Multicenter validation of a multiplex PCR assay for differentiating the major Listeria monocytogenes serovars 1/2a, 1/2b, 1/2c, and 4b: toward an international standard

The performance of a multiplex PCR assay that separates the four major serovars of the pathogenic Listeria monocytogenes into four distinct PCR groups was evaluated through a multicenter typing study. Identical panels of 90 Listeria isolates were distributed to five participating laboratories that were blind to the nature of the isolates. Isolates were characterized using the previously standardized protocol. Overall concordance was 96.6 to 100%, sufficient for the assay to be used as an alternative to serotyping and confidently applied in laboratories involved in L. monocytogenes typing.     

Efficient Mass Trapping: Catching the Pest, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Calliphora vicina</Emphasis>, (Diptera,Calliphoridae), of Norwegian Stockfish Production

Attracting high numbers of adult females, extensive trapping prior to damage, and a pest species with a predominantly univoltine lifecycle, are important factors contributing to the success of mass-trapping programs. We conducted a mass-trapping experiment over 4 years, using yellow sticky traps and odor-baited funnel traps for control of the blowfly Calliphora vicina in stockfish production areas in Loften, Norway. Blowfly-related damage to fish in five mass-trapping sites was compared with damage at five control sites. Population monitoring established a connection between blowfly activity and damage. Blowfly activity in the period from mid-April to mid-May was correlated with damage to fish in the same year. Interception (sticky) traps, based on visual cues, caught blowflies during the early drying period, whereas odor-baited funnel traps were more effective during the later drying period, and continued to catch flies throughout the year until late autumn. In the funnel traps, 80% of the captured flies were females. Compared to control sites, mass trapping reduced overall damage to stockfish by 8–31%. In the final year of the experiment, we compared mass-trapping and control treatments, controlling for drying time period and sun exposure (which both contribute to damage), and found a damage reduction of 63%. Thus, mass-trapping with a female-attracting kairomone, and using traps of different functionality to extend the critical trapping period, in accord with pest phenology, is an efficient method for control of C. vicina in stockfish production     

Angiotensin II interferes with leukemia inhibitory factor-induced STAT3 activation in cardiac myocytes

BACKGROUND: The 24-hour observation critical pathway for trauma is a clinical tool developed to expedite health care delivery to minimally injured patients. The use of patient care, BS, guidelines and physician-approved standing orders was implemented in a Level I trauma center. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of 122 patients admitted via the emergency department between December 1, 1993, and May 31, 1994. All patients were evaluated in the emergency department by emergency medicine and trauma physicians and deemed appropriate for 24-hour observation. The information collected included patient demographics, hospital charges, injuries, length of stay, diagnostic tests, consultations, and variances from the critical pathway. RESULTS: During the 6-month study period, there were 600 trauma admissions. Of those admissions, 122 patients (20%) were evaluated in the emergency department and deemed appropriate for enrollment in the 24-hour observation pathway. The charts of these patients were reviewed. Fourteen admissions were determined inappropriate for the critical pathway because of the severity of injuries or discharge against medical advice. One hundred eight charts were evaluated further. Eighty-nine patients (80%) completed the critical pathway with a length of stay of 24 hours. CONCLUSION: The 24-hour observation critical pathway was designed and used appropriately as exemplified by an overall 80% completion rate. The critical pathway offers a mechanism to streamline care of the minimally injured trauma patient. It also serves as a quality-improvement tool for increasing efficiency, decreasing utilization of resources, and decreasing length of stay.     

Aristotle's contribution to scholastic and non-scholastic learning theories

This article treats Aristotle's broad conception of knowledge as a key to understanding practical knowledge, as well as the differences between learning in practice and learning in schools today. Aristotle's three main categories of knowledge - the theoretical, the productive and the social-ethical - can serve to differentiate and expand modern comprehensions of knowledge, learning and practice. His division of knowledge not only enables us to differentiate between theoretical and practical knowledge, but also to discriminate between different forms of knowledge within the practical field. Furthermore, Aristotle's understanding of knowledge enables us to discuss the limits and possibilities of the scholastic and non-scholastic paradigms of learning, of which the proponents of the two paradigms often seem unaware.     

金属材料不同标距延伸率换算分析

针对金属材料不同标距板状试样的延伸率数据进行了回归分析，探讨比例试样与非比例试样延伸率的换算关系，并就延伸率换算应用中的误差进行分析。     

Studies on thermophile products. VII. Effect of 1,3-di-14-methylpentadecanoyl glycerol and its related isofatty acids on T cell proliferation in vitro

It has been found that Bacillus stearothermophilus UK563-derived immunosuppressant fraction (Fr. 5-B) consists of 1,3-diacylglycerols with saturated iso- and anteiso-type fatty acids (C14:0-C18:0) as major components. The compound, 1,3-di-14-methylpentadecanoyl glycerol (1,3-diiso C16:0 G), was synthesized and its effect on T cell proliferation was investigated together with its related isofatty acids. While 1,3-diiso C16:0 G, iso C16:0, iso C17:0, iso C17:0 methyl ester (OMe) and anteiso C17:0 OMe suppressed the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) of C57BL/6 against BALB/c mice, iso C15:0, 1,3-acylglycerols with normal C16:0, C16:1 and C18:0 did not, suggesting that the presence of isofatty acids with a certain length may be essential for the suppression of MLR. 1,3-Diiso C16:0 G and iso C16:0 strongly inhibited the autologous MLR of mesenteric lymph node cells against self-antigen presenting cells in MRL/MpJ-lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) mice, but had no effect on concavalin A-induced T cell proliferation.     

Energy efficiency model for the mini-load automated storage and retrieval systems

In this paper, the energy efficiency model for the mini-load AS/RS is presented. As the existing models of AS/RS apply to already well-known objectives (minimum travel time, maximum throughput and minimum cost), the energy efficiency model for the mini-load AS/RS is proposed and discussed. According to global trends in material handling and warehousing, the design process should encompass not only the application of the equipment with fastest drives but should also consider the energy and environment aspect on the installed equipment. The proposed energy efficiency model for the mini-load AS/RS enables reduction of energy consumption and consequently the CO₂ emission, which is good from the economic and environmental point of view. We sincerely hope that the energy and environment aspect will indubitably bring changes into planning of warehouses and will mean great challenge for those who are engaged in the planning process.     

Returns to growth in a nonparametric DEA approach

In this contribution, first the concept of returns to growth (RTG) of a high‐tech firm facing hyper‐competition in the new economy is introduced by describing a proportional relationship between growth in inputs and growth in outputs using the growth efficiency (GE) model of Sengupta. Second, both technology‐ and value‐based methods are suggested for estimating the RTG behavior of high‐tech firms. Third, although the GE concept seems closely related to the notion of total factor productivity change, this link remains unexplored: we suggest a link between both concepts. Finally, our empirical application to the Indian computer industry reveals that first, companies operating under increasing returns to scale (RTS) may exhibit constant or decreasing RTG; second, companies showing constant RTS may exhibit increasing or decreasing RTG; and third, companies showing decreasing RTS may exhibit constant or increasing RTG. These findings imply that RTS estimates need not provide proper information regarding the growth strategy behavior of high‐tech companies.