Electrochromic graduated filters with symmetric electrode configuration.

Graduated optical filters are commonly used for spatial image control as they are capable of darkening the overexposed parts of the image specifically. However, they lack flexibility because each filter has a fixed transmission distribution. We herein present a fully controllable graduated filter based on the electrochromic device.

Following in the footsteps of Hippocrates-interrelation between the incidence of odontogenic abscess and meteorological parameters.

Objectives: Although many physicians in daily practice assume a connection between odontogenic infections and meteorological parameters, this has not yet been scientifically proven. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the incidence of odontogenic abscess (OA) in relation to outdoor temperature and atmospheric pressure.

Patients And Methods: An analysis of patients with an odontogenic abscess who presented at the emergency department within a period of 24 months was performed.

Odontogenic Abscess-Related Emergency Hospital Admissions: A Retrospective Data Analysis of 120 Children and Young People Requiring Surgical Drainage.

Introduction: Even today, despite medical progress and intensive health education, odontogenic infections leading to surgical intervention and hospitalization are common in children and young people. The aim of this study was to give a detailed overview of clinical and economic data on children and young people treated and hospitalized due to an odontogenic abscess at a tertiary university hospital.

Methods: A single-center retrospective analysis of patients under the age of 18 years who were hospitalized and surgically treated under local or general anesthesia for an odontogenic abscess during a period of 24 months was performed.

HealthDesk for Hemophilia: an interactive computer and communications system for chronic illness self-management.

HealthDesk for Hemophilia is an interactive computer software application designed on the premise that successful chronic illness self-management requires information, self-care skills, on-going communication with health care providers, and user-friendly record keeping. The software was pilot tested for six months in the homes of eight hemophilia patients. The purpose of the pilot was to assess the impact of HealthDesk for Hemophilia on patient satisfaction, patient-provider communication, and user confidence in chronic illness self-management.

Anticonvulsant-induced changes in tissue manganese, zinc, copper, and iron concentrations in Wistar rats.

Human epileptics have been reported to have low blood manganese (Mn) concentrations in comparison to nonepileptics, an observation that is important because Mn deficiency can increase seizure susceptibility in experimental animals. Factors that have been suggested to contribute to the low blood Mn levels in epileptics include anticonvulsant use, seizure-induced tissue redistribution of Mn, and genetics; in the present study, the first of these possibilities was tested. Wistar rats were fed semipurified diets containing diphenylhydantoin ([DPH] 3 g/kg diet), phenobarbital ([PB] 2 g/kg diet), or primidone ([PRIM] 3 g/kg diet) for 7 weeks, at which time they were killed and tissues collected and analyzed for Mn, zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe) concentrations.

Effects of age on seizure susceptibility in genetically epilepsy-prone rats (GEPR-9s).

To study the effect of age on seizure latency, intensity, reproducibility, and mortality in genetically epilepsy-prone rats of the severe colony (GEPR-9s), 472 seizure-naive rats, ranging in age from 14 to 65 days, received a series of three audiogenic stimulations. Both the percentage of rats having one or more seizures and the percentage of seizures that were stage 9 generally increased with advancing age of the animal at the time of the first stimulation. Mean latency to seizure onset decreased while seizure intensity increased with increasing age of the animal.

Effects of seizures on learning, memory, and behavior in the genetically epilepsy-prone rat.

To determine whether frequent seizures can cause deficits in learning and behavior, immature genetically epilepsy-prone rats (GEPRs) were subjected to 66 audiogenic stimulations (Group 1). GEPR littermates were handled and placed in the sound chamber but were not stimulated (Group 2). Group 3 comprised genetically epilepsy-resistant rats (GERRs) who received audiogenic stimulations but had no seizures.

Increasing exercise among blue-collar employees: the tailoring of worksite programs to meet specific needs.

Despite increasing interest in worksite exercise programs, little attention has been focused on the blue-collar segment of the workforce. Because of their low participation in traditional exercise classes and programs, blue-collar workers at a university were targeted for an exercise program tailored specifically to their preferences and needs. Thirty-eight sedentary males employed in operations and maintenance shops on the university campus were evaluated with regard to their current exercise behavior, other health habits, and their preferred types of physical activity programs.