Radiographic evaluation of complications after jejunoileal bypass surgery

A retrospective analysis of 89 patients who underwent jejunoileal bypass surgery for morbid obesity disclosed 33 complications that were detected radiographically. Intestinal obstruction (10.1% of patients), cholecystitis (5.6%), renal stones (4.5%), peptic ulcer (3.4%), megacolon (6.7%), and elongation of the small intestine with hypertrophy of the mucosal folds of the jejunum (6.7%) were diagnosed solely by radiographic means.     

Environmental decision-making: Social indicators,simulation, and public choice

A number of parallels exist between the development of social indicators and of simulation models. This paper seeks to clarify the nature of these parallels and to place them in their respective places vis-a-vis decisions dealing with complex and changing environmental problems. After delineating the role of social indicators and simulation in environmental decision-making, the paper closes with a number of areas where caution and concern are especially important. The principal conclusion is that decision-making for complex environmental problems must be synthetic in nature, and must ultimately rely on well functioning democratic political processes, since political decisions are inherently synthetic. We must avoid simple decisions dictated by technical expediency (unless of course the body politic prefers such decision models and is made aware of alternative technical opinions). In an arena of open political debate and sound technical discussion, the paper concludes that environmental decisions can be taken that respect both the ecosystem and its human inhabitants.     

Fourier fringe analysis with improved spatial resolution

The spatial resolution of the phase image derived from the interferogram by Fourier fringe analysis is limited by the necessity to isolate a first order in the Fourier plane. By use of the two complementary outputs of the interferometer, it is possible to eliminate the zero order and thus to improve the spatial resolution by a factor of approximately 2. The theory of this improvement is presented and confirmed experimentally.     

The cogeneration steam turbine of the T-40/50-8.8 type for the combined cycle power plant PGU-115

This paper describes the design of the steam turbine intended for a single-unit two-shaft combined-cycle plant and its main systems, the heat flow diagram, and turbine plant arrangement. The turbine should operate as part of the combined-cycle power plant that will be constructed on the basis of the modern PG6111FA gas turbine manufactured in the USA.     

Optical sensing of biomolecules using microring resonators

A biosensor application of vertically coupled glass microring resonators with Q/spl sim/12 000 is introduced. Using balanced photodetection, very high signal to noise ratios, and thus high sensitivity to refractive index changes (limit of detection of 1.8/spl times/10/sup -5/ refractive index units), are achieved. Ellipsometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results indicate successful modification of biosensor surfaces. Experimental data obtained separately for a bulk change of refractive index of the medium and for avidin-biotin binding on the ring surface are reported. Excellent repeatability and close-to-complete surface regeneration after binding are experimentally demonstrated.