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Personality comparison of airline pilot incumbents, applicants, and the general population norms on the 16PF.

Personality comparisons using Cattell's 16PF were made between 137 pilot incumbents, 81 pilot applicants, and the general population norms. No significant differences were found between the scores on the personality factors for the Pilot Incumbents and the Pilot Applicants. Further, the incumbents and applicants who had previous military training versus those who did not had highly similar personalities. However, on nearly every personality factor a significant difference was found between the general population norms and the sample of Pilot Incumbents and Applicants. The Pilot Incumbent/Applicant group scored significantly more intelligent, emotionally stable, and mature in comparison to the general population norms. We believe that it is the high-risk nature of this occupation that leads applicants, wishing to pursue this field, to assess very carefully their own person-job fit and self-select themselves, thus ultimately producing this very distinct "pilot personality profile" described in 1995 by Bartram.

Adult↗

An approach for access differentiation design in medical distributed applications built on databases.

A formalized "top to bottom" design approach was described in [1] for distributed applications built on databases, which were considered as a medium between virtual and real user environments for a specific medical application. Merging different components within a unified distributed application posits new essential problems for software. Particularly protection tools, which are sufficient separately, become deficient during the integration due to specific additional links and relationships not considered formerly. E.g., it is impossible to protect a shared object in the virtual operating room using only DBMS protection tools, if the object is stored as a record in DB tables. The solution of the problem should be found only within the more general application framework. Appropriate tools are absent or unavailable. The present paper suggests a detailed outline of a design and testing toolset for access differentiation systems (ADS) in distributed medical applications which use databases. The appropriate formal model as well as tools for its mapping to a DMBS are suggested. Remote users connected via global networks are considered too.

Computer Communication Networks↗

Verifying a job applicant's factual credentials.

Nearly one-third of all job applicants may make unjustified claims, exaggerate, omit important information, or lie in their resumes, employment applications, or interviews. Checking credentials before you hire is the best way to protect your staff and patients and to save time, money, and effort. In this article, the author identifies the most common job application lies and pinpoints the three most common resume/application red flags. In addition, the article suggests specific information that the applicant should supply in the application to help the employer get to the truth. It offers practical advice for verifying academic credentials, employment history, and awards and honors. Finally, this article provides useful suggestions for avoiding discrimination suits in hiring practices and techniques for coping with employees who have lied to you.

Credentialing↗

Papillomavirus infection among abortion applicants and patients at a sexually transmitted disease clinic.

The base-line prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among applicants for first trimester induced abortion and among a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic population with macroscopically visible condyloma is investigated. Cervical cells were collected from 505 women applying for induced abortion. Cell scrapes were obtained from the surface of the warts from 81 female and 32 male STD patients. HPV DNA 6/11, 16/18, and 31/33/35 were detected by a dot blot technique (ViraPap and ViraType, Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, MD). Of the 505 abortion applicants, 31 (6.1%) had HPV DNA. In the STD population, 64 (79.0%) patients had positive test results for HPV DNA from cervical, introital cell scrapes, or both. Of the 32 male STD patients from whom preputial, urethral samples, or both were taken, 24 (75%) had HPV DNA. After typing, the relative proportion of HPV 6/11 was 9.7% in abortion applicants, 72.2% in female STD patients, and 91.3% in male STD patients. The relative proportion of high-risk HPV types, such as 16/18 and 31/33/35, was 89.7% among abortion applicants, 38.9% among female STD patients and 13.0% among male STD patients. The majority of abortion applicants infected with HPV were thus infected with a potentially oncogenic HPV type, and the prevalence of HPV type 16/18 and 31/33/35 was also high among female STD patients.

Abortion Applicants↗

Application patterns among participants randomized to daily sunscreen use in a skin cancer prevention trial.

BACKGROUND: Despite many investigations of sunscreen use, there have been few among adults in the community at large. Better understanding of sunscreen application patterns will lead to more strategic skin cancer prevention strategies among sun-exposed populations. OBJECTIVE: To explore patterns of sunscreen use, particularly the quantity of sunscreen used and the application frequency, among participants in a community-based sunscreen intervention. DESIGN: Follow-up of patterns of sunscreen use over 4.5 years. SETTING: Nambour, a subtropical town in Queensland, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: People drawn randomly from the electoral register who were later randomized as part of a skin cancer prevention trial. INTERVENTIONS: Daily application of a standard sun protection factor 15+ broad-spectrum retail sunscreen to the head and neck, arms, and hands. OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency of application of sunscreen, weight of sunscreen applied, and quantity applied per unit area of skin. RESULTS: Fifty-six percent of participants reported applying sunscreen on at least 5 days per week, with 27% using sunscreen infrequently on 2 or fewer days per week. The median daily amount of sunscreen applied averaged over the duration of the trial was 1.5 g/d (range, 0-7.4 g/d). The median quantity of sunscreen applied was 0.79 mg/cm(2), which was less than half the amount needed to achieve the labeled sun protection factor. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to implement the daily application of sunscreen in sun-exposed populations, although protection would be increased if the quantity of sunscreen applied were greater.

Adult↗

Effect of sunscreen application on UV-induced thymine dimers.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to UV radiation is a major risk factor for skin cancer, including malignant melanoma. Photocarcinogenesis is caused largely by mutations at sites of incorrectly repaired DNA photoproducts, of which the most common is the thymine dimer. Over the past decade, controversy has arisen over the use of sunscreens to prevent UV-induced skin cancer. OBJECTIVES: To determine if daily application of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 protects human skin against UV-induced DNA damage as determined by the formation of thymine dimers after repeated exposures to simulated solar light and, if so, to determine whether daily applications are required to achieve this protective effect. METHODS: Over 4 consecutive days, an SPF 15 sunscreen was applied homogeneously to each of 4 buttock sites of 18 women 30 minutes before exposure to 2 minimum erythemal doses of UV radiation. Of these 4 sites, 1 was treated with SPF 15 daily, and the remaining 3 were treated on 3 of the 4 irradiation days, skipping application on day 2, 3, or 4. A fifth site served as the untreated control and was also not irradiated. The number of cells per square millimeter positive for thymine dimer formation was determined using immunohistochemical and image analyses. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in thymine dimer formation between nonirradiated and irradiated skin when application of sunscreen preceded each irradiation. However, when sunscreen application was omitted even once prior to irradiation, a statistically significant increase in thymine dimer formation was apparent. At 48 hours after irradiation of unprotected skin, 50% of epidermal dimers present 24 hours after irradiation had been removed; at 72 hours, more than 75% were gone. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that regular use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen is effective in preventing a major form of UV-induced DNA damage. Irregular and inadequate use of sunscreen during exposure to UV radiation results in thymine dimer formation, which may lead to mutation and subsequent cancer development.

Administration, Topical↗

Treatment of early-stage mycosis fungoides with twice-weekly applications of mechlorethamine and topical corticosteroids: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if a therapeutic regimen of twice-weekly applications of mechlorethamine hydrochloride and betamethasone dipropionate cream is effective in the treatment of early-stage mycosis fungoides while increasing cutaneous tolerance. DESIGN: Prospective nonrandomized study conducted from November 1999 to November 2002. SETTING: Eleven university or hospital dermatology departments in France. PATIENTS: Sixty-four consecutive patients with newly diagnosed early-stage mycosis fungoides (stage IA, n = 33; stage IB, n = 26; stage IIA, n = 5). INTERVENTIONS: Patients were treated with twice-weekly applications of a 0.02% aqueous solution of mechlorethamine followed by an application of betamethasone cream during a 6-month period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary end point was the rate of complete response during the treatment. Secondary end points were mean delay to achieve complete response, rate of severe cutaneous reactions of intolerance, and rate of relapse after achieving complete response. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients (58%) had a complete response after a mean +/- SD treatment duration of 3.6 +/- 2.5 months: 20 (61%) of 33 patients with stage IA disease, 15 (58%) of 26 patients with stage IB disease, and 2 (40%) of 5 patients with stage IIA disease. Eighteen patients (28%) developed severe cutaneous reactions of intolerance that necessitated treatment discontinuation. Relapse was observed in 17 patients (46%) after a mean +/- SD time of 7.7 +/- 6.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: A regimen of twice-weekly applications of mechlorethamine and betamethasone cream is an effective treatment for early-stage mycosis fungoides. The decreased frequency of applications provides an advantage to the patient by being easy to use with limited adverse effects.

Administration, Topical↗

The biologic basis for the clinical application of the silicones. A correlate to their biocompatibility.

The polysiloxanes (silicones) are a group of inert and inorganic compounds that were introduced over two decades ago. The pure form, termed medical-grade silicone, has a wide variety of clinical applications. Almost all surgical fields have used a product made of silicone. Silicone has been found to be an inert material, with minimal reaction of the biologic system to its presence. However, multiple clinical problems still exist due to certain applications of silicone products. The problems are related to its surface properties; In the blood thrombi form around silicone implants that may dislodge and cause symptoms around the implants. Scar formation may occur, and internal wound healing problems in the breast cause spherical contracture. In the eyes, where transparencies are needed, as in the intraocular lens implant, the scar interfaces with the visual image transmissions. Some of these internal problems relate to the hydrophobic nature of the silicone surface and have been resolved in part by adsorbing a wetting agent, such as povidone, to the surface. Such obviation has gained wide clinical application in surface coating of the intraocular lens. In search of an ideal implantable material, silicone, the most applicable, is still far from being called the ideal implant. Perhaps with the changes of its surface properties, such as introducing wetting agents to its surface, a new dimension in clinical applications will open the horizons of silicone in the 1980s.

Animals↗

Long term results of definitive radiotherapy for cervical carcinoma using four applications of high dose rate afterloading.

BACKGROUND: In definitive radiotherapy for cervical carcinoma, combined modality treatment using external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy is standard. Although the optimal number of afterloading applications is controversial, the majority of authors recommend three applications. METHODS: In this study, the authors investigated the use of 4 applications with iridium-192 afterloading with a dose of 7.5 grays (Gy). Standardized radiotherapy doses were adapted to the individual tumor anatomy using a prospective schedule. RESULTS: In the 73 study patients, actuarial and tumor-related 5-year survival rates by T classification were: T1b: 30% (100% cause specific survival); T2a: 55% (76% cause specific survival); T2b: 50% (60% cause specific survival); T3a: 50% (67% cause specific survival); T3b: 39% (50% cause specific survival); and T4a: 40% (40% cause specific survival). Morbidity, graded according to the National Cancer Institute's Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC) were low: CTC Grade 1: 7 patients (7.6%); CTC Grade 2: 7 patients (7.6%); CTC Grade 3: 1 patient (1.4%); and CTC Grade 4: 1 patient (1.4%). In a multivariate analysis, the T classification was the only significant independent prognostic factor for actuarial survival, tumor related (cause specific) survival, local tumor control and freedom of metastatic disease. The number of afterloading applications was an independent prognostic factor for local tumor control. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the long term results of the current study, external beam radiotherapy combined with 4 afterloading high dose rate applications (total of 30 Gy) appears to be clinically feasible and results in satisfactory survival rates and few side effects.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Software safety in medical applications.

The use of software in safety-critical medical applications permits sophisticated functionality that would otherwise not be achievable. However, it is very difficult to ensure that software in these systems is dependable. In particular all software development techniques have limitations, and none can provide any guarantee of overall software dependability. Given this shortcoming, the approach that we have taken is to develop techniques that emphasize the verification of properties that are important to overall software dependability. In this paper we describe two techniques that support the implementation and verification of dependable software for an experimental neurosurgical device and safety-critical applications in general. The first technique involves the assurance of critical safety properties by a relatively simple software component known as a safety kernel. Situated between the application software and the application devices, the safety kernel enforces rules that govern the safe operation of the devices. The simplicity of the safety kernel facilitates its implementation and verification. In most cases, it is not possible to rely on testing to provide the necessary verification of the software in a safety-critical application. However, testing can play an appropriate and vital role in the demonstration of safety properties. The second technique takes this approach, utilizing automated testing and selected test cases to demonstrate useful system properties.

Neurosurgery↗

A rating scale for the selection of internship applicants.

This study evaluated the utility of a rating scale for selecting clinical psychology interns. Forty-five applicants were rated by five staff psychologists. Variables rated included previous clinical experience, academic record, scholarly productivity, letters of recommendation, and intangibles. Majority agreement was found for 80% of the applicants for academic record and for scholarly productivity, for 73.3% of the applicants for clinical experience and for letters of recommendation, for 40% of the applicants for intangibles. Overall majority agreement was found for 64.8% of the candidates. All of the variables correlated positively and significantly with the total score. Scholarly productivity was weighted highest as a predictor of the applicant's total score followed by clinical experience, intangibles, letters of recommendation, and academic record. Advantages of the use of the rating scale by training centers in the selection of interns were discussed.

Child Psychiatry↗

A profile of male and female applicants for a special college program for learning-disabled students.

Intellectual, achievement, and personality profiles were developed for a sample of 245 applicants to a special college program for learning-disabled students. Only 15% of the applicants had WAIS IQs above 115; the most depressed subtests were Arithmetic, Digit Span, Information, Vocabulary, and Digit Symbol. For both sexes, mean WRAT reading levels were higher than spelling and arithmetic (roughly seventh- vs. sixth-grade competence). Although the male applicants (N = 174) had significantly higher WAIS Verbal IQs than the female applicants (N = 71), their WRAT spelling achievement levels were significantly lower. A higher percentage of the females than males exhibited specific arithmetic disability. For both sexes, but more robustly for females, specific arithmetic disability was associated with more elevated MMPI profiles. Dyslexic students, by contrast, admitted to fewer problem areas on the MMPI. Relatively few applicants had MMPI scaled scores greater than or equal to 70.

Achievement↗

Requirements for non-food applications of pea proteins. A review.

So far, limited research is performed on technical applications of pea proteins and no applications have yet been reported. At ATO, three technical applications were investigated: surfactants, films, and microspheres as encapsulation matrices. Pea protein hydrolysates are surfactants with good emulsifying and foaming properties. By variation of enzyme type and degree of hydrolysis, the surfactant properties can be tailored toward specific applications. Pea protein films could be prepared by casting from dispersions at pH 7 and 10, and by compression moulding at 140 degrees C. Opposite to many other proteins, pea protein films combine strength (5-7.5 MPa) with high elongation at break (150%). A protein isolate derived from peas was applied as matrix material for the microencapsulation of beta-carotene, intended for cosmetic applications. Supercritical CO2 technology appeared to be a promising encapsulation technique for beta-carotene in porous pea protein microspheres. Advantages of this method are that no organic solvents are used, and that encapsulation is achieved under mild conditions, thereby preventing the sensitive beta-carotene from degradation.

Biofilms↗

From Wolff's law to the Utah paradigm: insights about bone physiology and its clinical applications.

Efforts to understand our anatomy and physiology can involve four often overlapping phases. We study what occurs, then how, then ask why, and then seek clinical applications. In that regard, in 1960 views, bone's effector cells (osteoblasts and osteoclasts) worked chiefly to maintain homeostasis under the control of nonmechanical agents, and that physiology had little to do with anatomy, biomechanics, tissue-level things, muscle, and other clinical applications. But it seems later-discovered tissue-level mechanisms and functions (including biomechanical ones, plus muscle) are the true key players in bone physiology, and homeostasis ranks below the mechanical functions. Adding that information to earlier views led to the Utah paradigm of skeletal physiology that combines varied anatomical, clinical, pathological, and basic science evidence and ideas. While it explains in a general way how strong muscles make strong bones and chronically weak muscles make weak ones, and while many anatomists know about the physiology that fact depends on, poor interdisciplinary communication left people in many other specialties unaware of it and its applications. Those applications concern 1.) healing of fractures, osteotomies, and arthrodeses; 2.) criteria that distinguish mechanically competent from incompetent bones; 3.) design criteria that should let load-bearing implants endure; 4.) how to increase bone strength during growth, and how to maintain it afterwards on earth and in microgravity situations in space; 5.) how and why healthy women only lose bone next to marrow during menopause; 6.) why normal bone functions can cause osteopenias; 7.) why whole-bone strength and bone health are different matters; 8.) why falls can cause metaphyseal and diaphyseal fractures of the radius in children, but mainly metaphyseal fractures of that bone in aged adults; 9.) which methods could best evaluate whole-bone strength, "osteopenias" and "osteoporoses"; 10.) and why most "osteoporoses" should not have bone-genetic causes and some could have extraosseous genetic causes. Clinical specialties that currently require this information include orthopaedics, endocrinology, radiology, rheumatology, pediatrics, neurology, nutrition, dentistry, and physical, space and sports medicine. Basic science specialties include absorptiometry, anatomy, anthropology, biochemistry, biomechanics, biophysics, genetics, histology, pathology, pharmacology, and cell and molecular biology. This article reviews our present general understanding of this new bone physiology and some of its clinical applications and implications. It must leave to other times, places, and people the resolution of questions about that new physiology, and to understand the many devils that should lie in its details. (Thompson D'Arcy, 1917).

Adult↗

Application of the fiber-optic perfusion fluorometer to absorption and exsorption studies in hairless mouse skin.

This study was undertaken to test the fiber-optic perfusion fluorometer as a direct means of evaluating skin absorption and exsorption in hairless mice. Skin-barrier compromise was accomplished in the absorption experiments by application of dimethyl sulfoxide to the skin surface or by partial removal of the stratum corneum with sticky tape. Absorbed fluorescein was measured easily in unanesthetized control (skin-barrier intact) and experimental mice. Unabsorbed chemical did not fluoresce 15 minutes after application, although it was present on the surface of the skin as a dry powder. The time course of fluorescein elimination from the skin was related to a rapid phase (vascular removal) and a slow phase (reservoir entrapment). In the exsorption experiments the fluorescein was injected intraperitoneally. Back skin on the right side was swabbed with either dimethyl sulfoxide or 1% capsaicin in alcohol prior to the injections, and differences in skin fluorescence on the left (control) and right sides were recorded. One application of dimethyl sulfoxide or capsaicin increased the level of skin exsorption. Three applications of dimethyl sulfoxide almost doubled the amount of exsorbed dye, whereas three applications of the capsaicin inhibited the exsorption process. It was concluded that the fiber-optic perfusion fluorometer provides an excellent technique in support of other methods of investigating the skin.

Absorption↗

Pharmacokinetics of valproic acid and metabolites in mouse plasma and brain following constant-rate application of the drug and its unsaturated metabolite with an osmotic delivery system.

Human therapeutic valproic acid (VPA) levels could be maintained in the mouse for a period of 1 week by constant rate application via subcutaneously implanted osmotic minipumps. Also, the concentrations of VPA metabolites observed in mouse plasma were similar to those seen in human plasma. The drug application could be prolonged by replacing exhausted pumps with freshly-filled devices. Removal of the implanted pumps and measurement of the decay of the drug levels revealed that the half-life of the main plasma metabolite 2-en(2-propyl-2-pentenoic acid) exceeded that of VPA. This result was confirmed by constant-rate application of this metabolite; the plasma clearance of 2-en (as calculated from the steady-state levels observed) was found to be lower than that of VPA. Brain levels of VPA and 2-en during steady-state were 3-10 per cent of corresponding plasma levels. The blood-brain kinetics of 2-en following administration of VPA were similar to those observed following application of 2-en itself. VPA was cleared faster from the brain than from the plasma, while 2-en was more persistent in the brain than in the plasma. Our results indicate that controlled, constant-rate application of drugs such as VPA, via implantable osmotic minipumps, may be a valuable procedure for a number of pharmacological and toxicological studies, particularly where persistent drug levels must be maintained for extended time periods.

Animals↗

In vivo modulation of a cortical functional sensory representation shortly after topical cholinergic agent application.

The aim of the present study was to determine whether cholinergic increase in the size of a functional representation (collective evoked response from a large population of neurons) can be observed shortly (within an hour) after treatment onset and whether nicotinic receptors can participate in this type of modulation. Cholinergic agonist application has been found previously to increase the response of a single cortical neuron to a stimulus. Also, pairing cholinergic basal forebrain stimulation with delivery of a tone has been reported to increase the size of that tone's functional representation. Whereas the increase in a single cortical neuron response can occur within seconds after cholinergic agonist application, to date the increase in the size of a functional representation has only been investigated within one to several weeks after the onset of pairing basal forebrain stimulation with tone delivery. Furthermore, primarily muscarinic receptors have been implicated in these types of changes in cortical activity. By using optical imaging of intrinsic signals in vivo, we found that the size of a whisker's functional representation in the primary somatosensory cortex of the rat increases substantially within 69 or 46 minutes after topical application of either a muscarinic or nicotinic agonist to the exposed cortex, respectively, and decreases within 23 minutes after topical application of a muscarinic antagonist. For each cholinergic agent, we verified that delivery of a cholinergic agent by means of topical application can lead to the agent's successful penetration through the cortical layers in the time allotted to complete an imaging experiment. Furthermore, the time course of penetration for each agent was characterized. Based on the combined imaging/penetration results, we speculate on potential sites of cholinergic action in the cortex. Irrespective of the exact mechanism of action, we demonstrate here that an increase in the size of a functional sensory representation can occur shortly by means of activation of either nicotinic or muscarinic receptors.

Animals↗

A new sample applicator for isoelectric focusing in horizontal polyacrylamide gels.

A new sample applicator for horizontal flat gels is described. The applicator is practically safe against contamination from adjacent samples and can be used for all types of electrophoretic separations including a concentration step for either the sample (i.e. disc electrophoresis) or the separated zones (i.e. isoelectric focusing). The applicator is a piece of flat glass with 26 or 51 parallel 2 mm wide grooves, drilled at distances of 9 or 4.5 mm. Samples, maximally 25 or 50, are applied to the areas between the grooves. By inverting the applicator, the samples are brought into close vicinity to the gel surface and the pendant droplets expand by capillary attraction into the slits between the glass and gel with resultant even distribution across the lanes of 2.5 or 7 mm width. The applicator can be used for separations with and without protection of the electrophoretic setup by paraffin oil and allows for fast multiple handling of samples by means of appropriate syringes and microtiter plates.

Genetic Variation↗