Vector algorithm for Reed-Muller expansions

A novel vector algorithm for Reed-Muller (RM) expansions is proposed which can save as many as a factor of 2^n-1 memory elements compared with previous matrix algorithms     

Association of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene I/D polymorphism with change in left ventricular mass in response to physical training

PURPOSE: To determine the radiologic characteristics of cystic dystrophy of the duodenal wall. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients with cystic dystrophy of the duodenal wall and chronic pancreatitis underwent ultrasonography (US) (n = 10), computed tomography (CT) (n = 10), endoscopic US (n = 5), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) (n = 9). Cystic dystrophy of the duodenal wall was classified as either cystic or solid. The imaging findings were retrospectively analyzed and compared with findings at pancreatoduodenectomy (n = 10). RESULTS: The more frequent cystic type (n = 7) of cystic dystrophy of the duodenal wall was characterized by the presence of easily recognizable cystic lesions (diameter, more than 1 cm), located within the thickened wall of the second portion of the duodenum. The solid type (n = 3) of cystic dystrophy of the duodenal wall demonstrated fibrous thickening of the duodenal wall within which small cysts (diameter, less than 1 cm) were present. The intraduodenal cysts were usually elongated or bilobate with a thick wall. The thickening of the duodenal wall appeared as a solid layer between the duodenal lumen and the pancreas, hypoechoic at US, isoattenuating at unenhanced CT, and hypoattenuating in the early phase (after initiation of infusion of contrast material) and isoattenuating in the late phase (after completion of infusion) at contrast material-enhanced CT. Findings at retrospective analysis of CT and endoscopic US images were characteristic. CONCLUSION: Imaging modalities, notably CT and endoscopic US, helped establish the diagnosis of cystic dystrophy of the duodenal wall.     

Spread-spectrum communication techniques

Spread-spectrum modulation can be used in a radio system to reduce the likelihood of intercept, as well as providing some protection against jamming and interference. These antijam, anti-interference and low-probability-of-intercept properties are highly desirable in secured communication systems. In addition, spread-spectrum techniques have been proposed to combat spectral congestion by improving the efficiency of spectrum utilisation. Spread-spectrum techniques are also widely used in ranging systems and in local-area networks (LANs) or other multiple-access systems. In the present article, the three main spread-spectrum techniques are outlined and then applications of frequency-hopping systems and some of the techniques used are described     

Esterified estrogens with and without methyltestosterone decrease arterial LDL metabolism in cynomolgus monkeys

OBJECTIVES: To assess retinal complications and to identify risk factors for retinal complications following aqueous shunt procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of 38 consecutive aqueous shunt procedures that were performed on 36 patients at the Eye Institute of the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, from June 1993 to March 1995 (minimum follow-up, 6 months) were reviewed. The mean +/- SD follow-up was 11.4 +/- 5.2 months (median, 10.5 months). RESULTS: Twelve patients (32%) had the following retinal complications: 4 serous choroidal effusions (10%) that required drainage, 3 suprachoroidal hemorrhages (8%), 2 vitreous hemorrhages (5%), 1 rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (3%), 1 endophthalmitis (3%), and 1 scleral buckling extrusion (3%). Surgical procedures for retinal complications were required in 8 (67%) of these 12 patients. Visual acuity decreased 2 lines or more in 9 (75%) of these 12 patients. The median onset of a postoperative retinal complication was 12.5 days, with 10 patients (83%) experiencing complications within 35 days. Serous choroidal effusions developed in 10 other patients (26%), and these effusions resolved spontaneously. Visual acuity decreased 2 lines or more in 2 (20%) of these additional 10 patients. Patients who experienced serious retinal complications were significantly older, had a higher rate of hypertension, and postoperative ocular hypotony. Serious retinal complications were distributed evenly among patients with Krupin valves with discs and Molteno and Baerveldt devices. Experience with the Ahmed glaucoma valve implant was limited. CONCLUSION: Aqueous shunt procedures may be associated with significant retinal complications and subsequent visual loss.     

NMR studies of a D2 single crystal in the ordered phase

We report the first experimental study of the NMR lineshape anisotropy in the orientationally ordered cubic phase of a D₂ single crystal. The para-D₂ concentration covered the range 0.72<X<0.82. The observed line shapes were obtained by means of Fourier transform techniques from the solid echoes recorded with a pulsed NMR spectrometer operating at 5.9 MHz. Theoretical line shapes and their second moments forp-D₂ (with angular momentumJ=1 and spinI=1) and foro-D₂ (withJ=0, I=2) were calculated as a function of the applied field direction from the theory by A. B. Harris. Good agreement was obtained for all directions, provided that, just as for solid H₂, a Gaussian function for the distribution of molecular axial alignment was assumed with an rms spreading angle of 6 deg forX=0.77. No change in the anisotropy of the second moment in the disordered phase was detected between the initial (hcp) crystal and after repeated thermal cyclings through the martensitic transition. This result implies no change in the orientation of the plane for the sliding nets during repeated passages through the transition. Furthermore, we report measurements of the longitudinal relaxation time for bothp-D₂ ando-H₂ versusT over the temperature range 0.5<T<3.5 K. The complex behavior reported previously for both H₂ and D₂ was confirmed. Measurements of the relaxation times as a function of the applied field direction in the ordered phase at 1.2 K showed no anisotropy within experimental error, and this result is discussed in the light of predictions by Hardy and Berlinsky. Finally, the polarization of theJ=0 molecules is studied as a function of the concentrationX of theJ=1 molecules and their state of orientational order over a wide range ofX andT in the ordered and disordered states. The results are compared with predictions of A. B. Harris and with previous data on polycrystalline samples.