Background/AimsAlthough endoscopic ultrasoundguided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) has been introduced and its use has been increasing in Korea, there have not been many reports...Full Text Available
Purpose To investigate the sensitivity and accuracy of endobronchial ultrasound-guidedtransbronchialneedle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) for restaging the mediastinum after induction chemotherapy in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients and Methods One hundred twenty-four consecutive patients with tissue-proven stage IIIA-N2 disease who were treated with induction chemotherapy and who had undergone mediastinal restaging by EBUS-TBNA were reviewed. On the basis of computed tomography, 58 patients were classified as having stable disease and 66 were judged to have had a partial response. All patients subsequently underwent thoracotomy with attempted curative resection and a lymph node dissection regardless of EBUS-TBNA findings. Results Persistent nodal metastases were detected by using EBUS-TBNA in 89 patients (72%). Of the 35 patients in whom no metastases were assessed by EBUS-TBNA, 28 were found to have ...
Abstract In this brief report, we have described the fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of a hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL) in a 60-year-old female patient. The patient complained of fever and heaviness of left upper abdomen. Ultrasound-guided FNAC of the spleen showed immature lymphoid cells, and a diagnosis of primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma of spleen was offered. Subsequently, the patient underwent splenectomy and wedge biopsy of liver that confirmed the cytological diagnosis. The lymphoma cells were positive for CD3 immunostain. Primary hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma is a rare entity and may often pose diagnostic problems on FNAC. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010. 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Purpose Skilled placement of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) has a profound impact on patient well-being and costs of care. The use of ultrasound-guided methods and prescribed training for cannulation skills are evidence-based practice recommendations. The purpose of this study was to compare two methods of PICC instruction on the acquisition of applied skills. Methods Residents were randomly assigned to one of two groups (N?=?16/16) of this blind-rater study and were trained to perform ultrasound-guided PICC cannulation using either simulation or apprenticeship methods. All residents were assessed placing a PICC in applied clinical patient care. Results Residents who completed simulation training had significantly better transfer of skills to applied clinical practice than ...
Femur fractures typically affect elderly patients with multiple co-morbidities. Pain control can be difficult, requiring intensive nursing and physician care as elderly patients may manifest cardiovascular...Full Text Available
Background:During transurethral resection surgery (TUR), accidental stimulation of the obturator nerve can cause violent adductor contraction, leading to serious intraoperative...Full Text Available
A percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy is a common procedure in the practice of pulmonology. An air embolism is a rare but potentially fatal complication of a percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy....Full Text Available
Chondrosarcomas are the most frequently occurring primary malignant chest wall tumors. Furthermore, the lungs serve as the most frequent sites for metastases. Pulmonary metastases from sarcomas usually...Full Text Available
Currently, accurate diagnosis of breast lesions depends on a triple assessment approach comprising clinical, imaging and pathologic examinations. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is widely adopted...Full Text Available
A case of multifocal Langerhans cell histiocytosis in a two-year-old child is presented where fine needle aspiration was helpful in achieving a rapid and accurate diagnosis in an appropriate clinical...Full Text Available
Hollow needles made of an electrically conducting material are attached by hinges in the openings of the perforated end of an insert in order to intensify heat and mass transfer. The free sections of the needles are placed outside the insert, and a wick is placed on the wall of the frame in the condensation area. The wick overlaps the inlet openings of the insert.
Cytologic smears obtained by needle aspiration biopsy of lytic bone lesions in 15 patients with histiocytosis X, Ewing's sarcoma and neuroblastoma were reviewed. After conventional staining, histiocytosis X could be diagnosed and differentiated from small cell tumours such as Ewing's sarcoma and neuroblastoma. The need for sampling material for cytochemical and ultrastructural analysis of these small cell tumours by needle aspiration is emphasized. (Auth.).
Lumbar epidural anesthesia is useful in a variety of chronic benign pain syndromes, including lumbar radiculopathy, low back pain syndrome, spinal stenosis, and vertebral compression fractures. Given the increased number of epidural nerve blocks being performed, some have reported unexplained complications of a transient or permanent nature and with varying degrees of severity. However, no case has been reported of a broken epidural needle tip retained in the lumbar facet joint area. This represents the first reported case presentation of foraminal stenosis developing in a patient after a retained epidural needle tip. PMID:21286465
Comparative analysis of diagnostic accuracy (dignity determination) in CT-guided fine-needle biopsy (141 patients), CT (141), ultrasonography (89), angiography (50), and cholegraphy (ERCP, 55), was carried out in suspected space-occupying lesions of the pancreas. With accuracy of 86%, sensitivity of 37% and specificity of 92% fine-needle biopsy was superior to imaging procedures. Additional comparison of the results concerning the patients and Roc curves confirm the statements. For reduction of the number of imaging investigations a diagnostic algorithm is proposed, that starts with diagnostic CT and subsequent fine-needle biopsy controlled by CT. This would result in a more adequate use of angiography and ERCP and in the elimination of ultrasonography. (author).
To assess the feasibility of transluminal radiofrequency thermal ablation using a stent-type electrode and to determine, by means of in-vivo and in-vivo animal studies, the appropriate parameters. In-vivo: the radiofrequency electrode used was a self-expandable nitinol stent with 1cm insulated ends. A stent was placed in the portal vein of bovine liver, and ablations at target temperatures of 70, 80, 90, and 100 .deg. C were performed. Ablated sizes were measured longitudinally. In vivo: four mongrel dogs were anesthetized, and a stent was inserted in the common bile duct under fluoroscopic guidance through an ultrasound-guided gall bladder puncture site. The ablation temperature was set at 80 .deg. C, and each dog underwent proximal and distal esophageal ablations lasting 12 minutes. They were sacrificed immediately. In-vivo: ablated sizes showed significant correlation with target temperatures (r>0.04; p<0.05). Although most lesions were fusiform, ...
A lytic lesion with softtissue extension in the sacrum of a 47-year old man was needle-biopsied under computed tomographic (CT) guidance using an 18-gauge cutting needle. The cytologic appearance of the lesion and immunohistochemical staining were diagnostic of Ewing's sarcoma. Specifically, a new marker (O13) for the presence of glycoprotein p30/32 mic2 in Ewing's sarcoma was utilized. (orig.).
CT-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is known to improve diagnosis of expansive abdominal lesions, especially relative to more invasive procedure like explorative laparotomy. FNAB in not commonly use in pediatric patients because of their poor collaboration and of associated risks. The authors investigated the feasibility of FNAB in the pediatric age.
The effect of ultrasound waves, airflow and combined ultrasound with the airflow on the thermal instability suppression of a hollow needle-to-plate electrical discharge was studied experimentally. To evaluate the thermal instability suppression we used the V-A characteristics of the discharge in stationary air, with ultrasound applied in stationary air, and finally when the airflow was supplied into the discharge through the needle without and with ultrasound application. To illustrate the effect of ultrasound, airflow and combined ultrasound with airflow on the discharge thermal instability suppression we also studied the discharge ozone production. We found that in stationary air the application of ultrasound only slightly suppresses thermal instability. A substantial increase of ozone generation was not detected. Application of the airflow through the needle suppressed development of the thermal instability and resulted ...
In this paper, a novel type of a corona discharge plasma reactor was designed, which consists of needle-plate-combined electrodes, in which a series of needle electrodes are placed in a glass container filled with flue gas, and a plate electrode is immersed in the water. Based on this model, the removal of NO and SO2 was tested experimentally. In addition, the effect of streamer polarity on the reduction of SO2 and NO was investigated in detail. The experimental results show that the corona wind formed between the high-voltage needle electrode and the water by corona discharge enhances the cleaning efficiency of the flue gas because of the presence of water, and the cleaning efficiency will increase with the increase of applied dc voltage within a definite range. The removal efficiency of SO2 up to 98%, and about 85% of NOx removal under suitable conditions is obtained in our experiments.
Abstract Metastases to the thyroid gland diagnosed by means of fine needle cytology or by excision have been reported in the literature. To our knowledge, metastatic neoplasms to the parathyroid gland have never been described up to now. In this article, we introduce a rare case of metastatic breast carcinoma to a parathyroid adenoma in a 56-year-old woman, which clinically simulated a left thyroid nodule. The patient had a history of left breast carcinoma; the recent discovery of a palpable mass in the left thyroid area had elicited fine needle cytology sampling for its diagnostic evaluation. The obtained cytopathological sample was cellular but limited to a single Diff-Quik-stained smear; hence, no ancillary studies could be entertained. A cytopathological diagnosis of positive for malig...
The incidence of columnar cell lesions in breast core needle biopsies since full-field digital mammography in comparison with screen-filmed mammography was analyzed. As tiny microcalcifications characterize columnar cell lesions at mammography, we hypothesized that more columnar cell lesions are diagnosed since full-field digital mammography due to its higher sensitivity for microcalcifications. In all, 3437 breast core needle biopsies performed in three hospitals and resulting from in total 55?159 mammographies were revised: 1424 taken in the screen-filmed mammography and 2013 in the full-field digital mammography period. Between the screen-filmed mammography and full-field digital mammography periods, we compared the proportion of mammographies that led to core needle biopsies, the...
A 72-year-old man was exposed to the sarin gas attack in a Tokyo subway on March 20 th, 1995. After exposure, he noticed eye discomfort, chest tightness, headache and weakness of the lower limbs and oropharyngeal muscles. Despite these symptoms, he visited a hot spring on the same day with his family. On March 25 th, his muscle weakness progressed, and a low grade fever appeared. His muscle weakness disappeared 8 days after exposure to sarin, but respiratory failure rapidly developed, necessitating artificial ventilation within four day after hospitalization on March 28th. Chemotherapy with erythromycin, imipenem/cilastatin, and steroid pulse therapy was begu. PCR and culture of sputum collected by bronchofiberscopy were positive for Legionella pneumophila, serogroup I. His respiratory state improved, but subsequent infection with Pseudomonous aeruginosa. Enterobacter cloacae, and Candida tropicalis/glabrata caused his death 71 days after admission. Oropharyngeal muscle weakness caused ...
Bacteria expressing type III secretion systems (T3SS) have been responsible for the deaths of millions worldwide, acting as key virulence elements in diseases ranging from plague to typhoid...Full Text Available
Lumbar epidural anesthesia is useful in a variety of chronic benign pain syndromes, including lumbar radiculopathy, low back pain syndrome, spinal stenosis, and vertebral compression fractures. Given...Full Text Available
Recent preclinical and clinical data suggest that TP53 status and TP53 mutations may be important in determining tumour aggressiveness and therapy response. In this study we investigate the feasibility...Full Text Available
A type of electromyographic activity, formerly referred to as "pseudomyotonia", can be recorded from the striated muscle of the urethral sphincter using a concentric needle electrode. There are two...Full Text Available
New developments in the field of thoracic oncology have challenged the way pathologists approach the diagnosis of pulmonary carcinoma. Nonsmall cell carcinoma is no longer an adequate diagnostic category....Full Text Available
Abstract Prostate leiomyosarcoma is an extremely rare and highly aggressive neoplasm that accounts for less than 0.1% of primary prostate malignancies. Herein, we present a patient with primary leiomyosarcoma of the prostate with lung metastasis diagnosed primarily on fine-needle aspiration cytology. Characteristic cytological features such as small fascicles of spindle cells with blunt-ended nuclei, positivity for desmin and smooth muscle actin along with the radiological features are helpful in the correct diagnosis. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010. 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
As part of a five-year-lasting open-top-chamber experiment at the `Edelmannshof` site (Welzheimer Wald) we analyzed Norway spruce trees (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) with regard to carbohydrate and energy (ATP/ADP ratio) metabolism. End products, intermediates, and a regulator of carbon allocation (starch, sucrose, hexoses, fructose-2,6-bisphosphate) as well as enzyme activities involved in sucrose metabolism (sucrose-P synthase, sucrose synthase, acid invertase) were determined in needle and trunk samples of the different treatments (charcoal-filtered, unfiltered, ambient air). Changes of these parameters were documented annually and with regard to needle development (up to 2 years after bud break), and diurnally during an ozone period in midsummer. Samples from trees grown in an unfiltered atmosphere showed relatively high sucrose and hexose contents of the needles. The capacities of sucrose-P synthase (increased; sucrose ...
We wanted to assess the usefulness of four-dimensional (4D) ultrasonography (US), i.e., real-time three-dimensional US, as an adjunct for performing various US-guided interventional procedures in superficial lesion. Thirty-three patients were referred for US-guided interventional procedures for superficial lesions, including core biopsy in 19, fine- needle aspriation in eight, therapeutic drug injection in four and needle puncture in two. The procedures were performed under 4D US guidance. We reviewed the pathologic/cytologic results of the core biopsies or needle aspirations, and also the outcomes of drug injection or needle puncture. For all the patients who underwent 4D US-guided core biopsy, the specimens were adequate for making the pathological diagnosis, and specimens were successfully obtained for those patients who underwent 4D US-guided aspiration. The patients treated with 4D US-guided ...
To determine the accuracy of the intra-articular location of hyaluronic acid injection using a blind approach and to establish the usefulness of fluoroscopy-guided intra-articular injection. A fluoroscopy unit was used for 368 intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid to 93 knees in 65 patients. Initially, blind needle positioning was conducted on the fluoroscopy table. The failure rate of the blind approach among the 368 injections was evaluated, and a relationship between the Kellgren-Lawrence grade (K-L grade) and the incidence of repeated failures using the blind approach was determined for injections to 52 knees in 37 patients who received a complete cycle of injections (five consecutive injections with a one-week interval between injections). Using a blind approach, 298 of 368 trials (81.2%) resulted in a needle tip being placed in an intra-articular location, while 70 of 368 trials resulted in an extra-articular placement of the ...
Statements about the dynamic processes of uptake, transport, and deposition of Ca and Mg in norway spruce and Scots pine are made in this paper. Concerning the storage of these elements it is shown that there are great differences in their functional importance in cell metabolism. There is evidence that the role of Mg in enzyme and protein metabolism is of far greater significance for the understanding of Mg-deficiency symptoms than its function as the central atom of the chlorophyll complexes. In regard to the transport and especially to the incorporation of Ca into the needles differences between species were evident, expressing the special status of pine among the gymnosperms. With increasing needle age an accumulation of Ca-oxalate crystals, which are physiologically inert, could be proved for the studied conifers. This was interpreted as a 'detoxication' from surplus Ca to hold constant the level of the physiologically active fraction. ...
The impact of increasing atmospheric C0{sub 2} has not been fully evaluated on western coniferous forest species. Two year old seedlings of Pinusponderosa were grown in environmentally controlled chambers under increased C0{sub 2} conditions for 6 months. These trees exhibit morphological, physiological, and biochemical alterations when compared to our controls. Analysis of whole plant biomass distribution has shown no significant effect to the root to shoot ratios, however needles subjected to elevated C0{sub 2} exhibited an increased overall specific needle mass and a decreased total needle area. Morphological changes at the needle level included decreased mesophyll to vascular tissue 91 ratio and variations in starch storage in chloroplasts. The elevated CO{sub 2} increased internal CO{sub 2} concentrations and assimilation of carbon. Biochemical assays revealed that ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase ...
The objective of this research is to study the effects of elevated ozone, carbon dioxide and their combination on ultrastructural, physiological and biochemical responses of Scots pine needles and how these effects are reflected to photosynthesis, carbohydrate and nutrient allocation and finally to shoot and root growth of trees. In addition the interactions of the studied trees and mycorrhizal fungi as well as insect herbivores are studied. The exposures have been running only for two growing periods and it seems necessary to continue the experiment over the third growing season in 1996. Since the analyses are partially incomplete, only preliminary conclusions are possible at the moment. The slightly increased shoot growth and needle width and increased amount of starch in chloroplasts point to the slight stimulating effect of elevated CO{sub 2} among the chamber treatments. Altogether the growth of the seedlings was best in the chamberless ...
Special Issue on Automotive Bearings and Applicable Products; Reports include Performance of Ceramic Cam Roller Follower for Automotive Engine; Performance of Drawn Cup Needle Roller Bearing for Propellershaft; Plastic Bearing Retainer for High Temperature Oil Lubrication; Bearing Device for Vehicle Axle; and Flush Mounting Type Programmable Cam Switches.
FastBit is a software package designed to meet the searching and filtering needs of data intensive sciences. In these applications, scientists are trying to find nuggets of information from petabytes of raw data. FastBit has been demonstrated to be an order of magnitude faster than comparable technologies. In this brief report, we highlight how we work with a visualization team, a network security team and a DNA sequencing center to find the nuggets in their data.
Aim: To evaluate the role of computed tomography (CT) in needle placement for ganglion impar blocks, and to determine the efficacy of CT-guided ganglion impar blocks in the management of coccydynia. Materials and methods: The results of ganglion impar blockade in eight patients with coccydynia secondary to trauma or unknown cause were reviewed. The diagnosis of coccydynia was based on clinical history, location of pain, and response to previous diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The eight patients were treated with CT-guided ganglion impar blocks to manage their coccyx pain after conservative procedures, including oral medication and cushions, failed to provide relief. All patients were subjected to ganglion impar blocks under a thin-section CT-guided technique for needle placement, using a mixture of bupivacaine and triamcinolone. The patients were followed-up for a period of 6-months. Results: Eight patients were treated in this study ...
The predicted results of INDAC code were compared with measured {sup 3}H concentrations in air and pine-needle around the Wolsung site. The optimal sets of input data to INDAC were in addition selected by comparing the measured values with the predicted values of INDAC based on various conditions such as the release modes of effluents into the environment, the classification of wind classes, and the consideration of terrain. The predicted {sup 3}H concentrations in air and pine-needle were shown to have good agreement with measured values, although there are some limitations such as uncertainties in measured values, complex topology around the site, and the land-sea breeze effects. The assumption on the {sup 3}H behavior in vegetables or plants that the ratio of {sup 3}H concentration in plant water to {sup 3}H concentration in atmospheric water is 1/2 was shown to be conservative in terms of the audit calculation performed by the regulator. It ...
The predicted results of INDAC code were compared with measured "3H concentrations in air and pine-needle around the Wolsung site. The optimal sets of input data to INDAC were in addition selected by comparing the measured values with the predicted values of INDAC based on various conditions such as the release modes of effluents into the environment, the classification of wind classes, and the consideration of terrain. The predicted "3H concentrations in air and pine-needle were shown to have good agreement with measured values, although there are some limitations such as uncertainties in measured values, complex topology around the site, and the land-sea breeze effects. The assumption on the "3H behavior in vegetables or plants that the ratio of "3H concentration in plant water to "3H concentration in atmospheric water is 1/2 was shown to be conservative in terms of the audit calculation performed by the regulator. It was also found that data ...
CT-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is known to improve diagnosis of expansive abdominal lesions, especially relative to more invasive procedure like explorative laparotomy. FNAB in not commonly use in pediatric patients because of their poor collaboration and of associated risks. The authors investigated the feasibility of FNAB in the pediatric age. [Italian] Sono noti i vantaggi che la biopsia percutanea con ago sottile guidato con TC puo' apportare per la diagnosi delle lesioni espansive addominali, soprattutto se confrontata con procedure piu' invasive come la laparatomia esplorativa. Questo tipo di metodica e' attalmente poco utilizzato nel caso di pazienti pediatrici a causa della scarsa collaborazione e dei rischi associati. Gli autori valutano l'applicabilita' di tale procedura nell'eta' pediatrica alla luce delle propria esperienza.
The effects of pH on the calcium phosphate phase, of Tris and of amino acids, such as aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and serine on hydroxyapatite formation and morphology, were studied in double diffusion experiments. In this system, hydroxyapatite was only formed when the pH was around 7.4 or higher for the duration of the reaction. A decrease in pH resulted in the transformation of hydroxyapatite to octacalcium phosphate. Amino acids and Tris or the buffering capacity of Tris have an effect on the morphology of the synthetic hydroxyapatite. The presence of the additive results in spheres consisting of needles, blades or plates depending on the reaction system. PMID:12175941
To evaluate the effect of plugging the biopsy tract in rabbit liver and the pathologic changes caused by plugging materials. Thirty-two New Zealand White rabbits were divided into four groups (eight rabbits in each) and compared with one another. They were labeled group A (control), B (gelfoam), C (fibrin sealant) or D (NBCA). the liver was exposed and biopsied with an 18G disposable biopsy gun. The inner Tru-cut needle was withdrawn and plugging was undertaken through the outer cannula of the biopsy gun. Bleeding times of each material were compared. The rabbits were sacrificed and pathologically evaluated for 17 days.
In order to evaluate the role of Computed Tomography (CT) in prediction of nature, staging and follow-up of soft-tessue tumors, the authors examined by CT 124 patients with soft tissue neoplasms who later underwent surgery (116 cases) or fine needle biopsy (8 cases). Comparison between CT and surgical or anatomical results showed that CT was able to correctly predict the benignancy or malignancy of the masses in 76% of cases but it was very seldom able to allow an hystological prediction. On the contrary CT was found to be a very useful tool for pre-therapeutic staging and follow-up of the tumors, because it gave many diagnostic information which influenced therapeutic choiches and strategies.
We encountered a case of Ewing's sarcoma. The patient was a 19 year-old girl, who visited a local physician because of pain in the left scapular region, and was referred to us. Roentgenograms of her left scapula revealed an irregular moth-eaten shadow which was suspected to be a malignant bone tumor. The histological diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma was comfirmed by needle biopsy. The initial stage of treatment consisted of radiation therapy (6000 rads) and chemotherapy (VAC and ADR). At the end of the initial stage, the symptoms were improved, the size of the local lesion was reduced on the roentgenogram and there was no evidence of distant metastases. (author).
Background: Pleural biopsy and cytology are standard procedures for the investigation of pleural disease. Recent medical literature has suggested that image-guided pleural biopsy shows improved sensitivity for the diagnosis of pleural malignancy, when compared with the more commonly performed reverse bevel needle biopsy such as Abrams' needle. In our centre there has been an increasing trend towards performing image-guided pleural biopsies, and to our knowledge there is no large published series documenting the complication rate and diagnostic yield. Methods: The radiology and pathology databases were searched for all image-guided [computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound (US)] pleural biopsies from January 2001 to December 2004. All imaging and histology were reviewed, and final diagnostic information about patients was obtained from the respiratory multidisciplinary team database and patient notes. A record was made of complications following ...
A real-time two-dimensional void fraction distribution measurement of gas-liquid two-phase flow was carried out by real-time neutron radiography and real-time image processing. The JRR-3M real-time thermal neutron radiography system and a Musashi dynamic image processing system were used. Image processing methods to calculate two-dimensional and cross-sectional void fraction distributions were proposed. The void fraction distribution was calculated by non-linear processing of the neutron radiography image and displayed by pseudo-color in real-time. A simple gas-liquid two-phase flow induced by injecting gas through needles at the bottom of water pool in a rectangular vessel was tested. (orig.).
The activity assay of a radiopharmaceutical administration to a patient is normally achieved via the use of a radionuclide calibrator. Because of the different geometries and elemental compositions between plastic syringes and glass vials, the calibration factors for syringes may well be significantly different from those for the glass containers. The magnitude of these differences depends on the energies of the emitted photons. For some radionuclides variations have been observed of 70 %, it is therefore important to recalibrate for syringes or use syringe calibration factors. Calibration factors and volume correction factors have been derived for the NPL secondary standard radionuclide calibrator, for a variety of commonly used syringes and needles, for the most commonly used medical radionuclide.
In spite of the improved imaging techniques currently available, mortality for pancreatic cancer is still high, and pancreatics is often diagnosed only in its advanced stages. The authors investigated the value of different imaging techniques - i.e., US, CT, and ERCP - for an early diagnosis, when a more effective (curative?) treatment can be suggested. Fifty-six cases of pancreatic cancer and 36 cases of chronic pancreatitis were evaluated. The results indicate that ERCP, with the help of statistical methods, is superior to US and CT not only in evaluating early neoplastic or inflammatory lesions, but also for their differential diagnosis. In the letter case, ERCP can sometimes be used as a valid alternative to fine-needle aspiration biopsy.
The X-ray storage phosphor CsBr:Eu2+ in form of needle image plates is believed to be a promising alternative to the granular BaFBr:Eu2+ with regard to PSL yield and spatial resolution. Unfortunately, CsBr:Eu2+ exhibits poor radiation hardness, which is caused by a migration of europium ions initiated by naturally existing defect centers like (Eu2+-VCs)-centers and X-ray generated MEu-centers. It will be shown that the formation of (Eu2+-O2?)-dipoles at the expense of (Eu2+-VCs)-dipoles, incorporated by thermal annealing in O2-containing and humid atmosphere, does not improve the radiation stability. There is, however, a strong improvement in the radiation hardness by codoping of CsBr:Eu2+ with lithium ions, which is accompanied by a complete suppression of the previously observed MEu-cent...
To elucidate biosorption mechanism and removal efficiency of plant residues as a biosorbent to abate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in wastewater, sorption of PAHs onto wood chips (WC), ryegrass roots (RR), orange peels (OP), bamboo leaves (BL), and pine needles (PN) were investigated. The structural characterization of the biosorbents was analyzed by elemental composition, BET-N2 surface area, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. PAHs sorption to the selected biosorbents were compared and correlated with their structures. Biosorption isotherms fit well with Freundlich equation and the mechanism was dominated by partition process. The magnitude of phenanthrene partition coefficients (Kd) followed the order of PN>BL>OP>RR>WC, ranged from 2484+/-24.24 to 5306+/-92.49L/kg. Ex...
Aims We tested cardiovascular and visceromotor reflex (VMR) responses to urinary bladder distension (UBD) in urethane anesthetized rats to see if it can replicate the response pattern and the inhibition of bladder nociceptive transmission by analgesics seen in isoflurane anesthetized animals. Methods Female Sprague-Dawley rats under 3% isoflurane anesthesia were acutely instrumented with jugular venous, carotid arterial, and bladder cannulas for drug administration, blood pressure (BP) measurement, and bladder distension, respectively. Needle electrodes were placed directly into the abdominal musculature to measure myoelectrical activity subsequent to phasic UBD (30 sec in 3 min intervals). A cardiovascular response (pressor) and a VMR response (a contraction of abdominal and hind limb mus...
SummaryBackground The choice of sampling techniques in bronchoscopy with sampling from a visible lesion will depend on the expected diagnostic yields and the costs of the sampling techniques. Aims The aim of this study was to determine the most economical combination of sampling techniques when approaching endobronchial visible lesions. Methods A cost minimization analysis was performed. All bronchoscopies from 2003 and 2004 at Haukeland university hospital, Bergen, Norway, were reviewed retrospectively for diagnostic yields. 162 patients with endobronchial disease were included. Potential sampling techniques used were biopsy, brushing, endobronchial needle aspiration (EBNA) and washings. Costs were estimated based on registration of equipment costs and personnel costs. Sensitivity analyse...
Native plant individuals often persist within communities dominated by exotics but the influence of this exposure on native populations is poorly understood. Selection for traits contributing to competitive ability may lead to native plant populations that are more tolerant of the presence of exotic invaders. In this way, long-term coexistence with an exotic may confer competitive advantages to remnant (experienced) native populations and be potentially beneficial to restoration. In past studies we have documented genetic differentiation within native grass populations exposed to the exotic invader Russian knapweed (Acroptilon repens). Here, we examine populations of a cool-season grass, needle-and-thread (Hesperostipa comata [Trin. & Rupr.]) and a warm season, alkali sacaton (Sporobolus a...
Hierarchical TiO2 hollow spheres had been prepared based on bubble templates by a simple one-step hydrothermal method. The diameter of hollow spheres was about 700nm and the shell thickness of them was 69nm. They were composed of similar spindle- or needle-like building units. Furthermore, hydrothermal time had an important influence on the morphology and crystallinity of hollow spheres. Moreover, the UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra of TiO2 hollow spheres heated at 150^oC for 10h showed the strongest absorption in the UV-Vis region and the Raman spectrum demonstrated the anatase sample. Additionally, a possible formation mechanism of TiO2 hollow spheres was proposed. So this novel and simple method would provide a development direction to fabricate all kinds of inorganic hollow spheres ...
Background and aims. The multiplicity of vaccine injections during childhood leads to iterative painful and stressful experiences which may lead in turn to anticipated pain and then possibly to a true needle phobia. We aimed at evaluating a multifactorial strategy of pain management combining pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches during vaccination, as compared to usual care, in 4- to 12-year-old children. Methods. In all, 239 children were enroled by 25 family practitioners in an open-label study. After a pseudo-randomization, usual pain management (n = 132) was compared to a multifactorial strategy (n = 107) associating preliminary application of an anesthesic patch, preferential use of specified vaccines, child education by the parents and the doctor, parental accompaniment...
Previous studies have documented dissimilatory growth of bacteria on solid Mn{sup 4+} oxide, but Mn{sup 3+} oxides have not been previously studied; here the authors have demonstrated for the first time the bacterial reduction of manganite. Strain MR-4 of Shewanella putrefaciens was able to grow on and rapidly reduce insoluble needle-shaped crystals of synthetic manganite (MnOOH), converting them to soluble Mn{sup 2+} in the process. The rate of Mn{sup 3+} reduction was optimal at pH of 7.0 and 26 C consistent with an enzymatic reaction. In addition the rates of reduction were in proportion to the amount of manganite added, but nearly independent of the cell concentration present (e.g., cell number had only a small effect on the rate of Mn{sup 3+} reduction at early stages of growth) suggesting that surface properties were dictating the rates of metal reduction. This thesis was supported by major differences in reduction rates when Mn oxides of different surface ...
The use of environmental monitoring as a technique to identify activities related to the nuclear fuel cycle has been proposed by international safeguards organizations. The elements specific for each kind of nuclear activity, or 'nuclear signatures', inserted in the ecosystem can be intercepted by different live organisms. This work demonstrates the technical viability of using pine needles as bioindicators of nuclear signatures associated with uranium enrichment activities. Additionally, it proposes the use of HR-ICP-MS to identify the signature corresponding to that kind of activities in the ecosystem. Nitric acid solutions, used to wash pine needles sampled near nuclear facilities and containing only 0.1 #mu#g x kg"-"1 of uranium, exhibit a n("2"3"5U)/n("2"3"8U) isotopic abundance ratio of 0.0092#+-#0.0002, while solutions originated from samples collected at places located more than 200 km far from activities related to the nuclear fuel ...
The authors investigated the role of Computerized Tomography in guiding fine needle biopsy (FNB) in small (2 2 cm in diameter for CT-guided FNB sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy. Cytologic specimens were positive for malignancy in 40/52 cases (76.9%) and negative in 12 (23.1%). Clinical-surgical follow-up confirmed all the positive cytologic findings (40 cases), while 2 of the extant 12 cases were false negatives (95.20% sensitivity, 100% specificity and 96.15% diagnostic accuracy). 158 of 195 nodules > 2 cm in diameter and with clinical surgical follow-up (81.3%) were positive for malignancy and 34 were negative (17.43%) (98.75% sensitivity, 97.14% specificity and 98.46% diagnostic accuracy). Pneumothorax occurred in 33 patients (16.5%) with nodules > 2 cm in diameter as a complication of biopsy. Hemoptysis occurred in 15 patients (7.5%). In the whole group of lung lesions, the complications were pneumothorax in 80 patients (4.1%), hemoptysis ...
Transmission electron microscope (TEM) specimens are today routinely prepared using focussed ion beam (FIB) instruments. Specifically, the lift-out method has become an increasingly popular technique and involves removing thin cross-sections from site-specific locations and transferring them to a TEM grid. This lift-out process can either be performed ex situ or in situ. The latter is mainly carried out on combined dual-beam FIB and scanning electron microscope (SEM) systems whereas conventional single-beam instruments often are limited to the traditional ex situ method. It is nevertheless desirable to enhance the capabilities of existing single-beam instruments to allow for in situ lift-out preparation to be performed since this technique offers a number of advantages over the older ex situ method. A single-beam FIB instrument was therefore modified to incorporate an in situ micromanipulator fitted with a tungsten needle, which can be attached to a cut-out FIB ...
To understand the environmental dispersion trend of "3H and "1"4C discharged from the Wolsung nuclear power plant, the present levels of "3H and "1"4C in environmental samples in the vicinity of the Wolsong site were studied. During 1992 through 2002, the annual means of HTO and "1"4C concentrations in air collected at three sampling stations around Wolsong nuclear power plant were in the range of 1.13 #approx# 29.2 Bq m"-"3 and 0.33 #approx# 0.40 Bq g-C"-"1 respectively, decreasing with distance from the site. The annual mean of TFWT concentrations in pine needle was in the range of 104 #approx# 790 Bq L"-"1 at N-1 and 62.8 #approx# 298 Bq L"-"1 at S"-"2, while the annual mean of "1"4C concentration was in the range of 0.335 #approx# 0.897 g-C"-"1 at N-1 and 0.254 #approx# 0.332 Bq g-C"-"1 #approx# at S"-"2, showing elevated value than a 0.25 Bq g-C"-"1 of background level. (author)
12 kind of environmental samples such as soil, underground water, seawater, etc. around the Nuclear Power Plants(NPP) and surface seawater around the Korea peninsula were sampled, For the samples of rain, pine-needle, air, seawater, underground water, chinese cabbage, grain of rice and milk sampled around NPP, and surface seawater and rain sampled all around country, tritium concentration was measured, The tritium concentration in the tap water and the gamma activity in the domestic and imported beef that were sampled at ward in the large city in Korea(Seoul, Pusan, Taegu, Taejun, Inchun, Kwangju) were analyzed for the meat and drinking waters. As the results of analyzing, tritium concentration in rain and tap water were very low all around country, but a little higher around the NPP than general surrounding. At the Wolsung NPP, tritium concentration was descend according to distance from the stack. Tritium activity of surface seawater around the Korea peninsula ...
Methyl halide fluxes were measured from fine (nonwoody) litter samples at a temperate deciduous forest site in Scotland on 16 occasions over more than a year and at a coniferous forest site. The resulting mean (+-1 sd) CH3Br and CH3Cl fluxes were 4.1 +- 3.7 ng kg-1 h-1 and 0.98 +- 0.62 mg kg-1 h-1, respectively, for dry mass leaf litter and 5.7 +- 6.3 ng kg-1 h-1 and 0.47 +- 0.14 mg kg-1 h-1 for dry mass needle litter. Temporal variations of net fluxes from leaf litter were significantly greater than spatial variations suggesting seasonality in the fluxes. The mean CH3Cl/CH3Br mass ratio of fluxes was 200 (to 1 sig. fig.), an order of magnitude larger than the ratio of their estimated global turnovers. Temperate forest litter may be a moderate net source of CH3Cl globally but a negligible ...
Causes of variation of hydrocarbon (HC) concentration in cylinder to cylinder at idling condition in a direct injection diesel engine were studied. The ratio of l/d=6 gives larger HC variation in cylinder to cylinder than the l/d=2, where l means the nozzle hole length and d means the nozzle hole diameter. This is because the condition of l/d=6 can result in the large spray penetration and increase the fuel on the combustion chamber. The spray structure changes between nozzles and also changes between nozzle holes. This is not caused by the shape of nozzle hole but is affected by the pressure change near the inlet of nozzle hole when the needle valve is lifted. The change of spray structure can change the injection volume between nozzle holes. The injection volume is less for a nozzle hole where the curved angle becomes sharp to the nozzle central angle, and is more at the opposite side. When the injection volume of the nozzle hole near the chamber wall increases, ...
The flux distributions and enhancement factors for various gas doser designs typically used in surface science applications and chemisorption studies have been calculated and compared. The following conclusions, which will aid the experimentalist in the choice of doser design, can be made. (1) The enhancement factor expected for a given doser can easily be derived from Fig. 2. (2) The optimum doser design is a multichannel array with a radius slightly larger than that of the sample, and a distance from the sample < 10% of the sample diameter. (Complications of this design are discussed.) (3) Because of space requirements, the sample--doser distance must sometime be > or =40% of the sample diameter, in which cases it is better to use a cosine emitter. A good, very simple doser design is described that consists of a small cosine emitter with a sample--doser distance of 1/2 the sample diameter. This provides an enhancement factor >50% of the optimum theoretical enhancement, with ...
Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) diesel fuel is characterized by a high cetane number, a near-zero sulphur content and a very low aromatic level. On the basis of the recorded incylinder pressures and injector needle lifts, the combustion characteristics of an unmodified single-cylinder direct-injection diesel engine operating on F-T diesel fuel are analyzed and compared with those of conventional diesel fuel operation. The results show that F-T diesel fuel exhibits a slightly longer injection delay and injection duration, an average of 18.7% shorter ignition delay, and a comparable total combustion duration when compared to those of conventional diesel fuel. Meanwhile, F-T diesel fuel displays an average of 26.8% lower peak value of premixed burning rate and a higher peak value of diffusive burning rate. In addition, the F-T diesel engine has a slightly lower peak combustion pressure, a far lower rate of pressure rise, and a lower mechanical load and combustion noise than the ...
Production of ozone and OH radical is required to advance the plasma chemical reactions in the NOx removal processes for combustion gas treatment. The corona discharge to the water surface is expected to induce the good conditions for the proceeding of the NO oxidation and the NO_2 dissolution removal into water. In order to get the fundamental data of the corona discharge over the water surface, the positive and negative V-I characteristics and the ozone production were measured with the multi needle and the saw-edge type of the discharge electrodes. The pulse corona characteristics were also measured with some different waveforms of the applied pulse voltage. The experiments were carried out under the atmospheric pressure and room temperature. Both the DC and the pulse corona to the water surface showed a stable and almost the same V-I characteristics as to plate electrodes though the surface of water was waved by corona wind. The positive streamer corona showed ...
Components of various forest and agricultural residue biomass-including the polyphenolic compounds-were converted into aqueous solution and/or suspension by extraction and digestion. Some biomass components reacted vigorously under alkaline catalysis with formaldehyde and initially showed a high degree of exothermic reaction; however, other components did not react as vigorously under these conditions, indicating that different biomass materials require different methods to obtain optimum reactivity for the copolymerization with phenol. Our primary goal is to develop adhesives capable of producing acceptable bond quality, as determined by the wood products industries` standards, under a reasonable range of gluing conditions. Copolymer resins of phenol, formaldehyde, and biomass components were synthesized and evaluated for gluability of bonding exterior grade structural replaced with chemicals derived from peanut hulls, pecan shell flour, pecan pith, southern pine bark, and pine ...
Stem cell research has important implications for medicine. The source of stem cells influences their therapeutic potential, with stem cells derived from early-stage embryos remaining the most versatile. Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), a source of embryonic stem cells, allows for understandings about disease development and, more importantly, the ability to yield embryonic stem cell lines that are genetically matched to the somatic cell donor. However, SCNT requires women to donate eggs, which involves injection of ovulation-inducing hormones and egg retrieval through laparoscopy or transvaginal needle aspiration. Risks from this procedure are fiercely debated, most notably risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). This review examines risk of OHSS resulting from oocyte donation. We conclude that risk posed by OHSS in egg donation is not significant enough to warrant undue concern, and much of this can be eliminated when proper precautions are taken. ...
Calcined and sulfided Ni-Mo catalysts supported on ultrastable Y zeolite (USY), NaY zeolite, mordenite, and ZSM-5 were studied by high-resolution electron transmission microscopy (HRTEM) with selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Ni and Mo oxide aggregates were rarely observed in the USY-supported Ni-Mo catalyst, indicating that most of Ni and Mo may be incorporated into USY, e.g., supercavities and possibly sodalite cages. However, there were a large number of {alpha}-NiMoO{sub 4} aggregates of different particle sizes in NaY-, mordenite-, and ZSM-5-supported catalysts, and the mordenite-supported catalyst also contained MoO{sub 3} crystals. The {alpha}-NiMoO{sub 4} may be attached to the surface of substrates as individual particles or needle aggregates, it may be disseminated into mordenite particles, or it may even form an isolated sphere (in Ni-Mo/NaY) or a needle (in Ni-Mo/ZSM-5) aggregates. ...
We examined whether perceived susceptibility to and severity of two injection-related health conditions (i.e., non-fatal overdose and bacterial infections), and perceived benefits of, barriers to, self-efficacy to, social acceptance of, and recent use of two harm-reduction behaviors (i.e., injecting test shots and pre-injection skin cleaning), predicted injecting drug users' near-term intentions to engage in these two strategies. Recent past use of these two behaviors consistently and positively predicted near-term intentions in each of four drug-use situations (i.e., in withdrawal, not in withdrawal, alone, and with others). Perceived susceptibility to non-fatal overdose predicted intentions to do test shots, but only when participants imagined not being in withdrawal or injecting when alone. Perceived self-efficacy to clean one's skin predicted intentions to engage in this behavior, but only when participants imagined injecting while not in withdrawal. Participants' ratings of how ...
Three CRMs of plant origin (SRM 1515 Apple Leaves, SRM 1570a Trace Elements in Spinach Leaves, and SRM 1575 Pine Needles) were used for analytical quality assurance of Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, and Pb determination by ICP-MS. The samples were decomposed using microwave assisted pressurized digestion by HNO_3 and HNO_3 + H_2O_2 mixture and temperature programmed dry ashing. Concentrations of elements in samples were evaluated by external calibration. All samples, blanks, and standards were spiked to 100 #mu#g/L concentration of In and Bi as internal standards. During the measurement, signals of "5"2Cr, "5"3Cr, "5"4Fe, "5"5Mn, "5"9Co, "6"0Ni, "6"2Ni, "6"3Cu, "6"5Cu, "6"6Zn, "9"5Mo, "1"1"1Cd, "1"1"2Cd, "1"1"5In, "2"0"6Pb, "2"0"7Pb, "2"0"8Pb and "2"0"9Bi were monitored. Results of Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Mo and Co determination were in good agreement with certified values. In order to obtain accurate results for As at low levels, it was necessary to ...
To assess the efficacy and resulting complications of tetracycline sclerotherapy in renal, hepatic, ovarian, and perivesical cysts. We retrospectively reviewed 23 cases of benign cysts (16 renal, 4 hepatic, 2 ovarian, and 1 perivesical) in 22 patients in whom the condition was diagnosed or confirmed by either ultrasound, CT, or cytology, and who underwent percutaneous tetracycline sclerotherapy. Using a 21-gauge Chiba needle, the target cyst was punctured under ultrasound guidance. Prior to the injection of 1500 mg of tetracycline diluted in 5 ml of normal saline, almost all the cystic content was aspirated, and at the end of the procedure the tetracycline was left in the cyst. During a period of between 3 and 22 months, 18 of the 23 cases were followed up. In six of the 18 cases followed up, the cysts either decreased in size by 10%, or collapsed completely. In seven cases a collapse of over 50% was noted, and in the remaining five the cyst recurred. In one of ...
A technique involving shifting of core fuel loadings was investigated as a method for reducing the neutron flux at points of high damage accumulation in the pressure vessel wall of a light water reactor. Calculations were run for six types of commercial generic PWR. Information is provided on the progress being made to develop and apply the Solid State Track Recorder (SSTR) method for in-situ in- and ex-vessel measurements of neutron exposure parameter values, such as fluence (E > 1.0 MeV) and dpa in iron. A new technique of quantitative track counting, the Buffon needle method, is advanced. It is based on random sampling of the SSTR surface. A desensitized etching technique was developed that resulted in an excellent differential energy response for alpha particles in the 3- to 14-MeV energy range. The optical efficiency of Muscovite mica for manual fission track counting is being redetermined to form a data base for comparison with automatic counting systems. ...
The goal of the present work has been to clarify the influence of sulphate ions on the oxide films formed on stainless steel and Ni-based alloys in simulated crack chemistry conditions using different ex situ analytical techniques. The main observations of this work can be summarised as follows: The thickness of the films formed in simulated oxygen-free crack chemistry conditions during an exposure of circa 4 days varies roughly in the range 200..500 nm, which corresponds to observations reported in the literature [2]. The presence of 10000 ppb sulphate ions in simulated crack tip conditions seems to lead to a considerably lower thickness of the oxide films when compared to sulphate-free conditions. The presence of 10000 ppb sulphate ions leads also to considerable changes in the morphology of the oxide crystals on the material samples. In the absence of sulphate the outer oxide layer contains elongated round-edged crystals, while in the presence of sulphate ions the crystals are ...
Experiments of autogenous laser full penetration welding between dissimilar cast Ni-based superalloy K418 and alloy steel 42CrMo flat plates with 3.5 mm thickness were conducted using a 3 kW continuous wave (CW) Nd:YAG laser. The influences of laser welding velocity, flow rate of side-blow shielding gas, defocusing distance were investigated. Microstructure of the welded seam was characterized by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). Mechanical properties of the welded seam were evaluated by microhardness and tensile strength testing. Results show that high quality full penetration laser-welded joint can be obtained by optimizing the welding velocity, flow rate of shielding gas and defocusing distance. The laser-welded seam have non-equilibrium solidified microstructures consisting of {gamma}-FeCr{sub 0.29}Ni{sub 0.16}C{sub 0.06} austenite solid solution dendrites as the dominant and very small ...
Experiments of autogenous laser full penetration welding between dissimilar cast Ni-based superalloy K418 and alloy steel 42CrMo flat plates with 3.5 mm thickness were conducted using a 3 kW continuous wave (CW) Nd:YAG laser. The influences of laser welding velocity, flow rate of side-blow shielding gas, defocusing distance were investigated. Microstructure of the welded seam was characterized by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). Mechanical properties of the welded seam were evaluated by microhardness and tensile strength testing. Results show that high quality full penetration laser-welded joint can be obtained by optimizing the welding velocity, flow rate of shielding gas and defocusing distance. The laser-welded seam have non-equilibrium solidified microstructures consisting of #gamma#-FeCr_0_._2_9Ni_0_._1_6C_0_._0_6 austenite solid solution dendrites as the dominant and very small amount ...
Experiments of autogenous laser full penetration welding between dissimilar cast Ni-based superalloy K418 and alloy steel 42CrMo flat plates with 3.5 mm thickness were conducted using a 3 kW continuous wave (CW) Nd:YAG laser. The influences of laser welding velocity, flow rate of side-blow shielding gas, defocusing distance were investigated. Microstructure of the welded seam was characterized by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). Mechanical properties of the welded seam were evaluated by microhardness and tensile strength testing. Results show that high quality full penetration laser-welded joint can be obtained by optimizing the welding velocity, flow rate of shielding gas and defocusing distance. The laser-welded seam have non-equilibrium solidified microstructures consisting of ?-FeCr0.29Ni0.16C0.06 austenite solid solution dendrites as the dominant and very small amount of super-fine ...
Computerized tomography-guided neurolytic splanchnic nerve block is a technique for relieving abdominal cancer pain; the goal is the alcoholic neurolytic interruption of the sensitive structures in retroperitoneal space. Computerized tomography yields accurate anatomical detailing and the course for needle placement and alcohol spread. January, 1993, to July, 1996, twenty-one bilateral splanchnic nerve blocks were performed through the posterior access. Forty-eight hours after alcoholism. 14 patients (66%) had complete pain regression; 52% of the patients needed no analgesics for 6 to 54 days and only 9 patients (42%) needed another low opioid therapy. Complications included hypotension and diarrhea in all cases. One had a cardiac arrest and diet 8 days after the procedure. There were no other complications. The whole procedure usually lasted 60 min (range: 45 to 90 min). Splanchnic nerve neurolysis is a useful treatment in the patients with severe chronic ...
Cholangiocarcinoma is synonymous with bile duct carcinoma, and can originate in a small intrahepatic bile duct (peripheral type), a major intrahepatic duct including the hepatic hills, an extrahepatic duct, or near the papilla of Vater (central type). In a sense bile duct carcinoma of the peripheral type is cholangiocarcinoma of the liver; it has the same gross configuration as hepatocellular carcinoma, resulting in difficulty to differentiate on the CT. The authors studied CT findings of 14 cases of pathologically proven peripheral type cholangiocarcinoma of the liver during the last 4 years. The results were as follows: 1. Of 14 cases, 8 were female and 6 were male, and the age ranged from 5th to 7th decades. 2. Preoperative clinical diagnosis were as follows: hepatoma 8 cases, abscess 5 cases and metastasis 1 case in order of frequency. 3. Diagnosis were confirmed by hepatic lobectomy in 7 cases, wedge resection in 5 cases and needle biopsy in 2 case. 4. ...
The accuracy is investigated of both lymphangiography and CT in detecting lymph nodes metastases in 59 patients evaluated preoperatively and subsequently submitted to surgery with selective/systemic pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy. CT accuracy was also investigated in 46 patients with a clinically suspected relapse of ovarian cancer (verified by means of clinical and/or CT follow-up in 36 patients, by laparotomy in 7, by fine-needle biopsy in 1 and by necroscopy in the last 2). In the first group (previously untreated patients) the overall results in the pelvis were, respectively, for lymphangiography and CT: 94.9% vs 89.8% accuracy, 86.6% vs 60% sensitivity, 97.7% vs 100% specificity, and 92.8% vs 100%, 95.5% vs 88% positive and negative predictive values. In the paraaortic region the results were: 89.1% vs 86.5% accuracy, 73.3% vs 66.6% sensitivity, 100% specificity for both techniques, 100% positive predictive value, and 84.6% vs 81.5% negative predictive ...
Minimally invasive treatment for small renal cell carcinoma (RCC) can be necessary in selected patients and, anyway, is desirable. In situ ablation techniques, including RFA, have been developed. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility, safety and short-term local effectiveness of percutaneous US-guided RFA in a small series, as well as mid-term patient outcome. Thirteen patients with a total of 18 tumors (17 small lesions, 35 mm in size or less, and a larger one, 75 mm in size) underwent 19 RFA sessions. Seven patients had a solitary kidney, and three suffered from VHL disease, too. We treated four lesions in a patient with a bilateral tumor. In another patient, three lesions were ablated. Seventeen tumors were RCC; one was a metastasis from lung cancer. Eight lesions were parenchymal, six exophytic, two parenchymal/exophytic, one parenchymal/central and one central. A monopolar RF system with multitined expandable electrode needles was used. The ...
The purpose of this paper is to report the personal experience with helical CT evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma treated with various percutaneous interventional procedures. From December 1996 to September 1998 it were examined with helical CT 41 patients (73 nodules in all) with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with percutaneous ablation therapies: conventional ethanol injection in 18 subjects (31 nodules), one-shot ethanol injection 3 (8 nodules), radiofrequency thermal ablation in 16 (25 nodules), and combined chemo embolization and ethanol injection in 4 (9 nodules). CT performed was 4-27 days after the last session, acquiring biphasic volumetric images in 14 patients and triphasic volumetric images in 27. A second treatment with subsequent CT study was performed for 28 lesions; 15 underwent 3 serial studies and 6 underwent 4 studies. Compared with pretreatment findings, the diameter was unchanged in 62% of the nodules and increased in 38%. Morphology was unchanged in 63% of ...
Liquid Zone Control (LZC) System is a 'first-of-its-kind' reactivity control device, designed and implemented at TAPP-3 and 4. The system provides zonal and bulk power control. The system consists of fourteen Zone Control Compartments (ZCCs) containing demineralised light water as neutron absorber. Reactivity control is achieved by varying the level of water in the compartments bi-directionally. Six in-core zircaloy assemblies, housing the fourteen ZCCs and an elaborate process system constitute the LZC system. Measurement of water levels in the ZCCs is done using helium bubbler method. Reliability of ZCC water level measurement is of paramount importance. Commissioning and operating the new system trouble free was a challenge, considering the complex nature of the system. While commissioning the system, level measurement of one of the ZCCs (ZCC - 1) was found erratic and inconsistent. Methodologies were developed to identify the problem and investigations revealed leakage of helium ...
California utilities have been exploring the use of critical peak prices (CPP) to help reduce needle peaks in customer end-use loads. CPP is a form of price-responsive demand response (DR). Recent experience has shown that customers have limited knowledge of how to operate their facilities in order to reduce their electricity costs under CPP (Quantum 2004). While the lack of knowledge about how to develop and implement DR control strategies is a barrier to participation in DR programs like CPP, another barrier is the lack of automation of DR systems. During 2003 and 2004, the PIER Demand Response Research Center (DRRC) conducted a series of tests of fully automated electric demand response (Auto-DR) at 18 facilities. Overall, the average of the site-specific average coincident demand reductions was 8% from a variety of building types and facilities. Many electricity customers have suggested that automation will help them institutionalize their electric demand ...
We report for the first time about a micromachined mass flow sensor directly integrated between the double guidance and the needle seat into the body of a Common Rail (CR) injection nozzle. The thermal measurement principle was chosen because gaseous as well as liquid mass flows can be determined fast and precisely. Additionally, with glass-ceramic materials fabricated in a low cost batch process, a high temperature and especially pressure stable substrate can be used. The flow sensitive thin film is realized by an e-beam evaporated 110 nm thick molybdenum (Mo) layer. The latter is electrically characterized by the resistivity of {rho} = 8.2 x 10{sup -7} {omega} m ({+-}2%) at room temperature as well as by the first {alpha}=4.5 x 10{sup -4} K{sup -1} ({+-}5%) and second {beta}=3.0 x 10{sup -6} K{sup -2} ({+-}12%) temperature coefficients of resistance up to 300 C. The static temperature field at and around the thin film sensor on the glass-ceramic substrate is ...
Belarus has some experience of wood biomass use for power engineering aims. All the necessary equipment, assigned for power production, is manufactured at own enterprises. Belarus possesses great forest resources, total forests area makes up 8 676,1 thou ha. In the average as for the republic the percentage of forests volume makes up 37,7%. The greatest percent of forest scope have Gomel and Vitebsk regions (44,6% and 38,1% correspondingly). Of 118 administrative regions the forest scope above 20% have 15 regions (Rossonskij - 66,8%, Lel'chitsy - 66,5%). The forest scope less 20% is marked on the territory of 8 regions (Nesvizh - 9,6%, Berestovitsy - 14,6%, Zel'venskij - 14,8%). Wood reserves make up 1 437,9 mln. m"3 on the republic's territory. The greatest wood reserves are noted on the territory of Gomel, (323,6 mln. m"3 ), Minsk (286,4 mln. m"3 ) and Vitebsk (272,0 mln. m"3 ) regions. The least ones - Brest and Grodno regions (191, and 158,7 mln. m"3 correspondingly). Reserves of ...
The purpose of this paper is to report the personal experience with helical CT evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma treated with various percutaneous interventional procedures. From December 1996 to September 1998 it were examined with helical CT 41 patients (73 nodules in all) with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with percutaneous ablation therapies: conventional ethanol injection in 18 subjects (31 nodules), one-shot ethanol injection 3 (8 nodules), radiofrequency thermal ablation in 16 (25 nodules), and combined chemo embolization and ethanol injection in 4 (9 nodules). CT performed was 4-27 days after the last session, acquiring biphasic volumetric images in 14 patients and triphasic volumetric images in 27. A second treatment with subsequent CT study was performed for 28 lesions; 15 underwent 3 serial studies and 6 underwent 4 studies. Compared with pretreatment findings, the diameter was unchanged in 62% of the nodules and increased in 38%. Morphology was unchanged in 63% of ...