EFFICACY OF ELECTRON BEAM IRRADIATION OF PROCESSED PORK PRODUCTS

The research reported on in this paper was conducted as part of a larger project. That project is on-going and is focused on ascertaining if irradiation of processed meats would be effective and economical. It involved the examination, through modeling, of the irradiation of one of many currently produced ready-to-eat (RTE) convenience-oriented, value-added pork products, sliced boneless ham. The results and findings reported in this paper represent the initial estimates of the cost and potential profitability or economic viability of irradiation of processed meats. The results and findings in this paper should be considered preliminary with extension and verification to be reported in a later paper by the authors. The objective of the portion of that project reported on in this paper was to conduct cost analysis of alternative irradiation methods and to ascertain the cost of each of those methods. Three scenarios were considered for cost analysis. The first scenario was the installation of an X-ray irradiator at an existing meat processing plant. The second scenario was the installation of a Cobalt-60 irradiator at an existing meat processing plant. The third scenario assumed that the meat processor contracted for irradiation services from an off-site company providing such service to a number of clients. For purposes of this study it was assumed that irradiation of sliced boneless ham would result in either a $.06/pound reduction in costs from processor to consumer, a$.06/pound increase in willingness to pay [price] or an equivalent combination of reduced costs and increased price. Total cost per pound for the irradiation process applied to sliced boneless ham ranged from $0.008, at the 200 million pound annual throughput rate using Cobalt-60 irradiation, to$0.069 at the 50 million pound annual throughput rate when contracting with an off-site company.Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

The Effectiveness of Teacher Resource Centre Strategy

Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

Influence of caries infiltrant contamination on shear bond strength of different adhesives to dentin

Objectives: To analyze whether the contamination with a caries infiltrant system impairs the adhesive performance of etch-and-rinse and self-etching adhesives on dentin. Materials and methods: Dentin contamination with the caries infiltrant system (Icon, DMG) was simulated by applying either hydrochloric acid (15% HCl, Icon Etch, 15s), the resin infiltrant (Icon infiltrant, 4min), or both prior to the application of the respective adhesives (each group n = 10). In the control groups, the etch-and-rinse adhesive (Optibond FL, Kerr) and the self-etching adhesive (iBOND Self Etch, Hereaus) were applied without former contamination with the infiltrant system. Additionally, the adhesive performance of the resin infiltrant alone was tested. Shear bond strength of a nano-hybrid composite was analyzed after thermocycling (5,000×, 5-55°C) of the specimens and analyzed by ANOVA/Scheffé post hoc tests (p < 0.05) and Weibull statistics. Failure mode was inspected under a stereomicroscope at × 25 magnification. Results: Contamination with the resin infiltrant alone did not impair shear bond strength, while contamination with hydrochloric acid or with hydrochloric acid and the resin infiltrant reduced shear bond strength (MPa) of the adhesives (Optibond FL: 20.5 ± 3.6, iBOND Self Etch: 17.9 ± 2.6) significantly. Hydrochloric acid contamination increased the number of adhesive failures. The adhesive performance of the caries infiltrant system alone was insufficient. Conclusion: The contamination with the caries infiltrant system impaired the shear bond strength of conventional dental adhesives. Clinical relevance: Contamination of the caries infiltrant system on dentin should be avoided due to the detrimental effect of hydrochloric acid etchin

Miniaturized Double-Wing Delta-E Effect Sensors

Magnetoelastic composites are integral elements of sensors and actuators utilizing magnetostriction for their functionality. Their sensitivity typically scales with the saturation magnetostriction and inversely with magnetic anisotropy. However, this makes the devices prone to minuscule residual anisotropic stress from the fabrication process, impairing their performance and reproducibility, hence limiting their suitability for arrays. This study presents a shadow mask deposition technology combined with a free-free magnetoelectric microresonator design intended to minimize residual stress and inhomogeneity in the magnetoelastic layer. Resonators are experimentally and theoretically analyzed regarding local stress anisotropy, magnetic anisotropy, and the {\Delta}E effect in several resonance modes. Further, the sensitivity is analyzed in the example of {\Delta}E-effect sensors. The results demonstrate a device-to-device variation of the resonance frequency < 0.2 % with sensitivities comparable with macroscopic {\Delta}E-effect sensors. The reproducibility is drastically improved over previous magnetoelastic device arrays. This development marks a step forward in the reproducibility and homogeneity of magnetoelastic resonators and contributes to the feasibility of large-scale, integrated sensor arrays.Comment: 26 pages, 13 figure

Longitudinal Analysis of Antibody Responses to Trachoma Antigens Before and After Mass Drug Administration.

Blinding trachoma, caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis, is a neglected tropical disease targeted for elimination by 2020. A major component of the elimination strategy is mass drug administration (MDA) with azithromycin. Currently, program decisions are made based on clinical signs of ocular infection, but we have been investigating the use of antibody responses for post-MDA surveillance. In a previous study, IgG responses were detected in children lacking clinical evidence of trachoma, suggesting that IgG responses represented historical infection. To explore the utility of serology for program evaluation, we compared IgG and IgA responses to trachoma antigens and examined changes in IgG and IgA post-drug treatment. Dried blood spots and ocular swabs were collected with parental consent from 264 1-6 year olds in a single village of Kongwa District, central Tanzania. Each child also received an ocular exam for detection of clinical signs of trachoma. MDA was given, and six months later an additional blood spot was taken from these same children. Ocular swabs were analyzed for C. trachomatis DNA and antibody responses for IgA and total IgG were measured in dried bloods spots. Baseline antibody responses showed an increase in antibody levels with age. By age 6, the percentage positive for IgG (96.0%) was much higher than for IgA (74.2%). Antibody responses to trachoma antigens declined significantly six months after drug treatment for most age groups. The percentage decrease in IgA response was much greater than for IgG. However, no instances of seroreversion were observed. Data presented here suggest that focusing on concordant antibody responses in children will provide the best serological surveillance strategy for evaluation of trachoma control programs

Perception-oriented video coding based on texture analysis and synthesis

ABSTRACT Perception-oriented video coding based on texture analysis and synthesis has gained importance over the past few years. Hence, the present paper overviews a selection of related approaches that have been proposed over the past decades. They are also referred to as content-based video coding (CBVC) methods in this paper. For better insight into CBVC, an overview on texture analysis and synthesis is also given. Furthermore, the principles common to a careful selection of CBVC methods are depicted and the requirements of each of the fundamental modules are extensively discussed in the context of the limitations of state-of-the-art hybrid video codecs like H.264/AVC

Raumentwicklung 3.0 - Gemeinsam die Zukunft der räumlichen Planung gestalten: 15. Junges Forum der ARL 6. bis 8. Juni 2012 in Hannover

Die Tagung des Jungen Forums der ARL vom 6. bis 8. Juni 2012 in Hannover setzte sich mit dem Leitgedanken "Raumentwicklung 3.0 - Gemeinsam die Zukunft der räumlichen Planung gestalten" auseinander. Ziel war es, Perspektiven für die Zukunft der räumlichen Planung aufzuzeigen. Der Hintergrund für die thematische Ausrichtung der Jahrestagung ist, dass sich digitale soziale Netzwerke und zahlreiche andere Möglichkeiten der Interaktion im Web immer stärker auf die Raumentwicklung auswirken. Die neuen Möglichkeiten der Information, Kommunikation und Partizipation verändern das Verhalten der Menschen und infolgedessen auch die Raumentwicklung in ihrer Mehrdimensionalität in erheblichem Maße. Die Folgen der neuen Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien sind aber nur eine von vielen aktuellen und zukünftig absehbaren Herausforderungen, die Auswirkungen auf die räumliche Planung und Entwicklung haben werden. Daher sind nicht nur die Neuen Medien Thema, sondern auch die Zukunft der Raumentwicklung sowie der räumlichen Planung selbst und die Chancen, diese Zukunft mitzugestalten. Ausgangspunkt der Beitrage in diesem Band sind folgende Leitfragen: Was sind die Herausforderungen und Chancen, vor denen die Raumentwicklung in Zukunft stehen wird? Welche Trends reizen Planerinnen und Planer zu ungewohnlichen Herangehensweisen und zur Entwicklung unkonventioneller Losungswege? Welche (normativen) Konzepte der raumlichen Planung sind geeignet, um einerseits die heutigen Anforderungen zu erfullen und andererseits den kunftigen Herausforderungen gewachsen zu sein? Wie sollten und konnten Prozesse der raumlichen Planung kunftig gestaltet werden, um die anstehenden Herausforderungen bewaltigen zu konnen? Warum uberhaupt planen? Was ist der Zweck der raumlichen Planung? Welchen Leitvorstellungen und Planungsmaximen soll und kann sie folgen? Diese Fragen bildeten den Schwerpunkt des gemeinsamen Austauschs auf der Tagung des Jungen Forums in Hannover, mit denen sich die Teilnehmer in ihren Vortragen und in anschliesenden Diskussionen auseinandersetzten. Die Ergebnisse der Tagung fliesen in die Beitrage dieser Veroffentlichung ein.The ARL Young Professionals' Forum met in Hannover from 6th to 8th June 2012 to discuss "Spatial development 3.0 - Shaping the future of spatial planning together". The goal was to illustrate perspectives for the future of spatial planning. The background for the thematic focus of the annual conference is that digital social networks and the many other forms of interaction on the internet are increasingly affecting spatial development. The new possibilities for information, communication and participation are changing people's behaviour and thus also significantly are impacting spatial development in all its multidimensionality. The consequences of the new information and communication technologies are, however, only one of many current and foreseeable challenges that will affect spatial planning and development. Therefore the focus is not only on New Media but rather on the future of spatial development and planning itself and on the possibilities of helping shape that future. The starting point for the papers in this volume are the following central questions: What are the challenges and opportunities that spatial planning will face in the future? What trends are provoking planners to implement unusual approaches and develop unconventional solutions? Which (normative) spatial planning concepts are suitable, firstly, to satisfy current requirements and, secondly, to cope with future challenges? How should and could processes of spatial planning be designed in the future in order to manage the challenges at hand? Why plan at all? What is the purpose of spatial planning? Which guiding visions and planning maxims should and can spatial planning follow? These questions formed the focus of exchanges at the conference of the Young Professionals' Forum in Hannover, and participants grappled with them both in presentations and in the discussions that followed. The findings of the conference are contained in the papers of this publication

Clinical- and Cost Effectiveness of a Guided Internet-Based Intervention for Children (12–18 Years) of Parents With Mental Disorders (iCHIMPS): Study Protocol of a Multicentered Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: Children of parents with mental disorders have a high chance of developing a mental disorder themselves. However, this at-risk group is regularly overlooked and typically not seen by any mental health professionals. Internet- and mobile-based interventions (IMIs) can provide a means of promoting mental health for children of parents with mental disorders. Objective: The introduced study will evaluate the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of the iCHIMPS IMI in promoting mental health for children of parents with mental disorders. Methods: A two-armed multicentered cluster-randomized controlled trial (cRCT) comparing the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of the iCHIMPS IMI in the intervention group (IG) to a treatment-as-usual (TAU) control group will be conducted. Recruitment will be handled at currently 21 adult mental health clinics throughout Germany. Participating families will be randomly divided into the two groups until the final sample size of 306 participating adolescents (age 12–18) has been reached. The adolescents in the intervention group will receive access to the IMI and can take part in up to eight intervention modules. Assessment will be conducted during the recruitment (baseline), 1-month, 2-months, and 6-month post-inclusion. Primary outcome is the mental health of the participating adolescents at 6-months post-inclusion as measured by the Youth Self Report score. Secondary self-report outcomes are mental wellbeing, self-efficacy, coping strategies and negative effects as well as mental health of the adolescents as reported by their parent(s). Included moderators are sociodemographic characteristics, working alliance, social support and the mental health diagnoses of the parents. Statistical analyses will be conducted on the intention-to-treat principle as well as with additional per-protocol analyses. Additionally, the cost-effectiveness as well as qualitative data concerning the adherence, acceptance, and feasibility of the IMI will be analyzed. Discussion: The iCHIMPS cRCT examines the clinical- as well as cost-effectiveness of the iCHIMPS mental health promotion IMI for children of parents with mental disorders. This provides the opportunity to gain insights into an innovative as well as time- and location-independent form of support for this often-overlooked at-risk group. Additionally, the larger CHIMPS-NET project allows comparisons between internet-based and face-to-face interventions for a similar target group. Clinical Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: DRKS00025158. Copyright © 2022 Dülsen, Barck, Daubmann, Höller, Zeidler, Kilian, Wiegand-Grefe and Baumeister

Diagnostic accuracy of myocardial perfusion imaging with single photon emission computed tomography and positron emission tomography: a comparison with coronary angiography

Objective The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) by positron emission tomography (PET) with the diagnostic accuracy of MPI by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in two comparable patient cohorts, using coronary angiography (CA) as the standard of reference. Methods A "SPECT-group” of 80 patients (15 female, 65 male; mean age 60±9years) and a "PET-group” of 70 patients (14 female, 56 male; mean age 57±10years) underwent a one day stress/rest examination either with attenuation-corrected 13N-ammonia PET or attenuation-corrected 201TlCl SPECT or 99mTc-hexakis-methoxy-isobutyl-isonitril (MIBI) SPECT. PET and SPECT results were semiquantitatively graded using a 6-segment heart model. All patients underwent CA, and stenoses were graded as a diameter reduction ≥50%. Results Coronary findings between both groups did not significantly differ at CA. For the SPECT-group overall sensitivity and specificity for localisation of stenoses was 77% and 84%. Respective values for the PET-group were 97% and 84%. The specificity of MPI by SPECT in the detection of ischemia was 74% and 91% for MPI by PET. The diagnostic accuracy of MPI improves when the individual coronary dominance and previous coronary revascularisations are taken into account. Conclusion MPI by 13N-ammonia PET is more sensitive in the detection and localisation of coronary stenoses, and more specific in the detection of ischemia than MPI by 201TlCl/99mMIBI SPEC

Application of cerium chloride to improve the acid resistance of dentine

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of cerium chloride, cerium chloride/fluoride and fluoride application on calcium release during erosion of treated dentine. METHODS: Forty dentine samples were prepared from human premolars and randomly assigned to four groups (1-4). Samples were treated twice a day for 5 days, 30s each, with the following solutions: group 1 placebo, group 2 fluoride (Elmex fluid), group 3 cerium chloride and group 4 combined fluoride and cerium chloride. For the determination of acid resistance, the samples were consecutively eroded six times for 5 min with lactic acid (pH 3.0) and the calcium release in the acid was determined. Furthermore, six additional samples per group were prepared and used for EDS analysis. SEM pictures of these samples of each group were also captured. RESULTS: Samples of group 1 presented the highest calcium release when compared with the samples of groups 2-4. The highest acid resistance was observed for group 2. Calcium release in group 3 was similar to that of group 4 for the first two erosive attacks, after which calcium release in group 4 was lower than that of group 3. Generally, the SEM pictures showed a surface coating for groups 2-4. No deposits were observed in group 1. CONCLUSION: Although fluoride showed the best protective effect, cerium chloride was also able to reduce the acid susceptibility of dentine significantly, which merits further investigation