The Cartilage-Sparing Versus the Cartilage-Cutting Technique: A Retrospective Quality Control Comparison of the Francesconi and Converse Otoplasties

From a total of 281 patients with protruding ears who underwent a bilateral otoplasty between 1990 and 2001, a group of 28 (10%) was selected for a retrospective quality control study. The goal was to compare two methods of otoplasty, the Francesconi, a cartilage-sparing technique, and the Converse, a cartilage-cutting technique, in terms of objectively measurable and subjectively discernable differences in results. Objective parameters included measurement of the three cephaloauricular distances and the conchoscapal angle. An independent plastic surgeon performed the evaluation by means of a systematic evaluation system for rating cosmetic surgical procedures and a 5-point visual analog scale for rating satisfaction. The patients' subjective rate of satisfaction also was investigated using the 5-point scale. The mean medial and inferior cephaloauricular distances were significantly smaller in the Francesconi group. The concoscaphal angle was 90°, or less in all the patients of the Francesconi group, but more than 90° in eight patients (57%) of the Converse group (p = 0.041). Accordingly, the independent surgeon found adequate correction of protrusion in 86% of the Francesconi group and 50% of the Converse group (p = 0.050). His satisfaction rate was significantly in favor of the Francesconi technique (p = 0.006). Not unexpectedly, the patients' satisfaction rate was comparably high in both groups, and there was no statistical difference between them. In conclusion, the quality control led to a clear preference of the Francesconi over the Converse otoplasty. In addition, the assessment of the postoperative results with the systematic evaluation system offered an excellent information base by which to judge the results of otoplasty. Consequent use of this evaluation system will lead to progress in the surgical procedur

Oxygen in Open Cluster Dwarfs: Pleiades and M34

We analyze the high-excitation O I lambda7774 triplet in high-resolution, moderate signal-to-noise ratio spectra of 15 Pleiades and eight M34 open cluster dwarfs over the effective temperature range of 5048-6172 K. Relative O abundances have been derived using model atmospheres interpolated from four different sets of ATLAS9 grids. In contrast to existing non-LTE (NLTE) predictions, a dramatic increase in the O I triplet abundance with decreasing temperature is seen for both clusters, regardless of the atmospheric model. S I abundances of three Pleiades stars derived from the high-excitation lambda6053 feature mimic the O I abundance behavior. O abundances have also been derived from the [O I] lambda6300 feature in three Pleiades stars; the abundances exhibit a much lower mean value than do the cool dwarf triplet results. Inasmuch as the [O I] abundances are presumed to be free from NLTE effects, their mean values ([O/H]6300=+0.14) provide the current best estimate of the Pleiades O abundance. Spreads in [O/H]Trip at a given temperature are also seen in both clusters; no correlation is found between the spreads and the chromospheric emission measures

High-Resolution Spectroscopy of the Planetary Host HD 13189: Highly-Evolved and Metal-Poor

We report on the abundances of 13 elements in the planetary host HD 13189, a massive giant star. Abundances are found to be sub-solar, with [Fe/H] = -0.58 +/- 0.04$; HD 13189 is one of the most metal-poor planetary hosts yet discovered. Abundance ratios relative to Fe show no peculiarities with respect to random field stars. A census of metallicities of the seven currently known planet-harboring giants results in a distribution that is more metal-poor than the well-known metal-rich distribution of main sequence (MS) planetary hosts. This finding is discussed in terms of accretion of H-depleted material, one of the possible mechanisms responsible for the high-metallicity distribution of MS stars with planets. We estimate the mass of the HD 13189 progenitor to be 3.5 M_sun but cannot constrain this value to better than 2-6 M_sun. A stellar mass of 3.5 M_sun implies a planetary mass of m sin i = 14.0 +/- 0.8 M_J, placing the companion at the planet/brown dwarf boundary. Given its physical characteristics, the HD 13189 system is potentially unique among planetary systems, and its continued investigation should provide invaluable data to extrasolar planetary research.Comment: 14 pages, 2 figures; Accepted for publication in ApJ Letter

Movement of transgenic plant-expressed Bt Cry1Ac proteins through high trophic levels

The movement of Bacillus thuringiensis (Berliner) (Bt) Cry1Ac endotoxin through high trophic levels was assessed to help elucidate the effects of Bt toxin on non-target insects. The diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella L., Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), the parasitic wasp (Cotesia vestalis Haliday, Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and the predatory green lacewing Chrysoperla carnea (Stephen) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) were used as a model system in this laboratory study. Bt-resistant P. xylostella larvae fed Cry1Ac-expressing transgenic oilseed rape (OSR, Brassica napus L., Cruciferae), before and after parasitization by C. vestalis, consumed Cry1Ac with the ingested plant material but only a proportion of Cry1Ac consumed was recovered from the bodies and faeces of P. xylostella larvae. Cry1Ac was not detected in newly emerged parasitoid larvae. In contrast, Cry1Ac was detected in C. carnea larvae fed on resistant P. xylostella larvae reared on Bt OSR. However, no Cry1Ac could be detected in C. carnea larvae when the lacewings were transferred to P. xylostella larvae reared on conventional OSR and tested 24-48 h. The metabolizing ability of Cry1Ac is discussed for the larvae of P. xylostella and C. carnea

Pagamento por serviços ambientais hídricos no Brasil: experiências iniciais e os desafios do monitoramento.

Ao avaliar os projetos de pagamentos por serviços ambientais (PSA) no Brasil, observam-se dificuldades recorrentes relacionadas à falta de consolidação das metodologias para a seleção de áreas prioritárias e, sobretudo, para o monitoramento das áreas de prestação dos serviços. A estratégia de pagamentos por serviços ambientais é cada vez mais presente nas políticas ambientais, devido ao reconhecimento da necessidade de novos mecanismos de estímulo à conservação e à manutenção de serviços essenciais à vida, como a provisão de água. A partir da análise das experiências vivenciadas em projetos de Pagamento por Serviços Ambientais (PSA) relacionados à água de alguns estados brasileiros, o trabalho apresenta um panorama destas experiências, de maneira a identificar as tendências, os obstáculos enfrentados e, sobretudo, os aspectos relevantes das metodologias de monitoramento aplicadas

A Bound on the Light Emitted During the TP-AGB Phase

The integrated luminosity of the TP-AGB phase is a major uncertainty in stellar population synthesis models. We use the white dwarf initial final mass relation and stellar interiors models to demonstrate that a significant fraction of the core mass growth for intermediate (1.5 < Msun < 6) mass stars takes place during the TP-AGB phase. We find evidence that the peak fractional core mass contribution for TP-AGB stars is ~20% and occurs for stars between 2 Msun and 3.5 Msun. Using a simple fuel consumption argument we couple this core mass increase to a lower limit on the TP-AGB phase energy output. Roughly half of the energy released in models of TP-AGB stars can be directly accounted for by this core growth; while the remainder is predominantly the stellar yield of He. A robust measurement of the emitted light in this phase will therefore set strong constraints on helium enrichment from TP-AGB stars, and we estimate the yields predicted by current models as a function of initial mass. Implications for stellar population studies and prospects for improvements are discussed.Comment: Submitted to the Astrophysical Journal. 25 pages, 2 figures

Pagamento por serviços ambientais hídricos no Brasil: experiências iniciais e os desafios do monitoramento.

Ao avaliar os projetos de pagamentos por serviços ambientais (PSA) no Brasil, observase dificuldades recorrentes relacionadas à falta de consolidação das metodologias para a seleção de áreas prioritárias e, sobretudo, para o monitoramento das áreas de prestação de serviços. A estratégia de pagamentos por serviços ambientais é cada vez mais presente nas políticas ambientais, a partir de um reconhecimento da necessidade de novos mecanismos de estímulo à conservação e à manutenção de serviços essenciais à vida, como a provisão de água. A partir da análise das experiências vivenciadas em projetos de Pagamento por Serviços Ambientais (PSA) relacionado à água de alguns estados brasileiros, pretende-se proporcionar um panorama destas experiências, de maneira a identificar as tendências, os gargalos e, sobretudo, questões relacionadas às metodologias de monitoramento aplicadas

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Hyperfine Structure

Contains research objectives and reports on six research objectives