Maturity Curve Research Articles

A Theoretical Model of Lunar Optical Maturation: Effects of Submicroscopic Reduced Iron and Particle Size Variations

Diagrams, color index C(0.95/0.75 μm) versus albedo A(0.75 μm), are used to estimate composition and maturity degree of the lunar regolith. We simulate maturation curves on the diagrams with the model (Shkuratov, Yu. G., L. V. Starukhina, H. Hoffmann, and G. Arnold 1999. Icarus 137, 235–246). In simulation, decrease of characteristic particle size as well as increase of concentration of reduced iron were taken into account. For rather small changes of maturation parameters, almost linear A(0.75 μm)– C(0.95/0.75 μm) maturation trends are found which is in accordance with the method of determination of iron content and maturation degree proposed by Lucey, P. G., D. Blewett, and J. Johnson (1995. Science 268, 1150–1154). With increased changes in maturation parameters, the maturation trends are no longer linear and the branches with the opposite direction of optical maturation are obtained. This is in accordance with spectral measurements of particle size fractions of lunar soils. The maturation trends on A(0.75 μm)– C(0.95/0.75 μm) plots have in general no common origin. In most cases there is an area, where the trends can be focused, but the position of the area differs for different sets of data. Thus, Lucey's assumption about the common origin of maturation trends is valid only as an approximation. Elongated clusters on A(0.75 μm)– C(0.95/0.75 μm) diagram for the lunar nearside (Shkuratov, Yu. G., V. G. Kaydash, and N. V. Opanasenko 1999. Icarus 137, 222–234) can be described by maturation trajectories corresponding to different Fe 2+ abundance. The upper edge of the diagram, i.e., the greatest values of C(0.95/0.75 μm), can be determined by the processes of particle size decrease in maturation.

Emergence of permanent teeth and dental age in a series of Finns

The emergence of permanent teeth was studied in 187 Finnish children who had longitudinal records of the emergence of all permanent teeth except third molars. Exact emergence dates were known for about one third of the teeth. Emergence ages of the remaining teeth were based on their presence and absence at clinical examinations. We calculated ages at clinical eruption of permanent teeth and tooth counts at halfyear intervals. Ages corresponding to counts of permanent teeth from 1 to 27 are also given. The schedules presented, which show means, standard deviations, and percentage distributions, are expected to serve as useful references in clinical dentistry, pediatrics, forensics, and research. The mandibular central incisor emerged before the first molar of the same jaw in 68% of the children. A change in the emergence order of these teeth in Finns seems to have occurred in the 1960s. A visual comparison of dental maturity curves based on tooth counts with curves based on tooth mineralization in a previous Finnish radiographic study showed that the mean curves had roughly the same form, whereas the forms of standard deviation curves differed distinctly. It appears that the two methods to assess dental maturity are not interchangeable in practice. Tooth counts can be used in maturity estimations up to about 13 years of age, whereas the radiographic method works best to about 11 years.

Best practice benchmarking in the UK

Reflects on a three‐year project examining the evolving nature of “best practice” benchmarking in UK‐based organisations. The findings describe the current state of benchmarking and some of its advantages across a wide variety of public and private sector organisations. Also investigates the disincentives to benchmarking activity experienced by practising benchmarkers, as well as the factors which inhibit the initial take‐up of this technique. In addition, the notion that a maturity curve exists for organisations engaged in benchmarking is explored.

Bone age in 116 untreated patients with Turner's syndrome rated by a computer-assisted method (CASAS).

Bone age maturation in 116 untreated patients with Turner's syndrome was evaluated in a cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis. A total of 265 radiographs were rated using the TW2-RUS method on the computer-assisted skeletal age score (CASAS) system. Bone age was found to be retarded from the chronological age of 3 to 6y. Between the ages of 7 and 12 y bone age almost equalled chronological age and progressed normally at a rate of 1 y y(-1). Bone maturation slowed down thereafter and epiphyseal closure was not reached before the age of 17 y. Reference data are presented on bone age and a bone age maturation curve for untreated patients with Turner's syndrome to be used in clinical practice. In the assessment of bone age and bone age velocity in Turner's syndrome the CASAS system produced reliable and valid results. The absolute difference between repeated bone age ratings was 0.26 "y" (median) with a range of 0.00-0.56 "y". Future studies evaluating the effect of growth-promoting treatment in Turner's syndrome should use a computerized method for the determination of bone age.

Bone age in 116 untreated patients with Turner's syndrome rated by a computer‐assisted method (CASAS)

Bone age maturation in 116 untreated patients with Turner's syndrome was evaluated in a cross‐sectional and longitudinal analysis. A total of 265 radiographs were rated using the TW2‐RUS method on the computer‐assisted skeletal age score (CASAS) system. Bone age was found to be retarded from the chronological age of 3 to 6y. Between the ages of 7 and 12y bone age almost equalled chronological age and progressed normally at a rate of 1 y y−1. Bone maturation slowed down thereafter and epiphyseal closure was not reached before the age of 17 y. Reference data are presented on bone age and a bone age maturation curve for untreated patients with Turner's syndrome to be used in clinical practice. In the assessment of bone age and bone age velocity in Turner's syndrome the CASAS system produced reliable and valid results. The absolute difference between repeated bone age ratings was 0.26“y”(median) with a range of 0.00‐0.56“y”. Future studies evaluating the effect of growth‐promoting treatment in Turner's syndrome should use a computerized method for the determination of bone age.

Histological assessment of variations in sexual maturity of cod (Gadus morhuaL.) at the Flemish Cap (north-west Atlantic)

A histological method is used to detect the proportion of both adult and recruit females at the beginning of gonad development, in summer, a few months after spawning. At this time it is diYcult to make a visual diagnosis of the sexual maturity stage. The proportion of females with postovulatory follicles is used to determine the length and age at maturity in the year of sampling, and the proportion of females in the cortical alveoli and/or vitellogenic stages is used to estimate the same parameter for the following year. Variations in age and length at maturity during the period 1992‐1995 were analysed by comparing the respective maturity curves of both the ‘‘previous spawners’’ and the ‘‘next-year spawners’’ females. A drastic decrease in both the age and the length at maturity is observed in this period and it seems likely that the age at maturity of female cod became fixed at around age 3 at the end of the period analysed. The possibility that this could be a density-dependent response of the stock at the Flemish Cap is discussed. ? 1998 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea

High performance positive DUV photoresists AZ ® DX 1100P, AZ ® DX 1200P. AZ ® DX 1300P, AZ ® DX 2034P, AZ ® DX 2058P for advanced lithographic applications

An increasing number of DUV resists, which have taken considerable steps on the maturity curve, is available on the market these days. It becomes obvious that - similar to i-line application - there is not the universal resist giving the best fit for every aspect of DUV handling. Meanwhile this seems to find wide acceptance by the majority of the user community. Classifying major commercial PHS based resists according the protective group: acetal, t-BOC and acrylate type with the chemistry concept of low, medium and high activation energy may be distinguished. In order to satisfy specific customer needs Clariant have a commercially available family of AZ® DUV products. These recently developed products include on the positive resist side AZ® DX 1100P, AZ® DX 1200P, AZ® DX 1300P, AZ® DX 21134P and AZ® DX 2058P, all two component acetal-based systems. The details of this resist chemistry are described elsewhere 1 . Dose-to-print versus dose-to-clear ratio is about 2.4 indicating high contrast. Process parameters, as well as selected characteristics and performance items are highlighted in this contribution. AZ® DX 1100P is intended for use on weakly reflective substrates, such as bottom antireflective coatings (BARCs) of organic or inorganic nature. On AZ® BARLi, a BARC originally developed for i-line application, AZ® DX 1100P shows a lines and spaces resolution well below 0.2 μm. Depth of focus (DOF) amounts to 1.05 μm for 0.25 μm critical dimension (CD). Excellent post exposure bake (PEB) latitudes are found where CD change is below 1 nm/°C. Post exposure delay stability for CD 0.2 μm is better than 12 hours for amine concentrations at around 5 ppb. Good substrate compatibility is also found on TiN and Tungsten (W). AZ® DX 1200P is targeted for contact hole (C/H) printing. Besides an excellent sensitivity with the C/H dose to print at around 40 mJ/cm 2 for 0.96 μm resist thickness. C/H ultimate resolution goes down to < 0.2 μm. For CD 0.25 μm the DOF is determined to be greater than 1.2 μm. As far as the baking parameters are concerned, there is full processing compatibility with conventional diazonaphtoquinone/novolak based resists. This is also valid for AZ® DX 1300P, an allround resist, aimed for a wide range of applications on standard and highly reflective substrates. Evaluation highlights of AZ® DX 1300P include high sensitivity of around 20 mJ/cm 2 , excellent resolution down to 0.2 μm and a large DOF of 1.2 μm for 0.25 μm l/s. To respond to most advanced sub 0.2 μm CD needs AZ® DX 2034P comparable to AZ® DX 1100P addresses BARC and AZ® DX 2058P analogous to AZ®DX 1300P covers the remaining more general areas of use.

Biologia reprodutiva de Oligosarcus jenynsii (Günther) (Characiformes, Characidae) da Lagoa das Custódias, Tramandaí, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

The Custodias lagoon has a great importance in the Tramandai system, because it works as reproduction area, feeding and nursery grounds to several fish species. The aim of this work is the study of aspects related to the reproduction of Oligosarcus jenynsii (Gunther, 1864) as such as reproductive period, sexual ratio, fecundity and size of the first gonadal maturation. The specimens were sampled monthly from October/1994 to October/1995. For each sex, maturation curves were established, based on the monthly variation of the gonadossomatic index mean values, as well as, the relative frequencies of the sexual maturity stages. Breeding seasons took place during the winter and spring. The sex ratio was significanthly different from 1:1, with more females than male in almost all month. The species had a average fecundity of 9.694 ovocytes. The estimated size of first sexual maturation was 114 mm for male and 131 mm for females.

“Normalized” patent trend analysis: Eliminating the impact of nonrelevant variables

AbstractPatent trend analysis, or the bibliometric analysis of patenting activity over time, has been used to evaluate where technologies stand on their maturity curves and to identify players in a technical field. The tool has also been applied to assess specific companies' technology portfolios and technical strategies. The analysis is usually based on a direct count of the number of patents published annually. The author proposes, and shows with examples, that factors other than technology maturity and technology strategies can affect these trends and that extraneous factors have to be taken into account before valid conclusions can be drawn. © 1996 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Inc.

Uneven gas‐fired power maturity curve

Natural GasVolume 13, Issue 5 p. 29-31 Article Uneven gas-fired power maturity curve Tara J. Rethore, Tara J. Rethore Tara J. Rethore is a manager in Arthur D. Little's International Energy Consulting Directorate based in Houston, Texas. Her areas of concentration are in the international and domestic natural gas industries, with significant experience in natural gas marketing, corporate strategy development, and financial and economic analysis. The author gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Simon Wain Wright, a consultant in Arthur D. Little's Cambridge, Massachusetts, office, in the research andcomposition of this column.Search for more papers by this author Tara J. Rethore, Tara J. Rethore Tara J. Rethore is a manager in Arthur D. Little's International Energy Consulting Directorate based in Houston, Texas. Her areas of concentration are in the international and domestic natural gas industries, with significant experience in natural gas marketing, corporate strategy development, and financial and economic analysis. The author gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Simon Wain Wright, a consultant in Arthur D. Little's Cambridge, Massachusetts, office, in the research andcomposition of this column.Search for more papers by this author First published: December 1996 https://doi.org/10.1002/gas.3410130509 AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Volume13, Issue5December 1996Pages 29-31 RelatedInformation

Syndrome de Turner: croissance staturopondérale et maturation osseuse spontanées

Background. — Since growth hormone is effective in increasing the height of girls with Turner's syndrome, it is important to dispose of growth and bone maturation curves in a large number of untreated patients. Population and methods. — Data on growth and bone maturation were collected from 160 patients with Turner's syndrome (50 have reached final height), born 1965–1991, untreated with growth hormone or anabolic steroids. X monosomy was found in half of the patients, mosaicism or X abnormality was present in the other half. Spontaneous puberty occurred in 25% (n = 25) of patients older than 13 years, 38 patients received estrogen after 13 years. Final heights were compared to predicted height according to Lyon's method. Results. — Forty-five percent of patients were small for date. Height velocity decreased from 2 years of age and decreased faster during adolescence, when gonadal dysgenesis occurred. Bone maturation velocity decreased also during adolescence. Excessive weight appeared after the age of 5 years. Patients with partial deletion of the long arm of X ( n = 6) were taller than the other girls (r = 44) (mean ± DS) 152.5 ± 3.1 cm, range 150–158 cm versus 142.5 ± 4.9 cm, 130–150 cm ( P < 0.0001). Final height was not modified by spontaneous puberty. Final height was correlated with birth weight (r = 0.7), maternal height (r = 0.5) and mid parental height (r = 0.5). Finally, the Lyon's method for predicted final height seemed to be suitable for this population, (r = 0.8, P < 0.001). Conclusion. — Appropriate growth curve is an essential clinical tool in evaluating treatment aimed at increasing final stature in patients with Turner's syndrome.

Standard RUS skeletal maturation of Tokyo children.

A total of 704 girls and 753 boys, all healthy, from 3 to 18 years of age, from Tokyo and its suburbs, were radiographed on the left hand and wrist in 1986. Their RUS (TW2) skeletal maturity was estimated, the 50th-centile skeletal maturity scores were obtained, and the smoothed RUS maturity curves were determined applying the cubic spline function to the 50th-centile scores. On this maturity curve the score at each 0.1 year of chronological age was obtained and allocated as a given RUS skeletal age. This set of scores and ages we termed the TW2-J RUS, i.e. the Japanese TW2 RUS maturity standard. Comparing this RUS standard with the British standard, the Belgian, the southern Chinese, and the northern Indian, it became clear that Japanese children's RUS skeletal maturity progresses rapidly during puberty (after ages 9 in girls and 11 in boys), and that the maximum score difference between neighbouring age groups was observed at ages 12.5 in girls and 14.5 in boys on the spline-smoothed curve. Japanese children attain the adult stage 1 or 2 years earlier than other groups of children (at ages 15 in girls and 16 in boys).

Maturation and growth curves of Macrobrachium Carcinus (Linnaeus) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Palaemonidae) from Ribeira de Iguape River, southern Brazil

In this paper, female Macrobrachium carcinus (Linnaeus, 1758) maturation curve, weight/length relationship, length and weight growth curves were studied. Prawns were captured, by traps, in Ribeira de Iguape river (24oS and 47oW), southern Brazil. There were used 207 females. It was observed that M. carcinus presents several spawnings during its life cycle and reproductive period goes on, at least till six years old. Weight/length relationship can be represented for the equation W = 8.73 E-3 L3.28. Expressions obtained for length and weight growth curves are Lt = 21 .0 (1-e-0493t) and Wt= 190 (1-e-0493t)3.28. respectively. A symptotic maximum length and asymptotic maximum weight are nearly attained at six and eight years old, respectively.

Dinâmica da reprodução do cascudo, Rineloricaria latirostris Boulenger (Siluriformes, Loricariidae) do rio Passa Cinco, Ipeúna, São Paulo

Aspects of reproduction of Rineloricaria latirostris Boulenger, 1899 of Passa Cinco river (Ipeuna, Sao Paulo) were investigated during 18 months. The spawing period was determined by the analysis of the maturation curve, based of the monthly variation of the gonadosomatic index and condition factor. The size and age on the maturation and fecundity were also determined. The fecundity was realted to some parameters such as total length and total weight.

Maturity and Length Frequency Distribution of the Indian Squid Loligo duvauceli Caught in the Gulf of Thailand.

Samples of the Indian squid Loligo duvauceli, 5, 303 males and 6, 149 females, were collected by otter boad trawlers and light-luring fishing boats off the west coast of the Gulf of Thailand from 1986-1989.The speciments were classified into five stages of maturity for both sexes. The group maturity curves showed that sizes at 50% maturation approximated 17cm ML for males and 10cm ML for females. Two substantial recruitments of catchable stock were found in December-March and July-October, based on the appearance of larger sized squids rather than the 50% mature sizes.Assuming that the successive shift observed in the length frequency distributions are expressed by the von Bertalanffy growth equation and the time from birth to recruitment was 4 months, the growth parameters K were estimated at 0.083 month-1 for male squid and 0.095 month-1 for female squid.

Annual growth and maturity function of the squat lobster Pleuroncodes monodon in central Chile

Length-frequency data (LFD) for the squat lobster Pleuroncodes rnonodon (Decapoda, Galatheidae) from 5 research surveys carried out in central Chlle (3520'S to 36'20's) between 1982 and 1991 were analysed to model male and female growth. The 1991 data were further used to model female maturity. From the 5 yr of LFD, 17 year classes were identified in males and 19 in females. To classlfy those year classes into age classes, a simple statistical procedure based on a stochastic dependency of growth on age was developed. The procedure classified male and female year classes into 6 and 7 age classes, respectively. Size variances due to within-year-class (indvidual) variability and among-year-classes (temporal) variability were estimated. The ratio between temporal and individual size variance did not increase with age. This indicates that size variation of individuals reaching a given age is mainly determined by the inherent variability of their year class rather than by environmental changes encountered across ages. A von Bertalanffy growth function provided a good description of both male and female growth. There were significant differences in the parameterization of the growth function between males and females: females were smaller than males for every age class. Logistic regression on female maturity data from 1991 shows that female squat lobsters reach maturity, as a population average, at intermediate sizes (ages). The 5 % plausibility regions and 95 % confidence intervals, as measures of uncertainty in maturity estimation, showed very s w a r interval estimates. The shape of the maturity curve corresponded to a stable population in terms of age structure.

Curvas de maturação gonadal e crescimento de fêmeas de Saguiru prata, (Steindachnerina insculpra Fernandez - Yepez, 1948), capturadas na Represa de Ibitinga, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar em que comprimento e idade ocorre a primeira maturação sexual de fêmeas de Saguiru prata Steindachnerinainsculpia, na Represa de Ibitinga (21046'S 48059'W). Os valores encontrados através da curva de maturação, ajustados pela equação de von Bertalanffy, foram: Loo= 143,5 mm e K = 0,381. A primeira maturação sexualdá-se com um comprimento total médio de 97,73 mm, aos 3 anos de idade.

Gamma distribution model describes maturational curves for delta wave amplitude, cortical metabolic rate and synaptic density

We analyzed the available ontogenetic data (birth to 30 years of age) for: amplitude of delta EEG (DA) waves during sleep; cortical metabolic rate (CMR) measured with positron emission tomography; and synaptic density (SD) in frontal cortex. Each is at the adult level at birth, increases to about twice this level by 3 years of age, and then gradually falls back to the adult level over the next two decades. Statistical analyses revealed that individual gamma distribution models fit each data set as well as did the best ad hoc polynomial. A test of whether a single gamma distribution model could describe all three data sets gave good results for DA and CMR but the fit was unsatisfactory for SD. However, because so few data were available for SD, this test was not conclusive. We proposed the following model to account for these changes. First, cortical neurons are stimulated by birth to enter a proliferative state (PS) that creates many connections. Next, as a result of interactions in the PS, neurons are triggered into a transient organizational state (OS) in which they make enduring connections. The OS has a finite duration (minutes to years), and is characterized by high rates of information-processing and metabolism. Levels of CMR, SD and DA, therefore, are proportional to the number of neurons in the OS at any time. Thus, the cortex after birth duplicates, over a vastly greater time scale, the overproduction and regression of neural elements that occurs repeatedly in embryonic development. Finally, we discussed the implications of post-natal brain changes for normal and abnormal brain function. Mental disorders that have their onset after puberty (notably schizophrenia and manic-depressive psychoses) might be caused by errors in these late maturational processes. In addition to age of onset, this neurodevelopmental hypothesis might explain several other puzzling features of these subtle disorders.

Phenology of Apple Maggot (Diptera: Tephritidae) Associated with Cherry and Hawthorn in Utah

The phenology of the adult apple maggot associated with its three main hosts in Utah (sweet cherry, Prunus avium L., tart cherry, P. cerasus L., and black hawthorn, Crataegus douglasii Lind!.) was investigated. The emergence curves of apple maggots associated with these three hosts were similar on a physiological time (degree-day, DD) scale (6.7°C base), but on a calendar basis, populations in different parts of the state emerged up to 4 wk apart. Emergence curves of cumulative percentage were fit to an Erlang density distribution function with Del = 1,180 DD and K = 65. The ovarian maturity curve had the same shape, but occurred about 112 DD after the emergence curve. Published emergence curves for apple maggot populations from Ontario, New York, and Oregon were similar to those of the Utah populations if the first consistent trap catch was used to synchronize degreeday accumulations. Wisconsin populations were found to differ by about 256 DD (at 50% emergence) from Utah populations even when the model was synchronized as above.

Relationship of sexual maturation rate to response of oriental fruit fly strains (Diptera: Tephritidae) to methyl eugenol

Laboratory-reared and wild, fruit-reared adults of the Oriental fruit fly,Dacus dorsalis Hendel, were tested for response to methyl eugenol at various ages. Virgin laboratory (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 days old) and wild (7, 11, 15, 19, and 23 days old) flies were released into an outdoor field cage and trapped over a two-day period. Response of males increased with age as ca. 32% and 22% of laboratory and wild males responded at 2 and 7 days of age, respectively, while ca. 93% of both strains responded at 10 and 23 days of age, respectively. These correspond approximately to the ages at which they reach sexual maturity. Female response did not increase with age and fluctuated between 15% and 29% for the laboratory strain and 10% and 45% for the wild strain. The age-related response profiles, when integrated with sexual maturation curves, indicate that one of the major reasons the male-annihilation technique is effective is because methyl eugenol is able to attract 40-50% of male flies prior to the onset of sexual maturation.