Analysis of sticky cotton by near-infrared spectroscopy.

"Stickiness" in cotton is a major problem affecting throughput in cotton gins and spinning mills alike. Stickiness is thought to be caused by the deposition of sugars by insects, principally aphid and whitefly, on the open boll. Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy was used to develop models for sugar content from high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), thermodetector, and mini-card data. A total of 457 cotton samples were selected to represent both Upland and Pima varieties and cotton processing before and after ginning. The Unscrambler was used to develop the models. A successful model was made to determine the mini-card value and successfully detect "stickiness". The standard error of cross-validation (SECv) was 0.26 with an R2 of 0.96. The model was not improved by increasing the range of "stickiness" as measured by the mini-card from the usual 0-3 scale to a scale of 0-8. If a value is determined to be greater than 1 it will be difficult to blend bales at a spinning plant "opening line" to allow for maximum efficiency of spinning.

A process for the separation of 177Lu from neutron irradiated 176Yb targets.

A conceptual flowsheet has been developed for the separation of (177)Lu from a 300 mg neutron irradiated (176)Yb enriched target. The key component of the process is an extraction chromatographic (EXC) resin containing 2-ethylhexyl 2-ethylhexylphosphonic acid (HEH[EHP]) sorbed onto a 25-53 microm Amberchrom CG-71 substrate. The process is divided into three sections: (1) front-end target removal system, (2) primary separation system and (3) secondary separation system. Each section involves the separation of Yb and Lu using the HEH[EHP] resin followed by concentration and acid adjustment of the Lu-rich eluate using an EXC material containing a diglycolamide extractant. The use of the diglycolamide EXC material is a significant feature of the flowsheet, allowing one to avoid lengthy evaporations and acidity adjustments between successive HEH[EHP] column runs while removing adventitious impurities from the (177)Lu. The overall recovery of (177)Lu is estimated at 73% with an overall decontamination factor from Yb of 10(6). The overall processing time can be as short as 4h.

Physician and family assisted suicide: results from a study of public attitudes in Britain.

Legalisation of assisted suicide presents a dilemma for society. This arises because of a lack of consensus regarding the precedence to be accorded freedom of choice versus the inviolability of human life. Several factors including improvements in medical technology, population ageing and changing perceptions about quality of life serve to make a re-examination of attitudes to this issue appropriate at this time. Within this context, data from the 1983, 1984, 1989 and 1994 British Social Attitudes Surveys (BSAS) were examined. These demonstrate a slight increase in support for physician-assisted suicide (PAS) from around 75% to around 84% over the 11-year period in Britain. A much lower level of support (54%) was recorded in relation to family-assisted suicide (FAS). A logistic regression analysis of data from the 1994 survey was undertaken to establish the relationship between attitudes toward legalisation of PAS and FAS and the characteristics of the respondent. Strength of religious affiliation was found to be a significant determinant of opposition to legalisation of both. Religious denomination was found to be marginally significant in relation to PAS but not FAS. Members of the Church of England, non-Christian faiths and those of no faith were found to be marginally more likely to support legalisation of PAS, than Roman Catholics or those of other Christian faiths. Education, income, sex, marital status, long-standing illness and age were not found to be significant predictors of attitude. In relation to FAS age was also found to be significant predictor of opposition. Findings here suggest that if Britain continues to become a more secularised society, support for legalisation of PAS (and FAS) is likely to increase. As health care costs continue to grow and the ability to extend life (even where the quality of that life may be poor) increases, pressure for legalisation of PAS may increase.

Inpatient costs and paramilitary punishment beatings in northern Ireland.

BACKGROUND: Paramilitary punishment beatings are a common occurrence in Northern Ireland. Little is known about the costs such attacks impose on the health service. METHODS: Data was collected retrospectively on victims treated by Northern Ireland's regional specialist orthopaedics unit. Data related to all victims treated in the unit between January 1999 and May 2000. RESULTS: Average inpatient care costs were 2010 Pounds ($2914). There was no significant difference in these between patients who were shot and those who were beaten. CONCLUSION: Punishment beatings present a small but significant cost burden to the health service. A fuller understanding of them from a health care perspective is warranted.

Enzyme-retting of flax and characterization of processed fibers.

Enzyme-retting formulations consisting of Viscozyme L, a pectinase-rich commercial enzyme product, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) were tested on Ariane fiber flax and North Dakota seed flax straw residue. Flax stems that were crimped to disrupt the outer layers were soaked with various proportions of Viscozyme-EDTA solutions, retted, and then cleaned and cottonized with commercial processing equipment. Fiber properties were determined and crude test yarns were made of raw and Shirley cleaned flax fibers and cotton in various blend levels. Cleaned fibers were obtained from both seed and fiber flax types, but with variations due to treatment. Retting formulations produced fibers having different properties, with enzyme levels of 0.3% (v/v as supplied) giving finer but weaker fibers than 0.05% regardless of EDTA level. Experimental yarns of blended flax and cotton fibers varied in mass coefficient of variation, single end strength, and nep imperfections due to sample and formulation. With cost and fiber and yarn quality as criteria, results established a range in the amounts of components comprising retting formulations as a basis for further studies to optimize enzyme-retting formulations for flax. Under conditions examined herein, Viscozyme L at 0.3% (v/v) plus 25 mM EDTA produced the best test yarns and, therefore, established a base for future studies to develop commercial-grade, short staple flax fibers for use in textiles.

Indirect costs, cost-utility variations and the funding of paediatric cochlear implantation.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the existence of variations in cost-utility associated with indirect costs in paediatric cochlear implantation; to illustrate the implications of this for purchasing decisions and; to posit a potential solution to anomalies in purchasing that may otherwise result when services are publicly funded. METHODS: Data was taken from published sources on the cost of implantation, outcomes measured in terms of quality adjusted life years (QALY) and in savings in education costs associated with paediatric cochlear implantation. Cost-utility ratios across education authorities were calculated using a single centre's implantation costs. RESULTS: Variations in savings across education authorities show that the cost per QALY gain associated with paediatric cochlear implantation can vary between approximately $12,000 and $18,000 assuming an exchange rate of $1.45 = 1 pound sterling for the same implant centre. These variations have the potential to produce situations in which less efficient implant centres are preferred by purchasers over more efficient ones or in which candidates with poorer outcomes are selected for funding over candidates with superior outcomes. It is important that savings associated with education be taken into consideration in evaluations intended to inform purchasing decisions regarding implantation. Equally it is important that potentially anomalous decisions be avoided if evaluations are to remain credible. It is argued that this may be achievable if public funding for implantation is determined at a national level and ring-fenced i.e. devoted exclusively to use in cochlear implantation.

IV-VI semiconductor growth on silicon substrates and new mid-infrared laser fabrication methods

This paper reviews results from research conducted at the University of Oklahoma on the development of new IV-VI semiconductor (lead salt) epitaxial growth and laser fabrication procedures that can ultimately lead to dramatic increases in mid-IR laser operating temperatures. Work has focused on growth of IV-VI semiconductor laser structures on silicon substrates using buffer layers that contain BaF2. Recent experiments show that it is possible to obtain high crystalline quality IV-VI semiconductor layer structures on (111)-oriented silicon substrates using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) or on (100)-oriented silicon using a combination of MBE and liquid phase epitaxy (LPE). Experimental data for IV-VI semiconductor layer structures grown on silicon substrates including crystalline quality information as determined by high resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) measurements and absorption edge information as determined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) transmission measurements are presented. Results show that these materials can be used to fabricate lasers that cover the 3 microns (3333 cm-1) to 16 microns (625 cm-1) spectral range. Removal of IV-VI semiconductor laser structures from the silicon growth substrate by dissolving BaF2 buffer layers with water is also demonstrated. This allows epitaxially-grown laser structures to be sandwiched between two heat sinks with a minimum of thermally resistive IV-VI semiconductor material. Theoretical modeling predicts that IV-VI lasers fabricated this way will have maximum continuous wave (cw) operating temperatures at least 60 degrees higher than those of IV-VI lasers fabricated on PbSe or PbTe substrates.

Natural bioburden levels detected on flexible gastrointestinal endoscopes after clinical use and manual cleaning.

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopes present a special bacterial decontamination challenge because the colon has a large and diverse microbial population. METHODS: Bioburden of colonoscope insertion tube surfaces and suction channels were determined after use and after manual cleaning. RESULTS: After use bioburden in suction channels averaged 7.0 x 10(9) colony-forming units (cfu). Cleaning reduced this level to 1.3 x 10(5). Cleaning of tube surfaces reduced the after-use bioburden from a level of 5.1 x 10(5) to 2.2 x 10(4) cfu. Gram-negative rods accounted for approximately 99% of the bioburden within the suction channel after use and after cleaning. After use flora were predominantly Escherichia coli and Bacteroides. The flora shifted to waterborne Pseudomonas organisms, and other members of the family Enterobacteriaceae after cleaning. Gram-positive bacteria were the primary isolates from the device surfaces both after use (56%) and after cleaning (47%). Because gram-positive cocci and diphtheroids are a part of the normal microbiota of the skin, these bacteria may have been introduced by the hospital environment or by handling. CONCLUSIONS: After the cleaning of in-use colonoscopes, fewer than 10(6) vegetative bacteria could be recovered. This value is several logs lower than some previous estimates. This finding may be useful in the formulation of sterilization and disinfection cycles. Microflora from the colonoscopes indicated that the cleaning process introduced waterborne and enteric microorganisms, which highlights the importance of sanitation in the device reprocessing area.

Natural bioburden levels detected on rigid lumened medical devices before and after cleaning.

Controversy exists concerning the degree of microbial contamination associated with the use of rigid lumened medical devices, the efficacy of standard cleaning techniques used to remove pathogenic microorganisms from lumen channels, and whether patients are placed at risk of cross infection because of microbial contamination. In this study the level and types of microorganisms found on rigid lumened medical devices before and after cleaning in a hospital environment were investigated. The bioburden level after clinical use was found to be relatively low, ranging from 10(1) to 10(4) colony forming units (CFU) per device. After the instruments were cleaned, none of the devices studied contained bioburden levels greater than 10(4) CFU and 83% had bioburden levels less than or equal to 10(2) CFU. The bioburden present before cleaning was comprised of organisms derived from the handling of the device, from the hospital environment, and from the patient. The bioburden present after cleaning was comprised of organisms typically derived from the handling of the device and from the hospital environment. The level of bioburden per device was also related to the anatomic site where the device was used, with lower numbers of organisms found on devices exposed to sterile body sites and the respiratory tract.

Optical phase retrieval by phase-space tomography and fractional-order Fourier transforms.

Phase-space tomography is experimentally demonstrated for the determination of the spatially varying amplitude and phase of a quasi-monochromatic optical field by measurements of intensity only. Both fully and partially coherent sources are characterized. The method, which makes use of the fractional-order Fourier transform, also yields the Wigner distribution of the field and works in one or two dimensions.

RMI (Resource Management Initiative) and quality--getting the climate right.

The literature on the Resource Management Initiative (RMI) identifies an improvement in the quality of patient care as one of its principal aims. Successful implementation of RMI requires a change in behaviour. The mechanism or process by which this is to be achieved is not clear. This paper explores the possible nature of this relationship. We suggest that an understanding of the mechanisms through which an acute hospital can influence quality is best viewed from the perspective of organisational climate. The paper suggests a normative model for exploring climate and quality linkages through the operation of six key organisational levers. The applicability of the model is discussed throughout with reference to a RM acute hospital.

Glucosyltransferases of Streptococcus sobrinus C211 are both stimulated and inhibited by hydrogen peroxide.

There are 2 glucosyltransferases (GTF) produced by Streptococcus sobrinus C211. One enzyme, GTF-S, produces a water-soluble glucan that is a-1,6-linked, with short a-1,3 branches, and the other enzyme, GTF-I, produces a water-insoluble glucan that is a-1,3-linked with a-1,6 branches. Hydrogen peroxide was found not only to be a potent inhibitor of GTF activity, but also a stimulator of GTF activity when employed at relatively low concentrations. At 0.88 M, H2O2 completely inhibited insoluble glucan synthesis, whereas at a 0.29 M concentration, H2O2 enhanced synthesis of the same glucan. Soluble glucan synthesis was also inhibited by H2O2 at 1.47 M. Low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide with GTF-S, however, caused the enzyme to convert from soluble glucan production to insoluble glucan production. 13C-Nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of glucans produced by peroxide-treated GTF confirmed that the production of a-1,3 linked glucans was increased with H2O2-treated GTF-S.

Inhibition by maltose, isomaltose, and nigerose of the synthesis of high-molecular-weight D-glucans by the D-glucosyltransferases of Streptococcus sobrinus.

Two D-glucosyltransferases are produced by Streptococcus sobrinus C211. One (GTF-S) catalyzes the conversion of sucrose into soluble alpha-(1----6)-linked alpha-(1----3)-branched D-glucans, and the other (GTF-I), of sucrose into alpha-(1----3)-linked alpha-(1----6)-branched D-glucans. These enzymes were studied by using maltose, isomaltose, and nigerose as inhibitors. Maltose and isomaltose were found to be competitive inhibitors of GTF-S, whereas nigerose has no effect on GTF-S activity. The Ki values for maltose and isomaltose were determined to be 11 and 15mM, respectively. Maltose, isomaltose, and nigerose competitively inhibit GTF-I. The Ki values for these inhibitors were found to be approximately 0.8, 2.5, and 15mM, respectively. The inhibitory properties of each disaccharide are interpreted in terms of conformational comparisons with sucrose.

Transcatheter electrocoagulation of the pulmonary artery: an experimental model in dogs for studying pulmonary thrombosis.

Transcatheter electrocoagulation (TCEC) has been shown to produce permanent arterial occlusion. This study was performed to evaluate the potential of using TCEC of the pulmonary artery as an experimental model of pulmonary thromboembolism. Fourteen lobar or first-order pulmonary arteries were occluded in ten dogs in the acute studies. Eight pulmonary arteries were occluded in eight dogs that were sacrificed 25 to 85 days after TCEC. There were permanent occlusions in seven, and all seven evidence of pulmonary infarction. The animals tolerated the procedure well. The technique may have merit as an experimental model for studying pulmonary thrombosis and infarction.

Evaluation of the anode and cathode for transcatheter electrocoagulation.

The effect of changing the size and position of the anode and cathode during direct current Transcatheter Electrocoagulation (TCEC) was evaluated in dogs. The results showed that there was no difference in the time required for vessel occlusion when the size and position of the electrodes were changed. However, there were differences noted in the amount of voltage needed to maintain the constant current. Based on these results, for TCEC we recommend positioning the largest possible guidewire anode against the vessel wall. The cathode should be a highly lubricated sponge covered Bovie ground plate.

Transcatheter electrocoagulation: experimental evaluation of the anode.

Transcatheter electrocoagulation using direct current has been shown to be an effective method for vessel occlusion. To date, the stainless steel anode has not been entirely satisfactory. Thus, an evaluation of bipolar platinum electrodes and a comparison of monopolar platinum and stainless steel electrodes have been performed. Experimental results have shown that both monopolar and bipolar platinum electrodes caused perforation in most cases. At the present time, we have not found a satisfactory replacement for the unipolar stainless steel anode.