Use of a chemically modified clay as a replacement for silica in matte coated ink-jet papers

New techniques for modifying the surface of ink-jet papers are continuously being developed. The affordability of ink-jet printers has placed them in the forefront of home-use for digital printing technology. Thus, there is a demand on the paper substrate, whether coated or not, to respond to a variety of ink-jet operating conditions, while continuing to yield a product with high print quality. Coating formulations for ink-jet papers currently utilize precipitated or gelled silica with polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) as the binder. This silica and PVOH formulation generates good optical, surface, and print qualities, yet leaves a lot to be desired from a runnability and coating preparation standpoint. The modified clay pigment offers potential as a substitute particle for the silica pigment in matte grades of ink-jet paper. The modified clay pigment offered significant improvements in coating preparation and runnability. The modified clay, however, could not match silica in producing the surface and bulk coating properties required for generating high print quality without the addition of a cationic additive. Presented at the 79th Annual Meeting of the Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology, Nov. 5–7, 2001, in Atlanta, GA. Dept. of Paper and Printing Science and Engineering, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Welborn Hall, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5362.     

Effective mapping of continuous-time controllers to their discrete equivalents

A multi-objective optimisation approach is to facilitate the mapping of continuous-time controllers into the discrete domain. This technique enables the control engineer to meet a set of different in a balanced way and exploits the availability of suitable software.<>     

Computational steering of a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm for engineering design

The execution process of an evolutionary algorithm typically involves some trial and error. This is due to the difficulty in setting the initial parameters of the algorithm—especially when little is known about the problem domain. This problem is magnified when applied to many-objective optimisation, as care is needed to ensure that the final population of candidate solutions is representative of the trade-off surface. We propose a computational steering system that allows the engineer to interact with the optimisation routine during execution. This interaction can be as simple as monitoring the values of some parameters during the execution process, or could involve altering those parameters to influence the quality of the solutions produced by the optimisation process. The implementation of this steering system should provide the ability to tailor the client to the hardware available, for example providing a lightweight steering and visualisation client for use on a PDA.     

Current fire sprinkler research in the U.S.

This report is reprinted in part fromSprinkler Quarterly, Vol. 77, with permission of the National Fire Sprinkler Association, Inc.     

Comparative analysis of glacial and nival streamflow regimes with implications for lotic habitat quantity and fish species richness

Growing interest in the differential responses of glacial and nival rivers to climatic forcing, and in ecological distinctions between the two streamflow regimes, suggests the need for a better comparative understanding of how the annual hydrologic cycle differs with presence or absence of catchment glacial cover. In this study, timing and magnitude characteristics of the average annual hydrographs of five glacierized and four nival catchments in the southwestern Canadian subarctic are empirically identified and compared. Likely effects upon fish habitat are qualitatively assessed, and net fisheries potential is tentatively investigated using taxa richness data. The chief hydrological conclusions at P < 0.05 using Kolmogorov–Smirnov and empirical orthogonal function analyses are: (1) catchment glacial cover results in freshets that are longer, larger, and peak later than those experienced by the nival regime; (2) the winter baseflows of glacial rivers are also much higher on a unit‐catchment‐area basis; and (3) basin scale and degree of catchment glacial cover are of comparable importance in determining the magnitude of the annual hydrologic cycle. These differences arise from the greater availability, both in volume and over time, of meltwater in glacial catchments, which in part reflects the consistently negative alpine glacial mass balances observed both in the present study area and globally under historical climatic warming. Such regime distinctions result in increased spawning season and winter aquatic habitat availability, which may in turn offset negative habitat characteristics previously identified for glacial river ecosystems. While previous studies have suggested that glacial influences tend to decrease macroinvertebrate diversity and increase salmon populations, preliminary analysis of available fish species presence/absence data from the current study area tentatively appears to suggest similar or, perhaps, slightly higher fish taxa richness relative to nival streams; in all three cases, however, catchment lake cover may play a key hydroecological modifying role. The results strongly confirm and extend existing understanding of glacial–nival regime differences with respect to both streamflow and fisheries ecology, and raise new questions for future research. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Design and validation of a high-throughput matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry method for quantification of hepcidin in human plasma

Disorders of iron metabolism affect over a billion people worldwide. The circulating peptide hormone hepcidin, the central regulator of iron distribution in mammals, holds great diagnostic potential for an array of iron-associated disorders, including iron loading (β-thalassemia), iron overload (hereditary hemochromatosis), and iron deficiency diseases. We describe a novel high-throughput matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry assay for quantification of hepcidin in human plasma. This assay involves enrichment using a functionalized MALDI chip, a novel solvent-detergent precipitation buffer, and quantification using a stable isotope labeled internal standard. The linear range of hepcidin in plasma was 1-120 nM, with a low limit of quantification (LOQ) (1 nM), high accuracy (<15% relative error (RE)), and high precision (intraday average 5.52-18.48% coefficient of variation (CV) and interday 9.32-14.83% CV). The assay showed strong correlation with an established hepcidin immunoassay (Spearman; R(2) = 0.839 n = 93 ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) plasma). A collection of normal healthy pediatric samples (range 3.8-32.5 ng/mL; mean 12.9 ng/mL; n = 119) showed significant differences from an adult collection (range 1.8-48.7 ng/mL; mean 16.1 ng/mL; n = 95; P = 0.0096). We discuss these preliminary reference ranges and correlations with additional parameters in light of the utility and limitations of hepcidin measurements as a stand-alone diagnostic and as a tool for therapeutic intervention.     

Phase II trial of paclitaxel and topotecan with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support in stage IV breast cancer

PURPOSE: This multicenter phase II trial investigated the efficacy and safety of a combination of paclitaxel and topotecan in patients with pretreated metastatic breast cancer. Plasma levels of paclitaxel and topotecan were obtained during cycle 1 to correlate pharmacokinetic parameters with toxicity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Paclitaxel was administered intravenously (i.v.) at 230 mg/m2 over 3 hours on day 1 followed by topotecan 1.0 mg/m2 i.v. over 30 minutes on days 1 to 5. Patients received an abbreviated premedication regimen that consisted of ranitidine 50 mg, diphenhydramine 50 mg, and a single 20-mg dose of dexamethasone, all administered i.v. 30 minutes before paclitaxel. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) was administered at 5 micrograms/kg/d subcutaneously starting on day 6 and continuing until the absolute granulocyte count (AGC) was greater than 10,000/microL. Plasma paclitaxel and topotecan concentrations were assessed during the first cycle using limited-sampling strategies. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were treated. The majority had visceral metastases. Four patients experienced neutropenic fever and one had mild bronchospasm. Only one partial response (PR) was observed. Nadir AGC correlated strongly with both duration of paclitaxel levels greater than 0.05 mumol/L and maximum concentration (Cmax) of paclitaxel. CONCLUSION: This regimen does not produce a response rate superior to that expected with single-agent paclitaxel at doses that do not require growth factor support.     

In utero transplantation of human fetal haemopoietic cells in NOD/SCID mice

BACKGROUND: Carotid angioplasty (CA) has been suggested to be a safer and more cost-effective alternative to carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in the management of symptomatic severe internal carotid artery (ICA) disease. METHODS: The study was conducted as a prospective consecutive randomized trial of CEA versus CA for symptomatic severe ICA disease in a university teaching hospital. All patients were assessed before and after surgery by a neurologist. The study consisted of 23 patients with focal carotid territory symptoms and severe ICA stenosis (> 70%) who were randomized to either CEA or CA. However, only 17 had received their allocated treatment before trial suspension. CEA with patching or CA with stenting were used as interventions. The main outcome measures were death or disabling or nondisabling stroke within 30 days. RESULTS: All 10 CEA operations proceeded without complication, but 5 of the 7 patients who underwent CA had a stroke (P=.0034), 3 of which were disabling at 30 days. CONCLUSIONS: After referral, the Data Monitoring Committee invoked the stopping rule and the trial was suspended. The investigators and the Ethics Committee subsequently concluded that the trial could not be restarted--even in an amended format-primarily because of problems with informed consent. We review many of the ethical dilemmas encountered in the performance of this study. If future trials do suggest a selected role for CA, it is essential that both the inclusion and the exclusion criteria are fully documented.     

Effect of HIV reporting by name on use of HIV testing in publicly funded counseling and testing programs

CONTEXT: Policies requiring confidential reporting by name to state health departments of persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have potential to cause some of them to avoid HIV testing. OBJECTIVE: To describe trends in use of HIV testing services at publicly funded HIV counseling and testing sites before and after the implementation of HIV reporting policies. DESIGN AND SETTING: Analysis of service provision data from 6 state health departments (Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, and Tennessee) 12 months before and 12 months after HIV reporting was introduced. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Percent change in numbers of persons tested at publicly funded HIV counseling and testing sites after implementation of confidential HIV reporting by risk group. RESULTS: No significant declines in the total number of HIV tests provided at counseling and testing sites in the months immediately after implementation of HIV reporting occurred in any state, other than those expected from trends present before HIV reporting. Increases occurred in Nebraska (15.8%), Nevada (48.4%), New Jersey (21.3%), and Tennessee (62.8%). Predicted decreases occurred in Louisiana (10.5%) and Michigan (2.0%). In all areas, testing of at-risk heterosexuals increased in the year after HIV reporting was implemented (Louisiana, 10.5%; Michigan, 225.1 %; Nebraska, 5.7%; Nevada, 303.3%; New Jersey, 462.9%; Tennessee, 603.8%). Declines in testing occurred among men who have sex with men in Louisiana (4.3%) and Tennessee (4.1%) after HIV reporting; testing increased for this group in Michigan (5.3%), Nebraska (19.6%), Nevada (12.5%), and New Jersey (22.4%). Among injection drug users, testing declined in Louisiana (15%), Michigan (34.3%), and New Jersey (0.6%) and increased in Nebraska (1.7%), Nevada (18.9%), and Tennessee (16.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Confidential HIV reporting by name did not appear to affect use of HIV testing in publicly funded counseling and testing programs.