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The relationship between polymer network parameters and speed of viscoelastic (VE) recovery was studied for viscoelastic polyurethane foams. Reactive network simulation method was developed which use relative reactivity parameters derived from literature and from experiment. Relative reactivity of butylene oxide (BO) based secondary hydroxyl groups were estimated by comparing simulation results with experimentally derived sol fraction. From the analysis, it is found that BO and propylene oxide (PO) hydroxyl end groups have relative reactivity to isocyanates that are not very different. We also find that the isocyanate conversion is lower only about 91–96%, even though the isocyanates are the limiting factor (i.e. molar ratio NCO:OH = 0.9). It is also found that a foam with faster VE recovery is predicted to have smaller elastically effective chain (EEC) mass fraction (i.e. more imperfect polymer network) and higher sol fraction. Surprisingly, the same foam after solvent extraction was found to have slower VE recovery. It is concluded for foam systems with T g near ambient temperature, that while lower EEC fraction can lead to slower VE recovery, a large amount of sol fraction in the foam system can cause faster VE recovery via plasticization of the polyurethane matrix.

Knowledge about electricity and electrical devices has increased over time, as has the adoption of their use by surgeons. Although technology has evolved since the introduction of the first ESU by Harvey Cushing, MD, and William Bovie, PhD, one of the same patient safety issues still existsdpatient injuries. A basic understanding of how electrosurgery works can help perioperative team members reduce injuries to patients and themselves. As the number of surgeries using minimally invasive techniques continues to increase, it is important for team members to understand that the same types of injuries can occur during both open and minimally invasive procedures.

Despite chemical knowledge about CO 2 that extends back centuries, some data bases are still evolving that are needed to predict even the sub-critical CO 2 behavior down the geothermal gradient's P - and T -values which will be encountered in sequestration utilizing deep mines and wells. These needed data include IR-spectral interpretations of CO 2 molecular structure as P and T change; the unraveling of the Joule Thomson coefficient (heating or cooling?) that changes algebraic polarity around 10 6 Pa; more exact equations of state (EOS) that correlate to potential CO 2 polarity changes in molecular structure; newer EOS than those that have currently been derived by templating directly measured data; and focus is needed on the EOS-derived properties, like fugacity. Also, natural analogues like (1) the carbonate stability in metamorphic silicate-carbonation facies and (2) Lake Nyos aqueous geochemistry with concern about the potential redox-equilibria-predicted presence of CO (and graphite), as well as CO 2 .

The arbitral process is not the search for epistemological truth, but it is a search for a true and accurate resolution of controverted positions. Language is the necessary medium for the reaching this accuracy, but both practical and more profound language issues arise that inhibit the proper search for "truth" in international arbitration. These issues are frequently not perceived by counsel and arbitrators and the use, or misuse, of English as the arbitral Weltsprache has, often unwittingly, exacerbated this phenomenon. A deeper conception of the role and structure of language will lead both to better practice, and to greater accuracy, in the arbitral process.

Techniques and instrumentation for minimally invasive surgical procedures originated in gynecologic surgery, but the benefits of surgery with small incisions or no incisions at all have prompted the expansion of these techniques into numerous specialties. Technologies such as robotic assistance, single-incision laparoscopic surgery, natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery, and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery have led to the continued expansion of minimally invasive surgery into new specialties. With this expansion, perioperative nurses and other members of the surgical team are required to continue to learn about new technology and instrumentation, as well as the techniques and challenges involved in using new technology, to help ensure the safety of their patients. This article explores the development of minimally invasive procedures and offers suggestions for increasing patient safety.

A novel technique is developed based on the piezoresistivity of electrically filled polymers to measure the tensile strain in modified geosynthetics without the need for conventional instrumentation (e.g., strain gauges). This paper reports the development of the technique and the results obtained on high-density polyethylene and polypropylene (PP) geogrid specimens filled with carbon black and carbon nanotubes (NTs). It was found that except for NT-filled PP specimens all other composites exhibited significant strain sensitivity in their conductivity. The proof-of-concept study reported in this paper has two important features: (1) strain sensitivity of electrical conductivity was demonstrated in polyolefins used to manufacture geosynthetics; and (2) this strain sensitivity was obtained and demonstrated over the range of strain values that are important in geosynthetic engineering applications.

Temperature-resolved analyses of volatiles from Mid-Ocean-Ridge-Basalt (MORB) and vitreous basaltic rims were carried out to investigate the total volatile contents of basaltic melts and the influence of magma contamination on the degassing behaviour of volcanic rocks. With respect to the sources of methane evolution from the MORB the investigations are taken into consideration, the hydrocarbon (HC) release especially from the melt. The current paper presents data for H2O, CO2, SO2, He, H2, HF, HCl, CO, N2, O2, and HC degassing profiles of samples from the MORB sampling cruise 02.10.1983–11.11.1983 with FS Sonne 28 during the GEMINO-1 project near the Carlsberg Ridge (CR) and the Mid-Indian-Ocean-Ridge (MIOR). It aims to estimate the magnitude and nature of source magma volatiles and contamination (crustal material, seawater, atmospheric gases). The degassing of H2O, CO2, HCs as well as sulphur and chlorine species, or O2 from vitreous specimens shows characteristic differences associated with sample position with respect to the lava surface. From the water release by bubbling and diffusion above 700 °C it must be concluded that any assimilation of sea water in vitreous rim is very low. The water content in the vitreous rim is about 0.1–0.2 wt%. The low interaction of melt with sea water is supported by the missing of a significant release of chlorine species during the heat treatment of the sample up to 1450 °C. Mixed H2O/CO2 bubbles escape between 700 and 800 °C from the vitreous rim. The CO2 release in the temperature range of 1060–1170 °C from the basalt and the vitreous rim is interpreted as an indication for the primary carbon-dioxide content in the melt. Above 1100 °C CO2 and SO2 are evolved by both diffusion and small bubbles. The quantities of CO2 in the vitreous rim and the basalt are similar (between 0.05 and 0.15 wt%), whereas the quantities of SO2 escaping both from the vitreous rim and the crystalline basalt are between 0.013 and 0.024 wt%. Simultaneous with the CO2 release by bubbling, HC species, especially CH fragments, were observed. The fact that the temperature of release maxima are above 1050 °C in both the vitreous rim and in the basalt is an indication for a geogenetic origin of HCs, e.g. methane. A low temperature of release for methane, which is consistent with biogenetic HC, was observed from the gas-release profiles of the basalts only. The maxima of the low-temperature gas releases are between 80 and 200 °C with a high correlation between the fragments m/z 13 and m/z 15. This correlation is a significant indication for a methane release. The oxygen release profiles of vitreous and crystalline basalts give significant indications for oxygen fugacity below the (QMF) of basaltic magma. Secondary minerals, generated by alteration of basaltic rocks, can be characterized by gas release profiles (GRPs) due to their decomposition in the temperature range below 800 °C. Only in the basalt were there observed indications of alteration processes. Small traces of carbonates ( Processes of degassing at temperatures higher than 800 °C are correlated to volatiles in the melt and to fluid inclusions of the minerals. There are no obvious correlations in the degassing characteristics between H2O, CO2 and SO2. The different maxima of the degassing velocity, especially of CO2, and SO2, are indications of the different bonding forces of the site occupancy of the volatiles in the melt and in the glass. A micelle model for bonding sites in the basaltic glass for dissolved volatiles is discussed.

Data-intensive problems challenge conventional computing architectures with demanding CPU, memory, and I/O requirements. Experiments with three benchmarks suggest that emerging hardware technologies can significantly boost performance of a wide range of applications by increasing compute cycles and bandwidth and reducing latency.

Cyclooxygenase-2 is often highly expressed in epithelial malignancies and likely has an active role in tumor development. But how it promotes tumorigenesis is not clearly defined. Recent evidence suggests that this may involve transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor through E-prostanoid receptors, but reports differ about the mechanism by which this occurs. We found that E-prostanoid receptors 2-4, but not 1, transactivated the epidermal growth factor receptor. This required metalloproteinase activity, leading to release of growth factors from the cell surface. Both transforming growth factor-alpha and amphiregulin were released in response to over-expression of cyclooxygenase-2, but betacellulin and heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor were not. The metalloproteinase tumor necrosis factor-alpha converting enzyme was required for proteolytic release of transforming growth factor-alpha. We also found that addition of epidermal growth factor receptor ligands to HEK293 cells induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression, suggesting that by activating epidermal growth factor receptor signaling, cyclooxygenase-2 potentially creates a self-perpetuating cycle of cell growth. Consistent with this, inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 reduced growth of epidermal growth factor receptor over-expressing MCF-10A breast epithelial cells in three-dimensional culture.

Routine determination of the nodal status in colon cancer is strongly dependent on the individual quality and technique of histopathological assessment and surgical lymph node dissection. We evaluated whether sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) could contribute to an improvement in staging. At least one SLN (median n=2) was detected (detection rate 84%) in each of 38 of 45 patients with primary colon cancer. Ten of these 38 were found to have lymph node metastases by HE staining (26%), six of them in the SLN. Nine of the 28 patients that were initially nodal-negative by HE revealed one micrometastasis and eight cases of isolated tumor cells by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining (32% upstaging response). Including the IHC-positive cases, 19 of the 38 patients were nodal-positive (50%), 15 of them with tumor-infiltrated SLN (overall sensitivity of SLNB 79%). Using the dye method, SLNB is clinically practicable and leads in the majority of the patients to the detection of SLN. The selective, intensified histopathological assessment of SLN identifies small tumor cell deposits in a relevant percentage of patients with little and clinically practicable effort.

Chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD) can be complicated by encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS), a rare but the most severe complication associated with long-term PD. Morbidity and mortality are still high (range from 25% to 55%) especially in the first year after diagnosis. The international Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (ISPD) defined EPS by clinical signs of abdominal pain, bowel obstruction or weight loss in late stages of the disease. Clinical symptoms, radiologic findings and histologic criteria are the three diagnostic pillars.

Surgical therapy is becoming increasingly complex. Besides new surgical techniques, sophisticated diagnostic methods and innovative interventional procedures must be integrated into the therapeutic concept to increase the efficacy of surgery. Accurate application of these techniques requires close cooperation between surgeons, other medical specialists, and technicians. Consequently, there is a significant need for structures promoting efficient communication, organization, and interaction in surgical departments. New techniques developed from telecommunication and information technology enable the transferal of complex medical data at any time to any place and are therefore the basis for telemedical applications. Telemedicine and other new techniques such as virtual operation planning, simulation, and intraoperative navigation promise to increase the efficacy of surgical therapy in the future. This paper provides an overview of the applications of telesurgery and currently available techniques.

We evaluated the feasibility of the sentinel lymph node technique to refine staging and potentially individualize therapy for anal cancer. Seventeen patients with cancer of the anal canal underwent peritumoral injection of 99mTc-colloid, followed 17 hours later by lymphoscintigraphy. A selective lymph node biopsy (SLNB) was attempted in 12 of 13 cases with scintigraphically detected SLNs. Lymph node metastases were present in 5 of 12 cases (42%); in 2 of these 5 cases, micrometastases were detected only by immunohistochemical staining. Hence, SLNB refines the diagnostic workup for anal cancer and provides an accurate basis for individualized therapy.

The use of minimally invasive procedures for the management of gastrointestinal cancer is increasing. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of high-frequency miniprobe endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) for therapeutic decisions making in patients with gastric or colonic tumors.A total of 137 patients underwent EUS with a 12.5-MHz miniprobe for preoperative staging of tumors of the stomach ( n = 49) or colon ( n = 88). After resection, the surgical path was reviewed to analyze the role of preoperative staging with miniprobes.Miniprobe EUS enabled accurate assessment of the infiltration depth of gastric and colonic tumors. The overall accuracy rates were 88% and 87%, respectively. The lymph node status was predicted correctly in 82% of the patients (sensitivity, 61%, specificity, 94%). Based on the results of miniprobe EUS, patients with gastric cancer were accurately selected to undergo endoscopic mucosal resection, laparoscopic resection, or open surgery in 100%, 91%, and 86% of the cases, respectively. In patients with colonic tumors, the treatment decision analysis showed that the stratification was correct in 90% of the patients.Miniprobe EUS is a reliable method for validating treatment decisions for patients undergoing minimally invasive procedures for gastric and colonic tumors. This method is particularly valuable in the management of colon cancer, because endoscopic and laparoscopic resections can be offered to selected patients as an alternative to open surgery.

Electrochemical cells are reviewed and a new design is evaluated for potentiometric pH measurements to above 300 jC. The new design system minimizes the effects of metal corrosion on measured pH. In addition, a recently developed [Zhou, X.Y., Lvov, S.N., Ulyanov, S.M., 2003. Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Membrane Electrode, US Patent #6, S17, 694] flow-through, yttriastabilized zirconia (YSZ) pH sensor has been further tested. The Nernstian behavior and precision of the YSZ electrode were evaluated by measuring the potentials vs. H2–Pt electrode at 320 and 350 jC. Also, using the YSZ electrode, the association constants of HCl(aq) at 320 and 350 jC have been determined from the potentials of a HCl(aq) solutions at 0.01 to 0.001 mol kg � 1 . The results, pK320= � 1.46F0.46 and pK350= � 2.35F0.25, in good agreement with literature data, both demonstrate the effective use of the cell and YSZ electrode for pH measurements to about F0.05 pH units, and confirm the Nernstian behavior of the YSZ electrode in acidic HCl solutions up to 350 jC. Commercial YSZ tubes available for high-temperature pH sensing are, however, far from ideal because of irregular compositions, phase structures, and interstitial materials. A consequence is the premature structural decay of YSZ tubes in acidic solutions at elevated temperatures. In spite of the longterm decay, YSZ sensors respond rapidly to changes in pH, apparently limited only by the rate of mixing of solutions within the cell. This system makes the measurement feasible above 300 jC of mineral hydrolysis equilibrium constants and their free energy changes within uncertainties of about F1.0 kJ. D 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Das Konzept der Sentinel-Lymphknoten-Entnahme basiert auf der Annahme, dass es immer einen oder einige wenige Lymphknoten gibt,die aus einem Tumor freigesetzte Tumorzellen primar aufnehmen. Die Wahrscheinlichkeit, Makro- oder Mikrometastasen bzw. isolierte Tumorzellen aufzufinden, ist damit in diesem Lymphknoten am grosten. Diese Annahme setzt einen gerichteten, nicht zufallig verteilten Abstrom von Tumorzellen aus dem Tumorgewebe voraus.

Bis heute steht keine zuverlassige Methode fur die pra- bzw. intraoperative Vorhersage des Lymphknotenstatus bei Patienten mit gastrointestinalen Tumoren zur Verfugung. Nach der erfolgreichen Etablierung der Sentinel-Lymphknoten-Biopsie (SLNB) bei Melanom- und Brustkrebserkrankungen werden weiterfuhrende Untersuchungen auf diesem Gebiet nun auf gastrointestinale Tumorerkrankungen ausgedehnt. In Ubereinstimmung mit aktuellen Ergebnissen stellen Darm- und Magenkarzinome vielversprechende Entitaten fur das SLN-Konzept dar. Erste Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Methode zuverlassig den Lymphknotenstatus erfasst und damit in Zukunft vermehrt Einfluss auf adjuvante Therapiekonzepte bzw. auch auf das chirurgische Resektionsausmas nehmen wird. Zwei Methoden stehen fur die SLNB zurzeit zur Verfugung: die Farbstoffmethode und die Radiokolloidmethode. Welche Methode fur die jeweilige Tumorentitat am sinnvollsten ist und welche Ergebnisse derzeit hiermit erzielt werden, soll nachfolgend erortert werden.

BACKGROUND Synovial sarcoma is a rare tumor frequently occurring in adolescents and young adults. The preferred location, at the distal parts of the extremities, and the high incidence of distant metastases represent major challenges for treatment. The purpose of this study is to analyze the indications for surgery in the context of a multimodal therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between October 1992 and December 2000, 41 patients were treated surgically for synovial sarcoma of the extremities. Their mean age was 35 years (range: 11-75 years). Extracompartmental tumor growth was present in more than 90% of the patients. Fourteen patients (34%) presented with a tumor size of less than 5 cm (T1) while 27 patients (66%) showed lesions greater than 5 cm (T2). At the time of presentation, seven patients had distant metastases; three located in the lung and four in lymph nodes. RESULTS Due to a locally unresectable tumor or synchronous distant metastases, 28 patients (68%) underwent preoperative systemic chemotherapy (n=9) or isolated limb perfusion (n=18) or both (n=1). In 29 patients, limb-conserving surgery was possible. Of the 12 patients (29%) who required amputation, 85% had a distal tumor. Sixteen patients received additional postoperative radio- and/or chemotherapy. After a median follow-up of 30 months, only two patients (7%) had developed a local recurrence, while seven patients (20%) suffered from new, distant metastases. The 5-year overall survival rate was 82%. CONCLUSION With a combined modality treatment, it is possible to achieve excellent local control rates and long-term survival in patients with synovial sarcoma of the extremities. Neoadjuvant treatment can enable limb-sparing surgery in most patients, even if the tumors are located in anatomically difficult areas.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether endosonography on demand with miniprobes and conventional endoscopic ultrasound improves the accuracy of endosonographic staging of upper gastrointestinal tract cancer. Methods: Altogether, 173 patients underwent endoscopic ultrasonography for preoperative staging of esophageal (n = 63) or gastric cancer (n = 110). Depending on the endoscopic appearance (i.e., size and growth pattern), tumors were examined with a linear-array echoendoscope (7.5 MHz) or with high-resolution miniprobes (12.5 MHz). The results of preoperative staging were correlated with histopathology of the resection specimen. Results: The overall accuracy of miniprobe ultrasonography and endoscopic ultrasound in assessing the infiltration depth of upper gastrointestinal cancer was 87% and 81%, respectively. Miniprobe ultrasonography was superior to conventional endoscopic ultrasound in the staging of early cancers, particularly T1 tumors (accuracy, 81% vs 56%). The combined accuracy of both techniques for all tumor stages was 82%. Correct diagnosis of lymph node involvement was obtained with miniprobe ultrasonography or endoscopic ultrasound in 76% and 71% of the cases, respectively. The combined accuracy in assessing the lymph node status was 73% (sensitivity, 68%; specificity, 81%). Conclusions: Endosonography on demand using either miniprobes or conventional endoscopic ultrasound may result in more effective and less invasive staging of esophageal and gastric cancer. Selective use of high-resolution miniprobes and conventional endoscopic ultrasound offers accurate staging of all tumor stages.

The concept of using heat to stop bleeding goes back hundreds of years. Researchers have constructed a variety of devices that used electricity as a means to heat tissue and control bleeding. Electrosurgery became widely used in the late 1920s because of the urgent need to safely control bleeding in operative procedures. This article will cover basics of electricity and electrosurgery, clinical applications, technologies, and nursing care during electrosurgery.

Up to now, no reliable methods for the pre- or intraoperative prediction of the nodal status are available in gastrointestinal cancer patients. Therefore, after the successful application of the sentinel lymph node concept in melanoma and breast cancer, ongoing research on this field is extended to gastrointestinal tumor entities. According to recent experiences, the most promising tumor entities are colon, gastric and anal cancer. First results with these patients indicate that the method could be a reliable predictor of the nodal status and, thus, may have important future implications for adjuvant therapy and the extent of surgery. The dye method for colon cancer and the combined method (dye and radiocolloid) for gastric cancer seem to be appropriate approaches, even when the general experience is still low. In rectal cancer, however, current experience failed yet to yield satisfying results. Up to now, anal cancer has not been a focus of publication, even when the concept seems to be very attractive for the evaluation of the inguinal lymph node status.

The value of endorectal ultrasound (EUS) in the diagnosis of recurrent rectal cancer is limited by the inability to differentiate between malignant and benign lesions. We have prospectively investigated the role of EUS with transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy in the postoperative follow-up of rectal cancer.Since 1995, patients who had undergone a sphincter-saving operation for rectal cancer (n = 312) were followed-up by a standard program including rectal palpation, carcinoembryonic antigen monitoring, computed tomography, and EUS. Transrectal EUS-guided biopsy of perirectal lesions was performed in 68 patients with perirectal lesions by using a rigid endoprobe with a 10 MHZ multiplane transducer and special targeting device.Overall local recurrence was observed in 36 patients. Intraluminal recurrence was diagnosed by proctoscopy in 12 patients. Transrectal EUS-guided biopsy showed pelvic recurrence in 22 of 68 patients with perirectal lesions. Biopsy specimens with benign histology were obtained from 41 patients, and the procedure failed in 5 cases (accuracy, 92%). There was a strong agreement between transrectal biopsy results and the final diagnosis (kappa = 0.84), the sensitivity and specificity being 91% and 93%, respectively. In contrast, clinical examination (kappa = 0.27), computed tomography (kappa = 0.47), or EUS (kappa = 0.42) showed only a moderate level of agreement with the histopathologic diagnosis, mainly because of the limited specificity of all 3 methods (65% vs 46% vs 57%). EUS-guided biopsy was significantly more accurate than computed tomography and EUS (P.01). The biopsy results had a considerable impact on the management in 18 of 68 patients (26%).Transrectal EUS-guided biopsy is a safe and efficient method for tissue sampling of perirectal lesions. This minimally invasive and inexpensive technique improves the accuracy of endorectal ultrasound in the diagnosis of recurrent rectal cancer.

Samples of Mexican obsidian that exhibit either “sheen” or “rainbow” optical properties were examined with a combination of EMP, SEM, TEM, as well as visible and IR spectroscopy. Electron-microprobe analyses of the sheen matrix give (in wt.%): 76.2 SiO_2, 0.2 TiO_2, 11.6 Al_2O_3, 2.2 FeO_(TOT), 0.07 MgO, 0.1 CaO, 4.8 Na_2O and 4.4 K_2O. The sheen is attributed to the presence of aligned flow-stretched hollow vesicles in the gemological literature. SEM images show that many of the flow-aligned lenticular areas are a second rhyolite glass with, on average, 74.6 SiO_2, 0.2 TiO_2, 12.7 Al_2O_3, 2.1 FeO_(TOT), 0.1 MgO, 0.9 CaO, 5.6 Na_2O and 4.6 K_2O. These two compositions do not overlap at the 2σ level. Their inferred indices of refraction differ by as much as 0.04, leading to optical interference along the elliptical interfaces of the two glasses. Thus we postulate that the sheen reflects differences in indices of refraction (η) between the matrix obsidian and the lower η of either gas-filled or glass-filled vesicles. In our sample, the presence of the second glass probably correlates with incorporation (and remelting?) of fragments of an earlier rhyolitic ash or tuff. Two different types of Mexican rainbow obsidian were studied. The first has layers of numerous trachytically oriented rods (0.2–2 by 10–20 μm) of hedenbergite (Ca_(0.88)Mg_(0.07)Fe_(0.98)Mn_(0.06)Si_(2.01)O_6). The composition of the matrix is: 76.3 SiO_2, 12.5 Al_2O_3, 1.7 FeO_(TOT), 0.01 MgO, 0.16 CaO, 4.4 Na_2O and 4.6 K_2O. The second type has trachytically aligned plagioclase (~An_(20)), also rod-shaped (as small as 0.5 × 2.0 μm). The composition of the matrix is: 76.1 SiO_2, 13.5 Al_2O_3, 0.7 FeO_(TOT), 0.09 MgO, 0.7 CaO, 3.75 Na_2O and 4.85 K_2O. Multiple hypotheses are considered for the possible cause of the rainbow effects: gas or fluid inclusions, a small component of scattering centers, differential indices of refraction, Bragg diffraction of visible light, and thin-film interference. Our data support the last hypothesis.

There is a general consensus that short term exposure to ozone (O3) causes a decrease in lung function parameters such as forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). The objective of this study was to assess the reproducibility of lung function decrements after ambient O3 exposure over a two-summer period. The authors studied 797 children with a mean age of 8.2 yrs (95% confidence interval: 6.9-9.5) from the second and third grades of ten elementary schools in Austria and southwestern Germany. At the outset the various study locations were stratified into three groups with low (L), medium (M) and high (H) O3 exposure (range of mean O3 concentration in the locations April-October 1994: 24-30 (L); 33-38 (M); 44-52 (H) parts per billion (ppb)). Four lung function tests were performed on each child between March 1994 and November 1995. The increases in FVC and FEV1 recorded from one test period to the next were expressed as mL x day(-1). A significantly lower FVC and FEV1 increase was observed in children exposed to high ambient O3 concentration during the summer season. (FVC in summer 1994: 0.83 (L); 0.56 (M); 0.55 (H) mL x day(-1); p=0.004; and summer 1995: 0.80 (L); 0.63 (M); 0.56 (H) mL x day(-1); p=0.011; FEV1 in summer 1994: 0.48 (L); 0.34 (M); 0.18 (H) mL x day(-1); p=0.004 and summer 1995: 0.68 (L); 0.45 (M); 0.41 (H) mL x day(-1), p=0.006). There was no significant difference in FVC or FEV1 increase between the groups during the winter period. Adjusting for sex, age, height and passive smoke exposure, linear regression revealed a statistically significant negative association of average ambient O3 concentration with the FVC and FEV1 increase in both summers. During the winter period no association of O3 with FVC or FEV1 was observed. In conclusion, in two consecutive summer periods the authors found reproducible lung function decrements in children exposed to high levels of ambient ozone. Reoccurrence of ozone associated lung function deficits might increase the likelihood of persisting effects on the childrens' airways.

Loss of chromosomes 1, 2, 6, 10, 13, 17, and 21 is a characteristic finding in chromophobe renal-cell carcinoma (ChRCC). Previously, cytogenetic and molecular genetic techniques were used in demonstrating the chromosomal monosomies in ChRCCs. We performed interphase fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) using centromeric probes for chromosomes 1, 2, 6, and 10 on touch imprint smears from six histologically proven ChRCCs. All six ChRCC tumors showed one FISH signal corresponding to one copy number for each of these chromosomes. The percent cells with one FISH signal ranged from 48-88% (chromosome 1), 36-89% (chromosome 2), 26-98% (chromosome 6), and 64-99% (chromosome 10). In addition, 3 of the 6 cases were further studied with centromeric probes for chromosomes 13, 17, and 21. All three revealed monosomy of these three chromosomes. We conclude that interphase FISH performed on touch imprint smears is a relatively simple, rapid, and reliable method for detecting chromosome abnormalities which are specific for ChRCCs.

Although common worldwide, hepatocellular carcinoma is relatively rare in the United States. However, for unknown reasons, the incidence is rising. Multiple causes exist, but chronic viral hepatitis in the setting of cirrhosis is probably the most common. Despite limitations, AFP measurement and multiple-phase abdominal CT are the most sensitive tests for diagnosis. Surgical resection and liver transplantation are at present the only treatment options that offer potential for long-term survival or cure in limited-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. Otherwise, the prognosis is poor, and 1-year survival is rare. Future efforts should focus on improving detection of early-stage disease and improving preventive measures to reduce viral hepatitis infection, transmission, and progression.

Major chromosome abnormalities are present in 0.65% of all neonates. Fluorescent in situ hybridization [FISH]is useful in diagnosing microdeletion syndromes that would otherwise be difficult to diagnose using standard cytogenetics. In this study, we used FISH analysis in the laboratory diagnosis of 4 patients with Prader-Willi Syndrome [del[15][q11.2q12], 4 patients with Di George syndrome [del[22][q11.2q11.23] and 4 patients with Williams syndrome [del[7][q11.23q11.23]. High-resolution chromosome analysis in all these patients was either normal or inconclusive but all the syndromes were confirmed using FISH. We recommend cytogenetic analysis should always be supplemented with FISH to diagnose all cases suspected of a microdeletion syndrome

Older machine tools are often mechanically sound but their proprietary controls are outdated and can be economically upgraded to modern open architecture control. The objective of this paper is to present a procedure for integrating these new flexible control architectures into machine tools. As an example, this paper presents the integration of an open architecture controller and a diamond turning machine. The open architecture control permits research into various types of control such as position, velocity, force, and adaptive control that will improve the quality of manufactured optics and other high precision components. The goal of incorporating an open architecture controller into an existing diamond turning machine required the identification, integration and installation of many components. After installing these components, the machine was calibrated to improve its performance. The most important aspect in improving the overall performance of the machine was correcting its vibration characteristics. Spindle imbalance, the spindle shaft coupler and the table and slide amplifiers were found to play a significant role in producing vibration. The sidewise amplitude of acceleration was reduced from approximately 2.5 to 0.6 g due to reduction in vibration after correcting these sources. The remaining level of vibration is normal for this type of diamond turning machine allowing it to produce finishes with 90.24 nm (3.56 μin) RMS surface roughness using a radius tool and 24.13 nm (0.95 μin) RMS with the straight-edge tool.

ZrO2-EMF measurements were carried out on natural biotite samples between about 400 and 1100 8C in a closed system in a pure argon atmosphere (99.9999%). The EMF patterns are complex and cannot be compared to classical equilibrium 1/T-log ƒ data. Instead, the O2 electrochemical method, when applied to hydrous phases, is a non-equilibrium, dynamic technique, comparable to differential thermal analyses. The data are interpreted from the perspective of atomic processes that control EMF readings and in light of mica-breakdown reactions known from the literature. These breakdown reactions occur at mainly three temperatures marking the onset of dehydroxylation, of oxidation, and of breakdown to oxides. The new application of ZrO2-EMF measurements proposed herein demonstrates the advantage of dynamic tracking of mica breakdown reactions; so that in a single experiment, all breakdown reactions may be studied sequentially for a specific mineral sample.

In unserer Studie sollten mogliche Kurzzeiteffekte der sommerlichen Ozonexposition auf lungenmechanische Mesgrosen von Kindern erfast werden. Fur Kinder ohne Pollenallergie ergaben sich dabei statistisch signifikante, negative Assoziationen der Ozonexposition und der Mesgrosen “Forcierte Vitalkapazitat” und “Einsekundenkapazitat”. Aktuelle Ozonexpositionen sind bei Kindern mit einer Einschrankung der Lungenvolumina assoziiert. Das gesundheitliche Risiko der chronischen Ozonexposition mus noch geklart werden.

To investigate the effect of natural exposure to ambient ozone over time, a follow-up study of school-aged children was performed in two small towns in southwestern Germany (Freudenstadt and Villingen) between March and October of 1994. Ozone half-hour mean concentrations were measured continuously and pulmonary function was tested in each child on four occasions (April, June, August, and September). To obtain an average short-term ozone effect, we first analyzed the data from the four time points separately and then constructed a model that included all information. During the study period the median (5th to 95th percentile) of all half-hour values of the ozone concentration was 101 micrograms/m3 or 50.6 ppb (45-179 micrograms/m3 or 22.5-89.8 ppb) in Freudenstadt and 64 micrograms/m3 or 32.1 ppb (1 to 140 micrograms/m3 or 0.5-70.1 ppb) in Villingen. To assess the effects of an individual ozone exposure we related the highest ozone concentration in the respective 24 hours before lung function testing to the results of the subconcentration in the respective 24 hours before lung function testing to the results of the subsequent pulmonary function tests. In the lung function test following the highest ozone exposure, the results of our cross-sectional linear regression analysis showed a significant negative correlation (P = 0.0181) between ozone exposure and forced vital capacity (FVC). In the longitudinal linear regression model we observed a negative statistical correlation between ozone exposure and lung function for the subpopulation living in the town with the high ozone levels (Freudenstadt). The association was more pronounced in boys than girls. For the children in Freudenstadt the decrement of FVC was -12.31 ml/10 micrograms/m3 ozone and the decrease in the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was -11.29 ml/10 micrograms/m3 ozone.