A novel method to study fluorescein staining of the ocular surface using the fluorescein angiogram setting of the fundus camera.

We present a case of a failed penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), comparing the fluorescein staining of the cornea with the conventional technique, and the new technique using the fluorescein filters of a standard fundus camera.     

Line balancing in a just-in-time production environment: balancing multiple U-lines

The introduction of multiple, independent production lines has helped many firms to increase their production flexibility, provide for redundancy when equipment breaks down, reduce idle time and labor costs, and achieve many other benefits. This paper introduces and formalizes the multiple U-line balancing problem. Optimal solution methodologies are provided for Type I (minimize the number of stations for a given cycle time), Type II (minimize the cycle time for a given number of stations), and cost-minimization line-balancing problems. A branch-and-bound algorithm is also developed for the situation in which equipment requirements are dependent on the line configuration and the task assignment to stations. Computational results indicate that the greatest benefit of exploiting multiple lines occurs for smaller cycle-time problems that require higher output.     

A hybrid wafer-dicing process for GaAs MMIC production

A dicing process for GaAs MMIC (monolithic microwave integrated circuit) wafers using spin-on wax for wafer mounting and a hybrid process of wet chemical etching/mechanical sawing for chip dicing is described. This process minimizes ragged chip edges and reduces generation of microcracks in addition to the elimination of the plated gold burrs on the backside of the diced MMIC chips. This process gives a uniformity of -3 μm across a 2-in wafer following the completion of the whole backside process. This GaAs chip dicing technique is amenable to production because it exhibits both a very high chip yield (>90%) and nearly flawless edges     

Object-oriented query language access to relational databases: A semantic framework for query translation

This research investigates and approach to query processing in a multidatabase system that uses an objectoriented model to capture the semantics of other data models. The object-oriented model is used to construct a global schema, defining an integrated view of the different schemas in the environment. The model is also used as a self-describing model to build a meta-database for storing information about the global schema. A unique aspect of this work is that the object-oriented model is used to describe the different data models of the multidatabase environment, thereby extending the meta database with semantic information about the local schemas. With the global and local schemas all represented in an object-oriented form, structural mappings between the global schema and each local schema are then easily supported. An object algebra then provides a query language for expressing global queries, using the structural mappings to translate object algebra queries into SQL queries over local relational schema. The advantage of using an object algebra is that the object-oriented database can be viewed as a blackboard for temporary storage of local data and for establishing relationships between different databases. The object algebra can be used to directly retrieve temporarily-stored data from the object-oriented database or to transparently retrieve data from local sources using the translation process described in this paper.     

Antimicrobial activity of dogwood fruits (Cornus drummondii) from winter food caches of eastern woodrats (Neotoma floridana)

Post-harvest loss of resources to microbial competitors affects a number of species of animals, and many of them have evolved behaviors that reduce the likelihood of such loss. We previously described the inhibition ofBacillus psychrophilus by dogwood fruits (Cornus drummondii), which can comprise a significant portion of the winter food cache of the eastern woodrat (Neotoma floridana). The present study is a further investigation of the ability of dogwood fruits to inhibit growth ofB. psychrophilus. Additionally, we tested the antimicrobial activity of dogwood fruits onEscherichia coli andStaphlococcus aureus. Results of our study indicate that fresh fruits inhibit the growth ofB. psychrophilus andS. aureus but notE. coli. However, fruits taken from woodrat dens after four and six months storage inhibited growth of all three species of bacteria. Further, the strength of inhibition increased over the test period. We suggest the presence of an inhibitor allows woodrats to compete effectively for a valuable and limited food resource.     

Reliability‐based estimation of the survival of Listeria monocytogenes in chorizos

Reliability analysis is especially important when critical decisions are to be made involving potentially severe adverse consequences such as foodborne illness. Owing to uncertainty associated with the parameters controlling survival of Listeria monocytogenes in chorizo (a Mexican‐style sausage), the time needed to reduce the count by a certain number (n) of logs (t_nD) is probabilistic. In this paper the first‐order second‐moment (FOSM) method based on Taylor series expansion is used to derive the expected value and standard deviation of t_nD as function of the operating conditions (random variables) affecting survival, namely initial water activity (a_w0) of the sausage batter, storage temperature (T) and airflow velocity (F), along with their uncertainties characterised by their means and coefficients of variation. For any given n the derived t_nD probability distribution enables one to determine an estimate of t_nD for any desired level of reliability or confidence level, such as 50% (median value), 95%, 99%, etc. Among the conclusions drawn were: (i) the variability associated with T and F has a minor effect on estimating uncertainty in t_nD, whereas the reliability of t_nD estimation is greatly influenced by the uncertainty in a_w0; and (ii) the uncertainty in a_w0 has the greatest impact when a_w0 of the sausage formulation exceeds 0.90. The approach used and discussed in this paper can be applied to any survival/inactivation study to incorporate the effect of uncertainty in the various extrinsic and intrinsic parameters on the survival kinetics of the pathogen in a food system under evaluation. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry     

A multiple objective selection methodology for strategic industryselection analysis

An application of mathematical programming in the industry selection step of strategic acquisition analysis is presented. Specifically, the management information uses of multiple-objective programming in the strategic planning of organization acquisitions are described. The modeling approach has application to all forms of organization-acquisition analysis (i.e. acquisitions, mergers, joint ventures, etc.). An illustrative application of the modeling approach is presented using data from a regional conglomerate's actual acquisition study. The benefits of the use of the multiple-objective modeling approach include improvements in the efficacy and specificity of information on which acquisition decision making is based, and types of information that are not methodology     

The challenge of double jeopardy: Toward a mental health agenda for aging women.

The elderly may be considered a group at risk with regard to mental health and the mental health system. Aging women experience a double jeopardy arising from social, economic, and psychological conditions surrounding age and gender—in particular, poverty, widowhood, and the dynamics of family caregiving. This double jeopardy translates into a vulnerability within the mental health system that is seen in issues of service utilization, therapist–client interactions, and diagnosis, most notably in diagnoses of Alzheimer's disease, alcohol and drug misuse, and depression. The failure of the mental health system to consider elderly individuals as psychological survivors further suggests an implicit assumption that mental decline is a normative part of the aging process. Recommendations for change include addressing gender and age interactions in mental health policy and in psychological research, training, and practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)