A new solution for splay‐to‐bend transition in OCB mode with a twisted area

Abstract— Quick, stable transition from splay‐to‐bend alignment in optically compensated bend (OCB) mode is crucial for practical use. This has been achieved by surface treating part of a pixel with a chiral dopant to induce a twist alignment while controlling the twist direction. The effectiveness of this new method was confirmed in a prototype TFT‐LCD panel.     

The spontaneous formation of a J-like aggregate in Langmuir-Blodgett films of a squarylium dye

The physical properties of chalcogenide-containing squarylium (SQ) dyes with long alkyl chains were examined. The SQ dyes were deposited as Y-type films. The SQ dye of a 6-methylselenazole derivative spontaneously forms a J-like aggregate in Langmuir-Blodgett films at ambient conditions.     

MR imaging of the central nervous system in divers

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonanse imaging (MRI) frequently reveals asymptomatic cerebral infarctions in the general population. HYPOTHESIS: The central nervous system (CNS) of divers is affected by a hyperbaric environment even if they are asymptomatic. METHODS: We examined 25 uniformed service divers by MRI and compared them with normal controls. RESULTS: Of 25 divers, 9 had CNS lesions vs. 2 of 25 controls (p = 0.02). There was a significant relationship between the CNS lesions, age, and smoking. CONCLUSION: The divers had a risk of accumulating CNS lesions. These results suggested that divers should undergo periodic medical evaluations and MRI brain scanning.     

Endoscopic stone disintegration using the Lithoclast

We present our experience with a new and unique device for performing intracorporeal lithotripsy known as the Swiss Lithoclast. This simple device uses compressed air to activate a solid probe in a manner of a jackhammer. This device was used to treat 20 patients with stones in the ureter (11), bladder (5) or a Kock pouch (4). The Lithoclast successfully fragmented 90% of the calculi independent of the composition and salvaged 2 failed ESWL treatments. At one month after the procedure, either alone or in combination of with ESWL, 17 of 20 patients became free of stones. There were no complications related to use of the device. We have found the Swiss Lithoclast to be a safe and effective means of performing intracorporeal lithotripsy for urinary calculi.     

Inelastic behaviour of steel under plasticity-creep interaction condition: An interim report of the Bench Mark project by the subcommittee on inelastic analysis and life prediction of high temperature materials, JSMS

Some of the interim results of the Bench Mark Project by the Subcommittee on the Inelastic Analysis and Life Prediction of High Temperature Materials, JSMS, is presented. The purpose of the present bench mark study is to review and evaluate the inelastic constitutive models relevant to material response under the plasticity-creep interaction.By specifying normalized and tempered steel at 600°C, sixteen bench mark problems of four categories are first established: (I) tensile stress-strain relations and creep curves, (II) material response under mixed modes of plastic and creep loading, (III) ratcheting and deformation under program loads, and (IV) cyclic deformation behaviour under the combination of different strain rates. Then, the outline of seventeen inelastic constitutive models of nine types discussed in this project is presented. Finally, the interim results of these bench mark tests are compared with the corresponding predictions of the constitutive models to evaluate their accuracy in simulating the actual behaviour of the material.