Milk fat globule glycoproteins in human milk and in gastric aspirates of mother''s milk-fed preterm infants

The change of brain lesion load, measured on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using computer-assisted techniques, is a widely used secondary endpoint for phase III clinical trials in multiple sclerosis (MS). Collection, transfer, and analysis of the electronic data across multiple centers have all proved challenging and give rise to potential errors. However, many new acquisition schemes and postprocessing techniques have been developed; these may reduce scan times and result in better lesion conspicuity or lessen the human interaction needed for data analysis. This review considers many aspects of the use of MRI in clinical trials for MS and provides international consensus guidelines, derived from a task force of the European Magnetic Resonance Networks in Multiple Sclerosis (MAGNIMS) together with a group of North American experts. The main points considered are the organization of correctly powered trials and selection of participating sites; the appropriate choice of pulse sequences and image acquisition protocol given the current state of technology; quality assurance for data acquisition and analysis; accuracy and reproducibility of lesion load assessments; and the potential for the application of quantitative methods to other MRI-derived measures of disease burden.     

Prevalence of comorbid anxiety disorders in primary care outpatients

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the extent to which anxiety disorders (eg, panic disorder, phobia, and generalized anxiety disorder [GAD]) co-occur in patients with major medical and psychiatric conditions. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Offices of primary care providers in three US cities, with mental health specialty providers included for comparative purposes. PATIENTS: Adult patients (N = 2494) with hypertension, diabetes, heart disease (congestive heart failure or myocardial infarction), current depressive disorder, or subthreshold depression. MEASURES: Current (past 12 months) and lifetime panic disorder, phobia, GAD, perceived need for help for emotional or family problems, and unmet need (ie, failure to get help that was needed). METHODS: Comparisons of the prevalence of anxiety comorbidity in medically ill nondepressed patients of primary care providers and in depressed patients of both primary care and mental health specialty providers. RESULTS: Among primary care patients, those with chronic medical illnesses or subthreshold depression had low rates of lifetime (1.5% to 3.5%) and current (1.0% to 1.7%) panic disorder, but those with current depressive disorder had much higher rates (10.9% lifetime and 9.4% current panic disorder). Concurrent phobia and GAD were more common (10.4% to 12.4% current GAD), especially among depressed patients (25% to 54% current GAD). Depending on the type of medical illness or depression, 14% to 66% of primary care patients had at least one concurrent anxiety disorder. Patient-perceived unmet need for care for personal or emotional problems was high among all primary care patients (54.6% to 72.9%). CONCLUSION: Primary care clinicians should be aware of the possible coexistence of anxiety disorders (especially GAD) among their patients with chronic medical conditions, but especially among those with current depressive disorder.     

More Than Meets the Eye: What Can Virtual Reality Reveal to Architects?

Virtual reality (VR), as a visualization technology, has enjoyed an increasing number of applications and an even greater growth in potential. As a critical mode of representation, however, architects have yet to fully exploit its possibilities. This micro-narrative discusses the current state of the technology in various fields and probes the question of how architects might implement it in more nuanced ways toward a specific conceptual agenda. As a representation of the world, and therefore a manifestation of an ontological position, immersive environments such as VR ought to be used in generative ways and encompass the intangible facets of architectural production, including its cultural, social, and political contingencies.     

Modeling permporometry of mesoporous membranes using dynamic mean field theory

Mesoporous inorganic membranes have significant potential for important small‐molecule separations like carbon dioxide recovery from stack emissions. However, tailoring materials for a given separation remains an outstanding problem. Preferential adsorption, layering and capillary effects, and surface flow are key mechanisms that determine permeation rates and are ultimately linked to the mesopore characteristics. To further the understanding of these systems, a modeling approach based on dynamic mean field theory, which has previously been used to study the dynamics of adsorption in mesoporous materials, is proposed. This theory describes both relaxation dynamics and nonequilibrium steady states in membranes and is fully consistent with a mean field density functional theory of the thermodynamics. The capabilities and promise of the approach by modeling a permporometry experiment, in which a light gas permeates through a mesopore in the presence of a condensable vapor at a controlled relative pressure, are demonstrated. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 2958–2967, 2015     

Are Australian wine consumers willing to pay for the expert service of wine retailers?

Retailing is continually evolving with different strategies used over time. In this era of customer relationships building, this study investigated an innovation gap; about Australian consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) a premium for the expert service of wine retailers. The study objectives were to evaluate factors that influence WTPs of wine retailers and to measure WTPs. A 2099 usable survey was obtained Australia-wide. The contingent valuation method was used to elicit the willingness of consumers. The data were analysed using the ordered probit model. On average, the premium respondents indicated WTP was $0.60 for the expert service of wine retailers. This study found that consumers are willing to pay for the expert service of wine retailers, and that consumers rely on the use of risk reduction strategy not only because of their perception of risk but they are also more desirous of wine knowledge and are willing to acquire it, even at a cost. This makes a strong case for the development and provision strategies of store dynamic elements such as expert service. The study has limitation as it is exploratory and cross-sectional. Confirmatory and longitudinal surveys amongst others are recommended.     

Endodontic retreatment. 1: Indications and case selection

Conventional root canal treatment, despite having a reportedly high success rate may not invariably lead to the desired healing response in clinical practice because of shortcomings in the treatment. This is the first of two articles on this subject, and will cover indications and case selection for root canal retreatment. Part 2 will discuss methods of retreatment.     

3-D integration of MQW modulators over active submicron CMOScircuits: 375 Mb/s transimpedance receiver-transmitter circuit

We accomplish the integration of GaAs-AlGaAs multiple quantum well modulators directly on top of active silicon CMOS circuits. This enables optoelectronic VLSI circuits to be achieved and also allows the design and optimization of the CMOS circuits to proceed independently of the placement and the bonding of surface-normal optical modulators to the circuit. Using this technique, we demonstrate operation of a 0.8 micron CMOS transimpedance receiver-transmitter circuit at 375 Mb/s