Passing of gallstones via the urethra: a complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy

The phenotype of high K (HK) red blood cells, which is an autosomal recessive, was found in dog groups from 10 of 13 breeds or populations in Japan. The incidence of HK was 26 to 38% in the San'in-Shiba, Shinshu-Shiba and Akita breeds, and the gene frequencies of HK ranged from 0.513 to 0.612. The highest incidence (42%) was found in the Jindo breed from Korea, and the gene frequency was 0.652. Two other groups from Korea also possessed this HK variation. However, although HK cells were not found in dogs from Taiwan, Indonesia, Mongolia and Sakhalin, Russia, the HK phenotype is clearly distributed now throughout Japan and Korea.     

Relating catalyst structure and composition to the water–gas shift activity of Cu–Zn-based mixed-oxide catalysts

In order to investigate the effect of cerium oxide on Cu–Zn-based mixed-oxide catalysts four catalyst samples were characterized by means of XRD, in situ XANES and thermogravimetric analysis. The activity of the catalyst samples was tested for the forward water–gas shift reaction. Cerium oxide was found to increase the crystallinity of the ZnO phase indicating a segregation of the Cu and ZnO phases. The TOF of the water–gas shift reaction based on chemisorption data was found to be independent of composition and preparation conditions of the four catalyst samples. In contrast, the catalyst stability depends on composition and preparation conditions. Cerium oxide impregnated before calcination of the hydrotalcite-based Cu–Zn precursors leads to a more stable water–gas shift catalyst.     

Fast and accurate 4‐node quadrilateral

An accurate and variationally consistent 4‐node quadrilateral element is introduced where high coarse mesh accuracy and low mesh distortion sensitivity are characteristic qualities, even when incompressibility is approached for plane strain. One‐point quadrature integration procedure is adopted and a new improved stabilization technique is developed. Orthogonality conditions are utilized so that the patch test is satisfied for arbitrary quadrilaterals. Several numerical examples including a convergence rate study are presented which confirm the excellent performance of this element. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The mini bottle brush--a new fastening device in cancellous bone

We examined the associations between cerebral infarction (CI), asymptomatic arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO), and known risk factors for these diseases. The subjects were 67 elderly patients (11 men and 56 women, mean +/- SD age of 79.6 +/- 8.5 years). in 44 patients CI was diagnosed by CT scan; 23 were classified as having cortical infarction and 21 as having lacunar infarction. In 41 patients asymptomatic ASO was diagnosed by an ankle-pressure index (API) of less than 0.9. To identify risk factors for these diseases, we examined the association among these diseases and hypertension (blood pressure > or = 140/90 mmHg), hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol concentration > or = 220 mg/dl), hypertriglyceridemia (triglyceride concentration > or = 150 mg/dl), low HDL-cholesterolemia (HDL-C concentration < 40 mg/dl), high LDL-cholesterolemia (LDL-C concentration > or = 150 mg/dl), and glucose intolerance (fasting blood sugar concentration > or = 110 mg/dl). The incidence of asymptomatic ASO in the subjects with CI was significantly higher than that in the subjects without CI (chi 2 test; p < 0.05, odds ratio 6.4), including cortical infarction (p < 0.05, odds ratio 8.9) and lacunar infarction (p < 0.05, odds ratio 3.8). Patients with lacunar infarction were more likely to have hypertension than were controls (p < 0.05). Cortical infarction was not associated with these risk factors. Both low HDL-C and high LDL-G were more common in patients with asymptomatic ASO than patients without asymptomatic ASO (p < 0.05). These results indicate that CI and asymptomatic ASO are strongly associated in the elderly, especially in subjects with cortical infarction, and that aging itself contributes to cortical infarction.     

The Volvo Uddevalla Plant

Volvos plants at Kalmar and, more recently at Uddevalla, have become noted throughout the world for their sociotechnical design and high levels of performance, breaking with mass production norms. Hence the statement from Volvo that both plants are to be closed, in order to meet the competitive threat from Japan, has come as a shock and a disappointment to those who saw them as embodying a viable alternative to lean production. This paper makes the case that Uddevalla had a productive and commercial potential unmatched elsewhere in the Volvo group, and that the decision to close the plant must have been taken on other grounds.     

Postoperative analgesia. Simple methods for improvements exist

An improved, combined staining method for myofibrillar ATPase (m-ATPase) and for acetylcholinesterase activity is described. This method allows the observations, on the same slide, of the classical histochemical m-ATPase profile following the Brooke and Kaiser technique and the neuromuscular junction morphology. Thus the pattern of innervation, nerve ending structure and number of nerve endings along the fibres is shown simultaneously for the basic differentiation between slow and fast fibres. The use of acidic and alkaline preincubation allows better visualization of endplate morphology and avoids the masking effect of a positive m-ATPase reaction. The technique has been validated on skeletal muscles from avian and mammalian species.     

On the off-design of a natural gas-fired combined cycle with CO2 capture

During the last 15 years cycles with CO₂ capture have been in focus, due to the growing concern over our climate. Often, a natural gas fired combined cycle with a chemical absorption plant for CO₂ capture from the flue gases have been used as a reference in comparisons between cycles. Neither the integration of the steam production for regeneration of amines in the combined cycle nor the off-design behaviour of such a plant has been extensively studied before.     

Paper remote: an augmented television guide and remote control

The television (TV) is one of the most common entertainment devices in homes. Searching and finding TV programs is a common task and using TV guides is one way of performing this. This paper presents three studies that are focused on examining audiences’ TV habits and TV guide usage, evaluating a new concept based on linking paper and pen with TV technology, and studying the audiences’ attitudes toward and anticipated interest in the future guide. The results of our first study emphasize the value of using paper based TV guides and also identify the deficiencies. We also found indications that the advantages and disadvantages of paper-based TV guides are related to the physical properties of paper. Thus, we suggest a solution that uses digital pen and paper technology to offer a new interaction method for TV. A research system “Paper Remote”, is developed and used in the two subsequent studies. Viewers tick designated areas on the paper-based guide to perform actions such as channel switching. However, this solution is not a substitute for the remote control device. We argue that these user studies on linking digital paper to the TV for everyday information navigation illuminate the possibilities of providing innovative solutions also for home information systems also.     

经济的板对线连接方案——单排电缆连接器系统

更拥经济、节省空间但仍能提供高性能是许多现代电子系统所需求的板对线连接方案，间距1.27毫米的双排连接器（SMC）及板对板的连接被证明是个很好的选择。单排电缆MiniBridge连接器系统可用于非常致密和高要求的应用。[编按]     

THE REACTIVITY AND DURABILITY OF ZINC FERRITE HIGH TEMPERATURE DESULFURIZATION SORBENTS

Cylindrical pellets of zinc ferrite high temperature desulfurization sorbent have been prepared using a number of formulation recipes and induration conditions. Physical and structural properties of the resultant sorbents were measured, and reactivity and durability screening tests were carried out using a single pellet electrobalance reactor. The formulation variables studied were ZnO to Fe₂O₃ ratio, Fe₂O₃ source, and the addition of inorganic (bentonite) and organic (methocel) binders to the sorbents. Pellet induration conditions ranged from 0.25 hours at 815^°C to 4.0 hours at 1038°C. Stronger pellets having greater attrition resistance resulted when 5% bentonite was added to the formulation recipe and when the pellets were indurated at high temperature for extended times. In contrast, bentonite content was not a significant factor in determining sorbent reactivity and durability, both of which were improved by mild induration conditions. Sorbent regeneration temperature was found to be an important factor in improving reaction durability, as was the addition of 0.5% methocel to the formulation recipe. Pellets containing catalyst-grade Fe₂O₃ were more reactive than those containing pigment-grade Fe₂O₃. This effect, however, was less important than the effect of induration conditions.