Maximum Delta Research Articles

Prognostic value of brachioradialis muscle oxygen saturation index and vascular occlusion test in septic shock patients

ObjectivesTo compare rSO2 (muscle oxygen saturation index) static and dynamic variables obtained by NIRS (Near Infrared Spectroscopy) in brachioradialis muscle of septic shock patients and its prognostic implications. DesignProspective and observational study. SettingIntensive care unit. SubjectsSeptic shock patients and healthy volunteers. InterventionsThe probe of a NIRS device (INVOS 5100) was placed on the brachioradialis muscle during a vascular occlusion test (VOT). VariablesBaseline, minimum and maximum rSO2 values, deoxygenation rate (DeOx), reoxygenation slope (ReOx) and delta value. ResultsSeptic shock patients (n=35) had lower baseline rSO2 (63.8±12.2 vs. 69.3±3.3%, p<0.05), slower DeOx (−0.54±0.31 vs. −0.91±0.35%/s, p=0.001), slower ReOx (2.67±2.17 vs. 9.46±3.5%/s, p<0.001) and lower delta (3.25±5.71 vs. 15.1±3.9%, p<0.001) when compared to healthy subjects (n=20). Among septic shock patients, non-survivors showed lower baseline rSO2 (57.0±9.6 vs. 69.8±11.3%, p=0.001), lower minimum rSO2 (36.0±12.8 vs. 51.3±14.8%, p<0.01) and lower maximum rSO2 values (60.6±10.6 vs. 73.3±11.2%, p<0.01). Baseline rSO2 was a good mortality predictor (AUC 0.79; 95%CI: 0.63–0.94, p<0.01). Dynamic parameters obtained with VOT did not improve the results. ConclusionSeptic shock patients present an important alteration of microcirculation that can be evaluated by NIRS with prognostic implications. Monitoring microvascular reactivity in the brachioradialis muscle using VOT with our device does not seem to improve the prognostic value of baseline rSO2.

Prognostic value of brachioradialis muscle oxygen saturation index and vascular occlusion test in septic shock patients

ObjectivesTo compare rSO2 (muscle oxygen saturation index) static and dynamic variables obtained by NIRS (Near Infrared Spectroscopy) in brachioradialis muscle of septic shock patients and its prognostic implications. DesignProspective and observational study. SettingIntensive care unit. SubjectsSeptic shock patients and healthy volunteers. InterventionsThe probe of a NIRS device (INVOS 5100) was placed on the brachioradialis muscle during a vascular occlusion test (VOT). VariablesBaseline, minimum and maximum rSO2 values, deoxygenation rate (DeOx), reoxygenation slope (ReOx) and delta value. ResultsSeptic shock patients (n=35) had lower baseline rSO2 (63.8±12.2 vs. 69.3±3.3%, p<0.05), slower DeOx (−0.54±0.31 vs. −0.91±0.35%/s, p=0.001), slower ReOx (2.67±2.17 vs. 9.46±3.5%/s, p<0.001) and lower delta (3.25±5.71 vs. 15.1±3.9%, p<0.001) when compared to healthy subjects (n=20). Among septic shock patients, non-survivors showed lower baseline rSO2 (57.0±9.6 vs. 69.8±11.3%, p=0.001), lower minimum rSO2 (36.0±12.8 vs. 51.3±14.8%, p<0.01) and lower maximum rSO2 values (60.6±10.6 vs. 73.3±11.2%, p<0.01). Baseline rSO2 was a good mortality predictor (AUC 0.79; 95%CI: 0.63–0.94, p<0.01). Dynamic parameters obtained with VOT did not improve the results. ConclusionSeptic shock patients present an important alteration of microcirculation that can be evaluated by NIRS with prognostic implications. Monitoring microvascular reactivity in the brachioradialis muscle using VOT with our device does not seem to improve the prognostic value of baseline rSO2.

Usefulness of delta troponin for diagnosis and prognosis assessment of non-ST-segment elevation acute chest pain.

The additional diagnostic and prognostic information provided by delta high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-cTnT) in patients with acute chest pain and hs-cTnT elevation remains unclear. The study group consisted of 601 patients presenting at the emergency department with non-ST-segment elevation acute chest pain and hs-cTnT elevation after two determinations (admission and within the first six hours). Maximum hs-cTnT and delta hs-cTnT (absolute or percentage change between the two measurements) were considered. Cutoff values were optimized using the quartile distribution for the endpoints. The endpoints were diagnostic (significant stenosis in the coronary angiogram) and prognostic (death or recurrent myocardial infarction at one year). Regarding the diagnostic endpoint, 114 patients showed a normal angiogram. Both maximum hs-cTnT ⩾80 ng/ml (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.3-4.8, P=0.005) and delta hs-cTnT ⩾20 ng/l (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1-4.0, P=0.02) median value cutoffs were related to significant coronary stenosis. Furthermore, the combination of hs-cTn <80 ng/l and delta hs-cTn <20 ng/l showed the lowest probability of significant coronary stenosis (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.4, P=0.001). During follow-up, 86 patients experienced the prognostic endpoint. After full adjustment for clinical data, maximum hs-cTnT ⩾30 ng/l, first quartile cutoff, was related to the outcome (HR 1.8, 95% CI 1.0-3.4, P=0.05), while delta hs-cTnT, either absolute or percentage change, lacked prognostic value. Maximum hs-cTnT captures all the prognostic information provided by hs-cTnT in non-ST-segment elevation acute chest pain. Low maximum and low delta hs-cTnT are associated with a normal coronary angiogram, which could make the final diagnosis challenging in some cases.

Dispatching intermittent wind resources for ancillary services via wind control and its impact on power system economics

This paper focuses on assessing the effectiveness of wind control methods used to address the economic issues associated with higher penetration of variable (wind) generation. Two different wind control methods were implemented, namely maximum power limitation and delta control. Production costing simulations were done on IEEE 24 bus system with three wind farms, across different wind penetration levels to evaluate the impacts of wind control methods. Wind farms were allowed to participate in the ancillary service market while implementing the variable delta control. Results showed that these control methods have the potential to allow wind farm provide regulation or significantly lower regulation requirements, and reduce the overall production cost of the power system.

SAT0156 The Flare-RA (Flare in Rheumatoid Arthritis) Questionnaire is Able to Detect Disease Activity Increase, I.E., Flare, Occurring between 2 Visits to the Rheumatologist:

BackgroundFLARE-RA (FLARE in Rheumatoid Arthritis) is a self-administered questionnaire developed to detect rheumatoid arthritis (RA) flare that has occurred in the meantime since the last visit to the physician1. The...

Searching for oscillations in the primordial power spectrum. II. Constraints from Planck data

We apply our recently developed code to search for resonance features in the Planck CMB temperature data. We search both for log spaced oscillations or linear spaced oscillations and compare our findings with results of our WMAP9 analysis and the Planck team analysis. While there are hints of log spaced resonant features present in the WMAP9 data, the significance of these features weaken with more data. With more accurate small scale measurements, we also find that the best fit frequency has shifted and the amplitude has been reduced. We confirm the presence of a several low frequency peaks, earlier identified by the Planck team, but with a better improvement of fit (delta chi^2 ~ 12). We further investigate this improvement by allowing the lensing potential to vary as well, showing mild correlation between the amplitude of the oscillations and the lensing amplitude. We find that the improvement of the fit increases even more (delta chi^2 ~ 14) for the low frequencies that modify the spectrum in a way that mimics the lensing effect. Since these features were not present in the WMAP data, they are primarily due to better measurements of Planck at small angular scales. For linear spaced oscillations we find a maximum delta chi^2 ~ 13 scanning two orders of magnitude in frequency space, and the biggest improvements are at extremely high frequencies. We recover a best fit frequency very close to the one found in WMAP9, which confirms that the fit improvement is driven by low l. Further comparisons with WMAP9 show Planck contains many more features, both for linear and log space oscillations, but with a smaller improvement of fit. We discuss the improvement as a function of the number of modes and study the effect of the 217 GHz map, which appears to drive most of the improvement for log spaced oscillations. We conclude that none of the detected features are statistically significant.

Studies on the effect of Acrylic acid &amp; Methyl-meth-acrylate monomers on the Viscoelastic behavior of Divinylester resin of Bisphenol-A UV cured sheets

Tg is important both as a measure of the degree of cure and for prediction of viscoelastic behavior of cured sheets DMA is an extremely versatile thermal analysis method that provides as much information about the physical properties of a sample in a single test. At the glass transition, the storage modulus decreases dramatically and the loss modulus reaches a maximum. In the present work, Vinyl ester resin based UV cured sheets were casted and analyzed for glass transition temperature with the help of DMTA. The thermal stability of the casted sheets was studied with derivative weight loss curves obtained through simultaneous TGA/DTA thermograms. The glass transition temperatures of the casted UV Cured sheets were found between 61-77 0 C corresponding to maximum tan delta values. On the basis of the findings presented in this article, it can be concluded that the glass transition temperature is decreasing on increasing the acrylic acid and methyl methacrylate concentration in UV curable formulations, which is indicating a decrease in degree of crosslinking but on the other hand mechanical properties have shown a remarkable increase. The specific gravity of the sheets was found in the range 1.46-1.21. However, after crosslinking with acrylate monomers, thermal stability of these UV cured sheets is increasing and hence the sheets could withstand relatively high temperatures without significantly affecting other properties. The average molecular weight between the cross links (Mc) of the cured formulations was also calculated from equilibrium shear modulus at thermodynamic temperature of 25 0 C and compared with theoretical values.

Role of exercise testing in assessment of the cardiovascular system function in Zarda users

Background: Zarda is a widely used form of smokeless tobacco in India. Cigarette smoking has extensive effects on cardiovascular functions. Zarda is prepared by the user by mixing tobacco with lime in the palm and gives the user the choice to change the combination. This study aims to determine the effect of Zarda on the cardiovascular system adaptability to exercise. There are conflicting opinions about the degree of adaptability of the cardiovascular system in delivering the physiological needs in case of severe exercise. Role of the normal cardiovascular system in delivering oxygen to meet the demands of various degrees of exercise has been a topic of considerable debate. The effect of Zarda usage on this phenomenon is studied here. Materials and Methods: Cardiovascular functions were assessed after maximal exercise testing by recording parameters such as maximum heart rate (HR), delta HR, recovery HR and maximum oxygen pulse in two groups' viz., Zarda users and non-user controls. Results: On studying the differences in cardiovascular functions in users and controls, there was a significant difference in maximum HR. The other parameters such as delta HR and maximum oxygen pulse were on the higher side in controls while the recovery HR was significantly lower in the control group, which was consistently maintained after exercise testing. Based on these findings it is suggested that there is a higher adaptability of the cardiovascular system to the exercise stimulus in the form of better VO 2 max, faster recovery of the exercise HR and a lesser risk for cardiovascular mortality as suggested by the higher delta HR in non-Zarda users.

Investigation of the Immobilization Capability of Open Masks for Head and Neck Patient Setup and Treatment

During Head and Neck treatment, some patients complain of claustrophobia due to the fully closed thermoplastic head masks. Recently introduced open mask solve this by exposing the patients' eyes, nose, and mouth. This study investigates the immobilization capability of open masks and proposes new CTV to PTV expansion margins for them. Open masks were deformed to custom-fit two volunteers using “C” size head pillows on a CT. After a number of days, the volunteers found the most comfortable position on the Linac treatment couch in the mask. A 3-D skin tracking system acquired a reference surface per volunteer. An ROI consisting of the eyes, nose, mouth, and part of cheek was selected per volunteer. The volunteer's setup ROI was tracked and rigidly registered to the reference ROI to calculate the skin surface's translation and rotation relative to the reference surface. The mask was removed, and the volunteer was asked to sit up. The setup was repeated five times to simulate daily setup uncertainties. In a second test, volunteers tried to remain still in the mask for 10 minutes to simulate the duration of a typical treatment. We recorded the translational and rotational real time deltas and the maximum deltas. The Results Table shows, per volunteer, the average deltas over the 5 setups and the corresponding standard deviations. We also report the maximum delta from reference observed during the 10-minute monitoring interval. We observed that the real time deltas increase slightly with time spent on the table, which is to be expected. Using a commonly accepted guideline (2.5×average + 0.7×standard deviation), we calculate the implied CTV to PTV expansion. Open masks generally solve claustrophobia. Based on our preliminary study, the conventional CTV to PTV expansion (3, 3, 3)mm should be altered to (2, 4, 4) mm for open mask usage. The open masks appear to provide sufficient immobilization. More volunteer study is scheduled to be done in the next several months.Poster Viewing Abstract 3389; TableStudy results (real time deltas)VolunteerMetricVertical (mm)Lateral (mm)Longitudinal (mm)Yaw (degrees)Roll (degrees)Pitch (degrees)1Average delta-0.9-1.7-0.3-0.10.41.31St. dev. of delta0.861.190.550.890.840.491Max delta in 10 minutes0.40.60.70.20.3-0.31Expansion1.73.40.50.31.73.62Average delta0.1-0.21.20.50.50.02St. dev. of delta2.120.451.100.520.481.022Max delta in 10 minutes0.40.60.70.20.3-0.32Expansion1.50.23.81.61.71.0 Open table in a new tab

Geena, a tool for MS spectra filtering, averaging and aligning

Motivations. Mass spectrometry (MS), one of the most recent high-throughput technologies, produces a high volume of data. Many tools exist for MS data management, but little is available for the automation of related procedures. Geena is a new tool that aims at automating some of the fundamental steps involved in the analysis of m/z and abundance data from MALDI/TOF MS experiments. Geena was developed by taking into account the following assumptions: a. in each spectrum, molecules are present in the form of different isotopic abundances that can besummed together to give a total abundance value; b. often, experimental data have to be normalized against an internal standard in order to obtain (semi) quantitative results; c. experimental data can be affected by background noise. The selection of signals above a modulated threshold built on the spectra profile may be useful; d. the analysis of sample replicates yields multiple spectra which are different because of marginal errors/changes in the experimental phase only. An average spectrum representative of the sample may be defined by aligning these spectra along the m/z axis and computing mean intensity values from the corresponding abundances. e. In order to compare single or average spectra obtained from different samples the alignment along the m/z axis is required. Methods. Geena was written in PHP and partially, for spectra alignment, in perl. Both input and output are managed in simple text files, usually having tab or comma delimited values. Such formats can easily be consumed by MS Excel or any other data management system. Data may be stored on the server in a mySQL database. The processing method is mainly heuristic and it is based on original algorithms. It includes the following steps: a) preprocessing of spectra replicates, which consists in isotopic peaks joining, normalization, and peak selection; b) computing average spectra for replicated analysis of samples; c) alignment of average spectra. Results. Geena is a public web server. The input consists in MALDI/TOF MS spectra. The data file is usually uploaded to the server and removed as soon as it has been used. It may include data from many samples, for each of which more spectra replicates can be provided. The output consists both in the averaged spectra from replicates and in the alignment of averaged spectra. The alignment is shown in the results page, while all results are available for downloading from the same page and sent by email, if a valid address is provided. Many parameters are defined. The analysis range is specified by indicating the lower and upper m/z values. The presence of a normalization peak and its corresponding m/z value must be specified in order to normalize data. The threshold for peak selection is specified by providing abundance threshold values for the upper and lower limits of the analysis range. Further Intermediate thresholds may be specified, in which case a broken line is built by linear interpolation. An alternative method, that is based on data background estimation, is being added to Geena. Isotopic peaks of the same molecule are identified on the basis of the maximum allowed delta between them, i.e. the maximum deviation from expected values to consider a signal as an isotopic abundance of a given peak, and of the maximum number of isotopic replicates. In order to compute average spectra for a given sample, the maximum delta for aligning replicates, i.e. the maximum allowed deviation along the m/z axis between two signals belonging to replicates of the same sample to align them, and the minimum number of signals in replicates, that defines the minimum number of replicates that should contain a signal to include it in the average spectrum, can be specified. Similarly, the maximum delta for aligning average spectra and the minimum number of signals in average spectra can be specified to support alignment of average spectra. The method has been used for the analysis of long-term cryopreserved sera [1]. Availability http://bioinformatics.istge.it/geena/

Cortical source of blink-related delta oscillations and their correlation with levels of consciousness

Recently, blink-related delta oscillations (delta BROs) have been observed in healthy subjects during spontaneous blinking at rest. Delta BROs have been linked with continuous gathering of information from the surrounding environment, which is classically attributed to the precuneus. Furthermore, fMRI studies have shown that precuneal activity is reduced or missing when consciousness is low or absent. We therefore hypothesized that the source of delta BROs in healthy subjects could be located in the precuneus and that delta BROs could be absent or reduced in patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC). To test these hypotheses, electroencephalographic (EEG) activity at rest was recorded in 12 healthy controls and nine patients with DOC (four vegetative states, and five minimally conscious states). Three-second-lasting EEG epochs centred on each blink instance were analyzed in both time- (BROs) and frequency domains (event-related spectral perturbation or ERSP and intertrial coherence or ITC). Cortical sources of the maximum blink-related delta power, corresponding to the positive peak of the delta BROs, were estimated by standardized Low Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography. In control subjects, as expected, the source of delta BROs was located in the precuneus, whereas in DOC patients, delta BROs were not recognizable and no precuneal localization was possible. Furthermore, we observed a direct relationship between spectral indexes and levels of cognitive functioning in all subjects participating in the study. This reinforces the hypothesis that delta BROs reflect neural processes linked with awareness of the self and of the environment.

Electrochromic Properties of Tungsten-Titanium Oxide Films

The last decade has seen great in electrochromic (EC) technology for smart windows and displays. In this study, WTiOx films formed from TiO2 and WO3 were deposited onto ITO glass with a sheet resistance of 10 Omega cm and on silicon substrates, by pulsed magnetron sputtering using a W and Ti alloy target. The films were deposited at plasma powers 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 W using a gaseous Ar (150 sccm)/O2 (50 sccm) mixture; the working pressure was fixed at 5E-2 torr. The film thickness increased with the plasma power. However, increasing the plasma power yielded a more crystalline structure with poorer electrochromic properties. The influence of Ti doping and plasma power on the structural, optical and electrochromic properties of the WTiOx thin films was studied. WTiOx films grown at various plasma powers of under 400 W were amorphous. Deposition of films at 400 W yielded the optimal electrochromic properties, with high optical modulation, high coloration efficiency and the lowest color memory effect at wavelengths 400, 550 and 800 nm. An XPS study indicated that Ti can stabilize the valence state of W6+. The improvements caused by the doping with Ti were tested: an optical density (OD) of close to 0.85 and a maximum delta T (%) at 400 nm of 25.8%, at 550 nm of 52.5% and at 800 nm (in the near-IR region) of 62.4%.

SU‐E‐T‐434: Improvements in Step‐And‐Shoot Dose Delivery Accuracy on Varian TrueBeam

Purpose: To investigate the impact of monitor units (MUs) per segment and dose rate on the dose delivery accuracy of step‐and‐shoot intensity modulated radiation (SS‐IMRT) fields on a TrueBeam LINAC.Methods: A step‐and‐shoot multi‐leaf collimator (MLC) sequence was created consisting of 10 identical 10×10cm segments with identical MUs. Beam holding between segments was achieved by moving one out‐of‐field MLC leaf pair. Measurements were repeated for various combinations of MU/segment ranging from 2–40 and dose rates of either 300 or 600MU/min. All measurements were made with a Farmer (0.6cc) ionization chamber placed at the isocenter in a SolidWater phantom at 10cm depth. The measurements were performed on two Varian LINACs: Trilogy and TrueBeam. Each sequence was delivered three times and the charge readings for the corresponding segments were averaged. The effects of MU/segment, dose rate, and LINAC type on the relative dose variation (Delta_i) was compared using F‐tests.Results: On the Trilogy, large Delta_i was observed in small MU segments: at 2MU/segment, the maximum Delta_i was 20.0%/26.2% at 300/600MU/min, respectively. Also, the first segment of each sequence consistently over‐shot(Delta_i&gt;0), while the last segment consistently under‐shot(Delta_i&lt;0). On the TrueBeam, at 2MU/segment, Delta_i ranged from −1.6% to +2.0% at 300 MU/min and −3.0% to +3.1% at 600MU/min; no obvious over/under‐shoot trend was observed. F‐tests showed statistically significant difference ((1—beta)=1.0000) in 2 MU segments between the Trilogy and the TrueBeam, at either dose rate. No significant difference was observed for large (&gt;10 MU/segment) MU segments Conclusions: Earlier generations of Varian LINACs exhibited large dose variations for small MU segments in SS‐IMRT delivery. Our results appeared to confirm these findings. The dose delivery accuracy in small MU segments and at high dose rate for SS‐IMRT is significantly improved on TrueBeam compared to Trilogy, likely due to the faster sampling rate (100Hz vs. 20Hz).

A model of photosystem II for the analysis of fast fluorescence rise in plant leaves

The polyphasic patterns of fluorescence induction rise in pea leaves in vivo and after the treatment with ionophores have been studied using a plant efficiency analyzer. To analyze in detail photosystem II (PS II) electron transfer processes, an extended PS II model was applied, which included the sums of exponential functions to specify explicitly the light-driven formation of the transmembrane electric potential (delta psi(t)) as well as pH in the lumen (pHL(t)) and stroma (pHs(t)). PS II model parameters and numerical coefficients in delta psi(t), and pHs(t) were evaluated to fit fluorescence induction data for different experimental conditions: leaf in vivo or after ionophore treatment at low or high light intensity. The model imitated changes in the pattern of fluorescence induction rise due to the elimination of transmembrane potential in the presence of ionophores, when delta psi = 0 and pHL(t), pHS(t) altered to small extent relative to control values in vivo, with maximum delta psi(t) approximately 90 MB and delta psi(t) approximately 40 MB, for the stationary state at deltapH aproximately equal to 1.8. As the light intensity was increased from 300 to 1200 micromol x m(-2) x s(-1), the heat dissipation rate constants increased threefold for nonradiative recombination of P680+Phe- and by approximately 30% for P680+Q(A)-. The parameters delta psi, pH(S) and pH(L) were analyzed as factors of PS II redox state populations and fluorescence yield. The kinetic mechanism of qE quenching is discussed, which is related with light induced pH(L) lumen acidification, when Q(A)- and P680+ recombination probability increases to regulate the QA reduction.

Critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency in cancer patients

Critically ill cancer patients with sepsis represent a high-risk sub-group for the development of critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency (CIRCI); however, the incidence of CIRCI in this population is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of CIRCI in cancer patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. A single-center, retrospective, observational study was conducted in a 52-bed medical-surgical intensive care unit of a National Cancer Institute-recognized academic oncology institution. Eighty-six consecutive patients with a diagnosis of severe sepsis or septic shock who received a high-dose 250-μg cosyntropin stimulation test were included. CIRCI was identified by a maximum delta serum cortisol of 9 μg/dL or less post cosyntropin. Overall, 59% (95% CI, 48-70%) of cancer patients with severe sepsis or septic shock were determined to have CIRCI. When compared to patients without CIRCI, patients with CIRCI had higher baseline serum cortisol (median, 26.3 versus 14.7 μg/dL; p = 0.002) and lower delta cortisol levels (median, 3.1 versus 12.5 μg/dL; p < 0.001). Mortality did not differ between the two groups. An inverse relationship was identified between baseline serum cortisol and maximum delta cortisol (maximum delta cortisol = -0.27 × baseline cortisol + 14.30; R (2) = 0.208, p < 0.001). The incidence of CIRCI in cancer patients with severe sepsis or septic shock appears high. Further large-scale prospective trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Effects of Cooling Rate, Saturation Temperature, and Solvent on the Metastable Zone Width of Triethanolamine Hydrochloride

The metastable zone widths (MZWs) of triethanolamine hydrochloride ([HTEA]Cl), defined as the maximum temperature difference Delta T(max) a solution can withstand before crystallization of a solid phase, in water, ethanol-water, and HCl-water mixed solvents have been determined at a saturation temperature T(0) range from 293.15 to 303.15 K with cooling rate R from 3 to 8 K.h(-1). Solubilities of [HTEA]Cl in ethanol water mixtures have also been obtained using a dynamic method. An equation of MZW with similar form to Sangwal's equation was derived from the fundamental driving force of crystallization based on chemical potential. With the newly obtained equation, the experimental values of MZW Delta T(max) for [HTEA]Cl-water system at 298.15 K was correlated with the cooling rate R by ln(Delta T(max)/T(0)) = -6.140 + 1.222 ln R. The enthalpy of mixing Delta H(mix) was calculated with the solubility data, and the result of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). For [HTEA]Cl-water system, the value of -Delta H(mix) was determined to be 30.88 kJ.mol(-1), and the addition of both HCl and ethanol led to a decrease of -Delta H(mix). The experimental results also showed that MZW could be greatly enhanced when ethanol and HCl were added. It was found that the values of MZW decrease with -Delta H(mix) for both [HTEA]Cl-ethanol-water and [HTEA]Cl-HCl-water systems at the same saturation temperature and cooling rate.

Biostratigraphic and Chemostratigraphic Correlation for the Base of the Middle Ordovician between Yichang and Western Zhejiang Areas, South China

Abstract:The base of the Middle Ordovician (i.e. Dapingian Stage) has been defined at the first appearance datum (FAD) of conodont Baltoniodus?triangularis at Huanghuachang, Yichang, China, but the precise correlation of the boundary to regions of other facies remain to be resolved. Herein we review the biostratigraphy and chemostratigraphy of the Huanghuachang Global Standard Stratotype‐Section and Point (GSSP) section, and present our latest stratigraphic work on the nearby Chenjiahe section in Yichang, and the Hengtang Quarry section, Jiangshan, Zhejiang, which is regarded as representative of slope facies. The conodont and graptolite biostratigraphy as well as chemostratigraphy of the Chenjiahe section indicate that the base of the Middle Ordovician also falls within the graptolite Azygograptus suecicus Zone, and coincides with a high or maximum δ13C value within a minor positive carbon isotope excursion, suggesting that the base boundary can be readily recognized across the entire Yangtze Gorges area. The integrated graptolite and conodont biostratigraphy and chemostratigraphy of the Hengtang section, Jiangshan, indicates that the basal boundary probably falls within the graptolite Isograptus caduceus imitatus Zone that overlies the Azygograptus suecicus Zone, and coincides with a remarkable drop of δ13C. This difference indicates that a multi‐disciplinary approach is critical to identify the base boundary in those regions where the Baltoniodus?triangularis is absent

Effect of Proteolysis and Calcium Equilibrium on Functional Properties of Natural Cheddar Cheese during Ripening and the Resultant Processed Cheese

The changes in proteolysis, calcium (Ca) equilibrium, and functional properties of natural Cheddar cheeses during ripening and the resultant processed cheeses were investigated. For natural Cheddar cheeses, the majority of the changes in pH 4.6 soluble nitrogen as a percentage of total nitrogen (pH 4.6 SN/TN) and the soluble Ca content occurred in the first 90 d of ripening, and subsequently, the changes were slight. During ripening, functional properties of natural Cheddar cheeses changed, that is, hardness decreased, meltability was improved, storage modulus at 70 °C (G'T=70) decreased, and the maximum tan delta (TDmax) increased. Both pH 4.6 SN/TN and the soluble Ca were correlated with changes in functional properties of natural Cheddar cheeses during ripening. Kendall's partial correlation analysis indicated that pH 4.6 SN/TN was more significantly correlated with changes in hardness and TDmax. For processed cheeses manufactured from natural Cheddar cheeses with different ripening times, the soluble Ca content did not show significant difference, and the trends of changes in hardness, meltability, G'T=70, and TDmax were similar to those of natural Cheddar cheeses. Kendall's partial correlation analysis suggested that only pH 4.6 SN/TN was significantly correlated with the changes in functional properties of processed cheeses.

Fiber length, thermal, mechanical, and dynamic mechanical properties of injection-molded glass-fiber/polyamide 6,6: plasticization effect

Unreinforced- and glass fiber-reinforced-polyamide 6,6 specimens were subjected to dry, 50% RH, and wet conditions. FLD study showed that more fiber degradation occurred during processing of the composites with higher fiber loading. TGA results revealed that about 2% and 5% levels of moisture have been absorbed by the specimens subjected to 50% RH and wet conditions, respectively. From DSC results, with moisture uptake, there were no significance changes in the melting temperature, crystallization temperature, and enthalpy of crystalline; however, degree of crystallinity and enthalpy of melting decreased. Tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength, and flexural modulus decreased with moisture uptake, while tensile strain and flexural displacement increased. DMA study showed that tan delta at room temperature and tan delta maxima increased with moisture absorption, while temperatures at maximum tan delta in α- and β-transition regions decreased.

The Thr92Ala 5′ Type 2 Deiodinase Gene Polymorphism Is Associated with a Delayed Triiodothyronine Secretion in Response to the Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone–Stimulation Test: A Pharmacogenomic Study

The common Thr92Ala D2 polymorphism has been associated with changes in pituitary-thyroid axis homeostasis, but published results are conflicting. To investigate the effects of the Thr92Ala polymorphism on intrathyroidal thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3) conversion, we designed prospective pharmacogenomic intervention aimed to detect differences in T3 levels after thyrotropin (TSH)-releasing hormone (TRH)-mediated TSH stimulation of the thyroid gland. Eighty-three healthy volunteers were screened and genotyped for the Thr92Ala polymorphism. Fifteen volunteers of each genotype (Thr/Thr, Thr/Ala, and Ala/Ala) underwent a 500 mcg intravenous TRH stimulation test with serial measurements of serum total T3 (TT3), free T4, and TSH over 180 minutes. No differences in baseline thyroid hormone levels were seen among the study groups. Compared to the Thr/Thr group, the Ala/Ala group showed a significantly lower TRH-stimulated increase in serum TT3 at 60 minutes (12.07 ± 2.67 vs. 21.07 ± 2.86 ng/dL, p = 0.029). Thr/Ala subjects showed an intermediate response. Compared to Thr/Thr subjects, the Ala/Ala group showed a blunted rate of rise in serum TT3 as measured by mean time to 50% maximum delta serum TT3 (88.42 ± 6.84 vs. 69.56 ± 6.06 minutes, p = 0.028). Subjects attained similar maximal (180 minutes) TRH-stimulated TT3 levels. TRH-stimulated TSH and free T4 levels were not significantly different among the three genotype groups. The commonly occurring Thr92Ala D2 variant is associated with a decreased rate of acute TSH-stimulated T3 release from the thyroid consistent with a decrease in intrathyroidal deiodination. These data provide a proof of concept that the Thr92Ala polymorphism is associated with subtle changes in thyroid hormone homeostasis.