Focal heat stimulation for the determination of the minimum alveolar concentration of halothane in the rabbit.

A focal heat stimulus of 54.37 +/- 0.07 (SD) degrees C was applied for 30 s to the inner aspect of the pinna of the ear for the determination of the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of halothane in New Zealand White rabbits.

Condylar change after upward and forward rotation of the maxillomandibular complex.

Tomographic radiographs of 44 healthy temporomandibular joints in 22 patients undergoing large upward and forward rotations of the maxillomandibular complex were evaluated. Immediate postsurgery results showed decreases in all areas of the joint space. Long-term results showed a decrease in the superior and posterior regions, 14.

Refractive errors in children born before 32 weeks gestation.

Purpose: To document the refractive errors in a cohort of children born before 32 weeks gestation.

Methods: All children born before 32 weeks gestation between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 1991 to mothers resident in the Northern Region of the National Health Service were examined at 2 years old (n = 558).

Results: Stage 3 or worse retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) was associated with myopia.

Normalization of insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis in type I diabetic pancreas transplant recipients: a 48-month cross-sectional study--a clinical research center study.

Despite the establishment of heterotopic, whole cadaveric, pancreas-kidney transplantation as an effective form of therapy for type I diabetes with chronic renal insufficiency, uncertainty remains regarding the potentially deleterious effects of severe peripheral hyperinsulinemia and long-term immunosuppressive therapy on insulin sensitivity (SI) and, subsequently, on beta-cell function and maintenance of euglycemia over years. To examine the alterations in SI that may occur over time and their impact on glucose homeostasis, beta-cell function, SI, and glucose effectiveness (SG) were measured using the frequently sampled iv glucose tolerance test (FSIGTT) and minimal model method in 39 glucose-tolerant type I diabetic pancreas-kidney transplant recipients in a cross-sectional manner at 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 months post transplantation. Mean basal and poststimulation (oral glucose tolerance test and FSIGTT) serum glucose responses were similar among the groups from 3-48 months.

Diagnosis of macroglossia and indications for reduction glossectomy.

Macroglossia can create dentomusculoskeletal deformities, instability of orthodontic and orthognathic surgical procedures, and masticatory, speech, and airway problems. The cause of macroglossia must be clearly defined, and true macroglossia separated from pseudomacroglossia (displacement of the tongue created by anatomic factors other than tongue size alone). This article discusses the signs and symptoms of macroglossia, including the clinical and radiographic features, treatment techniques, as well as previously reported results.

Four-plane space-variant Fresnel-transform optical processor with a random phase encoder.

We introduce a four-plane Fresnel-transform space-variant optical processor consisting of an input plane and two filter planes. One filter mask is programmable with a spatial light modulator. The second filter mask is a fixed random binary phase array with a known pseudorandom distribution of pixels.

Sublexical Orthographic-Phonological Relations Early in the Acquisition of Reading: The Knowledge Sources Account.

Tests are made of an aspect of the "knowledge sources" theoretical account of acquisition of reading in which, contrary to the developmental bypass hypothesis, it is postulated that sublexical relations between orthographic and phonological components are formed very early in learning by spontaneous induction from stored print word experience. Experiments 1 and 2, conducted with 5- and 6-year-old children, indicated as predicted that positional frequency of orthographic components in experienced print words influenced reading responses to unfamiliar pseudoword items. In Experiment 3 positional frequency of an orthographic component was manipulated in a training-transfer paradigm.

Estimating the extent and degree of Gambling related problems in the Australian population: A national survey.

A stratified random doorknock method was used to interview 2744 respondents in four state capitals in Australia. The interview was in 3 parts with the latter two only administered to regular, once per week or more often gamblers (N=290). The measures completed by this group included the South Oaks Gambling Screen and a range of psychological measures.

Range-finding by triangulation with nondiffracting beams.

Nondiffracting beams are useful for alignment applications because the size of the beam does not change as the beam propagates. In this research we report a technique that allows for distance measurements with nondiffracting beams. With our approach a diffractive optical element is designed that generates two off-axis, tilted, nondiffracting Bessel function beams.

Self directed learning.

The ability to acquire skills in self directed learning may be the key link between undergraduate education, postgraduate training, and continuing professional development. If future and current practitioners are to adopt an ongoing reflective and critical approach to practice, we should aim to provide learning opportunities that promote self confidence, question asking and reflection, openness and risk taking, uncertainty and surprise. Teaching techniques that encourage these skills are being introduced widely and have been shown to be at least as effective as traditional methods of education while promoting more enjoyment and enthusiasm among both staff and students.

Nondiffracting interference patterns generated with programmable spatial light modulators.

Nondiffracting beams are of interest for optical metrology applications because the size and shape of the beams do not change as the beams propagate. We have created a generating pattern consisting of a linear combination of two nondiffracting patterns. This pattern forms a nondiffracting interference pattern that appears as a circular array of nondiffracting spots.

Intensity and phase measurements of nondiffracting beams generated with a magneto-optic spatial light modulator.

Nondiffracting beams are of interest for optical metrology applications because the size of the beam does not change as the beam propagates. However, accuracy can be increased if the diameter of the beam is smaller. One technique for accomplishing this is to use the dark axial intensity profile associated with a higher-order nondiffracting Bessel function beam.

Astigmatic phase correction for the magneto-optic spatial light modulator.

We report a simple low-cost technique for evaluating the phase distortion in a magneto-optic spatial light modulator. We find that the dominant distortion is caused by astigmatism and is easily compensated by encoding of the complex-conjugate pattern onto the device. Two experimental results are shown.

Fractional pixel translations of Fresnel lenses written onto spatial light modulators.

The focal point of a lens written onto a spatial light modulator can be translated laterally by displacement of the central location of the encoded lens function. We show that the beam can be translated by a fraction of a pixel, in contrast to the expected single-pixel limitation. This increases the positional sensitivity obtainable with this technique.

Ocular outcome in children born before 32 weeks gestation.

Ocular outcome was assessed in a 2 year cohort of all children born before 32 weeks gestation within a geographically defined population of approximately 3 million. Five hundred and sixty-five children were born within the study period; 558 children (98.8% of the study group) were assessed at approximately 2 years old.

Afferent activity in the superior spermatic nerve of lambs--the effects of application of rubber castration rings.

Electrophysiological techniques were used to record afferent activity in the superior spermatic nerves of young lambs under general anaesthesia. Receptive fields were identified in the pampiniform plexus and the deep tissue of the testis in response to mechanical stimulation. Application of a standard rubber castration ring to the scrotal neck evoked vigorous afferent activity, including some from formerly silent units with receptive fields particularly in the pampiniform plexus.

Subharmonic focal-length intensities formed by Fresnel lenses.

Binary Fresnel lenses produce focused spots at subharmonics of the principal focal length of the lens. The intensities of these focal spots can be controlled by variation of the relative widths of the rings of the Fresnel lens compared with the spacings between the rings. Theory is presented and experimentalverification is provided with Fresnel lenses written onto the magneto-optic spatial light modulator.

Minimal model analyses of insulin sensitivity and glucose-dependent glucose disposal in black and white Americans: a study of persons at risk for type 2 diabetes.

We have examined the impact of race and positive family history of type 2 diabetes on glucose/insulin dynamics and the two components of glucose disposal in healthy, first-degree relatives of black and white American patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who are at a greater risk from the disease and their healthy control subjects. Seventeen black and 15 white relatives were studied. Twenty-two black people and 24 white people, without family history of type 2 diabetes, served as healthy control subjects.