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The objective was to investigate factors influencing internal jugular vein stenosis or occlusion after neck dissection, including the reconstructive procedure. The subjects were 73 patients (81 veins) who underwent a modified radical neck dissection, in which the internal jugular vein was preserved, or an extended supraomohyoid neck dissection (E-SOHND). All procedures were performed by the same surgeon. Internal jugular vein patency was evaluated by contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Patency was evaluated in relation to gender, side of dissection, number of pathological lymph node metastases, extracapsular spread of lymph node metastases, radiotherapy, and the reconstruction method (no reconstruction, free flap, or pedicle flap). All internal jugular vein occlusions were on the left side and all except one of these patients underwent radiotherapy. Thus, radiotherapy and left side dissection were significant risk factors for occlusion. Free flap reconstruction was not a risk factor for vein stenosis or occlusion. Patients undergoing reconstruction with pedicled musculocutaneous flaps or E-SOHND were less likely to have vein occlusion. Particular care is required for left neck dissection in patients who have undergone radical neck dissection on the right side. This study suggests that covering the internal jugular vein with the muscle might prevent vein occlusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the reproducibility of the indentation fracture (IF) method, a novel visualizing technique of the crack tips was developed. Coating a visualizing solution on the indented surface of silicon carbide could enhance the contrast of the crack tips. In order to verify our new approach, a round-robin test on the indentation fracture resistance, K IFR , of silicon carbide was conducted with nine laboratories. The clear identification of the crack tips could reduce the errors in reading crack lengths markedly even when measured with the ordinal metallurgical microscope at a low total magnification of 100×. Thus, good matching of K IFR was obtained between laboratories. Two main mechanisms of the enhanced contrast of the crack tips were proposed as follows; (a) the reduction of diffuse scattering from the smooth surface of the coating, (b) the interference color due to the slight change in thickness of the coating around the cracks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An ultrasound-guided intralesional photocoagulation (ILP) technique using a laser is described for treatment of deep venous malformations in the oral cavity. ILP is basically a blind operation and has a risk of unintended destruction of surrounding normal tissue, therefore the authors now routinely use guidance by ultrasonography using a mini-probe to improve the safety and reliability of ILP. This approach enables safe fibre insertion, appropriate laser irradiation, and intraoperative assessment of coagulation. The use of this technique is described in 8 patients. The authors conclude that ultrasound-guided ILP with a laser is a promising technique for less-invasive treatment of a vascular malformation in the oral cavity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The false tendons (FTs) are fibromuscular bands that transverse the left ventricular cavity and often contain conduction tissue, suggesting that FTs may contribute to the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias. The presence of J waves is associated with vulnerability to ventricular arrhythmias; however, the mechanisms underlying the manifestation of J waves remain to be elucidated. Objective: To investigate the electrocardiographic characteristics, including the presence of J waves, in patients with FTs. Methods: We studied 44 patients with distinct FTs detected by echocardiography (FT group) and 88 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects without FTs (control group). The PQ, QRS, JT, QT, corrected JT, and corrected QT intervals were automatically measured on surface 12-lead electrocardiograms, and the presence or absence of J waves was also determined. J waves were defined as terminal QRS notching or slurring. FTs were classified according to their points of attachment as type 1 (longitudinal, 52%), type 2 (diagonal, 25%), type 3 (transverse, 16%), and type 4 (weblike, 7%). Results: QRS and corrected QT intervals were significantly longer in the FT group than in the control group (P <.005 and P <.05, respectively). The incidence of J waves was significantly higher in the FT group (64%) than in the control group (19%) (P <.0001). J waves were more prevalent in type 1 (78%) and type 2 (73%) than in type 3 (14%) and 4 FTs (33%) (P <0.05) and in patients with thick FTs (≥ 2 mm) than with thinner FTs (<2 mm) (71% vs 33%; P <.05). The J-wave location differed according to the FT type. Conclusions: Our results suggest that FTs may carry a certain role to the genesis of J waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Electron tomography requires a wide angular range of specimen-tilt for a reliable three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction. Although specimen holders are commercially available for tomography, they have several limitations, including tilting capability in only one or two axes at most, e.g. tilt–rotate. For amorphous specimens, the image contrast depends on mass and thickness only and the single-tilt holder is adequate for most tomographic image acquisitions. On the other hand, for crystalline materials where image contrast is strongly dependent on diffraction conditions, current commercially available tomography holders are inadequate, because they lack tilt capability in all three orthogonal axes needed to maintain a constant diffraction condition over the whole tilt range. We have developed a high-angle triple-axis (HATA) tomography specimen holder capable of high-angle tilting for the primary horizontal axis with tilting capability in the other (orthogonal) horizontal and vertical axes. This allows the user to trim the specimen tilt to obtain the desired diffraction condition over the whole tilt range of the tomography series. To demonstrate its capabilities, we have used this triple-axis tomography holder with a dual-axis tilt series (the specimen was rotated by 90° ex-situ between series) to obtain tomographic reconstructions of dislocation arrangements in plastically deformed austenitic steel foils. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nano-sized Nb2O5/carbon clusters composite material denoted as Ic, has been successfully synthesized by the calcination of NbCl5/epoxy resin complex I. MnO2-loaded Nb2O5/carbon clusters composite materials were also prepared by doping the MnO2 particles on the surface of Ic. The compositions of the synthesized composite materials were determined using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy, elemental analysis and surface characterization by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis), and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra of the composites were also measured. The reduction reaction of methylene blue with the calcined materials under the visible light irradiation has also been examined. The composite material Ic, reduced the methylene blue under the irradiation of visible light (λ >460nm). The MnO2-loaded Ic composite material could also decompose an aqueous silver nitrate solution by visible light irradiation and give O2 and Ag with a [O2]:[Ag] ratio of 1:4. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nano-structured TiO2/carbon clusters/Cr2O3 composite material has been successfully obtained by the microwave treatment of a TiO(acac)/Cr(acac)3/epoxy resin complex. The compositions of the composite materials were determined using ICP, elemental analysis and surface characterization by SEM–EDX, TEM and XRD. ESR spectral examinations suggest the possibility of an electron transfer in the process of TiO2 →carbon clusters→Cr2O3 with an oxidation site at TiO2 particles and a reduction site at Cr2O3 particles. The preliminary experimental results show that the calcined materials could decompose methylene blue under visible-light irradiation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Calcination of oxovanadylphthalocyanine at 500–1000°C under an argon atmosphere was performed. Elemental analyses, XRD and TEM measurements revealed that the calcined materials are composed of nano-sized vanadium nitride and carbon clusters. ESR spectral examinations suggested that the calcined materials have a photo-responsive charge separation feature. The decomposition of methylene blue and trimethylhydroquinone in the presence of the material calcined at 900°C was accelerated by visible light irradiation. H2 evolution was detected from a mixture of the calcined material and water under the visible light irradiation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Vanadium oxide VO x films were fabricated by RF magnetron sputtering on various metal buffer layers or silica glass substrates at a substrate temperature of 400°C. V2O5 film was fabricated on a silica glass substrate, and VO2 films were fabricated on V, W, Fe, Ni, Ti, and Pt metal buffer layers. The transition temperature of the sample on the V buffer layer was 68°C and that on the W buffer layer was 53°C. The VO2 film was also fabricated on the V buffer layer by non-reactive sputtering using a V2O5 target at a substrate temperature of 400°C. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Calcite crystals were prepared by dropping a saturated calcium carbonate aqueous solution on a substrate. The calcite crystals were grown with a growth rate of approximately 0.7μm/day under the condition of aqueous temperature of 2°C, aqueous concentration of 0.006mol/l, and substrate temperature of 40°C. When the calcite substrate was used, calcite crystals were grown epitaxially. Na2CO3 and CaCl2 aqueous solutions were dropped and reacted on the calcite crystal substrate with a CaCO3 concentration of 0.06mol/l, which is 10 times the saturated concentration at an aqueous temperature of 40°C. Rhombohedral calcite was also deposited epitaxially with a growth rate of about 6.3μm/day under this condition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study, SiO x thin films were prepared using reactive radio frequency magnetron sputtering at room temperature with a SiO sintered target. The obtained SiO x films were identified using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and ultraviolet–visible transmittance measurement. The x in SiO x film was controlled from 0.98 to 1.70 by changing the oxygen flow ratio at deposition. Increasing the oxygen flow ratio increased the optical gap of the SiO x films from 3.7 to greater than 6eV. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The use of a rectangular flap is a well known technique for upper lip repair in cleft lip, but is less common for lower lip repair after tumour resection. We have found this type of flap to be favourable for lower lip reconstruction, especially for the lip to mental region. We describe herein an improvement to the technique in which two opposing rectangular flaps, with the length of one side equal to the vertical distance from the mentolabial groove to the vermilion border, were raised on the lateral sides of a U-shaped defect. Reconstruction was performed by interdigitation of the two flaps and a bilateral vermilion advancement flap. This new approach allows a distinct mentolabial groove and mental protuberance to be created by utilizing two opposing rectangular flaps and redundant tissue, without sacrificing sensation and muscle function. Our results suggest that the technique provides excellent functional and cosmetic outcomes in restoration of the lower lip in properly selected patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ce 3 d –4 f resonant angle-resolved photoemission measurements on CeCoGe 1.2 Si 0.8 and CeCoSi 2 have been performed to understand the Fermi surface topology as a function of hybridization strength between Ce 4 f - and conduction electrons in heavy-fermion systems. We directly observe that the hole-like Ce 4 f -Fermi surfaces of CeCoSi 2 is smaller than that of CeCoGe 1.2 Si 0.8 , indicating the evolution of the Ce 4 f -Fermi surface with the increase of the hybridization strength. In comparison with LDA calculation, the Fermi surface variation cannot be understood even though the overall electronic structure is roughly explained, indicating the importance of strong correlation effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]