Surface and sub-surface thermal oxidation of thin ruthenium films

A mixed 2D (film) and 3D (nano-column) growth of ruthenium oxide has been experimentally observed for thermally oxidized polycrystalline ruthenium thin films. Furthermore, in situ x-ray reflectivity upon annealing allowed the detection of 2D film growth as two separate layers consisting of low density and high density oxides. Nano-columns grow at the surface of the low density oxide layer, with the growth rate being limited by diffusion of ruthenium through the formed oxide film. Simultaneously, with the growth of the columns, sub-surface high density oxide continues to grow limited by diffusion of oxygen or ruthenium through the oxide fil

Deep Spectral Meshes: Multi-Frequency Facial Mesh Processing with Graph Neural Networks

With the rising popularity of virtual worlds, the importance of data-driven parametric models of 3D meshes has grown rapidly. Numerous applications, such as computer vision, procedural generation, and mesh editing, vastly rely on these models. However, current approaches do not allow for independent editing of deformations at different frequency levels. They also do not benefit from representing deformations at different frequencies with dedicated representations, which would better expose their properties and improve the generated meshes’ geometric and perceptual quality. In this work, spectral meshes are introduced as a method to decompose mesh deformations into low-frequency and high-frequency deformations. These features of low- and high-frequency deformations are used for representation learning with graph convolutional networks. A parametric model for 3D facial mesh synthesis is built upon the proposed framework, exposing user parameters that control disentangled high- and low-frequency deformations. Independent control of deformations at different frequencies and generation of plausible synthetic examples are mutually exclusive objectives. A Conditioning Factor is introduced to leverage these objectives. Our model takes further advantage of spectral partitioning by representing different frequency levels with disparate, more suitable representations. Low frequencies are represented with standardised Euclidean coordinates, and high frequencies with a normalised deformation representation (DR). This paper investigates applications of our proposed approach in mesh reconstruction, mesh interpolation, and multi-frequency editing. It is demonstrated that our method improves the overall quality of generated meshes on most datasets when considering both the  (Formula presented.)  norm and perceptual Dihedral Angle Mesh Error (DAME) metrics

Adequate symptom relief justifies hepatic resection for benign disease

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term results of partial liver resection for benign liver lesions. METHODS: All patients operated on for benign liver lesions from 1991 to 2002 were included. Information was retrieved from medical records, the hospital registration system and by a telephonic questionnaire. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients with a median age of 41 years (17–71) were operated on (M/F ratio 5/23). The diagnosis was haemangioma in 8 patients, FNH in 6, HCA in 13 and angiomyolipoma in 1. Eight patients were known to have relevant co-morbidity. Median operating time was 207 minutes (45–360). The morbidity rate was 25% and no postoperative mortality was observed. Twenty-two patients (79%) had symptoms (mainly abdominal pain) prior to surgery. Twenty-five patients were reached for a questionnaire. The median follow up was 55 months (4–150). In 89% of patients preoperative symptoms had decreased or disappeared after surgery. Four patients developed late complications. CONCLUSION: Long-term follow up after liver surgery for benign liver lesions shows considerable symptom relief and patient satisfaction. In addition to a correct indication these results justify major surgery with associated morbidity and mortality

Лексична лакуна як об'єкт лінгвістичних досліджень

В статье осуществлен теоретический обзор проблемы лакунарности, как одного из основных вопросов при реконструкции языковой картины мира. Представлена классификация лексических лакун на материале сопоставления украинского, русского и английского языка.В статті зроблено теоретичний огляд проблеми лакунарності як одного з основних питань при реконструкції мовної картини світу. Представлена класифікація лексичних лакун на матеріалі зіставлення української, російської та англійської мови.This paper is a theoretical review on lacunarity as one of the main problems in reconstruction of the linguistic picture of the world. A classification of lexical lacunae has been suggested using the material of comparison of the Ukrainian, Russian and English languages

Starreveld scoring method in diagnosing childhood constipation

Four scoring methods exist to assess severity of fecal loading on plain abdominal radiographs in constipated patients (Barr-, Starreveld-, Blethyn- and Leech). So far, the Starreveld score was used only in adult patients. To determine accuracy and intra- and inter-observer agreement of the Starreveld scoring method in the diagnosis of functional constipation among pediatric patients. In addition, we compared the Starreveld with the Barr scoring method. Thirty-four constipated and 34 non-constipated children were included. Abdominal radiographs, obtained before treatment, were rated (Starreveld- and Barr) by 4 observers. A second observation after 4 weeks was done by 3 observers. Cut-off level for the Starreveld score, accuracy as measured by the area under the receiver operator characteristics curve, and inter- and intra-observer agreement were calculated. Cut-off value for the Starreveld score was 10. AUC for Starreveld score was 0.54 and for Barr score 0.38, indicating poor discriminating power. Inter-observer agreement was 0.49-0.52 4 (Starreveld) and 0.44 (Barr), which is considered moderate. Intra-observer agreement was 0.52-0.71 (Starreveld) and 0.62- 0.76 (Barr). The Starreveld scoring method to assess fecal loading on a plain abdominal radiograph is of limited value in the diagnosis of childhood constipatio

Intestinal Obstruction Syndromes in Cystic Fibrosis: Meconium Ileus, Distal Intestinal Obstruction Syndrome, and Constipation

Meconium ileus at birth, distal intestinal obstruction syndrome (DIOS), and constipation are an interrelated group of intestinal obstruction syndromes with a variable severity of obstruction that occurs in cystic fibrosis patients. Long-term follow-up studies show that today meconium ileus is not a risk factor for impaired nutritional status, pulmonary function, or survival. DIOS and constipation are frequently seen in cystic fibrosis patients, especially later in life; genetic, dietary, and other associations have been explored. Diagnosis of DIOS is based on suggestive symptoms, with a right lower quadrant mass confirmed on abdominal radiography, whereas symptoms of constipation are milder and of longer standing. In DIOS, early aggressive laxative treatment with oral laxatives (polyethylene glycol) or intestinal lavage with balanced osmotic electrolyte solution and rehydration is required, which now makes the need for surgical interventions rare. Constipation can generally be well controlled with polyethylene glycol maintenance treatment

Een nieuwe koek, vrij van koemelkeiwit, kippeëi-eiwit, lactose en gluten, voor kinderen met voedselovergevoeligheid

Evaluation of the clinical reaction of 10 children with food allergy, including allergy to cow's milk protein, to the introduction of a new biscuit, free of cow's milk protein, chicken egg protein, lactose and gluten. Descriptive prospective study. Outpatient clinic, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Hospital Groningen. In 10 patients (mean age 28 months, range 13-78 months) with a proven cow's milk protein allergy the new biscuit (25 biscuits of 15.5 g each in 2 weeks) was introduced without otherwise changing the diet. The clinical symptoms, total serum IgE, the IgE radio-allergosorbent test (RAST), the skin test, the intestinal permeability (measured with the sugar absorption test), and energy and nutrient intake were determined before and after the introduction of the biscuits. Results were evaluated by the Wilcoxon test. Laboratory results were not significantly different between the groups. A recurrent clinical reaction was seen in one patient after consumption of a biscuit (probably due to a potato component). During the period of biscuit consumption energy and nutrient intake were increased in all children when a maximum of 1.5 biscuit per day was consumed. No problems were seen in 9/10 children following introduction of the new biscuit. Energy and nutrient intake were improved. An allergic reaction was seen in 1/10 children, probably due to the potato componen