Gastric antral diaphragm

Roentgenographic abnormalities in 3 patients with antral diaphragm are presented. Barium studies revealed the diaphragm as a persistent, circumferential defect in the distal antrum, often associated with peptic ulcers or gastric outlet obstruction. At endoscopy the central aperture does not change during peristalsis in contrast to the pylorus, which does. Since the lesion can be excised, its preoperative demonstration by barium studies and endoscopy is emphasized.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/48119/1/261_2005_Article_BF02256340.pd

CO 2 Digital SubtractionSplenoportography with the “Skinny” Needle: Experimental Study in aSwine Model

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and theeffectiveness of CO 2 splenoportography with the“skinny” needle. Methods: A flexible, 22 gaugeneedle (“skinny” needle) was introduced into the exteriorizedspleens of five pigs. After checking the intrasplenic positioning withCO 2 injection, increasing doses of CO 2 (10–60cm 3 ) were injected using a dedicated CO 2 injector with digital imaging. The puncture sites were observed duringand after CO 2 injections, and after removal of the needle.The spleens were then removed for gross and microscopicexamination. Results: In all animals digital subtractionCO 2 splenoportograms showed the splenic, extra- andintrahepatic portal veins, and the most distal portion of the superiormesenteric vein. No CO 2 extravasation occurred in thespleen. There was no significant bleeding from the puncture site afterremoval of the needle. Gross and microscopic examination revealed noevidence of splenic rupture or intrasplenic hematoma. Conclusion: CO 2 splenoportography with the“skinny” needle is a safe and simple method of visualizing theportal vein and its branches. Careful appraisals of the clinicalusefulness of the method will be needed in various clinical settings.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/41323/1/270_2003_Article_2655.pd

Reading In English By Children In Korea: Frequency, Effectiveness, And Barriers

A study of the English non-textbook reading of fourth graders in Korea revealed that about 80% had done at least some reading, confirming that there is enthusiasm for English reading. About half, however, had read only five books or fewer. Non-readers said that the reason they did not read in English was the difficulty of English texts. Those who read more did better on a test of English spelling and vocabulary

Development of an Integrated Evaluation System for a Stretchable Strain Sensor

Recently, much research has been focused on stretchable or flexible electronic sensors for the measurement of strain or deformation on movable and variably shaped objects. In this research, to evaluate the performance of stretchable strain sensors, we have designed an integrated evaluation system capable of simultaneously measuring the change in stress and conductance of a strain sensor. Using the designed system, we have successfully evaluated the deformation characteristics, sensing range and sensing sensitivity of a stretchable strain sensor. We believe that the developed integrated evaluation system could be a useful tool for performance evaluation of stretchable strain sensors.1143Ysciescopu

An underwater superoleophobic nanofibrous cellulosic membrane for oil/water separation with high separation flux and high chemical stability

Oil spills and an increasing demand for the treatment of industrial oily wastewater are driving the need for continuous large-scale oil/water separation processes. Herein, we report a nanofibrous cellulosic membrane (NFC membrane) for the continuous high-flux separation of large amounts of oil/water mixtures. The NFC membrane was fabricated using wet electrospinning, a facile yet effective method for stacking nanofibrous membranes with uniform porous structures on a substrate. Owing to its cellulosic nature, the membrane showed excellent underwater superoleophobicity along with robust chemical stability and was able to separate oil/water mixtures at efficiencies exceeding 99%. Repetitive oil/water separations could be performed using a single membrane, during which the oil content in the filtrate remained extremely low (30 kPa) that allowed not only gravity-driven but also pressure-driven separation of oil/water mixtures. The separation flux reached 120 000 L m−2 h−1 during pressure-driven separations, which is a very promising feature for actual applications such as the large-scale treatment of industrial oily wastewater.116Ysciescopu

Simultaneous VLBI Astrometry of H2O and SiO Masers toward the Semiregular Variable R Crateris

We obtained, for the first time, astrometrically registered maps of the 22.2 GHz H2O and 42.8, 43.1, and 86.2 GHz SiO maser emission toward the semiregular b-type variable (SRb) R Crateris, at three epochs (2015 May 21, and 2016 January 7 and 26) using the Korean Very-long-baseline Interferometry Network. The SiO masers show a ring-like spatial structure, while the H2O maser shows a very asymmetric one-side outflow structure, which is located at the southern part of the ring-like SiO maser feature. We also found that the 86.2 GHz SiO maser spots are distributed in an inner region, compared to those of the 43.1 GHz SiO maser, which is different from all previously known distributions of the 86.2 GHz SiO masers in variable stars. The different distribution of the 86.2 GHz SiO maser seems to be related to the complex dynamics caused by the overtone pulsation mode of the SRb R Crateris. Furthermore, we estimated the position of the central star based on the ring fitting of the SiO masers, which is essential for interpreting the morphology and kinematics of a circumstellar envelope. The estimated stellar coordinate corresponds well to the position measured by Gaia

Lipid Transfer Inhibitor Protein (Apolipoprotein F) Concentration in Normolipidemic and Hyperlipidemic Subjects

Lipid transfer inhibitor protein (LTIP) is an important regulator of cholesteryl ester transfer protein function. We report the development of an immunoassay for LTIP and its use to quantify LTIP in plasma of varying lipid contents. A rabbit antibody against bacterially produced recombinant LTIP detected two LTIP isoforms in plasma differing in carbohydrate content. This antibody was used in a competitive, enzyme-linked immunoassay that uses partially purified LTIP bound to microtiter plates. To optimize LTIP immunoreactivity, plasma samples required preincubation in 1% Tween-20 and 0.5% Nonidet P-40. In normolipidemic plasma, LTIP averaged 83.5 mg/ml. LTIP was 31% higher in males than in females. LTIP was positively associated with HDL cholesterol in normolipidemic males but not in females. In hypertriglyceridemic males, LTIP was only 56% of control values, whereas in hypertriglyceridemic females, LTIP tended to increase. Additionally, in males with normal cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) ≤ 200 mg/dl, LTIP varied inversely with plasma TG. Overall, we have confirmed the negative association between plasma TG levels and LTIP previously suggested by a small data set, but now we demonstrate that this effect is seen only in males. The mechanisms underlying this gender-specific response to TG, and why LTIP and HDL levels correlate in males but not in females, remain to be determined

In Vivo Evaluation of Vena Caval Filters: Can Function Be Linked to Design Characteristics?

Purpose: To compare the five vena caval filters marketed in the United States and one investigational vena caval filter and to determine whether there is an association between their design and their in vivo function.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/42415/1/270-23-6-460_00230460.pd

Time-Resolved Intraband Relaxation of Strongly-Confined Electrons and Holes in Colloidal PbSe Nanocrystals

The relaxation of strongly-confined electrons and holes between 1P and 1S levels in colloidal PbSe nanocrystals has been time-resolved using femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. In contrast to II-VI and III-V semiconductor nanocrystals, both electrons and holes are strongly confined in PbSe nanocrystals. Despite the large electron and hole energy level spacings (at least 12 times the optical phonon energy), we consistently observe picosecond time-scale relaxation. Existing theories of carrier relaxation cannot account for these experimental results. Mechanisms that could possibly circumvent the phonon bottleneck in IV-VI quantum dots are discussed

Carbon dioxide gas as a venous contrast agent to guide upper-arm insertion of central venous catheters

Evaluate in a prospective randomized study carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) gas compared to iodinated contrast agent for image-guided placement of peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs).Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/41321/1/270_2004_Article_BF00204139.pd