Latest Method Research Articles

Improvement of classroom teaching of electromagnetics by means of an electronic book

This paper discusses techniques used to develop an electronic book about electromagnetics. The techniques are based on problem-based learning, which is the latest method used for teaching. This method, together with engineering tools, is well suited for teaching these subjects to students in Asia. The proposed techniques allows teaching to be not limited to paper study by allowing the use of multimedia methods and computational electromagnetics. This enables the users to have a variety of means for the study of these areas. The embedded computing software and the design program also enhance the users' interest.

Elizabeth hurley sucks to stop smoking

During a recent photography shoot for a cosmetics advertisement on the Caribbean island of St Bartholomew, actress and model Elizabeth Hurley was caught by paparazzi sun-bathing topless while sucking on a baby's pink pacifier [see http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/321/7257/319/b]. British tabloid newspapers struggled to account for the actress's bizarre accessory. The Mirror explained that “there are few better ways to protect luscious lips from cracking or burning in harsh summer sun.” Another tabloid surmised that Ms Hurley was not touched enough as a child and was continually regressing into an infantile state. Finally, it came out that the pacifier was Ms Hurley's latest method to give up the half a pack of Marlboro Lights she smokes each day. A spokeswoman for Ms Hurley explained that nicotine patches did not seem to work for her. The idea for the pacifier, she said, came from Desmond Morris's book Manwatching, which “equated smoking with a baby's desire to be breast-fed.” Mr Morris was pleased to hear that Ms Hurley had taken his advice: “Only someone like Liz, whom I've never met, could make something like a dummy [pacifier] look chic and trendy. As far as I know, she's the only person to have taken up my idea to suck on a dummy to fight the urge to light up.” Actor Hugh Grant, Ms Hurley's former boyfriend, confirmed that she was an addicted smoker. “Elizabeth smokes 4,000 cigarettes a day. I've caught her with cigarettes in her nostrils,” he told Esquire magazine last September. Confirming her addiction to cigarettes, a web site devoted to female smoking celebrities lists 50 instances when the supermodel's smoking—or attempts to stop—have been shown or mentioned in newspapers, magazines, or movies (http://www.cs.brown.edu/~lsh/asfs/H/Hurley.html). If the idea of sucking a pacifier to give up catches on, a randomized trial to measure its effectiveness may follow. Investigators may have difficulty, though, devising an appropriate placebo for the control condition.

Er:YAG and Alexandrite Laser Radiation Propagation in Root Canal and Its Effect on Bacteria

The objective of this study was to compare the bactericidal effect of the Er:YAG (wavelength 2.94 microm) and the Alexandrite (wavelength 0.75 microm) laser radiation. The spreading laser energy in the surrounding hard dental tissues round the root canal was evaluated and the bactericidal effect of both these different laser wavelengths was analyzed. The use of a laser to clean and shape the root canal space is the latest method used for cleaning of root canals. The interest in laser endodontics was concentrated on the possibility to extirpate the contents of the root canal, to sterilize and to "melt" the walls of the root canals. The previous reports were performed with CO2, excimer, argon, Nd:YAG, Ho:YAG, and Er:YAG lasers. Er:YAG laser system (2.94 microm, energy 100 mJ or 300 mJ, repetition rate 1 Hz, 30 pulses) and alexandrite laser system (0.75 microm, energy 250 mJ, repetition rate 1 Hz, 30 pulses) were prepared and three experimental arrangements were used during the measurements. First the energy transport through the tooth tissue was observed (frontal and side experimental setups) and then, the bactericidal effect was evaluated. It was demonstrated that due to the absorption in the hydroxyapatite and water content in the dentin, the Er:YAG laser radiation is fully absorbed in the root canal wall. This direct influence of the radiation could be expected only close to the sapphire tip. It was found that the tissue, which was not directly affected by the laser radiation, cannot be disinfected by the subablative effect of Er:YAG laser radiation. In the second part of the experiment the real bactericidal effect of Er:YAG ablative energy (300 mJ) could be observed. It was also shown that the alexandrite laser radiation with a wavelength of 0.75 microm spreads through the canal system space and leaks into the surrounding tooth tissues. Both lasers have bactericidal effect. The pulsed Er:YAG and alexandrite lasers can be efficiently used for killing dental bacteria but the spreading of their radiation in the tooth tissues are different.

Technical Advances in Ear Reconstruction with Autogenous Rib Cartilage Grafts: Personal Experience with 1200 Cases

Through the author's experience with 1200 cases during a 25-year period, this article presents technical improvements in ear reconstruction and proposes and discusses possible directions for further technical advancement. This article presents the rationale for the author's current methods of managing total ear repair. Throughout the article, the author stresses and demonstrates cartilage-sparing techniques that are designed to minimize the amount of cartilage used in a repair to preserve maximum chest wall integrity. This article also presents the latest method of framework fabrication, showing differences in construction between younger and older patients; a new method that constructs a tragus as an integral part of the framework; a method that maintains ear projection with a scalp-banked cartilage wedge; and a method that solves the always frustrating low hairline by presurgical laser treatment. In addition, the concept of creating autogenous frameworks by tissue engineering is pursued and discussed in practical clinical terms. A survey of 1000 microtia patients indicates that surgically constructed ears remain durable, withstand trauma well, and provide consistent emotional relief and psychological benefits through the repair.

Modified posterior Dennis and Kashima cordectomy in treatment of bilateral recurrent nerve paralysis

A number of different surgical methods are described in the literature to enlarge the glottic gap in patients with bilateral recurrent nerve paralysis with an excessively small glottic gap. The latest method is the posterior chordectomy described by Dennis and Kashima. Twenty-three patients with bilateral recurrent nerve paralysis were treated between 1993 and 1997. In the first 5 patients, a muscular triangle as described by Dennis and Kashima from the posterior part of the muscular portion of the vocal fold was resected. Later on, the surgical procedure was extended by additional resection of muscular tissue from the anterior two-thirds of the vocal fold. Preoperative and postoperative data were carefully assessed in a prospective setting. Subjective data such as limitation of physical exertion and ability to communicate were documented. There was objective documentation by spirometry and phoniatric-logopedic assessment of voice quality parameters. Generally, it takes a number of months until the final permanent state is reached. The minimum follow-up was therefore at least 6 months with a mean of 16 months. The follow-up of the 23 patients showed that the surgical technique as originally described by Dennis and Kashima does not always improve breathing sufficiently in the long run. A repeat chordectomy was required in three out of five patients with this technique. The modified technique with additional muscle resection of the anterior two-thirds of the vocal fold resulted in the desired long-term enlargement of the glottic gap in 16 out of 18 patients. Spirometric controls showed a significant improvement of respiration. However, some voice quality parameters showed a significant reduction as expected. Despite this, the overall communication ability was described as only slightly reduced by the patients themselves. By the modified posterior laser chordectomy, the glottic gap is widened on a long term, though less than after an arytenoidectomy. The compromise between reduction of voice quality and dyspnoea is better than after arytenoidectomy. The preservation of the laryngeal sphincter is important in that it prevents the latent aspirations that are occasionally observed and achieves a certain adduction of the vocal folds with phonation. The surgical procedure is technically simple, may be repeated, and never needs a tracheostomy.

Quality of contraceptive services in Finland.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the quality of contraceptive services in Finland varies by the type of care provider. DESIGN: A cross sectional questionnaire survey. PARTICIPANTS: A random sample of 3000...

Development projects through build-operate schemes: Their role and place in developing countries

Developing countries need to embark on extensive infrastructure provision in order to achieve and sustain economic growth and aspire towards the standards of the developed economies. In their quest to achieve this objective, developing countries face two major constraints: unavailable indigenous technological know-how and financial resources. Traditional methods of project development, funding, implementation, management and operation do not fully alleviate these constraints. The funding agencies and foreign donors have their limits which are often lower than development requirements. Methods used to procure projects and implement them often imply that consultants and contractors (sometimes financiers) are not always committed to the successful operation of projects and, furthermore, responsibilities are difficult to assign when things go wrong. In an attempt to address the foregoing, build-operate schemes are the latest method adopted in developing infrastructure projects. This paper focuses on developing countries; it explores and discusses the following: 1. • The importance of infrastructure project development in developing countries. 2. • The shortcomings of traditional project development methods. 3. • Restricting and constraining factors for developing countries in undertaking development projects. 4. • The various types of build-operate schemes that exist. 5. • The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of build-operate schemes. 6. • Problems experienced in implementing build-operate schemes in developing countries. 7. • A framework for selecting potential build-operate schemes. Not all projects can be undertaken successfully using a build-operate paradigm. The flow chart for build-operate project selection covers the issues of the political and economic risk, the issue of national security, the market pricing structure, anticipated project returns and finally, guarantees for facility or product usage. If these factors are taken into consideration then build-operate schemes can be successfully implemented in developing countries. Their potential role is too great to be empirically quantified and these countries will have the opportunity to achieve quantum leaps in development through such schemes.

A hot isostatic process for fabricating porous materials

Hot isostatic processing (HIP) is the latest method to produce open porous materials, such as ceramics or metals. In this review paper, features and applications of HIPed porous materials are described. Sintering behavior under high pressure gas is also discussed in order to understand how porous materials are obtained by this method. HIPed porous materials have higher open porosity, higher mechanical strength, narrower pore size distribution and higher fluid permeability than conventionally sintered ones. These excellent properties of HIPed porous materials are due to the enhanced surface diffusion caused by the high gas pressure. By applying these excellent properties of HIPed porous materials, filters, grinding wheels, and porous electrodes for electrochemical analysis can be produced with better properties than products made by conventional sintering.

A Comparative Study of Spider (Araneae) Communities of Rehabilitated Bauxite Mines and Surrounding Forest in the Southwest of Western Australia

AbstractA study of spider (Araneae) communities was conducted in rehabilitated bauxite mines at the Jarrahdale mine site of Alcoa of Australia Ltd. and in the nearby native jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest in southwest Western Australia. The study was conducted from March to August 1993 in five rehabilitated sites of different age and method of rehabilitation and in two forest sites. A variety of collection methods was used, including pitfall trapping, litter sampling, sweep netting, tree beating, and visual searching. These methods were the same as those carried out in a previous study of some of these areas in 1983. We collected 151 spider species belonging to 102 genera and 34 families. We examined the relationship between various habitat features, including the age and method of rehabilitation, of the spider communities present. It was found that leaf litter depth and cover and vegetation density had a significant positive influence on recolonization by the various spider guilds. The age and method of rehabilitation were found to influence different vegetational and habitat features; these, in turn, influenced the spider communities. Thus, the older a rehabilitated site the greater the species richness of both plants and spiders. We compared these results with those of the 1983 study to determine the spider succession of the aging rehabilitation. The spider communities and guild composition were found to change as the vegetation matured, from a dominance of pioneer species to a community of species requiring less harsh conditions. By comparison with the pre‐1983 rehabilitation, the latest method of rehabilitation increased the rate of recolonization by both plants and spiders.

Effect of hydrolysis time and type of catalyst on the stability of tetragonal zirconia-silica composites synthesized from alkoxides

ZrO2-transformation-toughened glass-ceramics have been prepared by the sol-gel process from either colloidal gels (CG) or polymeric gels from alkoxides (PG), using, in the latest method, a different catalyst (acid, basic and without catalyst), and different compositions in the ZrO2·SiO2 system (free ZrO2 included). The different methods of synthesis of tetragonal zirconia in SiO2 matrix were compared in order to obtain thermal stability, and a high amount of stabilized tetragonal zirconia. The effect of catalyst, hydrolysis time, chemical composition, critical particle size in ZrO2(t)→ZrO2(m) transformation, the doping with vanadium on the ZrO2(t) stability in SiO2 matrix and Vickers microhardness of samples have also been studied.

海水および化学物質のウニ卵による毒性検定

This paper reviews the literatures on toxicity bioassay for sea water and chemicals by using sea urchin eggs. The test methodologies pertaining to various stages of the life cycle, e.g. gametes (egg and sperm), fertilization and development (embryo and larva) are described. Especially, the latest method to enhance the sensitivity, by improving the previous methods of marine pollution bioassay using sea urchin eggs presented by the author (Kobayashi, 1971, 1974, 1977 and 1985 etc.), is introduced. The effects of various waters and chemicals upon the eggs and embryos in respective developmental stages at first cleavage and pluteus are observed. Rates of first cleavage, pluteus stages and some anomalies of development in the test water are examined. On the basis of these experimental results, a new ranking of the sea water pollution (Ranking IV, 1990) is proposed. The latest method is more sensitive, and simple than those in the cases of ranking I and III (1972 and 1985).Both the results of laboratory experiments and of field assays for environmental assessment are included. With regard to the choice of the test organisms for pollution bioassay, the international use of urchins as test species is to be encouraged, because a wide and abundant distribution should be required for candidate species.

Keys for an investigation into the origins of the communicative methodology in language teaching

The historical study of how languages have been taught and learnt proves again and again that new methods are rarely found. It is more common to find the restatement of similar principles and/or ideas in a different way, closer to the context in which we are involved in each period of time (decade, century, etc.). It has usually been too quickly accepted, particularly since the end of the nineteenth century, that new methodologies will solve the tiresome task of learning foreign languages. According to this belief, the «latest method» is considered the ideal one, the «magic pill» that will substitute old and inefficient recipes. An analysis of the sources that underlie communicative methodology will try to illustrate how it is dependent on previous trends, linguistics, psychology and pedagogy. The understanding and shaping of a communicative methodology will certainly be easier if we go back to the roots and sources from which it emerged.

Transesophageal Echocardiography — Sound Diagnostic Technique or Two-Edged Sword?

Over the past 30 years, cardiac ultrasound examinations have been used in an ever-increasing number of clinical applications. Echocardiography currently has important uses in a range of disorders, including valvular, ischemic, myocardial, pericardial, congenital, infectious, and neoplastic diseases.1 To an important extent, this development has been made possible by a sequence of new diagnostic methods arising from technological innovations. From early time—motion studies, echocardiography now has evolved to include two-dimensional imaging, spectral Doppler measurement of blood-flow velocity with pulsed-wave and continuous-wave techniques, color Doppler flow imaging, contrast echocardiography, and stress echocardiography. The latest method is transesophageal echocardiography.In simple terms, . . .

A method to test the accuracy of critical dimension measurement systems (CDMS)

As already shown in previous articles different combinations of SEM's with PC-based measurement systems are available to determine the linewidth in the submicron area. One common problem for all these measurement tools is a missing test for measuring the accuracy of these systems. This investigation presents a method describing how the measuring accuracy of these systems can be checked. For this purpose different calibration specimens for light microscopy were tested for usability in low-voltage SEM imaging. Chrome on glass micrometer specimens proved to be especially useful. In comparison with specimens manufactured by photographic methods they combine good imaging qualities with thin high contrast lines with sharp edges. The test for consistant linewidths was done using quantitative Image Analysis, allowing the measurement of a high volume of data quickly and accurately. The resulting value was used as the absolute value for the determination of the accuracy of the CDMS. As such a comparison value was not available before, the accuracy of measurements could only be given within certain confidence limits. This latest method can now prove how accurate the resulting values really are. Initial tests using an AMRAY 1830 SEM and Critical Dimension Measurement System showed a distortion of the measuring results of 0.3% or 0.5% compared with the true value. This means a difference of 0.6 or 0.8 pixels. This result is better than the theoretical accuracy of a CDMS. Using these values, the error of linewidth measurements in the 1 micron range is only about 0.005 μm.

A continuous method for monitoring and controlling fermentations: Using an automated HPLC system

Fermentation processes still lack rapid, reliable, and quantitative methodology for the real time analysis of substrates and products. Real time data on fermentation components lend itself not only to monitoring complex mixtures, but also to simple control on demand features. Some of the latest method employed involve the use of immobilized enzyme probes to monitor a substrate such as glucose, or a product such as ethanol in an ultrafiltered stream. Mass spectrometers have been used to analyze fermentation off-gases for volatile components such as O/sub 2/, CO/sub 2/, and ethanol. Each of the enzyme sensor methods is substrate specific and a complex fermentation requires the monitoring of several soluble components. Recently, Ivie proposed using an automated HPLC system to monitor and control an ethanol fermentation. An HPLC system has the advantage of being able to discriminate between several different components, usually in less than 15 min, depending on proper column selection. However, samples must be periodically removed from the fermenter, filtered and manually placed in the HPLC injector system for analysis. The system described here uses an automated, computer controlled HPLC system. The unit was fitted with a continuous flow-through sample vial for the on-line analysis of fermentation broths. Resultsmore » of monitoring a simple yeast fermentatin of glucose to ethanol are reported.« less

Hearing Screening of High-Risk Newborns with Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials: A Follow-up Study

Numerous techniques have been used in attempts to find a reliable and efficient screening method for determining auditory function in the newborn. The brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) is the latest method advocated for that purpose. The BAEP was evaluated as a hearing screening test in 168 high-risk newborns between 35 and 45 weeks of conceptual age. Follow-up data were obtained after 1 year (mean 17.3 months) on 134 of the infants (80%). Normal hearing was defined as a reproducible response in both ears to a 25 dB normal hearing level (nHL) click stimulus; 21 infants (12.5%) failed the initial screening test. Follow-up on 19/21 infants revealed 18 infants with normal hearing and one infant with an 80 dB nHL bilateral hearing loss substantiated. One infant with an abnormal screening test died before retesting, and the other infant was lost to follow-up but had only a unilaterally abnormal BAEP. None of the infants with a normal BAEP screening study had evidence of hearing loss on retesting. Sensitivity of the BAEP was 100%, specificity was 86%, predictive value of a positive test was 5.26%, and the predictive value of a negative test was 100%. The incidence of significant hearing loss in our population was between 0.75% (1/134 infants) confirmed, and 2.24% (3/134 infants) including infants who failed screening but were lost to follow-up. The BAEP is a sensitive procedure for the early identification of hearing-impaired newborns. However, the yield of significant hearing abnormalities was less than predicted in other studies using BAEP for newborn hearing screening.

Current Therapy. Latest Approved Methods of Treatment for the Practicing Physician.

This book represents an attempt to provide for the practitioner the latest method of treatment for a variety of diseases. A board of twelve consulting editors and over two hundred physicians have contributed to the book. The contents are divided into fourteen sections: Infectious diseases, diseases of the digestive system, diseases of metabolism and nutrition, diseases of the endocrine system, diseases of the urogenital tract, venereal diseases, diseases of allergy, diseases of the skin, diseases of the respiratory system, diseases of the cardiovascular system, diseases of the blood and spleen, diseases of the nervous system, obstetric and gynecologic diseases and diseases due to physical and chemical agents. The discussions are brief, with a minimum of wasted words. However, the essentials of the method of treatment proposed by the contributors are sufficiently complete for the reader to obtain a clear understanding of the therapeutic problem. This book does not present a

Current Therapy 1982. Latest Approved Methods of Treatment for the Practicing Physician.

This book represents an attempt to provide for the practitioner the latest method of treatment for a variety of diseases. A board of twelve consulting editors and over two hundred physicians have contributed to the book. The contents are divided into fourteen sections: Infectious diseases, diseases of the digestive system, diseases of metabolism and nutrition, diseases of the endocrine system, diseases of the urogenital tract, venereal diseases, diseases of allergy, diseases of the skin, diseases of the respiratory system, diseases of the cardiovascular system, diseases of the blood and spleen, diseases of the nervous system, obstetric and gynecologic diseases and diseases due to physical and chemical agents. The discussions are brief, with a minimum of wasted words. However, the essentials of the method of treatment proposed by the contributors are sufficiently complete for the reader to obtain a clear understanding of the therapeutic problem. This book does not present a

Flow Control and Transients in the California Aqueduct

From initial operation of the California Aqueduct of the California State Water Project in 1967 to the present, the method of gate operation for flow control has been modified to keep up with the changing operational demands. Initially, serial gate operation was employed. Then as operating demands increased a new method called simultaneous gate operation, using the controlled volume concept, was implemented. As flow changes increased still another method known as timed gate operation, another variation of the controlled volume concept, was initiated. This latest method satisfies all present operating requirements and is expected to meet all future operating requirements. Recent flow change tests indicate that timed gate operation will control the fluctuations within the allowable for flow changes up to and including designed flow quantities in the range of 13,100 cfs (370 m³/sec). Refinement to the timed gate operation can further reduce the magnitudes of hydraulic transients during major flow changes.

Recent Work with Soluble Benlate in Canada

This article describes the latest method of injecting a form of soluble benlate into elm trees to control Dutch elm disease. This work has originated and is for public use only in Canada at this writing. Lignisan-P, the name of this chemical, is injected into trees directly through the roots or alternately into the root-flares. A discussion of the selection of trees for injection is included.