The NASA Ames Research Center one- and two-dimensional stratospheric models. Part 2: The two-dimensional model

The two-dimensional model of stratospheric constituents is presented in detail. The derivation of pertinent transport parameters and the numerical solution of the species continuity equations, including a technique for treating the stiff differential equations that represent the chemical kinetic terms, and appropriate methods for simulating the diurnal variations of the solar zenith angle and species concentrations are discussed. Predicted distributions of tracer constituents (ozone, carbon 14, nitric acid) are compared with observed distributions

Fluorophotometry as a diagnostic tool for the evaluation of dry eye disease

BACKGROUND: Dry eye disease is a common debilitating ocular disease. Current diagnostic tests used in dry eye disease are often neither sensitive nor reproducible, making it difficult to accurately diagnose and determine end points for clinical trials, or evaluate the usefulness of different medications in the treatment of dry eye disease. The recently developed fluorophotometer can objectively detect changes in the corneal epithelium by quantitatively measuring its barrier function or permeability. The purpose of the study is to investigate the use of corneal fluorescein penetration measured by the fluorophotometer as a diagnostic tool in the evaluation of dry eye patients. METHODS: Dry eye patients (16 eyes), who presented with a chief complaint of ocular irritation corresponding with dry eye, low Schirmer's one test (<10 mm after 5 minutes) and corneal fluorescein staining score of more than two, were included in the study. Normal subjects (16 eyes), who came for refraction error evaluation, served as controls. Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved consent was obtained before enrolling the subjects in the study and all questions were answered while explaining the risks, benefits and alternatives. All Fluorophotometry of the central corneal epithelium was done utilizing the Fluorotron Master (TradeMark). Each eye had a baseline fluorescein scan performed, after which 50 l of 1% sodium fluorescein dye was instilled. Three minutes later, the fluorescein was washed with 50 ml of normal saline. Fluorescein scans were then started immediately after washing and were recorded at 10, 20, 40, and 60 minutes thereafter. The corneal peak values of fluorescein concentration were recorded within the central cornea in both dry eyes and in controls. RESULTS: Ten minutes after fluorescein installition, patients with dry eye disease averaged a five-fold increase in corneal tissue fluorescein concentration (mean = 375.26 ± 202.67 ng/ml) compared with that of normal subjects (mean = 128.19 ± 85.84 ng/ml). Sixty minutes after dye installation, patients with dry eye disease still revealed higher corneal tissue fluorescein concentration (mean = 112.87 ± 52.83 ng/ml) compared with that of controls (mean = 40.64 ± 7.96 ng/ml), averaging a three-fold increase. CONCLUSION: Patients with dry eye disease demonstrated an increased corneal permeability and a slower rate of elimination to topically administered fluorescein when measured by the fluorophotometer. This suggests that fluorophotometry may serve as a valuable quantitative and objective tool for the diagnosis of dry eye disease, and in following patients' response to new treatment modalities. Fluorophotometry may serve as an objective non-invasive tool for end-point analysis in clinical trials of new treatments for dry eye disease

Environmentally safe in vitro regeneration protocol for Curcuma, Kaempferia and Zingiber

This study is a pioneer report on the development of an environmentally safe in vitro regeneration protocol for Curcuma, Kaempferia and Zingiber. The germplasm of the species was collected from Myanmar, a Southeast Asian country, rich in unexplored Zingiberaceae genetic resources.  Rhizome buds were directly regenerated on the Murashige and Skoog medium containing a growth regulator, 6-benzyladenine and a commercial fungicide, Benlate (50% of Benomyl). The pre-treatment protocol didnot contain HgCl2, a toxic pollutant for Curcuma amada, Curcuma longa, Zingiber barbatum and Kaempferia galanga. Plantlets were regenerated from the buds without any intervention of the callus phase. The contamination free survival of the bud explants from Curcuma, Zingiber and Kaempferia was more than 75, 57 and 53%, respectively. Buds from immature rhizomes were difficult to regenerate on the media, as well as resulted in higher contamination percentages while the buds from maturerhizomes efficiently regenerated with very few contamination percentages. The contamination was in the range of 0 to 39% among the different accessions. This was also the first report of direct in vitro regeneration of plantlets from Z. barbatum bud explants. The protocol was cost-beneficial, time saving and effective for the conservation of Zingiberaceae genetic resources.Key words: Conservation, regeneration, Zingiberaceae, tissue culture, Curcuma, Zingiber, Myanmar

IC immunity modeling process validation using on-chip measurements

International audienceDeveloping integrated circuit (IC) immunity models and simulation flow has become one of the major concerns of ICs suppliers to predict whether a chip will pass susceptibility tests before fabrication and avoid redesign cost. This paper presents an IC immunity modeling process including the standard immunity test applied to a dedicated test chip. An on-chip voltage sensor is used to characterize the radio frequency interference propagation inside the chip and thus validate the immunity modeling process

Amniotic membrane transplantation for wound dehiscence after deep lamellar keratoplasty: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Purpose</p> <p>To report amniotic membrane (AM) transplantation in a patient with wound dehiscence 5 months after deep lamellar keratoplasty (DLKP)</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The patient was an 84-year-old Japanese man who had undergone right DLKP 5 months earlier for central corneal scarring due to recurrent stromal herpetic keratitis. He developed wound dehiscence with corneal stromal melting due to recurrence of stromal herpes in both the donor and recipient sites. "AM roll-in filling technique" and AM patching were performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Following AM transplantation, stromal inflammation subsided and complete epithelization occurred within 10 days of surgery.</p> <p>At 8 months postoperatively, biomicroscopy revealed stable wound apposition or stromal gain. Following AM transplantation, stromal inflammation subsided and complete epithelialization was achieved within 10 days after surgery.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>AM transplantation may offer an effective treatment modality for herpetic corneal wound dehiscence after DLKP.</p

Lamellar corneal injury by bamboo splinters: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>We report an unusual case of corneal lamellar injury caused by long bamboo splinters.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 70-year-old Japanese man visited our hospital with a bamboo injury. Slit lamp examination revealed that a bundle of bamboo splinters had deeply penetrated the corneal stroma of the right eye from the nasal limbus. The splinters were approximately 8 mm in length, but had not perforated the anterior chamber. They were completely removed by superficial corneal incision alongside each splinter with no consequences. The eye has remained healed for 3 months postoperatively.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The bamboo splinters did not perforate the anterior chamber, although they were long and hard enough to do so. This may be because the spatula-like shape and flexibility of the bamboo splinters allowed them to penetrate the lamellar layer of the corneal stroma with ease, but with no perforation of deeper tissue.</p