scholarly journals Merging Water Research, Analytical Chemistry, and Agile Management to Shape Prospective Professionals through the Project-Centred Collaborative Approach Focusing on Water Bodies Rather Than Water Samples

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 10803
Author(s):  
Nataša Gros
Keyword(s):  
Computer Engineering ◽  
Collaborative Approach ◽  
Water Research ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Data Treatment ◽  
Time Investment ◽  
Treatment Techniques ◽  
Grade 3 ◽  
Stiff Diagram ◽  
Analytical System

Professionals of different disciplines, including chemists and chemical engineers, engage in water research, even though they might not have been extensively trained in it during their studies. We describe a project-centred master level subject “Water as a Hydrogeological, Ecological, and Analytical System”, which, by focussing on waterbodies instead of a particular aspect of water quality, merges total analytical process with water research and, by a considerate choice of chemical parameters, enables students to apply water-research-specific data-treatment techniques, including the Piper and Stiff diagram, to discuss water genesis, processes in water, and influences on waterbodies. Agile management, initiated in computer engineering in 2001, is believed to contribute to better products in a shorter time. We demonstrate how its incorporation into the organisational scheme helped students self-organise, handle their projects, and collaborate within and between groups. Student’s expressions confirm their overall satisfaction, motivation, and that the omission of the final classical exam had no adverse effects on the learning outcomes. Their consent with different benefits of the project-centred collaborative approach and their self-efficacy beliefs, respectively, expressed as mean values in a five-grade Likert scale ranged from 4.26 to 5.00 and from 4.32 to 5.00. Regarding the students’ time investment, the project-centred approach as the mean grade 3 confirmed is not recognised as an easier way. We provide partially self-calculating, self-notifying Excel spreadsheet tables as Supplementary Material to ease the implementation of water research data-treatment techniques, which help students collaborate and discuss their subject extensively.

scholarly journals Pregnancy rate in indigenous ewes by direct transfer of vitrified embryos

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Ghosh ◽  
MRI Talukder ◽  
PK Jha ◽  
MGS Alam ◽  
NS Juyena ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Standard Procedure ◽  
Prostaglandin F2α ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Abdominal Ultrasonography ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Embryo Recovery ◽  
Embryo Yield ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Grade 3

The effects of PMSG on superovulation, quality of embryos, and pregnancy rate were studied following transfer of vitrified embryos into indigenous ewes. Three donor and nine recipient ewes were synchronized using two intramuscular doses of Cloprostenol (PGF2α) equivalent to 125 μg Prostaglandin F2α (Ovoprost® Bayer, New Zealand) at an interval of nine days. To ensure ovulation donor and recipient ewes were treated with 600 iu and 250 iu Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotrophin (PMSG; Folligon®, Intervet, Boxmeer, The Netherlands) at the time of 2nd injection of Prostaglandin F2α. All donor ewes were mated by fertile rams. Embryos were collected from donor ewes on day six after mating by inguinal laparotomy. Grade 1 embryos were vitrified using standard procedure. After thawing the embryos were transferred into the exteriorized uterine horn of the recipient by inguinal laparotomy. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by trans-abdominal ultrasonography on Day 40 of transfer. Oestrus occurred 31.3 ± 8.1 hours after second injection of prostaglandin and 32.6 ± 8.7 hours in recipients. Oestrus lasted 24.7 ± 9.9 hours in donors and 32.8 ± 12.8 hours in recipients. The mean numbers of corpora lutea and embryos of donor ewes were 11.7 ± 4.0 and 8 ± 2.6, respectively. Total embryo recovery rate of donor ewes was 68.6%. The mean values of qualities of embryo yield of donor ewes were 6 ± 1.7 grade 1, 0.3 ± 0.6 grade 2, 1.3 ± 1.2 grade 3, and 0.3 ± 0.6 grade 4. Twenty embryos were vitrified, 16 embryos were transferred and four recipient ewes were found pregnant. The pregnancy rate of recipient ewes was 44.4%.Bangl. vet. 2017. Vol. 34, No. 1, 27-33

scholarly journals Association between vitamin D concentrations and knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4670 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murat Cakar ◽  
Semih Ayanoglu ◽  
Haluk Cabuk ◽  
Metin Seyran ◽  
Suleyman Semih Dedeoglu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Knee Pain ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
Womac Score ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Hydroxyvitamin D ◽  
Serum Vitamin D ◽  
Knee Oa ◽  
Grade 3

Objectives Osteoarthritis (OA) and vitamin D deficiency are common health conditions in older people. Whether vitamin D concentration is associated with knee OA is controversial. In this study, we aimed to determine the association between serum concentrations of vitamin D and osteoarthritic knee pain. Subjects and Methods Vitamin D concentrations were measured with the 25 hydroxyvitamin D test in patients presenting with clinical symptoms of primary knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis was graded on the Kellgren-Lawrence grading scale from anteroposterior and lateral radiographs. Height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. Patients completed a 10-cm visual analogue scale (VAS) for indicating pain and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC). Vitamin D concentration was defined as severely deficient (<10 ng/mL), insufficient (10 to 19 ng/mL), or normal (20 to 50 ng/mL). Results Of 149 patients (133 women), the mean age was 63.6 years. Mean vitamin D concentration was 11.53 ng/mL, and 90% patients were vitamin D deficient. Mean WOMAC score was 57.2, and VAS pain score was 7.5. Kellgren-Lawrence grade was 2 for 10 patients, grade 3 for 61, and grade 4 for 88. Mean BMI was 33.4. Mean values of VAS, WOMAC, and BMI did not differ by vitamin D status. Conclusion Serum vitamin D concentration is not associated with knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis.

scholarly journals Association between Vitamin D Concentrations and Knee Pain in Patients with Osteoarthritis

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2_suppl2) ◽  
pp. 2325967117S0008
Author(s):  
Murat Çakar ◽  
Semih Ayanoğlu ◽  
Haluk Çabuk ◽  
Metin Seyran ◽  
Süleyman Semih Dedeoğlu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Knee Pain ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Serum Vitamin ◽  
Womac Score ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Hydroxyvitamin D ◽  
Serum Vitamin D ◽  
Knee Oa ◽  
Grade 3

Objectives: Osteoarthritis (OA) and vitamin D deficiency are common health conditions in older people. Whether vitamin D concentration is associated with knee OA is controversial. In this study, we aimed to determine the association between serum concentrations of vitamin D and osteoarthritic knee pain. Subjects and Methods: Vitamin D concentrations were measured with the 25 hydroxyvitamin D test in patients presenting with clinical symptoms of primary knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis was graded on the Kellgren-Lawrence grading scale from anteroposterior and lateral radiographs. Height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. Patients completed a 10-cm visual analogue scale (VAS) for indicating pain and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC). Vitamin D concentration was defined as severely deficient (<10 ng/mL), insufficient (10 to 19 ng/mL), or normal (20 to 50ng/mL). Results: Of 149 patients (133 women) the mean age was 63.6 years. Mean vitamin D concentration was 11.53 ng/mL, and 90% patients were Vitamin D deficient. Mean WOMAC score was 57.2, and VAS pain score was 7.5. Kellgren-Lawrence grade was 2 for 10 patients grade 3 for 61, and grade 4 for 88. Mean BMI was 33.4. Mean values of VAS, WOMAC, and BMI did not differ by vitamin D status. Conclusion: Serum vitamin D concentration is not associated with knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis.

Performance and Environmental Impact of Rice Straw Fiber Mulching Films Manufactured with a Warming Agent

2019 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 315-320
Author(s):  
Xianglan Ming ◽  
Haitao Chen ◽  
Dianming Ju
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Titanium Dioxide ◽  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Rice Straw ◽  
Peak Position ◽  
Blank Group ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Accumulated Temperature ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Grade 3

Abstract. This research evaluates the effects of adding various warming agents to rice straw fiber (RSF) films as sustainable alternatives to polyethylene-based films. The results for the mechanical properties of the RSF films with various warming agents show that the mean values of dry tensile strength and bursting strength of the films significantly differed according to the warming agent; in contrast, the mean wet tensile strengths and tearing strengths were not significantly different. The dry tensile strengths of films containing titanium dioxide were 9.7% and 26.8% higher than those of the films containing talc and kaolin, respectively. Additionally, the bursting strengths of the films containing titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate, and talc were 10.5%, 4.4%, and 15.8% higher, respectively, than those of the films containing kaolin. Thus, titanium dioxide was considered the best of the four warming agents for implementation in these films. The absorption peaks of the films with and without titanium dioxide were similar, with some differences in the peak position and relative intensities by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Soil covering tests were conducted with films containing titanium dioxide (TDF), films with no added titanium dioxide, and a blank group. The degradation rate of the TDF reached grade 3 during the bolting stage of bok choy. At soil depths of 0, 5, and 10 cm, the total accumulated temperature of the TDF group was 11.53%, 7.78%, and 5.38% higher, respectively, than that of the blank group. Both TDF degradation and increased soil temperature improved the crop growth and soil microclimate. These results can serve as a reference to further improve the popularization and application of RSF film. Keywords: Degradable films, Mechanical properties, Rice straw, Soil temperature, Titanium dioxide.

scholarly journals Validation protocol of analytical hemostasis systems: measurement of anti-Xa activity of low-molecular-weight heparins

1996 ◽  
Vol 42 (8) ◽  
pp. 1223-1230 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Houbouyan ◽  
B Boutière ◽  
G Contant ◽  
M D Dautzenberg ◽  
P Fievet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Automated Systems ◽  
Low Molecular Weight Heparins ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Chromogenic Assay ◽  
Accuracy Of Measurements ◽  
Repeatability And Reproducibility ◽  
Analytical System ◽  
Automated Instruments

Abstract A standard validation protocol adapted to the chromogenic assay of anti-Xa activity of low-molecular-weight heparins was used in a multicenter study to assess its suitability for comparing and evaluating analytical hemostasis systems. The protocol included: familiarization with the system (repeatability); assessment of limits of linearity, detection limits, and cross-contamination; and validation (reproducibility and accuracy of measurements of treated patients' plasmas). We calibrated the systems with the same range of lyophilized plasmas daily and evaluated repeatability and reproducibility by using a single batch of lyophilized plasmas at three anti-Xa activities. The two automated systems tested [SB 300 (Gilford) and ACL (IL)] and the two semiautomated systems [ST 888 (D. Stago) and Chromotimer (Behring)] gave similar mean values. Dispersion of results was lower with the automated systems than with the semiautomated ones, especially at low anti-Xa activities, a tendency that also was observed for reproducibility. Because each analytical system gave linear results for activities as great as 1000 IU/L, suitable sample dilution is advisable for higher anti-Xa activities. Accuracy was greater in the automated systems. We conclude that this protocol is feasible and is applicable to validation of other analytical hemostasis instruments, in particular the latest generation of fully automated instruments.

Cetuximab (Cet) clearance and survival in patients (pts) with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 699-699
Author(s):  
Di Maria Jiang ◽  
Hao-Wen Sim ◽  
Lillian L. Siu ◽  
Jeremy David Shapiro ◽  
Geoffrey Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Compartment Model ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Population Pharmacokinetic ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Clinical Variables ◽  
Disease Characteristics ◽  
Exposure Response ◽  
Trough Blood ◽  
Grade 3

699 Background: Cet, a monoclonal antibody against EGFR, is a standard therapy for pts with RAS wild-type (WT) mCRC. Limited previous data suggest that Cet clearance correlates with progression-free survival (PFS). We performed a population pharmacokinetic (pop-pK) analysis of Cet in pts who participated in the randomized phase III NCIC CO.20 trial in KRAS WT mCRC patients. Methods: Standard Cet doses ± brivanib were administered. Using intermittent trough blood samples, pop-pK analysis was conducted to evaluate different models. Pts were divided into quartiles according to clearance parameters to assess the exposure-response relationship to response rate (RR), PFS and overall survival (OS). Clinical variables including demographic, laboratory, disease characteristics and co-administration of brivanib were evaluated as co-variates on Cet clearance. Results: In 701 pts, Cet elimination was best described as a one-compartment model with a non-linear saturable elimination process (defined by Vmax and Km). Mean values (± standard deviation) for pop-pk parameters were 2.7 ± 0.5 L/m2 for V, 2.5 ± 0.3 mg/h/m2 for Vmax, and 101.0 ± 0.05 mg/L/m2 for Km. Grouped into quartiles, Vmax and Km were significantly associated with OS, but not RR or PFS. The median OS for pts in the lowest quartile of Vmax was 12.0 ms versus (vs.) 6.9 ms for pts in the highest quartile ( p< 0.001), while the median OS was 11.6 ms in the highest Km quartile vs. 6.9 ms in the lowest Km quartile ( p< 0.001). When compared to the quartile with the combination of highest Vmax and lowest Km, pts in the quartile with the lowest Vmax and highest Km had longer PFS (5.0 vs. 3.7 ms, HR 0.75 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58-0.98, p= 0.032) and OS (11.7 vs. 6.6 ms, HR 0.59 (95% CI, 0.45-0.77, p< 0.001). Pts in the lower Vmax and higher Km quartiles also experienced less grade 3 toxicity. Neither clinical variables nor brivanib administration were associated with Cet clearance parameters. Conclusions: For KRAS WT mCRC, standard Cet dosing is not optimal for all pts. Pts with slower Cet clearance have significantly improved PFS and OS. Further studies are needed to optimize Cet doses based on individual pK assessments, and to identify novel factors associated with clearance.

Evaluation of Data Treatment Techniques for Improved Analysis of Fingerprint Images

1995 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 15393J ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillaume P. Vigo ◽  
Dennis M. Hueber ◽  
Tuan Vo-Dinh
Keyword(s):  
Data Treatment ◽  
Treatment Techniques ◽  
Evaluation Of Data

scholarly journals Nucleolar Organizer Regions (NORs)

1994 ◽  
Vol 112 (4) ◽  
pp. 642-645
Author(s):  
Albina Messias de Almeida Milani Altemani
Keyword(s):  
Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Squamous Cell ◽  
Nucleolar Organizer ◽  
Staining Technique ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Nucleolar Organizer Regions ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Grade 3

Counts of nucleolar regions (NORs) demonstrated by a silver staining technique in paraffin sections, have been used to distinguish between benign and malignant lesions. AgNORs were studied in 24 biopsies from oral cavity (5 cases of normal oral mucosa, 5 of pseudocarcinomatous hyperplasia and 14 of squamous cell carcinoma, subdivided according to degree of differentiation: 5 grade 1, 5 grade 2 and 4 grade 3) to find whether they were helpful in distinguishing pseudocarcinomatous hyperplasia due to chronic parasitic infections from squamous cell carcinoma. Two methods of counting AgNORs were used: (A) a simpler one which counts nucleolar clusters (AgNU) and satellite AgNORs and the other (B) counting all individual AgNORs, including those within AgNUs. In both methods the lowest mean values were observed for grade 3 carcinoma, while the highest belonged to grade 2 carcinoma. The simpler method (A) was the most useful because AgNU counts showed significant difference when pseudocarcinomatous hyperplasia was compared with grade 1 and 2 carcinomas, which are the most difficult to discriminate from it. However the overlapping of values render the technique of limited use in individual cases.

Phase I clinical and pharmacokinetic (PK) trial of the kinesin spindle protein (KSP) inhibitor MK-0731 in patients with solid tumors

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 2548-2548 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. N. Stein ◽  
A. Tan ◽  
K. Taber ◽  
R. Fernandez ◽  
N. G. Agrawal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase I ◽  
Solid Tumors ◽  
Study Drug ◽  
Mitotic Arrest ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
Kinesin Spindle Protein ◽  
Grade 3 ◽  
Tumor Types ◽  
Dose Levels

2548 Background: KSP is essential for the separation of spindle poles during mitosis and inhibition results in mitotic arrest. MK- 0731 is a potent inhibitor of KSP, with an IC50 of 2.2 nM, and >20,000 fold selectivity against other kinesins. MK-0731 causes mitotic arrest with an EC50 in several tumor cell lines of 3–5 nM. Methods: Phase I study to determine the safety and tolerability, MTD, and PK of MK-0731 administered IV over 24 hrs every 21 days. In part 1, dosing started at 6 mg/m2/24 hr and was escalated until the MTD was reached. In part 2, pts with measurable taxane-resistant cancer were treated at the MTD established in Part 1 (target accrual =22 pts in part 2). Interim Results: 35 pts with solid tumors (M/F 23/12), median age 63 yrs (23 - 79), were treated at doses of 6 to 48 mg/ m2/24hrs (median cycles 3, range 1–10, total cycles=128). Frequent tumor types included prostate (8), ovarian (4), colon (3), bladder (2), neuroendocrine (2), lung (2), breast (2). Prolonged (>5 days) grade 4 neutropenia was observed in 2 pts at 48 mg/m2/24hrs (11 days duration) and 2 pts at 24 mg/m2/24hrs (7 days duration) leading to expansion of cohorts at lower dose levels. At the MTD of 17 mg/ m2/24, there were no DLTs. 14 patients have been enrolled at the MTD in part 2 of the study. Drug related grade 3/4 toxicities were anemia (1), AST (1), hyperglycemia (1), nausea/vomiting (1), neutropenia (7), syncope (1). PK results from the first 20 patients suggest that MK- 0731 concentrations appear to decline monoexponentially or biexponentially following the infusion with terminal t1/2 from ∼4 to 22 hrs. In some patients, steady-state concentrations may not be achieved by the end of the 24 hr infusion. Mean values at the 17 mg/m2/24hrs dose level were Cmax=599 nM, AUC8=14.56 μM·hr, and CL=119 mL/min. AUC, exposures, and end of infusion concentrations appear to increase proportionally with dose. Stable disease for = 4 cycles (range 4- 10) was seen in 16 patients. Conclusion: Treatment with MK-0731 at the MTD of 17 mg/m2/day every 21 days in patients with advanced solid tumors was well tolerated with consistent dose limiting toxicity of myelosuppression. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Cetuximab (Cet) clearance and survival in patients (pts) with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 3600-3600
Author(s):  
Di Maria Jiang ◽  
Hao-Wen Sim ◽  
Lillian L. Siu ◽  
Jeremy David Shapiro ◽  
Geoffrey Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Compartment Model ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Population Pharmacokinetic ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Grade 3

3600 Background: Cet, a monoclonal antibody against EGFR, is a standard therapy for RAS wild-type (WT) mCRC. Limited data suggest a correlation between Cet clearance and progression-free survival (PFS). We performed a population pharmacokinetic (pop-pK) analysis of Cet in pts with KRAS WT mCRC who participated in the randomized phase III NCIC CO.20 trial. Methods: Standard Cet doses ± brivanib (Briv) were administered. Intermittent blood samples were obtained, and analyzed by ELISA for Cet. Pop-pK analysis was conducted to estimate Cet clearance. Pts were divided into quartiles according to clearance parameters to evaluate exposure-outcome with overall survival (OS), PFS, response rate (RR), and toxicity. Results: Blood samples were available from 703 pts. Cet clearance was best described as a one-compartment model with a saturable elimination (defined by Vmax and Km). Mean values (± standard deviation) were 5.6 ± 1.4 L for V, 10.5 ± 2.8 mg/h for Vmax, and 403.1 ± 2.0 mg/L for Km. Vmax and Km were significantly associated with OS, but not PFS or RR. Median OS for pts in the highest quartile of Vmax was 7.8 versus (vs.) 11.6 ms for pts in the lowest Vmax quartile (HR 1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05-1.20, p< 0.001). In the highest Km quartile, median OS was 11.6 vs. 7.6 ms in the lowest Km quartile (HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.83-0.96, p= 0.001). Pts with the lowest clearance parameters (lowest Vmax and highest Km) had significantly longer OS (11.6 ms) compared to pts with the highest clearance (highest Vmax and lowest Km) (7.6 ms) (HR 0.67, 95% CI 0.53-0.83, p< 0.001). Overall incidences of grade 3/4 toxicity were not associated with Cet clearance. However, pts with the lowest clearance parameters had more frequent grade 3 diarrhea (OR 0.23, p= 0.005). Conclusions: For KRAS WT mCRC, standard Cet dosing is not optimal for all pts. Pts with lower Cet clearance have significantly improved OS and increased likelihood of grade 3 diarrhea. Further studies are needed to identify individual patient factors associated with Cet clearance, and to optimize Cet dosing based on individual pk assessments.

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