Glycerol gangliotomy of the second dorsal cervical root in rats: an experimental study to evaluate a minimal invasive approach for the treatment of the chronic cervicogenic headache

The purpose of this integrated literature review (1980-1997) is to describe and summarize specific nursing interventions that have been devised to aid community-dwelling older adults with self-administration of prescribed medications. Interventions that combine patient education with written information or follow-up phone calls produce the most positive results. By using interventions supported by research, nurses will provide more effective and efficient care to older adults managing medications at home.     

Nonstoichiometry and Defect Chemistry of Ceria Solid Solutions

Ceria solid solutions are potential electrolytes for solid oxidefuel cells (SOFC). At the anode side of SOFCs at low oxygen partialpressures ceria is partially reduced. The nonstoichiometry ofCeO_2-x solid solutions with 20 mol%SmO_1.5, 20 mol% GdO_1.5 and 10 mol%CaO were investigated by isothermal coulometric titration in a zirconia cellin the temperature range from 700 to 900°C and in the oxygen partialpressure range from 10^-12 to 10^-25 atm. Theresults of the 3 different compositions at 900°C are comparable to thosefor pure ceria. At lower temperatures, pure ceria is more stable againstreduction than ceria solid solutions. The dependence of nonstoichiometry onoxygen partial pressure suggests a defect model with oxygen vacancies andtheir associates with reduced cerium cations and dopant cations. Low oxygennonstoichiometries of x = 0.005 to 0.008 can be expected for ceria solidsolutions at 700° under SOFC operating conditions.     

A Comprehensive Analysis of Macrosegregation Formation During Twin-Roll Casting

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B - A two-phase Eulerian–Eulerian volume-averaged model is used to predict the formation of macrosegregation during the twin-roll casting of...     

Expression and regulation of c-kit receptor and response to stem cell factor in childhood malignant T-lymphoblastic cells

The cytokine stem cell factor (SCF) synergizes with IL-7 to enhance the proliferation of thymocytes. We therefore investigated the role of the SCF receptor, the protooncogene c-kit, in the pathogenesis of pediatric T-lineage malignancies. Expression and regulation of c-kit in cells from children with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (T-NHL) or acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and the proliferative effect of SCF on these cells were examined in seven cell lines and 21 biopsy tumor cell preparations. Inducibility of c-kit receptors by SCF, IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-7, TGF-beta, TNF-alpha, PMA or calcium ionophore A23187 was studied by flow cytometry (FCM). C-kit receptors were detected in three out of seven T-lymphoblastic cell lines and in nine out of 21 biopsy tumor cell preparations. Upregulation of c-kit could be induced by cultivation, and to a higher extent by cultivation and addition of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, TGF-beta or A23187. Downregulation of c-kit occurred in the presence of SCF or PMA. SCF caused a downregulation of c-kit receptors in eight of nine, and a proliferative response in three of 11 c-kit-positive T-lymphoblastic cell preparations. We conclude that c-kit is able to transduce a growth stimulatory signal in some T-lymphoblastic cells and that its expression may not be detectable in a resting metabolic or proliferative state.     

Rubber band ligation of hemorrhoids: relapse as a function of time

Rubber band ligation is a well established treatment of internal second-degree hemorrhoids. Up to now, the long-term results (> 5 years) of this method have not been assessed. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term success rate of rubber band ligation in patients with a first episode of second-degree hemorrhoids not responding to medical treatment (local cream with laxative). A total of 92 patients who were treated between 1979 and 1997 for second-degree hemorrhoids responded to a questionnaire. The need for complementary conservative (sclerotherapy, cryotherapy or rubber band ligation) or surgical treatment was considered indicative of relapse. The collected data were analyzed according to the Kaplan-Meier method. The average follow-up time was 5.6 years. There were 21 patients who suffered a relapse. The probability of successful treatment was 0.77 (range: 0.67-0.88) after 5 years and 0.68 (range: 0.5-0.86) after 10.6 years. We conclude that rubber band ligation represent an efficient long-term treatment for second-degree hemorrhoids. Approximately two thirds of the patients are cured after 5 years and more than a half after 10 years.     

Packaging and integration technologies for future high-frequency power supplies

This paper reviews data from the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors to establish where dc-dc converters are headed in the first decade of the new millennium. It focuses on the high performance computing (high current, fast response, high power density) and portable/handheld (low profile) sectors. Magnetics and power device packaging technologies needed to allow power supplies to move to operating frequencies in the 1-10 MHz region are discussed. It introduces the concept of magnetic components fully embedded (windings and core) in PCB and silicon offering low profile and low losses at high frequency. It also reviews developments in wirebond-free power packaging such as flip-chip assembly that offer low profile, reduced parasitics and increased thermal performance. Finally, consideration is given to the changes in the power electronics industry that may need to be addressed to enable these new technologies to play a strategic role.     

The chirp-Z transform applied to adhesively bonded structures

A signal-processing technique based on the chirp-Z transform is presented to evaluate the echo signals of longitudinal ultrasonic transducers in contact with bonded materials. Both a simulated glass-glass interface of variable thickness and a realistic double lap bonded aluminum sample were tested. The observed frequency dips and peaks in the transducer spectrum from pulse-echo and through-transmission modes were recorded and related to the condition of zero reflection coefficient at the interfacial layer. Resulting thickness predictions for different transducer center frequencies ranging from 5-20 MHz are in excellent agreement with experimental measurements