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In this exploratory study, we adapted items from a previously developed measure of job satisfaction, the Measure of Job Satisfaction (MJS), an instrument first developed for use with community nurses in the UK, to create a brief, 15-item instrument (Job Satisfaction—Brief) applicable to practitioners of school psychology from Pennsylvania (N= 94). In order to examine the underlying factor structures of the items adapted from the Measure of Job Satisfaction (MJS) instrument, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was applied in the JAMOVI Version 2.3.19.0 with maximum likelihood estimation to be implemented for the ordered categorical scale. Two factors were extracted from the data: Factor One: Satisfaction with Intrapersonal Development and Clinical Accomplishment and Factor Two: Satisfaction with Advancement, Financial Compensation, and Rank. The uses for the measure and recommended future directions are discussed.

Abstract: In this atypical case of sarcoidosis with an unusual combination of clinical and laboratory findings, a 32-year-old male presented with a 3-month history of thoracic pain complicated with dyspnea. [...]

As the New Year begins, the North American polyethylene resin market is regaining some semblance of order. Resin supply is much better balanced with demand today than it was for [...]

At FPA's 2005 Fall Executive Conference, one of the most important topics discussed was the global polyethylene market and the profound long and short-term changes that are occurring within this [...]

Early stages modelling of processes involves issues of classification of variables into inputs, outputs and internal variables, referred to as Model Orientation Problem (MOP) which may be addressed on state space implicit, or matrix pencil descriptions. Defining orientation is equivalent to producing state space models of the regular or singular type. In this paper we consider autonomous differential descriptions defined by matrix pencils and then search for strict equivalence transformations which introduce the partitioning of the implicit vector into states and possible inputs and outputs, referred to as system orientation. The Kronecker invariant structure of the matrix pencil description is shown to be central to the solution of system orientation and this is expressed as a problem of classification and partitioning of the Kronecker invariants. It is shown that the types of Kronecker invariants characterise the nature of the system orientation solutions. Studying the conditions, under which such oriented models may be derived, as well as their structural properties in terms of the Kronecker structure, is the issue considered here.

This paper investigates two mapping methods for Kerkini reservoir bottom, in order to study the morphology and the evolution of deposits at the reservoir. The methods are the hydrographic and the satellite bathymetry. The hydrographic method incorporates the geodetic satellite technology with sonar system for mapping the bottom relief, while the satellite bathymetry extracts the depths using the information from the spectral bands of a satellite image. The satellite Worldview-2 was used in this study. The milestones for the Kerkini reservoir were the years 1952 and 1982, where the construction of the west dike changed the hydrological regime. After these changes, bottom surveys of the reservoir were carried out in 1962 and 1984 and charts were produced. Based on these diagrams, deposition rates are calculated and volumes are compared over the years till the recent mapping in 2014. The digital bathymetry models, obtained from the implementation of hydrography and satellite bathymetry, are compared to each other. Furthermore, the development of new methods for the determination of volume and deposition rate can contribute to the optimal management of such water systems and the creation of a sustainability index for the reservoir.

Purpose: To determine whether a 100% healthy vending model would affect revenue, employee satisfaction, and nutrition in the workplace.Design: This study compared revenue and nutrition data pre- and post-adoption of nutrition standards from the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Healthy Workplace Food and Beverage Toolkit. Employee satisfaction was measured using a survey.Setting: The AHA National Center which, over time, included 5 vending machines and a micromarket.Measures: Comparisons of monthly snack and beverage revenues; survey results assessing employee satisfaction; reduction in mean saturated fat (g) and sodium (mg) per snack sold; reduction in mean sugar (g) per beverage sold; monthly mean number of fruits, vegetable, and dairy sold.Analysis: Paired ttests were used to compare monthly revenue while ttests were used to compare nutrition information pre- and post-adoption of nutrition standards. Survey results and food group purchases were analyzed using descriptive statistics.Results: Mean monthly snack revenue increased (P= .002). Mean monthly beverage revenue did not decrease. Most survey respondents were satisfied with the healthy vending. Mean saturated fat and sodium content per snack sold decreased (P< .001). Mean sugar content per beverage sold decreased. The micromarket sold an average of 210 units of dairy, 85 units of fruit, and 87 units of vegetables per month.Limitations: This study was conducted at one workplace.Conclusion: Healthy vending did not decrease revenue but did decrease saturated fat and sodium per snack, decrease sugar per beverage, and provide fruits, vegetables, and fat-free/low-fat dairy. Employees were generally satisfied with healthy vending.

Type 1 diabetes results from autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic [Beta]-cells. The insulin gene (INS) is expressed in human thymus, an ectopic expression site involved in immune tolerance. The IDDM2 [...]

The relationship between the unimodular matrices relating coprime and column reduced matrix fraction descriptions (MFD) of a nonproper transfer function, and the restricted system equivalence (r.s.e.) transformations relating the corresponding generalised state space realisations is considered. It is shown that the r.s.e and unimodular transformations can be directly obtained from each other by inspection. The r.s.e. transformations leading to the canonical form are derived from the unimodular transformations leading to the echelon canonical form of the composite matrix of the MFD of the system.

Le but de ce travail est l’évaluation de deux techniques de « désagrégation d’échelle » (statistique et dynamique) pour la simulation des précipitations hivernales en Grèce. La méthode statistique se base sur l’utilisation du principe des réseaux de neurones artificiels (RNA). Pour la construction du modèle statistique, sept prédicteurs sont utilisé. Les meilleurs résultats ont été obtenus par le prédicteur suivant : géopotentiels au niveau 500 hPa combiné avec l’humidité spécifique et les précipitations. Les données de la méthode dynamique proviennent d’un modèle climatique régional (RCM). La comparaison des résultats obtenus par les deux techniques (statistique et dynamique) a été faite en comparant les valeurs des pluies de chaque station simulées par la méthode statistique avec les valeurs moyennes (précipitations simulées par le modèle HadRM3P) de quatre points de grille entourant la station. D’après les résultats obtenus, les deux méthodes s’avèrent efficaces pour la simulation des précipitations hivernales en Grèce. Leurs totaux semblent être en réduction jusqu’à la fin du 21èmesiècle (la réduction, selon les scénarios, varie entre 14 et 35%).

Cardiovascular disease risk factor control as primary prevention in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus has changed substantially in the past few years. The purpose of this scientific statement is to review the current literature and key clinical trials pertaining to blood pressure and blood glucose control, cholesterol management, aspirin therapy, and lifestyle modification. We present a synthesis of the recent literature, new guidelines, and clinical targets, including screening for kidney and subclinical cardiovascular disease for the contemporary management of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The paper uses the daily stock market index returns of Fama–French to attempt a comparative forecasting analysis of different volatility models. The comparison naturally pre-requests the specification of the competing volatility frameworks and therefore the paper among other issues deals with dilemmas about whether volatility–return relations hold. As expected the analysis focuses on FIEGARCH-M models that extend the basic long memory volatility framework of Bollerslev and Mikkelsen (1996. “Modeling and Pricing Long Memory in Stock Market Volatility.” Journal of Econometrics73:151–84) with the introduction of a volatility in mean effect. Taking also into consideration the work of Christensen, Nielsen, and Zhu (2007. “The Effect of Long Memory in Volatility of Stock Market Fluctuations.” Review of Economics and Statistics89:684–700)for the existence of spillover effects when conditional in mean equations hold a stationary and a long memory component the analysis estimates the filter long memory volatility models FIEGARCH-MG and FIEGARCH-MH presented in Christensen, Nielsen, and Zhu (2010. “Long Memory in Stock Market Volatility and the Volatility-in-Mean Effect: The FIEGARCH-M Model.” Journal of Econometrics155:170–87) in order to test whether such filter adjustments can improve volatility forecasting. Although there is no particular reason to assume that the stationary inputs in the return equations will necessarily follow the normal distribution that Christensen, Nielsen, and Zhu (2010. “Long Memory in Stock Market Volatility and the Volatility-in-Mean Effect: The FIEGARCH-M Model.” Journal of Econometrics 155:170–87) assume, the paper follows this path but nevertheless enriches this aspect of the analysis by introducing alternative distributional assumptions. The results indicate the existence of a statistically significant mean effect when both filter models are estimated under the assumption of t-student distribution, although as far as volatility forecasting is concerned both filtered models cannot outperform in terms of forecasting criteria the parsimonious FIEGARCH version that dominates filter and non-filter volatility models under various forecasting horizons.

Nocturnal reflux has been associated with severe complications of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and a poorer quality of life. Hiatal hernia predisposes to increased oesophageal acid exposure, but the effect on night reflux symptoms has never been investigated. The aim of the study was to investigate if hiatal hernia is associated with more frequent and severe night reflux symptoms. A total of 215 consecutive patients (110 male, mean age 52.6?±?14.7 years) answered a detailed questionnaire on frequency and severity of specific day and night reflux symptoms. Subsequently, all patients underwent upper endoscopy and were categorized in two groups based on the endoscopic presence of hiatal hernia. Patients with hiatal hernia were more likely to have nocturnal symptoms compared to those without hiatal hernia (78.6 vs. 51.8%, p?=?0.0001); 59.2% of patients with hiatal hernia reported heartburn and 60.2% regurgitation compared to 43.8 and 39.3% of those without hiatal hernia, respectively (p?=?0.033 and p?=?0.003). The proportions of patients with day heartburn or regurgitation were not significantly different between the two groups. Night heartburn and regurgitation were graded as significantly more severe by patients with hiatal hernia (4.9?±?4.2 vs. 3.2?±?3.7, p?=?0.002, and 3.8?±?4.2 vs. 2.2?±?3.5, p?=?0.001, respectively). Patients with hiatal hernia had more frequent weekly night heartburn and regurgitation compared to those without hiatal hernia (p?=?0.004 and p?=?0.008, respectively). More patients with hiatal hernia reported nocturnal reflux symptoms compared to those without hiatal hernia. Furthermore, nocturnal reflux symptoms were significantly more frequent and graded as significantly more severe in patients with presence of hiatal hernia rather than in those without hiatal hernia.

Recent reports of selected observational studies and a meta-analysis have stirred controversy and have become the impetus for calls to abandon recommendations for reduced sodium intake by the US general population. A detailed review of these studies documents substantial methodological concerns that limit the usefulness of these studies in setting, much less reversing, dietary recommendations. Indeed, the evidence base supporting recommendations for reduced sodium intake in the general population remains robust and persuasive. The American Heart Association is committed to improving the health of all Americans through implementation of national goals for health promotion and disease prevention, including its recommendation to reduce dietary sodium intake to <1500 mgd.

Abstract: The orthogonal method, a powerful and versatile array design procedure, is implemented to the synthesis of conformal slot arrays that reside on a perfectly conducting elliptic cone. In the design scheme, coupling between the slots is taken into account. The coupling information is derived through a numerically rigorous technique based on a full wave analysis. Two arrays, a circumferential and a quasi-radial, are synthesized. In the design examples, constraints on the side lobe level, on scanning capabilities and on cosecant pattern shaping are included.

Abstract: A well designed Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol for wireless networks should provide an efficient mechanism to share the limited bandwidth resources, and satisfy the diverse and usually contradictory Quality of Service (QoS) requirements of each traffic class. In this paper a new MAC protocol for next generation wireless communications is presented and investigated. The protocol uses a combined Packet Discard/Forward Error Correction scheme in order to efficiently integrate MPEG-4 videoconference packet traffic with voice, SMS data and web packet traffic over a noisy wireless channel of high capacity. Our scheme achieves high aggregate channel throughput in all cases of traffic load, while preserving the Quality of Service (QoS) requirements of each traffic type, and is shown to clearly outperform DPRMA, another efficient MAC protocol proposed in the literature for multimedia traffic integration over wireless networks.

The design of a base station antenna for mobile communications is presented. The orthogonal method (OM) is applied under constraints on nulls of the radiation pattern. In the synthesis process the mutual coupling between the elements of the antenna array could be taken into account. Beam tilting and direction of arrival are also considered. The whole design is completed by implementing a special architecture of the antenna. Finally, some examples show the applicability of our technique.The design of a base station antenna for mobile communications is presented. The orthogonal method (OM) is applied under constraints on nulls of the radiation pattern. In the synthesis process the mutual coupling between the elements of the antenna array could be taken into account. Beam tilting and direction of arrival are also considered. The whole design is completed by implementing a special architecture of the antenna. Finally, some examples show the applicability of our technique.

Abstract: Equilibrium structures of all derivatized systems of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzoic acid, and 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxybenzoic acid and calculated structural and energetic molecular descriptors were determined at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d) density functional theoretical level in an attempt to study their structure-activity relationships (SAR). The theoretical antioxidant activity trend, derived in terms of hydrogen-donating capacity against radicals in lipid systems, is in excellent agreement with the experimental one. The lower antioxidant activity of benzoates, experimentally found relative to the homologous cinnamates, could be due to (i) their lower spin delocalization, (ii) their higher calculated heats of formation values in forming radicals (ΔHOF), and (iii) the much stronger electron-withdrawing effect of the-COOH group than-CH=CHCOOH. The low calculated dipole moment values of the global minimum structures of the antioxidants could facilitate their solubilities in nonpolar solvents, hence the ease of hydrogen abstraction. However, highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) eigenvalues can neither predict antioxidant activity nor differentiate the same activity between two series of structurally related compounds. Again, density functional theory calculations provide a good molecular descriptor, ΔHOF, to correlate with the antioxidant activity in molecules showing similar structural characteristics.

In this work, a novel method is presented, with which the safe space around aperture antennas can be assessed. The basis of this new approach is the approximate similarity of the contours between uniformly and non-uniformly illuminated apertures. The isoparametric contours that result from numerical calculations have to be replaced by envelope contours that fully enclose them, in order to avoid radio frequency hazards. These envelopes were approximated with analytical formulas. Various examples of different apertures are presented, which demonstrate the mode of application and the validity of our method.

To determine the effect of interferon-α2b (IFN-α2b) on the long-term suppression of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in patients with persistently normal or near normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, 76 previously untreated patients with serum HCV RNA and ALT levels <1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) were randomized to receive either interferon-α2b (IFN-α2b) 5 MU three times a week for 24 weeks (n = 37) or no treatment (n = 39). HCV RNA testing was performed at the end of treatment and after a 6-month follow-up period. Intention-to-treat analysis showed that HCV RNA was detected significantly less frequently in treated than in untreated patients, at the end of both treatment and follow-up (43.2% vs. 7.7%, p < 0.001, and 21.6% vs. 5.1%, p = 0.033, respectively). Among treated patients, sustained virologic response was significantly higher in non-1 than in genotype 1 patients (8 of 26 or 30.8% vs. 0 of 11, p = 0.038). According to multiple logistic regression, untreated patients had a 13.5 times greater risk to be HCV RNA-positive compared with treated patients (p = 0.040). ALT levels flared up in 3 treated and 9 untreated patients (p = 0.07), suggesting that these flare-ups are related to the natural course of chronic HCV infection rather than to IFN-α2b. Thus, such patients could benefit from an IFN-α2b in combination with ribavirin regimen.

Transfer function models used for early stages of design are large dimension, contain all possible physical inputs, outputs, may be badly conditioned and possibly degenerate. The problem considered here is the selection of maximal cardinality subsets of the physical input, output sets, such as the resulting model is nondegenerate and satisfies additional properties such as controllability and observability and avoids the existence of high order infinite zeros. Conditions for characterisation of such properties are given. A selection procedure for natural subsets of inputs and outputs, which guarantee well conditioning in the above sense, may be based on these criteria.

Abstract.: This article is an appraisal of the use of CT in the management of patients with unstable abdominal trauma. We examined 41 patients with abdominal trauma using noncontrast dynamic CT. In 17 patients a postcontrast dynamic CT was also carried out. On CT, 25 patients had hemoperitoneum. Thirteen patients had splenic, 12 hepatic, 6 pancreatic, 8 bowel and mesenteric, 12 renal and 2 vascular injuries. Seven patients had retroperitoneal and 2 patients adrenal hematomas. All but five lesions (three renal, one pancreatic, and one splenic) were hypodense when CT was performed earlier than 8 h following the injury. Postcontrast studies (n = 17), revealed 4 splenic, 3 hepatic, 1 pancreatic, 3 renal, and 2 bowel and mesenteric injuries beyond what was found on noncontrast CT. Surgical confirmation (n = 21) was obtained in 81.81 % of splenic, 66.66 % of hepatic, 83.33 % of pancreatic, 100 % of renal, 100 % of retroperitoneal, and 85.71 % of bowel and mesenteric injuries. The majority of false diagnoses was obtained with noncontrast studies. Computed tomography is a remarkable method for evaluation and management of patients with hemodynamically unstable abdominal trauma, but only if it is revealed in the emergency room. Contrast injection, when it could be done, revealed lesions that were not suspected on initial plain scans.

Features VAF Research's new DC-X loudspeaker models. Sensitivity and linear frequency responses; Linear phase responses; Distortion frequency; Cumulative spectral decay; Use of tuned resonant circuits or step filters to attenuate extra output; Performance factors with conventional driver/enclosure combinations. INSET: How EA found the VAF DC-X system...

Contents A unified formulation for superdirective end-fire arrays by using Chebyshev and Legendre Polynomials and their maximum directivities as well as the corresponding efficiency index and theQ factor are found. Several examples show the simplicity of the formulation.

The input-output decoupling problem for singular systems via state feedback and regular input transformation is considered. The treatment of the problem is in the frequency domain and it is an extension of the state-space systems case. The polynomial matrix approach is shown to be considerably simpler than the existing methods and the solvability conditions are readily obtained from the "numerator" matrix of a coprime and column reduced MFD of the given system. Pole placement issues are also considered and a characterisation of the fixed poles of the system is given.

The arrangement of a Mast-mounted folded dipole antenna array with corner reflectors is considered. The method of moments (MoM) in a wire grid model is used and a suitable optimization procedure is applied Due to the constraints for high power gain and low SLL the array is designed as a simple broadside Chebyshev one. The presence of 120° corner reflectors change the pattern and makes the array to be a Hybrid-Chebyshev one with approximately the same SLL. The distance of the array from the corner of the reflector is critical for the HPBW. Two different types of antennas with 60° and 120° HPBW in the horizontal plane for possible mobile applications are studied.The whole design work is given in a general form, useful for VHF and UHF communication applications. To ensure the accuracy, two different wire grids for each model are used. In the examples several interesting cases will be analytically presented.

The minisatellite DNA polymorphism consisting of a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) at the human INS (insulin gene) 5'-flanking region has demonstrated allelic effects on insulin gene transcription in vitro and has been associated with the level of insulin gene expression in vivo. We now show that this VNTR also has effects on the nearby insulin-like growth factor II gene (IGF2) in human placenta in vivo and in the HepG2 hepatoma cell line in vitro. We show that higher steady-state IGF2 mRNA levels are associated with shorter alleles (class I) than the longer class III alleles in term placentae. In vitro, reporter gene activity was greater from reporter gene constructs with IGF2 promoter 3 in the presence of class I alleles than from those with class III. Taken together with the documented transcriptional effects on the insulin gene, we propose that the VNTR may act as a long range control element affecting the expression of both INS and IGF2. The localization of a type 1 diabetes susceptibility locus (IDDM2) to the VNTR itself suggests that either or both of these genes may be involved in the biologic effects of IDDM2.

1. The biliary maximum secretory rate (SRmax.) of glycoursodeoxycholate in the bile fistula anaesthetized rat was about five times that of unconjugated ursodeoxycholate. 2. Likewise, the biliary SRmax. of tauro-7-ketolithocholate was more than three times that of unconjugated 7-ketolithocholate. The SRmax. of 7-ketolithocholate infused with taurine (to avoid depletion of the taurine pool) was still significantly lower than that of exogenous tauro-7-ketolithocholate. 3. These data support the hypothesis that, for bile acids that are poorly water soluble, the maximal biliary secretion rate is dependent on conjugating capacity, which is the limiting step in the overall transport from plasma into bile.

Extraction of an internal fixation device during the conversion of a failed intertrochanteric osteotomy to a total hip arthroplasty (THR) may lead to excessive trauma of the femoral shaft. In an attempt to bypass this risk, we performed THR leaving the old osteosynthetic material (straight plates and screws) in 10 of 48 patients operated on during the last 20 years. In another 8 patients, most of the osteosynthetic material was removed, but screw fragments were left in the canal. Insertion of the cement and the stem was unexpectedly easy in all 18 cases. After a mean follow-up of 10 (5–20) years there were no clinical problems. Radiographically, there were no signs of loosening, with only an occasional slight osteoporosis of the greater trochanter. Although theoretically the coexistence of different metals in the shaft should be avoided, in practice it does not appear to create a problem for patients. This may be attributed to insulation of the dissimilar materials by the cement. In conclusion, in cases where removal of the osteosynthetic device is expected to lead to severe trauma of the femur, our findings indicate that it is no disadvantage to perform the THR leaving the internal fixation material in place.

Type 1 diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is due to autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells. Genetic susceptibility to IDDM is encoded by several loci, one of which (IDDM2) maps to a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) minisatellite, upstream of the insulin gene (INS)1–5. The short class I VNTR alleles (26–63 repeats) predispose to IDDM, while class III alleles (140–210 repeats) have a dominant protective effect1–6. We have reported that, in human adult4'6 and fetal7 pancreas in vivo, class III alleles are associated with marginally lower INS mRNA levels than class I, suggesting transcriptional effects of the VNTR. These may be related to type 1 diabetes pathogenesis, as insulin is the only known β-cell specific IDDM autoantigen. In search of a more plausible mechanism for the dominant effect of class III alleles, we analysed expression of insulin in human fetal thymus, a critical site for tolerance induction to self proteins. Insulin was detected in all thymus tissues examined and class III VNTR alleles were associated with 2- to 3-fold higher INS mRNA levels than class I. We therefore propose higher levels of thymic INS expression, facilitating immune tolerance induction, as a mechanism for the dominant protective effect of class III alleles.

An extensive set of measurements folr the purpose of mapping of the EM pollution in the vicinity of an Antenna Park is given. The EM power density is compared with three international standard limits. Special attention has been paid to residential areas. An increased EM pollution was found in areas where construction of buildings is planned for the future. In view of these plans, reformation of the park and spreadmg of the antennas have to be done.

For linear systems, a family of cover problems of the geometric theory are introduced as extensions of the standard cover problem and a matrix pencil formulation of such problems is given. It is shown that the solvability of such problems is reduced to a problem of Kronecker Invariant Transformation by Matrix Pencil Augmentation and a Matrix Pencil Realisation Problem. Necessary, as well as sufficient conditions for solvability of both problems are given, which lead to a number of conditions for solvability of the partial, as well as standard cover problem. The special cases of left regular, regular solutions of the cover problem are investigated and a parametrisation of such families of solutions is given.

Nous considérons une forme canonique du type Popov pour des systèmes singuliers avec sorties, sous l'action de l'équivalence restreinte des systèmes. Nous décrivons les transformations qui conduisent à cette forme canonique et nous montrons que celle-ci est directement liée à la matrice composée, issue d'une factorisation de la matrice du transfert du système. Elie met en évidence, de manière tout à fait transparente, les indices d'atteignabilité du système et permet de classifier, par simple inspection, les indices de commandabilité propres et nonpropres.

Contents The discontinuity problem of a metallic post coated by a dielectric tube in a rectangular waveguide has been solved numerically.—From the solution parametric curves have been derived displaying the parameters of the T-equivalent circuit in dependence of the post geometrie. Several cases of the dielectric tube permittivity are considered. For some special relations between the frequency, the dielectric constant and the radius of the post the reflection or the transmission coefficient becomes equal to zero. These relations give narrow-band filters. Experimental results have shown the utility of the method as a filter design tool.

Contents An exact solution of the discontinuity problem of a circular cylindrical dielectric post centered in a rectangular waveguide is presented. The waveguide is divided in three regions where the field is expressed in cylindrical waves or in waveguide modes. By point matching, a system of linear equations determining the reflection and transmission coefficients is found. — The structure of our interest includes a liquid column surrounded by a cylindrical glass tube. For this case, curves have been made showing the relationship between the coefficients of reflection and transmission and the permittivity of the rod. Such curves are used for measuring the dielectric properties of liquids.

Contents In this paper, the exact solution for the electromagnetic field diffracted by a perfectly conducting elliptic cone is determined. The solution is presented in the form of a dyadic Green's function which is the most general form of solution. It is used the spheroconal coordinate system where the elliptic cone is one of the coordinate surfaces.

The minisatellite DNA polymorphism consisting of a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) at the human INS(insulin gene) 5′-flanking region has demonstrated allelic effects on insulin gene transcription in vitroand has been associated with the level of insulin gene expression in vivo. We now show that this VNTR also has effects on the nearby insulin-like growth factor II gene (IGF2) in human placenta in vivoand in the HepG2 hepatoma cell line in vitro. We show that higher steady-state IGF2mRNA levels are associated with shorter alleles (class I) than the longer class III alleles in term placentae. In vitro, reporter gene activity was greater from reporter gene constructs with IGF2promoter 3 in the presence of class I alleles than from those with class III. Taken together with the documented transcriptional effects on the insulin gene, we propose that the VNTR may act as a long range control element affecting the expression of both INSandIGF2. The localization of a type 1 diabetes susceptibility locus (IDDM2) to the VNTR itself suggests that either or both of these genes may be involved in the biologic effects ofIDDM2.

The aims of this study are to compare the rates of health promotion and disease prevention activity within Community Health Centre (CHC) and private general practice (GP) consultations. A prospective field¾based observation study was designed using medical students as observers. Private and CHC general practitioners involved in the teaching of the medical students in metropolitan Melbourne were observed for one week of consecutive consultations. Primary preventive interventions or behaviours during GP consultations were recorded, based on best practice guidelines. Twenty two students acted as observers. Fifty-one general practitioners were observed, 20 from CHCs and 31 from private general practices. Inter-observer reliability was satisfactory. CHC general practitioners had higher rates of overall preventive activity. Of the four broad categories of activities coded, CHC general practitioners were significantly more likely to detect patients' risk status but no more likely to conduct casefinding examinations, make test recommendations and provide advice. Among the 46 specific activities coded, CHC general practitioners were more likely to detect their patients' exercise levels and dietary details, perform a pap smear, and give advice on smoking, alcohol and diet. It was not possible to determine to what extent doctor and patient characteristics, as distinct from practice setting, were responsible for these results. While CHC general practitioners had higher levels of preventive activity, the differences were not great. Patient-initiated disease prevention is an under-reported phenomenon which deserves further attention.

One of the loci encoding susceptibility to insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) isIDDM2, mapped to a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism situated 596bp upstream of the insulin gene (INS). The shorter alleles (class I) predispose to IDDM, while the longer class III alleles are protective. BesidesINS, it is possible that transcription levels ofIGF2, the nearby gene encoding the insulin-like growth factor II, may be modulated by allelic forms of the VNTR. In an effort to define the pathophysiologic mechanism of theIDDM2effect, we examined the effect, incis, of VNTR genotype on steady-state mRNA levels ofINSin samples of human fetal pancreas, and ofIGF2in leucocytes of diabetic children. Relative levels of mRNA transcripts derived from each chromosome carrying a defined VNTR allele were measured by RT-PCR, taking advantage of transcribed polymorphisms at the 3′ untranslated region of each gene. In 10 samples of human fetal pancreas,INStranscripts from chromosomes carrying a class III VNTR were slightly but significantly (P=0.015) lower than those from class I (13% lower, 95% confidence limits 3–21%). In 10 leucocyte samples, mRNA from bothIGF2alleles was seen, indicating relaxation of the parental imprinting ofIGF2in these cells. However, this relaxation was incomplete as maternal allele mRNA was systematically at a lower level than paternal. The paternal/maternal ratio varied widely among individual subjects. Two of the most extreme cases, demonstrating almost complete repression of the maternal allele, were identical twins, suggesting that this variable relaxation of imprinting is genotype-dependent. However, this genotype-dependence cannot be accounted for by the maternal VNTR, as the mean ratios of paternal/maternalIGF2mRNA levels were not statistically different in individuals with a maternal VNTR of class I vs. class III (3.2±1.5 vs. 3.89±0.94). Thus, we present evidence that: (a) class III VNTR alleles are associated with lowerINSmRNA in fetal pancreas than class I alleles. The biologic importance of this difference remains to be determined; and (b) the variable relaxation ofIGF2imprinting seen in human leucocytes is not dependent on the presence of a class I vs. a class III VNTR.