165 research outputs found

    Usefulness of three-dimensional computed tomography of the larynx for evaluation of unilateral vocal fold paralysis before and after treatment: technique and clinical applications

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    Laryngoplasty is well-known technique for unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP). However, operation result are sometimes not as good as expected before surgery. Three-dimensional Computed tomography (3DCT) is useful for visualizing complicated intralaryngeal structures. Moreover, 3DCT is suited for analyzing the movement of the vocal fold and arytenoid cartilage because the technique is based on actual data from live patients. We have been used 3DCT of the Larynx for evaluation of UVFP before and after treatment. We uncovered some new findings about UVFP and reasons of unsatisfactory outcomes after operation. Technique and clinical applications of 3DCT for UVFP are outlined in this paper

    Annealing of an AlN buffer layer in N2-CO for growth of a high-quality AlN film on sapphire

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    The annealing of an AlN buffer layer in a carbon-saturated N2–CO gas on a sapphire substrate was investigated. The crystal quality of the buffer layer was significantly improved by annealing at 1650–1700 °C. An AlN buffer layer with a thickness of 300 nm was grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE), and was annealed at 1700 °C for 1 h. We fabricated a 2-µm-thick AlN layer on the annealed AlN buffer layer by MOVPE. The full widths at half maximum of the (0002)- and (101ˉ210\bar{1}2)-plane X-ray rocking curves were 16 and 154 arcsec, respectively, and the threading dislocation density was 4.7 × 108 cm−2

    Fossil tubeworms link coastal uplift of the northern Noto Peninsula to rupture of the Wajima-oki fault in AD 1729

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    The active fault zone on the seafloor off the northern coast of the Noto Peninsula of central Japan is divided into four segments from west to east: Monzen-oki, Saruyama-oki, Wajima-oki, and Suzu-oki. To examine the latest event that occurred in these segments, we investigated the dates and elevations of fossilized intertidal tubeworms along the northern coast of the Noto Peninsula, located on the hanging-wall sides of the faults, using radioactive carbon dating and global positioning measurements. For each fossil, we calculated the difference between the past and present elevation, thereby estimating the elevation of the sea level at the date of the fossil, using a curve for sea level change. This calculation provided us with the elevation change at each site. The vertical changes estimated from the elevations and ages of the intertidal tubeworms revealed that the coastal emergence probably occurred between 1600 and 1800 AD. This area of coastal emergence lies adjacent to active faults within the Wajima-oki segment. A model for rectangular faults with three fault planes and a moment magnitude of 6.6 for the Wajima-oki segment reproduced the observed pattern of coastal emergence well. Only one damaging earthquake, that in 1729, is known to have occurred in this part of the northern Noto Peninsula between 1600 and 1800 AD, and there has not been one since 1800 AD. The slip distribution of the fault predicted by the model is consistent with the distribution of shaking-related damage documented in 1729. We conclude that rupture of the Wajima-oki segment caused the 1729 earthquake. © 2016 Elsevier B.V.Embargo Period 24 month

    Immunohistochemical Evaluation of Insulin-like Growth Factor I Receptor Status in Cervical Cancer Specimens

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    The insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR) is exceptionally overexpressed in many cervicalcancer-derived cell lines. It is postulated that a decrease of p53 protein levels due to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection may contribute to the up-regulation of IGF-IR expression in cervical cancer cells because transcription of IGF-IR is strictly down-regulated by p53. To evaluate this fact in clinical cervical cancer specimens, we checked the expression levels and activated status of IGF-IR by immunohistochemistry. Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens obtained by conization or hysterectomy were stained with anti-IGF-IR and with an antibody recognizing phosphorylated tyrosine at its c-terminus. The expression levels of IGF-IR were significantly high in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) III and invasive cancer specimens. Phosphorylation of IGF-IR was promoted in all CIN and invasive cancer specimens, and its intensity was related to the promotion of lesions. Interestingly, IGF-IR overexpression was missing in the basal layer of CIN I and II lesions, whereas it was evenly distributed in CIN III and invasive cancer lesions. This IGF-IR overexpression pattern may be utilized in the diagnosis of HPV infection status in CIN lesions.</p

    Usefulness of the Pipeline Embolic Device for Large and Giant Carotid Cavernous Aneurysms

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    PurposeConventional coil embolization for large carotid cavernous aneurysms (CCAs) has limited utility due to its inability to prevent recurrences and reduce mass effect. Trapping of the parent artery may have a risk of ischemic complications due to intracranial perfusion disorders. We successfully treated 24 patients with large CCAs using a flow diverter (Pipeline™ embolic device: PED), and this report discusses the safety and efficacy of this method.Materials and MethodsTwenty four patients (23 females, mean age 71.5 years old) with large CCAs, including 6 giant CCAs, were treated with a PED over three years. Under sufficient dual anti-platelet management, the PED was deployed over the orifice of the aneurysm. Two patients required multiple telescoping stents. Clinical and radiological states were checked with MRI at 1, 3 and 6 months post-surgically. Angiographic follow-up was performed at 6 months.ResultsIn all patients, PED was appropriately deployed. Stagnation of contrast with eclipse signs was observed post-angiogram in 21 cases. One patient requiring 5 telescoping stents experienced temporary ischemic symptoms. Fourteen patients experienced improvement of ocular motor impairment deficiency, including 6 patients who recovered. Angiograms at 6 months follow-up showed complete occlusion in 63% (12/19) of patients, and MRI showed reduction of aneurysm volume in 89% (17/19) of patients.ConclusionFlow diverters for large CCAs showed promising clinical and radiological efficacy. They can shrink the aneurysm and improve symptoms without sacrificing the parent artery. It will be necessary to summarize the cases and to verify the long-term results

    Wavefunction Analysis of STM Image: Surface Reconstruction of Organic Charge Transfer Salts

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    In this chapter, the wavefunction analysis is demonstrated, applied to the organic charge transfer salts composed of electron donor and electron acceptor molecules. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) images of the surface donor layers in the three charge transfer salts, α-(BEDT-TTF)2I3, β-(BEDT-TTF)2I3, and (EDO-TTF)2PF6, are analyzed with the atomic π electron orbitals of sulfur, oxygen, and carbon atoms. We have deduced three different kinds of surface molecular reconstructions as follows: (1) charge redistribution in α-(BEDT-TTF)2I3, (2) translational reconstruction up to 0.1 nm in β-(BEDT-TTF)2I3, and (3) rotational reconstruction transforming the 1D axis from the a axis to the b axis in (EDO-TTF)2PF6. Finally, it is concluded that the surface reconstruction is ascribed to the additional gain of the cohesive energy of the π electron system, provoked by the reduced steric hindrance with the anions of the missing outside double layer. The investigations of the surface states provide not only interesting behaviors of the surface cation layer, but also important insights into the electronic states of a lot of similar charge transfer crystals, as demonstrated in α-(BEDT-TTF)2I3

    <Literature, Film and Culture in Southeast Asia> Twelve Sisters: A Shared Heritage in Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand

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    Edited by YAMAMOTO HiroyukiList of Contributors [v]Acknowledgements [ix]Introduction /YAMAMOTO Hiroyuki [x]1. Cultural Identity and Creative Tourism: The Folktale Nang Sip Song (Twelve Sisters) in the Global Contexts /Trisilpa BOONKHACHORN [1]2. From Folktale to Buddhist Tale: The Twelve Sisters in the Buddhist Tale, Paññāsajātaka in Thailand /Chanwit TUDKEAO [6]3. Shapes of Love in Lao Tradition: The Legend of the Twelve Sisters in Laos /Khamphuy PHOLLURXA [13]4. Being a Good Son is the Greatest Virtue: The Twelve Sisters in the Cambodian National Language Textbook /VAN Sovathana [26]5. Power of Tales: How Narrating Stories Instilled Hope to Survive during the Pol Pot Regime in Cambodia /PAL Vannarirak [33]6. Male Mountain, Female Mountain: Local Topography and Oral Tradition in Laos /HASHIMOTO Sayaka [36]7. Princess Kongrey's Last Wish: Cambodian Utopia in Ly Bun Yim's Puthisen Neang Kongrey /OKADA Tomoko [50]8. Comical Thevada and Feminine Ogre: Innovative Characters Reflecting Modern Thai /HIRAMATSU Hideki [68]9. The Blooming Season: Thai Short Film /Chalida UABUMRUNGJIT [74]10. Aspiring for the Next "Golden Age" /DOUNG Sarakpich [77]11. For the Development of Lao Film: Film Archives and Film Industry in Laos /Dethnakhone LUANGMOVIHANE [88]12. Boosting Passions for Making Stories: The Short Filmmaking Scene in Laos /Athidxay BOUANDAOHEUANG [95
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