Capacity Research Articles

Évolution des caractéristiques physico-chimiques et des paramètres de coagulation du lait de brebis collecté dans la région de Roquefort

Summary - Evolution of physico-chemical characteristics and renneting properties of ewe's milk collected in the 'Roquefort area'. In the present work, we studied the composition of ewe's milk collected in the 'Roquefort area'. Results show real evolutions of milk composition throughout the lactation period. The study of the partition of calcium and inorganic phosphorus between the aqueous and colloidal phases shows that the concentration of colloidal components decreases during the lactation period. An increase of the mean diameter of casein micelles is observed, whereas the micelle mineralization decreases. The micelle solvatation and the proportions of asl' as2' fi and K caseins show little evolutions. Variations of the coagulation parameters throughout the lactation suggest that the rennet coagulation time rises while the gel firming rate becomes slower with advancing lactation time. The curd firmness increases weakly and the whey draining capa city of the curd decreases. ewe's milk / physico-chemical characteristic / salt distribution / micelle / rennet coagulation

Experimental Wound Dressing by Heterologous Collagen: A Morphological-Quantitative Approach

The use of heterologous collagen in skin repair processes has proved to be an efficacious approach for the reconstitution of injured tissue. A morphological and quantitative evaluation of the reactive and reparative ca pacity of injured tissue treated either with conventional medications or with heterologous collagen (Condress) in the form of sponges was carried out. We have analyzed experimental surgical lesions on an animal model and evalu ated the repair processes of the lesions, including the excision of the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue. The heterologous collagen sponges provided biologi cal support to obtain healed skin of better quality. Tissue lesions healed more rapidly, thus reducing the risk of recurrence. This experimental study provides morphological and structural data for further investigation.

Healing of the patellar tendon autograft after posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction— a process of ligamentization?

Forty-eight skeletally mature sheep underwent posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with free patellar tendon autografts in one knee; the contralateral knee served as a control. Immediate rehabilitation without immobilization followed. Autograft healing was evaluated by histologic, roentgenographic, and biomechanical techniques up to 2 years postoperatively. After implantation, the autograft tissue underwent necrosis and degeneration, followed by a gradual healing process comprising revascularization, cellular migration, and formation of an extracellular matrix. The autograft bone pegs were osseously incorporated by 6 weeks. After an initial loss of strength, the material properties of the operated knee recovered to only about one-third that of the control. Better alignment of the collagen fiber bundles resulted in increased material properties, up to approximately 50% of the control at 52 weeks. After 2 years, the autograft tissue was found to differ structurally and mechanically from a ligament, suggesting that the autograft may never approach normal ligament characteristics. Degenerative alterations, the wide-spread presence of type III collagen, and abnormal accumulations of glycosaminoglycans in the autograft correlated with a maximum stress of 60% and an elastic modulus of 70% of the control. Although ligamentization was not seen, the staging of autograft healing into different phases based on distinct morphologic manifestations (necrosis, revitalization, collagen formation, and remodeling) and correlating with changing mechanical properties may provide a rationale for rehabilitation protocols with a realistic evaluation of the loading capacity of the replacement tissue.

Anharmonicity and high-temperature heat capacity of crystals: the examples of Ca2GeO4, Mg2GeO4 and CaMgGeO4 olivines

Drop-calorimetry determinations of the isobaric heat capacity (CP) of Mg2GeO4, Ca2GeO4 and CaMgGeO4 have been made up to 1700 K. The thermal expansion coefficient (α) of these olivine germanates has been determined from high-temperature X-ray measurements up to 1500 K. From these measurements and available compressibility data, one calculates that the isochoric heat capacity (CV) exceeds the harmonic limit of Dulong and Petit above 1000–1200 K. Such an intrinsic anharmonic behaviour can be accounted for by introducing anharmonic parameters ai=(∂ ln vi/∂T)V in vibrational modelling of CV. These parameters are calculated from pressure and temperature shifts of the vibrational frequencies as measured by Raman spectroscopy up to 10 GPa at room temperature and up to 1300 K at 1 bar. A comparison of the Raman spectra of the three germanates with those of natural olivines justifies once again the use of germanates as silicate analogues. Extensive Ca,Mg disordering likely takes place in CaMgGeO4, beginning at about 1100 K and leading to unusually high increases of the heat capacity and thermal expansion coefficient.

Reducing Hypertriglyceridemia in Elderly Patients with Cerebrovascular Disease Stabilizes or Improves Cognition and Cerebral Perfusion

Effects of lowering serum triglyceride levels were investigated among 44 elderly hypertriglyceridemic patients with risk factors for stroke, reduced cerebral perfusion, and a history compatible with symptomatic occlusive cerebrovascular disease. Patients were randomly assigned to either treatment with gemfibrozil, a lipid-lowering agent, or control conditions. Subjects in both groups were instructed to follow a diet recommended for lowering serum lipid levels, while the treatment group was additionally administered 600 mg daily of gemfibrozil. Subjects assigned to the treatment group (n = 22) showed significant reductions in serum triglyceride levels (p less than .0005). Control subjects (n = 22) did not show any significant changes in serum triglyceride levels. There were also no significant changes in total cholesterol levels in either group. Analyses of values for mean bihemispheric gray matter cerebral blood flow measured by the xenon 133 inhalation method and cognitive scores tested by the Cognitive Capacity Screening Examination indicated that gemfibrozil-treated patients maintained significantly higher levels of cerebral perfusion and cognitive performance than untreated controls did. Regression analyses for different treatment intervals indicated that both cerebral blood flow and cognition showed linear improvements that correlated directly with the duration of treatment. Lowering triglyceride levels in hyperlipidemic subjects appears to benefit cerebral perfusion and cognitive performance after four to six months.

The effect of knee braces on lateral impact loading of the knee.

Disruption of the medial supporting structures of the knee occurs commonly in contact sports such as American football and lacrosse. A limited number of clinical and laboratory studies currently document the effectiveness of bracing. The purpose of this project was to determine if commercially available bracing could be shown to produce objective evidence of medial stabilization of the knee. Our model involves the use of a cadaver lower extremity with a fixed foot and suspended femur with a free knee and a lateral impact load applied simulating a clipping injury. Force transducers were placed on the ACL and medial collateral ligament (MCL) and an electrogoniometer was attached to the extremity. The prophylactic braces studied had a limited capacity to protect the MCL from direct lateral stress with the knee in full extension. In flexion or with a change in direction of the load, the protective effect is greatly reduced. The functional braces had a capacity to limit abduction and rotational stresses on the MCL in flexion and extension.

In Response: The Ideal Psychiatry Residency Training Program

There is little to be added in th e way of specifics to J ames Deming's review of the necessary ingredients for an ideal Resid ency T rain ing Program (I ). He not only reviews the specific issues wh ich must be add ressed regard ing the nuts and bolts of training, but also emphas izes th e need for ph ase specificity of bo th clinical and didactic ex periences and th e need to view residency training fr om a developmental perspective. Rather than comment specifica lly on th e points Deming raises, I would like to address other ingred ients in residency training which are to be value d in th e ideal program. With th e exp losio n of kn owledge in the field over the last several decades, tra ining directors and facul ty, as well as t ra inees, are faced with enormous co nce r ns about how this infor ma tio n can be most usefull y present ed and integrated. My own bias places this task under th e rubric of needing to learn an appreciat ion for process. T his phenomenon is often discu ssed primari ly from th e perspective of psych otherapy practice , but I mean something di ffe rent here . T he biopsychosocial model encompasses a view th at in understand ing th e individual, we must be prepared to understand th e processes with in that person from biologic, intrapsychic, interpersonal, familial , and environmental points of view. The ideal training program shou ld not on ly provide a set of cli nica l and didactic experiences which cover this knowledge, but a lso provide a means within which these varying levels of observation and understanding of a patient can be integrated. I find that this integration occurs most effec t ive ly in th e supervisors office, when a resident presents case material and is helped to put together what is seen clinically, what is experienced by th e physician , and wha t is known about psychopathology from a variety of points of view. It is th erefore essential, in order for this process to occur optimally, that th e supervisors ha ve the requisite appreciation for process and capac ity to integrate different levels of understanding. Departments of Psychiatry rarely feature a monolithic approach to understanding psychopathology, although th ere are excep tions . It is important in the choice of those individuals who are selected for supervision, that attention be paid to the particular interests and teaching skills of faculty members. It is essential to have super visors who not o nly have a specific area of expertise in psychiatric knowledge and practice , bu t also the capacity to

Building a Lecture That Works

The prospect of preparing and pre senting a lecture can give rise to a discomforting anxiety, particularly for the novice. Fortunately, the feelings of satisfaction (and relief) that follow a successful presentation often match the intensity of the original anxiety. When a lecturer has completed a presenta tion, three things have happened: first, the lecturer has brought to light the im plicit structure of the topic in a way that is perceived as factually accurate; second, the lecture has created a way for students to see the content from a fresh perspective; third, the lecturer has involved the audience in the unrav elling of a mystery, alternately provok ing and satisfying the curiosity of the listeners. Lecture building is best thought of as a three-part sequence. The first part structures the material; the second part creates visual experiences that comple ment the spoken word. The third part provokes the audience to respond to the structure and comprehend the ma terial. The first part of the task entails analyzing the content from an objec tive stance. This part requires careful research and scrutiny, as if for a re search paper. The second and third parts require sensitivity to the audi ence, with careful attention to the ca pacity of the listeners to comprehend

UNCERTAINTY, ECONOMIES OF SCALE AND BARRIER TO ENTRY.

Entry deterrence is examined under demand uncertainty and economies of scale. Both incumbent and potential entrant select capacity before demand is observed, provided expected discounted profit exceeds the cost of cap acity (risk neutrality). As in the certainty case, entry deterrence is not profi table in the absence ofeconomies of scale. However, Schmalensee recently proved another certainty result (that the monopoly profit stream which can be shielded from entry by economies of scale is bounded from above by the cost of minimum e fficient scale) is not valid in the presenceof uncertainty, even under risk neu trality. Copyright 1986 by Royal Economic Society.

Plant regeneration of Oncidium varicosum (Orchidaceae) by means of root tip culture

The effects of an auxin (NAA) and a cyto kinin (BA), as well as those of peptone, thiamin and coconut water (CW) on callus and protocorm-like body (PLB) induction from root tips of Oncidium varicosum grown in vitro were studied. Relatively high concentrations of NAA favoured callus induction. PLBs were obtained from callus culture either in medium with 15% CW+1.25 mg/1 NAA or in the presence of CW alone. The low regeneration capac ity of buds presented by the calli seems to be the result of an incomplete dedifferentiation of their cells. This seems to keep the callus in a "root state". The apparent presence of high cytokinin levels either in the explant or in the callus may be related to these processes.

鉱物の熱測定に適する断熱型熱量計

An adiabatic calorimeter has been described for the calorimetric measurement of minerals in the range from room temperature to 600°C. Unlike reported adiabatic calorimeters which generally require samples in the amount of 7—100 g, the new calorimeter has been so designed that very small amount of samples, such as 1—2g, may be used. The main part of the calorimeter is composed of metals, and of sheath heaters and sheath thermocouples to obtain good thermal contact, respons and homogeneity in the sample and the environment. The data acquisition system is automated with a microcomputer. The heat capacity (CP) of corundum between 30°and 500°C has been determined by the calorimeter in the precision of ±2% using about 2 g of the powder.

Successful Empathy Training

The present study was inspired by finding that a survey of research papers cited as demonstrating the effectiveness of brief training in communication skills failed to reveal evidence of successful training in "empathic respond ing." Two aspects of the general training situation were experimentally manipulated in an attempt to produce higher levels of "empathic respond ing" following a brief training program: ( a) the definition of the task, as well as the training instructions and materials, were deliberately phrased in a manner continuous with ordinary discourse. This was an attempt to solve the "translation" problem. (b) The purpose of the task was described as demon strating competence in assimilating an unorthodox set of rules, and not as accepting the validity of the trainer's conception of "empathy" and "being helpful." The results of the experimental manipulations were very dramatic: the group asked to display competence produced more than twice as many "empathic responses" as the group asked to learn "empathic responding," as assessed by an independent rater using a standard scale. In addition, 70% of the former group's responses were rated "empathic." The implications of this study for the general theoretical problem in psychology of evaluating capa city from performance are discussed.

The high-temperature heat capacity of natural calcite (CaCO3)

The heat capacity (CP) of a natural sample of calcite (CaCO3) has been measured from 350 to 775 K by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Heat capacities determined for a powdered sample and a single-crystal disc are in close agreement and have a total uncertainty of ±1 percent. The following equation for the heat capacity of calcite from 298 to 775 K was fit by least squares to the experimental data and constrained to join smoothly with the low-temperature heat capacity data of Staveley and Linford (1969) (CP in J mol−1 K−1, T in K): $$\begin{gathered} C_p = - 184.79 + 0.32322T - 3,688,200T^{ - 2} \hfill \\ {\text{ }} - (1.2974{\text{ }} \times {\text{ 10}}^{ - {\text{4}}} )T^2 + 3,883.5T^{ - 1/2} \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ Combining this equation with the S2980value from Staveley and Linford (1969), entropies for calcite are calculated and presented to 775 K. A simple method of extrapolating the heat capacity function of calcite above 775 K is presented. This method provides accurate entropies of calcite for high-temperature thermodynamic calculations, as evidenced by calculation of the equilibrium: CaCO3(s)=CaO(s)+CO2(s).

Constrictive Pericarditis Following Aortocoronary Bypass Surgery

A 61-year-old man had progressive dys pnea along with signs and symptoms sug gesting severe right heart failure following aortocoronary bypass surgery. He was ini tially treated with indomethacin, digoxin, and furosemide, but with no major change in his condition. Four months after opera tion the patient presented with clinical find ings compatible with the postpericardiotomy syndrome and hemodynamic evidence of constriction. Pericardiectomy resulted in a marked improvement in his functional ca pacity. The possible mechanism for peri cardial constriction following open heart surgery is discussed.

Evaluation of startup policies in simulation experiments

This paper describes a procedure for evaluating pro posed startup policies that define the initial condi tions and the truncation point in a simulation ex periment. The evaluation procedure involves the tabulation of bias, variance, and mean square error of the sample mean over a fixed range of truncation points and initial conditions. For each policy, the tabulated values are averaged with respect to an empirical truncation-point distribution based on independent model runs. These results are used to construct confidence intervals for the steady-state mean with the same average length for all policies; the corresponding average confidence interval cover age can then be used to compare policies. To illustrate the procedure, several well-known policies are evaluated for two finite-state Markovian queueing systems—α single-server queue with a capac ity of 15 and a machine-repair system with 3 repair- men and 14 machines. The results for both systems indicate that the best initial condition is the most frequently observed value (the mode) of the steady- state distribution of the number-in-system process, and that the judicious selection of an initial condi tion is more effective than truncation in improving the performance of the sample mean as an estimator of the steady-state mean.

Rules of the Road in Staff Relations

My past professional experience has included the developm nt of peopl desirous of supervisory or executive positions in various fields. I have thus been continually associated with the human development factors inherent in all positions of superivsory authority, no matter the source of authority. The areas in which I have trained people to function in a supervisory ca pacity include higher education, public education, nurs ing, business, social work, the Veterans Administration, and the Army Medical Service Corps. Out of this jumbled experience have evolved some simple and funda mental supervisory and executive truths. It is my hope to convey these thoughts in as distinguishable a medium as possible. Please consider, as you read, that I am speaking of common elements of supervision in dealing with people regardless of the level at which they choose to function.

On the Stomatal Frequency in Barley. : I. The Relationship between Stomatal Frequency and Photosynthesis

The relationship between stomatal frequency and photosynthesls in barley was studied to determine whether stomatal Lrequency can be used to screen plants for high photosynthetic ca pacity. Photosynthesis and transpiration of 7 cultivars differing in stomatal frequency were measured (Table 1). The analysis of variance (Table 2) revealed that these cultivars differed significantly in stomatal frequency and photosynthesis but not in transpiration. There was a positive correlation between stomatal frequency and photosynthesis, r=0.94 and also between stomatal frequency and transpiration, r=0.86 (Fig. 1). The coefficient of regression of photosynthesis on stomatal frequency was 0.207, which indicated that the increase of one stoma per mm2 resulted in the increase of 0.207 CO2 mg/dm2/hr intake. By Gaastra's equation, the resistance of the air (ra), the stomata (rs), and the mesophyll (rm) to the diffusion of CO2 and the resistance of the air (ra'), and the stomata (rs') to the diffusion of H2O were computed (Table 3). Stomatal resistance tended to decrease as stomatal frequency increased (Fig.2). Mean (rs')/mean (ra'+rs)=0.60 and mean (rs)/ mean (ra+rs+rm)=0.16. It appears that transpiration was more affected by the change of rs' than photosynthesis. But the correlation between stomatal frequency and mesophyll resistance was -0.93. This indicates that mesophll resistance was affected by changes in stomatal frequency whose effect was not wholly separated by Gaastra's equation.

The KDF-5A disinfection apparatus

In the USSR it i s c u s t o m a r y to use specia l appa ra tuses (chambers ) for disinfect ing clothing, linen, footwear, and bedding. Fo r this purpose many models a r e produced by industry. All c h a m b e r s have m a n ual control . Some hospi ta l disinfection c h a m b e r s of compara t ive ly sma l l s ize (under 3 m 3) a r e of a l l meta l , in tegra l construct ion, whereas chambe r s with a capaci ty of 5 m s or m o r e a r e a s sembled at the place of use. Exper ience of the fabr ica t ion of such chambe r s has shown that the s tandard of construct ion is not a lways a t a sufficiently high technical level .

Full Employment at Living Wages

The theme of this article is true full employ ment : the opportunity for all to work for living wages. Under the heading of a full employment policy, we reject the creation of substandard jobs, no matter how many. A policy of guaranteed employment that fails to provide for living wage levels could easily turn into a device for forcing reluctant workers into substandard jobs. A true full employment policy must rest on three principles: (1) a guarantee of the right to useful job opportunities for all workers; (2) the creation of standards for family living wages, at least for principal wage earners, since a pure employment policy with no proper wage standards will merely succeed in reproducing poverty; and (3) a com prehensive framework of manpower, production and capac ity planning. Without this, a job guarantee at living wages is sure to fail, because the task of full employment policy is enormous. It must not merely create millions of jobs; it must upgrade tens of millions.

Imperialism, Intervention Capacity, and Foreign Policy Making

This article summarizes central theoretical and methodological notions developed in an empirical analysis of US foreign policy decisionmaking, of the economic effects of war expenditures and of the evolution of public opinion in the Indochina intervention, from Kennedy to Nixon. In the first part, the economic and political base for the US intervention policy in the Third World in general and in Indochina in particular is analyzed. In this framework the functions of military spend ing and war industry for the militarization of US intervention policy and for internal economic sta bilization in the interest of the US power elite are discussed. The link between the escalation of the Vietnam war in 1964/65 and the prevention of an impending economic recession in the US serves as an illustrating example. In order to analyze the impact of economic and political factors determining US foreign policy towards the Third World in concrete historical situations, the concept of 'intervention capacity' is introduced. Intervention capacity does not only mean the available and applied resources and means for military actions or threats: it also sub sumes the level of economic, social, and political stability required in the imperialistic nation itself for performing and continuing interventions in the Third World. The international and national weakening of US imperialism as a consequence of its failure to achieve its military goal in Southeast Asia is analyzed in this perspective. Besides the analysis of the strategic context and the delineated problem area of intervention ca pacity, studies of imperialist interventions should deal also with the process of foreign policy ma king. Criteria for a better understanding of this process in which political and economic goals are converted into political action consensus are dis cussed in connection with the Indochina policy decisions. In the final section, the developed analytical framework is used for a critical review of liberal and radical analyses of the US Indochina inter vention. The main argument here is that critical social science, in bringing in the needed system perspective, should not neglect to apply more re fined methods of data analysis and concept re finement.