Current Work on Furnaces and Data Analysis to Improve the Uniformity and Noise Levels for Metal Fixed Points

Ongoing work to improve the uniformity of vertically mounted furnaces, manufactured by Carbolite (e.g., Type TZF12/75—three-zone furnace capable of 1200 °C, with 75 mm inner bore) along the axis and across the working tube and/or equalizing block is reported. This involves adjusting the size of the end zones, the position of the control thermometers, and the use of cascade-control methods. Means regularly used at NPL to reduce electrical noise in some commercially available ac furnaces through a reduction in the voltage used to “fire” the heaters, and better use of thyristor controllers (by extending their cycle time) are described. The need to shield the controllers from local magnetic fields is described. With these measures, the electrical noise from ac furnaces can approach that of dc furnaces, without the large cost of a dc power supply. The application of new data analysis techniques (Allan deviation) will be shown to improve the representation of uninterrupted fixed-point traces (as used in ingot verification rather than PRT calibration). Reduction of statistical noise on the temperature measurements has been achieved for data on the freezing plateau by determining the statistically optimum averaging time. This shows that the statistical uncertainty in the determination of the temperature of a particular freezing plateau is less than 25 μK and that noise (drift) from other sources, possibly due to variations in room temperature, starts to become appreciable over periods longer than a few tens of minutes. The measurement of freezing and melting plateaux at this level is aided by the introduction of new ASL-F900 bridge(s), and quieter/larger standard resistor baths.     

Colour appeal in website design within and across cultures: A multi-method evaluation

Colour has the potential to elicit emotions or behaviors, yet there is little research in which colour treatments in website design are systematically tested. Little is known about how colour affects trust or satisfaction on the part of the viewer. Although the Internet is increasingly global, few systematic studies have been undertaken in which the impact of colour on culturally diverse viewers is investigated in website design. In this research three website colour treatments are tested across three culturally distinct viewer groups for their impact on user trust, satisfaction, and e-loyalty. To gather data, a rich multi-method approach is used including eye-tracking, a survey, and interviews. Results reveal that website colour appeal is a significant determinant for website trust and satisfaction with differences noted across cultures. The findings have practical value for web marketers and interface designers concerning effective colour use in website development.     

Actions of bovine somatotropin on polymorphonuclear leukocytes and lymphocytes in cattle

Objectives were to determine 1) in vitro effects of bST on function of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and lymphocytes and 2) in vivo effects of bST on leukocyte function of heifers fed to maintain medium or high growth rates. When administered in vitro, bST did not affect function of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. [Methyl-3H]thymidine incorporation by resting lymphocytes was stimulated by 1000 ng/ml bST. When given in vitro, bST did not further enhance [methyl-3H]thymidine uptake by mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes cultured at 38.5 degrees C but reduced the depression of mitogen-stimulated proliferation caused by incubating cells at 42 degrees C. When bST was administered in vivo, phagocytosis and killing of Escherichia coli by polymorphonuclear leukocytes from bST-treated heifers were not different from cells of control heifers. As measured by [methyl-3H]thymidine uptake after stimulation with phytohemagglutinin, lymphocytes from bST-treated heifers responded similarly to those of control heifers when incubated at 38.5 degrees C, but the depression in [methyl-3H]thymidine uptake due to culture at 42 degrees C was less for lymphocytes obtained from bST-treated heifers. In conclusion, bST had little effect on function of polymorphonuclear leukocytes but could promote proliferation of lymphocytes in vitro and protect cells from effects of elevated temperature.     

埋地管道事故原因分析

阐述了埋地管道事故的危害;分析了埋地管道事故的原因;提出了降低事故发生几率的几点建议。     

Transitional pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia of childhood is associated with favorable prognostic clinical features and an excellent outcome: a Pediatric Oncology Group study

The presenting characteristics and survival of children with the newly recognized transitional cell pre-B immunophenotype of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are compared with those of children with pre-B ALL to determine the clinical significance of the new phenotype. Patients with transitional pre-B ALL (n = 17), defined by lymphoblasts expressing cytoplasmic and surface mu heavy chains without kappa or lambda light chains, have lower initial leukocyte counts (p = 0.02) and a higher frequency of DNA indexes > 1.16 (p < 0.001) than patients with pre-B ALL (n = 501), whether or not cases with the unfavorable prognostic (1;19) translocation are included in the analysis. Patients with transitional pre-B ALL lack FAB L3 morphology, bulky extramedullary disease, surface kappa or lambda chains, and the (8;14), (8;22), and (2;8) translocations, features that characterize the syndrome of B-cell ALL. The 4-year relapse-free survival result for children with transitional pre-B ALL appears better than that for children with pre-B ALL (93.3 +/- 17% versus 72.9% +/- 4.6%), but this difference is not statistically significant. We conclude that patients with transitional pre-B ALL have a very favorable prognosis in the context of the therapy used in this study.     

Designs as a searchable intellectual property right

This article reviews the nature and value of design protection, some current developments, how design protection relates to and complements other forms of intellectual property (IP), and how searches can be made.     

Obtaining DNA from a geographically dispersed cohort of current and former smokers: use of mail-based mouthwash collection and monetary incentives.

The feasibility of collecting DNA through the mail from a cohort of current and former smokers was assessed. Also examined was whether monetary incentives would increase response rates. A random sample of 300 subjects, stratified by 20 U.S. communities, was selected to participate. The sampling frame included the 6,726 people who were in both the Community Intervention Trial for Smoking Cessation (COMMIT) between 1988 and 1993 and the follow-up study in 2001, and who consented to being contacted again. Subjects were further randomized within communities to incentive arms of 10 US dollars, 2 US dollars, or 0 US dollars. A total of 110 usable samples were returned (37%), and the 10 US dollars incentive arm had the highest response (43%). Logistic regression revealed no significant predictors of sending a DNA sample, although in a larger study, similar-sized odds ratios would be statistically significant for subjects who received the 10 US dollars incentive and for those who were White, female, or college graduates or whose household incomes were more than 60,000 US dollars per year. The spectrophotometer-determined median DNA yield was 44.93 microg (range=4.00-425.86 microg). Assuming that 50 ng of DNA would be needed for polymerase chain reaction amplification to determine any given genotype, 80-8,517 runs would be attainable. Qualitative findings suggest several methodological improvements to boost response rates. Institutional review board requirements, which are standardized on the inpatient, clinical protocol model, stipulated that noninstitutionally based subjects needed a witness to initial and date every page as well as sign the consent form. This pilot study showed that this requirement could pose some challenges in population-based research.