Synthesis and Study of Magnesium and Calcium Uranogermanates

Previously unknown alkaline-earth metal uranogermanates of the general formula MII[HGeUO₆]₂·nH₂O (MII = Mg, Ca) were prepared in the form of higher and intermediate hydrates and anhydrous compounds. The compounds were studied by X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, and thermal analysis.     

Fibrous carbon materials having a protective oxidation resistant coating

Conclusions -- A gas-phase method of depositing one- or multiple-component carbide coatings on CFM of various textile structures has been developed. With preservation of the strength and elastic characteristics of the CFM, the thermo-oxidative resistance of the material is increased, plus the temperature range for the decomposition is shifted into the higher temperature region — by 150–250°C as compared with the starting material.-- CFM with protective coatings are finding ever greater use in making filters for cleaning up high-temperature gas-air mixtures.VNIIPV. Translated from Khimicheskie Volokna, No. 3, pp. 47–48, May–June, 1991.     

Circular core polarization-maintaining optical fibers withelliptical stress-induced cladding

The reproducible technology for producing high-birefringence fibers with stress-induced elliptical cladding and circular core is described. The authors have obtained fibers that have a birefringence of about (1-3) 10^-4, a mode coupling parameter of about (2-7) 10 ^-5 m^-1, and loss of less than 0.5 dB/km at 1.6 μm. The authors have found effects restricting the capability of test fibers to maintain the state of linear polarization     

Properties of thin TiN films deposited onto stainless steel by an in-line dry coating process

A new coil-coating pilot plant, capable of utilizing ion plating, sputtering and plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition (PACVD) processes, independently or in series, was developed and optimum conditions for TiN, TiC, Al_xO_y, SiO_x and Cr coating were established. This paper is mostly concerned with the results of characterization (conducted in parallel by the authors′ two institutions) of TiN films deposited by ion plating or sputtering onto type-304 stainless steel strips. In particular, the dependence of the basic properties such as chemical composition, structure, adhesion, and color on the coating process are discussed with respect to anti-corrosion, anti-wear, and decorative applications. TiN coatings with a very attractive gold coloration were obtained; they performed well in wear testing, but did not show satisfactory corrosion resistance. However, it was found that the latter can be improved significantly by depositing a SiO_x, top layer by PACVD above the TiN coating. Thus the in-line dry coating processes are capable of producing highly functional steel surfaces with decorative color and high corrosion resistance.     

Hemispheric contributions to nonverbal abstract reasoning and problem solving.

Hemispheric involvement in reasoning abilities has been debated for some time, and it remains unclear whether the right hemisphere's involvement in problem solving is modality specific or dependent on the type of spatial reasoning required. In the current study, 2 types of nonverbal reasoning abilities were examined, spatial reasoning and proportional reasoning, in 109 patients with cerebrovascular disease that was confined to either the right or the left hemisphere or was diffuse in nature. Results indicated that no lateralizing effects were present based on type of spatial reasoning. Findings are consistent with the suggestion that higher order cognitive processes involved in nonverbal abstraction and problem solving are not strongly lateralized to the right hemisphere but rather are more generally distributed throughout the cortex. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mediastinal space-occupying lesion with reduced perfusion of the left lung. Thoracic aortic aneurysm with compression of the left pulmonary artery

CONTEXT: An increase in the recreational use of personal watercraft (PWC) raises concern about an increase in associated injuries on a national level. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the relative frequency, types of injury, and demographic features of persons injured while using PWC in the United States. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: Emergency department (ED) visits to hospitals participating a national probability sample. PARTICIPANTS: All persons treated for PWC-related injury from January 1,1990, through December 31, 1995. RESULTS: An estimated 32954 persons (95% confidence interval [CI], 22919-42989) with PWC-related injuries were treated in US hospital EDs, of which 3.5% were hospitalized. Personal watercraft-related injuries have increased significantly from an estimated 2860 in 1990 to more than 12000 in 1995. During this period, the number of PWC in operation increased 3-fold from approximately 241500 in 1990 to an estimated 760000 in 1995. The most prevalent diagnoses were lacerations, contusions, and fractures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The estimated number and percentage of patients treated in EDs for PWC-related injuries, by year, age, sex, and the number and rate per 1000 of PWC in operation by year. CONCLUSIONS: Since 1990, there has been at least a 4-fold increase in injuries associated with an increase in the recreational use of PWC. The rate of ED-treated injuries related to PWC was about 8.5 times higher (95% CI, 8.2-8.8; 1992 data) than the rate of those from motorboats. Specific training and adult supervision is recommended for minors using PWC. Furthermore, medical practitioners should encourage personal flotation device use and other protection for their patients who are known water enthusiasts.     

Lung cancer--hopelessness in inoperability? A 10-year follow-up

BACKGROUND: According to reports of Durrant et al. [19] and Berry et al. [5] it was concluded that non-operable non-small cell lung tumors cannot be cured. In this consequence initiation of radiotherapy was fixed at the beginning of symptoms. However, long-time survivors in our follow-up lead us to analyse not only quality of life and secondary therapeutic effects but also this special group with the results of the whole collective treated in the same period of interest. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1.1. 1981 and 31. 12. 1983 a number of 169 patients had been recommended for locoregional radiotherapy treatment of lung cancer; 145 patients received at least 50 Gy, 134 out of them 60 Gy or more. Men/female ratio was 137:8, median age was 65 (36 to 88) years. Classified according to the TN-stage there were 59 patients in T1-4 N0 and 86 patients in T1-4 N1-3 M0. Histologically: 98 squamous cell carcinomas, 23 adenocarcinomas, 9 large cell carcinomas and 15 specimens mixed from the named subgroup or rare histologies. Treatment concept including repetition of bronchoscopic evaluation after 60 Gy was prospectively discussed and fixed with our pneumologist. Radiation dose was given with a shrinking-field technique to mediastinum and primary. In case of macroscopically or microscopically persistence of tumor we continued radiation dose up to 80 Gy. Radiotherapy was not followed by chemotherapy. A telecobalt unit has been used for treatment due to the lack of high-voltage linear accelerators. In absence of a computer assisted planning system-a problem in most of the radiotherapeutic centers in this time-dose calculation was done by central beam planning of ICRU-point in the middle of the tumor respectively the center of target volume on the base of a cross section. Usually there was used a 3-field plan ap/pa opposite and an oblique field with an angle of 30 degrees from the ipsilateral back or ventral side, depending on the position of the tumor. Spinal cord was shielded to avoid a dose-more than 36 to 42 Gy. The longer distance and higher weightiness of the oblique fields had as consequence lung fibrosis in the irradiated lung area and a considerable higher maximal dose situated in the soft tissue and skin often followed by strong indurations in this area 1 to 3 years after radiation therapy without further limitations of quality of life. RESULTS: From 145 patients with non-small cell lung cancer 64.1% (93/145) survived 6 months, 42.8% (62/145) 1 year, 19.3% (28/145) 2 years and 7.6% (11/145) 5 and 4.8 (7/145) more than 10 years. According to TN-stages T1-4 N0 collective had a survival rate of 67.8% (40/59) after half a year, 50.8% (30/59) after 1 year, 23.7% (14/59) after 2 and 11.9% (7/59) after 5 years. Treatment results by patients with positive lymph nodes T1-4 N1-3 after the same intervals are: 61.6% (53/86), 37.2% (32/86), 16.2% (14/86) respectively 4.7% (4/86). In the period 5 to 10 years after irradiation 4 patients died, 1 with local relapse, 2 with contralateral lung cancer-ipsilateral region was endoscopically and histologically free of tumor- and 1 patient in consequence of heart insufficiency of several years. Seven patients are still alive after 13 to 16 years. There is no sign of tumor in this group or any effects limitating their quality of life. Twenty-four patients received less than 50 Gy. All patients but 2 did not survive 6 months. One patient survived half a year and 1 patient 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: The reported treatment results in a period with modest technological possibilities, a telecobalt unit, should encourage to a curative intention, when dissemination cannot be proved. If lung cancer is limited to the primary region with or without lymph node metastases the possibility of tumor elimination is small but feasible. If inoperable lung cancer is not curable, this mostly is not due to inability of locoregional radiotherapy, but rather can be seen as a lack of reliable and permanent elimination or prevention of