An in vitro comparison between two methods of electrical resistance measurement for occlusal caries detection

Because of different measurement techniques and the easier design of the CRM prototype, this in vitro study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance and reproducibility of two electrical methods (Electronic Caries Monitor III, ECM and Cariometer 800, CRM) for occlusal caries detection, and to evaluate the effect of staining/ discoloration of fissures on diagnostic performance. Hundred and seventeen third molars with no apparent occlusal cavitation were selected. Six examiners inspected all specimens independently, using the CRM, and a subgroup of 4 using the ECM. Histological validation using a stereomicroscope was performed after hemisectioning. Intra- and interexaminer reproducibility was assessed by Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and Bland and Altman analysis. Diagnostic performance parameters included sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP) and area under the ROC curve (A(z)). The CCC yielded an intra- and interexaminer reproducibility of 0.69/0.62 (ECM) and of 0.79/0.74 (CRM). The mean intra- and interexaminer 95% range of measurements (range between Bland and Altman limits of agreement) given in percentages of the instrument reading were 67%/65% for the ECM and 28%/33% for the CRM. A(z) at the D3-4 level was 0.74 (ECM) and 0.78 (CRM). The CRM showed at least equivalent diagnostic performance to the ECM. However, improvement is still desirable. Diagnostic performance appeared to be enhanced in discolored lesions; however, this may be related to sample lesion distribution characteristics. Copyright (C) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel

Transonic unsteady airloads on an energy efficient transport wing with oscillating control surfaces

An aspect ratio 10.8 supercritical wing with oscillating control surfaces is described. The wing is instrumental with 252 static orifices and 164 in situ dynamic pressure transducers for studying the effects of control surface deflection on steady and unsteady pressures at transonic speeds. Results from initial wind tunnel tests conducted in the Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel are discussed. Unsteady pressure results are presented for two trailing edge control surfaces oscillating separately at the design Mach number of 0.78. Some experimental results are compared with analytical results obtained by using linear lifting surface theory

Near-infrared synchrotron emission from the compact jet of GX339-4

We have compiled contemporaneous broadband observations of the black hole candidate X-ray binary GX 339-4 when in the low/hard X-ray state in 1981 and 1997. The data clearly reveal the presence of two spectral components, with thermal and non-thermal spectra, overlapping in the optical -- near-infrared bands. The non-thermal component lies on an extrapolation of the radio spectrum of the source, and we interpret it as optically thin synchrotron emission from the powerful, compact jet in the system. Detection of this break from self-absorbed to optically thin synchrotron emission from the jet allows us to place a firm lower limit on the ratio of jet (synchrotron) to X-ray luminosities of $\geq 5$%. We further note that extrapolation of the optically thin synchrotron component from the near-infrared to higher frequencies coincides with the observed X-ray spectrum, supporting models in which the X-rays could originate via optically thin synchrotron emission from the jet (possibly instead of Comptonisation).Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ Lette

Mutation analysis of HIF prolyl hydroxylases (PHD/EGLN) in individuals with features of phaeochromocytoma and renal cell carcinoma susceptibility

Germline mutations in the von Hippel–Lindau disease (VHL) and succinate dehydrogenase subunit B (SDHB) genes can cause inherited phaeochromocytoma and/or renal cell carcinoma(RCC). Dysregulation of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) transcription factors has been linked to VHL and SDHB-related RCC; both HIF dysregulation and disordered function of a prolyl hydroxylase domain isoform 3 (PHD3/EGLN3)-related pathway of neuronal apoptosis have been linked to the development of phaeochromocytoma. The 2-oxoglutarate-dependent prolyl hydroxylase enzymes PHD1 (EGLN2), PHD2 (EGLN1) and PHD3 (EGLN3) have a key role in regulating the stability of HIF-a subunits (and hence expression of the HIF-a transcription factors). A germline PHD2 mutation has been reported in association with congenital erythrocytosis and recurrent extra-adrenal phaeochromocytoma. We undertook mutation analysis of PHD1, PHD2 and PHD3 in two cohorts of patients with features of inherited phaeochromocytoma (nZ82) and inherited RCC (nZ64) and no evidence of germline mutations in known susceptibility genes. No confirmed pathogenic mutations were detected suggesting that mutations in these genes are not a frequent cause of inherited phaeochromocytoma or RCC

Geometric and structural properties of a rectangular supercritical wing oscillated in pitch for measurement of unsteady transonic pressure distributions

Wind-tunnel tests to measure unsteady aerodynamic data in the transonic region have been completed on an aspect ratio 2.0 rectangular wing with a supercritical airfoil. The geometric and structural properties of the wing are presented. (Other references contain the measured aerodynamic data.) Both measured and design airfoil coordinates are presented and compared. In addition, measured wing bending and torsional stiffness distributions and some trailing-edge flexibility influence coefficients are presented

characteristics of reoffending accommodation sites in europe with clusters of legionnaires disease 2003 2007

Between 2003 and 2007, 21% (n=100/477) of accommodation sites linked to clusters of two or more cases of Legionnaires' disease that were investigated by the European Surveillance Scheme for Travel-Associated Legionnaires' Disease (EWGLINET) went on to be associated with at least one further case, despite reporting that satisfactory control measures had been implemented at the time the cluster was first detected. This paper examines these sites (termed reoffenders) in order to determine whether they share any characteristics that may have contributed to the reoffence. All investigations conducted at cluster sites between 2003 and 2007 were included in the analysis, giving a total of 615 investigations conducted at 477 sites. Every country that investigated more than three cluster sites had to deal with at least one reoffence, and one site reoffended five times. The cases involved in the cluster that stayed elsewhere during their incubation periods could be used to help assess the probability of exposure, and therefore the risk, posed by particular cluster sites. A more extensive investigation and control regime may be needed in some instances to better control the risk of Legionnaires' disease at an accommodation site.