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Introduction This research aimed to determine whether Class II malocclusion can be treated with clear aligners after completing treatment with the initial set of aligners. Methods A sample of 80 adult patients were divided into Group 1 with Class I molar malocclusions (n = 40 [11 men and 29 women]; 38.70 ± 15.90 years) and Group 2 with Class II molar malocclusions (n = 40 [11 men and 29 women]; 35.25 ± 15.21 years). All patients had finished treatment with the initial set of Invisalign aligners (Align Technology, Santa Jose, Calif) without known centric occlusion–centric relation discrepancies, issues of compliance, or overcorrection. The 7 measurements using the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) Model Grading System and millimetric measurements for anteroposterior (AP) and vertical dimensions were assessed and compared between the 2 groups at pretreatment, posttreatment ClinCheck (Align Technology) prediction, and posttreatment. Results No improvements were observed in the AP correction. The amount of AP correction in patients with Class II malocclusion was 6.8% of the predicted amount. The amount of overbite correction achieved was 28.8% and 38.9% of the predicted amounts in patients with Class I and Class II malocclusion, respectively. Significant improvements in alignment and interproximal contact scores were observed, with only slight improvements in total ABO scores. An increase in mean occlusal contacts score was observed after treatment. No patient with Class II malocclusions would meet the ABO standards after Invisalign treatment. Conclusions The Invisalign system successfully achieves certain tooth movements but fails to achieve other movements predictably. No significant Class II correction or overjet reduction was observed with elastics for an average of 7-month duration in the adult population. Additional refinements may be necessary to address problems created during treatment, as evidenced by a posterior open bite incidence.

Classroom learning must be addressed in order to provide an inclusive course experience for all students. This study examined the effectiveness of support structures for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) students in the form of a web conferencing system that allowed for a composite screen solution. Quantitative and qualitative data analysis indicated that DHH students rely on access services and accommodations such as sign language interpreting and priority seating in order to have access to content in a mainstream classroom. However, the usage by hearing students was higher than anticipated.

Organic dairy products are the second largest sector of the organic food market. Organic dairy products come from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) certified organic dairy cattle that meet USDA organic standards. Organic dairy cattle in the US cannot be treated with antibiotics for mastitis, one of the costliest diseases of dairy cattle, and thus effective alternatives are needed. When any compound (medication or other non-food product) is used in a food producing animal, a withhold time for that compound that meets US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards for food safety must be applied to the animal and its products (like milk). However, there are no US FDA products approved for mastitis that maintain USDA certified organic dairy cattle’s organic status. Thus, we studied the pharmacokinetics of 3 compounds (garlic, thymol and carvacrol) used on organic both healthy and mastitic organic dairy cattle. We also used this information to estimate a milk withhold time using methods consistent with US FDA requirements. For thymol intra-mammary and carvacrol intra-mammary or topical administration, all compounds were partially absorbed into the body from the milk or skin. Thymol and carvacrol are measurable in plasma (at 0.0183 and 0.0202 µg/mL, respectively) after intramammary administration with similar elimination half lives of 1.7 h. Milk concentrations of thymol and carvacrol are much higher at 2.958 and 4.487 µg/mL in healthy cattle, respectively. Concentrations are not significantly different in cows with mastitis as compared to those in healthy cows. Despite these compounds being natural products, they should have a withhold time for milk of at least 24 h after administration. For garlic, levels remained below the limit of detection in milk and plasma and thus no withdrawal time appears to be needed for milk.

A program was written in R to facilitate the implementation of the tolerance limit method (TLM) for establishing regulatory withdrawal times for limiting drug residues in meat, milk, and eggs. The developed computer source code can use pharmacokinetic and regulatory data to calculate the drug withdrawal period according to United States Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) guidelines. The code called the “Withdrawal Time Calculator (WTC)” applied this TLM method to meat samples. The program was tested with the data provided by the U.S. FDA guidance and other published data collected from in vivo studies. Additional algorithm validation data were flunixin and sulfamethazine liver concentration data from peer-reviewed publications generated by our laboratory. This manuscript reports the withdrawal period results from testing the developed WTC code. Moreover, the source code for the WTC contains a data removal algorithm, constructed according to U.S. FDA data elimination recommendations if the user chooses. The power of the WTC is that it bypasses the use of multiple platforms typically required to perform the TLM, including standard commercial spreadsheet software (i.e., Microsoft Excel) and Statistical Analysis System (SAS) while providing speed and usability. This novel program provides a platform to calculate a withdrawal period recommendation for any drug in any class of animal for various regulatory body standards and could be very helpful in cases of extra-label drug use in food animals.

Mastitis is a costly disease for dairy farmers. Some dairy farmers use herbal products, or phytoceuticals, to treat mastitis. Phytoceuticals have not been approved for this use by the United States Food and Drug Administration, and have not been tested to determine how they impact antibiotic residue detection testing. The current study tested the potential for phytoceuticals to cause positive results on two milk antibiotic residue screening tests, the Delvotest P and Charm SL Beta-lactam test, or to interfere with the detection of antibiotics by these tests. The three phytoceuticals tested were labelled for intramammary, topical or intravulvar administration. Testing was performed in vitro using the products diluted in milk obtained from healthy organic dairy cows. Phytoceuticals were tested at concentrations ranging from 1.5 per cent to 100 per cent. Concentration levels were replicated at least twice on each milk antibiotic residue screening test. The Delvotest P is based on detection of bacterial inhibitors and no positive results were obtained for any product at concentrations less than 50 per cent. The Charm SL Beta-lactam test uses a receptor for the detection of beta-lactam antibiotics and no concentration of phytoceuticals caused an interference with these tests. Based on dilution of the products in bovine milk at physiologically achievable levels, phytoceutical products tested at levels expected after treatment do not cause positive test results for the Delvotest P nor do they interfere with the Charm SL Beta-lactam test in detection of various antibiotics.

Tetracycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat infections in swine. The maximum residue levels of tetracycline in pork stomach tissue in Russia, Europe, and the United States are 10, 200, and 2,000 ppb, respectively. This difference in accepted safety levels may be the reason why stomach tissues that the United States exports continue to be residue violators in overseas markets. In this study, 30 pigs at two different stages of production (weanling and finisher) were treated with tetracycline at 22 mg/kg of body weight per day for a total of 5 days via a water medicator. Blood samples were collected at 0, 72, 78, 96, and 102 h after the start of medication. The medication was stopped at 120 h, and blood samples were again collected at 126, 144, 168, 192, and 216 h after exposure. Five animals were slaughtered for stomach tissue 0, 24, 48, 96, and 192 h after the drug was flushed from the water line. All blood and tissue samples were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-UV methods. The tetracycline levels in plasma were below the level of detection after the U.S.-labeled withdrawal time of 4 days. The stomach tissue residues averaged 671.72, 330.31, 297.77, 136.36, and 268.08 ppb on withdrawal days 0, 1, 2, 4, and 8, respectively. Using the U.S. Food and Drug Administration tolerance limit method and a population-based pharmacokinetic model with Monte Carlo simulation, a withdrawal interval was estimated. This study demonstrated that tetracycline residues are still detectable in the stomach tissues after the established United States withdrawal time of 4 days. These residue levels may explain why stomach tissues tested in Russia and Europe show positive residues for tetracycline, even though the meat may pass inspection here in the United States prior to export.

Mastitis is among the most costly concerns for dairy producers whether cattle are managed conventionally or organically. Unfortunately, there are no USFDA-approved mastitis treatments that allow dairy cows in the United States to maintain organic dairy status. We investigated the plasma pharmacokinetics of three organic mastitis products currently used by organic producers and organic dairy veterinarians. Those products include intramammary, topical and intravaginal preparations, each dosed at two levels. Additionally, tissue data were collected for kidney, liver and fat in order to estimate a withholding time for each of the products. The lower limit of quantification (LOQ) and lower limit of detection (LOD) were 0.001 and 0.0005 µg ml–1, respectively, in plasma and all tissues except fat for both thymol and carvacrol. Fat had an LOQ of 0.01 µg ml–1 and an LOD of 0.005 µg ml–1 for thymol and carvacrol. Diallyl disulfide had an LOQ of 0.005 µg ml–1 and LOD of 0.001 µg ml–1 in all tissues. For dial...

Despite the recent growth of the organic dairy industry, organic producers and veterinarians have limited information when choosing mastitis treatments for animals in organic dairy production. Organic producers commonly administer homeopathic or other plant-based products without having research evaluating the efficacy of these products and using estimated or no withholding times to treat mastitis and other health problems in their herds. In this pilot study, we attempted to identify several active ingredients of Phyto-Mast (Penn Dutch Cow Care, Narvon, PA), a plant-based mastitis treatment used on organic dairy farms, and to quantify the product residue in milk and plasma after intramammary administration. We developed an assay to quantify thymol (one of the active ingredients in Phyto-Mast) in milk and plasma using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Thymol is a volatile aromatic compound with antiinflammatory properties. As a model for dairy cows, 5 healthy, lactating alpine dairy goats were given 5 mL of Phyto-Mast per udder half. For 10 d following treatment, we analyzed blood and milk samples for thymol residues using GC-MS. The GC-MS assay was very sensitive for thymol detection, to a concentration of 0.01 μg/mL in plasma. Using thymol as a marker, Phyto-Mast was detectable and quantifiable in plasma beginning with the 15-min posttreatment sample, but was no longer detectable in the 4-h posttreatment sample. Thymol residues were only detected in the 12-h posttreatment milk sample. An inflammatory response was not evident in the udder following phytoceutical administration. Although this study provides information about the elimination of thymol, the product contains several other active chemicals, which may have different pharmacokinetic behaviors. Further analysis and additional study animals will help to determine a milk withholding time for Phyto-Mast. Given the recent growth of the organic dairy industry, understanding the pharmacokinetics of therapeutics used in organic production and developing accurate withholding recommendations will help to ensure milk safety.

The underrepresentation of women faculty in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) has been studied for several decades. Many programs have been developed with a bottom-up approach toward addressing this underrepresentation. While these bottom-up approaches are an important component in addressing the underrepresentation, the question arises as to their sufficiency for transforming an institution to address the issue. Another method considers the combined use of a bottom-up and a top-down approach in looking toward the goal of institutional transformation by removing barriers to resources that support career success and creating new interventions and resources. This paper reports on the progress of programming and activities that are underway during the first two years of an institutional transformation project (NSF ADVANCE 1209115) at a large-private technical university that incorporates this combined approach. The transformation is outlined using a multi-frame organizational analysis approach from Bolman and Deal[l], which integrates several aspects of organizational theory, including structural, human resources, political and symbolic perspectives. Data used to inform the top-down and bottom-up programming and activities is presented, as well as a discussion of milestones, accomplishments and lessons learned in the context of the overarching project goals and the framework posed by Bolman and Deal's lenses.

The use of water medications is a common practice in the US swine industry to treat and prevent infections in swine herds with minimal labor and without risk of needle breakage. There are concerns that FDA-approved withdrawal times (WDT) may be inadequate for several water medications when exporting pork products to countries where MRLs (maximum residue limits) are lower than US tolerance levels. In this study, withdrawal intervals (WDI) were estimated for pigs when dosed with tetracycline and sulfamethazine in water. The WDI were calculated using the FDA tolerance method (TLM) and a population-based pharmacokinetic method (PopPK). The estimated WDIs (14–16 days using TLM) were similar to the approved WDT of 15 days for sulfamethazine. However, the PopPK method extended WDIs for both sulfamethazine (19–20 days) and tetracycline (12 days) compared to the currently approved WDTs in the U.S. This study also identified potential differences in WDI between weanling and finisher pigs. In conclusion, the TLM may not always provide adequate WDT for foreign export markets especially when MRLs differ from tolerance levels approved for US markets. However, PopPK methods can provide conservative WDIs in situations with considerable variability in medication exposure such as with administration in water.

Sulfamethazine is often used to treat disease in the swine industry. Sulfamethazine is available as water or feed medication and historically (over the past 40 years) has been associated with residue violations in both the United States and Europe. Despite sulfamethazine's approval for use as a water medication, little research on the pharmacokinetics of the water formulation is available. Therefore, a pilot study was performed to determine the plasma levels of an approved sulfamethazine water medication. Plasma levels in pigs treated with an oral bolus (250 mg/kg), which is equivalent to the total drug consumed within a 24-h period, achieved therapeutic concentrations (50 microg/ml). Noncompartmental-based pharmacokinetic model parameters for clearance, half-life, and volume of distribution were consistent with previously published values in swine. However, the above treatment resulted in exposure of pen mates to sulfamethazine at levels currently above tolerance (0.1 ppm). Using a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model, the treatment dose simulation was compared with observed plasma levels of treated pigs. Flexibility of the physiologically based pharmacokinetic model also allowed simulation of control-pig plasma levels to estimate contamination exposure. A simulated exposure to 0.15 mg/kg twice within approximately 8 h resulted in detectable levels of sulfamethazine in the control pigs. After initial exposure, a much lower dose of 0.059 mg/kg maintained the contamination levels above tolerance for at least 3 days. These results are of concern for producers and veterinarians, because in commercial farms, the entire barn is often treated,and environmental contamination could result in residues of an unknown duration.

In recent years, computer and network security education has become a priority among employers, the government, colleges and universities. Another emerging priority among these institutions is collaborative working environments. Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is among the many universities and colleges developing and offering Computer and Network Security curriculum. However, we believe that our innovative approach to this new curriculum is unique because of the collaborative nature of the "ABC Defense Lab Project" recently implemented across course boundaries. The Information Technology Department offers a Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Networking and Systems Administration (ANSA). Within this degree, the curricula is distinctly segmented between the two areas. The networking curriculum studies the infrastructure that ties all the systems together. Students learn about the protocols and technologies required to design, implement, troubleshoot and maintain a complete local area network. The systems administration curriculum studies what is happening "inside the box". Students once again learn about the design, implementation, troubleshooting and maintenance, but here the focus is on the servers and desktop systems required to run within a company.Within the ANSA Bachelor of Science Degree Program, two courses are offered to undergraduate students: Computer Systems Security and Network Security. These courses serve to provide conceptual and practical instruction in the afore-mentioned areas.The ABC Defense Lab Project was initially introduced in the Systems Administration Security course. Students were assigned membership in one of three teams: Team A, Team B or Team C. Ten to 15 students made up each of the three teams. Each team was provided with a set of equipment to configure, secure and eventually defend against attacks from the other two teams. Since this was a project within the Systems Administration Security course, the focus was on securing the systems and not the network.As the Network Security course was first offered approximately one year after the initial offering of the Systems Administration Security course, a very similar project was assigned. However, the focus was of course on designing, building, securing, and defending the network infrastructure.Although the project was successful in both courses, there were some drawbacks. Namely, the System Administration Security students still needed a network on which to run their systems and the Network Security students still needed systems on their network to be able to provide services. For the students in each course, this detracted from the task at hand; Systems Administration Security or Network Security, because they had to deal with the other side of the issue.While these two courses were originally designed independently of one another, in the Spring Quarter of the 2003 academic year, Professors Sharon Mason and Daryl Johnson took a new approach to teaching this security curriculum. In this new approach students from each of the two classes worked together in one of three teams (Team A, Team B, or Team C) to design, implement and secure a network with computer systems offering services. The teams were then instructed to work with one another across course boundaries; Team A from the Systems Security class worked with Team A from the Network Security class, etc. In the end each of the teams defended their own network and systems while attempting to exploit security flaws in the other teams' network and systems. This is the first time in the ANSA Degree Program that such a project has been attempted at this scope and scale across course boundaries.This paper explores the triumphs and breakdowns of this innovative collaborative class project. The successes and failures of both the students and the instructors are reviewed to provide insights as to the lessons learned from this experience.