Menadione-induced oxidative stress accelerates onset of Emory mouse cataract in vivo

This article takes issue with procedural reductionism, which is the inclination to reduce all matters of judgement and responsibility to the following of some procedure or rule. Two scenarios provide content for a discussion of professional discretion in the context of accountability. The author shows that in professional life there will always be situations that stand beyond the rules of procedures and require the unique judgement of the professional at the time. While this judgement may be determined by the facts available in a situation of uncertainty, it cannot be reduced to the facts (including facts about rules and procedures). The moral judgement will still have an essential indeterminancy about it.     

Ductal carcinoma in situ. Part 2: Treatment

In the last decades, the classification of schemes of haematological malignancies have undergone considerable changes both in terms of modifications of previous concepts and of methodological approaches, in parallel with the acquisition of new information on the physiopathological and functional pattern of haemic cells and of their precursors both at the lymph node and bone marrow level. The cyto-morphological aspects of haemic were better defined and integrated by the application of cyto- and histochemical methods, which were subsequently supplemented by bioenzymatic and cytogenetic techniques, then by immunophenotypical studies and finally by biomolecular investigations. Through the use of monoclonal antibodies and the introduction both in research and routine diagnostic practice of multiparameter analysis techniques, it is now possible to correlate several cellular parameters, to identify clonality of malignant cells as well as their lineage assignment and maturation stage. Flow cytometry has become an important, rapid and objective method for the diagnosis of haematological neoplasias. In the present survey we have illustrated the different expression of surface, cytoplasmic and nuclear antigens in haematological malignancies, their correlation with the clinical course of the disease and their diagnostic and prognostic significance.     

Simplified 0.35-μm flash EEPROM process using high-temperatureoxide (HTO) deposited by LPCVD as interpoly dielectrics and peripheraltransistors gate oxide

A simplified flash EEPROM process was developed using high-temperature LPCVD oxide both as flash cells interpoly dielectrics and as peripheral transistors gate oxide (decoding logic). An O₂ anneal at 850°C lowers charge trapping and interface trap density induced by Fowler-Nordheim injection. However, electron trapping remains slightly higher than with dry thermal oxide. Similar memory charge loss and write-erase endurance are obtained as for ONO-insulated cells. HTO thus proves to have the required quality and reliability to be used in flash EEPROMs     

Fracture mechanics of oilseed rape pods

The basic theory of linear elastic fracture mechanics was applied to the fracture of pods from six genetic lines of oilseed rape (Brassica napus). An experiment was designed to allow the energetics of the fracture process to be accurately determined. The work of fracture, toughness and fracture toughness of five experimental varieties and one common commercial variety (Apex) were measured. The values for the toughness (0.006–0.271 kJ m-2) and fracture toughness (0.026–0.233 MN m-3/2) obtained from each line were distinct from each other but broadly similar to those of other brittle materials. The toughness and fracture toughness of Apex were approximately midway between the lowest and highest values measured. This result indicates that there is scope for improving the fracture resistance of oilseed rape crops so as to reduce seed loss before and during harvest. The approach described would be useful in selecting fracture-resistant genetic lines to help to develop such crops. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Worksite characteristics and changes in worksite tobacco-control initiatives. Results from the COMMIT study

Few studies have prospectively examined the characteristics associated with worksite adoption of tobacco-control initiatives. Data were collected as part of the Community Intervention Trial (COMMIT) for Smoking Cessation, which conducted interventions in 11 communities. This smoking cessation intervention was based on community organization principles and delivered through multiple community channels, including worksites, health care providers, the media, and cessation resources. This article reports results from telephone interviews of intervention community worksites having 50 or more employees, conducted at baseline and the end of the intervention period. Among worksites that responded to both baseline and final surveys, 83% had not adopted a smoke-free policy at baseline, and 61% did not offer any cessation aid or quitting resources at baseline. By the final survey, 34% of those with no smoking ban at baseline had become smoke-free, and 36% of those offering no cessation assistance at baseline were offering cessation resources at the follow-up. The prevalence of policy adoption was higher among worksites employing more female employees and offering other health-promotion activities; manufacturing businesses were significantly less likely than businesses other than service and wholesale/retail businesses to adopt policies. Adoption of cessation programs was significantly more likely among worksites employing 100 to 249 workers, compared with those employing 50 to 99 workers; those predominantly employing men; those offering other types of health-promotion activities; and those with a higher rate of turnover. These results provide important information about the characteristics of worksites likely to engage in tobacco-control efforts. Health educators and others may choose to target those worksites most ready for adoption of tobacco control policies and programs, as indicated by these findings.     

Electric field effects on roto-vibrational transitions of13CD3OH1

We used a Stark-Optoacoustic cell and hybrid waveguide resonators to perform an Infrared and Far Infrared Stark Spectroscopy study on some transitions of¹³CD₃OH. Different behaviours of the transitions in the presence of a d.c. electric field were observed. The Stark splittings of six FIR laser lines ranging from 34 to 136 MHz/kVcm^?1 were determined. The analysis of the behaviour of the IR and FIR transitions in the presence of the external electric fields gives important and exclusive information on the levels involved in the transitions.