A simulation model of time-dependent plasma-spacecraft interactions

A plasma simulation code is presented that models the time-dependent plasma properties in the vicinity of a spherical, charged spacecraft. After showing agreement with analytic, steady-state theories and ATS-6 satellite data, the following three problems are treated: (1) transient pulses from photoemission at various emission temperatures and ambient plasma conditions, (2) spacecharge limited emission, and (3) simulated plasma oscillations in the long wavelength limit

Group Law Services in Patent Law

If group legal services are to pervade the field of patent law, and in view of the UMW case and the activities of the unregistered patent practitioners, that I suspect is imminent, the most stringent safeguards should be specifically set forth, including the following: specific approvaland regulation by the Patent Office of the group, its modus operandi,and the patent practitioners participation; and stringent restrictions by the Patent Office of the groups\u27 advertising and promotional activities, both written and outside the group. The Patent Office now has statutory authority to regulate registered practitioners, and some regulation could be accomplished in this way. Further, if the abuses that I suspect begin to occur, attempts to broaden the present statute could be made

Group Law Services in Patent Law

If group legal services are to pervade the field of patent law, and in view of the UMW case and the activities of the unregistered patent practitioners, that I suspect is imminent, the most stringent safeguards should be specifically set forth, including the following: specific approvaland regulation by the Patent Office of the group, its modus operandi,and the patent practitioners participation; and stringent restrictions by the Patent Office of the groups\u27 advertising and promotional activities, both written and outside the group. The Patent Office now has statutory authority to regulate registered practitioners, and some regulation could be accomplished in this way. Further, if the abuses that I suspect begin to occur, attempts to broaden the present statute could be made

Prognostic significance of short-term blood pressure variability in acute stroke

Background and Purpose— Blood pressure variability (BPV) may be an important prognostic factor acutely after stroke. This review investigated the existing evidence for the effect of BPV on outcome after stroke, also considering BPV measurement techniques and definitions. Methods— A literature search was performed according to a prespecified study protocol. Two reviewers independently assessed study eligibility and quality. Where appropriate, meta-analyses were performed to assess the effect of BPV on poor functional outcome. Results— Eighteen studies from 1359 identified citations were included. Seven studies were included in a meta-analysis for the effect of BPV on functional outcome (death or disability). Systolic BPV was significantly associated with poor functional outcome: pooled odds ratio per 10-mm Hg increment, 1.2; confidence interval (1.1–1.3). A descriptive review of included studies also supports these findings, and in addition, it suggests that systolic BPV may be associated with increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage in those treated with thrombolytic therapy. Conclusions— This systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that greater systolic BPV, measured early from ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage onset, is associated with poor longer-term functional outcome. Future prospective studies should investigate how best to measure and define BPV in acute stroke, as well as to determine its prognostic significance. </jats:sec

Body-fitted harness provides safe and easy component handling

Body-fitted restraint harness enables workers to safely and conveniently handle critical components during their installation or removal. Since the harness supports the components, the worker is able to maneuver through restricted areas with his hands free. It is easily put on, adjusted, and removed, or comfortably worn without interfering with normal activities

Self-directed learning groups : a vital model for education, support and appraisal amongst sessional GPs

The article discusses that the data from larger mixed method study looking at the support needs of sessional general practitioners (GPs) and how they are being met through a range of formal and informal support system. This article explores the role of Self-Directed Learning Groups (SDLGs) as a model for providing support and educational for sessional GPs as well as factors that make these groups successful

Weissistachys Kentuckiensis: A new Name for Weissia Kentuckiense Rothwell and Taylor

This is the publisher's version, also available electronically from www.jstor.org.The generic name Weissia Roth well and Taylor is determined to be a later homonym of Weissia Hedwig. Weissia Rothwell and Taylor is therefore renamed Weissistachys, and the appropriate name transfer is made for the type species, Weissistachys kentuckiensis (Rothwell et Taylor) comb. nov

Studies of Paleozoic Calamitean Cones: Weissia Kentuckiense Gen. et Sp. Nov.

This is the publisher's version, also available electronically from http://www.jstor.org.The recent discovery of a new petrified fructification from the Lewis Creek coal ball locality in eastern Kentucky adds to our knowledge of the structure and diversity of c alamitean cones. The incomplete specimen measures 4.8 cm long and 6.0 mm in diameter, and is composed of alternating bract and sporangiophore whorls. Approximately 24 bracts are present in each whorl. Bracts arise at right angles to the axis and are fused into a shallow disk for 2.0 mm before arching distally and becoming free. Six sporangiophores arise obliquely from slightly above each bract disk; each sporangiophore bears two large pendant sporangia that are attached along their distal and tangential surfaces. Sporangia! walls are a single cell layer thick and are characterized by internal cell lumen partitions. The distal ends of the sporangiophores are fused to form a continuous ring of tissue that surrounds the sporangia. Features of the new cone are discussed in relation to those of other calamitean cones of similar age

The effect of different assembly loads on taper junction fretting wear in total hip replacements

Variability in the magnitude of the impaction force applied by surgeons to assemble a hip prosthetic head to a femoral stem could be a cause of increased wear in taper junctions. This study investigates the effect of varying the magnitude of the assembly force on fretting wear at the taper over a 10 year period using a 3D finite element model and wear algorithm. It is demonstrated that an increase in assembly force results in a reduction in fretting wear and it is recommended that surgeons should apply an impact force of at least 4 kN to minimise wear rates. The wear patterns and wear rates presented are comparable with observation and measurement of those seen in retrieved prostheses

Short-interval intracortical inhibition: Comparison between conventional and threshold-tracking techniques

BACKGROUND: Short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) is conventionally measured as the relative amplitude reduction of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) by subthreshold conditioning stimuli. In threshold-tracking SICI (T-SICI), stimulus intensity is instead adjusted repeatedly to maintain a constant MEP and inhibition is measured as the relative threshold increase. T-SICI is emerging as a useful diagnostic test, but its relationship to conventional amplitude SICI (A-SICI) is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To compare T-SICI and its reliability with conventional A-SICI measurements. METHODS: In twelve healthy volunteers (6 men, median age 30 years), conventional and T-SICI were recorded at conditioning stimuli (CS) of 50-80% resting motor threshold (RMT) and interstimulus interval of 2.5 ms. Measurements were repeated on the same day and at least a week later by a single operator. RESULTS: Across the CS range, mean group T-SICI showed a strong linear relationship to the mean group values measured by conventional technique (y = 29.7-0.3x, R2 = 0.99), but there was considerable interindividual variability. At CS 60-80% RMT, T-SICI had excellent intraday (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC, 0.81-0.92) and adequate-to-excellent interday (ICC 0.61-0.88) reproducibility. Conventional SICI took longer to complete (median of 5.8 vs 3.8 min, p < 0.001) and tended to have poorer reproducibility (ICC 0.17-0.42 intraday, 0.37-0.51 interday). With T-SICI, smaller sample sizes were calculated for equally powered interventional studies. CONCLUSION: The close relationship between conventional and T-SICI suggests that both techniques reflect similar cortical inhibitory mechanisms. Threshold-tracking measurements of SICI may be able to improve reproducibility, to shorten acquisition time and to reduce sample sizes for interventional studies compared with the conventional technique