A new protocol for extraction of DNA from faeces is presented. The protocol involves gentle washing of the surface of the faeces followed by a very simple DNA extraction utilizing the wash supernatant as the source of DNA. Unlike most other protocols, it does not involve the use of proteinase K and/or organic extraction, but is instead based on adsorption of the DNA to magnetic beads. The protocol was tested by microsatellite genotyping across six loci for sheep and reindeer faeces. Comparison with DNA extracted from blood demonstrated that the protocol was very reliable, even when used on material stored for a long time. The protocol was compared with another simple, solid-phase DNA-binding protocol, with the result that the bead-based protocol gave a slightly better amplification success and a lower frequency of allelic drop-outs. Furthermore, our experiments showed that the surface wash prior to DNA extraction is a crucial step, not only for our protocol, but for other solid-phase protocols as well.
Recent studies have discovered a substantial viscosity increase of aqueous cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) dispersions upon heat aging at temperatures above 90 °C. This distinct change in material properties at very low concentrations in water has been proposed as an active mechanism for enhanced oil recovery (EOR), as highly viscous fluid may improve macroscopic sweep efficiencies and mitigate viscous fingering. A high-temperature (120 °C) core flood experiment was carried out with 1 wt. % CNC in low salinity brine on a 60 cm-long sandstone core outcrop initially saturated with crude oil. A flow rate corresponding to 24 h per pore volume was applied to ensure sufficient viscosification time within the porous media. The total oil recovery was 62.2%, including 1.2% oil being produced during CNC flooding. Creation of local log-jams inside the porous media appears to be the dominant mechanism for additional oil recovery during nano flooding. The permeability was reduced by 89.5% during the core flood, and a thin layer of nanocellulose film was observed at the inlet of the core plug. CNC fluid and core flood effluent was analyzed using atomic force microscopy (AFM), particle size analysis, and shear rheology. The effluent was largely unchanged after passing through the core over a time period of 24 h. After the core outcrop was rinsed, a micro computed tomography (micro-CT) was used to examine heterogeneity of the core. The core was found to be homogeneous.
In this new era of relationship‐based care, involvement in treatment planning and goal setting is a high priority for patient satisfaction. This study reports on the use of standardized patients (SPs) in training third‐year dental students to gather dental, medical, and psychosocial information from patients and to involve the patient in the decision‐making process leading to the dental treatment plan. Among the skill areas measured, students were most successful in gathering dental information, with 94 percent of the students obtaining the complete set. Students were least successful in identifying the patient's goals for treatment (81 percent of the students identified the patients' goals). Students were most challenged by discussing sensitive topics with patients such as grief‐related depression (25 percent of the students recognized and discussed such topics). It is important that dental schools familiarize students with patient issues and teach them how to talk effectively to patients about personal issues and to incorporate those issues into a discussion of the treatment plan for the patient. Standardized patients can be used effectively toward this end.
Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) corrects underlying anatomical anomalies, reduces pain and may postpone or even prevent osteoarthritis onset in patients with symptomatic acetabular dysplasia. Current evidence is based on immediate post-operative pain levels, but knowledge on pain levels in the period after PAO is scarce, and the association between pain score and acetabular angles at PAO is unknown. This study had two aims. First, we studied pain level and patient-reported outcome scores pre- and postoperatively; second, we analysed the association between acetabular angles and pain level. From our database, 426 patients operated from June 2012 to November 2015 were analysed; 127 were excluded. Patients were invited to complete standardized questionnaires preoperatively and postoperatively at 6 and 24 months. Pain was measured using visual analogue scale (VAS). Multiple regression analysis was used to investigate the association between change in centre edge (CE) and acetabular index (AI) angle and pre/postoperative pain levels. Mean (standard deviation, SD) VAS pain at rest before surgery and at the 6- and 24-month follow-up were 35 (24), 14 (20) and 14 (19), respectively. Mean (SD) VAS pain at activity were 69 (22), 41 (29) and 41 (30), respectively. Both VAS pain at rest and at activity fell from the preoperative level to 6 months post-surgery with no further change at 24 months. Patients reported significant improvement in outcomes after 6 months and no further change at the 24-month follow-up. There was no significant association between change in CE/AI angles and VAS pain, either during rest or activity.
Abstract:We present a black-box four wave mixing based bit-rate-flexible phase sensitive amplifier and use it in the first demonstration of 40 Gbit/s DPSK phase regeneration.
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