High‐dose cefazolin on consecutive hemodialysis in anuric patients with Staphylococcal bacteremia

Methicillin‐sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) bacteremia is a leading cause of infection in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Cloxacillin, cefazolin, and vancomycin are the mainstay antimicrobials. Cloxacillin administration leads to frequent drug dosing, longer length of stay (LOS), and higher cost, while resistance and poorer outcomes are associated with vancomycin use. Dosing cefazolin during HD allows for prolonged blood therapeutic levels. We assessed the outcomes and safety of a strategy of treating MSSA bacteremia with 2–3 g cefazolin on HD only. All HD patients with MSSA bacteremia admitted in June–December 2009 at our center and receiving this regime were compared with historical controls who received cloxacillin. Demographic characteristics and outcome measures like mortality, LOS, cost, recrudescence, and adverse drug reactions were assessed. Of 27 consecutive episodes reviewed, 14 and 13 patients received cefazolin and cloxacillin, respectively. Baseline demographics were comparable between the 2 treatment groups. More than one‐third of the bacteremia was related to tunneled catheter infection. The 30‐day mortality of cloxacillin‐ and cefazolin‐treated patients was 15% and 7%, respectively (P=0.14). Two of the 11 survivors treated with cloxacillin (18%) had recrudescent bacteremia while none was observed in cefazolin‐treated survivors. Cefazolin was associated with shorter LOS (10 vs. 20 days, P<0.05) and lower cost (US$8262.00 vs. US$15,367.00, P<0.05). Cefazolin use resulted in 3 idiosyncratic adverse drug reactions. Cefazolin dosed on each HD in MSSA bacteremia leads to earlier discharge and less cost. Larger prospective studies are, however, warranted to fully assess its safety and efficacy.     

MODEL REFERENCE ADAPTIVE CONTROL BASED ON LIAPUNOV'S DIRECT METHOD Part II: Hybrid Computer Simulation and Experimental Application

A Model Reference Adaptive Control (MRAC) system is evaluated via hybrid computer simulation and experimental application to a computer-controlled, pilot plant evaporator. In both the simulation and experimental studies, the MRAC system performed well and was insensitive to unmeasured process disturbances, to the choice of the initial control policy and to changes in plant operating conditions. In addition to providing an algorithm for adapting control systems to accommodate changing process parameters, MRAC also provides a systematic approach for tuning or developing multivariable control systems for time-invariant processes.     

Predicting Soluble Solids Extraction from Fruits in a Reversing, Single Screw Counter Current Diffusion Extractor

A single-screw, intermittent-reversing counter current diffusion-extractor (CCDE) was used. Two mathematical models were developed to predict soluble solids concentration profile along the length of the CCDE. Both models predicted an exponential concentration profile and good intra-flight mixing. Experimentally obtained soluble solids concentration profiles in the CCDE using applies and pears validated the model predictions.     

BODY BOUNDARY AND PERCEPTUAL VIVIDNESS.

INVESTIGATED THE PROBLEM OF HOW BOUNDARY DIFFERENTIATION AFFECTS PERCEPTUAL INTENSITY. IT WAS HYPOTHESIZED THAT THE MORE DEFINITE AN INDIVIDUAL'S BOUNDARIES THE MORE INTENSE WOULD BE HIS PERCEPTUAL EXPERIENCES. THE BARRIER SCORE WAS USED TO MEASURE BOUNDARY DEFINITENESS, AND THE AMES THERENESS-THATNESS APPARATUS EVALUATED PERCEPTUAL INTENSITY. IN 2 SEPARATE STUDIES INVOLVING, RESPECTIVELY, 70 MALES AND 39 FEMALES, THE HYPOTHESIS WAS SUPPORTED. (17 REF.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

MULTIVARIABLE CONSTRAINED ADAPTIVE GPC: THEORY AND EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION

This paper deals with on-line identification and constrained long-range predictive control of multivariable systems. It extends a recently proposed augmented upper diagonal factorization identification (AUDI) algorithm to identify input–output models of multivariable systems with distinct time delays. The multi-input, multi-output (MIMO AUDI) algorithm can simultaneously identify the process model order and process parameters. The MIMO AUDI algorithm is implemented by decomposing a MIMO system into as many multi-input, single-output (MISO) subsystems as the number of outputs and then identifying each MISO subsystem separately. The performance of the new MIMO AUDI algorithm is demonstrated by application to input–output data from a real process. The extension of this algorithm by incorporating a variable forgetting factor with a lower bound in its value is implemented on real plant data to demonstrate ‘alertness’ of the estimator. This paper evaluates the performance of the MIMO adaptive generalized predictive control algorithm with and without constraints by experimental application on a computer-interfaced, pilot-scale process. The MIMO adaptive GPC is shown to have good regulatory plus servo-tracking properties. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reduction of Bitterness and Tartness in Grapefruit Juice with Florisil

Treatment of commercial grapefruit juice with Florisil (activated magnesium silicate) simultaneously reduced the content of citric acid and the bitter compounds limonin and naringin. Ascorbic acid concentration and °Brix (total soluble solids) were not altered by the Florisil treatment. Experienced taste panelists were able to differentiate between the nontreated and Florisil-treated juice on the basis of bitterness and tartness (acidity). The panelists indicated a preference for the Florisil-treated juice.     

Comparison of the wear of aged and non-aged ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene sterilized by gamma irradiation and by gas plasma

The wear of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene in artificial joints is a major cause of long-term osteolysis and loosening. The wear rate of aged and non-aged ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene sterilized by both gamma irradiation in air and gas plasma has been studied in simple configuration wear tests. Fourier transform infrared analysis (FTIR) showed marked oxidative degradation of the irradiated and aged material compared to the gas plasma sterilized and aged material. The wear rate of the irradiated and aged material was significantly (three times) higher than the gas plasma sterilized, gas plasma sterilized and aged, and non-sterilized materials. Alternative sterilization procedures such as gas plasma, when used instead of gamma irradiation in air, are likely to reduce the incidence of long-term osteolysis.