Here we describe field trials designed to standardize tools for the control of Glossina tachinoides, G. palpalis gambiensis and G.morsitans submorsitans in West Africa based on existing trap/target/bait technology. Blue and black biconical and monoconical traps and 1 m(2) targets were made in either phthalogen blue cotton, phthalogen blue cotton/polyester or turquoise blue polyester/viscose (al...

A far-infrared p-type germanium laser with active crystal prepared from ultra pure single-crystal Ge by neutron transmutation doping ~NTD! is demonstrated. Calculations show that the high uniformity of Ga acceptor distribution achieved by NTD significantly improves average gain. The stronger ionized impurity scattering due to high compensation in NTD Ge is shown to have insignificant negative i...

BACKGROUND Intraosseous (IO) access represents a reliable alternative to intravenous vascular access and is explicitly recommended in the current guidelines of the European Resuscitation Council when intravenous access is difficult or impossible. We therefore aimed to study the efficacy of the intraosseous needle driver EZ-IO in the prehospital setting. METHODS During a 24-month period, all c...

A novel robotized tool for percutaneous interventions under CTscanner guidance is presented in this paper. This teleoperated compact robotic device can be used as an end-effector for an imageguided positioning robot. It is fully compatible with computed tomography constraints. In particular, it is able to manipulate needles that are longer than the overall height of its body. This novel device ...

BACKGROUND Neural tube defects (NTDs) are common congenital anomalies. Their aetiology is complex, with both genetic and environmental factors implicated. The present study was performed to analyse the birth prevalence of NTD in Switzerland from 2001 to 2007 and to identify possible risk factors. METHODS Diagnosed cases of NTD in all paediatric units in Switzerland and four prenatal centres w...

Previous studies have shown conflicting findings in linking polymorphic variation in folate-related genes to the risk of neural tube defect pregnancy. Recent evidence points to maternal genotype being important in determining NTD risk. A case-control study was undertaken in 97 mothers of NTD cases from the northern region of the UK. Pregnant controls (n = 190) from a regional DNA bank and non-p...

PURPOSE We report a newly developed device to fragment thrombi in retinal vein occlusion. METHODS The new instrument consists of a 23-gauge (G) pipe and a 37-G needle with an internal wire. A total of 40 porcine eyes were used; 20 eyes for experiments in the branch retinal vein (BRV group) and 20 eyes for experiments in the central retinal vein (CRV group). We placed 25-G 3-port trocars, and ...

Cost-benefit analysis was conducted to determine whether it is worthwhile to initiate a routine varicella vaccination program in Taiwan from different perspectives. Using the human capital approach, the discounted net cost for vaccination program was New Taiwan Dollars (NTD) 281 million from health care payer's perspective. Taking indirect costs into account, the net saving due to vaccination p...

The human androgen receptor (AR) is a ligand inducible transcription factor that harbors an amino terminal domain (AR-NTD) with a ligand-independent activation function. AR-NTD is intrinsically disordered and displays aggregation properties conferred by the presence of a poly-glutamine (polyQ) sequence. The length of the polyQ sequence as well as its adjacent sequence motifs modulate this aggre...

Efficient algorithms for calculating dark current in primary image processing real time typical modes of operation a stellar sensor are discussed. We present way to reduce the orientation error by improving accuracy position photocenter star on radiation receiver, charge-coupled matrix device. The dependence determining coordinates standard deviation irregularity thermogeneration rate, expresse...