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Notes: The presence of rigid inclusions in a powder compact leads to a reduction in the densification rate of the compact and may also lead to processing defects. In this paper, the densification rate and the constitutive parameters of both homogeneous YBa2Cu3O6+x and composite powder compacts (YBa2Cu3O6+x powder with 10 vol% dense inclusions of YBa2Cu3O6+x) are reported. A small amount of liquid phase, which formed during sintering, was present in the samples. However, even with the presence of a liquid phase, the addition of inclusions still reduces the densification rate of the composite and increases its viscosity. The results have been compared with a published analysis of the problem using measured values of the constitutive parameters. Both the viscosity and viscous Poisson's ratio of the porous body have been measured.

Notes: The influence of additions of excess PbO to Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–35 mol% PbTiO3 (PMN–35PT) on {111} single-crystal growth by seeded polycrystal conversion was studied in the range of 0–5 vol% PbO. PbO volatilization and hence weight loss during annealing was controlled effectively by a double-crucible type of arrangement. PbO additions increased boundary mobility significantly in PMN–35PT, thus facilitating single-crystal growth by seeded polycrystal conversion (SPC). This is attributed to the formation of a boundary wetting PbO-based liquid phase. The growth process occurs very rapidly initially, after which it slows down. This is presumably due to both a decrease in the driving force for boundary migration because of an increase in matrix grain size, and a transition to lower mobility facets. It is also shown that for a given annealing time, the size of the grown crystal scales with the lateral dimensions of the seed crystal.

Notes: The kinetics of {001}-oriented Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–35 mol% PbTiO3 (PMN–35PT) single crystals grown by seeded polycrystal conversion were systematically quantified as a function of excess PbO liquid phase. The coarsening behavior of the corresponding matrix grains was similarly quantified. Single-crystal seed plates were embedded in a matrix of PMN-35PT with varying amounts of liquid phase (PbO) content in the range of 0 to 5 vol% and annealed at 1150°C for 0–10 h. Apparent maxima in the growth rates were observed at a PbO content of ∼3 vol% for both the single crystal and matrix grains. In both cases, the growth data were found to most closely follow cubic growth kinetics. Implications regarding the effect of PbO volume fraction on the matrix and single-crystal growth mechanisms are discussed.

Notes: Background : The efficacy of interferon monotherapy in dialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C remains unclear, although a number of small clinical trials have been published addressing this issue.Methods and aims : We evaluated the efficacy and safety of initial interferon monotherapy in dialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C by performing a systematic review of the literature with a meta-analysis of clinical trials. The primary outcome was sustained virological response (as a measure of efficacy); the secondary outcome was drop-out rate (as a measure of tolerability). We used the random effects model of Der Simonian and Laird, with heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses.Results : We have identified 14 clinical trials (269 unique patients); two were controlled studies. The mean overall estimate for sustained virological response (SVR) and drop-out rate was 37%[95% confidence interval (CI) 28–48] and 17% (95% CI 10–28), respectively. The most frequent side-effects requiring interruption of treatment were flu-like symptoms (17%), neurological (21%) and gastrointestinal (18%). The overall weighted estimate for SVR in patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 1 was 30.6% (95% CI 20.9–48). In the sub-group of clinical trials (n = 5) with standard interferon administration (3 million units [MUI] thrice weekly, subcutaneous route, 24-week treatment), the overall mean estimate of SVR was 39% (95% CI 25–56). The studies were heterogeneous with regard to SVR and drop-out rate.Conclusions : Tolerance to initial interferon monotherapy was lower in dialysis than nonuremic patients with chronic hepatitis C. However, more than one-third of haemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C have been successfully treated with interferon. Longer duration of interferon monotherapy does not appear to have a beneficial effect on the response rate. Further studies are warranted to define the optimal anti-viral regimen for chronic hepatitis C in dialysis population.

Notes: Bovine bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) were injected into the liver of foetal pigs at about 40 days of gestation to test whether these cells could populate developing tissue, and if so, which ones. Approximately 40 days after injection, the foetuses were harvested and tissue sections from many areas of the body were analysed for the presence of bovine cells using two different methods. First, using PCR, bovine repetitive DNA was found to be present in DNA extracted from foetal pig tissues. Secondly, using oligonucleotide primed in situ synthesis (PRINS), the in situ presence of bovine cells was found within porcine tissue sections. PRINS-labelled cells were found within cartilage, perichondrium, connective tissue and smooth muscle. These data suggest that bovine BMSCs integrate throughout the foetal pig.

Notes: Private companies become like public agencies because competition for contracts is keen and they must be perceived by the contacting agent, government, as being agreeable with the government's demands in order to be contracted with again. Government makes suggestions, sets requirements, and provides recommendations to private companies which, over time, cause the private companies/facilities to look more and more like government agencies – and company managers are left pressed between their need to re-contract and the business instincts and acumen for which they’ve presumably been contracted with in the first place.This paper will briefly visit the common arguments for and against privatization. Additionally, the results of a limited study of the effect of publicization on private prison companies operating nationally in the US will be examined.

Notes: Analysis of the genome sequence of Neisseria meningitidis strain MC58 revealed 65 genes associated with simple sequence repeats. Experimental evidence of phase variation exists for only 14 of these 65 putatively phase variable genes. We investigated the phase variable potential of the remaining 51 genes. The repeat tract associated with 20 of these 51 genes was sequenced in 26 genetically distinct strains. This analysis provided circumstantial evidence for or against the phase variability of the candidate genes, based on the sequence and the length of the repeated motif. These predictions of phase variability were substantiated for three of these candidate genes using colony immunoblotting or β-galactosidase as a reporter. This investigation identified a novel phase variable gene (NMB1994 or nadA) associated with a repeat tract (TAAA) not previously reported to be associated with phase variable genes in N. meningitidis. Analysis of the nadA transcript revealed that the repeat tract was located upstream of the putative −35 element of the nadA promoter. Semiquantitative RT-PCR showed that variation in the number of repeats was associated with changes in the level of expression of nadA, findings consistent with a model whereby the variable number of (TAAA) repeats modulates the promoter strength.

Notes: A 36-year-old African–American man was hospitalized because of a 2-week history of alternating bright red and tarry stools, vomiting, anorexia, lower leg edema, fever, and a desquamating eruption. Four months previously, during the course of evaluation for fever and cough, the patient had been discovered to be seropositive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): bronchoscopy had revealed acid-fast bacilli. No cultures were performed at that time. He had been started on isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and zidovudine. Although he denied intravenous drug use and other HIV risk factors, he admitted to cocaine addiction. He also denied any previous history of atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, or seborrheic dermatitis.Physical examination revealed an emaciated man with irregular, erythematous, hyperpigmented papules and plaques covering the trunk, face, arms, legs, palms, and soles; some of the lesions showed fine desquamation (〈link href="#f1 #f2"〉Figs 1 and 2). The plaques were frequently coalescent. Several gluteal ulcerations were noted. The extremities demonstrated pitting edema. Diffuse lymphadenopathy was present.〈figure xml:id="f1"〉1〈mediaResource alt="image" href="urn:x-wiley:00119059:IJD1639:IJD_1639_f1"/〉Widespread erythematous and hyperpigmented papules and plaques on the lower extremities〈figure xml:id="f2"〉2〈mediaResource alt="image" href="urn:x-wiley:00119059:IJD1639:IJD_1639_f2"/〉Erythematous macules and papules on the palmLaboratory studies showed a white blood cell count of 2100/mm3, with 87% segmented neutrophils, 2% bands, 6% lymphocytes, 3% monocytes, and 2% eosinophils. A chest X-ray showed no abnormalities. The stool was positive for occult blood, but negative for ova and parasites.The patient's hospital course was difficult and downward. The plaques grew and further coalesced, eventually leading to an exfoliative dermatitis (erythroderma). He was initially treated empirically with intravenous ceftazidime, and then with amikacin and vancomycin after blood cultures revealed enterococci. A culture of his gluteal ulcerations yielded herpes simplex virus, but the ulcerations were unresponsive to intravenous acyclovir.A skin biopsy of the left deltoid showed a mixture of lymphocytes, histiocytes, and neutrophils infiltrating the superficial and deep dermis, including periadnexal areas. Patchy extravasation of erythrocytes was noted in the superficial dermis. Stains for spirochetes, acid-fast bacilli, and other bacteria were negative. A periodic acid–Schiff (PAS) stain showed numerous round organisms measuring 1–2 µm in diameter and located within histiocytes (〈link href="#f3"〉Fig. 3). The morphology of these organisms was consistent with Histoplasma capsulatum. The bone marrow was hypercellular, with an overall cellularity of 60%. Gomori's methonamine silver (GMS) stain showed numerous fungi.〈figure xml:id="f3"〉3〈mediaResource alt="image" href="urn:x-wiley:00119059:IJD1639:IJD_1639_f3"/〉Numerous round organisms consistent with Histoplasma capsulatum present within dermal histiocytes (arrow) (periodic acid–Schiff; original magnification, ×600)The patient was started on amphotericin B, but the drug was soon discontinued because of worsening renal failure. Despite aggressive antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral therapy, as well as transfusions for severe anemia, the patient continued to spike fevers and generally deteriorate. He died 11 days after admission.