LD steelmaking in Japan

Although it is only one year since the LD process was first put into operation in Japan, four converters are already in operation, and by the end of 1962 the LD process will account for one quarter of Japan’s total ingot capacity.     

Development of flexible joint for 500 kV Al-sheathed OF cable

The authors have developed a flexible dimensionally flush joint for 500 kV aluminum-sheathed oil-filled cables with handling characteristics similar to the cable itself so that it may be readily drawn into ducts in the same way as the cable without suffering damage. The process and characteristics are outlined. This joint is intended for use at intermediate points on long bridges or tunnels where local assembly and installation of conventional joints would be difficult. In developing the joint, various novel techniques have been used, including the flexible flush jointing of segmental conductors, the flexible jointing of paper insulation by a combination of wrapping-back and stepping methods, and on-site aluminum sheath corrugating and sealing methods     

High-dose (9 MU) long-term (60 weeks) alfa-interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis patients infected with HCV genotype 1b

Efficacy of standard regimens (e.g., 3-6 MU for 24 weeks) of alfa-IFN therapy for chronic hepatitis C has been limited, particularly in patients with HCV/1b. To see if higher-dose longer term treatment is more effective, we tried a 9 MU 60-week regimen. HCV/1b-infected chronic hepatitis patients received 9 MU IFN alpha 2a everyday but Sunday for 2 weeks and thrice a week for next 10 weeks, and 76 patients became HCV RNA-negative while 81 remained positive. The RNA-negative patients were then randomized to receive 3 MU (group I, n = 37) or 9 MU (group II, n = 39) for 48 weeks. Of the RNA-positive patients, only those with normal ALT received another 9 MU 48-week treatment (group III, n = 45). Sustained responders (SR) were defined as those with negative RNA and normal ALT 6 months after the therapy. SR rates based on intent-to-treat principle did not differ significantly between groups I and II (30% vs 41%), but those based on the protocol-compatible cases showed a significantly lower than those in group II. Adverse effects of IFN, developed more frequently in groups II and III than in group I, were mostly reversible. In conclusion, our results encourage 9 MU 60-week IFN alpha treatment in HCV/1b-infected patients with careful attention to adverse effects, and suggest that the treatment should be discontinued if HCV RNA does not disappear within 12 weeks.     

Association of cerebral venous malformation with glioblastoma--case report

Despite an abundance of literature investigating arch structure and musculoskeletal injury, there seems to be little consensus regarding the most appropriate technique of measuring dynamic arch motion. In this study, digitized videofluoroscopy was used to determine the sagittal plane motion of the medial longitudinal arch during dynamic gait. Nine female subjects requiring diagnostic foot radiographs underwent videofluoroscopy during a normal gait cycle. The calcaneal inclination angle, calcaneal-first metatarsal angle (CI-MT1) and height-to-length ratio of the arch, all reputed to measure arch alignment, were digitally analyzed from static radiographic images. Both the calcaneal inclination angle (0.96) and CI-MT1 (-0.98) angles were highly correlated with the criterion measure of height-to-length ratio. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) identified a significant increase in the mean CI-MT1 angle during stance, suggesting a continual lowering and elongation of the arch. This study questions the validity of characterizing foot motion based on static measures of arch shape and recommends that further research be conducted to establish whether the observed trends reflect normal or pathological foot function.     

New method for evaluating local pulse wave velocity by measuringvibrations on arterial wall

A new method is proposed for measuring the local pulse wave velocity (PWV), which is an index of the hardness of the aortic wall. Using the method, high spatial resolution, which is necessary in the evaluation of local hardness, is attained     

A case of xanthogranuloma of the urinary bladder following herniorrhaphy]

We report a case of xanthogranuloma of the bladder following herniorrhaphy. The patient complained of urinary frequency, residual feeling, and presented with a solid mass located on the dome of the bladder. He had undergone previous inguinal herniorrhaphy. Transurethral biopsy revealed an inflammatory change. Partial cystectomy was carried out for en bloc removal of the tumor. The histological diagnosis was xanthogranuloma of the bladder. Postoperatively, the symptoms disappeared. This is the sixth case report of xanthogranuloma of the urinary bladder and the first case following herniorrhaphy in the Japanese literature.     

A clinicopathologic study of primary cholesterol hepatolithiasis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We conducted the present study in order to clarify the clinicopathologic features of primary cholesterol hepatolithiasis and compare them with those in primary calcium bilirubinate hepatolithiasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the clinicopathologic features of 24 patients with primary cholesterol hepatolithiasis. The clinical symptoms were mild, and the median duration of symptoms was 5 years. RESULTS: In 22 patients complete stone clearance was obtained using percutaneous cholangioscopic lithotomy, partial hepatectomy, or their combination. The patients showed excellent clinical outcome (median follow-up period, 6 years) despite the absence of bilioenteric drainage. Stones have recurred in 4 patients, who remain asymptomatic. The histopathologic findings in 7 hepatectomized patients were compared with those in 7 patents with calcium bilirubinate hepatolithiasis. The inflammatory changes around the stone-containing duct, i.e., wall thickening, fibrosis, sludge formation, and glandular hyperplasia, were significantly milder in the cholesterol hepatolithiasis patients (p < 0.01 or p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These clinical and histopathologic findings indicate that primary cholesterol hepatolithiasis should be regarded as a different clinical entity from calcium bilirubinate hepatolithiasis which has a close relationship with bile stasis and bacterial infection as etiological factors.     

Kinematics,dynamics and stability of the tubular film extrusion of various polyethylenes

A basic study of the kinematics, dynamics, and heat transfer occuring during tubular film extrusion of polyethylene is outlined. Three rheologically characterized polyethylenes, a low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a linear-low-density polyethylene (L-LDPE), and a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) were used in this study. The kinematics and stability of the tubular film process were investigated over a wide range of blow-up ratios, drawdown ratios, and frost-line heights. Local deformation rates along the bubble have been determined. Regions of stability and instability are described. Tensions and inflation pressures have been measured and expressed in terms of locol elongational viscosities. Temperature profiles along the bubble were determined and interpreted in terms of local heat transfer coefficients. Positions of crystallization and temperature profiles have been noted and used to estimate rates of crystallization. The characteristics of the LDPE, LLDPE, and HDPE are contrasted.