Culture and characterization of equine terminal arch endothelial cells and hoof keratinocytes

The occurrence of abnormally low serum immunoglobulin (Ig) levels is well-known in B chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), but published data on IgG subclass levels are virtually absent. We measured serum IgG subclass levels in 52 B CLL outpatients, most in stage A and untreated, using an indirect immunoenzymatic assay with monoclonal antibodies. Mean levels of all Ig isotypes were lower than in normal controls in the whole group of patients, except for IgG2 in those studied at diagnosis. Levels of IgG1, IgG2, IgA, and IgM were lower in patients with a long disease duration than in those studied earlier. IgG subclass deficiencies occurred in 54% of cases and the most frequently affected isotype was IgG1. Every possible combination of IgG subclass and Ig class deficiencies from the selective deficiency of a single subclass to a combined deficiency of all isotypes was observed. This marked heterogeneity argues against the occurrence of isolated defects of one of the cytokines involved in Ig switching as a cause of hypoimmunoglobulinemia in CLL.     

Laparoscopic diagnosis of subcapsular splenic hematoma in a horse

A 5-year-old Quarter Horse was examined after it developed signs of abdominal discomfort as a result of a training accident. Oral mucous membranes were pale, and capillary refill time was > 3 seconds. Hematologically, the PCV was low, and abdominocentesis yielded a serosanguineous fluid. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed and revealed a large hypoechoic mass associated with the cranial margin of the spleen. Because differentiation between subcapsular hematoma and extracapsular hematoma could not be made with certainty, further evaluation of the spleen was indicated. Abdominal laparoscopy was performed, with the horse standing, to evaluate the extent, severity, and nature of the splenic hematoma. Laparoscopic examination revealed a 7.5-cm-diameter splenic hematoma contained within the splenic capsule, confirming the diagnosis of subcapsular splenic hematoma. Abdominal laparoscopy provided excellent observation of the spleen and allowed for thorough evaluation and determination of the extent of the lesion. This information aided the clinician in reaching a definitive diagnosis and choosing between splenectomy and medical treatment.     

Position sensing for high track density recording

Progress towardhigher digital areal densities is related to the data track position sensing accuracy obtainable in future disk drives. In most systems available, position sensing is done remotely from the data track and subject to different dimensional stability conditions. To obtain higher track densities, position sensing reference information must be moved near the data track. Several techniques are available to embed reference information in the data track. All the techniques described have one of two basic principles of operation. One method uses comparison of reference signal amplitudes and the second method uses arrival time differences of reference signals. The time method is relatively unknown but offers the designer some new alternatives. This paper describes an overview of several methods. Relationships are derived to relate the influence of noise on both basic methods. Linearity, relative hardware simplicity, and track capture range are also discussed. It is our conclusion that the Amplitude or Tri-Bit method offers the greatest hardware simplicity, but is limited by noise and non-linearity at high track densities. The time dependent or Chevron method requires two data channels, but offers a relatively higher noise immunity, better linearity, and higher data capacity.     

High speed flexible disk - head interface

Progress toward the use of high speed flexible disks in recording systems has been made possible by a better understanding of stabilization requirements. Benson and Bogy [1], and Greenberg [2] have described the overall response to a localized load on a flexible disk. Greenberg describes the head/disk interface with an expression that uses Reynolds equation for loading. This study examines the flying height behavior between a high speed flexible disk and a spherical head using white light interferometry. Geometric parameters determining optimum flying characteristics are discussed, and stable, relatively uniform air bearing spacings in the sub-micron region are described at a surface speed of 40 m/sec. Correlation is established with a computer model which couples the solution of the Reynolds equation for the air bearing with a simplified treatment of a localized region of the disk. This portion of the disk is considered as a membrane on an elastic foundation. Steady state tension and elasticity parameters are used to model rotational stresses and axial compliance.     

An investigation of high-frequency bias-induced tape noise

Bias-induced tape noise remains a major limitation of the SNR in audio magnetic tape recording systems. Defined as the increment in system noise incurred when the bias oscillator is turned on, the noise can originate from a number of different causes; namely, bias oscillator harmonic distortion, magnetized heads, the earth's magnetic field, and an intrinsic noise source. The latter noise source is our primary concern here. Such record system parameters as head-to-tape spacing, gap length, bias current, and bias frequency were investigated with regard to their influence on this intrinsic bias noise source. Two models of the mechanism of intrinsic bias noise are examined. The first, the "amplitude modulation model." proposes that bias noise is generated by amplitude modulation of the recorded bias signal by the physical and magnetic variations of the head-tape system. In this model, bias noise is merely the lower AM sidebands of the recorded bias signal. The second model relates bias noise to the interaction fields in erased tape. This model proposes that these fields behave similarly to normal recording fields and can be "re-recorded" on the tape at an enhanced level. The two proposed mechanisms are examined in the light of the experimental data. The amplitude modulation model is shown to agree with all the observed data with the exception of the existence of bias noise at bias wavelengths smaller than the particle size. The second model, which does not incorporate a wavelength dependency of bias noise, is in qualitative agreement with the observed data. Methods are discussed for reducing the bias noise without materially affecting the system performance.