Parameter Optimization in Cluster Identification Algorithms for Characterizing Nanoclusters in Al-Mg-Si-Cu Alloys.

Optimization of user-defined parameters (Dmax, Nmin, order (K)) in the Density-based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN) algorithm, used to characterize nanoclusters in Al-0.9% Mg-1.0% Si-0.

Effect of pelvic drain displacement on anastomotic leakage-related morbidity after rectal cancer surgery.

Purpose: Drain insertion after proctectomy is common in clinical practice, although the effectiveness of drains has been questioned. However, drains are commonly displaced after surgery. We hypothesized that drain displacement is associated with clinical outcomes and aimed to assess differences in clinical outcomes, such as overall morbidity, including anastomotic leakage (AL), reintervention rates, length of hospital stay, and mortality rates, between patients who experienced displaced drains and those who did not.

A Study on Minimizing Welding Deformation of Joints for the Sealing of Emission After-Treatment Structure.

As the environmental pollution issue has recently become significant, environmental regulations in Europe and the United States are being strengthened. Thus, there is a demand for the quality improvement of emission after-treatment systems to satisfy the strengthened environmental regulations. Reducing the amount of welding heat distortion by optimization of the welding order of each part could be a solution for quality improvement since the emission after-treatment system consists of many parts and each assembly is produced by welding individual ones.

The Effect of Anastomotic Leakage on the Incidence and Severity of Low Anterior Resection Syndrome in Patients Undergoing Proctectomy: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

Purpose: Proctectomy for the treatment of rectal cancer results in inevitable changes to bowel habits. Symptoms such as fecal incontinence, constipation, and tenesmus are collectively referred to as low anterior resection syndrome (LARS). Among the several risk factors that cause LARS, anastomotic leakage (AL) is a strong risk factor for permanent stoma formation.

The Usefulness of a 180° Rotatable Monitor for an Assistant to Overcome the Hand-Eye Discordance in Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery.

Purpose: Hand-eye discordance during laparoscopic colon surgery is an obstacle to the assistant. We evaluated the usefulness of a 180° rotatable laparoscopic monitor for the colorectal surgery assistant to overcome hand-eye discordance.

Methods: Twenty-six residents of the department of surgery (novice group, n=13; experienced group, n=13) participated in this study.

Effect of Step Quenching on Multi-Step Aging Behavior in Al-Mg-Si Alloys.

Two types of nanoclusters were detected using DSC thermal analysis operating at -50 °C with liquid nitrogen. The formation of Cluster (1) was substantially suppressed by the formation of Cluster (2) during step quenching at 100 °C for 0.06 ks.

Effects of Mg Addition with Natural Aging Time on Two-Step Aging Behavior in Al-Mg-Si Alloys.

Influence of Mg contents with the natural aging (NA) time on the two-step aging behavior in Al-Mg-Si alloys is studied. Hardness is gradually increased during NA in the 3M4S, whereas dramatic increase of hardness after NA for 3.6 ks is confirmed in the 9M4S.

Effects of Fragmented Fe Intermetallic Compounds on Ductility in Al-Si-Mg Alloys.

Fe is intentionally added in order to form the Fe intermetallic compounds (Fe-IMCs) during casting. Field emission scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) was conducted to understand microstructural changes and chemical composition analyses. The needlelike Fe-IMCs based on two dimensional observation with hundreds of micro size are modified to fragmented particles with the minimum size of 300 nm through clod rolling with 80% thickness reduction.

Influence of Si Addition on Quenching Sensitivity and Formation of Nano-Precipitate in Al-Mg-Si Alloys.

The age-hardening is enhanced with the high cooling rate since more vacancies are formed during quenching, whereas the stable beta phase is formed with the slow cooling rate just after solid solution treatment resulting in lower increase of hardness during aging. Meanwhile, the nanoclusters are formed during natural aging in Al-Mg-Si alloys. The formation of nanoclusters is enhanced with increasing the Si amount.

The role of primary tumor resection in colorectal cancer patients with asymptomatic, synchronous unresectable metastasis: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Approximately 20 % of all patients with colorectal cancer are diagnosed as having Stage IV cancer; 80 % of these present with unresectable metastatic lesions. It is controversial whether chemotherapy with or without primary tumor resection (PTR) is effective for the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer with unresectable metastasis. Primary tumor resection could prevent tumor-related complications such as intestinal obstruction, perforation, bleeding, or fistula.

Peritoneofascial suture method for facilitating loop ileostomy mobilization.

Background: Ileostomy closure is a minor procedure and is performed through a small peristomal incision. However, a hard adhesion increases the technical difficulty. A peritoneofascial suture (PFS) will reduce the adhesion layers of the abdominal wall.

(18)F-FDG PET/CT in inflammatory pseudotumor of the colon causing intussusception.

Inflammatory pseudotumor is a rare benign lesion mimicking malignancy both clinically and radiologically. An accurate diagnosis is still difficult and is based on the histological examination. Since inflammatory pseudotumor is exceptionally rare in the colon, this unexpected lesion can be mistaken for malignancy.

The effect of pudendal block on voiding after hemorrhoidectomy.

Purpose: Urinary retention in common benign anal surgery is a burden to ambulatory surgery. A pudendal nerve block was used in hemorrhoid surgery to reduce voiding complications.

Methods: The effects of a pudendal nerve block in anal surgery were compared with those of spinal anesthesia.