A “natural” stimulation strategy is proposed based on muscle activation patterns observed in healthy gait. This stimulation approach was tested on a 52-year old hemiplegic drop foot subject who is ten years poststroke using a computer-based FES control system. Dorsiflexion angle range was recorded for the subject while walking without orthosis, walking with the “natural” stimulation approach and walking with the conventional trapezoidal stimulation approach. The “natural” approach was found to result in a 76 % increase in dorsiflexion range for the subject, while using only on average 53 % of the stimulation used by the conventional approach. The improved performance of the “natural” stimulation approach is attributed in this case to the subject’s calf spasticity, which was rated on the modified Ashworth scale as 3-4, indicating moderate to severe spasticity. The “natural” stimulation envelope is thought to result in a less severe spastic reaction of the calf muscles during dorsiflexion than the conventional trapezoidal approach, enabling a greater dorsiflexion range as a result.

Application of quality systems attributes will enhance the management of an analytical laboratory. A coaching and participative leadership style, supporting quality and "walking the talk" can inspire staff to practice quality control and even induce continuous (Kaizen) improvement in method performance criteria and other scientific and organisational processes. Empowerment of staff with sufficient responsibility and authority to enable the necessary decision making is essential for most efficient operation; Teamwork including quality improvement teams provide synergistic value. In addition to advances in science, customer satisfaction and marketing potential also benefit from the strategy. Often, the key to opening the door to these benefits is effecting an organisational culture change, preferably initiated at the organisational management level through training and awareness programs, promoting quality attributes. Organisational culture remains the single largest hurdle in most effective utilisation of a quality system and attainment of maximum associated benefits. Prevention and appraisal quality costs are necessary organisational investments whereas external failure quality costs cannot be afforded. In addition to the above topics, participation in proficiency and collaborative studies, quality control and particularly Shewhart and cumulative sum control charts, quality documentation and review, auditing, corrective action, quality improvement tools, role clarification and performance feedback, survey techniques and other qualify characteristics are assessed for laboratory management. Quality standards including the ISO 9000 certification series and the ISO Guide 25 for laboratory accreditation and assessment criteria for the Australian Quality Awards are also examined as they relate to laboratory management.

The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of tuberculin skin testing as an indicator of tuberculous infection in an Irish human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected population, Between February and September 1988, 38 consecutive HIV positive patients were recruited into the study, A skin test score was derived for each patient using the Multitest system; which includes tuberculin and six other microbial. antigens, At review date in January 1991 after a mean follow-up period of 22, months (range 6-34), ten patients had died, three were lost to follow-up, and 25 were alive, Eleven patients were tuberculin positive on entry into the study,one of these developed tuberculosis, Twenty seven patients were tuberculin negative, three of these developed tuberculosis, Twenty-three patients were known to have received BCG eight of these gave a positive tuberculin test, and three developed tuberculosis. Twelve patients were known or suspected not to have received BCG, two of these were tuberculin positive and one developed tuberculosis. There was a strong negative correlation between Multitest score and advanced HIV infection (R=-0.7 p<0.001), We conclude that tuberculin skin test status and BCG vaccination had no relationship to the development of tuberculosis in the population we studied.

We report two cases of choriocarcinoma, one uterine, the other a component of an ovarian germ cell tumour, in both instances clinically overt thyrotoxicosis was a feature of their initial presentation. These cases highlight a rare clinical association which is due a thyrotropic action of Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin.

C-erB-2 oneoprotein expression detected immunohistochemically in primary breast cancer is a potent poor prognostic variable for patients including Irish women t.2.Also primary C-erB-2 expression indicates hormone resistance in recurrent breast cancer and relative tumour resistance to low intensity chemotherapy with mitoxanthrone (data in press).Forty young women (median age 41 years) had staining for C-erB-2 in their primary tumonrs; 11 showed positive staining and 29 did not.All subsequently had recurrences of breast cancer and were then given intensiv e chemotherapy with doxombicin 40 mg/m 2 intravenously and ifosfamide/ mesna 5 g/m 2 by intravenous infusion over 24 hours, with mesna alone for 8 hours.Cycles repeated at 21 day intervals to a total of 4 cycles in patients with responsive tumours.Response rates in recurrences (82% C-erB-2+VE vs 72% C-erB-2-ve) median response durations, and post-treatment survival were no different between patients on the basis of primary turnout C-erB-2 expression.This strongly suggests that young women with operable breast cancer and expression of C-erB-2 should be selected for intensive doxombicin based nee-adjuvant/adjuvant chemother apy.

We report two cases in which foreign bodies were retrieved from the bronchus after intervals of 25 years or more. Both occurred in women in their 30s, in neither case was there a history of aspiration, and both patients were asymptomatic for many years. The literature on protracted retention of bronchial foreign bodies is reviewed using a Medline search and relevant bibliography.

Birefringent pulmonary talc granuloma are often found in lung biopsies from intravenous drug abusers (IVDA) but their clinico-pathological significance remains undefined.

Four exchangeable cations (Ca, Mg, Na and K) were determined in aqueous and alcoholic NH4Cl soil extracts using ICPES. Instrument parameters used for aqueous extracts were unsuitable for alcoholic solutions. To ensure sufficient sensitivity for K, alcoholic extracts were diluted 1 + 1 and parameters were selected to make the plasma more tolerant to alcohol. In so doing, there was increased likelihood of inter‐element interferences which were minimised by changing the observation height. Interferences from Ca and Mg on Na required correction. The success of interference elimination or correction was demonstrated in recovery and comparison tests. The nebulizer successfully handled high NH4Cl concentrations and showed no evidence of clogging. ICPES offers a more time efficient alternative to AAS and flame photometry. Key words: Exchangeable cationsNH4Cl soil extractsinductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry

Twenty soils were extracted in duplicate with 1 M KC1 and analysed for Al by AAS, ICPES, double titration and an eriochrome cyanine R colorimetric method. Exchange acidity was also measured and compared with Al values. Differences between the four Al methods were small. The only statistically significant difference was that Al by ICPES exceeded Al by AAS and titration. Results by the colorimetric method did not differ from those by the other three. Exchange acidity values were higher than Al by titration, with differences ranging from 0.07 to 1.01 m. equiv. 100 g‐1. There was close agreement between ICPES and AAS results for both calcium and magnesium in the KC1 extracts. It was concluded that Al, Ca and Mg in KC1 extracts can be measured by any of the analytical procedures tested but a distinction should be made between exchange acidity and exchangeable Al.

Keywords AIRPORTS, AIRCRAFT, DESIGN, CONSTRAINTS, AIRFIELDS, PROBLEMS, AEROPLANES, RUNWAYS, CONSTRUCTION, COSTS, ECONOMICS, SUBGRADE, AERODROMES, AERONAUTICS, UNDERCARRIAGES, WEIGHT, STATIC, LOADING, LENGTH, LOADS, WHEELS, LAYOUT, DESIGNERS, THICKNESS, PAVEMENTS, FAILURES, HARD, STANDINGS, SWIVELLING, AIRLINES, AVIATION, OPERATORS, PRESTRESSED, PAVING, LANDINGS... Show All