聚乙烯醇对Al2O3薄膜的影响

摘要：以异丙醇铝为原料,采用溶胶凝胶法和浸渍提拉技术在玻璃栽片上进行涂膜并观察聚乙烯醇（PVA）对薄膜的影响．通过热重分析、红外光谱、硬度、原子力显微镜等测试手段研究了PVA加入量对薄膜结构及性能的影响．实验结果表明,随着PVA添加量的增加,制膜液黏度也随之增加．PVA的最佳加入量为质量分数5％的水溶液20mL;加入20mL,5％PVA后的Al2O3膜具有良好的耐热性;薄膜表面均一平整,有较高的孔隙率,并且孔径分布较均匀,所得平均孔径约为50．3714nm;烧结前,添加PVA薄膜的硬度略大于未添加PVA的薄膜;在烧结后,添加PVA与未添加PVA对Al2O3膜的硬度影响不大;玻璃载片与薄膜之间的黏接性能较好．     

Dot pattern generation technique using molecular dynamics

We have developed a new technique for generating homogeneously distributed irregular dot patterns useful for optical devices and digital halftoning technologies. To introduce irregularity, we use elaborately designed sequences called low-discrepancy sequences instead of pseudorandom numbers. We also use a molecular-dynamics redistribution method to improve the distribution of dots. Our method can produce arbitrary density distributions in accordance with a given design. The generated patterns are free from visible roughness as well as any moiré patterns when superimposed on other regular patterns. We demonstrate that our method effectively improves luminance uniformity and eliminates moiré patterns when used for a backlight unit of a liquid-crystal display.     

Early cyclosporine monotherapy in liver transplantation: a 5-year follow-up of a prospective, randomized trial

Maintenance of adequate immunosuppression and avoidance of side-effects are the goals of long-term management of all organ-transplanted patients. We here report the final results of a prospective, randomized trial comparing early cyclosporine monotherapy versus double-drug therapy (cyclosporine and steroids) in adult liver transplantation patients. One hundred four patients were randomized 3 months after transplantation either to continue (Group I = 50 patients) or to stop steroids (Group II = 54 patients). Patients on a double-drug regimen were maintained long term on methylprednisolone at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg/d. Target cyclosporine trough levels were between 150 and 250 ng/mL in both groups. Our main points of interest were the prevalence of acute and chronic rejections and steroid-related side-effects in the two groups of patients. Mean follow-up was 41 +/- 16 months (range, 4-68 months). Patient actuarial survival 2 and 5 years after randomization was similar in the two groups (82% vs. 83% and 82% vs. 77%). The prevalence of acute rejections after randomization was, respectively, 8% and 4%. A single episode of chronic rejection was observed only in a patient on long-term steroid therapy. Side-effects of steroid therapy were less frequent in patients weaned off steroids, and when considering hypertension and diabetes, the differences between the two groups were statistically significant. Early cyclosporine monotherapy is a safe undertaking in liver transplantation because it allows a significant reduction of steroid-related side-effects without increasing the risk of acute and chronic rejection. After 5 years, patient survival was similar in patients with or without steroids.     

Prospective comparison of four lymphoblastoid interferon alpha schedules for chronic hepatitis C. A multivariate analysis of factors predictive of sustained response to treatment

OBJECTIVE: Interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) provides effective treatment in some patients with chronic hepatitis C. Since this drug is costly and causes potentially severe side effects, there is a need for clarification of the optimal dose regimen and treatment duration and of the predictive factors of long-term response to this therapy. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized study in patients with chronic hepatitis C. SETTING: 'Crespi' Division of Medicine and Centre for Liver Diseases, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and forty-two patients with chronic hepatitis C were randomized to receive IFN-alpha at a dosage of 2-4 mega units/square metre of body surface area thrice weekly for 6-12 months. Eleven baseline variables that might predict sustained response to IFN-alpha were evaluated in this series. Sustained response was defined as normalization of transaminase levels observed by the fourth month of therapy and lasting for at least 6 months after treatment withdrawal. RESULTS: According to univariate analysis, variables significantly associated with sustained response to treatment were: hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype, treatment duration, serum HCV-RNA level and duration of hepatitis. On multivariate analysis only two of these variables were found to be independently associated with sustained response to IFN-alpha: HCV genotype (P < 0.0001) and treatment duration (P = 0.0015). In the patients infected with genotype 1b, IFN-alpha was effective only when administered at the higher dosage and for the longer period. CONCLUSION: Viral genotype and treatment duration are independently related to sustained response to IFN-alpha in patients with chronic hepatitis C. The patients infected with HCV genotype 1b should receive IFN-alpha at the higher dosage and for the longer period.     

Mitigation of risk in facility layout design for single and multi-period problems

The most desirable characteristic of a facility layout is its ability to maintain its efficiency over time while coping with the uncertainty in product demand. In the traditional facility layout design method, the facility layout is governed by the flow intensity between departments, which is the product flow quantity between departments. Hence, an error in the product demand assessment can render the layout inefficient with respect to material handling costs. Most of the research integrates uncertainty in the form of probability of occurrence of different from-to charts. In an environment where the variability of each product demand is independent, the derivation of ‘probabilistic from-to chart’ based scenario cannot be used to address uncertainty of individual demands. This paper presents an FLP (facility layout problem) approach to deal with the uncertainty of each product demand in the design of a facility layout. Two procedures are presented: the first procedure is utilised to assess the risk associated with the layout, while the second procedure is used to develop the layout that minimises the risk. Results from case studies have shown that the procedure produces a reduction of risk as high as 68%.     

The fine structure of the digital corpuscle of the mouse toe pad, with special reference to nerve fibers

Digital corpuscles in the dermal papillae of the mouse toe pad have been studied using light and electron microscopy of serial thick and thin sections, and silver impregnations of frozen sections. These corpuscles are ellipsoid in shape and approximately 10-30 mum in diameter. They consist of one to three lamellar cells, nerve fibers and a capsule. These digital corpuscles are regarded as small Meissner corpuscles. The capsule is perineural epithelium. One or two myelinated nerve fibers and occasionally an unmyelinated nerve fiber enter the corpuscle. The axon terminals contain many mitochondria and a variable population of vesicular profiles. These terminals are ellipsoid or discoid in shape with the long axis parallel to the skin surface. The cytoplasmic plates (or lamellae) of the lamellar cells are arranged parallel to the skin surface, as is the cleft between the bilaterally symmetrical stacks of lamellae. Small processes extend from the expanded terminal of the neurite into the cleft between the lamellae. The relationship of the neurite terminal and associated lamellar cells resembles in some respects the organization of the inner core of Pacinian corpuscles. Intraepidermal fibers derived from myelinated neurites of the corpuscle may extend to the superficial epidermis. Intraepidermal fibers derived from unmyelinated neurites usually terminate in the basal regions of the epidermis.     

Propafenone efficacy in preventing supraventricular tachycardia in childhood

The authors give an account of a 28-year-old female patient treated for a prolonged period in the out-patient department on account of intermediary uveitis with subsequent pars plana vitrectomy of the left eye. After repeatedly deteriorating local findings after a 4-month interval in the punctate of the anterior chamber cells of non-differentiated malignant melanoma were detected; histological examination of the enucleated bulbus confirmed the diagnosis of malignant melanoma penetrating into the optic nerve.     

A simulation-based approach for risk assessment of facility layout designs under stochastic product demands

In traditional facility layout design method, the facility layout is governed by the flow intensity between departments, which is the product flow quantity between departments. A facility layout design must maintain its efficiency over time while coping with the uncertainty in product demand. An error in the product demand assessment can render the layout inefficient with respect to material handling costs. Analytical models for the determination of the risk involved in a facility layout design are difficult to derive when the problem of size and complexity increases. This paper presents a simulation-based method for predicting the uncertainty associated with the layout. The validation of the simulation approach against analytical procedures is first detailed. The methodology for the simulation based approach is provided. Three scenarios of increasing complexity and size are also detailed. Results from case studies have shown that the procedure results in reduction of risk as high as 80%.