Crosstalk between microstrip transmission lines

Methods for prediction of crosstalk between microstrip transmission lines are reviewed and simplified for the weak-coupling case. Classical coupled transmission line theory is used for uniform lines, and potential and induced EMF methods are used for crosstalk between nonuniform lines. It is shown that the potential method is equivalent to classical coupled transmission line theory for the case of uniform lines. An experiment was performed for uniform coupled microstrip lines for frequencies from 50 MHz to 5 GHz, and good agreement between theory and measurement was obtained for both near- and far-end crosstalk     

Endometrioid carcinoma arising from endometriosis of the sigmoid colon during estrogenic treatment

A case of endometrioid carcinoma arising from endometriosis of the sigmoid colon is reported. The patient had been treated with unopposed continuous estrogen injection for twenty years after bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy because of severe endometriosis. The pathology, pertinent literature and implications of the present case are discussed.     

The apolipoprotein E allele epsilon 4 is overrepresented in patients with the Lewy body variant of Alzheimer's disease

We determined apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotypes in 122 autopsied demented patients. The frequency of the ApoE epsilon 4 allele was 39.6% in Alzheimer's disease (AD), 29.0% in the Lewy body variant of AD (LBV), and 6.25% in diffuse Lewy body disease. For AD and LBV patients, the epsilon 4 frequency was significantly higher than that reported in nondemented controls (10 to 15%). Therefore, LBV and AD share ApoE epsilon 4 as a genetic risk factor, providing further evidence that these conditions overlap.     

Influence of schedule and mode of administration on effectiveness of podofilox treatment of papillomas

We investigated the timing of podofilox delivery to see how it correlated with papilloma size. We looked at times ranging from once per week (morning and afternoon) to five times per week (morning and afternoon). We also looked at delivery systems that might enhance the effectiveness of the drug by increasing penetration of the overlying cutaneous horn. These included soaking prior to drug administration, the use of a grooved needle subsequent to drug administration, and the various possible combinations of these techniques. We found that the timing of treatments had relatively little effect on the size of the papillomas. For example, at the end of ten weeks, the geometric mean diameter (GMD) (mm) of the papillomas treated five times per week and induced by a 10(-1) dilution of the virus (group B) was 18. Likewise the GMD (mm) of papillomas treated once per week was 18 (group D). On the other hand, we found that soaking plus the use of a grooved needle plus podofilox resulted in the curing of all lesions induced by a 10(-2) virus dilution and of most induced by the 10(-1) dilution, whereas soak plus podofilox or podofilox alone were not as effective in curing the lesions. Podofilox plus needle approached the soak plus podofilox plus needle in effectiveness. Treatment schedule was not a critical determinant of podofilox effectiveness. Therapeutic benefits were enhanced by hydration of the overlying cutaneous horn and penetration with a grooved needle.     

Live animal performance, carcass traits, and meat palatability of calf- and yearling-fed cloned steers

Two groups of Brangus steers produced by nuclear transplantation cloning were used in parallel studies investigating the impact of calf- and yearling-feeding. The first group (n = 8) were fed as calves (CF; n = 4) or yearlings (YF; n = 4) to a constant age end point of 16 mo. The second group (n = 10) were fed as calves (CF; n = 5) or yearlings (YF; n = 5) to a constant live weight end point (530 kg). When slaughtered at the same age, CF and YF steers did not differ (P > .05) in feedlot ADG, but the CF steers were heavier and had higher dressing percentages, numeric yield grades, and quality grades (P < .05). Top loin steaks from the groups of steers did not differ (P > .05) in palatability traits. When fed to a constant live weight, the YF steers gained more rapidly (P < .05) and had lower (P < .05) numeric yield grades than did CF steers. Again CF steers had higher (P < .05) dressing percentages. There was no difference (P > .05) between the treatments in carcass quality grade or meat palatability characteristics. Thus, when finished to a constant weight end point, YF steers gained more rapidly, with no adverse effects on carcass quality grade or palatability traits; however, CF steers consistently produced higher dressing percentages, largely due to greater external fatness.     

In vivo studies of an implantable energy convertor for skeletal muscle powered cardiac assist

A device that harnesses the mechanical energy of skeletal muscle contracting in a linear configuration has been implanted in goats. This energy convertor transforms muscle work to hydraulic energy that could drive a variety of cardiac assist devices. The device is mounted with a rib clamp and plate affixed to the sternum by cortical bone screws. A transcutaneous hydraulic line carries a silicon based working fluid to an external system that controls the muscle load. In 60 to 70 kg goats, the latissimus dorsi insertion was reattached to the energy convertor. A Telectronics myostimulator with intramuscular electrodes stimulated the latissimus dorsi. In acute implants, hydraulic pressures in excess of 150 psi were obtained. Chronic implantation of the device allowed system evaluation in the conscious unanesthetized animal. Two weeks after implant, hydraulic pressures in excess of 200 psi were obtained and energy transferred to the external loading system exceeded 1 J per contraction. Six weeks after implant, the device continued to cycle freely. These initial results are very promising and suggest an implantable energy convertor is feasible. Development of an energy convertor is an important step toward tether-free skeletal muscle powered cardiac assist devices.     

Strategy and issue frames in election campaign coverage: a social cognitive account of framing effects

This study examines how news frames in campaign coverage affect individuals' interpretation of campaigns. Framing effects are conceptualized in terms of the process by which textual features in news stories set limits on knowledge use in the construction of a discourse model - a mental model constructed through the interaction between news frames and the interpreter's social knowledge. Examining message structures in campaign news stories led to identifying two major frames in campaign coverage: strategy and issue. Narrative data collected from two field experiments were analyzed. The findings suggest that both strategy-framed and issue-framed print news stories are effective in influencing campaign interpretation.