Systemic antibiotic therapy on multiple intracerebral abscesses of unknown origin

A 68-year old patient presented with increasing right-sided weakness, dysarthria, pyrexia and a deteriorating general condition. CT and MRI showed about 20 round hyperdense lesions with peripheral enhancement of contrast material up to 1.5 cm in diameter. Antibiotic triple-therapy using ceftriaxone, gentamycin and metronidazole for 39 days and followed by antibiotic double-therapy using ceftriaxone and metronidazole for a further 22 days resulted in a radiologically proven reduction of the abscesses to very small remnants which disappeared completely during the follow-up period of two years. Simultaneously the general condition of the patient improved significantly. Repeated attempts at isolation of bacteria, fungi, protozoa and parasites from a subdural empyema failed. The histological examination of an abscess, which was entirely removed on occipital craniotomy, showed a structure resembling actinomycosis.     

Evaluation of polymer based third order nonlinear integrated optics devices

Nonlinear polymers are promising materials for high speed active integrated optics devices. In this paper we evaluate the perspectives polymer based nonlinear optical devices can offer. Special attention is directed to the materials aspects. In our experimental work we applied mainly Akzo Nobel DANS side-chain polymer that exhibits large second and third order coefficients. This material has been characterized by third harmonic generation, z-scan and pump-probe measurements. In addition, various waveguiding structures have been used to measure the nonlinear absorption (two photon absorption) on a ps time-scale. Finally an integrated optics Mach Zehnder interferometer has been realized and evaluated. It is shown that the DANS side-chain polymer has many of the desired properties: the material is easily processable in high-quality optical waveguiding structures, has low linear absorption and its nonlinearity has a pure electronic origin. More materials research has to be done to arrive at materials with higher nonlinear coefficients to allow switching at moderate light intensity ( < 1 W peak power) and also with lower nonlinear absorption coefficients.     

ESD Susceptibility of Submicron Air Gaps

This work describes the investigation of the ESD susceptibility of submicron air gaps which are used e.g. in filter devices. The breakdown behaviour of the air gaps is analyzed in both the HBM (Human Body Model) time domain and the CDM (Charged Device Model) time domain. Transmission Line pulsing (TLP) reproduces the different failure signatures. Furthermore, the failure model itself is explained in detail.     

Using fuzzy logic to match strings in documents

This paper describes a new method that utilizes technology from soft computing to understand words after any OCR software system generated the proper database. First, the problem will be defined very precisely, and then, the algorithm for solving the problem of recognizing words will be presented. Finally, examples are provided to show how the algorithm is applied to recognize different types of words. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

760 MeV质子辐照对纯铝和铝合金电阻率的影响

利用Φ３ｍｍ透射电镜样品测量６Ｎ级铝和铝合金经７６０ＭｅＶ质子辐照后电阻率或电阻值的变化。讨论了造成电阻率变化的主要原因。     

A motion control algorithm for a continuous mining machine based on a hierarchical Real-time Control System design methodology

The drive toward increased safety for coal miners has led to the development of computer-assisted methods of underground coal mining. The development of control architectures for the control of the movement of continuous mining machines (tramming control) is an important part of this overall effort. The tramming control algorithm design described is in concert with hierarchical architecture design principles developed at National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), referred to as the Real-time Control Systems (RCS) methodology. The algorithm design allows for the control of both cutting and free-space movement by a continuous mining machine and allows for a high degree of human operator interaction.This work is sponsored by the U.S. Bureau of Mines under Interagency Agreement (J0189027).     

The Cyclic Cystine Ladder of Theta‐Defensins as a Stable,Bifunctional Scaffold: A Proof‐of‐Concept Study Using the Integrin‐Binding RGD Motif.

Peptides have the specificity and size required to target the protein–protein interactions involved in many diseases. Some cyclic peptides have been utilised as scaffolds for peptide drugs because of their stability; however, other cyclic peptide scaffolds remain to be explored. θ‐Defensins are cyclic peptides from mammals; they are characterised by a cyclic cystine ladder motif and have low haemolytic and cytotoxic activity. Here we demonstrate the potential of the cyclic cystine ladder as a scaffold for peptide drug design by introducing the integrin‐binding Arg‐Gly‐Asp (RGD) motif into the θ‐defensin RTD‐1. The most active analogue had an IC₅₀ of 18 nM for the α_vβ₃ integrin as well as high serum stability, thus demonstrating that a desired bioactivity can be imparted to the cyclic cystine ladder. This study highlights how θ‐defensins can provide a stable and conformationally restrained scaffold for bioactive epitopes in a β‐strand or turn conformation. Furthermore, the symmetry of the cyclic cystine ladder presents the opportunity to design peptides with dual bioactive epitopes to increase activity and specificity.