Clinical comparison of an enhanced-sensitivity branched-DNA assay and reverse transcription-PCR for quantitation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 RNA in plasma

We investigated whether inhibition of the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase by the CGP57418B compound would render chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) cells susceptible to Fas (CD95, Apo-1)-mediated cell death. Only two (AR230 and SD1) out of 10 BCR-ABL positive cell lines were found to express the CD95 protein. No change in Fas expression was observed in any of the 10 cell lines after 48 h exposure to CGP57418B. AR230 cells were resistant and SD1 cells were partially resistant to Fas-mediated apoptosis induced by ligation of the Fas receptor to an anti-Fas IgM antibody. Pre-incubation with 1 microM CGP57418B did not change the susceptibility of these cell lines to Fas-mediated cell death. Similar results were observed in experiments with CD34+ cells from CML patients and from normal individuals. The data suggest that, in contrast to some cytotoxic drugs, the CGP57148B tyrosine kinase inhibitor utilizes a pathway other than the CD95 system in order to induce apoptosis in CML cells.     

Integrated condition monitoring and control of fed-batch fermentation processes

This paper investigates the benefits that the partial least squares (PLS) modelling approach offers engineers involved in the operation of fed-batch fermentation processes. It is shown that models developed using PLS can be used to provide accurate inference of quality variables that are difficult to measure on-line, such as biomass concentration. It is further shown that this model can be used to provide fault detection and isolation capabilities and that it can be integrated within a standard model predictive control framework to regulate the growth of biomass within the fermenter. This model predictive controller is shown to provide its own monitoring capabilities that can be used to identify faults within the process and also within the controller itself. Finally it is demonstrated that the performance of the controller can be maintained in the presence of fault conditions within the process.     

Model predictive control of an activated sludge process: A case study

This paper details a case study application of model predictive control for a wastewater treatment process in Lancaster, North England. The control system was implemented in real time, together with a plant monitoring system for the purposes of process supervision. Following implementation, the model predictive control system provided significant benefits compared with the previously applied control system. These benefits included a reduction of over 25% in power usage and a similar increase in plant efficiency. The system therefore represents a useful tool in helping the water industry to reach its goal of significantly reducing its carbon footprint.     

Limb gangrene and two types of vasculitis

Single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis using ethidium bromide can be improved by adding formamide as the denaturant. This gives higher resolution than previous SSCP methods; it had 100% sensitivity in the discrimination of 14 PCR samples from two different genes, even for a long fragment close to the upper limit of 250 base pairs. This modified procedure is a rapid, simple, safe, and yet highly sensitive method for detecting structural differences in DNA fragments.     

Getting along and getting ahead: Empirical support for a theory of protective and acquisitive self-presentation.

Study 1, with 386 undergraduates, demonstrated that the Concern for Appropriateness Scale and the Revised Self-Monitoring Scale (SMS—R) developed by the 1st 2 authors (see record 1984-27678-001) were orthogonal and that they were predictably related to measures of self-esteem, social anxiety, shyness, and sociability. Study 2, with an additional 249 Ss, showed that Ss high in concern for appropriateness tended to describe their own drug use as due to inducement by others, whereas Ss who scored high on the SMS—R tended to describe their drug use as self-initiated. (29 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Plutonium management and Generation IV systems

This paper discusses the potential role of Generation IV nuclear energy systems in managing plutonium. It briefly reviews the Generation IV goals and their relevance to plutonium management. Each of the six selected Generation IV systems [very high temperature reactor (VHTR), gas-cooled fast reactor (GFR), sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR), super-critical-water-cooled reactor (SCWR), lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR), molten salt reactor (MSR)] is briefly discussed. The main characteristics of each system are summarised and the capability for plutonium management indicated. The potential for the management of plutonium using Generation IV systems is briefly reviewed from a complete fuel cycle perspective to illustrate the issues in the context of a fleet of reactor and fuel cycle facilities.     

Pancreatic cancer: treatment with neutron irradiation alone and with chemotherapy

PURPOSE: To evaluate neutron irradiation alone and with chemotherapy to treat inoperable pancreatic cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1977 and 1994, 173 patients (60 men, 113 women, aged 43-77 years [mean, 59 years]) with unresectable adenocarcinoma of the exocrine pancreas were treated, 106 with neutron irradiation alone and 67 with concomitant chemotherapy (fluorouracil [5-FU]). At follow-up, which was performed at 2-month intervals until death (range, 4-64 months), clinical status was recorded, noting the presence of overt metastasis and the onset of any major complications. Actuarial (Kaplan-Meier) survival tables were computed for both groups. RESULTS: For neutron irradiation alone and neutron irradiation plus chemotherapy, median survival times were 6 months and 9 months, respectively; actuarial survival rates at 3 years were 0 and 7%, respectively; major reactions (grade 3 or higher [scale of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer]) occurred in 19 (18%) and 17 (25%) patients, respectively; and severe complications (grade 4) occurred in five (5%) and four (6%) patients, respectively. Most deaths were due to metastatic disease rather than to failure of local control. CONCLUSIONS: Neutron irradiation obliterated pancreatic adenocarcinoma at the primary site but has no effect on long-term survival. With more effective concomitant chemotherapy to prevent metastasis, local control of pancreatic cancer with neutron irradiation could lead to increased long-term survival.     

Minimising conservatism in infinite-horizon LQR control

This paper studies the formulation of the constrained infinite horizon linear quadratic regulator control law (CIHLQR). Results from recent studies in this area are extended to show that conditions used in the standard formulation of the CIHLQR law are not necessary, but merely sufficient. Through the use of a novel proof it is shown that for a general SISO system with input constraints and certain conditions imposed, saturated LQR provides the same control sequence as CIHLQR. It is further shown that saturated LQR is equivalent to the CIHLQR in the case of first-order systems, subject to both state and control constraints. Finally, the region of constrained stabilisability is characterised for the case of open-loop unstable first-order systems.