Assessment of left ventricular function by pressure-volume loop in VSD and TOF before and after operation]

This study estimates the perioperative left ventricular function of VSD and TOF by using Pressure-Volume (PV) loop. The most characteristic hemodynamic change of VSD is a decreased volume load. Although ejection fraction significantly decreased after the operation, this change did not mean a deteriorated left ventricular contractility. Emax, which is an index of left ventricular contractility on PV loop, improved and pressure-volume area (PVA) which is correlated with 02 consumption of left ventricule was reduced. Mechanical efficiency of left ventricular energetic state did not significantly change. Left ventricular volume and ejection fraction in TOF slightly increased after the operation. Increased ejection fraction reflected a compensation to volume overload after surgery. Emax slightly decreased and PVA increased. Meanwhile mechanical efficiency increased after the operation indicating well preserved ventricular contractility. In particular, the shape of PV loop of both VSD and TOF eventually became usual square after operation due to recover of the isovolumic contraction and relaxation phase. These characteristics had better to be concerned for improvement of surgical techniques as in conotruncal repair, particularly in TOF in the setting of better quality of life with low atrial pressure.     

ZnSe/ZnMgSSe blue laser diode

The continuous wave operation of an ZnSe/ZnMgSSe laser diode was achieved for the first time at 77 K. Blue stimulated emission was observed at a wavelength of 447 nm and the threshold current density was 225 A/cm/sup 2/.<>     

A Small-Corpus-Based Approach to Alice's Roles

This paper is a case study for examining how a small-corpus-basedapproach can contribute to research in stylistics. Specifically,we have built small corpora of the two Alice books and retrieved,using WordSmith Tools suite, first, verbs of saying and theiradverbials to elucidate how Alice speaks to others in the stories,and secondly, modifiers of ‘Alice’ to get the imagesof the main character. An analysis of these data reveals thatAlice's role in each book is quite distinct: an unexpected visitorthrown into the passive state in Wonderland and an active explorerin Looking-Glass. These findings objectively serve to reinforceour argument over what Alice is called through the perusal ofthe texts. Alice's roles in the two books are thus interactivelysupported by the small-corpus-based approach and the non-corpus-basedapproach, which may explore the validity of the interfaced approach,the collaborative work of quantitative processing and qualitativespeculation.     

Keratoacanthoma developing in prurigo nodularis treated with cryotherapy

The phenotype of the 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome is quite variable. We describe 2 patients with a 22q11.2 deletion and a dimpled nasal tip, which, we suggest can be the extreme of the broad or bulbous nose commonly found in the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, and should not be confused with the more severe nasal abnormalities seen in frontonasal dysplasia.     

Utilization of adzuki bean extract as a natural antioxidant in cured and uncured cooked pork sausages

A commercial adzuki bean extract (AE) was evaluated for antioxidant effectiveness in cured and uncured cooked pork sausages. TBARS values, instrumental color evaluation and sensory panel scores were assessed. For uncured sausages, AE at 0.2% was equally effective as 0.1% butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) in reducing TBARS values. Similarly, AE at 0.2% significantly (P<0.01) reduced the TBARS in cured sausages. Incorporation of 0.2% AE into sausages produced higher (P<0.05) CIE lab color a* value and lower (P<0.05) L* and b* values. Sensory panels did not detect any difference in color, odor, taste, flavor, and overall acceptance in uncured pork sausages with addition of 0.2% AE. However, there were adverse changes in the color and odor of cured sausages, even though the taste, flavor, and overall acceptance were similar. Therefore, the results suggest that AE is a potential antioxidant.     

Microfluidic device with chemical gradient for single-cell cytotoxicity assays

Here, we report the fabrication of a chemical gradient microfluidic device for single-cell cytotoxicity assays. This device consists of a microfluidic chemical gradient generator and a microcavity array that enables entrapment of cells with high efficiency at 88 ± 6% of the loaded cells. A 2-fold logarithmic chemical gradient generator that is capable of generating a serial 2-fold gradient was designed and then integrated with the microcavity array. High density single-cell entrapment was demonstrated in the device without cell damage, which was performed in 30 s. Finally, we validated the feasibility of this device to perform cytotoxicity assays by exposing cells to potassium cyanide (0-100 μM KCN). The device captured images of 4000 single cells affected by 6 concentrations of KCN and determined cell viability by counting the effected cells. Image scanning of the microcavity array was completed within 10 min using a 10× objective lens and a motorized stage. Aligning cells on the microcavity array eases cell counting, observation, imaging, and evaluation of singular cells. Thus, this platform was able to determine the cytotoxicity of chemicals at a single-cell level, as well as trace the cytotoxicity over time. This device and method will be useful for cytotoxicity analysis and basic biomedical research.     

Preparation of ultrafine zirconium dioxide particles by thermal decomposition of zirconium alkoxide vapour

Ultrafine zirconia particles are produced by thermal decomposition of zirconium tetratertiary butoxide (ZrTB) vapour. The introduction of ZrTB vapour into the cylindrical electric furnace, is achieved by three different methods: (evaporator, pressurized nebulizer and ultrasonic nebulizer). The properties of the fine particles obtained by these methods are mainly analysed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. It is found that ultrafine zirconia particles produced at relatively low temperatures from 600 to 700° C are spherical in the diameter range 0.035 to 0.15 μm and of tetragonal phase. Furthermore, two-component fine particles of zirconia-ilver are generated by putting the silver solid inside the furnace containing alkoxide vapour, and are deposited by inertia on to a glass substrate under low pressure to form films having a thickness of 17 to 33 μm. The electrical characteristics of the films are evaluated, and the conductance of the film is found to increase with the content of the silver component.