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Non-audit services (NAS) provide auditors a platform to market their unique expertise and provide services surpassing the necessities of a financial statement audit. In this paper I study the effect of local competition on auditors' use of NAS within their product mix. My findings show that auditors respond to intensifying competition by increasing their selling of NAS. This response is especially strong in local markets where there are smaller differences in the average audit quality gap between the highest versus lowest quality auditors or when audit fees are depressed. The results suggest that NAS function as both a differentiation tool for higher quality auditors as well as a supplementary revenue stream when audit fees are reduced. I also find that the provision of NAS reduces audit quality in highly competitive environments, suggesting that the nature of NAS sold in competitive markets is more detrimental to audit quality than NAS sold elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial biolipids/biodiesels derived from volatile fatty acids (VFAs) can be a valuable alternative to plant oils if optimum fermentation conditions are determined. VFAs were used for cell mass and microbial lipid production by Cryptococcus curvatus . The lipid content in the cells increased up to 48% and 28% in batch cultures with the use of 20 g/L glucose and 6 g/L of VFAs as the carbon source, respectively. In this study, C. curvatus used VFAs as a carbon source via anaerobic digestion of rice straw hydrolysates. VFAs produced from rice straw resulted in yield of 0.43 g VFAs/g substrate and 40% higher specific growth rate(0.305 h −1 ) than synthetic VFAs. The highest fatty acid composition observed was C18:1, was obtained using glucose and VFAs as the carbon source to yield a cetane number of 56–59, which is suitable for biodiesel production. The cost of microbial lipids was estimated to be 0.30–1.15 USD/L given 0–150 USD/ton of VFAs cost for a yield of 0.17 g/g of lipids. Thus, VFAs can be a suitable carbon source for economical biodiesel production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The effect of retention loss on neuromorphic synaptic devices is investigated. • Depending on the types of activation functions or types of neural network layers, the effects of weight/bias loss of synaptic devices are different. • By adjusting the bias of the FC layer, the performance and retention characteristics of the neural network can be improved. By modeling the change of weight/bias over time due to the retention behavior of charge trap device (CTD), we study the influence of synaptic retention characteristics on the inference accuracy of the deep neural network (DNN) considering the activation function and neural network type. After training the neural network composed of 3 fully-connected (FC) layers for the MNIST test and the VGG16 neural network for the CIFAR 10 test, the performance of neural networks is researched by changing weight/bias over time. The performance degradation of a neural network as weights/bias change over time depends on the type of activation function. Sensitivities to weight/bias loss differ depending on the depth of neural networks or the type of network layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of intraoral exposure procedures on the physical characteristics of thermoplastic vacuum-formed retainers (VFRs) is still unclear. The effects of thermoforming and intraoral use on the molecular, chemical, morphological, and mechanical properties of thermoplastic VFRs were investigated. VFRs with a 0.8-mm-thick thermoplastic PETG sheet acquired from 48 patients were investigated with two aging procedures, including vacuum forming and intraoral exposure, for 2-week and 6-month. Eight evaluating sites for thermoplastic VFRs were assessed with seven analytical techniques. LM, SEM, and AFM microscopic findings showed that the surface characteristics increased with increasing in vivo exposure time (a four-fold increase) and varied depending on the sites evaluated (an occlusal surface). Raman and EDX spectroscopic findings showed that aging procedures led to a significant change in the molecular composition of VFRs, leading to a decrease in the composition rate of carbon (C) and the presence of silicon (Si), phosphorus (P), and calcium (Ca). Compressive strength and tensile tests showed that aging procedures led to a significant increase ( P <0.01) in ultimate tensile strength, elastic modulus, the stored energy at a 6-mm deflection ( u 6 mm ), and the compressed load at a 3-mm deflection ( σ 3 mm ). Thermoforming led to a smoother surface and no crystallization of PETG sheets. Intraoral exposure accelerated changes in surface morphology, tensile strength, and elastic modulus of VFRs. This change was site-specific and enhanced with an increase in intraoral exposure time. Therefore, thermoforming and in vivo oral exposure procedures led to the molecular, morphological, and mechanical properties of thermoplastic VFRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is a review of 20 patients with enchondroma of the foot treated from January 2005 to March 2012. All patients were examined clinically, followed by an evaluation of their enchondroma of the foot radiographically and an assessment of the outcome of their surgical intervention. The patients' sex and age, enchondroma location, findings from imaging studies such as plain radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, clinical findings, operative findings, and treatment outcomes were recorded. The average postoperative follow-up period was 24 months. Eighty percent of the tumors were located in the proximal phalanx and 14 (70%) patients presented with pathologic fracture. The plain radiographs and computed tomography findings revealed 13 (65%) cases of internal calcification and 11 (55%) with endosteal scalloping. A periosteal reaction was seen only in 4 (20%) cases. Magnetic resonance imaging of 11 (55%) patients showed low Ti-weighted and high T2-weighted signal intensity in all cases. Internal septa and nodules with low T2-weighted signal intensity were observed in 9 (82%) out of 11 cases, and adjacent soft tissue edema was noted in 9 (82%). All patients underwent curettage of the tumor and bone grafting as their surgical treatment. No recurrence or postoperative complications were observed during the 24-month follow-up period. Enchondroma of the foot most frequently involves the proximal phalangeal bone and is often associated with pathologic fracture. The unique clinical signs and characteristic radiographic images are easily recognized, making this a relatively easy diagnosis. With appropriate treatment, a good surgical outcome can be expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visualizing and analyzing the morphological structure of carotid bifurcations are important for understanding the etiology of carotid atherosclerosis, which is a major cause of stroke and transient ischemic attack. For delineation of vasculatures in the carotid artery, ultrasound examinations have been widely employed because of a noninvasive procedure without ionizing radiation. However, conventional 2D ultrasound imaging has technical limitations in observing the complicated 3D shapes and asymmetric vasodilation of bifurcations. This study aims to propose image-processing techniques for better 3D reconstruction of a carotid bifurcation in a rat by using 2D cross-sectional ultrasound images. A high-resolution ultrasound imaging system with a probe centered at 40 MHz was employed to obtain 2D transversal images. The lumen boundaries in each transverse ultrasound image were detected by using three different techniques; an ellipse-fitting, a correlation mapping to visualize the decorrelation of blood flow, and the ellipse-fitting on the correlation map. When the results are compared, the third technique provides relatively good boundary extraction. The incomplete boundaries of arterial lumen caused by acoustic artifacts are somewhat resolved by adopting the correlation mapping and the distortion in the boundary detection near the bifurcation apex was largely reduced by using the ellipse-fitting technique. The 3D lumen geometry of a carotid artery was obtained by volumetric rendering of several 2D slices. For the 3D vasodilatation of the carotid bifurcation, lumen geometries at the contraction and expansion states were simultaneously depicted at various view angles. The present 3D reconstruction methods would be useful for efficient extraction and construction of the 3D lumen geometries of carotid bifurcations from 2D ultrasound images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose A phase 2 study was completed by the Korean Gynecologic Oncologic Group to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of concurrent chemoradiation with weekly paclitaxel in patients with high-risk endometrial cancer. Methods and Materials Pathologic requirements included endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma stages III and IV. Radiation therapy consisted of a total dose of 4500 to 5040 cGy in 5 fractions per week for 6 weeks. Paclitaxel 60 mg/m² was administered once weekly for 5 weeks during radiation therapy. Results Fifty-seven patients were enrolled between January 2006 and March 2008. The median follow-up time was 60.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 51.0-58.2). All grade 3/4 toxicities were hematologic and usually self-limited. There was no life-threatening toxicity. The cumulative incidence of intrapelvic recurrence sites was 1.9% (1/52), and the cumulative incidence of extrapelvic recurrence sites was 34.6% (18/52). The estimated 5-year disease-free and overall survival rates were 63.5% (95% CI, 50.4-76.5) and 82.7% (95% CI, 72.4-92.9), respectively. Conclusions Concurrent chemoradiation with weekly paclitaxel is well tolerated and seems to be effective for high-risk endometrioid endometrial cancers. This approach appears reasonable to be tested for efficacy in a prospective, randomized controlled study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A multi-stage continuous high cell density culture (MSC-HCDC) system makes it possible to achieve high productivity together with high product titer of many bioproducts. For long-term continuous operation of MSC-HCDC systems, the cell retention time and hydraulic retention time must be decoupled and strains (bacteria, yeast, plant, and animal cells) must be stable. MSC-HCDC systems are suitable for low-value high-volume extracellular products such as fuel ethanol, lactic acid or volatile fatty acids, and high-value products such as monoclonal antibodies as well as intracellular products such as polyhydroxybutyric acid (PHB), microbial lipids or a number of therapeutics. Better understanding of the fermentation kinetics of a specific product and reliable high-density culture methods for the product-generating microorganisms will facilitate timely industrialization of MSC-HCDC systems for products that are currently obtained in fed-batch bioreactors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of topical cyclosporine versus placebo in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Participants: Seven qualified studies incorporating 306 eyes of 153 patients were analyzed. Methods: Searches of randomized controlled trials were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. Main Outcome Measures: We assessed the methodologic quality of individual included trials and performed meta-analyses using the random effects model if P<0.1 in the test for heterogeneity, or otherwise used the fixed effects model. We assessed scores of composite signs and symptoms, reduction in steroid eye drop use in steroid-dependent patients, and safety outcomes (i.e., stinging or burning sensation). Results: At 2 weeks of follow-up or longer, evidence suggests a statistically significant improvement in the composite signs (standardized mean difference [SMD], −1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.80 to −0.62; I 2 = 71%) and symptoms (SMD, −0.84; 95% CI, −1.51 to −0.16; I 2 = 80%) after topical cyclosporine treatment for allergic conjunctivitis regardless of the dosage of treatment. There was a significant reduction (mean difference, −61.16; 95% CI, −101.61 to −20.72; I 2 = 58%) in the use of steroid eye drops in patients with steroid-dependent allergic conjunctivitis. Stinging or burning sensation (odds ratio, 2.56; 95% CI, 0.19–35.06; I 2 = 73%) was common in both the cyclosporine and placebo groups. Conclusions: This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests topical cyclosporine could be an effective and safe treatment method for allergic conjunctivitis. Further randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes and standardized outcome measurements, follow-up periods, and cyclosporine concentrations are warranted to determine the short- and long-term efficacy and safety and the minimal effective dosage of topical cyclosporine for allergic conjunctivitis. Financial Disclosure(s): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Unlike volume models, surface models representing hollow, three-dimensional images have a small file size; allowing them to be displayed, rotated, and modified in real time. Therefore, surface models of lumbosacral structures can be effectively used for interactive simulation of, e.g., virtual lumbar puncture, virtual surgery of herniated lumbar discs, and virtual epidural anesthesia. In this paper, we present surface models of extensive lumbosacral structures which can be used in medical simulation systems. One-hundred and thirty-eight chosen structures included the spinal cord, lumbar and sacral nerves, vertebrae, intervertebral discs, ligaments, muscles, arteries, and skin. The structures were outlined in the sectioned images from the Visible Korean. From these outlined images, serial outlines of each structure were stacked. Adopting commercial software (3D-DOCTOR, Maya), an advanced surface reconstruction technique was applied to create a surface model of the structure. In the surface models, we observed the anatomical relationships of the lumbosacral structures (e.g., cauda equina and ligaments) in detail. Additionally, the portions of some spinal nerves that could not be outlined were drawn and added to the surface models. These constructed models will hopefully facilitate development of high quality medical simulation of the lumbosacral region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The use of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) for microbial lipid accumulation was investigated in flask cultures of Cryptococcus albidus. The optimum culture temperature and pH were 25°C and pH 6.0, respectively, and the highest lipid content (27.8%) was obtained with ammonia chloride as a nitrogen source. The lipid yield coefficient on VFAs was 0.167g/g of C. albidus with a VFAs (acetic, propionic, butyric acids) ratio of 8:1:1, which was in good agreement with a theoretically predicted lipid yield coefficient of the VFAs as a carbon source. The major fatty acids of the lipids accumulated by C. albidus were similar to those of soybean oil and jatropha oil. A preliminary cost analysis shows that VFAs-based biodiesel production is competitive with current palm and soybean based biodiesels. Further process development for lower aeration cost and higher lipid yield will make this process more economical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Statement of problem: The perceived color of shade guide tabs is influenced by different spectral compositions of different light sources, and this can influence color matching. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the amount of perceived shift in color and color coordinates of a shade guide using 3 different light sources: CIE standard illuminant D65 (daylight), A (incandescent lamp), and F9 (fluorescent lamp). Material and methods: CIE color coordinates L*, a*, b*, chroma, and the spectral reflectance of shade tabs in a shade guide (Vitapan 3D-Master) were measured by a spectroradiometer under D65, A, and F9 simulators. Perceived color and color coordinate shifts due to the change of illuminant were determined. The influence of the type of light and shade designation of the 26 tabs on the color coordinates was analyzed by a 2-way ANOVA; correlations in the color coordinates between each corresponding pair under the 3 illuminants were determined (α=.05). Results: All of the color coordinates were influenced by the type of illuminant and shade designation of the shade tabs (P<.001); however, each corresponding coordinate pair showed significant correlations under different illuminants (r=0.930 to 0.997, P<.01). Color differences under different illuminants were in the range of 3.1 to 9.1 ΔE units; all of these differences were perceptible (ΔE>2.6). Lightness decreased and chroma increased when the illuminant was changed from the D65 simulator to the A or F9 simulators. Conclusions: Perceptible shifts in the color of shade guide tabs under different ambient lighting conditions were confirmed by a spectroradiometer; these color shifts were influenced by the type of illuminant used. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study determined the influence of nano- and micro-filler proportions on the stabilities of color, translucency and opalescence of experimental dental resin composites after wet thermocycling. Silane-coated nano- (mean: 40nm) and micro-glass fillers (mean: 0.77μm), in the ratios of 0:6 (N0M6), 1:5 (N1M5), 2:4 (N2M4), 3:3 (N3M3), 4:2 (N4M2), 5:1 (N5M1) and 6:0 (N6M0), were added to 1:1 mixed BisGMA and TEGDMA light curing resin matrix with a total content of 60wt.% of the resin composites. Reflected and transmitted colors of cured specimens (1mm in thickness) were measured before and after 5000 cycles of thermocycling with a spectrophotometer. A commercial dental resin composite with a filler content of 65wt.% was used as a reference. As results, changes in color (), translucency (ΔTP) and opalescence (ΔOP) were in the range of 1.1–3.6, −4.5 to 0.1 and −3.7 to −0.7 units, respectively, all of which were influenced by the filler proportion (p <0.05). A hybrid composite (N4M2) and the nano-filled composite (N6M0) showed the smallest color change, while N4M2 alone showed the smallest translucency change (p <0.05). All the experimental composites showed significant changes in opalescence (p <0.05). Experimental hybrid composite containing 2:1 mixed nano- and micro- fillers showed the best stabilities in color and translucency. The micro-filled composite (N0M6) always showed higher translucency but lower opalescence than those of the hybrid and nano-filled composites. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objectives: Color coordinates of translucent esthetic materials measured by traditional spectrophotometers (SP) would deviate from those measured by newly introduced spectroradiometers (SR), which might simulate the clinical viewing condition better. This study aimed to determine the correlations in the SP- and SR-based color coordinates and color differences of all-ceramic materials. Methods: Specimens for seven A2 shade core ceramics (n =7) and corresponding A2 and A3 shades veneer ceramics (n =7) were fabricated in clinically relevant thicknesses (1.5mm after layering). Color of layered specimens was measured according to the CIELAB color scale by a SP and a SR. Color differences () between the reference ceramics and the corresponding layered ceramics were calculated. Correlations between SP- and SR-based color coordinates and color difference values were determined (α =0.05). Results: SR-based color coordinates were significantly different from the SP-based values; however, general shifting trends by the instrument were observed. SP- and SR-based CIE a*, b* and chroma values showed significant correlations (p <0.05); however, the CIE L* values and the color differences with the reference showed no significant correlations (p >0.05). Significance: The color coordinates representing the hue attribute (CIE a*, b* and chroma) measured by a spectrophotometer and a spectroradiometer showed significant correlations; however, the color coordinates and the color difference values were significantly different by the instrument. Therefore, color coordinates and the color difference values based on different instruments should not be compared directly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Statement of problem: The spectroradiometer (SR) was introduced as an alternative instrument to the spectrophotometer (SP) for measuring color in dentistry. No published studies were identified on the SR-based translucency of clinically simulated dental ceramics that closely reflect clinical conditions. Furthermore, it is unclear whether there is a correlation between SR- and SP-based translucency values. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the translucency parameter (TP) of core, veneer, and layered ceramics determined by an SR, and to determine the correlations in TPs measured by an SR and a reflection SP. Material and methods: Seven A2 shade core ceramics and corresponding A2 and A3 shade veneer ceramics were fabricated with a layered thickness of 1.5 mm. The color of core, veneer, and A2- and A3-layered ceramics was measured over white and black backgrounds by an SR with 2 measuring apertures of 2.63 and 5.25 mm in diameter, and also by an SP (n=7). TP values were calculated and the differences in SR (5.25)-based TP values of the layered ceramics were analyzed with 2-way ANOVA with the fixed factors of shade designation and type of ceramic core (α=.05). The influence of the brand on the TP values of core, veneer, and A2- and A3-layered ceramics was also analyzed with 1-way ANOVA. Correlation analysis and paired t test were performed for the SR- and SP-based TP values (α=.05). Results: SR (5.25)-based TP values of layered ceramics ranged from 4.4 to 12.5, and were influenced by the type but not by the shade designation. SR-based TP values of core, veneer, and A2- and A3-layered ceramics were influenced by the brand. SR- and SP-based TP values were highly correlated (r=0.982 to 0.987, P<.01), although TP values based on SR measurement were significantly higher (P<.05). Conclusions: SR measurements showed significantly different translucency for different types of clinically simulated ceramic specimens. TP values measured by the SR and the SP were significantly different but highly correlated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Statement of problem: The color attributes of commercially available shade guides have been measured by spectrophotometers (SP), which are designed to measure flat surfaces. However, there is limited information on the color distribution of shade guides as measured by spectroradiometers (SR), which are capable of measuring the color of curved surfaces. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the distributions of lightness (CIE L*) and chroma (C*ab) step intervals between adjacent shade tabs of a shade guide based on the lightness, chroma, and hue attributes measured by an SR. Material and methods: Lightness, chroma, hue angle, and CIE a* and b* values of the shade tabs (n=26) from a shade guide (Vitapan 3D-Master) were measured by an SR under daylight conditions. The distributions of the ratios in lightness and chroma of each tab compared with the lowest lightness tab or the lowest chroma tab were determined. The values for each color parameter were analyzed by a 3-way ANOVA with the factors of lightness, chroma, and hue designations of the shade tabs (α=.05). Results: The chroma and CIE a* and b* values were influenced by the lightness, chroma, and hue designations of the shade tabs (P<.001); however, the lightness and hue angle were influenced by the lightness and hue designations, but not by the chroma designation. Distributions for the CIE a* and b* values, in each lightness group, corresponded with the chroma designation. However, the intervals in the lightness and chroma scales between adjacent tabs were not uniform. Conclusions: The intervals in the color parameters between adjacent shade tabs were not uniform based on SR measurements. Therefore, a shade guide in which shade tabs are more equally spaced by the color attributes, based on the values as measured by an SR along with observers'' responses with respect to the equality of the intervals, should be devised. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The influence of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) on the properties of HEMA-added dental glass ionomer (HAGI) should be determined systematically to develop a smart restorative material. The purposes of this study were to determine the influence of incrementally added HEMA in experimental HAGIs on the color, translucency, opalescence, fluorescence and compressive strength, and to compare with those of commercial resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGI) materials. A varied amount of HEMA (10–50wt.%) was added into commercial glass ionomer liquid (Fuji II), which was then mixed with three shades of the same glass ionomer powder (shade nos. 21, 22 and 23). RMGIs from the same manufacturer were also investigated. Five specimens, 10mm in diameter and 2mm in thickness, were fabricated for each condition. Color of the HAGIs and RMGIs was measured with a reflectance spectrophotometer in the reflectance and the transmittance modes. Translucency, opalescence and fluorescence parameters were calculated. Compressive strength was determined. As the HEMA content increased, CIE L ∗ value (lightness) decreased while the chroma increased. CIE a ∗ value showed small and CIE b ∗ value showed high increase as the HEMA content increased. Increase in translucency was generally dependent on HEMA content except for 30% HEMA condition of shade no. 21. Opalescence decreased as the HEMA content increased while the trend of fluorescence change was shade-dependent. Compressive strength significantly increased after HEMA addition except 50% HEMA condition. The influence of HAMA on the optical properties of HAGIs varied by the shade of powder and the amount of HEMA. For the most relevant simulation of the optical properties of teeth, addition of 30–40% HEMA is recommended when formulating HEMA-added glass ionomers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: The goal of this study was to assess the relations of electrocardiographic QRS duration to left ventricular (LV) measurements in individuals without heart failure (HF) or prior myocardial infarction (MI). Background: Increased electrocardiographic QRS duration (≥120 ms) is a marker of ventricular dyssynchrony. Methods: We evaluated the relations of maximal electrocardiographic QRS duration to echocardiographic LV dimensions in 4,534 Framingham Heart study participants (mean age 54 years, 57% women) without prior HF or MI. QRS duration was analyzed as a continuous variable and as categories (<100, 100 to 119, and ≥120 ms). Results: In linear regression models, LV mass, end-diastolic dimension, and septal and posterior wall thicknesses were positively related to log-QRS duration, whereas fractional shortening (FS) was inversely related (p < 0.001). There was a significant trend for increasing LV mass and dimensions, and decreasing FS across categories of QRS duration (p < 0.001). Left bundle branch block was associated with higher LV mass and lower FS compared with a normal QRS duration (p < 0.001). Conclusions: In our community-based sample of individuals free of HF and MI, increasing electrocardiographic QRS duration was positively related to LV mass and dimensions, and inversely associated with LV FS. Additional investigations are warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the observed associations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A neutron diffraction analysis was carried out at 20 K on a single crystal of FeH2(CO)2[P(OPh)3]2 in order to accurately locate the hydride ligands. The two hydrides are bonded terminally to the Fe atom, and their small size causes the title complex to assume a highly distorted octahedral geometry. Distances and angles involving the hydride ligands are as follows: Fe&z.sbnd;H(1)=1.521(2) A˚, Fe&z.sbnd;H(2)=1.529(2) A˚, H(1)⋯H(2)=2.011(3) A˚, and H(1)&z.sbnd;Fe&z.sbnd;H(2)=82.49(13)°. Final agreement factors: R(F)=2.8% and R(wF2)=5.4%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The structure of Cp2Ti{(μ-H)2BC8H14} has been determined by single-crystal neutron diffraction methods. The geometrical parameters of the central four-atom core, Ti(μ-H)2B, are: Ti&z.sbnd;H=1.904(15), 1.933(17) A˚; B&z.sbnd;H=1.298(15), 1.333(13) A˚; Ti&z.sbnd;H&z.sbnd;B=94.1(8)°, 96.7(9)°; H&z.sbnd;Ti&z.sbnd;H=65.3(6)°, H&z.sbnd;B&z.sbnd;H=103.8(9)°; Ti⋯B=2.426(12) A˚; H⋯H=2.071(19) A˚. The final weighted agreement factor is Rw=8.7% for 2635 unique reflections collected at 20 K from a crystal of volume 0.8 mm3 at the Argonne Intense Pulsed Neutron Source (IPNS). This structure determination represents the first neutron diffraction analysis of a Ti&z.sbnd;H bonding distance in a molecule, as well as the first neutron analysis of a Ti&z.sbnd;H&z.sbnd;B bridge bond. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Studies the productivity of poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) obtained by fed-batch culture of Alcaligenes Eutrophus. Application of phosphate limitation culture method; Description of PHB; Efficacy of 50 liter fermenter in scaling fermentation process.

Abstract: Ependymal cysts are rare intracranial neoplasms. These lesions occur in the cerebral parenchyma, subarachnoid space, and juxtaventricular, intraspinal, and intramedullary regions. They occur extremely rarely in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA). There are no prior reports of CPA ependymal cyst with hemorrhage. We report a 79-year-old woman who experienced sudden onset of dizziness and vomiting. A CT scan and MRI revealed a cystic lesion with internal hemorrhage in the left CPA. Surgical resection via a left retrosigmoid approach was performed. Pathological examination revealed that the lesion was an ependymal cyst. To our knowledge, this is the sixth reported case of an ependymal cyst located in the CPA; however, our case had the unique presenting feature of hemorrhage. We review the clinical manifestation, pathogenesis, and management of these cysts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]