Diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) from Sheeder Prairie, Guthrie County, lowa

Seventy-four diatom species, varieties, and forms representing 15 genera were found in collections from Sheeder Prairie. The most widely distributed taxa were Navicula mutica Kutz., Hantzschia amphioxys (Ehr.) Grun., and Pinnularia borealis Ehr. Three taxa which had not previously been reported from Iowa are Navicula charlatii f. simplex Hust., Navicula contenta var. parallela Petersen, and Navicula dismutica Hust. Marked differences in the floras from upland and lowland collections were observed. The greatest diversity of species was found at the two sites where standing water occurred occasionally. Fifty-six taxa were found in collections from one of these sites; 31 taxa were found in samples from the other. In contrast, 3-5 taxa were found in samples from upland sites considered to be relatively dry

Predicting the reliability of electronic circuits.

Procedures to predict the reliability of electrical circuits are discussed. Three cases are introduced and discussed. In Case 1, an analyst predicts the probability of any failure in the intended relations between circuit inputs and circuit outputs. In Case 2, an analyst predicts the probability that specified unintended outputs would occur. In Case 3, an analyst considers coupling between circuits. Logic models are given for the three cases, and sources of failure probabilities of components are mentioned. Methods of analysis are given, software tools are mentioned, and recommendations for presentation and review of results are discussed

A crystal field analysis of cobalt impurities in GaP

Crystal field analysis of cobalt impurities in gallium phosphid

Consumer acceptance of patient-performed mobile teledermoscopy for the early detection of melanoma

Background Mobile teledermoscopy allows consumers to send images of skin lesions to a teledermatologist for remote diagnosis. Currently, technology acceptance of mobile teledermoscopy by people at high risk of melanoma is unknown. Objectives We aimed to determine the acceptance of mobile teledermoscopy by consumers based on perceived usefulness, ease of use, compatibility, attitude/intention, subjective norms, facilitators and trust before use. Consumer satisfaction was explored after use

Clinical presentations on a facial pain clinic

Introduction: The complex nature of facial pain conditions creates a diagnostic challenge which may necessitate specialist referral. Aim: To identify the case mix presenting to a specialist tertiary care facial pain clinic. Methods: A retrospective review of 112 patient records was undertaken. Trends in provisional diagnoses from referrers and the correlation to diagnoses made following specialist consultation were reviewed. Results: The most common provisional diagnoses recorded in referral letters were painful temporomandibular disorders, trigeminal neuralgia and persistent idiopathic facial pain (PIFP). Over a quarter of referrals did not include a provisional diagnosis. Following assessment, only one case was not given a definitive diagnosis and no patients were diagnosed with PIFP. A causative factor was identified in all the initially queried PIFP cases, and painful post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathic pain was found in multiple patients. Conclusions: Painful post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathic pain should be considered if pain onset coincides with dental treatment or other traumatic events. PIFP is a rare facial pain diagnosis and may be over-diagnosed by dental and medical practitioners. It is important to systematically exclude other causes before reaching this diagnosis. This will facilitate effective treatment, manage patient expectations and potentially reduce unnecessary referrals

Open-label trial with artemether-lumefantrine against uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria three years after its broad introduction in Jimma Zone, Ethiopia

Background: In Jimma Zone, Ethiopia, the first-line treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria has been changed from sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) to artemether-lumefantrine (AL) in 2006. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of AL in Jimma Zone two to three years after its broad introduction. Methods: An open-label, single-arm, 42-day study of AL against falciparum malaria was conducted in four areas with moderate transmission in Jimma Zone between November 2008 and January 2009 and between August and December 2009. Patients (one-81 years) with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum mono-infection were consecutively enrolled. Follow-up visits were at day 2, 3, 7, 28 and 42 or any other day if symptoms reoccurred. Primary and secondary endpoints were PCR-corrected and uncorrected cure rates (molecular differentiation between recrudescence and re-infection) on days 28 and 42. Other secondary endpoints were gametocytaemia at day 7 and day 28, parasitaemia at day 2 and 3, and re-infection rates at day 28 and day 42. Results: Of 348 enrolled patients, 313 and 301 completed follow-up at day 28 and at day 42, respectively. No early treatment failure occurred. For per protocol analysis, PCR-uncorrected cure rates at day 28 and 42 were 99.1% (95% CI 98.0-100.0) and 91.1% (95% CI 87.9-94.3), respectively. PCR-corrected cure rates at day 28 and 42 were 99.4% (95% CI 98.5-100.0) and 94.7% (95% CI 92.2-97.2), respectively. PCR-corrected cure rate at day 42 for children <= 5 years was 90.6% (95% CI 82.4-98.7) only. Adverse events were in general mild to moderate. Incidence of new infections was 3.4% during 42 days, no new infections with Plasmodium vivax were observed. Microscopically detected gametocytaemia was reduced by 80% between day 0 and day 7. Conclusion: In general, AL was effective and well tolerated in Jimma Zone, Ethiopia. However, the PCR-corrected recrudescence rate per-protocol at day 42 for children <= 5 years was 9.4%. Therefore, further development should be monitored on a regular basis as recommended by WHO