193-nm lithography

The trend in microelectronics toward printing features 0.25 μm and below has motivated the development of lithography at the 193-nm wavelength of argon fluoride excimer lasers. This technology is in its early stages, but a picture is emerging of its strengths and limitations. The change in wavelength from 248 to 193 nm will require parallel progress in projection systems, optical materials, and photo-resist chemistries and processes. This paper reviews the current status of these various topics as they have been engineered under a multiyear program at MIT Lincoln Laboratory     

2 autoerotic accidents: fatal nitrous oxide anesthesia and thoracic compression

Report on 2 fatal autoerotic cases. In the first case a 20-year-old man died due to the use of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) which he had used in a self-constructed breathing-machine. The nitrous oxide came from a cartridge which normally is used for aerosol cans for whipped cream. In the second case a 19-year-old man used a pressure-suit for military-jet pilots and inflated it with a 12-volt-compressor. Additionally the head was covered with 3 masks and a motorcycle helmet. Arms and legs were bound. The cause of death was a massive compression of the thorax.     

Low-field 3-DFT MRI: conceptual, analytical, and experimental aspects

Three-dimensional Fourier transform (3-DFT) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers advantages in terms of signal-to-noise (S/N) per unit of time for the case where a large number of slices is desired. This advantage is enhanced when the relaxation time, T(1 ), is short. Because time limitations in 3-DFT imaging force the use of short time intervals, TR, between excitations of a slice, lesion contrast is often undesirable at mid-and high-field strength even when the S/N is good. At low fields, where T(1) values are short, high S/N and contrast can both be achieved with 3-DFT MR images. The conceptual and analytical aspects of low-field 3-DFT MRI are presented and demonstrated at 640 G.     

Perinatal management of unanticipated congenital laryngeal atresia

Unless ventilation is achieved within minutes of delivery, patients with congenital laryngeal atresia will not survive. There are 2 settings in which survival is more likely: a tracheotomy may be immediately performed in the delivery room, or a communication may exist between the airway and the pharynx, allowing for air exchange. In the latter case, there are no characteristic findings on prenatal sonography to suggest the diagnosis and to ensure that preparations for immediate tracheotomy are made. We describe a neonate with unanticipated laryngeal atresia and a high tracheoesophageal fistula. Ventilation was maintained first by face mask and then by esophageal intubation until a tracheotomy could be performed. This report provides detailed photodocumentation of the anomaly, discusses the mechanism of air exchange, reviews the relevant embryological development, and outlines a protocol for perinatal management of unanticipated laryngeal atresia.     

Should circulating anticoagulant [AKA anti-phospholipid] assays be a routine component of well-patient assessment?

Circulating anticoagulants are a major risk factor for thrombotic problems (eg, myocardial infarction, stroke) and pregnancy complications. The authors present a retrospective survey of anticardiolipin antibody and lupus anticoagulant in 200 consecutive patients presenting to their office.     

Maternal performance differences between porcine stress syndrome-normal and -carrier Landrace females

Differences between porcine stress syndrome (PSS) normal (NN) and carrier (Nn) Landrace dams were determined for adjusted number of pigs born alive, adjusted number of pigs at 21 d, adjusted 21-d litter weight, proportion of pigs surviving to 21 d, and farrowing interval. Data were analyzed from a total of 841 females, 623 normal (NN) and 218 carriers (Nn) having 2,231 and 869 records, respectively. Three susceptible (nn) females from two herds were dropped from the analysis because of their small contribution to the total number of records. Frequency of the recessive PSS allele ranged from .07 to .28 in the nine herds involved in this study. Data were adjusted using Landrace breed-specific adjustments and analyzed with mixed-model derivative-free REML procedures fitting the dams' PSS genotype as a fixed effect in the model. Only females having two or more successive parities were used in the analysis of farrowing interval, resulting in a reduction of total records analyzed to 2,201 (1,564 NN and 637 Nn records) from 632 females (445 NN and 187 Nn females). No differences between NN and Nn dams were observed for adjusted number of pigs born alive, adjusted number of pigs at 21 d, adjusted 21-d litter weight, proportion of pigs surviving to 21 d, and farrowing interval. The results of this investigation indicate no significant maternal performance differences between PSS NN or Nn Landrace dams.     

Otolaryngology and the Internet. E-mail and the World Wide Web

Computer technology and Internet-based communications are evolving at a tremendous rate. At present, most physicians either have or can easily obtain online access. E-mail represents a new method of interpersonal communication, with many useful applications in the field of clinical medicine. The World Wide Web has developed over the past few years into a vast information resource, with global reach and the ability to provide users with text and audio and video materials on every conceivable topic. These modalities are discussed in detail, stressing controversial aspects such as e-mail security, validation of content, professional liability as it relates to online comments, and the academic status of Web publishing.