Treatment of early T1 small T2N breast cancers. Our experience at the Yaounde General Hospital. 21 cases]

OBJECTIVE: To modify the classic fetal biophysical profile (FBP) with the aim of obtaining rapid and accurate information about actual fetal condition in non-compromised fetuses with a subsequent favorable outcome and to be suitable for a number of outclinic patients. METHODS: Four-hundred and ninety-four fetuses from singleton pregnancies in two randomized groups were monitored by the modified FBP (mFBP) and 168 of them after the external vibratory acoustic stimulation (VAS/mFBP). The mFBP was characterized by two main characteristics: non-stress test was excluded and the testing was finished at the moment when all of the three fetal biophysical activities became normal. The external VAS was applied only in cases with no evidence of fetal activity at the start of the FBP. RESULTS: Of the examined fetuses, 326 fetuses in the control group were monitored by the mFBP and there were 316 (96.9%) favorable outcomes and 10 (3.1%) adverse perinatal outcomes. The sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values of the mFBP score in predicting adverse perinatal outcome were 60, 99, 66.7 and 98.7%, respectively. In the study group of 168 fetuses there were 165 (98.2%) favorable outcomes and three (1.8%) adverse perinatal outcomes. The sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values of the VAS/mFBP were 66.7, 100, 100 and 99.4%, respectively. The efficiency of the VAS/mFBP in predicting perinatal mortality alone was even higher. After the external VAS and the first 5 min of the modified testing approximately two-fifths (41.8%) of healthy fetuses with a subsequent good outcome exhibited normal in all of the three biophysical activities and approximately two-thirds (65.5%) of them after 10 min. In the VAS/mFBP group of healthy fetuses, during the same time periods, normal breathing movements were observed in 72% and 87% of fetuses, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results the mFBP and particularly the VAS/mFBP antenatal protocol as a new and rational variant of the FBP could improve fetal assessment allowing in cases of non-compromised fetuses rapid and accurate information about actual fetal well-being. Because of its high accuracy and a reduced testing time the antepartal method with observation of fetal breathing movements after VAS is becoming acceptable as a screening of fetal well-being evaluation in outclinic conditions.     

Recurrence of bleeding in patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage

To characterize the recurrence of bleeding in patients who had hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH), the authors reviewed 989 patients who underwent treatment for HICH between 1989 and 1995. Fifty-three patients (5.4%) had two episodes of HICH within a median interval of 22.9 +/- 16.3 months (range 1.5-72 months), and of these 3 (5.7%) had three episodes of HICH. The recurrence of bleeding most commonly occurred within 2 years of the first hemorrhage: in 66% of the 53 patients the second hemorrhage occurred soon after the first (within 1 year in 34%, within 1-2 years in 32.1%). The site of the second hemorrhage was different from the initial site in all patients. Only 1 patient had a third hemorrhage in the same site as the second hemorrhage. The common patterns of recurrence were 'ganglionic (putamen/caudate nucleus)-thalamic' in 26.8% and 'ganglionic-ganglionic' in 21.4%. The 'lobar-lobar' pattern was noted in only 2 patients. The volume of the hematoma was increased at the second hemorrhage. The overall mortality was 28.3%. The risk of recurrent hemorrhage significantly increased in the patients who had antihypertensive therapy of less than 3 months after the initial attack compared to those with further long-term therapy (p < 0.005). Long-term regular control for hypertension is needed to prevent recurrent hemorrhage.     

DEVELOPMENT OF AN ADAPTIVE STEREOSCOPIC-PIV SYSTEM FOR ANALYSIS OF THE FLOW-STRUCTURE INTERACTIONS (FSI) OF AIR-LIFTED BODIES

An adaptive stereoscopic-PIV system has been constructed for flow analyses around a cylinder body (length = 60 mm, diameter = 10 mm, polystyrene). The body is floated by the swirling flows in a vertical pipe with a length of 1100 mm and an inner diameter of 100 mm. Four optical sensors (LEDs) were installed onto the pipe wall to detect the posture of the cylinder body. The constructed stereoscopic-PIV system is activated by the signals of the optical sensors when the cylinder is in the upright posture. The measurement system consists of two cameras, a Nd-Yag laser, and a host computer. Flow characteristics around the floating cylinder body and the motional characteristics of the body itself are investigated when the body is in the upright posture. It has been verified that the motion of the floating cylinder becomes stable when the azimuthal velocity component (W component) of the swirl flow is maintained at stable states.     

Mechanical synthesis and rapid consolidation of a nanocrystalline 5.33Fe0.37Cr0.16Al0.4Si0.07-Al2O3 composite by high-frequency induction heating

Nanopowders of 5.33Fe_0.37Cr_0.16Al_0.4Si_0.07 and Al₂O₃ were synthesized from Fe₂O₃, Cr, Si, and Al powders by high-energy ball milling. A high-density nanocrystalline 5.33Fe_0.37Cr_0.16Al_0.4Si_0.07-Al₂O₃ composite was consolidated by a high-frequency, induction-heated sintering (HFIHS) method within three minutes from mechanically synthesized powders of Al₂O₃ and 5.33Fe_0.37Cr_0.16Al_0.4Si_0.07. The advantage of this process is that it allows very quick densification to near theoretical density and prohibits grain growth in nano-structured materials. The average grain sizes of Al₂O₃ and 5.33Fe_0.37Cr_0.16Al_0.4Si_0.07 were 99 nm and 14 nm, respectively.     

Properties and rapid consolidation of nanostructured Al2O3-Al2SiO5 composites by high frequency induction heated sintering

The rapid sintering of nanostructured Al₂O₃ and Al₂O₃ to Al₂SiO₅ composites was investigated by a high-frequency induction heating sintering process. The advantage of this process is that it allows very quick densification to near theoretical density and inhibition of grain growth. Highly dense nanostructured Al₂O₃ and Al₂O₃ to Al₂SiO₅ composites were produced with simultaneous application of a 80 MPa pressure and induced output current of a total power capacity (15 kW) within 3 min. The sintering behavior, grain size and mechanical properties of Al₂O₃ and Al₂O₃ to Al₂SiO₅ composites were investigated.     

Simultaneous synthesis and consolidation of nanostructured TaSi2–Si3N4 composite by pulsed current activated combustion

Dense nanostructured 4TaSi₂–Si₃N₄ composite was synthesized by pulsed current activated combustion synthesis (PCACS) method within 3 min in one step from mechanically activated powders of TaN and Si. Simultaneous combustion synthesis and densification were accomplished under the combined effects of a pulsed current and mechanical pressure. Highly dense 4TaSi₂–Si₃N₄ composite with relative density of up to 98% was produced under simultaneous application of a 60 MPa pressure and the pulsed current. The average grain size and mechanical properties (hardness and fracture toughness) of the composite were investigated.     

Simultaneous high-frequency induction heated combustion synthesis and consolidation of nanostructured HfSi2–SiC composite

Dense nanostructured HfSi₂–SiC composite was synthesized by high-frequency induction heated combustion synthesis (HFIHCS) method in one step from powders of mechanically activated HfC and Si. Simultaneous combustion synthesis and densification were accomplished under the combined effects of an induced current and mechanical pressure. Highly dense HfSi₂–SiC was produced under simultaneous application of a 60 MPa pressure and the induced current. The average grain size and mechanical properties (hardness and fracture toughness) of the composite were investigated.     

Characterization of chemically modified wood fibers using FTIR spectroscopy for biocomposites

Chemical modifications of wood fibers (Lignocel® C120) were performed for biocomposite applications, and chemically modified wood fibers were analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy. NaOH treatment showed band shifts from Cell‐I to Cell‐II in FTIR spectra from 2902 cm^?1, 1425 cm^?1, 1163 cm^?1, 983 cm^?1, and 897 cm^?1 to 2894 cm^?1, 1420 cm^?1, 1161 cm^?1, 993 cm^?1, and 895 cm^?1 and the change in peak height at 1111 cm^?1 and 1059 cm^?1 assigned for Cell‐I structure. Silane treatment showed peak changes at 1200 cm^?1 assigned as Si? O? C band, at 765 cm^?1 assigned as Si? C symmetric stretching bond, at 700 cm^?1 assigned as Si? O? Si symmetric stretching, and at 465 cm^?1 assigned as Si? O? C asymmetric bending. Benzoyl treatment resulted in an increase in the carbonyl stretching absorption at 1723 cm^?1 and in band characteristics of aromatic rings (1604 cm^?1 and 710 cm^?1) and a strong absorption at 1272 cm^?1 for C? O band in aromatic ring. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Effect of FeAl3 on properties of (W,Ti)C–FeAl3 hard materials consolidated by a pulsed current activated sintering method

Using a pulsed current activated sintering (PCAS) method, the densification of (W,Ti)C and (W,Ti)C–FeAl₃ hard materials was accomplished within 3 min. The advantage of this process is not only rapid densification to near theoretical density, but also prevention of grain growth in nano-structured materials. Highly dense (W,Ti)C and (W,Ti)C–FeAl₃ with a relative density up to 99% were obtained within 3 min by PCAS under a pressure of 80 MPa. The average grain size of the (W,Ti)C was less than 100 nm. Hardness and fracture toughness of the dense (W,Ti)C and (W,Ti)C–FeAl₃ produced by PCAS were also investigated. The fracture toughness and hardness values of (W,Ti)C, (W,Ti)C–5 vol.% FeAl₃, and (W,Ti)C–10 vol.% FeAl₃ consolidated by PCAS were 7.5 MPa m^1/2 and 2650 kg/mm², 10.5 MPa m^1/2 and 2480 kg/mm², 11 MPa m^1/2 and 2300 kg/mm², respectively.     

Fine metal mask material and manufacturing process for high‐resolution active‐matrix organic light‐emitting diode displays

Manufacturing fine metal mask (FMM) is one of the biggest hurdles to realize the ultra‐high definition (UHD) grade AMOLED displays for smartphone and augmented reality (AR). We have developed the state‐of‐the‐art material and processing technology to achieve 800ppi or higher‐resolution FMMs. The Invar thinning and the thermal damage‐free laser ablation process realized us achieving the FMM for UHD displays.