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Selective reactions between nucleophilic N,N'-diaryl-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) and electrophilic fluorinated alkenes afford NHC fluoroalkenes in high yields. These stable compounds undergo efficient and selective fluoride abstraction with Lewis acids to give polyfluoroalkenyl imidazolium salts. These salts react at Cβ with pyrrolidine to give ammonium fluoride-substituted salts, which give rise to conjugated imidazolium-enamine salts through loss of HF. Alternatively, reaction with 4-(dimethylamino)-pyridine provides a Cα-pyridinium-substituted NHC fluoroalkene. These compounds were studied using multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography. Insight into their electronic structure and reactivity was gained through the use of DFT calculations.

Our objective was to characterize lipid profiles in cell models of adipocyte differentiation in comparison to mouse adipose tissues in vivo. A novel lipid extraction strategy was combined with global lipid profiling using direct infusion and sequential precursor ion fragmentation, termed MS/MS(ALL) . Perirenal and inguinal white adipose tissue and interscapular brown adipose tissues from adult C57BL/6J mice were analyzed. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, ear mesenchymal progenitor cells, and brown adipose-derived BAT-C1 cells were also characterized. Over 3000 unique lipid species were quantified. Principal component analysis showed that perirenal versus inguinal white adipose tissues varied in lipid composition of triacyl- and diacylglycerols, sphingomyelins, glycerophospholipids and, notably, cardiolipin CL 72:3. In contrast, hexosylceramides and sphingomyelins distinguished brown from white adipose. Adipocyte differentiation models showed broad differences in lipid composition among themselves, upon adipogenic differentiation, and with adipose tissues. Palmitoyl triacylglycerides predominate in 3T3-L1 differentiation models, whereas cardiolipin CL 72:1 and SM 45:4 were abundant in brown adipose-derived cell differentiation models, respectively. MS/MS(ALL) data suggest new lipid biomarkers for tissue-specific lipid contributions to adipogenesis, thus providing a foundation for using in vitro models of adipogenesis to reflect potential changes in adipose tissues in vivo. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 2182-2193, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Summary A genome-wide scan for quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting gastrointestinal nematode resistance in sheep was completed using a double backcross population derived from Red Maasai and Dorper ewes bred to F1 rams. This design provided an opportunity to map potentially unique genetic variation associated with a parasite-tolerant breed like Red Maasai, a breed developed to survive East African grazing conditions. Parasite indicator phenotypes (blood packed cell volume – PCV and faecal egg count – FEC) were collected on a weekly basis from 1064 lambs during a single 3-month post-weaning grazing challenge on infected pastures. The averages of last measurements for FEC (AVFEC) and PCV (AVPCV), along with decline in PCV from challenge start to end (PCVD), were used to select lambs (N = 371) for genotyping that represented the tails (10% threshold) of the phenotypic distributions. Marker genotypes for 172 microsatellite loci covering 25 of 26 autosomes (1560.7 cm) were scored and corrected by Genoprob prior to qxpak analysis that included Box–Cox transformed AVFEC and arcsine transformed PCV statistics. Significant QTL for AVFEC and AVPCV were detected on four chromosomes, and this included a novel AVFEC QTL on chromosome 6 that would have remained undetected without Box–Cox transformation methods. The most significant P-values for AVFEC, AVPCV and PCVD overlapped the same marker interval on chromosome 22, suggesting the potential for a single causative mutation, which remains unknown. In all cases, the favourable QTL allele was always contributed from Red Maasai, providing support for the idea that future marker-assisted selection for genetic improvement of production in East Africa will rely on markers in linkage disequilibrium with these QTL.

Logic models have long been used to understand complex programs to improve social and health outcomes. They illustrate how a program is designed to achieve its intended outcomes. They also can be used to describe connections between determinants of outcomes, for example, low high-school graduation rates or spiraling obesity rates, thus aiding the development of interventions that target causal factors. However, these models have not often been used in systematic reviews. This paper argues that logic models can be valuable in the systematic review process. First, they can aid in the conceptualization of the review focus and illustrate hypothesized causal links, identify effect mediators or moderators, specify intermediate outcomes and potential harms, and justify a priori subgroup analyses when differential effects are anticipated. Second, logic models can be used to direct the review process more specifically. They can help justify narrowing the scope of a review, identify the most relevant inclusion criteria, guide the literature search, and clarify interpretation of results when drawing policy-relevant conclusions about review findings. We present examples that explain how logic models have been used and how they can be applied at different stages in a systematic review. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Historically, the empirical study of the role of sperm competition in the evolution of sexual traits has been problematic through an enforced reliance on indirect proxy measures. Recently, however, a procedure was developed that uses paternity data to measure sperm competition level directly in terms of males/conception (i.e., the number of males that have sperm present in a female's ampulla at conception). When tested on apes and humans (Hominoidea) this measure proved not only to correlate significantly with the traditionally used measure of relative testes size but also to offer a number of advantages. Here we provide a second test of the procedure, this time using paternity data for the Old World monkeys (Cercopithecoidea). We calculate sperm competition levels (males/conception) for 17 species of wild and free-ranging cercopithecoids and then analyze the data against measures of relative testes size. Calculated sperm competition levels correlate strongly with relative testes size both with and without phylogenetic control at both the species and generic levels. The signal-to-noise ratios inherent in both the past measure of relative testes size and the new measure of sperm competition level from paternity data are discussed. We conclude that although both measures are appropriate for the future study of the role of sperm competition in the evolution of sexual traits, when paternity data are available they provide the more direct and meaningful analytical tool. Not least, they potentially allow a first empirical analysis of the role of sperm competition in the evolution of relative testes size that could then be compared with the wealth of theoretical analyses that already exist.

SUMMARY 1 Pupae of Spilosoma lubricipeda (L.) and S. lutea (Hufn.) were studied in order to develop a method for estimating the date of emergence of the moths from temperature data. Diapausing pupae stored at 4–5°C for 157 and 171 days showed the fastest development on subsequent incubation at 20°C indicating that diapause had been completed in cold storage. 2 Pupae formed in August and October completed diapause in a ventilated insec-tary in March and early April respectively. A 4-month spread in pupation dates was compressed by diapause and low winter temperatures into a 7-day spread in mean emergence dates for S. lubricipeda and a 17-day spread for S. lutea. 3 In the insectary, estimated mean emergence dates differed from observed dates by an average of 3.7 days for S. lubricipeda and 2.4 days for S. lutea. Pupae were over-wintered outdoors in S. England and in Scotland. Observed mean dates of moth emergence varied with altitude and latitude, and differed from estimated dates for S.lubricipeda by an average of 5.5 days. 4 Mortality did not exceed 30% except in two years in batches kept in wet boxes outdoors at Achnagoichan which is probably beyond the breeding range of both species in Britain. In the laboratory some pupae survived exposure to — 16°C for 192 h suggesting that winter mortality alone does not control the survival of these species at Achnagoichan.

Bleeding and thrombosis are well known major causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with myeloproliferative disorders (MPD) but the relationship between these clinical events and the commonly found platelet function abnormalities have not been established. In this study we performed simultaneous laboratory evaluations in 54 patients with MPD to investigate abnormalities in platelet aggregation and cyclooxygenase activity, the latter by using an in vitro aspirin inhibition test; the studies were repeated in 22 patients 1-27 months later. We have found platelet hyper- and hypofunction co-existing in some patients (9/54), and change of platelet function during the course of the disease (7/22) with platelet hypofunction being the only constant abnormality over time. These results may explain the lack of correlation between the clinical events and the limited assessment of platelet function in the hitherto published studies, and also suggest the need for repeated evaluations to properly assess the relative risk for bleeding and thrombosis.

Synopsis A new method of calculating the peak flight direction of migrating butterflies is described. Observations of the flight directions of eight species of British butterflies are analysed in order to determine whether there is any change in peak flight direction with time of day.

Several species of the genus Proctolaelaps Berl. infest cultures of different species of Drosophila Fall. When mite infestations increase population of flies crash. A new species of Proctolaelaps was found in a Drosophila culture at the University of Leeds. The new species is described and documented by differential features and figures.

We describe a 31-year-old patient with pure red cell aplasia of pregnancy, successfully managed with regular blood transfusions. In vitro studies showed specific inhibition of day 14 erythroid colonies (BFU-E) using serum and purified immunoglobulin G (IgG) obtained from the patient at diagnosis (before blood transfusion). The inhibition of BFU-E disappeared when haematological remission occurred 3 weeks after delivery and she remains clinically well with a normal haemoglobin 4 years later.

Information concerning the secondary isotope rate effect caused by deuterium substitution on the carbon atom next to the reaction center in carbonium ion type reactions is reviewed, and then some other examples of secondary deuterium isotope effects in organic chemistry are summarized. Some new results on isotope effects in some enzyme-catalyzed hydrogen-transfer reactions are also given. (P.C.H.)

Traditionally it was thought that fitness-related traits such as male mating frequency, with a history of strong directional selection, should have little additive genetic variance and thus respond asymmetrically to bidirectional artificial selection. However, recent findings and theory suggest that a balance between selection for increased male mating frequency and opposing selection pressures on physiologically linked traits will cause male mating frequency to have high additive genetic variation and hence respond symmetrically to selection. We tested these hypotheses in the stalk-eyed fly, Cyrtodiopsis dalmanni, in which males hold harems comprising many females and so have the opportunity to mate at extremely high frequencies. We subjected male stalk-eyed flies to artificial selection for increased ('high') and decreased ('low') mating frequency in the presence of ecologically realistic, high numbers of females. High line males mated significantly more often than control or low line males. The direct response to selection was approximately symmetric in the high and low lines, revealing high additive genetic variation for, and no significant genetic constraints on, increased male mating frequency in C. dalmanni. In order to investigate trade-offs that might constrain male mating frequency under natural conditions we examined correlated responses to artificial selection. We measured accessory gland length, testis length and eyespan after 7 and 14 generations of selection. High line males had significantly larger accessory glands than low line males. No consistent correlated responses to selection were found in testis length or eyespan. Our results suggest that costs associated with the production and maintenance of large accessory glands, although yet to be identified, are likely to be a major constraint on mating frequency in natural populations of C. dalmanni.

Objective: Electrocochleography measures in humans were examined to determine factors affecting results. Study Design: Retrospective study. Methods: Analysis was performed on data from 479 patients seen from 1998 to 2002 who underwent electrocochleography with a tympanic membrane electrode. Measures from click evoked electrocochleography (the summating potential to action potential ratio [SP/AP]) were compared with tone evoked electrocochleography (the SP amplitude). Results: Findings indicate a strong correlation between click and tone measures if the AP from click measures was over 1 μV (P < .001), but no significant correlation between these measures if the AP was under 1 μV. Results were also analyzed with respect to patient hearing sensitivity and final diagnosis. Conclusion: Tympanic membrane electrocochleography is more efficacious when the AP from click stimulation is over 1 μV.

Thousands of fish are sacrificed each year to determine potential human exposure to mercury (Hg) from fish consumption. In this paper, we use lake whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis and northern pike Esox lucius to demonstrate that accurate and reliable measures of fish muscle Hg concentrations can be determined from small samples ( 100 mg) for CVAAS. There was no difference in precision of Hg concentrations among tissue extraction met...

A coding-theoretic characterization of a unital in the Hughes plane is provided, based on and extending the work of Blokhuis, Brouwer, and Wilbrink in PG(2,q2). It is shown that a Frobenius-invariant unital is contained in the p-code of the Hughes plane if and only if that unital is projectively equivalent to the Rosati unital. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Microsomal fractions of cerebral cortices of 15-day-old rabbits were used to study the 1-alkyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphate (AGP) acetyltransferase that generates 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphate in the de novo path of platelet-activating factor synthesis. The AGP acetyltransferase activity was inhibited by small concentrations of medium-long chain fatty acyl-CoA thioesters. In contrast, the AGP acyltransferase used oleoyl-CoA as substrate and was not inhibited by the presence of acetyl-CoA in high molar excess. The inhibition of AGP acetyltransferase was seen at concentrations of oleoyl-CoA as low as 0.5 microM using 12.5 microM AGP and 200 microM acetyl-CoA. The inhibition by oleoyl-CoA was noncompetitive for the acetyl-CoA substrate. However, there was evidence that the oleoyl-CoA was competing with AGP in the acetyltransferase reaction, as the inhibition was lessened by increasing the AGP substrate concentration. Several acyl-CoA thioesters were effective as inhibitors of the AGP acetyltransferase, including oleoyl-, palmitoyl-, lauroyl-, and octanoyl-CoA. Propionyl- and butyryl-CoA were less effective as inhibitors, and propionyl-CoA was found to be a competitive inhibitor for acetyl-CoA. We have noted earlier that MgATP is an effective inhibitor of the AGP acetyltransferase and here we show that the inhibition by oleoyl-CoA can be increased by the presence of 0.1 mM MgATP. In brain ischemia, a decline in ATP levels would likely lead to a corresponding fall in acyl-CoA concentrations, thereby relieving the inhibition of AGP acetyltransferase and permitting the flow of AGP into the de novo pathway of platelet-activating factor synthesis.

SUMMARY 1. Evidence suggesting the presence of coronary artery baroreceptors on coronary arteries has existed for over 30 years. 2. Evidence that activation of ventricular mechanoreceptors can elicit cardiovascular changes has been challenged, with those changes now thought to be due to coronary artery mechanoreceptors. 3. Studies have suggested that coronary artery mechanoreceptors act as coronary baroreceptors with a role in cardiovascular regulation. However, all evidence to date has been obtained in anaesthetized animal models in physiologically compromised intra-operative states. 4. The purpose of the present study was to design an ovine model that would allow the discrete stretch of coronary arteries without causing ischaemia or changing flow or intra-arterial pressure and that would confirm results seen in previous studies. In addition, the possibility that the technique could be used for studies of coronary artery baroreflexes in conscious sheep was investigated. 5. Controlled stretch of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery elicited decreases in arterial pressure without changes in heart rate or electrocardiographic activity in halothane-anaesthetized sheep. Similar results were demonstrated in conscious sheep after surgical recovery of up to 2 weeks. 6. The present study supports the possibility that coronary artery baroreceptors exist and likely have a role in cardiovascular regulation. The results of the present study in anaesthetized sheep are in agreement with previous results in anaesthetized animals, but also provide the first demonstration of coronary baroreceptor activity in a conscious animal model, underscoring the potential use of the model in the study of coronary artery baroreceptors in the intact animal.

BACKGROUND Previous studies comparing the corticosteroids fluticasone propionate (FP) and budesonide (BUD) in both perennial and seasonal rhinitis have shown no consistent difference between treatments. However, the therapeutic outcomes may have been influenced by study design. OBJECTIVE To compare the effect of FP aqueous nasal spray (ANS; 200 microg/day) with BUD reservoir powder device (RPD; 200 microg/day) on rhinitis symptoms, productivity loss and device preference in patients with perennial rhinitis. METHODS After a 2-week run-in period, 440 patients were randomized to receive either FPANS, BUD RPD or matched placebo (ANS or RPD) for 8 weeks, followed by an open-label 4-week follow-up treatment with FPANS. Patients completed diary card visual analogue scores for nasal symptoms, and questionnaires on satisfaction with the treatment and preferred choice of device. RESULTS During weeks 1-4, the visual analogue total nasal symptom scores (VATNS) in the FPANS group were significantly lower than scores in the BUD RPD group (mean difference = -17.8; 95% CI = -34.4, -1.3; P = 0.036). FPANS also significantly reduced the VATNS compared with the ANS placebo at all time-points assessed (P < or = 0.005). BUD RPD did not significantly differ from the RPD placebo at weeks 5-8 (P = 0.167), or the ANS placebo at any time-point (P < or = 0.151). Over the 8-week treatment period FPANS was significantly more effective than BUD RPD at reducing sneezing (mean difference = -4.4; 95% CI = -8.6, -0.3; P = 0.036) and nasal itching (mean difference = -5.3; 95% CI = -9.9, -0.8; P = 0.022), and was significantly superior to the ANS placebo for all symptoms assessed at weeks 1-4 and 1-8 (P < 0.016). At the same time-points BUD RPD was no better at alleviating nasal itching than the RPD placebo (P < or = 0.306), and compared with the ANS placebo, significantly reduced only one symptom; nasal blockage (P < or = 0.016). After 8 weeks of treatment, patients preferred the ANS device to the RPD (P < 0.001), and at 12 weeks a significantly greater number of patients were satisfied with FPANS treatment compared with BUD RPD (P = 0.0019) or the respective placebos (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION FPANS and BUD RPD are effective therapies with a good safety profile for the treatment of perennial rhinitis but, in this direct placebo-controlled comparison, FPANS was more efficacious than BUD RPD, and the patients preferred the ANS device to the RPD.

High-volume, low-VOC-concentration air streams are produced by a broad range of industries. The most widely used treatment technology is carbon adsorption, which produces dilute aqueous waste streams as a secondary waste, is difficult to adapt to particulate-containing streams, and is too expensive to be applied by some industries. Scrubbing the air with an absorbent liquid is economical, but limited to scrubbing with water due to the expense and difficulty of regenerating nonaqueous scrubbing liquids. A low-volatility organic scrubbing liquid regenerated by a stripper/membrane vapor-separation unit was used to remove VOCs from the dilute air stream. The technical and economic feasibility of the scrubbing/stripping/membrane separation hybrid process was evaluated in laboratory tests with a pilot-scale system. The unit, operated with model-contaminated gas streams containing 100 to 2,000 ppm methylene/chloride, removed 95% of the methylene chloride in the feed air as a condensed liquid. The experimental data show that the process offers significant cost and operating benefits over other technologies for streams in the 500 to 2,000 ppm VOC concentration range. It can be applied to treating effluent air streams from painting, degreasing, and printing operations.

Interplot interference can distort treatment estimates when genotypes differ for height. Two field arrangements were examined to determine if interplot interference could be reduced. One arrangement compared north-south vs. east-west row direction at Saskatoon in 1995 and 1996. The other experiment investigated the effects of separating plots with a row of spring-planted winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at Regina and Swift Current in 1995 and 1996. Interplot interference was evaluated with two spring wheat cultivars differing for height, Oslo (short) and Glenlea (tall). Interplot interference caused a 12% yield reduction in Oslo in the north-south rows, which was significantly greater than the 7% yield reduction in the east-west rows, The 7% yield reduction when spring-planted winter wheat separated the plots was significantly less than the 18% yield reduction when plots were adjacent. This study was conducted at fairly high latitudes and the conclusions should be restricted to higher latitudes. We conclude that spring wheat field trials with plots (tillering for height may have less interplot interference if rows are oriented eastwest and separated with winter wheat.

In a small target region, it may be possible to exploit local adaptation to increase gains from selection. However, in a large region more extensive testing is usually possible, resulting in more precise estimation of genotype means. A correlated response model was adapted to determine if division of a large target region is likely to increase gains. Genotypic value in a large region and constituent subregions are considered correlated traits. Correlated response in a subregion to indirect selection across the undivided region, relative to direct response to selection within the subregion, is expressed as a function of heritability in the undivided region (H) and in the subregion (H(i)), and of the genotypic correlation between region and subregion means (r(G'). r(G') depends on the magnitude of the genotype x subregion interaction (sigma2GS)) relative to the genotypic variance (sigma2(G)). sigma2(GS) is the portion of the genotype x location interaction (sigma2(GL)) caused by local adaptation, rather than by random site-to-site variability in genotype means. Subdivision can increase heritability through the addition of sigma2(GS) to the numerator of H(i), but this may be offset by reduced replication across locations within the subregion. Modeling using variance estimates from several cereal programs indicated that, unless sigma2(GL) is large relative to sigma2(G) and at least 30% of sigma2(GL) is due to sigma2(GS), subdivision is unlikely to increase response. These results help explain the success of breeding programs that test broadly.

Military service in France during the nineteenth century removed many young men from their own localities for long periods. The widely accepted claim that few conscripts returned home after completing their period of service is based on little evidence. The paper examines the conscription classes of 1856 and 1891 in two cantons in the departement of Loir-et-Cher. In those cases there was not a significant relationship between conscription and migration nor between literacy and migration. Instead migration of youths in their twenties was linked partly to prior experiences of migration but principally to their occupations. (EXCERPT)

Research in Europe and the USA indicated that interference between plots in cultivar trials can distort yield and result in misleading conclusions from yield comparisons. Field trials were conducted at Swift Current and Saskatoon in 1993 and 1994 to determine if interplot interference is a concern in the wheat growing region of Saskatchewan. Four spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars, Biggar, Oslo, Genesis, and Glenlea, were grown in four-row plots in a diallel competition treatment design, with the competition treatments applied randomly to each of the eight replications. Generally, yield was distorted from pure stand yield when flanking plots differed for height. On average, yield was reduced 0.34% per centimeter increase in height of the flanking plots, and the reverse occurred when height of the flanking plots was less. Plots of the short cultivars Biggar or Oslo flanked by the tall cultivars Genesis or Glenlea yielded less than when flanked by themselves, and the reverse occurred when the tall cultivars were flanked by the short cultivars. Interplot interference affected spike density in the same fashion, did not significantly affect height, and was inconsistent with regards to kernel weight. It was concluded that when plots differ for height, yield distortion can occur in the Saskatchewan wheat growing region.

Efficient testing procedures are needed to identify superior parents for improved cultivars of cross-pollinated forage species. The primary objective of this study was to compare clonal and open-pollinated (OP) progeny testing in the selection of parents from an intermediate wheatgrass [Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkw. & Dewey] population. A second objective was to examine experimental error control from a partially-balanced lattice design and a nearest-neighbor analysis relative to a randomized complete block statistical design (RCBD). Parent clones were evaluated in plots that consisted of 30 closely spaced ramets, and progenies were sown in single-row plots 6.0 m long spaced 0.6 m apart at adjacent sites near Mandan, ND. Based on 3-yr means from one location, narrow-sense heritability. estimates from 81 parent clones and their respective open-pollinated progenies averaged 50% for heading date, 45% for plant height, and 69% for dry matter yield. Extreme high- and low-ranked entries for all three traits generally were in common for clonal and progeny tests. A lattice design and nearest-neighbor analysis reduced experimental error but did not improve rank correlations between parent clones and their progenies or heritability estimates compared with a randomized complete block design. These results suggest that clonal and open-pollinated progeny tests should be used to select superior parents of intermediate wheatgrass, as both test procedures have unique attributes. Clonal tests are useful in selecting for traits with relatively high herita-bility, while extensive progeny testing is more appropriate for complex traits such as dry-matter yield.

Within the field of historical geography-indeed, within human geography in general-there has been a long and significant tradition of studies which draw upon the work of novelists. Some have done so using such works of ' fiction ' critically as sources which can be made to illuminate the ' facts ' of past geographies. Others have explored the geographies portrayed in particular novels or by individual novelists. But the trade appears to have been largely in one direction, for there seem to have been very few novelists who have drawn explicitly upon the work of historical geographers. Only two clear-cut instances in the English language can be cited so far. In a prefatory note to her Fenland historical novel Land from the waters (1944), Doreen Wallace stated

An evaluation of ‘rapid review’ as a method of quality control of cervical smears using the AxioHOME miscroscope One method of quality control which has recently been recommended by professional bodies in the UK is the ‘rapid review’ method. This involves the microscopic 30 s review of all negative cervical smears with the intention of flagging potential missed abnormalities. Although it has been suggested that rapid review is better than 10% random rescreening of negative smears, the efficiency and efficacy of this method of quality control have not been thoroughly evaluated. We have used the AxioHOME system, which can record the area of a slide covered and the screening time, to investigate slide coverage during rapid review quality control, as performed by 15 cytoscreeners and MLSOs reviewing a test set of 22 slides each. The test set comprised 18 negative slides, three positive slides, and one unsatisfactory slide. We have recorded two distinct methods of rapid review in use amongst cytotechnologists, the step method and the whole slide method. The data show that rapid review takes longer on average than the recommended 30 s, the mean screening times being 76 s and 82 s for the step and whole slide methods, respectively. Abnormal smears were missed on three of 15 occasions by the step method (sensitivity 80%, positive predictive value 85%), and on seven of 30 occasions by the whole slide method (sensitivity 76.6%, positive predictive value 45%). However, the 95% confidence intervals were wide (57.7–90.7% for the step method, and 51.9–95.7% for the whole slide method). Analysis of scanning tracks and screening rates shows significant flaws in the methodology of rapid review. Abnormal cells were not identified, although dyskaryotic cells were included in the scanning track on nine occasions, seven using the whole slide method and two using the step method. On one occasion (using the step method) abnormal cells were not identified because they were not included in the scanning track. Further research is in progress to determine optimal methods of rapid review, and whether the rapid review technique is as effective as automated screening systems for quality assurance in cytology. Evaluation de la technique de ‘Relecture Rapide’ comme methode de controle de qualite des frottis cervico-uterins, a l'aide du microscope AxioHOME Une des methodes de controle de qualite recemment recommandee par le corps professionnel du Royaume Uni est la methode dite de ‘relecture rapide’. Cette methode consiste en une deuxieme lecture d'une duree de trente secondes de tous les frottis cervicaux negatifs et dont l'objectif est de detecter les anomalies ayant pu echapper au premier examen. Bien qu'il ait ete suggere que cette methode de relecture rapide soit meilleure que la relecture de 10% des frottis negatifs tires au sort, le rendement et l'efficacite de cette methode de controle de qualite n'ont pas ete evalues completement. Nous avons utilise le systeme AxioHOME capable d'enregistrer la plage de la lame qui a ete exploree ainsi que le temps de lecture afin d'etudier la surface exploree au cours de cette relecture rapide telle qu'elle a pu etre pratiquee par quinze cytotechniciens et MLSOs, chacun ayant relu une serie test de vingt deux lames. Cette serie test comprenait dix huit lames negatives, trois lames positives et un frottis non satisfaisant. Nous avons note que les cytotechniciens utilisaient deux methodes de relecture rapide differentes, la methode ‘pas a pas’ et la methode ‘globale’. Les donnees montrent que la relecture rapide prend, en moyenne, un temps superieur aux trente secondes recommandees, la moyenne des temps de lecture etant de 76 secondes et de 82 secondes respectivement pour la methode ‘pas a pas’ et la methode ‘globale’. Les anomalies n'ont pas ete detectees dans trois cas sur quinze par la methode ‘pas a pas’ (sensibilite 80%, valeur predictive positive 85%), et dans 7 cas sur 30 par la methode globale (sensibilite 76,6%, valeur predictive positive 45%). Toutefois, l'intervalle de confiance a 95% est important (57,7%-90,7% pour la methode ‘pas a pas’ et 51,9%-95,7% pour la methode globale). L'analyse des surfaces balayees et des taux de detection montre des points faibles significatifs de cette methodologie de relecture rapide. Dans 9 cas, les anomalies n'ont pas ete identifiees alors que des cellules dyskaryotiques etaient presentes dans les plages balayees au cours de la relecture (sept utilisant la methode globale et deux utilisant la methode ‘pas a pas’). Dans un cas (avec la methode ‘pas a pas’) les cellules anormales n'ont pas ete identifiees parce qu'elles etaient absentes des plages de relecture. Des etudes sont en cours afin de determiner quelles sont les methodes optimales de relecture rapide et si ces techniques de relecture rapide sont aussi efficaces que les systemes de lecture automatisee pour l'assurance de qualite en cytologie cervico-uterine. ‘Rapid Review’ als Methode der Qualitatskontrolle gynakologischer Abstriche, Uberprufung mit dem AxioHOME-Mikroskop Die empfohlene ‘Rapid Review’ Kontrolle aller negativen Abstriche in nur 30 Sekunden anstelle des Nachscreenens von 10% der Praparate ist in ihrer Zuverlassigkeit bislang nicht uberpruft worden. Mit Hilfe des AxioHOME-Mikroskops ist es moglich sowohl die ausgewertete Flache, als auch die erforderliche Zeit zu erfassen. 15 Auswerter pruften mit der Methode jeweils einen Testsatz von 22 Praparaten. Er enhielt 18 negative, 3 positive und 1 nichtauswertbaren Abstrich. Getestet wurden zwei verschiedene Vorgehensweisen: die schrittweise und die das ganze Praparat erfassende. Beide erfordern mehr Zeit als 30 Sekunden; der mittlere Zeitaufwand betrug fur die Schrittmethode 76 und fur die Ganzheitsmethode 82 Sekunden. Die Schrittmethode verfehlte 3/15 Anomalien (Sensitivitat 80%, positiver pradiktiver Wert 85%), die Ganzheitsmethode 7/30 (Sensitivitat 76,6%, positiver pradiktiver Wert 45%). Der 95% Konfi denzbereich reichte fur die Schrittmethode von 57,5–90,7% und fur die Ganzheitsmethode von 51,9–95,7%). Die Analyse deckt wesentliche Schwachstellen des Rapid Review-Verfahrens auf. In 9 Fallen lagen nicht erkannte Zellatypien in den kontroll ierten Bahnen (7 bei des Schrittmethode, 2 bei der Ganzheitsmethode). Einmal lagen sie bei der Schrittmethode ausserhalb der gepruften Bahnen. Weitere Studien werden prufen ab das Rapid Review-Verfahren automatisierten Systemen vergleichbar ist.

Spatial analysis, by least squares smoothing, was compared with randomized block analysis of data from field trials of 50 seed lots of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Katepwa) and of 40 seed lots of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Harrington). Spatial analysis reduced standard errors (SED) of differences for grain yield, but not for stand density. For grain yield, least squares smoothing reduced the SED by 11 to 53% in four spring wheat trials and by 24 to 34% in three spring barley trials. Improved precision is expected to affect correlations between trials. For spring wheat, the inter-trial correlation increased from 0.40 to 0.60 in one trial, from 0.03 to 0.41 in another, and had little effect in the remaining four of six pairs of wheat trials. For barley yield, the inter-trial correlation increased from 0.25 to 0.36 in one of three pairs of trials, and decreased from 0.28 to - 0.06 or from 0.22 to - 0.05 in the other two. In the spring wheat trial with largest spatial variability, least squares smoothing, first-order autoregressive residuals, and the iterated Papadakis' methods gave similar reductions in SED (53-63%) and adjusted means that were highly correlated (r > 0.94). Row-column analysis gave little reduction in the SED. A multiplicative model reduced the SED, but adjusted means were poorly correlated with those of other methods (r < 0.78). Simulation showed that an incomplete block analysis could have provided nearly the same improvement in precision as spatial analysis. Our results confirm that spatial or incomplete block analyses can improve the efficiency of field trials.