Discussion: Evaluation of the AISS in reduced gravity corroborates observations in the literature regarding the difficulty in maintaining visualization of the surgical field when performing procedures in an air environment. By immersing the surgical field

in fluid we were able to apply suction directly to the hemorrhage and also achieve hemostasis.”
“Coupling the imprint mold structure having a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) and a buffer oxide layer (BOL) with a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) resin is investigated for thermal nanoimprint lithography on flexible substrates. The mold structure is SAM/BOL/Cr. Among check details the buffer oxides tested (SiO2, Al2O3, HfO2), SiO2 results in the most hydrophobic character at the SAM surface of the mold. Water-soluble PVA resin is shown to be an excellent pattern transfer layer

due to its clean release from the hydrophobic mold and strong barrier to SF6 etching during subsequent substrate patterning. The combination of SAM/SiO2/Cr mold structure with PVA resin is demonstrated to produce high quality, defect-free nanopatterns on both rigid silicon and flexible poly(ethylene terephthalate) and polyimide substrates. (C) 2011 The Japan Society selleck chemicals of Applied Physics”
“Background and objective: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at risk for lung cancer; the diseases have common etiologies, including cigarette smoking. We aimed to clarify the effectiveness of COPD detection using a regional mass-screening program for lung cancer. Materials and methods: A total of 7,067 residents of Togane, Chiba, Japan received lung cancer screening between May and July, 2011. We defined four groups of possible COPD candidates: group A (n=358), positive smoking history, positive chronic respiratory symptoms; group B (n=766), positive smoking history, positive lifestyle-related disease; group C (n=75), passive smoking history, positive chronic respiratory

symptoms; and group D (n=301), passive smoking history, positive lifestyle-related disease. Candidates underwent on-site pulmonary function testing (PFT). Results: The criteria for Raf kinase assay COPD candidates were fulfilled in 1,686 of 7,067 individuals (23.9%); 1,500 participants underwent PFT (89%), and 171 (11.4%) were diagnosed with COPD. The overall COPD detection rate was 2.4%. The frequency of COPD was significantly higher in groups A and B than in groups C and D (P=0.048); however, the distribution of COPD grades was similar among the groups (P=0.372). Multiple logistic regression analysis identified male sex, age 60 years or greater, and positive smoking history as risk factors for COPD. Conclusion: COPD screening using a community-based lung cancer-screening program may be effective for disease detection. Individuals who are 60 years of age or older with a positive smoking history should undergo PFT to detect COPD.