Stereoscopic synthesized brain-surface imaging with MR angiography for localization of a peripheral mycotic aneurysm: case report

A patient with subacute bacterial endocarditis and a peripheral mycotic aneurysm is presented. We used a combined multi-slice surface anatomy scanning (SAS) and contrast-enhanced MR angiography image to determine the exact location of the small lesion by applying a skin marker on the scalp and visualizing the relationship of the marker to the brain surface structures and to the lesion. This technique was useful for the removal of a small peripheral aneurysm using only a limited craniotomy.     

Organization and results of drug vigilance in France

Pharmacovigilance represents all methods of detection, assessment, information and prevention of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). It mainly involves the post-marketing phase because of the low probability of detecting all possible adverse effects of a drug during pre-marketing development. The most widely used method for pharmacovigilance is spontaneous reporting which is an excellent signal generator but precludes satisfactory calculation of incidence rates. The French Pharmacovigilance System has been set up in 1973; reporting of ADRs has been made mandatory in 1984 for prescribers. This system consists in a network of 30 regional centres under supervision of a coordinating committee at the French Drug Agency. The number of ADR cases received, assessed and recorded by the regional centres is around 10,000 per year; a similar number of cases are reported to the Drug Agency by the pharmaceutical industry. Moreover, Regional Centres work as Drug Information Centres answering more than 23,000 inquiries per year.     

Enhancement Effects in the Percutaneous Absorption of Alprazolam Through Human Skin in vitro

The enhancement effects of some chemicals on the percutaneous absorption of alprazolam through human skin was investigated in vitro. Linoleic acid, oleic acid, Comperlan F® (linoleic acid diethanolamide), Comperlan KD® (coconut fatty acid diethanolamide) and Ethomeen C12® (bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)cocamine) were evaluated for their enhancing effect either as neat solvents or combined with propylene glycol. The effects of skin pretreatment with the enhancers on the percutaneous absorption of alprazolam from a drug suspension in an aqueous gel were also investigated: skin pretreatment with some enhancers has shown potentially interesting aspects. The determination of alprazolam partitioning into untreated and pretreated horny layer supported the idea that, with oleic and linoleic acid, a contribution to the modification of the diffusional resistance of the skin was given by an increase of the drug solubility in the stratum coraeum.     

A numerical investigation on the geometry dependence of the crack growth resistance in CT specimens

The influence of the specimen thickness B and the ligament length b on the J _R -curves is numerically investigated for CT specimens. The thickness effect is taken into account with 2-D analyses by dividing a plain sided specimen into a plane stress part and a plane strain part. The fracture process is controlled by experimentally determined critical values of the crack tip opening displacement for crack growth initiation (CTOD_i) and the crack tip opening angle for stable crack growth (CTOA_C). It is shown that for the global behaviour of a plain sided specimen, the B/b ratio is essential. The difference between the geometry dependence of the initiation value of the J-integral and the geometry dependence of the slope of the J _R -curves is also shown.     

Forced oscillations in an exothermic chemical reaction

We study non-linear behaviour in a model chemical reaction scheme (proposed by Sal?nikov), in which a single chemical species undergoes a two-stage, first-order decay process. The second stage is exothermic and has a temperature-dependent rate, and as a result, spontaneous oscillations in the temperature and the concentration of an intermediate chemical are known to be possible. An additional oscillation is imposed on the system by varying the ambient temperature in a sinusoidal manner. Primary resonance occurs when the forcing frequency coincides with the frequency of the natural oscillations in this scheme and an infinite sequence of super-and subharmonic resonances is also present. Chaos is possible for appropriate parameter values and may result either from the Feigenbaum period-doubling cascade, or else as a result of the Ruelle-Takens approach through quasi-periodicity.     

Smart sensor interface with A/D conversion and programmablecalibration

In this paper we present a new architecture for a smart sensor interface. It is based on an oversampled A/D converter associated with a small ROM containing calibration coefficients. The nonlinear function desired is obtained by piecewise linear interpolation between the values stored in the ROM, without any additional circuits. This solution has the advantage of high programming flexibility, long-term stability, and low area consumption. Moreover, it is suitable for co-integration with sensors because of its minimum analog content. A prototype was integrated in a CMOS 1.2-μm technology. Simulation and experimental results are reported together with a detailed theoretical analysis and some design guidelines     

A 150 MHz 0.6 μm BiCMOS superscalar microprocessor

An implementation of the Pentium microprocessor architecture in 0.6 μm BiCMOS technology is described. Power dissipation is reduced and performance is enhanced over the previous generation. Processor features, implementation technology, and circuit techniques are discussed. An internal clock rate of 150 MHz is achieved at 3.7 V and -55°C     

Ground-based remote profiling in atmospheric studies: an overview

Over the last 25 years, ground-based remote profiling has found increasing applications in atmospheric studies where its high vertical and temporal resolution and extended vertical coverage are giving scientists a clearer understanding of atmospheric processes in the troposphere. The authors describe the current status of techniques for vertical profiling of mean wind speeds, temperature, and humidity, and discuss options for combining them     

Degrees and diversity at work

A study of of over 3000 engineers and scientists employed in the United States explored the interplay of levels of education with gender and native versus immigrant status. The results suggest that some of these R&D professionals may be underutilised and perhaps less effective than they could be