The validation parameters for pharmaceutical analyses were examined for the accelerator mass spectrometry measurement of 14C/C ratio, independent of chemical separation procedures....Full Text Available
SummaryBackground Persistent Lyme Disease Symptoms (PLDS) have included fatigue, headaches, poor concentration and memory, lightheadedness, joint pain, and mood disturbances. Evidence-based guidelines committees disagree over the severity of PLDS. The 2004 International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) concluded that PLDS are severe. The 2006 Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) guidelines committee concluded that PLDS are nothing more than the "aches and pains of daily living" and an ad hoc International Lyme group concluded that PLDS are "symptoms common in persons who have never had Lyme disease." Hypothesis Clinical trialsvalidate the severity of persistent Lyme disease symptoms. Evaluation of the Hypothesis There are 22 standardized instruments used to measure the...
OBJECTIVE--To examine the effect of a reduced sodium and increased potassium and magnesium intake on blood pressure. DESIGN--Randomised double blind placebo controlled trial. SETTING--General population...Full Text Available
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a highly conversed topic, particularly since implementation of screening for CRC is imminent within the U.K. Aims: The aim of this research project was to examine the diagnostic tools currently used within the UK to detect CRC and their impact on the aetiology and epidemiology of CRC. Methodology: The complexity of the research topic lent itself towards a literature review. A systematic approach of researching was therefore adopted to analyse and critically evaluate the reliability and validity of articles. Electronic databases including AMED, Cancerlit, CINHAL, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE and EBM-Reviews were utilised to provide a wide spectrum of recent and relevant articles. Other research strategies involved looking for books relating to the topics, which were kept to within 6 years of publication to maintain accuracy of information. Selected websites, such as NICE, the Department of Health, NHS websites ...
Academic, government, and industrial field researchers have generated a significant database of field studies of the volatility of soil applied fumigants. However, limited work exists in validating physical models against field volatility data sets and fully exploring the volatility parametric response surface. Field studies quantifying atmospheric flux for soil fumigants 1,3-dichloropropene and chloropicrin are validated against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA Salinity Laboratory) soil physics model CHAIN_2D that was modified specifically for agronomic uses of soil fumigants. Comparison between model predictions and field observations for six unique field trials in five different states indicate that CHAIN_2D effectively captures the magnitude and duration of fumigant em...
ObjectiveTo examine the validity of the Patient Health Questionnaire - 2 (PHQ-2), a 2-item depression screening scale among adolescents.Full Text Available
Purpose To examine the reliability and validity of the Japanese-language version of the PedsQL? Multidimensional Fatigue Scale and to investigate the agreement between child self-reported fatigue and parent proxy-reported fatigue. Methods The Japanese-language version of the PedsQL? Multidimensional Fatigue Scale was administered to 652 preschoolers and schoolchildren aged 5?12 and their parents, and to 91 parents of preschool children aged 1?4. Results Internal consistency reliability was 0.62?0.87 for children and 0.81?0.93 for parents. Known-group validity was examined between a group of healthy samples (n?=?530) and chronic condition sample (n?=?102); the chronically ill group reported a significantly higher perceived fatigue problem. Correlations between child self- and parent proxy r...
In 15 children (in age 2 weeks - 15 years) the computer tomography beside radiological examination was done because of mediastinal diseases. In all cases the computer tomography was valuable. In 4 cases obtained results have changed diagnostic conclusions. The examples are described showing the usefulness of the computer tomography as supplementary diagnostic method in mediastinal diseases in children.
The NSABP B-32 trial is examining whether patients with initially negative sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) who have occult metastases detected on deeper levels and cytokeratin immunohistochemistry...Full Text Available
The objective of this study was to examine the effect of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) plaster for knee osteoarthritis among Japanese patients. An open-labeled, randomized, controlled, multiclinic trial was performed involving outpatient clinic groups. Two comparative groups?plaster NSAIDs and oral NSAIDs?were randomly allocated. The drugs used were limited to the current top three in both groups in Japan. Treatments were assessed after four?weeks and compared with the baseline scores. Outcomes were evaluated by two psychometric measures: Japanese knee osteoarthritis measure, and pain with the visual analogue scale. The total number of patients included in the final evaluation was 165 (87 for the plaster group and 78 for the oral group). Between these two groups there were ...
Since 1984 a number of studies have been performed to investigate residual contamination at the former atomic weapons test site at Maralinga in South Australia, and to aid in the rehabilitation of the area. The largest site of plutonium contamination at Maralinga results from twelve Vixen B trials conduced at Taranaki in 1960, 1961 and 1963. Plutonium was dispersed along four major plumes from these trials. Measurements of the ratios of activities of "2"3"9Pu and "2"4"0Pu to "2"4"1Am are presented for the plumes. These are identified with individual trials where possible. Some measurements have also been made of "2"3"5U activities. An examination of meteorological and health physics survey data suggests that the most extensive part of the north-west plume results from a single trial, viz. Vixen B2 round 5 of 1961. It appears that the level of contamination in this plume was ...
Background: Ecchymosis, oedema, haematoma and pain after SMAS-based facelift surgery are all the direct result of the physical trauma of surgery and subsequent inflammatory response. Hilotherapy is a novel form of cryotherapy that purports to minimise these events through single-use face masks circulating cooled, sterile water. This study was performed to assess the validity of Hilotherapy in this population of patients. Methods: Over 14 weeks fifty consecutive patients were randomised to post-operative facial cooling with Hilotherapy or management with standard dressings alone, while fifteen subsequent, consecutive patients were randomised to cooling of one side of the face but not the other. Assessment of ecchymosis, oedema, haematoma and pain was performed independently by clinical staf...
The Elman artificial neural network (ANN) (feedback connection) was used for seismic data filtering. The recurrent connection that characterizes this network offers the advantage of storing values from the previous time step to be used in the current time step. The proposed structure has the advantage of training simplicity by a back-propagation algorithm (steepest descent). Several trials were addressed on synthetic (with 10% and 50% of random and Gaussian noise) and real seismic data using respectively 10 to 30 neurons and a minimum of 60 neurons in the hidden layer. Both an iteration number up to 4000 and arrest criteria were used to obtain satisfactory performances. Application of such networks on real data shows that the filtered seismic section was efficient. Adequate cross-validation test is done to ensure the performance of network on new data sets.
In the Wajima lung cancer screening program conducted under the auspices of Kanazawa University Hospital, Fuji Computed Radiography (FCR) was utilized in a new chest radiography trial. The results of the screening program are that the necessity of repeat examinations due to poor image quality are less common and the method enables detection of small pulmonary nodular shadows which are possibly candidates for surgery. Oblique chest X-ray with FCR is remarkably effective for the detection and the identification of small lesions. However, the disadvantage of slow processing and high cost must be fully satisfied if FCR is to become a new imaging modality for mass screening.
In the Wajima lung cancer screening program conducted under the auspices of Kanazawa University Hospital, Fuji Computed Radiography (FCR) was utilized in a new chest radiography trial. The results of the screening program are that the necessity of repeat examinations due to poor image quality are less common and the method enables detection of small pulmonary nodular shadows which are possibly candidates for surgery. Oblique chest X-ray with FCR is remarkably effective for the detection and the identification of small lesions. However, the disadvantage of slow processing and high cost must be fully satisfied if FCR is to become a new imaging modality for mass screening. (author).
This paper describes a 1993 field experiment entitled Marine Aerosol Properties and Thermal Imager Performance Trial (MAPTIP) conducted by NATO AC/243 Panel 04/RSG.8 and 04/RSG.5 in the Dutch coastal waters. Objectives were: to improve and validate vertical marine aerosol models by providing an extensive set of aerosol and meteorological measurements, within a coastal environment at different altitudes and for a range of meteorological conditions; make aerosol and meteorological observations in the first 10 m of the ocean surface with a view to extending existing aerosol models to incorporate near-surface effects; and to assess marine boundary layer effects on thermal Imaging systems. Aerosol and meteorological instruments, as well as thermal imagers and calibrated targets, were utilized. This network of instrumentation has provided a comprehensive database of aerosol size distribution profiles and relevant meteorological variables throughout ...
Among the numerous free-living amoebae (FLA) of soil and water habitats, certain species belonging to two genera Acanthamoeba and Naegleria are facultative parasites of man.They cause disease called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis where history of contact with water was recorded in most of the cases especially with Naegleria species. The present work aimed to search for presence of free-living amoebae in the water and trials for its control by Ultraviolet-radiation (UV-radiation). Samples from different water sources were examined for the presence of free-living amoebae. These samples were cultured on non-nutrient agar streaked with bacteria. Amoebae were detected and identified by means of their morphological characters. Twelve positive cases of one hundred and twenty examined samples could be detected. The positive samples were exposed to different doses of UV-radiation for different times.
We present a general procedure to construct the first law of thermodynamics on the apparent horizon and illustrate its validity by examining it in some extended gravity theories. Applying this procedure, we can describe the thermodynamics on the apparent horizon in Randall-Sundrum braneworld imbedded in a nontrivial bulk. We discuss the mass-like function which was used to link Friedmann equation to the first law of thermodynamics and obtain its special case which gives the generalized Misner-Sharp mass in Lovelock gravity.
This study examined preliminary psychometric properties of the Teaching Practices Observation Scale (TPOS), a newly developed observational taxonomy for assessing teacher behaviors during free play with young children. Behaviors of 42 child caregivers and junior kindergarten teachers were coded using a combination of time-sampling, event-sampling, and behavior ratings. Findings support the validity of observational coding scheme. (Author/KB)
The applicability of conventional strength hypotheses in the long-term creep range was examined by means of multiaxial loaded small and large-scale specimens of 1% CrMoNiV-steel at 550deg C. The experimentally determined deformation behaviour in the primary and secondary creep range was simulated by means of a finite element analysis. The creep deformation capacity is influenced by the degree of multiaxiality. The validity of a strength hypothesis depends on the type of load and on deformation resp. failure criteria. (orig.).
Fermented oil palm empty fruit bunch, now known as 'Sterifeed' has been characterized by physico-chemical properties. It has also been proven to have an improved digestibility (by in vitro and in-vivo test) over the original material. The remaining important aspect of feed to be examined is the long term effect of feeding this material to animals. The size of fermentation media bags used was 0.5 - 1 kg/bag. In the large scale production of these materials, the numbers of bags were increased. The production at pilot scale level reinvestigated the basic processing parameters for the 1 kg/bag media and also performed a trial run for different sizes of bags. These include: 1) investigation on the growth of fungi on fermentation media subjected to different treatment times and the non treated media, 2) evaluation of the processing rate, 3) trial run processing of 25-50 MT oil palm EFB into feed, and 4) processing of different ...
The prevalence of hepatic cysts is 0.1% to 0.5% based on autopsy studies, and 2.5% based on US examinations. Percutaneous therapies are a new alternative to surgery. They include simple percutaneous aspiration, catheter drainage alone, and catheter drainage with sclerotherapy. We present an 11-year-old boy admitted to hospital because of abdominal pain. A diagnosis of simple hepatic cyst was made, which was treated with aspiration and tetracycline hydrochloride solution (5%) injection into the cystic cavity. Complete regression was seen on US and MRI examination at 3 months, with total collapse and deflation of the cyst. The cyst regressed totally, leaving a hyperechoic linear scar on US examination at 1 year. On the basis of the clinical and imaging results obtained, percutaneous sclerotherapy of hepatic cysts can be recommended as the treatment of choice and as a valid alternative to laparoscopy in ...
We evaluated in this study the value of preoperative examinations of anal atresia with an optimised MRI strategie. 13 patients with anorectal anomalies, most of them younger than one year, underwent an MRI examination of the pelvis. 10 of these patients were operated afterwards. Compared with the situs shown by the operation the results of the MRI examination were very exact in all cases in respect of the level of atresia and the development of the striateed muscle complex. Fistulas could be completely described in most cases. MRI demonstrated additional lesions in some patients which were of great importance for planning the further treatment of the patients. As a consequence MRI can give valid information on anal atresia for planning the operative treatment. (orig.).
The purpose of this study is to examine the cross-ethnic measurement equivalence of the "Child Behavior Checklist" (CBCL) for 6- to 18-year-olds (2001, parent version) using a sample of African American special needs adopted children, along with a comparison group of Caucasian American special needs adopted children. Reliability and multiple sources of postdictive criterion-related validity were analyzed, and a confirmatory factor analysis of the CBCL within and between participating groups was performed. The results indicate that for practical purposes, the CBCL items appear reliable but not valid in terms of assessing the mental health profiles of both African American and Caucasian youth. These findings are significant because they have important implications for the practical utility of the CBCL in the field for adopted youth. (Contains 6 tables.)
A CANDU nuclear reactor was shut down for over one year because steam generator (SG) tubes had failed with outer diameter stress-corrosion cracking (ODSCC) in the U-bend section. Novel, single-pass eddy current transmit-receive probes, denoted as C3, were successful in detecting all significant cracks so that the cracked tubes could be plugged and the unit restarted. Significant numbers of tubes with SCC were removed from a SG in order to validate the results of the new probe. Results from metallurgical examinations were used to obtain probability-of-detection (POD) and sizing accuracy plots to quantify the performance of this new inspection technique. Though effective, the above approach of relying on tubes removed from a reactor is expensive, in terms of both economic and radiation-exposure costs. This led to a search for more affordable methods to validate inspection techniques and procedures. Methods are presented for ...
A CANDU nuclear reactor was shut down for over one year because steam generator (SG) tubes had failed with outer diameter stress-corrosion cracking (ODSCC) in the U-bend section. Novel, single-pass eddy current transmit-receive probes, denoted as C3, were successful in detecting all significant cracks so that the cracked tubes could be plugged and the unit restarted. Significant numbers of tubes with SCC were removed from a SG in order to validate the results of the new probe. Results from metallurgical examinations were used to obtain probability-of-detection (POD) and sizing accuracy plots to quantify the performance of this new inspection technique. Though effective, the above approach of relying on tubes removed from a reactor is expensive, in terms of both economic and radiation-exposure costs. This led to a search for more affordable methods to validate inspection techniques and procedures. Methods are presented for ...
As researchers explore new applications for positron emission tomography radiopharmaceuticals, the demand for effective and readily available radiopharmaceuticals continues to increase. The syntheses of two such radiopharmaceuticals, ["1"1C]acetate and ["1"1C]palmitate, can be automated on the GE Tracerlab FX_C_-_P_r_o by utilizing Grignard reactions. Radiochemical purities of the ["1"1C]acetate and the ["1"1C]palmitate products were high (>98% and >99.9%, respectively) with average non-corrected yields of 18% (n=3) and 10% (n=5), respectively. These data comprise the validationtrials for site qualification of clinical production of both radiopharmaceuticals. -- Graphical abstract: Automated syntheses of ["1"1C]acetate and ["1"1C]palmitate using a modified GE Tracerlab FX_C_-_P_r_o are reported. Radiochemical purities of the ["1"1C]acetate and the ["1"1C]palmitate products were high (>98% and >99.9%, respectively) with average ...
The leading environmental problem facing coastal Louisiana regions is the loss of wetlands. Oil and gas exploration and production activities have contributed to wetland damage through erosion at numerous sites where canals have been cut through the marsh to access drilling sites. An independent oil and gas producer, working with Southeastern Louisiana University and two oil field service companies, developed a process to stabilize drill cuttings so that they could be used as a substrate to grow wetlands vegetation. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funded a project under which the process would be validated through laboratory studies and field demonstrations. The laboratory studies demonstrated that treated drill cuttings support the growth of wetlands vegetation. However, neither the Army Corps of Engineers (COE) nor the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would grant regulatory approval for afield trial of the process. Argonne ...
Background: Recent series describing the clinical presentation, response to therapy, and long-term outcome of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome are limited. Aims: To assess the clinical characteristics and long-term outcome of patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Methods: Over a 20-year period, patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome were enrolled in a prospective trial evaluating the efficacy of lansoprazole. Following dose stabilization, patients were followed on a 6-monthly basis with interval history, physical examination, endoscopy with gastric biopsies, gastric acid analysis and laboratory studies. Results: 72 patients (mean age 54+/-12 years, % male 58%, % Caucasian 69%) were prospectively enrolled. The clinical presentation was stereotypical for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Symptoms ...
We demonstrate the use of a variational method to determine a quantitative lower bound on the rate of convergence of Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms as a function of the target density and proposal density. The bound relies on approximating the second largest eigenvalue in the spectrum of the MCMC operator using a variational principle and the approach is applicable to problems with continuous state spaces. We apply the method to one dimensional examples with Gaussian and quartic target densities, and we contrast the performance of the basic Metropolis-Hastings algorithms with a ``smart'' variant that incorporates gradient information into the trial moves. We find that the variational method agrees quite closely with numerical simulations. We also see that the smart MCMC algorithm often fails to converge geometrically in the tails of the target density except in the simplest case we examine, and even then care must be taken to choose ...
Objective A number of effective treatments for bulimia nervosa have been developed, but they are infrequently used, in part due to problems with dissemination. The goal of this study was to examine the cost effectiveness of telemedicine delivery of cognitive behavioral therapy for bulimia nervosa. Method A randomized controlled trial of face-to-face versus telemedicine cognitive behavioral therapy for bulimia nervosa. One hundred twenty eight women with DSM-IV bulimia nervosa or eating disorder, not otherwise specified subsyndromal variants of bulimia nervosa were randomized to 20 sessions of treatment over 16 weeks. A cost effectiveness analysis from a societal perspective was conducted. Results The total cost per recovered (abstinent) subject was $9324.68 for face-to-face CBT, and $7300....
We have developed a chitosan/polyglycolic acid (PGA) artificial nerve graft which was previously used for bridge implantation of dog sciatic nerves across 30-mm long defects. Here we describe a clinical trial of this graft for repairing a 35-mm-long median nerve defect at elbow of a human patient. During the 3-year follow-up period, functional recovery of the injured median nerve was assessed by pinch gauge test, hydraulic hand dynamometry, static two-point discrimination and touch test with monofilaments, in couple with electrophysiological examinations. The motor and sensory function of the median nerve demonstrated an ongoing recovery postimplantation, reaching M4 and S3+ levels during the follow-up period. The results indicate that the chitosan/PGA artificial nerve graft could be used ...
Summary Background: Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in hemorrhagic shock is life saving. However, several clinical trials have shown that blood transfusion in the critically ill patient might be associated with adverse outcomes. Furthermore, an association between prolonged blood storage and adverse effects of RBC transfusion has been postulated. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of blood storage time on resuscitation outcome, in an animal model of hemorrhagic shock. Methods: 20 Wistar rats were phlebotomized in order to induce reversible hemorrhagic shock. Half of them were resuscitated with blood stored for a short period of time (4 days), and the other ones were resuscitated with blood stored for a prolonged time (14 days). Blood samples for hemoglobin, pH, lactate, bicarb...
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of neurodegenerative disease. The vast majority cases of AD are sporadic, without clear cause, and a combination of environmental and genetic factors has been implicated. The hypothesis that homocysteine (Hcy) is a risk factor for AD was initially prompted by the observation that patients with histologically confirmed AD had higher plasma levels of Hcy, termed hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), than age-matched controls. Most evidence accumulated so far implicates HHcy as a risk factor for AD onset, but there are also conflicting results. In this review we summarize reports on the relationship between HHcy and AD from epidemiological investigations, including observational studies and randomized controlled clinical trials. We also examine recent i...
Curcumin, the yellow pigment from the rhizoma of Curcuma longa, is a widely studied phytochemical with a variety of biological activities. The ongoing research and clinical trials have proved that this natural phenolic compound has great and diverse pharmacological potencies. Beside its effective antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and antimicrobial/antiviral properties, curcumin is also considered as a cancer chemopreventive agent. While the antioxidant activity of curcumin is well documented, its interaction with DNA and RNA is not fully investigated. This study was designed to examine the interactions of curcumin with calf thymus DNA and yeast RNA in aqueous solution at physiological conditions, using constant DNA and RNA concentration (6.25?mM) and various curcumin/polynucleotide (phosphate...
Summary Background:- Cholinesterase inhibitors form the mainstay of treatment for persons with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer-s disease (AD). The rivastigmine patch may increase compliance and the proportion of patients maintaining an efficacious dose compared with oral cholinesterase inhibitors. Objective:- To investigate the proportion of patients who reached and maintained the target rivastigmine patch dose compared with the target rivastigmine capsule dose reported in clinical trials. Methods:- This was a multicentre, 24-week, open-label study in persons with probable AD and a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of --10 and --26. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients (ITT population) treated with 9.5-mg/24-h rivastigmine patch for at least 8-weeks at week 24. Secondary ...
BackgroundInterim analysis of accumulating trial data is important to protect participant safety during randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Data Monitoring Committees (DMCs) often...Full Text Available
Randomized clinical trials are designed with stopping boundaries to guide data monitoring committees with their decision making concerning ongoing trials. In particular, when extremely positive results...Full Text Available
Ayurvedic drugs have begun to be evaluated in controlled clinical trials. The trials, often placebo controlled, are usually designed to demonstrate superiority. Though the results have been usually...Full Text Available
We evaluated a trial-based approach to conducting functional analyses in classroom settings. Ten students referred for problem behavior were exposed to a series of assessment trials, which were interspersed...Full Text Available
ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to identify the factors affecting the failure of trials (<50% pain reduction in pain for trial period) to improve success rate of spinal...Full Text Available
A common approach used to fuse simultaneously recorded EEG and fMRI is to correlate trial-by-trial variability in the EEG, or variability of components derived therefrom, with the blood oxygenation...Full Text Available
Snapping or grating scapula is a condition of the shoulder girdle in which the patient complains of pain and an audible snapping sound which may be associated with pain. We evaluated the diagnostic value of the computed tomography (CT) scans using the clinical diagnosis of a grating scapula as the gold standard. This retrospective study reports the sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio and receiver operator characteristic curve for the CT scans and the k value as a measure of the interobserver agreement. None of the parameters validated the examination. We therefore concluded that CT scans are inappropriate for differentiation between a grating scapula and a normally functioning shoulder except in cases where bony abnormalities are present. (orig.)
It is both experimentally and theoretically demonstrated that ion flow velocity at an arbitrary angle with respect to the magnetic field can be measured with a directional Langmuir probe. Based on the symmetry argument, we show that the effect of magnetic field on directional probe current is exactly canceled in determining the ion flow velocity, and obtain the generalized relation between flow velocity and directional probe currents valid for any flowing direction. The absolute value of the flow velocity is determined by an in situ calibration method of the probe. The applicability limit of the present method to a strongly ion-magnetized plasma is experimentally examined. (author)
The Stefan problem involving a source term is considered in this technical note. As an example, planar solidification with time-dependent heat generation in a semi-infinite plane is solved by use of a perturbation technique. The perturbation solution is validated by reducing the problem to the case without heat generation whose exact solution is available. An application to the case with constant heat generation is presented, for which a closed-form solution is obtained. The effects of heat generation and Stefan number on the evolution of solidification are examined using the perturbation solution.
A detailed examination of the aging processes that may take place in solid-dielectric extruded-type high voltage transmission cables under dry conditions is presented. Particular emphasis is placed on the aging process as affected by the separate and simultaneous action of four main aging factors, namely the electrical, mechanical and thermal stresses, and the physical and chemical environment. A number of pertinent aging models are considered and their validity and applicability to accelerated aging tests on solid-type transmission cables are discussed.
This paper focuses on a theoretical model that predicts the temperature increase of Magneto-rheological (MR) fluid dampers experiencing a sinusoidal input motion. A theoretical model is developed to estimate the temperature rise based on the non-linear behavior of the MR fluid damper. This model is solved numerically, and the numerical solution is compared with a known linear solution and experimental result in order to validate the accuracy of the model. Also, a non-dimensional form of the governing equations are developed to examine the key parameters. The non-dimensional terms show the effect of external and internal parameters on the trends of heat dissipation as well as heat generation within the MR fluid damper.
The usefulness of the mouse, rat, and Syrian golden hamster as experimental models for studies of the development of respiratory tract cancer is considered. Three different application methods for examining the effects of environmental chemicals on the respiratory tract in these species are discussed: implantation, intratracheal instillation, and inhalation. The results of various investigations are presented to demonstrate that each particular method has both advantages and disadvantages. The techniques are also considered in comparison with the human situation and in the light of obtaining the most valid data for extrapolation to man. Brief attention is paid to the relevance to respiratory tract carcinogenesis of more recently developed organ and cell culture systems.
The validity of the Big Bang theory is evaluated. The basis of the Big Band theory and the supercluster observations of Tully, which conflict with the Big Band theory, are discussed. Various explanations for the existence of supercluster observations are proposed. The cosmic background explorer (COBE) is being utilized to detect energetic processes. The COBE contains a far IR absolute spectrometer, a differential microwave radiometer, and a diffuse IR background experiment. The hypothesis of the evolution of the universe of Hannes Alfven, which emphasizes the importance of electricity and magnetism, is presented and research illustrating the importance of electric currents and magnetic fields in space is examined.
Abstract Telecare has become an increasingly common medical service in recent years. However, new service must be close to the market and be market-driven to have a high likelihood of success. This article analyzes the business model of a telecardiology service managed by a general hospital. The methodology of the article is as follows: (1) initially it describes the elements of the service based on the ontology of the business model, (2) then it transfers these elements into the choices for business model dynamic loops and examines their validity, and (3) finally provides an empirical financial analysis of the service to assess the profit-making possibilities.
In the field of international human resource management, studies have seldom examined organizational justice, social exchange, and psychological contract together as important factors in influencing the expatriate adjustment process. The purpose of this research is to fill the research gap by examining these factors and their relationships with expatriate adjustment. The researcher conducted a survey of Taiwanese business expatriates during the first quarter of 2007, collecting 219 valid samples for analysis. A hierarchical regression model was used to test the research framework hypotheses, which showed that expatriates' perception of organizational justice has a positive influence both on their perceptions of social exchange and on their psychological contract fulfillment. Expatriates' p...
The COSA II (computer codes for salt) benchmark problem has been pursued with the ADINA (Automatic Dynamic Incremental Nonlinear Analysis) program code. With the use of this, the code should be validated by means of experimental data and the ability to reproduce real-life calculation results of the KfK (Kernforschungszentrum Karlsruhe/Nuclear Research Center in Karlsruhe) should be proven. A successful validation of the code then forms the foundation stone for the ability to use different calculation problems in the final (ultimate) storage. This also accompanies the consequent reaction of replacing the STEALTH (Solids and Thermal Hydraulics Code for EPRI Adapted from LAGRANGE TOODY and HEMP) program which has a number of program-specific weaknesses compared to the ADINA computer code. In order to reproduce the approximate values from the KfK, the same values have been used. Differences were evident in the discretion and the selection of the ...
A feasibility study test and 3 field trials were performed at Darlington NGS in 1996, 1999 and 2000 on ABB LP turbines. The scope of these trials was to commission in-situ automatic phased array systems capable to inspect blade roots and rotor steeples of L-0 and L-1 rows. GE disk-blade rim attachments were inspected at Bruce B nuclear station, in fall of 1999. The automated ultrasonic phased array technology is capable of high-speed rate and reliable detection and sizing. The capability demonstration was performed on mock-ups and reference blocks, using EDM notches. A custom built UT simulation software: Imagine 3D interfaces with SimScan to generates the spreadsheets/charts with target and probe coordinates and ultrasonic path and angles (refracted and skew) to hit the reference target. Examination of L-0 blade and rotor steeple grooves was performed with 2 phased array systems under networking. Data analysis was done in ...
We examined fat phobia, defined as a pathological fear of fatness, by constructing the Fat Phobia Scale, determining its reliability and validity, examining correlates of fat phobia, and using a treatment approach designed to decrease fat phobia. Study 1 describes the development of the Fat Phobia Scale, a 50-item, modified 5-point semantic differential scale. Subjects (974 females and 117 males) completed the scale; factor analysis yielded six factors. Respondents who are average weight, female, younger, have more than a high school education, or are nonmedical professionals are more likely to have fat phobic attitudes. Study 2 examines fat phobic attitudes of women (N = 40) who had negative feelings about their bodies. Subjects completed the Fat Phobia Scale before and after a treatment approach designed to reduce their feelings of responsibility for fatness. Total scores on the Fat Phobia Scale and ...
The GeoSAR (geographic synthetic aperture radar) program is a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) sponsored program organized in cooperation with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the California Department of Conservation. Some aspects of the program have been existent for almost two years. The technical goal of the program has been the development of rapid-mapping radar technologies, and has now, as its principal challenge, the development of a capability for terrain mapping under foliage. In this paper, we discuss validation of current technology and examine the utility of data products currently produced by the Environmental Research Institute of MIchigan's (ERIM) IFSARE, JPL's TOPSAR, and JPL's AIRSAR. We find that ERIM's X-band IFSARE system produces elevation maps to better than 2-m accuracy. Based on this we determine that TOPSAR elevation maps are accurate to at least 5 m. We also demonstrate the utility of JPL's ...
As part of a larger elastic numerical modeling project, we have been investigating how energy reflected from steeply dipping interfaces is recorded using typical multicomponent acquisition geometries. Specifically, we have been interpreting how rcflection events from the flanks of salt dome structures are distributed on 3C and 4C phones for vertical seismic profiles (VSPs) and ocean bottom seismic (OBS) or land surface surveys. The ultimate goal of this investigation is to improve the structural imaging of steeply dipping interfaces and eventually to evaluate the usc of the recorded elastic wavefield for fluid description near these interfaces. In the current work, we focus on a common assumption used when processing converted wave reflection seismic data that most PP energy is recorded on the vertical geophone and/or the hydrophone and that most PS energy is recorded on the horizontal geophones. This is a useful assumption when it is valid, because it eliminates ...
The purpose of this study was to examine the day-to-day reproducibility and single measurement reliability of peak force, time to half peak force and rate of force development indices of knee extension neuromuscular performance in patients with end-stage renal failure. Eleven self-selected patients (6 men, 5 women) receiving maintenance dialysis (dialysis history 67 +/- 42.8 month) completed 3 inter-day assessment sessions. Each comprised a standardized warm-up and 3 intermittent static maximal voluntary actions of the knee extensors of the preferred limb (45 degrees knee flexion angle [0 degrees = full knee extension]) using a specially-constructed dynamometer. Repeated measures ANOVA of coefficient of variation scores revealed significant differences between indices in their reproducibility across day-to-day trials. Post-hoc comparisons of group mean scores suggested that peak force (6.6 +/- 3.0%) offers significantly greater measurement ...
A series of six transient tests was performed on FFTF irradiated fuel pins to demonstrate their transient performance capability. The tests were performed in the TREAT reactor using sodium loops and instrumented test trains. The TEMECH computer code was used to design overpower transients which would simulate FFTF fuel pin thermal conditions during slow and fast unprotected transients. Some tests were run to substantial overpower levels but terminated prior to fuel pin failure, while other tests were intentionally extended to fuel failure to establish failure thresholds and characteristics. Post-test examination data provided significant cladding strain and fuel melting information used for performance code calibration and validation. These data showed that cladding damage caused by fuel melting is related to the steady state condition of the fuel.
The Engineering and Technology Validation Team at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) conducts in-situ technical evaluations of polycrystalline thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules and arrays. This paper focuses on the technical evaluation of Solar Cells, Inc., (SCI) cadmium telluride (CdTe) module and array performance by attempting to correlate individual module and array performance. This is done by examining the performance and stability of the modules and array over a period of more than one year. Temperature coefficients for module and array parameters (P{sub max}, V{sub oc}, V{sub max}, I{sub sc}, I{sub max}) are also calculated.
Details of the interaction of photons with tissue phantoms are elucidated using Monte Carlo simulations. In particular, photon sampling volumes and photon pathlengths are determined for a variety of scattering and absorption parameters. The Monte Carlo simulations are specifically designed to model light delivery and collection geometries relevant to clinical applications of optical biopsy techniques. The Monte Carlo simulations assume that light is delivered and collected by two, nearly-adjacent optical fibers and take into account the numerical aperture of the fibers as well as reflectance and refraction at interfaces between different media. To determine the validity of the Monte Carlo simulations for modeling the interactions between the photons and the tissue phantom in these geometries, the simulations were compared to measurements of aqueous suspensions of polystyrene microspheres in the wavelength range 450-750 nm.
Durability is a major limitation of current proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Mechanical stress due to hygro-thermal cycling is one failure mechanism of the polymer electrolyte membrane. In previous work the cyclic rate, temperature, and hydration dependent elastic-viscoplastic mechanical behavior of Nafion has been extensively investigated in uniaxial and biaxial tension, serving as a data basis and means of validation for a three-dimensional constitutive model. Here, the important effect of loading via constrained swelling is studied. Specifically, two types of loading are investigated: partially constrained swelling via a bimaterial swelling test and hygro-thermal cycling within a fuel cell. The bimaterial swelling conditions are examined via experiments in conjunction with modeling....
A methane catalytic decomposition reactor-direct carbon fuel cell-internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell (MCDR-DCFC-IRSOFC) energy system is highly efficient for converting the chemical energy of methane into electrical energy. A gas turbine cycle is also used to output more power from the thermal energy generated in the IRSOFC. In part I of this work, models of the fuel cells and the system are proposed and validated. In this part, exergy conservation analysis is carried out based on the developed electrochemical and thermodynamic models. The ratio of the exergy destruction of each unit is examined. The results show that the electrical exergy efficiency of 68.24% is achieved with the system. The possibility of further recovery of the waste heat is discussed and the combined power-heat exergy efficiency is over 80%. (author)
A methane catalytic decomposition reactor-direct carbon fuel cell-internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell (MCDR-DCFC-IRSOFC) energy system is highly efficient for converting the chemical energy of methane into electrical energy. A gas turbine cycle is also used to output more power from the thermal energy generated in the IRSOFC. In part I of this work, models of the fuel cells and the system are proposed and validated. In this part, exergy conservation analysis is carried out based on the developed electrochemical and thermodynamic models. The ratio of the exergy destruction of each unit is examined. The results show that the electrical exergy efficiency of 68.24% is achieved with the system. The possibility of further recovery of the waste heat is discussed and the combined power-heat e...
Background Food additives are an integral part of the modern food system, but opinion polls showing most Europeans have worries about them imply an urgent need for ethical analysis of their use. Sources of data The existing literature on food ethics, safety assessment and animal testing. Areas of agreement Food additives provide certain advantages in terms of many people's lifestyles. Areas of controversy There are disagreements about the appropriate application of the precautionary principle and of the value and ethical validity of animal tests in assessing human safety. Growing points Most consumers have a poor understanding of the relative benefits and risks of additives, but concerns over food safety and animal testing remain high. Areas timely for developing research Examining the impacts of food additives on consumer sovereignty, consumer health and on animals used in safety testing should allow a more informed debate about their ...
Abstract in english A mathematical model has been developed for describing the dynamic operation of the N-formylmorpholine extractive distillation column and the corresponding solvent recovery column in the benzene extraction plant. The NRTL equation was used to calculate the equilibrium and thermodynamic properties of the mixtures. The validity of the model in terms of temperature, pressure and split fraction was examined using actual plant data at steady-state conditions. Comparison betwee (more) n model results and plant data shows good consistency. In order to improve the control of the process and selection of the optimal control strategy, the model was used to find the optimum values of the constants of the controllers with Nelder-Mead algorithm during unsteady-state operation by minimizing the deviation from steady-state conditions. The outcome of this study could be used by operators and engineers to increase the productivity of the ...
This study validates a research model that examines usage of instant messaging (IM) from the aspect of online social support. Drawing on the social capital theory, this study postulates that IM usage is indirectly affected by social support via the mediation of the following six dimensions of social capital: commitment, reciprocity, shared codes and language, shared narratives, centrality, and network ties. The model tests data obtained from business organizations in Taiwan, and the results suggest that the indirect influence of social support on IM usage through shared codes and language is significant, and the indirect influence of social support on IM usage through centrality is also significant. Managerial implications and limitations of the empirical findings are provided.
The Atmospheric Release Advisory Capability (ARAC) at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory uses the U.S. Navy's Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS) to supply high-resolution wind data for use in its real-time dispersion modeling system. ARAC has used COAMPS products to support several events and exercises, and COAMPS forecasts appear accurate, based on qualitative examination. Recently ARAC has developed a quantitative verification system which calculates COAMPS error and bias statistics, comparing COAMPS forecasts of various lengths with observational data. This paper shows how this system has been used to guide ARAC operators, who need an estimate of the likely behavior of COAMPS forecasts of various lengths in different regions, seasons, and weather patterns.
The purpose of this column is to present the results of the 2007 Professional Practice Analysis (PPA) of the field of nurse anesthesia, conducted by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists. The PPA used survey and rating scale methodologies to collect data regarding the relative emphasis of various aspects of the nurse anesthesia knowledge domain and competencies. A total of 3,805 survey responses were analyzed using the Rasch rating scale model, which aggregates and transforms ordinal (rating scale) responses into linear measures of relative importance and frequency. Summaries of respondent demographics and educational and professional background are provided, as well as descriptions of how the survey results are used to develop test specifications. The results of this analysis provide evidence for the content outline and test specifications (content percentages) and thus serve as a basis of content validation for the National Certification ...
In March 1980, administrators of Clarkson College of Technology made a decision to convert the college's downtown heating plant to one that can rely on wood as a fuel. The decision was prompted by high costs of oil and gas needed to heat the downtown campus. In October 1981, a wood-fired plant with a rated steam production capacity of 10,500 lb/hour went into a trial operation. The plant cost $685,742 which includes $625,642 for material and labour and $60,100 for engineering. In the 1981 to 1982 heating season, it supplied 55 percent of the steam needs of the downtown campus with a wood fuel consumption of 2,857 tons. Under normal operation, the wood-fired plant will require about 4,500 tons of green wood chips per heating season. The investment in the wood-fired plant is expected to have a real rate of return (after discounting inflation) in the range of 20 to 23 percent per year. This study, sponsored by the New York State Energy Research and ...
Recently the increase of steam temperature and pressure of power plant is required to enhance the thermal efficiency and reduce the CO{sub 2} emission. For the application to advanced USC (Ultra Super Critical) boiler with steam temperature around 700 C, the application of Ni-based alloy such as Alloy617 will be necessary. A new Ni-based alloy USC141 (20Cr-10Mo-2Ti-Al-bal.Ni) with excellent creep rupture strength and low thermal expansion has been developed by Hitachi Ltd. and Hitachi Metals Ltd. as the candidate material for 700 C USC turbine components. In present work, to investigate the possibility for boiler tube application of USC141, its weldability and high temperature strength properties were experimentally examined. The tested material as solution-treated condition shows higher creep rupture strength than that of Alloy617. GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding) trials of tubular specimen using NIMONIC263 filler wire were conducted ...
INTRODUCTION: This study examined the efficacy and safety of selegiline transdermal system (STS) and brief repeated behavioral intervention (BRBI) for smoking cessation in heavy smokers. We hypothesized that the quit rate of subjects who received STS and BRBI would be significantly greater than that of those who received placebo patch and BRBI. METHODS: This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group study in which 246 men and women were randomized to receive either STS (n = 121) or placebo patch (n =125) for 9 weeks. Recruitment targeted heavy smokers, defined as individuals with self-reported use of ?15 cigarettes/day in the 30 days prior to enrollment, who had smoked cigarettes for the past 5 years, and had an expired CO level ?9 ppm during screening. RESULTS: Although STS was well tolerated, the overall results indicated that STS with BRBI was not more effective than placebo plus BRBI for smoking cessation (p = .58). Conclusions: The results are ...
In the production of heavy-sectioned ferritic spheroidal graphite iron castings for such parts as spent fuel shipping container (cask), undesirable structures like abnormal graphite lamella, pearlite or so-called chinese script type of inclusions tend to appear, deteriorating the mechanical properties at the central part of the section where molten iron freezes last. 500 mm thick cylindrical vessels with bottom, weighing 18 tons and 33 tons, were poured as trial products of casks. Solidification structure and mechanical properties were examined at many portions of the castings. By controlling chemical composition, solidification time and inoculation process the structure and the mechanical properties in the last portion of the section to solidify were improved. Sufficiently homogeneous heavy-sectioned ferritic spheroidal graphite iron castings were successfully produced in the as-cast state. In addition, quality assurance process by using test ...
Experimental trials of autogenous deep penetration welding between dissimilar cast Ni-based superalloy K418 and alloy steel 42CrMo flat plates with 5.0 mm thickness were conducted using a 3 kW continuous wave (CW) Nd:YAG laser. The influences of laser output power, welding velocity and defocusing distance on the morphology, welding depth and width as well as quality of the welded seam were investigated. Results show that full keyhole welding is not formed on both K418 and 42CrMo side, simultaneously, due to the relatively low output power. Partial fusion is observed on the welded seam near 42CrMo side because of the large disparity of thermal physical and high-temperature mechanical properties of these two materials. The microhardness of the laser-welded joint was also examined and analyzed. It is suggested that applying negative defocusing in the range of Raylei length can increase the welding depth and improve the coupling efficiency of the ...
The aim of this paper is to investigate the possible displacement of natural gypsum (CaSO{sub 4}2H{sub 2}O) in cement with an alternative setting retarder, such as the industrial by-product derived from flue gas desulfurization process called FGD gypsum. These calcium-sulfate-bearing materials (CSBM), alone or in mixtures, were ground with clinker both in laboratory and industrial scale to examine their influence on the physical and mechanical properties of cement, as well as on the industrial production line of cement. From the present work, it is extracted that the use of mixtures of sulfate-bearing materials with gypsum seems to be advantageous for the actual control of setting time. The addition of FGD gypsum increases setting time without affecting compressive strength profile. During the industrial trial, the formation of hemihydrate form of calcium sulfate dihydrate has a profound regulatory effect on the setting and strength performance ...
Since 1988, the Expertise group of Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) is an important partner in the development of the Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative (MELiSSA). The MELiSSA was designed to allow a small crew to survive on an Antarctic, lunar or Mars outpost, and is a joint research project currently fostered by the European Space Agency, ESA. The MELiSSA functions through a series of five interconnected compartments, of which four are microbial bioreactors and was engineered to degrade organic waste, regenerate the outpost's atmosphere and water, and provide the crew with an additional vegetarian diet. The bioreactor of the third compartment provides the edible cyanobacteria and plants of the fourth compartment with nitrate instead of ammonium as a source of nitrogen. The two bacteria responsible for the biological transformation of ammonium to nitrate (nitrification) are Nitrosomonas europaea and Nitrobacter winogradskyi. Since all MELiSSA-reactors are to be ...
The purpose of this study is to develop a geometrically accurate imaging protocol at 3 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) treatment planning. In order to achieve this purpose, a methodology is developed to investigate the geometric accuracy and stability of 3 T MRI for SRS in phantom and patient evaluations. Forty patients were enrolled on a prospective clinical trial. After frame placement prior to SRS, each patient underwent 3 T MRI after 1.5 T MRI and CT. MR imaging protocols included a T1-weighted gradient echo sequence and a T2-weighted spin echo sequence. Phantom imaging was performed on 3 T prior to patient imaging using the same set-up and imaging protocols. Geometric accuracy in patients and phantoms yielded comparable results for external fiducial reference deviations and internal landmarks between 3 T and 1.5 T MRI (mean ?0.6 mm; standard deviation ?0.3 mm). Mean stereotactic reference deviations between phantoms and ...
Two large, prospective, randomized, controlled trials have shown a beneficial effect of intensive insulin therapy (IIT) on the kidney function of critically ill patients. The data from these trials...Full Text Available
BackgroundCaesarean section is one of the most commonly performed operations on women throughout the world. Rates have increased in recent years – about 20–25% in...Full Text Available
Cerebral atrophy rate is increasingly used as an outcome measure for Alzheimer's disease (AD) trials. We used the Alzheimer's disease Neuroimaging initiative (ADNI) dataset to assess if adjusting...Full Text Available
Globally, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) represent a significant source of morbidity and disproportionately impact the health of women and children. The number of randomized controlled trials...Full Text Available
Objective To determine whether a centralised telephone intervention reduces the incidence of death or admission for worsening heart failure in outpatients with chronic heart failure.Design...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe lack of adequate randomized clinical trials (RCT) has hindered identification of new therapies that are safe and effective for patients with primary focal segmental...Full Text Available
A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of a homeopathic treatment of neonatal calf diarrhoea was performed using 44 calves in 12 dairy herds. Calves with spontaneously derived diarrhoea were...Full Text Available
BackgroundTwo planned trials of pre-exposure prophylaxis tenofovir in Cambodia and Cameroon to prevent HIV infection in high-risk populations were closed due to activist pressure...Full Text Available
SummaryBackgroundPatients undergoing dialysis have a substantially increased risk of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Although several trials have shown the...Full Text Available
The definitive clinical trial which demonstrated the beneficial effects of photocoagulation in treating diabetic retinopathy was reported in 1976 in the American Journal of Ophthalmology by the Diabetic...Full Text Available
Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of three polyspecific antivenoms for bites by pit vipers.Design Randomised double blind comparative trial of three antivenoms.Setting...Full Text Available
In support of a new clinical trial designed to compare the effects of crushed fresh garlic and two types of garlic supplement tablets (enteric-coated dried fresh garlic and dried aged garlic...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe ACTION study (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Controlled Trial Investigation Of a Non-stimulant) is a multi-center, double-blind, randomized...Full Text Available
This article describes process evaluation methods for the Pool Cool Diffusion Trial across four years. Pool Cool is a skin cancer prevention program that was...Full Text Available
In this report, we have examined some of the fundamental mechanisms expected to be at work during mobilization of the waste within the double-shell tanks at Hanford. The motivation stems from the idea that in order to properly apply correlations derived from scaled tests, one would have to ensure that appropriate scaling laws are utilized. Further, in the process of delineating the controlling mechanisms during mobilization, the currently used computational codes are being validated and strengthened based on these findings. Experiments were performed at 1/50-scale, different from what had been performed in the previous fiscal years (i.e., 1/12- and 1/25-scale). It was anticipated that if the current empirical correlations are to work, they should be scale invariant. The current results showed that linear scaling between the 1/25-scale and 1/50-scale correlations do not work well. Several mechanisms were examined in the ...
The plasma plume generated by a new type of high energy Janitor known as the railplug, is examined. The railplug is a miniaturized railgun that has the potential for improving ignition characteristics of combustible mixtures in engines. The objective of the study is to gain an uderstanding of the characteristics of the plasma created by a transparent railplug, and to validate a multidimensional computer simulation of the plasma and shock fronts. The nature of the plume emitted by the railplug was examined for three levels of electrical energy while firing into air at a pressure of 1 atm. The computer model is to be used to predict trends in railplug performance for various railplug designs, energies, and ambient conditions. The velocity of the plasma movement inside a transparent railplug was measured, as well as the velocity of the plume ejected from the cavity. A shock is produced at the initiation point of the arc and ...
In 2000, the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) laid out a definition of competence that included six specific areas of focus: patient care (including clinical reasoning), medical knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, and systems-based practice. The ACGME's intention was to mandate increasingly reliable and valid assessment measures to be used by all training programs over the next decade, with the goal of providing "more credible, accurate, reliable and useful educational outcome data." In this article, the authors will review definitions of competency according to the new ACGME standards and examine the assessment tools currently available, including global evaluations, 360-degree evaluations, checklists, standardized examinations and direct observations. The authors will provide an overview of critical considerations in ...
BackgroundMultiple lines of evidence have suggested that valproic acid (VPA) might benefit patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The SMA CARNIVAL TRIAL was a two part prospective...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to analyze the radiotherapy (RT) quality assurance (QA) assessment in Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) 0202, which was the first trial...Full Text Available
The potential market for irradiated chicken breasts was investigated using a mail survey and a retail trial. Results from the mail survey suggested a significantly higher level of acceptability of irradiated chicken than did the retail trial. A subsequent market experiment involving actual purchases showed levels of acceptability similar to that of the mail survey when similar information about food irradiation was provided.
During the Bruce A Nuclear Generating Station (BNGS-A) Unit 1 1997 planned outage, a dew point search method identified a leak in one steam generator(SG) tube. Subsequently, the tube was inspected with all available eddy current probes and removed for examination. The initial inspection results and metallurgical examination of the removed tube confirmed that the leak was due to intergranular attack/stress corrosion cracking (IGA/SCC) emanating from the secondary side of the tube at the top of the tubesheet location. Subsequently, eddy current and ultrasonic indications were found at the top of the tubesheet of other Alloy 600 SG tubes. To investigate the source of the indications and to validate the inspection probes, sections of 40 tubes with various levels of damage were removed. The metallurgical examination of the removed sections showed that both secondary side and primary side initiated, ...
ObjectiveIn the context of the importance of valid self-report measures to research and evidence-based practice in social work, an argument-based approach to validity...Full Text Available
Full - grown pupae of the cotton leaf worm Spodoptera littorals (Boisd.) were gamma - irradiated with low doses of 25,50,75, or 100 Gy for male line and with 50 or 100 Gy for female line . The effects on reproduction, development and sex ratio were the biological aspects studied among P1,F1,F2 and F 3 generations . Also, the effects of dose accumulation applied grown male pupae through two or three filial generations and the retarded influence on their F1,F2,and F 3 progeny were examined. In another trial the histological examinations for ovaries and testes of irradiated parents and for their generation were made . The F1 males were more sterile than irradiated parental males while F1 females were more fertile than their irradiated parental females. Irradiation of P1 males did not clearly affect neither the percentage of mated females nor the average number of spermatophores per mated female among the individuals of ...
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
... Standards Validation Group National Computer Systems Laboratory National Institute of Standards and Technology ... STANDARD. ... (See test Ci )i3A. ...
Background: In an effort to standardise radiological practices in the Republic of Ireland, current legislation states that 'written protocols for every type of standard radiological practice shall be established'. In order to fulfil this requirement the Irish Medical Council recommends the protocols issued by the Commission of European Communitees (CEC) for adoption in the country. Whilst this document does provide good guidance with regard to various radiographic factors, patient shielding instructions are notably ambiguous. The aim of this study was to remove some of this ambiguity by defining the optimal method of positioning patient shielding in antero-posterior (AP) and lateral lumbar spine radiographic examinations. These projections were chosen on the basis of their area of coverage being in close to and in some cases including the reproductive organs. They also represent the highest source of collective population dose of any conventional ...
Background: In an effort to standardise radiological practices in the Republic of Ireland, current legislation states that 'written protocols for every type of standard radiological practice shall be established'. In order to fulfil this requirement the Irish Medical Council recommends the protocols issued by the Commission of European Communitees (CEC) for adoption in the country. Whilst this document does provide good guidance with regard to various radiographic factors, patient shielding instructions are notably ambiguous. The aim of this study was to remove some of this ambiguity by defining the optimal method of positioning patient shielding in antero-posterior (AP) and lateral lumbar spine radiographic examinations. These projections were chosen on the basis of their area of coverage being in close to and in some cases including the reproductive organs. They also represent the highest source of collective population dose of any conventional radiographic ...
Analysts working at the International Data Centre in support of treaty monitoring through the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization spend a significant amount of time reviewing hypothesized seismic events produced by an automatic processing system. When reviewing these events to determine their legitimacy, analysts take a variety of approaches that rely heavily on training and past experience. One method used by analysts to gauge the validity of an event involves examining the set of stations involved in the detection of an event. In particular, leveraging past experience, an analyst can say that an event located in a certain part of the world is expected to be detected by Stations A, B, and C. Implicit in this statement is that such an event would usually not be detected by Stations X, Y, or Z. For some well understood parts of the world, the absence of one or more 'expected' stations - or the presence of one or ...
A formalism for the dynamical treatment of the molecular orbitals of valence nucleons in nucleus-nucleus collisions is developed with the use of the coupled-reaction-channel (CRC) method. The Coriolis coupling effects as well as the finite mass effects of the nucleon are taken into account in this model, of rotating molecular orbitals, RMO. First, the validity of the concept is examined from the viewpoint of the multi-step processes in a standard CRC calculation for systems containing two identical [core] nuclei. The calculations show strong CRC effects particularly in the case where the mixing of different l-parity orbitals - called hybridization in atomic physics - occurs. Then, the RMO representation for active nucleons is applied to the same systems and compared to the CRC results. Its validity is investigated with respect to the radial motion (adiabaticity) and the rotation of the molecular axis (radial and rotational ...
The blinded study of CBUE (cytobacteriological urine examination) test strips was carried out in 100 patients (65 women, 35 men), mean age 85.52 +/- 6.28 years, admitted for a short stay in a geriatrics department. Urinary infection was present in 19% of the cases. Typical clinical signs (pollakiuria, dysuria, hematuria, burning upon voiding) were rare, less than 10%. General signs, such as deterioration of general status (65% of the cases) and loss of autonomy (53% of the cases), on the other hand, were predominant and their relatively unspecific nature required a reliable screening test for urinary infection. Good results of sensitivity (89.5%), specificity (98.7%), and the leukocytes/nitrites values, confirmed the validity of the urine test strip in hospitalized elderly patients. In addition, the negative predictive value of the combination leukocytes and nitrites (90.8%) would have prevented 71 samples from being sent to the laboratory for ...
In the convolution/superposition method of photon beam dose calculations, inhomogeneities are usually handled by using some form of scaling involving the relative electron densities of the inhomogeneities. In this paper the accuracy of density scaling as applied to primary electrons generated in photon interactions is examined. Monte Carlo calculations are compared with density scaling calculations for air and cork slab inhomogeneities. For individual primary photon kernels as well as for photon interactions restricted to a thin layer, the results can differ significantly, by up to 50%, between the two calculations. However, for realistic photon beams where interactions occur throughout the whole irradiated volume, the discrepancies are much less severe. The discrepancies for the kernel calculation are attributed to the scattering characteristics of the electrons and the consequent oversimplified modeling used in the density scaling method. A technique called the ...
A numerical investigation of a humidification dehumidification desalination (HDD) process using solar energy is presented. The HDD system consists mainly of a concentrating solar water heating collector, flat plate solar air heating collector, humidifying tower and dehumidifying exchanger. Two separate circulating loops constitute the HDD system, the first for heating the feed water and the second for heating air. A mathematical model is developed, simulating the HDD system, to study the influence of the different system configurations, weather and operating conditions on the system productivity. The model validity is examined by comparing the theoretical and experimental results of the same authors. It is found that the results of the developed mathematical model are in good agreement with the experimental results and other published works. The results show also that the productivity of the unit is strongly influenced by the air flow rate, ...
A numerical investigation of a humidification dehumidification desalination (HDD) process using solar energy is presented. The HDD system consists mainly of a concentrating solar water heating collector, flat plate solar air heating collector, humidifying tower and dehumidifying exchanger. Two separate circulating loops constitute the HDD system, the first for heating the feed water and the second for heating air. A mathematical model is developed, simulating the HDD system, to study the influence of the different system configurations, weather and operating conditions on the system productivity. The model validity is examined by comparing the theoretical and experimental results of the same authors. It is found that the results of the developed mathematical model are in good agreement with the experimental results and other published works. The results show also that the productivity of the unit is strongly influenced by the air flow rate, ...
The set of laws developed and presented here is by no means exhaustive. Techniques have been present to aid in the development of additional scaling laws and to combine these and other laws to produce additional useful relationships. Some of the relationships produced here have yielded perhaps surprising results. Examples include the fifth order scaling law for electromagnetic motor torque and the zero order scaling law for capacitive motor power. These laws demonstrate important facts about actuators in small-scale systems. The primary intent of this introduction into scaling law analysis is to provide needed tools to examine possible areas of the research in small-scale systems and direct research toward more fruitful areas. Numerous examples have been included to show the validity of developing scaling laws based on first principles and how real world systems tend to obey these laws even when many other variables may potentially come into ...
Electrodeposition of tertiary alumina/yttria/carbon nanotube (Al2O3/Y2O3/CNT) nanocomposite by using pulsed current has been studied in this investigation. Coating process has been performed on nickel sulphate bath and nanostructure of obtained compound layer is examined with high precision figure analysis of SEM nanographs. The effects of process variables, i.e., Y2O3 concentration, treatment time, frequency and duty cycle, have been experimentally studied. Statistical methods are used to achieve the minimum of corrosion rate and average size of nanoparticles. Finally the contribution percentage of different effective factors is revealed and confirmation run shows the validity of obtained results. Also it has been revealed that by changing the size of nanoparticles, corrosion properties o...
The Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NGNP), a demonstration reactor and hydrogen production facility proposed for construction at the INEEL, is expected to be a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR). Computer codes used in design and safety analysis for the NGNP must be benchmarked against experimental data. The INEEL and ANL have examined information about several past and present experimental and prototypical facilities based on HTGR concepts to assess the potential of these facilities for use in this benchmarking effort. Both reactors and critical facilities applicable to pebble-bed and prismatic block-type cores have been considered. Four facilities--HTR-PROTEUS, HTR-10, ASTRA, and AVR--appear to have the greatest potential for use in benchmarking codes for pebble-bed reactors. Similarly, for the prismatic block-type reactor design, two experiments have been ranked as having the highest priority--HTTR and VHTRC.
The anatomical patterns of anorectal malformations have so far been studied according to the principles which inspire Pena's technique for the surgical treatment of anorectal anomalies. Thus, the diagnostic study of anorectal malformation has by the authors been considered a work of classification, but of identification. Among the diagnostic procedures in use in author's Institute, preoperative CT of pelvis is performed to assess the presence and to define the development of muscular sphincteric structure towards prognostic evaluation of continence, the major long-term goal. Seven patients, aged 1-30 months, with anorectal anomalies were studied with preoperative CT of the pelvis. CT scans showed well-developed sphinteric muscles in 3 patients (2 with recto-ureteral and 1 with recto-vestibular fistulas), poorly-developed muscular structure in 3 patients (with recto-vaginal, cloacal and prostatic fistulas), absence of muscular structure in 1 case (with recto-vesical fistula). CT ...
In the VEGA program on radionuclide release from irradiated fuel under severe accident conditions, 10 tests in total were performed at JAEA from 1999 to 2004 under inert and steam atmospheres including the highest pressure or temperature conditions. These tests showed the increase in release rate above 2,800 K or at the fuel liquefaction and the decrease in release rate under elevated pressure, which was a first observation in the world. The data on low-volatility radionuclide release, release from MOX fuel, effect of fuel oxidation, and eutectic reaction with cladding on release were obtained from the tests. The mechanism of pressure effect on release was examined and a new release model with pressure effect was proposed. In addition, the pressure effect on source term evaluation and effectiveness of accident management measures were investigated. This article summarizes the major outcomes described above that have already been published and newly describes the ...
The Lander Quadrangle, Wyoming, was evaluated to a depth of 1500 m to identify environments and delineate areas that exhibit characteristics favorable for the the occurrence of uranium deposits. The evaluation used criteria established for the National Uranium Resources Evaluation program. The methods of surface investigations included evaluation of aerial radiometric and hydrogeochemical stream-sediment reconnaissance data, verification of some reported uranium occurrences, and general field geology with rock, water, and sediment sampling. The subsurface evaluation was accomplished through the use of 230 various oil-well logs. The results of this investigation identified three environments favorable for sandstone uranium deposits in Eocene fluvial sediments. These environments are within the Battle Spring and upper Fort Union Formations of the northern Great Divide Basin and within the Wind River and the Wagon Bed Formations of the southwest Wind River Basin. Eight other formations ...
The Lander Quadrangle, Wyoming, was evaluated to a depth of 1500 m to identify environments and delineate areas that exhibit characteristics favorable for the the occurrence of uranium deposits. The evaluation used criteria established for the National Uranium Resources Evaluation program. The methods of surface investigations included evaluation of aerial radiometric and hydrogeochemical stream-sediment reconnaissance data, verification of some reported uranium occurrences, and general field geology with rock, water, and sediment sampling. The subsurface evaluation was accomplished through the use of 230 various oil-well logs. The results of this investigation identified three environments favorable for sandstone uranium deposits in Eocene fluvial sediments. These environments are within the Battle Spring and upper Fort Union Formations of the northern Great Divide Basin and within the Wind River and the Wagon Bed Formations of the southwest Wind River Basin. Eight other formations ...
The two-phase heat-transfer and pressure-drop characteristics of offset-strip-fin heat-exchanger geometries are examined using both experimental and analytical modeling techniques. Newly-obtained boiling-flow heat-transfer data are presented for two large-scale offset fin geometries at low-to-moderate wall-superheat conditions. Data for which nucleate boiling appeared to be completely suppressed were analyzed together with similar results for other offset fin surfaces to study the effects of channel dimensions on the convective evaporation component of the local heat transfer coefficient. Although these data were found to be well correlated in terms of modified forms of the F and Martinelli parameters used in previous studies of round-tube flows, a single F-factor correlation valid for all combinations of fin and channel dimensions did not appear to exist. The two-phase pressure-drop characteristics of offset-fin surfaces were found to be much ...
Enthalpy relaxation properties of the ethylene glycol (EG) aqueous solutions confined within silica-gel void spaces of 1.1 nm in the average void thickness and 6, 12 and 52 nm in their average diameters were examined by an adiabatic calorimetry to understand the glass transition behavior of the solutions and the rearrangement processes of the molecules. The glass transition temperature Tg of EG was found to decrease with adding the water molecules which are mobile under the condition lacking in the full hydrogen-bond network. Meanwhile, the Tg in the water-rich region showed a rise towards pure water; after a phase separation in a 25 mol% (x = 0.25) EG solution, the Tg was 160 K which was higher than that derived by extrapolating the composition dependence to pure water. The Tg = 160 K is the same as observed in the pure water confined within 1.1 nm voids; this indicates the validity of the interpretation that the glass transition at 160 K of ...
The decommissioning of windscale Pile 2 Chimney resulted in the removal of one of most historically significant and prominent features of the Sellafield site. The project was the first large scale concrete ''free release'' operation to be undertaken on the Sellafield nuclear site, producing 4500 tons of concrete of which 3000 tons was demonstrated to be ''free release''. The paper describes the radiometric techniques employed in the characterisation and segregation of the concrete into low level waste (LLW), very low level waste (VLLW) and free release categories. It examines the robust solutions that were developed to meet the technical and regulatory challenges of the project, which included the definition of free release, the selection of averaging volumes, the testing and validation of the monitoring systems employed for ton quantities of concrete and the identification and removal of small numbers of fuel particles from the free release ...
With regard to polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE), there is few scientific knowledge on the emission patterns into the environment and exposure pathways to humans, and basic information is insufficient to consider what measures effective are. For the purpose of promoting risk reduction of target substances more effectively and efficiently, it is desirable to comprehend accurately the causal chain from the target substances utilization to the risk intake, and to evaluate the measures covering the whole applications of target substances. As the existing researches on the PBDE emission inventory, there are EU risk assessment report (European Chemical Bureau 2000, 2002, 2003), Danish EPA (1999), Palm et al.(2002) and Alcock et al. (2003). In addition, emissions of DecaBDE are published in TRI (Toxic Release Inventory) of US EPA. However, the primary information of the previous inventories is often the same and estimations based on the measured values are few. In light of the situation, ...
The field of digital libraries (DLs) coalesced in 1994: the first digital library conferences were held that year, awareness of the World Wide Web was accelerating, and the National Science Foundation awarded $24 Million (U.S.) for the Digital Library Initiative (DLI). In this paper we examine the state of the DL domain after a decade of activity by applying social network analysis to the co-authorship network of the past ACM, IEEE, and joint ACM/IEEE digital library conferences. We base our analysis on a common binary undirectional network model to represent the co-authorship network, and from it we extract several established network measures. We also introduce a weighted directional network model to represent the co-authorship network, for which we define $AuthorRank$ as an indicator of the impact of an individual author in the network. The results are validated against conference program committee members in the same period. The results ...
We examine the effect of a threshold bias on the power spectrum and the bispectrum in an ensemble of numerical simulations (Gaussian initial perturbations with power law spectra P(k) \\sim k^n, n=+1, 0, -1, -2) and compare our results with theoretical predictions. Our simulations are evolved sufficiently that on the scale where we apply the threshold the rms fluctuation has developed significantly into the nonlinear regime. Thus, predictions based on perturbation theory do not necessarily apply. Nevertheless, we find our results for the power spectrum, biased power simply amplified by a numerical factor, follow predicted trends, far beyond the regime where perturbation theory is expected to be valid. We find that the biased bispectrum continues to follow the so-called hierarchical form, with reduced three-point amplitude Q \\approx 1 in the strongly nonlinear regime, independent of initial spectrum. In the quasi-linear perturbative regime the ...
Examination of measurement invariance provides a powerful method to evaluate the hypothesis that the same set of psychological constructs underlies a set of test scores in different populations. If measurement invariance is observed, then the same psychological meaning can be ascribed to scores in both populations. In this study, the measurement model including core and supplementary subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth edition (WAIS-IV) were compared across the U.S. and Canadian standardization samples. Populations were compared on the 15 subtest version of the test in people aged 70 and younger and on the 12 subtest version in people aged 70 or older. Results indicated that a slightly modified version of the four-factor model reported in the WAIS-IV technical manual provided the best fit in both populations and in both age groups. The null hypothesis of measurement invariance across populations was not rejected, and the results provide direct ...
To illustrate the implementation of a bottom-up approach to the study of culture in health disparities, this article describes the development of a cultural cancer screening scale (CCSS) using mixed methodologies. The aim was to identify cultural factors relevant to breast and cervical cancer screening, develop an instrument to assess them and examine its preliminary psychometric properties among Latin American (Latino) and non-Latino White (Anglo) women in Southern California. Seventy-eight Latino and Anglo women participated in semi-structured interviews, which were content coded based on Triandis' methods for the analysis of subjective culture. Based on the emerging cultural elements, items relevant to cancer screening were developed and pilot tested with 161 participants. After the instrument was refined, 314 Latino and Anglo women from various socioeconomic backgrounds completed the CCSS and data were factor analyzed resulting in five cultural factors: cancer ...
Background. The role of vitamin D in the body's ability to fight influenza and URI's may be dependent on regulation of specific cytokines that participate in the host inflammatory...Full Text Available
BackgroundElementary schools represent both a source of childhood sun exposure and a setting for educational interventions.MethodsSun Protection...Full Text Available
BackgroundPreclinical models of pediatric cancers are essential for testing new chemotherapeutic combinations for clinical trials. The most widely used ...Full Text Available
Purpose Elective laparoscopic sigmoid resection (LSR) for symptomatic diverticular disease is supposed to have significant short-term advantages compared to open surgery (open sigmoid resection (OSR)). This opinion is rather based on inferences from trials on colonic resections for malignant diseases or minor laparoscopic surgery. This randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare quality of life as well as morbidity and clinical outcome after LSR vs. OSR following a midterm follow-up period. Methods Patients presenting with a symptomatic sigmoid diverticular disease stage II/III (Stock/Hansen) were randomly allocated to LSR or OSR in a prospective multicenter trial. Endpoints included the quality of life assessed with a standardized questionnaire, postoperative mortality, and compl...
PurposeClinical trials have commenced to evaluate the feasibility of targeting malignant gliomas with genetically engineered cytolytic T-cells (CTLs) delivered directly...Full Text Available
Aim: To determine whether experience improves the consistency of visual search behaviour in fracture identification in plain radiographs, and the effect of specialization. Material and methods: Twenty-five observers consisting of consultant radiologists, consultant orthopaedic surgeons, orthopaedic specialist registrars, orthopaedic senior house officers, and accident and emergency senior house officers examined 33 skeletal radiographs (shoulder, hand, and knee). Eye movement data were collected using a Tobii 1750 eye tracker with levels of diagnostic confidence collected simultaneously. Kullback-Leibler (KL) divergence and Gaussian mixture model fitting of fixation distance-to-fracture were used to calculate the consistency and the relationship between discovery and reflective visual search phases among different observer groups. Results: Total time spent studying the radiograph was not significantly different between the groups. However, the expert groups had a ...
Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of 64 multidetector-row CT angiography for internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis and the application in the follow-up of carotid endarterectomy and percutaneous transluminal stenting. Methods: Forty transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients with interpretable CTA and DSA of the cervical carotid arteries were selected from May 2005 to December 2005. This yielded a total of 80 vessels. The CTA curved planar reformations (CPR) and DSA images referenced to the distal cervical internal carotid were graded by two senior neuroradiologists blindly, according to the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET) guidelines. The paired-t test was used to verify the statistical significant difference between pre-operating and post-operating of carotid endarterectomy or percutaneous transluminal stenting in measuring the vascular diameter and area of cross section using CTA. Results: When the 70% stenosis was used ...
BackgroundMany emergency ambulance calls are for older people who have fallen. As half of them are left at home, a community-based response may often be more appropriate than hospital...Full Text Available
BackgroundTwo randomized controlled trials of lung cancer screening initiated in the 1970's, the Johns Hopkins Lung Project and the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Lung...Full Text Available
Fiber optic metrology developed at the CEA LIST laboratories involves fiber Bragg grating sensors, distributed Brillouin optical time domain reflectometry and optically stimulated luminescence dosimetry. Recent activities in optical fiber sensing are reviewed from laboratory experiments to field trials.
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.
BackgroundWith 2.5 million new HIV infections per year, effective preventive methods against HIV are urgently needed, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. MDP301 is an ongoing trial...Full Text Available
BACKGROUNDSeveral carotid endarterectomy (CEA) randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and series have reported higher perioperative stroke and death rates for women...Full Text Available
BackgroundLimited information has been published regarding how specific processes for event adjudication can affect event rates in trials. We reviewed nonfatal myocardial infarctions...Full Text Available
We performed a randomized trial to compare IVF outcomes in 54 poor responder patients undergoing a microdose leuprolide acetate (LA) protocol or a GnRH antagonist protocol incorporating a luteal phase E2 patch and GnRH antagonist in the preceding menstrual cycle. Cancellation rates, number of oocytes retrieved, clinical pregnancy rates (PR), and ongoing PRs were similar between the two groups.
Planning is an important part of computational model verification and validation (V&V) and the requisite planning document is vital for effectively executing the plan. The document provides a means of communicating intent to the typically large group of people, from program management to analysts to test engineers, who must work together to complete the validation activities. This report provides guidelines for writing a validation plan. It describes the components of such a plan and includes important references and resources. While the initial target audience is the DART Full System Model teams in the nuclear weapons program, the guidelines are generally applicable to other modeling efforts. Our goal in writing this document is to provide a framework for consistency in validation plans across weapon systems, different types of models, and different scenarios. Specific details contained in any ...
This report is a summary of the Steam Generator Group Project progress for 1985. Statistical analyses are presented of data from nondestructive examination (NDE) round robin tests that were performed on the Surry generator in 1984. In the first round robin, teams acquired and analyzed their own data on a selected 10% subset of tubes. In the second round robin, analysts from each participating team analyzed identical sets of data which were provided to them by the Project. Results from several examinations utilizing advanced/alternate NDE technologies including alternate eddy current probes and techniques, ultrasonics, and profilometry are also reported. Criteria are listed for selecting tube specimens that will be removed from the generator. A sampling plan based on these criteria is detailed graphically in the report. The initial steps that have been taken to carry out the plan are described; tooling fabricated for the sample removals is ...
This report is a summary of the Steam Generator Group Project progress for 1985. Statistical analyses are presented of data from nondestructive examination (NDE) round robin tests that were performed on the Surry generator in 1984. In the first round robin, teams acquired and analyzed their own data on a selected 10% subset of tubes. In the second round robin, analysts from each participating team analyzed identical sets of data which were provided to them by the Project. Results from several examinations utilizing advanced/alternate NDE technologies including alternate eddy current probes and techniques, ultrasonics, and profilometry are also reported. Criteria are listed for selecting tube specimens that will be removed from the generator. A sampling plan based on these criteria is detailed graphically in the report. The initial steps that have been taken to carry out the plan are described; tooling fabricated for the sample removals is ...
Full text: The general population is daily exposed to chronic, low doses of ionizing radiation (IR) from both natural and artificial sources. The biological consequences of acute, high dose IR exposure can be readily determined; however, the nature and significance of low dose, low dose-rate IR effects are still the subject of debate. Confounding the issue, are the phenomena collectively referred to as the Radiation-induced Bystander Effect (RIBE). The RIBE describes a collection of in vitro observations that suggest the presence of a soluble, transmissible factor(s) released from irradiated cells that can induce a biological response in un-irradiated cells. The induction, nature and magnitude of the RIBE varies between cell culture systems, radiation sources and end-points measured. Efforts to confirm the presence of the RIBE in vivo have been confined to in vivo-like culture systems and limited work with tumour and bone-marrow transplantation models. Validation ...
In the future, the demand for energy is predicted to grow and more countries plan to utilize nuclear energy as their source of electric energy. This gives rise to many important issues connected to nuclear energy, such as finding methods that can verify that the spent nuclear fuel has been handled safely and used in ordinary power producing cycles as stated by the operators. Gamma ray spectroscopy is one method used for identification and verification of spent nuclear fuel. In the specific gamma ray spectroscopy method called gamma scanning the gamma radiation from the fission products Cs-137, Cs-134 and Eu-154 are measured in a spent fuel assembly. From the results, conclusions can be drawn about the fuels characteristics. This degree project examines the possibilities of using alternative measuring approaches when using the gamma scanning method. The focus is on examining how to increase the quality of the measured data. How to decrease the ...
In the future, the demand for energy is predicted to grow and more countries plan to utilize nuclear energy as their source of electric energy. This gives rise to many important issues connected to nuclear energy, such as finding methods that can verify that the spent nuclear fuel has been handled safely and used in ordinary power producing cycles as stated by the operators. Gamma ray spectroscopy is one method used for identification and verification of spent nuclear fuel. In the specific gamma ray spectroscopy method called gamma scanning the gamma radiation from the fission products Cs-137, Cs-134 and Eu-154 are measured in a spent fuel assembly. From the results, conclusions can be drawn about the fuels characteristics. This degree project examines the possibilities of using alternative measuring approaches when using the gamma scanning method. The focus is on examining how to increase the quality of the measured data. How to decrease the ...
BackgroundThe objective of this study was to develop and validate a daily electronic Endometriosis Pain and Bleeding Diary (EPBD) for assessing treatment-related changes in endometriosis...Full Text Available
The identification and validation of biomarkers for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other forms of dementia are increasingly important. To date, ELISA measurement of β-amyloid(1–42),...Full Text Available
The thesis gives an overview of the validation process for thermal-hydraulic system codes and it presents in more detail the assessment and validation of the French code CATHARE for VVER calculations. Three assessment cases are presented: loop seal clearing, core reflooding and flow in a horizontal steam generator. The experience gained during these assessment and validation calculations has been used to analyze the behavior of the horizontal steam generator and the natural circulation in the geometry of the Loviisa nuclear power plant. Large part of the work has been performed in cooperation with the CATHARE-team in Grenoble, France. (41 refs., 11 figs., 8 tabs.).
Full text of publication follows: The TUV NORD e.V. is an independent Technical Support Organisation (TSO) performing safety assessments in almost every field of technology. In nuclear safety the TUV can look back on more than 40 years of experience. In the last years in Germany PWR safety analyses were focussed on boron dilution events with the potential of reactivity transients. The possibility of coolant with a low boron concentration collected in localized areas of the reactor coolant system (RCS) can be caused by injection of coolant with less boron content from interfacing systems (external dilution) as well as separation of borated reactor coolant into highly concentrated and diluted fractions (inherent dilution). Inherent dilution can e.g. occur after reflux-condenser heat transfer after a small break loss of coolant accident (SBLOCA) with a limited operability of the emergency core cooling (ECC) systems. The TUV Nord e.V. was charged by German supervisory authorities with the ...
Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) trials for human glioma (glioblastoma multiform) were initiated September 1994 at the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). Patients are given p-boronophenylalanine-fructose (BPA-F) intravenously as the boron carrier followed by exposure to the epithermal-neutron beam at the Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor (BMRR). The initial phase of the study is to determine safety and toxicity of the drug and irradiation procedure. The epithermal-neutron beam was developed in a joint effort by BNL and Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) researchers. For the human trials, treatment planning and radiation dose estimation is performed using the BNCT-Rtpe and the rtt-MC computer codes developed by the INEL BNCT program. This paper discusses our initial experience using these treatment planning codes for human subjects. The basic principles of BNCT have been previously documented.
Summary Objective- To evaluate the role of prophylactic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (co-trimoxazole) antibacterial prophylaxis in reducing morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected post-natal women in southern Africa. Methods- Double-blind placebo-controlled trial. HIV-infected women with WHO stage 2 or 3 HIV disease who had recently delivered in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia were randomised to receive daily co-trimoxazole (cotox) or matched placebo daily for the duration of the trial. Participants were followed up for a minimum of 1-year. Primary outcome measures were mortality from any cause or hospital admission and serious adverse events. Results- Of 600 women randomised, follow-up information was available from 355 (18...
The Mississippi Office of Geology has conducted field trials using the surface exploration techniques of geomicrobial, radiometrics, and free soil gas. The objective of these trials is to determine if Mississippi oil and gas fields have surface hydrocarbon expression resulting from vertical microseepage migration. Six fields have been surveyed ranging in depth from 3,330 ft to 18,500 ft. The fields differ in trapping styles and hydrocarbon type. The results so far indicate that these fields do have a surface expression and that geomicrobial analysis as well as radiometrics and free soil gas can detect hydrocarbon microseepage from pressurized reservoirs. All three exploration techniques located the reservoirs independent of depth, hydrocarbon type, or trapping style.
Summary A prospective and randomized trial design is of utmost interest when it comes to evaluating new developments in the management of cardiovascular medicine. By defining the primary end point and a profound related statistic new therapeutic options can be tested with an adequate number of patients. The course of the trial is supervised by a Clinical Events Committee and a Data and Safety Monitoring Board. Registries are promising tools for describing how the results of clinical trials are translated into daily practice. Their drawbacks include lack of control of the clinical endpoints and their uniform definition and lack of a control group. There are numerous examples from cardiology of the limited usefulness of data obtained from registry studies with their often unexpected results ...
Preterm birth is a common cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Many asymptomatic genital infections have been associated with preterm birth, but attempts to determine a causal relationship between specific infections and preterm birth have been disappointing. Treatment trials of specific infections have generally failed to show a positive effect, and in some trials have shown a deleterious effect. Although there is a strong association between the presence of bacterial vaginosis and Trichomonas vaginalis in pregnancy and preterm birth, randomized treatment trials have failed to show a benefit of treatment of these organisms. Treatment of asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis or T. vaginalis to prevent preterm birth is not warranted. PMID:12112946
Abstract Residue trial data reported by the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) have been reviewed to establish whether or not the resulting residues in harvested commodities are proportional to the pesticide application rate used on the crop. Numerous sets of trials were identified where the only parameter varied was application rate or spray concentration. Analysis of this database in terms of application rate, spray concentration, formulation type, preharvest interval, crop, pesticide, residue level and application type confirms that residues scale with application rate (proportionality principle). It is anticipated that use of the proportionality principle by regulators and those interested in evaluating pesticide residue data will improve pesticide risk assessment. Copy...
Abstract Aims To determine, in the context of a trial in which counseling did not improve smoking cessation outcomes, whether this was due to a failure of the conceptual theory identifying treatment targets or the action theory specifying interventions. Design Data from a randomized clinical trial of smoking cessation counseling and bupropion SR were submitted to multi level modeling to test whether counseling influenced real time reports of cognitions, emotions and behaviors, and whether these targets predicted abstinence. Setting Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention, Madison, WI. Participants A total of 403 adult, daily smokers without contraindications to bupropion SR use. Participants were assigned randomly to receive individual counseling or no counseling and a 9 week course o...
Passage through dams is a major source of mortality of anadromous juvenile salmonids because some populations must negotiate up to eight dams in Columbia and Snake rivers. Dams cause direct mortality when fish pass through turbines, but dams may also cause indirect mortality by altering migration conditions in rivers. Forebays immediately upstream of dams have decreased the water velocity of rivers and may contribute substantially to the total migration delay of juvenile salmonids. Recently, Coutant (2001a) suggested that in addition to low water velocities, lack of natural turbulence may contribute to migration delay by causing fish to lose directional cues. Coutant (2001a) further hypothesized that restoring turbulence in dam forebays may reduce migration delay by providing directional cues that allow fish to find passage routes more quickly (Coutant 2001a). Although field experiments have yielded proof of the concept of using induced turbulence to guide fish to safe passage routes, ...
Thirty-seven patients with primary nonresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (57% with prior treatment and/or metastasis) were prospectively treated with external radiation, chemotherapy, and "1"3"1I labelled anti-CEA. Therapy began in all trials with whole liver irradiation (21.0 Gy, 3.0 Gy/Fx, 4 days/week, 10 MV photons) with alternate treatment day chemotherapy (Adriamycin, 15 mg + 5-FU, 500 mg). One month after external beam therapy, chemotherapy was given (Adriamycin, 15 mg + 5-FU, 500 mg) followed the next day by the first administration of "1"3"1I anti-CEA. The treatment schedule used was 20 mCi day 0; 10 mCi day 5 as an outpatient. This schedule was derived from tumor dose estimates which indicated that 20 mCi (8-10 mCi/mg IgG) was sufficient to achieve tumor saturation with a tumor effective half-life of 3 to 5 days, depending upon the species of animal from which the antibody was obtained. The median tumor dose for the 20 mCi + 10 mCi regimen was 6.2 ...
Over 30 months 9292 consecutive patients admitted to nine coronary care units with suspected myocardial infarction were considered for admission to a randomised double blind study comparing the effect...Full Text Available
Background: Patients with a typical depression are more likely to respond to monoamine oxidase inhibitors than to tricyclic antidepressants. They are frequently offered psychotherapy...Full Text Available
A discussion is given in a popular manner of the solar powered aircraft Solair I. The achievements of the designer are detailed, and trial runs leading up to the first successful flight are given. Technical data of Solair I are listed, and brief news items about it are presented.
Objectives:The supermarket industry now services many customers through online food shopping over the Internet. The Internet shopping process offers a novel opportunity...Full Text Available
AbstractIndividual informed consent is a key ethical obligation for clinical studies, but empirical studies show that key requirements are often not met. Common recommendations to strengthen...Full Text Available
Recent clinical trials demonstrate that combined oral dosing with estrogen and progestin increases the incidence of breast cancer in post-menopausal women. Similarly, in a rat model system of...Full Text Available
Background:Encouragement of stroke patients to resume driving is important to promote their reintegration into the community. Limited rehabilitation has been performed in this regard,...Full Text Available
Chronic pain patients who show aberrant drug-related behavior often are discontinued from treatment when they are noncompliant with their use of opioids for pain. The purpose of this study was...Full Text Available
Genetically identical rhesus monkeys would have tremendous utility as models for the study of human disease and would be particularly valuable for vaccine trials and tissue transplantation studies where...Full Text Available
Separate groups of rats received 500 trials of lever-press training under autoshaping (food delivery followed 10-second lever presentations, or occurred immediately following a response); operant conditioning...Full Text Available
BACKGROUND: Patients with shoulder disorders are believed to benefit considerably from steroid injections. However, the controversy about their efficacy persists. AIM: The study was designed to assess...Full Text Available
ObjectiveTo evaluate a faith-based intervention (“Sisters in Motion”) intended to increase walking among older, sedentary African American women.Full Text Available
BackgroundAdhesive capsulitis is a common, painful, and disabling condition that has been managed with corticosteroid injections for over 50 years. There is debate over the use of...Full Text Available
Performance on serial tasks is influenced by first- and higher-order sequential effects, respectively due to the immediately previous and earlier trials. As response-to-stimulus interval (RSI)...Full Text Available
ObjectivesTo investigate the effect of group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for fatigue self-management, compared with groups receiving fatigue information alone, on fatigue...Full Text Available
BackgroundSafety for diabetic patients means providing the most suitable treatment for each type of diabetic in order to improve monitoring and to prevent the adverse effects of...Full Text Available
BackgroundPatients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with fibrinolysis are increasingly, and ever earlier, referred for routine coronary angiography and where...Full Text Available
We designed a multicenter study to compare tobramycin/clindamycin to imipenem/cilastatin for intra-abdominal infections. We included the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) index...Full Text Available
Our group has developed a physician-operated inpatient order-entry system (BICS-OE). Mindful of the problems inherent in bringing a radical cultural change such as this to the hospital, we conducted...Full Text Available
The pyrethroid knockdown resistance gene (kdr) has become widespread in Anopheles gambiae in West Africa. A trial to test the continuing efficacy of insecticide-treated...Full Text Available
BackgroundAcute lower respiratory infections are the commonest cause of morbidity and potentially preventable mortality in Indigenous infants. Infancy is also a critical time for...Full Text Available
BackgroundInternet education is increasingly provided to health professionals, but little is known about the most effective strategies for delivering the content. The purpose of...Full Text Available
ObjectiveTo test whether a disclosure intervention improves subjective health and reduces medical consumption and sick leave in somatising patients in general practice.DesignNon-blind...Full Text Available
BackgroundRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) which are of poor quality tend to exaggerate the effect estimate and lead to wrong or misleading conclusions. The aim of this study...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
BackgroundTelephone quit lines are accessible to many smokers and are used to engage motivated smokers to make quit attempts. Smoking cessation counselling provided via telephone...Full Text Available
BackgroundThis study aimed to assess whether endoscopic implantation of an injectable esophageal prosthesis, the Gatekeeper Reflux Repair System (GK), is a safe and effective therapy...Full Text Available
The development of soil cover with capillary effect required laboratory experiments where diffusion was studied. The effective diffusion coefficients D of materials in the different layers were determined, as well as the reaction constants of reactive materials. Once soil cover is in place, its efficiency can be controlled by oxygen burn up trials in situ. In the specific case where the materials that comprise the soil cover consume oxygen, even in small quantities, the usual interpretation of these trials is not applicable. In this poster presentation, the authors proposed different procedures for long term trials, in situ and in the laboratory, as well as a new interpretation method based on the use of numerical solutions to the modified Fick equations of diffusion for reactive materials. Special emphasis is placed on the proper enunciation of the laws and the solutions appropriate in such situations. The authors ...
Over the past 10 years, the original partnership of clinician and statistician for the running of clinical research projects, especially clinical trials, has come to be supplemented by the data manager...Full Text Available
OBJECTIVEThis randomized, four-arm, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging phase 2 trial was conducted to determine whether repeated subcutaneous injections of the altered peptide ligand,...Full Text Available
Treating brain tumors using inhibitors of angiogenesis is extensively researched and tested in clinical trials. Although anti-angiogenic treatment holds a great potential for treating primary and secondary...Full Text Available
BackgroundThere are no drugs presently available to treat traumatic brain injury (TBI). A variety of single drugs have failed clinical trials suggesting a role for drug combinations....Full Text Available
BackgroundControversy exists about how to effectively measure patient reported outcomes in IBS clinical trials. Pain numeric rating scales (NRS) are widely used in...Full Text Available
ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy and safety of low dose adrenaline injected subcutaneously to prevent acute adverse reactions to polyspecific antivenom serum in patients admitted...Full Text Available
BackgroundHerpes simplex virus (HSV) suppressive therapy reduces genital and plasma HIV-1 RNA over periods up to three months but the longer-term effect is unknown.Full Text Available
We studied multi-joint coordination during tasks of transporting real and imaginary objects with two arms. One of the arms was unexpectedly arrested in one third of trials performed. In the...Full Text Available
ObjectiveTo investigate possible differences in operative delivery rate among low-risk women, randomised to an alongside midwifery-led unit or to standard obstetric units within...Full Text Available
BackgroundEstablishing an evidence-based method of improving knowledge and attitudes concerning depression has been identified as a priority in Chinese medical education. The purpose...Full Text Available
BackgroundHelminth infections can alter susceptibility to malaria. Studies need to determine whether or not deworming programs can impact on Plasmodium infections...Full Text Available
ObjectiveMany hospitals utilize antimicrobial management teams (AMTs) to improve patient care. However, most function with minimal computer support. We evaluated the effectiveness...Full Text Available
PURPOSE We wanted to assess the impact of an electronic health record–based diabetes clinical decision support system on control of hemoglobin A1c (glycated hemoglobin),...Full Text Available
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of a community pharmacist–based home blood pressure (BP) monitoring program.DesignTrial of a high-intensity...Full Text Available
BackgroundPoverty, lack of female empowerment, and lack of education are major risk factors for childhood illness worldwide. Microcredit programs, by offering small loans to poor...Full Text Available
Purpose/ObjectivesTo describe the Heiney-Adams Recruitment Framework (H-ARF); to delineate a recruitment plan for a randomized, behavioral trial (RBT) based on H-ARF;...Full Text Available
Quality research, requiring large numbers of participants, in the intensive care unit (ICU) population requires multicentre collaboration. Although logistically challenging, this methodology reduces...Full Text Available
BackgroundCompared to healthy controls, cancer patients have a higher risk of unemployment, which has negative social and economic impacts on the patients and on society at large....Full Text Available
BackgroundAn artemisinin-based combination therapy, artesunate (AS) plus sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP), was compared to SP monotherapy to provide evidence of further treatment...Full Text Available
BackgroundObesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. It is implicated in the development of a variety of chronic disease states and is associated with increased...Full Text Available
Objectives:The study was planned to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Livwin (polyherbal formulation) in acute viral hepatitis.Materials...Full Text Available
BackgroundHip fracture patients often have an impaired nutritional status at the time of fracture, which can result in a higher complication rate, prolonged rehabilitation time and...Full Text Available
BackgroundChronic rotator cuff pathology (CRCP) is a common shoulder condition causing pain and disability. Physiotherapy is often the first line of management for CRCP yet there...Full Text Available
A 48-hour course of intravenous unfractionated heparin (UFH) is the standard of treatment in conjunction with fibrin-specific thrombolysis in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In recent trials,...Full Text Available
Objectives To assess the effectiveness of calcium supplementation for improving bone mineral density in healthy children and to determine if any effect is modified by other factors and...Full Text Available
A clinical trial was conducted to determine whether prepartum intramammary pirlimycin reduces the proportion of nulliparous heifers with intramammary infection (IMI) during early lactation and improves...Full Text Available
A paradoxical metabolic imbalance in inorganic phosphate occurs from the early onset of diabetes and may lead to a reduction of high energy phosphates and tissue hypoxia. These changes take place in...Full Text Available
ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to ascertain whether all cervical cancer patients who received adjuvant concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT) for high risk of treatment failure after...Full Text Available
Background"Doing the month", or "sitting month", is a traditional practice for postpartum women in China and other Asian countries, which includes some taboos against well-accepted...Full Text Available
PurposeTo investigate the influence of inhomogeneity corrections on stereotactic treatment plans for non-small cell lung cancer and determine the dose delivered to the PTV and OARs.Full Text Available
BackgroundLung volume reduction surgery is effective at improving lung function, quality of life, and mortality in carefully selected individuals with advanced emphysema. Recently,...Full Text Available
Food-deprived pigeons were presented with a row of four response keys situated above a grain hopper aperture. At the start of a trial, three of four keys were randomly selected and illuminated white...Full Text Available
Accurate prediction of the pathogenic effects of specific genotypes is important for the design and execution of clinical trials as well as for meaningful counseling of individual patients. However,...Full Text Available
The results of clinical trials conducted in Europe and North America have been incorporated into treatment strategies for breast cancer in Japan. Despite the use of similar treatment regimens, why has...Full Text Available
Curcumin is a natural product currently in human clinical trials for a variety of neoplastic, preneoplastic, and inflammatory conditions. We previously observed that, in cultured cells, curcumin exhibits...Full Text Available
Seventy seven patients with soft tissue shoulder lesions including adhesive capsulitis and disorders of the rotator cuff and acromioclavicular joint were admitted to a trial comparing two different...Full Text Available
A Prospective randomised controlled study was done to determine statistical difference between the standard microsurgical discotomy (MC) and a minimally invasive microscopic procedure for disc prolapse...Full Text Available
BackgroundPreclinical studies indicate that the enzyme cyclooxygenase 2 plays an important role in ultraviolet-induced skin cancers. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of celecoxib,...Full Text Available
vaccination card during trial enrollment at the KEMRI/CDC site in Kenya. (Alan Rubin, KEMRI) KEMRI Clinical Officer Paul Ogai reviews a prospective participant's...
BackgroundOnline technology is a promising resource for conducting clinical research. While the internet may improve a study's reach, as well as the efficiency of data collection,...Full Text Available
BackgroundThis is a preliminary report of an ongoing prospective bimodality lung cancer surveillance trial for high‐risk patients. Bimodality surveillance incorporates autofluorescence...Full Text Available
BACKGROUND:The value of other health care professionals is increasingly being recognized to compensate for the shortage of physicians in Canada. Chronic cough is one of the most...Full Text Available
BackgroundSocial isolation affects a significant proportion of older people and is associated with poor health outcomes. The current evidence base regarding the effectiveness of...Full Text Available
ObjectiveThis study sought to determine whether differential treatment effects in the targeted mechanisms of change and eating disorder (ED) symptoms are associated...Full Text Available
Part one of this study investigated the effect of aging on social-cognitive characteristics related to physical activity (PA) among adults in the baseline phase of a health promotion...Full Text Available
BackgroundIn order to evaluate the safety of acupuncture in China objectively, we investigated the adverse events associated with acupuncture based on three multicentre randomized...Full Text Available
BackgroundPregnancies complicated by abnormal umbilical artery Doppler blood flow patterns often result in the baby being born both preterm and growth-restricted. These babies are...Full Text Available
PurposeWe previously reported a randomized phase II clinical trial combining a poxvirus-based vaccine encoding PSA with radiotherapy in patients with localized prostate...Full Text Available
OBJECTIVE: The efficacy of Toto ointment and soap on common skin disorders was tested. METHODOLOGY: A cohort of Nigerians with common skin conditions such as fungal and bacterial skin infections, scabies,...Full Text Available
Background/AimTobacco use reduces the effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy. Host-modulation with low-dose doxycycline (LDD) might favour repair and promote...Full Text Available
BackgroundIntrapartum fetal hypoxia remains an important cause of death and permanent handicap and in a significant proportion of cases there is evidence of suboptimal care related...Full Text Available
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:For treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), Plasma Kinetic loop Resection of the Prostate (PKRP) is an alternative to conventional monopolar...Full Text Available
BackgroundWith rates of childhood obesity increasing, physical activity (PA) promotion especially in young children has assumed greater importance. Given the limited effectiveness...Full Text Available
BackgroundImproving nutrition knowledge among children may help them to make healthier food choices. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and acceptability of a...Full Text Available
BACKGROUNDOff-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery is associated with a hypercoagulable state in which the platelet thrombin receptor, protease-activated receptor-1...Full Text Available
BackgroundMost traditional Chinese herbal formulas consist of at least four herbs. Four-Agents-Decoction (Si Wu Tang) is a documented eight hundred year old formula containing four...Full Text Available
INTRODUCTIONCutiplast (absorbent perforated dressing with adhesive border; Smith & Nephew) is commonly used following orthopaedic operation, but complications of its use...Full Text Available
The aim of our experiment was the testing of effects of common ammunition on usable and slightly accessible biological tissue thereby to create fundamental simple biological model for trials of wounded ballistic. Like objective tissue was elected biological material - pork and beef hind-limbs, pork head, pork bodily cavity. It was discovered that objective tissue is able to react to singles types of shots in all spectrum results namely simple smooth penetration wound as well as splintery fracture in dependence on kind of using ammunition. Pork hind-limb was evaluated like the most suitable biological material for given object. PMID:17172163
Interferons, a group of cytokines with antiangiogenic, direct antitumour and immunostimulating properties, have shown significant activity against osteosarcoma in vitro and in xenograft models. They have also been used in osteosarcoma clinical trials as a single adjuvant to surgery, with an apparent increase in relapse-free survival. In the ongoing EURAMOS 1 clinical trial, interferon a-2b is evaluated as an adjuvant treatment in osteosarcoma. This article reviews the rationale for the use of interferon in cancer with special reference to the treatment of osteosarcoma, including all published data of clinical efficacy in this disease. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2010;54:350-354. Copyright 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Trials were carried out with cuttings of Salix alba, S. viminalis and S. x holosericea. Short (25-30 cm) and long (50-60 cm) cuttings were taken, and were planted at the bottom and the top of the bank. Long cuttings survivied better than short cuttings. For S. viminalis and S. X holosericea, growth was better at the bottom of the bank; S. alba grew better at the top. S. viminalis showed the greatest survival % and the best growth.
Background This report describes the authors? experience with a unique endoluminal, endoscopically delivered and retrieved gastroduodenojejunal bypass sleeve, including short-term weight loss and changes in comorbidities. Methods A prospective, single-center trial was designed. The patients were morbidly obese individuals who met the National Institutes of Health criteria for bariatric surgery. The device used was a unique gastroduodenojejunal bypass sleeve secured at the esophagogastric junction with endoscopic and laparoscopic techniques and designed to create an endoluminal gastroduodenojejunal bypass. At completion of the trial, the device was explanted with endoscopic retrieval. The primary end points were safety and incidence of adverse events. The secondary outcomes included the per...
Three blocks of non-welded tuff, one nominally one cubic foot (trial block) and the other two, nominally one cubic metre (1 m{sup 3}), were excavated from the Busted Butte Test Facility on the Nevada Test Site and transported to the Atomic Energy of Canada Limited Whiteshell Laboratories in Pinawa, Manitoba. The trial block and one of the 1-m{sup 3} blocks were used for unsaturated flow experiments. The remaining 1-m{sup 3} block is being used for saturated flow experiments and will be reported on separately. After a vertical flow of synthetic transport solution was set up under unsaturated conditions, a suite of conservative and chemically reactive radionuclide tracers was injected at volumetric flow rates of 20 mL/hr in the trial block, and 10 mL/hr in the 1-m{sup 3} block. The duration of the migration experiment in the trial block was 87 days, while the migration experiment in the 1-m{sup 3} block ...
X-ray ablation of material from the first wall and other components of an ICF (Inertial Confinement Fusion) chamber is a major threat to the laser final optics. Material condensing on these optics after a shot may cause damage with subsequent laser shots. To ensure the successful operation of the ICF facility, removal rates must be predicted accurately. The goal for this dissertation is to develop an experimentally validated x-ray response model, with particular application to the National Ignition Facility (NIF). Accurate knowledge of the x-ray and debris emissions from ICF targets is a critical first step in the process of predicting the performance of the target chamber system. A number of 1-D numerical simulations of NIF targets have been run to characterize target output in terms of energy, angular distribution, spectrum, and pulse shape. Scaling of output characteristics with variations of both target yield and hohlraum wall thickness are also described. ...
In 2004, the Southeastern France regional council asked the regional health observatory to conduct an environmental health inventory to i) identify environmental health problems in this area; ii) examine the relations between environmental exposure to pollutants and human health; and iii) help public officials to identify priorities in this area. We collected and validated data from national, regional and local institutions, constructed environmental (levels of emissions and pollutants), health (mortality, incidence, prevalence) and behavioral indicators (e.g., complaints about odors), and compared these over time and between places when possible. For each topic, we summarized current knowledge about the links between environment and health. In southeastern France, as in other French areas, indoor air pollution, home and leisure injuries and other home-related risks are public health issues. Other topics are more significant or particular to ...
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission stipulates in 10 CFR 61 that disposed low-level radioactive waste (LLW) be stabilized. To provide guidance to disposal vendors and nuclear station waste generators for implementing those requirements, the NRC developed the Technical Position on Waste Form, Revision 1. That document details a specified set of recommended testing procedures and criteria, including several tests for determining the biodegradation properties of waste forms. Information has been presented by a number of researchers, which indicated that those tests may be inappropriate for examining microbial degradation of cement-solidified LLW. Cement has been widely used to solidify LLW; however, the resulting waste forms are sometimes susceptible to failure due to the actions of waste constituents, stress, and environment. The purpose of this research program was to develop modified microbial degradation test procedures that would be more appropriate than the ...
Full text: A Large Sample Neutron Activation Analysis (LSNAA) facility is under development at GRR-1 research reactor, NCSR 'Demokritos'. The LSNAA facility design incorporates sample irradiation in the reactor's graphite thermal neutron column and subsequent measurement of the activity induced at a gamma spectroscopy system with gamma ray transmission measurement options included. Monte Carlo neutron and photon transport code MCNP-4C was used to model the facility. Appropriate correction factors accounting for neutron field perturbation during sample irradiation, high purity germanium detector efficiency for the volume source and gamma ray self-absorption within the sample itself were derived. The results of the computations were experimentally verified by activation foil measurements for a set of known materials and a range of sample sizes extending up to 10 litters. Moreover, the special issue of large sample analysis of non-homogeneous samples is examined and ...
The treatment of bony, osteochondral, and ligamentous injuries of the tibio-talar requires precise preoperative planning by radiological investigation. This is essential to a correct understanding of the underlying pathology and will allow a proper classification of the injury, which is the basis of treatment. Conventional radiography using anteroposterior and lateral X-rays with comparative views of the noninjured side and, if necessary, rotated spot views and tomography are of high value especially in osteochondral fractures of the talus. Intraoperative control images in both planes after osteosynthesis are mandatory. For evaluation of the postoperative course and severity of arthrosis formation, the classification system of Bargon has proved its worth. In addition, tomography of the tibio-talar joint in two planes is useful especially in tibial pilon fractures, some malleolar fractures, and peripheral talar fractures. In talar fracture dislocations with concomitant compartment ...
Receptor interacting protein 140 (RIP140) is a coregulator for numerous nuclear receptors and transcription factors and primarily exerts gene-repressive activities on various target genes. We previously identified a spectrum of posttranslational modifications on RIP140 that augment its property and biological activity. In T(3)-triggered biphasic regulation of cellular retinoic acid binding protein 1 (Crabp1) gene along the course of fibroblast-adipocyte differentiation, we found TRAP220(MED1) critical for T(3)-activated chromatin remodeling whereas RIP140 essential for T(3)-repressive chromatin remodeling of this gene promoter. In this current study, we aim to examine whether and how RIP140 replaces TRAP220(MED1) on the CrabpI promoter in differentiating adipocyte cultures. We find increasing recruitment of RIP140 to this promoter, with corresponding reduction in TRAP220(MED1) recruitment during the T(3)-repressive phase. We also uncover direct interaction of ...
Firstly, pitting corrosion observed on hold frames in cargo holds of bulk carriers which exclusively carry coal and iron ore has been investigated in detail. It was shown that the shape of the corrosion pits observed on them is a circular cone and the ratio of the diameter to the depth is in the range between 8 to 1 and 10 to 1, which is different from the trend observed for the bottom shell of the oil tanker where the ratio is in the range between 4 to 1 and 6 to 1. Secondly, a series of tensile tests has been conducted to investigate the effect of pitting corrosion on tensile strength of members. It was pointed out that the tensile strength decreases gradually and the total elongation decreases drastically with the increase of the thickness loss due to pitting corrosion. The reduction of the tensile strength of the members with pitting corrosion is larger than that of members with uniform thickness loss in terms of average thickness loss. Thirdly, a series of compressive buckling ...
Organic Rankine cycles (ORC) have unique properties that are well suited to solar power generation. In this work design and performance calculations are performed using MatLab/SimuLink computational environment. The cycle consists of thermal solar collectors (Flat Plate Solar Collector (FPC), or Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC), or Compound Parabolic Concentrator (CPC)) for heat input, expansion turbine for work output, condenser unit for heat rejection, pump unit, and Reverse Osmosis (RO) unit. Reverse osmosis unit specifications used in this work is based on Sharm El-Shiekh RO desalination plant. Different working fluids such as: butane, isobutane, propane, R134a, R152a, R245ca, and R245fa are examined for FPC. R113, R123, hexane, and pentane are investigated for CPC. Dodecane, nonane, octane, and toluene are allocated for PTC. The proposed process units are modeled and show a good validity with literatures. Exergy and cost analysis are ...
A comprehensive study of biomass production conversion and utilisation systems has been carried out to examine complete bio-energy systems from biomass in the forest to electricity delivered to the grid. Models have been derived for all of the key steps in an integrated process which have been compiled into an overall system model. Biomass production from short rotation forestry and from conventional forestry is modelled on an individual operation basis in terms of the performance and cost of each step. This includes planting, maintenance, harvesting, chipping, storage and transport. Biomass conversion includes pretreatment (reception, storage, handling, comminution, screening and drying); atmospheric gasification (generic gasifier, water scrubbing, gas engine); pressure gasification (generic gasifier, hot gas clean-up, gas turbine, HRSG, steam turbine); fast pyrolysis for liquid bio-fuel-oil (pyrolyser, oil storage, dual fuel engine); combustion (fluid bed ...
A newly synthesized glycine derivative (termed GlyD), 2-(4-(dimethylamino)benzylamino)acetic acid hydrochloride, was used to inhibit uniform and pitting corrosion processes of Al in 0.50 M KSCN solutions (pH 6.8) at 25 "oC. For uniform corrosion inhibition study, Tafel extrapolation, linear polarization resistance and impedance methods were used, complemented with SEM examinations. An independent method of chemical analysis, namely ICP-AES (inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry) was also used to test validity of corrosion rate measured by Tafel extrapolation method. GlyD inhibited uniform corrosion, even at low concentrations, reaching a value of inhibition efficiency up to 97% at a concentration of 5 x 10"-"3 M. Results obtained from the different corrosion evaluation techniques were in good agreement. This new synthesized glycine derivative was also used to control pit nucleation and growth on the pitted Al surface based on ...
Detailed chemical kinetic reaction mechanisms have been developed to describe the pyrolysis and oxidation of the n-alkanes, including n-octane (n-C{sub 8}H{sub 18}), n-nonane (n-C{sub 9}H{sub 20}), n-decane (n-C{sub 10}H{sub 22}), n-undecane (n-C{sub 11}H{sub 24}), n-dodecane (n-C{sub 12}H{sub 26}), n-tridecane (n-C{sub 13}H{sub 28}), n-tetradecane (n-C{sub 14}H{sub 30}), n-pentadecane (n-C{sub 15}H{sub 32}), and n-hexadecane (n-C{sub 16}H{sub 34}). These mechanisms include both high temperature and low temperature reaction pathways. The mechanisms are based on previous mechanisms for n-heptane, using the same reaction class mechanism construction developed initially for n-heptane. Individual reaction class rules are as simple as possible in order to focus on the parallelism between all of the n-alkane fuels included in the mechanisms, and there is an intent to develop these mechanisms further in the future to incorporate greater levels of accuracy and predictive capability. Several of ...
Detailed chemical kinetic reaction mechanisms have been developed to describe the pyrolysis and oxidation of nine n-alkanes larger than n-heptane, including n-octane (n-C{sub 8}H{sub 18}), n-nonane (n-C{sub 9}H{sub 20}), n-decane (n-C{sub 10}H{sub 22}), n-undecane (n-C{sub 11}H{sub 24}), n-dodecane (n-C{sub 12}H{sub 26}), n-tridecane (n-C{sub 13}H{sub 28}), n-tetradecane (n-C{sub 14}H{sub 30}), n-pentadecane (n-C{sub 15}H{sub 32}), and n-hexadecane (n-C{sub 16}H{sub 34}). These mechanisms include both high temperature and low temperature reaction pathways. The mechanisms are based on our previous mechanisms for the primary reference fuels n-heptane and iso-octane, using the reaction class mechanism construction first developed for n-heptane. Individual reaction class rules are as simple as possible in order to focus on the parallelism between all of the n-alkane fuels included in the mechanisms, and these mechanisms will be refined further in the future to incorporate greater levels of ...
Background:The validity of dementia diagnoses in the Danish nationwide hospital registers was evaluated to determine the value of these registers in epidemiological research about dementia. Methods: Two hundred patients were randomly selected from 4,682 patients registered for the first time with a dementia diagnosis in the last 6 months of 2003. The patients' medical journals were reviewed to evaluate if they fulfilled ICD-10 and/or DSM-IV criteria for dementia and specific dementia subtypes. The patients who were still alive in 2006 were invited to an interview. Results: One hundred and ninety-seven journals were available for review and 51 patients were interviewed. A registered diagnosis of dementia was found to be correct in 169 (85.8%) cases. Regarding dementia subtypes, the degree of agreement between the registers and the results of the validating process was low with a kappa of 0.36 (95% CI 0.24-0.48). Conclusion: The ...
For models with several time-dependent components, generalized entropies can be defined. This is shown for the Bianchi type IX model. We first derive the Cardy-Verlinde formula under the assumption that the first law of thermodynamics is valid. This leads to an explicit expression of the total entropy associated with this type of universe. Assuming the validity of the Cardy entropy formula, we obtain expressions for the corresponding Bekenstein, Bekenstein-Hawking and Hubble entropies. We discuss the validity of the Cardy-Verlinde formula and possible extensions of the outlined procedure to other time-dependent models.
Typing Workshop": [Introductions] [Intro, DNA Basics, and Historical Perspective] [DNA Extraction] [Validation and QA/QC] [DNA Quantitation] [PCR Amplification] [STR Loci and Kits]...
BACKGROUND:In adults, it is well known that high levels of pain catastrophizing are related to increased pain and disability as well as to heightened anxiety and depression. However,...Full Text Available
PURPOSE.- The study aims to clinically validate the defining characteristics (DCs) of the nursing diagnosis (ND) of Activity Intolerance for patients with ischemic heart disease and refractory angina. METHODS.- Cross-sectional study was used, involving 22 patients with ND of Activity Intolerance. The Fehring method was used to validate the ND. FINDINGS.- Most DCs presented reliability indexes between 0.5 and 0.79. Three DCs presented reliability indexes - 0.8. CONCLUSION.- All DCs were validated, and electrocardiographic changes indicating ischemia, verbal report of fatigue, and abnormal rate response to activity were considered as DC major. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE.- This study is relevant in daily nursing practice for guidance in establishing the care plan and describing the ass...
SynopsisAttention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a valid and impairing psychological disorder that persists into adulthood in a majority of cases and is associated...Full Text Available
measure meteorological variables and bulk water temper- ature. The locations of the buoys are given in Table 1. TB2 and TB3 were moved slightly farther south ...
Inferring cluster structure in microarray datasets is a fundamental task for the -omic sciences. A fundamental question in Statistics, Data Analysis and Classification, is the prediction of the number of clusters in a dataset, usually established via internal validation measures. Despite the wealth of internal measures available in the literature, new ones have been recently proposed, some of them specifically for microarray data. In this dissertation, a study of internal validation measures is given, paying particular attention to the stability based ones. Indeed, this class of measures is particularly prominent and promising in order to have a reliable estimate the number of clusters in a dataset. For those measures, a new general algorithmic paradigm is proposed here that highlights the richness of measures in this class and accounts for the ones already available in the literature. Moreover, some of the most representative ...
BackgroundThe evaluation of interventions and policies designed to promote resilience, and research to understand the determinants and associations, require reliable and valid measures...Full Text Available
BackgroundAdequate pain assessment is critical for evaluating the efficacy of analgesic treatment in clinical practice and during the development of new therapies. Yet the currently...Full Text Available
Waveform correlation detectors compare a signal template with successive windows of a continuous data stream and report a detection when the correlation coefficient, or some comparable detection statistic, exceeds a specified threshold. Since correlation detectors exploit the fine structure of the full waveform, they are exquisitely sensitive when compared to power (STA/LTA) detectors. The drawback of correlation detectors is that they require complete knowledge of the signal to be detected, which limits such methods to instances of seismicity in which a very similar signal has already been observed by every station used. Such instances include earthquake swarms, aftershock sequences, repeating industrial seismicity, and many other forms of controlled explosions. The reduction in the detection threshold is even greater when the techniques are applied to arrays since stacking can be performed on the individual channel correlation traces to achieve significant array gain. In previous ...
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common disorder, for which various conservative treatment options are available. The objective of this study is to determine the efficacy of the various conservative treatment options for relieving the symptoms of CTS. Computer-aided searches of MEDLINE (1/1966 to 3/2000), EMBASE (1/1988 to 2/2000) and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (2000, issue 1) were conducted, together with reference checking. Included were randomised controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of conservative treatment options in a study population of CTS patients, with a full report published in English, German, French or Dutch. Two reviewers independently selected the studies. Fourteen randomised controlled trials were included in the review. Assessment of methodological quality and data-extraction was independently performed by two reviewers. A rating system, based on the number of studies and their ...
Lipids in the stratum corneum (SC) are of major importance for the skin barrier function. Many different methods have been used for the collection of SC for the analysis of SC lipids. The objective of the present study was to validate the cyanoacrylate method for the collection of SC in relation to lipid analysis.
The International Index of Erectile Function is a well-worded and psychometrically valid self-report questionnaire widely used as the standard for the evaluation of male sexual function. However, some conceptual and statistical problems arise when using the measure with men who are not sexually active. These problems are illustrated using 2 empirical examples, and the authors provide recommended solutions to further strengthen the efficacy and validity of this measure.
2D simulation modeling of a river basin is based on notion of a River Basin as an opened non equilibrium nature system. All components of the system (elevation, water, soil properties and others) are linked to single multi - functional model. The objective of flood simulation is one the model functions. The objectives of the paper are as follows: a mean scale basin floods computing and the model validation; a large scale basin simulation and demands for its validation; results and demands for flood hazard assessment. (orig.)
As both computer and mobile phone reach nearly ubiquity in the U.S. market, the slow uptake of mobile video, in contrast to the thriving usage of PC-based video, warrants a deeper understanding of user-oriented factors contributing to the two diffusion paths. Unlike the majority of existing diffusion research practices, the dissertation examines the differences between mobile and PC video diffusion patterns through the lenses of user-oriented influences in the user-technology relationship. Built upon the established adoption user group classification, the research is informed by the Uses and Gratification theory, the Social Technical theory, and the Technical Affordance perspective. These synergistic theoretical arguments share the recognition of the role of user in the dynamic, usually socially intertwined user-technology interactions. The key research questions that the dissertation sets out to answer include: Does the importance of quality of viewing ...
PurposeWe investigated the efficacy and safety of degarelix treatment and the effects of switching from leuprolide to degarelix in an ongoing extension study with a median 27.5-month followup of a pivotal 1-year prostate cancer trial. Materials and MethodsPatients who completed a 1-year pivotal phase III trial continued on the same monthly degarelix maintenance dose (160 or 80 mg in 125 each), or were re-randomized from leuprolide 7.5 mg to degarelix 240/80 mg (69) or 240/160 mg (65). Data are shown on the approved degarelix 240/80 mg dose. The primary end point was safety/tolerability and the secondary end points were testosterone, prostate specific antigen, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone responses, and prostate specific antigen failure and progression-free survival....
Carbon monoxide can be produced in severe accidents from interaction of ex-vessel molten core with concrete. Depending on the particular core-melt scenario, the type of concrete and geometric factors affecting the interaction, the quantities of carbon monoxide produced can vary widely, up to several volume percent in the containment. Carbon monoxide is a combustible gas. The carbon monoxide thus produced is in addition to the hydrogen produced by metal-water reactions and by radiolysis, and represents a possibly significant contribution to the combustible gas inventory in the containment. Assessment of possible accident loads to containment thus requires knowledge of the combustion properties of both CO and H_2 in the containment atmosphere. Extensive studies have been carried out and are still continuing in the nuclear industry to assess the threat of hydrogen in a severe reactor accident. However the contribution of carbon monoxide to the combustion threat has received less ...
Most of the tissue banks in the Asia Pacific region have been using ionising radiation at 25 kGy to sterilise human tissues for save clinical usage. Under tissue banking quality system, any dose employed for sterilisation has to be validated and the validation exercise has to be a part of quality document. Tissue grafts, unlike medical items, are not produced in large number per each processing batch and tissues relatively have a different microbial population. A Code of Practice established by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2004 offers several validation methods using smaller number of samples compared to ISO 11137 (1995), which is meant for medical products. The methods emphasise on bioburden determination, followed by sterility test on samples after they were exposed to verification dose for attaining of sterility assurance level (SAL) of 10{sup -1}. This paper describes our experience in using the IAEA ...
Piping in nuclear power plants is vital to the proper operation and safety of these facilities. To assure safety in the unlikely event of a pipe break, it is necessary to evaluate the consequences from the resulting whipping pipe on neighboring components and structures. Numerical simulations allow for rapid evaluation of these consequences. Before simulations can be accepted, however, the methodology and computer codes must be validated against experimental results. This paper uses a probabilistic approach to validate pipe whip simulations against limited experimental results. Probabilistic analysis software was developed and coupled to existing deterministic finite element software. An example of a whipping pipe impacting against a reinforced concrete slab was simulated. The described probabilistic approach was used to validate the numerical simulations. The conclusions obtained were that the numerical simulations of ...
Patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and diabetes mellitus, as well as patients admitted with elevated blood glucose without known diabetes, have impaired outcome. Therefore intensive glucose-lowering therapy with insulin (IGL) has been proposed in diabetic or hyperglycaemic patients and has been shown to improve survival and reduce incidence of adverse events. The current manuscript provides an overview of randomised controlled trials investigating the effect of IGL. Furthermore, systematic glucose?insulin?potassium infusion (GIK) has been studied to improve outcome after AMI. In spite of positive findings in some early studies, GIK did not show any beneficial effects in recent clinical trials and thus this concept has been abandoned. While IGL targeted to achieve normoglycaemi...
Introduction: Tumor-derived heat shock protein (HSP)-peptide complexes (HSPPCs) induced immunity against malignancies in preclinical trials, working across tumor types and bypassing the need to identify single immunogenic peptides. These results paved the way for the use of human gp96 obtained from autologous tumor samples as an anti-cancer vaccine. Areas covered: Autologous tumor-derived HSP gp96 peptide complex (HSPPC-96) vaccine is emerging as a tumor- and patient-specific cancer vaccine, with confirmed activity in several malignancies. It has been tested in Phase III clinical trials in advanced melanoma and kidney cancer with evidence for efficacy in patients with earlier stage disease. HSPPC-96-based vaccine demonstrated an excellent safety profile, thus emerging as a novel therapeuti...
Abstract Intrasexual selection can occur through direct aggressive interactions between males for access to females. We tested the relationship between social dominance and male reproductive success among meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus. Dominance ranks of wild-caught males were determined using neutral arena trials, with the winner of two of three trials considered dominant. These males were then released into field enclosures and allowed to visit females housed in nestboxes for 8 wk, and males' home range sizes were determined using weekly grid trapping. Male reproductive success was determined using molecular paternity analysis (six microsatellite primers) for all pups born during the field experiment. Males with higher dominance ranks had larger home ranges. However, male dominan...
A food supplement containing fish oils, urtica dioica, zinc, and vitamin E (Phytalgic) for osteoarthritis (OA) has now been tested in a placebo-controlled trial for 3 months and according to the authors has a very large clinical effect, considerably larger than that of any other known product. Even experts endorsing nutraceuticals for OA symptoms would probably agree that a nutraceutical with an effect size above 0.5 is rarely seen. Despite our concerns about the fact that trial registration took place after the study was completed and the likelihood that patients would note the taste of fish, a circumstance that would lead to detection bias, we consider these data promising though with a high risk of bias.
The antisymmetric many-body trial state which describes a system of interacting fermions is parametrized in terms of localized wave packets. The equations of motion are derived from the time-dependent quantum variational principle. The resulting fermionic molecular dynamics (FMD) equations include a wide range of semi-quantal to classical physics extending from deformed Hartree-Fock theory to newtonian molecular dynamics. Conservation laws are discussed in connection with the choice of the trial state. The model is applied to heavy-ion collisions with which its basic features are illustrated. The results show a great variety of phenomena including deeply inelastic collisions, fusion, incomplete fusion, fragmentation, neck emission, promptly emitted nucleons and evaporation. ((orig.)).
Summary Background There is a need for new artemisinin-based combination therapies that are convenient, effective, and safe. We compared the efficacy and safety of pyronaridine-artesunate with that of artemether-lumefantrine for treatment of uncomplicated P falciparum malaria. Methods This phase 3, parallel-group, double-blind, randomised, non-inferiority trial was undertaken in seven sites in Africa and three sites in southeast Asia. In a double-dummy design, patients aged 3-60 years with uncomplicated P falciparum malaria were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive pyronaridine-artesunate once a day or artemether-lumefantrine twice a day, orally for 3 days, plus respective placebo. Randomisation was done by computer-generated randomisation sequence in blocks of nine by study centre....
Many of the vertical hydrocarbon miscible floods in the Keg River carbonate reefs of the Rainbow Field are at a mature stage of reservoir depletion, and are characterized by thin oil sandwiches. Injection of a gas-blocking foam barrier into a gas cone had the potential to improve oil productivity. Experimental foam treatments were described for two wells, each in a different miscible flood well. One of the wells received foam in an aqueous solution to generate foam in-situ, and as a surface generated foam. These attempt were unsuccessful at improving well performance. The second well was injected with preformed foam only. This treatment reduced GOR and improved oil production over a 14 month period. Field experience from these field trials was expected to improve efficiency in planning, design, implementation and evaluation of future foam projects.
Summary Objective To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of an educational outreach intervention to improve primary respiratory care by South African nurses. Methods Cost-effectiveness analysis alongside a pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial, with individual patient data. The intervention, the Practical Approach to Lung Health in South Africa (PALSA), comprised educational outreach based on syndromic clinical practice guidelines for tuberculosis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia and other respiratory diseases. The study included 1999 patients aged 15 or over with cough or difficult breathing, attending 40 primary care clinics staffed by nurses in the Free State province. They were interviewed at first presentation, and 1856 (93%) were interviewed 3 months late...
AbstractBackground Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in the 1970s and early 1980s showed the polysaccharide serogroup A vaccine (SgAV) prevented serogroup A meningococcal meningitis (SGAMM). Subsequent non-RCTs suggested significant variations in the age-specific duration of protection among children. Objectives To determine the protective effect, duration of protection, age-specific effects and the effect of booster doses in children of the SgAV against SGAMM. Search strategy We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2010, issue 2) which contains the Acute Respiratory Infections Group's Specialised Register, MEDLINE (January 1950 to May Week 3, 2010) and EMBASE (January 1974 to May 2010). Selection criteria We included RCTs. Non-RCTs ...
This review briefly discusses the clinical and basic science rationale for vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). As the number of treatment failures for depression increases, the likelihood of achieving remission during acute treatment decreases, and the risk of relapse increases with the number of treatment failures. Two open trials of adjunctive VNS for TRD showed positive acute results and a growing benefit over time. The results of the acute randomized controlled trial were not significant for the primary outcome (response by HRSD-24), but the secondary measure (IDS-SR-30) was significant for VNS. A 12-month nonrandomized comparative analysis of patients receiving adjunctive VNS with TRD patients receiving treatment as usual showed significant results f...
Background: Chloroquine has in-vitro activity against influenza and could be an ideal candidate for worldwide prevention of influenza in the period between onset of a pandemic with a virulent influenza strain and the development and widespread dissemination of an effective vaccine. We aimed to assess the efficacy of such an intervention. Methods: In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial done at a single centre in Singapore, we randomly assigned (1:1) healthy adults to receive chloroquine phosphate (500 mg/day for 1 week, then once a week to complete 12 weeks) or matching placebo by use of a computer-generated randomisation list. Participants filled an online symptom diary every week, supplemented by daily diaries and self-administered nasal swabs when unwell. Haemagglutin...
This paper presents a trial of probabilistic simulation for performance assessment of high-level waste (HLW) disposal using the Monte Carlo method. Based on the Reference Case conceptual model in H12, a new integrated simulation system which allowed us to rapidly evaluate the effect of data uncertainty was developed. The doses to hypothetical exposure group were compared with the results of H12 that were performed by using a point-wise approach, in terms of maximum total dose. This study showed that H12 results were consistent with results of probabilistic simulation and also showed that transmissivity had a strong influence for the uncertainty of the system performance in all simulation time. (author)
Summary Background Sorafenib is an oral multikinase inhibitor that blocks cell proliferation via the ERK pathway and angiogenesis via the VEGF pathway. This phase II trial was conducted to determine the efficacy and tolerability of sorafenib for the treatment of patients with metastatic urothelial cancer (UC) who had not had prior chemotherapy for advanced disease. Patients and Methods Seventeen chemo-na?ve UC patients with adequate performance status and organ function were treated with sorafenib 400?mg twice daily on a continuous basis until progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was objective tumor response rate as measured by RECIST criteria. Secondary endpoints included rate of prolonged stable disease (>3?months), time to progression, median and 1?yr survival and ...
We have developed a flexible radioactive polyurethane patch incorporating {beta}-emitting radionuclide (166Ho) to treat malignant skin lesions. We covered the tumor surface (n=133) with the radioactive patch for 33.58 {+-} 5.33 minutes. Radiation dose delivered was 35 Gy for Bowen's disease (n=78), Kaposi sarcoma (n=25), actinic keratosis (n=5), and 50 Gy for BCC (n=17) and squamous carcinoma (n=8). Complete response was observed in 91.7% after the first therapeutic trial, 96.2% after 2nd and 97.7% after 4th trial with excellent cosmetic outcome for 31.15{+-}13.88 months of follow-up. Radioactive patch therapy is effective for superficial skin cancers that are impractical for surgery.
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to provide more insight into the question as to why blockade of CCR1, CCR2, and CCR5 may have failed in clinical trials in rheumatoid arthritis...Full Text Available
BackgroundDue to improvements in cancer survival the number of people of working age living with cancer across Europe is likely to increase. UK governments have made commitments...Full Text Available
BackgroundHamstring injuries are the most common injury in Australian Rules football. It was the aims to investigate whether a sports chiropractic manual therapy intervention protocol...Full Text Available
BackgroundDespite the diffusion into practice of percutaneous closure of a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in patients with cryptogenic stroke (CS), the benefits have not been demonstrated,...Full Text Available
BackgroundMale circumcision (MC) reduces high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) in HIV-uninfected men and their female partners. We assessed whether MC of HIV-infected...Full Text Available
Telavancin is a bactericidal lipoglycopeptide with a multifunctional mechanism of action. We conducted a randomized, double blind, active-control phase II trial. Patients ≥18 years of age with...Full Text Available
BackgroundChildren aged between one and five years are particularly vulnerable to disease caused by soil-transmitted helminths (STH). Periodic deworming has been shown to improve...Full Text Available
SummaryBackgroundInnovative prevention strategies for HIV-1 transmission are urgently needed. PRO2000 vaginal gel was efficacious against HIV-1 transmission in studies...Full Text Available
BackgroundUsing a transcriptional profiling approach, we recently identified myeloid-related protein-8/14 (MRP-8/14) to be expressed by platelets during acute MI....Full Text Available
BackgroundIn an effort to promote healthy ageing and preserve health and function, the government of Chile has formulated a package of actions into the Programme for Complementary...Full Text Available
The field trial of an unattended monitoring system for SF transfer verification ended in June 2005. The system is aiming to improve the safeguards measures applied during SF transfers and reduce inspection effort currently required by the Operator, NNCA and the IAEA. They were reviewed based on its technical performance and other issues in this paper.
The field trial of an unattended monitoring system for SF transfer verification ended in June 2005. The system is aiming to improve the safeguards measures applied during SF transfers and reduce inspection effort currently required by the Operator, NNCA and the IAEA. They were reviewed based on its technical performance and other issues in this paper.
Background and purpose: A series of phase I/II clinical trials are being initiated in several UK centres to explore the use of dose-escalated schedules for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Among them the IDEAL-CRT trial (ISRCTN12155469) will investigate the introduction of individualised 'isotoxic' treatment schedules based on the relative mean lung normalised total dose (rNTDmean), an estimator related to lung toxicity. Since treatment planning will be performed using different treatment planning systems (TPSs), for the quality assurance of the trial we have carried out work to quantify the influence of dose calculation algorithms based on the determination of rNTDmean and on the choice of individualised prescription doses. Material and methods: Twenty-five patient plans with stage I, II and III NSCLC were calculated, with the same prescription dose, using the Adaptive Convolve (AC) and Collapsed Cone ...
...] Responsibility and the Big Society by Antje Bednarek [Downloadable!] Friendship Dynamics Between Emotions and Trials by Paola Rebughini [Downloadable!] On Friendship, Equality and Introductions: Comparing English and German Regimes of Manners and Emotions by Cas Wouters [Downloadable!] Fees, Funding and Overseas Study: Mobile UK Students and Educational Inequalities by Rachel Brooks & Johanna Waters [Downloadable!] The Subject of Functional Foods: Accounts of Using Foods Containing Phytosterols by Kate Weiner [Downloadable!] Paradoxes and Pitfalls in ...
The polymer industry is a young industry that has undergone tremendous growth and change over the last sixty years. Many important discoveries in polymer science have been accidental. Most of the learning has been by trial and error and most of the understanding is still basically empirical--make a polymer material or compound and then put it to the test to study what it is and how it performs. This article provides an overview of what polymers and polymer compounds are, why they behave as they do, and it discusses several examples of failures of rubber and plastic components.
Prior to an industrial-scale test of zinc/air batteries at Greven, the TUeV Bayern-Sachsen carried out preliminary tests on behalf of the Deutsche Bundespost. The results were quite promising: The energy density of the new battery is ten times as high as that of conventional lead batteries, and the battery-powered test vehicle had a range of up to 300 km. (orig.)
The efficacy of a heat inactivated hepatitis B virus vaccine, containing 3 micrograms hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), was studied in a high risk group of 800 susceptible homosexual men by a randomised...Full Text Available
BackgroundTo investigate the effects of a school-based physical activity-related injury prevention program, called 'iPlay', on risk behavior and neuromotor fitness.MethodsIn...Full Text Available
PurposeRTOG protocol 95-17 was a phase I/II trial to evaluate multi-catheter brachytherapy as the sole method of adjuvant breast radiotherapy for stage I/II breast...Full Text Available
A recent clinical trial of a T-cell-based AIDS vaccine delivered with recombinant adenovirus type 5 (rAd5) vectors showed no efficacy in lowering viral load and was associated with increased risk of...Full Text Available
AimTo compare the blood glucose-lowering effect of a highly viscous fiber blend (VFB) added to a starchy snack on postprandial glycemia between healthy participants and participants...Full Text Available
The performance of the leukocyte test area of the new multiple urine test strip, Multistix-10-SG, was evaluated in both field trials and model experiments. The detection limit was found to be adequate for routine purposes. Unspecific reactions are rare and generally indicated by the results of the other test areas. PMID:3572312
DescriptionThe objective of this project is to relate the processing quality of wheat to the composition of the developing and mature grain using material grown under a range of nutrient regimes including long term organic and fertilised systems from the Rothamsted Broadbalk experiment, variety trials and organically grown wheat. Preliminary studies have indicated substantial differences in the transcriptome profiles of wheat grown with artificial fertiliser and with organic fertiliser on Broadbalk and tru [continued...
AimsTo evaluate the associations of myocardial infarction (MI) and major bleeding with 1-year mortality. Both MI and major bleeding predict 1-year mortality in patients presenting...Full Text Available
After baseline studies, 21 patients with osteoporosis were treated with human parathyroid hormone fragment (PTH 1-34) given as once-daily subcutaneous injections for 6-24 months. The dose used did not...Full Text Available
BackgroundSeveral studies have demonstrated the efficacy of artemisinin-combination therapy (ACT) across malaria zones of the world. Fixed dose ACT with shorter courses and fewer...Full Text Available
Delirium occurs in up to 65% of older hip fracture patients. Developing delirium in hospital has been associated with a variety of adverse outcomes. Trials have shown that multi-component preventive...Full Text Available
Abstract: The clustered logrank test is a nonparametric method of significance testing for correlated survival data. Examples of its application include cluster randomized trials where groups of patients rather than individuals are randomized to either a treatment or a control intervention. We describe a SAS macro that implements the 2-sample clustered logrank test for data where the entire cluster is randomized to the same treatment group. We discuss the theory and applications behind this test as well as details of the SAS code.
BackgroundThe malaria vaccine candidate antigen RTS,S includes parts of the pre-erythrocytic stage circumsporozoite protein fused to the Hepatitis B surface antigen. Two Adjuvant...Full Text Available
Two studies (N = 420) were conducted to develop and validate the instructional dissent scale (IDS) for use in the college classroom. Participants in study 1 were 210 students who completed the IDS pilot inventory which was subjected to an exploratory factor analysis yielding three distinct factors of dissent (i.e., expressive, rhetorical, vengeful). Concurrent validity support was provided as perceived teacher misbehaviors were associated positively with students' likelihood of engaging in dissent and students reported fewer learning outcomes when they dissented. Participants in study 2 were from a different sample of 210 students who completed the IDS along with measures of classroom justice and student challenge behavior. A confirmatory factor analysis provided support for the hypothesiz...
Three adolescents (ages 14-17) with emotional and behavioral disorders displayed chronic disruptive behavior in their self-contained classrooms at a self-contained alternative school. A descriptive functional behavioral assessment was conducted for each student. Data from file review, structured interviews, and direct observations were used to identify the functions of their disruptive behaviors. Then, function-based interventions were systematically constructed for each student and implemented for an extended period (nearly 6 weeks) within the most problematic situation in their classrooms. The interventions improved each student's behavior and the effects maintained during follow-up and generalized to instruction in a nonintervention classroom. Social validity data comparing the interventions to baseline practices revealed the function-based intervention had moderately higher social validity among teachers and substantially higher social ...
Sandia National Laboratories has erected a research oriented, 34- meter diameter, Darrieus vertical axis wind turbine near Bushland, Texas. This machine, designated the Sandia 34-m VAWT Test Bed, is equipped with a large array of strain gauges that have been placed at critical positions about the blades. This manuscript details a series of four-point bend experiments that were conducted to validate the output of the blade strain gauge circuits. The output of a particular gauge circuit is validated by comparing its output to equivalent gauge circuits (in this stress state) and to theoretical predictions. With only a few exceptions, the difference between measured and predicted strain values for a gauge circuit was found to be of the order of the estimated repeatability for the measurement system.
The aim of this work is the development and experimental validation of a detailed dynamic fuel cell model using the gPROMS modeling environment. The model is oriented towards optimization and control and it relies on material and energy balances as well as electrochemical equations including semi-empirical equations. For the experimental validation of the model a fully automated and integrated hydrogen fuel cell testing unit was used. The predictive power of the model has been compared with the data obtained during load change experiments. A sensitivity analysis has been employed to reveal the most critical empirical model parameters that should be estimated using a systematic estimation procedure. Model predictions are in good agreement with experimental data under a wide range of operati...
This paper details the design of a premixed, swirl-stabilized combustor that was designed and built for the express purpose of obtaining validation-quality data for the development of large eddy simulations (LES) of gas turbine combustors. The combustor features nonambiguous boundary conditions, a geometrically simple design that retains the essential fluid dynamics and thermochemical processes that occur in actual gas turbine combustors, and unrestrictive access for laser and optical diagnostic measurements. After discussing the design detail, a preliminary investigation of the performance and operating envelope of the combustor is presented. With the combustor operating on premixed methane/air, both the equivalence ratio and the inlet velocity were systematically varied and the flame structure was recorded via digital photography. Interesting lean flame blowout and resonance characteristics were observed. In addition, the combustor exhibited a large region of ...
RELAP5/MOD3 code was developed for western type power water reactors with vertical steam generators. Thus, this code should be validated also for VVER design with horizontal steam generators. The validation work, which has been started in Lappeenranta University of Technology (LUT), has already shown some weaknesses of the code. For example the flow inside a steam generator horizontal tube in some accident cases is not correctly modelled by the code. It may be the result of erroneous prediction of the flow regime. The aim of the study is the attempt of verification of the flow regime map, which is used in the RELAP5/MOD3 computer code for two-phase flow in horizontal tubes. (18 refs.).
As part of the United States Department of Agricultures (USDA) National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program (NFNAP), food composition data for vitamin D in the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference are being updated and expanded, focusing on high priority foods and validated analytical methodology. A lack of certified reference materials and analytical methods validated for these key foods required the development of five matrix-specific control composite materials (CC) (canned salmon and vitamin D3 fortified cereal, orange juice, milk, and cheese). Each of six experienced laboratories (research and commercial) analyzed vitamin D3 in five subsamples of each CC in five separate analytical batches, with one subsample of each material in each run. Research laboratories perform...
Research on the emotion of shame has increased significantly in recent years. However, there remains a need for more psychometrically sound measures of shame, including measures of shame in response to specific, idiographic experiences. The Shame Inventory was developed in order to assess both global feelings of shame as well as shame in response to specific life events or personal characteristics. Two studies were conducted to determine the preliminary psychometric properties of the Shame Inventory. Across both studies, results indicate that the inventory has high internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity, and predictive validity. The Shame Inventory holds promise as a new measure designed to assess both global feelings of shame as well as specific shame-eliciting ...
Piping in nuclear power plants is vital to the proper operation and safety of these facilities. To assure safety in the unlikely event of a pipe break, it is necessary to evaluate the consequences from the resulting whipping pipe on neighboring components and structures. Numerical simulations allow for rapid evaluation of these consequences. Before simulations can be accepted, however, the methodology and computer codes must be validated against experimental results. This paper uses a probabilistic approach to validate pipe whip simulations against limited experimental results. Probabilistic analysis software was developed and coupled to existing deterministic finite element software. An example of a whipping pipe impacting against a reinforced concrete slab was simulated. The described pr...
Three blocks of non-welded tuff, one nominally one cubic foot (trial block) in volume and the other two, nominally one cubic meter (1 m3) in volume, were excavated from the Busted Butte Test Facility on the Nevada Test Site in 1999 and transported to the Atomic Energy of Canada Limited Whiteshell Laboratories in Pinawa, Manitoba. The trial block and one of the 1-m3 blocks were used for radionuclide migration experiments under unsaturated conditions; the remaining 1-m3 block was used for similar migration experiments under saturated conditions. After a vertical flow of synthetic transport solution was set up under unsaturated conditions, a suite of conservative and chemically reactive radionuclide tracers was injected at volumetric flow rates of 20 mL/hr in the trial block, and 10 mL/hr in two locations on the upper surface of the 1-m3 block. These flow rates correspond to infiltration rates of about 120 cm/year and about 17 ...
Studies in our wound ballistics laboratory have shown that excellent healing can occur in complicated assault rifle wounds that are free of tension and well drained. A conservative approach to debridement and excision of tissue in uncomplicated extremity wounds may be a valid and resource-saving technique. PMID:2366941
ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic and prognostic value of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) in elective percutaneous coronary intervention...Full Text Available
BackgroundStrategies to accurately identify the occurrence of specific health care events in administrative data is central to many quality improvement and research efforts. Many...Full Text Available
An important component of the overall program to validate WIMS-AECL for use with RFSP in the analysis of CANDU-6 reactors for design and safety analysis calculations is the validation of calculations of incremental cross sections used to represent reactivity devices. A method has been developed for the calculation of the three-dimensional neutron flux distribution in and around CANDU reactor fuel channels and reactivity control devices. The methods is based on one- and two dimensional transport calculations with the WIMS-AECL lattice cell code, SPH homogenization, and three-dimensional flux calculations with finite-difference diffusion theory using the MULTICELL code. Simulations of Wolsung 1 Phase-B commissioning measurements and Point Lepreau restart tests have been performed, as a part of the program to validate WIMS-AECL lattice cell calculations for application to CANDU reactor simulations in RFSP. The incremental ...
Borrelial infection may manifest with a wide range of clinical signs, and in many cases, microbiological findings are essential for a proper diagnosis. This study included 48 patients with a working...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe aim of this study is to validate the questionnaire ECOS-16 (Assessment of health related quality of life in osteoporosis) for the evaluation of health related quality...Full Text Available
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is one of the most important prognostic and predictive factors for breast cancer patients. Recently, serum HER2...Full Text Available
Sexual pressure among young urban women represents adherence to gender stereotypical expectations to engage in sex. Revision of the original 5-factor Sexual Pressure Scale was undertaken in...Full Text Available
Lifetime exposure to physical activity is an important construct for evaluating associations between physical activity and disease outcomes, given the long induction periods in many chronic diseases....Full Text Available
Dippold, V., S. Mohler , Validation of the Wind-US Unstructured Flow Solver .... Hamed, A. and A. Mohamed, Assessment of Shock Induced Flow Separation and ...... Nozzles for Hypersonic Propulsion, NASA CR 185197, AGARD Symposium ...
Although the Kaiser Physical Activity Survey (KPAS) was a potential instrument for cross cultural research of midlife women, little information is available on its reliability and validity among...Full Text Available
BackgroundTissue microarray (TMA) data are commonly used to validate the prognostic accuracy of tumor markers. For example, breast cancer TMA data have led to the identification...Full Text Available
We have developed and validated a microporous poly(ethylene terephthalate) membrane-based indirect co-culture system for human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) propagation, which allows real-time...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to compare and to validate different dose calculation algorithms for the use in radiation therapy of small lung lesions and to optimize the treatment...Full Text Available
OBJECTIVE. This study was conducted to determine whether an index for measuring quality of care for psychiatric emergencies is reliable and valid. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING. The study used primary...Full Text Available
AIMS—(1) To validate a leg to leg bioimpedance analysis (BIA) device in the measurement of body composition in children by assessment of its agreement with dual energy x...Full Text Available
NUPEC has carried out hydrogen mixing tests to investigate hydrogen distribution behavior within a model containment and to provide a set of experimental data for validation of severe accident analysis codes.
The biological accumulation of heavy metals and cesium, strontium, and uranium in plants is discussed. The role of nutrient deficiencies and foliar treatments of manganese and iron compounds is described.
OBJECTIVE--To develop, test, and validate an algorithm for diagnosing disease in neonates during an over the telephone referral to a specialist cardiac centre. DESIGN--A draft algorithm requiring only...Full Text Available
Purpose:To investigate the clinical usage of dose verification of Helical Tomotherapy plans by using 2D-array ion chambers, and to develop an efficient way to validate the dose delivered...Full Text Available
The use of digital wound images would allow remote consultation between patients, physicians, or other caregivers over the Internet. To evaluate the efficacy and validity of digital images for assessment...Full Text Available
Attention has shifted from the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) to chemoprevention using aspirin and folic acid as agents capable of preventing the onset of colon cancer. However, no sensitive...Full Text Available
PurposeTo develop a generic instrument for measuring short-term health status in the recovery period among patients undergoing abdominal and pelvic surgery.Full Text Available
BackgroundMany health care professionals use spinal palpatory exams as a primary and well-accepted part of the evaluation of spinal pathology. However, few studies have explored...Full Text Available
Mass balance relations, valid for any counterflow system, are derived and applied to a central core model of the renal medulla, in which descending Henle's limbs (DHL), ascending Henle's limbs (AHL),...Full Text Available
All microRNA (miRNA) target—finder algorithms return lists of candidate target genes. How valid is that output in a biological setting? Transcriptome analysis has proven to be a useful approach...Full Text Available
Objective:To estimate the prevalence of insulin resistant syndrome (IRS) among newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes and to test their validity against two indices...Full Text Available
A nucleic acid extraction system that can handle small numbers of specimens with a short test turnaround time and short hands-on time is desirable for emergent testing. We performed a comparative validation...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe Canadian Emergency Department Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) is a well recognized and validated triage system that prioritizes patient care by severity of illness....Full Text Available
Validation of body-mass relationships requires a careful statistical analysis of data of normal weight individuals. BMI (ratio between body mass and square of body height) and BSI values (ratio between...Full Text Available
In 1992, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) began using a Flow Duration Analysis (FDA) methodology to assess headwater benefits in river basins where use of the Headwater Benefits Energy Gains (HWBEG) model may not result in significant improvements in modeling accuracy. The purpose of this study is to validate the accuracy and appropriateness of the FDA method for determining energy gains in less complex basins. This report presents the results of Oak Ridge National Laboratory`s (ORNL`s) validation of the FDA method. The validation is based on a comparison of energy gains using the FDA method with energy gains calculated using the MWBEG model. Comparisons of energy gains are made on a daily and monthly basis for a complex river basin (the Alabama River Basin) and a basin that is considered relatively simple hydrologically (the Stanislaus River Basin). In addition to validating the FDA ...
include modeling geometric complexities, coupling between the flow and the .... noted that the AGARD 445.6 wing data set, which has been widely used for .... higher-level computational aeroelastic code validations at transonic flow separation ...
OBJECTIVE—To validate the accuracy of the prognostic significance of non-invasive clinical diagnostic indices as predictors of sustained ventricular tachycardia (sVT) or fibrillation...Full Text Available
Human arylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity is determined by two distinct genes, NAT1 and NAT2, and the classical acetylation polymorphism in NAT2 has been associated with a variety of disorders,...Full Text Available
Sensitivity and specificity measure inherent validity of a diagnostic test against a gold standard. Researchers develop new diagnostic methods to reduce the cost, risk, invasiveness, and time. Adequate...Full Text Available
Large-scale cancer genome projects will soon be able to sequence many cancer genomes to comprehensively identify genetic changes in human cancer. Genome-wide association studies have also identified...Full Text Available
The purpose of this report is to describe the sampling approaches, modifications made to the 100 Area and 300 Area component of the RCBRA Sampling and Analysis Plan, summarize validation efforts, and provide sample identification numbers.
This dissertation is concerned with the development, experimental diagnostics and mathematical modelling and simulation of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC). The central themes throughout this thesis are the closely interlinked phenomena of mass and charge transfer. In the face of developing a PEFC system for vehicle propulsion these phenomena are scrutinized on a broad range of relevant scales. Starting from the material related level of the membrane and the gas diffusion layer (GDL) we turn to length scales, where structural features of the cell additionally come into play. These are the scale of flow channels and ribs, the single cell and the cell stack followed by the cell, stack, and system development for an automotive power train. In Chapter 3 selected fundamental material models and properties, respectively, are explored that are crucial for the mathematical modelling and simulation of PEFC, as needed in some succeeding parts of this work. First, established mathematical ...
The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of the Arabic translation of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) among a sample of male Muslim prisoners (N = 107) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a two-factor model to be the best fit of the data. Good internal reliability (a =.91) and predictive validity were also observed. While the limitations of the study are observed, these promising results suggest that the Arabic version of the AUDIT is a reliable and sound measure of alcohol use disorders among prisoners in the UAE.
A rigorous mathematical model is developed to describe chemical absorption of carbon dioxide in a falling-film micro-contactor. Contrary to previous models described in literature, hydrodynamics in both phases is accurately captured by the Navier-Stokes equations. By this means, backmixing effects can be accounted for. Furthermore, the interface position is determined directly using the level-set method. The developed model is validated with experimental data obtained from literature and a good agreement is established. With the validated model, detailed studies are performed to investigate the impact of process parameters.
The radiative transport problem is cast in integral form using a transport kernel. The transport kernel has an explicit representation in terms of a Feynman Path Integral over all paths between selected points in a volume. This representation is setup in detail. Numerical evaluation of this Path Integral is formulated with a Frenet-Serret based procedure for generating valid random paths, and with a numerical evaluation of the weight for each valid path. Very early sanity checks of a numerical implementation are reported. Approaches to optimization are identified. (authors)
One year of research on validating the performance of the Cable Monitoring and Rating System (CMARS) is reported. The performance testing was conducted on underground 230-kV and 345-kV pipe type cable circuits owned by the New Jersey Public Service Electric and Gas Co. Laser temperature monitoring systems and a data acquisition system were installed. Software installation and development is discussed. The CMARS testing program is described. (LCL)
This executive summary presents the motivation, structure, objectives, methodologies and results of the first stage of the international DECOVALEX project - DECOVALEX I (1992-1995). The acronym stands for Development of Coupled Models and their Validation against Experiment in Nuclear Waste Isolation, and the project is an international effort to develop mathematical models, numerical methods and computer codes for coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical processes in fractured rocks and buffer materials for geological isolation of spent nuclear fuel and other radioactive wastes, and validate them against laboratory and field experiments. 24 refs.
The aim of this study was to compare the results of different treatment strategies for osteochondral defects (OCD) of the talus. Electronic databases from 1966 to June 2000 were systematically screened. Thirty-nine studies fulfilled our inclusion criteria. No randomized clinical trials could be identified. The results of nonoperative treatment were described in 14 studies, of excision alone in 4, of excision and curettage in 10, of excision, curettage and drilling in 21, of cancellous bone grafting in 2, of fixation in 3, and of osteochondral transplantation in 1. Good or excellent results were found in 45% of the cases. Comparison of different surgical procedures showed that excision, curettage and drilling resulted in the highest mean success rate (86%), followed by excision and curettage (76%) and excision alone (38%). From the results of this systematic review we conclude that nonoperative treatment and excision alone are not to be recommended for treatment of ...
This paper introduces the summary of design guideline (draft) for the limit state design method for foundation structures, and examples of calculations on pile foundations. The limit states were set using the load to transformation curves, and the limit state No. 3 in particular assumed a large earthquake, a state that a foundation is fatally damaged because of rarely acting loads that lead to generation of displacement and loss of stability and functions. Ground survey coefficient, ground resistance coefficient, and ground property coefficient were defined especially as the safety coefficients. With respect to the displacement in the limit state No. 3, a restriction value was set for the plasticity of the foundation. Loads were given considerations of combination of permanent load, variation load, and accidental load, each having been set with a load coefficient. It was decided regarding earthquakes to discuss strength and toughness of members, displacement of structures, and ...
This is an independent reanalysis of a randomised, placebo-controlled parallel-group study on the efficacy and tolerability of a special butterbur root extract (Petadolex) for the prophylaxis of migraine. The original protocol and analysis had a number of major shortcomings. In order to follow regulatory requirements, an independent reanalysis of the original data was performed. Following a 4-week baseline phase, 33 patients were randomised to treatment with two capsules 25 mg butterbur twice a day and 27 to placebo. The mean attack frequency per month decreased from 3.4 at baseline to 1.8 after 3 months (p = 0.0024) in the verum group and from 2.9 to 2.6 in the placebo group (n.s.). The responder rate (improvement of migraine frequency > or =50%) was 45% in the verum group and 15% in the placebo group. Butterbur was well tolerated. This small trial indicates that butterbur may be effective in the prophylaxis of migraine. PMID:14752215
The mean-field pictures based on the standard time-dependent variational approach have widely been used in the study of nonlinear many-boson systems such as the Bose-Hubbard model. The mean-field schemes relevant to Gutzwiller-like trial states $|F>$, number-preserving states $|\\xi >$ and Glauber-like trial states $|Z>$ are compared to evidence the specific properties of such schemes. After deriving the Hamiltonian picture relevant to $|Z>$ from that based on $|F>$, the latter is shown to exhibit a Poisson algebra equipped with a Weyl-Heisenberg subalgebra which preludes to the $|Z>$-based picture. Then states $|Z>$ are shown to be a superposition of $\\cal N$-boson states $|\\xi>$ and the similarities/differences of the $|Z>$-based and $|\\xi>$-based pictures are discussed. Finally, after proving that the simple, symmetric state $|\\xi>$ indeed corresponds to a SU(M) coherent state, a dual version of states ...
The main objectives were to evaluate efficacy and acceptability of a developmentally sensitive cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety-based school refusal in adolescence. Twenty school-refusing adolescents meeting DSM-IV anxiety disorder criteria participated in a non-randomized trial, together with parents and school staff. Outcome was assessed at post-treatment and 2-month follow-up. Treated adolescents showed significant and maintained improvements across primary outcome variables (school attendance; school-related fear; anxiety), with medium to large effect sizes. Half of the adolescents were free of any anxiety disorder at follow-up. Additional improvements were observed across secondary outcome variables (depression; overall functioning; adolescent and parent self-efficacy). The treatment was rated as acceptable by adolescents, parents, and school staff, which may help explain the very low attrition rate. Social anxiety disorder was the most common disorder ...
An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the use of local poultry by-product meal (PBM) in replacement of imported fishmeal in the diets of cobia, Rachycentron canadum. Six isolipidic (12%) and isoproteic (45%) experimental diets were formulated using PBM to replace fishmeal at 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% dietary protein. Eleven juvenile cobia (initial mean weight of 30.7???0.78?g) were randomly stocked in 300-L circular fibreglass tanks and hand-fed based on the total biomass of each tank, twice a day at 0900?h and 1500?h. The fish were group weighed at 2-week intervals to monitor their growth performance in order to adjust the feeding ratio. At the end of the feeding trial, weight gains (WGs) ranging from 221 to 322% were obtained. The specific growth rate (SGR), WG and protein effi...
recycling of waste polypropylene (WPP) and waste rubber (WR) originated from rejected worn-out tires present very important problem due to their huge amount and their negative impact on environment. many communities in the world are struggling with this problem of how to manage waste disposal, in order to eliminate or reduce waste rubber from the environment and to reduce costs of some rubber and polypropylene articles. trials to reuse waste rubber and waste polypropylene, have encountered some difficulties.such two substrate polymers differ from each other in nature, since waste polypropylene is thermoplastic while waste rubber exists in thermosetting state. accordingly, the study and use of their mixtures should be very interesting.the aim of this work is to modify the physical and chemical properties of WR and WPP each in the form of powder (120,80 mech size), through a trial to graft some vinyl comonomers onto their surfaces using gamma ...
Limited field trial results of a heating oil additive package developed to minimize unscheduled maintenance indicate that it achieves its goal of keeping heating oil systems cleaner. The multifunctional additive package was developed to provide improved fuel oxidation stability, improved corrosion protection, and dispersency. This combination of performance benefits was chosen because we believed it would retard the formation of sludge, as well as allow sludge already present to be carried through the system without fouling the fuel system components (dispersency should keep sludge particles small so they pass through the filtering system). Since many unscheduled maintenance calls are linked to fouling of the fuel filtering system, the overall goal of this technology is to reduce these maintenance calls. Photographic evidence shows that the additive package not only reduces the amount of sludge formed, but even removes existing sludge from filters and pump ...
The AMSE Boiler Code development of design stresses and their optimization for alloys 800 and 800H for conventional and nuclear power plants have coincided with many successful trial installations of these grades of alloy 800. These trial installations, along with laboratory tests, have shown that alloy 800H can be used for long times with a retention of good mechanical properties, including ductility. While gamma prime can be formed, it soon loses its detrimental effect on ductility in service. Sensitization of the alloy also occurs but it, too, has a decreasing effect on corrosion resistance with time in service, especially at elevated temperatures. The authors discuss all of these aspects and conclude that alloy 800 perhaps with low carbon control in the annealed (1800 to 1950degF)(982 to 1066degC) condition gives the optimum combination of properties to 1050degF(566degC) and alloy 800H (.05 to .10%C) solution annealed at 2100 to 2200degF ...
In order to verify long-term reliability of amorphous alloy wound core distribution transformers, accelerated aging tests and field trials used by actual transformers were practiced. As for accelerated aging tests, short-circuit tests were added to imitate mechanical stress in operation on a utility's distribution system. As a result, even after the equivalent of 30 years, which was the normal expected transformer's life, magnetic characteristic was unchanged, so these transformers could be operated. Also, about field trials, two hundred transformers of four kinds were installed on a utility's distribution system to look into no-load characteristics. They were equipped with a mechanism to measure load current, background vibration and lightning surge current, so the influence for magnetic characteristic could be inspected. As a result, remarkable change wasn't seen even after six months.
The effects of a maltodextrin (dextrose equivalent 12)-electrolyte solution and a maltodextrin-electrolyte solution with added nutrients on net water and electrolyte transport in the secreting rat intestine was compared with the citrate-World Health Organization oral rehydration solution to determine the need for a clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of these maltodextrin solutions in acute diarrhoea treatment. Cholera toxin consistently produced net water secretion (-36.5 +/- 9.9 mean +/- SEM microliter/min/g dry weight of intestine). All three solutions reversed the cholera toxin-induced net intestinal water secretion to net absorption. Significantly greater net water absorption occurred from the maltodextrin-electrolyte solution compared to the World Health Organization solution (P < 0.05) but not when compared to the maltodextrin-electrolyte-nutrient solution. Net sodium, potassium and chloride fluxes due to the World Health Organization-solution were ...
The objectives of this project were to develop technologies to manufacture self-reducing briquettes out of waste iron oxides and to recycle them in an electric arc furnace or a cupola furnace. CRM has investigated and determined the optimal characteristics (binder, size, grain size, compositions and activator for the reduction reaction) for briquettes containing mixtures of mill scales, mill sludges, electric arc furnace (EAF) dust and coal as reduction agent. The goal of obtaining briquettes, in which iron oxides are totally reduced when these briquettes are loaded with the scrap into an electric arc furnace, was achieved. Trials at ProfilARBED have shown that it is possible to recycle mill and EAF by-products conditioned in self-reducing briquettes in an electric arc furnace without influence on the performance and on the environment. The iron content of the slag does not increase as the iron of the by-product is almost completely reduced. Zinc is completely ...
Summary Background Treatment of localised renal cell carcinoma consists of partial or radical nephrectomy. A substantial proportion of patients are at risk for recurrence because no effective adjuvant therapy exists. We investigated the use of an autologous, tumour-derived heat-shock protein (glycoprotein 96)-peptide complex (HSPPC-96; vitespen) as adjuvant treatment in patients at high risk of recurrence after resection of locally advanced renal cell carcinoma. Methods In this open-label trial, patients were randomly assigned to receive either vitespen (n=409) or observation alone (n=409) after nephrectomy. Randomisation was done in a one to one ratio by a computer-generated pseudo-random number generator, with a block size of four, and was stratified by performance score, lymph node stat...
SummaryInitial results from the use of activated dolomite from QUESTOR project L1 have proved extremely encouraging in terms of metallic ion (also phosphate, nitrate and dye) removal from wastewater, with capacities in some instances in excess of commercially available activated carbons.This new project involves investigating actual plant effluent in laboratory scale columns and the design of a pilot scale rig for on site trials. The project also involves investigating disposal options and an economic [continued...
Describes performance of excavator teeth manufactured with a new hard alloy. The alloy was developed by the Donetskii Politeknicheskii Institute. Its composition consists of a high-chromium steel with a larger amount of titanium than serial alloy, and a nitrogen additive. Trial tests of new alloy teeth were carried out in the Severnyi and Vershinskii coal surface mines. The teeth were attached to EhRP, EhPG and EhR bucket wheel excavators. Abrasive wear of 129 experimental teeth and 134 serial teeth was compared for different excavation conditions. Test results are tabulated; advantages of the new experimental teeth are listed. 3 refs.
Control of human filarial infections currently depends on chemotherapeutic strategies predominantly directed at microfilariae. Doxycycline therapy in an extended daily dose regimen sterilizes and kills adult stages, but the utility of this drug for routine field use remains an issue of concern. No macrofilaricidal drugs with efficacy after one or two doses are available for use, delaying the achievement of the elimination or eradication of onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. Moxidectin, a macrocyclic lactone, is currently in clinical trials for onchocerciasis. A few other drugs that have already been approved for use in veterinary practice or in human medicine for other indications are available for investigation. Early drug discovery pipelines are poorly populated and the process of ...
The twenty-three papers presented at this conference discussed requirements of land reclamation under the Federal surface mining regulations, evaluation techniques for assessing reclaimed land, spoil bank chemistry and its change with time, establishment techniques (vegetative propagation, containerized seedlings, nurse vegetation, nitrogen-fixing tree species, direct seeding, and general cultivation techniques), and results from early land reclamation trials. Twenty-two papers have been abstracted separately. 291 references, 16 figures, 80 tables.
It is proved the mathematical theorem, that the wave function describes the statistical ensemble of particles, but not a single particle. Supposition, that the wave function describes a single particle appears to be incompatible with formalism of quantum mechanics. One discusses the reasons, why this very simple statement has not been proved mathematically for many years. The reason lies in application of the trial and error methods for construction of the quantum mechanics. Application of this method as the main tool of investigation during eighty years generated "fitting mentality" of all microwold researchers.
This article considers the application of simple trial wave functions to calculate the ground state energy of a hydrogen-like center near the interface of two media. Calculations have been performed taking into account the image potential. It has been shown that different kinds of wave functions are optimal at different distances from the interface. A relatively simple wave function has been suggested to represent main features of the dependence of the ground state energy on the distance to the interface. (authors)
The integration of a gas turbine into a new type of coal-fired combined cycle power plant necessitates a multiplicity of far-reaching changes compared with a normal design. The extremely high pre-heating temperature of the air emanating from the heat exchanger of the fluidized bed for the gas turbine combustion chamber has necessitated extensive development work and associated combustion trials. It was possible for these results to influence the design of the burners whereas the manufacture of other components which was on the critical path was already far advanced.
Hope is an essential dimension of life. Hope, according to Marcel?s thinking, is the act by which the temptation to despair is actively overcome. Hope comes alive when confronting life?s trials, darkness, illness and separation. Marcel differentiates ?I hope? from ?I hope that?. Hope as a central construct for nursing has been analysed, defined, and studied by the nursing theorist Jean Watson in her Theory of Human Caring, and Kaye Herth with her strategies (Herth Hope Index). These strategies are based on Marcel?s existential notion that human beings have an endless possibility of improving their own being.
In 1969, the authors started R and D on a polypropylene laminated paper (PPLP) as a new low-loss insulating paper for oil-filled (OF) cables. Through the material research and the trial manufacture of 275 kV OF cable and four years of long-term field test, PPLP has reached the stage of commercial use. This paper introduces a summary of the history of the development of PPLP, the characteristics of PPLP and cable, the results of long-term field test of 275 kV cable, and other relevant data.
Combustion performance trials were conducted on a commercial sample of Coal Valley coal from the Coalspur coalfield in the foothills region of Alberta. The project included an analytical investigation of the coal and coal ash properties as well as combustion studies in the CCRL pilot-scale, pulverized coal-fired boiler, under conditions representative of those in large steam boilers. This report gives the objectives of the project, the analyses of the coals, and describes the facilities and operational procedures. An evaluation of the experimental results and the conclusions are presented.
A central feature of the endocrine pathophysiology of septic shock is thought to be the existence of adrenal dysfunction. Based on changes in glucocorticoid secretion and responsiveness, protein binding, and activity. These changes have been described by the terms "Relative Adrenal Insufficiency" (RAI), or "Critical Illness Related Corticosteroid Insufficiency" (CIRCI), and form part of the rationale for trials of glucocorticoid treatment in septic shock. Diagnostic criteria for these conditions have been based on plasma cortisol profiles and have proven notoriously difficult to establish. The uncertainty in this area arises from the inability of current tests to clearly identify who is truly glucocorticoid "deficient" at a cellular level, and hence who requires supplemental glucocorticoid...
The objectives of this paper are to: quickly outline the extent of the care gap in osteoporosis; define T-2 (knowledge) translation and its relationship to quality improvement; discuss the barriers to best practice in osteoporosis care after a fracture; convey the importance of rigor in design and evaluation of translational interventions by drawing upon examples from the broader literature; describe in some detail a series of post-fracture intervention trials conducted in Alberta, Canada; and make some conclusions specifically about osteoporosis interventions and more generally about T-2 translational research.
Abstract in english Previous studies have shown that women are more emotionally expressive than men. It is unclear, however, if women are also more susceptible to the emotional modulation of behavior imposed by an affective stimulus. To investigate this issue, we devised a task in which female subjects performed six sequential trials of visual target detection following the presentation of emotional (mutilation and erotic) or neutral pictures (domestic utensils and objects) and compared the (more) data obtained in the present study with those described in a previous study with male subjects. The experiment consisted of three blocks of 24 pictures and each block had an approximate duration of 4 min. Our sample consisted of 36 subjects (age range: 18 to 26 years) and each subject performed all blocks. Trials following the presentation of mutilation pictures (283 ms) had significantly slower reaction times than those following neutral (270 ms) ...
Abstract in english The aim of this study was to verify validity and reliability of the scores for physical exercise in leisure (PEL), leisure and locomotion activities (LLA), and total score (TS) of the Baecke habitual physical activity questionnaire in adult males. Twenty-one students of Physical Education were evaluated. For validation, the maximum oxygen uptake (O2max) and the decrease of the heart rate in percentile (%DH (more) R) were measured through the Cooper's 12-minute walk or run test, and an annual index of physical exercise (IPE), and a week index of locomotion activities (ILA). The reliability was verified through test-retest with interval of 45 days. The Pearson correlation coefficient, and partial correlation adjusted for age and body mass index were used for validation. The intraclass correlation and paired t-test were used for reliability. The results indicated that %DHR was correlated with LLA and TS (r ...
A common practice of electric utilities experiencing transmission and distribution (T and D) system overloads is to expand the substation, add lines, or upgrade equipment, all of which are capital intensive options. In 1988, it was hypothesized that strategically sited photovoltaics (PV) could benefit parts of T and D systems near or at overloaded conditions. An evaluation methodology was developed and applied to a test case (Kerman Substation near Fresno, California). Analytical results suggested that the value of PV to the T and D system could substantially exceed its energy and generation capacity value. The importance of this finding indicated the need for empirical validation. This led to the construction of a 0.5 MW PV demonstration plant by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG and E) at Kerman, California as part of the PVUSA (PV for Utility Scale Applications) project. PVUSA is a national public-private partnership that is assessing and demonstrating the ...
In July 2005 a new algorithm was released by Varian Medical Systems for the Eclipse planning system and installed in our institute. It is the anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA) for photon dose calculations, a convolution/superposition model for the first time implemented in a Varian planning system. It was therefore necessary to perform validation studies at different levels with a wide investigation approach. To validate the basic performances of the AAA, a detailed analysis of data computed by the AAA configuration algorithm was carried out and data were compared against measurements. To better appraise the performance of AAA and the capability of its configuration to tailor machine-specific characteristics, data obtained from the pencil beam convolution (PBC) algorithm implemented in Eclipse were also added in the comparison. Since the purpose of the paper is to address the basic performances of the AAA and of its configuration ...
One approach to validate nuclear power plant (NPP) signals makes use of pattern recognition techniques. This approach often assumes that there is a set of signal prototypes that are continuously compared with the actual sensor signals. These signal prototypes are often computed based on empirical models with little or no knowledge about physical processes. A common problem of all data-based models is their limited ability to make predictions on the basis of available training data. Another problem is related to suboptimal training algorithms. Both of these potential shortcomings with conventional approaches to signal validation and sensor operability validation are successfully resolved by adopting a recently proposed learning paradigm called the support vector machine (SVM). The work presented here is a novel application of SVM for data-based modeling of system state variables in an NPP, integrated with a nonlinear, ...
INTRODUCTION: Fatigue is a prominent symptom in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and it has distinctive features; however, there is a need for a robust scale to measure fatigue in COPD. METHODS: At baseline, 122 patients with COPD (forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) 52%, women 38%, mean age 66 years) completed a pilot fatigue scale covering a pool of 57 items and underwent a range of tests, including indicators of mood and a short general fatigue questionnaire. All patients responded to the 57-item scale and it was readministered to a subset of 30 patients. The pilot scale was first subjected to constructive validated shortening steps and then to a principal components analysis. RESULTS: The Manchester COPD fatigue scale (MCFS) consists of 27 items, loading into three dimensions: physical, cognitive and psychosocial fatigue. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.97) and test-retest repeatability (r = 0.97, por=16 scores in the Center for ...
The present paper is concerned with development and application of a so-called Effective Convection Model (ECM), which aims to provide a detailed, mechanistic description of heat transfer processes in a BWR lower plenum. The ECM is a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)-like tool which employs a simpler and more effective approach to compute heat transfer by solving only energy conservation equation instead of solving the full set of Navier-Stokes and energy equations by a CFD code. We implement the ECM in a CFD code (Fluent), with detailed description of the ECM development, implementation and validation. A dual approach is used to validate the ECM, namely validation against experimental data and against heat transfer results obtained by CFD predictions in the same geometries and conditions. Insights gained from CFD simulations are also used to improve ECM. The ECM capability as an effective tool to simulate heat transfer of ...
The present paper is concerned with development and application of a so-called Effective Convection Model (ECM), which aims to provide a detailed, mechanistic description of heat transfer processes in a BWR lower plenum. The ECM is a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)-like tool which employs a simpler and more effective approach to compute heat transfer by solving only energy conservation equation instead of solving the full set of Navier-Stokes and energy equations by a CFD code. We implement the ECM in a CFD code (Fluent), with detailed description of the ECM development, implementation and validation. A dual approach is used to validate the ECM, namely validation against experimental data and against heat transfer results obtained by CFD predictions in the same geometries and conditions. Insights gained from CFD simulations are also used to improve ECM. The ECM capability as an effective tool to simulate heat transfer of ...
Verification, calibration, and validation (VCV) of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) codes is an essential element of the code development process. The exact manner in which code VCV activities are planned and conducted, however, is critically important. It is suggested that the way in which code validation, in particular, is often conducted--by comparison to published experimental data obtained for other purposes--is in general difficult and unsatisfactory, and that a different approach is required. This paper describes a proposed methodology for CFD code VCV that meets the technical requirements and is philosophically consistent with code development needs. The proposed methodology stresses teamwork and cooperation between code developers and experimentalists throughout the VCV process, and takes advantage of certain synergisms between CFD and experiment. A novel approach to uncertainty analysis is described which can both distinguish ...
The most important commercialized methods of attenuation correction in SPECT are based on attenuation coefficient map from a transmission imaging method. The transmission imaging system can be the linear source of radioelement or a X-ray CT system. The image of transmission imaging system is not useful unless to replacement of the attenuation coefficient or CT number with the attenuation coefficient in SPECT energy. In this paper we essay to evaluate the validity and estimate the error of the most used method of this transformation. The final result shows that the methods which use a linear or multi-linear curve accept a error in their estimation. The value of mA is not important but the patient thickness is very important and it can introduce a error more than 10 percent in the final result.
In this work it is intended a methodology to validate a new version of the software used for monitoring the reactor core, which requires of the evaluation of the thermal limits settled down in the Operation Technical Specifications, for the Unit 2 of Laguna Verde with ARTS (improvements to the APRMs, Rod Block Monitor and Technical specifications). According to the proposed methodology, those are shown differences found in the thermal limits determined with the new versions and previous of the core monitoring software. Author)
The purposes of this report are (1) to perform a Verification and Validation (V and V) test for the VIPEX(Vital-area Identification Package EXpert) software and (2) to improve a software quality through the V and V test. The VIPEX was developed in Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) for the Vital Area Identification (VAI) of nuclear power plants. The version of the VIPEX which was distributed is 3.2.0.0. The VIPEX was revised based on the first V and V test and the second V and V test was performed. We have performed the following tasks for the V and V test on Windows XP and VISTA operating systems: ? Testing basic functions including fault tree editing ? Testing all kind of functions ? Research for update from Visual BASIC 6.0 to Visual BASIC 2008
The Quantum Mechanics Conceptual Survey (QMCS) is a 12-question survey of students' conceptual understanding of quantum mechanics. It is intended to be used to measure the relative effectiveness of different instructional methods in modern physics courses. In this paper we describe the design and validation of the survey, a process that included observations of students, a review of previous literature and textbooks and syllabi, faculty and student interviews, and statistical analysis. We also discuss issues in the development of specific questions, which may be useful both for instructors who wish to use the QMCS in their classes and for researchers who wish to conduct further research of student understanding of quantum mechanics. The QMCS has been most thoroughly tested in, and is most appropriate for assessment of (as a posttest only), sophomore-level modern physics courses. We also describe testing with students in junior quantum courses and graduate quantum ...
A distributed watershed hydrologic model soil and water assessment tool (SWAT, 2000 Version) was applied to simulate stream flow and nutrient loadings (including total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP)) in Gucheng Lake Basin, which is located in the lower reach of Yangtze River Basin. Model parameters related to stream flow and nutrient loadings were calibrated and validated by the observed value, and the simulation showed that the simulated values were reasonably comparable to the observed data, suggesting the validity of SWAT model. The simulated surface runoff and nutrient yield between two stages, viz. 1981-2000 and 1951-1960, were compared, basically considering land reclamation in the mid-1970s. The result indicated that, the average annual runoff and output of TN and TP in 198...
The objective of this study is to test the validity of sex determination in children and adolescents using lateral radiographic cephalometry and discriminant function analysis. Fifty male and 50 female cephalograms of Taiwanese children were used (males and females with mean age of 15.52???1.38 and 15.67???1.54?years, respectively). Twenty-two cephalometric measurements were performed using computerized cephalometry. Statistical analysis shows that all measurements were sexually dimorphic (p?0.05). Nine measurements, statistically validated and clinically relevant, were used for discriminant function analysis. A stepwise discriminant procedure selected seven of the nine variables, producing 95% accuracy in sex determination. Resubstitution classification reveals the same discriminant rat...
We propose a quantum secure direct communication scheme based on non-orthogonal entangled pairs and local measurement. In this scheme, we use eight non-orthogonal entangled pairs to act as quantum channels. Due to the non-orthogonality of the quantum channels, the present protocol can availably prohibit from all kinds of valid eavesdropping and acquire a secure quantum channel. By local measurement, the sender acquires a secret random sequence. The process of encoding on the random sequence is identical to the one in one-time-pad. So the present protocol is secure. Even for a highly lossy channel, our scheme is also valid. The scheme is feasible with present-day techniques.
The non-perturbative validity of covariant BRST-quantization of gauge theories on compact Euclidean space-time manifolds is reviewed. BRST-quantization is related to the construction of a Topological Quantum Field Theory (TQFT) of Witten type on the gauge group. The criterion for the non-perturbative validity of the quantization is that the partition function of the corresponding TQFT does not vanish and that its (equi-variant) BRST-algebra is free of anomalies. I sketch the construction of a TQFT whose partition function is proportional to the generalized Euler-characteristic of the coset space S U (n){sub gauge} / SU(n){sub global} with an associated equi-variant BRST-algebra that manifestly preserves translational symmetry. Some non-perturbative consequences of this approach are discussed. (author)
The validity is given to the newly proposed two weighting {delta}f scheme (Wang et al., Research Report of National Institute for Fusion Science NIFS-588, 1999) for collisional or neoclassical transport calculations, which can solve the drift kinetic equation taking account of effects of steep plasma gradients, large radial electric field, finite banana width, and the non-standard orbit topology near the axis. The marker density functions in weight equations are successively solved by using the idea of {delta}f method and a hierarchy of equations for weight and marker density functions is obtained. These hierarchy equations are solved by choosing an appropriate source function for each marker density. Thus the validity of the two weighting {delta}f scheme is mathematically proved. (author)
The biological treatment process was selected by Gaz de France (GDF), the French national gas utility, for the de-pollution of an old gas works where the main pollutants are coal tars containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Microorganism-based biological treatment techniques may involve bio-reactors, static ground knolls (where oxygen is brought through drains) and dynamic knolls (where oxygenation is carried out by turning up the soil). Issues on sampling, sorting, process testing, site preparation, process control, etc. are reviewed
The dogmatic and constitutional basis as well as points of definition concerning the Technical Code Clean Air (TA Luft) are explained at first, followed by an assessment of the air pollution concentrations within the overall complex of the air pollution abatement measures, and an analyses of air pollution concentrations as a concretization of the state-of-the-art. In connection with the differentiation of the various applicability levels of TA Luft, the inhouse validy for authorities, the importance for law courts and, finally, the external binding effect for plant operators and possible third parties are discussed. At the center of attention are questions concerning validity claims and validity possibilities. (HSCH).
This document reproduces the final project of David San Fabian Ayuso, presented on May 26, 2005, for the obtention of the engineer degree of the Carlos III University of Madrid. A single-phase, isothermal model, including both electron and proton transport, is introduced for the simulation of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEM). The model is implemented in the commercial code Fluent 6.0, through the use of UDFs (User Defined Functions). In order to validate the model, a single canal of a PEM monocell is simulated in three dimensions. The obtained result are qualitatively satisfactory. It is observed that it is not essential to solve the current collectors when a monocell is considered (and not a stack). in the present study, the number of nodes is the computational grid appears to be too low in the membrane zone in order to make a complete validation of the model. (Author) 20 refs.
This study deals with the neutronics analysis of the current core configuration of a 3MW TRIGA Mark-II research reactor at Atomic Energy Research Establishment (AERE), Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh and validation of the results by benchmarking with the experimental, operational and available Safety Analysis Report (SAR) values. The comprehensive neutronics code system SRAC was used to develop a versatile and accurate full-core model of the TRIGA core. The model represents in detail all components of the core with literally no physical approximation. All fresh fuel and control elements as well as the vicinity of the core were precisely described. Cross-section data library generated from JENDL-3.2 were used. The validation of the model against benchmark experimental results is presented. The SRA...
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.
Monte Carlo neutron transport methods can be used to verify the applicability of point kinetics for safety analysis of nuclear reactors. KENO-NR was used to obtain the transfer function of the Advanced Neutron Source reactor and the time delay between the core power production and the external detectors, a parameter of interest to the safety systems design. The good agreement between the Monte Carlo generated transfer function and the point kinetics transfer function validates that the uncommon ANS geometry does not preclude the use of point kinetics in the frequency range that was investigated. Various features of the power spectral densities also demonstrated the applicability of point kinetics. The time delay was obtained from the cross-power spectral density (CPSD) and is {approximately}15 ms. These analyses show that frequency analysis can be used experimentally to investigate the validity of the use of point kinetics models in critical ...
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...
Even if there have been efforts to validate remote-sensing-based energy balance models, which provide evapotranspiration (ET) maps over a large spatial scale, few studies have been conducted to validate their performance in Korea. In this study, surface energy balance fluxes including ET were estimated and inter-compared with two different models using the Landsat-5 Thematic Mapper (TM) image over a watershed scale in Korea. While there were larger spatial discrepancies for net radiation, soil heat and sensible heat fluxes on a pixel-by-pixel basis between the two models, relatively smaller spatial discrepancies for the latent heat flux and daily ET were detected. The spatial discrepancies for the daily ET were larger in low topography and dense vegetation ranges. Despite the different par...
In this paper, the moisture buffering capacity of spruce plywood is measured by recording the change in mass of a test specimen when the air relative humidity (RH) is changed between 33% RH and 75% RH. The aim is to represent diurnal cycles in indoor humidity with 33% RH maintained for 16 h and 75% RH maintained for 8 h. Measurements are taken using two different apparatuses, which provide different convective transfer coefficients between the air and the plywood, and the results are compared to a numerical model for validation. The validated numerical model is then used to investigate the effect of initial conditions, boundary conditions and thickness on the moisture buffering capacity of plywood. The results show that the buffering capacity of plywood depends on the initial conditions and thickness of the plywood as well as the surface film coefficient and humidity cycle. (author)
A mathematical model was developed to predict a moisture content profile during the thick layer re-wetting process of brown rice unpackaged and packaged with low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) films. Model validation was carried out by comparing predicted with measured moisture content derived from relative humidity data obtained from the brown rice re-wetting test for 6days at 25degreeC and 90% RH. The moisture standard errors of the model validation for brown rice packaged in LDPE and PBT films were 0.08% wet basis (wb) and 0.11%wb, respectively. It was concluded that the proposed re-wetting model could successfully describe the thick layer re-wetting of brown rice under the experimental conditions. Using this model, re-wetting simulations were carried o...
The objective of this project is to develop multi-dimensional computational models in order to improve the operation of uranium electrorefiners currently used in pyroprocessing technology. These 2-D (US) and 3-D (ROK) mathematical models are based on the fundamental physical and chemical properties of the electrorefiner processes. The validated models by compiled and evaluated experimental data could provide better information for developing advanced electrorefiners for uranium recovery. The research results in this period are as follows: - Successfully assessed a common computational platform for the modeling work and identify spatial characterization requirements. - Successfully developed a 3-D electro-fluid dynamic electrorefiner model. - Successfully validated and benchmarked the two multi-dimensional models with compiled experimental data sets
The conceptual design for MCP to be installed in the integral reactor SMART was carried out. Canned motor pump was adopted in the conceptual design of MCP. Three-dimensional modeling was performed to visualize the conceptual design of the MCP and to check interferences between the parts. The theoretical design procedure for the impeller was developed. The procedures for the flow field and structural analysis of impeller was also developed to assess the design validity and to verify its structural integrity. A computer program to analyze the dynamic characteristics of the rotor shaft of MCP was developed. The rotational speed sensor was designed and its performance test was conducted to verify the possibility of operation. A prototypes of the canned motor was manufactured and tested to confirm the validity of the design concept. The MCP design concept was also investigated for fabricability by establishing the manufacturing procedures. 41 refs., ...
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...
Bioremediation of land crude oil and lube oil spills is an effective and economical option. Other options include road spreading (where permitted), thermal desorption, and off-site disposal. The challenge for environment and operations managers is to select the best approach for each remediation site. Costs and liability for off-site disposal are ever increasing. Kerr-McGee`s extensive field research in eastern and western Texas provides the data to support bioremediation as a legitimate and valid option. Both practical and economical bioremediation as a legitimate and valid option. Both practical and economical, bioremediation also offers a lower risk of, for example, Superfund clean-up exposure than off-site disposal.
This paper gives a concise overview of evolutionary algorithms for multiobjective optimization. A substantial number of evolutionary computation methods for multiobjective problem solving has been proposed so far, and an attempt of unifying existing approaches is here presented. Based on a fine-grained decomposition and following the main issues of fitness assignment, diversity preservation and elitism, a conceptual global model is proposed and is validated by regarding a number of state-of-the-art algorithms as simple variants of the same structure. The presented model is then incorporated into a general-purpose software framework dedicated to the design and the implementation of evolutionary multiobjective optimization techniques: ParadisEO-MOEO. This package has proven its validity and flexibility by enabling the resolution of many real-world and hard multiobjective optimization problems.
The real parts of the optical model potentials for 104 MeV alpha-particle and 156 MeV "6Li ion scattering from "4"0,"4"8Ca are calculated in terms of folding model approaches. The validity of different procedures is tested by comparing the differential cross section predictions with experimental data measured with high angular accuracy. It is found that a refined folding potential accounting for density dependence of an effective nucleon-nucleon interaction is appropriate for alpha particle scattering without any parameter adjustment. However, for "6Li ion scattering renormalization of the depth of the real potentials is necessary. (orig.).
A number of studies have examined the functional roles of individual muscles during normal walking, but few studies have examined which are the primary muscles that respond to changes in external...Full Text Available
BackgroundDuring the past 2 decades, there has been a rapid proliferation of "health examination center (HEC)" across China. The effects of their services on public's health have...Full Text Available
The objective of this study was to examine the ethanol yield potential of three barley varieties (Xena, Bold, and Fibar) in comparison to two benchmarks, corn and wheat. Very high gravity (VHG; 30%...Full Text Available
Examination of a painful hip is fairly concise and reliable at detecting the presence of a hip joint problem. Hip joint disorders often go undetected, leading to the development of secondary disorders....Full Text Available
Three experiments used pigeons in an autoshaping procedure and a single-subject design to examine compound stimulus control in classical conditioning. Experiment 1 examined the blocking effect, and...Full Text Available
Dosimetric studies in 80 patients examined with the tomographic device 'Somatom' are reported. The gonad doses are compared to those of conventional radiographic techniques.
The radiation burden of the people of the GDR in relation to biomedical radiography altogether as well as organ doses, gonad doses and genetically significant doses in detail are outlined. The concepts of radiation protection and standards of radiographic examination are demonstrated. Possibilities of influencing radiation exposure by scientifically based indication of X-ray examination, application of new and improvement of usual examination techniques are discussed with regard to quality assurance and control. Proposals concerning the reduction of radiation exposure of the GDR population are presented.
The multiplanar neurosonographic examination of the fetus enables superb visualization of brain anatomy during pregnancy. The examination may be performed using a transvaginal or a transfundal approach and it is indicated in patients at high risk for CNS anomalies or in those with a suspicious finding during a routine examination. The purpose of this paper is to present a description of the normal brain and of abnormal findings usually diagnosed late in pregnancy, including malformations of cortical development, infratentorial anomalies, and prenatal insults.
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).
The risks from radiation exposure during radiological diagnosis has usually been estimated in relation to genetic changes. Relevant information has been expressed as the genetically significant dose. In this paper we attempt to produce an analogous measure for evaluating the somatic risk in the form of a somatically significant dose index for radiological and CT examinations. It is shown that, for both types of examination, the two risk factors may be entirely different.
The risks from radiation exposure during radiological diagnosis has usually been estimated in relation to genetic changes. Relevant information has been expressed as the genetically significant dose. In this paper we attempt to produce an analogous measure for evaluating the somatic risk in the form of a somatically significant dose index for radiological and CT examinations. It is shown that, for both types of examination, the two risk factors may be entirely different. (orig.).
The experiences are described of the examination of orbita in children using computer tomography (CT). Over a period of four years 42 examinations were performed of children in the age ranging between 7 months and 15 years, i.e., 2.7 percent of all CT examinations performed. The highest diagnostic yield was in orbita tumours. The possibilities of CT are demonstrated on examples.
DescriptionThe overall aim of this application is to examine experimentally environmental influences on the pattern of senescence in birds. We plan to experimentally uncouple chronological age and reproductive effort and examine their effects on reproductive performance and lifespan. We also plan to examine experimentally how these relationships are influenced by nutritional conditions during early development. We will combine the organismal fitness measures of lifespan and reproductive performance with me [continued...
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) must account for legally protected and endangered species. Uncertainties relating to the validity and sensitivity of EIA arise from predictions and valuation of effects on these species. This paper presents a validity and sensitivity analysis of a model (BIO-SAFE) for assessment of impacts of land use changes and physical reconstruction measures on legally protected and endangered river species. The assessment is based on links between species (higher plants, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, butterflies and dragon- and damselflies) and ecotopes (landscape ecological units, e.g., river dune, soft wood alluvial forests), and on value assignment to protected and endangered species using different valuation criteria (i.e., EU Habitats and Birds directive, Conventions of Bern and Bonn and Red Lists). The validity of BIO-SAFE has been tested by comparing predicted effects of landscape ...
Regularly considered as the 'success story' of the world environmental policy, the regulation relative to ozone destructive products should allow a recovery of the ozone layer around the middle of the 21. century. This article analyzes how, two decades after the signature of the Montreal protocol, such forecasts are still valid and how new parameters, like the increase of the greenhouse effect, will influence this recovery. (J.S.)
Current European and the US experiences in waste management are reviewed in the perspective of sustainable development. This publication questions the validity of the current approach taken by the Germany at ``closing the loop`` based on the example of packaging and packaging waste. The product item focus of current German legislation is compared with Danish and US approaches that are based on an integrated policy which covers the whole of waste generation and handling and is not product/item oriented. 1 fig., 2 tabs.
Ultrasound tomography is an attractive imaging method for the detection of breast cancer. The complex anatomy of the breast with its different spatial scales and material property contrasts make accurate reconstructions very challenging. This paper proposes a hybrid approach whereby Travel-of-Flight and Diffraction Tomography are combined together to achieve high-resolution and high-accuracy sound-speed reconstructions. The method is validated with several numerical phantoms.
2D MEDICI simulator is used to investigate hardening solutions to single-event burnout (SEB). SEB parametric dependencies such as carrier lifetime reduction, base enlargement, and emitter doping decrease have been verified and a p"+ plug modification approach for SEB hardening of power MOSFETs is validated with simulations on actual device structures.
We extend the analysis of a previous paper to the bosonic case and find the one-derivative effective action valid in the vicinity of rolling tachyons with an energy not larger than that of the original D-brane. For on-shell tachyons rolling down the well-behaved side of the potential in this theory, the energy is conserved and the pressure eventually decreases exponentially. For tachyons rolling down the 'wrong' side, the pressure instead blows up in a finite time. (author)
This comprehensive, critical review summarizes the use of nanoparticles in enhanced and amplified chemiluminescence detection, illustrated by different reaction strategies, electrogenerated chemiluminescence sensors, immunoassay or hybridization labels and electrogenerated chemiluminescence immunoassay or hybridization sensors. We discuss the analytical applications on the basis of validity, range and sensitivity, and draw some useful conclusions about the most sensitive approach in each type of application.
A formula is obtained which describes the kinetics of low-temperature radiation hardening caused by creation of dislocation loops of interstitial type during irradiation. The radiation hardening of aluminum and vanadium is estimated using this formula and results of experiments on studying processes of nucleation and growth of interstitial dislocation loops in these materials by transparent electron microscopy. It is shown that the proposed formula is valid for description of the kinetics of low-temperature radiation hardening.
Hydrology and hydrogeochemical are auxiliary techniques to valid conceptual hydrogeology an recharge models. Stable isotopes from water trace sources and path flow and Tritium indicates age. This paper is about the use of D 18, D2H y 3H to study the aquifer system on Bajo Cauca antioqueno.
The paper considered the vibration signals of rotating equipment as cyclo stationary signals through analyzing the features of this kind of signals. Based on the analytic method of cyclic spectrum density, the paper pointed out that the impact frequency could be extracted effectively with the help of scanning cyclic frequency domain. The validity of the method of cyclic spectrum density is proved by simulating signals and the method is applied to the diagnosis of rolling bearings. (authors)
A non-recursive model is proposed and empirically tested with data of opponents of nuclear power. In explaining conventional and unconventional participation the theory of collective action is applied and modified in two respects: the perceived influence on the elimination of collective evils are taken into account; the selective incentives considered are non-material ones. These modifications proved to be valid: the collective good variables and non-material incentives were important determinants for the two forms of participation. Another result was that there is a reciprocal causal relationship between conventional and unconventional participation.
Three studies were conducted on the validity of instruments adopted for student assessment in problem-based learning at the Maastricht School of Economics and Business Administration (the Netherlands). Results with 109 students suggest the importance of the breadth and depth of the student's knowledge profile and the extent to which the knowledge is usable. (SLD)
This paper mainly considers the asymptotic stability of interval neutral delay-differential systems, which corrects a technical error in the proof given in [Applied Math. Letters, 16(2003) 1063-1068] by a linear fractional transformation of an interconnection matrix with structured real parametric uncertainties. In addition, a new condition, in terms of the structured singular value, is provided to ensure the stability of the interval system. Finally, an example is given to demonstrate the validity of our criteria.