Impaired stereoacuity due to a lesion in the left pulvinar

A right-handed patient with a haematoma in the left pulvinar showed impaired stereoacuity. In contrast with previous reports, he did not show peripheral visual extinction or prolonged reaction times for targets on the side contralateral to the lesion.     

Cytotoxicity versus antibacterial activity of some antiseptics in vitro

The relationship between endometriosis and infertility is observed frequently. Patients with both conditions require a conservative approach to their management. Since hormonal therapy is one of those approaches, we sought to compare the efficacy of Danazol and Gestrinone in 80 infertile patients (48 and 32, respectively). Therapy lasted 6 months in both treatment groups, and all patients studied had laboratory tests performed and were clinically evaluated and classified through laparoscopy before and after therapy. The improvement of symptoms and favorable follow-up were similar with both treatments. The reestablishment of menstrual patterns and fertility were also nearly alike in both groups. However, Gestrinone was associated with fewer secondary effects and is easier to administer than Danazol. We conclude that Gestrinone is a useful medication in the management of the infertile patient with endometriosis.     

Responses of practicing psychologists to a web site developed to promote empirically supported treatments.

Increased adoption of empirically supported treatments (ESTs) has been hindered in part by inadequate and inconvenient access to EST information and training. To improve diffusion of ESTs, the authors developed a Web application to provide practitioners with concise information by disorder on ESTs. The resulting site, therapyadvisor.com, was evaluated by 239 practicing psychologists to assess the usefulness of the site and explore possible interactions of EST attitudes on ratings of usefulness and impact. Two thirds of participants indicated using ESTs in practice, and limited time and resources were cited as primary barriers to EST adoption. The Web application was rated positively by most participants and was reported to increase awareness of and commitment to try ESTs among approximately 60% of participants. The results of this project support the feasibility of a Web application to increase diffusion and promote further adoption of ESTs. Technological and e-learning advances are promising directions for encouraging the adoption of ESTs specifically and evidence-based practice generally, particularly among busy practitioners who have inadequate time and resources for more traditional forms of dissemination and training. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Technological strategies to improve photostability of a sunscreen agent

Due to the reduction of the ozone layer, there is an increasing need of effective UV protection systems with minimized side-effects. Trans-2-ethylhexyl- p -methoxycinnamate ( trans -EHMC) represents one of the most widely used sunscreen compound. Several studies demonstrated that trans -EHMC is unstable following UV irradiation both in solution and in emulsion formulations. Moreover, various reports of photocontact sensitization induced by trans -EHMC have appeared in the literature. Consequently, in order to ensure adequate efficacy and safety for this sunscreen agent, there is a need for new carrier systems to enhance trans -EHMC photostability. In the present study the photostability of the filter in different formulation types (emulsion–gel, gel and emulsion) with various ingredients is evaluated. In addition, nanoparticles based on poly- D , L -lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) as carrier for trans -EHMC are investigated. The influence of nanoparticle matrix on the photochemical stability of the sunscreen agent is also presented. The results obtained demonstrated that PLGA nanoparticles are effective in reducing the light-induced degradation of the sunscreen agent. Moreover, the choice of formulation type and the excipients used play an important role in order to obtain a stable cosmetic product containing trans -EHMC.     

Schedule estimation and uncertainty surrounding the cone of uncertainty

Software development project schedule estimation has long been a difficult problem. The Standish CHAOS Report indicates that only 20 percent of projects finish on time relative to their original plan. Conventional wisdom proposes that estimation gets better as a project progresses. This concept is sometimes called the cone of uncertainty, a term popularized by Steve McConnell (1996). The idea that uncertainty decreases significantly as one obtains new knowledge seems intuitive. Metrics collected from Landmark's projects show that the estimation accuracy of project duration followed a lognormal distribution, and the uncertainty range was nearly identical throughout the project, in conflict with popular interpretation of the "cone of uncertainty".     

Ozone micro-bubble disinfection method for wastewater reuse system.

Reuse of wastewater is regarded as one important way to deal with the world's shortage of potable water. The authors focused on a disinfection system using micro-bubbles and evaluated its capability for wastewater reuse. This paper reports experimental results from examination of the basic characteristics of micro-bubbles and disinfection of secondary effluent by air or ozone micro-bubbles. The results suggest that when micro-bubbles are applied in an ozonation system it is possible to reduce the reactor size, the amount of ozone decomposition equipment needed and the ozone dose rate.     

Preliminary studies using hybrid mediated electrochemical oxidation (HMEO) for the removal of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).

This study investigates the hybrid mediated electrochemical oxidation (HMEO) technology, which is a newly developed non thermal electrochemical oxidation process for organic destruction. A combination of ozone and ultrasonication processes to the mediated electrochemical oxidation (MEO) process is termed as hybrid mediated electrochemical oxidation. The electrochemical cell was developed in this laboratory. In the present study, several organic compounds, such as phenol, benzoquinone and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), were chosen as the model organic pollutants to be destructed by the hybrid process. The organic destruction was monitored based on the CO2 generation and total organic carbon (TOC) reduction. The HMEO process was found to be extremely effective in the destruction of all the target organics chosen in this study. The information obtained from this study will provide an insight in adopting this technique for dealing with more recalcitrant organics (POPs).     

Corrosion resistance of a bent plate from a high-nitrogen nonmagnetic 05Kh22AG15N8M2F steel in aggressive media

The corrosion resistance of the convex and concave sides of bent plates from a high-nitrogen non-magnetic steel has been studied in aqueous solutions of sulfuric and hydrochloric acids. Weighing and hydrogen methods are used to control the corrosion rate of bent-sample sides and to find a number of effects that complement the picture of the stress corrosion of iron alloys and support the existence of the mechanochemical deformation sign effect.