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The process of manually scoring actigraphy data can be subjective with few studies utilizing and reporting clear actigraphy scoring guidelines. Clinical populations often have challenges with accurately and consistently completing sleep diaries which support actigraphy scoring.

Statutory microbiological test results were collected from British meat plants over a 4-year period from June 2002 to May 2006. A total of 49,074 carcass test results from 19,409 cattle, 14,706 sheep, and 14,959 pig swabs and 95,179 environmental test results from surface swabs were obtained. These test results were donated by 94 slaughterhouses, which process about two thirds of the British national annual throughput of cattle, sheep, and pig carcasses. The data were collectively analyzed to determine any historical trends for numbers of total aerobes and Enterobacteriaceae. Significant reductions were observed in the numbers of indicator organisms on carcasses for all three species between 2002 and 2006. Reductions were also observed for numbers of aerobes on environmental and food contact surfaces. There were seasonal differences in bacterial numbers isolated from carcasses. Cattle and sheep carcasses had significantly higher numbers of total aerobes and Enterobacteriaceaein late summer and early autumn, whereas numbers of total aerobes on pig carcasses were higher in winter. Bacterial numbers on environmental surfaces were not influenced by the month that the swab samples were collected. Possible reasons for the observed reductions in bacterial numbers on carcasses and surfaces and the implications for carcass testing for process control purposes are discussed.

Carcasses along slaughter lines were exposed to normal slaughterhouse air or ultraclean air provided from a unit fitted with a HEPA filter. In cattle slaughterhouses, aerobic viable counts were measured by sponging the brisket at the end of the line to determine whether the slaughterhouse air had led to contamination of the carcasses. Furthermore, a replica cattle carcass with settle plates attached was exposed to similar conditions. The greatest contamination of the plates occurred at the hide puller (P< 0.01). The use of ultraclean air reduced the deposition of organisms onto settle plates (P< 0.01). The airborne route contributed to contamination in cattle slaughterhouses, but other vectors were more important. Further study of contamination of the brisket, at the time that it was first exposed, showed that knives transfer contamination from the hide. The use of ultraclean air at this position showed that the airborne route was a contributor to contamination (P< 0.1), but it was not the greatest vector. In lamb slaughterhouses, the highest counts on settle plates were found at the fleece puller (P< 0.05). The highest counts on the lamb carcasses were found on the brisket exposed from the start of the line to just after the fleece puller (P< 0.05). There was no clear relationship between the measured counts and the concentration of organisms in the air, indicating that the airborne route in lamb slaughterhouses contributes less to carcass contamination than do the surface contacts.

A comparison of wet-dry swabbing and surface tissue excision of carcasses by coring was undertaken. Samples from 1,352 bovine, 188 ovine, and 176 porcine carcasses were collected from 70 separate visits to commercial slaughterhouses operating under normal conditions. The mean total aerobic viable bacterial counts (TVCs) for all species sampled by excision was 5.36 log units, which was significantly greater than the 4.35 log units measured for swabbing. Poorly correlated linear relationships between swab- and excision-derived bacterial numbers from near-adjacent carcasses were observed for all three animal species. R2values for least squares regressions for bovine, ovine, and porcine carcasses were 0.09, 0.27, and 0.21, respectively. The reasons why it was not possible to calculate a factor that allowed the interconversion of bacterial numbers between samples collected by each sampling method were investigated. Uncertainty associated with laboratory analyses was a contributing factor because the geometric relative standard deviations measured for TVCs were 0.174 and 0.414 for excision and swabbing, respectively. Uneven distribution of bacteria at identical sampling sites on near-adjacent carcasses on processing lines was also a contributory factor. The implications of these findings for process control verification were investigated by intensive sampling for 13 weeks in three commercial slaughterhouses. As many as 4 log units of difference in TVCs were observed in duplicate samples collected within a narrow timeframe from near-adjacent carcasses on the processing line. We conclude that it might not be appropriate to institute corrective actions in slaughterhouses on the basis of a single week's test results.

As a ubiquitin sensor and a signal-transducing adaptor, p62 is crucial for NF-κB activation, which involves the ubiquitin machinery in diverse contexts. However, whether p62 is required for EBV LMP1 activation of NF-κB is an open question.

The number of backflow incidents nationwide seems likely to increase, but often it isn't clear who is responsible, or liable, in backflow situations. This article discusses the reality of backflow incidents causing illness or injury, whether a federal mandate addressing cross‐connections is needed, and what a mandate should include.

Comments on the laws regulating 55-plus housing in California. Suggested solution for the housing problem; Benefits to be gained by adoption of federal law; Why an adult disabled, or terminally ill child of a senior is not allowed to live in a community.

When President Clinton signed the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) amendments August 6, 1996, small systems across the nation got a reprieve. There is flexibility under the new act; it encourages partnership approaches and supports the fact that one size does not fit all. This article discusses new funding that is available, the annual report requirement, basing standards on costs and risks, source water protection, operator certification, technical assistance, and allowed variances.

Why buy a computer? Because you instantly have information that makes you feel more competent. You can use the information and data generated to make more informed decisions. You can present reports to your utility board or other decision makers that will contain the facts and figures they need for consideration of your budget requests. They will start to view the water system as a more professional operation.

The Safe Drinking Water Act reform bill passed by the US Senate in November and a similar bill expected to come before the House of Representatives early this year propose state revolving funds (SRFs) for drinking water systems. The authors discuss the impacts this bill will have on small systems, and how to prepare for this change.