High frequency ventilation in neonatal surgery

High frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) is one of the artificial ventilation techniques used for the treatment of severe respiratory distress in the neonatal period. We studied (between 1987 and 1992) 57 newborn infants ventilated by HFOV during surgery. The aim was to facilitate the surgical procedure without having any deleterious effects on the gas exchange or the hemodynamic state of the infant. Three groups were studied. Group I (thoracic procedures: oesophageal atresia and pulmonary malformations, n = 25), group II (diaphragmatic hernia, n = 22), group III (abdominal procedures, n = 10). In the thoracic surgery group, no deleterious effect related to the HFOV was reported. The hyperventilation noticed after anaesthetic induction was rapidly corrected by placing the patient in a lateral position. In the three groups, no intraoperative complications related to the HFOV were observed. The diaphragmatic hernia group was divided into two subgroups according to the timing of surgery (emergency surgery, surgery after stabilization). In the latter subgroup, surgery was performed when the ventilation and gas exchange conditions had significantly improved. This subgroup showed the highest survival rate. This technique of peroperative ventilation is specifically used in the thoracic and diaphragmatic procedures of term and preterm newborn infants. It achieves a more stable operative field with less pulmonary expansions and diaphragmatic movements. In spite of the fact that HFOV is seldom used during anaesthesia, this study confirms its safety as well as the simplicity of its monitoring.     

Orthofix external fixation of distal radius fractures: complications associated with screw size

We did a retrospective analysis of 28 patients who were treated with the Orthofix external fixation system for complex fractures of the distal radius to study complications associated with screw size. The 14 patients in group 1 had a 4.5/3.5-mm tapered screw placed in the metacarpal bone; the 14 patients in group 2 had a 3.5/3.3-mm tapered screw placed in the metacarpal bone. Both groups had 4.5/3.5-mm tapered screws placed in the radius. Two patients in group 1 had metacarpal pin tract infections; no patients in group 2 had a distal pin tract infection. Two patients in group 1 had a fracture of the metacarpal; only one patient in group 2 had a fracture of the metacarpal. In both groups two patients had proximal pin tract infections at the radius screw fixation site. There was no screw breakage in either group. The unique design of the tapered Orthofix screw allows it to be removed almost painlessly in the clinic. At installation in the operating room, however, the surgeon must remember not to back the threaded pin out for fine adjustment of bony penetration. Any reverse excursion of the threaded shaft will loosen the tapered screw and cause early failure of the fixation. We no longer use the 4.5/3.5-mm screw when managing wrist fractures with the Orthofix external fixation system. It is now our policy to use the 3.5/3.3-mm screw for fixation of the Orthofix external frame to both the metacarpal bone and the radius.     

Reactions of unsaturated compounds II. Structure and chromic acid oxidation of the hydrocarbon C19H22 obtained by the dehydration of 1,1-diphenyl-2-ethyl-2-methylbutan-1-01

Dehydration of 1,1-diphenyl-2-ethyl-2-methylbutan-1-01 gives a hydrocarbon C₁₉H₂₂ which was identified as 3-ethyl-4,4-diphenylpent-2-ene. Oxidation of C₁₉H₂₂ with chromium trioxide in acetic anhydride gave acetophenone, benzophenone and α,α-diphenylpropionic acid. Oxidation with chromium trioxide in aqueous sulphuric acid gave 2,2-diphenylpentan-3-one, benzophenone and benzoic acid. A tentative explanation for the production of abnormal fission products is given.     

Materials characterization of WNxCy, WNx and WCx films for advanced barriers

A ternary WN_xC_y system was deposited in a thermal ALD (atomic layer deposition) reactor from ASM at 300 °C in a process sequence using tungsten hexafluoride (WF₆), triethyl borane (TEB) and ammonia (NH₃) as precursors. The WC_x layers were deposited by a novel ALD process at a process temperature of 250 °C. The WN_x layers were deposited at 375 °C using bis(tert-butylimido)-bis-(dimethylamido)tungsten (^tBuN)₂(Me₂N)₂W (imido-amido) and NH₃ as precursors. WN_x grows faster on plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) oxide than WC_x does on chemical oxide. WN_xC_y grows better on PECVD oxide than on thermal oxide, which is opposite of what is seen for WN_x. In the case of the ternary WN_xC_y system, the scalability towards thinner layers and galvanic corrosion behavior are disadvantages for the incorporation of the layer into Cu interconnects. ALD WC_x based barriers have a low resistivity, but galvanic corrosion in a model slurry solution of 15% peroxide (H₂O₂) is a potential problem. Higher resistivity values are determined for the binary WN_x layers. WN_x shows a constant composition and density throughout the layer.     

Precursor Effects of the Giant Magnetoresistance Regime in Calcium Doped Manganites

Inelastic neutron scattering has been used on La_1–x Ca _x MnO₃ compound 0with 0x0.10 to describe their dynamic magnetic properties. In addition to super exchange coupling between Mn ions (ferromagnetic (F) in (a, b) planes and antiferromagnetic (AF) along the c direction), a new type of F coupling is found, induced by mobile carriers between magnetic Mn ions. It is revealed by well-defined propagative spin wave modes with a gap and a nearly isotropic dispersion law: =₀+Dq ². The q-evolution of the instantaneous spin pair correlations remind F inhomogeneities embedded in the mean AF lattice. These results could be understood in a frame of an electronic phase separation.     

Materials for multifunctional balloon catheters with capabilities in cardiac electrophysiological mapping and ablation therapy

Developing advanced surgical tools for minimally invasive procedures represents an activity of central importance to improving human health. A key challenge is in establishing biocompatible interfaces between the classes of semiconductor device and sensor technologies that might be most useful in this context and the soft, curvilinear surfaces of the body. This paper describes a solution based on materials that integrate directly with the thin elastic membranes of otherwise conventional balloon catheters, to provide diverse, multimodal functionality suitable for clinical use. As examples, we present sensors for measuring temperature, flow, tactile, optical and electrophysiological data, together with radiofrequency electrodes for controlled, local ablation of tissue. Use of such 'instrumented' balloon catheters in live animal models illustrates their operation, as well as their specific utility in cardiac ablation therapy. The same concepts can be applied to other substrates of interest, such as surgical gloves.     

Enhancement of mechanical properties of high modulus polypropylene grade for multilayer sewage pipes applications

Advances in technology have provided fresh generations of stiff polypropylene block copolymers for gravity sewerage applications. The aim of this study is to further enhance the stiffness of these materials through the incorporation of inorganic fillers. In this study, three talc filled PP and one glass fiber filled PP composites were characterized in order to be used as a middle layer in a three-layer sewage pipe. The obtained results showed an increase of approximately more than 100% and 250% in tensile and flexural moduli by the use of 30%–50 wt% talc-filled PP and 30 wt.% glass fiber-filled PP, respectively. This high increase in the rigidity of the material would allow manufacturing pipes with improving ring stiffness. Composites filled with 30 wt% talc or glass fiber showed good filler-matrix interaction and good filler distribution and dispersion. However, reduced filler-matrix interaction was observed in the case of the composite filled with 50 wt% talc. In addition, the use of Differential Scanning Calorimetry analysis revealed that the addition of fillers enhanced the crystallization temperature of the polypropylene matrix. Furthermore, Thermogravimetric Analysis showed that the high modulus PP grade retained its thermal stability in the various composites.     

Influence of gamma-irradiation and maize lipids on the production of aflatoxin B1 by Aspergillus flavus

The effect of gamma-irradiation and maize lipids on aflatoxin B1 production by Aspergillus flavus artificially inoculated into sterilized maize at reduced water activity (aw 0.84) was investigated. By increasing the irradiation doses the total viable population of A. flavus decreased and the fungus was completely inhibited at 3.0 kGy. The amounts of aflatoxin B1 were enhanced at irradiation dose levels 1.0 and 1.5 kGy in both full-fat maize (FM) and defatted maize (DM) media and no aflatoxin B1 production at 3.0 kGy gamma-irradiation over 45 days of storage was observed. The level in free lipids of FM decreased gradually, whereas free fatty acid values and fungal lipase activity increased markedly by increasing the storage periods. The free fatty acid values decreased by increasing the irradiation dose levels and there was a significant enhancement of fungal lipase activity at doses of 1.0 and 1.50 kGy. The ability of A. flavus to grow at aw 0.84 and produce aflatoxin B1 is related to the lipid composition of maize. The enhancement of aflatoxin B1 at low doses was correlated to the enhancement of fungal lipase activity.     

The performance of activated carbon/NiFe2O4 magnetic composite to retain heavy metal ions from aqueous solution

A novel magnetic activated carbon composite(AC/NiF) was synthesized by a precipitation method and applied in retention of Cu(Ⅱ),and Zn(Ⅱ) ions from aqueous solutions.The impact of different sorption parameters such as:equilibration time,solution pH value,competing cations and ionic strength on the amount sorbed of Cu(Ⅱ),and Zn(Ⅱ) was clarified.Results illustrated that the magnetic composite had retention ability towards both metal ions significantly higher than that of activated carbon(AC).The magnetic composite exhibited an affinity to adsorb Cu(Ⅱ) higher than Zn(Ⅱ) ions.The maximum sorption capacities(Q_(max)) of the applied magnetic composite(AC/NiF)towards Cu(Ⅱ) and Zn(Ⅱ) were 105.8 and 75.1 mg·g~(-1),respectively.Retention of Cu(Ⅱ) and Zn(Ⅱ) was proposed to be achieved though an ion exchange and surface adsorption in neutral conditions,while precipitation was believed to be the relevant mechanism in their removal from basic solutions.The kinetic studies showed that sorption process followed the kinetics of pseudo-second-order reactions with rate constant of 3 × 10~(-3) and 2 × 10~(-3) min~(-1)for sorption of Cu(Ⅱ) and Zn(Ⅱ) onto AC/NiF composite.Removal of Cu(Ⅱ) slightly decreased with increasing the ionic strength of aqueous solution,using NaCl as a background electrolyte.In contrast,presence of Mn(Ⅱ),Mg(Ⅱ)and Co(Ⅱ) in reaction solutions highly depressed the sorption of Cu(Ⅱ) and Zn(Ⅱ) with a competing efficiency followed the order:Mg(Ⅱ) Mn(Ⅱ) Co(Ⅱ).The magnetic composite was rapidly recovered from aqueous solution by an external magnetic field,and effectively regenerated using 0.1 mol L~(-1) HCl and 0.1 mol L~(-1) FeCl_3 as eluents.Sorption of Cu(Ⅱ) and Zn(Ⅱ) onto the surface of AC/NiF composite occurred via a spontaneous reaction.And thermodynamically favorable process had ΔH~o values of 30.9 kJ·mol~(-1) and 19.7 kJ·mol~(-1),respectively.The results confirm that the magnetic composite can be viewed as a promising novel composite opens new opportunities for the attainment of required adsorption and operative magnetic separation.     

Breast cancer diagnosis system based on wavelet analysis and fuzzy-neural

The high incidence of breast cancer in women has increased significantly in the recent years. The most familiar breast tumors types are mass and microcalcification. Mammograms—breast X-ray—are considered the most reliable method in early detection of breast cancer. Computer-aided diagnosis system can be very helpful for radiologist in detection and diagnosing abnormalities earlier and faster than traditional screening programs. Several techniques can be used to accomplish this task. In this paper, two techniques are proposed based on wavelet analysis and fuzzy-neural approaches. These techniques are mammography classifier based on globally processed image and mammography classifier based on locally processed image (region of interest). The system is classified normal from abnormal, mass for microcalcification and abnormal severity (benign or malignant). The evaluation of the system is carried out on Mammography Image Analysis Society (MIAS) dataset. The accuracy achieved is satisfied.