Developing a decomposable measure of profit efficiency using DEA

In for-profit organizations efficiency measurement with reference to the potential for profit augmentation is particularly important as is its decomposition into technical, and allocative components. Different profit efficiency approaches can be found in the literature to measure and decompose overall profit efficiency. In this paper, we highlight some problems within existing approaches and propose a new measure of profit efficiency based on a geometric mean of input/output adjustments needed for maximizing profits. Overall profit efficiency is calculated through this efficiency measure and is decomposed into its technical and allocative components. Technical efficiency is calculated based on a non-oriented geometric distance function (GDF) that is able to incorporate all the sources of inefficiency, while allocative efficiency is retrieved residually. We also define a measure of profitability efficiency which complements profit efficiency in that it makes it possible to retrieve the scale efficiency of a unit as a component of its profitability efficiency. In addition, the measure of profitability efficiency allows for a dual profitability interpretation of the GDF measure of technical efficiency. The concepts introduced in the paper are illustrated using a numerical example.

The spatial patterns of prion protein deposits in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease:Comparison with β-amyloid deposits in Alzheimer's disease

Similar pathological processes may be involved in the deposition of extracellular proteins in the brains of patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Hence, this study compared the spatial patterns of prion protein (PrP) deposits in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus in cases of sporadic CJD with those of β-amyloid (Aβ) deposits in sporadic AD. PrP and Aβ deposits were aggregated into clusters and, in 90% of brain areas in CJD and 57% in AD, the clusters were regularly distributed parallel to the tissue boundary. In a significant proportion of cortical analyses, the mean diameter of the clusters of PrP and Aβ deposits were similar to those of the cells of origin of the cortico-cortical pathways. Aβ deposits in AD were distributed more frequently in larger-sized clusters than PrP deposits in CJD. In addition, in the hippocampus and dentate gyrus, clustering of Aβ deposits was observed in AD but PrP deposits were rare in these regions in CJD. The size, location and distribution of the extracellular protein deposits within the cortex of both disorders was consistent with the degeneration of the cortico-cortical pathways. Furthermore, spread of the pathology along these pathways may be a pathogenic feature common to CJD and AD. © 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.

Coalescence of secondary dispersions

A study has been made of the coalescence of secondary dispersions in beds of woven meshes. The variables investigated were superficial velocity, bed depth, mesh geometry and fibre material; the effects of presoaking the bed in the dispersed phase before operation were also considered. Equipment was design~d to generate a 0.1% phase ratio toluene in water dispersion whose mean drop size was determined using a Coulter Counter. The coalesced drops were sized by photography and a novel holographic technique was developed to evaluate the mean diameter of the effluent secondary drops. Previous models describing single phase flow in porous media are reviewed and it was found that the experimental data obtained in this study is best represented by Keller's equation which is based on a physical model similar to the internal structure of the meshes. Statistical analysis of two phase data produced a correlation, for each mesh tested, relating the pressure drop to superficial velocity and bed depth. The flow parameter evaluated from the single phase model is incorporated into a theoretical comparison of drop capture mechanisms which indicated that direct and indirect interception are predominant. The resulting equation for drop capture efficiericy is used to predict the initial, local drop capture rate in a coalescer. A mathematical description of the saturation profiles was formulated and verified by average saturation data. Based 6n the Blake-Kozeny equation, an expression is derived analytically to predict the two phase pressure drop using the parameters which characterise the saturation profiles. By specifying the local saturation at the inlet face for a given velocity, good agreement between experimental pressure drop data and the model predictions was obtained.

The spatial pattern of senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles and A4 deposits in Alzheimer's disease

The spatial patterns of senile plaques (SP) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) as visualised using the Gallyas stain and of discrete A4 protein deposits were determined in coronal serial sections from a variety of brain regions in six elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). These lesions showed clustering in virtually all tissues examined with many of the clusters being regularly spaced. These spatial patterns were compared with the clustering observed for SP and NFT stained by the Glees and Marsland method in the same tissues. The data suggest that on average, while the regular clusters of A4 deposits and NFT were of approximately the same mean diameter (3600 microns), clusters of both Glees and Gallyas SP were approximately half this diameter (1800 - 2000 microns). If SP develop in local areas of the brain where both A4 deposition and neurofibrillary changes have occurred, the data suggest that the SP clusters would represent the region of overlap of the A4 deposits and neurofibrillary changes. Various hypothese are advocated to explain the regular clsuetring of the A4 deposits.

Simultaneous biochemical reaction and separation in a continuous rotating annular chromatograph

The aim of this work has been to investigate the behaviour of a continuous rotating annular chromatograph (CRAC) under a combined biochemical reaction and separation duty. Two biochemical reactions have been employed, namely the inversion of sucrose to glucose and fructose in the presence of the enzyme invertase and the saccharification of liquefied starch to maltose and dextrin using the enzyme maltogenase. Simultaneous biochemical reaction and separation has been successfully carried out for the first time in a CRAC by inverting sucrose to fructose and glucose using the enzyme invertase and collecting continuously pure fractions of glucose and fructose from the base of the column. The CRAC was made of two concentric cylinders which form an annulus 140 cm long by 1.2 cm wide, giving an annular space of 14.5 dm3. The ion exchange resin used was an industrial grade calcium form Dowex 50W-X4 with a mean diameter of 150 microns. The mobile phase used was deionised and dearated water and contained the appropriate enzyme. The annular column was slowly rotated at speeds of up to 240°h-1 while the sucrose substrate was fed continuously through a stationary feed pipe to the top of the resin bed. A systematic investigation of the factors affecting the performance of the CRAC under simultaneous biochemical reaction and separation conditions was carried out by employing a factorial experimental procedure. The main factors affecting the performance of the system were found to be the feed rate, feed concentrations and eluent rate. Results from the experiments indicated that complete conversion could be achieved for feed concentrations of up to 50% w/v sucrose and at feed throughputs of up to 17.2 kg sucrose per m3 resin/h. The second enzymic reaction, namely the saccharification of liquefied starch to maltose employing the enzyme maltogenase has also been successfully carried out on a CRAC. Results from the experiments using soluble potato starch showed that conversions of up to 79% were obtained for a feed concentration of 15.5% w/v at a feed flowrate of 400 cm3/h. The product maltose obtained was over 95% pure. Mathematical modelling and computer simulation of the sucrose inversion system has been carried out. A finite difference method was used to solve the partial differential equations and the simulation results showed good agreement with the experimental results obtained.

Coalescence of secondary dispersions in packed beds

A study has been made of the coalescence of secondary dispersions in beds of monosized glass ballotini. The variables investigated were superficial velocity, bed depth, ballotini size and dispersed phase concentration. Equipment was designed to generate a toluene ln water dispersion with phase ratios from 0.1 - 1.0 v/v % and whose mean drop size was determined using a Coulter Counter. The coalesced drops were sized by photography and the mean diameter of the effluent drops was determined using a Malvern Particle Size Analyser. Previous models describing single phase flow in porous media are reviewed and it was found that the experimental data obtained in this study is best represented by the Carman-Kozeny equations. Relative permeability correlations were used to predict the saturation profiles across the bed from measured two phase pressure drop data. Theoretical comparison of drop capture mechanisms indicated that direct and indirect interception are predominant. The total capture efficiency for the bed can also be evaluated using Spielman and Fitzpatrick's correlation.The resulting equation is used to predict the initial, local drop capture rate in a coalescer. A mathematical description of the saturation profiles is formulated and verified by the saturation profiles obtained by relative permeability. Based on the Carman-Kozeny equation, an expression is derived analytically to .predict the two phase pressure drop using the parameters which characterise the saturation profiles. By specifying the local saturation at the inlet face for a given velocity and phase ratio, good agreement between experimental pressure drop data and the model predictions was obtained. An attempt to predict the exit drop size has been made using an analogy for flow through non cylindrical channels.

Mass transfer coefficient for drying of moist particulate in a bubbling fluidized bed

Experiments on drying of moist particles by ambient air were carried out to measure the mass transfer coefficient in a bubbling fluidized bed. Fine glass beads of mean diameter 125?µm were used as the bed material. Throughout the drying process, the dynamic material distribution was recorded by electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) and the exit air condition was recorded by a temperature/humidity probe. The ECT data were used to obtain qualitative and quantitative information on the bubble characteristics. The exit air moisture content was used to determine the water content in the bed. The measured overall mass transfer coefficient was in the range of 0.0145–0.021?m/s. A simple model based on the available correlations for bubble-cloud and cloud-dense interchange (two-region model) was used to predict the overall mass transfer coefficient. Comparison between the measured and predicted mass transfer coefficient have shown reasonable agreement. The results were also used to determine the relative importance of the two transfer regions.

The targeting of corticosteroids to inflamed tissues

In recent years, much interest has focused on the beneficial effects of administering potentially harmful therapeutic agents in drug carriers so as to reduce their toxic side effects. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic systemic disease with progressive destruction of the Joints and long term patient disability, Corticosteroids have been shown to retard the progression of Joint destruction but are limited in their use due to adverse side effects,This project, following the line of investigation started by other workers, was designed to study the use of microspheres to deliver corticosteroids to inflamed tissues by both the oral and intravenous routes. Hydrocortisone (HC)-loaded albumin microspheres were prepared by three different methods, by direct incorporation of HC within the particles, by indirect incorporation of HC by the enzymatic conversion of hydrocortisone-21-phosphate (H-21-P) to HC within the particles, and by the adsorption of HC onto the surface. HC was also loaded with PLA microspheres. The level of corticosteriod loading and in vitro release from microspheres was determined by HPLC analysis. A reversed-phase, ion-pairing HPLC method was developed to simultaneously measure both HC and H-21-P. The highest level of corticosteroid loading was achieved using the incorporation of H-21-P with enzymatic conversion to HC method. However, HPLC analysis showed only 5% of the incorporated steroid was HC. In vitro release rates of steroid from albumin microspheres showed >95% of incorporated steroid was released within 2 hours of dissolution. Increasing the protein:steroid ratio, and the temperature and duration of microsphere stabilization, had little effect on prolonging drug release. In vivo studies, using the carrageenan-induced rat hind-paw model of inflammation, indicated steroid-incorporated microspheres administered both orally and intraperitoneally were not therapeutically advantageous when compared to equivalent free steroid doses. The ability of orally and intravenously dosed [125I]~albumin microspheres (2.67 μm mean diameter) to accumulate in acutely and chronically inflamed tissues was investigated, The subcutaneous air-pouch was the model of inflammation used, with carrageenan as the inflammatory stimulus. Acute and chronic inflammation was shown to be consistently formed  in pouch tissues in terms of cell infiltration and fluid exudate formation in the pouch cavity. Albumin microspheres were shown to accumulate in the inflamed tissues and pouch fluids after both oral and intravenous administration. Preliminary, confirmatory studies using latex microspheres and quantitation by GPC analysis, also indicated microsphere accumulation in both acutely and chronically inflamed air-pouch tissues. tntl lUr"'poucbtis,sues; The results indicate the uptake and transfer of microspheres across the gastrointestinal tract into the circulation and their migration through disrupted endothelium and basement membranes at the inflamed sites. , .

Formation of droplets from the liquid wall film passing through the inlet port of a spark ignition engine

The available literature has been surveyed to determine the parameters affecting fuelling requirements of spark ignition engines and their relation to engine performance and emissions. Theories and experiment relating to two phase and multi-component flows have also been examined and the techniques employed in the measurement of droplet sizes and liquid wall films have been reviewed. Following preliminary steady flow visualisation experiments to examine the trajectories of droplets discharging from the valve port an extensive practical investigation of the spectrum of droplet sizes formed by the break up of the wall film has produced results which have been correlated in terms of the important fuel and airflow parameters. It is concluded that the Sauter mean diameter of droplets formed by the break up of the wall film will vary between 70 and 150 m, depending on the operating conditions of the engine. The spectra of droplet sizes measured show that a significant proportion of the total mass of the wall film breaks into drops which will be too large to burn completely and, by comparison with measurements of unburned hydrocarbon emissions from engines supplied with a homogeneous mixture of air and gaseous hydrocarbons, it is concluded that the droplets from the wall film are likely to increase emissions by 50%.

Spray dried combinations of lactoferrin with antibiotics appear superior to monotherapy for reducing biofilm formation by pseudomonas aeruginosa

SD Apo Lactoferrin-Tobramycin/Gentamicin Combinations are superior to monotherapy in the eradication of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm in the lungs Wilson Oguejiofor1, Lindsay J. Marshall1, Andrew J. Ingham1, Robert Price2, Jag. Shur2 1School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK. 2School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath, Bath, UK. KEYWORDS: lactoferrin, apo lactoferrin, spray drying, biofilm, cystic fibrosis Introduction Chronic lung infections from the opportunistic pathogeen Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been recognised as a major contributor to the incidences of high morbidity and mortality amongst cystic fibrosis (CF) patients (1,2). Currently, strategies for managing lung infections in CF patients involves the aggressive use of aerosolised antibiotics (3), however, increasing evidence suggests that the biofilm component of P. aeruginosa in the lower airway remains unperturbed and is associated with the development of antibiotic resistance. If this is so then, there is an urgent need to suitably adjust the current treatment strategy so that it includes compounds that prevent biofilm formation or disrupt established biofilms. It is well understood that biofilm formation is strongly dependent on iron (Fe3+) availability (4), therefore aerosolised anti-infective formulations which has the ability to chelate iron may essentially be a well suited therapy for eliminating P. aeruginosa biofilms on CF airway epithelial cells (5). In this study, we report the use of combination therapy; an aminoglycosides (tobramycin and gentamicin) and an antimicrobial peptide (lactoferrin) to significantly deplete P. aeruginosa biofilms. We demonstrate that lactoferrin-tobramycin and lactoferrin-gentamicin combinations are superior to the single antibiotic regime currently being employed to combat P. aeruginosa biofilms. MATERIALS AND METHOD Antibiotics: The antibiotics used in this study included gentamicin and tobramycin supplied by Fagron, UK. Bacterial strain and growth conditions: Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PAO1 was provided by Prof. Peter Lambert of Aston University, Birmingham UK. The Strains were routinely grown from storage in a medium supplemented with magnesium chloride, glucose and casamino acids. Dialysis of lactoferrin: Apo lactoferrin was prepared by dialyzing a suspension of lactoferrin for 24 hrs at 4 °C against 20 mmol/L sodium dihydrogen phosphate, 20 mmol/L sodium acetate and 40 mmol/L EDTA (pH 3.5). Ferric ion (Fe3+) removal was verified by atomic absorption spectroscopy measurements. Spray drying of combinations of lactoferrin and apo lactoferrin with the different aminoglycosides: Combinations of tobramycin and gentamicin with the different preparations of lactoferrin were spray dried (SD) as a 2% (w/v) aqueous suspension. The spray drying parameters utilized for the production of suitable micron-sized particles includes: Inlet temperature, 180°C, spray flow rate, 606 L/hr; pump setting, 10%; aspirator setting, 85% (34m3/hr) to produce various outlet temperatures ranging from 99 - 106°C. Viability assay: To test the bactericidal activity of the various combinations, a viability assay was performed as previously described by Xu, Xiong et al. (6) with some modifications. Briefly, 10µL of ~ c. 6.6 x 107 CFU mL-1 P. aeruginosa strain PAO1 suspension were incubated (37°C, 60 mins) with 90 µL of a 2 µg/mL concentration of the various combinations and sampled every 10 mins. After incubation, the cells were diluted in deionised water and plated in Mueller hinton agar plates. Following 24 h incubation of the plates at 37°C, the percentage of viable cells was determined relative to incubation without added antibiotics. Biofilm assay: To test the susceptibility of the P. aeruginosa strain to various antibiotics in the biofilms mode of growth, overnight cultures of P. aeruginosa were diluted 1:100 into fresh medium supplemented with magnesium chloride, glucose and casamino acids. Aliquots of the dilution were dispensed into a 96 well dish and incubated (37°C, 24 h). Excess broth was removed and the number of colony forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL) of the planktonic bacteria was quantified. The biofilms were then washed and stained with 0.1% (w/v) crystal violet for 15 mins at room temperature. Following vigorous washing with water, the stained biofilms were solubilized in 30% acetic acid and the absorbance at 550nm of a 125 µL aliquot was determined in a microplate reader (Multiskan spectrum, Thermo Scientific) using 30% acetic acid in water as the blank. Aliquots of the broth prior to staining were used as an indicator of the level of planktonic growth. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Following spray drying, the mean yield, volume weighted mean diameter and moisture content of lactoferrin powder were measured and were as follows (Table 1 and table 2); Table 1: Spray drying parameters FormulationInlet temp (°C)Outlet temp (°C)Airflow rate (L/hr)Mean yield (%)Moisture content (%) SD Lactoferrin18099 - 10060645.2 ±2.75.9 ±0.4 SD Apo Lactoferrin180100 - 10260657.8 ±1.85.7 ±0.2 Tobramycin180102 - 10460682.1 ±2.23.2 ±0.4 Lactoferrin + Tobramycin180104 - 10660687.5 ±1.43.7 ±0.2 Apo Lactoferrin + Tobramycin180103 - 10460676.3 ±2.43.3 ±0.5 Gentamicin18099 - 10260685.4 ±1.34.0 ±0.2 Lactoferrin + Gentamicin180102 - 10460687.3 ±2.13.9 ±0.3 Apo Lactoferrin + Gentamicin18099 -10360680.1±1.93.4 ±0.4 Table 2: Particle size distribution d10 d50d90 SD Lactoferrin1.384.9111.08 SD Apo Lactoferrin1.284.7911.04 SD Tobramycin1.254.9011.29 SD Lactoferrin + Tobramycin1.175.2715.23 SD Apo Lactoferrin + Tobramycin1.115.0614.31 SD Gentamicin1.406.0614.38 SD Lactoferrin + Gentamicin1.476.2314.41 SD Apo Lactoferrin + Gentamicin1.465.1511.53 The bactericidal activity of the various combinations were tested against P. aeruginosa PAO1 following a 60 minute incubation period (Figure 1 and Figure 2). While 2 µg/mL of a 1:1 combination of spray dried apo lactoferrin and Gentamicin was able to completely kill all bacterial cells within 40 mins, the same concentration was not as effective for the other antibiotic combinations. However, there was an overall reduction of bacterial cells by over 3 log units by the other combinations within 60 mins. Figure 1: Logarithmic plot of bacterial cell viability of various combinations of tobramycin and lactoferrin preparations at 2µg/mL (n = 3). Figure 2: Logarithmic plot of bacterial cell viability of various combinations of gentamicin and lactoferrin preparations at 2µg/mL (n = 3). Crystal violet staining showed that biofilm formation by P. aeruginosa PAO1 was significantly (ANOVA, p < 0.05) inhibited in the presence of the different lactoferrin preparations. Interestingly, apo lactoferrin and spray dried lactoferrin exhibited greater inhibition of both biofilm formation and biofilm persistence (Figure 2). Figure 2: Crystal violet staining of residual biofilms of P. aeruginosa following a 24hr incubation with the various combinations of antibiotics and an exposure to 48 hr formed biofilms. CONCLUSION In conclusion, combination therapy comprising of an antimicrobial peptide (lactoferrin) and an aminoglycosides (tobramycin or gentamicin) provides a feasible and alternative approach to monotherapy since the various combinations are more efficient than the respective monotherapy in the eradication of both planktonic and biofilms of P. aeruginosa. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The authors would like to thank Mr. John Swarbrick and Friesland Campina for their generous donation of the Lactoferrin. REFERENCES 1.Hassett, D.J., Sutton, M.D., Schurr, M.J., Herr, A.B., Caldwell, C.C. and Matu, J.O. (2009), "Pseudomonas aeruginosa hypoxic or anaerobic biofilm infections within cystic fibrosis airways". Trends in Microbiology, 17, 130-138. 2.Trust, C.F. (2009), "Antibiotic treatment for cystic fibrosis". Report of the UK Cystic Fibrosis Trust Antibiotic Working Group. Consensus document. London: Cystic Fibrosis Trust. 3.Garcia-Contreras, L. and Hickey, A.J. (2002), "Pharmaceutical and biotechnological aerosols for cystic fibrosis therapy". Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 54, 1491-1504. 4.O'May, C.Y., Sanderson, K., Roddam, L.F., Kirov, S.M. and Reid, D.W. (2009), "Iron-binding compounds impair Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation, especially under anaerobic conditions". J Med Microbiol, 58, 765-773. 5.Reid, D.W., Carroll, V., O'May, C., Champion, A. and Kirov, S.M. (2007), "Increased airway iron as a potential factor in the persistence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in cystic fibrosis". European Respiratory Journal, 30, 286-292. 6.Xu, G., Xiong, W., Hu, Q., Zuo, P., Shao, B., Lan, F., Lu, X., Xu, Y. and Xiong, S. (2010), "Lactoferrin-derived peptides and Lactoferricin chimera inhibit virulence factor production and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa". J Appl Microbiol, 109, 1311-1318.

Anatomical correlates of dynamic auditory processing:relationship to literacy during early adolescence

Adults show great variation in their auditory skills, such as being able to discriminate between foreign speech-sounds. Previous research has demonstrated that structural features of auditory cortex can predict auditory abilities; here we are interested in the maturation of 2-Hz frequency-modulation (FM) detection, a task thought to tap into mechanisms underlying language abilities. We hypothesized that an individual's FM threshold will correlate with gray-matter density in left Heschl's gyrus, and that this function-structure relationship will change through adolescence. To test this hypothesis, we collected anatomical magnetic resonance imaging data from participants who were tested and scanned at three time points: at 10, 11.5 and 13 years of age. Participants judged which of two tones contained FM; the modulation depth was adjusted using an adaptive staircase procedure and their threshold was calculated based on the geometric mean of the last eight reversals. Using voxel-based morphometry, we found that FM threshold was significantly correlated with gray-matter density in left Heschl's gyrus at the age of 10 years, but that this correlation weakened with age. While there were no differences between girls and boys at Times 1 and 2, at Time 3 there was a relationship between gray-matter density in left Heschl's gyrus in boys but not in girls. Taken together, our results confirm that the structure of the auditory cortex can predict temporal processing abilities, namely that gray-matter density in left Heschl's gyrus can predict 2-Hz FM detection threshold. This ability is dependent on the processing of sounds changing over time, a skill believed necessary for speech processing. We tested this assumption and found that FM threshold significantly correlated with spelling abilities at Time 1, but that this correlation was found only in boys. This correlation decreased at Time 2, and at Time 3 we found a significant correlation between reading and FM threshold, but again, only in boys. We examined the sex differences in both the imaging and behavioral data taking into account pubertal stages, and found that the correlation between FM threshold and spelling was strongest pre-pubertally, and the correlation between FM threshold and gray-matter density in left Heschl's gyrus was strongest mid-pubertally.

Ranibizumab versus Bevacizumab to treat neovascular age-related macular degeneration:one-year findings from the IVAN Randomized Trial

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and safety of ranibizumab and bevacizumab intravitreal injections to treat neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). DESIGN: Multicenter, noninferiority factorial trial with equal allocation to groups. The noninferiority limit was 3.5 letters. This trial is registered (ISRCTN92166560). PARTICIPANTS: People >50 years of age with untreated nAMD in the study eye who read =25 letters on the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study chart. METHODS: We randomized participants to 4 groups: ranibizumab or bevacizumab, given either every month (continuous) or as needed (discontinuous), with monthly review. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome is at 2 years; this paper reports a prespecified interim analysis at 1 year. The primary efficacy and safety outcome measures are distance visual acuity and arteriothrombotic events or heart failure. Other outcome measures are health-related quality of life, contrast sensitivity, near visual acuity, reading index, lesion morphology, serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels, and costs. RESULTS: Between March 27, 2008 and October 15, 2010, we randomized and treated 610 participants. One year after randomization, the comparison between bevacizumab and ranibizumab was inconclusive (bevacizumab minus ranibizumab -1.99 letters, 95% confidence interval [CI], -4.04 to 0.06). Discontinuous treatment was equivalent to continuous treatment (discontinuous minus continuous -0.35 letters; 95% CI, -2.40 to 1.70). Foveal total thickness did not differ by drug, but was 9% less with continuous treatment (geometric mean ratio [GMR], 0.91; 95% CI, 0.86 to 0.97; P = 0.005). Fewer participants receiving bevacizumab had an arteriothrombotic event or heart failure (odds ratio [OR], 0.23; 95% CI, 0.05 to 1.07; P = 0.03). There was no difference between drugs in the proportion experiencing a serious systemic adverse event (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 0.80 to 2.27; P = 0.25). Serum VEGF was lower with bevacizumab (GMR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.54; P

Formant-frequency variation and its effects on across-formant grouping in speech perception

How speech is separated perceptually from other speech remains poorly understood. In a series of experiments, perceptual organisation was probed by presenting three-formant (F1+F2+F3) analogues of target sentences dichotically, together with a competitor for F2 (F2C), or for F2+F3, which listeners must reject to optimise recognition. To control for energetic masking, the competitor was always presented in the opposite ear to the corresponding target formant(s). Sine-wave speech was used initially, and different versions of F2C were derived from F2 using separate manipulations of its amplitude and frequency contours. F2Cs with time-varying frequency contours were highly effective competitors, whatever their amplitude characteristics, whereas constant-frequency F2Cs were ineffective. Subsequent studies used synthetic-formant speech to explore the effects of manipulating the rate and depth of formant-frequency change in the competitor. Competitor efficacy was not tuned to the rate of formant-frequency variation in the target sentences; rather, the reduction in intelligibility increased with competitor rate relative to the rate for the target sentences. Therefore, differences in speech rate may not be a useful cue for separating the speech of concurrent talkers. Effects of competitors whose depth of formant-frequency variation was scaled by a range of factors were explored using competitors derived either by inverting the frequency contour of F2 about its geometric mean (plausibly speech-like pattern) or by using a regular and arbitrary frequency contour (triangle wave, not plausibly speech-like) matched to the average rate and depth of variation for the inverted F2C. Competitor efficacy depended on the overall depth of frequency variation, not depth relative to that for the other formants. Furthermore, the triangle-wave competitors were as effective as their more speech-like counterparts. Overall, the results suggest that formant-frequency variation is critical for the across-frequency grouping of formants but that this grouping does not depend on speech-specific constraints.

Formant-Frequency Variation and Informational Masking of Speech by Extraneous Formants : Evidence Against Dynamic and Speech-Specific Acoustical Constraints

How speech is separated perceptually from other speech remains poorly understood. Recent research indicates that the ability of an extraneous formant to impair intelligibility depends on the variation of its frequency contour. This study explored the effects of manipulating the depth and pattern of that variation. Three formants (F1+F2+F3) constituting synthetic analogues of natural sentences were distributed across the 2 ears, together with a competitor for F2 (F2C) that listeners must reject to optimize recognition (left = F1+F2C; right = F2+F3). The frequency contours of F1 − F3 were each scaled to 50% of their natural depth, with little effect on intelligibility. Competitors were created either by inverting the frequency contour of F2 about its geometric mean (a plausibly speech-like pattern) or using a regular and arbitrary frequency contour (triangle wave, not plausibly speech-like) matched to the average rate and depth of variation for the inverted F2C. Adding a competitor typically reduced intelligibility; this reduction depended on the depth of F2C variation, being greatest for 100%-depth, intermediate for 50%-depth, and least for 0%-depth (constant) F2Cs. This suggests that competitor impact depends on overall depth of frequency variation, not depth relative to that for the target formants. The absence of tuning (i.e., no minimum in intelligibility for the 50% case) suggests that the ability to reject an extraneous formant does not depend on similarity in the depth of formant-frequency variation. Furthermore, triangle-wave competitors were as effective as their more speech-like counterparts, suggesting that the selection of formants from the ensemble also does not depend on speech-specific constraints.

Chitosan-modified dry powder formulations for pulmonary gene delivery

Spray-drying is an effective process for preparing micron-dimensioned particles for pulmonary delivery. Previously, we have demonstrated enhanced dispersibility and fine particle fraction of spray-dried nonviral gene delivery formulations using amino acids or absorption enhancers as dispersibility-enhancing excipients. In this study, we investigate the use of the cationic polymer chitosan as a readily available and biocompatible dispersibility enhancer. Lactose-lipid:polycation:pDNA (LPD) powders were prepared by spray-drying and post-mixed with chitosan or spray-dried chitosan. In addition, the water-soluble chitosan derivative, trimethyl chitosan, was added to the lactose-LPD formulation before spray-drying. Spray-dried chitosan particles, displaying an irregular surface morphology and diameter of less than 2 mu m, readily adsorbed to lactose-LPD particles following mixing. In contrast with the smooth spherical surface of lactose-LPD particles, spray-dried trimethyl chitosan-lactose-LPD particles demonstrated increased surface roughness and a unimodal particle size distribution (mean diameter 3.4 mu m), compared with the multimodal distribution for unmodified lactose-LPD powders (mean diameter 23.7 mu m). The emitted dose and in vitro deposition of chitosan-modified powders was significantly greater than that of unmodified powders. Moreover, the inclusion of chitosan mediated an enhanced level of reporter gene expression. In summary, chitosan enhances the dispersibility and in vitro pulmonary deposition performance of spray-dried powders.