Effect Of Different Sequences Research Articles

Use of molecular dynamics to investigate diffusion between virgin and aged asphalt binders

The incorporation of recycled (aged) binder into virgin asphalt has become more popular in asphalt paving industry nowadays. However, the exact mechanism of the diffusion process between virgin and aged binders is still largely unclear. This paper presents a study in which molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was employed to investigate the diffusion between virgin and aged binders. Two asphaltic models with three components including asphaltenes, resin, and oil were built with different components ratio. The model of aged binder was constructed by increasing the asphaltenes ratio on the basis of virgin binder. The results of simulation was verified by GPC and both show that the diffusion of large molecules in asphalt was a critical factor for the diffusion of binders in that it was more susceptible to the changes of temperature. In an inter-diffusion model of virgin and aged binders, the diffusion coefficients of binders were not only determined by the diffusion ability itself, but also influenced by the properties of the diffusion acceptor. Based on this finding, the effect of different sequence of adding rejuvenator during recycling of asphalt mixtures was investigated. The result shows that adding rejuvenator into aged binder first could accelerate the inter-diffusion rate between virgin and aged binder in maximum level, thus increased the efficiency of recycling.

The clinical observation of different sequences of intravenous administration on sufentanyl-induced cough

Objective To evaluate the effects of different sequences of intravenous administration on sufentanyl-induced cough during induction of general anesthesia. Methods One hundred patients,aged 20~60 years,weighing 45~82 kg,ASAⅠorⅡ,scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia,were equally randomized to two groups by using a random number table:sufentanyl-propofol group(group SP)and propofol-sufentanyl group(group PS).In group SP,sufentanyl 0.4μg/kg was injected intravenously over 5s,and then propofol 2mg/kg was injected intravenously.In group PS,propofol 2mg/kg was injected intravenously,and then sufentanyl 0.4μg/kg was injected intravenously over 5s.The occurrence,intensity and the time of cough were recorded within 1 min after sufentanyl injection .Results The incidence of cough was 38%(19/50) in group SP which was significantly higher than the 12%(6/50)in group PS(χ2= 9.013,P 0.05). Conclusion Administration in the propofol-sufentanyl sequence can effectively reduce the occurrence of sufentanyl-induced cough as compared with that in the sufentanyl-propofol sequence during induction of general anesthesia. Key words: Sufentanyl; Propofol; Cough

Construction Technique of Long-Span Shallow-Buried Tunnel Considering the Optimal Sequence of Pilot-Tunnel Excavation

Construction technique considering the optimal sequence of pilot-tunnel excavation was investigated in order to ensure the safety of construction process of long-span shallow-buried tunnel. Firstly, optimal comparisons of the effect of different sequence of pilot-tunnel excavation on the ground settlement were implemented by the numerical analysis. Secondly, an optimal construction method was determined and applied to the construction of a practical tunnel. Some key issues and procedure of the selected construction method were described in detail. Finally, the numerical modeling and calculation of the tunnel construction process were conducted, and the effectiveness of these simulations was demonstrated by using the measured data of the practical tunnel.

Curative Effects of Different Sequences of Vessel Interruption During the Completely Thoracoscopic Lobectomy on Early Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

To study the correlation between prognosis and different sequences of pulmonary artery and vein interruption during completely thoracoscopic lobectomy for early stage non-small cell lung cancer. Retrospective analysis of 334 cases underwent completely thoracoscopic lobectomy, which were identified as stage I~II non-small cell lung cancer by pathology. They were divided into three groups according to the order of vessel interruption: pulmonary vein first (Group V, n = 174), pulmonary artery first (Group A, n = 93), and artery-vein-artery group (Group M, n = 67). Their preoperative and operative conditions, and the postoperative survival, recurrence were compared. Group A had less cases with history of smoking but more with history of pulmonary infection. The average bleeding amount during the operation in Group A is significantly less Group V, and Group M fell in between them. The duration of operation and postoperative complications were similar among the three groups. The types of tumor recurrence were also similar, which were mostly distant metastasis. There was no statistically significant difference in tumor-free survival and overall survival among the three groups. For the treatment of stage I~II non-small cell lung cancer using completely thoracoscopic lobectomy, pulmonary artery interruption first can reduce the bleeding amount without affecting the operative difficulty and postoperative complications. The sequence of vessel interruption during lobectomy by thoracoscopic surgery would not affect tumor recurrence, metastasis and survival.

Effects of different sequences of intravenous administration on fentanyl-induced cough during induction of general anesthesia

Objective To evaluate the effects of different sequences of intravenous administration on fentanyl-induced cough during induction of general anesthesia.Methods One hundred patients of both sexes,aged 18-70 yr,weighing 42-88 kg,of ASA physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ,scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia,were equally randomized to 2 groups using a random number table:fentanyl-propofol group (group FP) and propofol-fentanyl group (group PF).In FP group,fentanyl 3 μg/kg was injected intravenously over 3 s,and then propofol 1.5 mg/kg was injected intravenously.In PF group,propofol 1.5 mg/kg was injected intravenously,and then fentanyl 3μg/kg was injected intravenously over 3 s.The development,intensity and onset time of cough were recorded within 1 min after fentanyl injection.Results Compared with FP group,the incidence of cough was significantly decreased,and no significant change was found in the intensity and onset time of cough in PF group.Conclusion Administration in the propofol-fentanyl sequence can reduce the development of fentanyl-induced cough as compared with that in the fentanyl-propofol sequence during induction of general anesthesia. Key words: Fentanyl; Propofol ; Cough ; Anesthesia, general

Effect of Composite Fibers Orientations on Crack Behavior of a Thin Plate by Finite Element Method Simulation

The present study is a preliminary effort which investigates the effect of different sequences of composite materials on the Von Mises stress and stress concentration factor on a simple thin cracked plate. Our approach is to reduce the design of cylinder under internal pure pressure to that of a cracked metal plate reinforced by different sequences layers of composite subjected to a tensile loading. Four reports of the length of the crack front (a) with respect to the thickness (t) of the structure were analyzed. The increased ratio (a/t) from 10% to 40% positively influences the values of stress intensity factors and the Von Mises stress. Finally, the numerical results show that the reinforced the cracked structure with composite layers has greatly reduced the stress intensity factor at the crack tip based on fiber orientations.

Evaluating dynamic treatment strategies: does it have to be more costly?

Dynamic treatment strategies are designed to change treatments over time in response to intermediate outcomes. They can be deployed for primary treatment as well as for the introduction of adjuvant treatment or other treatment-enhancing interventions. When treatment interventions are delayed until needed, more cost-efficient strategies will result. Sequential multiple assignment randomized (SMAR) trials allow for unbiased estimation of the marginal effects of different sequences of history-dependent treatment decisions. Because a single SMAR trial enables evaluation of many different dynamic regimes at once, it is naturally thought to require larger sample sizes than the parallel randomized trial. In this paper, we compare power between SMAR trials studying a regime, where treatment boosting enters when triggered by an observed event, versus the parallel design, where a treatment boost is consistently prescribed over the entire study period. In some settings, we found that the dynamic design yields the more efficient trial for the detection of treatment activity. We develop one particular trial to compare a dynamic nursing intervention with telemonitoring for the enhancement of medication adherence in epilepsy patients. To this end, we derive from the SMAR trial data either an average of conditional treatment effects ('conditional estimator') or the population-averaged ('marginal') estimator of the dynamic regimes. Analytical sample size calculations for the parallel design and the conditional estimator are compared with simulated results for the population-averaged estimator. We conclude that in specific settings, well-chosen SMAR designs may require fewer data for the development of more cost-efficient treatment strategies than parallel designs.

Effects of different sequences of pulmonary artery and vein ligations during pulmonary lobectomy on blood micrometastasis of non-small cell lung cancer

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different sequences of pulmonary artery and vein ligations during lobectomy on blood micrometastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Cytokeratin 19 (CK19)/adhesion molecule CD44v6 mRNA were used as markers. A total of 30 NSCLC patients undergoing pulmonary lobectomy were randomly divided into pulmonary artery (PA)-first and pulmonary vein (PV)-first groups according to the order of artery or vein ligation (15 cases in each). Fluorescent quantitative-RT-PCR (FQ-RT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expression of CK19 and CD44v6 in pulmonary venous blood at the early and late periods during surgery, and ΔCt values were calculated. Meanwhile, the peripheral blood samples from 10 healthy volunteers were selected as the control. ΔCt values of CD44v6 and CK19 of NSCLC groups at the early period during surgery were 7.83±1.70 and 10.76±2.74, while those of the control group were 9.17±1.04 and 12.76±2.36. The expression of CD44v6 and CK19 genes in venous blood of NSCLC groups was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). In addition, the ΔCt values of CD44v6 and CK19 in the early and late periods during surgery in the PA-first group were 7.92±1.97 vs. 5.67±2.11 (P= 0.008) and 11.21±3.14 vs. 8.60±4.02 (P= 0.05), respectively. The expression of CD44v6 and CK19 in the late period were both significantly higher than those in the early period, while neither the ΔCt value of CD44v6 nor that of CK19 in the early vs. late periods in the PV-first group exhibited statistically significant differences (7.95±1.91 vs. 7.74±2.10 and 10.60±3.15 vs. 10.30±2.98) (P<0.05). Surgical manipulation itself may stimulate the occurrence of blood micrometastasis and the ligation of the PV first during surgery may help prevent blood micrometastasis.

Sequential effects of high and low instructional guidance on children’s acquisition of experimentation skills: Is it all in the timing?

We report the effect of different sequences of high vs low levels of instructional guidance on children’s immediate learning and long-term transfer of simple experimental design procedures and concepts, often called “CVS” (Control of Variables Strategy). Third-grade children (N = 57) received instruction in CVS via one of four possible orderings of high or low instructional guidance: high followed by high (HH), high followed by low (HL), low followed by high (LH), and low followed by low (LL). High guidance instruction consisted of a combination of direct instruction and inquiry questions, and low guidance included only inquiry questions. Contrary to the frequent claim that a high degree of instructional guidance leads to shallow learning and transfer, across a number of assessments—including a 5-month post-test—the HH group demonstrated a stronger understanding of CVS than the LL group. Moreover, we found no advantage for preceding high guidance with low guidance. We discuss our findings in relation to perspectives advocating “invention as preparation for future learning”, and the efficacy of “productive failure”.

Effects of Different Sequences of Combined Exercise on Energy Expenditure and Physiological Variables Associated with Fatigue

Effects of Different Sequences of Combined Exercise on Energy Expenditure and Physiological Variables Associated with Fatigue

The effect of prolonged whole-body cryostimulation treatment with different amounts of sessions on chosen pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines levels in healthy men

Cryotherapy is used in the early treatment of acute injuries (sprains, strains, fractures) yet only a few papers discuss the possible influence of whole-body cryostimulation on inflammation mechanisms or immunology. It is postulated that cold exposure can have an immunostimulating effect related to enhanced noradrenaline response and can be connected with paracrine effects. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of different sequences of whole-body cryostimulations on the level of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in healthy individuals. The research involved 45 healthy men divided into three groups. The groups were subjected to 5, 10 or 20, 3-minute long whole-body cryostimulations each day at −130°C. Blood was collected for analysis before the stimulations, after completion of the whole series, and 2 weeks after completion of the series, for the examination of any long-term effect. The analysis of results showed that in response to cryostimulation, the level of ani-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-10 increased while Il-1α cytokine level decreased. It seems that the most advantageous sequence was the series of 20 cryostimulations due to the longest lasting effects of stimulation after the completion of the whole series of treatments.

Sequencing of remedies in sales law

This paper analyzes the effects of different sequences of remedies on the incentives of sellers to invest in product quality and on the probability of contract termination. For most European jurisdictions, Directive 1999/44/EC on the sale of consumer goods and its subsequent implementation into national law resulted in a substantial change in the remedies available to the consumer if a product proves deficient. Despite the purpose of the directive to harmonize national legislation, sales laws still differ significantly among member states. The analysis uses a stylized model to compare the pertinent features of two prototypical legal regimes that can be found after the directive’s implementation. The pivotal difference between the respective regimes lies in the sequence of remedies. We show that it is possible that investment incentives and the probability that contractual relationships initiated will be completed may be larger under either legal regime. Despite the general case’s ambiguity, we establish that the cancelation probability is typically lower if sales law limits buyers initial choice of remedies to subsequent performance. Our analysis indicates that the EC’s harmonization target has been missed. With regard to social optimality, we detail under which conditions it is desirable to provide an institutional framework that allows total seller investment to be split between an initial and an incremental input.

Studies of DNA dumbbells VIII. Melting analysis of DNA dumbbells with dinucleotide repeat stem sequences

Melting curves and circular dichroism spectra were measured for a number of DNA dumbbell and linear molecules containing dinucleotide repeat sequences of different lengths. To study effects of different sequences on the melting and spectroscopic properties, six DNA dumbbells whose stems contain the central sequences (AA)(10), (AC)(10), (AG)(10), (AT)(10), (GC)(10), and (GG)(10) were prepared. These represent the minimal set of 10 possible dinucleotide repeats. To study effects of dinucleotide repeat length, dumbbells with the central sequences (AG)(n), n = 5 and 20, were prepared. Control molecules, dumbbells with a random central sequence, (RN)(n), n = 5, 10, and 20, were also prepared. The central sequence of each dumbbell was flanked on both sides by the same 12 base pairs and T(4) end-loops. Melting curves were measured by optical absorbance and differential scanning calorimetry in solvents containing 25, 55, 85, and 115 mM Na(+). CD spectra were collected from 20 to 45 degrees C and [Na(+)] from 25 to 115 mM. The spectral database did not reveal any apparent temperature dependence in the pretransition region. Analysis of the melting thermodynamics evaluated as a function of Na(+) provided a means for quantitatively estimating the counterion release with melting for the different sequences. Results show a very definite sequence dependence, indicating the salt-dependent properties of duplex DNA are also sequence dependent. Linear DNA molecules containing the (AG)(n) and (RN)(n), sequences, n = 5, 10, 20, and 30, were also prepared and studied. The linear DNA molecules had the exact sequences of the dumbbell stems. That is, the central repeat sequence in each linear duplex was flanked on both sides by the same 12-bp sequence. Melting and CD studies were also performed on the linear DNA molecules. Comparison of results obtained for the same sequences in dumbbell and linear molecular environments reveals several interesting features of the interplay between sequence-dependent structural variability, sequence length, and the unconstrained (linear) or constrained (dumbbell) molecular environments.

Enhanced cell-permeant Cre protein for site-specific recombination in cultured cells

BackgroundCell-permeant Cre DNA site-specific recombinases provide an easily controlled means to regulate gene structure and function in living cells. Since recombination provides a stable and unambiguous record of protein uptake, the enzyme may also be used for quantitative studies of cis- and trans-acting factors that influence the delivery of proteins into cells.ResultsIn the present study, 11 recombinant fusion proteins were analyzed to characterize sequences and conditions that affect protein uptake and/or activity and to develop more active cell-permeant enzymes. We report that the native enzyme has a low, but intrinsic ability to enter cells. The most active Cre proteins tested contained either an N-terminal 6xHis tag and a nuclear localization sequence from SV40 large T antigen (HNC) or the HIV Tat transduction sequence and a C-terminal 6xHis tag (TCH6). The NLS and 6xHis elements separately enhanced the delivery of the HNC protein into cells; moreover, transduction sequences from fibroblast growth factor 4, HIV Tat or consisting of the (KFF)3K sequence were not required for efficient protein transduction and adversely affected enzyme solubility. Transduction of the HNC protein required 10 to 15 min for half-maximum uptake, was greatly decreased at 4°C and was inhibited by serum. Efficient recombination was observed in all cell types tested (a T-cell line, NIH3T3, Cos7, murine ES cells, and primary splenocytes), and did not require localization of the enzyme to the nucleus.ConclusionsThe effects of different sequences on the delivery and/or activity of Cre in cultured cells could not be predicted in advance. Consequently, the process of developing more active cell-permeant recombinases was largely empirical. The HNC protein, with an excellent combination of activity, solubility and yield, will enhance the use of cell-permeant Cre proteins to regulate gene structure and function in living cells.

Different modes of food restriction and compensatory growth in double-muscled Belgian Blue bulls: plasma metabolites and hormones

AbstractThe effects of different sequences of food restriction and fattening have been studied on plasma metabolites and hormones in double-muscled Belgian Blue bulls. Twenty animals were divided into five groups. The first group (control, CG) was given,ad libitum, a fattening diet based on sugar-beet pulp. In G2 and G3, fattening was interrupted after 103 and 187 days, respectively, by a period of food restriction lasting about 2 months during which the animals received a maintenance ration. They were finished with the same diet as CG. The last two groups, G4 and G5, received a limited amount of the restriction diet to support 0·5 and 0 kg gain per day, respectively, for 4 months, before being fattened as CG. Plasma glucose, alpha-amino nitrogen, non-esterified fatty acids, urea, creatinine, thyroxine (T4), 3, 3’, 5’-tri-iodothyroxine (T3), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were measured in blood samples taken every 2 weeks. Plasma GH and insulin profiles were measured in serial blood samples obtained at three different times during growth. Animals that showed compensatory growth had lower plasma urea, associated with high levels of T3, T4 and IGF–1. Animals from G2 and G3 failed to show compensatory growth. In Belgian Blue bulls, compensatory growth is markedly affected when food restriction is severe or fattening interrupted.

Modelling of Sequential Injections Near Tunnel Linings

Compensation grouting involves making grout injections at close neighboring locations so as to replace ground loss, due to tunnelling for example. Since the objective of the technology is to match volume changes so as to eliminate subsidence, the tendency of ground to dilate or compress around the injection becomes a very significant consideration. Furthermore, the effects of different sequences of grout injection, and the zoning of injection relative to the tunnel centreline, are of interest when devising grouting schemes. This paper investigates these issues using centrifuge and numerical modelling in dense and loose dry sand. It is found that the profile of surface heave and the tunnel lining deformation is dependent on the relative injection position, as well as injection history. Ground stiffening due to the compaction arising from previous injection permits larger pressures to be developed from a given injection volume. These larger pressures eventually cause upward heaving and lining deformation. In conclusion, the most favourable and unfavourable injection sequence are identified in relationship to the induced centre surface heave and tunnel lining deformation.

Growth and survival of the Calafia mother-of-pearl oyster Pinctada mazatlanica (Hanley 1856) under different sequences of nursery culture-late culture at Bahía de La Paz, Baja California Sur, México

The Calafia mother-of-pearl oyster, Pinctada mazatlanica (Hanley), and the Rainbow nacre shell, Pteria sterna (Gould), represent an important resource for Mexico because of their potential in pearl production. The present work deals with the effect of different sequences of nursery culture-late culture on growth and survival of P. mazatlanica, from September 1993 to October 1994. The collected spat presented two main size groups: small (mean shell height of 7 mm), and large (13 mm). They were arranged into four experimental batches for each size group at a constant stocking density of 40–45 juvenile pearl oysters per Nestier cage. Three batches remained in nursery culture for 2, 4 and 6 months respectively, after which they were transferred to late culture in rail cages. A control group remained in nursery culture for 12 months. Growth was evaluated monthly and compared through anova and HSD Tukey tests. In addition to the shell height, width, depth (mm) and weight (g), data of shell volume (height × width × depth, in mm3) was also introduced to estimate and compare growth among the experimental groups. Mortality was estimated by counting the dead specimens every month and obtaining the percentage from a 100% initial survival at the start of the experiment. The juveniles showed different responses to the change from nursery culture to late culture; the level of each response varied significantly among the experimental groups at the end of the study. It seemed that a 6-month period for nursery culture was propitious for P. mazatlanica.

B-7 放射線照射と遊離皮弁外科手術との順序の影響に関する治療効果の比較研究

B-7 放射線照射と遊離皮弁外科手術との順序の影響に関する治療効果の比較研究

Cytotoxic effect of interferon-alpha2a in combination with all-trans retinoic acid or cisplatin in human ovarian carcinoma cell lines.

Ovarian cancer has a poor prognosis due to the frequent appearance of a drug-resistant state. An alternative therapeutic approach may lie in combinations of conventional chemotherapeutic agents with new classes of drug, such as interferons (IFN) and differentiation-inducing agents. There is clinical evidence that both IFN-alpha2a-all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and IFN-alpha2a-cisplatin have significant activities on growth of malignant cells, cell differentiation or programmed cell death in solid tumors. In order to throw more light on the cellular basis of these findings and to optimize a schedule of such drug combinations, we examined the cytotoxic effects of various combinations on five human ovarian carcinoma cell lines. The experiments were based on a clonogenic assay on plastic. The different cell lines exhibited different sensitivities to the three drugs tested. Using the cell line most sensitive to these drugs, we then examined the effect of different sequences of two drug combinations. We observed a potentiation after pretreatment with ATRA followed by IFN-alpha2a and ATRA or after pretreatment with IFN-alpha2a followed by IFN-alpha2a and cisplatin. Using this schedule of administration, cytotoxic interactions between the two drugs were investigated by median effect analysis. Synergism or antagonism were observed depending on the intrinsic sensitivity of the cell line to the first drug and the concentrations used. The magnitude of these interactions was found to be influenced by the cellular sensitivity to the second drug. These results show that schedules of drug combinations are not easy to design and may help account for the various failures and the discrepant effects observed in clinical trials.

Substance P Induces Tumor Necrosis Factor in anex VivoModel System

Many studies have shown that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a potent soluble mediator of immunoregulation and inflammation. Neuropeptide substance P (SP) has been known to exert significant influence on production of certain inflammatory cytokine by immune cells. Immunopathogenic mechanism underlying the effect of neuropeptide substance P (SP) and the specific amino acid sequence of SP that induces TNF has not been clearly studied. Employingex vivoandin vitromodel systems, we investigated the direct effect of different sequences of SP on TNF secretion by whole blood and separated total mononuclear cells. Aliquots of blood samples (1 ml) or Ficoll–Hypaque-separated total mononuclear cells (1 × 106/ml) were cultured with different concentrations of SP and its sequences (SP 1–4, SP 4–11) or vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) for 24 hr at 37°C. Plasma samples and culture supernatants were assayed for TNF levels in a bioassay using a TNF-sensitive WEHI 164 subclone 13 cell line. Plasma from blood samples or lymphocytes treated with whole SP and SP 4–11 at 10−7, 10−8, and 10−9Mconcentrations induced significant production of TNF compared to negligible levels of TNF produced by SP 1–4-treated and untreated cultures. VIP at all concentrations tested did not induce TNF production and was similar to untreated control cultures. Separated mononuclear cells also produced significant levels of TNF in response to SP and SP 4–11. Anti-TNF-α antibodies neutralized the TNF induced by SP 4–11 in plasma. These studies suggest that anex vivosystem using whole blood may be an ideal model to study the effects of SP on TNF production. These studies also demonstrated that the TNF inducing activity of SP resides in the region containing amino acids 4 to 11.