A Study of the Work Load in a Monotonous Task

The work load given to workers by a monotonous task was investigated. Their load was obtained by measuring the flicker value and observing its fluctuation pattern. Each flicker fluctuation was classified into one of the three patterns. It was found that the mental load of the subject carrying out the task by himself tends to become lighter according as the speed increases, while the mental load of the subject doing the task with his companion does not show this tendency. On the other hand, the scores of the disposition tests were analyzed with regard to the flicker fluctuation pattern by using the discriminant function

Topology optimization based on structural flexibility in the periodic loading

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/76428/1/AIAA-2000-4737-762.pd

Laparoscopic and Endoscopic Cooperative Surgery for Gastric Submucosal Tumor Near Esophagogastric Junction With Sliding Hiatal Hernia

The usefulness of laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery (LECS) for gastric submucosal tumors in the cardiac region has been reported in recent years. However, LECS for submucosal tumors at the esophagogastric junction with hiatal sliding esophageal hernia has not been reported, and its validity as a treatment method is unknown. The patient was a 51-year-old man with a growing submucosal tumor in the cardiac region. Surgical resection was indicated because a definitive diagnosis of the tumor was not determined. The lesion was a luminal protrusion tumor, located on the posterior wall of the stomach 20 mm from the esophagogastric junction, and had a maximum diameter of 16.3 mm on endoscopic ultrasound examination. Because of the hiatal hernia, the lesion could not be detected from the gastric side by endoscopy. Local resection was considered to be feasible because the resection line did not extend into the esophageal mucosa and the resection site could be less than half the circumference of the lumen. The submucosal tumor was resected completely and safely by LECS. The tumor was diagnosed as a gastric smooth muscle tumor finally. Nine months after surgery, a follow-up endoscopy showed reflux esophagitis. LECS was a useful technique for submucosal tumors of the cardiac region with hiatal hernia, but fundoplication might be considered for preventing backflow of gastric acid

Topology optimization for flextensional actuators

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/76744/1/AIAA-1998-4951-939.pd

Repetitive DNA sequences accelerate molecular cytogenetic research in plants with small chromosomes

Repetitive DNA sequences are highly abundant in plant genomes and are favorable probes for chromosome identification in plants. However, it is difficult to conduct studies on the details of metaphase chromosome structures in plants with small chromosomes due to their highly condensed status. Therefore, identification of homologous chromosomes for karyotyping and analyzing chromosome structures is a challenging issue for cytogeneticists without specific probes and precise chromosome stages. In this study, five repetitive DNA probes, i.e., 5S and 45S ribosomal DNAs (rDNAs), melon centromeric sequence (Cmcent), cucumber subtelomeric sequence (Type I), and microsatellite (CT)10 repeats, were used to identify primary constrictions and homologous chromosomes for karyotyping. Four and two loci of 45S rDNA were respectively observed on metaphase and pachytene chromosomes of Abelia × grandiflora. Cmcent was detected on both primary constrictions of melon pachytene and metaphase chromosomes. Furthermore, one pair of 5S rDNA signals were hybridized on melon metaphase chromosomes. Eight and two loci of 45S and 5S rDNA were respectively detected on cucumber chromosomes. Type I and (CT)10 probes were specifically hybridized on subtelomeric and interstitial regions on the chromosomes, respectively. These results suggest that repetitive DNA sequences are versatile probes for chromosome identification in plants with small chromosomes, particularly for karyotyping analyses