Search

When undertaking a therapeutic intervention, health-care professionals must ensure that they receive informed consent from the patient in order to protect both the individual and themselves.

A unified framework for voxel classification and triangulation for medical images is presented. Given volumetric data, each voxel is labeled by a two-dimensional classification function based on voxel intensity and gradient. A modified Constrained Elastic Surface Net is integrated into the classification function, allowing the surface mesh to be generated in a single step. The modification to the Constrained Elastic Surface Net includes additional triangulation cases which reduce visual artifacts, and a surface-node relaxation criterion based on linear regression which improves visual appearance and preserves the enclosed volume. By carefully designing the two-dimensional classification function, surface meshes for different anatomical structures can be generated in a single process. This framework is implemented on the GPU, allowing rendition of the voxel classification to be visualized in near real-time.

THE literature contains a comparatively small number of publications concerning the appearance of the ventricles on the days following encephalography, although it is quite probable that a number of investigators have been interested in such follow-up studies without publishing them. Of the published reports, some were confined to the rate of absorption of air after encephalography,1 , 2 whereas others emphasized the importance of second-day studies for the demonstration of porencephalic cysts.3 , 4 Only a few observations were concerned with the size of the ventricles during follow-up studies, and those were quite contradictory. Schott and Eitel,5 as well as Reinberg,6 mention dilatation of . . .

The extent to which a carrier powder was taken up and horizontally transferred by contaminated Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) individuals to conspecifics was evaluated. Using a marker dye, which was shown to be colocalized with the carrier powder, the amount of powder on the Indianmeal moth, as determined by spectrophotometry, was correlated with quantification based on a novel image analysis approach that enabled differentiation of powder uptake by body region. Over a 48-h period, more powder was retained on the ventral surface than the dorsal side, with the head region showing the greatest amount of powder uptake and retention. During courtship, powder was horizontally transferred by treated males to 1.6% of the head and 0.06% of the untreated females' body. To inoculate moths, a pit-fall style autodissemination station was determined as being more effective than a powder tray, as significantly more material was taken up to the key areas of the moth's body where powder is more effectively retained and more likely to be horizontally transferred. Additionally, a pit-fall station prevented moths from exhibiting avoidance behavior from the powder, which was frequently encountered if they had to walk into a powder tray. This study shows that different regions of the Indianmeal moth body vary in capacity to carry powder and that future research efforts should target these specific regions. Although the proposed autodissemination system was optimized for management strategies of Indianmeal moth, we believe the results presented here can be used to develop novel management strategies for other insect pests.

Although the elevated occurrence of epilepsy in people with intellectual disabilities (ID) is well recognized, the nature of seizures and their association with psychopathology and carer strain are less clearly understood. The aims were to determine the prevalence and features of epilepsy in a community-based population of adults with ID, and to explore whether the presence of epilepsy was associated with greater psychopathology or carer strain.Data were collected on the age, gender, place of residence, adaptive and challenging behaviour, social abilities and psychiatric status of 318 adults from 40 general practices, together with the degree of malaise and strain of family carers. For participants with epilepsy, a nurse collected information on seizures, investigations, treatment and carer concerns by interview. Association between epilepsy and psychiatric morbidity, challenging behaviour and caregiver malaise or strain, was explored by comparing those with epilepsy with a comparison group matched on adaptive behaviour.Fifty-eight participants (18%) had epilepsy: 26% were seizure free, but 34% had extremely poorly controlled seizures. Earlier onset and seizure frequency were associated with adaptive behaviour. Carer concerns were related to seizure frequency and a history of injury. There were no significant differences in psychopathology, carer malaise or caregiver strain between the matched epilepsy and non-epilepsy groups.This study supports the high occurrence and chronicity of epilepsy among people with ID. While psychopathology and carer strain is common within this population, underlying disability-related factors appear to be more important than the presence of epilepsy per se.

The δ13C and δ15N of the soft tissues of two Calyptogena phaseoliformis specimens sampled from the floor of Ascension Fan-Valley, off the Monterey Peninsula, California, ranged from -35.0 to -33.6% and -6.2 to -0.6%, respectively. The carbon isotope abundances are similar to those of other Calyptogena known or believed to be nutritionally dependent on sulfide-based chemoautotrophic symbionts. Calyptogena δ15N values and their geographic variation indicate an unusual source of dietary nitrogen for these animals. The δ13C and δ18O values for Calyptogena shells from the Ascension and Monterey Fan-Valleys approximate those reported for Calyptogena from three other locations in the Pacific and appear to reflect shell formation from constituents within ambient deep-ocean water.

Alvin dives and camera tows within the “meander area” of the Monterey and Ascension Fan Valleys have located nine chemosynthetic communities over depths ranging from 3000 to 3600 m over a distance of 55 km. Most of the observed communities consist largely of Calyptogena phaseoliformis, but Solemya (species unknown) and a pogonophoran (genus Polybrachia), have also been identified. The δ13C values (-35.0 to -33.6 per mil) and the presence of APS reductase and ATP sulfurylase in the C. phaseoliformis tissue is consistent with sulfur chemoautotrophy. Two reduced organic matter sources for the H2S are proposed: (1) older beds exposed by the deep erosion (up to 400 m) of the fan valleys and (2) concentrations of anaerobically decomposd organic matter buried in the valley floor.

Public opinion is formed both by long-term developments and--at the other extreme--by single unanticipated events. This suggests that readers of opinion survey findings should note field interviewing dates and further determine what the news media have been reporting about relevant developments and events. Personal health and the cost of health care are high on the public's agenda; this is an important backdrop to a review of public attitudes and priorities related to health and the environment. What about the environment? Americans increasingly believe that we are not spending enough on environmental protection and improvement. The public thinks of environmentalists in a favorable light, and a very sizeable minority believe they have too little influence--the same number who feel it's "about right." Our surveys have shown that the more people perceive an environmental threat to their safety, well-being and health, the more they will want regulation or industry action to meet the threat. High on the public's anxiety list are hazardous wastes (especially their disposal) and the transport and use of toxic materials in manufacturing and processing, industrial accidents involving the release of pollutants, the leakage of chemical waste into the soil, and the pollution of water and air from industrial sources. Our data support the assumption that for the foreseeable future these and certain other ecological dangers will be seen as serious by large majorities of Americans. For example, even the safety of drinking water has slowly become more questionable in the public's mind.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

To investigate the mechanism by which β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) attenuates the depression of protein synthesis in the skeletal muscle of cachectic mice, a study has been carried out in murine myotubes in the presence of proteolysis-inducing factor (PIF). PIF inhibited protein synthesis by 50% within 4 h, and this was effectively attenuated by HMB (25–50 μM). HMB (50 μM) alone stimulated protein synthesis, and this was attenuated by rapamycin (27 nM), an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Further evidence for an involvement of this pathway was shown by an increased phosphorylation of mTOR, the 70-kDa ribosomal S6 kinase (p70S6k), and initiation factor 4E-binding protein (4E-BP1) and an increased association of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF4E) with eIF4G. PIF alone induced a transient (1–2 h) stimulation of phosphorylation of mTOR and p70S6k. However, in the presence of HMB, phosphorylation of mTOR, p70S6k, and 4E-BP1 was increased, and inactive 4E-BP1-eIF4E complex was reduced, whereas the active eIF4G·eIF4E complex was increased, suggesting continual stimulation of protein synthesis. HMB alone reduced phosphorylation of elongation factor 2, but this effect was not seen in the presence of PIF. PIF induced autophosphorylation of the double-strand RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR), leading to phosphorylation of eIF2 on the α-subunit, which would inhibit protein synthesis. However, in the presence of HMB, phosphorylation of PKR and eIF2α was attenuated, and this was also observed in skeletal muscle of cachectic mice administered HMB (0.25 g/kg). These results suggest that HMB attenuates the depression of protein synthesis by PIF in myotubes through multiple mechanisms.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the preventive effect of free glutamine versus N-acetyl-L-glutamine, a liquid-stable source of glutamine, on gut damage induced by protein energy malnutrition in pigs. Healthy pigs (n = 6) were fed a liquid formula for 30 days. Three subgroups of malnourished pigs (n = 6) received daily 20% of the food intake recorded in control group, supplemented with calcium caseinate, glutamine, or N-acetyl-L-glutamine. Body weight was recorded, and small intestinal samples were evaluated for biochemical and immunologic parameters. Suppression in body weight gain was significantly lower in pigs fed with N-acetyl-L-glutamine than in the rest of malnourished pigs. Total number of lymphocytes, CD21+ B cells and CD4+ T cells in ileal Peyer patches were not significantly different in malnourished pigs fed with N-acetyl-L-glutamine and in healthy pigs. In conclusion, N-acetyl-L-glutamine has a moderate protective effect, partially preventing changes induced by protein energy malnutrition.

Background & aims : Glutamine instability in liquid media suggests that evaluation of reasonable enteral nutrition sources of glutamine is needed. N -acetyl-l-glutamine offers no instability and no intolerance problems. This research was conducted to study the absorption and apparent digestibility of glutamine versus N -acetyl-l-glutamine. Methods : Two pig models were used. (1) In a clamped jejunal loop experiment, we measured the concentrations of glutamine and N -acetyl-l-glutamine in the intestinal infused solutions, intestinal mucosa, and portal and peripheral blood. (2) In a feeding experiment, we determined their apparent digestibility. Results : N -acetyl-l-glutamine (∼76%) was slightly less absorbed than glutamine (∼85%) from the intestinal lumen into mucosa, where it was not detected as intact molecule, suggesting almost complete hydrolysis during absorption. Virtually no intact N -acetyl-l-glutamine was observed in the blood compartments; glutamine from lumenal N -acetyl-l-glutamine had the same behavior as that from lumenal-free glutamine in portal and peripheral blood. The apparent ileal digestibility of N -acetyl-l-glutamine was lower than that of free glutamine, as N -acetyl-l-glutamine was probably retained in the intestinal lumen to a greater extent than glutamine. Conclusion : N -acetyl-l-glutamine appeared to be a good candidate for glutamine fortification of enteral nutrition formulas.

When undertaking a therapeutic intervention, healthcare professionals must ensure that they receive informed consent from the patient in order to protect both the individual and themselves.

Practitioners have a responsibility to ensure their practice is based on sound clinical evidence and that the care delivered is of a high quality. What are the best ways of achieving this in the reality of the modern NHS?

We used the SVGL Micrascan 193 at International Sematech to evaluate four Sumitomo resists on four BARC products. The Sumitomo resists reviewed were PAR 710A35 and PAR 718A35 for dense lines, PAR 710A2 and PAR 722A3 for contact holes. We evaluated isolated line performance using PAR 705A25 and PAR 710A35. The BARC products evaluated were SiON and three commercially available organic systems. BARC reflectivity curves were generated for each of the BARC chemistries to determine proper BARC thicknesses. Following resist apply and bake processing, the wafers were subjected to ArF open frame exposures on an SVGL Micrascan 193. After post exposure bake and development, the energies required to clear the exposed region (E 0 ) were noted. Film thickness versus Eo value was plotted to generate swing curves and resultant E min and E max resist thickness points. Dense line performance was evaluated with quadrapole illumination (0.7/0.1). Isolated line and contact hole performance was evaluated using 0.6NA/0.6PC illumination, with the exception of PAR 710A35, where we evaluated isolated line performance of PAR 710A35 using quadrapole illumination (0.7/0.1). All evaluations were made at a consistent point in the illumination slot and scan of a 26x34mm field, each field containing through focus conditions at doses varying 5% for each respective field. The dense and isolated line features were stepped through focus in fifteen 70nm steps, while the contacts were stepped eleven times in 100nm micro steps. The samples were prepared with 3.0nm of AuPd. The critical dimensions (CD) targeted were 120nm for dense lines, 120nm and lower for isolated lines, and 150nm for contact holes. Focus auto calibration and illumination uniformity calibrations were run before the actual exposure of the wafers to ensure the tool was within specifications. Wafers were exposed to determine the nominal exposure dose. Wafers for cross section SEM were exposed and broken to evaluate footing, line width and depth of focus (DOF) performance.

The analysis proposed attempts to identify the systematic and non-systematic errors in linewidth uniformity data and their magnitudes. Specific to step-and-scan systems are various error components to linewidth such as optical slot errors, stage scan errors and wafer residual errors. We explore ways of handling these errors and applying developed methods to actual micrascan data in order to understand how to improve linewidth control.

Several 193 nm photoresists from various vendors were investigated using a Micrascan 193 in a cluster configuration. The critical dimensions (CD) investigated were 180 nm and below for dense lines and isolated lines. Contact holes were also evaluated. The photoresist process performance was quantified using a CD SEM, cross section SEM and electrical probe. Photoresist processes were controlled so that the effects of process on CD variations were minimized. Different photoresists process latitude were compared and evaluated for CD uniformity, depth of focus and exposure latitude. The photoresists evaluated were Resist A, Resist B, Resist C, Resist D, Resist E and Resist F. The spin curve and swing curve of these photoresists were studied at different thickness range. Standard and off-axis illumination modes were studied. Focus auto calibration and illumination uniformity were run before the actual exposure of the wafers to ensure the tool was within specification. Send ahead wafers were exposed to choose the nominal exposure. The optimized conditions of the process were chosen based on the availability of resist quantity. E-probe wafers were exposed and analyzed. Wafers for Cross Section SEM were exposed and broken to evaluate line width on different resists for dense, isolated lines and contact holes.

We report the case of a 74 -year-old man who presented with endocarditis on a porcine aortic valve replacement. Five of six blood cultures grew listeria monocytogenes. Transoesophageal echocardiography demonstrated the presence of a cavity posterior to the aortic annulus, apparently communicating with the left atrium. The patient underwent successful aortic valve re-replacement. Listeria endocarditis is rare with only 58 reported cases in the literature and is associated with high mortality.

It is now well established that children construct their own explanations for the easily observed astronomical events before they receive any formal education in astronomy (see Mali & Howe, 1985; Nussbaum & Novak, 1976; Vosnaidou, 1991. It is also generally accepted that childrens notions, or ‘alternative frameworks’ are tenacious and frequently pass into adulthood (Gunstone et al, 1981). Baxter's (1989) survey revealed a hierarchy of alternative frameworks about astronomy that became less naive as age increases, but also revealed that many pupils leaving school at the age of 16 years did not explain the easily observed astronomical events within a post-Copernican framework.