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Optimization of gas chromatography using short glass capillary column with mass spectrometry for identification and evaluation of commercial heavy alkylbenzene structures.

Heavy alkylbenzene (HAB) is one of the by-products when producing linear alkylbenzene (LAB). Identification of the fine structures of HAB is difficult because of its complex structure and high boiling point. The gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) technique with a short glass capillary column is the best method applicable to analysis of high-boiling and thermally labile compounds. The column efficiency is evaluated on the basis of Van Deemter curves. The experimental results show that the reduction in the optimum column efficiency for a short glass capillary column occurs along with a reduction in effective theoretical plates. A second important result is that the shift in the value of the flow velocity is related to the optimum point in height equivalent theoretical plate (HETP). The flow velocity is higher than that of conventional gas chromatography(GC). The optimized conditions were used to analyse HAB produced through the hydrogen fluoride (HF) alkylation process. The results show acceptable relative separation of a product in an extended boiling point range. The optimized conditions were also used to analyse three other special samples supplied by BASF company's AlCl(3 )alkylation process and to approve the previous structures. The results also show that HAB from Iran Chemical Industries Investment Company (ICIIC) produced through LAB complex consists of an additional part and has more linearity than the other three samples of HAB obtained from BASF.

Journal Article↗

Towards an acceptance of performance assessment.

The utility of any assessment tool critically depends on its level of acceptance by those on whom the assessment impacts. Performance assessment impacts on three distinct groups: patients/consumers, doctors and employers. While these groups may have conflicting beliefs and expectations of performance assessment, the process must be made acceptable to all. This can happen through an exploration of the beliefs and wishes of the key stakeholders in relation to performance assessment, together with the potential rewards and costs. This paper draws on the psychology literature in describing an effective model for change management. It outlines some strategies for each of the three key elements of any successful strategy for change, i.e. getting started, facilitating the transition and ensuring consolidation. Such a practical approach will foster the acceptance of performance assessment structures among all stakeholders.

Clinical Competence↗

Ethics committee reviews and mutual acceptance: a pilot study.

AIMS: To develop a human research ethics committee (HREC) mutual acceptance (MA) model, based on the National Health and Medical Research Council's guidelines. The MA model aims to facilitate aspects of multicentre research and decrease the time taken to finalise the HREC review process. METHODS: Four HREC (The Alfred Hospital, Austin Health, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Melbourne Health) agreed to participate in a 13-month pilot project to evaluate the MA model. Evaluation included times from submission to approval and stakeholder surveys. RESULTS: Seventeen consecutive studies were submitted to the MA pilot project. Stakeholders agreed that the MA model was efficient and effective and that submission and review processes had improved, with a demonstrable reduction in the levels of duplication. There was a 27% improvement in approval times for multicentre studies. CONCLUSIONS: Our (MA) model resulted in clear improvements in HREC processes and timelines. Stakeholder acceptance was high. This model provides a framework for a broader program of MA.

Australia↗

Establishment of an oocyte donor program. Donor screening and selection.

IVF with donated oocytes, followed by embryo placement in the uterus of a recipient who has been primed with exogenous steroids, is a successful treatment for special cases of infertility. Preliminary results indicate that the success rate in this situation is even greater than that usually seen with normal IVF (with placement of the embryos back into the uteri of the women from whom the oocytes were recovered). Although different sources for donated oocytes have been identified, the use of "excess" oocytes from IVF cycles and the attempted collection of oocytes at the time of otherwise indicated pelvic surgery have ethical and practical problems associated with their use. We have herein described the establishment of a successful program relying on anonymous volunteers who go through ovarian stimulation, monitoring, and oocyte recovery procedures solely to donate oocytes. The potential donors go through an exhaustive screening and education process before they are accepted in the program. Psychological evaluation of our potential donors indicated a great degree of turmoil in their backgrounds and a wide variety of motivations for actually participating. Despite the extensive educational and screening process, a substantial percentage of the donors did not complete a donation cycle, having either voluntarily withdrawn or been dropped because of lack of compliance. Further investigation of the psychological aspects of participating in such a program is certainly warranted. The use of donated oocytes to alleviate specific types of infertility is quite successful, but the application of this treatment is likely to be limited by the relative unavailability of suitable oocyte donors.

Adult↗

Tractography to depict three layers of visual field trajectories to the calcarine gyri.

PURPOSE: Fiber-tracking by diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DT-MRI) is currently the only noninvasive in vivo method for white matter fiber-tracking in the human brain. We used this method in attempts to visualize the optic radiation and to examine the clinical applicability of this technique. DESIGN: Observational case series. METHODS: DT-MRI scans for fiber-tracking were obtained in five healthy volunteers by use of a whole-body, 1.5 Tesla imager. DT-MRI data were transferred to an off-line workstation; PRIDE software was used for image analysis. We constructed 3 diopters fiber trajectories by tracking the direction of the fastest diffusion from the lateral geniculate nucleus, and then selected tracts on the basis of anatomical knowledge of the optic radiation. RESULTS: Our method successfully reconstructed the macroscopic 3 diopters architecture of the three major groups of optic radiation in all subjects. Meyer's loop depicted by tractography was located more posterior than the known anatomical locations, although our results on the central and posterior bundles were in good agreement with them. DT-MRI scanning required 7 minutes; preliminary images of the optic radiation could be obtained in approximately 20 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: Fiber-tracking enabled us to obtain information quickly on the 3 diopters course of the optic radiation in vivo. The finding that the fiber-tracking method underestimates the anterior extent of the optic radiations could prove to be an important limitation in the utility of this technique for preoperative planning. The time required for data acquisition and processing makes this method acceptable for routine clinical use.

Adult↗

Recall and recognition in mild hypoxia: using covariance structural modeling to test competing theories of explicit memory.

To test theories of explicit memory in amnesia, we examined the effect of hypoxia on memory performance in a group of 56 survivors of sudden cardiac arrest. Structural equation modeling revealed that a single-factor explanation of recall and recognition was insufficient to account for performance, thus contradicting single-process models of explicit memory. A dual-process model of recall in which two processes (e.g., declarative memory and controlled search) contribute to recall performance, whereas only one process (e.g., declarative memory) underlies recognition performance, also failed to explain the results adequately. In contrast, a dual-process model of recognition provided an acceptable account of the data. In this model, two processes--recollection and familiarity--underlie recognition memory, whereas only the recollection process contributes to free recall. The best-fitting model was one in which hypoxia and aging led to deficits in recollection, but left familiarity unaffected. Moreover, a controlled search process was correlated with recollection, but was not associated with familiarity or the severity of hypoxia. The results support models of explicit memory in which recollection depends on the hippocampus and frontal lobes, whereas familiarity-based recognition relies on other brain regions.

Aged↗

Goal attainment scaling in a geriatric day hospital. Team and program benefits.

PROBLEM BEING ADDRESSED: The Geriatric Day Program (GDP) of the Capital Health Region in Victoria, BC, is concerned with effective team processes, accountability for health service outcomes, and improving the quality of programs. The GDP identified a need to improve its interdisciplinary processes and generate useful patient outcome data. OBJECTIVE OF PROGRAM: To determine whether Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) could be introduced to facilitate interdisciplinary processes and to generate useful health outcome data. MAIN COMPONENTS OF PROGRAM: The GAS procedures were incorporated into clinical routines based on published guidelines. The authors determined GAS outcome scores for patients who completed the program and developed outcome scores for specific geriatric problem areas requiring intervention. Outcome scores were made available to the clinical care team and to program managers for continuous quality improvement purposes. CONCLUSIONS: The GAS process was successfully implemented and was acceptable to clinicians and managers at the GDP. Team processes were thought to be improved by focusing on patient goals in a structured way. The GAS provided data on both patient outcomes and outcomes of interventions in specific problem areas. Accountability for patient care increased. Goal Attainment Scaling provided indicators of care for which clinicians could develop program quality improvements.

Aged↗

Word processing in the physician's office.

Although word processing has become an accepted business function for many office professionals, physicians have been slow to recognize the many uses that it has to offer. The physician's office can achieve greater productivity and efficiency by the integration of word processing into both the clerical and clinical sectors of medical practice. The task begins with an organization of professional communications and is developed based on the needs of an individual practice.

Communication↗

Securing life through technology acceptance: the first six months after transvenous internal cardioverter defibrillator implantation.

PURPOSE: To understand the experience of living with a transvenous internal cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) during the first 6 months after implantation. DESIGN: A grounded theory approach was used to gain an understanding of the antecedents, conditions, and consequences of the core process. SETTING: Two midwestern community medical centers and patients' homes within a 250-mile radius from the medical centers. SAMPLE: Ten women and 14 men between 22 and 78 years of age, who had undergone a new transvenous ICD implantation within the last week. RESULTS: The core process that described the experience of living with a transvenous ICD during the first 6 months after implantation was the process of "securing life through technology acceptance." This core process was characterized by three major categories: choosing life with technology, integrating technology into life, and living life through technology. IMPLICATIONS: Nursing interventions related to individualized assessment, education, and counseling are warranted to facilitate patient and family understanding and to plan for the cyclic process involved in integrating a transvenous ICD into their lives. Directions for further research are provided.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Biaxial flexural strength and indentation fracture toughness of three new dental core ceramics.

The traditional gold and porcelain fused to metal crowns have been challenged by the esthetic all-ceramic crown materials. Only previous experience with poor mechanical properties, lack of standardized tooth preparation, and processing challenges have prevented universal acceptance of all-ceramic crowns. However, stronger and tougher ceramics and unique processing methods for ceramics have been developed in the past 20 years. In this study, three new ceramic crown core materials were tested to compare their biaxial flexural strength and indentation fracture toughness. Ten specimens of Empress, In-Ceram, and Procera AllCeram ceramics were prepared according to their manufacturers' recommendations. The results revealed significant differences in flexural strength for the three materials (p < or = 0.05). The average flexural strengths of AllCeram, In Ceram, and Empress ceramics were 687 MPa, 352 MPa, and 134 MPa respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the fracture toughness of Procera (4.48 MPa x m1/2) and In-Ceram ceramics (4.49 MPa x m1/2); however, both ceramics had significantly higher fracture toughness (p < 0.005) than Empress ceramic (1.74 MPa x m1/2).

Aluminum Oxide↗

The status of 'canonical SVO sentences' in French: a developmental study of the on-line processing of dislocated sentences.

This on-line study investigates the processing of word order by 30 French children (6;6, 8;6, 10;6) and 10 adults. Its main objective is to show that the privileged status granted to 'canonical SVO sentences' is inadequate to account for the on-line processing of pronominal utterances in spoken French. Using a word monitoring task, we showed that word order (NVN vs NNV): (1) is a significant factor in sentences containing no clitic pronoun; (2) stops being significant when sentences contain either one or two clitic pronouns. These results suggest that processing complexity depends upon co-reference ('linear', 'crossed' or 'embedding') assignment constraints rather than upon word order per se. We conclude that, in French, word-order processing always interacts with acceptability considerations provided by cliticization.

Adult↗

Improving clinician acceptance and use of computerized documentation of coded diagnosis.

After the Northwest Division of Kaiser Permanente implemented EpicCare, a comprehensive electronic medical record, clinicians were required to directly document orders and diagnoses on this computerized system, a task they found difficult and time consuming. We analyzed the sources of this problem to improve the process and increase its acceptance by clinicians. One problem was the use of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9) as our coding scheme, even though ICD-9 is not a complete nomenclature of diseases and using it as such creates difficulties. In addition, the synonym list we used had some inaccurate associations, contributing to clinician frustration. Furthermore, the initial software program contained no adequate mechanism for adding qualifying comments or preferred terminology. We sought to address all these issues. Strategies included adjusting the available coding choices and descriptions and modifying the medical record software. In addition, the software vendor developed a utility that allows clinicians to replace the ICD-9 description with their own preferred terminology while preserving the ICD-9 code. We present an evaluation of this utility.

Abstracting and Indexing↗

Effects of melanin-concentrating hormone on licking microstructure and brief-access taste responses.

The effects of intracerebroventricular application of melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) on licking for sucrose, quinine hydrochloride (QHCl), and water solutions were evaluated in two experiments. In experiment 1, rats received 90-min access to sucrose and water solutions after MCH or vehicle microinjection to the third ventricle (3V). MCH increased intake largely through increases in the rate of licking early in the meal and in the mean duration of lick bursts, suggesting an effect on gustatory evaluation. Therefore, in experiment 2, brief access tests were used with a series of sucrose and QHCl concentrations to behaviorally isolate the effects of intracerebroventricular MCH on gustatory evaluation. MCH uniformly increased licking for all sucrose solutions, water, and weak concentrations of QHCl; however, it had no effect on licking for the strongest concentrations of QHCl, which were generally avoided under control conditions. Thus MCH did not produce nonspecific increases in oromotor activity, nor did it change the perceived intensity of the tastants. We conclude that MCH enhanced the gain of responses to normally accepted stimuli at a phase of processing after initial gustatory detection and after the decision to accept or reject the taste stimulus. A comparison of 3V NPY and MCH effects on licking microstructure indicated that these two peptides increased intake via dichotomous behavioral processes; although NPY suppressed measures associated with inhibitory feedback from the gut, MCH appeared instead to enhance measures associated with hedonic taste evaluation.

Animals↗

Selecting child care workers for adolescents: the California Psychological Inventory.

The findings of this study suggest that the CPI can be used to identify characteristics of desirable CCWs for emotionally disturbed adolescents. They include the ability to make intelligent decisions and exert reasonable leadership (Do); to be effective in dealing with others (Cs); to be outgoing and enterprising (Sy); to be socially poised (Sp); to be assertive and self-assured (Sa); to be broad-minded and accepting of different people and values (To); and to be direct, active, and realistic (low Fe). These seven scales of the CPI showed significant difference between the most desirable (Group D) and the unacceptable (Group U) CCWs. Discriminant analysis revealed that selection of the most desirable CCWs can be achieved by using only five of the scales: high Do, Sp, Sa, To, and low Fe; this process identified the most acceptable and unacceptable employees over 85% of the time. If the CPI is used as an adjunct to interviews and adequate reference checks, this multi-evaluative process can greatly improve the likelihood of selecting the best potential CCW candidates. Since CCWs play a direct role with the young people in their charge, and the most effective treatment for disturbed youths can be carried out by the most effective CCWs, the selection process of CCWs becomes a critical factor in the development of any program for emotionally disturbed adolescents.

Adolescent↗

Expanded bed adsorption processing of mammalian cell culture fluid: comparison with packed bed affinity chromatography.

A comparison between expanded bed adsorption and conventional packed bed Protein A Fast Flow to purify the anti-rHBsAg mAbs from feedstock is presented in this work. Direct capture by STREAMLINE expanded bed adsorption chromatography resulted in 92% product recovery and sevenfold more concentrated product with similar purity levels compared to that obtained by the standard packed method. The process time and buffer consumption were reduced in the expanded bed adsorption method not only with the binding-elution conditions but also with the use of NaOH during the cleaning-in-place step. The latter is the most widely accepted agent in downstream processing, being a cost effective technique that provides not only efficient cleaning but also sanitizes complete column systems and destroys pirogens.

Adsorption↗

Regulation of fatty acid transport.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of the present review is to summarize recent developments in the area of regulation of fatty acid transport. RECENT FINDINGS: While controversy still exists regarding the contribution of passive diffusion versus protein-mediated fatty acid transport, both processes are now widely accepted. With the recent identification of an increasing number of putative fatty acid transporters, emphasis has been placed on regulation including fatty acid transport function of the protein, and also possible associated functions (acylCoA synthase activity and vectorial channelling to intracellular processing). Deciphering these issues has been facilitated through the use of loss-of-function (such as knockout) and gain-of-function (cell transfectants and transgenic mice) models. SUMMARY: It is likely that our concept of fatty acid transport will continue to converge, incorporating the individual functions of the wide variety of fatty acid transporters into an integrated physiologic framework with relevance to a number of diseases.

Animals↗

Automated backbone assignment of labeled proteins using the threshold accepting algorithm.

The sequential assignment of backbone resonances is the first step in the structure determination of proteins by heteronuclear NMR. For larger proteins, an assignment strategy based on proton side-chain information is no longer suitable for the use in an automated procedure. Our program PASTA (Protein ASsignment by Threshold Accepting) is therefore designed to partially or fully automate the sequential assignment of proteins, based on the analysis of NMR backbone resonances plus C beta information. In order to overcome the problems caused by peak overlap and missing signals in an automated assignment process, PASTA uses threshold accepting, a combinatorial optimization strategy, which is superior to simulated annealing due to generally faster convergence and better solutions. The reliability of this algorithm is shown by reproducing the complete sequential backbone assignment of several proteins from published NMR data. The robustness of the algorithm against misassigned signals, noise, spectral overlap and missing peaks is shown by repeating the assignment with reduced sequential information and increased chemical shift tolerances. The performance of the program on real data is finally demonstrated with automatically picked peak lists of human nonpancreatic synovial phospholipase A2, a protein with 124 residues.

Algorithms↗

The hydrodyne: a new process to improve beef tenderness.

The organoleptic trait most affecting consumer acceptance of beef is tenderness. The Hydrodyne process uses a small amount of explosive to generate a shock wave in water. The shock wave passes through (in fractions of a millisecond) objects in the water that are an acoustic match with water. Four beef muscles (longissimus, semimembranosus, biceps femoris, and semitendinosus) exposed to either 50, 75, or 100 g of explosives were significantly tenderized compared with controls. As much as a 72% reduction in shear force was observed for the longissimus muscle using 100 g of explosives. Reductions in shear force with magnitudes of 30 to 59% improvements were observed for the other three muscle types. Results suggest that tenderizing beef with the Hydrodyne process presents a potentially novel opportunity in the way the meat industry can tenderize meat.

Animals↗