Comparative Study

Non-invasive vaccine delivery is a top priority for public health agencies because conventional immunization practices are unsafe and associated with numerous limitations. Recently, the skin has emerged as a potential alternative route for non-invasive delivery of vaccine. Topical immunization (TI), introduction of antigen through topical application onto the intact skin, has many practical merits compared to injectable routes of administration. One of the possibilities for increasing the penetration of bioactives through the skin is the use of vesicular systems. Specially designed lipid vesicles are attracting intense attention and can be used for non-invasive antigen delivery. In the present study, elastic vesicle transfersomes, non-ionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes) and liposomes were used to study their relative potential in non-invasive delivery of tetanus toxoid (TT). Transfersomes, niosomes and liposomes were prepared and characterized for shape, size and entrapment efficiency. These vesicles were extruded through polycarbonate filter (50-nm pore size) to assess the elasticity of the vesicles. The immune stimulating activity of transfersomes, niosomes and liposomes were studied by measuring the serum anti-TT IgG titre following topical immunization. The immune response elicited by topical immunization was compared with that elicited by same dose of alum-adsorbed tetanus toxoid (AATT) given intramuscularly. The results indicate that optimal formulations of transfersomes, niosomes and liposomes could entrap 72.7 ± 3.4, 42.5 ± 2.4 and 41.3 ± 2.2% of antigen and their elasticity values were 124.4 ± 4.2, 29.3 ± 2.4 and 21.7 ± 1.9, respectively. In vivo study revealed that topically given TT containing transfersomes, after secondary immunization, could elicit immune response (anti-TT-IgG) that was equivalent to one that produced following intramuscularly alum-adsorbed TT-based immunization. In comparison to transfersomes, niosomes and liposomes elicited weaker immune response. Thus transfersomes hold promise for effective non-invasive topical delivery of antigen(s).

Traditionally, the location of lightning strike points has been determined by using the rolling sphere method, but recently the collection volume method (CVM) has also been proposed for the placement of air terminals on complex structures. Both these methods are empirical in nature and a more advanced model based on physics of discharges is needed to improve the state of affairs. This model is used to evaluate the striking distance from corners and air terminals on actual buildings and the results are qualitatively compared with the predictions of the rolling sphere method and the CVM. The results show that the striking distance not only depends upon the prospective return stroke current and the geometry of the building, but also on the lateral position of the downward leader with respect to the strike point. A further analysis is performed to qualitatively compare the lightning attraction zones obtained with the CVM and the leader inception zones obtained for a building with and without air terminals. The obtained results suggest that the collection volume concept overestimates the protection areas of air terminals placed on complex structures, bringing serious doubts on the validity of this method.

This study examines whether and how public media systems contribute to the health of democracies in 33 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, the Middle East, Latin America, and South America. We gather national economic data and public media funding levels, audience shares, and regulatory data, primarily for 2018 and 2019 but in some cases earlier, due to lack of available data. We then assess correlations with strength of democracy indices and extend Hallin and Mancini's typology of North American and European media systems through hierarchical cluster analysis of these 33 countries. We find five models of public media systems around the world, ranging from "state-administered" systems with low levels of independence (Botswana and Tunisia) to systems aligning with Hallin and Mancini's "Democratic Corporatist" model, with strong and secure (multiyear) funding, large audience shares, and strong regulatory protection for their independence. In between, we identify three mixed models: a "Liberal-Pluralist" model, a "Direct Funding" model, and a "Commercial-Public" model. Correlations and cluster analyses show that high levels of secure funding for public media systems and strong structural protections for the political and economic independence of those systems are consistently and positively correlated with healthy democracies.

Individual tree mortality models were developed for the six major forest species of Austria: Norway spruce (Picea abies), white ®r (Abies alba), European larch (Larix decidua), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), European beech (Fagus silvatica), and oak (Quercus spp.); a joint model for the remaining broadleaf species was also developed. Data came from 5-year remeasurements of the permanent plot network of the Austrian National Forest Inventory. Parameters of the logistic equation were estimated using maximum likelihood methods. For all species, we found the hyperbolic transformation of diameter (D À1) to be highly signi®cant in predicting the high mortality rates for small diameter trees and decreasing mortality rates for larger diameters. For spruce, a quadratic transformation in D was needed to accurately model the increase in mortality observed for large, low-vigor trees with diameter >70 cm, which resulted in a U-shaped distribution. Crown ratio was also consistently signi®cant, except for oak. We likewise found basal-area-in-larger-trees (BAL) to be a highly signi®cant predictor of mortality rate for all species except ®r and oak. Predicted mortality rate increases as the basal area in larger trees increases and as crown ratio decreases. The resulting logistic mortality model had the same general form for all species, with the signs of all parameters conforming to expectations. In general, chi-square statistics indicate that the most important variable is D À1 , the second most important is crown ratio, and the third most important predictor is BAL. The relative importance of crown ratio appears to be greater for shade tolerant species (®r, beech, spruce) than for shade intolerant species (larch, Scots pine, oak). Examination of graphs of observed vs. predicted mortality rates reveals that the species-speci®c mortality models are all well behaved, and match the observed mortality rates quite well. The D À1 transformation is¯exible, as can be seen by comparing the rather different mortality rates of larch and Scots pine. Predicted and observed mortality rates with respect to crown ratio are quite close to the observed mortality rates for all but the smallest crown ratios (CR<20%), a class with very few observations. Finally, the logistic mortality models passed a validation test on independent data not used in parameter estimation. The key ingredient for obtaining a good mortality model is a data set that is both large and representative of the population under study, and the Austrian National Forest Inventory data satisfy both requirements.

This paper compares the h-indices of a list of highly-cited Israeli researchers based on citations counts retrieved from the Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar respectively. In several case the results obtained through Google Scholar are considerably different from the results based on the Web of Science and Scopus. Data cleansing is discussed extensively.

In several forest tree breeding operations either backward or forward selection is used, although a proper combination of both might be more advantageous. Using calculations based on quantitative genetic theory, comparisons were made between the relative merits of backward and forward selection for individual families. In backward selection the mother was chosen based on her offspring and in forward selection the best offspring was selected from the family consisting of the mother and her children. A range of heritabilities and selection inten- sities in natural forest and progeny test (the latter is a function of progeny size) were compared. It is the more favourable to select backward the higher the mother ranks. Depending on the combination of parameter values, backward selection was superior to forward selection for open pollinated progeny in 1% to 57% of the top ranking families. High intensity of selection in the forest, low herita- bility and small progeny size favoured backw...

Objective: To compare length of hospital stay, in-hospital complications, in-hospital mortality, and rate of routine discharge between laparoscopic and open appendectomy based on a representative, nationwide database. Summary Background Data: Numerous single-institutional randomized clinical trials have assessed the efficacy of laparoscopic and open appendectomy. The results, however, are conflicting, and a consensus concerning the relative advantages of each procedure has not yet been reached. Methods: Patients with primary ICD-9 procedure codes for laparoscopic and open appendectomy were selected from the 1997 Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a database that approximates 20% of all US community hospital discharges. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were used to assess the risk-adjusted endpoints. Results: Discharge abstracts of 43,757 patients were used for our analyses. 7618 patients (17.4%) underwent laparoscopic and 36,139 patients (82.6%) open appendectomy. Patients had an average age of 30.7 years and were predominantly white (58.1%) and male (58.6%). After adjusting for other covariates, laparoscopic appendectomy was associated with shorter median hospital stay (laparoscopic appendectomy: 2.06 days, open appendectomy: 2.88 days, P Ͻ 0.0001), lower rate of infections (odds ratio [OR] ϭ 0.5 [0.38, 0.66], P Ͻ 0.0001), decreased gastrointestinal complications (OR ϭ 0.8 [0.68, 0.96], P ϭ 0.02), lower overall complications (OR ϭ 0.84 [0.75, 0.94], P ϭ 0.002), and higher rate of routine discharge (OR ϭ 3.22 [2.47, 4.46], P Ͻ 0.0001). Conclusions: Laparoscopic appendectomy has significant advantages over open appendectomy with respect to length of hospital stay, rate of routine discharge, and postoperative in-hospital morbidity.

A protease, freesia protease (FP)-A, was puriˆed to electrophoretic homogeneity from regular freesia (Freesia re‰acta) corms in harvest time. The M r of FP-A was estimated to be 24 k by SDS-PAGE. The optimum pH of the enzyme was 8.0 using a casein substrate. These enzymes were strongly inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoic acid but not by phenylmethane-sulfonyl-‰uoride and EDTA. These results indicate that FP-A belongs to the cysteine proteases. The amino terminal sequence of FP-A was similar to that of papain, and the sequences was regarded to the conservative residues of cysteine protease. From the hydrolysis of peptidyl-p-NAs, the speciˆcity of FP-A was found to be broad. It was thought that FP-A was a new protease from freesia corms.

Dietary advanced glycation end products (AGE) formed during heating of food have gained interest as potential nutritional toxins with adverse effects on inflammation and glucose metabolism. In the present study, we investigated the short-term effects of high and low molecular weight (HMW and LMW) dietary AGE on insulin sensitivity, expression of the receptor for AGE (RAGE), the AGE receptor 1 (AGER1) andTNF-α, F2-isoprostaglandins, body composition and food intake. For 2 weeks, thirty-six Sprague–Dawley rats were fed a diet containing 20 % milk powder with different proportions of this being given as heated milk powder (0, 40 or 100 %), either native (HMW) or hydrolysed (LMW). Gene expression ofRAGEandAGER1in whole blood increased in the group receiving a high AGE LMW diet, which also had the highest urinary excretion of the AGE, methylglyoxal-derived hydroimidazolone 1 (MG-H1). Urinary excretion ofNε-carboxymethyl-lysine increased with increasing proportion of heat-treated milk pow...

PurposeAdjuvant chemotherapy for resected non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is now accepted on the basis of several randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that demonstrated improved survival. Although there is strong evidence that adjuvant chemotherapy is effective in stages II and IIIA NSCLC, its utility in stage IB disease is unclear. This report provides a mature analysis of Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) 9633, the only RCT designed specifically for stage IB NSCLC.Patients and MethodsWithin 4 to 8 weeks of resection, patients were randomly assigned to adjuvant chemotherapy or observation. Eligible patients had pathologically confirmed T2N0 NSCLC and had undergone lobectomy or pneumonectomy. Chemotherapy consisted of paclitaxel 200 mg/m2intravenously over 3 hours and carboplatin at an area under the curve dose of 6 mg/mL per minute intravenously over 45 to 60 minutes every 3 weeks for four cycles. The primary end point was overall survival.ResultsThree hundred-forty-four patients...

This work reports the validation of a simple CZE method to be used in quality control of recombinant human glycosylated interleukin-7 (rhIL-7) batches produced in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells. The separation buffer was a 25mM sodium borate at pH 10 containing 12mM diaminobutane (DAB) used as a dynamic coating agent of the capillary. This method allowed the separation of seven peaks ranging from low to high sialylated glycoforms. An extensive study on conditioning methods of the capillary has been conducted to yield repeatable results. Excellent RSD of EOF mobility (less than 0.6%) was obtained when conditioning included capillary equilibration under virtual analyses and storage in 0.1M NaOH overnight. Method specificity has been demonstrated to be able to discriminate different rhIL-7 glycoforms produced in CHO from formulation matrix. Linearity was demonstrated between 0.5 and 4mg/mL. LOQ was 0.5mg/mL. Repeatability (RSD&lt;1.4 and 3.3% for t(m) and A%, respectively), intermed...

In the treatment of photoaged skin, glycolic acid works by removing superficial portions of the epidermis and stimulating dermis regeneration. Vitamins A, C, and E should stimulate collagen production and antioxidants should prevent free radical damage and skin aging. However, the effectiveness of different therapies has often relied on subjective methods of assessment. Histologic analysis has seldom been used because of the drawback of permanent scarring. In the literature, the use of a quantitative method for the assessment of facial rejuvenation has been described: the silicone replica technique. The authors&#39; aim was to promote and recommend the use of this technique and, in particular, to test the effect of glycolic acid and multivitamin- and antioxidant-based products on skin texture. The authors performed a prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled study on 30 women treated topically in the outer canthal region (crow&#39;s-feet area). Patients were divided into thr...

Objectives: To compare the energy efficiency of straightline wheeling using Spinergy wheels as compared with standard steel-spoke wheels, and to assess the 2 wheels in terms of user comfort and wheeling preference during a wheeling course with multiple turns and surfaces. Design: Nonblinded randomized crossover trial. Setting: Rehabilitation center. Participants: Twenty persons with paraplegia (neurologic level T6 and below). Intervention: Wheeling a straight line and obstacle course with Spinergy or standard spoke wheelchair wheels. Main Outcome Measures: Velocity and Physiological Cost Index (PCI) while wheeling over ground at a self-selected pace, and the User Preference Questionnaire after wheeling an obstacle course, using Spinergy or standard spoke wheelchair wheels. Results: There was no significant difference in wheeling energy efficiency between the Spinergy and the steel-spoke wheels as measured by PCI (Pϭ.975). When rated for overall comfort, the Spinergy wheels were preferred over steel-spoke wheels (Pϭ.002). Conclusions: Spinergy wheels provided a more comfortable ride, but did not differ from standard steel-spoked wheels in terms of energy efficiency. The increased comfort may have important implications in patient management of pain and spasticity.

Using structural equation modeling, we examined the impact of early-life stressors, war-zone stresson, and PTSD symptom seventy on partner's reports of recent male-perpetrated intimate partner violence (IPV) among 376 Vietnam veteran couples. Results indicated that several variables demonstrated direct relationships with IPV, including relationship quality with mother, war-zone stressor variables, and PTSD symptom seventy. Importantly, retrospective reports of a stressful early family life, childhood antisocial behavior, and war-zone stressors were indirectly associated with IPV via PTSD. One of our 2 war-zone stressor variables, perceived threat, had both direct and indirect (through PTSD) relationships with IPV. Experiencing PTSD symptoms as a result of previous trauma appears to increase an individual's risk for perpetrating IPV. Implications for research and treatment are di scussed.

To biomechanically compare anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tibial bony avulsion fixation by suture anchors, EndoButtons (Smith & Nephew, Andover, MA), and high-strength sutures subjected to cyclic loading. Methods: Type III tibial eminence fractures were created in 49 ovine knees, and 7 different types of repairs were performed. Each repair group contained 7 specimens. The repair groups were as follows: No.

The use of the 14-d earthworm toxicity test to aid in the evaluation of the ecological impact of contaminated soils is becoming increasingly widespread. However, the method is in need of further standardization. As part of this continuing process, the choice of reference toxicants was evaluated. Reference toxicants were rated in relation to the following criteria: (a) reproducibility, (b) low human health hazard, (c) feasibility of measurement, and (d) chemical stability. Potassium chloride (KCl) and ammonium chloride (NH,CI) were evaluated as possible alternatives to the one currently in common use, 2-chloroacetamide. Potassium chloride rated the best for the combination of the four criteria, followed by NH4C1 and 2-chloroacetamide. Coefficients of variation (C.V.s) from control charts of six definitive tests were used to measure reproducibility. The best reproducibility (lowest C.V.) was shown by KC1, followed by NH4C1 and 2-chloroacetamide. Toxicants ranked KCl < NH4C1 << 2-chloroacetamide in terms of health hazard; and KC1 = NH,Cl> 2-chloroacetamide in terms of measurement feasibility. Both 2-chloroacetamide and NH,Cl changed in concentration during testing. Evidence is also presented that 2-chloroacetamide degrades rapidly during testing, and that, as dead worms decay, ammonification may be adding another toxicant, ammonia, to tests.

Ultrastructural analyses of sphincteric motoneurons in Onuf's nucleus at S2 were undertaken in human spinal cord obtained 3-6 h post-mortem from three subjects with no neurological disease ('controls') and five in which death was due to motor neuron disease (MND). Neurons in specified locations within Onuf's nucleus of control subjects ranged between 17.8 and 71.7 pm diameter (mean 38.6 pm). Analyses of synaptology revealed five ultrastructural classes of presynaptic terminal synapsing with the neuronal surface membrane. When classified by size, vesicle morphology, and synaptic site structure these conformed to the S , F, T, M and Cterminals defining somatic motoneurons. No terminals characteristic of autonomic motoneurons were found. In MND subjects, neurons in Onuf's nucleus at S2 were preserved despite a paucity of neurons in medial and lateral motor nuclei and were of similar size range to those in control subjects. The morphological classes of pre-synaptic terminal found in controls, also characterized sphincteric motoneurons in MND subjects, including the C-type terminal. The presence of C-terminals indicates (i) that sphincteric motoneurons are somatic alphamotoneurons, and (ii) that hypotheses explaining the survival of sphincteric motoneurons in MND on the basis of Onuf's nucleus being an extension of the pre-ganglionic parasympathetic nucleus, or having intrinsic autonomic properties are incorrect.

The role of community agency in the rural community and economic development processes needs to be better understood in America and other advanced, industrialized nations. Community agency is vital to protecting, retaining, and maintaining rural communities. A comparative study was designed to explore the role of community agency in contributing to local well-being in Ireland and America. This role was evaluated through the use of a multiple method framework based on extensive key informant interviews, focus groups, and analysis of household survey data.

The identity of the product of the meL4 gene from Shewanella colwelliana with the enzyme p-hydroxyphenylpyruvic dioxygenase is shown. Cloning of the melA gene endowed Escherichia coli with the capacity to synthesize melanin-like pigments from L-tyrosine. E. coli contained transaminases that transforms L-tyrosine into p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate. This keto acid was detected in the cultures. On the other hand, E. coli containing melA was able to go further in the catabolic pathway, releasing a great amount of homogentisic acid. This acid can spontaneously polymerize giving the pigment. Furthermore, p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase activity was detected in this system. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence revealed a high homology with the p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase enzyme from different organisms.

A current issue in personality assessment is whether computer versions of personality tests are psychometrically equivalent to paper-and-pencil originals. A total of 52 male inmates were randomly assigned to computer or paper-and-pencil administration conditions. The following measures were administered to the inmates in either computer or paper-and-pencil formats: the trait section of the State-Trait Personality Inventory , the Anger Expression Scale , the Belief Scale , and the Vengeance Scale . No mean or variance differences were found indicating that computer and paper-and-pencil versions of these instruments are essentially equivalent. Analyses which examined the effects of computer anxiety, preference for computer administration and social desirability also indicated equivalency. The findings of this study, although indicating the equivalency of a number of measures, do not support the use of computer versions of other paperand-pencil instruments without prior demonstration of their equivalency with the population of interest. The pervasive social desirability contamination found in this study brings into question the validity of assessments of incarcerated individuals regardless of administration modality.

Objectives-It has been shown that atrophy of medial temporal lobe structures such as the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex shown on MRI may distinguish patients with Alzheimer's disease from healthy controls. However, the diagnostic value of visual inspection and volumetry of medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA) on MRI in a clinical setting is insuYciently known. Methods-Medial temporal lobe atrophy in 143 patients was visually rated from hard copies, using a 0-4 rating scale and a comparison was made with the volumes (cm 3 ) of the medial temporal lobe as estimated with volumetry, using a stereological method. All patients were recruited in an unselected way in a clinical setting in the centre for memory impairments at the Huddinge University Hospital. Patients with Alzheimer's disease (n=41), patients with other dementias (vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and unspecified dementia; n=36) as well as non-demented subjects (n=66) were included. Medial temporal atrophy and volumetry were evaluated as a diagnostic tool by performing logistic regression analysis including age, sex, and mini mental state examination (MMSE) score and calculating the sensitivity and specificity and percentage correct classification.

and simultaneously (dual task). The results of the ANOVAs performed showed that there are no differences with regard to the three instruments' intrusiveness, and that among the three subjective workload instruments WP has an outstanding sensitivity to the different task manipulations. To evaluate the diagnosticity of each of the three instruments canonical discriminant analysis was used, and this demonstrated that the three multidimensional ratings provided diagnostic information on the nature of tasks demands that was consistent with the a priori task characterisation. However, the diagnostic power of WP was clearly superior to that obtained using TLX or SWAT. Pearson correlations between each performance and each subjective workload measure were calculated to evaluate the concurrent validity of each instrument with task performance, and to assess the convergent validity of the instruments. The three coefficients were positive and near to one, showing the high convergent validity of the three instruments considered in this research. Implementation requirements and subject acceptability were also compared. Finally, practical implications on the three assessment approaches are mentioned.

N O R M A S E M É T O D O S Introdução Durante o processo de extrusão o polímero experimenta uma complicada história térmica . No trajeto inicial da extrusora, as partículas sólidas do polímero são aquecidas até o ponto de fusão. Na região intermediária, a temperatura do polímero fundido é aumentada até um nível considerável acima do ponto de fusão, enquanto as partículas sólidas remanescentes continuam sendo aquecidas até a sua fusão. Na região final da extrusora, o polímero fundido tem que alcançar um estado termicamente homogêneo. Quando o material deixa a extrusora ele é, então, resfriado normalmente até a temperatura ambiente. Pode-se concluir, portanto, que o conhecimento das propriedades térmicas de polímeros é crucial na descrição e análise do processo de extrusão.

Aims This study compared 5-year treatment outcomes of older adults to thoseof middle-aged and younger adults in a large managed care chemical dependency program. We examined age group differences in individual, treatment and extra-treatment factors, which may influence long-term outcome. Design Seventy-seven per cent of original study participants completed a telephone interview 5 years after out-patient chemical dependency treatment at Kaiser Permanente. This sample (N = 925) included 65 patients aged 55-77, 296 patients aged 40-54 and 564 patients aged 18-39 (age at baseline). Measurements Measures at follow-up included alcohol and drug use, Addiction Severity Index (ASI), Alcoholics Anonymous Affiliation Scale, social resource and self-reported health questions. Mortality data were obtained from contact with family members of patients as well as automated health plan records. Findings Older adults were less likely to be drug-dependent at baseline than younger and middle-aged adults, and had longer retention in treatment than younger adults. At 5 years, older adults were less likely than younger adults to have close family or friends who encouraged alcohol or drug use. Fifty-two per cent of older adults reported total abstinence from alcohol and drugs in the previous 30 days versus 40% of younger adults. Older women had higher 30-day abstinence than older men or younger women. Among participants dependent only on alcohol, there were no significant age differences in 30-day abstinence. In logistic regression analysis, age group was not significant. Variables associated with greater age that independently predicted 30-day abstinence in the logistic regression model eScholarship provides open access, scholarly publishing services to the University of California and delivers a dynamic research platform to scholars worldwide. included longer retention in treatment and having no close family or friends who encouraged alcohol or drug use at 5 years: female gender was also significant. Conclusions Results indicate that older adults have favorable long-term outcome following treatment relative to younger adults, but these differences may be accounted for by variables associated with age such as type of substance dependence, treatment retention, social networks and gender. Age differences in these characteristics inform intervention strategies to support long-term recovery of older adults and provide direction for investigation of how age affects outcome.

Current studies on pole-vaulting focus mostly on energy transfer data [Ekevad, M., Lundberg, B., 1995. Simulation of ''smart'' pole .] and often fail to take into account the actions exerted on the pole [Arampatzis, . Effect of the pole-human body interaction on pole-vaulting performance. Journal of Biomechanics 37, 1353-1360]. The present study integrates the 3D kinematics data of the athlete but also the actions measured at the end of the pole in the planting box and on the track during the last stride before take-off. It proposes a mechanical model allowing determination of the pole-vaulter's actions on the pole. The model is based on a global mechanical approach. The pole-vaulter's action on his upper and lower hand is concentrated on one middle point to solve the dynamics problem. The model was applied to seven experienced pole-vaulters. The force and the moment exerted on the pole by the pole-vaulter during the last stride before take off and during jump stage, were calculated. This analysis of the compressive force and bending moment for seven pole-vaulters helps to highlight the impact of the moment in the performance. The conclusion is confirmed by an additional comparative study carried out on two polevaulters, with comparable morphologies and performing with the same pole. r

In phocid seals, blubber serves as the main thermal insulation instead of fur. The thermal function of fur, at least in adult phocid seals, has therefore been questioned. We measured the relative contribution of fur to the combined thermal resistance (insulation) offered by blubber, skin, and fur in newborn and adult harp (Pagophilus gvoenlandiczls) and hooded (Cystophora cristutu) seals, in air and water, to elucidate the role of fur as insulation in phocid seals. In air the fur contributed 70% of the combined thermal resistance of blubber, skin, and fur in newborn harp seal pups and 27% in adults, whereas in hooded seals the fur contributed 73% in newborn pups and 34% in adults. When submerged the thermal resistance of the fur was reduced by 84%-92%, and contributed 65% to the total insulation in newborn harp seal pups and 3% in adults, and 26% in newborn hooded seal pups and 5% in adults. We conclude that in air the fur of phocid seals makes an important contribution to the insulation of pups, and also contributes considerably to the insulation of adult animals. In water, even though the thermal resistance of the fur is dramatically reduced, the fur still contributes substantially to the insulation of pups, but its contribution in adults is negligible.

Abstract: The patient submitted to artificial ventilation generally is connected to a high impedance flow source with controlled respiratory cycles to assure volume requirements or to a low impedance pressure source with spontaneous cycles to allow synchronization between his effort and system flow delivery. These two types of cycles represent the initial and final stages of artificial ventilation. The patient who needs a volume guarantee and at the same time presents unstable or insufficient inspiratory effort is difficult to manage with assisted cycles which are analogous to the controlled presence of a high impedance flow source. This paper presents a new approach where the respiratory cycles are obtained by the combination of flow and pressure sources using mathematical modeling. These cycles, named volume assisted pressure supported (VAPS) cycles, are compared with conventional assisted cycles showing a decrease in the patient work of breathing (WOB) during assisted ventilation. The theoretical results have been confirmed by clinical trials.

1 Disordered solid phases, containing appreciable amounts of hydrogen ions, are grown at the surface of rhenium oxide crystals, because of the high reactivity of this compound with ambient moisture. To investigate such phenomena, a comparative study is performed on ground powder and thermally evaporated or sputtered films using x-ray diffraction and micro-Raman spectroscopy. Two types of solid phases were found in the films: H x ReO 3 distorted perovskite structures, based on corner-sharing ReO 6 octahedra as in the bulk crystals, and ordered HReO 4 crystalline structures, based on tetrahedral perrhenate ions. The complex impedance measurements on ReO 3 films support the hypothesis of mobile hydrogen ions in such defective films. Moreover, this relevant protonic conductivity allows the application of these films as active layers inserted into asymmetric nematic liquid-crystalline cells to rectify the electro-optical response of such devices, with performances quite similar to previously studied oxides such as WO 3 .

We investigated the effects of test anxiety on test performance using computerized adaptive testing (CAT) versus conventional fixed item testing (FIT). We hypothesized that tests containing mainly items with medium probabilities of being solved would have negative effects on test performance for testtakers high in test anxiety. A total of 110 students (aged 16 to 20) from a German secondary modern school filled out a short form of the Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI-G; Wacker, Jaunzeme, & Jaksztat, 2008) and then were presented with items from the Adaptive Matrices Test (AMT; Hornke, Etzel, & Rettig, 1999) on the computer, either in CAT form or in a fixed item test form with a selection of items arranged in order of increasing item difficulty. Additionally, half of the students were given a short summary of information about the mode of item selection in adaptive testing before working on the CAT. In a moderated regression approach, a significant interaction of test anxiety and test mode was revealed. The effect of test mode on the AMT score was stronger for students with higher scores on test anxiety than for students with lower test anxiety. Furthermore, getting information about CAT led to significantly better results than receiving standard test instructions. Results are discussed with reference to test fairness.

Most of legacy systems use nowadays were modeled and documented using structured approach. Expansion of these systems in terms of functionality and maintainability requires shift towards object-oriented documentation and design, which has been widely accepted by the industry. In this paper, we present a survey of the existing Data Flow Diagram (DFD) to Unified Modeling language (UML) transformation techniques. We analyze transformation techniques using a set of parameters, identified in the survey. Based on identified parameters, we present an analysis matrix, which describes the strengths and weaknesses of transformation techniques. It is observed that most of the transformation approaches are rule based, which are incomplete and defined at abstract level that does not cover in depth transformation and automation issues. Transformation approaches are data centric, which focuses on data-store for class diagram generation. Very few of the transformation techniques have been applied o...

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) from a Danish mariculture system (a total of 166 fish) and from a freshwater system (a total of 40 fish before transfer to the marine system) were investigated for the presence of nematode larvae through a 1 year cycle. Correspondingly, wild fishes (a total of 160 fish) (cod, whiting, saithe, haddock, hake, flounder, turbot, common sole, lemon sole, witch, plaice, herring, mackerel, garfish, angler fish, and European eel) obtained from the same geographic region were examined. Morphological and molecular techniques were applied for diagnosis. No nematode larvae were recovered from the aquacultured fish. In contrast, anisakid larvae (Anisakis simplex) occurred frequently in wild fishes (body cavity and musculature) although at varying intensity. Other anisakid species (Pseudoterranova decipiens and Contracaecum sp.) were also found in the wild fishes but at lower frequency. Examination of the stomach content from the cultured trout confirmed that aquacultured fish preferentially feed on pelleted dry feed although algae, invertebrates and small fish occurred in a few cases. The background for the absence of nematode larvae in maricultured rainbow trout (low infection risk due to feeding using heat-treated feed without any infective parasite larvae) and the implications for food safety issues (lower likelihood of infected fish from mariculture systems) are discussed.

Cancer in a parent has a devastating effect on the psychological well-being of the children. In this comparative study, we examined the hypothesis that children who have a parent suffering from cancer experience greater difficulty in terms of psychological adaptation than children with a parent suffering from another chronic pathology. A group of 52 children of parents with cancer was

This paper presents the authors' experience with the development and use of a document-centered electronic patient record (EPR) in a large teaching hospital. The development of the document-centered EPR began with the formulation of a set of critical hypotheses to facilitate both the continuation of the best medical practice and the implementation and use of the EPR. An alternate and more conventional approach-the data-centered EPR-is compared with the document-centered EPR. Various benefits and pitfalls are discussed. Finally, the choice was to offer both solutions in a tightly linked system. The need for an EPR which combines the document and data centered approaches is a reflection of the more general discussion of what the medical record will be in the future. All too often, the need for structured data conflicts with the need for free texts and the power of expression. It is not easy to evaluate the consequences of this initial decision. However, changing the foundations of the EPR after its implementation is difficult and expensive. Therefore, the selection of the correct orientation in a given hospital requires a broad-based discussion.