Surface current mapping performance of bistatic and monostaticΔk-radars

A theoretical analysis of the surface ocean current mapping performance of land-based bistatic and monostatic Δk-radars is presented. Contour maps of the calculated surface current resolution achievable with both configurations are presented and compared. For the assumed surface conditions, both configurations are seen to be capable of resolving 5 cm/s currents with 100 m spatial resolution out to ranges of several kilometers using reasonable dwell times     

Two-step parameter extraction procedure with formal optimization for physics-based circuit simulator IGBT and p-i-n diode models

A practical and accurate parameter extraction method is presented for the Fourier-based-solution physics-based insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) and power diode models. The goal is to obtain a model accurate enough to allow switching loss prediction under a variety of operating conditions. In the first step of the extraction procedure, only one simple clamped inductive load test is needed for the extraction of the six parameters required for the diode model and of the 12 and 15 parameters required for the nonpunch-through (NPT) and punch-through (PT) IGBT models, respectively. The second part of the extraction procedure is an automated formal optimization step that refines the parameter estimation. Validation with experimental results from various structures of IGBT demonstrates the accuracy of the proposed IGBT and diode models and the robustness of the parameter extraction method.     

A method to estimate the initial length of equine tendons

A procedure is described by which the length of a tendon at the onset of loading is determined objectively. The procedure includes the fitting of third-order polynomial functions on the load-elongation data. The onset of loading is detected by an increasing fit of the polynomial by selective data reduction of the initial part of the load-elongation curve. The procedure results in an objective and reproducible definition of the zero strain level of a tendon.     

Cervical spine infections

Thoracoscopy provides a minimally invasive technique for the diagnosis and management of many posterior mediastinal masses. Benign neurogenic tumors, esophageal tumors, and bronchogenic cysts all can be approached using video-assisted thoracic surgical (VATS) techniques. Malignant lesions are still best approached via open thoracotomy. VATS techniques allow for less pain and dysfunction and can result in shortened hospital stays.     

Endoscopic injection therapy for bleeding peptic ulcer; a comparison of adrenaline alone with adrenaline plus ethanolamine oleate

One hundred and seven consecutive patients presenting with significant peptic ulcer haemorrhage were randomised to endoscopic injection with 3-10 ml of 1:100,000 adrenaline (55 patients, group 1) or to a combination of adrenaline and 5% ethanolamine (52 patients, group 2). All had major stigmata of haemorrhage and endoscopic injection was undertaken by a single endoscopist. The groups were well matched with regard to risk factors. Rebleeding occurred in eight of the group 1 patients and seven in the group 2 patients; surgical operation rates, median blood transfusion requirements, and hospital stay were similar in both groups. The efficacy of either form of injection was similar whether patients presented with active bleeding or a non-bleeding visible vessel. No complications occurred. In patients presenting with significant peptic ulcer bleeding, the addition of a sclerosant confers no advantage over injection with adrenaline alone.     

Pseudoexstrophy

Pseudoexstrophy is a rare, mild exstrophy variant which involves the major musculoskeletal defects of the exstrophy complex without any associated defect in the urinary system. A case is reported presenting at birth as an umbilical positional anomaly. Differential diagnosis and management are reviewed.     

Activity of the plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase and optimal glycolytic flux are required for rapid adaptation and growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the presence of the weak-acid preservative sorbic acid

The weak acid sorbic acid transiently inhibited the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in media at low pH. During a lag period, the length of which depended on the severity of this weak-acid stress, yeast cells appeared to adapt to this stress, eventually recovering and growing normally. This adaptation to weak-acid stress was not due to metabolism and removal of the sorbic acid. A pma1-205 mutant, with about half the normal membrane H+-ATPase activity, was shown to be more sensitive to sorbic acid than its parent. Sorbic acid appeared to stimulate plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity in both PMA1 and pma1-205. Consistent with this, cellular ATP levels showed drastic reductions, the extent of which depended on the severity of weak-acid stress. The weak acid did not appear to affect the synthesis of ATP because CO2 production and O2 consumption were not affected significantly in PMA1 and pma1-205 cells. However, a glycolytic mutant, with about one-third the normal pyruvate kinase and phosphofructokinase activity and hence a reduced capacity to generate ATP, was more sensitive to sorbic acid than its isogenic parent. These data are consistent with the idea that adaptation by yeast cells to sorbic acid is dependent on (i) the restoration of internal pH via the export of protons by the membrane H+-ATPase in an energy-demanding process and (ii) the generation of sufficient ATP to drive this process and still allow growth.     

Imaging evaluation of artificial nipples during bottle feeding

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of probable famotidine-induced mixed hepatocellular jaundice. CASE SUMMARY: A 55-year-old man presented with a one-month history of mid-epigastric pain. Initial physical examination and laboratory studies, including liver enzyme concentration tests, were unrevealing. A diagnosis of gastritis was made and ranitidine was prescribed. Following one week of therapy, the patient's symptoms had not improved and therapy was changed to famotidine and sucralfate. Approximately one week later the patient presented with jaundice. Liver enzyme concentrations were elevated and the patient was hospitalized for further evaluation. Five days following discontinuation of famotidine, liver enzyme concentrations were normal and jaundice had resolved. Further tests did not reveal any pathologic etiology. DISCUSSION: Hepatic changes have occurred in patients receiving histamine2-antagonists; ranitidine and cimetidine have been cited most frequently. In general, the elevations are mild, transient, and return to baseline with continued therapy. This is one of the first case reports of probable famotidine-induced mixed hepatocellular jaundice. CONCLUSIONS: There was a temporal relationship between the patient's signs and symptoms and initiation of famotidine. No identifiable factors contributed to the elevated liver enzyme concentrations and jaundice.     

Serum lipids and incidence of coronary heart disease. Findings from the Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program (SHEP)

BACKGROUND: The association of serum lipids with coronary heart disease has been studied extensively in middle-aged men and, to a lesser extent, in similar women. Less well defined are lipid variables predictive of CHD in individuals of age > or = 60 years. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program recruited 4736 persons (mean age, 72 years; 14% were black; and 43% were men). Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 170 and 77 mm Hg, respectively. Baseline mean total cholesterol was 6.11 mmol/L (236 mg/dL); HDL cholesterol, 1.39 mmol/L (54 mg/dL); and non-HDL cholesterol, 4.72 mmol/L (182 mg/dL). Triglyceride levels were 1.62 mmol/L (144 mg/dL) for fasting participants and 1.78 mmol/L for the total group. LDL cholesterol, estimated in fasting samples with triglycerides of < 4.52 mmol/L, averaged 3.98 mmol/L (154 mg/dL). Mean follow-up was 4.5 years. In multivariate Cox regression analyses, baseline total, non-HDL, and LDL cholesterol levels and the ratios of total, non-HDL, and LDL to HDL cholesterol were significantly related to CHD incidence. HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were not significant in these analyses. In fasting participants with triglyceride levels of < 4.52 mmol/L, a 1.03 mmol/L (40 mg/dL) higher baseline total, non-HDL, or LDL cholesterol was associated with a 30% to 35% higher CHD event rate. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support the concept that serum lipids are CHD risk factors in older Americans.