21 research outputs found
Clustering, Order, and Collapse in a Driven Granular Monolayer
Steady state dynamics of clustering, long range order, and inelastic collapse
are experimentally observed in vertically shaken granular monolayers. At large
vibration amplitudes, particle correlations show only short range order like
equilibrium 2D hard sphere gases. Lowering the amplitude "cools" the system,
resulting in a dramatic increase in correlations leading either to clustering
or an ordered state. Further cooling forms a collapse: a condensate of
motionless balls co-existing with a less dense gas. Measured velocity
distributions are non-Gaussian, showing nearly exponential tails.Comment: 9 pages of text in Revtex, 5 figures; references added, minor
modifications Paper accepted to Phys Rev Letters. Tentatively scheduled for
Nov. 9, 199
Effect of organic carbon enrichment on the treatment efficiency of primary settled wastewater by Chlorella vulgaris
Relationship Between Swallowing Function and Maximum Phonation Time in Patients With Parkinsonism
Objective To identify the relationship between maximum phonation time (MPT) and swallowing function, as well as the elements of swallowing, in order to provide a rationale for speech therapy in patients with Parkinsonism manifesting dysphagia. Methods Thirty patients with Parkinsonism who underwent speech evaluation and videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) were recruited. The MPT, the longest periods of sustained pronunciation of /aa/, was evaluated. The VFSS was evaluated using Penetration Aspiration Scale (PAS), National Institutes of Health-Swallowing Safety Scale (NIH-SSS), and Videofluoroscopic Dysphagia Scale (VDS). The relationship between dysphagia scales and MPT was analyzed using Pearson correlation. The difference in VDS variables between subgroups (Parkinson disease or Parkinsonian syndrome, independent or dependent ambulation, and normal or abnormal MPT) and the difference in MPT between subgroups based on the VDS variables were analyzed using the independent t-test. Results Bolus formation and laryngeal elevation functions were significantly higher in the normal MPT group compared with the impaired group. In the VDS variables, patients with intact bolus formation, oral transit time, pharyngeal swallow triggering, and laryngeal elevation showed significantly longer MPTs compared with the impaired groups. In addition, MPT was significantly correlated with the VDS and modestly correlated with the NIH-SSS, but not the PAS, suggesting that phonatory function is related to the oropharyngeal swallowing function, but not directly to the aspiration itself. Conclusion The correlation between MPT and several swallowing-related elements was identified, indicating an interactive correlation between swallowing and phonation. This result justifies voice therapy as a treatment for dysphagia in patients with Parkinsonism
A Case of Myocarditis Associated With Plasmodium vivax Malaria
Cardiac complications in malaria have been infrequently associated with Plasmodium falciparum infections. However, myocarditis associated with Plasmodium vivax malaria has not been reported in the literature. We observed an unusual case of vivax malaria that was complicated by myocarditis.Costedoat-Chalumeau N, 2007, CARDIOLOGY, V107, P73, DOI 10.1159/000094079KIM A, 2007, KOREAN J PARASITOL, V45, P55Choi HJ, 2004, T ROY SOC TROP MED H, V98, P387, DOI 10.1016/j.trstmh.2003.12.002WARRELL DA, 2002, ESSENTIAL MALARIOLOG, P246Oh MD, 2001, AM J TROP MED HYG, V65, P143Carlini ME, 1999, CLIN INFECT DIS, V28, P1182FRANZEN D, 1992, CLIN INVESTIGATOR, V70, P670KERN P, 1989, AM J MED, V87, P139CLARK IA, 1989, T ROY SOC TROP MED H, V83, P436HERRERA JM, 1960, ARCH I CARDIOL MEX, V30, P26
Preliminary Study of Different Treatment Responses between Bevacizumab, Aflibercept and Dexamethasone Implant According to Renal Function in Diabetic Macular Edema Patients
Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between responses to intravitreal bevacizumab injection and renal function in diabetic macular edema (DME) patients. Methods: A retrospective study of the medical records of 104 treatment-naïve DME patients who received intravitreal bevacizumab injection (IVBI) was conducted. Based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, mL/min/1.73 m2), the participants were classified into three groups. Intergroup comparisons of the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central subfield retinal thickness (CST) changes were performed after three-monthly consecutive IVBIs. In the groups with decreased renal function, the response to further treatment with a different drug was investigated. Results: A total of 104 participants were included in the study: 60 participants in the preserved renal function group (eGFR ≥ 60), 25 participants in the moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD) group (30 ≤ eGFR p p < 0.001) were significantly improved only in the preserved renal function group. Following further treatment of patients with decreased renal function, the treatment results were significantly better in those who were switched to aflibercept or dexamethasone implant than in those who were maintained on IVBI. Conclusions: From this preliminary study, we observed that renal function might affect the response to IVBI treatment in patients with DME. In the case of a poor response to initial IVBI treatment for DME in patients with moderate to severe CKD, our study supports switching to the aflibercept or dexamethasone implant