Passive-Based Walking Robot

In this article, we presented our passive-based biped Denise. Using only two foot contact switches as sensors and simple on/off pneumatic muscle action, it walks at 0.4 m/s and can handle floor disturbances up to 6 mm (leg length is 0.7 m). Its simplicity, efficiency, and die natural look of its motions make it a promising lead for the development of commercially viable humanoid robots. The aim of this article is to provide other researchers enough details so that they can reproduce the work or use it as a basis for future research.     

Prevention of endometrial hyperplasia by progesterone during long-term estradiol replacement: influence of bleeding pattern and secretory changes

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relative influences of induction of withdrawal bleedings secretory transformation, and reduction of mitosis in glands on prevention of endometrial hyperplasia during long-term hormonal replacement therapy. DESIGN: Observational expanded clinical case report. SETTING: Reproductive Endocrine Department of Hospital Necker, Paris, France, and Pathology Department of Women's Hospital, Los Angeles County and University of Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles, California. PATIENTS: Postmenopausal women seeking treatment for symptomatic menopause. INTERVENTIONS: Endometrial biopsy and/or ambulatory hysteroscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Endometrial histology including progestational maturation patterns and glandular epithelial mitosis rates. Macroscopic endometrial appearance. RESULTS: The use of larger doses of E2 and P induced more marked secretory changes and more frequent withdrawal bleeding than the lower doses. There was no evidence of endometrial hyperplasia after 5 years of E2/P replacement therapy independently of bleeding pattern or progestational maturation. Consistent reduction of mitosis rates in glandular epithelium was found after 9 or more days of P administration in each cycle. CONCLUSIONS: Control of endometrial growth is mainly related to control of mitosis in glands by a relatively low doses of P. Induction of withdrawal bleeding and endometrial secretory transformation, which require larger doses of Progesterone, do not provide additional benefit for prevention of hyperplasia. Induction of amenorrhea with a relatively low dose of P may be offered to women seeking hormone replacement therapy with similar levels of safety.     

Operating room fires: how to prevent and minimize spread

To prevent fires, a simple rule to remember is the "fire triangle" of oxygen, heat, and fuel. Minimizing oxygen enrichment will reduce the fire hazard. Proper protocols need to be established for the handling of heat-bearing units, such as electrosurgical pencils, electrocautery units, and lasers.     

Combination of variable frequency train stimulation and K/sup +/ channel blockade to augment skeletal muscle force

Several innovative approaches are being used to optimize the input-output relationship of muscle, including nonlinear stimulation paradigms and altering muscle membrane ion channel conductances. We tested the hypothesis that the combination of the K+ channel blocker, 3,4-diaminopyridine (DAP), and variable frequency train (VFT) stimulation improves muscle force to a greater extent than either modality alone. Studies were done in vitro on rat diaphragm muscle and contractions were quantified with respect to peak force, mean force, and force area. DAP increased all three force parameters by >50% during conventional 10-20-Hz stimulation, whereas VFT stimulation improved contractile performance for peak force only. When combined, DAP and VFT stimulation augmented peak force to a significantly greater extent than either modality alone. However, this came at a cost of a moderate decline in force area relative to DAP alone, although mean force was preserved. These force increases were generally well-maintained over the course of short-term repetitive stimulation. Thus, VFT stimulation and K+ channel blockade interact in a complex manner to modulate skeletal muscle force. The utility of the combined intervention for functional electrical stimulation may be greatest for mechanical tasks requiring high force levels early during the contraction.     

A Meta-Analysis of Massage Therapy Research.

Massage therapy (MT) is an ancient form of treatment that is now gaining popularity as part of the complementary and alternative medical therapy movement. A meta-analysis was conducted of studies that used random assignment to test the effectiveness of MT. Mean effect sizes were calculated from 37 studies for 9 dependent variables. Single applications of MT reduced state anxiety, blood pressure, and heart rate but not negative mood, immediate assessment of pain, and cortisol level. Multiple applications reduced delayed assessment of pain. Reductions of trait anxiety and depression were MT's largest effects, with a course of treatment providing benefits similar in magnitude to those of psychotherapy. No moderators were statistically significant, though continued testing is needed. The limitations of a medical model of MT are discussed, and it is proposed that new MT theories and research use a psychotherapy perspective. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Thermal stability study of a new guanidine suppressor for the next-generation caustic-side solvent extraction process

Cesium stripping performance of thermally stressed solvent worsens slowly over time in batch tests of the Next-Generation Caustic-Side Solvent Extraction (NG-CSSX) process. NG-CSSX is currently used in full-scale equipment at the Savannah River Site for the selective removal of caesium from high-level salt waste. Recently, a new guanidine, N,N’,N”-tris(3,7-dimethyloctyl)guanidine (TiDG), was chosen for use as the suppressor, a lipophilic organic base needed for stripping, and the present study was undertaken to address the question of its stability. The NG-CSSX process solvent was evaluated for a period of three months under a variety of temperature and storage conditions. The performance of the solvent was tested at 30-day increments using an extraction, scrub, strip and extraction (ES₂S₃E) sequence. The results provide insights into the effects of storage and process conditions, the stripping behaviour of TiDG and the stability of the new solvent composition.     

Residents' preferences for private amenities and trade-offs associated with various spatial densities and patterns

ABSTRACT

Northwest Arkansas planning policies, like a number of communities across the country, have identified goals working toward more sustainable, livable, and subsequently denser development patterns. However, the understanding of residents’ perceptions of such living arrangements is limited. This study provides a more nuanced understanding of Northwest Arkansas residents’ spatial preferences through a survey of residents’ preferences for private amenities and their trade-off with various spatial densities and patterns in support of sustainability. Results of the survey indicate a preference for, and experience with, single-family residential living arrangements and amenities, with the preponderance (80%) of survey respondents currently living in single-family housing. There is a preference for low-density neighborhoods even if it means sacrificing other amenities. This study is in alignment with previous research suggesting that people may learn to prefer where they live. Additionally, while the majority of survey respondents indicated a preference for communal greenspaces, renters are more likely to prefer communal greenspaces when compared to homeowners. This study indicates that attached, multi-family development and renter development in Northwest Arkansas should consider the provision of communal green spaces, walkable access to transit, and walkable access to services as desired amenities for those residents.     

Consumer communications and networks: interest continued to grow - [guest editorial]

Presents four additional articles on the general topic of Consumer Communications and Networking. The first set of articles appeared in the December 2008 issue.     

Selective separation of hydroxide from alkaline nuclear tank waste by liquid-liquid extraction with weak hydroxy acids

Recovery and recycle of caustic reagents in industrial processes offer potential means of pollution prevention, as investigated herein for particular needs related to the cleanup of alkaline nuclear waste. Specifically, the recovery of hydroxide from alkaline media by liquid-liquid extraction can be effected utilizing weak hydroxy acids, as demonstrated for NaOH utilizing a series of lipophilic fluorinated alcohols and alkylated phenols dissolved in 1-octanol. Extraction efficiency follows the expected order of acidity of the hydroxy acids, the phenols being the most efficient extractants among the compounds tested. After extraction, NaOH is effectively recoverable from the organic phase upon contact with water. The weakest hydroxy acids are the most efficiently stripped, NaOH recovery being nearly quantitative in a single contact. In competitive extraction experiments, good selectivity for hydroxide recovery over other anions such as nitrate and chloride was demonstrated. Since the order of extraction favors larger anions, the exceptional preference for hydroxide implies that the extraction occurs by deprotonation of the hydroxy acids in a cation-exchange process. Stripping therefore occurs by hydrolysis to regenerate the neutral hydroxy acid, liberating NaOH to the aqueous phase. Since hydroxide equivalents rather than actual hydroxide ions are transferred to the solvent, the process is termed "pseudohydroxide extraction." Hydroxide recovery from a simulant of alkaline nuclear tank waste (Hanford DSSF simulant) was also demonstrated in repeated extraction and stripping cycles.