Search

SUMMARY Aflatoxicosis is a major problem associated with poultry production in the tropics. We tested the ability of 3 low-cost and locally available adsorbents (activated charcoal, bentonite, and fuller’s earth) to detoxify poultry feeds contaminated with aflatoxin. Bentonite was the most effective adsorbent and lowered the total aflatoxin concentration from 120 ± 38 μg/kg to 15 ± 5.0 μg/kg. The 3 adsorbent treatments resulted in 63%–100% weight increase of the birds, compared with birds fed the untreated, aflatoxin-containing feed. The number of white blood cells in blood samples was increased by 13%–17% in birds that consumed adsorbent-treated feed, compared with the untreated, aflatoxin-contaminated feed. Hepatic lesions were also prominent in the liver of the birds fed contaminated but untreated feed but were reduced in the group that were fed the adsorbent-treated feeds, especially in the bentonite-treated feed. Conclusively, the adsorbents were able to reduce the concentration of aflatoxin in the feed and this reflected positively on the general performance of the birds.

Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) causes irreversible loss of lung function. The lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPA1) pathway is implicated in IPF etiology. Safety and efficacy of BMS-986020, a high-affinity LPA1 antagonist, was assessed vs placebo in a phase 2 study in patients with IPF. Methods IM136003 was a phase 2, parallel-arm, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Adults with IPF (FVC, 45%-90%; diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide, 30%-80%) were randomized to receive placebo or 600 mg BMS-986020 (once daily [qd] or bid) for 26 weeks. The primary end point was rate of change in FVC from baseline to week 26. Results Of 143 randomized patients, 108 completed the 26-week dosing phase. Thirty-five patients discontinued prematurely. Patient baseline characteristics were similar between treatment groups (placebo: n = 47; 600 mg qd: n = 48; 600 mg bid: n = 48). Patients treated with BMS-986020 bid experienced a significantly slower rate of decline in FVC vs placebo (−0.042 L; 95% CI, −0.106 to −0.022 vs −0.134 L; 95% CI, −0.201 to −0.068, respectively; P = .049). Dose-related elevations in hepatic enzymes were observed in both BMS-986020 treatment groups. The study was terminated early because of three cases of cholecystitis that were determined to be related to BMS-986020 after unblinding. Conclusions BMS-986020 600 mg bid treatment for 26 weeks vs placebo significantly slowed the rate of FVC decline. Both regimens of BMS-986020 were associated with elevations in hepatic enzymes. Trial Registry ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT01766817; URL: www.clinicaltrials.gov

International audience; Next generation pixel chips at the High-Luminosity (HL) LHC will be exposed to extremely high levels of radiation and particle rates. In the so-called Phase II upgrade, ATLAS and CMS will need a completely new tracker detector, complying with the very demanding operating conditions and the delivered luminosity (up to 5×10 34 cm −2 s −1 in the next decade). This work is concerned with the design of a synchronous analog processor with zero dead time developed in a 65 nm CMOS technology, conceived for pixel detectors at the HL-LHC experiment upgrades. It includes a low noise, fast charge sensitive amplifier featuring a detector leakage compensation circuit, and a compact, single ended comparator that guarantees very good performance in terms of channel-to-channel dispersion of threshold without needing any pixel-level trimming. A flash ADC is exploited for digital conversion immediately after the charge amplifier. A thorough discussion on the design of the charge amplifier and the comparator is provided along with an exhaustive set of simulation results.

The 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DwH) oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico discharged ~3.19 million barrels of oil into Gulf waters, making it one of the largest marine disasters in history in terms of volume. We report on the results of a study to assess oil impacts to coastal fishes and invertebrates. Using two-decades of fisheries-independent data in coastal Alabama and Mississippi, we document variability following both natural and anthropogenic disturbances from two periods pre-DwH (1997–2001 and 2007–2009), one intra-spill period for acute DwH effects (2010–2012) and one period post-spill for chronic, longer-term impacts (2014–2017). Results indicated significant changes to community structure, relative abundance, and diversity in the intra-spill period. Causation for changes is confounded by variables such as behavioral emigration, altered freshwater inflow, death of consumers, and the mandated fishery closure. Results highlight the need for long-term, comprehensive monitoring/observing systems to provide adequate background for assessing future disturbances.

A rise in [Ca(2+)](i) provides the trigger for neurotransmitter release at neuronal boutons. We have used confocal microscopy and Ca(2+) sensitive dyes to directly measure the action potential-evoked [Ca(2+)](i) in the boutons of Schaffer collaterals. This reveals that the trial-by-trial amplitude of the evoked Ca(2+) transient is bimodally distributed. We demonstrate that "large" Ca(2+) transients occur when presynaptic NMDA receptors are activated following transmitter release. Presynaptic NMDA receptor activation proves critical in producing facilitation of transmission at theta frequencies. Because large Ca(2+) transients "report" transmitter release, their frequency on a trial-by-trial basis can be used to estimate the probability of release, p(r). We use this novel estimator to show that p(r) increases following the induction of long-term potentiation.

This article describes research conducted to gather empirical evidence on size, character and content of the option space in building design projects. This option space is the key starting point for the work of any climate engineer using building performance simulation who is supporting the design process. The underlying goal is to strengthen the role of advanced computing in building design, especially in the early conceptual stage, through a better integration of building performance simulation tools augmented with uncertainty analysis and sensitivity analysis. Better integration will need to assist design rather than automate design, allowing a spontaneous, creative and flexible process that acknowledges the expertise of the design team members. This research investigates and contrasts emergent option spaces and their inherent uncertainties in an artificial setting (student design studios) and in real-life scenarios (commercial design project case studies). The findings provide empirical evidence of the high variability of the option space that can be subjected to uncertainty analysis and sensitivity analysis.

A seismic analysis of the Pliocene and Quaternary stratigraphy was conducted in the Alboran Sea (westernmost Mediterranean) using more than 1250 profiles consisting of single- and multi-channel seismic records. This allowed for the updating and renaming of the stratigraphic boundaries and the establishment of a new Pliocene and Quaternary seismic stratigraphy for the Alboran Sea, after the relocation of the base of the Quaternary from 1.8 to 2.6 Ma. The boundaries of the stratigraphic division are as follows: the Messinian (M at 5.96 to 5.33 Ma), the intra-lower Pliocene (P0 at ca. 4.5 Ma), the top of the Zanclean (P1 at ca.3.3 Ma), the base of the Quaternary (BQD at ca. 2.6 Ma), the top of the Gelasian (Q0 at ca. 1.8 Ma), the intra-lower Quaternary (Q1 at ca. 1.12 Ma), and the top of the Calabrian (Q2 at ca. 0.7 Ma). Additionally, for the first time, the seismic analysis allowed us to present and discuss the evidence of contourite features reaching the scale of the Alboran Basin. Contourite drifts (plastered, sheeted, elongated separated and confined monticular drifts) and erosive features (terraces, scarps, moats and channels) were developed under the continuous influence of Mediterranean water masses (light and dense), after the opening of the Strait of Gibraltar in the latest Miocene (5.46 Ma). There are at least two primary factors controlling the contourite features, based on the seismic analysis, as follows: i) tectonics, which has governed the relocation of the main Mediterranean flow pathways and their circulation patterns; and ii) climate, which has influenced both water mass conditions (interfaces) and hinterland sediment sources, conditioning the morpho-seismic expression and growth pattern of the drifts and terrace formation (dimensions). The distribution of contourite features through time and space has allowed us to propose the three following main scenarios for ocean circulation since the opening of the Strait of Gibraltar: Atlantic Zanclean flooding; the Pliocene sea, with two different stages for the dense circulation; and the Quaternary sea, with well-defined and stable interfaces for the Atlantic Waters (AW), light and dense Mediterranean waters.

The proceedings of a workshop focusing on a project to evaluate the use of fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) as a tool to measure treatment response in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) are described. Sponsored by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Foundation of the National Institutes of Health, and the National Cancer Institute, and attended by representatives of the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and scientists and clinical researchers from academia and the pharmaceutical and medical imaging industries, the workshop reviewed the etiology and current standards of care for NHL and proposed the development of a clinical trial to validate FDG-PET imaging techniques as a predictive biomarker for cancer therapy response. As organized under the auspices of the Oncology Biomarker Qualification Initiative, the three federal health agencies and their private sector and nonprofit/advocacy group partners believe that FDG-PET not only demonstrates the potential to be used for the diagnosis and staging of many cancers but in particular can provide an early indication of therapeutic response that is well correlated with clinical outcomes for chemotherapy for this common form of lymphoma. The development of standardized criteria for FDG-PET imaging and establishment of procedures for transmission, storage, quality assurance, and analysis of PET images afforded by this demonstration project could streamline clinical trials of new treatments for more intractable forms of lymphoma and other cancers and, hence, accelerate new drug approvals.

A radiation tolerant pixel readout chip, FPIX2, has been developed at Fermilab for use by BTeV. Some of the requirements of the BTeV pixel readout chip are reviewed and contrasted with requirements for similar devices in LHC experiments. A description of the FPIX2 is given, and results of initial tests of its performance are presented, as is a summary of measurements planned for the coming year.

Annexin 1 (ANXA1) was first identified as a mediator of the anti-inflammatory actions of glucocorticoids in the host defence system. Subsequent work revealed that this protein fulfils a wider brief and it is now recognized as an important signalling intermediate in a variety of other systems. Here, we consider the role of ANXA1 in the endocrine system, placing particular emphasis on new insights into the mechanisms and functional significance of the secondary processing of ANXA1, the processes that control the intracellular and transmembrane trafficking of the molecule and the molecular mechanisms of ANXA1 action that have identified a novel role for the protein as a paracrine/juxtacrine mediator of the non-genomic actions of glucocorticoids in the neuroendocrine system.

Λ 0 polarization from pp → p diffracted Λ 0 K + at 800 GeV / c in the average depends linearly on Λ 0 K + invariant mass: Λ 0 polarization is 0.635 ± 0.036 at 1.64 GeV , consistent with zero at ≈ 2.195 GeV , and −0.586 ± 0.072 at 3.200 GeV . The origin of this Λ 0 polarization is, probably, the interference of at least two Λ 0 K + resonances, created from the excitation of the target proton, due to the diffracted proton transfered momentum.

Introduction/objectifs/but Un bilan d’activite a 16 mois du programme Aquitain Telemedecine en EHPAD paraissait necessaire pour s’assurer de l’integration de ce programme dans le parcours de soins de la personne âgee. Materiel et methode Une analyse descriptive de l’activite a ete realisee. Resultats/observations Trois cent douze actes de telemedecine ont ete realises : 120 telesuivis, 94 % de teleconsultations, 6 % de tele-expertises. Vingt-quatre pour cent des demandes concernaient les troubles du comportement chez le patient dement, 15 % la psychiatrie, 31 % les plaies complexes, 2 % les soins palliatifs. Les autres demandes portaient sur : l’hypertonie deformante acquise, la dermatologie. Dans 50 % des cas, au moins une thematique a ete abordee en plus de la demande initiale (douleur, nutrition et iatrogenie medicamenteuse). Les patients etaient âges de 85 ± 8 ans, sex-ratio : 1/3, le GIR moyen etait de 2 ± 1 avec un MMSE de 16 ± 6. Dans 63 % des cas, un avis specialise a ete evite, 14 % un hopital de jour et dans 7 % des cas une hospitalisation. Les propositions du centre expert concernant un diagnostic, une adaptation therapeutique medicamenteuse et non medicamenteuse etaient respectivement de : 37 %, 85 %, 40 %. L’arret des therapeutiques concernait 32 % des propositions portant sur les neuroleptiques, les ISRS et les antidiabetiques oraux. Dans 13 % des cas, une augmentation de posologie etait souhaitable (antalgiques), une diminution de dose dans 8 % des cas (ISRS, neuroleptiques). Des prescriptions anticipees etaient realisees dans 44 % des cas (antalgiques, laxatifs et benzodiazepines).

A radiation-hard pixel readout chip, FPIX2, is being developed at Fermilab for the recently approved BTeV experiment. Although designed for BTeV, this chip should also be appropriate for use by CDF and DZero. A short review of this development effort is presented. Particular attention is given to the circuit redesign which was made necessary by the decision to implement FPIX2 using a standard deep-submicron CMOS process rather than an explicitly radiation-hard CMOS technology, as originally planned. The results of initial tests of prototype 0.25{micro} CMOS devices are presented, as are plans for the balance of the development effort.

This paper describes the baseline design and a variation of the pixel module to handle the data rate required for the BTeV experiment at Fermilab. The present prototype has shown good electrical performance characteristics. Indium bump bonding is proven to be capable of successful fabrication at 50 micron pitch on real detectors. For solder bumps at 50 micron pitch, much better results have been obtained with the fluxless PADS processed detectors. The results are adequate for our needs and our tests have validated it as a viable technology.

A major determinant of the risk for osteoporosis in later life is bone mineral density (BMD) attained during early adulthood. Bone mineral density is a complex trait that, presumably, is influenced by multiple genes. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an attractive candidate gene for osteoporosis susceptibility, because it has effects on bone cells and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. Furthermore, previous investigators have identified an association between a 3' UTR polymorphism of the IL-6 gene and BMD. In this study, we searched for linkage and association between this IL-6 gene polymorphism and peak BMD in a large population (812 individuals) of healthy premenopausal sibpairs. Although previous investigators identified only 6 IL-6 alleles, we identified 17 alleles by modifying electrophoretic conditions and evaluating a very large population. We found no evidence for either linkage or association between the IL-6 gene locus and BMD of the spine or hip in either Caucasians or African Americans.

A description is given of the R&D program underway at Fermilab to develop a pixel readout ASIC appropriate for use at the Tevatron collider. Results are presentetd frOm tests performed on the first prototype pixel readout chip deigned at Fermilab, and a new readout architecture is described.

The activities of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-related peptides and several analogs were examined in cells transfected with either CRH1 or CRH2β receptors, in suppression of heat-induced rat paw edema in pentobarbital-anesthetised animals and in stimulation of release of immunoreactive corticotropin (ir-ACTH) from rat anterior pituitary tissue in vitro. The peptides tested were human/rat (h/r)-CRH, r-urocortin, h-urocortin, white sucker fish or maggy sole urotensin I and some analogs of these peptides substituted with d -amino acids at residues 4 (urocortin), 5 (CRH and urotensin I) and 20 (CRH). In cells transfected with CRH1 receptors, these peptides were similar in potency in stimulation of cAMP accumulation. By contrast, at CRH2β receptors peptides of the urocortin and urotensin series were more potent than h/r-CRH while [ d -Glu20]-h/r-CRH was 6.5-fold less active than h/r-CRH. IV administration of h/r-CRH or related peptides 10 min prior to a thermal stimulus produced a significant dose-dependent inhibition of rat paw edema formation. Comparison of the ED50’s showed that urocortins ([ d -Ser4]-h-urocortin, h-urocortin, [ d -Pro4]-r-urocortin, r-urocortin) were approximately 2 to 3 times more active than h/r-CRH, but [ d -Glu20]-h/r-CRH was 18.5-fold less active. In the assay for ir-ACTH release, the activity of h/r-CRH and [ d -Glu20]-h/r-CRH was similar but [ d -Pro5]-h/r-CRH and [ d -Pro4]-r-urocortin was less potent than the native peptide. These results provide further evidence that d -amino acid substition at residue 20 reduces the potency of h/r-CRH at endogenous (anti-edema effect) and transfected (cAMP accumulation) CRH2β receptors whilst activity at the CRH1 receptor is retained (ACTH-release and cAMP accumulation). On the other hand substitutions at residues 4 or 5 in r-urocortin or h/r-CRH respectively appear to decrease activity at CRH1 but not CRH2β receptors The modified CRH and urocortin analogs described here may provide clues for the further design of receptor selective ligands.

While novel agents designed to target molecular abnormalities involved in lymphoma pathogenesis are most likely to improve current therapeutic results, cytotoxic therapy remains the mainstay of therapy. Several new chemotherapy agents, including purine antimetabolites, taxanes, camptothecins, suramin, and protein kinase C inhibitors, are discussed. Other issues important in lymphoma drug development, including the limited patient population available for evaluation of investigational agents, are also considered.

We have conducted a disease specific phase I study of paclitaxel and cyclophosphamide in recurrent adenocarcinoma of the ovary. This was done to take advantage of the cellular and molecular synergism between paclitaxel and DNA-damaging agents, with the hope of avoiding paclitaxel–cisplatin toxicities. Paclitaxel was given as a 24-hr CIVI, after which cyclophosphamide was given as a 60-min infusion. Cycles of therapy were repeated every 3 weeks; and granulocyte colony-simulating factor (G-CSF) was given in a "flexible" dosing fashion. Starting doses were 170 mg/m 2 paclitaxel and 750 mg/m 2 cyclophosphamide. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was seen at the doses of 250 mg/m 2 paclitaxel and 1250 mg/m 2 cyclophosphamide. DLT was cumulative thrombocytopenia. There were six nonhematologic grade 3 or 4 toxicities experienced in the study. Eleven of 20 evaluable patients (55%) have achieved an objective response (4 CCR;7 PR). Three of four CCRs were confirmed by negative findings at peritoneoscopy. The median number of prior therapies was 2 (range 1–4) and 17 individuals had platinum-refractory disease. We conclude that paclitaxel followed by cyclophosphamide is an active combination in recurrent ovarian cancer and that further study is needed to determine if this combination is truly better than paclitaxel alone.

It is now well established that challenges to the immune system (e.g., infection, inflammation) initiate diverse changes in neuroendocrine function, the most overt of which is activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis. The glucocorticoids that are released as a consequence fulfill a vital role in the maintenance of homeostasis that is effected in part through their ability to quench the immune/inflammatory response and thereby prevent them accelerating to a point where they become hazardous to the host. This article discusses the putative mechanisms by which immune insults stimulate the HPA axis, with particular reference to the roles and interactions of the interleukins, eicosanoids and glucocorticoids.

Objective: To establish rates of skeletal mineralization in children and adolescents, and to identify factors that influence these rates. Design: Three-year observational study. Setting: University hospital. Subjects: Ninety white children, aged 6 to 14 years. Measurements: Bone mineral density of the radius, spine, and hip was measured at baseline and 3 years later. Physical activity was assessed by questionnaires at 6-month intervals and dietary calcium intake by diet diary 1 day per month for 36 months. Sexual maturation (Tanner stage) was determined by an endocrinologist at 6-month intervals, as necessary to classify children as prepubertal, peripubertal, or postpubertal. Results: Skeletal mineralization accelerated markedly at puberty in the spine (0.077 vs 0.027 gm/cm 2 per year, peripubertal vs prepubertal) and greater trochanter (0.050 vs 0.027 gm/cm 2 per year), less markedly in the femoral neck (0.047 vs 0.030 gm/cm 2 per year), and only slightly in the radius. Nearly one third (15 gm) of the total skeletal mineral in the lumbar spine of adult women (approximately 52 gm) was accumulated in the 3 years around the onset of puberty. Increases in height and weight were the strongest correlates of skeletal mineralization: weight changes were more strongly correlated with trabecular bone sites and changes in height with cortical bone sites. Increases in calf muscle area were strongly associated with mineralization, particularly in peripubertal children, and physical activity was associated with more rapid mineralization in prepubertal children. Conclusions: Puberty has varying effects on skeletal mineralization depending on skeletal site; trabecular bone is apparently more sensitive to changing hormone concentrations. Physical activity and normal growth are also positively associated with skeletal mineralization, also depending on skeletal site and sexual maturation. (J PEDIATR 1994;125:201-7)

The initial, fast phase of contraction of the guinea-pig vas deferens produced by electrical field stimulation (10 pulses) was dose-dependently and completely inhibited by prostaglandin (PG) E2, sulprostone and, at high concentrations, by cicaprost. Sulprostone was more potent than PGE2 indicating that the EP3 receptor was involved. Cicaprost (a PGI2 analogue) apparently had weak EP3 receptor against activity. At low concentrations, cicaprost potentiated the contractions of the vas deferens, presumably by acting on an IP receptor. Exogenous arachidonic acid also dose-dependently and completely inhibited contractions of the guinea-pig vas deferens. The action of arachidonic acid was delayed when compared to PGE2 and was inhibited by indomethacin, suggesting that the arachidonic acid was converted to PGE2 by the vas deferens. Indomethacin (1.4 to 6.0 μM) had no significant, potentiating effect on the contractions of the guinea-pig vas deferens which suggests that endogenous PGs do not normally inhibit this fast phase of contraction. In higher concentrations, the contractions were reduced by indomethacin. The fast phase of contraction of the guinea-pig vas deferens consisted of 3 components. PGE2, sulprostone and arachidonic acid inhibited all components. The order of inhibition of the components was component 2, then component 3, followed by component 1.

Fermilab experiment 690 [1], a study of target dissociation reactions pp → pX using an 800 GeV/c proton beam and a liquid hydrogen target, collected data in late 1991. The incident beam and 600–800 GeV/c scattered protons were measured using a system of six 6 in. × 4 in. and two 15 in. × 8 in. pressurized drift chambers spaced over 260 m. These chambers provided precise measurements at rates above 10 MHz (2 MHz per cm of sense wire). The measurement resolution of the smaller chambers was 90 μm, and the resolution of the larger chambers was 125 μm. Construction details and performance results, including radiation damage, are presented.

In the elderly there is a pronounced increase in susceptibility to infectious disease. Evidence for particular immune deficits that result in susceptibility to specific agents is lacking, however, and there is little information on the degree to which differences in the susceptibility among the elderly are due to genetic versus environmental effects. A strong association has been observed between eventual fatal pneumonia and elevated levels of IgM antibody to phosphocholine (PC) levels at age 70. In this study we evaluated the heritability of IgM and IgG antibody levels to phosphocholine in the elderly using monozygotic and dizygotic male twins. We observed genetic regulation of serum levels of IgM antibody to PC, a finding which suggests that susceptibility of the elderly to fatal pneumonia may be heritable. Levels of total IgM were under separate genetic control and there was no genetic effect on IgG and IgA levels or levels of IgG antibody to phosphocholine.

We discuss informative plots for univariate twin data that can be used in conjunction with twin data analyses. The plots are useful for spotting outliers, spotting possible single gene effects, and displaying the contribution of individual twin pairs to the fit of genetic models of the data. We illustrate the use of the plots on bone mineral data, and present programs for generating the plots in SAS.

Morbidity and mortality were assessed in the NHLBI twin study at the end of 1987. Deaths were greater in DZ twins (58/520, 11.2%) than MZ twins (38/508, 7.5%). Ischemic heart disease concordances were 2.3 times higher in MZ pairs and 2.8 times higher in DZ pairs than expected based on the prevalence of ischemic heart disease in the cohort. Family history scores for heart disease, calculated 14-18 years earlier at entry to the study, were significantly higher in DZ pairs where one or both members later developed ischemic heart disease and in corcordant MZ pairs than in twin-pairs without any subsequent heart disease. Concordance rates were not significantly different between MZ and DZ pairs. The results agree with previous suggestions that selection at enlistment into the armed services over 40 years ago, as well as later volunteering for the NHLBI twin study, resulted in a decline in the number of concordant MZ pairs.

Bone mass and anthropometrics were measured in 342 adult female twins, aged 25-79 (mean = 44.1 years) for the purpose of: (1) identifying which anthropometric measurements were most strongly associated with bone mass at various skeletal sites, and (2) determining the accuracy of combinations of these measurements in the prediction of bone mass. Among the eight skinfolds measured, the subscapular site was more strongly correlated with all bone mass measurements than any other skinfold. Similarly, calf circumference (among four sites) and biacromial width (among five frame size measurements) provided the strongest correlations within these groups of anthropometrics with all bone sites. The somewhat surprising consistency of these results was then tested in multivariable models for the prediction of bone mass. For the entire study group, each of the anthropometric measurements (subscapular skinfold, calf circumference and biacromial width) were independent, significant predictors of bone mass, even when height, weight and age were included in the models. These data suggest that frame size, muscularity and adiposity have independent effects on the skeleton, and that single measurements of each of these anthropometric characteristics are associated with all skeletal sites.

We report on high-dose irradiation studies performed with a 200 MeV proton beam on a 140 Mbit/s pixel-data serializer prototype realized in standard 0.25 μm CMOS technology. The data serializer was implemented recently for the BTeV pixel readout chip developed at Fermilab.