Animal model for training and improvement of the surgical skills in endolaryngeal microsurgery

Animal models for training of surgical skills were widely used for a long time in the education of medical practitioners. It is recognized, however, that endolaryngeal microsurgery requires highly refined skills to handle the delicate structures of the vocal folds under the microscope. The availability of fresh human laryngeal specimens is markedly restricted by legal and hygienic issues. The aim of this work was to report on the design of a feasible and effective model to provide the much needed skills in an animal laryngeal model that is as close as possible to the human vocal fold structure. In the initial phase of the research, three animal larynges were studied: porcine/pig, bovine/calf, and ovine/sheep larynges. The pig/porcine larynx was chosen for this experimental training model because it closely resembled the human laryngeal/glottal configurations. A study was carried out on 10 porcine/pig larynges to assess the dimensions of the glottis and study the histology of the layered structure of the vocal fold. The study was pursued to confirm the resemblance of this animal specimen to the human vocal fold. A wooden box with a black finished interior was prepared with an acrylic bed at its floor. This bed allows placement of the porcine/pig larynx. The design of the box allows the endoscopic exposure of the porcine/pig larynx through a rubber diaphragm. The darkness and confinement of the box, apart from the light of the endoscope, approximates the situation in live endoscopy. The operating microscope is then used to expose the glottis. Routine fine microlaryngeal instruments were used for training in the prescribed skills.     

Construction of solutions of an elliptic PDE with a supercritical exponent nonlinearity using the finite dimensional reduction

In this paper, we construct some solutions of an elliptic PDE with a supercritical exponent nonlinearity. We follow the ideas of Bahri–Li–Rey (Calc Var Partial Differ Equ V.3:67–93, 1995) by using the finite dimensional reduction.     

Supply chain coordination for the joint determination of order quantity and reorder point using credit option

Decisions regarding order quantity and reorder point are two major challenges in supply chain inventory management. In this paper, a coordination model of the joint determination of these two decision variables is proposed. A decentralized supply chain consisting of one buyer and one supplier in a multi-period setting is investigated. Demand and lead times are uncertain in our model. An incentive scheme based on credit option has been developed to encourage the buyer to participate in the coordination model. In this model, the downstream member has the option of using credit to purchase goods during the credit time, subject to its commitment to a jointly agreed order quantity and reorder point. The credit time is determined in such a way that the two parties have incentives to participate. The proposed incentive scheme can share the benefits of coordination between the two members based on their bargaining power. The proposed model shows that the coordination of the reorder point, together with order quantity, can increase the overall chain profitability as well as each member’s profitability.     

Asymptotically fast group operations on Jacobians of general curves

Let be a curve of genus over a field . We describe probabilistic algorithms for addition and inversion of the classes of rational divisors in the Jacobian of . After a precomputation, which is done only once for the curve , the algorithms use only linear algebra in vector spaces of dimension at most , and so take field operations in , using Gaussian elimination. Using fast algorithms for the linear algebra, one can improve this time to . This represents a significant improvement over the previous record of field operations (also after a precomputation) for general curves of genus .

     

On the cofiniteness of local cohomology modules

In this note we show that if is an ideal of a Noetherian ring and is a finitely generated -module, then for any minimax submodule of the -module is finitely generated, whenever the modules are minimax. As a consequence, it follows that the associated primes of are finite. This generalizes the main result of Brodmann and Lashgari (2000).

     

Multi-wavelength laser sensor for intruder detection and discrimination

An intruder detection and discrimination sensor with improved optical design is developed using lasers of different wavelengths to demonstrate the concept of discrimination over a distance of 6 m. A distinctive feature of optics is used to provide additional transverse laser beam scanning. The sample objects used to demonstrate the concept of discrimination over a distance of 6 m are leaf, bark, black fabric, PVC, wood and camouflage material. A camouflage material is chosen to illustrate the discrimination capability of the sensor. The sensor utilizes a five-wavelength laser combination module, which sequentially emits identically-polarized laser light beams along one optical path. A cylindrical quasi-optical cavity with improved optical design generates multiple laser light beams for each laser. The intensities of the reflected light beams from the different spots are detected using a high speed area scan image sensor. Object discrimination and detection is based on analyzing the Gaussian profile of reflected light at the different wavelengths. The discrimination between selected objects is accomplished by calculating four different slopes from the objects' reflectance spectra at the wavelengths 473 nm, 532 nm, 635 nm, 670 nm and 785 nm. Furthermore, the camouflage material, which has complex patterns within a single sample, is also detected and discriminated over a 6 m range by scanning the laser beam spots along the transverse direction.     

A facile and efficient multicomponent ultrasound-assisted “on water” synthesis of benzodiazepine ring

Molecular Diversity - A facile and efficient multicomponent synthesis of benzodiazepine ring in water under ultrasound irradiation is reported first time. The current procedure escapes traditional...