Properties and water sorption characteristics of spaghetti prepared using various dies.

Spaghetti was prepared using dies made of different materials. The surface was observed using digital and optical microscopes, and was rougher for the spaghettis prepared using the Teflon, polypropylene, polycarbonate, aluminum, and bronze dies in this order. The extrusion velocity when passing through the die was faster, the bulk density was higher, and the rupture strength was greater for the spaghetti having the smoother surface. The die material did not affect the gelatinization temperature. The water sorption curves in boiling water containing 0.5% (w/v) sodium chloride were also observed. The curves were expressed by an equation of the hyperbolic type except for the early stage of sorption in order to estimate the equilibrium amount of water sorbed based on the bone-dry sample. The momentarily-sorbed amount of water, which is a hypothetical quantity to characterize the initial water intake, was estimated by fitting the experimental points within 60 s. The amount was higher for the spaghetti having the rougher surface.

Magnetic alteration of crystallite alignment converting powder to a pseudo single crystal.

The powder crystallites of L-alanine, selected for demonstration purposes, suspended in a photocurable resin were subjected to a frequency-modulated rotating magnetic field, and the achieved three-dimensional alignment was fixed by photopolymerization of the resin. The obtained sample exhibited the X-ray diffraction pattern that was comparable to the pattern of an equivalent actual original single crystal. This was achieved for the first time by the simultaneous alignment of the two magnetic axes, i.e., the easy and hard magnetization axes with respect to the space coordinates. A theoretical estimation indicates that a better alignment of the sample can be obtained if the sample preparation conditions are improved.

Three-dimensional crystal alignment using a time-dependent elliptic magnetic field.

A theoretical study has been presented to show that it is possible to align three different diamagnetic susceptibility axes (chi(3) < chi(2) < chi(1) < 0) of a crystallite with respect to the laboratory coordinate system (x, y, z). The time-dependent magnetic field that periodically changes in direction and intensity on the xy plane in an elliptic manner (the intensity stronger in the x direction) at a rate quicker than the intrinsic rate of magnetic response causes the three-dimensional alignment, that is, chi(1) parallel x, chi(2) parallel y, and chi(3) parallel z. The fluctuation of the three susceptibility axes around the corresponding laboratory coordinates is estimated in terms of the fluctuation around the minimum of the time-averaged magnetic potential. This technique enables the three-dimensional alignment of the crystallographic axes.

New method of visualizing lymphatics in lung cancer patients by multidetector computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the safety and acceptability of a new method of visualizing lymphatics, including sentinel lymph nodes (SNs), in lung cancer patients using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). METHODS: Images were obtained using an MDCT scanner (Asteion Multi 4 Detector-Row; Toshiba) at 1, 2, and 3 minutes after percutaneous injection of 1 mL contrast medium (iohexol) near the tumor in 15 patients with small peripheral lung cancers (cT1N0M0). A lymph node was confirmed to be an SN if the attenuation was more than 30 Hounsfield units greater on postcontrast images than on precontrast images. All patients underwent surgery, and definitive lymph node staging was assessed. RESULTS: The procedure was performed safely in all patients without significant complications. Lymphatic ducts or lymph nodes were visualized in all 15 patients. The SN was identified in 14 of 15 patients (93.3%) at lymph node 14 in 4 patients, lymph node 13 in 7, lymph node 12 in 6, and lymph node 6 in 1. In 1 remaining patient, the lymphatic duct running from the tumor toward the pleura was visualized. CONCLUSIONS: Lymphatics were visualized by this method in all patients without significant complications. This method should be useful not only to detect the SNs but to visualize pathways other than through the hilar lymph nodes.

Uniaxial alignment of the smallest diamagnetic susceptibility axis using time-dependent magnetic fields.

A diamagnetic particle with magnetic susceptibilities chi3 < chi2 = chi1 < 0 was subjected to a rotating magnetic field to obtain an alignment of the chi3 axis (the smallest susceptibility axis) in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the rotating magnetic field. A polymer short fiber, whose fiber axis coincides with the chi3 axis, was suspended in a fluid with the same density, and then a rotating magnetic field generated by a rotation of a pair of permanent magnets was applied. The fiber axis, rotating following the applied field, finally ended up with an alignment perpendicular to the plane of the rotating magnetic field. The experimental data on the time course of the alignment was in good agreement with the numerical calculation based on the equation of rotation.