Small Poly Research Articles

Die minimalinvasive perkutane Behandlung kleiner unterer Kelchsteine mit einem Durchmesser von 8 bis 15 Millimeter

The optimal treatment options for lower pole stones with a diameter below 15 mm are controversially discussed. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is non-invasive but is hampered by low stone-free rates and a significant retreatment rate. Flexible ureterorenoscopy (URS) has been demonstrated to have high stone-free rates but the treatment costs - consisting of OR time, repair costs and expenditure for laser fibers, guide wires and stone baskets - as well as low stone-free rates with increasing stone size render this procedure highly expensive. Minimally invasive percutaneous litholapaxy (MIP) has shown low morbidity and high efficacy in the treatment of nephrolithiasis. The goal of this study was to investigate the efficacy and -safety of MIP for the treatment of small lower pole stones. The charts of 29 patients who were treated with MIP were reviewed and clinical data like OR time, drop in haemoglobin, complication rate, stone-free rate and duration of hospital stay were collected. 28 of 29 patients were primarily stone-free; one had to undergo additional flexible URS to become stone-free. All procedures were undertaken with only one access, no severe complications occurred; none of the patients had to be transfused. The MIP concept has a low complication rate and has been shown to be safe and effective in previous studies. We demonstrate that the feasibility and efficacy justify the percutaneous approach also for small lower pole stones.

Synthesis of thermo‐responsive microgels in supercritical carbon dioxide using ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a cross‐linker

AbstractHerein, we report the preparation of thermo‐responsive polymers in a green medium. The white, dry, fine powders were obtained directly from the cross‐linking polymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPA) in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) at pressures ranging from 10 to 28 MPa utilizing ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a cross‐linker. The effects of reaction pressure, cross‐linker ratio, initiator concentration, and reaction time were investigated. In the presence of this cross‐linker (26.4% w/w), much smaller poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA) microgels (<0.2 µm diameter) were formed, and it was shown that the particle size and the morphology of the polymer were strongly dependent on the cross‐linker ratio in scCO2. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The effect of environmental conditions on the abundance of grubs of the cockchafer (Melolontha hippocastani F.)

In selected sample plots which included pine forest plantations, pine young growth, small pole stage of pine, pine high forest, mixed pine/oak stand, beech stand and unforested land the bionomics and the abundance of grubs were studied between two swarmings of <I>M. hippocastani</I> F. cockchafers in the period from 2003 to 2007. On the basis of correlations between the abundance of grubs and course of daily temperatures during swarming, and characteristics of the sample plots, particularly the degree of shading, we evaluated the factors which affected the <I>M. hippocastani</I> F. females in their choice of the locality for laying eggs. The correlation between the abundance of grubs and the shading of the locality was evaluated statistically. On the basis of checks of the soil probes the development of grubs and changes in their numbers were monitored in the period from 2004 to 2006.

Evaluating the shelterwood harvesting system after 25 years in a beech Fagus orientalis Lipsky) forest in Iran

Beech (<I>Fagus orientalis</I> Lipsky) is the most industrial commercial tree species among more than 80 broadleaved trees and shrubs in Hyrcanian forests. In this study some of the silvicultural properties of beech were studied under a shelterwood cutting system in a regeneration unit of 25 years old stand in Sangdeh forests of Iran. Tree height, diameter, canopy cover, variety of species, frequency at different stages of growth (seedling, sapling, thicket and pole) and tree density at juvenile phase were recorded in 431 circular 1,000 m<sup>2</sup> sample plots before and after shelterwood cutting. Results indicated that tree density in the diameter at breast height (dbh) class of < 20 cm increased during shelterwood cutting. Canopy cover of regeneration unit was 78.5% in 1957, while in 2000 and after the shelterwood cutting it reached 59%. Growing stages of regeneration were 14% sapling, 21% thicket, 24% small pole and 41% pole. The shelterwood method has not been very successful in our study area due to a number of technical and potential problems.

New Designs of a Two-Phase E-Core Switched Reluctance Machine by Optimizing the Magnetic Structure for a Specific Application: Concept, Design, and Analysis

Three new magnetic structures for an E-core switched reluctance machine (SRM) comprising two segmented stator cores or a monolithic stator core are proposed for good manufacturability, mechanically robustness, ease of assembly, and electromagnetic-performance improvement. The E-core stator has four small poles with phase windings and two or four large poles (hereinafter referred to as common poles) in between. The common poles do not have copper windings or permanent magnets. The common poles are shared by both phases for positive-torque generation during the entire operation. The air gap around the common pole has constant and minimum reluctance, irrespective of rotor position, by its unique design, and the two small stator poles experience variable reluctance with respect to rotor position. The segmented stator can be constructed with two independent and physically separate E-shaped cores with L- or I-shaped yokes so that the straight back iron in the stator rather than the curved back iron is suitable for assembly with other parts like end bells or brackets. The monolithic stator also has an L-shaped yoke for the same reason, and the new E-core SRMs are designed by means of pole-arc optimization. The novel E-core SRMs are compared to a conventional two-phase SRM. The comparison includes cost savings, torque, copper and core losses, efficiency, and radial force in order to validate the distinct features of the E-core SRMs. For experimental verification, laboratory testing of a segmented E-core SRM is conducted, and the simulated and measured phase currents and voltages correlate well.

Treating lower pole renal stones: in defence of shock wave lithotripsy

I have been invited to participate in this written debate, with Reem Al-Bareeq and John Denstedt, on the preferred treatment option for lower pole renal stones.

Assimilation apparatus variability of beech transplants grown in variable light conditions of blue spruce shelter

The paper valuates the differences in the selected characteristics of the assimilation apparatus of beech transplants growing in various light conditions of blue spruce small pole stage in the Jizerské hory Mts. in the Czech Republic. The leaf area, chemical parameters, and photosynthetic capacity measured by the method of chlorophyll fluorescence were established. Light conditions of individual beech trees were determined by means of processing a hemisphere photograph of the crown space. The research revealed a significant trend of decreasing nitrogen content with increasing irradiance of the beech. The foliage of the sheltered beech trees exhibited higher contents of phosphorus and potassium. The average specific leaf mass (SLM) of the beech under crowns was lower (0.303 contrary to 0.499 g/dm<sup>2</sup> in gap) and the respective variants did not differ in average leaf size. A significantly higher maximum fluorescence and a maximum quantum yield (0.854 contrary to 0.803 in gap) were found under crowns. A significant variance was also observed in the absorption capacity. It follows that the beech showed adaptation to the light conditions defined by its location within the stand of blue spruce.

Vascularized bone grafts and their applications in the treatment of carpal pathology.

Vascularized bone grafts (VBGs) are techniques in the management of certain types of carpal pathology. VBGs have traditionally been advocated for conditions including delayed and nonunion of fractures and avascular necrosis. The most common indications for VBG have been for scaphoid nonunion, lunatomalacia (Kienböck's disease), and osteonecrosis of the scaphoid (Preiser's disease). Advantages over NVBG have been established. VBGs provide improved blood flow, osteocyte preservation, and accelerated healing rates. Local pedicled VBGs are the most commonly used methods. They are technically less demanding than are free VBGs and are associated with less morbidity. Commonly used donor grafts arise from the dorsal vasculature of the wrist and include the 1,2 intercompartmental supraretinacular artery (1,2 ICSRA), the 2,3 ICSRA, the fourth extensor compartment artery (fourth ECA), and the fifth ECA. A 4 + 5 ECA combination graft has been described to provide a longer pedicle. In managing osteonecrosis, most surgeons would agree that VBG should be reserved for carpal bones with an intact cartilaginous shell and no collapse. In treating scaphoid pathology, indications for VBG include fractures/nonunions with proximal pole avascular necrosis and/or small proximal pole fragments.

Renal artery saccular aneurysm

A 53-year-old woman was admitted for evaluation of a pulsating abdominal mass. She had visited the emergency department complaining of a racing heartbeat and headache, which had bothered her on and off for 4 years. She was normotensive. A workup for palpitation was negative; however, the physical examination found a pulsating abdominal mass in the right periumbilical area. A computed tomography angiography (Cover) showed a 2.3 1.7-cm sized saccular aneurysm in the right renal artery, which was confirmed by renal angiography (A). Her elder sister had died of subarachnoid hemorrhage due to rupture of a cerebral artery aneurysm. Intracranial imaging was negative for cerebral aneurysm in this patient. Under general anesthesia, a midline laparotomy incision was made, and an extended Kocher maneuver was used to expose the right renal hilum. After dissecting the saccular aneurysm on the right renal artery (B), surgical angioplasty was done by aneurysmorrhaphy, end-to-end anastomosis of the renal artery, and end-to-side anastomosis of the branch to the lower pole of the right kidney. Although the postoperative computed tomography angiography (C) showed a minor perfusion decrease and possibly a small upper pole infarction, the serum creatinine level was unchanged. The patient is doing well after full recovery.

Prospective Randomized Trial Comparing Shock Wave Lithotripsy and Ureteroscopy for Lower Pole Caliceal Calculi 1 cm or Less

Purpose The optimal management of lower pole renal calculi is controversial. We compared shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) and ureteroscopy (URS) for the treatment of patients with small lower pole stones in a prospective, randomized, multicenter trial. Materials and Methods A total of 78 patients with 1 cm or less isolated lower pole stones were randomized to SWL or URS. The primary outcome measure was stone-free rate on noncontrast computerized tomography at 3 months. Secondary outcome parameters were length of stay, complication rates, need for secondary procedures and patient derived quality of life measures. Results A total of 67 patients randomized to SWL (32) or URS (35) completed treatment. The 2 groups were comparable with respect to age, sex, body mass index, side treated and stone surface area. Operative time was significantly shorter for SWL than URS (66 vs 90 minutes). At 3 months of followup 26 and 32 patients who underwent SWL and URS had radiographic followup that demonstrated a stone-free rate of 35% and 50%, respectively (p not significant). Intraoperative complications occurred in 1 SWL case (unable to target stone) and in 7 URS cases (failed access in 5 and perforation in 2), while postoperative complications occurred in 7 SWL and 7 URS cases. Patient derived quality of life measures favored SWL. Conclusions This study failed to demonstrate a statistically significant difference in stone-free rates between SWL and URS for the treatment of small lower pole renal calculi. However, SWL was associated with greater patient acceptance and shorter convalescence.

Quality selection in young oak stands

The paper deals with an experiment that was established at Opočno Experimental Station of the Forest and Game Management Research Institute (CR) in an oak small pole stage in 1952 to test whether Schaedelin’’s (1942) tending method worked out for beech stands is suitable for oak stands. Development and growth of the oak stand without tending are analysed, and the influence of repeated positive selection and of definitive selection of target trees on the oak stand is described. The result of the 50-year experiment is that Schaedelin’s tending method is suitable also for oak stands. However, it is rational only if the choice of candidates from the small pole stage is focused on vital straight trees.

The motivic zeta function and its smallest poles

Let f be a regular function on a nonsingular complex algebraic variety of dimension d. We prove a formula for the motivic zeta function of f in terms of an embedded resolution. This formula is over the Grothendieck ring itself, and specializes to the formula of Denef and Loeser over a certain localization. We also show that the space of n-jets satisfying f = 0 can be partitioned into locally closed subsets which are isomorphic to a cartesian product of some variety with an affine space of dimension ⌜ d n / 2 ⌝ . Finally, we look at the consequences for the poles of the motivic zeta function.

PID controller synthesis for a class of unstable MIMO plants with I/O delays

Conditions are presented for closed-loop stabilizability of linear time-invariant (LTI) multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) plants with I/O delays (time delays in the input and/or output channels) using PID ( Proportional + Integral + Derivative ) controllers. We show that systems with at most two unstable poles can be stabilized by PID controllers provided a small gain condition is satisfied. For systems with only one unstable pole, this condition is equivalent to having sufficiently small delay-unstable pole product. Our method of synthesis of such controllers identify some free parameters that can be used to satisfy further design criteria than stability.

Anthropogenic pressure on structure and composition of a shola forest in Kerala, India

The montane closed evergreen forests found at altitudes above 1,800 m in the Western Ghats of India possess a distinct vegetation type and are called shola forests. Despite the fact that these forests are located in relatively inaccessible areas, they are still under anthropogenic pressure leading to continued habitat degradation and loss of biomass and biodiversity. A case study was conducted in Mananvan shola, the largest shola forest in Kerala of Western Ghats, to recognize the impact of disturbance on vegetation structure, composition and regeneration pattern, to identify the socio-economic reasons for disturbance and to evolve strategies for its management. In the disturbed part of the forest, dominance of light demanding species in tree, shrub and herb communities has been recorded. Here even the dominance of exotic species in tree seedling, shrub and herb communities is prominent. Skewed girth class distribution of tree community with poor representation by the individuals of girth class 30.1 to 90.0 cm, is also an indication of the collection of small wood and poles from the forest. The RISQ (Ramakrishnan Index of Stand Quality) in the disturbed area of the forest is above 2.0 as against near to 1.0 in relatively undisturbed forest stands suggesting that the disturbance is intensive and thus natural recovery process would be slow. Socioeconomic analysis in villages located near the shola forest revealed the fact that the people depended heavily on this forest for their livelihood. Thus, the crux and the success of future management and conservation strategy depend on how one can reduce the dependency of people on the shola vegetation. Enrichment planting in disturbed parts of shola, enhancement of firewood by raising energy plantations, as well as development of lemongrass and firewood based agroforestry systems and reduction of grazing pressure by developing silvopastoral systems are the major strategies for the conservation of these shola forests.

PID CONTROLLER SYNTHESIS FOR A CLASS OF UNSTABLE MIMO PLANTS WITH I/O DELAYS

Conditions are presented for closed-loop stabilizability of linear time-invariant (LTI) multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) plants with I/O delays (time delays in the input and/or output channels) using PID (Proportional + Integral + Derivative) controllers. We show that systems with at most two unstable poles can be stabilized by PID controllers provided a small gain condition is satisfied. For systems with only one unstable pole, this condition is equivalent to having sufficiently small delay-unstable pole product. Our method of synthesis of such controllers identify some free parameters that can be used to satisfy further design criteria than stability.

PROSPECTIVE, RANDOMIZED TRIAL COMPARING SHOCK WAVE LITHOTRIPSY AND URETEROSCOPY FOR LOWER POLE CALICEAL CALCULI 1 CM OR LESS

The optimal management of lower pole renal calculi is controversial. We compared shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) and ureteroscopy (URS) for the treatment of patients with small lower pole stones in a prospective, randomized, multicenter trial. A total of 78 patients with 1 cm or less isolated lower pole stones were randomized to SWL or URS. The primary outcome measure was stone-free rate on noncontrast computerized tomography at 3 months. Secondary outcome parameters were length of stay, complication rates, need for secondary procedures and patient derived quality of life measures. A total of 67 patients randomized to SWL (32) or URS (35) completed treatment. The 2 groups were comparable with respect to age, sex, body mass index, side treated and stone surface area. Operative time was significantly shorter for SWL than URS (66 vs 90 minutes). At 3 months of followup 26 and 32 patients who underwent SWL and URS had radiographic followup that demonstrated a stone-free rate of 35% and 50%, respectively (p not significant). Intraoperative complications occurred in 1 SWL case (unable to target stone) and in 7 URS cases (failed access in 5 and perforation in 2), while postoperative complications occurred in 7 SWL and 7 URS cases. Patient derived quality of life measures favored SWL. This study failed to demonstrate a statistically significant difference in stone-free rates between SWL and URS for the treatment of small lower pole renal calculi. However, SWL was associated with greater patient acceptance and shorter convalescence.

Monochorionic triplet gestation after in vitro fertilization using donor oocytes: Case report and review

To report on a patient with a monochorionic triamnionic triplet pregnancy after IVF with donor oocytes. Case report. Academic tertiary care hospital. A 42-year-old woman who underwent IVF with donor oocytes. After failed IVF attempts, the patient chose to undergo treatment with donor oocytes. Her 23-year-old oocyte donor underwent standard controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Retrieved oocytes were fertilized in vitro, and two embryos were transferred at the blastocyst stage. Intrauterine pregnancy with single gestational sac and three fetal poles with cardiac activity. After extensive counseling with perinatologists about pregnancy complications, the patient elected to terminate at 10 weeks of gestation. Several processes have been suggested to explain the increase in monozygotic twinning after IVF. These factors include advanced maternal age, superovulation, manipulation of the zona pellucida, and prolonged culture. It is possible that other factors may also play a role, especially in high-order monozygotic multiple pregnancies. All patients should be informed of the potential risk of a high-order multiple pregnancy after IVF, even when only one or two embryos are transferred.

Determination of a synchronous generator characteristics via Finite Element Analysis

In the paper a determination of characteristics of a small salient pole synchronous generator (SG) is presented. Machine characteristics are determined via Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and for that purpose is used the software package FEMM Version 3.3. After performing their calculation and analysis, one can conclude that most of the characteristics presented in this paper can be obtained only by using the Finite Element Method (FEM).

Death in the Hills

Children, Youth and Environments 15(1), 2005 Death in the Hills Peter H. Kahn, Jr. University of Washington Citation: Kahn, Jr., Peter H. (2005). “Death in the Hills.” Children, Youth and Environments 15(1): 354-357. I relax on a sandy spot by the river’s edge. I feel the paleness of the afternoon August light. I swim gently in the pools. Yet my mind complicates as I wonder, how is it possible to unite life with death when we experience the former but only see evidence of the latter? We see people die of old age, cancer, AIDS, in battle, through suicide, people we love, people we don’t know. How many people die each year? We have squashed bugs as kids, and still slap mosquitoes as adults. Most of us eat dead meat: fish, chicken, cow, pig. Slaughterhouses hide the hideous images. Cows strung by their hind feet, throats slit, bled to death. Hannah Arendt concludes her 1958 treatise The Human Condition by saying that there’s life, affirm it. A simple line of thought after many hundreds of pages of notso -simple ideas. In Freud’s early theorizing, there was the sexual instinct, and aggression was subsumed under that. In his middle period, aggression stood alongside of sexuality as the dominant instincts in man. In his third period, sexuality was viewed as derivative of a life instinct, and aggression derivative of a death instinct. Life and Death. After more than 50 years of theorizing, it got simple for Freud, too. **************** I’m slowly reclaiming my shed after a winter’s absence. I built it around a decade ago, a small pole structure with a hefty workbench and many shelves. Early this summer, as I was picking up a gas can on the perimeter of the shed, I noticed yellow jackets flying around me. Then I was stung on my right hand. I got out fast. I saw a swarm around the spot where I had been. I had apparently stepped on the entrance to a ground nest underneath the oak round on which I stored the gas can. I don’t do so good with stings. This one swelled up my hand, wrist, and arm about half again the size of the original. The swelling eased a bit by the fourth day, which saw me back at the shed before sunrise fortified with a hornet-killing spray. With my foot I knocked over the oak round, took three steps back, and sprayed their nest fast and long. Yellow jackets kept moving and I kept spraying. I went Death in the Hills 356 through a lot of poison; my arm must have still been aching from that sting. Later my 11-year daughter Zoe and I inspected the nest. It was about a foot deep, filled with larvae and dead yellow jackets. A few days later I used fire tongs to pick up a can that was filled with another nest, and I dunked it quick into a bucket of water and let it rest like that for a day. Dead wasps floated to the surface. I could now be in the shed without immediate danger of being stung. Next up was to do something about the mess that the rats have been making. So yesterday afternoon I set a rat trap on the workbench in my shed. Set it with a peanut. This morning there was one dead rat. I let it go nearby. Just looked at it this afternoon. About a dozen wasps are gnawing at the dead rat’s eyeballs and nostrils. Not the prettiest sight. But what is pretty? Is pretty only associated with life? Ugly associated with death? Or is that the dichotomy that sets life apart from death, and so situates it apart from the whole, fragmented, where fear can work? Next morning, the rat is gone. It was there in the moonlight the night before. **************** My wife Batya, daughter, and I share this land with 12 other families, and we live here when we can, which is usually during the summer months and sometimes longer. It’s 670 acres of meadows and forests in Northern California, off the grid, an hour...

Necrotic disease of beech in individual growth stages

The paper deals with the present state of necrotic disease of beech in the growth stages of self-seeding, advance growth, thicket, small pole stage, pole stage and maturing stand from four localities of Central and Eastern Slovakia. We found out that the self-seeding was affected by the necrotic disease to the least extent. The strongest negative changes in the necrotic disease measured in terms of its frequency were recorded in the stage of advance growth. In later stages the trend of negative changes in necrotic disease became more moderate and was accompanied by small fluctuations. The lowest degree of necrotic disease expressed by means of stem necrotisation index (I<sub>NK</sub>) was in the small pole stage, it moderately increased in the pole stage and in maturing stands. The frequency of stem necrotisation in maturing stands ranged from 89% to 96%. The results confirm the fact that the necrotic disease belongs to significant phytopathological problems influencing development of beech stands.