Association between hepatoblastoma and very low birth weight: a trend or a chance?

Nuchal vascular hamartoma was found in a newborn premature infant who presented with nonimmune hydrops fetalis, pulmonary hypoplasia due to bilateral pleural effusion and polyhydramnios in utero. The baby died 26 hours after birth despite maximal respiratory and circulatory support. Postmortem examination revealed a vascular hamartoma localized to the left posterolateral region of the neck. We suggest that nuchal vascular hamartoma may be associated with fetal hydrops, probably due to compromised lymph drainage.     

An improved algorithm for diagnosis of system failures in the chemical process

The detailed techniques for improving the efficiency of a fault-diagnosis algorithm can be based on the signed directed graph. This graph represents the structure of the system, and the pattern on the graph represents a state of the system. The usefulness of the improved algorithm is demonstrated using a model of a chemical process comprising a reactor, a heat exchanger and a distillation tower.     

High recovery system in seawater reverse osmosis plants

Seawater desalination by the reverse osmosis (RO) method is an energy-saving system compared with the evaporating method, and can perform seawater desalination efficiently. Seawater RO desalination technology has been established and become a reliable system. Seawater desalination plants using RO technology have spread and the scale of the plants has increased significantly. More economical and efficient RO method seawater desalination systems have come to be required. A high recovery system, which offers reduction of plant construction cost and running cost was devised. Towards realization of this high recovery system, simulation and the field tests were done to confirm the practicality. Furthermore, a high recovery system was adopted for the biggest desalination plant in Japan, and it is performing favorably. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Structure and mechanical properties of internally hydrided Mg-IIIa transition metal alloys

Magnesium alloys containing III_a transition metals, such as Sc, Y and Ho, respectively, were hydrogenated at 773 K and examined for microstructure, X-ray diffraction pattern, micro-Vickers hardness, and tensile properties at room and high temperatures. Results obtained are as follows:

1. The alloys, respectively, have been internally hydrided and have precipitated hydrides of the III_a transition metals as small flake-like particles in the matrix and at grain boundaries, as well as twin boundaries.
2. The dispersed hydride particles do not necessarily contribute to further hardening of the alloys at room temperature and up to near 673 K.
3. However, the dispersed particles are very stable and seem to improve mechanical properties of the alloys above 673 K.
4. Presumed relationships of crystallographic coincidence between the matrix and hydrides have been obtained.

     

Trichogenic trichoblastoma arising on the supraclavicular fossa with an immunohistochemical study of cytokeratin expression

Efforts to address facility-wide educational topics in one staff development department have resulted in the development of innovative strategies to reach the maximum number of nurses with the greatest positive outcome. We were faced with the challenge of trying to improve discharge planning. A random chart review completed by the hospital utilization coordinator showed an appalling lack of discharge planning on the part of most hospital nursing staff. How would we entice nurses to attend inservice programs concerning such a potentially "dry" topic? Enter Olga and Bertha Smith, two characters devised to inject humor and entertainment into the educational sessions. The characters were role played by the authors and videotaped to show a standard scenario that demonstrated the intricate discharge planning needs of a young single mother (Olga) and her dependent mother (Bertha). Evaluations revealed extremely positive feedback for the characters as an enjoyable and effective way of teaching. Since then, Olga and Bertha have attracted, entertained, and educated nurses about three subsequent inservice topics.     

Structural Characterization and Protein Adsorption Property of Hydroxyapatite Particles Modified With Zinc Ions

Zinc-containing hydroxyapatite particles (Zn/HAp) were prepared by an ion exchange reaction process involving hydroxyapatite (HAp) particles with aqueous solutions containing various amounts of zinc nitrate. The Zn²⁺ ion was partially substituted for the Ca²⁺ ion position in the HAp lattice, and hence, the obtained samples had changed little in crystallinity, particle size, and specific surface area. Adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and β₂-microglobulin (β₂-MG) in solutions containing both BSA and β₂-MG was examined. As the Zn²⁺ ion content in the apatites increased, the adsorbed amount of BSA was almost constant, whereas that of β₂-MG increased.     

Light‐scattering study on porous membrane formation by dry‐cast process

The phase‐separation mechanism during porous membrane formation by the dry‐cast process was investigated by the light‐scattering method in poly(methyl methacrylate)/ethyl acetate (EA)/2‐methyl‐2,4‐pentanediol system. The evaporation of EA from the cast solution induced the phase separation and thus the porous membrane was obtained. By the light‐scattering measurement on the phase‐separation kinetics, the phase separation was found to occur by a spinodal decomposition mechanism. As the amount of nonsolvent in the cast solution decreased, the structure growth rate decreased and the growth stopped soon. The obtained porous structure was isotropic rather than asymmetric. The average interpore distances obtained from the SEM observation roughly agreed with the final constant interphase periodic distances measured by the light‐scattering method. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 10: 3205–3209, 2002