Cranioplasty with neovascularized autogenous calvarial bone

We have presented two cases of cranioplasty with neovascularized autogenous calvarial bone. A surgical procedure applying the principle of flap prefabrication has been applied to the preservation of autogenous calvarial bone obtained during external cranial decompression. The rectus abdominis muscle flap was elevated. A subcutaneous pocket was prepared for preservation of calvarial bone integrated with the rectus abdominis muscle. The outer cortex of calvarial bone was removed partially by bone chiseling. The muscle flap was attached to the bone graft by means of two holes on the bone by suture. The calvarial bone, grafted onto the rectus abdominis muscle flap, was inserted into the subcutaneous pocket. Several weeks later, the neovascularized calvarial bone flap was dissected along with inferior epigastric pedicle. Cranioplasty was performed using the bone element of the flap. Revascularization was achieved by anastomosing the inferior epigastric vessels to the temporal vessels. The postoperative films demonstrated marked radiolucency at the borders of the flap, although bone scan documented that the flap was vascularized. We speculate that the transferred bony segment was not completely vascularized.     

Ultimate low-loss single-mode fibre at 1.55 ?m

A very low loss single-mode fibre with a minimum loss of 0.20 dB/km at a wavelength of 1.55 ?m is attained; this loss reaches the ultimate lower loss limit of silica-based optical glass fibre. The loss mechanism is also discussed.     

Usefulness of Vmax and time constant in the evaluation of left ventricular function immediately after cardiac operation

It is difficult to evaluate the cardiac function accurately, immediately after cardiac operation, because of the restriction of measurements and the variations of loading. To evaluate the exact cardiac function during and after cardiac surgery, we examined the usefulness of unloaded maximal shortening velocity of contractile element (Vmax) and time constant of isovolumic pressure fall (TC) in the condition of hasty changing of preload and afterload. In our experiment, we used canines as our subject. Following the sedation of the canines, the left ventricular pressure (LVP) curve was recorded by using the catheter-tip manometer which was introduced into the apex of the heart. The LVP was measured in the following instances: 1) at control condition, 2) 5 minutes after the administration of dobutamine of 2 or 5 micrograms/kg/min, 3) 5, 10, 15, and 30 minutes interval after the ligation of the left anterior descending artery (LAD). In every situations, preload and afterload were changed by the temporary occlusion of the inferior vena cava or descending thoracic aorta. Vmax and TC were analyzed easily only from the LVP by the personal computer. We used Grunkemeier's method to calculate Vmax which was analyzed only from the LVP curve. We presumed that the mean value of Vmax analyzed by Grunkemeier's method was almost the same as the data by Mason's method by calculating the mean value from the given number of heart beats. Because the correlation of two methods was linear, and furthermore the slope of this regression line was 0.97 and the Y-intercept was 0.19. Vmax was the index that was comparatively independent from the loading condition.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Membrane and soluble forms of Fas (CD95) and Fas ligand in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and in plasma from human immunodeficiency virus-infected persons

The expression of membrane-bound Fas ligand (FasL) and Fas in lymphocytes and monocytes and levels of soluble forms of FasL (sFasL) and Fas (sFas) in plasma from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and -negative subjects was evaluated. Surface FasL was detectable on monocytes, but poorly so on lymphocytes, even in the presence of KB8301, a metalloproteinase inhibitor. Unexpectedly, monocytes of HIV-positive subjects expressed less FasL than those of HIV-negative volunteers. sFasL levels in plasma of HIV-positive persons were elevated and correlated with levels in plasma and with HIV RNA burden. sFas levels in plasma of HIV-positive subjects were also elevated and correlated with Fas expression in apoptotic lymphocytes. Finally, culture-induced lymphocyte apoptosis of HIV-positive subjects was enhanced by anti-Fas agonistic antibody but was not inhibited by anti-FasL blocking antibodies. These results suggest that significant dysregulation of both Fas and FasL occurs in HIV infection and contributes to increased sensitivity of lymphocytes to apoptosis.     

Magnetic flux memory effect using a magnetostrictive material-shape memory piezoelectric actuator composite

A magnetostrictive-shape memory piezoelectric material composite is proposed to realize a magnet field memory effect. An imprint electrical field enables a shape memory piezoelectric actuator, and the shape memory effect maintains a certain permeability of the magnetostrictive materials. A new magnetic flux memory effect is generated using a composite of the magnetostrictive-shape memory piezoelectric actuator and a permanent magnet. This magnetic flux memory effect can be operated with a pulsed voltage to the shape memory piezoelectric actuator, so that no energy is consumed to maintain a certain magnetic effect.     

A body-mounted camera system for head-pose estimation and user-view image synthesis

In this paper, we propose a body-mounted system to capture user experience as audio/visual information. The proposed system consists of two cameras (head-detection and wide angle) and a microphone. The head-detection camera captures user head motions, while the wide angle color camera captures user frontal view images. An image region approximately corresponding to user view is then synthesized from the wide angle image based on estimated human head motions. The synthesized image and head-motion data are stored in a storage device with audio data. This system overcomes the disadvantages of head-mounted cameras in terms of ease of putting on/taking off the device. It also has less obtrusive visual impact on third persons. Using the proposed system, we can simultaneously record audio data, images in the user field of view, and head gestures (nodding, shaking, etc.) simultaneously. These data contain significant information for recording/analyzing human activities and can be used in wider application domains such as a digital diary or interaction analysis. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed system.     

Oncology nursing research in the USA

Cancer treatment requires a comprehensive team of multidisciplinary health care professionals, and especially nursing is central to provide the complementary care aspect of the cure objective. Nurses involved in cancer care provide public education about the disease, its prevention, screening and early diagnosis. Also they have an important role for patients with any stage of cancer. Oncology nursing as a specialty in the U.S.A. is relatively recent as an organized profession. There have been an increasing number of researches in this field, since the first national cancer nursing conference was held in 1973 and the first national Oncology Nursing Society Congress in 1975. Psychosocial issue is a major area in oncology nursing research, which is discussed in more details in this article.     

Vibrational positioning method for optical fibers sliding on a frictional surface

 Open-loop positioning methods for optical fibers on glass substrates are presented. When a slender and flexible object such as an optical fiber is moved on a frictional surface, its position is difficult to control because the object is caught in a frictional dead zone, causing the occurrence of stick-slip. In this paper, first, a positioning method when the friction force is known is derived based on a one-degree-of-freedom model of a sliding optical fiber. Then, a positioning method when the friction force is not known is derived by modifying the method for the case of known friction. Finally, the validity of the theory is verified by experiment and simulation. Received: 5 July 2001/Accepted: 1 November 2001     

Multilevel Storage in Lateral Top-Heater Phase-Change Memory

A lateral top-heater phase-change memory (LTH-PCM) is proposed and investigated for multilevel storage (MLS). The active layers are composed of a 50-nm-thick TiN layer as a top heater and a 150-nm-thick SbTeN layer. A number of intermediate levels, which are induced by electric currents, are exhibited in experimental results. They are distinct and very stable. The reversible switching of multilevels is successfully demonstrated in the LTH-PCM device. The MLS results from the gradual enlargement of crystalline region between electrodes by Joule heating according to our analysis.