The high spatial resolution and line sensitivity of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) opens the possibility of resolving emission from molecules in large samples of ...circumstellar disks. In particular, DCOsup + is expected to have an enhanced abundance within a few Kelvin of the CO freezeout temperature of 19 K, making it a useful probe of the cold disk midplane. We aim to use line emission from DCO+ to directly resolve the CO "snowline" -- the region at which the gas-phase CO abundance drops due to freezeout -- and determine the temperature boundaries of the region of DCO+ emission in the HD 163296 disk. The inferred abundances provide a lower limit to the ionization fraction in the midplane of the cold outer disk, and suggest the utility of DCOsup + as a tracer of its parent molecule Hsub 2Dsup +.
The role of turbulence in setting boundary plasma conditions is presently a key uncertainty in projecting to fusion energy reactors. To robustly diagnose edge turbulence, we develop and demonstrate a ...technique to translate brightness measurements of HeI line radiation into local plasma fluctuations via a novel integrated deep learning framework that combines neutral transport physics and collisional radiative theory for the \(3^3 D - 2^3 P\) transition in atomic helium. The tenets for experimental validity are reviewed, illustrating that this turbulence analysis for ionized gases is transferable to both magnetized and unmagnetized environments with arbitrary geometries. Based upon fast camera data on the Alcator C-Mod tokamak, we present the first 2-dimensional time-dependent experimental measurements of the turbulent electron density, electron temperature, and neutral density revealing shadowing effects in a fusion plasma using a single spectral line.
We describe modified techniques of laparoscopic orchiopexy using 2 mm. instruments that enable straightforward delivery of the testis into the scrotum.
The preferred technique involves a radially ...dilating trocar advanced over the 2 mm. grasper placed antegrade through the new internal ring. The other method is similar but Amplatz dilators are used when a radially dilating trocar system is not available.
We used these techniques with complete success to deliver 18 testes into the scrotum.
The testis may be safely and effectively delivered to the scrotum using 2 mm. instruments and disposable fascial dilators or a radially dilating trocar system.
This study tested the hypothesis that prenatal androgen levels influence hand preferences and language lateralization, two manifestations of neural asymmetry. Participants were individuals with ...congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH, a genetic disorder that results in excess adrenal androgen production beginning prenatally) (40 females; 29 males) and their unaffected relatives (29 females; 30 males) who ranged in age from 12–45 years. The Edinburgh-Crovitz Inventory and the performance of five simple tasks (the Handedness Activities Test) were the measures of hand preferences, and a dichotic listening task composed of consonant-vowel nonsense syllables was the measure of language lateralization. No sex differences were observed among relative controls in hand preferences or language lateralization. Male participants with CAH were less consistently right-handed for writing than unaffected male relatives, when those who had been forced to switch writing hands from left to right were considered with left-handers as being not consistently right-handed. There were no other significant differences between individuals with CAH and unaffected relatives. These results do not support the hypothesis that prenatal androgens influence language lateralization, nor do they support the Geschwind-Behan-Galaburda model that posits a key role for testosterone in the development of cognitive problems in males, secondary to changes in hemispheric development and cognitive lateralization. Hormonal influences on handedness, although not always consistent, may be more likely. However, given that sex differences in both language lateralization and handedness are small, it is possible that limited sample size precludes the detection of consistent group differences.
The aim of minimally invasive approaches to vesicoureteral reflux, such as endoscopic trigonoplasty, is to lower the morbidity of open procedures without compromising the results. Initial successes ...have not been sustained, mainly because of trigonal splitting, which results in the ureteral orifices returning to their preoperative positions. This study was designed to address trigonal splitting by mobilizing the ureters before repositioning them and to evaluate the feasibility of accomplishing this intravesically with 2- to 3-mm endoscopic mini-instruments.
Bilateral vesicoureteral reflux was surgically created in 10 minipigs. After radiologic confirmation of success 4 weeks later, modified trigonoplasty was performed by endoscopic intravesical mobilization of both ureters and incision of the trigonal mucosa using 2-mm instruments. The ureteral orifices were then advanced toward the midline and sutured in place. The initial surgical techniques were modified to permit the entire procedure to be performed endoscopically in the last four minipigs. Cystograms and intravenous urograms were obtained 4 weeks later.
Two minipigs died postoperatively. Six of the remaining eight had persistent reflux, including three of the four in the group treated completely by endoscopic means. None of the dissected ureters showed evidence of stricture or necrosis.
Although the procedure was not successful in correcting reflux in this model, this study demonstrates the feasibility of endoscopic ureteral mobilization. With current instrumentation, there is no significant technical obstacle to complete intravesical endoscopic surgery, including ureteral reimplantation.
To determine the reliability and validity of various physical diagnostic techniques (including three methods of palpation and three methods of percussion) in detecting ultrasonographically identified ...splenomegaly.
Prospective, double-blind study.
University hospital.
Twenty-seven hospitalized male patients with suspected human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
Three methods of palpation (bimanual, ballottement, and palpation from above) and three methods of percussion (as described by Nixon, Castell, and Barkun et al.) were performed on each patient by eight examiners. Splenic ultrasonography was performed within 96 hours of admission.
The prevalence of splenomegaly by ultrasonography (defined as a spleen > or = 13 cm on the longitudinal scan) in this population was 33.3%. The sensitivity and specificity of each method of palpation and percussion varied by examiner. The ranges of sensitivity across examiners for the three methods of palpation and the three methods of percussion were 0%-64.3% and 7.7%-75%, respectively. The ranges of specificity across examiners for the three methods of palpation and the three methods of percussion were 50%-100% and 60%-100%, respectively. Likelihood ratios pooled across observers revealed that for palpation, palpation from above, and percussion, Castell's method had the highest likelihood ratios LR = 2.66 and 1.97, respectively; 95% CI = 1.52-4.64 and 1.22-3.19, respectively. A combination of tests (either palpation or percussion) increased the diagnostic accuracy.
Physical diagnostic techniques for the detection of splenomegaly are relatively insensitive but specific. In this study there was high interobserver variability, which did not appear to be associated to the level of experience. Combining tests increases diagnostic accuracy.
Ureteral ectopia is frequently associated with dysplasia of the associated renal segment in girls with ureteral duplication. However, single system ureteral ectopia is an uncommon anomaly more ...frequently noted in boys. We report on 6 boys with single system ureteral ectopia into the prostatic urethra above the verumontanum, who presented with radiological and clinical findings of bladder outlet obstruction.
Antenatal ultrasound in 3 boys demonstrated renal abnormalities and postnatal studies suggested the diagnosis of posterior urethral valve obstruction. Older boys presented with symptoms suggestive of bladder outlet obstruction.
An ectopic ureter inserting into the prostatic urethra was noted in all 6 boys. The distal ureter was dilated elevating the bladder neck causing outlet obstruction. Surgical management consisted of nephrectomy and transurethral endoscopic incision of the distal ureter or nephroureterectomy with reconstruction of the prostatic urethra. In 2 younger boys voiding dysfunction with inability to empty developed.
Single system ectopic ureters in boys may present with symptomatic and radiological findings resembling posterior urethral valves. Surgical treatment should include nephroureterectomy with reconstruction of the hypoplastic prostate. Some patients may have later voiding dysfunction.
HD 181327 is a young main sequence F5/F6 V star belonging to the beta Pictoris moving group. It harbors an optically thin belt of circumstellar material at radius similar to 90 AU, presumed to result ...from collisions in a population of unseen planetesimals. The authors aim to study the dust properties in the belt in details, and to constrain the gas-to-dust ratio. They obtained far-infrared photometric observations of HD 181327 with the PACS instrument onboard the Herschel Space Observatory, complemented by new 3.2 mm observations carried with the ATCA array. The geometry of the belt is constrained with newly reduced HST/NICMOS scattered light images that allow the degeneracy between the disk geometry and the dust properties to be broken. The HST observations confirm that the dust is confined in a narrow belt. The continuum is detected with Herschel/PACS completing nicely the SED in the far-infrared. The disk is marginally resolved with boxth PACS and ATCA.
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