristics (monophasic/biphasic and energy), clinical variables, echocardiographic parameters, biological parameters, medications, anesthesic drugs as well with morphological features were made. Results: 18 and 20 pts underwent 200J or 300J monophasic and 53 pts 200J biphasic DC shocks. We found an incidence of 48% for ST-segment changes: 35% for ST elevation and 13% for ST depression. ST...

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The relationship of lead exposure to blood pressure has been examined in a longitudinal study of a cohort of 89 Boston, Massachusetts, policemen. At the baseline examination, subjects had a blood lead determination and three consecutive blood pressure measurements. Triplicate blood pressure measurements were also taken at years 3, 4, and 5. Multivariate analysis revealed that, after correction for previous systolic blood pressure, body mass index, age, and smoking, a high level of blood lead was a significant predictor of subsequent elevation of systolic pressure. Bootstrap simulations of these models provided supporting evidence for the observed associations. These data suggest that lead exposure can significantly affect systolic pressure.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Purpose: To evaluate a simple method for quantification of focal activity in bone scintigraphy (BS). Material and methods: The gamma camera was calibrated using a phantom. Quantitative bone scintigraphy (QBS) was performed on 11 men recently diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa), for whom routine BS showed involvement of the skeleton. Following endocrine therapy for 4 to 8 months, a second QBS was performed. Changes in QBS values were then compared to changes in serum levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Results: PSA response indicating regression of PCa was accompanied by a decrease in the QBS value in 8 of the 11 patients. The overall mean error of the QBS values was 15%. conclusion: QBS according to this method is a relatively simple procedure that might contribute to objective evaluation of therapeutic effects in skeletal metastases, although its validity must be tested in a larger clinical material

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Background and aimModification of low-density lipoprotein due to oxidative stress is essential in the development of coronary atherosclerosis. Data of specific carotenoids except b-carotene on cardioprotective effects in humans are limited. Methods and resultsThis study examined the associations between plasma concentrations of specific carotenoids and incidence of acute myocardial infarction. The study included 280 incident cases of acute myocardial infarction and 560 matched controls nested within the Singapore Chinese Health Study, a prospective cohort of 63,257 Chinese men and women aged 45-74 years old enrolled in 1993-1998 in Singapore. Retinol and carotenoids in prediagnostic plasma were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography. High levels of plasma b-cryptoxanthin a...

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Partial adrenalectomy is usually performed for the treatment of bilateral pheochromocytomas and in case of sporadic, monolateral tumors, to minimize the risk of adrenal failure, especially in younger patients. Due to the lack of consistent series, many issues such as correct surgical indications and technical aspects still need to be debated. From 2007 to 2010 we performed four unilateral partial adrenalectomies (3 aldosterone-producing adenomas and 1 cortisol-producing adenoma), and three bilateral subtotal adrenalectomies, consisting in total adrenalectomy on one side and partial adrenalectomy on the contralateral gland (3 bilateral pheochromocytomas in MEN IIa). In case of single tumor, partial adrenalectomy was carried out without adrenal vein ligation and the results were similar to t...

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BACKGROUNDSome studies have suggested an association between paternal subfertility and hypospadias among their sons, although the association has not been systematically investigated. We therefore compared male reproductive health among a group of fathers of boys with hypospadias and a group of fathers to normal children.METHODSA total of 64 fathers of boys with hypospadias participated; 349 partners of pregnant women served as a control group. All men delivered a semen sample, had a blood sample drawn, underwent a physical examination and completed a questionnaire.RESULTSFathers of boys with hypospadias had a significantly lower median sperm concentration (54.1 x 106/ml) (P = 0.004) and total sperm count (222.0 x 106) (P = 0.009) than the controls (81.2 and 326.0 x 106/ml). In addition, t...

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Women who have academic careers in engineering have successfully navigated the social identity threats that prevent many other women from feeling that they belong in science, technology, engineering, and math fields. In this research, we examined what factors may be related to resilience in these academic environments. Female academics in engineering and nonengineering fields watched a fictitious conference video depicting either an unbalanced ratio of men to women or a balanced ratio. Subjective measures of identity threat were collected. Past experience with discrimination, positive experience with female role models, family support, and general social support were associated with a greater sense of belonging to or desire to participate in the conference. These variables all buffered neg...

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During fluoroscopy the examiner is usually protected by a radiation-reducing body shield, leaving the thyroid unprotected. The fact that the thyroid is located in a region of the neck usually covered by the shirt collar led to the idea of designing a tie with lead core, providing easy and ''decorative'' reduction of the radiation dose. Sonographic examinations were carried out in 20 volunteers (10 men, 10 women) to determine the size of the gland and its coverage by such a tie. The reduction of the surface and organ dose was assessed using film dosimetry with scattered radiation, the body of the examiner being simulated by an Alderson phantom. On average 88% of the thyroid gland surface area was covered. Surface dose was reduced to 1%, and organ dose to 10% of the value without the protection tie. (Author).

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Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common cause of cancer death among Canadian non-smokers. Each year about 21,500 Canadians are diagnosed with CRC. Ninety percent of cases occur in people aged 50 years or older. An estimated 4,800 Canadian men and 4,100 Canadian women die each year from the disease. About 75% of all new CRC cases arise in people with no known risk factors. Computed tomography colonography (CTC), a cross-sectional imaging examination that permits complete structural examination of the colon, shows promise as a tool for CRC screening. This article reviews the rationale for CRC screening, currently recommended Canadian and American screening guidelines and screening tools, and current evidence supporting CTC as a CRC screening tool and its advantages over conventional screening methods. (author)

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After giving a brief history of preparation plants in this area, the thinking is described behind the design of the Chabarovice plant which is to open in 1988. Its capacity is 1120 t/h of 0-200 mm brown coal and its annual through-put is 3 Mt using two-shift operation with 30 men per shift. It occupies a total volume of 38,500 m/sup 3/ and cost 1556 Czech Crowns per m/sup 3/ to construct, 380 Czech Crowns of this was taken up by the provision of pile foundations which are 30 m long and embedded in the underlying coal seam. The preparation plant building is made of reinforced concrete and is situated 8 m below ground level.

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Background: A possible association between the polymorphic CAG repeat in the DNA polymerase gamma (POLG) gene and the risk of testicular germ-cell tumours (TGCT) was investigated in this study. The hypothesis was prompted by an earlier preliminary study proposing an association of the absence of the common 10-CAG-long POLG allele with testicular cancer as well as previously reported in some European populations' association with male subfertility, which is a condition carrying an increased risk of TGCT. Patients and methods: The number of CAG repeats in both POLG alleles was established in 243 patients with TGCT and in 869 controls by the analysis of the genomic DNA fragment. Results: A significantly higher proportion of men homozygous allele of other than the common 10 CAG repeats was fou...

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The interscalenic block technique is widely used for ambulatory shoulder surgery despite a substantial number of failures and adverse effects. We prospectively evaluated satisfaction in 40 consecutive patients who underwent open Bankart repair under a single general anesthesic performed in an ambulatory care unit. The mean age of the patients was 23 years. There were 29 men and 11 women. Patients were evaluated postoperatively with a visual analog scale of pain (in the recovery room, at the time of discharge, and the day after and 1 week after surgery) via a home assessment questionnaire that included the following: effectiveness of oral pain medication, ability to perform activities of daily life, and overall satisfaction. One patient failed to be discharged because of a feeling of faintn...

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Background The purpose of this study was (a) to evaluate the association between cigarette smoking and the prevalence of distal colorectal polyps and adenocarcinoma and (b) to analyse genetic alterations representing different molecular pathways of the colorectal carcinogenesis. Methods A total of 623 asymptomatic male (mean age: 53 years; 50?65) car factory workers were included. Information on smoking habits and other lifestyle factors were collected followed by a 60 cm colonoscopy. APC and KRAS mutations and microsatellite status were determined in colorectal lesions (colorectal carcinoma (CRC), hyperplastic (HP) and adenomatous polyps (AP)). Data were analysed using unconditional multiple logistic regression models. Results Smokers had a higher prevalence of AP (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.2?3.6;...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In 1998, in the frame of the ITER EDA phase, an European R and D Programme for the Blanket Design was implemented for developing and selecting the materials and the relevant fabrication procedures for manufacturing the shielding modules of the ITER Primary Wall. The fabrication of several Beryllium armored small scale mock-ups, reproducing representative portions of a Primary Wall panels, was also launched (Fusion Technol. (1998) 195). Further experimental activities were also programmed for investigating the thermal-mechanical behavior of these mock-ups at high heat flux and under thermal fatigue tests. In 2001, the ITER European Home Team decided to assign to ENEA a contract for the thermal fatigue testing of six mock-ups aiming at verifying the reliability of the Beryllium/Dispersion Strengthened Copper alloy/Stainless Steel and Beryllium/Precipitation hardened Copper alloy/Stainless Steel joints manufactured by solid Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) procedure (Technical Specification ...

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It is the Office of protection against the ionizing radiations (O.P.R.I.) who alerted the A.C.R.O. that a new ruthenium incident had arisen to the factory Cogema - La Hague on October 31., 2001. The A.C.R.O. immediately made a campaign of analyses the results of which are presented in this note. The previous similar incident dates May 18., 2001. A loss of depression in the workshop R7 of the factory UP2-800 specialized in the vitrification had brought an unchecked release, by one of the smokestacks, composed essentially of radioactive ruthenium and rhodium; the evacuated activity was estimated by the operator at approximately 11 MBq. The measures in environment made by the A.C.R.O. had led the association to question the Authority of Nuclear Safety about the total quantity of release announced by the operator. Having presented the results of the measures of radioactivity in the environment made following the incident of 31. october 2001, an estimation of the term ...

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The paper discusses two petrochemical selective oxidation reactions namely the practised formation of styrene (STY) and the desired oxidative functionalisation of propane. The present knowledge about the mode of operation of oxide catalysts is critically considered. The dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene (EB) should be described by an oxidehydration with water acting as oxidant. The potential role of the coke formed during catalytic reaction as co-catalyst will be discussed. Selective oxidation is connected with the participation of lattice oxygen mechanism which transforms unselective gas phase oxygen into selective oxygen. The atomistic description of this process is still quite unclear as well as the electron structural properties of the activated oxygen atom. The Role of solid state acidity as compared to the role of lattice oxygen is much less well investigated modern multiphase-multielement oxide (MMO) catalysts. The rationale is that the significant efforts made to improve current ...

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A 'Laboratory of Quantitative Methods in Monument Research' is being built at the CTU Prague. Its primary orientation is the investigation of historic architecture, although other objects of art can also be investigated. In the first phase, two radiation methods are being established, but it is set up in such a way, that various other methods can readily be added in its future development. The radiation methods chosen for the initial development of the laboratory are: thermoluminescence dating and X-ray fluorescence analysis. The design of the automated TL-reader, built in our laboratories, is adjusted for the purpose of dating of historic brick architecture (which, of course, does not exclude applications for ceramics and other materials). The investigation of renaissance architecture in southern Bohemia and Moravia is under preparation as the first large campaign of this kind in the Czech Republic. Radionuclide X-ray fluorescence analysis has ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In 2001, EFDA has assigned to ENEA a contract for the thermomechanical testing of six mock-ups of the ITER primary wall module. These small scale mock-ups, reproducing representative portions of the reference ITER primary wall panels, were fabricated during ITER EDA phase by solid hot isostatic pressing (HIPping) of an AISI 316L stainless steel back structure to a alumina dispersion strengthened (DS)-Cu alloy heat sink armored with beryllium tiles. The experimental program, carried-out at ENEA Brasimone CEF 1-2 thermal hydraulic facility, was focused on the thermal mechanical testing of these mock-ups aiming at verifying which tile geometry and manufacturing procedure assures the required reliability of the beryllium/DS-Cu alloy/SS joints at high incident heat flux (>0.8 MW/m"2) both at steady state and under thermal fatigue tests. The paper presents the progress in the experimental activity of the first test campaign and the main thermomechanical FEM analyses ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Glass produced during the Purex 4 campaigns of the Integrated Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) Melter System (IDMS) and the 774 Research Melter contained a lower fraction of sludge components than targeted by the Product Composition Control System (PCCS). Purex 4 glass was more durable than the benchmark (EA) glass, but less durable than most simulated SRS high-level waste glasses. Also, Purex 4 glass was considerably less durable than predicted by the algorithm which will be used to control production of DWPF glass. A melter run was performed using the 774 Research Melter to determine if the initial PCCS target composition determined for Purex 4 would produce acceptable glass whose durability could be accurately modeled by Hydration Thermodynamics. Reagent grade oxides and carbonates were added to Purex 4 melter feed stock to simulate a higher sludge loading. Each canister of glass produced was sampled and the composition, crystallinity, and durability was ...

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An experimental campaign, aiming to investigate the perturbation effects induced by fixed obstacles on turbulence measurements in airflows at the air-sea interface, was carried out at the marine platform of the Italian Navy, located in the harbour of La Spezia (North Ligurian Sea, Italy) on 28., 29., and 30. June 1994. This study was prompted by the ever-growing interest in more reliable estimates of energy, mass, and momentum exchanges between water surfaces and atmosphere, whose measurements are severely limited by the geometrical constraints of floating or fixed platforms where they are installed. Two types of meteorological instruments have been used: fast response (20 and 21 Hz) ultrasonic anemometers and fluxmeters to measure turbulent momentum, sensible, and latent heat fluxes and slow-response sensors (less than 4 Hz and sampled at a rate of 10{sup 2} Hz) to measure average wind and temperature vertical profiles in the perturbed boundary layer. Both fast- ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

As part of the 1999 NARSTO Northeast Oxidant and Particulate Study (NE-OPS) field campaign, the DOE G-1 aircraft sampled trace gases and aerosols in and around the Philadelphia metropolitan area. Twenty research flights were conducted between July 25 and August 11. The overall goals of these flights were to obtain a mechanistic understanding of O(sub 3) production; to characterize the spatial and temporal behavior of photo-oxidants and aerosols; and to study the evolution of aerosol size distributions, including the process of new particle formation. Within the NE-OPS program, other groups provided additional trace gas, aerosol, and meteorological observations using aircraft, balloon, remote sensing, and surface based instruments (Phillbrick et al., 2000). In this article we provide an overview of the G-1 observations related to O(sub 3) production, focusing on the vertical distribution of pollutants. Ozone production rates are calculated using a box model that is ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The EUROTRAC sub-project ''Tropospheric Ozone Research'' (TOR) follows a dual strategy: - Observation of the chemical processes contributing to the oxygen balance directly in the atmosphere; - Establishment of a validated data base for model calculations. Both tasks require simultaneous measurements of a wide range of chemical and meteorological components. In the case of the investigation of the chemical processes, it is also desirable to measure the free radicals directly involved in ozone production. In the project described, a measuring station was set up. For a period of two years and a half, continuous measurements were made of ozone and its chemical precursors (NO, NO_2, NO_y, VOC, CO), as well as other photooxidants (H_2O_2 and organic hydroperoxides, organic nitrates), the photolysis frequency of NO_2, and meteorological parameters (wind, temperature, moisture, aerosols). The station was located on the Schauinsland mountain in the southern Black Forest, at the edge of the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Emissions of nitric oxide from soils of equatorial rain forest were measured in the Dimonika Natural Park (4 degrees 30'S, 12 degrees 30'E) in the Mayombe Forest in Congo. Three research campaigns were carried out in June and July 1991 and in February 1992. Fluxes were measured by dynamic chamber techniques using a chemiluminescence instrument Scintrex LMA3. NO fluxes measured on natural soils are in between 5 and 17x10[sup 9] molecules cm[sup -2]s[sup -1]; they are of the same order of magnitude as those observed in similar tropical forest media. Soil treatment experiments show that the auto-decomposition of HNO[sub 2] in these acid soils (pH 4) (chemodenitrification) is a potentially important cause of nitric oxide production in this type of ecosystem. Nitrous acid comes from autotrophic nitrification all the year around, and also from biological denitrification, shown by N[sub 2]O emissions, during the rainy season. The regulation of NO release ...

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The objective of this work is to improve the process for CO{sub 2} capture by alkanolamine absorption/stripping by developing an alternative solvent, aqueous K{sub 2}CO{sub 3} promoted by piperazine. In Campaign 3 of the pilot plant, the overall mass transfer coefficient for the stripper with 7 m MEA decreased from 0.06 to 0.01 mol/(m{sup 3}.s.kPa) as the rich loading increased from 0.45 to 0.6 mol CO{sub 2}/mol MEA. Anion chromatography has demonstrated that nitrate and nitrite are major degradation products of MEA and PZ with pure oxygen. In measurements with the high temperature FTIR in 7 m MEA the MEA vapor pressure varied from 2 to 20 Pa at 35 to 70 C. In 2.5 m PZ the PZ vapor pressure varied from 0.2 to 1 Pa from 37 to 70 C.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Full text: Climatic problems associated to the greenhouse effect have recently stimulated a renewed interest in nuclear energy production, and triggered new studies aimed at developing future generation systems that would address current major safety, proliferation and waste concerns. In particular a possible solution to the waste problem could come from transmutation of the highly radiotoxic nuclear waste in Accelerator Driven Systems or in Generation-IV fast nuclear reactors. The design and operation of the new systems require accurate cross-section data on a large number of isotopes, in particular plutonium, minor actinides, long-lived fission fragments and structural materials. An important contribution to the field is being provided since a few years by a new time of-flight facility operative at CERN, n_TOF. The main features of the neutron beam, in particular the wide energy spectrum, ranging from thermal energy to hundreds of MeV, the very high instantaneous neutron flux, low ...

Science.gov (United States)

The MISR instrument aboard NASA's Terra satellite participated in the UAE-2 campaign, August-October 2004. This campaign represented a unique opportunity to study the complex aerosol situation in the Arabian Gulf region, in the context of a first-rate collection of aircraft and surface-based instruments, giving us the opportunity to do some groundbreaking satellite aerosol validation work. We aimed (1) to validate MISR aerosol retrieval results for dust and pollution particles over dark and light surfaces, and (2) to contribute regional maps of aerosol optical thickness (AOT) and particle micro-physical properties, giving spatial context to the field-instrument measurements, and moving toward a satellite-based regional aerosol climatology. The validation effort benefited from the combination of an instrumented aircraft and a regional network of surface-based sun photometers. We obtained high-quality sub-orbital data coincident with MISR ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

To study the utility of ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) in case of suspected appendicitis. To determine the diagnostic yield in terms of different clinical contexts and patient characteristics. to assess the costs and benefits of introducing these techniques and propose a protocol for their use. Negative appendectomies, complications and length of hospital stay in a group of 152 patients with suspected appendicitis who underwent ultrasound and CT were compared with those of 180 patients who underwent appendectomy during the same time period, but had not been selected for the first group: these patients costs for each group were calculated. In the first group, the diagnostic value of the clinical signs was also evaluated. The reliability of the clinical signs was limited, while the results with ultrasound and CT were excellent. The incidence of negative appendectomy was 9.6% in the study group and 12.2% in the control group. Moreover, there were fewer complications and a shorter ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The effects of a daily 3-g supplement of betaine on kinetic aspects of L-[2H3-methyl-1-13C]methionine (MET) metabolism in healthy young adult men were explored. Four groups of four subjects each were given a control diet, based on an L-amino acid mixture supplying 29.5 and 21.9 mg.kg-1.d-1 of L-methionine and L-cystine for 4 d before the tracer study, conducted on day 5 during the fed state. Two groups received the control diet and two groups received the betaine supplement. Tracer was given intravenously (iv) or orally. The transmethylation rate of MET (TM), homocysteine remethylation (RM), and oxidation of methionine were estimated from plasma methionine labeling and 13C enrichment of expired air. RM tended to increase (P = 0.14) but the TM and methionine oxidation were significantly (P less than 0.05) higher after betaine supplementation when estimated with the oral tracer. No differences were detected with the intravenous tracer. Methionine concentration in ...

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Our objective was to evaluate the feasibility of ultra-low-dose scanning for multislice CT colonography in the detection of colorectal lesions. Twenty-seven patients (14 men, 13 women) with clinical indication for conventional colonoscopy were recruited. Multislice spiral CT (Somatom Plus 4 Volume Zoom, Siemens, Germany) examinations were performed after standard oral colonoscopic preparation and colonic distension with room air. Images were acquired using 2.5-mm collimation, 3.0-mm slice thickness, standard reconstruction kernel, 140 kVp, and 10 mAs. Supine and prone acquisitions were obtained in all patients. Images were analyzed on a workstation by two gastrointestinal radiologists. Conventional colonoscopy was performed on the same day in all patients and represented the standard of reference. Total radiation exposure was also calculated. All colorectal cancers were correctly identified at CT colonography (9 of 9, sensitivity 100%). The CT colonography also ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper aims at the study of the transfer and accumulation of "1"0"6Ru from marine foods to man through the grazing food chain and evaluation of the radiation exposure to man. As a model, accumulation and excretion of "1"0"6Ru in mice orally administered by the meat of prawn (Penaeus japonicus) which accumulated the radionuclide from the sea water, were examined and compared with those in mice administered by non-radioactive prawn meat mixed with the contaminant in inorganic chemical forms (the control diet); on the latter experiment, the previous evaluation method of the radiation exposure was based. Higher concentrations of "1"0"6Ru in tissues and organs of mice were observed in the former diet than in the latter because of the higher absorption rate of "1"0"6Ru from the gastrointestinal tract (17.4 +- 4.4%, the control diet: 0.7 +- 0.7%) and smaller excretion. As the results of this experiment, the critical organs for men by ingestion of such a meat should be ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The work presented here demonstrates the ability of proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry (PTR-MS) to perform fast-response measurements of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (including methanol, acetonitrile, acetaldehyde, acetone, PAN-type compounds, alpha- and beta-pinene, nopinone and pinonaldehyde) at the pptv level and its versatile applicability in the field of environmental trace gas analysis. Laboratory and field experiments including various calibration techniques and intercomparisons with other measurement techniques such as gas chromatography, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy were performed providing a first characterization of the PTR-MS instrument performance (sensitivity, detection limit, precision, accuracy). Typically a detection limit (S/N=2) of 50 pptv for a 10 s signal integration time, a precision of 5 % and an accuracy in the range between 10 and 25 % were observed. Due to its compactness and ruggedness ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of virtual colonoscopy (CT colonography) in the identification of colorectal cancer and to define the limitations and the advantages of this imaging modality, as well as indications to the examination. It was examined prospectively 62 symptomatic patients aged 36 to 82 years (28 women and 34 men). All patients underwent both conventional and virtual colonoscopy on the same day; the conventional examination allowed exploration of the entire colon. Conventional colonoscopy identified 89 lesions 3-50 mm in diameter, namely 84 benign and 5 malignant lesions. No lesions were identified in 12 patients. CT colonography identified 52 of the 89 lesions, with 57.1% diagnostic accuracy. They were 11 false positives (82.5% positive predictive value and 52.2% specificity) and 37 false negatives (24.5% negative predictive value and 58.4% sensitivity). Sensitivity was significantly higher (85.7%) for polyps #>=# 1 cm. Virtual ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Resumen Estudios epidemiologicos recientes, muestran claramnete la incidencia de la disfuncion erectil con la edad. Por lo tanto, los profesionales sanitarios que se ocupan de las personas de edad avanzada, deberian preparar cuidadosamente el diagnostico y el abordaje de la disfuncion erectil. Es innegable que la introduccion de los inhibidores de la fosfodisterasa tipo 5 (PDE5Is) ha revolucionado el tratamiento de la disfuncion erectil. Los clinicos deberian conocer el potencial de los efectos adversos asociados con el uso de PDE5Is cuando se aconseja a los pacientes. Otras terapias suplementarias y de segunda/tercera linea para la disfuncion erectil, que incluyen las inyecciones intracavernosas, la aplicacion transuretral de medicacion, la testosterona, los sistemas de vacion peneano, la...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This paper reports the characteristics and local management of 826 acute wounds identified during an audit across all health care providers serving the population of Bradford, UK. Of the wounds encountered 303 were traumatic wounds and 237 primary closures with smaller numbers of other acute wound types. Of the 303 traumatic wounds 174 occurred in women (57.4%). Men predominated in the under 45s (65M:26F), this being largely accounted for by hand and finger trauma (n=62) particularly in patients of working age (M32:F12). Women predominated in the over 65s (50M:130F), this being largely accounted for by lower limb traumatic wounds (M24:F91), the majority of these being in patients 65 and over (M14:F82). In this sub-group of 96 patients 25 had wounds of 6 weeks or longer duration, only 3 had...

Science.gov (United States)

In this paper the authors describe the ways poststructuralist discourses assisted us to reading and reflection on data collected as part of a traditional survey-style research study. The study--generated in response to widespread concern about falling male enrolment rates at the authors' regional university--focused upon factors affecting rural male school-leavers' decisions about postschool destinations, and upon these students' attitudes to higher education. In the paper that follows, the authors contest the dominant discourses that are frequently drawn on to explain differences in male and female higher education enrolment trends. They then focus upon the features of two of the more dominant stories that students told to explain this 'difference': stories about 'real men', and stories about the value of the 'practical' over the 'theoretical'. In addition, they present another story that draws upon girls' views of higher education. Together, these stories ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bone scintigraphy was performed in 16 men with newly diagnosed prostatic carcinoma before orchiectomy as well as 2 weeks and 2 months after operation. The uptake in the lower thoracic and lumbar vertebrae was registered up to 240 min after injection of /sup 99m/Tc-MDP and was then calculated for each patient and vertebra. The relative standard deviation in measured uptake due to measuring technique was estimated to be +-7%. In eight patients, who had normal bone scintigraphies before orchiectomy, there were no changes in the uptake values after operation. The remaining eight patients had widespread metastatic involvement prior to treatment, six of these patients showed a so-called 'flare phenomenon' in the abnormal vertebrae which means an initial increase in uptake after operation followed by a decreased uptake in response to therapy. One patient had a continuously increased uptake in all the abnormal vertebrae which correlated well with the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper use data from a pilot study to analyse relationships between type of resettlement (voluntary or involuntary) and individuals' everyday feelings, perceptions of risk, health status and control. The data were collected in 1995, within the Joint Study Project 2, i.e., a collaborative research project of the European Union and the Commonwealth of Independent States of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, 1991/92 - 95/96. The aim of the study was to investigate reactions to change and new life conditions of people who had been resettled due to the Chernobyl accident. Participants from the respective countries included adult individuals sampled from two age groups of less than 45 years and 45 years and older, with approximately the same number of men and women. The questionnaire presented various topics to which responses were indicated on quantitative response scales, as well as in open ended response formats. The results presented here focus on emotional reactions, ...

Science.gov (United States)

Potential exposure of workers to phosphide was examined during an in-depth industrial hygiene survey at the Bunge Corporation, in Kansas City, Kansas, where the gas was used as a grain fumigant. During the study, 14 men were employed at the facility. Tablets of aluminum phosphide were added to the grain mass for fumigation. General dilution ventilation resulted from outside air entering the work areas through ventilation louvers; there was also a local-exhaust ventilation system. Air samples revealed that, when the fumigant dispensers were being filled, workers in the area had significant exposure. At the time of the survey the relative humidity in the facility was high, permitting the reaction to phosphide to occur more readily. The levels of phosphide and respirable dust were reasonably low in the elevators, suggesting that the ventilation system was adequate. The author recommends that workers filling the dispenser with the aluminum phosphide be required to wear ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

When total mesorectal excision (TME) is accurately performed, dysfunction, theoretically, does not occur. However, there are differences among individuals in the running patterns and the volumes of nerve fibers, and if obesity or a narrow pelvis is present, nerve identification is difficult. Currently, the rate of urinary dysfunction after rectal surgery ranges from 33% to 70%. Many factors other than nerve preservation play a role in minor incontinence. Male sexual function shows impotence rates ranging from 20% to 46%, while 20%-60% of potent patients are unable to ejaculate. In women, information on sexual function is not easily obtained, and there are more unknown aspects than in men. As urinary, sexual, and defecation dysfunction due to adjuvant radiotherapy have been reported to occur at a high frequency, the creation of a protocol that enables analysis of long-term functional outcome will be essential for future clinical trials. In the treatment of rectal ...

Science.gov (United States)

BackgroundThe interactions between torus and several factors such as age, gender, and dental status have not been studied comprehensively. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of gender on the mandibular cortical index (MCI) and to investigate a possible association between torus mandibularis (TM) and MCI.MethodsThe study consisted of 189 consecutive patients referred to Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology of Hacettepe University within 30 workdays. Patients who did not have systemic disorders affecting bone density were included; and the age, gender, dental status and existing TM of the patients were recorded. Morphology of the mandibular inferior cortex was determined according to Klemitti's classification on panoramic radiographs.ResultsMCI was affected by age and gender (P 0.05).ConclusionIn the study population, MCI was affected by age and gender. As age increased, semilunar defects could be seen on the cortex of the mandible and MCI values increased. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An analysis of the mortality of workers employed at the Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique (CEA) between 1946 and 1994 is presented. Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMR) are computed with reference to the French national population for the period 1968-1994. 51 286 workers are included in the study. 3 784 deaths occurred between 1968 and 1994. A healthy worker effect is observed for men (SMR=0.53 Cl{sub 90%}=[0.52; 0.55]) and for women (SMR=0.70 Cl{sub 90%}=[0.64; 0.76]). An excess is observed for male pleural cancers (SMR=1.54, Cl{sub 90%}=[1.03; 2.21]). An excess of breast cancer is observed among women, statistically significant for the 1980-1994 period (SMR=1.30, Cl{sub 90%}=[1.04; 1.61]). An excess is observed for malignant melanoma for both sexes (SMR=1.38, Cl{sub 90%}=[0.95; 1.96]), stronger for the 1990-1994 period (SMR=2.11, Cl{sub 90%}=[1.25; 3.34]). It diminishes with age. (orig.)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Until 1990, in Tuscany, salt pollution of anti-salt insulators installed on high-tension transmission lines had led to rare breakdowns. On the contrary, in the last months of 1990, in most of Tuscany, following a strong libeccio wind coming from the Tyrrhenian Sea, and due to a long period of drought, salt deposits accumulated on the insulators of the high-voltage transmission lines (380 kV, 220 kV and 132 kV). This phenomenon not only took place in the coastal areas near Livorno, Pisa and Grosseto, but also in areas far away from the sea such as Florence, Prato, Arezzo and Siena. Following this, several high-tension lines, and whole sections of 380 kV electric stations went out of order, damaging the stations' equipment, insulators on the lines, and in particular porcelain insulators. The maintenance operations that were immediately undertaken consisted in washing operations, first focussed on stations, and then on lines. Several hundred men and some helicopters ...

Science.gov (United States)

The health politics and policy communities are still struggling with the question of "what went wrong" in the 1993-94 health care reform effort. Here I identify which Americans were politically active and inactive during the health care reform debate to explore the role political participation may have had in determining the outcome of the debate. Using data from a national and California random-sample telephone surveys, and controlling for other demographic attributes, I found that those who engaged in political activity specifically related to health care reform were disproportionately more likely to be self-identified conservatives, less likely to favor an employer mandate plan, more likely to be fifty to sixty-four years old, more likely to be men, and more likely to have greater interest in and knowledge of the health care issue. Even in California, where a single-payer proposal was on the November ballot, self-identified liberals were no more likely to engage ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

It has been previously stated that the minimum physiological recommendations for the indispensable amino acids in health adults, as proposed by FAO/WHO/UNU in 1985, are far too low, except for the methionine. An amino acid stable isotopic kinetic study was conducted to seek further experimental support to this hypothesis. Twenty healthy young men received an l-amino acid based diet, supplying 140 mg N.kg"-"1.d"-"1, patterned on egg protein for 1 week, then for 3 weeks either i) a pattern based on current international recommendations (FAO diet, n=7), ii) a the tentative Laboratory of Human Nutrition of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, new amino acid recommendation pattern (MIT diet, n=7) or iii) again the egg hen pattern (EGG diet, n=6). All subjects were again studied for one final, consecutive week of the egg diet. At the end of the initial week, at the first and third week with the three experimental diets,and after three days following the return of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nitrogen oxides play a critical role in the chemistry of the atmosphere and indirectly influence global warming through the production of ozone. At Barrow, Alaska, the NOAA long-term surface ozone record indicates an increase of about 2% per year during the summer months. Since NO_x (NO+NO_2) concentrations above about 30 ppt (parts per trillion) result in net ozone production in the presence of sunlight, the authors propose that the observed Barrow surface ozone increase is related to anthropogenic nitrogen oxide emissions. A high-sensitivity chemiluminescent instrument for measurements of nitrogen oxides has been built to test this hypothesis. Measurement campaigns have been conducted during summer 1988 and spring 1989, and are continuing during spring and summer 1990. Periods during which the NOV concentrations measured at the GMCC site were unaffected by local (Barrow) emissions were selected from the data record. Observations during these periods suggest that ...

Science.gov (United States)

Exposure to crystalline silica dust causes multiple diseases, but silicosis and silica dust-associated tuberculosis (TB), in particular, are the two diseases that remain high on the list of occupational health priorities in low-income countries and that still occur in some high-income countries. The prevalence of silica-related TB is exacerbated by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic in low-income countries. This review describes the morphology of silica and the variable potency of the different forms. Sources of crystalline silica are discussed, with emphasis on less commonly recognised sources, such as small-scale mining operations and agriculture. Trends in the prevalence of silicosis are also presented. Although efforts have been made for many years in most countries to reduce silica dust levels, silicosis continues to occur even in young people. The clinical and pathological features and diagnosis of silicosis, with emphasis on chest radiography, are described. The ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nuclear fuel vendors in Japan are now studying reprocessed uranium (RepU) fuel in order to prepare for full scale utilization in the future. Separate studies are made for PWR and BWR fuel. The study consists of 2 phrases. The purposes of phase-1 are to understand various RepU characteristics in the fuel fabrication process, to analyze the core characteristics by loading RepU assemblies, to solve the problems clarified in the study, and to collect basic data for licensing. In phase-2, the effects of impurities on the fabrication process will be evaluated, and the safety of RepU fuel manufacturing will be confirmed with a RepU fuel fabrication campaign in 1990. The neutronic data will be collected after insertion into power reactors, and the data will be used to verify plant safety for full utilization of RepU in the future. This paper summarizes the phase-1 study results. 1. RepU Characteristics. The internal and external radiation exposures due to nuclide ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A monitoring campaign of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and polychlorinated biphenyl was carried out in an Italian iron ore sintering plant by sampling the combustion gases at the electrostatic precipitator (ESP) outlet, at the Wetfine scrubber (WS) outlet, and by collecting the ESP dust. Few data are available on these micropollutants produced in iron ore sintering plants, particularly from Italian plants. This study investigates the PAH emission profiles and the removal efficiency of ESPs and WS. PAHs were determined at the stack, ESP outlet flue gases, and in ESP dust to characterize the emission profiles and the performance of the ESP and the WS for reducing PAH emission. The 11 PAHs monitored are listed in the Italian legislative decree 152/2006. The mean total PAH sum concentration in the stack flue gases is 3.96 {mu}g/N m{sup 3}, in ESP outlet flue gases is 9.73 {mu}g/N m{sup 3}, and in ESP dust is 0.53 ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Full text: Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of individual sand-sized grains of quartz has advanced significantly over the past decade opening up new vistas in luminescence geochronology. Today, single-grain OSL dating can be used to constrain the burial ages of many deposits, including fluvial sediments, glaciofluvial material and archaeological sediments. It also provides a means of examining the stratigraphic integrity of archaeological sites where sediment mixing might have occurred. An OSL age is calculated by dividing the burial dose (the dose absorbed by the grain since it was last exposed to sunlight) by the environmental dose rate (the rate of supply of ionizing radiation to the grain over the period of burial). To obtain reliable OSL ages, therefore, an accurate estimate of the dose rate is required for each sample. Here we describe our OSL dating campaign at Vindija Cave, a key archaeological site in central Europe that contains a 12 m-thick ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Since 1994 the radon studies group at the Institut de Techniques Energetiques (INTE) of the Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain, has carried out a campaign of continuous measurements of the equilibrium factor (F) and the unattached fraction (f_p) of radon decay products at four sites which are representative of different environmental characteristics on the Mediterranean littoral of Catalonia, Spain. It has been established that these parameters vary widely, F(0.03--0.87) and f_p (0--0.72), from one site to another and with time, according to the characteristics on the site and climate. In spite of this variation, the F and f_p parameters are log-normally or normally distributed. The measurements of F and f_p show that f_p is negatively correlated to F by a log-power equation, Ln(1/f_p)=1.90[Ln(1/F)]"-"0"."6"8, which can be used in all the F range, instead of the commonly used power equation f_p=aF"b suggested by Stranden and Strand and other ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The first radon soil gas survey in Serbia, using passive detectors (SSNTD, CR-39), was carried out in June 2005 at field sites in Niska Banja town. The aim of the survey was to identify risk zones characterised by high levels of this radioactive gas. Radon measurements were made at the depth of 50 cm, in the ground according to a systematic grid pattern. Furthermore, at all 48 measurement points, the surface gamma dose rates in the air was also measured at the same locations and soil samples were collected for gamma spectrometric analysis for the radionuclides "2"2"6Ra, "2"2"8Th and "4"0K. Radon concentrations were found to range from 1270 to 155000Bqm"-"3 with an average of 33765Bqm"-"3 and a median value of 12626Bqm"-"3. The geometrical mean value and geometrical standard deviation were calculated as 16160Bqm"-"3 and 3.5Bqm"-"3, respectively. Gamma dose rate varies from 92 to 316nGyh"-"1, with an average of 132nGyh"-"1. The radium content in collected soil samples ranges from 24 to ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chemical composition of fine aerosol particles over the northern Chilean coastal waters was determined onboard the U.S. DOE G-1 aircraft during the VOCALS (VAMOS Ocean-Cloud-Atmosphere-Land Study) field campaign between October 16 and November 15, 2008. SO42-, NO3-, NH4+, and total organics (Org) were determined using an Aerodyne Aerosol Mass Spectrometer, and SO42-, NO3-, NH4+, Na+, Cl-, CH3SO3-, Mg2+, Ca2+, and K+ were determined using a particle-into-liquid sampler-ion chromatography technique. The results show the marine boundary layer (MBL) aerosol mass was dominated by non- sea-salt SO42- followed by Na+, Cl-, Org, NO3-, and NH4+, in decreasing importance; CH3SO3-, Ca2+, and K+ rarely exceeded their respective limits of detection. The SO42- aerosols were strongly acidic as the equivalent NH4+ to SO42- ratio was only ~0.25 on average. NaCl particles, presumably of sea-salt origin, showed chloride deficits but retained Cl- typically more than half the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the safety and efficacy of chemoembolization (TACE) as palliative treatment for patients with unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and to compare the results with those in the literature. Fifteen patients with histology-proven CCA (5 men, 10 women) had received palliative treatment with TACE over a 6-year period. The treatment protocol comprised repeated TACE at a minimum of 8-week intervals. TACE was performed with a mixture of 10 ml Lipiodol and 10 mg mitomycin C injected into the tumor-supplying vessels. Follow-up investigations after 8-10 weeks comprised contrast-enhanced multislice spiral CT and laboratory control. Statistical evaluation included survival analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method. During the investigation period 58 TACEs (3.9 #+-# 3.8; 1-15) were performed in 15 patients. Mean tumor size was 10.8 #+-# 4.6 cm (range, 2.0-18.0 cm). Unifocal tumor disease was diagnosed in eight ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

On 21 October 1994, three brothers entered a waste repository at Tammiku, Estonia, without authorization and removed a metal container enclosing a caesium-137 source. During the removal the source was dislodged and fell to the ground. One of the men picked up the source, placed it in his pocket and took it to his home in the nearby village of Kiisa. Very soon after entry into the repository he began to feel ill, and few hours later he began to vomit. The man was subsequently admitted to hospital with severe injuries to his leg and hip and died on 2 November 1994. The injury and subsequent death were not attributed to radiation exposure, and the source remained in the man's house with his wife and stepson and the boy's great-grandmother. The boy was hospitalized on 17 November with severe burns on his hands, and these were identified by a doctor as radiation induced. The authorities were alerted, and the Estonian Rescue Board recovered the source from the house. The ...

Science.gov (United States)

The purpose of this study was to examine the day-to-day reproducibility and single measurement reliability of peak force, time to half peak force and rate of force development indices of knee extension neuromuscular performance in patients with end-stage renal failure. Eleven self-selected patients (6 men, 5 women) receiving maintenance dialysis (dialysis history 67 +/- 42.8 month) completed 3 inter-day assessment sessions. Each comprised a standardized warm-up and 3 intermittent static maximal voluntary actions of the knee extensors of the preferred limb (45 degrees knee flexion angle [0 degrees = full knee extension]) using a specially-constructed dynamometer. Repeated measures ANOVA of coefficient of variation scores revealed significant differences between indices in their reproducibility across day-to-day trials. Post-hoc comparisons of group mean scores suggested that peak force (6.6 +/- 3.0%) offers significantly greater measurement reproducibility than time ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous ultrasound (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICCA) in a small, nonrandomized series. From February 2004 to July 2008, six patients (four men and two women; mean age 69.8 years [range 48 to 83]) with ICCA underwent percutaneous US-guided RFA. Preintervetional transarterial embolization was performed in two cases to decrease heat dispersion during RFA in order to increase the area of ablation. The efficacy of RFA was evaluated using contrast-enhanced dynamic computed tomography (CT) 1 month after treatment and then every 3 months thereafter. Nine RFA sessions were performed for six solid hepatic tumors in six patients. The duration of follow-up ranged from 13 to 21 months (mean 17.5). Posttreatment CT showed total necrosis in four of six tumors after one or two RFA sessions. Residual tumor was observed in two patients with larger ...

Science.gov (United States)

PURPOSE: To determine the recommended dose of radiotherapy when combined with full-dose gemcitabine and erlotinib for unresected pancreas cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients with unresected pancreatic cancer (Zubrod performance status 0-2) were eligible for the present study. Gemcitabine was given weekly for 7 weeks (1,000 mg/m(2)) with erlotinib daily for 8 weeks (100 mg). A final toxicity assessment was performed in Week 9. Radiotherapy (starting at 30 Gy in 2-Gy fractions, 5 d/wk) was given to the gross tumor plus a 1-cm margin starting with the first dose of gemcitabine. A standard 3 plus 3 dose escalation (an additional 4 Gy within 2 days for each dose level) was used, except for the starting dose level, which was scheduled to contain 6 patients. In general, Grade 3 or greater gastrointestinal toxicity was considered a dose-limiting toxicity, except for Grade 3 anorexia or Grade 3 fatigue alone. RESULTS: A total of 20 patients were treated (10 men and 10 ...

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Pulsatile hormone secretion is observed in almost every hormonal system. The frequency of episodic hormone release ranges from approximately 10 to 100 pulses in 24 hours. This temporal mode of secretion is an important feature of intercellular information transfer in addition to a dose-response dependent regulation. It has been demonstrated in a number of experiments that changes in the temporal pattern of pulsatile hormone secretion specifically regulate cellular and organ function and structure. Recent evidence links osteoporosis, a disease characterized by loss of bone mass and structure, to changes in the dynamics of pulsatile parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion. In our study we applied nonlinear and linear time series prediction to characterize the secretory dynamics of PTH in both healthy human subjects and patients with osteoporosis. Osteoporotic patients appear to lack periods of high predictability found in normal humans. In contrast to patients with osteoporosis patients with ...

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The standard protocol in multislice spiral CT (MSCT) angiography for coronary arteries with fixed tube current-time settings leads to an overexposure and thus to an unnecessary high radiation dose in patients with lower weight when compared to heavier patients. The purpose of this study was to estimate the effect of reducing the radiation dose by adapting the tube current-time settings individually. Fifty patients underwent retrospectively ECG-gated MSCT of the heart. In 25 patients (group A{sub 1}) a standard protocol with constant tube current-time settings was used (4 x 1-mm collimation, 120 kV, 400 mAs{sub eff}). Subsequently, artificial image noise was added to the data of these patients simulating a directive for weight-adapted tube current-time settings (group A{sub 2}). In the other 25 patients (group B) an alternative protocol with individually weight-adapted tube current-time settings was applied. The data of all groups were evaluated by a regression analysis. The image ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The purpose of this work is to investigate the possible role of Helical CT defecography in pelvic floor disorders by comparing the results of the investigations with those of conventional defecography. The series analyzed consisted of 90 patients, namely 62 women and 28 men, ranging in age 24-82 years. They were all submitted to conventional defecography, and 18 questionable cases were also studied with Helical CT defecography. The conventional examination was performed during the 4 standard phases of resting, squeezing, Valsalva and straining; it is used a remote-control unit. The parameters for Helical CT defecography were: 5 mm beam collimation, pitch 2, 120 KV, 250 m As and 18-20 degrees gantry inclination to acquire coronal images of the pelvic floor. The rectal ampulla was distended with a bolus of 300 mL nonionic iodinated contrast agent (dilution: 3g/cc). The patient wore a napkin and was seated on the table, except for those who could not hold the position ...

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Objective: To assess dynamic MRI with Gd-DTPA enhancement for evaluating inflammatory changes in the subacromial bursa. Design and patients: We detected the signal intensity changes in dynamic MRI of the subacromial bursa, and confirmed these macroscopically by arthroscopy and histologically. The signal intensity was measured using built-in software, and the enhancement ratio (E ratio) was calculated from dynamic MR images. In addition, as a parameter of the rate of the increase in the signal intensity from 0 to 80 s, the mean increase per second in the E ratio was obtained as the coefficient of enhancement (CE). The correlation was studied of the E ratio and CE with the arthroscopic findings (redness, villous formation, thickening and adhesion), and of the E ratio and CE with the histological findings (capillary proliferation, papillary hyperplasia, fibrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration) of the subacromial bursa. Of patients with shoulder pain, this study included those with ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Background and purpose: We evaluate the feasibility of concomitant and adjuvant docetaxel combined with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and androgen deprivation in high-risk prostate carcinomas. Methods: Fifty men with high-risk localized prostate cancer (16), locally advanced (28) or very high-risk prostate cancer (6) were included. Seventy Gy were delivered on prostate and seminal vesicles in 35 fractions, concurrently with weekly docetaxel (20 mg/m"2). Three weeks after the completion of 3D-CRT, docetaxel was given for 3 cycles (60 mg/m"2), every 3 weeks. Patients had to receive LHRH agonist during 3 years. Results: The intent to treat analysis shows that four patients out of 15 stopped prematurely the chemotherapy due to grade 3-4 acute toxicity. In the per protocol analysis, 46 patients completed a full-dose chemoradiation regimen representing 413 cycles: five patients experienced a grade 3 toxicity, and 15 patients experienced a grade 2 ...

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Thirty-nine previously untreated patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue were treated by irradiation or a combination of irradiation and surgery, with or without chemotherapy, between January 1971 and December 1980. All of the patients had a follow-up period of at least nine years. Twenty-two patients were men and 17 were women. The average age was 50.1 years, with a range of 30 to 74 years. The absolute five-year survival rate was 82.1% and the cumulative ten-year survival rate 76.9% for these 39 patients. Cervical node metastases were clinically found on admission in 14 patients whose five-year survival rate was 64.3%, whereas it was 92.0% for 25 patients without metastasis. The absolute five-year survival rate decreased from 92.3% for patients with stage I lesions to 90.9%, 87.5% and 42.9% for those with stage II, stage III and stage IV lesions, respectively. Most of the patients received external irradiation and intraoral electron beam therapy. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Background and purpose: To assess the effectiveness of radiotherapy in preventing tumour seeding after chest drain or pleural biopsy in patients with malignant mesothelioma and to determine, if tract metastases appear, whether they are tender or troublesome to patients. Patients and methods: Patients with a histological diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma and an invasive procedure within the preceding 21 days were stratified by age, performance status and treatment centre. Randomisation was performed between immediate drain site radiotherapy 21 Gy in three fractions (XRT arm) or best supportive care (BSC) with follow-up to 12 months. Patients were asked to complete questionnaires on treatment toxicity and on symptoms from any tract metastases detected. Results: Sixty-one patients were recruited from two centres between 1998 and 2004; 56 men, 5 women, median age 70. 31 were allocated to drain site radiotherapy. Seven patients developed tract metastases associated with ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The aim of the work in this thesis is to investigate the convective and diffusive transport in the TM chemistry transport model, and to investigate some aspects of the consequences for NOx. The large inaccuracy and uncertainty in the description of processes like convection and turbulent diffusion, the strong dependence of the radiative forcing of ozone on its vertical distribution, and the strong dependence of the ozone production on the distribution of NOx, are the main motivation. The availability of the ERA-40 data, where convective data and vertical diffusion coefficients are archived, allows a study of the effect of different convective mass flux sets, and different vertical diffusion coefficients on the model-simulated distribution of tracers. In this thesis the following questions are addressed : (1) How large is the sensitivity of the (model simulated) distribution of ozone and nitrogen oxides on (the) convection (parameterisation)?; (2) What requirements should be fulfilled ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Full text: Many studies have demonstrated significant declines in 24-hour energy expenditure (TEE) measured by whole body calorimetry with either the process of weight loss or the maintenance of reduced body weight. The aims of this study were to determine the effect of weight loss and two weeks of weight maintenance on TEE using ["1"4C]-bicarbonate-urea, Eleven subjects (6 males, 5 females), mean (#+-#SE) age 50 #+-# 3 years, BMI 34.1 #+-# 2.1 kg/m2 and body fat 38.7 #+-# 3% were studied before and after a decrease in body weight of > 8% over a period of 8 weeks, followed by two weeks of weight maintenance. Weight loss was induced using the combination of Modifast and one small meal a day (#approx#3.34 MJ/day). Body composition (DEXA), resting energy expenditure (REE) and the thermic effect of a 2.7 MJ test meal (TEF) were measured in addition to TEE at week 2 and again at week 12. Diet was assessed using diaries and physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) was calculated from ...

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The aims of this study were (a) to assess blood cadmium (B-Cd) concentrations and to establish a tentative reference interval; (b) to identify significant determinants of B-Cd, in a population from Umbria, Central Italy, which was not occupationally exposed to cadmium (Cd). Four hundred and thirty-four healthy blood-donors volunteered to answer a questionnaire and provide a blood sample for B-Cd analysis, which was performed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Blood Cd concentrations ranged from non-detectable values, i.e. below 0.1 {mu}g/l up to 3.4 {mu}g/l and were not normally distributed. The median values and the 95th percentiles were 0.7 and 2.0 {mu}g/l, respectively. Concentrations of B-Cd were more than double in smokers than in non-smokers, median values being 1.1 {mu}g/l and 0.5 {mu}g/l, respectively. In current smokers, B-Cd values correlated with the number of cigarettes smoked daily (r{sub s}=0.40, P=0.0001) and with the cumulative exposure to ...

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Aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of virtual colonoscopy (CT colonography) in the identification of colorectal cancer and to define the limitations and the advantages of this imaging modality, as well as indications to the examination. It was examined prospectively 62 symptomatic patients aged 36 to 82 years (28 women and 34 men). All patients underwent both conventional and virtual colonoscopy on the same day; the conventional examination allowed exploration of the entire colon. Conventional colonoscopy identified 89 lesions 3-50 mm in diameter, namely 84 benign and 5 malignant lesions. No lesions were identified in 12 patients. CT colonography identified 52 of the 89 lesions, with 57.1% diagnostic accuracy. They were 11 false positives (82.5% positive predictive value and 52.2% specificity) and 37 false negatives (24.5% negative predictive value and 58.4% sensitivity). Sensitivity was significantly higher (85.7%) for polyps {>=} 1 cm. ...

Science.gov (United States)

At the end of 2005, Robert D. Felner was riding high. A well-paid dean at the University of Louisville, he had just secured a $694,000 earmarked grant from the U.S. Department of Education to create an elaborate research center to help Kentucky's public schools. The grant proposal, which Mr. Felner had labored over for months, made some impressive promises. On paper this all seemed plausible: From 1996 until 2003, Mr. Felner directed the University of Rhode Island's education school, where he helped create a well-regarded statewide research center. To put it gently, Mr. Felner did not duplicate that feat at Louisville. By the spring of 2008, all but $96,000 of the grant had been spent, but none of the tasks listed in Mr. Felner's proposal had been accomplished. Late in May 2008, he told his colleagues that he had been hired as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, effective August 1. During his final weeks at Louisville, Mr. Felner pressed his luck one last time. Even ...

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Gastric stromal tumors are an ill-defined group of lesions arising from muscle wall cells and characterized by extremely variable biological patterns. Thanks to modern immunohistochemical and ultrastructural techniques, four main classes of these lesions have been identified, namely: (1) tumors with differentiation toward smooth muscle cells; (2) tumors with differentiation toward neural elements; (3) tumors with differentiation toward neural elements; (3) tumors with dual differentiation toward either cell type. It was investigated the yield of CT in diagnosing and characterizing gastric stromal tumors. It was retrospectively reviewed the CT findings of 38 patients (15 men and 23 women; mean age 51 years) with pathologically proven gastric stromal tumors, namely 31 of myoid origin, 4 of neural origin, 2 with both muscle and neural differentiation, 1 lacking differentiation with either cell type. The myoid tumors involved gastric fundus in 9/13 and 5/7 benign ...

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CT is a valuable tool in assessing thoracic gunshot wounds. CT is also the method of choice in emergency, because it permits rapid depiction of bullet damage to the chest and to other body districts. This in turn permits correct assessment of the main thoracic injuries, plus adequate and prompt planning of surgical treatment or support intensive care. It is reported on the role of CT in diagnosing the complex pleuropulmonary, cardiovascular and thoracic wall injuries caused by gunshot wounds, with their specific and acute signs which differ greatly fro those of other types of chest trauma. In the last 4 years, it was observed an amount of 76 cases of gunshot injury, twenty-six of them involved the chest. The patients, 25 men and 1 woman (mean age: 32 years, range: 17-48), were all submitted to emergency CT with iv contrast agent injection and the CT-angiography technique. The reanimator was always presented to monitor the patients' vital functions and ...

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Penetrating liver wounds are related to many causes and rank second after blunt abdominal and liver trauma. In this report are examined the clinical and radiological findings of personal series of patients with penetrating trauma, especially by firearms and stab and cut wounds. It will also tried to define the diagnostic workup of these traumas, which is especially based on CT signs of liver damage and associated changes and which is of basic importance for following treatment, both surgical or conservative. In the last seven years it was retrospectively reviewed 31 cases of penetrating liver trauma. The patients were 19 men and 12 women, ranging in age 18 to 73 (mean 42), with penetrating liver injuries from firearms (16 patients) and stab (9 cases) wounds; 6 patients had injuries from different cases. Abdominal CT was carried out in emergency with the CT Angiography (CTA) technique in all patients. In the patients with suspected chest and abdomen involvement CT ...