Onset of buoyancy-driven convection in melting from below

When a horizontal homogeneous solid is melted from below, convection can be induced in a thermally unstable melt layer. In this study the onset of buoyancy-driven convection during time-dependent melting is investigated by using similarly transformed disturbance equations. The critical Rayleigh numbers based on the melt-layer thickness are found numerically for various conditions. For small superheats, the present predictions approach the well known results of classical Rayleigh-Bénard problems, that is, critical Rayleigh numbers are located between 1,296 and 1,708, regardless of the Prandtl number. However, for high superheats the critical Rayleigh number increases with an increase in phase change rate but with decrease in Prandtl number.     

Cost-effectiveness of preoperative localization studies in primary hyperparathyroid disease

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of preoperative localization studies on the surgical management of patients with primary hyperparathyroid disease (PHPT). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Reported cure rates of initial surgical exploration for PHPT are close to 95%. Preoperative localization studies are frequently obtained to improve surgical success and decrease operative time. METHODS: Initial cervical exploration was performed in 113 patients with PHPT from 1981 to 1993. Twenty-four patients (21%) had surgery without preoperative localization studies. The remaining 89 patients (79%) had 132 noninvasive preoperative localization studies. Success of the localization studies in tumor localization, pathologic findings, postoperative serum calcium levels, and operative times were compared. Patient costs of the studies were calculated. RESULTS: Disease was identified during operation in 23 of 24 patients (96%) having cervical exploration without preoperative localization studies, and they had normal calcium levels after surgery. Eighty-seven of 89 patients (98%) having preoperative localization studies were surgically cured. The highest sensitivity rate (60%) and highest positive predictive value (79%) of the localization studies were found with thallium-technetium scintiscanning. Average cost of the localization studies was $901 per patient. Combination studies were obtained in 32 patients at an average cost of $1,314 per patient without improving sensitivity. Mean operating time did not differ for localized and nonlocalized patients. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative localization studies did not improve parathyroid localization or cure rate and did not substantially shorten operating time in initial cervical exploration for PHPT. The economic burden of routine preoperative localization studies in these patients is not justified.     

Isothermal interphase diffusion with consecutive reactions

For multi-step heterogeneous consecutive reactions affected entirely by interphase diffusion under isothermal condition, the equations for the effectiveness factors, the surface concentrations and the point yields were derived in terms of the Damkoehler numbers or the measurables from the mass balances set up on the assumption that the mass-transfer rate balances the surface-reaction rate at steady state. From the analyses of the equations derived, the effectiveness factors for the intermediate steps and the surface concentrations of intermediates were understood to be enhanced by the measurables inclusive of the concentrations and the mass-transfer coefficients. Then the effect of the concentrations was concluded to be most significant. The effects of these measurables to the effectiveness factors and the surface concentrations were qualitatively discussed for simple consecutive reactions and also for additive consecutive reactions. Especially, as for two-step additive consecutive reactions, the effects of measurables η Da and the concentrations to the effectiveness factors were examined with graphical presentations. Finally, the brief discussion of the dependency of the Damkoehler number upon reaction time and the effect of the Renolds number and diffusivity to the extent of the mass-transfer resistance were presented.     

Inhibitory effects of centrally administered somatostatin on the adrenal zona glomerulosa in male rats

Segmental zoster paresis (SZP) is the focal, asymmetrical neurogenic weakness which may occur in a limb affected by cutaneous zoster. We have summarized the features of this syndrome, based on a retrospective review of 8 personal and 96 published cases. Limb SZP becomes apparent in at least 3-5% of patients with cutaneous zoster, who are usually over the age of sixty and weak proximally (C5,6,7 or L2,3,4 innervated muscles). Functional motor recovery occurs in about 75% of cases, generally by 1-2 years. Limb weakness is probably due to a lesion of the ventral nerve root, in close proximity to the initiating dorsal ganglionitis. The electrodiagnostic findings, scarce in the literature, typically consist of absent compound sensory nerve action potentials in the involved limb, with less frequent reduction or loss of compound muscle action potentials. Fibrillations and positive sharp waves become detectable within 1-4 months in limb and related paraspinal muscles, decreasing or disappearing later. In addition to this radiculopathy, peripheral nerves may also occasionally become involved, manifest as mononeuropathies of the median, ulnar, long thoracic, recurrent laryngeal, and phrenic nerves. The zoster infection or consequent inflammatory response appears able to affect motor axons distally as well as proximally.     

Chronic liver disease in Peru: role of viral hepatitis

Autologous or glutaraldehyde treated bovine pericardial valved patch was utilized for widening of the right ventricular outflow tract in 20 patients with tetralogy of Fallot (autologous pericardium group in 10 patients and bovine pericardium group in 10). Pericardial valve function of the both materials was evaluated by postoperative cardiac catheterization performed 1 year after the operation. There were no significant differences in pulmonary arterial and right ventricular pressures, and right ventricular ejection fraction and end-diastolic volume between the 2 groups. Pulmonary angiogram in the autologous pericardium group patients demonstrated the pulmonary regurgitation (PR) of grade 1 in 5 patients, grade 2 in 4 and grade 3 in 1. On the other hand, 1, 3 and 6 patients in the bovine pericardium group demonstrated no-PR, grade 1 PR and grade 2 PR, respectively. It was concluded that there were no significant differences between autologous and glutaraldehyde treated bovine pericardium as a material of valved patch for widening of the right ventricular outflow tract of tetralogy of Fallot.     

Extraction of penicillin G from simulated media by an emulsion liquid membrane process

The extraction of penicillin G from simulated media was performed by water/oil/water (w/o/w) emulsion liquid membranes (ELMs) and studied under various operational conditions in a batch system. The degree of extraction achieved was between 80% and 95% under specific conditions. A concentration of greater than nine times the initial concentration of penicillin G in the external phase was obtained in the internal phase. The pH of the internal aqueous solution, containing a basic salt, was theoretically calculated on the basis of the amount of penicillin G transported into the internal phase. The calculated results agreed with the experimental data well and were used to select a suitable type and concentration of a basic salt in the internal phase to give a pH within the range 5 to 8 where penicillin G was stable after the termination of extraction. The extraction of penicillin G was successfully performed by the ELM process with sodium carbonate in the internal phase.     

Microstructural investigation of long-term degradation mechanisms in GFRP dowel bars for jointed concrete pavement

Steel dowel bar is used to transfer loads in concrete pavement slab. However, once the steel dowel bar corrodes, it may cause faults, such as joint freezing in concrete pavement, level differences resulting from spalling or decreased efficiency of load transfer, etc., which are the same problems experienced by typical reinforcing steel. This study evaluated the applicability of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) dowel bar as a substitute for steel dowel bar. A microstructural analysis was conducted to examine the decrease in durability of GFRP dowel bar exposed to deterioration environments. To analyze the deterioration mechanism of GFRP dowel bar, scanning electron microscopy was employed and the porosity was measured by the gas absorption method. It was concluded that the longer the GFRP dowel bar was exposed to deterioration environments, the more the interlaminar shear stress decreased. This result was validated by the microstructural analysis. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Preparation of monodisperse poly(vinyl alcohol) microspheres by heterogeneous surface saponification and iodine complex formation

Monodisperse poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) microspheres with high molecular weight obtained by suspension polymerization of vinyl acetate were saponified in alkaline aqueous solution to keep their spherical structure. The saponification was restricted on the surface of the PVAc microspheres and obtained particles had skin/core structure. Various poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) microspheres with different diameters and degrees of saponification (DSs) were obtained. The conversion of PVAc to PVA during the heterogeneous surface saponification time were examined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and after 72 h hydrogel type PVA microspheres completely saponified were obtained. The crystal melting temperatures of the microspheres obtained by the saponification were measured a constant value of 238°C irrespective of varying DS, and the peaks became enlarged as reaction time. Iodine complexes were formed in saponified microspheres with DS of 41% and 99% by immersing them in I₂/KI aqueous solution and decomposed by the reduction of I₂ in the complexes to 2I^? using sodium sulfite to confirm whether the skin formed through the saponification was composed of PVA with high VA content. Obviously, characteristic blue color developments owing to I₅^?‐PVA complexes were observed in both saponified regions and a red in the PVAc core. Consequently, it was concluded that the PVA skins formed by heterogeneous surface saponification had high DSs. Such complexes endowed polymeric microspheres a good radiopacity which would be useful in clinical treatment of vascular diseases and were examined by X‐ray irradiation image. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008