Cephalometric Analysis of the Velopharyngeal Function

The cephalometric analysis of the velopharyngeal function in terms of the shape and mobility permits quantitative assessment of velopharyngeal insufficiency, contributing to decision making of the therapeutic plan

Palatal Fistula Repair : Methods and Results

Thirty-seven patients of the palatal fistula after primary palatoplasty were reviewed, with special reference to the methods used to repair, their results and the effect on speech. The operative procedures used include local mucoperiosteal flap, mucosal flap, tongue flap and free mucosal graft, which were selected according to size, location and local condition of the fistula. If possible, it is better to select the operative procedure that will disturb neither the maxillar development nor orthodontic treatment. As for speech, closure of the fistula seems to be an important trigger for the improvement in the intelligibility of the speech

Pionic atom unveils hidden structure of QCD vacuum

Modern theories of physics tell that the vacuum is not an empty space. Hidden in the vacuum is a structure of anti-quarks $\bar{q}$ and quarks $q$. The $\bar{q}$ and $q$ pair has the same quantum number as the vacuum and condensates in it since the strong interaction of the quantum chromodynamics (QCD) is too strong to leave it empty. The $\bar{q}q$ condensation breaks the chiral symmetry of the vacuum. The expectation value $$ is an order parameter. For higher temperature or higher matter-density, $||$ decreases reflecting the restoration of the symmetry. In contrast to these clear-cut arguments, experimental evidence is so far limited. First of all, the $\bar{q}q$ is nothing but the vacuum itself. It is neither visible nor perceptible. In this article, we unravel this invisible existence by high precision measurement of pionic atoms, $\pi^-$-meson-nucleus bound systems. Using the $\pi^-$ as a probe, we demonstrate that $||$ is reduced in the nucleus by a factor of 58 $\pm$ 4% compared with that in the vacuum. This reduction indicates that the chiral symmetry is partially restored due to the extremely high density of the nucleus. The present experimental result clearly exhibits the existence of the hidden structure, the chiral condensate, in the vacuum

Occlusal force predicts global motion coherence threshold in adolescent boys

Background: Beneficial effects of mastication on cognitive abilities in the elderly have been shown in human studies. However, little is currently known about the effect of masticatory stimulation on cognitive and perceptual ability in younger populations. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the influences of masticatory stimulation on perceptual ability in adolescent boys. Methods: The present study examined the relationship between occlusal force (i.e., masticatory stimulation) and visual perception ability in adolescent boys. Visual perception ability was quantified by measuring global motion coherence threshold using psychophysical method. As an index of masticatory stimulation, occlusal force was measured by pressure sensitive film. We also measured participants\u27 athletic ability, e.g. aerobic capacity and grip strength, as potential confounding factor. Results: The multiple regression analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between global motion coherence threshold and occlusal force, which persisted after controlling for confounding factors such as age and aerobic capacity. Conclusions: This finding indicates that masticatory stimulation enhances visual perception in adolescent boys, indicating the possibility that beneficial effects of masticatory stimulation are observed not only in the elderly but in developing population consistently with the findings of the previous animal studies