12 nm tunable WDM source using an integrated laser array

A 12 nm tunable source with up to 15 mW fibre coupled power has been fabricated by integrating four DFB lasers and a booster amplifier to provide a single output. High-yield and low-cost techniques are used, such as quarter-wave-shifted phase-masks for wavelength definition and an integration technique with only two regrowths     

Towards automation of color/weave selection in Jacquard design: Model verification

Jacquard woven fabrics are made from colored yarns and different weaves for designing complex pictorial and other patterning effects. The final visualized color effect is the result of assigning weave designs to different areas of the pattern to be created. The current practice in creating Jacquard woven fabric designs is to produce many samples in a trial‐and‐error attempt to match artwork colors. An ability to simulate accurately the appearance of a design prior to manufacture is highly desirable to reduce trial‐and‐error sample production. No automated accurate digital color methodology is yet available to assist designers in matching the patterned woven fabric to the desired artwork. To achieve this, we developed a geometrical model to predict the color contribution of each yarn on the face of the fabric. The geometrical model combined with a Kubelka‐Munk based color mixing model allowed the prediction of the reflectance properties of the final color for a given design. We compared the predicted and experimental values of the reflectance properties for a range of fabrics using the same geometric model with three separate color mixing models. The geometrical model combined with a log‐based color mixing model produced reasonable agreement between predicted and measured ΔE_ab, with an average ΔE_ab of approximately five. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 34, 225–232, 2009     

Impacts of CO2 emission constraints on technology selection and energy resources for power generation in Bangladesh

This paper examines the impacts of CO₂ emission reduction target and carbon tax on future technologies selection and energy use in Bangladesh power sector during 2005–2035. The analyses are based on a long-term energy system model of Bangladesh using the MARKAL framework. The analysis shows that Bangladesh will not be able to meet the future energy demand without importing energy. However, alternative policies on CO₂ emission constraints reduce the burden of imported fuel, improve energy security and reduce environmental impacts. The results show that the introduction of the CO₂ emission reduction targets and carbon taxes directly affect the shift of technologies from high carbon content fossil-based to low carbon content fossil-based and clean renewable energy-based technologies compared to the base scenario. With the cumulative CO₂ emission reduction target of 10–20% and carbon tax of 2500 Taka/ton, the cumulative net energy imports during 2005–2035 would be reduced in the range of 39–65% and 37%, respectively, compared to the base scenario emission level. The total primary energy requirement would be reduced in the range of 4.5–22.3% in the CO₂ emission reduction targets and carbon tax 2500 Taka/ton scenarios and the primary energy supply system would be diversified compared to the base scenario.     

Interface Mutation: an approach for integration testing

The need for test adequacy criteria is widely recognized. Several criteria have been proposed for the assessment of adequacy of tests at the unit level. However, there remains a lack of criteria for the assessment of the adequacy of tests generated during integration testing. We present a mutation based interprocedural criterion, named Interface Mutation (IM), suitable for use during integration testing. A case study to evaluate the proposed criterion is reported. In the study, the UNIX sort utility was seeded with errors and Interface Mutation evaluated by measuring the cost of its application and its error revealing effectiveness. Alternative IM criteria using different sets of Interface Mutation operators were also evaluated. While comparing the error revealing effectiveness of these Interface Mutation-based test sets with same size randomly generated test sets, we observed that in most cases Interface Mutation based test sets are superior. The results suggest that Interface Mutation offers a viable test adequacy criteria for use at the integration level     

Preoperative sonographic diagnosis of acute appendicitis caused by Ascaris lumbricoides

Acute appendicitis caused by Ascaris lumbricoides is an uncommon variant of a common disease. We describe a case in which sonography was used for preoperative diagnosis of ascaris appendicitis.     

A protocol to evaluate semi-rigid pedicle screw systems

The objective of the current study was to develop an in vitro testing protocol to evaluate semi-rigid pedicle screw devices. A corpectomy model protocol exists to evaluate rigid spinal implants; however, semi-rigid devices are contraindicated for this condition. This paper describes a technique that simulates more closely the conditions a semi-rigid device would see in vivo. Finally, the new testing protocol is used to evaluate the DDS pedicle screw-cable system. Benefits and shortcomings of the new protocol are discussed.     

Bilateral elastofibroma: a case report and review of the literature

Elastofibroma, or elastofibroma dorsi as it was first described, is an uncommon tumor-like process that characteristically appears as an ill-defined mass in the infrascapular region of elderly patients. This lesion can occur bilaterally and may appear asynchronously. The occurrence of elastofibroma in other anatomic sites has been reported, although with much less frequency. Elastofibromas display typical diagnostic histologic, cytologic, and electron microscopic features. The use of magnetic resonance imaging can lead to a presumptive diagnosis in elderly individuals with suprascapular lesions. It is important to differentiate this lesion from other soft-tissue lesions, such as sarcomas and desmoid tumors. This study presents a case of bilateral elastofibromas in a 72-year-old man and a review of the literature.     

Report from the Maryland Epidemiology Schizophrenia Linkage Study: no evidence for linkage between schizophrenia and a number of candidate and other genomic regions using a complex dominant model

Our collaborative group has undertaken a linkage study of schizophrenia, using a systematic sample of patients admitted to Maryland hospitals. An initial sample of 39 families, each having two or more affecteds, was available for genotyping candidate genes, candidate regions, and highly polymorphic markers randomly distributed throughout the genome. We used a single complex dominant model (with a disease gene frequency of 0.005 and age-dependent penetrance for affected phenotype: for under 35, penetrance = .45; for 35 and older, penetrance = .85). We report here 130 markers, which met the exclusion criteria of LOD score < -2.00 at theta > 0.01 in at least 10 informative families, and no evidence for heterogeneity. We also report here markers that were tested as candidates for linkage to the schizophrenic phenotype. They were selected based on the following criteria: a) proximity to reported chromosomal rearrangements (both 5q and 11q), b) suggestions of linkage from other families (5q), or c) presence of a candidate gene (5q, 11q, 3q: Dopamine receptors 1, 2, and 3, respectively). We also tested for mutations of codon 717 in exon 17 of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene and were unable to detect the C to T substitution in our schizophrenic group.     

International classification of diseases (tenth revision)

Today, when the number of high-risk patients is increasing, special attention should be paid to polyresistant gram-positive microorganisms staphylococci and enterococci, whose role in infective complications and septic states is increasing. The author analyzes published reports on the rate of isolation of methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) and enterococci in different countries and relationship of this parameter with antibiotic policy. Special attention is paid to unjustified wide use of third-generation cephalosporines and their role in selection of polyresistant bacteria. The rate of MRS isolation vs. all other staphylococci at intensive care wards for newborns is as high as 63.9%. The incidence of coagulase-negative staphylococci (most often S. epidermidis) in clinical material (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, urine) from high-risk patients increased 2-3 times during two recent years. Glycopeptides vancomycin and teicoplanine are drugs of choice for the treatment of infections caused by such microorganisms (sepsis, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, pneumonia, etc.). These drugs should be listed among obligatory antibiotics for resuscitation and intensive care wards as life-saving drugs.