Effect of misidentification on genetic gain and estimation of breeding value in dairy cattle populations

The effect of pedigree errors on estimated breeding value and genetic gain for a sex-limited trait with heritability of 0.25 was evaluated. Ten populations of 100,000 milking cows were simulated with correct paternity identification for all animals, and 10 populations were simulated with 10% incorrect paternal identification. The initial populations consisted of 100,000 unrelated individuals, and simulations were continued for 20 yr. The BLUP genetic evaluations were computed every year by an animal model analysis for each complete population. Estimated breeding values for the populations with 10% incorrect paternity were biased, especially in the later generations. Genetic gains were 4.3% higher with correct paternity identification. Reduction of pedigree errors by paternity confirmation of daughters of test sires by DNA microsatellites may result in considerable economic benefits, depending on the cost of testing in each country.     

Randomized trial of the addition of gram-positive prophylaxis to standard antimicrobial prophylaxis for patients undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation

The purpose of the study reported here was to investigate the impact of prophylaxis against gram-positive infections in patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation in a randomized trial. Forty-three patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy with autologous bone marrow transplant were enrolled in a nonblinded randomized trial to receive or not to receive prophylaxis for gram-positive infections with 10(6) U of penicillin intravenously (i.v.) every 6 h (q6h) (if penicillin allergic, 750 mg of vancomycin i.v. q12h) in addition to standard antimicrobial prophylaxis with 400 mg of norfloxacin orally three times a day, 200 mg of fluconazole orally once a day, and 5 mg of acyclovir per kg of body weight i.v. q12h. The patients were being treated for germ cell cancer (n = 15), breast cancer (n = 16), Hodgkin's disease (n = 3), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 4), acute myeloid leukemia (n = 1), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 1), and ovarian cancer (n = 3). The trial was stopped because of excess morbidity in the form of streptococcal septic shock in the group not receiving gram-positive prophylaxis. There were significantly fewer overall infections (10 versus 3; P = 0.016) and streptococcal infections (9 versus 1; P = 0.0078) in the group receiving gram-positive prophylaxis. There were no significant differences in the numbers of deaths, duration of broad-spectrum antibiotics, or incidence of neutropenic fever between the two groups. Prophylaxis for gram-positive infections with penicillin or vancomycin is effective in reducing the incidence of streptococcal infections in patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplant. However, this approach may carry a risk of fostering resistance among streptococci to penicillin or vancomycin.     

Hysteresis switching adaptive control of linear multivariablesystems

This paper presents a model reference adaptive control scheme for deterministic continuous-time multivariable systems represented by square, strictly proper, minimum-phase transfer function matrices. A typical requirement of existing algorithms is to assume that the zero structure at infinity and the high-frequency gain matrix are fully (or at least partially) known. It is well known that these requirements may be very restrictive, since, in general, both the zero structure at infinity and the high-frequency gain matrix depend on plant parameters. In this paper we show that these restrictive assumptions may be considerably weakened using Morse et al.'s hysteresis switching control strategy (1992). The strategy entails running a finite number of parameter estimators in parallel and using a switching algorithm to select between candidate estimators based on their associated prediction errors. Hysteresis in the switching algorithm precludes switching arbitrarily rapidly between estimators, and all switching ceases within a finite time. The results represent a significant step forward in understanding the minimal amount of prior knowledge necessary to design a stabilizing controller for a linear multivariable system     

Evaluation of the Honeywell ACS 1000 leucocyte differential counter

The Honeywell ACS 1000 is a relatively inexpensive differential white cell counter, which is only partially automated. This instrument has been evaluated in a routine haematology laboratory.     

The measurement of urethral resistance and mural tension using simple programmable modules

The theory of urethral resistance and the derivation or mural tension have been discussed. A method for the continuous calculation and presentation of these parameters has been described. Urethral resistance and mural tensions are altered by the presence of bladder outflow obstruction and have been shown to return to normality after the obstruction is removed.     

The management of traumatic hemothorax (author's transl)

We reviewed 395 patients with isolated hemo- or hemopneumothorax from stab or bullet wounds. Of these, 45 were in shock on admission. All patients were initially treated by closed thoracostomy and infusions or transfusions. Of the 45 patients in shock, 24 responded to this treatment and remained stable. The other 21, after an initial response, showed a renewed drop in blood pressure and rise in pulse rate and had to be explored. All were found to be bleeding from either a systemic artery or a major lung laceration extending into the hilus. All other patients were continued on tube drainage, supplemented, if necessary, by needle aspiration and instillation of fibrinolytic enzymes until the lung was fully expanded, thus avoiding empyemas and the need for decortications. We found the clinical course after initial tube thoracostomy to be a reliable indicator for thoracotomy or for continued non-operative management, thus avoiding unnecessary thoracotomies.     

Synthesis and self-assembly of colloidal nanoparticles

We describe recent developments in the synthesis of semiconductor nanoparticles, which lead to a substantial improvement of the luminescence quantum efficiency. Concerning a theoretical model for the growth of an ensemble of nanoparticles, the highest quantum efficiencies are achieved in particles that grow under conditions of a rapid exchange of monomers at the particle surface, leading to a smooth surface structure. Selective etching, core-shell formation and doping of nanoparticles are also discussed as fluorescence-enhancing preparative techniques. Examples of self-assembly of almost-uniformly-sized nanoparticles are given, which result in two-dimensional and three-dimensional superlattices, colloidal crystals and crystalline structures built-up from particles of different sizes. Finally, the self-assembled oriented attachment of quasi-spherical ZnO nanoparticles onto single-crystalline nanorods is presented.