Results of a User Study on 2D Hurricane Visualization

We present the results from a user study looking at the ability of observers to mentally integrate wind direction and magnitude over a vector field. The data set chosen for the study is an MM5 (PSU/NCAR Mesoscale Model) simulation of Hurricane Lili over the Gulf of Mexico as it approaches the southeastern United States. Nine observers participated in the study. This study investigates the effect of layering on the observer's ability to determine the magnitude and direction of a vector field. We found a tendency for observers to underestimate the magnitude of the vectors and a counter‐clockwise bias when determining the average direction of a vector field. We completed an additional study with two observers to try to uncover the source of the counter‐clockwise bias. These results have direct implications to atmospheric scientists, but may also be able to be applied to other fields that use 2D vector fields.     

Treatment of peritonitis complicated by multiple organ insufficiency

Comparison evaluation of the methods of treatment was based on the analysis of the results of management of 347 patients with general purulent decompensated peritonitis with polyorganic insufficiency. The efficacy of closed drainage in 98 patients, continuous flow irrigation (dialysis) in 126, stage programmed irrigation and inspection of the abdominal cavity in 99, and open drainage in 24 patients was compared. The causes of peritonitis were: complications after acute surgical diseases (in 156 cases), in planned operations (59), and in obstetrical and gynecological diseases (132). Most of the patients were brought to the clinic from other hospitals because of unsuccessful treatment of peritonitis and absence of means for performing hemodialysis and management of polyorganic insufficiency. The incidence of the last-named reached 71.0 to 91.0% in the different groups of patients. In monotypic complex treatment, stage programmed irrigation was marked by a much lesser number of abscesses and other complications and a lower mortality (20.2%) as compared to flow irrigation (30.0%, closed drainage (27.5%), and open (laparostomy) treatment (37.5%). Despite the very serious contingent of patients, total mortality (27.0%) in the application of the indicated methods was quite low.     

Symptom correlates of attentional improvement following hospitalization for a first episode of affective psychosis

BACKGROUND: This study examined patients with a first-episode of affective psychosis during acute and compensated states in order to determine whether changes in attentional functioning over time were accompanied by changes in the severity of psychotic or affective symptoms. METHODS: Attentional performance was measured in patients (n = 27) using the degraded-stimulus continuous Performance Test (CPT) and symptoms were assessed at the time of index hospitalization, and 2 months after discharge. A comparison group of normal volunteers (n = 31) also performed the CPT two months apart. RESULTS: Patients performed significantly worse than controls at the initial testing but not at follow-up. The improvement in attentional performance significantly correlated with decreased severity of manic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest attentional dysfunction is a state-dependent characteristic of mania, and may provide an additional measure of clinical improvement following treatment.     

Exchange and oxidation of CO on O-predosed Rh---Al2O3 and Rh---CeO2 catalysts

Exchange and oxidation of C¹⁶O were investigated at 450°C on ¹⁸O-predosed Rh and Pt catalysts supported on A1₂O₃, CeO₂ and CeO₂-Al₂O₃. In all cases, a rapid exchange of C¹⁶O with the surface can be observed. CO oxidation leads to C¹⁶O₂, C¹⁶O¹⁸O and C¹⁸O₂. Significant formation of C¹⁶O₂ is due to the relatively high ¹⁶O coverage in reaction resulting from the C¹⁶O exchange and from an exchange between O surface species and ¹⁶O internal atoms. Hydrogen is also formed via a water-gas shift reaction (CO + surface OH) in higher proportion on CeO₂-containing catalysts than on A1₂O₃. Chlorine inhibits all the reactions (exchange, oxidation and WGS) and particularly the internal exchange.     

Congenital hematometrocolpos in a circumcised girl. An anomaly superimposed by cultural mutilating practices

A rare case associated with congenital hematometrocolpos in a circumcised 13 years old Somalian girl is presented. Emphasis on proper history is highlighted. Mutilation caused by bad cultural practice of female circumcision which is although not a problem in Pakistan, is brought into notice for those who may be unaware of perineal appearance of a circumcised female and stitched over vagina.     

Simplified 0.35-μm flash EEPROM process using high-temperatureoxide (HTO) deposited by LPCVD as interpoly dielectrics and peripheraltransistors gate oxide

A simplified flash EEPROM process was developed using high-temperature LPCVD oxide both as flash cells interpoly dielectrics and as peripheral transistors gate oxide (decoding logic). An O₂ anneal at 850°C lowers charge trapping and interface trap density induced by Fowler-Nordheim injection. However, electron trapping remains slightly higher than with dry thermal oxide. Similar memory charge loss and write-erase endurance are obtained as for ONO-insulated cells. HTO thus proves to have the required quality and reliability to be used in flash EEPROMs     

Potentiation of a three drug chemotherapy regimen by radiation

The combination of N-(phosphonacetyl)-L-aspartate, 6-methylmercaptopurine, and 6-aminonicotinamide has been shown to be an effective antineoplastic regimen and also to enhance the effects of other chemotherapeutic agents. The mechanism of action of this combination of drugs is not known definitively, but one possible mechanism is biochemical modulation of energy metabolism and inhibition of production of tumor ATP. Tumor-bearing mice were treated with N-(phosphonacetyl)-L-aspartate, followed 17 h later by 6-methylmercaptopurine and 6-aminonicotinamide. 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic studies demonstrated a significant depletion of high energy phosphates at 10 h post-6-methylmercaptopurine and 6-aminonicotinamide. The addition of radiation at this time was shown to induce a significantly longer tumor growth delay and a greater number of regressions (including durable complete regressions) than either chemotherapy or radiation alone. The combination of chemotherapy and radiation was found to be supra-additive compared to the antineoplastic effects of either modality administered separately, without a measurable increase in host toxicity.     

Vertical ridge augmentation around dental implants using a membrane technique and autogenous bone or allografts in humans

This study investigated the effect on vertical bone regeneration of the addition of demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft or autogenous bone chips to a membrane technique. Twenty partially edentulous patients with vertical jawbone deficiencies were selected for this study. The patients were divided into two groups of 10 individuals. The 10 patients of Group A received 26 Br?nemark implants in 10 surgical sites. The 10 patients of Group B received 32 implants in 12 surgical sites. Fifty-two out of 58 implants (22 in Group A and 30 in Group B) extended 1.5 to 7.5 mm superior to the bone crest. Titanium-reinforced expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membranes were used to cover the implants and, before complete membrane fixation, demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft particles were condensed under the membrane in Group A, and autogenous bone chips were used in Group B. At the reentry after 7 to 11 months the membranes were removed and a small biopsy was collected from 11 sites comprehending the miniscrews. The clinical measurements from Group A demonstrated a mean vertical bone gain of 3.1 mm (SD = 0.9 mm, range 1 to 5 mm) with a mean percentage of bone gain of 124% (SD = 46.6%). The measurements from Group B showed a mean vertical bone gain of 5.02 mm (SD = 2.3 mm, range 1 to 8.5 mm) with a mean percentage of bone gain of 95% (SD = 26.8%). Histomorphometric analysis of the present study clearly demonstrated a direct correlation between the density of the pre-existing bone and the density of the regenerated bone. The mean percentage of new bone-titanium contact was from 39.1% to 63.2%, depending on the quality of the pre-existing bone. Both the clinical and histologic results indicate a beneficial effect of the addition of demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft or autogenous bone particles to vertical ridge augmentation procedures in humans.