APA's expert panel in the Congressional review of the USS Iowa incident.

In 1989, an explosion aboard the USS Iowa killed 47 sailors. The navy attributed the explosion to the intentional suicidal acts of Gunners Mate Clayton Hartwig, a conclusion supported primarily by an "equivocal death analysis" conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The US House of Representatives Armed Services Committee (HASC) was highly critical of the FBI's report and the navy's conclusions, in part because of the peer review provided by 12 psychologists organized by the American Psychological Association (APA). This article (1) reviews the nature of equivocal death analysis and related reconstructive psychological evaluations, (2) describes the nature of APA's consultation and involvement with the HASC, (3) discusses the conclusions reached by the HASC and the influence of the APA panelists, and (4) suggests limitations on the use of equivocal death analysis and related procedures in light of scientific concerns and ethical considerations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Alcohol Problems: A Report to the Nation by the Co-operative Commission on the Study of Alcoholism.

This report is addressed to a thorough analysis of current conditions in North American society relating to uses and abuses of beverage alcohol. Prepared by Thomas F. A. Plaut for the Cooperative Commission on the Study of Alcoholism, it is intended to provide the basis for planned and co-ordinated action in forming national policies to deal with a wide range of alcohol problems. The report is presented in four sections. The first section presents a recent history of alcohol problems, illustrating what some of these problems are and outlining their development. The treatment and management of problem drinking is the major topic of the second section, which includes a chapter discussing the "special problem of public drunkenness." Consideration is given in section three to methods of prevention of problem drinking. Section four outlines the formation of national policies toward alcohol problems. While these policies are most relevant for conditions in the United States, the principles involved in these policies might be appropriately applied to the Canadian situation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The management of infective gastroenteritis in adults. A consensus statement by an expert panel convened by the British Society for the Study of Infection

Rts1 is a large naturally occurring plasmid which has a kanamycin resistance gene and exhibits various temperature-sensitive phenotypes. A smaller derivative of plasmid, pOK, contains the Rts1 replicon and the kanamycin resistance gene of Rts1. This plasmid, pOK, is much more unstable than Rts1 at 42.5 degrees C. A DNA fragment, G3, 1590 nucleotides long from Rts1 DNA, stabilized pOK completely at 42.5 degrees C but only in the cis configuration. G3 did not change the copy number of pOK. The pOK derivative containing G3 was destabilized by the presence of a compatible plasmid containing G3. G3 has four inverted repeats, two 14-base direct repeats, and three ORFs. Smaller fragment of G3 also had a stabilization effect and these studies showed that the ORF does not play any role in stabilization.     

Oxidation processes for alloys in the Ni - Zr system. III. Oxidation of NiZr

We used the continuous weighing method to study the oxidation kinetics in air for the alloy NiZr at 500–1000°C. We used x-ray diffraction and metallography for layer-by-layer phase analysis of the scale. We have established that the oxidation kinetics is described by a parabolic equation q² = K_pτ (where q is the mass gain per unit area of the sample, K_p is the rate constant, τ is the time). The value of K_p periodically decreased on the kinetic isotherms. In the scale, the phase components are distributed over the layers as follows: top layer, cubic and monoclinic ZrO₂, NiO; inner layer, monoclinic ZrO₂, Ni, and (or) Ni₅Zr. At the boundary with the scale, the alloy layer (underscale) is depleted in zirconium. We have established that oxidation of NiZr is accomplished by predominant diffusion of oxygen through the oxygen vacancies in the lattice of monoclinic ZrO₂. The decrease in q and K_p as the temperature rises from 600°C to 850°C is explained by a reduced concentration of these vacancies and (or) slowdown of their mobility. For T ≥ 850°C, the oxidation mechanism changes: counterdiffusion of Zr⁴⁺ also occurs through interstices in the lattice of monoclinic ZrO₂. The outer layer (NiO), saturated by zirconium dioxide, loses any protective properties and diffusion of oxygen is facilitated. For this reason, both q and K_p increase as the temperature rises to 1000°C.     

Oxidation processes for alloys in the Ni - Zr system. III. oxidation of NiZr

We used the continuous weighing method to study the oxidation kinetics in air for the alloy NiZr at 500–1000°C. We used x-ray diffraction and metallography for layer-by-layer phase analysis of the scale. We have established that the oxidation kinetics is described by a parabolic equation q² = K_p (where q is the mass gain per unit area of the sample, K_p is the rate constant, is the time). The value of K_p periodically decreased on the kinetic isotherms. In the scale, the phase components are distributed over the layers as follows: top layer, cubic and monoclinic ZrO₂, NiO; inner layer, monoclinic ZrO₂, Ni, and (or) Ni₅Zr. At the boundary with the scale, the alloy layer (underscale) is depleted in zirconium. We have established that oxidation of NiZr is accomplished by predominant diffusion of oxygen through the oxygen vacancies in the lattice of monoclinic ZrO₂. The decrease in q and K_p as the temperature rises from 600°C to 850°C is explained by a reduced concentration of these vacancies and (or) slowdown of their mobility. For T850°C, the oxidation mechanism changes: counterdiffusion of Zr⁴⁺ also occurs through interstices in the lattice of monoclinic ZrO₂ . The outer layer (NiO), saturated by zirconium dioxide, loses any protective properties and diffusion of oxygen is facilitated. For this reason, both q and K_p increase as the temperature rises to 1000°C.     

The modelling of equilibrium data for the liquid-liquid extraction of metals part III. An improved chemical model for the copper/LIX 64N system

New data are presented for the copper sulphate—sulphuric acid/LIX 64N—Escaid 100 solvent extraction system, and it is shown that these data do not exhibit the anomalous features of Robinson's (1971) results. The data are modelled using equations based on the thermodynamics of the Cu²⁺, CuSO₄, H⁺, HSO₄^?, SO₄^2? aqueous system and the HR, (HR)_n, CuR₂ organic sytem (where HR represents the active β-hydroxyoxime in LIX 64N). Although the values of the two aqueous and the two organic equilibrium constants cannot be held to have thermodynamic significance, the best models are capable of predicting the organic copper concentrations of the 86 data points at four different concentrations of LIX 64N (5–50 vol.%) from the aqueous phase analyses with average errors as low as 7%. Isotherms for desired aqueous feedstocks and desired concentrations of our batch of LIX 64N in Escaid 100 at 25–26°C can be calculated.     

Consensus standards for the process of cancer care: a modified expert panel method applied to head and neck cancer. South and West Expert Tumour Panel for Head and Neck Cancer

There are many pressures to improve the standard of care delivered to cancer patients, including the reforms subsequent to the Calman-Hine report. The establishment of standards is a prerequisite for audit, benchmarking and certification of cancer centres and units. Randomized trials of head and neck cancer are uncommon, and other forms of evidence often conflicting. In the south and west of England, a multidisciplinary expert panel consensus method has been applied to the development of standards. A panel representative of specialties involved in the process of care at all three levels, plus social medicine and lay members, was constructed. A model for the process of care was developed consisting of activity areas. For each activity, a near exhaustive list of tasks and standards was established. A three-iteration method with statistical group response was then used to refine the standards. The same method was also applied to the production of a minimum data set for registration, recording and audit. The resulting standards will be regularly reviewed. We have developed a model of the care process, and an expert panel methodology that is applicable to a wide range of problems in clinical oncology.     

韶钢高炉喷煤制粉系统的改造

在韶钢高炉喷煤制粉系统的改造中，采用了高浓度煤粉袋式收集器、高效粗粉分离器、煤粉分配器等新技术，改变了传统的多级收粉方式和复杂的输粉工艺．介绍该系统改造前存在的问题，以及改造的内容和改造后的运行效果．     

Alloy composition and equilibrium phase diagram for the Sc–Ru–Rh system. V. 930°C isothermal section of the Sc–ScRu–ScRh partial system

Microstructure, x-ray diffraction, and electron-microprobe methods have been applied to study an isothermal section at 930°C of the Sc–ScRu–ScRh partial system. As no ternary compounds are formed in the system, the phase equilibria involve intermediate phases based on binary compounds that exist in the bounding Sc–Ru and Sc–Rh systems: Sc₅Ru₃, Sc₂Ru, Sc₁₁Ru₄, Sc₄₄Ru₇, Sc₃Rh, and the δ and η phases (continuous series of solid solutions between the isostructural phases, respectively, ScRu and ScRh (with the CsCl structure type), together with Sc₅₇Ru₁₃ and Sc₅₇Rh₁₃ (Sc₅₇Rh₁₃ structure type)), and a solid solution based on α-scandium. The components of the isothermal section are eight single-phase regions, five three-phase fields (δ+<Sc₅Ru₃>+<Sc₂Ru>, <Sc₂Ru>+<Sc₁₁Ru₄> + η. <Sc₂Ru> + δ+η, >Sc₃Rh> + δ+η, >Sc₄₄Ru₇+<α-Sc>+η, and twelve two-phase regions. There is a difference from the phase equilibria at subsolidus temperatures in that at 930°C there are no equilibria related to the decomposition of the phase based on the compound Sc₂Rh (γ′), and they are replaced by new ones due to the formation of phases based on the compound Sc₄₄Ru₇ (θ) in the solid state.     

Regulation of the effector stages of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis via neuroantigen-specific tolerance induction. III. A role for anergy/deletion

Whereas the photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer has recently shown rapid clinical acceptance, photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy (PACT)--which predates the related cancer regimen--is not widely appreciated. Like PDT, PACT utilizes photosensitizers and visible or ultraviolet light in order to give a phototoxic response, normally via oxidative damage. Currently, the major use of PACT is in the disinfection of blood products, particularly for viral inactivation, although more clinically-based protocols are being developed, e.g. in the treatment of oral infection. The technique has been shown to be effective in vitro against bacteria (including drug-resistant strains), yeasts, viruses and parasites. A wide range of photosensitizers, both natural and synthetic, is available with differing physicochemical make-up and light-absorption properties. PACT is proposed as a potential, low-cost approach to the treatment of locally occurring infection.     

Breast cancer screening programmes in 22 countries: current policies, administration and guidelines. International Breast Cancer Screening Network (IBSN) and the European Network of Pilot Projects for Breast Cancer Screening

BACKGROUND: Currently there are at least 22 countries worldwide where national, regional or pilot population-based breast cancer screening programmes have been established. A collaborative effort has been undertaken by the International Breast Cancer Screening Network (IBSN), an international voluntary collaborative effort administered from the National Cancer Institute in the US for the purposes of producing international data on the policies, funding and administration, and results of population-based breast cancer screening. METHODS: Two surveys conducted by the IBSN in 1990 and 1995 describe the status of population-based breast cancer screening in countries which had or planned to establish breast cancer screening programmes in their countries. The 1990 survey was sent to ten countries in the IBSN and was completed by nine countries. The 1995 survey was sent to and completed by the 13 countries in the organization at that time and an additional nine countries in the European Network. RESULTS: The programmes vary in how they have been organized and have changed from 1990 to 1995. The most notable change is the increase in the number of countries that have established or plan to establish organized breast cancer screening programmes. A second major change is in guidelines for the lower age limit for mammography screening and the use of the clinical breast examination and breast self-examination as additional detection methods. CONCLUSION: As high quality population-based breast cancer screening programmes are implemented in more countries, they will offer an unprecedented opportunity to assess the level of coverage of the population for initial and repeat screening, evaluation of performance, and, in the longer term, outcome of screening in terms of reduction in the incidence of late-stage disease and in mortality.     

Study of the liquidus and solidus surfaces in the quaternary Fe-Ni-Cu-S system: III. Construction of a meltability diagram and determination of miscibility gap boundaries for the ternary Cu-Ni-S sulfide system

This work is a continuation of the cycle of studies dealing with the phase transformations occurring in the ternary systems bounding the quaternary Fe-Ni-Cu-S system. A meltability diagram is plotted for the ternary Cu-Ni-S sulfide system using differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and electron-probe microanalysis, and miscibility gap boundaries and the positions of conodes in the miscibility gap region of this system are determined. A solidus surface is plotted for the Cu-Ni-S system for the first time.     

Incidence and outcome of hepatic veno-occlusive disease after blood or marrow transplantation: a prospective cohort study of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation. European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Chronic Leukemia Working Party

To determine the incidence and outcome of hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) after blood or marrow transplantation (BMT), we prospectively evaluated all consecutive patients receiving a BMT during a 6-month period in participating EBMT centers. All of them were evaluated for occurrence of VOD according to previously defined clinical criteria. The clinical course, outcome, value of prophylactic and therapeutic interventions, and the influence of previously described risk factors were analyzed. During the study period, 1,652 BMT were performed in 73 centers. VOD was diagnosed in 87 patients (5.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.2% to 6.4%). Fifty-six of 631 allogeneic BMT (8.9%) and 31 of 1,010 autologous BMT (3.1%) developed this complication (P <.0001). VOD was classified as mild in 7 (8%), moderate in 56 (64.4%), and severe in 24 (27.6%) cases. Sixteen patients died of VOD (corresponding to 1% of the whole series, 18.4% of VOD patients, and 66.7% of severe VOD). The use of unfractionated heparin did not significantly decrease the incidence of VOD. Independent variables associated with an increased risk of VOD were allogeneic BMT (relative risk [RR], 2.8; P <.001), pre-BMT elevation of serum aspartate aminotransferase (RR, 2.4; P =.001), high-dose cytoreductive therapy (RR, 2.3; P =.003), Karnofsky performance score less than 90% (RR, 2.7; P =.006), and prior abdominal radiation (RR, 2.9; P =.03). In conclusion, this prospective study shows that (1) the incidence of VOD is lower than that reported in smaller studies from single centers, (2) about one fourth of cases of VOD progress to severe disease, (3) main risk factors have a major impact on incidence of VOD, and (4) the use of prophylactic unfractionated heparin does not seem to reduce the incidence of VOD.     

Evidence for an inducible repair-recombination system in the female germ line of Drosophila melanogaster. III. Correlation between reactivity levels, crossover frequency and repair efficiency

We previously reported evidence that the so-called reactivity level, a peculiar cellular state of oocytes that regulates the frequency of transposition of I factor, a LINE element-like retrotransposon, might be one manifestation of a DNA repair system. In this article, we report data showing that the reactivity level is correlated with the frequency of crossing over, at least on the X chromosome and on the pericentromeric region of the third chromosome. Moreover, a check for X-chromosome losses and recessive lethals produced after gamma irradiation in flies with different reactivity levels, but common genetic backgrounds, brings more precise evidence for the relationship between reactivity levels and DNA repair. Those results support the existence of a repair-recombination system whose efficiency is modulated by endogenous and environmental factors. The implications of this biological system in connecting genomic variability and environment may shed new lights on adaptative mechanisms. We propose to call it VAMOS for variability modulation system.     

CYFRA 21-1, a sensitive and specific new tumour marker for squamous cell lung cancer. Report of the first European multicentre evaluation. CYFRA 21-1 Multicentre Study Group

The present study was designed to determine whether CYFRA 21-1, measuring cytokeratin 19, could be a specific and sensitive tumour marker for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Serum measurements were made at diagnosis in 2250 patient samples by an immunoradiometric "sandwich type" assay, using two cytokeratin 19 specific monoclonal antibodies. Among healthy individuals (n = 711) and patients with benign lung disease (n = 546), 95 percentiles were 1.2 and 2.95 ng/ml, respectively. Cumulative distribution analysis curves were established. From these data, 3.3 ng/ml gave 96% specificity. Using this cutoff, the sensitivity for small cell lung cancer was 16% (n = 74) compared to 41% for NSCLC (n = 547). In histological sub-groups, sensitivity was 57% for squamous cell lung cancer, 34% for undifferentiated large cell carcinoma and 27% for adenocarcinoma, the level of CYFRA 21-1 was correlated with tumour size and UICC stage. In squamous cell lung cancer, the sensitivity of the squamous cell carcinoma marker was 30%, 25% for carcinoembryonic antigen and 46% for tissue polypeptide antigen, using the same series of samples and cutoffs defined at 96% specificity. In conclusion, CYFRA 21-1 is a sensitive tumour marker for NSCLC, especially squamous cell lung cancer.     

Thermodynamics and phase relationships of transition metal-sulfur systems: Part V. A reevaluation of the Fe-S system using an associated solution model for the liquid phase

The relevant thermodynamic and phase equilibrium data for the Fe-S binary system have been reevaluated in light of more recent data. An associated solution model is used to describe the thermodynamic properties of the liquid phase as a function of composition and temperature. For the pyrrhotite phase, a statistical thermodynamic model based on the formation of Frenkel defects in the lattice is used. For the austenite and ferrite phases, the solute is assumed to follow Henry’s law, and pyrite is taken to be a stoichiometric compound. The model parameters for the various phases are obtained by evaluating all relevant experimental data reported in the literature. The calculated phase diagram is in good agreement with the experimental data. The calculated sulfur activity values for the liquid phase agree well with experimental values including those at higher sulfur concentrations. This is an improvement of an earlier evaluation by Sharma and Chang using the same model with the same number of parameters.