Locations and amplitudes of the extrema of the sinx/x function

This paper addresses the calculation of the extrema of the sin x/x function. First the Newton-Raphson method is used, which allows us to obtain the extrema locations very fast through the use of a recursion formula. Then a second approach is proposed, which gives the extrema locations and the extrema amplitudes in the form of series expansions. Simple, accurate algebraic expressions are derived.     

Ventilatory response to severe acute hypoxia in guinea-pigs and rats with high hemoglobin-oxygen affinity induced by cyanate

Laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection has been applied as a minimally invasive staging technique for men with prostate cancer. This procedure has been shown to shorten markedly postoperative hospitalization, decrease analgesic requirements and shorten convalescence period compared to open pelvic node dissection. However, the laparoscopic procedure takes longer to perform and many disposable instruments are used, thus increasing the cost. We determine the overall cost of laparoscopic versus open pelvic lymph node dissection. Between January 1989 and April 1992, 61 men underwent only staging pelvic lymph node dissection for cancer of the prostate at a single university teaching hospital. Of these patients 11 and 50 underwent open and laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection, respectively. Information from the hospital business office was reorganized into preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative expenses. All individual charges were transformed up or down to the dollar amounts of the 1990 to 1991 fiscal year so as to correct for inflationary changes. Preoperative costs were not significantly different between the 2 operative approaches. Intraoperative expenses were 52% greater if laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection was performed and can be explained by the longer operative times and use of disposable instrumentation. However, the postoperative period lasted an average of 1.61 days following laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection. Postoperative nursing and analgesic requirements were significantly more for patients undergoing open pelvic lymph node dissection. The overall postoperative costs following open pelvic lymph node dissection were 280% more expensive than for the laparoscopic procedure. The overall total costs were approximately $1,250 more for laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection. Wages lost or earned during this period and rapid return to normal activity following laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection would, in our opinion, justify this additional cost.     

Dependence of attenuation in a vegetation canopy on frequency andplant water content

Theory is presented to provide insight into the observation that attenuation through vegetation is proportional to vegetation water content. In this analysis, the canopy is modeled as a sparse layer of randomly oriented particles (leaves, stalks, etc.) over a flat, homogeneous ground plane (soil) and an expression is obtained for the “optical depth”. The formulas developed by Ulaby and El Rayes are used to relate this expression to the water content of the canopy. In the low frequency extreme (Rayleigh scatterers), the attenuation varies almost linearly with water content and inversely with wavelength. In contrast, in the high frequency limit, the attenuation is independent of both water content and frequency, in between, geometry dependent “resonances” occur even at the low frequency end of the microwave spectrum (e.g. L-band) making the dependence of attenuation on frequency and water content specific to canopy architecture     

Perturbation in the 240Pu/239Pu global fallout ratio in local sediments following the nuclear accidents at Thule (Greenland) and Palomares (Spain)

Diabetes complicates 2-3% of all pregnancies and is associated with an increase in both perinatal morbidity and mortality, though reasons for these adverse outcomes are unknown. Estrogen biosynthesis is a critical factor during pregnancy and is carried out in the placenta via aromatase (cytochrome P450 19A1), which catalyzes the conversion of C-19 androgens to C-18 estrogens. Previous studies have shown that hormones such as insulin-like growth factors and insulin regulate aromatase activity when studied in vitro. Interestingly, levels of these hormones are altered in patients with diabetes. Thus, we hypothesized that the presence of maternal diabetes may alter placental aromatase activity and thus estrogen biosynthesis, possibly serving as one factor in the adverse outcomes of babies born to mothers with diabetes. To this end, we measured the production of 19-hydroxyandrostenedione, 19-oxoadrostenedione and estrone in 30 placental tissues from diabetic patients, using [7-3H]androst-4-ene-3,17-dione as a model substrate for aromatase (P450 19A1). A statistical difference was detected in the percentage of 19-oxoandrostenedione formed between the overt and control groups (P < 0.05). Additionally, NADPH P450-reductase levels were measured in these same tissues to determine whether alterations in this enzyme necessary for aromatase activity could be affected by diabetes. No differences in reductase levels were detected among the patient groups. However, a statistical correlation was found between NADPH P450-reductase activity and the formation velocities of all three estrogen products (P < 0.05). Thus, it appears that the presence of diabetes does not affect placental aromatase activity.     

Multicenter study on the clinical value of fetal pulse oximetry. I. Methodologic evaluation. The French Study Group on Fetal Pulse Oximetry

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the feasibility of intrapartum fetal pulse oximetry, the distribution of fetal oxygen saturation values, and the relationship with the neonatal outcome in a population with an abnormal fetal heart rate. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective multicenter observational study was performed from June 1994 to November 1995. Fetal oxygen saturation was continuously recorded with use of a Nellcor N-400 fetal pulse oximeter in case of an abnormal fetal heart rate during labor. Simultaneous readings of fetal oxygen saturation and fetal blood analysis were obtained at inclusion and before birth. Feasibility, adverse effects, distribution of fetal oxygen saturation values, and relationship with neonatal outcome were assessed. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-four patients were included. From 172 attempted sensor placements, the procedure was impossible in three cases and fetal oxygen saturation values were obtained in 164 cases (95.3%). Physicians considered sensor placement an easier task than an attempt at fetal blood analysis (easy in 87.5% vs 78.9% for fetal blood analysis, p = 0.03). The mean reliable signal time (+/- SD) was 64.7% +/- 32% during the first stage. There were no serious adverse effects in the study population. The mean fetal oxygen saturation during the first stage of labor was 42.2% +/- 8.0% (10th to 90th percentile range 30% to 53%). Fetal oxygen saturation was significantly correlated with scalp pH (r = 0.29, p = 0.01) but not with neonatal umbilical artery pH or gas values. There was a significant association between low fetal oxygen saturation (< 30%) and poor neonatal condition. CONCLUSION: The feasibility of fetal pulse oximetry is satisfactory in clinical practice. It is easy to use and provides a fair rate of recorded values, even in a population with suspicion of fetal distress. A low fetal oxygen saturation is significantly associated with an abnormal neonatal outcome.     

Recursive algorithms for deriving bandpass or band-rejection filters from lowpass filters

Two recursive algorithms are presented for calculating the coefficients of a bandpass transfer function, given the lowpass prototype transfer function. In both cases, the method is general, valid for prototypes having both poles and zeros, and provides excellent accuracy. Moreover, it is shown that the coefficients of band-rejection filters can be derived by using either algorithm.<>