Split End Research Articles

Septal button insertion—The screw technique

Nasal septal perforation can be asymptomatic or can present with symptoms, such as epistaxis, crusting, secondary infection, whistling, or nasal obstruction.1 Septal perforations can be caused by various etiological factors, including trauma, infection, irritant (chemical), neoplasm, or inflammatory conditions.2 In symptomatic patients it is common to occlude the perforation by insertion of prosthesis. Various types of prostheses have been made for this purpose. The most common is the Xomed one-piece septal button (Medtronic ENT, Jacksonville, FL). Inserting the prosthesis can be difficult, and different techniques have been described for ease of insertion. Most often button insertion is done under general anaesthesia due to patient discomfort. We describe a technique that makes the insertion of the button easy, and thus can be done under local anaesthesia. Step 1: Local + topical anaesthesia. Lidocaine infiltration along with spray is used. Step 2: A circular slit starting from the outer edge of one of the flanges of the Xomed one-piece septal button is made. The slit goes in towards the hub covering ≥300° of the circle of the flange (Fig. 1). Step 3: After getting the button through one nostril, the split end of the flange is pulled through the perforation into the other nasal cavity using a hemostat/Tilley's forceps. By rotating the button, all of the flange will be in the other nostril, and thus the button will be positioned accurately (Fig. 2). Placement of the button through a perforation demonstrated on cardboard. Button inserted by the technique described. [Color figure can be viewed in the online issue, which is available at www.interscience.wiley.com.] The septal perforation may be treated by conservative measures, such as nasal douching, emollients, and humidification. Definitive treatment involves closure of the perforation either surgically or using prosthesis. Surgical techniques described include nasal septal rotation flaps, inferior turbinate pedicle flaps, nasal labial flaps, sublabial flaps, temporalis fascia, and mastoid periosteum.3 Surgical closure is difficult in larger perforations and has the risk of failure. Prosthesis is an effective alternative. Prosthetic closure can be achieved using prefabricated buttons or personalized obturators.4 When the services of a specialist in dental prosthetics are not available, it is easier to use a prefabricated silicone button. The main problem with the silicone button is the insertion of flange through the septal perforation, especially when the perforation size is relatively small. Some authors recommend trimming the edges of the silicone button, but that may result in traumatizing the perforation edge.2 Kelly et al. suggested sewing the flange in a purse string fashion, and then applying traction so that the disc assumes a concertina shape, thus making it small enough to pass through the perforation.5 Al-Khabori suggested trimming the edges and making a radial slit in one of the flanges to facilitate insertion of the septal button.2 However, with the radial cut we found it difficult to deliver the flange across the perforation. All of the above methods are associated with significant discomfort to the patient and some amount of maneuvering to correctly position the septal button. We instead tried the above-mentioned technique, which was initially described for inserting permavents (long-term tympanostomy tubes) for middle ear effusions.6 In our experience, this method is simpler, easier, and quicker for inserting the septal button. The modified screw technique to insert the Xomed one-piece septal button can be effectively done as an office procedure and under local anaesthetic in an ear, nose, and throat out-patient clinic for most patients, as long as the diameter of septal perforation is equal or more than the hub of the septal button.

The RNA-binding Motif Protein 15B (RBM15B/OTT3) Acts as Cofactor of the Nuclear Export Receptor NXF1

The human SPEN family proteins SHARP, RBM15/OTT1, and RBM15B/OTT3 share the structural domain architecture but show distinct functional properties. Here, we examined the function of OTT3 and compared it with its paralogues RBM15 and SHARP. We found that OTT3, like RBM15, has post-transcriptional regulatory activity, whereas SHARP does not, supporting a divergent role of RBM15 and OTT3. OTT3 shares with RBM15 the association with the splicing factor compartment and the nuclear envelope as well as the binding to mRNA export factors NXF1 and Aly/REF. Mutational analysis revealed direct interaction of OTT3 and RBM15 with NXF1 via their C-terminal regions. Biochemical and subcellular localization studies showed that OTT3 and RBM15 also interact with each other in vivo, further supporting a shared function. Genetic knockdown of RBM15 in mouse is embryonically lethal, indicating that OTT3 cannot compensate for the RBM15 loss, which supports the notion that these proteins, in addition to sharing similar activities, likely have distinct biological roles.

Split Ends and Cracking Problem During Hot Rolling of Continuously Cast Steel Billets

The paper presents a detailed analysis of split end and cracking problems that occurred during hot rolling of thermomechanically treated (TMT) grade steel bars. The major analytical tool was a multiscan computer-controlled ultrasonic image analysis system for analysis of the defects observed on transverse cut slices of the billets under investigation. The possible reasons for billet cracking during hot rolling such as a low Mn/S ratio, high casting speed, high degree of superheat, and high inclusion content in steel were analyzed. Additionally in the process parameters such as low roll diameter, high friction, and low reduction ratio were also analyzed. The cracking appeared to be associated with large surface/internal defects, axial porosity, off-centered cavities/porosities, off-centered cracks, and inclusion bands. The analysis results suggested methods to prevent such defects in continuously cast steel billets and to reduce/eliminate split end problems. The casting parameters should include: (a) Mn/S ratio >35, (b) degree of superheat <60 °C, and (c) casting speed: <3.0 m/min, where roll radius and initial thickness of the workpiece should be optimized.

A Novel Use of the Beanbag for Intraoperative Positioning during Dissection of the Fibular Flap

Sir: The fibular flap, first described by Taylor et al. in 1975,1 has tremendous utility for a variety of reconstructive needs, including head and neck, upper and lower extremity, and genital reconstruction. Traditionally, the procedure has required an assistant to hold the leg and maintain it in the appropriate position for dissection of the flap. Because an individual whose sole job it is to hold the leg may be unavailable (particularly with the 80-hour work week), we describe a novel use of the beanbag device for intraoperative positioning, which obviates the need for an assistant to hold the leg and renders the dissection of the flap a one-person undertaking. The positioning is described as follows (Figs. 1 and 2):Fig. 1.: The patient’s leg is positioned on the beanbag, demonstrating the support of the ankle and thigh that enables easy access to the lateral leg.Fig. 2.: After draping, the leg is in position without any support other than the beanbag under the drapes. The patient is placed supine on the operating table. The beanbag is placed under the leg to be used for the flap with the split end placed proximally. The distal end of the beanbag is positioned under the patient’s heel with a piece of foam placed on top of the bean bag to protect against prolonged pressure. The distal end of the beanbag is folded up to maintain the ankle in 90 degrees of flexion. Proximally, the bag is folded to provide support for the posterior thigh, again with foam placed under the thigh to protect the skin against prolonged pressure. Suction is applied to the beanbag, after which the leg should be held in the proper position to allow for unassisted dissection of the fibular flap. This method of positioning (though there is something of a learning curve) may be applied safely to patients undergoing this procedure, with modifications made for patient morphotype and surgeon comfort. In addition, as described, it leaves the thigh free for applying a sterile tourniquet and obtaining a skin graft should one be needed either at the recipient site of the flap or at the donor site in cases where an osteofasciocutaneous flap is needed. For dissections of the fibular flap, the commonly available beanbag may be positioned under the leg such that it obviates the need for an assistant to hold the leg and renders the dissection of the flap a single-handed undertaking. Mark T. Villa, M.D. Joyce Aycock Amir Dorafshar, M.D. Lawrence J. Gottlieb, M.D. Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery University of Chicago Chicago, Ill. DISCLOSURE None of the authors has a financial interest in the content of this article.

Ultra‐wide bandpass filters with sharpened roll‐off skirts, extended upper‐stopband, and controllable notch‐band

AbstractThis article presents a novel ultra‐wide bandpass filter on microstrip line with sharpened roll‐off skirts, extended upper‐stopband, and controllable notch‐band. A shunt stub structure with two split symmetrical open end stubs is purposed, aiming to create a pair of transmission zeros at the lower and upper ends of the concerned ultra‐wideband range from 3.1 to 10.6 GHz. Then, this open stub loaded with dissimilar low‐impedance sections is studied to create a notch band that is located at 5.6 GHz. To further widen the upper‐stopband and sharpen the roll‐off skirts, an electromagnetic‐bandgap structure is inserted between the two identical coupled lines. Finally, a filter prototype with notch band are designed, fabricated, and tested. Its overall size is only about 0.19λ2. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 2958–2961, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23818

Laryngotracheal augmentation using titanium mesh

The management of laryngotracheal stenosis is still a serious surgical challenge. The fact that there are currently numerous reconstruction procedures indicates that there is at present no standard treatment. Titanium mesh was used instead of traditional homografts in reconstruction of the anterior laryngotracheal wall in 12 tracheostomised patients with benign chronic laryngotracheal stenosis. The anterior laryngotracheal wall was split, followed by excision of scar tissue and fixation of the titanium plate at the split end. A Silastic stent was inserted above the tracheostomy tube and fixed in place by running sutures fixed to the skin by buttons. The stent was removed endoscopically six weeks later and a trial of decannulation was undertaken. Endoscopically, good epithelisation was seen on the inner surface of the mesh in 10 cases and decannulation was possible. Four of these patients required endoscopic debulking of granulation tissue. Decannulation was impossible in two cases, one due to excessive granulation tissue and the other due to prolapse of the titanium mesh into the tracheal lumen (the mesh was removed endoscopically and a Montgomery T-tube inserted). Titanium mesh was found to be a good alternative for augmentation of the anterior laryngotracheal wall. It offered rigid support, with fewer of the complications reported with other grafts.

Filíocht Nua: New Poetry

Filíocht Nua: New Poetry Mary O'Donoghue Tenacities, Cork in April for Dorothy Medeiros Dried leaves race the bus through Youghal, a litter of withered brown-paper children, and a Labrador with oozing rheumy eyes decides to plunder the brúscar. Crows fly in for a conference, envoys from out-of-town branches. The kissers on Patrick's Hill tilt leewards, the girl's hair flurries round the boy's neck like a saluki hound in a breeze. They clench collars and coats to stay perpendicular as handbraked cars creak inchwise down the scarp. [End Page 44] The Stylist The Chinese micro-carver Chen Zhongen can inscribe poems on a single strand of hair I asked for a headful of sonnets (Petrarchan) from scalp to split end. Short-haired one, said he, the most I can do for youis a crop of haiku. A bit miffed, I looked round the room at enormous close-ups of women with sestinas twirled through their ringlets, thousands of Möbius strips curled 'round recidivist words. A man with a brylled-black mullet sported tercets over his ears, and a thicket of octets ending in knots: floccinaucinihilipilification, sesquipedalian, hyperfecund, the days of the week in Old Norse. Poems with upbeat conclusions on the flick-ups of nymphet models. Bawdy love lyrics from the 1700s hidden inside dense dark shag perms, and rhyming couplets at the outer tips of a blonde boy's barely-there eyebrows. No fair, I thought; oh, to be Rapunzel with space for the lost Latin epics of Valerius Flaccus cascading down past my backside. [End Page 45] But no; I got Ezra Pound's petals above my wet and blackening brow. Some highlights from Japanese wisdom. And one of the stylist's own: What hard work this is, blinded by flurries of snow: your psoriasis. Rockbed A ship astray on the flats, its people flayed by cold on Lovell's Island. The blood gives up in time, fails to stoke the heart, abandons the peninsulas of fingers. The couple are new to each other, and make their honeymoon bed in a cup of rock on a hill. Clumsy embrace, needled and pinned arms moving like the string-guided float of puppet limbs. They tear their lips apart, each leaving shreds of flesh on the other. They are found frost-soldered together, a statuary in garbled clothes. Diarmuid and Gráinne shared a back-breaking bed on bare rock. Some nights, we buck and squirm as if sleeping on flint. My arm in the morning, heavy as a club, sweeps [End Page 46] clocks and books to the floor, clattercrash. Our shapes in the sheets are letters from a giant alphabet, a sloppy Cyrillic. The pillows smell of breath and hair, keep palimpsest records of old dreams under new. Catalepsy. Provoked by the Sound of a Tuning Fork No matter that she smells crushed diamonds, the white gunpowder before it bursts in small subdued claps. The camera's flash still catches her unaware. A tuning fork, big as a hay pike, stands guard behind her. Its long low thrum has stunned her spine. The echo remains, mantra of a church bell, one peal, faraway; a tinny taste at her backmost teeth. The sound presses thumbs against [End Page 47] the lintels of bone over her eyes. She sits, a frumpy mannequin, in studied confusion. She seems to have dropped something—crockery, a doll with a porcelain head—and her hands wring the air. Words whistle wetly through the pinhole made by her lips, as the sound and resound of one note smote from a wooden bench grinds at her tailbone. His nib scoots across pages, scratching notes on the woman he struck into stone. Based on Jean-Martin Charcot's 1880s Iconographie: photographs of patients with hysteria, Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris. [End Page 48] Archimedes The bathroom floor is awash with the weight of his Grecian gut, the volume of his backside and thighs slides in greasy...

Luxation intracamérulaire du tube en Supramid de valves de Krupin courtes plus de 13 ans après leur implantation : À propos de deux cas

In 2004, the authors had to remove two short Krupin valves because the Supramid tube of these valves implanted 13 years previously had migrated into the anterior chamber. The first case was treated in April 2004, the second in November 2004. These valves had been implanted in January 1991 and August 1983 respectively; both because of insufficient, intense general and local medical treatments for vascular glaucoma: post-traumatic for one and neovascular glaucoma after central retinal vein occlusion for the other. In 2004 in each case, the authors performed the extraction, with Healon, of the Supramid tube that had migrated into the anterior chamber and the dissection of the previous scleral flap, which allowed them to uncover and extract the Silastic scleral tube whose split distal end continued to allow seepage of aqueous humour. The two lateral Supramid arms used to stitch the valve were also removed. The two valves were replaced with a Molteno glaucoma drainage implant. Follow-up was simple. Since February 1981, several Krupin valves, first short, then long, were placed in the Ophthalmic Ward of the Villeneuve St Georges Hospital in France. The authors discuss their structure and evolution. The design of these valves, at first made of two different materials (an intracameral Supramid tube followed by a intrascleral Silastic tube) evolved toward a draining tube made from the same material for its entire length, preventing the disconnection of the two tubes. A literature review retraces the history of the device and the modifications over time. These old Krupin valves have stabilized the IOP for several years in numerous glaucoma patients who did not respond to intense medical treatments. Their dual-material concept was redesigned in favor of a single tube that could no longer become a mobile intraocular foreign body.

Interaction of the Epstein-Barr Virus mRNA Export Factor EB2 with Human Spen Proteins SHARP, OTT1, and a Novel Member of the Family, OTT3, Links Spen Proteins with Splicing Regulation and mRNA Export

The Epstein-Barr virus early protein EB2 (also called BMLF1, Mta, or SM), a protein absolutely required for the production of infectious virions, shares properties with mRNA export factors. By using a yeast two-hybrid screen, we have identified the human protein OTT3 as an EB2-interacting factor. OTT3 is a new member of the Spen (split end) family of proteins (huSHARP, huOTT1, DmSpen, and muMINT), which are characterized by several N-terminal RNA recognition motifs and a highly conserved C-terminal SPOC (Spen Paralog and Ortholog C-terminal) domain that, in the case of SHARP, has been shown to interact with SMRT/NCoR corepressors. OTT3 is ubiquitously expressed as a 120-kDa protein. Transfected OTT3 is a nonshuttling nuclear protein that co-localizes with co-transfected EB2. We also showed that EB2 interacts with the SPOC domains of both OTT1 and SHARP proteins. Although the OTT3 interaction domain maps within the 40 N-terminal amino acids of EB2, OTT1 and SHARP interact within the C-terminal half of the protein. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the capacity of the OTT3 and OTT1 SPOC domains to interact with SMRT and repress transcription is far weaker than that of SHARP. Thus there is no evidence for a role of OTT3 in transcriptional regulation. Most interestingly, however, we have found that OTT3 has a role in splicing regulation; OTT3 represses accumulation of the alternatively spliced beta-thalassemia mRNAs, but it has no effect on the beta-globin constitutively spliced mRNA. Thus our results suggested a new function for Spen proteins related to mRNA export and splicing.

Mint Represses Transactivation of the Type II Collagen Gene Enhancer through Interaction with αA-crystallin-binding Protein 1

Collagen type II is an extracellular matrix protein important for cartilage and bone formation, and its expression is controlled by multiple cis- and trans-acting elements, including the zinc finger transcription factor alpha A-crystallin-binding protein 1 (CRYBP1). Here we show that MSX2-interacting nuclear target protein (MINT), a conserved transcriptional repressor, associates with CRYBP1 and negatively regulates the transactivation of the collagen type II gene (Col2a1) enhancer. We identified CRYBP1 as a binding partner of MINT by screening a mouse embryonic cDNA library using the yeast two-hybrid system. We demonstrated that the C terminus of MINT interacts with the C terminus of CRYBP1 using the mammalian cell two-hybrid assay, glutathione S-transferase pull-down, and co-immunoprecipitation analyses. Furthermore, MINT and CRYBP1 form a complex on the Col2a1 enhancer, as shown by chromatin immunoprecipitation and gel shift assays. In the presence of CRYBP1, overexpression of MINT or its C-terminal fragment in cells repressed a reporter construct driven by the Col2a1 enhancer elements. This transcription repression is dependent on histone deacetylase, the main co-repressor recruited by MINT. The present study shows that MINT is involved in CRYBP1-mediated Col2a1 gene repression and may play a role in regulation of cartilage development.

Prediction of internal defects in plane strain rolling

Ductile fracture occurs due to micro-void nucleation, growth and finally coalescence into micro-crack. These micro-cracks grow in the presence of tensile stresses leading to a fracture. A ductile fracture criterion [Eng. Fracture Mech. 53 (1996) 917] developed based on the microscopic phenomena of void nucleation, growth and coalescence along with a simple criterion [ASME J. Manuf. Sci. Eng. 118 (1996) 579] based on the nature and magnitude of hydrostatic stress in the deformation zone along the plane of symmetry are used to predict the central burst in plane strain rolling. Even though the critical damage criterion is based on microscopic description, the material parameters required are available for a few steels only and their determination involves difficult metallurgical experimentation. Further comparison of the predictions of the two criteria for central burst shows that the simple criterion is conservative and hence safe for process design. Based on the finite element analysis carried out in the present work using the experimental results available in the literature [J. Mater. Process. Technol. 32 (1992) 509], a simple criterion for predicting the split-end in rolling is proposed and the same is used to study the effect of process variables on split end occurrence. Parametric study carried out in the present work reveals that the possible occurrence of central burst or split-end for a given material is higher at higher friction, low reductions, large initial thickness of the work piece and small roll radius. These observations are in confirmation with the results published earlier, which were based on the upper bound analysis.

DESIGN AND TESTS OF A VARIABLE–FLOW FAN NOZZLE

A new–concept variable–flow fan nozzle (VFFN) was developed with an aim to variable–rate chemical application. A split–end meter plunger in a tapered sleeve served as a variable orifice that varied flow rate and droplet size and created a fan spray by impinging streams of liquid together. The fan spray exited at a right angle to the plane of the slit as previously hypothesized due to jetting of spalled droplets. Longitudinal position of the plunger in the sleeve determined instantaneous nozzle capacity. A diaphragm was selected to position the plunger for simplicity in this study. Vector force analyses indicated that longitudinal plunger position depended on line pressure, control pressure, diaphragm area, plunger end area, spring constant of split plunger end, maximum slit opening, and taper angle. As expected, the prototype flow rate was sensitive (~0.02 L min –1 kPa –1 line pressure) to the pressure balance across a 248–mm 2 diaphragm and to a 15,500 N m –1 plunger spring constant. Three VFFN prototypes with spray angles of 50
, 70
, and 90
were constructed and tested. A single prototype was tested rather than a boom full of prototypes. Results indicated that the VFFN spray angle equaled the taper angle of the nozzle sleeve at a line pressure of 276 kPa. Observed turndown ratio (maximum to minimum flow rate) for the 90
prototype was 13 to 1 based on spray angles, flow rates, and pattern widths (at 45 cm nozzle height) ranging from 65
to 100
, 0.227 to 3.028 L min –1 , and 70 to 110 cm, respectively. Multiple prototype effects on spray distribution across a boom were not investigated. By adjusting the control pressure from 414 to 138 kPa, the droplet spectrum DV0.1, Dv0.5, and Dv0.9 values were varied from 58 to 190
m, 141 to 522
m, and 300 to 850
m, respectively. Independent control of liquid flow rate and droplet size spectrum was achieved by separately varying line pressure and control pressure.

Neuromucosal prelaminated flaps for reconstruction of intraoral lining defects after radical tumor resection.

To reconstruct intraoral lining defects after radical tumor resection by reinnervated vascularized mucosa, eight distal radial forearm flaps and two fibula flaps were prelaminated. Prelamination was performed by exposing the vascularized fascia, onto which the split distal end of a sural graft was fixed. The fascia and the sural nerve graft were covered by device-meshed mucosa or small full-thickness mucosa pieces. These structures again were covered by a Silastic sheet as large as the future flap, and the wound was closed by the elevated skin and subcutaneous tissue. Coverage by a Silastic sheet enabled mucosal spreading on the fascia, and the final flaps were thin, mucus-producing, and larger than the originally inserted mucosa. The 10 neuromucosal prelaminated flaps were harvested together with the inserted sural nerve graft after 8 to 10 weeks. During this time, the patient underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Donor sites were closed directly by the preserved skin and subcutaneous tissue. Intraoral defects were reconstructed successfully by eight neuromucosal prelaminated distal radial forearm flaps and two neuromucosal prelaminated fibula flaps. The sural nerve grafts, inserted between the fascia and the mucosa, were coaptated eight times with the lingual nerve and two times with the inferior alveolar nerve. Intended reinnervation of the mucosa could already be proved clinically and histologically in the first two patients after 11 and 9 months. Preservation of skin and subcutaneous tissue considerably lowered donor-site morbidity. Neuromucosal prelamination enables reconstruction of intraoral lining defects by reinnervated mucus-producing tissue. Reconstruction of other mucosa-lined structures by this method seems feasible. Avoidance of skin islands for reconstruction lowers donor-site morbidity.

Behaviour of single and double 102 mm split ring conneotions loaded in tension

Two experimental studies were undertaken to verify the effect of the end distance on the resistance of single connector joints using 102 mm split rings and the combined effects of timber connector end distance and spacing on the resistance of double connector joints using 102 mm split rings. A total of 108 test specimens were loaded to failure in tension. Sixty of those tests were single connector joints with end distances varying from 80 to 270 mm. The remaining 48 test specimens were double connector joints with split ring end distances varying from 100 to 270 mm and a spacing of either 125 or 230 mm. The single connector joints results showed an increase in connector resistance with the increasing end distance. However, it was shown that even though some specimens were tested at an end distance below the standard minimum required value (end distance of 80 mm instead of the minimum required of 135 mm), they resisted a significant load. For the double connector joints, it was observed that brittle failures are more common, as opposed to single connector joints which tend to fail showing signs of ductility. Also, results showed that the connection resistance is not a direct function of the number of fasteners and that a factor of 0.475 has to be applied. Results obtained suggested that the end distance does not have a statistically significant influence on the resistance of connections with connector spacing at either 230 or 125 mm. However, the spacing of the connectors appears to affect the resistance. Thus, the design philosophy of Clause 10.3.3 of the wood design standard is inadequate for these particular joints. Recommendations to determine connection resistances are provided. Key words: wood, fasteners, resistance, split ring, end distance, spacing.

Combined effects of end distance and spacing on the resistance of split ring connectors loaded in tension

An experimental study was undertaken to verify the combined effects of timber connector end distance and spacing requirements of the Canadian standard for engineering design in wood. A total of 130 test specimens using 63 mm diameter split rings were loaded to failure in tension. The split ring end distance varied between 50 and 210 mm and the spacing varied between 80 and 200 mm. Results show that a linear relation exists between the connector end distance and its resistance for a given spacing. Increase in spacing also results in an increase of the connector resistance for a given end distance. Also, connections with two connectors in a row can resist significant loads even if the end distance or spacing of one connector is below the standard minimum required value. Thus, the design philosophy of Clause 10.3.3 of the wood design standard is inadequate for these joints. Key words: split ring, tension, end distance, spacing, resistance, timber.

Effect of end distance on the resistance of split ring connectors in timber joints loaded in compression

An experimental program was undertaken to verify the end distance requirements in the Canadian standard for engineering design in wood for split ring connectors in joints loaded in compression. In a laboratory study, 48 joints of the Douglas fir-larch species group using 63 mm diameter split rings, 45 joints of the Douglas fir-larch species group using 102 mm diameter split rings, and 51 joints of the spruce-pine-fir species group using 63 mm diameter split rings were loaded to failure in compression. The split ring end distance varied between 50 and 200 mm for joints with 63 mm diameter split rings and between 80 and 220 mm for joints with 102 mm diameter split rings. Tests were also carried out to verify the cleavage strength of the wood and the strength of the wood in compression parallel-to-grain for each of the specimens. Results show that the end distance does not have any significant effect on the resistance of split ring connectors in joints with members loaded in compression. Key words: split ring, compression, end distance, timber, resistance.

ＴＥＭを用いた超音波処理毛の内部構造変化の観察

We investigated the damaged hair with the transmission electron microscope with respect to the stractural changes of a hair. An ultrasonic generator was used for the purpose of accelerating the damage of a hair experimentally. A healthy hair and a cold wave treated hair were damaged by the above method. Also, a damaged hair in real life was collected from subjects and was investigated by 10cm from the root tothe tip.After a healthy hair was treated by the ultrasonic generator, elution of hair components such as inter macrofibriller material, CMC, and endocuticle was apparent. Elusion from a cold wave treated hair tended to be accelerated when damaged by the ultrasonic generator (experimentally damaged hair). The investigation on the damaged hair in real life showed that the cuticles were peeled off as the external change and elusion of hair components was recognized as the internal change. Especially at the part of hair in the split end, a number of cracks and elution ofhair components were found.In other words, the damages appeared at the cuticle part and cortex part of the experimentally damaged hair are not much different from the ones of the damaged hair in real life. These results suggest that thus ultrasonic treating method is effective in reproducing the hair damage in real life.

The effect of deformation zone geometry on internal defects arising in plane strain rolling

One of the main aims of the paper is to develop proper criteria in order to avoid the occurence of internal defects such as split ends and central burst which can arise during rolling of metallic products. Using an upper bound method with assumption of a rigid body uni-triangular velocity field for deformation zone the model of these defects is proposed. The power solutions obtained for analysed cases allowed to classify the rolling parameters into safe and defect ranges. The suggested upper bound model has been compared with the rigid-plastic finite-element approach and the stress distribution across the workpiece at the exit plane has been calculated using this approach. The finite element calculations and results obtained from experimental rolling of aluminum alloy confirm the criteria obtained by the upper bound method. Both, perfectly plastic and strain-hardening materials are studied. It has been found that split end iand internal burst formation is more likely to ocur in thick plates and sheets when small reduction are applied.

"Dismembered spiral flap pyeloplasty" for uretero-pelvic junction obstruction

We report a new operative technique for plastic correction of uretero-pelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction: dismembered spiral flap pyeloplasty. It is similar to the method described by Culp & DeWeerd in that a flap is made spirally but different in that UPJ is detached. Relatively a long and wide spiral (oblique) flap, the apex of which directs cranioventrally or craniodorsally, is made using the dilated pelvis. The apex of the flap is reflected downward and anastomosed to the split ureteral end. Because the flap is made obliquely, one side of the flap base is approximated to the opposite pelvic margin; this helps to make gradual funnelling of pelvio-ureteric transition. The method seems to be fit for cases with considerably long stenosis of UPJ and with the UPJ locating relatively close to the medial margin of the renal parenchyma. Seven of 26 pyeloplasties were done by this method in our institute, and all the 7 cases had satisfactory results.

上眼まぶたより刺入した上顎洞竹片異物症例

A piece of bamboo accidentally pierced the upper eyelid of a 40-year-old man. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a foreign body in the orbit and maxillary sinus. The maxillary sinus was explored five days after the injury. A piece of bamboo with a split end had traversed the bony orbital floor, and several fragments were found in the maxillary antrum. After removal of the foreign body, the patient recovered quickly with only a slight decrease in visual acuity.In the Japanese literature this is the first case report of a wooden foreign body penetrating through the upper eyelid deep into the maxillary sinus.It is important to suspect the existence of a foreign body and to evaluate the CT in detail, in such cases.