Treatment of distal biceps tendon injuries using the Boyd and Anderson method

Boyd and Anderson method for treatment of injury to the distal part of the biceps tendon has been recalled. The method has been used in 5 males aged 38-47 (mean 41) with good final functional results.     

Quadratic phase integration using a Chebyshev expansion

An integration algorithm is described which is particularly effective in the numerical treatment of integrands having rapidly varying phase and slowly varying amplitude. The algorithm involves approximating the phase function by a quadratic polynomial and rewriting the integrand without approximation as a slowly varying function multiplied by this quadratic phase exponential. The slowly varying function is then approximated by Chebyshev expansion and the desired integral is thus expressed as a sum of constituent integrals with integrands containing a Chebyshev polynomial multiplied by the quadratic phase factor. These constituent integrals are computed by means of LU decomposition applied to a system of linear equations with a banded coefficients matrix. Example results are presented indicating that a substantial reduction in computation time may be realized by means of this approach.     

Subglottic tracheal stenosis in Wegener''s granulomatosis. Report of 3 cases]

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to assess whether coadministration with grapefruit juice significantly affects the pharmacokinetics of amlodipine, a dihydropyridine class calcium antagonist with slow absorption, distribution and low plasma clearance. The primary objective was to evaluate whether short exposure to grapefruit juice could affect the metabolism of amlodipine to an extent similar to that previously demonstrated for other dihydropyridines (e.g. felodipine, nisoldipine, nitrendipine). METHODS: Twelve healthy male volunteers followed a randomised, open crossover study design, comparing the effect of a single oral dose of amlodipine (5 mg) taken together with a glass of grapefruit juice (250 ml) vs water. Blood samples to determine plasma concentration were taken and blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were measured throughout the study. RESULTS: When amlodipine was coadministered with grapefruit juice, Cmax was 115% and AUC(0-72 h) was 116% compared with water, but tmax was not significantly changed. There were no significant differences in BP and HR between the two treatments. A small decrease in diastolic BP, however, was observed in both treatments 4-8 h after drug administration, coinciding with Cmax, but this was normalised after 12 h. The BP reduction seen was compensated by a slight increase in HR, which remained throughout the study. CONCLUSION: An interaction between grapefruit juice and amlodipine was demonstrated. The haemodynamic data showed that a dose of 5 mg was sufficient to achieve a BP reduction in healthy subjects, but the increase in amlodipine plasma concentration seen after intake of grapefruit juice was too small to significantly affect BP or HR. The clinical significance of this food/drug interaction, however, cannot be ignored since there is considerable variation between individuals and a more extensive intake of grapefruit juice might give more pronounced effects.     

Provision of exact formulations for the "forward scattering of a Gaussian beam by a nonabsorbing sphere": comment

The purpose of an earlier publication [Appl. Opt. 34, 2120 (1995)], to provide an exact formulation of the scattering of beamlike radiation fields from spheres, is clarified and its relation to the treatment of this subject in two more recent publications is described. Also, an error in the reference list in the earlier publication is rectified.     

Two-dimensional array beam scanning via externally and mutuallyinjection-locked coupled oscillators

The use of arrays of injection-locked voltage-controlled oscillators coupled to nearest neighbors has been proposed as a means of controlling the aperture phase of one and two-dimensional (2-D) phased-array antennas. It has been demonstrated both theoretically and experimentally that one may achieve linear distributions of phase across a linear array aperture by injection locking to an external oscillator the end oscillators of an array of a mutually injection-locked oscillators. These linear distributions cause steering of the radiated beam. It is demonstrated theoretically here that one may achieve beamsteering in a similar manner in two dimensions by injecting appropriately phased signals into the perimeter oscillators of a 2-D array. The analysis is based on a continuum representation of the phase previously developed in the context of beamsteering via tuning of the perimeter oscillators     

On a simple method of obtaining sidelobe reduction over a wideangular range in one and two dimensions

A patented technique for suppressing the sidelobes of an array antenna is considered. This technique involves the addition of two elements, one at each end of the array, which together produce an interferometer pattern used for the cancellation of sidelobes. It is shown here that the technique is most effective for uniform illumination and that there then exists an optimum fixed position for the added elements. The amplitude of the excitation of the auxiliary elements determines the angular location of the region of sidelobe reduction while the phase of the excitation tracks the beamsteering phase of the array. Thus, this technique is seen to be easily implemented in an array controlled by coupled oscillators. The technique generalizes in a straightforward manner to two-dimensional (2-D) arrays in which case a set of auxiliary elements on the perimeter of the array is required. A 2-D oscillator controlled array of this type is described here with which one can produce a main beam and a sidelobe suppression region that can be independently positioned anywhere in a hemisphere provided they do not coincide     

On the design of coupling networks for coupled oscillator arrays

Arrays of voltage-controlled oscillators can be coupled by means of a network so as to be mutually injection locked and thus oscillate as an ensemble. This ensemble may be used to excite the elements of a phased array antenna in such a manner as to radiate an agile beam. Design of the coupling network requires attention to three key parameters: the inter-oscillator coupling strength, the network bandwidth, and the oscillator loading. These parameters can be related to the network admittance matrix elements, which, in turn, are related to the lumped element values. This provides convenient formulas for use in designing networks, which provide the necessary values of the above three key design parameters.     

Electromagnetic propagation along a multiconductor transmission line in a tunnel--approximate analysis

A general approximate formalism is presented which enables one to calculate in a simple manner the electromagnetic propagation characteristics of a multiconductor transmission line in an underground tunnel. This approach circumvents the tedious task of locating the complex roots of the exact mode equation. The formalism is based on an approximate treatment of the single-wire case due to Wait.Lambda, Omega, andZ_{s}in Wait's single wire formula for the propagation constant are replaced with corresponding quadratic forms in the eigenmodal wire currents to generalize the formula to an arbitrary number of wires. The foundations of this approximate approach in standard perturbation theory are indicated, lending physical meaning to the approximations. A simple example involving a two-wire line is presented to establish the order of accuracy to be expected in using this formalism.     

Formation of cyanide as a product of decomposition of cyanogenic glucosides in the treatment of elderberry fruit (Sambucus nigra)

Distribution of cyanogenic glucosides contained in elderberry fruit was investigated in the course of technological operations usually utilised for obtaining musts. The degree of glucoside hydrolysis was estimated by the amount of liberated hydrogen cyanide. After fermentation on skins the must contained 2.08 mg litre^?1 of hydrogen cyanide. Hydrogen cyanide in the must from depectinised fruit pulp was at a level of 2.31 mg litre^?1. After heat treatment the must contained 1.07 mg litre^?1 of hydrogen cyanide.