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This paper describes an analysis that was performed on a fin underwater to better understand the convective coefficient of heat transfer, h, while giving experience into real-life engineering projects. The experiment was set up by making an aluminum fin using an aluminum plate and rod, where the rod is submerged in a plastic tub filled with water and the plate is heated via a heating pad outside of the tub of water. The plate and heat pad are insulated, so that heat from the heat pad is not lost to the environment. Thermocouples attached at specified distances from the heat source measured the temperature throughout the rod. To analyze the heat transfer through the rod, steady-state and transient conditions were considered, with models created on MATLAB to predict how the rod would lose heat and compare it with the data collected through experimentation. To collect the data, two 8-channel thermocouple data loggers were used. The general solution for finding the temperature and heat flux throughout the fin proves useful under conditions where the fin is assumed to be very long. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the financial resources required to achieve the 2015 targets for global tuberculosis (TB) control, which have been set within the framework of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). METHODS: The Global Plan to Stop TB, 2006-2015 was developed by the Stop TB Partnership. It sets out what needs to be done to achieve the 2015 targets for global TB control, based on WHO's Stop TB Strategy. Plan costs were estimated using spreadsheet models that included epidemiological, demographic, planning and unit cost data. FINDINGS: A total of US$ 56 billion is required during the period 2006-2015 (93% for TB-endemic countries, 7% for international technical agencies), increasing from US$ 3.5 billion in 2006 to US$ 6.7 billion in 2015. The single biggest cost (US$ 3 billion per year) is for the treatment of drug-susceptible cases in DOTS programmes. Other major costs are treatment of patients with multi- and extensively drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB and XDR-TB), collaborative TB/HIV activities, and advocacy, communication and social mobilization. Low-income countries account for 41% of total funding needs and 65% of funding needs for TB/HIV. Middle-income countries account for 72% of the funding needed for treatment of MDR-TB and XDR-TB. African countries require the largest increases in funding. CONCLUSION: Achieving the 2015 global targets set for TB control requires a major increase in funding. To support resource mobilization, comprehensive and costed national plans that are in line with the Global Plan to Stop TB are needed, backed up by robust assessments of the funding that can be raised in each country from domestic sources and the balance that is needed from donors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Participants in the present study reported the amount of affectionate communication characterizing the personal relationship they currently identified as their most affectionate relationship. The authors subsequently measured their resting heart rate and baseline salivary cortisol, and then exposed participants to a series of standard laboratory stressors. The authors monitored changes in the participants' heart rates and cortisol levels during exposure to the stressors. Results indicated that levels of verbal and supportive affectionate communication in the primary relationship were inversely associated with resting heart rate and with the magnitude of free cortisol increase in response to the acute stressors. The authors discuss implications for the association between relational communication and health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To assess the cost and cost-effectiveness of the Public-Private Mix DOTS (PPM-DOTS) strategy for tuberculosis (TB) control in India. METHODS: We collected data on the costs and effects of pilot PPM-DOTS projects in Delhi and Hyderabad using documentary data and interviews. The cost of PPM-DOTS was compared with public sector DOTS (i.e. DOTS delivered through public sector facilities only) and non-DOTS treatment in the private sector. Costs for 2002 in US$ were assessed for the public sector, private practitioners, and patients/attendants. Effectiveness was measured as the number of cases successfully treated. FINDINGS: The average cost per patient treated was US$ 111-123 for PPM-DOTS and public sector DOTS, and US$ 111-172 for non-DOTS treatment in the private sector. From the public sector's perspective, the cost per patient treated was lower in PPM-DOTS projects than in public sector DOTS programmes (US$ 24-33 versus US$ 63). DOTS implementation in either the public or private sectors improved treatment outcomes and substantially lowered costs incurred by patients and their attendants, compared to non-DOTS treatment in the private sector (US$ 50-60 for DOTS compared to over US$ 100 for non-DOTS). The average cost-effectiveness of PPM-DOTS and public sector DOTS was similar, at US$ 120-140 per patient successfully treated, compared to US$ 218-338 for non-DOTS private sector treatment. Incremental cost-effectiveness analysis showed that PPM-DOTS can improve effectiveness while also lowering costs. CONCLUSION: PPM-DOTS can be an affordable and cost-effective approach to improving TB control in India, and can substantially lower the economic burden of TB for patients. Copyright © 2006 World Health Organization [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a comprehensive assessment of the case-mix of patients admitted to tuberculosis hospitals and the reasons for their admission in four Russian regions: Ivanovo, Orel, Samara and Vladimir. We also sought to quantify the extent to which efficiency could be improved by reducing hospitalization rates and re-profiling hospital beds available in the tuberculosis-control system. METHODS: We used a standard questionnaire to determine how beds were being used and who was using the beds in tuberculosis facilities in four Russian regions. Data were collected to determine how 4306 tuberculosis beds were utilized as well as on the socioeconomic and demographic indicators, clinical parameters and reasons for hospitalization for 3352 patients. FINDINGS: Of the 3352 patients surveyed about 70% were male; the average age was 40; and rates of unemployment, disability and alcohol misuse were high. About one-third of beds were occupied by smear-positive or culture-positive tuberculosis patients; 20% were occupied by tuberculosis patients who were smear-negative and/or culture-negative; 20% were occupied by patients who no longer had tuberculosis; and 20% were unoccupied. If clinical and public health admission criteria were applied then < 50% of admissions would be justified and < 50% of the current number of beds would be required. Up to 85% of admissions and beds were deemed to be necessary when social problems and poor access to outpatient care were considered along with clinical and public health admission criteria. CONCLUSION: Much of the Russian Federation's large tuberculosis hospital infrastructure is unnecessary when clinical and public health criteria are used, but the large hospital infrastructure within the tuberculosis-control system has an important social support function. Improving the efficiency of the system will require the reform of health-system norms and regulations as they relate to resource allocation and clinical care and implementation of lower-cost approaches to case management for patients with social problems. Additionally, closer attention will need to be paid to the management of staff numbers in the tuberculosis system. Copyright © 2006 World Health Organization [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to Robey, Cohen, and Epstein (1988), children may hold a naïve theory of affection, whereby they believe that their parents' affection for them is a finite resource for which they must compete against their siblings. Parents, conversely, are unlikely to view their own affection in the same way. Although research on naïve theories is often conducted with youngsters, we speculated that even adult children may perceive that they compete with their siblings for their parents' affection, and we tested the naïve theory of affection in a study of 115 dyads of adult men and their adult sons. As hypothesized, the sons' numbers of brothers and sisters were associated inversely with sons' reports of how much affection they received from their fathers but were unrelated to fathers' reports. Fathers' and sons' reports of fathers' affection were also linearly related to each other, but fathers reported being more affectionate with their sons than their sons reported them being. Results suggest that naïve theorizing about parental affection is not limited to young children but continues to affect familial experience in adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculosis is among the top ten causes of global mortality and affects low-income countries in particular. This paper examines, through a literature review, the impact of tuberculosis control measures on tuberculosis mortality and transmission, and constraints to scaling-up. It also provides estimates of the effectiveness of various interventions using a model proposed by Styblo. It concludes that treatment of smear-positive tuberculosis using the WHO directly observed treatment, short-course (DOTS) strategy has by far the highest impact. While BCG immunization reduces childhood tuberculosis mortality, its impact on tuberculosis transmission is probably minimal. Under specific conditions, an additional impact on mortality and transmission can be expected through treatment of smear-negative cases, intensification of case-finding for smear-positive tuberculosis, and preventive therapy among individuals with dual tuberculosis-HIV infection. Of these interventions, DOTS is the most cost-effective at around US$ 5-40 per disability-adjusted life year (DALY) gained. The cost for BCG immunization is likely to be under US$ 50 per DALY gained. Treatment of smear-negative patients has a cost per DALY gained of up to US$ 100 in low-income countries, and up to US$ 400 in middle-income settings. Other interventions, such as preventive therapy for HIV-positive individuals, appear to be less cost-effective. The major constraint to scaling up DOTS is lack of political commitment, resulting in shortages of funding and human resources for tuberculosis control. However, in recent years there have been encouraging signs of increasing political commitment. Other constraints are related to involvement of the private sector, health sector reform, management capacity of tuberculosis programmes, treatment delivery, and drug supply. Global tuberculosis control could benefit strongly from technical innovation, including the development of a vaccine giving good protection against smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in adults; simpler and shorter drug regimens for treatment of tuberculosis disease and infection; and improved diagnostics for tuberculosis infection and disease. Copyright © 2002 World Health Organization [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the concerto style embodied in Franz Joseph Haydn's string quartets. Origin of Haydn's examples of soloistic writing; Interpretation of the texture, thematic elaboration, design and slow movement of Haydn's musical works; How the elements of concerto style have offered Haydn possibilities and opportunities.

Evaluates continuous variables, salt, fat and either soy protein or iota-carrageenan using response surface methods to formulate a lower salt/lower fat frankfurter with acceptable palatability attributes. Effects of soy protein; Carrageenan; Fat.

Studies the effects of fat, salt and pH on the sensory characteristics of frankfurters. Achievement of acceptable processing and flavor profile characteristics with 6.0 pH; Salt increase; Fat increase.

Sensory and physical characteristics of beef patties containing 20% fat, 8% fat, or 8% fat plus 20% soy protein isolate (SI), soy flour (SF), soy concentrate (SC), or a mixture (MIX) of carrageenan (0.5%), starch (0.5%), and phosphate (0.2%) were compared after 0, 4, 8, and 12 wks storage at −18°C. MIX had higher Hunter * values than other treatments. Cook loss was lowest for MIX and highest for all beef patties. Soy extenders decreased beefy flavor and increased off-flavor scores. Time in frozen storage increased off-flavor, rubbery texture, and TBA value, and decreased red color and Hunter b* value of ground beef patties. Quality may be lowered in frozen-stored high fat, or low-fat-soy extended beef patties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The palatability and storage characteristics of fresh, frozen and precooked beef chuck roasts prepared using added phosphate-salt and vacuum cooking bags were evaluated. Palatability attributes (tenderness, juiciness, beef flavor intensity, and off-flavor intensity) of precooked roasts prepared in vacuum cooking bags with phosphate-salt were as good or better than freshly cooked roasts. Precooked roasts in vacuum cooking bags had the lowest total bacterial counts after storage for 14 and 28 days. A palatable precooked roast beef product was developed that can be stored for 28 days at 4°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diversity of the U.S, population is currently not reflected in the genomic workforce and across the greater scientific enterprise. Although diversity and inclusion efforts have focused on increasing the number of individuals from underrepresented groups across scientific fields, structural racism remains. Thus, the cultivation and adoption of diversity as an ethos requires shifting our focus to being intentional about an institution's character, culture, and climate. One way for this ethos to be sustained is by facilitating an intentional anti-racism approach within the field. Adopting a new perspective on diversity utilizing art anti-racism approach will support genomics researchers as we build supportive, collaborative research environments. We seek to expand critical thought in the framing of diversity in the research enterprise and propose an anti-racism approach that informs deliberate actions required to address structural racism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a glow discharge plasma switch controlled by a small magnetic field. Properties determining the behavior of the discharge; Transition of a low pressure hollow cathode discharge; Effectiveness of the magnetic field in controlling the discharge impedance of the hollow cathode discharge at larger currents.

Background: In India 3.8 million people become blind due to cataracts every year. We assessed the cost-effectiveness of public-funded options for delivering cataract surgery in Mysore, Karnataka State, India.Methods: Three types of delivery of cataract surgery were studied: mobile government camps, walk-in services at a state medical college hospital, and patients transported in from satellite clinics to a non-governmental hospital. We assessed outcomes in a systematic sample of patients operated on in 1996-97 by follow-up at home; average costs by provider derived from actual expenditures during the year.Findings: Almost half the patients operated on in government camps were dissatisfied with the outcome (34/70, 49% [95% CI 36-61]). More than one third were blind in the operated eye (25/70, 36% [25-48]). User satisfaction was higher with other providers (medical college hospital 82% [63-94]; non-government hospital 85% [72-93]), and fewer patients remained blind. Camps were a low-cost option, but the poor outcomes reduced their cost-effectiveness to US$97 per patient. The state medical college hospital was least cost-effective, at US$176 per patient, and the non-governmental hospital was the most cost-effective at US$54 per patient.Interpretation: The government of India should review its policy for government camp surgery, and consider alternatives, such as transporting patients to better permanent facilities. India and other developing countries should monitor outcomes in cataract surgery programmes, as well as throughput. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comments on the article 'Wallace Clement Sabine and acoustics,' by Leo L. Berunek, published in the March 1985 issue of the periodical 'Physics Today.'

The article presents information about a comparison of random and judgmental methods of determining mode of outpatient mental hygiene treatment. Much has been written about ways of deciding how to treat patients with emotional problems. The best way of arriving at a clinical judgment for treatment is presumably provided by the "team", consisting of psychiatrist, psychologist and social worker, each contributing his specialized knowledge to the decision. In a recent study, it was found that each of the three disciplines on the team--psychiatry, psychology and social work--was about equally accurate in predicting what the therapist would, at the conclusion of treatment, describe as the preferred method of therapy. No group was very good, however, nor did meeting together as a team improve the predictions significantly.

Objective To develop new methods for estimating the sputum smear-positive tuberculosis case detection rate (CDR) in a country where infection with HIV is prevalent. Methods We estimated the smear-positive tuberculosis CDR in HIV-negative and HIV-positive adults, and in all adults in Kenya. Data on time trends in tuberculosis case notification rates and on HIV infection prevalence in adults and in tuberculosis patients were used, along with data on tuberculosis control programme performance. Findings In 2006, the estimated smear-positive tuberculosis CDR in HIV-negative adults was 79% (95% confidence interval, CI: 64--94) and in HIV-positive adults, 57% (95% CI: 26--88), giving a weighted mean of 68% (95% CI: 49--87). The separate estimate for all smear-positive tuberculosis cases was 72% (95% CI: 53--91), giving an overall average for the three estimates of 70% (95% CI: 58--82). As the tuberculosis CDR in 1996 was 57% (95% CI: 47--67), the estimated increase by 2006 was 13 percentage points (95% CI: 6--20), or 23%. This increase was accompanied by a more than doubling of the resources devoted to tuberculosis control in Kenya, including facilities and staff. Conclusion Using three approaches to estimate the tuberculosis CDR in a country where HIV infection is prevalent, we showed that expansion of the tuberculosis control programme in Kenya led to an increase of 23% in the CDR between 1996 and 2006. While the methods developed here can be applied in other countries with a high prevalence of HIV infection, they rely on precise data on trends in such prevalence in the general population and among tuberculosis patients. Copyright © 2009 World Health Organization [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is common in older adults (aged > or =65 years). Treatment frequently requires multiple medications and can be expensive. OBJECTIVE: This study measured the impact of substituting low-dose, fixed-combination therapy using the calcium channel blocker (CCB) amlodipine and the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor benazepril for high-dose CCB monotherapy or dual therapy with a CCB and an ACE inhibitor on antihypertensive drug costs, the incidence of adverse events, and blood-pressure control. METHODS: A multicenter, pilot pharmacotherapy quality improvement program was undertaken in a long-term care facility setting. Consultant pharmacists reviewed pharmacy records and medical charts from long-term care facilities, identifying older patients with a diagnosis of hypertension who either took CCB concomitantly with an ACE inhibitor or experienced adverse events on high-dose CCB therapy. Eligible patients were identified and their physicians contacted regarding switching them to fixed-dose combination therapy. RESULTS: A total of 51 patients at 17 facilities were switched to fixed-dose amlodipine/benazepril combination therapy; 94.1% were women and 5.9% were men (mean age, 85.1 years; range, 64-99 years). The mean number of comorbidities was 1.6. During the subsequent 2 months, mean blood pressure remained at levels similar to those at baseline. The number of patients reporting at least 1 drug-related adverse event decreased by 81.8% (P < 0.05), and the incidence of edema decreased by 75.0%. The mean per-patient cost of antihypertensive drugs decreased by 33.1% (P < 0.001), a mean per-patient savings of 19.21 US dollars per month. CONCLUSION: In patients aged > or =65 years with hypertension in long-term care facilities, a change from high-dose CCB monotherapy or CCB/ACE-inhibitor dual therapy to fixed-dose combination amlodipine/benazepril therapy significantly reduced drug costs and the incidence of adverse events and maintained blood-pressure control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Few studies have attempted to quantify the effect of the epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) on demand for health care in developing countries. More data are required to improve understanding of its impact and to guide development of appropriate response strategies.Objective: To assess the HIV/AIDS epidemic's impact on demand for inpatient hospital care in a rural area of South Africa.Design: Retrospective analysis of data from general hospital and individual ward admission registers, a tuberculosis program database, and patient case notes.Setting and Patients: Patients admitted between 1991 and 1998 to a 450-bed hospital that serves Hlabisa District, South Africa (population approximately 200000), where HIV seroprevalence among antenatal clinic attendees increased from 4% in 1992 to 29% in 1998.Main Outcome Measures: Number of admissions to 9 hospital wards, number of clinical AIDS and general medical admissions (both excluding tuberculosis), and number of tuberculosis admissions to adult medical wards during the study period.Results: Total hospital admissions increased by 81%, from 6562 in 1991 to 11, 872 in 1998. Adult tuberculosis ward admissions increased by 360%, from 303 to 1393. In 1998, tuberculosis patients accounted for 47% and 30% of adult male and female medical ward admissions, respectively, and for 11 % of total hospital admissions. Nontuberculosis clinical AIDS cases increased 43-fold, accounting for 4% of adult medical admissions in 1997 vs 0.2% in 1991. Tuberculosis and nontuberculosis clinical AIDS cases were the only types of admission to show a clear and consistent upward trend over the period studied. Patterns in other types of admissions varied more and changes were smaller.Conclusions: The HIV/AIDS epidemic has had an important impact on demand for adult tuberculosis and general medical care in a rural South African district hospital. If this impact is shown to extend to other rural South African areas, response strategies are urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the lasing of ArF(B-X) for long pulse lengths using a low excitation pump rate electron-beam. Description of the laser device; Results and discussion.

The Alcohol Tolerant and Alcohol Non-Tolerant rats (AT, ANT) were selectively bred for ethanol-induced ataxia as measured on the inclined plane. Here we report on a quantitative trait locus (QTL) study in an F2 intercross population derived from inbred AT and ANT (IAT, IANT) and a follow-up study of congenics that were bred to examine one of the mapped QTLs. Over 1200 F2 offspring were tested for inclined plane sensitivity, acute tolerance on the inclined plane, duration of the loss of righting reflex (LORR) and blood ethanol at regain of the righting reflex (BECRR). F2 rats that were in the upper and lower 20% for inclined plane sensitivity were genotyped with 78 SSLP markers. Significant QTLs for inclined plane sensitivity were mapped on chromosomes 8 and 20; suggestive QTLs were mapped on chromosomes 1, 2 and 3. Highly significant QTLs for LORR duration (LOD = 12.4) and BECRR (LOD = 5.7) were mapped to the same locus on chromosome 1. Breeding and testing of reciprocal congenic lines confirmed the chromosome 1 LORR/BECRR QTL. A series of recombinant congenic sub-lines were bred to fine-map this QTL. Current results have narrowed the QTL to an interval of between 5 and 20 Mb. We expect to be able to narrow the interval to less than 5 Mb with additional genotyping and continued breeding of recombinant sub-congenic lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which aims to develop a model system for evaluating intervention strategies to prevent beef bone discoloration. The discoloration of beef bone in fresh meat is observed with the use of blast chilling, enhancement and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) in the meat industry. Results show that samples held in refrigeration before packaging were lighter and redder. Previously frozen samples also contained more methemoglobin per gram of protein in the bone marrow.

BSTRACT: Strip loins were removed 48 h postmortem from beef sides ( n = 20 pairs) to assess the effects of enhancement before or after aging on quality attributes of beef strip steaks. Strip loins were enhanced to 108% of original weight to contain 0.4% alkaline phosphate, 0.3% salt, 0.1% natural flavoring (on a final weight basis), and added water for comparison with non-enhanced samples. Regardless of when enhancement occurred relative to aging, enhanced samples were more tender, juicy, and salty than their non-enhanced counterparts. Enhanced samples were lighter, less red and less yellow, and had lower L*, a*, and b* values than non-enhanced samples; however, they generally had lower hue angles indicating that their color was closer to the true red axis of the color scale. Samples enhanced before aging achieved maximum tenderness after 14 d, whereas those enhanced after aging experienced no tenderness changes. Warner- Bratzler shear values were lower and pH values were higher in enhanced steaks than in controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]