Results of the 2nd scientific workshop of the ECCO (III): basic mechanisms of intestinal healing.

The second scientific workshop of the European Crohn's and Colitis Organization (ECCO) focused on the relevance of intestinal healing for the disease course of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The objective was to better understand basic mechanisms, markers for disease prediction, detection and monitoring of intestinal healing, impact of intestinal healing on the disease course of IBD as well as therapeutic strategies. The results of this workshop are presented in four separate manuscripts. This section describes basic mechanisms of intestinal healing, identifies open questions in the field and provides a framework for future studies.

Early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer consensus on diagnosis, treatment and follow-up : 2nd ESMO Consensus Conference on Lung Cancer.

To complement the existing treatment guidelines for all tumour types, ESMO organises consensus conferences to focus on specific issues in each type of tumour. The 2nd ESMO Consensus Conference on Lung Cancer was held on 11-12 May 2013 in Lugano. A total of 35 experts met to address several questions on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in each of four areas: pathology and molecular biomarkers, first-line/second and further lines in advanced disease, early-stage disease and locally advanced disease. For each question, recommendations were made including reference to the grade of recommendation and level of evidence. This consensus paper focuses on early-stage disease.

MVD Quarterly Report on Building Project, 2nd Quarter, FY06

A quarterly report from the Iowa Department of Transportation regarding building project status.

Testing speaking in 2ND and 3RD cycles at Capeverdean EFL classrooms

This study aims to identify the constraints that complicate the assessment of speaking in Capeverdean EFL classrooms. A literature review was conducted on studies already done in the field of testing speaking in EFL Capeverdean classrooms. The study was carried out using qualitative method with some Capeverdean secondary school English teachers. The participants answered a questionnaire that asked teachers opinions and experiences about speaking assessment. The study found that Capeverdean English teachers do not adequately assess their students speaking ability. Therefore, the study pointed out the constraints of the Capeverdean context that complicate the assessment of speaking in EFL classrooms. The teachers reported the main constraints in order of significance as large classes, difficulty in marking oral tests, difficulty in designing oral tests and difficulty in separating the speaking skill from the listening skill. It concluded that Capeverdean English teachers need assistance with new tools to assess speaking in their classrooms. Thus, the author will make some suggestions, first to the Ministry of Education and then to English teachers in the field to assist them with the implementation of regular oral testing in Cape Verdean English classrooms.

Generalized canonical correlation analysis of matrices with different row and column orders

A Method is offered that makes it possible to apply generalized canonicalcorrelations analysis (CANCOR) to two or more matrices of different row and column order. The new method optimizes the generalized canonical correlationanalysis objective by considering only the observed values. This is achieved byemploying selection matrices. We present and discuss fit measures to assessthe quality of the solutions. In a simulation study we assess the performance of our new method and compare it to an existing procedure called GENCOM,proposed by Green and Carroll. We find that our new method outperforms the GENCOM algorithm both with respect to model fit and recovery of the truestructure. Moreover, as our new method does not require any type of iteration itis easier to implement and requires less computation. We illustrate the methodby means of an example concerning the relative positions of the political parties inthe Netherlands based on provincial data.

The effects of ridging, row-spacing and seeding rate on carrot yield

Selostus: Maan muotoilun, kylvötavan ja siementiheyden vaikutus porkkanan satoon

Acute Complications of Crohn's Disease: Comparison of Multidetector-Row Computed Tomographic Enterography with Magnetic Resonance Enterography.

Objective: To compare multidetector-row computed tomographic (MDCT) enterography with magnetic resonance (MR) enterography performed upon acute exacerbation of Crohn's disease. Subjects and Methods: Fifty-seven patients (mean age 33.5) with proven Crohn's disease and symptoms suggesting acute exacerbation were prospectively included. After oral administration of 1-2 liters of 5% methylcellulose, MDCT and MR enterography were performed on each patient (mean delay <24 h). Three radiologists blindly and independently evaluated each examination for technical quality and in terms of 8 pathological features of Crohn's disease. Observers' agreement, sensitivity and specificity resulted from comparison with the reference standard [surgery (n = 24), endoscopy (n = 17) and long-term follow-up (n = 16)]. Results: MDCT enterography demonstrated fewer artifacts than MR enterography (p < 0.0001). In 48 MDCT/MR enterography examinations, active disease was demonstrated: abscesses (n = 11), fistulas (n = 13), stenoses (n = 23) and/or intestinal inflammation (n = 38). Observers' agreement (range 0.56-0.87) was not significantly different between MDCT and MR enterography, neither in terms of sensitivity (range 58-95%) nor specificity (range 67-100%) for each of the 8 pathological features. Conclusion: Statistically, MR enterography is of similar diagnostic value as MDCT enterography for acute complications of Crohn's disease. Since the typical Crohn's disease patient is young and will very likely undergo life-long imaging, and given concerns about radiation exposure with MDCT, MR enterography should be the preferred modality.

Soil Compaction Curve of an Oxisol Under Sugarcane Planted After In-row Deep Tillage

ABSTRACT Soil tillage that maintains the productivity of sugarcane plantations, providing an area for the root development and without traffic on crop rows, has given rise to new technologies in rural areas. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the soil physical properties in two sugarcane plantations, one of which was prepared with deep tilling and the other with conventional tillage. The experiment was conducted in Lençóis Paulista, São Paulo State. Soil penetration resistance and relative density were analyzed. The cone index was lower in deep-tilled soil without traffic in all layers, than in deep-tilled soil with traffic and in conventional tillage. In both tillage treatments, the relative density values were acceptable in the 0.00-0.15 m soil layer, but considered detrimental for sugarcane development in the 0.15-0.30 and 0.30-0.45 m layers.

Nitrogen and Potassium in Narrow-Row Cotton

ABSTRACT Information on fertilizer management for cotton in narrow-row cropping system is scarce; therefore, studies are needed to improve nutrient stewardship for such systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of nitrogen and potassium application on yield and fiber quality of cotton under a narrow-row system. A field trial was carried out for three years, where the treatments were set up in an incomplete factorial arrangement [(4 × 4) + 1] under a randomized block design, with four N rates (20, 40, 60, and 80 kg ha-1), four K2O rates (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha-1), and one control (no N or K2O), for a total of 17 treatments, with four replicates. Urea and potassium chloride were applied on the soil surface 20 days after crop emergence. Varieties used were FMT 701 (2009/2010 and 2010/2011) and FMT 709 (2011/2012). Cotton yield and fiber quality parameters were measured. In the narrow-row cropping system, cotton lint yield was positively affected by N and K application. Cotton yield in relation to K applications was not dependent on N rates. Potassium application increased the micronaire index and fiber resistance, whereas high N rates reduced fiber resistance.

CT dose optimization when changing to CT multi-detector row technology

The purpose of this article was to review the strategies to control patient dose in adult and pediatric computed tomography (CT), taking into account the change of technology from single-detector row CT to multi-detector row CT. First the relationships between computed tomography dose index, dose length product, and effective dose in adult and pediatric CT are revised, along with the diagnostic reference level concept. Then the effect of image noise as a function of volume computed tomography dose index, reconstructed slice thickness, and the size of the patient are described. Finally, the potential of tube current modulation CT is discussed.

Influence of row spacing reduction on maize grain yield in regions with a short summer

The interest in reducing maize row spacing in the short growing season regions of Brazil is increasing due to potential advantages such as higher radiation use efficiency. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of row spacing reduction on grain yield of different maize cultivars planted at different dates. The trial was conducted in Lages, in the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil, during 1996/97 and 1997/98 growing seasons, in a split-split plot design. Early (October 1st) and normal (November 15) planting dates were tested in the main plot; two morphologically contrasting cultivars (an early single-cross and a late double-cross hybrids) were evaluated in the split plots and three row widths (100, 75 and 50 cm) were studied in the split-split plots. The reduction of row spacing from 100 to 50 cm increased linearly maize grain yield. The yield edge provided by narrow rows was higher when maize was sown earlier in the season. Differences in hybrid cycle and plant architecture did not alter maize response to the reduction of row spacing.

Evaluation of peripheral arterial bypass grafts with multi-detector row CT angiography: comparison with duplex US and digital subtraction angiography.

PURPOSE: To assess the technical feasibility of multi-detector row computed tomographic (CT) angiography in the assessment of peripheral arterial bypass grafts and to evaluate its accuracy and reliability in the detection of graft-related complications, including graft stenosis, aneurysmal changes, and arteriovenous fistulas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four-channel multi-detector row CT angiography was performed in 65 consecutive patients with 85 peripheral arterial bypass grafts. Each bypass graft was divided into three segments (proximal anastomosis, course of the graft body, and distal anastomosis), resulting in 255 segments. Two readers evaluated all CT angiograms with regard to image quality and the presence of bypass graft-related abnormalities, including graft stenosis, aneurysmal changes, and arteriovenous fistulas. The results were compared with McNemar test with Bonferroni correction. CT attenuation values were recorded at five different locations from the inflow artery to the outflow artery of the bypass graft. These findings were compared with the findings at duplex ultrasonography (US) in 65 patients and the findings at conventional digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in 27. RESULTS: Image quality was rated as good or excellent in 250 (98%) and in 252 (99%) of 255 bypass segments, respectively. There was excellent agreement both between readers and between CT angiography and duplex US in the detection of graft stenosis, aneurysmal changes, and arteriovenous fistulas (kappa = 0.86-0.99). CT angiography and duplex US were compared with conventional DSA, and there was no statistically significant difference (P >.25) in sensitivity or specificity between CT angiography and duplex US for both readers for detection of hemodynamically significant bypass stenosis or occlusion, aneurysmal changes, or arteriovenous fistulas. Mean CT attenuation values ranged from 232 HU in the inflow artery to 281 HU in the outflow artery of the bypass graft. CONCLUSION: Multi-detector row CT angiography may be an accurate and reliable technique after duplex US in the assessment of peripheral arterial bypass grafts and detection of graft-related complications, including stenosis, aneurysmal changes, and arteriovenous fistulas.