Probability of malignant degeneration of ovarian tumors. Clinical study on the probability of malignant degeneration

More than 600 cases of ovarian tumors were analyzed for histological type, age of patient, bilateral occurrence, mobility and malignant degeneration in restant ovaries. Tumors of germinal epithelial origin show the highest incidence (24%) of malignant degeneration, tumors of germ cells the lowest (3,5%). Incidence of malignant degeneration increases in relation to the age of the patient from 2% (and under 30 years) to 36,5% (60-70 years). Each form of tumor has its typical age peak, which is about 20 years higher for carcinomas than for their benign counterpart. Bilateral ovarian tumors are malignant in 29%, one-sided only in 13%. Among freely movable ovarian tumors, only 6% enclose a malignant tumor, among adhaerent ones 34%. The examination of the prognosis of granulosacell-tumors, dysgerminomas and teratoblastomas is based on a larger material.     

Granulomas and cholestatic--hepatocellular injury associated with phenylbutazone. Report of two cases

A combined cholestatic-hepatocellular injury and noncaseating granulomas occurred in two patients 1 and 4 weeks after phenylbutazone therapy. Both patients were jaundiced, one had a macular rash, and both had peripheral blood eosinophilia. Symptoms and signs subsided, and abnormal findings from tests of hepatic function rapidly returned to normal following withdrawal of the drug. Sections of liver biopsy specimens 6 months later showed no granulomas or other pathologic changes. Previously reported cases are reviewed.     

The performance of unreinforced masonry walls subjected to low-velocity impacts: Finite element analysis

A simplified discrete-crack finite element modelling approach has been developed to model the performance of unreinforced brickwork and blockwork masonry walls subject to out-of-plane impacts. The approach involves the use of linear elastic solid elements for masonry units in conjunction with a specially formulated contact interface model for masonry joints. Key features of the latter include: (i) a Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion; (ii) a cohesive crack model for initial fracture; (iii) inclusion of dilatancy. The contact interface model has been implemented in LS-DYNA, a three-dimensional non-linear explicit finite element program. The modelling approach was used to simulate the behaviour of a series of unreinforced walls tested previously in the laboratory. It was found that the dynamic response of full-scale masonry walls could be predicted with reasonable accuracy. However, parametric studies showed that wall response was highly dependent on small changes in loading impulse, base friction, fracture energy, joint failure stress and angle of dilatancy.     

MPEG-21 in backpack journalism scenario

The vision of MPEG-21-the multimedia framework-is to enable transparent and augmented use of multimedia resources across a wide range of networks and devices used by different communities. As the initial standardization effort for MPEG-21 reaches its conclusion, this article explores one case scenario and examines whether MPEG-21 can achieve its vision.