New Visualization Technique with a Three-Dimensional Video-Assisted Stereoendoscopic System: Application of the BVHIS Display Method During Endolaryngeal Surgery

A three-dimensional video-assisted stereoendoscopic system (3D video system) developed by the Shinko Optical Company, Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan), and referred to as the binocular vision by horizontal image shifting display method (BVHIS display method), has been developed to digitally process ordinary video signals obtained with a video camera connected to a direct videolaryngoscope. The three-dimensional video system provides the surgeon with stereoendoscopic video images and enhances the ability of the surgeon to perform delicate endoscopic procedures. The three-dimensional video-assisted stereoendoscopic laryngosurgical procedure and its underlying principles are described in this paper. A total of 12 patients with laryngeal lesions causing dysphonia underwent three-dimensional video-assisted stereoendoscopic laryngosurgery. Although the video image obtained with the BVHIS display method is only pseudo-three-dimensional, this method enables the surgeon to perceive both depth perception and realism. We describe a surgical procedure using this new visualizing technique and the underlying principles of the technique. Preoperative and postoperative evaluations of the patients' vocal functions are also described. This system is a useful tool for the treatment of laryngeal lesions causing dysphonia.     

Studies on solution-grown crystals of polyethylene terephthalate and some copolyesters. II. Physical properties of the solution-grown crystals add the hydrolyzed crystals

The viscoeiastic properties and the wide-line NMR spectra of solution-grown crystals and hydrolyzed crystals of polyethylene terephthalate and some copolyesters were measured. A new NMR narrowing and new viscoelastic absorption were observed at temperatures higher than that of the primary dispersion of the solution-grown crystals for all polymers cited above. It was clarified from the thermal expansion curve of the crystal lattice, as determined by X-ray diffraction, and from the crystallinity dependence of the absorption intensities that the new dispersion is caused by molecular motion in the crystalline region. The primary dispersion of the hydrolyzed crystals could scarcely be observed and only the narrowing corresponding to the crystalline dispersion was observed. This suggests that the loop region of the lamellar crystals was removed and the “pure” crystal was obtained.     

Incommensurate–commensurate transition and nanoscale domain-like structure in iron doped Ti–Ni shape memory alloys

Precursor phenomena of displacive transformation have been studied by optical and transmission electron microscope observation and X-ray diffraction of Ti–(50???x)Ni–xFe (x?=?2,?4,?6,?8 in at.%) alloys. We found that a Ti–44Ni–6Fe alloy exhibits a second-order-like incommensurate–commensurate transition without latent heat and discontinuity in lattice parameters. In other words, diffuse scatterings appear in an electron diffraction pattern at an incommensurate position on cooling; they move gradually towards 1/3? 110? as the temperature decreases and lock into the commensurate position at 180?K. The commensurate phase is not expanded along one of the ? 111? directions, unlike the R-phase formed by a first-order transformation in Ti–48Ni–2Fe and Ti–46Ni–4Fe alloys. In addition, the commensurate phase shows a nanoscale domain-like structure, which is inherited from the incommensurate state of the parent phase. Thus, the anomalies in physical properties observed in the incommensurate state are most likely the precursor phenomena of the commensurate phase in the Ti–44Ni–6Fe alloy. In the case of a Ti–42Ni–8Fe alloy, the incommensurate state remains even at 19?K.     

Production of spin polarized 12N through heavy ion reactions

The structural and magnetic properties of Ho substituted BiFeO₃ (BHFO) have been investigated using ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-Ray diffraction (XRD) as a function of temperature. The Mössbauer spectrum obtained at room temperature for the as-synthesized BHFO sample exhibits broadened features due to the hyperfine field distributions related to the local variation of the neighbourhood of Fe and the magnetic hyperfine splitting patterns are indicative of magnetic ordering, mostly probably screwed or slightly antiferromagnetic. The spectrum was fitted with two superimposed asymmetric sextets, with similar hyperfine magnetic fields of B_hf1 = 48.0(1) T and B_hf2 = 49.0(1) T, corresponding to rhombohedral BFO. The hyperfine fields of the magnetic components decreased systematically with increasing temperature to a ‘field distribution’ just below the Néel temperature, T_N ~ 600 K. At temperatures above 600 K, the spectral line associated with the Bi₂₅FeO₄₀ impurity phase dominates the spectra. This phase is confirmed by XRD measurements. From the temperature dependence of the site populations of the spectral components an average Debye temperature of θ _D = 240(80) K has been estimated.     

Spin polarization of 29P produced through low energy nuclear reaction

Spin polarization of short-lived β-emitting nucleus ²⁹P (I ^π = 1/2^?+?, T _1/2 = 4.14 s) produced through the ²⁸P(d, n) ²⁹P reaction was studied as functions of the incident deuteron energy E _d and the recoil angle θ of ²⁹P. New optimum condition was found at E _d = 3.3 MeV and θ = 30° where polarization of ²⁹P is ?(4.1 ± 0.7) %.     

Solubility of GaN in supercritical ammonia with ammonium chloride as a mineralizer

The solubility of GaN in supercritical ammonia with ammonium chloride as a mineralizer was measured with a weight-loss method. Temperature-, pressure-, and mineralizer concentration-dependence of the solubility of GaN were investigated. The solubility increased with increase in temperature, and its pressure dependence was very low. The solubility behavior was quite different from the case of using the mineralizer KNH₂ as a basic mineralizer.     

Detailed kinetic analysis of the impact of nucleation behavior and particle size distribution on the configurations of carbon black

Journal of Nanoparticle Research - Dextrans are widely used as additives in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics because of their hydrophilicity, biocompatibility, and low toxicity. These features...     

Highly enantioselective fluorescent recognition of mandelic acid derivatives by chiral salen macrocycles

Calixarene-like chiral salen macrocycles can be used for the enantioselective fluorescent recognition of mandelic acid derivatives. It was observed that one enantiomer of mandelic acid causes a 28-fold increase in the fluorescence intensity of a chiral salen macrocycle, whereas the other enantiomer causes only a 14-fold fluorescence enhancement. This highly enantioselective fluorescent response makes chiral salen macrocycles useful for the enantioselective fluorescent recognition of some mandelic acid derivatives.