Detection of Polarized Millimeter and Submillimeter Emission from Sagittarius A*.

We report the detection of linear polarization from Sgr A* at 750, 850, 1350, and 2000 µm which confirms the contribution of synchrotron radiation. From the lack of polarization at longer wavelengths, it appears to arise in the millimeter/submillimeter excess. There are large position angle changes between the millimeter and submillimeter results, and these are discussed in terms of a polarized dust contribution in the submillimeter and various synchrotron models.

Noninvasive monitoring of nonshunted pulmonary capillary blood flow in the acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Objective: Noninvasive monitoring of nonshunted pulmonary capillary blood flow, using the alveolar amplitude response technique (AART) in a porcine model of the acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Design: Experimental animal study.

Setting: University center for animal experiments.

Magnetic field surrounding the starburst nucleus of the galaxy M82 from polarized dust emission.

Magnetic fields may play an important role in the star-formation process, especially in the central regions of 'starburst' galaxies where star formation is vigorous. But the field directions are very difficult to determine in the dense molecular gas out of which the stars form, so it has hitherto been impossible to test this hypothesis. Dust grains in interstellar clouds tend to be magnetically aligned, and it is possible to determine the alignment direction based on the polarization of optical light due to preferential extinction along the long axes of the aligned grains.

Computer-controlled flow resistance.

A computer-controlled flow resistance (CCR), to be used in a computer-controlled lung model, is presented. Flow is forced through a slit between a cylinder and a sleeve around the cylinder. The resulting flow resistance depends on the width, circumferences and the variable length of the slit.

Tendon displacement assessment by pulsed Doppler tissue imaging: validation with a reciprocating string test target.

After hand trauma and surgery, assessment of tendon excursion is important in reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation. Aimed as a more reliable alternative to traditional noninvasive methods, a colour Doppler imaging scanner was adapted to measure longitudinal tendon displacement. Displacement was quantified by integrating the velocity estimated from the zero-crossing rate of the Doppler signal.

Measurement of sacroiliac joint stiffness in peripartum pelvic pain patients with Doppler imaging of vibrations (DIV).

Objectives: The research question of the present study was: are sacroiliac joint stiffness levels of peripartum pelvic pain patients different from those of healthy subjects?

Study Design: A cross-sectional comparative sacroiliac joint stiffness analysis of peripartum pelvic pain patients with healthy subjects. In previous studies we introduced a new technique, Doppler imaging of vibrations (DIV), to assess sacroiliac joint stiffness using colour Doppler imaging and vibrations. The measurements were performed on a group of peripartum pelvic pain patients (n=56) and on a control group (n=52).

The micro-plethysmograph: a new device to measure small volume displacements by isolated human airway segments.

For the study of airway responsiveness in vitro, airway segments have important advances over strip or spiral preparations. The method to study isobaric contraction of segments is not well established. The aim of this work was to develop a model to assess the smooth muscle responses in isolated airway segments under isobaric conditions.

Snow on cholera--the special lecture in the Second British Epidemiology and Public Health Course at Kansai Systems Laboratory on 24 August 1996.

The Second British Epidemiology and Public Health Course was held from 19 to 25 August 1996 in Osaka as a satellite meeting for the 14th International Scientific Meeting of the International Epidemiological Association. Thirty-three researchers from 10 countries participated in the course. Professor Walter W Holland gave a special lecture about Snow on cholera during the course, and the lecture revealed that Henry Whitehead who was a junior priest at that time contributed to Snow's work to prevent the cholera outbreak in Golden Square in 1854.

Coexisting Sjögren's syndrome and sarcoidosis in the lung.

Context: Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and sarcoidosis are diseases of unknown origin that are considered to result from abnormal regulation of the immune system. Pulmonary involvement by SS and sarcoidosis may have similar clinical and radiographic manifestations, making it difficult for the clinician to distinguish between these diseases.

Objectives: This study was undertaken to analyze the characteristics of SS and sarcoidosis in the lung to identify distinguishing features that may assist clinicians in the differentiation of these conditions.

Tendon excursion measurements with colour Doppler imaging.

We assessed the applicability of tendon excursion measurement by means of Colour Doppler Imaging (CDI) on human specimens, and also assessed the correlation between values measured by Doppler and by displacement meters. Muscles were separately connected to a mass of 1 kg with a steel wire running over a pulley. This weight moved the telescopic end of a digital displacement meter up and down during passive extension and flexion of the fingers.

A novel method of evaluation of three heat-moisture exchangers in six different ventilator settings.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the humidification, heating, and resistance properties of three commercially available heat-moisture exchangers (HMEs). To mimic clinical conditions, a previously validated, new, realistic experimental set-up and measurement protocol was used.

Design: Prospective, comparative experimental study.

The calamus root: a study of American gay poetry since World War II.

This paper traces the development of gay poetry in America after World War II. A taxonomy and publishing history is outlined for various poetic movements. An overview is given of the aesthetic and thematic characteristics of the tradition and its connection to homosexual writing in the nineteenth century.

Sickness absence and 'working through' illness: a comparison of two professional groups.

Background: Few studies have investigated occupational groups reporting low rates of sickness absence because of an assumption that these rates indicate low morbidity. This is inconsistent with the view that sickness absence, which may be caused by social and psychological rather than medical factors, does not equate with morbidity. This paper investigates rates of sickness absence and factors influencing decisions not to take sick leave among doctors and a comparative professional group.

Measurement of radical production as a result of cavitation in medical ultrasound fields.

This paper describes the use of the terephthalate dosimeter to measure the threshold and extent of cavitation arising from medical ultrasound sources at high frequencies. Significant hydroxyl radical production was noted from a physiotherapy source and low level activity was also detected when using a pulsed, diagnostic type transducer system. The effect of sound intensity and the type of field is described.

Measurement of tendon excursion velocity with colour Doppler imaging: a preliminary study on flexor pollicis longus muscle.

Purpose: To study the use of colour Doppler imaging (CDI) for the measurement of maximum and mean tendon velocity. Recent studies showed that CDI, normally used for blood flow examinations, can be used for the imaging of tendons at the hand and wrist region. Although other modalities are available for imaging of the muscle-skeletal system, in vivo measurements of the velocity of tendon excursion are not possible.