The phosphatidylinositol pathway is implicated in the regulation of numerous cellular functions and responses to extracellular signals. An important branching point in the pathway is the phosphorylation...Full Text Available
In this study, the cytocompatibility of new 'iron-modified/alpha-tricalcium phosphate (IM/alpha-TCP) and calcium sulfate dihydrate (CSD)' bone cement (IM/alpha-TCP/CSD-BC) intended for spinal applications has been approached. The objective was to investigate by direct-contact osteoblast-like cell cultures (from 1 to 14 days) the in vitro cell adhesion, proliferation, morphology and cytoskeleton organization of MG-63 cells seeded onto the new cements. The results were as follows: (a) quantitative MTT-assay and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that cell adhesion, proliferation and viability were not affected with time by the presence of iron in the cements; (b) double immunofluorescent labeling of F-actin and alpha-tubulin showed a dynamic interaction between the cell and its porous substrates sustaining the locomotion phenomenon on the cements' surface, which favored the colonization, and ...
BACKGROUND: An approach to the study of the pharmacokinetics of drugs in the lung is to measure their concentrations in bronchial biopsy specimens. The main criticism of this technique is that bronchial...Full Text Available
This study investigated weathering effects on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) based wood plastic composites (WPC), with a focus on the color and structure that is attributed to the material composition. It is directed towards quantifying the main chemical modifi...
Abstract First results showing the viability of combining laser chemical processing (LCP) and aerosol jet printing (AJP) technologies to produce a high-efficiency front side for silicon solar cells are presented. LCP simultaneously opens the anti-reflection coating (ARC) and highly dopes the underlying silicon to create a selective emitter, while AJP is the first in a two-step fine-line contact formation procedure. The electrical properties as well as the morphology of the resulting structures are presented. Performance similar to that achieved with evaporated TiPdAg metallization is demonstrated. Copyright 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Guidelines for the viability primer component of the version 3 workbook. The Viability page in the current version of the Excel spreadsheet for conservation ... ...
We present the results of an isophotal shape analysis of three samples of galaxies in the Coma cluster. Quantitativemorphology, together with structural and photometric parameters, is given for each galaxy. Special emphasis has been placed on the detailed classification of early-type galaxies. The three samples are: i) a sample of 97 early-type galaxies brighter than m_B = 17.00 falling within one degree from the center of the Coma cluster; these galaxies were observed with CCD cameras, mostly in good to excellent resolution conditions; ii) a magnitude complete sample of 107 galaxies of all morphological types down to m_B = 17.00 falling in a circular region of 50 arcmin diameter, slightly offcentered to the North-West of the cluster center; the images for this and the next sample come from digitized photographic plates; iii) a complete comparison sample of 26 galaxies of all morphological types down ...
Culturing human prostate PC-3 cells for 4, 24, or 72 h in the presence of 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA), an inhibitor of arachidonic acid metabolism and cholesterol biosynthesis, markedly altered the morphology and reduced the number of mitochondria in the treated cells. Using quantitative electron microscopic morphometry, we documented changes in the number, form, area, matrix density, and integrity of the cristae and limiting membranes of mitochondria in cells cultured with ETYA. The inhibition of cholesterol synthesis or the substitution of ETYA for polyunsaturated fatty acids in the inner membrane may participate in the disruption of the mitochondria, which resembles the morphologic sequelae of oxidative stress. If sufficiently extensive, these changes could contribute to the inhibition of cellular proliferation by ETYA.
In situ X-Ray microtomography offers new opportunities for analysing sintering mechanisms since it allows 3D observation of the microstructural evolution of the powder all along a sintering cycle. With synchrotron radiation at ESRF, a 3D image with a resolution of 2 {mu}m can be obtained in about one minute. In addition to the visual examination of the images, relevant microstructural parameters can be measured through quantitative image analysis using recently developed tools. In this paper the results obtained with two materials, loose copper powder and compacted steel powder, are resumed. For copper powder, the dispersion of local parameters such as particle co-ordination number and porosity is investigated. Concerning steel compacts, data about pore morphology evolution and on local strains provides clues for understanding the anisotropic shrinkage of such compacts. (authors)
To define the quantitative and qualitative effects of gossypol (GP) on deer (Cervus elaphus) semen, the animals were fed cottonseed (CS). Adult stags each received 350?g of CS for 109?days. Animals received 15?mg of gossypol per kilogram body weight per day. Quantitative and qualitative parameters of experimental ejaculates (n?=?182) were compared to ejaculates (n?=?571) of control animals (n?=?5) collected during three previous natural reproductive seasons. Ejaculate fractions were evaluated by classical methods used in domestic animals. In this paper, we show that mature male deer fed CS exhibited morphological changes and decreased motility of spermatozoa and abnormalities in spermatogenesis. Radioimmunoassay measured concentrations of various steroid hormones (T-testosterone, A4-andros...
Fractal dimensional analysis was employed to obtain a quantitative measure of the morphology of polymer networks formed by UV irradiation induced polymerization of photo-reactive mesogenic monomers dissolved in a liquid crystal host medium. The fractal dimensions obtained, may be interpreted by polymer network growth following a percolation-like model for monomer concentrations well below the solubility limit. On passing the solubility limit, the polymerization process changes from a (radical chain) solution polymerization to a dispersion polymerization, with fractal dimensions decreasing and suggesting a cluster-cluster aggregation process for monomer concentrations above the solubility limit, similar to the aggregation of colloidal particles.
Silica and bridged polysilsesquioxane aerogels are low-density materials that are attractive for applications such as thermal insulation, porous separation media or catalyst supports, adsorbents, and cometary dust capture agents. However, aerogels are notoriously weak and brittle making it difficult to handle and machine monoliths into desired forms. This complication prevents the development of many applications that would otherwise benefit from the use of the low-density materials. Here, we will describe our efforts to chemically modify and mechanically enhance silica-based aerogels using chemical vapor techniques without sacrificing their characteristic low densities. Monolithic silica and organic-bridged polysilsesquioxane aerogels were prepared by sol-gel polymerization of the respective methoxysilane monomers followed by supercritical carbon dioxide drying of the gels. Then the gels were reactively modified with silylating agents to demonstrate the viability ...
The murine 3T3-L1 fibroblast under appropriate incubation conditions differentiates into an adipocyte phenotype. This 3T3-L1 adipocyte exhibits many of the morphologic, biochemical, and insulin-responsive features of the normal rodent adipocyte. Using quantitative electron microscopic (EM) autoradiography we find that, when /sup 125/I-insulin is incubated with 3T3-L1 adipocytes, the ligand at early times of incubation localizes to the plasma membrane of the cell preferentially to microvilli and coated pits. When the incubation is continued at 37 degrees C, /sup 125/I-insulin is internalized by the cells and preferential binding to the villous surface is lost. With the internalization of the ligand, two intracellular structures become labeled, as determined by the method of hypothetical grain analysis. These include large clear, presumably endocytotic, vesicles and multivesicular bodies. Over the first hour of incubation the labeling of these ...
The cytotoxicity of 15-nm and 46-nm silica nanoparticles was investigated by using crystalline silica (Min-U-Sil 5) as a positive control in cultured human bronchoalveolar carcinoma-derived cells. Exposure to 15-nm or 46-nm SiO_2 nanoparticles for 48 h at dosage levels between 10 and 100 #mu#g/ml decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Both SiO_2 nanoparticles were more cytotoxic than Min-U-Sil 5; however, the cytotoxicities of 15-nm and 46-nm silica nanoparticles were not significantly different. The 15-nm SiO_2 nanoparticles were used to determine time-dependent cytotoxicity and oxidative stress responses. Cell viability decreased significantly as a function of both nanoparticle dosage (10-100 #mu#g/ml) and exposure time (24 h, 48 h, and 72 h). Indicators of oxidative stress and cytotoxicity, including total reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione, malondialdehyde, and lactate dehydrogenase, were ...
Several researchers have investigated morphological changes on the south-eastern Mediterranean coast during the late Holocene. However, very few of these studies include quantitative data covering the last 200?years. In this study, topographical maps, nautical charts and aerial photographs are used to estimate the shoreline migrations and beach?nearshore sand balance over the last 200?years in Haifa Bay, Israel, the northernmost final depositional sink of the Nile littoral cell. The findings reflect two main periods. During the first period, between 1799 and 1928, human intervention along the bay?s coast was negligible, a significant coastal expansion of ?50 to 150?m (averages of 0.4?1.2?m/year) was measured, and sand accumulation was estimated at ?70,000?m3 annually in the beach?nearshore...
As thin films become increasingly popular (for solar cells, LEDs, microelectronics, batteries), quantitativemorphological information is needed to predict and optimize the film's electronic, optical and mechanical properties. This quantification can be obtained quickly and easily with X-ray diffraction using an area detector and synchrotron radiation in two simple geometries. In this paper, we describe a methodology for constructing complete pole figures for thin films with fiber texture (isotropic in-plane orientation). We demonstrate this technique on semicrystalline polymer films, self-assembled nanoparticle semiconductor films, and randomly-packed metallic nanoparticle films. This method can be immediately implemented to help understand the relationship between film processing and microstructure, enabling the development of better and less expensive electronic and optoelectronic devices.
The in-depth distribution of phases in c-BN films deposited by Ion Beam Assisted Deposition (IBAD) at two different ion energy values (300 and 600 eV) was investigated using the quantitative IR transmission measurements and the HREM technique. Whatever the value of the studied ion energies, the characteristic layered morphology of c-BN film is observed including the interfacial sp"2 zone between the substrate and the c-BN volume. In the case of 600 eV ion energy, this interfacial zone is less well-defined in comparison with 300 eV ion energy and the corresponding thickness is more important. Furthermore, the h-BN phase is more diluted within the c-BN film volume showing that the purest phase concentration of c-BN is found for the lowest ion energy, i.e., 300 eV.
The heptageniid mayflies Epeorus latifolium and Epeorus l-nigrus are often the dominant species in the upper and midstream areas of Japanese rivers; as such, they play a significant role in river ecosystems. However, although these two species have been identified using the morphological characteristics of the male in its adult stage, it is impossible to differentiate them in their nymphal stage. We conducted a study to elucidate their distribution pattern, i.e., the current distribution of these two species in the Shinano-gawa River basin, based on quantitative field sampling and genetic analysis of nymphs and also some male adults; for these, it was possible to differentiate between the two species reliably. The data collected from the 30 study sites of the 1-year-long study revealed tha...
Abstract The healing of predominantly metaphyseal fractures in postmenopausal osteoporosis is delayed and comparatively poor. Due to the potential side effects of HRT, natural alternatives are appealing. The aim of this study was to determine whether Cimicifuga racemosa extract BNO 1055 improves metaphyseal fracture healing in severe osteopenic bone in rats. Thirty three 12 week old female rats developed severe osteopenia during 10 weeks after ovariectomy. After metaphyseal tibial osteotomy and standardized T plate osteosynthesis, the healing periods in ovariectomized rats (C), 17 estradiol (E) and Cimicifuga racemosa (CR) supplemented diets were assessed for 35 days. Changes in callus morphology were evaluated qualitatively by biomechanical testing and quantitatively in microradiographies...
We present a sample preparation method for measuring magnesium in individual whole lymphocytes by electron probe X-ray microanalysis. We use Burkitt's lymphoma cells in culture as the test sample and compare X-ray microanalysis of individual cells with atomic absorption analysis of pooled cell populations. We determine the magnesium peak-to-local continuum X-ray intensity ratio by electron probe X-ray microanalysis and calculate a mean cell magnesium concentration of 39 +/- 19 mmol/kg dry weight from analysis of 100 cells. We determine a mean cell magnesium concentration of 34 +/- 4 mmol/kg dry weight by atomic absorption analysis of pooled cells in three cell cultures. The mean cell magnesium concentrations determined by the two methods are not significantly different. We find a 10% coefficient of variation for both methods of analysis and a 30% coefficient of variation in magnesium concentration among individual cells by electron probe X-ray microanalysis. We wash cells in ammonium ...
The viability of osteocytes can be demonstrated in sawn decalcified sections of bone by their lactate dehydrogenase activity. In the cancellous bone of the femoral head, the proportion of lacunae containing viable osteocytes decreased from 88 +/- 7% (mean +/- SD) at 10-29 years to 58 +/- 12% (P Ultimate compressive strength did not correlate with osteocyte viability. In the femoral head there is gradual, age-related reduction in osteocyte viability that can be more pronounced in hip fracture. Osteocyte death may affect bone quality by impairing repair of fatigue damage. PMID:8275364
... The MTT assay indicates cell viability through a yellow to purple ... besiegers were said to have catapulted plague infected corpses into the city of ...
Locomotion is a complex behavior affected by many different brain- and spinal cord systems, as well as by variations in the peripheral nervous system. Recently, we found increased gene expression for EphA4, a gene intricately involved in motor neuron development, between high-active parental strain C57BL/6J and the low-active chromosome substitution strain 1 (CSS1). CSS1 mice carry chromosome 1 from A/J mice in a C57BL/6J genetic background, allowing localization of quantitative trait loci (QTL) on chromosome 1. To find out whether differences in motor neuron anatomy, possibly related to the changes in EphA4 expression, are involved in the motor activity differences observed in these strains, motor performance in various behavioral paradigms and anatomical differences in the ventral roots ...
The ultimate compressive strength and modulus of elasticity of femoral cortical bone from adult geese (Anser anser), were determined by sex and by quadrant by compressing small right circular cylinders which were 2.4 mm in height and 0.8 mm in diameter. The average ultimate compressive strength was 183 +/- 29 MPa. The average modulus of elasticity was 13.2 +/- 3.4 GPa. The bending strength and bending modulus of elasticity were determined by a three point bend test on rectangular prisms which had the approximate dimensions 0.75 mm X 0.75 mm X 25 mm. The average bending strength was 263 +/- 44 MPa while the average bending modulus was 19.6 +/- 3.1 GPa. The calcium content was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and no correlation was found with the mechanical properties. The histology of the cortical bone was examined both quantitatively and qualitatively. A unique type of Haversian bone is described. Goose bone was found to be ...
Silicon nitride based ceramics have attracted considerable attention as good candidates for structural applications due to their excellent mechanical properties including strength, hardness, fracture toughness, and high temperature strength. These properties are strongly influenced by grain size and morphology, and by the degree of crystallinity and chemistry of grain boundary phases. In this work, the microstructure of Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} densified with Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3}, Y{sub 2}O{sub 3} and Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} sintering additives was studied. Sintered samples were polished and plasma etched for microstructural analysis using scanning electron microscope. Quantitative evaluation of materials microstructure was accomplished using Quantikov software. Fracture toughness was measured by Vickers indentation method. The observed microstructure is typical of silicon nitride based materials and is characterized by high aspect ratio.-Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} ...
We report a study of the physical characteristics of the pillars of C, Pt and W grown by 10-30 keV Ga focused ion beam (FIB) as a function of Ga ion flux, and present a quantitative analysis of the elements using energy-dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX). All the FIB grown pillars exhibit a rough morphology with whisker like protrusions on the cylindrical surface and broadening of the base as compared to the nominal size. For a constant fluence, the height of the pillar initially increases and then reduces after going through a maximum as a function of ion flux in all the cases. The compositional analysis shows good metallic quality for Pt structures but reveals significant contamination of Ga in C and Ga and C in W structures at higher ion fluxes. Explanation to all these observations has been sought in the light of secondary ion and electron effects and the different processes involved which lead to the FIB induced deposition.
A technique for quantitative determination of cephalothin and desacetylcephalothin in serum using a method based on high-pressure liquid chromatography is described. Both compounds were quantitatively...Full Text Available
The issues of the geothermal resource at Brady's Hot Springs are dealt with: the prospective supply of feedstocks to the ethanol plant, the markets for the spent grain by-products of the plant, the storage, handling and transshipment requirements for the feedstocks and by-products from a rail siding facility at Fernley, the probable market for fuel ethanol in the region, and an assessment of the economic viability of the entire undertaking.
Sixty-three subjects, aged 6 months to 16 years, who were enrolled in a prospective, fully blinded, randomized parallel-group phase III clinical trial, received 0.1 mmol/kg doses of either Gd-BOPTA (n=29) or Gd-DTPA (n=34). The MR images were acquired before and within 10 min of contrast agent injection. The primary objective was to compare the difference from pre-dose to post-dose lesion visualization between Gd-BOPTA and Gd-DTPA. Lesion visualization was determined as the sum of individual scores for three criteria of lesion morphological characteristics (lesion border delineation, internal morphology, and contrast enhancement), each assessed qualitatively using 4-point scales. Quantitative evaluation compared changes in lesion-to-background (LBR) and contrast-to-noise (CNR) ratios and per cent enhancement. Monitoring for adverse events and evaluation of vital signs and laboratory values was performed. Pre-dose to ...
To compare clinical effectiveness of Viabil-covered stents versus uncovered metallic Wallstents, for palliation of malignant jaundice due to extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, 60 patients were enrolled in a prospective and randomized study. In half of the patients a bare Wallstent was used, and in the other half a Viabil biliary stent. Patients were followed up until death. Primary patency, survival, complication rates, and mean cost were calculated in both groups. Stent dysfunction occurred in 9 (30%) patients in the bare stent group after a mean period of 133.1 days and in 4 (13.3%) patients in the covered stent group after a mean of 179.5 days. The incidence of stent dysfunction was significantly lower in the covered stent group (P = 0.046). Tumor ingrowth occurred exclusively in the bare stent group (P = 0.007). Median survival was 180.5 days for the Wallstent and 243.5 days for the Viabil group (P = 0.039). Complications ...
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a fully quantitative technology for imaging metabolic pathways and dynamic processes in vivo. Attenuation correction of raw PET data is a prerequisite for quantification and is typically based on separate transmission measurements. In PET/CT attenuation correction, however, is performed routinely based on the available CT transmission data. Recently, combined PET/magnetic resonance (MR) has been proposed as a viable alternative to PET/CT. Current concepts of PET/MRI do not include CT-like transmission sources and, therefore, alternative methods of PET attenuation correction must be found. This article reviews existing approaches to MR-based attenuation correction (MR-AC). Most groups have proposed MR-AC algorithms for brain PET studies and more recently also for torso PET/MR imaging. Most MR-AC strategies require the use of complementary MR and transmission images, or morphology templates generated from ...
Early white matter (WM) injury affects brain maturation in preterm infants as revealed by diffusion tensor imaging and volumetric magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at term postmenstrual age (PMA). The aim of the study was to assess quantitatively brain maturation in preterm infants with and without milder forms of WM damage (punctate WM lesions, PWML) using conventional MRI. Brain development was quantitatively assessed using a previously validated scoring system (total maturation score, TMS) which utilizes four parameters (progressive myelination and cortical infolding, progressive involution of glial cell migration bands and germinal matrix tissue). PWML were defined as foci of increased signal on T1-weighted images and decreased signal on T2-weighted images with no evidence of cystic degeneration. A group of 22 preterm infants with PWML at term PMA (PWML group) were compared with 22 matched controls with a normal MR appearance. The two groups ...
The present study was aimed at investigating effects of nickel (NiCl2) on secretion of testosterone (T), cell viability, ultrastructure and apoptosis in mouse Leydig cells. Testosterone release was measured after 48h of culture with 15.67, 31.25, 62.5, 125, 250, 500 and 1000mmol/L NiCl2 or without NiCl2 using radioimmunoassay. Cell viability was assessed by a MTT (metabolic activity assay). Quantification of apoptotic cells was performed using TUNEL assay and the ultrastructural changes were analyzed using transmission electron microscopy. The viability was decreased after addition of >=250mmol/L NiCl2. A concentration-dependent depression of T production was observed. The percentage of apoptotic cells was significantly increased only after addition of 125, 250 and 1000mmol/L NiCl2. After ...
Pro-inflammatory cytokines may directly influence the viability and metabolic function of colonic epithelial cells (CEC) as an early event in the development of inflammatory bowel disease. We report here that TNF-alpha+IFN-gamma induced a synergistic, concentration-dependent decline in butyrate oxidation, an essential energy supply, in HT-29 and DLD-1 cells. TNF-alpha+IFN-gamma induced a parallel profound decline in cell viability in HT-29 cells, but not in DLD-1 cells, where impairment of butyrate oxidation seemed to precede later occurrence of cell damage. TNF-alpha+INF-gamma induced CEC damage was independent on NO formation and involved the IFN-gamma signalling pathway as well as induction of apoptosis. If cytokines have similar effects in vivo, these may lead to energy deficiency and thus contribute to CEC damage and disturbance of the epithelial integrity.
Frogs are characterized by a unique morphology associated with their saltatory lifestyle. Although variation in the form and function of the pelvic girdle and associated appendicular system related...Full Text Available
Polyandrous mating is common, but the benefits for females of polyandry remain controversial. To test whether mating with multiple males affects female fitness, we compared lifetime components of fitness...Full Text Available
BackgroundGenetic interactions within hybrids influence their overall fitness. Understanding the details of these interactions can improve our understanding of speciation. One experimental...Full Text Available
Cdc13 is a single stranded telomere binding protein that specifically localizes to the telomere ends of budding yeasts and is essential for cell viability. It caps the ends of chromosomes thus preventing...Full Text Available
The principal cause of primary non-function in orthotopic liver transplantation is thought to be preservation injury to the microvasculature. We, therefore, evaluated if effluent levels of hyaluronate,...Full Text Available
Objective: To evaluate effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on the viability, membrane properties, and zinc distribution, with and without the presence of Zn2+, in human prostate...Full Text Available
Data reveal that sodium pentobarbital anesthesia does not depress glucose uptake of neutrophils stimulated by the addition of live E. coli. E. coli viability was reduced equally in blood obtained before and after sodium pentobarbital anesthesia. Pre- and ...
A mesophilic yeast, Candida utilis, and a psychrophilic yeast, Leucosporidium stokesii, were subjected to freeze-thaw cycling over the range 25 to -60 C. Viability...Full Text Available
... After completing a review into direct coal liquefaction research carried out in Australia and internationally, CSIRO has identified potential new science and technology developments that may improve the cost and viability of CTL in a greenhouse gas-constrained environment. We are conducting research to: determine the optimum ...
BackgroundHistone post-translational modifications are critical for gene expression and cell viability. A broad spectrum of histone lysine residues have been identified in yeast...Full Text Available
Gas and stars in spiral galaxies are modelled with the DUAL code, using hydrodynamic and N-body techniques. The simulations reveal morphological differences mirroring the dual morphologies seen in B and K' band observations of many spiral galaxies. In particular, the gaseous images are more flocculent with lower pitch angles than the stellar images, and the stellar arm-interarm contrast correlates with the degree of morphological decoupling.
The evaluation of biological markers is recognized as necessary to the future of toxicology, epidemiology, and quantitative risk assessment. For biological markers to become widely accepted, their validity...Full Text Available
Quantitative microscopy has been extensively used in biomedical research and has provided significant insights into structure and dynamics at the cell and tissue level. The entire procedure...Full Text Available
The present study attempts to use hydrogen peroxide solution to humidify Ca(OH)(2) particles to enhance the absorption of SO(2) to achieve higher removal efficiency and to solve the valuable reuse of the reaction product in the semidry flue gas desulfurization (FGD) process. Experiments were carried out to examine the effect of various operating parameters including hydrogen peroxide solution concentration, Ca/S molar ratio and approach to adiabatic saturation temperature on SO(2) removal efficiency in a laboratory scale spray reactor. The product samples were analyzed to obtain semi-quantitative measures of mineralogical composition by X-ray diffraction (XRD) with reference intensity ratio (RIR) method and the morphology of the samples was examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Compared with spraying water to humidify Ca(OH)(2), SO(2) removal efficiency was improved significantly by spraying hydrogen peroxide solution of 1-3 wt.% to ...
This project has been concerned with the understanding of certain key physical and physical chemical properties of polymeric systems which are related to their use as working substances in mechanochemical systems. Since the crystal-liquid phase transition is involved in the process of interest, attention has been focused on this transition and on the properties of semi-crystalline polymers. Two kinds of behavior and properties have been studied in this program. One of these is concerned with melting-crystallization under an applied external force. Here the primary matters of concern are the equilibrium melting temperature-stress relations and the associated problem of crystallization kinetics under an applied external stress. The other area of study involves mechanical properties, with particular emphasis on the influence of the morphological and structural variables which describe the semi-crystalline state. We have taken advantage in this work of concurrent ...
We investigate how, and to what extent, morphological complexity of the language influences text classification using support vector machines (SVM). The Croatian-English parallel corpus provides the basis for direct comparison of two languages of radically different morphological complexity. We quantified, compared, and statistically tested the effects of morphological normalisation on SVM classifier performance based on a series of parallel experiments on both languages, carried over a large scale of different feature subset sizes obtained by different feature selection methods, and applying different levels of morphological normalisation. We also quantified the trade-off between feature space size and performance for different levels of morphological normalisation, and compared the resul...
In general, rapid morphological change in mammals has been infrequently documented. Examples that do exist are almost exclusively of rodents on islands. Such changes are usually attributed to selective...Full Text Available
AbstractPurposeThe aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of the Rho-kinase inhibitor, H-1152, on cultured human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells, TM morphology,...Full Text Available
Although dissimilarities in cranial and post-cranial morphology among African pygmies groups have been recognized, comparative studies on skull morphology usually pull all pygmies together assuming...Full Text Available
A number of aberrant morphological phenotypes were noted during propagation of the Arabidopsis thaliana DNA hypomethylation mutant, ddm1, by repeated self-pollination. Onset of a spectrum of morphological...Full Text Available
The experimental data set used to evaluate site-specific histopathologic correspondence between the morphologic end points of toxicity and carcinogenicity comprises 130 chemical carcinogenesis studies....Full Text Available
The lung of the lesser bushbaby (Galago senegalensis) has been investigated morphologically and morphometrically using the transmission and scanning electron microscopes. Grossly and microscopically,...Full Text Available
For identification of genes responsible for varietal differences in flowering time and leaf morphological traits, we constructed a linkage map of Brassica rapa DNA markers including...Full Text Available
Lithium storage metals and alloys can be suitable high-capacity anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, when the morphology is specifically designed. Here, we compare three different Sn/SnSb multiphase anode materials in powder form, which have been prepared in aqueous and organic solution by chemical precipitation using NaBH{sub 4} or Zn as reductive agents. The obtained morphologies, chemical compositions, and the electrochemical performance will be comparatively discussed. The variety of synthesis parameters which have an effect on the morphology of the obtained anode materials will be particularly highlighted.
... Abstract : The inherent brittleness of the A-15 compounds, and the requirement for a filamentary morphology, led to a heavy reliance on a powder ...
A three-level approach to viability is developed, considering (1) living systems, (2) a niche, understood as the area within the reach of their actions, and (3) an environment. A systematic analysis of the interrelations between these levels shows that living systems emerge with matter/energy processing systems. These can add controller structures when producing excess energy. A three-sensor controller structure enables a living system to deal with unfavourable and scarce environments. Further evolution of these controller structures offers improved ways to act on niches. Maintaining niches in scarce environments can require technology or economy. So social systems emerge, which are understood as aggregates of living systems. Basic patterns of interactions within social systems are analyse...
Abstract Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which infects not only B cells, but also T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, is associated with multiple lymphoid malignancies. Recently, the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib was reported to induce apoptosis of EBV-transformed B cells. We evaluated the killing effect of this proteasome inhibitor on EBV-associated T lymphoma cells and NK lymphoma cells. First, we found that bortezomib treatment decreased the viability of multiple T and NK cell lines. No significant difference was observed between EBV-positive and EBV-negative cell lines. The decreased viability in response to bortezomib treatment was abrogated by a pan-caspase inhibitor. The induction of apoptosis was confirmed by flow cytometric assessment of annexin V staining. Additionally, cleavage o...
The purpose of this work was to evaluate the quality of a rural area near Faenza (Italy) by using an active biomonitoring approach, i.e., by placing homogeneous individuals of the perennial shrub Rosa rugosa in different sites throughout the area. Further sites, within the city or its environs, were used for comparison. Soil and leaves of R. rugosa were analyzed for their heavy metal content. The total heavy metal pattern of leaves closely paralleled the pattern registered in soil, with the highest content (both in total and assimilable forms) at the site in the urban area, which is exposed to heavy traffic. Pollen quality (abortiveness and viability) was also tested as a potential indicator of pollution. Pollen abortiveness was strictly related to Pb levels in leaves, while viability was ...
A novel approach to fault diagnosis is proposed using multiscale morphology analysis to extract impulsive features from the signals with strong background noise. Multiscale morphology is applied to one-dimensional signal by defining both the length and height scales of structuring elements (SEs). A local-peak-value based adaptive algorithm is also introduced. The new approach makes the selection of SEs more transparent and is independent of empirical rules. Both simulated impulsive and vibration signals of two defective roller bearings are employed to validate the proposed algorithm. The roller bearing faults presented in the validation include both inner and outer race faults. The test results show that the multiscale morphology analysis is effective and robust to extract morphological features.
Purpose/Objective: The role of programmed cell death (apoptosis) as a cellular response to cancer therapy such as radiation or chemotherapy is the subject of much study, and manipulation of the apoptotic response in tumor cells may be valuable in the treatment of a variety of cancers. Both p53 dependent and independent apoptotic pathways have been identified; p53 is mutated in at least 50 % of human cancers and a majority of radiation resistant tumors contain p53 mutations. This study is designed to examine the induction of programmed cell death in a human colon carcinoma cell line that possesses two mutated p53 alleles. Ionizing radiation alone, or in combination with the chemotherapeutic drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), were used to elicit the apoptotic response. This study will focus on whether these treatments can induce a significant apoptotic response in cells that have mutated p53 alleles. Materials and Methods: HT-29 cells were assessed for clonogenic survival after being plated at ...
A control group of geese (Anser anser) on a normal calcium diet for egg laying poultry was compared to egg laying geese on a calcium deficient diet. The ultimate compressive strength and modulus of elasticity of femoral cortical bone from each group were determined by compressing right circular cylinders which were 2.4 mm in height and 0.8 mm in diameter. The bending strength and bending modulus of elasticity of tibial cortical bone were determined by three point bend tests on rectangular prisms which were approximately 25 mm by 0.8 mm by 0.8 mm. Bone calcium content and eggshell calcium content were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Blood samples were analyzed for free calcium ion concentration. Histological observations included studies of cross-sectional microradiographs, examinations of cross sections stained by a modified Masson's technique, and a determination of fractional area of voids by quantitative microscopy. The average compressive ...
Cancer is a severe threat to human health. Early detection is considered the best way to increase the chance for survival. While the traditional cancer detection method, biopsy, is invasive, noninvasive optical diagnostic techniques are revolutionizing the way that cancer is diagnosed. Reflectance spectroscopy is one of these optical spectroscopy techniques showing promise as a diagnostic tool for pre-cancer detection. When a neoplasia occurs in tissue, morphologic and biochemical changes happen in the tissue, which in turn results in the change of optical properties and reflectance spectroscopy. Therefore, a pre-cancer can be detected by extracting optical properties from reflectance spectroscopy. This dissertation described the construction of a fiberoptic based reflectance system and the development of a series of modeling studies. This research is aimed at establishing an improved understanding of the optical properties of mucosal tissues by analyzing ...
Nuclear medicine and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are widely used in cardiac diagnostics. Both techniques have been carefully evaluated and are equivalent for the assessment of regional and global wall motion as well as the evaluation of ejection fraction and cardiac volumes, though MRI is herein currently seen as gold standard. For evaluation of myocardial perfusion, extensive data exist for nuclear imaging, that, next to high diagnostic accuracy for evaluation of coronary artery disease, show incremental prognostic information and allow for independent risk stratification. Because of rapid technical advance, myocardial perfusion imaging has also become feasible with cardiac MRI. Results of recent studies are promising, but the data are few compared to perfusion scintigraphy. For viability assessment in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, positron emission tomography (PET) with FDG is currently seen as gold standard. However, single photon emission computed ...
Grain refinement behavior of copper alloys cast in permanent molds was investigated. This is one of the least studied subjects in copper alloy castings. Grain refinement is not widely practiced for leaded copper alloys cast in sand molds. Aluminum bronzes and high strength yellow brasses, cast in sand and permanent molds, were usually fine grained due to the presence of more than 2% iron. Grain refinement of the most common permanent mold casting alloys, leaded yellow brass and its lead-free replacement EnviroBrass III, is not universally accepted due to the perceived problem of hard spots in finished castings and for the same reason these alloys contain very low amounts of iron. The yellow brasses and Cu-Si alloys are gaining popularity in North America due to their low lead content and amenability for permanent mold casting. These alloys are prone to hot tearing in permanent mold casting. Grain refinement is one of the solutions for reducing this problem. However, to use this ...
The yeast phosphatidylinositol transfer protein (Sec14p) is required for biogenesis of Golgi-derived transport vesicles and cell viability, and this essential Sec14p requirement is abrogated by inactivation...Full Text Available
Objectives1) To establish a protocol for transfection of immortalised type I cells with SiRNA and its effect on cell viability; 2) To optimise silencing of genes involved in endocystosis using SiRNA and confirm successful transfection with western blotting; 3) To investigate the effect of gene silencing on uptake of flourescently-labelled latex nanoparticles.DescriptionTo investigate the mechanisms of particle uptake.
Complications of non-union and avascular necrosis during fracture healing process are the most important problems. Early detection of the evidence of non-union and avascular necrosis and follow-up study of fracture healing process will reduce complications and sequellae in fracture patients. Femoral neck and tibial shaft are the most important fracture sites where non-union and/or avascular necorsis are frequently developed. Osteomedullography was performed in 30 cases of fracture, 21 femoral neck, 8 tibial shafts and 1 talar neck, in the Department of Radiology of national Medical Center during the period form August 1977 to March 1981. The following results were obtained: 1. 16 patients of femoral neck fracture were performed osteomedullography one. Non-union showing no crossing vein through the fracture site was noted in 12 cases from 16 patients. 4 cases from the 12 patients of non-union showed decreased viability but 2 case revealed good ...
The 37/67 kDa laminin receptor (LAMR) is a multifunctional protein, acting as an extracellular receptor, localizing to the nucleus, and playing roles in rRNA processing and ribosome assembly....Full Text Available
This study aims to evaluate the economic and environmental viability of the exploitation of methane gas (CH4) - biogas - concentrated at the bottom of the mountains of waste from landfill Chapeco for power generation. The landfill receives approximately of 80 tons / day, the vast majority of domestic origin.
OBJECTIVETo assess the new quantitative bone scan parameters as markers of Charcot neuroosteoarthropathy (CNO) activity.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSForty-two...Full Text Available
Emphasis was put on the comparative quantitative structure-activity approaches to the exploration of action mechanisms of structurally different classes of compounds showing the same type of activity...Full Text Available
Effective small interfering RNA (siRNA)–mediated therapeutics require the siRNA to be delivered into the cellular RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). Quantitative information of this essential...Full Text Available
A single radial hemolysis test was developed for quantitation of specific antibody to non-hemagglutinating viruses. With the human coronaviruses as models, this test utilizes the binding properties...Full Text Available
We have exploited ``progeny testing'' to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) underlying the genetic variation of milk production in a selected dairy cattle population. A total of 1,518 sires, with progeny...Full Text Available
Gene expression data has been used in lieu of phenotype in both classical and quantitative genetic settings. These two disciplines have separate approaches to measuring and interpreting epistasis, which...Full Text Available
Deficits in prepulse inhibition (PPI) are a biological marker for schizophrenia. To unravel the mechanisms that control PPI, we performed quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis on 1,010 F2 mice derived...Full Text Available
The Electronic REference To access In vivo Concentrations (ERETIC) method was applied to 1H HR-MAS spectroscopy. The accuracy, precision, and stability of ERETIC as a quantitative...Full Text Available
The quantitative imaging of a phase object using 16 keV x-rays is reported. The theoretical basis of the techniques is presented along with its implementation using a synchrotron x-ray source. It is found that the phase image is in quantitative agreement with independent measurements of the object. 13 refs., 5 figs.
Whenever moving surfaces interact, wear particles are produced. Microscopic examination of the morphology of such wear debris is an accepted method for machine condition monitoring and fault diagnosis. Wear particle analysis has not, however, been widely accepted in industry because it is dependent on expert interpretation of particle morphology and relies on subjective assessment criteria. Consequently, the methods are time consuming and expensive and are not always consistent. The use of automated computer image analysis systems to assess the morphology of debris promises to overcome these limitations by making the methods more time and cost efficient, and also more consistent and effective. The first step required for automation of the analysis procedure is to develop objective criteria for assessing the wear particle morphology. Numerical parameters to describe the morphology ...
Mammalodon colliveri is an unusual toothed archaic mysticete (Cetacea) from the Upper Oligocene Jan Juc Formation of south-east Australia. The morphology of the holotype skull and postcrania are described in detail. Superimposed on the generally plesiomorphic archaeocete-like morphology of Mammalodon are subtle mysticete synapomorphies. Derived features of Mammalodon include a short and bluntly rounded rostrum, reduced premaxillae, and anterodorsally directed orbits. Within Mysticeti, this suite of features is unique. The aberrant rostral morphology of Mammalodon suggests specialization for suction feeding. Janjucetus hunderi is placed in an expanded family Mammalodontidae. Phylogenetic analysis corroborates the monophyly of Basilosauridae, Neoceti, Odontoceti, and Mysticeti, and yields a ...
Backgrounds and Aims The stem growth habit, determinate or indeterminate, of soybean, Glycine max, varieties affects various plant morphological and developmental traits. The objective of this study is to identify the effect of stem growth habit in soybean on the stomatal conductance of single leaves in relation to their leaf morphology in order to better understand the ecological and agronomic significance of this plant trait. Methods The stomatal conductance of leaves on the main stem was measured periodically under favourable field conditions to evaluate gmax, defined as the maximum stomatal conductance at full leaf expansion, for four varieties of soybean and their respective determinate or indeterminate near isogenic lines (NILs). Leaf morphological traits including stomatal density, ...
Morphological, Electrophysiological and Behavioral Investigations of the Nervous Tissue Developed from the Embryonic Matrix Zone Cells of the Dorsolateral Walls of Lateral Ventricles, Implanted into the Lesioned Regions of the Adult Rat's Brain
The morphological development of oxide scales formed on a low Al substituted #beta#-sialon (z=0.2) oxidised for time periods up to 1024h at 1350 C is discussed in relation to oxidation kinetics. The oxidation process is observed to be accompanied by changes in both the phase assemblage of the external layers and their morphology. Thus as the time of oxidation increases beyond 64h the cristobalite-#beta#-yttrium disilicate phase assemblage changes to cristobalite plus #beta#- and #gamma#-yttrium disilicate. In addition to the changes observed for the surface layers, differences are observed in the morphologies of the polished cross-sections. These changes are consistent with an order of magnitude decrease in oxidation rate. (orig.).
This work presents the results of a combined study on the beach morphology and the evolution at short- and medium-term of the littoral between Ceuta and Cabo Negro (Morocco). It is an interesting sector showing a great increase of human occupation and coastal structures. The monitoring program allowed for the reconstruction of the beach morphological behavior and the seasonal changes. The studied beaches presented reflective profiles recording little seasonality, with the most notable morphological changes being strictly related to storms. Surf Similarity and Surf Scaling parameters highlighted the existence of intermediate and reflective beach states, characterized by plunging breakers. Aerial photographs and a satellite image have been geo-referenced and elaborated with GIS tools to reco...
The microstructure of the interphase in semicrystalline polymer matrix composites has a dramatic influence on their mechanical properties. Studies have been performed to alter this region and to correlate various interphase morphologies with changes in fiber-matrix adhesion. A reinforced nylon 66 composite, when subjected to specific thermal histories, contains an interphase composed of transcrystallinity. This region has been altered by coating fibers with a diluent, poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), and/or adding the diluent to the matrix material in very small quantities. Interphase morphology was investigated with optical microscopy, and adhesion was measured using a modified fiber pull-out test. It was found that transcrystallinity increases the interfacial shear strength. The effect different interphase morphologies have on the durability of bulk composite samples is currently under investigation.
Vignon, M. (2011) Inference in morphological taxonomy using collinear data and small sample sizes: Monogenean sclerites (Platyhelminthes) as a case study. -Zoologica Scripta, 40, 306-316. Taxonomists and evolutionary biologists frequently use a combination of morphological measurements to distinguish between species and investigate local adaptation. However, the entire set of characters often displays various degrees of collinearity. This paper discusses the effect of using collinear data in morphological taxonomy and ways to handle multicollinearity in a classification context, with special consideration for small sample size. In addition, I propose a robust and easy-to-use combination of dimension reduction using partial least squares (PLS) with traditional discriminant methods for morph...
Cell cultures were prepared from lung tumors occurring in beagles following exposure to inhaled plutonium. Morphologic and growth characteristics of two of these cell lines are described.
The morphology of human leukocytes, the biochemistry of actin polymerization, and the theory of continuum mechanics are used to model the pseudopod protrusion process of leukocytes. In the proposed...Full Text Available
This report presents a reassessment of the design of Resistive Cryogenic Cable Systems with regard to dielectric material selection, thermal insulation selection, conductor design, and refrigeration subsystem design. An algorithm using test data generated as part of the program and available from the literature was developed and used to assess the driving parameters for system cost analysis. The results of this cost sensitivity analysis are presented. An electric utility, Public Service Electric and Gas of New Jersey (PSE and G), performed an economic viability evaluation comparing two selected Resistive Cryogenic Cable Systems to a conventional cable system (high pressure oil-filled). The comparison was made for a 35-mile network application on the PSE and G transmission system scheduled to be placed in service in 1995. Consideration was given to equipment capital, installation, and operating costs. It was concluded that a Multilayer Vacuum Insulated Resistive ...
The following parameters merit examination in determining the viability of process combinations: conceptual and technical soundness, environmental acceptability, energy balance, flexibility, costs, economic risk potential. The present contribution on this subject is not intended to take the place of or cover the scope of single-case studies. In practice, viability studies on process combinations have to deal with concrete plans involving precisely defined material flow balances, emissions, costs etc. The present paper therefore only presents the basic principles of this type of study. [Deutsch] Folgende Randbedingungen fuer sinnvolle Verfahrenskombinationen sind zu untersuchen: - konzeptionelle und technische Stimmigkeit, - Umweltvertraeglichkeit, - energetische Bilanz, - Flexibilitaet, - Kosten, - oekonomisches Risikopotential. Nun kann dieser Beitrag zum Thema keine Einzelfallbetrachtung ersetzen bzw. abdecken. Im Rahmen einer echten Pruefung ...
A push for electric vehicles has occurred in the past several decades due to various concerns about air pollution and the contribution of emissions to global climate change. Although electric cars and buses have been the focus of much of electric vehicle development, smaller vehicles are used extensively for transportation and utility purposes in many countries. In order to explore the viability of fuel cell - battery hybrid electric vehicles, empirical fuel cell system data has been incorporated into the NREL's vehicle design and simulation tool, ADVISOR (ADvanced Vehicle SimulatOR), to predict the performance of a low-speed, fuel cell - battery electric vehicle through MATLAB Simulink. The modelling and simulation provide valuable feedback to the design optimization of the fuel cell power system. A sampling based optimization algorithm was used to explore the viability and options of a low cost design for urban use. (author)
adult males and females, less than 24 hours old, of the spiny bollworm, Earias Insulana boisd. were irradiated with sub sterilizing doses of 50,80,100 and 150 gray (Gy). treated moths were out crossed with normal adults and observed for their ability to reproduce. inherited deleterious effects resulting from irradiation of p_1 moths were recorded for several generations. the reduction in both fecundity and egg viability increased by increasing the dose applied to p_1 adult moths .at all tested doses, the females were more radiosensitive than males, as for reduction in fecundity and egg viability. the progeny from irradiated parental females are not as sterile as the progeny from irradiated parental males. the reduction of egg hatching continued in the progeny of irradiated males through F_1 and to lesser extent through F_2 .on the other hand , irradiation of P_1 females reduced the rate of egg hatching among parental generation and to lesser ...
The Hebron offshore drilling project in Atlantic Canada was discontinued in 2002 due to economic challenges. Chevron-Texaco has conducted small-scale studies to find ways to improve the project's viability. One of the main challenges facing this offshore drilling project is the issue of iceberg scour and its effect on seafloor equipment. This paper demonstrates how advances in ice engineering have resulted in new and cost-effective development concepts for: central gravity base structures; wellhead gravity base structures; floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) subsea facilities; and, long subsea tieback and trench optimization. New studies have provided a better understanding of ice contact pressures, drift velocities, iceberg management and interaction processes. New designs for gravity base structures can reduce wave loads. The selection of a new development concept is determined by economic viability, capital cost, ...
A retrospective study was made of all radionuclide (RN) bone images performed at our institution over a two-year period to evaluate femoral head viability after nonpathologic fracture of the femoral neck. Twelve patients had avascular femoral heads during the perioperative period, of which nine had adequate follow-up. Seven of these nine patients had follow-up bone images. Revascularization occurred in four patients, while three had persistent absence of femoral head uptake. With clinical follow-up ranging from four to 29 months (median: 14 months), only two of these nine patients developed clinical or radiographic evidence of osteonecrosis. RN bone imaging performed in the perioperative period does not reliably predict the development of post-traumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head and, at present, should not be used to determine prospectively method of treatment of femoral neck fracture.
A retrospective study was made of all radionuclide (RN) bone images performed at our institution over a two-year period to evaluate femoral head viability after nonpathologic fracture of the femoral neck. Twelve patients had avascular femoral heads during the perioperative period, of which nine had adequate follow-up. Seven of these nine patients had follow-up bone images. Revascularization occurred in four patients, while three had persistent absence of femoral head uptake. With clinical follow-up ranging from four to 29 months (median: 14 months), only two of these nine patients developed clinical or radiographic evidence of osteonecrosis. RN bone imaging performed in the perioperative period does not reliably predict the development of post-traumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head and, at present, should not be used to determine prospectively method of treatment of femoral neck fracture.
Palladium/magnetite nanoparticulate catalysts were developed for efficient elimination of halogenated organic pollutants from contaminated wastewater. Particle recovery from treated water can be ensured via magnetic separation. However, in worst-case scenarios, this catalyst removal step might fail, leading to particle release into the environment. Therefore, a toxicological study was conducted to investigate the impact of both pure magnetite and palladium/magnetite nanoparticle exposure upon human skin (HaCaT) and human colon (CaCo-2) cell lines and a cell line from rainbow trout gills (RTgill-W1). To quantify cell viability after particle exposure, three endpoints were examined for all tested cell lines. Additionally, the formation of reactive oxygen species was studied for the human cells. The results showed only minor effects of the particles on the tested cell systems and support the assumption that palladium/magnetite nano-catalysts can be implemented for a ...
Escherichia coli B and K-12 are equally susceptible to the bacteriostatic effects of aerobic paraquat, but they differed strikingly when the lethality of paraquat was evaluated. E. coli B suffered an apparent loss of viability when briefly exposed to paraquat, whereas E. coli K-12 did not. This difference depended on the ability of the B-strain, but not the K-12 strain, to retain internalized paraquat; the B strain was killed on aerobic tryptic soy-yeast extract plates during the incubation which preceded the counting of colonies. This difference in retention of paraquat between strains was demonstrated by delayed loss of viability, by growth inhibition, and by cyanide-resistant respiration after brief exposure to paraquat, washing, and testing in fresh medium. This difference was also shown by using ({sup 14}C)paraquat. This previously unrecognized difference between E. coli B and K-12 has been the cause of apparently contradictory reports and ...
The purpose of this work was to evaluate the quality of a rural area near Faenza (Italy) by using an active biomonitoring approach, i.e., by placing homogeneous individuals of the perennial shrub Rosa rugosa in different sites throughout the area. Further sites, within the city or its environs, were used for comparison. Soil and leaves of R. rugosa were analyzed for their heavy metal content. The total heavy metal pattern of leaves closely paralleled the pattern registered in soil, with the highest content (both in total and assimilable forms) at the site in the urban area, which is exposed to heavy traffic. Pollen quality (abortiveness and viability) was also tested as a potential indicator of pollution. Pollen abortiveness was strictly related to Pb levels in leaves, while viability was inversely related to leaf Cr content. Our results suggest that R. rugosa has the potential to be a good biomonitoring system. - Rosa rugosa leaves and pollen ...
The purpose of this work was to evaluate the quality of a rural area near Faenza (Italy) by using an active biomonitoring approach, i.e., by placing homogeneous individuals of the perennial shrub Rosa rugosa in different sites throughout the area. Further sites, within the city or its environs, were used for comparison. Soil and leaves of R. rugosa were analyzed for their heavy metal content. The total heavy metal pattern of leaves closely paralleled the pattern registered in soil, with the highest content (both in total and assimilable forms) at the site in the urban area, which is exposed to heavy traffic. Pollen quality (abortiveness and viability) was also tested as a potential indicator of pollution. Pollen abortiveness was strictly related to Pb levels in leaves, while viability was inversely related to leaf Cr content. Our results suggest that R. rugosa has the potential to be a good biomonitoring system. - Rosa rugosa leaves and pollen ...
Various volume-reduction methods are discussed and their capabilities evaluated. The following volume-reduction methods have the greatest potential at this time: forced-circulation evaporator/crystallizer; incinerator (conventional type); compactor; fluidized-bed calciner/incinerator; fluidized-bed dryer/incinerator; thin-film evaporator; extruder/evaporator; drum mixer; ribbon blender; inert-carrier evaporative process; molten-glass incinerator. The first eight system types listed above have been improved to the point of commercial viability.
The Dynamic Analog Scale (DAS) is introduced as a technique for generating single-item measures of personality traits. The DAS is comprised of extensive trait definitions and an analog scale on which respondents simultaneously rate themselves and others. In two studies the Big Five personality traits were assessed with the DAS and compared to a multiple-item questionnaire that measured the same traits. Statistical analysis supported the validity of the DAS for predicting self-reported behavioral acts, drinking behaviors, affect, and religiosity in ways similar to the multiple-item questionnaire. Consistent with previous research, both studies supported the viability of measuring personality traits with single items.
The solar powered electric vehicle race began in Arlington, Texas on June 20, 1993 and finished 7 days later in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Thirty four teams from Universities across the United States and Puerto Rico completed the race out of thirty six entries. The race demonstrated the viability of sunlight powered vehicles as the better average daily speeds were in excess of 50 miles an hour. Even in the rain, most average speeds were in excess of 15 miles an hour. Analyzed results, photographs, and project details are included. (GHH)
This report details an investigation into the efficacy of two approaches to solving the radiation diffusion equation within a radiation hydrodynamic simulation. Because leading-edge scientific computing platforms have evolved from large single-node vector processors to parallel aggregates containing tens to thousands of individual CPU's, the ability of an algorithm to maintain high compute efficiency when distributed over a large array of nodes is critically important. The viability of an algorithm thus hinges upon the tripartite question of numerical accuracy, total time to solution, and parallel efficiency.
Necessary and sufficient conditions for a minimax solution to the Cauchy problem for the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation are obtained as viability conditions for classical characteristics inside the graph of this solution. Using this property, a representative formula for a one-dimensional conservation law in terms of classical characteristics is derived. An estimate of the numerical integration of the characteristic system is presented and errors of numerical realizations of representative formulas are determined for the conservation law and its potential equal to the minimax solution of the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation.
McLeod River Coal Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Manalta Coal Ltd., has received Alberta Energy Resources Conservation Board approval to establish an open pit coal mine and plant in the northwest portion of the Coalspur field, east of Hinton. McLeod proposes to produce up to 4.2 million tonnes/year of thermal coal for 40 years, starting in 1985. The commercial viability of the project must be assessed before construction starts at the McLeod River site. The Board's ruling is subject to provincial cabinet approval.
`Success' or `Red Splendor' plants propagated by shoot tip culture or embryogenesis had higher pollen germination than those propagated by cutting. All clones of `Pepride', `Peter Star' and `Nobel Star' propagated by cutting or by embryogenesis or shoot tip culture did not have viable pollen. `Peter Star' mutants through mutagenesis could recover pollen viability. When both parents were propagated by tissue culture, fruit set increased compared to when one or both parents were propagated by cuttings. Furthermore, the number of the harvested seeds doubled per pollination set, when the tissue culture parents were used instead of cutting-propagation plants.
This paper summarizes the investigation of horizontal direction drilling and the subsequent experimental installation of a natural gas network in a suburb of Paris, France. Three aspects of drilling were studied prior to implementation: (1) reliability of the technique and quality of pipelaying to ensure long-term supply main operation; (2) ability to assess the successfulness of the work by assessing preliminary conditions; and (3) economonic viability. Measurement of tensile stress on polyethylene pipe during pulling and comparative accelerated aging tests on scratched pipe were performed. In the implementation phase, 300 meters of pipe were laid daily, by using three machines simultaneously, at a cost comparable to that of conventional techniques.
Almost every electric utility company involved in nuclear plant construction has experienced difficulty as a result of the deteriorating condition of the nuclear industry as a whole. The thrust of a growing number of lawsuits brought against electric companies for alleged violations of federal securities laws is that the companies failed to reveal cost overruns, delays, and the risk of cancellation and write-off of nuclear plants in their annual reports and registration statements. A review of several suits and the disclosure requirements of securities statutes concludes that, although investors have known about utility problems, they have just become aware this year that the entire financial viability of the electric companies is threatened.
The first objective is to utilize reservoir characterization and advanced technologies to optimize the design of a carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) project for the South Cowden Unit (SCU) located in Ector County, Texas. The SCU is a mature, relatively small, shallow shelf carbonate unit nearing, waterflood depletion. The second objective is to demonstrate the performance and economic viability of the project in the field. This report includes work on the reservoir characterization and project design objective and the demonstration project objective.
The autoradiographic appearance of the gastric mucosa, 5 hours after administration of indomethacin, was investigated in 29 adult rats. Indomethacin induced superficial gastric erosions. Autoradiography demonstrated the presence of viable gastric cells (as deduced by their ability to incorporate 3H-cytidin, an RNA precursor) not only in the mucosa without erosions, but also in the mucosa underneath the superficial erosions. The results indicate that indomethacin induced gastric erosions are not the superficial expression of a necrotic process taking place in the full thickness of the gastric mucosa at a particular site. A lumen-borne mechanism appears to be responsible for the formation of erosive areas in the mucosa.
A generalised procedure for quantifying the benefits of household biogas plants is presented. The sensitivity of the procedure to the uncertainty in input prices is reduced through the assumption of incremental benefits from the biogas plant. These benefits are quantified in terms of the quantity of fuelwood for which the biogas substitutes in cooking, the quantity of kerosene replaced through the use of biogas for lighting and the diesel fuel displaced through the use of a biogas fuelled dual-fuel engine for motive power. Sensitivity of the monetary benefits for these parameters is examined in order to identify variables which influence the viability of the technology to the end user. (author).
The HVDC link across the English Channel, which was brought into service in 1986, has several innovative features. Techniques used in its construction together with recent developments have consolidated the viability of HVDC links for a variety of applications. Outlines the main features of the scheme, including the benefits of interconnecting the British and French 400 kV AC power systems; integration of the UK converter system to the 400 kV AC grid; the DC submarine cables; convertor equipment (particularly the UK installation); and future HVDC developments. 6 refs.
NO{sub x} compounds, specifically NO and NO{sub 2}, are pollutants and potent greenhouse gases. Compact and inexpensive NO{sub x} sensors are necessary in the next generation of diesel (CIDI) automobiles to meet government emission requirements and enable the more rapid introduction of more efficient, higher fuel economy CIDI vehicles. Because the need for a NO{sub x} sensor is recent and the performance requirements are extremely challenging, most are still in the development phase. Currently, there is only one type of NO{sub x} sensor that is sold commercially, and it seems unlikely to meet more stringent future emission requirements. Automotive exhaust sensor development has focused on solid-state electrochemical technology, which has proven to be robust for in-situ operation in harsh, high-temperature environments (e.g., the oxygen stoichiometric sensor). Solid-state sensors typically rely on yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) as the oxygen-ion conducting electrolyte and then target ...
Sesame varieties/genotypes showed a good response to radiation with gamma rays and treatments with EMS. In M_1 both gamma rays and EMS influenced germination, seedling height, survival of plants and pollen fertility/sterility, producing deleterious effects on these characters. Compared to black seeded genotypes, white seeded ones are more susceptible to radiation. Both gamma rays and EMS produced various types of morphological variations in M_2 generation. These were dwarf plant mutants, mottled and fleshy leaved mutants (sterile), fasciated stem, flower colour, altered phyllotaxy, early, uniculm, capsule size variations, multiple capsule/leaf axil, seed coat colour variations, indehiscent and semi-indehiscent type mutants. Moreover, studies on quantitative characters including seed yield revealed the induction of mutants in both positive and negative directions for such traits which made a good scope of selection of desirable mutants in M_2 ...
The project is devoted to the development of novel insoluble anodes for copper electrowinning and electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) production. The anodes are made of titanium-lead composite material produced by techniques of powder metallurgy, compaction of titanium powder, sintering and subsequent lead infiltration. The titanium-lead anode combines beneficial electrochemical behavior of a lead anode with high mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of a titanium anode. In the titanium-lead anode, the titanium stabilizes the lead, preventing it from spalling, and the lead sheathes the titanium, protecting it from passivation. Interconnections between manufacturing process, structure, composition and properties of the titanium-lead composite material were investigated. The material containing 20-30 vol.% of lead had optimal combination of mechanical and electrochemical properties. Optimal process parameters to manufacture the anodes were identified. Prototypes having ...
Structural studies of Ni/Cu multilayers grown by electro-deposition technique under different electro-chemical conditions have been carried out using specular and off-specular neutron reflectometry techniques at room temperature. The specular reflectivity measurements give values of layer thickness, density and interface roughness for these two films. The Off-specular reflectivity measurements indicate different interface morphology of the two films.
We study the growth of colonies of the yeast Pichia membranaefaciens on agarose film. The growth conditions are controlled in a setup where nutrients are supplied through an agarose film suspended over a solution of nutrients. As the thickness of the agarose film is varied, the morphology of the front of the colony changes. The growth of the front is modeled by coupling it to a diffusive field of inhibitory metabolites. Qualitative agreement with experiments suggests that such a coupling is responsible for the observed instability of the front.
X-ray scattering methods suitable for the investigation of the morphology and chemical composition of self-organized quantum dots and quantum wires are reviewed. Their application is demonstrated in experimental examples showing that a combination of small angle X-ray scattering with high-resolution X-ray diffraction can reveal both the shape and the chemical composition of the self-organized objects. (author)
PCD (programmed cell death) in plants presents important morphological and biochemical differences compared with apoptosis in animal cells. This raises the question of whether PCD arose independently...Full Text Available
A bulge-disk decomposition is made for 737 spiral and lenticular galaxies drawn from a Sloan Digital Sky Survey galaxy sample for which morphological types are estimated. We carry out the bulge-disk decomposition using the growth curve fitting method. It is found that bulge properties, effective radius, effective surface brightness, and also absolute magnitude, change systematically with the morphological sequence; from early to late types, the size becomes somewhat larger, and surface brightness and luminosity fainter. In contrast, disks are nearly universal, their properties remaining similar among disk galaxies irrespective of detailed morphologies from S0 to Sc. While these tendencies were often discussed in previous studies, the present study confirms them based on a large homogeneous magnitude-limited field galaxy sample with morphological types estimated. The systematic change of bulge-to-total ...
AFFF has fabricated the (U, Pu)O_2 mixed oxide fuels for PHWRs, BWRs, PFBRs and FBTRs. The quantitative dissolution of the fuel samples are required within time for accurate determination of uranium-plutonium in chemical quality control laboratory. This paper describes the use of microwave heating technique in quantitative dissolution of (U, Pu)O_2 MOX (from 0.4% to 44% PuO_2). (author)
... These assumptions are quantitatively investigated by calculating tie icldti\\e inportance of ... A modified lon-shore current model is used to study the ...
BackgroundDiscrepancies between the conclusions of different meta-analyses (quantitative syntheses of systematic reviews) are often ascribed to methodological differences. The objective...Full Text Available
A specific application of single photon emission tomography to the relative quantitation of the pituitary region is described together with the results obtained in 19 patients with pituitary adenoma...Full Text Available
Motivation: Automatic recognition of cell identities is critical for quantitative measurement, targeting and manipulation of cells of model animals at single-cell resolution. It has been...Full Text Available
Typing Workshop": [Introductions] [Intro, DNA Basics, and Historical Perspective] [DNA Extraction] [Validation and QA/QC] [DNA Quantitation] [PCR Amplification] [STR Loci and Kits]...
This laboratory exercise demonstrates some basic principles in parasitology by using experimental studies of the relationship of Hymenolepis diminuta with its rodent host.
Abstract: The current financial crisis has now led most major central banks to rely on quantitative easing. The unique Japanese experience of quantitative easing is the only experience which enables us to judge this therapy's effectiveness and the timing of the exit strategy. In this paper, we provide a new empirical framework to examine the effectiveness of Japanese monetary policy during the ''lost'' decade and quantify the effect of quantitative easing on Japan's activity and prices. We combine advantages of Markov-switching VAR methodology with those of factor analysis to establish two major findings. First, we show that the decisive change in regime occurred in two steps: it crept out from late 1995 and established itself durably in February 1999. Second, we show for the first time th...
Absolute measurements of cerebral blood flow (CBF) are an important endpoint in studies of cerebral pathophysiology. Currently no accepted method exists for in vivo longitudinal...Full Text Available
... and high-quality photospheric-phase Type II SN spectra to constrain core- collapse SN explosions, massive star evolution, and distances in the Universe ...
OBJECTIVEEvaluate the qualitative and quantitative differences between moderated and unmoderated on-line social support groups focused on asthma.DESIGNA...Full Text Available
Computer-Aided Prediction of Chemical Ecotoxicity on the basis of Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships with the Use of Physico-Chemical Descriptors, Including H-bond Parameters
AIM: To investigate the effects of gallbladder stones on motor functions of the gallbladder and the dynamics of bile flow in asymptomatic gallstone disease.METHODS: Quantitative hepatobiliary...Full Text Available
BackgroundSeveral fractal and non-fractal parameters have been considered for the quantitative assessment of the vascular architecture, using a variety of test specimens and of computational...Full Text Available
OBJECTIVE AND DESIGNThis study used qualitative and quantitative methods to examine the reasons primary care physicians and nurses offered for their inability to initiate guideline-concordant...Full Text Available
The concentration of apolipoproteins was measured by quantitative immunoelectrophoresis in rat serum, in the lipoprotein-free ultracentrifugal fraction (density greater than 1.21) of serum, and in renal...Full Text Available
In this model, without dark matter, the flat rotation curves of galaxies and the mass-to-light ratios of clusters of galaxies are described quantitatively. The hypothesis is that the agent of gravitational...Full Text Available
To evaluate and compare MRI-based ovarian morphology in groups of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and controls. All PCOS cases (n = 44) had oligo-amenorrhoea and hyperandrogenism irrespective of ovarian morphology, and fulfilled NIH/Rotterdam diagnostic criteria for PCOS. All control women (n = 40) had normal menses and normoandrogenaemia. All subjects were of white British/Irish origin and pre-menopausal. Group comparisons were based on independent-sample t tests. Polycystic ovarian morphology was defined by at least 12 follicles 2-9 mm in diameter and/or an ovarian volume greater than 10 cm{sup 3}. Ovarian morphology differed significantly in PCOS cases and controls (follicle number geometric mean [SD range] 18.6 [9.9, 35.0] vs 6.6 [3.1, 14.2], unadjusted P = 1.3 x 10{sup -16}; calculated ovarian volume 8.8 cm{sup 3} [5.0, 15.5] vs 5.1 cm{sup 3} [2.5, 10.3], unadjusted P = 3.0 x 10{sup ...
ABSTRACT. The morphology, morphogenesis, and phylogeny of Diophrys parappendiculata n. sp., a large marine ciliate isolated from the coastal waters of Daya Bay, southern China, were investigated. This new species is characterized by a combination of its large size, appendiculata-pattern of ciliature, and bipartite adoral zone of membranelles. The main stages of morphogenesis during binary fission were also recorded and described. Comparisons of morphological characteristics with similar congeners support the validity of the new species. The small subunit rRNA gene sequence of D. parappendiculata is 96.3-99.94% similar to those of four other congeners; it differs in four nucleotides from that of Diophrys appendiculata (i.e. structural similarity was 99.94%). Phylogenetic analysis indicates ...
To determine whether PKH26 labeling affects the morphologies, phenotypes, proliferation, and secretion abilities of human umbilical mesenchymal stromal cells (HUMSCs) were investigated. Isolated HUMSCs were labeled with PKH26, and cell morphology was observed under microscope. Cell cycle, apoptotic cell death, expression of PKH26, and the proliferation rate were evaluated. Additionally, fluorescence intensity of PKH26 labeling at different passage times was quantified. There were no detectable differences in cell morphology, cell growth, and proliferation rate after PKH26 labeling. In addition, fluorescence intensity of PKH26 labeling was gradually reduced with increase of the passage times. The PKH26 labeling disappeared after passage six times. In summary, PKH26 labeling is a safe and ef...
Abstract. Scanning electron microscopy documentation of first instar Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy, Phormia regina (Meigen) and Lucilia illustris (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is presented for the first time, and the following morphological structures are documented: pseudocephalon; antenna; maxillary palpus; facial mask; labial lobe; thoracic and abdominal spinulation; spiracular field; posterior spiracles, and anal pad. Light microscopy documentation and illustrations are provided for the cephaloskeleton in lateral and ventral views. New diagnostic features are revealed in the configuration of the facial mask, cephaloskeleton and posterior spiracles. The first instar morphology of C. vicina, Ph. regina and L. illustris is discussed in the light of existing knowledge about early...
Morphologies of modified starches prepared using different methods were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These SEM micrographs provide the following results. To begin with, starch granules underwent a series of changes which resulted in the morphology of modified starch quite different from the native starch with different the methods during the process of modification. For example, hollows emerge on the granules of maltodextrin with low value of dextrose equivalent (DE) prepared by means of spray-drying, but they fell to pieces with the increasing value of DE. The granules of pregelatinized starches manufactured with extrusion technology also showed irregular stone shapes and holes within them while those produced by means of drum-drying presented irregular laminar structur...
Lupinus albus L. plants were grown from seeds and irradiated at various stages of development with acute or chronic gamma rays. All plants were greenhouse grown (pre- and post-irradiation) and allowed to proceed through their normal growth cycle. The purpose of these experiments was to establish a Plactochron Index for Lupinus albus L. and to determine the effects of acute and chronic irradiation on development at the macro and microscopic levels. A Plastochron Index was calculated and used as an indirect time scale to evaluate the effects of gamma rays from a common base line. Acute radiation treatment lasted for a period of a few days, whereas chronic treatment was initiated at the seedling stage and lasted for the entire growth season. Vegetative plants were used to study the effects of acute radiation exposure on apical meristem morphology, Plastochron Index, phyllatoxis and gross morphology.
As the main forestry species in the Canary Islands (Spain), Pinus canariensis is frequently used in afforestation programs. Several nursery techniques are commonly employed to modify its morphology and physiology with the aim of improving post-planting survival and growth. In this work, we studied how fertilization and light regime treatments applied during the nursery period modify biomass allocation patterns and produce effects in gas exchange and root hydraulic conductance. Seedlings were grown for a 6-month period in the nursery under two light regimes (full sunlight and 40% PAR reduction), and three fertilization levels were applied in each light regime. Morphology, biomass allocation patterns, leaf gas exchange and hydraulic conductance of the whole root system were evaluated. Fertil...
The anodic behaviour and passivity breakdown of Alloy 800 in aqueous solutions of sodium chloride, sodium sulphate and sodium bicarbonate were studied by electrochemical techniques in the temperature range from 60 C to 280 C. The pitting resistance and pitting morphology of the alloy in chloride plus sulphate and chloride plus bicarbonate mixtures, at 60 C and 280 C, were also examined. Increasing bicarbonate or sulphate additions to chloride solutions shift the characteristic pitting potential of Alloy 800 to higher values, both at low and high temperatures. Changes in pitting morphology were observed in sulphate containing solutions while the morphology of the attack found in bicarbonate containing solutions was similar to that in pure chloride solutions. Finally, no localized or substantial generalized corrosion was detected in pure sulphate or bicarbonate solutions at any temperature. (orig.).
In the present study, human neonatal fibroblasts were isolated from a two-month-old human male. The purpose of the present investigation was the analysis of the morphology (light and transmission electron microscopy), karyotype and growth characteristics of the human neonatal fibroblast cell culture B-HNF-1. Moreover, STR typing and mitochondrial DNA amplification and sequencing was also performed. Analysis of chromosomes count showed that B-HNF-1 cell culture is diploid and has normal male karyotype 46, XY, which was stable during cultivation. The transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the ultra-structure of the B-HNF-1 cells; they have typical morphological features of proteosynthesis-active cells. Large number of fibroblasts bearing different shapes and surface characteristics ad...
Purpose: Cardiomyopathy is one of the major complications of {beta} thalassaemia major as a result of transfusion iron overload. The aim of our study is to evaluate with MR if there is any difference of iron deposition signal intensity (SI) or distribution between non-cardiopatic and cardiopatic thalassaemic patients in order to establish if there is a relationship between cardiopathy and iron deposition. Materials and methods: We studied 20 patients affected by {beta} thalassaemia major, of whom 10 cardiopatic and 10 non-cardiopatic, and 10 healthy volunteers as control group. Serum ferritin and left ventricular ejection fraction were calculated in thalassaemic patients. All patients were examinated using a 1.5 MR unit with ECG-gated GE cine-MR T2*-weighted, SE T1-weighted and GE T2*-weighted sequences. In all cases, using an adequate ROI, the myocardial and skeletal muscle signal intensity (SI), the myocardial/skeletal muscle signal intensity radio (SIR) and the SI average of the ...
We characterized the absorption and short-term translocation of cadmium (Cd) in rice (Oryza sativa ‘Nipponbare’) quantitatively using serial images observed with a positron-emitting...Full Text Available
A method for the quantitative determination of atmospheric hydroperoxyl radical comprising: (a) contacting a liquid phase atmospheric sample with a chemiluminescent compound which luminesces on contact with hydroperoxyl radical; (b) determining luminescence intensity from the liquid phase atmospheric sample; and (c) comparing said luminescence intensity from the liquid phase atmospheric sample to a standard luminescence intensity for hydroperoxyl radical. An apparatus for automating the method is also included.
Gas chromatography-selected ion monitoring-mass spectral analysis using [13C6]indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) as an internal standard provides an effective means for quantitation of...Full Text Available
A quantitative description is proposed for the depletion-induced slip thickness and velocity profile of a polymer solution near the wall-fluid interface in simple shear flow. The inhomogeneous polymer density profile at a flat wall is inserted into the equations of motion for the flow of a polymer solution near the flat wall. The theory is in quantitative agreement with simulation results. (letter to the editor)
A quantitative description is presented of the non-linear current-voltage response in superconducting niobium cavities for accelerator application. It is based on a fit for a large sample of data from cavity tests of different kind. Trial functions for the surface resistance describing this non-linear relation are established by a least square data fit. Those trial functions yielding the best fit are quantitatively explained by basic physics.
An (Awassi × Merino) × Merino backcross family of 172 ewes was used to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for different milk production traits on a framework map of 200 loci across all...Full Text Available
Studies have been performed with an anti-osteogenic sarcoma monoclonal antibody 791T/36 and human tumour xenografts to examine some of the quantitative and kinetic aspects of tumour localization. The influence of variations in tumour size and site and antibody dose on the extent and rate of specific antibody localization have been examined, together with the site of intratumoural deposition of the antibody. (UK).
The overall objective of this project is to produce antibodies to unique modified DNA bases and develop immunochemical assays to quantitate these lesions in damaged DNA. During this past year we have developed an antibody and chemical test to quantitate a basic sites in DNA and produced antibodies to the 8-oxopurines. This report discusses the detection of a basic sites in DNA and the preparation of antibodies to 8-hydroxyadenine and 8-hydroxyguanine.
The need for noninvasive sensitive techniques for the diagnosis and follow-up of metabolic bone disease in dialysis patients has stimulated the author's interest in the efficacy of more detailed quantitative bone scintigraphy. Using hemodialysis to reduce elevated soft-tissue activity at scintigraphy, an attempt was made to assess the diagnostic sensitivity of quantitative bone scintigraphy as compared to qualitative bone scintigraphic, biochemical, radiographic and bone histologic studies. The second aim of these studies was to determine if one of the two major components of renal osteodystrophy is a major determinant for skeletal radiotracer uptake. The clinical observations on the efficacy and possible specificity of quantitative bone scintigraphy in the diagnosis and follow-up during treatment of renal osteodystrophy are presented briefly in this chapter. Thus, the use of scintigraphy for the routine detection and ...
Purpose.To evaluate morphologic and functional contributions of Arrestin 1 (Arr1) and Arrestin 4 (Arr4) in cone photoreceptors, the authors examined the phenotypes of visual arrestin...Full Text Available
Background: Differentiation between reactive, but morphologically atypical, mesothelial cells and adenocarcinoma in effusions can be problematic. Elaborate immunohistochemical...Full Text Available
The morphological appearance, incidence and prognostic significance of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG)-containing cells in seminomas were examined in a retrospective series of 228 orchidectomy specimens,...Full Text Available
Most mammals possess stamina because their locomotor and respiratory (i.e., ventilatory) systems are mechanically coupled. These systems are decoupled, however, in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops...Full Text Available
Graphene nanosheets (GNSs) were synthesized and used as cathode active materials in a nonaqueous lithium-oxygen battery. The GNSs electrode delivered an extremely high discharge capacity in comparison to carbon powders, which is attributed to its unique morphology and structure. PMID:21779551
Gas exchange between the plant and the environment is severely hampered when plants are submerged, leading to oxygen and energy deficits. A straightforward way to reduce these shortages of oxygen and...Full Text Available
Field emitter devices are being developed for the gigatron, a high-efficiency, high frequency and high power microwave source. One approach being investigated is porous silicon, where a dense matrix of nanoscopic pores are galvanically etched into a silicon surface. In the present paper pore morphologies were used to characterize these materials. Using of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) images of both N-type and P-type porous layers, it is found that pores propagate along the <100> crystallographic direction, perpendicular to the surface of (100) silicon. Distinct morphologies were observed systematically near the surface, in the main bulk and near the bottom of N-type (100) silicon lift-off samples. It is seen that the pores are not cylindrical but exhibit more or less approximately square cross sections. X-ray diffraction spectra and electron diffraction patterns verified that bulk porous ...
How an individual’s sex and genetic background modify cardiac adaptation to increased workload is a topic of great interest. We systematically evaluated morphological and physiological...Full Text Available
BackgroundFertilization, cell division and embryo development depend on genomic contributions from male and female gametes. We hypothesize that teratozoospermic sperm influences...Full Text Available
It has been predicted that geometrically similar animals would swim at the same speed with stroke frequency scaling with mass−1/3. In the present study, morphological and behavioural...Full Text Available
The anatomy of the labyrinth and the structure of the macula utriculi of the teleost fish (burbot) Lota vulgaris was studied by dissection, phase contrast, and electron microscopy....Full Text Available
BackgroundCurli, cellulose and the cell surface protein BapA are matrix components in Salmonella biofilms. In this study we have investigated the roles of these...Full Text Available
We have constructed a deletion-mutant rabies virus encoding EGFP and find it to be an excellent tool for studying detailed morphology and physiology of neurons projecting to injection sites...Full Text Available
Xylem failure via gas embolism (cavitation) induced by water stress was investigated in the palm Rhapis excelsa (Thumb.) Henry. Xylem embolism in excised stems and petioles was detected...Full Text Available
The phylogeny and taxonomy of mammalian species were originally based upon shared or derived morphological characteristics. However, genetic analyses have more recently played an increasingly important...Full Text Available
The fauna of ancient lakes frequently contains taxa with highly derived morphologies that resulted from in situ radiation of lacustrine lineages with high antiquity. We employed a molecular...Full Text Available
We describe the characteristics of the rapidly rotating molecular disk in the nucleus of the mildly active galaxy NGC4258. The morphology and kinematics of the disk are delineated by the point-like...Full Text Available
A strain of Chromobacterium violaceum has been isolated which produces bacteriophage tail-like particles in high numbers. The extracellular morphology and the intracellular arrangement...Full Text Available
The imaging analytical capabilities of laser scanning cytometer (LSC) have been used to assess morphological features considered to be typical of the senescent phenotype. The characteristic “flattening”...Full Text Available
If we are to stand any chance of understanding the circuitry of the superficial dorsal horn, it is imperative that we can identify which classes of interneuron are excitatory and which are inhibitory....Full Text Available
Cytological observations were made on developing seeds of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. “Amsoy 71”) using scanning and transmission electron microscopy and light microscopy....Full Text Available
The response of the dissimilatory metal-reducing bacterium Shewanella alga BrY to carbon and nitrogen starvation was examined. Starvation resulted in a gradual decrease in the mean cell volume from...Full Text Available
The relationships between muscle tensions, jaw motions, bite and joint forces, and craniofacial morphology are not fully understood. Three-dimensional (3-D) computer models are able to combine anatomical...Full Text Available
Species that depend on ephemeral habitat often evolve distinct dispersal strategies in which the propensity to disperse is closely integrated with a suite of morphological, behavioural and physiological...Full Text Available
To determine the mechanism of the cardiac dilatation and reduced contractility of obese Zucker Diabetic Fatty rats, myocardial triacylglycerol (TG) was assayed chemically and morphologically. TG was...Full Text Available
This article describes in situ heating and observation of a LiNH{sub 2}-2LiH mixture in an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM). The LiNH{sub 2}-2LiH mixture showed extensive morphological changes with heating and attendant hydrogen desorption. Static images and real-time movies were obtained during the dehydrogenation process. H{sub 2} evolution commences at {proportional_to}150 C (LiNH{sub 2} + 2LiH {yields} Li{sub 2}NH + H{sub 2} + LiH), and continues until {proportional_to}410 C. Dramatic morphological changes are observed at 220 and 410 C (Li{sub 2}NH + LiH {yields} Li{sub 3}N + H{sub 2}). The material converts to a microcrystalline phase at higher temperatures (>500 C). The observed H{sub 2} desorption and morphological changes occur at temperatures in good agreement with those measured by complementary analytical methods. This is the first time the major structural and ...
Simian retroperitoneal fibromatosis (RF) is a vascular fibroproliferative neoplasm which has many morphological and histological similarities to human Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). Like epidemic KS in AIDS...Full Text Available
PurposeTo investigate the effects of laser photocoagulation (LP)-induced ocular hypertension (OHT) on the survival and retrograde axonal transport of retinal ganglion cells (RGC),...Full Text Available
... 1984; Martin-Mora et al., 1995), and parasitism (Rothschild and Rothschild, 1939; Pesigan et al., 1958; Moose, 1963; Pan, ... effects of digeneans are variable; they may enhance (Rothschild and Rothschild...
Despite their wide use, the physiological relevance of organotypic slices remains controversial. Such cultures are prepared at 5 days postnatal. Although some local circuitry remains intact, they develop...Full Text Available
Thermal behaviors of eucalyptus wood residue (EWR) filled recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites have been measured applying the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning...Full Text Available
Tail plates obtained from T4D amber mutants were examined with respect to sedimentation behavior, subunit molecular weights, amino acid composition, isoelectric points, and morphology. Intact plates...Full Text Available
Organisms belonging to the genus Streptomyces produce numerous important secondary metabolites and undergo a sophisticated morphological differentiation program. In many instances these...Full Text Available
Sep 28, 2011 ... Description: Four Populus clones were grown in central Missouri for 2 years at 1 x 1 m spacing to study total biomass production on floodplain ...
BackgroundThe aim of this paper is to discuss the controversial origins of petals from tepals or stamens and the links between the morphological expression of petals and floral organ...Full Text Available
The two categories of anti-albumin antibodies (AAA), namely precipitins (AA-P) and agglutinins (AA-Aggl), were investigated in 260 patients with morphologically diagnosed chronic liver diseases (CLD)....Full Text Available
BackgroundThe order Tetraodontiformes consists of approximately 429 species of fishes in nine families. Members of the order exhibit striking morphological diversity and radiated...Full Text Available
... on the presence of leukocytes in the mammary epithelial tissue [11], temporal differentiation of the epithelial cells during ... of the gland and were separated from the epithelial tissue by bundles of co...
Neocortical columns are functional and morphological units whose architecture may have been under selective evolutionary pressure in different mammalian lineages in response to encephalization and specializations...Full Text Available
The effects of pH on the calcium phosphate phase, of Tris and of amino acids, such as aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and serine on hydroxyapatite formation and morphology, were studied in double diffusion experiments. In this system, hydroxyapatite was only formed when the pH was around 7.4 or higher for the duration of the reaction. A decrease in pH resulted in the transformation of hydroxyapatite to octacalcium phosphate. Amino acids and Tris or the buffering capacity of Tris have an effect on the morphology of the synthetic hydroxyapatite. The presence of the additive results in spheres consisting of needles, blades or plates depending on the reaction system. PMID:12175941
The shrinkage of the cement paste with low water-cement ratio at different relative humidity was observed and analyzed with ESEM and deformation map technique. The crack morphology was observed with different magnification with SEM and FESEM, and the formation of the crack was observed with AFM between two C-S-H nano particles. The observation by multi technique at multi scale indicated that the shrinkage was increase with the decrease of the humidity due to the increase of the pressure of the capillary pressure, the morphology of the crack in smaller scale was similar to that in the bigger scale, the smaller crack distributed in the latticework of the bigger ones, and the crack propagated along the gap between two nano particles of C-S-H with weaker bonding.
The depositional environments of the Mesaverde Group of the Piceance Creek basin in northwestern Colorado have determined the basic morphology and characteristics of the tight gas sands reservoirs in the three Multi-Well Experiment wells. The three morphologies, in ascending stratigraphic order, are a blanket type of reservoir (marine to shoreline environment), a lenticular type of reservoir (the paludal and coastal zones of the lower and upper delta plain), and an irregular tabular/elongate reservoir produced by meandering fluvial systems. Internal reservoir discontinuities vary among these types of reservoirs, but consist primarily of permeability barriers and conduits caused by shale breaks and fractures. 10 references, 5 figures.
Atmospheric pressure plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition system is built. The electrical and optical characteristics of the APPECVD system is given. The system is used to deposit conductive polymers and nano composites onto glass and metal surfaces. The morphological, optical, chemical and electrical characteristics of deposited surfaces are investigated using SEM, AFM four probe deposition purposes. The photovoltaic applications of plasma deposited polymers and nonconsumption are compared with deposited with electrochemical methods show different results. The electrical, chemical and morphological structures of the samples will be given.
The ability to control the flow of water around the body dictates the performance of marine mammals in the aquatic environment. Morphological specializations of marine mammals afford mechanisms for passive flow control. Aside from the design of the body, which minimizes drag, the morphology of the appendages provides hydrodynamic advantages with respect to drag, lift, thrust, and stall. The flukes of cetaceans and sirenians and flippers of pinnipeds possess geometries with flexibility, which enhance thrust production for high efficiency swimming. The pectoral flippers provide hydrodynamic lift for maneuvering. The design of the flippers is constrained by performance associated with stall. Delay of stall can be accomplished passively by modification of the flipper leading edge. Such a desig...
It is known that in size reduction of the granular structure of ferrite and ferrite-pearlite steels the temperature of the transformation from ductile to brittle condition is lowered. This effect can also be caused by an increase in the dispersity of intragrain and intergrain segregations (sulfides, carbonitrides, and segregations of impurity atoms), which accompanies grain size reduction and promotes initiation and propagation of cracks. In order to clarify the mechanism of fracture of steel in the region of the ductile-brittle transition steel 45 with different grain sizes and pearlite morphologies has been investigated.
We outline the process for determining the morphology of subsurface epithelial cell nuclei using depth-resolved light scattering measurements. The measurements are accomplished using a second generation angle-resolved low coherence interferometry system. The new system greatly improves data acquisition and analysis times compared to the initial prototype system. The calibration of the new system is demonstrated in scattering studies to determine the size distribution of polystyrene microspheres in a turbid sample. The process for determining the size of cell nuclei is discussed by analyzing measurements of basal cells in a sub-surface layer of intact, unstained epithelial tissue.
We have measured the frequency-dependent dielectric function of semi-crystalline polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) in the terahertz region between 100?GHz and approximately 2.8?THz. A characteristic band is observed around 2.38?THz. The intensity of this band is a good indicator of the degree of crystallinity of the different samples. A potential assignment of this band is proposed, based on the comparison with spectroscopic data of the structurally very similar polyethylene terephtalate (PET). Furthermore, the frequency-dependent index of refraction of PBT reveals more insight about the morphology and different thermal history of the samples under investigation.
In this paper we describe a Ni-Sn intermetallic material obtained via template electroplating synthesis. The structure and the morphology of this material are investigated by X ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analyses. We demonstrate that Ni-Sn behaves as a sub-micrometric electrode showing a favourable response when cycled in a lithium cell. The results here reported suggest that the template electroplating is a promising synthetic approach that can lead to an optimized structure and morphology of the Ni-Sn electrode, such as to confer it a role of a high capacity anode in advanced lithium ion batteries.
This paper reports on a series of laboratory and controlled test site measurements of the thermal conductivity of polyisocyanurate foam laminated boardstock roof insulations produced with several different blowing agents; CFC-11, HCFC-123, HCFC-14lb, and two blends of the HCFCs. The behavior of the experimental foams with HCFCs is compared to that of conventional polyisocyanurate foam blown with CFC-11. Thermal drift observed from two years of field exposure is compared to laboratory accelerated aging tests and the laboratory and field measurement techniques are described. This work is part of a Joint Industry/Government Project established in the United States to evaluate the technical viability of HCFC alternative blowing agents for polyisocyanurate foam roof insulations.
Previous reports have stressed the importance of the nutrient blood supply in rib grafts transferred by microvascular anastomoses. In the present experimental study, we have demonstrated that a rib graft transferred by microvascular anastomoses based on periosteal vessels can survive; vascular clearing studies demonstrated that the vascularity of these grafts extends not only into the cortex but the medulla as well. The relative facility of harvesting these grafts (compared with those based on nutrient vessels) should make them the favored choice. Technetium bone scintigraphy proved accurate in the assessment of both vascular pattern and microanastomotic patency. Tetracycline labeling did not correlate well with the patency of a rib graft's pedicle blood supply.
In this work, the antibacterial effect of fluoroquinolones (FQs) upon Escherichia coli (E.coli) was measured with and without application of 40kHz ultrasound (US) stimulation. The research results demonstrated that simultaneous application of 40kHz US apparently enhanced the antibacterial effectiveness of FQs. That is, the synergistic effect was observed and the bacterial viability was reduced when FQs and US were combined. In addition, various influencing factors, such as FQs drug concentration, US irradiation time and solution temperature, on the inhibition of E.coli were also investigated. The antibacterial activity was enhanced apparently with increasing of FQs drug concentration, US irradiation time and solution temperature. Furthermore, we discussed preliminarily the mechanism of US ...
The antimicrobial activity of simulated solar disinfection (SODIS) in the presence and absence of riboflavin against various protozoa and helminth organisms was investigated in this study. Assays were conducted in transparent 12 well microtitre plates containing a suspension of test organisms in the presence or absence of 250mM riboflavin. Plates were exposed to simulated sunlight at an optical irradiance of 550Wm^-^2 (watts per square metre) delivered from a SUNTEST(TM) CPS+ solar simulator. Aliquots of the test suspensions were taken at set time points and the viability of the test organisms was determined by either culture, microscopy or flow cytometry where applicable. With Acanthamoeba, Naegleria, Entamoeba and Giardia exposure to SODIS at an optical irradiance of 550Wm^-^2 for up to ...
Summary The effects of high-intensity pulsed electromagnetic stimulation (HIPEMS) on proliferation and differentiation of neonatal rat neural stem cells in vitro were investigated. Neural stem cells derived from neonatal rats were exposed to 0.1 Hz, 0.5-10 Tesla (T) [8 groups of B-I, respectively], 5 stimuli of HIPEMF. The sham exposure controls were correspondingly established. Inverted phase contrast microscope was used to observe the cultured cells, MTT assay to detect the viability of the cells as expressed by absorbance (A) value, and flow cytometry to measure differentiation of neural stem cells. The results showed that A values of neural stem cells in both 3.0 T and 4.0 T groups were significantly higher than the other groups 24 to 168 h post HPEMS, indicating a strong promotion of ...
Effective integration of nonproliferation management into the design process is key to the broad deployment of advanced nuclear energy systems, and is an explicit goal of the Laser Inertial Fusion Energy (LIFE) project at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The nuclear explosives utility of a nuclear material to a state (proliferator) or sub-state (terrorist) is a critical factor to be assessed and is one aspect of material attractiveness. In this work, we approached nuclear explosives utility through the calculation of a ''figure of merit'' (FOM) that has recently been developed to capture the relative viability and difficulty of constructing nuclear explosives starting from various nuclear material forms and compositions. We discuss the integration of the figure of merit into an asse...
The viability of Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto and Anopheles arabiensis (Diptera: Culicidae) eggs over time and the ovicidal activity of Beauveria bassiana (Ascomycota: Cordycipitaceae) and Metarhizium anisopliae (Ascomycota: Clavicipitaceae) were investigated. Eggs were incubated in soil or leaf litter for up to 12?weeks at 26?C and 75%, 86% or >98% relative humidity (RH). Eggs were treated topically with M. anisopliae ICIPE-30 or B. bassiana I93-825 conidia in either water or oil-in-water formulations. Survival of eggs whether treated or not with fungus was similar, and untreated eggs generally did not survive longer than 2?weeks regardless of the substrate or humidity tested. After a minimal 5-day exposure, M. anisopliae at 5???106?conidia/cm2 clearly reduced the number of larvae. The...
The surgical management of osteoradionecrosis of the temporal bone has met with limited success because of the difficulty in accurate assessment of the viability of nonnecrotic bone intraoperatively. Failure to resect all nonviable bone results in recurrence of a necrotic focus. With the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to stabilize marginal bone and oral tetracycline to label viable bone preoperatively, removal of all nonviable bone can be accomplished. Postoperatively, a second course of hyperbaric therapy enhances wound healing, thus assuring a successful outcome. This article details a successful systematic approach that was developed to resect a necrotic focus in the temporal bone of a 10-year-old boy who had undergone a full course of radiotherapy for treatment of a rhabdomyosarcoma.
Background and purpose: The aims of this study were to investigate the anti-cancer activity of SZ-685C, an anthracycline analogue isolated from marine-derived mangrove endophytic fungi, and to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying such activity. Experimental approach: The effect of SZ-685C on the viability of cancer cell lines was investigated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. SZ-685C-induced apoptosis was assessed by Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling assay and analysis of caspase activation. The effect of SZ-685C on the Akt/FOXO pathway was studied using Western blotting analysis, and the in vivo anti-tumour efficacy was examined in ...
Many existing proposals either lack sufficient concreteness to make carbon capture and geological sequestration (CCGS) operational or fail to focus on a comprehensive, long term framework for its regulation, thus failing to account adequately for the urgency of the issue, the need to develop immediate experience with large scale demonstration projects, or the financial and other incentives required to launch early demonstration projects. We aim to help fill this void by proposing a roadmap to commercial deployment of CCGS in the United States.This roadmap focuses on the legal and financial incentives necessary for rapid demonstration of geological sequestration in the absence of national restrictions on CO2 emissions. It weaves together existing federal programs and financing opportunities into a set of recommendations for achieving commercial viability of geological sequestration.
Objective.The objective of this study was to use the newly synthesized poly(quaternary ammonium salt) (PQAS)-containing polyacid to formulate the light-curable glass-ionomer cements and study the effect of the PQAS on the compressive strength and antibacterial activity of the formed cements.Materials and methods.The functional QAS and their constructed PQAS were synthesized, characterized and formulated into the experimental high-strength cements. Compressive strength (CS) and Streptococcus mutans viability were used to evaluate the mechanical strength and antibacterial activity of the cements. Fuji II LC cement was used as control. The specimens were conditioned in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 h prior to testing. The effects of the substitute chain length, loading as well as gra...
The photocytotoxic effect of hypericin (Hyp) targeted by two different delivery techniques, namely, liposomes and anti-hepatocyte specific antigen (anti-HSA) was investigated. Optical absorption and steady-state fluorescence were used to analyze the conjugation of Hyp with anti-HSA model and to evaluate the encapsulation capacity and drug release in a liposome model. Particle size and thermal analysis of the prepared liposomes were performed using laser-light scattering and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively. Viability study of HepG2 cells exposed to Hyp in the two delivery systems, in the dark and following visible light irradiation, was performed in comparison to free Hyp. The intracellular uptake and localization of Hyp in HepG2 cells were analyzed by means of spectro...
Positron emission tomography (PET) is the gold standard for non-invasive assessment of myocardial viability and allows accurate detection of coronary artery disease by assessment of myocardial perfusion. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides high resolution anatomical images that allow accurate evaluation of ventricular structure and function together with detection of myocardial infarction. Potential hybrid PET/MR tomography may potentially facilitate the combination of information from these imaging modalities in cardiology. Furthermore, the combination of anatomical MRI images with the high sensitivity of PET for detecting molecular targets may extent the application of these modalities to the characterization of atherosclerotic plaques and to the evaluation of angiogenetic or stem cell therapies, for example. This article reviews studies using MRI and PET in parallel to compare their performance in cardiac applications together with the potential benefits ...
Abstract Purpose: We investigated the effects of various rinsing and healing protocols on corneal wound repair and inflammation following alkali burn in rabbits. Methods: We conducted in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo studies. First, different rinse solutions were tested in vitro after incubation of ocular cells with methanol or NaOH. Cell viability was then assessed using the neutral red test (cytofluorometry). Second, NaOH was applied to rabbit corneas and associations of rinse solutions (NaCl 0.9% or controlled ionization marine solutions) with N-acetylcysteine or vegetable oils (from Calophyllum inophyllum and Aleurites moluccana) were tested in vivo. The regeneration of the corneal epithelium and the infiltration of inflammatory cells were evaluated using in vivo confocal microscopy and e...
Abstract: Most cities are actually very concerned about the economic viability of waste management and also about the impact they may have on the environment. Economical, social and cultural factors in the population will determine the characteristics in waste and the value of the design parameters used in the calculations of a collection system. A clear understanding of these factors is fundamental to plan and to implement efficient and sustainable collecting strategies. Our goal in this work is to model municipal waste separation rates in Spanish cities with over 50,000 inhabitants taking their different socio-economic, demographic and logistic covariates into account. Several statistical regression models to manage continuous proportion data are compared, these being: Generalized linear...
Many-particle confinement (localization) is studied for a 1D system of spinless fermions with nearest-neighbour hopping and interaction, or equivalently, for an anisotropic Heisenberg spin-1/2 chain. This system is frequently used to model quantum computers with perpetually coupled qubits. We construct a bounded sequence of site energies that leads to strong single-particle confinement of all states on individual sites. We show that this sequence also leads to a confinement of all many-particle states in an infinite system for a time that scales as a high power of the reciprocal hopping integral. The confinement is achieved for strong interaction between the particles while keeping the overall bandwidth of site energies comparatively small. The results show the viability of quantum computing with time-independent qubit coupling.
This paper reports that only a few years ago superconducting magnetic separation was viewed as the next major market for superconducting magnets. The first commercial units had been installed, worked flawlessly, and demonstrated real economic viability. The potential market was seen as quite large, and many people believed that superconducting magnetic separation would soon show the same rapid growth that MRI had demonstrated after its initial success. These hopes even prompted IGC, one of the top MRI magnet builders, to form a separate division devoted to magnetic separation. Despite the existence of Magstream, IGC has not been overly active in the market. As a technology that has applications from the clay on the Earth to the soil on the moon, superconducting magnetic separation has yet to become widely used.
The slumping of the GCC currencies against other major currencies and the ensuing rising imported inflation have sparked an ongoing debate about the viability of the dollar peg. This paper extends and applies the contribution of Berger et al. (2001) to the largest economies of the GCC, namely Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, by introducing a foreign inflation dimension. Empirical estimations suggest little or no evidence supporting the suitability of a fixed exchange rate regime in any of the three analyzed economies. It is this paper's contention that policy makers ought to play an immediate and active role in identifying a suitable more flexible exchange rate regime as well as an achievable timeline and road map to effectively abandoning the dollar peg.
BackgroundPeritoneal metastasis occurs in up to 30% of patients with gastric cancer. The aim of this experimental study is to develop and validate a novel ex vivo model of the human peritoneum to better identify factors involved in the development of peritoneal metastasis in order to improve its management and prognosis. MethodsPeritoneal discs harvested from hernia sacs obtained at inguinal hernia surgery were suspended in media using Teflon rings. Viability of the tissue was investigated using MTS assay, light and scanning electron microscopy (LM and SEM) over 72 h. To assess validity of the model, phenotypic changes in tumor cells were investigated. Changes in matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and -9 activities in HGC and AGS gastric adenocarcinoma cells after co-culture were investigat...
Encouragement and incentives ar being given in many counties to the electricity industry and private sector to install, own and operate renewable energy systems. The impact of renewable energy installations connected to the grid or operating independently is an important issue concerning the technical and economic viability of harnessing these emerging energy sources. This paper brings out the need for developing and implementing a strategy for comprehensive and accurate protection and control systems for these dispersed generator installations. It appears that a combination of discrete and fuzzy logic devices on an integrated platform will be a novel technique for the protection and control schemes. This development has the potential to be cost effective and suits the requirements for operating renewable energy systems safety. (author). 2 figs., 16 refs.
Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae is associated with chronic non-progressive pneumonia of sheep and goats. As with many other mycoplasmas involved in animal diseases, protective immune responses have not been achieved with vaccines, even though antibody responses can be obtained. This study focuses on characterizing the interaction of M. ovipneumoniae with ovine PBMC using carboxy-fluorescein-succinimidyl-ester (CFSE) loading and flow cytometry to measure lymphoid cell division. M. ovipneumoniae induced a strong in vitro polyclonal suppression of CD4^+, CD8^+, and B blood lymphocyte subsets. The suppressive activity could be destroyed by heating to 60^oC, and partially impaired by formalin and binary ethyleneimine treatment that abolished its viability. The activity resided on the surface-exposed m...
A large portion of world?s natural gas reserves are ?stranded?? resources, the drive to monetize these resources leads to the development of gas-to-liquids (GTL) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) technologies. LNG has the advantage of having been developed for the past 40 years and having an excellent safety record. GTL on the other hand is another option with substantial benefits, but its development stage and commercial viability are far behind LNG. This paper presents a techno-economic comparison of GTL with LNG, including technical development, plant efficiency, market potential for the products, and capital cost for the infrastructure. The aim is to give an overall view on both LNG and GTL and provide a perspective on the profitability of these two technologies.
The adoption of a cogenerator integrated system is described. The dry kernel, a woody residue of olive pressing, is produced in very large quantities and could therefore be used in high pressure condensing-extraction team turbines to supply on-site electricity and steam needs. This system is becoming more and more interesting since it produces an excess of electricity which could be sold, e.g. to the electric utility. Such a cogeneration system is discussed in terms of efficiency, capital cost, near-time commercial viability and power-to-fuel costs. The economical analysis is presented for olive press-cake processing plants and can be extrapolated to biomass-based industries having the same characteristics. An energy audit has been carried out on 16 plants. (Author)
The authors provide the intact criticality information that supports the disposal of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) from the US Department of Energy's (DOE's) Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) in the potential Monitored Geologic Repository at Yucca Mountain. FFTF is one of more than 250 forms of DOE-owned SNF. Because of the variety of the DOE SNF, the National Spent Nuclear Fuel Program has designated nine representative fuel groups for disposal criticality analyses based on fuel matrix, primary fissile isotope, and enrichment. The FFTF fuel is representative of the mixed-oxide fuel (MOX) group.
A new stem cell-scaffold construct based on poly-l-lactide (PLLA) nanofibers grafted with collagen (PLLA-COL) and cord blood-derived unrestricted somatic stem cells (USSC) were proposed to hold promising characteristics for bone tissue engineering. Fabricated nanofibers were characterized using SEM, ATR-FTIR, tensile and contact angle measurements. The capacity of PLLA, plasma-treated PLLA (PLLA-pl) and PLLA-COL scaffolds to support proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of USSC was evaluated using MTT assay and common osteogenic markers such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium mineral deposition and bone-related genes. All three scaffolds showed nanofibrous and porous structure with suitable physical characteristics. Higher proliferation and viability of USSC was observe...
In order to determine the viability of any Liquids from Coal (LFC) commercial venture, TEK-KOL and its partner, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), have put together a technical and economic feasibility study for a commercial-size LFC Plant located at Zeigler Coal Holding Company`s North Rochelle Mine site. This resulting document, the ENCOAL Mild Coal Gasification Plant: Commercial Plant Feasibility Study, includes basic plant design, capital estimates, market assessment for coproducts, operating cost assessments, and overall financial evaluation for a generic Powder River Basin based plant. This document and format closely resembles a typical Phase II study as assembled by the TEK-KOL Partnership to evaluate potential sites for LFC commercial facilities around the world.
Rice husk generated as a by-product of rice processing is an important energy resource. The availability of this resource in India has been assessed and the technologies for exploitation of its energy potential in rice processing industry discussed. Nomographs have been developed for estimation of the husk required to meet the energy demand of parboiling, drying and milling operations. The unit cost of electricity using rice husk gasifier-based power generation systems has been calculated and its financial feasibility assessed in comparison with utility-supplied and diesel-generated electricity. With the cost and efficiency data assumed here, the unit cost of electricity produced by rice husk gasifier-dual fuel engine-generator system varies between Rs 2/kWh and Rs 7/kWh. (author)
Rice husk generated as a by-product of rice processing is an important energy resource. The availability of this resource in India has been assessed and the technologies for exploitation of its energy potential in the rice processing industry discussed. Nomographs have been developed for estimation of the husk required to meet the energy of parboiling, drying and milling operations. The unit cost of electricity using rice husk gasifier-based power generation systems has been calculated and its financial feasibility assessed in comparison with utility-supplied and diesel-generated electricity. With the cost and efficiency data assumed here, the unit cost of electricity produced by rice husk gasifier-dual fuel engine-generator system varies between Rs 2/kWh and Rs 7/kWh. (35 Rs approximates to SUS 1.). (author)
The purpose of the study is to analyze the economic impacts that are likely to result from promulgation of the proposed best practicable control technology (BPT), best available technology economically achievable (BAT) and Best Conventional Technology (BCT) effluent limitations and standards on placer mining in the United States. The results of the economic impact analysis will help establish pollution control regulations that are economically achievable. The analysis examines how each of four alternative pollution control technologies affects the financial viability of placer mines in the United States. The impacts examined include reduced profitability, production cutbacks, mine closures, and employment and earning losses, as well as impacts to the local economies.
ABSTRACT To date the effect of silver-containing wound dressings on biofilms, known to be present in chronic wounds, has not been determined or documented. In this current study, we aimed to determine the antimicrobial effect of a silver-containing dressing on biofilms grown in a chambered slide model. Before the addition of a wound dressing onto a 24-hour biofilm, composed of either Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, Staphylococcus aureus, or a mixed bacterial community, a fluorescent dye was applied. This enabled the viability of sessile bacteria to be monitored in real-time, using a rapid form of confocal laser scanning microscopy over a contact time period of 48 hours. By analyzing all the three-dimensional data generated from the confocal time-lapse sequences, 90% of all se...
Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae is considered an emerging veterinary pathogen causing pneumonia in sheep and goats worldwide. Currently it has not been possible to define a growth medium that yields the maximum growth of M. ovipneumoniae within a short incubation period. Growth yields of M. ovipneumoniae in Eatons medium are variable and not as consistently high as those seen with other Mycoplasma spp. This study investigated the ability of different M. ovipneumoniae field strains to grow in various media formulations, where PPLO broth was replaced by a vegetable protein source, and comparisons were made in terms of strain viability in Eatons medium. Studies were also conducted to determine the optimal carbohydrate source for use in the M. ovipneumoniae medium. Generally, it was found that differ...
Free Topology Network technology provides cost reduction benefits as well as flexibility in safeguards applications. Power line communications technologies have proven viability for transmission and reception of safeguards data, including surveillance photographs, the source of the largest data files. In the future, enhancements will be made to the technology that should boost both performance and flexibility. Work is already underway to achieve higher data rates over power line communications eventually, it should be possible to reach data rates of one million bits per second or higher. Also, the use of technologies such as Novell Embedded Systems Technology (NEST) and Echelon LON technology will allow a greater number of safeguards technologies to become resident on the Free Topology Safeguards Network.
Free Topology Network technology provides cost reduction benefits as well as flexibility in safeguards applications. Power line communications technologies have proven viability for transmission and reception of safeguards data, including surveillance photographs, the source of the largest data files. In the future, enhancements will be made to the technology that should boost both performance and flexibility. Work is already underway to achieve higher data rates over power line communications eventually, it should be possible to reach data rates of one million bits per second or higher. Also, the use of technologies such as Novell Embedded Systems Technology (NEST) and Echelon LON technology will allow a greater number of safeguards technologies to become resident on the Free Topology Safeguards Network.
Papers presented at the workshop include: the longterm viability of mined land in Queensland; the determination and achievement of rehabilitation objectives: a state government objective; monitoring native vegetation in regenerated bauxite mines at Weipa: a belt transect method; rehabilitation strategies at the Collinsville open cut coal mine; the alteration of the environment by the construction and operation of the coal export facility at Abbot Point; some aspects of the premining environment at Collinsville; the prospects for long term revegetation of acid coal mine spoil and reject materials; recovery and stability in disturbed and artificially revegetated plant communities: a theoretical viewpoint; revegetation in the arid tropics: Mount Isa Mines' experience; Nabralek and its rehabilitation; rehabilitation and management strategies for acid mine wastes; the purpose and design of water quality monitoring networks at mine sites; Worsley alumina project ...
Aim: Today, MRI is an integral part of the presurgical evaluation of patients suffering from partial epilepsy. These patients frequently show focal morphological abnormalities with potential epileptogenic character and surgical resection of these lesions is associated with superior postsurgical outcome as to seizure frequency. Apart from easily detectable defects, such as post-traumatic lesions or cerebral infarction, as wide variety of mainly small abnormalities can be detected using MRI. Methods: In this study, 484 patients suffering from partial epilepsy of temporal or frontal onset were evaluated for the incidence of different lesions in this population. Results: All lesions found were included without evaluating their potential epileptogenicity, which remains to be proven using other procedures (EEG, SPECT, PET, etc.). Involvement of the hippocampal formation was a major finding in temporal lobe epilepsy, which could be detected as sclerosis (T2w-images), ...
Introduction: The goal of this study was to compare contrast-enhanced T1-weighted Flash and Turbo-Flash sequences with conventional spin-echo sequences as a basis for planning high-precision radiotherapy. Methods: A total of 25 consecutive patients with different intracranial tumors and a disrupted blood-brain barrier were studied. T1-weighted Flash, Turbo-Flash and conventional spin-echo images were evaluated after controlled 30-s infusion of 0.1 mmol/kg body weight of Gd-DTPA. The evaluation of the three sequences included the measurement of the signal- and contrast-to-noise ratios, the visual inspection of the tumors and artifacts, and the measurement of tumor size. Results: The signal- and contrast-to-noise ratios were significantly (P<0.05-0.01) lower for Flash and Turbo-Flash than for conventional spin-echo sequences. However, visual inspection of the contrast-enhancing tumors revealed in 23 and 24 of 25 lesions of Flash and Turbo-Flash images, respectively, good or very good ...
Abstract Background: Aution Max AX-4030, a test strip analyzer recently introduced to the market, represents an upgrade of the Aution Max AX-4280 widely employed for urinalysis. This new instrument model can allocate two different test strips at the same time. In the present study the two instruments have been compared together with the usage of Uriflet 9UB and the recently produced Aution Sticks 10PA urine strips, the latter presenting an additional test area for the measurement of urinary creatinine. Methods: Imprecision and correlation between instruments and strips have been evaluated for chemical-physical parameters. Accuracy was evaluated for protein, glucose and creatinine by comparing the semi-quantitative results to those obtained by quantitative methods. The well-known interference effect of high ascorbic acid levels on urine glucose test strip determination was evaluated, ascorbic acid influence was also evaluated on protein and ...
This study assesses the current state of undergraduate instruction in empirical research methods in communication and offers recommendations for enhancing such instruction. Responses to an online questionnaire were received from 149 communication-related programs at four-year colleges and universities. Just over 85% of responding programs offered an empirical methods course. Although the course often covered both qualitative and quantitative methods, instruction was heavily slanted toward quantitative methods and topics common to both qualitative and quantitative inquiry. The empirical methods course was usually required for graduation, but it was typically not well integrated with the rest of the curriculum and taken late in students' undergraduate careers. Additional analyses examined st...
Fifteen quantitative bone scintigraphies were performed in an adolescent girl during the follow-up of a femoral osteogenic sarcoma treated by chemotherapy and massive allograft. Three hours after injection of the radiopharmaceutical (7.4 MBq/kg of 99mTc-MDP) bone activity was measured in the inferior limbs at several regions of interest centered on the hips, femurs (proximal, middle, distal) and proximal tibias. The variations of relative bone activities A/S (ratio of corresponding counting rates between two homologous regions in the affected A and in the healthy S limb) and of absolute bone activities (expressed in counts/pixel-second) are interpreted as a function of times during treatment. The quantitative results are discussed with regard to main phenomena influencing bone activity in this particular clinical case: bone growth, chemotherapy and neo-osteogenesis in allograft.
The Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, is the most important shrimp species in volume in world aquaculture. However, in recent decades, outbreaks of diseases, especially viral diseases, have led to significant economic losses, threatening the sustainability of shrimp farming worldwide. In 2004, Brazilian shrimp farming was seriously affected by a new disease caused by the Infectious myonecrosis virus (IMNV). Thus, disease control based on rapid and sensitive pathogen detection methods has become a priority. In this study, a specific quantitation method for IMNV was developed using real-time PCR with SYBR Green chemistry and viral load of the principal target tissues of chronically infected animals was quantified. The quantitative analysis revealed that mean viral load ranged from ...
During the past three years the program has undergone a substantial revitalization. There has been no significant change in the scientific direction of this grant, in which emphasis continues to be placed on developing new or improved methods of obtaining quantitative data from radiotracer imaging studies. However, considerable scientific progress has been made in the three areas of interest: Radiochemistry, Quantitative Methodologies, and Experimental Methods and Feasibility Studies, resulting in a sharper focus of perspective and improved integration of the overall scientific effort. Changes in Faculty and staff, including development of new collaborations, have contributed to this, as has acquisition of additional and new equipment and renovations and expansion of the core facilities. 121 refs., 30 figs., 2 tabs.
To more accurately measure fluorescent signals from microarrays, we calibrated our acquisition and analysis systems by using groundtruth samples comprised of known quantities of red and green gene-specific DNA probes hybridized to cDNA targets. We imaged the slides with a full-field, white light CCD imager and analyzed them with our custom analysis software. Here we compare, for multiple genes, results obtained with and without preprocessing (alignment, color crosstalk compensation, dark field subtraction, and integration time). We also evaluate the accuracy of various image processing and analysis techniques (background subtraction, segmentation, quantitation and normalization). This methodology calibrates and validates our system for accurate quantitative measurement of microarrays. Specifically, we show that preprocessing the images produces results significantly closer to the known ground-truth for these samples.
Abstract Rationale, aims and objectives- Finding ways to incorporate disparate types of evidence into research syntheses has the potential to build a better evidence base for clinical practice and policy. Yet conducting such mixed research synthesis studies is challenging. Researchers have to determine whether and how to use adjusted and unadjusted quantitative findings in combination with each other and with qualitative findings. Methods- Among quantitative findings, adjustment for confounding, either via study design or statistical analysis, can be a considerable source of heterogeneity. Yet there is no consensus about the best way to synthesize findings resulting from different methods for addressing confounding. When synthesizing qualitative and quantitative findings, additional consid...
A clinical laboratory evaluation was conducted on the Clinitek Auto 2000, the Super Aution Analyzer and the Urotron RL9 for the determination of glucose, protein, pH, blood, ketone-bodies and bilirubin.Precision of the systems was tested using three commercial control urine materials, and reported as the percentage of times the instrument repeats a certain value. Good repeatability was obtained with all the instruments.Accuracy of the systems was evaluated by comparison with quantitative procedures, and to check agreement between methods yielding semi-quantitative and quantitative results, ranges of acceptability were defined, based on the criteria reported in a previous paper [2]. It was then found that 87.5 to 98.9% of results from the Urotron RL9 and the Clinitek Auto 2000 were acceptable. With the Super Aution Analyzer the level of agreement was apparently lower because of the higher number of concentration steps used ...
Toyota's introduction of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) named ''Prius'' in Japan and Honda's proposed introduction of an HEV in the United States have generated considerable interest in the long-term viability of such fuel-efficient vehicles. A performance and cost projection model developed entirely at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) is used here to estimate costs. ANL staff developed fuel economy estimates by extending conventional vehicle (CV) modeling done primarily under the National Cooperative Highway Research Program. Together, these estimates are employed to analyze dollar costs vs. benefits of two of many possible HEV technologies. We project incremental costs and fuel savings for a Prius-type low-performance hybrid (14.3 seconds zero to 60 mph acceleration, 260 time) and a higher-performance ''mild'' hybrid vehicle, or MHV (11 seconds 260 time). Each HEV is ...
The bone scans of 33 patients (pts) with recent subcapital fractures (fx) of the femur were evaluated prospectively to determine their value in predicting femoral head visability. Each of the 33 pts (ll men, 22 women, age range 30-92) had a pre-operative bone scan within 72 hrs of the fx (23 pts within 24 hrs). Anterior and posterior planar views of both hips and pinhole views (50% of pts) were obtained 2 hrs after administration of Tc-99m HDP. The femoral head was classified as perfused if it showed the same activity as the opposite normal side or if it showed only slightly decreased activity. Femoral heads showing absent activity were classified as nonperfused. Overall, 20 of the 33 pts showed a photopenic femoral head on the side of the fx. Only 2 pts showed increased activity at hte site of the fx. Internal fixation of the fx was performed in 23 pts, 12 of whom had one or more follow-up scans. Five of these 12 pts showed absent femoral head activity on their initial scan, but 2 ...
In the present work, the introduction of alternative energy of biogas in agricultural communities for the sustainable development was studied through exploitation of residual biomass and also getting as by-product the biological fertilizer. A fast composting of the domestic residue with the organic was made possible where part of this residue after processing was taken together with effluent to the biodigester. The bibliographical research on the processes of generation of biogas, about composting and the equipment for processing had been carried through. The projects engineering with the use of computational tools had been developed with the software Super Pro 4,9 Design and ORC GPEC 2004 by our research group. Five case studies had been elaborated, where different scenes related with our innovation, that uses of the residue for the composting together with domestic effluent for digestion. Several economic parameters were obtained and our work proved the viability ...
The NGDRS has facilitated 85% of cores, cuttings, and other data identified available for transfer to the public sector. Over 12 million linear feet of cores and cuttings, in addition to large numbers of paleontological samples and are now available for public use. To date, with industry contributions for program operations and data transfers, the NGDRS project has realized a 6.5 to 1 return on investment to Department of Energy funds. Large-scale transfers of seismic data have been evaluated, but based on the recommendation of the NGDRS steering committee, cores have been given priority because of the vast scale of the seismic data problem relative to the available funding. The rapidly changing industry conditions have required that the primary core and cuttings preservation strategy evolve as well. Additionally, the NGDRS clearinghouse is evaluating the viability of transferring seismic data covering the western shelf of the Florida Gulf Coast. AGI remains ...
The NGDRS has facilitated 85% of cores, cuttings, and other data identified available for transfer to the public sector. Over 12 million linear feet of cores and cuttings, in addition to large numbers of paleontological samples and are now available for public use. To date, with industry contributions for program operations and data transfers, the NGDRS project has realized a 6.5 to 1 return on investment to Department of Energy funds. Large-scale transfers of seismic data have been evaluated, but based on the recommendation of the NGDRS steering committee, cores have been given priority because of the vast scale of the seismic data problem relative to the available funding. The rapidly changing industry conditions have required that the primary core and cuttings preservation strategy evolve as well. Additionally, the NGDRS clearinghouse is evaluating the viability of transferring seismic data covering the western shelf of the Florida Gulf Coast. AGI remains ...
The use of environmental monitoring as a technique to identify activities related to the nuclear fuel cycle has been proposed by international safeguards organizations. The elements specific for each kind of nuclear activity, or 'nuclear signatures', inserted in the ecosystem can be intercepted by different live organisms. This work demonstrates the technical viability of using pine needles as bioindicators of nuclear signatures associated with uranium enrichment activities. Additionally, it proposes the use of HR-ICP-MS to identify the signature corresponding to that kind of activities in the ecosystem. Nitric acid solutions, used to wash pine needles sampled near nuclear facilities and containing only 0.1 #mu#g x kg"-"1 of uranium, exhibit a n("2"3"5U)/n("2"3"8U) isotopic abundance ratio of 0.0092#+-#0.0002, while solutions originated from samples collected at places located more than 200 km far from activities related to the nuclear fuel cycle exhibit a value of ...
In the present work, the introduction of alternative energy of biogas in agricultural communities for the sustainable development was studied through exploitation of residual biomass and also getting as by-product the biological fertilizer. A fast composting of the domestic residue with the organic was made possible where part of this residue after processing was taken together with effluent to the biodigestor. The bibliographical research on the processes of generation of biogas, about composting and the equipment for processing had been carried through. The projects Engineering with the use of computational tools had been developed with the Software Super Pro 4,9 Design and ORC GPEC 2004 by our research group. Five case studies had been elaborated, where different scenes related with our innovation, that uses of the residue for the composting together with domestic effluent for digestion. Several economic parameters were obtained and our work proved the viability ...
The industrial application of anaerobic digestion is a relatively new, yet proven waste treatment technology. Anaerobic digestion reduces and upgrades organic waste, and is a good way to control air pollution as it reduces methane and nitrous gas emissions. For environmental and energy considerations, anaerobic digestion is a nearly perfect waste treatment process. However, its economic viability is still in question. A number of parameters - type of waste (solid or liquid), digester system, facility size, product quality and end use, environmental requirements, cost of alternative treatments (including labor), and interest rates - define the investment and operating costs of an anaerobic digestion facility. Therefore, identical facilities that treat the same amount and type of waste may, depending on location, legislation, and end product characteristics, reveal radically different costs. A good approach for evaluating the economics of anaerobic digestion is to ...
BackgroundA common approach to understanding the genetic basis of complex traits is through identification of associated quantitative trait loci (QTL). Fine mapping QTLs requires...Full Text Available
In proteomics, one-dimensional (1D) SDS-PAGE is widely used for protein fractionation prior to mass spectrometric analysis to enhance dynamic range of analysis and to improve identification...Full Text Available
A comparative and quantitative study of the tissue distribution of brain-thymus shared antigens was carried out using rabbit antisera to rat, dog and human brain homogenates, assayed on rat, dog and...Full Text Available
SummaryIn vivo tumor cell migration through integrin-dependent pathways is key to the metastatic behavior of malignant cells. Using quantitative in vivo...Full Text Available
Neuroblasts born in the adult subventricular zone (SVZ) migrate long distances in the rostral migratory stream (RMS) to the olfactory bulbs where they integrate into circuitry as functional interneurons....Full Text Available
In order to maintain a safe operation and availability of generating facilities, qualitative and quantitative assessment of piping vibration was performed vibration sources and damages of piping support was identified on the second piping system of Wolsun...
Neutron radiography (NR) is a useful non-destructive method for determination of hydrogen content in various building and technical materials. Monitoring of transport processes of moisture and hydrogenous liquids in porous building materials is enabled by fast, quasi-real-time NR methods based on novel imaging plate neutron detectors (IP-NDs). Hydrogen content in the samples is determined by quantitative analysis of measured profiles of neutron attenuation in the samples. Detailed description of quantitative NR method is presented by the authors in another accompanying contribution at this conference. Deterioration of building materials is originated by different processes that all require presence of water therefore it is essential to limit or prevent the transport of water through the porous material. In this presentation, results of a study of clay brick impregnation by silicone based hydrophobic agents will be presented. ...
The quantitative experimental uncertainty in the structure of fully hydrated, biologically relevant, fluid (Lα) phase lipid bilayers has been too large to...Full Text Available
An antigen-antibody system of polystyrene tubes coated with immunoglobulin antibody was used for quantitating immunoglobulins. A similar radioimmunoassay method was adapted for a viral antigen-antibody...Full Text Available
French ... Orig. Title Scintigraphie osseuse quantifiee chez l'enfant et l'adolescent - repartition selon l'age des taux de fixation de diverses pieces osseuses normales.
Thirty-four patients with prostatic carcinoma were studied with quantitative bone scintigraphy and whole-body counting (WBC) 1 and 24 h after injection of [sup 99m]Tc-MDP before as well as two weeks and two months after orchiectomy. Thirteen of the patients had normal bone scintigrams and WBR at the three different investigations; 21 had skeletal metastases. The latter showed throughout the study higher local gamma camera count rates as well as WBR values than the patiens with normal scintigrams. In these patients a ''flare phenomenon'', with an increase in count rate two weeks after orchiectomy followed by a decrease two months post-operatively, was seen with quantitative bone scintigraphy but not with WBC. However, WBC may be a valuable method indicating the total extent of skeletal metastases in the body, while quantitative bone scintigraphy is more accurate in the interpretation of ...
Thirty-four patients with prostatic carcinoma were studied with quantitative bone scintigraphy and whole-body counting (WBC) 1 and 24 h after injection of "9"9"mTc-MDP before as well as two weeks and two months after orchiectomy. Thirteen of the patients had normal bone scintigrams and WBR at the three different investigations; 21 had skeletal metastases. The latter showed throughout the study higher local gamma camera count rates as well as WBR values than the patiens with normal scintigrams. In these patients a ''flare phenomenon'', with an increase in count rate two weeks after orchiectomy followed by a decrease two months post-operatively, was seen with quantitative bone scintigraphy but not with WBC. However, WBC may be a valuable method indicating the total extent of skeletal metastases in the body, while quantitative bone scintigraphy is more accurate in the interpretation of individual skeletal metastases. (orig.).
Background In May 2000, AstraZeneca launched a Web service for asthma patients and health-care providers called LinkMedica, which includes an asthma diary for...Full Text Available
1. A combined pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model has been used to analyse the relationship between QT prolongation and changes in plasma concentration which occurred after disopyramide was given...Full Text Available
Forty-six patients with end-stage renal failure were subjected to iliac crest biopsy before the initiation of a dialysis programme and regardless of the presence of skeletal symptoms....Full Text Available
Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) in the Chesapeake Bay are currently experiencing a very high prevalence of mycobacteriosis associated with newly described Mycobacterium...Full Text Available
Binding of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to the EGF receptor (EGFR) initiates signal transduction, ultimately leading to altered gene expression. Ligand-activated EGFR is also rapidly internalized...Full Text Available
In a Swedish community-based program for the treatment of dental phobic patients, a clinical trial was performed among 99 severely phobic individuals with long-standing avoidance of dental treatment....Full Text Available
A quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis designed for a multi-parent population was carried out and tested in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.), which is a diploid cross-fertilising...Full Text Available
We report the first quantitative assessment of electrosprayed droplet/ion focusing enabled by the use of a voltage-assisted air amplifier between an electrospray ionization emitter and a hybrid...Full Text Available
How transcription factors interpret the cis-regulatory logic encoded within enhancers to mediate quantitative changes in spatiotemporally restricted expression patterns during animal...Full Text Available
Dissecting the genes involved in complex traits can be confounded by multiple factors, including extensive epistatic interactions among genes, the involvement of epigenetic regulators, and the variable...Full Text Available
The A(..pi../sup +/,/sup 3/He)B reaction near threshold is studied in a model where the pion is absorbed by an /sup 4/He constituent of the target nucleus. The predictions of this model using harmonic oscillator cluster wave functions agree semi-quantitatively with the experimental data on the inverse reaction.
Recent experiments have provided new quantitative measurements of the rippling phenomenon in fields of developing myxobacteria cells. These measurements have enabled us to develop a mathematical model...Full Text Available
Aims:To Study the religious and ideological views and practice of Palliative Care physician towards Euthanasia.Materials and Methods:An...Full Text Available
Skeletal radiotracer (sup(99m)Tc-HEDP) uptake was quantitated with and without the aid of a computer in 30 chronic dialysis patients with histologic evidence of renal osteodystrophy. Before scintigraphy, elevated soft-tissue activity due to the absence of renal radiotracer excretion was reduced by hemodialysis. The results were compared with those of a normal group and with the results of the biochemical and the bone morphometric studies of these patients. In all patients the radiotracer uptake was elevated, often markedly. In several patients with minimal histologic bone disease, however, soft-tissue activity could not be normalized by hemodialysis although its influence on the quantitative data could be further reduced (but not excluded) by computer evaluation of skeletal radiotracer uptake. Since the latter technique clearly distinguished the majority of the patients from the normals, it appears that computerized ...
Skeletal radiotracer (sup(99m)Tc-HEDP) uptake was quantitated with and without the aid of a computer in 30 chronic dialysis patients with histologic evidence of renal osteodystrophy. Before scintigraphy, elevated soft-tissue activity due to the absence of renal radiotracer excretion was reduced by hemodialysis. The results were compared with those of a normal group and with the results of the biochemical and the bone morphometric studies of these patients. In all patients the radiotracer uptake was elevated, often markedly. In several patients with minimal histologic bone disease, however, soft-tissue activity could not be normalized by hemodialysis although its influence on the quantitative data could be further reduced (but not excluded) by computer evaluation of skeletal radiotracer uptake. Since the latter technique clearly distinguished the majority of the patients from the normals, it appears that computerized ...
Based on a generalized theory of perturbations and on non-linear programming an approach to the quantitative determination of necessary accuracies for nuclear data is described. It is used to calculate transactinide isotope build-up in reactors.
BackgroundPlant biologists have long speculated about the mechanisms that guide pollen tubes to ovules. Although there is now evidence that ovules emit a diffusible attractant, little...Full Text Available
BackgroundArtemisinin-based combination therapy, currently considered the therapy of choice for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in endemic countries,...Full Text Available
The localization of gold in the synovial membrane of rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with sodium aurothiomalate was examined and quantitative analysis of epon-embedded sections was carried out...Full Text Available
A fluid-phase immunoradiometric assay has been developed which identifies an antigen on the Factor VIII (antihemophilic factor) procoagulant protein. This sensitive and quantitative assay is not influenced...Full Text Available
Purpose: Understanding the kinetics of tumor growth∕shrinkage represents a critical step in quantitative assessment of therapeutics and realization of adaptive radiation therapy....Full Text Available
A novel, quantitative method for detecting poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) amounts in viable cells was developed to allow for high-throughput screening of mutant libraries. The staining technique was demonstrated...Full Text Available
Our increasing capabilities for quantitative hormone analysis and automated high resolution growth studies have allowed a reassessment of the classical Cholodny-Went hypothesis of gravitropism. According...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe decline noticed in several fertility traits of dairy cattle over the past few decades is of major concern. Understanding of the genomic factors underlying fertility,...Full Text Available
Quantitative probing of heterogeneous regions in muscle is feasible with phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy because of the differentiation of metabolic patterns of glycolytic and oxidative...Full Text Available
The changes in conjugated indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) levels compared to the levels of free IAA have been analyzed during the development of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seed using quantitative...Full Text Available
Studies were conducted to quantitate the evolution of nitrogen oxides (NO(x)) from soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] leaves during in vivo nitrate reductase...Full Text Available
Pseudomonas mandelii liquid cultures were studied to determine the effect of pH and temperature on denitrification gene expression, which was quantified by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR....Full Text Available
A liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) assay was developed for the quantitative determination of salirasib (S-trans, trans-farnesylthiosalicylic acid,...Full Text Available
Experimental and imaging studies in monkeys have outlined various long association fiber bundles within the temporoparietal region. In the present study the trajectory of the middle longitudinal fascicle...Full Text Available
Qualitative and quantitative aspects of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of cytoplasmic pH during an acid-load have been studied in Acer pseudoplatanus cells. Two main processes,...Full Text Available
Motivation: Cell tracking is an important method to quantitatively analyze time-lapse microscopy data. While numerous methods and tools exist for tracking cells in 2D time-lapse images,...Full Text Available
Quantitative metallography is often used to confirm the proper processing of aerospace metallic materials. A microstructural feature of great importance for titanium alloys processed in the alpha-beta phase field is the volume fraction of primary alpha. S...
Activatable or “smart” magnetic resonance contrast agents have relaxivities that depend on environmental factors such as pH or enzymatic activity, but the MR signal depends on...Full Text Available
A bedload trap in the riverbed provided direct quantitative measurement of debris-transport rate in the East Fork River, Wyoming, a basin of 466 km2 drainage area. Traction load moves only...Full Text Available
The purpose of the work was to quantitatively characterize temperature effects on the bacterial leaching of sulfide ore material containing several sulfide minerals. The leaching was tested at eight...Full Text Available
BackgroundKinematic and kinetic measurements used in laboratory settings can quantify upper extremity movement impairment following stroke, but their relationship...Full Text Available
We used tryptophan auxotrophs of the dicot Arabidopsis thaliana (wall cress) to determine whether tryptophan has the capacity to serve as a precursor to the auxin, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Quantitative...Full Text Available
In nuclear fuel with a burn-up of 33 kg/t U and 52 kg/t U 15 transuranium nuclides /sup 237/Np to /sup 246/Cm have been determined by alpha and gamma spectroscopy after radiochemical separation.
BackgroundQuantitative sensory testing (QST) is applied to evaluate somatosensory nerve fiber function in the spinal system. This study uses QST in patients with sensory dysfunctions...Full Text Available
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are obligate biotrophs, known to play an important role in ecological processes. Conventional light microscopy is the most common method used to detect their presence...Full Text Available
Numbers of non-indigenous species--species introduced from elsewhere - are increasing rapidly worldwide, causing both environmental and economic damage. Rigorous quantitative risk-analysis frameworks,...Full Text Available
The 52 papers discuss the following subjects: 1. Preparation and structural development; 2. Structural constitution; 3. Structural formation and phase transition; 4. Structure and mechanical properties; 5. Structural formation of metallic and nonmetallic materials; 6. Quantitative metallography, and 7. Quality assurance.
DNA antoantibodies in serum will bind to antigen-coated polystyrene tubes and can be detected by radiolabelled anti-immunoglobulin. The method is quantitative, gives information on the antibody class...Full Text Available
BackgroundCerebral malaria (CM) is a neurological syndrome that includes coma and seizures following malaria parasite infection. The pathophysiology is not fully understood and cannot...Full Text Available
There has been increased theoretical and experimental research interest in autonomous mobile robots exhibiting cooperative behaviour. This paper provides consistent quantitative measures of organizational degree of a two-dimensional environment. We proved, by the way of numerical simulations, that the theoretically derived values of the feature are reliable measures of aggregation degree. The slope of the feature's dependence on memory radius leads to an optimization criterion for stochastic functional self-organization. We also described the intellectual heritages that have guided our research, as well as possible future developments. (author)
An advanced video system has been assembled from commercially available equipment to support the real-time neutron radiography facility established jointly by the University of Virginia Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics, and the Philip Morris Research Center. A schematic diagram of the equipment used for real-time neutron radiography is presented. To obtain quantitative density measurements with this system, several modifications of both hardware and image processing software were required. After implementation of these changes, the system was capable of determining material densities by measuring the degree of neutron attenuation.
An advanced video system has been assembled from commercially available equipment to support the real-time neutron radiography facility established jointly by the University of Virginia Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics, and the Philip Morris Research Center. A schematic diagram of the equipment used for real-time neutron radiography is presented. To obtain quantitative density measurements with this system, several modifications of both hardware and image processing software were required. After implementation of these changes, the system was capable of determining material densities by measuring the degree of neutron attenuation.
A technique for quantitative analysis of growth plates in varus or valgus deformity about the knee has been developed. Computer-generated regions of interest are placed on magnification scintigraphs to divide distal femoral and proximal tibial physes into four equal segments. The ratio of counts in the medial half to counts in the lateral half was studied in 31 children (22 normal, 9 with angular deformity). Normal ratios were 0.74 to 0.98 for femora and 0.98 to 1.20 for tibias. In eight of nine patients with deformity, the ratio was abnormal; in two patients the ratio returned to normal when the deformity ceased to progress.
The authors experimentally study the separate stages of the determination of iodine in thyroidin by the combustion method in a flask with oxygen. The monotypic, conventional procedures and the procedure of Kolii and Pakhomov were studied. With addition of potassium iodide, a sixfold amount (compared with the initial) of iodine is liberated. Further, the liberated iodine is titrated by sodium thiosulfate. The authors find the degree of influence of a high nitrogen content on the determination of iodine in organic compounds. The procedure developed for the quantitative determination of the iodine in thyroidin by the combustion method is simple, fairly rapid, and can be used for the reliable control of the quality of thyroidin preparations and its starting raw material.
The ultimate compressive strength of 36 thoracolumbar vertebrae was determined experimentally. In addition, the trabecular bone mineral content was measured by single energy quantitative computed tomography. The areas of fractured endplates were also determined by computed tomography. The results show that a linear relationship exists between the compressive strength and the product of bone density and endplate area. These data allow an in vivo prediction of vertebral body strength using a noninvasive method with a standard error of estimate amounting to less than 0.95 kN. PMID:3212488
The investigation of the petroleum contamination in marine organisms requires the trace level quantitative determination of indicative substances to be identified by a fingerprint of petroleum. Polymethylnaphthalene (PMN) and polymethylphenanthrene (PMP) were chosen because of their simple separation from a crude oil by means of an activated charcoal chromatography, their relatively high existence in aromatic compounds, and their persistence relative to other petroleum components in the tissue of oil contaminated marine organisms. The purpose of this paper is to present an activated charcoal chromatographic separation procedure of PMN and PMP in a crude oil and a trace level quantitative analytical method of them in marine organisms by mass fragmentography (MF).
This paper is aimed to present a fuzzy decision making approach to deal with the performance measurement in supply chain systems. In the manufacturing environment, performance measurement is based on different quantitative and qualitative factors. Some of these factors may have a larger effect on the performance measure than others. Units of measure of the quantitative factors are different such as time, money, percentage, ratio, and counts. Thus, this paper presents a performance measurement approach based on fuzzy set theory and the pair-wise comparison of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), which ensures the consistency of the designer's assignments of importance of one factor over another to find the weight of each of the manufacturing activity in the departmental organization. In the ...
Sixteen patients with PAGET's disease of bone underwent quantitative bone scintigraphy with "9"9"mTc-MDP before and after a long-term treatment with carbocalcitonin, a synthetic analogue of eel calcitonin. The radionuclide study consisted in the blood pool and bone uptake measurement and in the bone avidity calculation (bone uptake - blood pool ratio). In our patients, a significant decrease in bone uptake and bone avidity was found, whereas the blood pool remained statistically unchanged. This behaviour could be accounted for the shift of the compact bone to a lamellar pattern. (orig.).
Sixteen patients with PAGET's disease of bone underwent quantitative bone scintigraphy with /sup 99m/Tc-MDP before and after a long-term treatment with carbocalcitonin, a synthetic analogue of eel calcitonin. The radionuclide study consisted in the blood pool and bone uptake measurement and in the bone avidity calculation (bone uptake - blood pool ratio). In our patients, a significant decrease in bone uptake and bone avidity was found, whereas the blood pool remained statistically unchanged. This behaviour could be accounted for the shift of the compact bone to a lamellar pattern.
The objective of Configuration Risk Management Program(CRMP) is to maintain the safety level by assuring the defense-in-depth of nuclear power plant while the configurations are changed during plant operations, especially for the LP/SD. Such a safety purpose can be achieved by establishing the risk monitoring programs with both quantitative and qualitative features. Generally, the quantitative risk evaluation models, i.e., PRA models are used for the risk evaluation during full power operation, and the qualitative risk evaluation models such as safety function assessment trees are used. Through this study, safety function assessment trees were developed.
Lithium ion batteries use an oxide as a positive electrode and a carbon material as a negative electrode. The performances of carbon electrodes have rapidly evolved during the last years thanks to the substitution of soft carbons of Conoco or MCMB-2510 type by graphites (F-399, MCMB-2528) and then by hard carbons. These high capacity carbons (700 mAh/g) have higher service life and volume capacity than graphites but their irreversible losses are greater (>20%). In this work, materials with similar electrochemical performances are prepared by mechanical crushing. Mechanical crushing allows to obtain a wide range of carbon materials with various morphologies, specific surfaces and levels of disorder. The formation of the passivation film is directly linked with the surface of materials. A reaction scheme of the reversible and irreversible capacities has been defined and has permitted to obtain compounds with reversible capacities of 720 mAh/g (2 lithium for 6 ...
Carbothermal reduction-nitridation (CRN) of SiO_2 is an attractive method for manufacturing Si_3N_4 powders with controlled grain morphology. Moreover, #beta#-sialon powders could also be synthesized from either pure powder mixtures or some inexpensive raw minerals by CRN. The resultant powders have shown some advantages, especially in manufacturing sialon products at low cost. However, there have been only a few works on preparing #alpha#-sialon powders. In this work, Ca-#alpha# sialon powder was synthesized by CRN of a SiO_2-Al_2O_3 and CaCO_3 powder mixture An unusual morphology of hollow balls of 200 to 500nm with many nano size #alpha#-sialon particles of 10 to 30nm was identified from the resultant Ca-#alpha# sialon powders. This has never been previously reported for sialon ceramics. It was consequently confirmed that the morphologies of the products were clearly related to the intermediate products appearing during ...
Molybdenum oxide nanostructures were synthesized utilizing the solution combustion method where the ammonium molybdate powder and an organic additive were used as precursors. Different organic additives including ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA), polyethylene glycol 200 (PEG 200), sorbitol and urea were used as surfactants in order to investigate the effect of additive structure on morphology and particle size of products. Also various reaction parameters such as the additive/Mo molar ratio, concentration of metal ion in solution, pH of the reaction, and temperature of the synthesis media were changed to study effects on product morphology and size. Outcomes were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction, and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) techniques. Results show a variety of MoO_3 nanoparticles and nanorods produced within the size range of 10-80 nm. Furthermore, microrods and microsheets were ...
Thin films of the protein, lysozyme, have been deposited by the matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) technique. Frozen targets of 0.3-1.0 wt.% lysozyme dissolved in ultrapure water were irradiated by laser light at 355 nm with a fluence of 2 J/cm{sup 2}. The surface quality of the thin lysozyme films of different thickness deposited on 7 mm x 7 mm Si-<1 0 0>-wafers was investigated with scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Already at comparatively low thickness, {approx}20 nm, the substrate is covered by intact lysozyme molecules and fragments. The concentration of lysozyme in the ice matrix apparently does not play any significant role for the morphology of the film. The morphology obtained with MAPLE has been compared with results for direct laser irradiation of a pressed lysozyme sample (i.e. pulsed laser deposition (PLD))
We show that the morphology and the luminescence properties of ZnO layers produced by magnetron sputtering can be controlled by technological parameters of sputtering, particularly by the ratio of argon to oxygen gases in the gas flow during the growth process. Smooth and flat layers were produced with a high Ar/O ratio, while porous layers with various morphologies were obtained with a low Ar/O ratio. The layers produced with O/Ar ration equal to 10 exhibit extremely high near-bandgap luminescence intensity even higher in comparison with bulk ZnO single crystals. The free carrier density estimated from the analysis of photoluminescence spectra is also very high in these samples suggesting that these technological conditions promote both optical and electrical activation of the doping Al impurity. The samples grown with high Ar/O ratios exhibit strong visible emission which is controlled by the technological conditions.
Abstract Elongate plasmodia with myxosporean spores belonging to the genus Unicapsula, Davis, 1924 were found in the skeletal muscle of the striped seabream, Lithognathus mormyrus (L.), a candidate for the mediterranean aquaculture. The only species of Unicapsula described from the Mediterranean is Unicapsula pflugfelderi Schubert et al. 1975, which occurs in the picarel, Spicara smaris (L.). For morphological and molecular comparison of U. pflugfelderi from S. smaris with Unicapsula sp. from L. mormyrus measurements of plasmodia and spores, ultrastructural details and 18S and 28S rDNA sequences were analysed. Whereas plasmodia were 2-3 times larger in S. smaris than in L. mormyrus (length 2.47-0.81 mm; width 0.22-0.09 mm; P = 0.000), spore morphology showed minor differences and both 18S ...
Nano-wire arrays of Niobium were produced by small angle sputtering on facetted sapphire, using the self shadowing effect of the facets. A wire width of about 80 nm was adjusted, the mean (maximum) wire height was about 20 nm (30 nm), the length can be in the cm range. Meander-film morphologies of 20 nm mean (26 nm maximum) thickness were produced by conventional sputtering onto smooth sapphire substrates at elevated temperatures. The morphology of the wires was investigated with atomic force microscopy (AFM), using contact mode. Meander-films were studied by scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM). Hydrogen loading was performed by instantaneously increasing the hydrogen gas pressure above the solubility limit. Thus, an elongated hydride could be monitored in an about 30 nm thick wire. STM studies on meander-films show the presence of cylindrical hydrides. Local out-of-plane and in-plane expansion can be explained by the formation of hydrides, ...
Symplastic transport occurs between neighbouring plant cells through functionally and structurally dynamic channels called plasmodesmata (PD). Relatively little is known about the composition of PD or the mechanisms that facilitate molecular transport into neighbouring cells. While transmission electron microscopy (TEM) provides 2-dimensional information about the structural components of PD, 3-dimensional information is difficult to extract from ultrathin sections. This study has exploited high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) to reveal the 3-dimensional morphology of PD in the cell walls of algae, ferns and higher plants. Varied patterns of PD were observed in the walls, ranging from uniformly distributed individual PD to discrete clusters. Occasionally the thick walls of the giant alga Chara were fractured, revealing the surface morphology of PD within. External structures such as spokes, spirals and mesh were observed ...
The phase transition behaviour of polyethylene-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PE-b-PEO) diblock copolymer with relatively short chain lengths has been studied on the basis of temperature dependent infrared and Raman spectral measurements and synchrotron WAXD/SAXS simultaneous measurements, from which the concrete structural changes were deduced successfully from the various levels of molecular chain conformation, chain packing mode and higher-order structure. The higher-order structure has been found to transform between lamella, perforated lamella, gyroid, cylinder and sphere structures. The inner structural changes occurring in the polyethylene and poly(ethylene oxide) parts have been related with these morphological changes. The morphological transition from lamella to gyroid occurs with keeping the crystalline state of polyethylene parts. This apparently curious transition can be interpreted reasonably by assuming the thermally-activated chain ...
Clove (Caryophyllus aromaticus L.) has been used for clinical procedures. Blood constituents labeled with technetium-99m (99mTc) are used in nuclear medicine. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of clove extract on the labeling blood constituents with 99mTc and on the morphology of red blood cells. Blood samples were incubated with clove, stannous chloride and 99mTc. Plasma, blood cells, insoluble fractions of plasma and blood cells were separated. The radioactivity was counted and percentage of radioactivity (%ATI) to each blood fraction was calculated. The shape and morphometric parameter (perimeter/area ratio) were evaluated. Clove extract altered significantly (p<0.05) the %ATI of blood constituents and the shape of red blood cells without modifying the perimeter/area ratio. The results indicate that clove extract presents chemical compounds that interfere with the radiolabeling of blood constituents and alter the ...
Human hair fibers experience tensile forces during grooming and styling processes. The tensile response of hair is hence of considerable interest to the cosmetics industry. In this study, in situ tensile characterization studies have been carried out in an atomic force microscope (AFM) on different hair under different conditions. A custom-built AFM sample stage allows hair fibers to be loaded in tension. A technique to locate and image the same control area at different strains has been developed to study the changes in morphology that occur with deformation. Virgin Caucasian, Asian and African hair were studied to understand the differences between different ethnic hair types. Also, the tensile response and morphological changes of virgin, chemically damaged and conditioner-treated Caucasian hair after soaking were compared against the corresponding dry tensile response. Finally, virgin, damaged and treated Caucasian hair fibers were ...
The vertical profiles of disc galaxies are built by the material trapped around stable periodic orbits, which form their "skeletons". According to this, the knowledge of the stability of the main families of periodic orbits in appropriate 3D models, can predict possible morphologies for edge-on disc galaxies. In a pilot survey we compare the orbital structures which lead to the appearance of "peanuts" and "X"-like features with the edge-on profiles of three disc galaxies (IC 2531, NGC 4013 and UGC 2048). The subtraction from the images of a model representing the axisymmetric component of the galaxies reveals the contribution of the non-axisymmetric terms. We find a direct correspondence between the orbital profiles of 3D bars in models and the observed main morphological features of the residuals. We also apply a simple unsharp masking technique in order to study the sharpest features of the images. Our basic conclusion is that the ...
Wavy interface morphology is observed in Magnetic Pulse Welding (MPW) similarly to that of the Explosion Welding process (EXW). It is recognized that interfacial waves are formed in a periodic manner and have well defined wavelength and amplitude. The phenomenon of wave formation in EXW has been subjected to extensive investigations in which empirical and numerical models have been published. In the present study, a wave formation mechanism for MPW is presented. This wave-creation mechanism was studied by evaluating the influence of sample geometry on wave morphology using stereoscopic optical microscopy. It was found that interfacial waves are formed in a Kelvin-Helmholtz instability mechanism. Reflected shock waves interact with the welding collision point at the weld interface, where in...
We have investigated the microstructure evolutions in the Ti17 near #beta# titanium alloy during heat treatments. The phase transformation has first been studied experimentally by combining X-ray diffraction analysis, electrical resistivity and microscopy observations. From a series of isothermal treatments, a IT diagram has been determined, which takes into account the different morphologies. Then, a Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov (JMAK) model has been successfully used to describe the phase transformation kinetics during either isothermal or cooling treatments. Finally, the coupling of the JMAK model to the finite element software ZeBuLoN allowed us to investigate the evolution of the spatial distribution of the different morphologies during the cooling of an aircraft engine shaft disk after forging.
Nylon copolymer (PA6, 66) and ethylene propylene diene (EPDM) blends with and without compatibilizer were prepared by melt mixing using Brabender Plasticorder. The thermal stability of nylon copolymer (PA6, 66)/ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) blends was studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The morphology of the blends was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In this work, the effects of blend ratio and compatibilisation on thermal stability and crystallinity were investigated. The incorporation of EPDM rubber was found to improve the thermal stability of nylon copolymer. The kinetic parameters of the degradation process were also studied. A good correlation was observed between the thermal properties and phase morphology of the blends. By applying Coats ...
The diffuse morphology and transient nature of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) make them difficult to identify and track using traditional image processing techniques. We apply multiscale methods to enhance the visibility of the faint CME front. This enables an ellipse characterisation to objectively study the changing morphology and kinematics of a sample of events imaged by the Large Angle Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO) onboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) and the Sun Earth Connection Coronal and Heliospheric Investigation (SECCHI) onboard the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO). The accuracy of these methods allows us to test the CMEs for non-constant acceleration and expansion. We exploit the multiscale nature of CMEs to extract structure with a multiscale decomposition, akin to a Canny edge detector. Spatio-temporal filtering highlights the CME front as it propagates in time. We apply an ellipse ...
In this work, a mixed cationic--anionic [i.e. cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-sodium octyl sulphate] surfactant system was used to synthesize the magnetite particles. The loading content of iron ions (Fe{sup 3+} and Fe{sup 2+}) into the surfactant system was varied to study its effect on the formation of magnetite, magnetic and morphological properties of the magnetite particles encapsulated by the surfactant vesicles. It has been verified that the vesicle-encapsulated magnetite particles with sizes from 100 to 200 nm were formed, which were almost independent of the loading content of iron ions. However, the morphological structure of the magnetite particles was dependent on the loading content of iron ions and there existed an optimal loading content for a full packing of the surfactant vesicles with the magnetite particles.
In this work, a mixed cationic--anionic [i.e. cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-sodium octyl sulphate] surfactant system was used to synthesize the magnetite particles. The loading content of iron ions (Fe"3"+ and Fe"2"+) into the surfactant system was varied to study its effect on the formation of magnetite, magnetic and morphological properties of the magnetite particles encapsulated by the surfactant vesicles. It has been verified that the vesicle-encapsulated magnetite particles with sizes from 100 to 200 nm were formed, which were almost independent of the loading content of iron ions. However, the morphological structure of the magnetite particles was dependent on the loading content of iron ions and there existed an optimal loading content for a full packing of the surfactant vesicles with the magnetite particles.
Bilayers of pure palladium and gold films were evaporated alternatively on (100) and (111) monocrystalline silicon substrates. After annealing, in a vacuum furnace from 100 to 650degreeC during 30min, the growth sequence of the Pd2Si and PdSi phases that evolved as the result of the diffusion reaction was examined by means of Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), whereas the surface morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique. The effect of the intermediate gold layer is investigated in order to test its effectiveness as barrier for Cu and Si atoms interdiffusion and its influence on the morphology of the formed palladium silicides. The effect of substrate orientation on the palladium silicides growth and formation was also e...
Indium sulfide thin films consisting of porous network of nanoplatelets, have been deposited using chemical bath deposition (CBD) method onto the tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) coated glass substrate. Aqueous solutions of indium sulfate and thioacetamide have been used as indium and sulfur precursors. As a complexing agent, acetic acid was used. The chemically deposited indium sulfide thin films were examined for their structural, surface morphological and optical characterizations. The X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the formation of the cubic b-In2S3 onto the substrate. From scanning electron micrograph, it is observed that the surface of substrate is covered by nanoporous platelets type morphology. The optical studies showed a direct band gap of 2.84eV for indium sulfide platelets. Ph...
Porous ?-SiAlON ceramics are synthesized by reaction bonded method using hollow alumina spheres (HASs) as both sintering aids and pore-forming agents. Both micropores and macropores, which are constructured by SiAlON grains with different morphologies, are formed in the final SiAlON samples. The micropores are three-dimentional, and are built by equiaxial grains. While the hollow macropores, which have the similar morphology to hollow alumina sphere, are packed by elongated grains. In the sintering process, the solid dissolution process takes place, giving rise to the different alumina concentration of liquid phase, and thus resulting in the formation of two kinds of grains, the equiaxial grain and the elongated grain.
Polypyrrole (PPy) was prepared from different mixed-surfactant solutions with ammonium persulfate as an oxidant. Three types of combinations were selected, including cationic/anionic, cationic/nonionic, and anionic/nonionic mixed-surfactant solutions. The surfactants used in the experiments included cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (cationic surfactant), sodium dodecyl sulfate (anionic surfactant), sodium dodecyl sulfonic acid salt (anionic surfactant), poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (nonionic surfactant), and poly(ethylene glycol) (nonionic surfactant). The morphology, structure, and conductivity of the resulting PPy were investigated in detail with scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectra, and the typical four-probe method, respectively. The results showed that the interac...
Commercially available organoclay (Closite 30B) was modified by using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) via a silylation reaction. Sodium clay (Closite Na) was treated by APS directly as a control. Such modified clays were further melt-compounded with polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). The morphology and properties of the modified organoclays were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electrical microscopy (TEM), Infra-red spectroscopy, contact angle measurement, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The effects of modified clays on the crystallization behavior of PBT were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry. The basal spacing of Closite Na was enlarged from 1.01 to 1.41 nm after APS treatment, indicating that the APS was intercalated into the clay interga...
This paper proposes an adaptive morphological dilation image coding with context weights prediction. The new dilation method is not to use fixed models, but to decide whether a coefficient needs to be dilated or not according to the coefficient's predicted significance degree. It includes two key dilation technologies: 1) controlling dilation process with context weights to reduce the output of insignificant coefficients, and 2) using variable-length group test coding with context weights to adjust the coding order and cost as few bits as possible to present the events with large probability. Moreover, we also propose a novel context weight strategy to predict coefficient's significance degree more accurately, which serves for two dilation technologies. Experimental results show that our proposed method outperforms the state of the art image coding algorithms available today.
This study provides a comprehensive description of the main morphological and histological events that take place during larval and post-larval development of Senegal sole Solea senegalensis in order to establish a reference for its normal developmental organogenesis. Five stages have been described. Before gill development at the onset of metamorphosis (eye migration process, stage 4c), the skin was the main site of gas and ion exchange, whereas during stages 3 and 4, the skin begins differentiating into the definitive juvenile structure. The timing of development of the endocrine system depends on each organ, the endocrine pancreas and thyroid gland being the first to differentiate (stages 2 and 3, respectively), followed by the interrenal tissue and stannius corpuscles that develop at m...
All-atom molecular dynamics simulations were used to study the morphology of polymer/inorganic composite particles prepared by heterocoagulation. The results were also compared to those of our previous study of the preparation of TiO2/poly(acrylic acid-co-methyl methacrylate) and Fe3O4/polystyrene composite particles. In the simulation system, polymer or inorganic particles were simulated by surface-charge-modified C60 or Na atoms. Through a combination of analysis of the radial distribution functions of charged atoms and snapshots of the equilibrated structure, three kinds of particle distributions were observed under different conditions. When the polymer and inorganic particles had opposite surface charges and their sizes were very different, the composite morphology showed a core-shell...
Dissolved microcystins (MCs) are regularly present in water dominated by microcystin-producing, bloom-forming cyanobacteria. In vitro experiments with environmentally feasible concentrations (5 ? 10?7 M) of the three most common microcystins, MC-LR, MC-RR, and MC-YR, revealed that they influence the metabolism of different representative phytoplanktons. At light intensities that are close to the cyanobacterial bloom environment (50??mol m?2 s?1), they produce morphological and physiological changes in both microcystin-producing and -nonproducing Microcystis aeruginosa strains and also have similar effects on the green alga Scenedesmus quadricauda that is frequently present in cyanobacterial blooms. All three microcystin variants tested induce cell aggregation, increase in cell volume, and ...
An intact basement membrane (BM) is essential for the proper function, differentiation and morphology of many epithelial cells. The disruption or loss of this BM occurs during normal development as well as in the disease state. To examine the importance of BM during mammary gland development in vivo, we generated transgenic mice that inappropriately express autoactivating isoforms of the matrix metalloproteinase stromelysin-1. The mammary glands from these mice are both functionally and morphologically altered throughout development. We have now documented a dramatic incidence of breast tumors in several independent lines of these mice. These data suggest that overexpression of stromelysin-1 and disruption of the BM may be a key step in the multi-step process of breast cancer.
Because of the superior tissue contrast, high spatial resolution, and multiplanar capabilities, fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can depict fetal brain pathologies with high accuracy. Pathological fetal brain development may result from malformations or acquired conditions. Differentiation of these etiologies is important with respect to managing the actual pregnancy or counseling future pregnancies. As a widened ventricular system is a common hallmark of both maldevelopment and acquired conditions, it may cause problems in the differential diagnosis. Fetal MRI can provide detailed morphological information, which allows refinement of the diagnosis of ventricular enlargement in a large number of cases. Systematic work-up of morphological details that may be recognized on MR images provides an approach for achieving a correct diagnosis in cases of ventricle enlargement. (orig.)
The grain morphology developed during solidification of an Al-4.5% Cu alloy is represented generally by columnar or equiaxed dendrites. Twinned feathery grains are found in the structure formed under certain heat and flow conditions during solidification. In this work, these conditions were achieved during solidification in a cavity under forced flow. Feathery grain formation is studied by means of fluid dynamics simulations with solidification included and by experiments. In order to determine the crystallographic orientation of feathery grains, electron backscattered diffraction measurements were performed. The growth features of feathery grains were analyzed by observations made normal and parallel to the growth direction. Some correlations between twinned feathery morphology, flow and ...
Rapid nitridation was used to fabricate reaction-bonded and postsintered -Si6-ZAlZOZN8-Z (Z=1) ceramics with monoclinic ZrO2 added to the starting powder. Thermo-gravimetric analysis revealed that the addition of ZrO2 reduced the starting temperature of the main nitridation reaction. Using a reaction-bonding route with heating rates of 5, 10, and 20C/min, to fabricate -SiAlON ceramics without ZrO2 resulted in unreacted silicon that bled out of the specimens and the Z=1 composition samples did not maintain the original green compact morphology. On the other hand, no such bleeding of melted silicon was observed for samples with ZrO2 additions and the samples following nitridation maintained the original green morphology. The microstructure and mechanical properties of samples produced by rap...
The dynamics of planktonic cyanobacteria in eutrophicated freshwaters play an important role in formation of annual summer blooms, yet overwintering mechanisms of these water bloom forming cyanobacteria remain unknown. The responses to darkness and low temperature of three strains (unicellular Microcystis aeruginosa FACHB-905, colonial M.?aeruginosa FACHB-938, and a green alga Scenedesmus quadricauda FACHB-45) were investigated in the present study. After a 30-day incubation under darkness and low temperature, cell morphology, cell numbers, chlorophyll a, photosynthetic activity (ETRmax and I k), and malodialdehyde (MDA) content exhibited significant changes in Scenedesmus. In contrast, Microcystis aeruginosa cells did not change markedly in morphology, chlorophyll a, photosynthetic activi...
Fyn is a Src-family tyrosine kinase that affects long term potentiation (LTP), synapse formation, and learning and memory. Fyn is also implicated in dendritic spine formation both in vitro and in vivo. However, whether Fyn's regulation of dendritic spine formation is brain-region specific and age-dependent is unknown. In the present study, we systematically examined whether Fyn altered dendritic spine density and morphology in the cortex and hippocampus and if these effects were age-dependent. We found that Fyn knockout mice trended toward a decrease in dendritic spine density in cortical layers II/III, but not in the hippocampus, at 1month of age. Additionally, Fyn knockout mice had significantly decreased dendritic spine density in both the cortex and hippocampus at 3months and 1year, an...
Using methods of the Moessbauer spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermodynamic analysis of phase formation in silicate multi-component melts, the detailed study of composition, morphology, and properties of fly ash microspheres resulting from combustion of three coals (Irsha-Borodinskii, Kuznetskii and Ekibastuzskii) was carried out. About 60 microspherical products with an iron content of 2-94 wt.% Fe_2O_3 were obtained. The ranges of microsphere composition, suitable for liquid radioactive waste solidification in the forms of iron phosphate (36-94 wt.% Fe_2O_3) and aluminosilicate (2-20 wt.% Fe_2O_3) ceramics were determined. The possibility of producing porous materials and specific microspherical sorbents, based on coal fly ash cenospheres and their application for mobilisation of liquid radioactive waste solidification was demonstrated. (author)
Objective To demonstrate clinical features of a patient subgroup presenting with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) without polycystic ovary morphology. Design Retrospective study. Setting Hospital-based IVF center. Patient(s) In the present study, 876 PCOS patients were selected from women who visited the Reproductive Medicine Center at Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, between September 2004 and October 2006. Women with PCOS were divided into two groups based on ultrasound image: group A, PCOS patients with classic polycystic ovary (n = 800); group B, PCOS patients without polycystic ovary morphology (n = 76). The following available data were analyzed in the large cohort of women: body height, weight, waistline, hip circumference, hirsutism scores, family history, serum s...
Data are presented to support the hypothesis that the initial step in the morphologic transformation of irradiated rodent (BALB/3T3) cells is a frequent cellular event involving a large fraction of the irradiated population. This process appears to involve DNA damage, but not to represent a targeted mutation in specific structural gene(s). Morphologic transformation and immortalization appear to be distinct steps in the overall process of transformation. In contradistinction to rodent cells, immortalization is a very rare event in human diploid cells which is induced at extremely low frequencies. The hypothesis is presented that immortality develops among clones of cells bearing stable chromosomal rearrangements which emerge during the proliferation of a population of radiation damaged cells.
Vulcanian eruptions are common at many volcanoes around the world. Vulcanian activity occurs as either isolated sequences of eruptions or as precursors to sustained explosive events and is interpreted as clearing of shallow plugs from volcanic conduits. Breadcrust bombs characteristic of Vulcanian eruptions represent samples of different parts of these plugs and preserve information that can be used to infer parameters of pre-eruption magma ascent. The morphology and preserved volatile contents of breadcrust bombs erupted in 1999 from Guagua Pichincha volcano, Ecuador, thus allow us to constrain the physical processes responsible for Vulcanian eruption sequences of this volcano. Morphologically, breadcrust bombs differ in the thickness of glassy surface rinds and in the orientation and den...
Brain CT images were reviewed of 98 schizophrenic patients and 90 healthy persons in relation to handedness and aging. CT images were further reconstructed to examine morphologically subtle changes in each region. Schizophrenic patients had progressive brain atrophy and dilated lateral ventricles, especially on the left side and in the posterior part of the lateral ventricle. These findings were more marked in left-handed than in right-handed schizophrenic patients. According to age groups, there were significant differences between schizophrenic and normal persons over the age of 40. The incidence of left handedness was significantly higher in schizophrenic patients in their fourties than the age-matched normal persons (31.4% vs 15.1%). Morphological abnormality and laterality might be due to the same pathologic consequences. (N.K.).
Three complementary impact welding technologies are described in this paper. They are explosive welding, magnetic pulse welding, and laser impact welding, which have been used to provide metallurgical bonds between both similar and dissimilar metal pairs. They share the physical principle that general impact-driven welding can be carried out by oblique impact but are used at different length scales from meters to sub-millimeter. The different length scales require different kinds of systems to drive the process, and the scales themselves can give different weld morphologies. Metallographic analysis on cross-sections shows a wavy interface morphology which is likely the result of an instability associated with jetting, which scours the surfaces clean during impact. The normalized period and...
This paper was produced as an input to the Swiss Confederation's 'Electricity Perspectives 2035' study made by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE). A concept for the combined use of wood and natural gas in a combined-cycle power station is presented. The gasification of wood to provide fuel for the gas turbines and waste-heat boilers of such power stations is proposed as an alternative to just burning wood to provide heat for steam generators. Figures are quoted on the quantities of biomass and wood usable for energy applications in Switzerland. The energetic and financial efficiencies of wood-powered generation of heat and electricity are examined, as are the investments necessary and the costs incurred. Comparisons are presented between wood from forests, sawmill-wastes, scrap wood and natural gas as fuels.
Blade fatigue life is an important element in determining the economic viability of the Vertical-Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT). A principal source of blade fatigue is thought to be the stochastic (i.e., random) aerodynamic loads created by atmospheric turbulence. This paper discusses the development of a model for the simulation of these stochastic loads, given the rotor geometry, operating conditions, and assumed turbulence properties. A Double-Multiple-Streamtube analysis is employed, which includes the effects of wind shear. Reynolds number variations, different airfoil sections and chord lengths along the blade span, and an empirical model for dynamic stall effects. Calculations are presented for the VAWT 34-m Test Bed currently being assembled at Bushland, Texas. Time histories of the loads, as well as their Fourier spectra, are presented and discussed. An unexpected finding is that the average output power is predicted to be more sensitive to turbulence level than ...
In the 80's, because of the oil crisis, the Natural Gas (NG) appeared as a fuel with a great potential for Diesel replacement in Heavy Duty Vehicles. At that time, PETROBRAS with other companies have developed partial conversion technologies from Diesel to NG, known as 'Dual Fuel'. Engine dynamometer and vehicle bus tests have been developed to verify its technical and economical viability. Because of several factors, the Dual Fuel Program did not advance and the experience was interrupted. At the same time, other experiences using NG Otto Cycle bus engines, manufactured in Brazil, have been conducted, mainly at Sao Paulo, nevertheless, without expansion. Currently, factors as increase of the NG converted light vehicles fleet; the NG excess in the National Market, which has contributed to the NG distribution net expansion; the Environmental Legislature in vigor, that continuously determine lower emission limits; the government interest in ...
The effects of high-intensity pulsed electromagnetic stimulation (HIPEMS) on proliferation and differentiation of neonatal rat neural stem cells in vitro were investigated. Neural stem cells derived from neonatal rats were exposed to 0.1 Hz, 0.5-10 Tesla (T) [8 groups of B-I, respectively], 5 stimuli of HIPEMF. The sham exposure controls were correspondingly established. Inverted phase contrast microscope was used to observe the cultured cells, MTT assay to detect the viability of the cells as expressed by absorbance (A) value, and flow cytometry to measure differentiation of neural stem cells. The results showed that A values of neural stem cells in both 3.0 T and 4.0 T groups were significantly higher than the other groups 24 to 168 h post HPEMS, indicating a strong promotion of the growth of neural stem cells (PHPEMS groups was the same as that in control group (P>0.05). It was suggested that 0.1 Hz, 5 pulses stimulation of HPEMS within certain scale of ...
Development of coal-water-fuel (CWF) technology has to-date been predicated on the use of high-rank bituminous coal only, and until now the high inherent moisture content of low-rank coal has precluded its use for CWF production. The unique feature of the Alaskan project is the integration of hot-water-drying (HWD) into CWF technology as a beneficiation process. Hot-water-drying is an EERC developed technology unavailable to the competition that allows the range of CWF feedstock to be extended to low-rank coals. The primary objective of the Alaskan Project, is to promote interest in the CWF marketplace by demonstrating the commercial viability of low-rank coal-water-fuel (LRCWF). While commercialization plans cannot be finalized until the implementation and results of the Alaskan LRCWF Project are known and evaluated, this report has been prepared to specifically address issues concerning business objectives for the project, and outline a market development plan ...
Silicon nitride-based ceramics behavior is strongly influenced by microstructural parameters, which, in turn are determined by chosen densification method. Highly covalent Si-N bond hind are the silicon nitride densification. Therefore, metal oxides are used in order to get high density. However, such oxides must be carefully selected, because they affect the general macroscopic properties of sintered bodies. In the present work, the viability of rare earth concentrate use to produce #beta#--Si_6_-_xAl_xO_xN_8_-_x and its effect on mechanical properties of the sintering ceramics are studied. Additive composition, heating rate, soaking time and sintering temperature were took as variables. Hardness, fracture toughness, Young's modulus and flexural strength were investigated. Lattice parameter compositional dependence and secondary phases crystallized after past-sintering heat treatment were also determined. The results show that rare earth concentrate works very ...
CBA/Ca mice were infected by either the intravenous or intraperitoneal route with Mycobacterium microti and the subsequent changes in local macrophage populations examined. Following infection, the number of macrophages increased and they showed greater expression of both MHC Class II molecules. This response was not dependent on viability of the mycobacteria, in contrast to reports with other microorganisms such as Listeria. Studies in sublethally irradiated mice indicated that persistent antigen could give rise to a response after a period of host recovery which was radiation dose dependent. This procedure also highlighted differences in the regulation of different murine class II antigens in vivo, as seen by delayed re-expression of I-E antigens. Macrophage accessory cell function, as assessed by an in vitro T cell proliferation assay, correlated with Ia expression after fixation, but not after indomethacin treatment; this highlights the diverse nature of ...
Biogas, produced from anaerobic digestion of organic matter in domestic, industrial and rural wastewaters and residuals, represent an alternative and renewable source of energy, with growing use worldwide. In Brazil, high population and its spatial concentration and expressive agricultural and agricultural-industrial production indicate a substantial potential of biogas production. The results presented in this work show a potential of biogas production of almost 2 billion cubic feet a day of CH{sub 4}. Viability of biogas production and use depends substantially on project scale. Generally, biogas projects are viable from landfills and domestic wastewater treatment for populations higher than 50,000 inhabitants and swine and dairy farms with at least 5,000 and 1,000 animals, respectively. Biogas is also competitive when compared to fossil fuels used in industry and transport. Despite incentive mechanisms for biogas production and use, like Clean Development ...
Marine ecosystems are suffering severe depletion of apex predators worldwide; shark declines are principally due to conservative life-histories and fisheries overexploitation. On coral reefs, sharks are strongly interacting apex predators and play a key role in maintaining healthy reef ecosystems. Despite increasing fishing pressure, reef shark catches are rarely subject to specific limits, with management approaches typically depending upon no-take marine reserves to maintain populations. Here, we reveal that this approach is failing by documenting an ongoing collapse in two of the most abundant reef shark species on the Great Barrier Reef (Australia). We find an order of magnitude fewer sharks on fished reefs compared to no-entry management zones that encompass only 1% of reefs. No-take zones, which are more difficult to enforce than no-entry zones, offer almost no protection for shark populations. Population viability models of whitetip and gray reef sharks ...
The thiazolidinedione (TZD) or glitazone class of peroxisome proliferator-activated-#gamma# (PPAR-#gamma#) ligands not only induce adipocyte differentiation and increase insulin sensitivity, but also exert growth inhibitory effects on several carcinoma cell lines in vitro as well as in vivo. In the current study the in vitro effect of four PPAR-#gamma# agonists (ciglitazone, pioglitazone, troglitazone, rosiglitazone) on the cell growth of seven human neuroblastoma cell lines (Kelly, LAN-1, LAN-5, LS, IMR-32, SK-N-SH, SH-SY5Y) was investigated. Growth rates were assessed by a colorimetric XTT-based assay kit. Expression of PPAR-#gamma# protein was examined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. All glitazones inhibited in vitro growth and viability of the human neuroblastoma cell lines in a dose-dependent manner showing considerable effects only at high concentrations (10 #mu#M and 100 #mu#M). Effectiveness of the glitazones on neuroblastoma cell growth ...
The performance and lifetime of energy storage in batteries are an important part of many renewable based energy systems. Not only do batteries impact on the system performance but they are also a significant expenditure when considering the whole life cycle costs. Poor prediction of lifetime can, therefore, lead to uncertainty in the viability of the system in the long term. This report details the work undertaken to investigate and develop two different battery life prediction methodologies with specific reference to their use in hybrid renewable energy systems. Alongside this, results from battery tests designed to exercise batteries in similar modes to those that they experience in hybrid systems have also been analysed. These have yielded battery specific parameters for use in the prediction software and the first results in the validation process of the software are also given. This work has been part of the European Union Benchmarking research project ...
This paper describes the development of a computational multiphase fluid dynamics (CMFD) model of the Fischer Tropsch (FT) process in a Slurry Bubble Column Reactor (SBCR). The CMFD model is fundamentally based which allows it to be applied to different industrial processes and reactor geometries. The NPHASE CMFD solver [1] is used as the robust computational platform. Results from the CMFD model include gas distribution, species concentration profiles, and local temperatures within the SBCR. This type of model can provide valuable information for process design, operations and troubleshooting of FT plants. An ensemble-averaged, turbulent, multi-fluid solution algorithm for the multiphase, reacting flow with heat transfer was employed. Mechanistic models applicable to churn turbulent flow have been developed to provide a fundamentally based closure set for the equations. In this four-field model formulation, two of the fields are used to track the gas phase (i.e., small spherical and ...
Bulk nanocrystalline pure iron rods were fabricated by the equal channel angular pressure (ECAP) technique up to eight passes. The microstructure and grain size distribution, natural immersion and electrochemical corrosion in simulated body fluid, cellular responses and hemocompatibility were investigated in this study. The results indicate that nanocrystalline pure iron after severe plastic deformation (SPD) would sustain durable span duration and exhibit much stronger corrosion resistance than that of the microcrystalline pure iron. The interaction of different cell lines reveals that the nanocrystalline pure iron stimulates better proliferation of fibroblast cells and preferable promotion of endothelialization, while inhibits effectively the viability of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The burst of red cells and adhesion of the platelets were also substantially suppressed on contact with the nanocrystalline pure iron in blood circulation. A clear ...
Ekpyrotic and cyclic cosmologies provide theories of the very early and of the very late universe. In these models, the big bang is described as a collision of branes - and thus the big bang is not the beginning of time. Before the big bang, there is an ekpyrotic phase with equation of state w=P/({rho}) >>1 (where P is the average pressure and {rho} the average energy density) during which the universe slowly contracts. This phase resolves the standard cosmological puzzles and generates a nearly scale-invariant spectrum of cosmological perturbations containing a significant non-Gaussian component. At the same time it produces small-amplitude gravitational waves with a blue spectrum. The dark energy dominating the present-day cosmological evolution is reinterpreted as a small attractive force between our brane and a parallel one. This force eventually induces a new ekpyrotic phase and a new brane collision, leading to the idea of a cyclic universe. This review discusses ...
This study evaluates the effect of gamma radiation on the viability of fungi and actinomycetes that contaminate medicinal plants. The relationship between the total lipids of some fungi and actinomycetes and their sensitivity to gamma radiation is also investigated. The data reveal that the viable counts of these florae decrease approximately exponentially with the radiation dose, the effective dose for the elimination of these microorganisms being about 5 kGy for all the medicinal plants under study. Response of pure cultures of fungi and actinomycetes isolated from medicinal plants to increasing absorbed doses of gamma radiation indicate that an increase in radioresistance is in the following order: Streptomyces rimosus, Fusarium solani, Nocardia kuroishii. F. oxysporum, A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. parasiticus and A. ochraceus. The total lipid contents of molds and actinomycetes have been reported to be increased by increasing the radio-resistance of ...
The Drosophila melanogaster tissue-specific transcription factor NTF-1 was originally identified in vitro as a protein that could bind to and activate transcription from the Dopa decarboxylase (Ddc) gene. A structure-function analysis of NTF-1 led to the identification of a discrete amino-terminal activation domain. Here, we report that an NTF-1 mutant lacking the activation domain acts as a trans-dominant inhibitor of NTF-1 activation in tissue culture cells by forming inactive heterodimers with the full-length protein. Ectopically expressing this dominant-negative protein or the full-length protein in developing Drosophila embryos leads to dire developmental consequences. Overexpressing the trans-dominant NTF-1 leads to lethality, while overexpressing full-length NTF-1 results in both lethality and morphogenetic defects. Our results suggest that both the activity and the regulation of NTF-1 are critical for viability and proper development of the fly.ImagesFig. ...
Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-4 has a crucial role on primordial germ cells (PGCs) development in vivo which can promote stem cell differentiation to PG-like cells. In this study, we investigated the expression of Mvh as one of the specific genes in primordial germ cells after treatment with different doses of BMP4 on bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)-derived PGCs. Following isolation of BMSCs from male mouse femur and tibia, cells were cultured in medium for 72?h. Passage 4 murine BMSCs were characterized by CD90, CD105, CD34, and CD45 markers and osteo-adipogenic differentiation. Different doses of BMP4 (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 5, 25, 50, and 100?ng/ml) were added to BMSCs for PGCs differentiation during 4-days culture. Viability percent, proliferation rates, and expression of Mvh gene wer...
This official IEA report is a deliverable of IEA SHC Task 21/IEA BCS Annex 29: Daylight in Buildings. The Task focuses on daylighting systems and strategies which can be applied in new and existing buildings with a high potential electricity saving potential such as offices, schools, commercial, and institutional buildings. The daylighting performance of these strategies and systems is tested in laboratory facilities, through modeling, and in real case study buildings. This paper provides methods and procedures to evaluate the daylighting performance of real buildings. Annex 29 case studies located in Europe, North America, and Australia. It is a deliverable of Subtask D research projects. The main objective of Subtask D, as stated in the Implementing Agreement of Task 21/Annex 29, is `to demonstrate the viability of daylighting buildings in various world climatic zones as a means of achieving significant improvements in building energy efficiency while maintaining ...
Elevated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-@kB) activity and interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion participates in the pathology of several age and inflammatory-related diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), in which retinal pigment epithelial cells are the key target. Recent findings reveal that heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) may affect regulation of NF-@kB. In the current study, effects of Hsp70 expression on NF-@kB RelA/p65 activity were evaluated in human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19) by using celastrol, a novel anti-inflammatory compound. Anti-inflammatory properties of celastrol were determined by measuring expression levels of IL-6 and endogenous NF-@kB levels during lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Cell viabil...
A generic reactor model is used to examine the economic viability of electricity generation by magnetic fusion. The simple model uses components which are representative of those used in previous reactor studies of deuterium-tritium burning tokamaks, stellarators, bumpy tori, reverse field pinches and tandem mirrors. Conservative costing assumptions are made. The generic reactor is not a tokamak but rather it is intended to emphasize what is common to all magnetic fusion reactors. The reactor uses a superconducting toroidal coil set to produce the dominant magnetic field. To this extent it is a less good approximation to systems, such as the reversed field pinch in which the main field is produced by a plasma current. The main output of the study is the cost of electricity as a function of the weight and size of the fusion core - blanket, shield, structure and coils. The model shows that a 1200 MW/sub e/ power plant with a fusion core weight of about 10,000 tonnes ...
The conversion of off-peak surplus electricity into peak electricity through an electrolyzer, hydrogen storage, and fuel cell energy storage system was discussed. Development efforts in high pressure alkaline electrolysis and Proton-Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells have improved the near-term viability of these systems. Potential use of wind turbines and other renewable energy-based generation systems, through hydrogen-based energy storage, were discussed as a new supply of surplus electricity. An integrated set of nomographs were presented for providing quick estimates of peak electricity costs derived from an electrolyzer/hydrogen fuel cell system. The nomographs allowed first order cost comparisons of centralized versus distributed hydrogen energy systems considering trade-offs between production economies of scale and hydrogen storage and transport costs. Use of the nomographs to compare centralized and dispersed systems was demonstrated. Results showed that ...
An exposure chamber is described for the quantifiable addition of fine and ultrafine aerosol particulate matter directly to cells and used to demonstrate the in vitro cytotoxicity of fine 1,4-naphthoquinone particles to murine lung epithelial cells. The electrostatic particulate dosage and exposure system (EPDExS) operates on the principle of electrostatic precipitation and is shown to deposit fine and ultrafine aerosol particles directly to cells with 100% efficiency for particle diameters in the range of 40-530nm. This range is not limited by the EPDExS, but rather by the aerosolization method used for this study. Numbers of particles deposited onto the cells are counted with a condensation particle counter, negating any need to calculate or estimate particle exposure. The process of particle introduction, assessed using Trypan blue dye exclusion, had no effect on cell viability. In combination with a differential mobility classifier, the EPDExS can deliver ...
Intracapsular femoral neck fractures remain unsolved fractures even after improvement in techniques of diagnosis and internal fixation. Individuals who sustain displaced femoral neck fractures are at high risk of developing avascular necrosis and non-union. Although several methods for predicting the viability of femoral head have been reported, they are not effective or widely used because of unreliability, potential complications and technical difficulties. Dynamic MRI was introduced in the recent past as a simple, non-invasive technique to predict the femoral head viability after the femoral neck fractures. In this study role of dynamic MRI was studied in 30 patients with 31 intracapsular femoral neck fractures. Fractures were divided in to three types according to dynamic curve patterns on MRI evaluation and were followed up for 6 months to 2 years to observe the final outcome. Sensitivity, Specificity and the Accuracy of dynamic MRI in ...
Intracapsular femoral neck fractures remain unsolved fractures even after improvement in techniques of diagnosis and internal fixation. Individuals who sustain displaced femoral neck fractures are at high risk of developing avascular necrosis and non-union. Although several methods for predicting the viability of femoral head have been reported, they are not effective or widely used because of unreliability, potential complications and technical difficulties. Dynamic MRI was introduced in the recent past as a simple, non-invasive technique to predict the femoral head viability after the femoral neck fractures. In this study role of dynamic MRI was studied in 30 patients with 31 intracapsular femoral neck fractures. Fractures were divided in to three types according to dynamic curve patterns on MRI evaluation and were followed up for 6 months to 2 years to observe the final outcome. Sensitivity, Specificity and the Accuracy of dynamic MRI in ...
SiC-AlN and SiC-SiAlON refractory composites were obtained by means of nitridation of the mixtures of silicon carbide (SiC) powder with a broad granulometric distribution and powders of aluminium (Al) and aluminium-silicon (Al-Si) mixtures. The mixtures of the composition Al-25% Si, Al-50% Si and Al-75% Si were previously prepared by means of 'mechanical alloying' technique. Thermodynamic analysis was accomplished in order to evaluate the viability of SiC-SiAlON and SiC-AlN refractories production by the chosen processing method, and the results confirmed viability of such. Investigation of nitridation of Al and Al-Si powder compacts in order to obtain the AlN and #beta#-SiAlON matrix phases of the composite was accomplished by means of differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). The results of the thermal analysis show that nitridation of the Al-25% Si, Al-50% Si and Al-75% Si resulting in p-SiAlON formation occur ...
The authors describe an effect of suppression of invasion of the guinea pig eye conjunctiva and the HEp-2 epithelial cells by virulent Sh. flexneri bacilli, with a simultaneous administration of the same dose of avirulent shigella mutants, genetically connected with them. The data of morphological study and experiments with 3H-glucose labeled shigellae carried out on the cell species model indicated that the bacterial competition for the specific sites for absorption on the epithelial cells underlay the observed phenomenon. PMID:331774
The most common causes of omental sac collections (OSC) are necrotic pancreatitis (90%) and pancreatic trauma (10%). Acute OSC is a form of local peritonitis in acute pancreatitis, subacute OSC are caused by internal pancreatic fistulas. The clinical and radiological signs, enzymatic activity of the exudate, morphological features of peritonitis were investigated. Treatment of acute OSC included conservative measures, of subacute OSC-surgical procedures. PMID:9163152
The diffusion of alkali vapours in the anode compartment of a DIR-MCFC produces the deactivation of the internal reforming catalyst. Sets of ceramic porous membranes purposed to limit the diffusion have been manufactured by different techniques and the influence of the preparation technique and of the preparative variables on the morphological characteristics of the membranes structures has been studied.
A total of 213 treated and 16 control monkeys comprising 12 experimental groups was evaluated for determination of the long-term (10 years) effects of various dosages of a variety of synthetic oral...Full Text Available
The paper is concerned with the results of a morphological study following chemoradiotherapy in 25 patients with Ewing's sarcoma and 14 patients with reticulum cell carcoma. The signs of therapeutic pathomophosis were observed in the first 3 days, and substitution of the connective tissue for a necrotized tumor started by the 3rd-4th week after the initiation of therapy. In some cases tumor growth and recurrences at the site of a treated tumor were observed.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the resin-dentin interfacial morphology and shear bond strength of several new and experimental dentin bonding systems classified as single-bottle/total etch, multi-step/total etch, and self-etching. Class 1 and 5 cavities were prepared from freshly extracted permanent molars and restored with composite resin. Each bonded sample was cross sectioned and one-half was completely demineralized and deproteinized, while the other half was polished along the cut surface to permit measurement of the thickness of resin-infiltrated dentin layer (RIDL) within intertubular dentin (iRIDL) and around the peritubular walls (pRIDL) of resin tags by SEM. Shear bond strength was measured for all the systems 2 minutes after photocuring. SEM showed iRIDL and resin tags of different morphology depending on material and dentin location. The iRIDL was thinner in superficial dentin and thicker in deep dentin. Peritubular RIDL ...
Abstract A diacrylate polysulfone oligomer is synthesized and used as the acrylic oligomer for the in situ synthesis of noble metal/PSU nanocomposites through UV-induced simultaneous radical polymerization of acrylic functionalities and NP formation by reduction of their precursors. Thus, silver or gold NPs are formed in situ during polymer network formation. FESEM analysis of the morphology of the cured systems demonstrates that the nanoparticles of the noble metals are homogeneously distributed in the network without macroscopic agglomeration.
The research project for which this is the final report was initiated in 1977 with the following three major objectives: Assess the retention potential for spilled oil within the coastal environments of Alaska's Beaufort Sea; Characterize the morphology and sediments of the Beaufort coast; Determine, as precisely as possible, the annual longshore sediment transport rate.
The optical, electromagnetic and mechanical properties of thin films (TFs) are directly correlated to their morphology at the nanoscale. This, in concert with the fact that new deposition techniques are enabling the growth of thin films with very complex morphologies, there is an increasing interest in model-based simulation (MBS) for the design of engineering structures (including nanostructures), and increasing computer speeds are beginning to make MBS an effective design tool capable of bridging the nanoscale with the continuum scale, has made it increasingly important to understand how the nanostructure of a thin film impacts its properties at all length scales. The authors have developed the capability to determine the mechanical properties of thin films with amorphous nanostructure by combining molecular dynamics, i.e., position of particles (e.g., atoms or molecules) and their interatomic potential(s), with continuum mechanics ...
To study the role in AIDS pathogenesis of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Tat protein, a transactivator of viral and cellular genes, we generated transgenic mice with a recombinant DNA...Full Text Available
The paper intends to lay down the fundamentals of normal mineralisation in the perinatal phase as a basis for investigations of disturbed mineralisation. Data are presented on the percentage area of the mineralized osseous tissue, the osteocyte density, and the mineral contents of healthy bones at this age. Comparative morphological examinations of thin bone sections and microradiographs give a picture of bone development at this age. (orig./AJ).
Testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs) of adolescents and adults morphologically mimic different stages of embryogenesis. Established cell lines of these cancers are used as informative models to study...Full Text Available
Certain transition metal chalcogenides are promising materials for use as cathodes in nonaqueous lithium batteries involving the intercalation into these layered compounds. The electrochemical behavior of the chalcogenides depends on various properties such as structure, stoichiometry, electrical conductivity, crystal morphology, etc. The influence of these properties and of the ultimate practical application of the battery on the selection of cathode material is discussed. Battery performance of selected cathode materials is discussed and life limitations due to the limited cycle life of lithium anodes are outlined. 15 refs.
To assess which specific morphologic features, enhancement patterns, or pharmacokinetic parameters on breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) could predict a false-negative outcome of Proton...Full Text Available
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is composed of tubules, sheets, and three-way junctions, resulting in a highly conserved polygonal network in all eukaryotes. The molecular mechanisms responsible for...Full Text Available
Silicon/carbon composite anode materials were prepared by pyrolyzing the phenol-formaldehyde resin (PFR) mixed with silicon and graphite powders. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observation showed that the morphology stability of the composite electrodes can be retained during cycling. A structure evolution mechanism is proposed to illuminate the enhancement of cycleability of the composite electrode. The composite used as anode material for lithium ion batteries possesses a reversible capacity of over 700 mAh/g.
Effect of ultrasonic-wave irradiation on the Mn-Zn ferrite powder suspension prepared by solid-state reaction and alcoholic dehydration methods was investigated. Size, distribution, and morphology of the powders prepared at different temperatures were examined, as a function of irradiation time. It was observed that the powders were reduced in size by ultrasonic energy through distinct routes. 8 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab.
In this paper, aluminium nitride synthesis is carried out by direct laser irradiation onto an aluminium target surface in a nitrogen containing atmosphere. The influence of various processing parameters on the microstructure of AlN thin films is investigated in order to improve their tribological properties. The main microstructural characteristics: nature, concentration, in depth distribution and morphology of various phases are studied versus processing parameters by TEM and GIXD. (author). 2 refs., 1 fig., 2 photos.
In this paper, aluminium nitride synthesis is carried out by direct laser irradiation onto an aluminium target surface in a nitrogen containing atmosphere. The influence of various processing parameters on the microstructure of AlN thin films is investigated in order to improve their tribological properties. The main microstructural characteristics: nature, concentration, in depth distribution and morphology of various phases are studied versus processing parameters by TEM and GIXD. (author). 2 refs., 1 fig., 2 photos.
A) diffuse bilayer, B) spontaneously formed multilayer, and C) vertically homogenous thin films, are fabricated. The photocurrent/voltage performance is compared and it is found that the self-stratified structure (B) yields the highest energy conversion efficiency. (Abstract Copyright [2009], Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)
The oceanic bathypelagic realm (1000–4000 m) is a nutrient-poor habitat. Most fishes living there have pelagic larvae using the rich waters of the upper 200 m. Morphological...Full Text Available
Computed tomographic findings in developmental brain anomalies are more easily classified when the system used is based on embryogenesis related to morphology. Analysis of computed tomographic findings in a series of 154 patients with brain anomalies (Chiari malformation not included) revealed that specific examples of abnormalities occurring in major stages of brain development may be recognized by computed tomography. This paper deals with a group of patients with abnormalities that reflect a disturbance in neuronal migration. (orig.).
Nicotiana glutinosa compensated for a mutated tumor-morphology-shooty (tms) (auxin biosynthesis) locus of Agrobacterlum tumefaciens strain A66 and...Full Text Available
Deposition of CN-based films by a novel version of active screen plasma nitriding, aiming at surface modification of polymers, is reported. The approach relies on the use of pure graphite as the grid material, which was found to act both as an active screen and as a dry source of carbon atoms for the synthesis of thin films consisting mainly of a stoichiometric CN layer with columnar-type structure and dome-like nanostructured morphology.
References covering the years 1904-80 are listed under the following headings: cultivation and occurrence (India and Pakistan, Africa, South America, Pacific, Middle East); Taxonomy, morphology, variation and selection; Reference works and reviews; Ecology of Prosopis (General effects on surrounding soil and vegetation): Physiology (General, Roots, Growth, Hydrology, Saline tolerance); Control of mesquite: Propagation (Germination and other nursery techniques, Vegetative propagation): and Utilization (General, Chemical analyses, Food and Ethnobiology, Fodder, Wood, Charcoal, Gum, Paper). 141 references.
Two hazard risk assessment matrices for the ranking of occupational health risks are described. The qualitative matrix uses qualitative measures of probability and consequence to determine risk assessment codes for hazard-disease combinations. A walk-through survey of an underground metalliferous mine and concentrator is used to demonstrate how the qualitative matrix can be applied to determine priorities for the control of occupational health hazards. The semi-quantitative matrix uses attributable risk as a quantitative measure of probability and uses qualitative measures of consequence. A practical application of this matrix is the determination of occupational health priorities using existing epidemiological studies. Calculated attributable risks from epidemiological studies of hazard-disease combinations in mining and minerals processing are used as examples. These historic response data do not reflect the risks associated with current ...
Quantitative bone scans were evaluated in 16 patients with osteoporosis and in a control group of 7 healthy subjects. Along with a detailed biochemical analysis of calcium-phosphorus metabolism and standartized reongenographs, a quantitative dynamic bone scintigraphy was performed according to the method proposed by the authors. The bone-accumulating factor K_b was determined on the base of mathematical analysis of the graph reflecting activity changes in bone tissue unit during the investigation, the blood-elimination factor K_h and kidney-elimination factor K_k. In addition the accumulation index AI (in %) was calculated as a relation between the activity in bone tissue unit, registered in 20 min interval, and the activity in soft tissues for the same time. Whereas the static gamma camera scintigraphy, made 3-4 hrs after injecting of the osteotrope radiopharmaceuticals, showed no specific changes in the patients examined, the method proposed ...
The effect of various forms of treatment of renal osteodystrophy was evaluated in 25 dialysis patients by quantitative bone scintigraphy, using 99m-Tc-HEDP. The results were compared with those of biochemical and bone morphometric studies. The total skeletal activity (TSA) decreased in 5 patients after transplantation, in 11 after parathyroidectomy and in 6 out of 9 treated conservatively, but did not normalize in any of the patients. Bone morphometric evaluation of treatment, which could be performed in 19 of the 20 patients who did not receive a transplant, demonstrated a reduction in the degree of hyperparathyroidism in 17 patients (89 percent). Osteoid excess was reduced in 13 patients (68 percent) but an evident reduction of osteomalacic osteoid, i.e. improvement of osteomalacia, occurred in only 4 patients (21 percent). Changes in the TSA correlated significantly with the changes in the biochemical and histological parameters of hyperparathyroidism, but not ...
The effect of various forms of treatment of renal osteodystrophy was evaluated in 25 dialysis patients by quantitative bone scintigraphy, using 99m-Tc-HEDP. The results were compared with those of biochemical and bone morphometric studies. The total skeletal activity (TSA) decreased in 5 patients after transplantation, in 11 after parathyroidectomy and in 6 out of 9 treated conservatively, but did not normalize in any of the patients. Bone morphometric evaluation of treatment, which could be performed in 19 of the 20 patients who did not receive a transplant, demonstrated a reduction in the degree of hyperparathyroidism in 17 patients (89 per cent). Osteoid excess was reduced in 13 patients (68 per cent) but an evident reduction of osteomalacic osteoid, i.e. improvement of osteomalacia, occurred in only 4 patients (21 per cent). Changes in the TSA correlated significantly with the changes in the biochemical and histological parameters of hyperparathyroidism, but ...
The diffusion of ion beam injected self-interstitials (I) and their interaction with impurities in crystalline Si has been investigated and modeled. In particular, the I-substitutional carbon (C) interactions have been studied, using a molecular-beam-epitaxy grown Si{sub 1-y}C{sub y} layer interposed between the shallow I-source and a deeper B-spike (marker for I-concentration). Substitutional C atoms are shown to trap I's, to be removed from their substitutional sites, and to form stable precipitates into the C-rich region. The I-trapping mechanism was quantitatively studied by a simulation code. The reactions causing trapping and deactivation are described. In addition, the boron markers approach was extended to the two dimensional (2D) diffusion. High resolution scanning capacitance microscopy was used for quantitative measurements of the 2D boron transient enhanced diffusion induced on a boron delta array by the I's ion ...
The diffusion of ion beam injected self-interstitials (I) and their interaction with impurities in crystalline Si has been investigated and modeled. In particular, the I-substitutional carbon (C) interactions have been studied, using a molecular-beam-epitaxy grown Si_1_-_yC_y layer interposed between the shallow I-source and a deeper B-spike (marker for I-concentration). Substitutional C atoms are shown to trap I's, to be removed from their substitutional sites, and to form stable precipitates into the C-rich region. The I-trapping mechanism was quantitatively studied by a simulation code. The reactions causing trapping and deactivation are described. In addition, the boron markers approach was extended to the two dimensional (2D) diffusion. High resolution scanning capacitance microscopy was used for quantitative measurements of the 2D boron transient enhanced diffusion induced on a boron delta array by the I's ion beam injected through a ...
The United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM) tests the quantitative fit of masks which are worn by military personnel during nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare. Subjects are placed in a Dynatech-Frontier Fit Testing Chamber, salt air is fed into the chamber, and samples of air are drawn from the mask and the chamber. The ratio of salt air outside the mask to salt air inside the mask is called the quantitative fit factor. A motion-time study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of the layout and work method presently used in the laboratory. A link analysis was done to determine equipment priorities, and the link data and design guidelines were used to develop three proposed laboratory designs. The proposals were evaluated by projecting the time and motion efficiency, and the energy expended working in each design. Also evaluated were the lengths of the equipment links for each proposal, and each ...
In 576 patients quantitative scintigraphy of the sacroiliac joints and the spinal cord with "9"9"mTc-pyrophosphate was performed. 328 were patients with proven ankylosing spondylitis according to the New York criteria. 120 were patients with a clinically and roentgenologically suspected ankylosing spondylitis and 128 persons formed a healthy control group. The count rate in small regions of interest (ROI) in the sacroiliac joints, the spinal cord and the os sacrum were compared on the basis of indexes. The scintigraphic data of patients with ankylosing spondylitis were compared with the healthy control group and with the radiographic findings and radiologic staging of the disease. In a longitudinal follow-up study during 1 to 6 years these investigations were continued together with clinical and roentgenological checks. Quantitative bone scintigraphy provides characteristic indexes for ankylosing spondylitis, indicating the increased mineral ...
In 620 patients quantitative bone scintigraphy with "9"9"mTc pyrophosphate of the sacroiliac joints and of the spine was performed: 365 patients with confirmed ankylosing spondylitis, 125 patients with clinical radiological suspicion for ankylosing spondylitis (probable Bechterev) and control group of 130 healthy individuals. By comparison of the activity in zones of interest of the sacroiliac joints, the spine and sacrum, the following indices were determined: sacroiliac (separately for the left and right sacroiliac joints), index D_1_0/sacrum, index L_4/sacrum and index C_7/sacrum. The scintigraphic finding was compared to the X-ray one and to the radiological stage of the disease. A long-term follow-up of the patients was carried out during 1-6 years with scintigraphic, X-ray and clinical investigations. Emphasis was laid upon the posibilities for quantitative scintigraphy for early diagnostics of ankylosing spondylitis. The combination of ...
Quantitative hepatic scintiangiography was previously used for evaluating the relative contribution of hepatic arterial and portal venous blood flows to the hepatic circulation. The present study compares 3 different procedures (automatic and manual integration, and slope fitting methods) for analyzing the hepatic time activity curves obtained after bolus i.v. injection of 370 MBq /sup 99m/Tc-diethylentriaminopentacetic acid. Twenty five subjects were studied: Five controls, ten cirrhotics, and ten portal hypertensive patients previously submitted to side to side portacaval anastomosis. The correspondence between results given by the different methods was satisfactory only in shunted patients, and the reproducibility of computed parameters was quite poor for all procedures. Accordingly, none of the methods can be considered as supporting reliable quantitative pathophysiological evaluations. However, the hepatic arterial/portal venous flow ratio ...
We report on a hard X-ray phase imaging microscopy (a phase-difference microscopy) that consists of an objective and a transmission grating. The simple optical system provides a quantitative phase image, and does not need a wave field mostly coherent on the objective. Our method has a spatial resolution almost same as that of the absorption contrast microscope image obtained by removing the grating. We demonstrate how our approach provides a phase image from experimentally obtained images. Our approach is attractive for easily appending a quantitative phase-sensitive mode to normal X-ray microscopes, and has potentially broad applications in biology and material sciences.
Methods for the synthesis and quantitation of the novel choline analogues, telluronium choline and acetyltelluronium choline, are described. An assay procedure utilizing pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) with cold trapping was developed with [2H4]telluronium choline and [2H4]acetyltelluronium choline as internal standards. The telluronium compounds were ion-pair extracted from tissue with dipicrylamine, washed with 2-butanone, and pyrolyzed prior to GC-MS analysis. The compounds were monitored using selected ion monitoring at m/z 232 and m/z 190 for acetyltelluronium and telluronium choline, respectively, and at m/z 236 and m/z 194 for the analogous deuterated internal standards. The assay was linear over a range of 20 pmol-20 nmol of compound taken through the assay. PMID:8130881
Sustainable development of geothermal resources is the key to prolong the commercial life of geothermal fields. This paper uses two well-known geothermal fields in China, with long histories of production, to demonstrate how sustainability can be quantitatively evaluated, and to highlight the essential differences between sustainable and non-sustainable development schemes. After examining the complex nature of sustainability evaluation, fuzzy synthetic evaluation is applied as a tool for the quantitative sustainability rating of geothermal reservoirs. The evaluation procedures include systemic criteria selection, weighing, individual criterion evaluation and finally final multi-criterion decision analysis evaluation. The sustainability of a limestone reservoir in the urban sector of Tianj...
Quantitative determination of Broensted acid site concentrations in calcined H-mordenite and H-ZSM-5 by means of conductometric titration and infrared spectroscopy reveals that the concentration of Broensted acid sites present is lower than would be expected on the basis of the aluminum content. This discrepancy is attributed to dealumination and dehydroxylation processes occurring during calcination. A model is proposed according to which the degree of these processes strongly depends on the concentration of vicinal aluminum T sites in the zeolite: Broensted acid sites associated with these T sites are lost, and the remaining Broensted acidity is related to the concentration of the (remaining) isolated aluminum T sites. This model quantitatively correlates the experimentally determined concentration of Broensted acid sites with the concentration of isolated aluminum T sites. 33 refs., 4 figs., 2 tabs.
The Structural Aging (SAG) Program is carried out by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) under sponsorship of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC). The Program has evolved from preliminary studies conducted to evaluate the long-term environmental challenges to light-water reactor safety-related concrete civil structures. An important conclusion of these studies was that a damage methodology, which can provide a quantitative measure of a concrete structure's durability with respect to potential future requirements, needs to be developed. Under the SAG Program, this issue is being addressed through: establishment of a structural materials information center, evaluation of structural component assessment and repair technologies, and development of a quantitative methodology for structural aging determinations. Progress to date of each of these activities is presented as well as future plans. 7 refs., 5 figs.
Even though the currently intensive research efforts on high- temperature superconducting materials have not yet converged on a well specified practical material, the indications are that such a material may be quite brittle, anisotropic, and may contain many flaws such as microcracks and voids at grain boundaries. Consequently, practical applications of high temperature superconducting materials will require a very careful strength analysis based on fracture mechanics considerations. Because of the high sensitivity of the strength of such materials to the presence of defects, methods of quantitative non-destructive evaluation may be expected to play an important role in strength determinations. This proposal is concerned with the use of ultrasonic methods to detect and characterize isolated cracks, clusters of microcracks and microcracks distributed throughout the material. Particular attention has been, and will continue to be devoted to relating ultrasonic ...
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.
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
A Quantitative Computed Tomography (QCT) method, simplifying the well-known technique proposed by Genant (1982) and applied to a standard third generation whole body CT scanner is described. This technique was applied in the measurement of the trabecular bone which has high sensitivity for metabolic changes. The BMC (Bone Mineral Content) measured in different groups of subjects (healthy postmenopausal patients versus women with postmenopausal osteoporosis) showed a highly significant difference (p<0.001). The precision of repositioning (coefficient of variation 1.8% to 2.3%, obtained in healty male patients) and the good, linear relationship computed from the phantom values, minimize measurement errors. Since this method is quickly applied and involves low-dose radiation-exposure, it could be introduced in the clinical study of metabolic bone diseases.
In this paper we present the results of time series analysis for a coal mining region based on partial unmixing. We test the method also known as mixture tuned matched filtering on an eight image Landsat 5 TM and Landsat 7 ETM+ time series covering the period from 1987 to 2003. Common change detection methods often include the comparison of two interactively generated classification results, such as derived from Maximum Likelihood classification. These approaches often yield highly accurate results. However, disadvantages include a strong analyst bias and hardly repeatable results. For a quantitative monitoring of a single surface class' development over time they are often not recommendable. Our goal was to test an unbiased quantitative way to assess the development of coal surfaces, such...
We summarize recent developments in x-ray microscopy of polymers by focusing on the characterization of organic electronic devices. The quantitative compositions of model polymer blends have been mapped at a resolution of {approx}35 nm. Since it could be inferred that these devices have structures smaller than 35 nm, quantitative compositional mapping at length scales below the present resolution limit of x-ray microscopy is required. Organic devices thus serve to both highlight the success of NEXAFS microscopy to date, but to also outline the very real need for higher spatial resolution. New approaches to create improved optics or different acquisition modalities are required if x-ray microscopy is to make sustained contributions to such an important area of research as organic devices.
In this paper, a robust water level control system for the horizontal steam generator (SG) using the quantitative feedback theory (QFT) method is presented. To design a robust QFT controller for the nonlinear uncertain SG, control oriented linear models are identified. Then, the nonlinear system is modeled as an uncertain linear time invariant (LTI) system. The robust designed controller is applied to the nonlinear plant model. This nonlinear model is based on a locally linear neuro-fuzzy (LLNF) model. This model is trained using the locally linear model tree (LOLIMOT) algorithm. Finally, simulation results are employed to show the effectiveness of the designed QFT level controller. It is shown that it will ensure the entire designer's water level closed loop specifications.
In the process of backward Raman amplification (BRA), the leading layers of the seed laser pulse can shadow the rear layers, thus weakening the effective seeding power and affecting parameters of output pulses in BRA. We study this effect numerically and also analytically by approximating the pumped pulse by the ''*-pulse'' manifold of self-similar solutions. We determine how the pumped pulse projection moves within the *-pulse manifold, and describe quantitatively the effective seeding power evolution. Our results extend the quantitative theory of BRA to regimes where the effective seeding power varies substantially during the amplification. These results might be of broader interest, since the basic equations, are general equations for resonant 3-wave interactions.
We discuss some methods to quantitatively investigate the properties of correlation matrices. Correlation matrices play an important role in portfolio optimization and in several other quantitative descriptions of asset price dynamics in financial markets. Specifically, we discuss how to define and obtain hierarchical trees, correlation based trees and networks from a correlation matrix. The hierarchical clustering and other procedures performed on the correlation matrix to detect statistically reliable aspects of the correlation matrix are seen as filtering procedures of the correlation matrix. We also discuss a method to associate a hierarchically nested factor model to a hierarchical tree obtained from a correlation matrix. The information retained in filtering procedures and its stability with respect to statistical fluctuations is quantified by using the Kullback-Leibler distance.
Mechanobiological theories have been introduced to illustrate the interaction between biology and the local mechanical environment during bone healing. Although several theories have been proposed, a quantitative validation using histomorphometric data is still missing. In this study, in vivo histological data based on an ovine animal experiment was quantified and used to validate bone healing simulations focussing on the endochondral ossification process. The bone formation at different callus regions (periosteal and endosteal bone at the medial and lateral side) was analyzed from in vivo data and quantitatively compared with in silico results. A histomorphometric difference was found in medial and lateral hard callus formation 3 weeks after osteotomy. However, the same amount of new bone...
The author presents a detailed and quantitative description of all of the programs, systems, sensors and experiments associated with the next 30 years of space endeavors by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Derived from the fifth issue of the NASA Space Systems Technology Model, the missions and payloads are categorized by applications area: solar system exploration, astrophysics, earth sciences, communications, space transportation and utilization of the space environment. Far-term missions are described as opportunity missions and landmark missions, for the distant future. Technology requirements are collected by discipline: power, propulsion, materials, structures, information systems, navigation, guidance and control. Payload technology requirements are organized by instrument sensing range. This information defines in quantitative terms, the opportunities and limits for future civilian space system capabilities.
Calcaneus quantitative ultrasound (QUS) assessment is a safe and reliable method for evaluating skeletal status. Until now, considerable data have been accumulated on the distribution of QUS in Caucasian populations, whereas such data are still insufficient in Asian populations, especially in Chinese mainland. The present study aimed to obtain the distribution characteristic of calcaneus QUS in healthy Chinese women, and to further investigate the distribution of low bone mass by QUS stiffness index (SI). This study included 2,498 healthy Chinese females aged 10-87 yr. The QUS exhibited a characteristic mild rise and then fall pattern with increasing age. Age, body height, and weight were significant influencing factors on SI, especially age and weight. The prevalence of osteoporosis detec...
We have recently introduced several important improvements in the measurement of distillation curves for complex fluids. The modifications include a composition-explicit data channel for each distillate fraction (for both qualitative and quantitative analysis) and corrosivity assessment of each distillate fraction. The composition-explicit information is achieved with a new sampling approach that allows precise qualitative as well as quantitative analyses of each fraction, on the fly. We have applied the new method to a variety of fluids, including simple n-alkanes, rocket propellant, gasoline, jet fuels, and a hydrocarbon fluid made corrosive with dissolved hydrogen sulfide. In the current contribution, we present the application of the advanced distillation curve method to two samples of...
Ab initio lattice dynamics based on linear response method are performed for high pressure phase of yttrium to describe electron-phonon coupling and subsequent superconducting behavior. The critical temperature Tc in fcc-Y increases monotonically with pressure up to 9.25 K at 31 GPa, which is quantitatively in excellent agreement with two quasihydrostatic experiments and is qualitatively compatible with recent experiments. The excellent agreement with experiments gives us a better understanding of the effective pseudopotential ?* as well as spectral function ?2(?)F(?) in yttrium. These results demonstrate that there exists strong electron-phonon coupling in Y within the studied pressure regime, and for lower pressure electron correlation becomes stronger. Generally, it is found that superconductivity in yttrium under pressure can be described quantitatively within standard theory of phonon-mediated superconductivity.
Calibration-Free Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (CF-LIBS) has been proposed several years ago as an approach for quantitative analysis of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy spectra. Recently developed refinement of the spectral processing method is described in the present work. Accurate quantitative results have been demonstrated for several metallic alloys. However, the degree of accuracy that can be achieved with Calibration-Free Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy analysis of generic samples still needs to be thoroughly investigated. The authors have undertaken a systematic study of errors and biasing factors affecting the calculation in the Calibration-Free Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy spectra processing. These factors may be classified in three main groups: 1) experi...
Nowadays there are many sun-protection cosmetics incorporating organic or inorganic UV filters as active ingredients. Chemically stable inorganic sunscreen agents, usually metal oxides, are widely employed in high-SPF (sun protection factor) products. Titanium dioxide is one of the most frequently used inorganic UV filters. It has been used as a pigment for a long period of cosmetic history. With the development of micronization techniques, it has become possible to incorporate titanium dioxide in sunscreen formulations without the previous whitening effect, and hence its use in cosmetics has become an important research topic. However, there are very few works related to quantitation of titanium dioxide in sunscreen products. In this research, we analysed the amounts of titanium dioxide i...
... Risk (Adverse) for Endangered Species: Risk to aquatic species if anticipated pesticide residue levels equal one-fifth of LD10 or one-tenth of LC50; risk to ...terrestrial species if anticipated pesticide residue levels equal one-fifth of LC10 or one-tenth of LC50. Risk Assessment: Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the ... Risk for Non-Endangered Species: Risk to species if anticipated pesticide residue levels are equal to or greater than LC50. Risk Management: The process ...
The authors have localized and characterized 2-125I-iodomelatonin binding sites in the chicken brain using in vitro quantitative autoradiography. Binding sites were widely distributed throughout the chicken brain, predominantly in regions associated with the visual system. The specific binding of 2-125I-iodomelatonin to discrete chicken brain areas was found to be saturable, reversible, and of high affinity. The specific binding of 2-125I-iodomelatonin (75 pm) was quantitated for 40 identifiable brain regions. Eight brain regions were chosen for binding characterization and pharmacological analysis: optic tectum, Edinger-Westphal nucleus, oculomotor nucleus, nucleus rotundus, ventral supraoptic decussation, ventrolateral geniculate nucleus, neostriatum, and ectostriatum. These regions showed no rostral-caudal gradient in 2-125I-iodomelatonin specific binding, and saturation analysis revealed a single class of high-affinity sites with KD values ...
Grain yield is a major goal for the improvement of durum wheat, particularly in drought-prone areas. In this study, the genetic basis of grain yield (GY), heading date (HD), and plant height (PH) was...Full Text Available
We compute the potential for localized closed string tachyons in bosonic string theory on the orbifold C/Z{sub 4} using level-truncated closed string field theory. The critical points of the potential exhibit features which agree with their conjectured identification as lower-order orbifolds. However this case also raises some questions regarding the quantitative predictions associated with these conjectures. (author)
The authors study the nonuniformity of a-Si:H films obtained by the method of vacuum condensation, with the help of x-ray small-angle scattering (SLS) and transmission electron microscopy. Films of hydrogenated amorphous silicon are greatest interest, because the electronic properties of this material can be controlled by doping. As a result of the compensation of the ruptured bonds, and possibly, effects of melting, the properties of such films are analogous to those of singlecrystalline silicon. XLS enables a quantitative determination of the prameters of the regions of low electron density (RLD) in such objects.
Based on a literature study an actual summary of the risk-utility problems in X-ray diagnosis is outlined due to the Recommendations of the International Commission for Radiation Protection (ICRP publication 26/1977). Papers demonstrating quantitative assessment of the somatic and genetical risk in X-ray examination are preferably cited and evaluated. It is concluded that the somatic and genetical risk is low in diagnostic ratiology. However, it must not be neglected and has always to be compared to the utility of an examination as well as to other risks of the examination. (author).
DescriptionRemote sensing of the sea surface from satellites in near-polar orbits has contributed greatly to our understanding of the links between physical and biological processes in marine systems. However most of this progress has been made in open oceanic waters or major upwelling areas, and many unresolved problems are encountered in coastal regions and shelf seas. In these optically complex waters, quantitative remote sensing requires a more sophisticated interpretation strategy than that implemente [continued...