Chemical Etching of Silicon Assisted by Graphene Oxide in an HF-HNO3 Solution and Its Catalytic Mechanism.

Chemical etching of silicon assisted by various types of carbon materials is drawing much attention for the fabrication of silicon micro/nanostructures. We developed a method of chemical etching of silicon that utilizes graphene oxide (GO) sheets to promote the etching reaction in a hydrofluoric acid-nitric acid (HF-HNO3) etchant. By using an optimized composition of the HF-HNO3 etchant, the etching rate under the GO sheets was 100 times faster than that of our HF-H2O2 system used in a previous report. Kinetic analyses showed that the activation energy of the etching reaction was almost the same at both the bare silicon and GO-covered areas. We propose that adsorption sites for the reactant in the GO sheets enhance the reaction frequency, leading to a deeper etching in the GO areas than the bare areas. Furthermore, GO sheets with more defects were found to have higher catalytic activities. This suggests that defects in the GO sheets function as adsorption sites for the reactant, thereby enhancing the etching rate under the sheets.

Controlled Growth of Organosilane Micropatterns on Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Surfaces Templated by Vacuum Ultraviolet Photolithography.

In this report, micropatterns of (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane (APTMS) were developed on hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces after patterning using 172 nm vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photolithography. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) formed on Si substrates through UV hydrosilylation of 1-hexadecene (HD) and 10-undecenoic acid (UDA) were used as hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces, respectively. For templating the HD- and UDA-SAMs, the VUV light was exposed to HD- and UDA-SAMs from the slits of photomasks in atmospheric and evacuated environments, respectively. Various oxygenated groups were generated at the exposed domains of HD-SAM, while the COOH groups were trimmed from the irradiated domains of UDA-SAM. The APTMS molecules were immobilized on the domains that were terminated by oxygenated groups after chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The thicknesses of the developed APTMS micropatterns increased significantly by raising the CVD temperature and in the presence of ambient air in the CVD Teflon container as well. The increase in thicknesses was ascribed to the formation of APTMS multilayers, which were mediated by H3N+ ions. Also, the developed APTMS micropatterns on the UDA-SAM patterned by VUV light irradiation in a high-vacuum environment (HV-VUV) were thicker than those on the VUV/(O) patterned HD-SAM due to the presence of inactive oxygenated groups at the surface of VUV/(O)-terminated domains of HD-SAM such as COO-C and C-O-C groups. The presence of water or ambient air facilitated the silane coupling between the silyl groups with the oxygenated and amino groups The combination of VUV photolithography and the CVD method with control of the conditions would enable us to control the thicknesses and shapes of the developed APTMS micropatterns. These findings illustrate the applicability of VUV photolithography for templating hydrophobic and hydrophobic surfaces toward the development of organosilane architectures, which can be feasible for several applications.

Association between acute myocardial infarction-to-cardiac rupture time and in-hospital mortality risk: a retrospective analysis of multicenter registry data from the Cardiovascular Research Consortium-8 Universities (CIRC-8U).

Despite the known association of cardiac rupture with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), it is still unclear whether the clinical characteristics are associated with the risk of in-hospital mortality in patients with AMI complicated by cardiac rupture. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the time of cardiac rupture occurrence and the risk of in-hospital mortality after AMI. We conducted a retrospective analysis of multicenter registry data from eight medical universities in Eastern Japan. From 10,278 consecutive patients with AMI, we included 183 patients who had cardiac rupture after AMI, and examined the incidence of in-hospital deaths during a median follow-up of 26 days. Patients were stratified into three groups according to the AMI-to-cardiac rupture time, namely the > 24-h group (n = 111), 24-48-h group (n = 20), and < 48-h group (n = 52). Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and the confidence interval (CI) for in-hospital mortality. Around 87 (48%) patients experienced in-hospital death and 126 (67%) underwent a cardiac surgery. Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed a non-linear association across the three groups for mortality (HR [CI]; < 24 h: 1.0, reference; 24-48 h: 0.73 [0.27-1.86]; > 48 h: 2.25 [1.22-4.15]) after adjustments for age, sex, Killip classification, percutaneous coronary intervention, blood pressure, creatinine, peak creatine kinase myocardial band fraction, left ventricular ejection fraction, and type of rupture. Cardiac surgery was independently associated with a reduction in the HR of mortality (HR [CI]: 0.27 [0.12-0.61]) and attenuated the association between the three AMI-to-cardiac rupture time categories and mortality (statistically non-significant) in the Cox model. These data suggest that the AMI-to-cardiac rupture time contributes significantly to the risk of in-hospital mortality; however, rapid diagnosis and prompt surgical interventions are crucial for improving outcomes in patients with cardiac rupture after AMI.

Effects of whole-body neuromuscular electrical stimulation device on hemodynamics, arrhythmia, and sublingual microcirculation.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation has been used to treat cardiovascular diseases and other types of muscular dysfunction. A novel whole-body neuromuscular electrical stimulation (WB-NMES) wearable device may be beneficial when combined with voluntary exercises. This study aimed to investigate the safety and effects of the WB-NMES on hemodynamics, arrhythmia, and sublingual microcirculation. The study included 19 healthy Japanese volunteers, aged 22-33 years, who were not using any medication. Electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography, and blood sampling were conducted before a 20-min WB-NMES session and at 0 and 10 min after termination of WB-NMES. Their tolerable maximum intensity was recorded using numeric rating scale. Arrhythmia was not detected during neuromuscular electrical stimulation or during 10 min of recovery. Blood pressure, heart rate, left ventricular ejection fraction, and diastolic function remained unchanged; however, mild mitral regurgitation was transiently observed during WB-NMES in a single male participant. A decrease in blood glucose and an increase in blood lactate levels were observed, but no changes in blood fluidity, sublingual microcirculation, blood levels of noradrenaline, or oxidative stress were shown. WB-NMES is safe and effective for decreasing blood glucose and increasing blood lactate levels without changing the blood fluidity or microcirculation in healthy people.

Microstructured SiOx/COP Stamps for Patterning TiO2 on Polymer Substrates via Microcontact Printing.

Microcontact printing (µCP) techniques have sparked a surge of interests in microfabrication since they help produce arrays on a wide range of target substrates in a facile and efficient manner. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), as a well-established material for stamps, has constraints resulting from its hydrophobicity and softness, and the replication of PDMS stamps usually requires rigid masters or processes using a photoresist. Herein, a novel µCP stamp based on cyclo-olefin polymer (COP) is produced through vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) lithography. 2,4,6,8-Tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane is selectively deposited at the affinity-patterns on the COP surface, and these patterned siloxane films are converted into SiOx meanwhile protecting the COP beneath them from the VUV photoetching. By this means, a patterned relief is fabricated on the COP plates, resulting in a hydrophilic SiOx/COP µCP stamp with punch heights of ∼180 nm. The novelty arises from the simplicity of the master- and photoresist-free microstructuring, and the higher stiffness of SiOx/COP stamps prevents the deformation during pressing. Finally, an example µCP is given to transfer titania precursor gel and produce TiO2 micropatterns on flexible polymer substrates. The SiOx/COP stamps and the µCP of TiO2 provide simple and cost-effective patterning techniques, which should contribute to the future design and creation of flexible devices.

Clinically feasible method for assessing leukocyte rheology in whole blood.

This study reports a novel method for assessment of leukocyte rheological activation with a new designed microchannel array chip to mimic the human microvascular network for microchannel array flow analysis (MCFAN). Study subjects were 79 healthy volunteers and 42 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and 36 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Using the anticoagulants heparin and ethylene-diamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA)-2Na which inhibits platelets and leukocytes by chelating Ca2+, we were able to quantify leukocyte rheological activation by the subtraction of passage time of blood treated with both heparin and EDTA-2Na from that of blood treated with heparin only. We confirmed that passage times of whole blood with heparin + EDTA-2Na were always shorter than those of whole blood with only heparin in healthy subjects and patients with DM or ACS under suction pressures of - 30 cmH2O. There was a significant correlation between delta whole blood passage time {(heparin tube) - (EDTA-2Na + heparin)} and serum levels of myeloperoxidase and adhesive leukocyte number, respectively, even in blood from patients with DM or ACS, who suffered from inflammation. In conclusion we have developed a clinically feasible method for assessing leukocyte rheological activation in whole blood in ex vivo.

A multicenter study on the clinical characteristics and risk factors of in-hospital mortality in patients with mechanical complications following acute myocardial infarction.

Mechanical complications (MCs) following acute myocardial infarction (AMI), such as ventricular septal rupture (VSR), free-wall rupture (FWR), and papillary muscle rupture (PMR), are fatal. However, the risk factors of in-hospital mortality among patients with MCs have not been previously reported in Japan. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic factors of in-hospital mortality in these patients. The study cohort consisted of 233 consecutive patients with MCs from the registry of 10 facilities in the Cardiovascular Research Consortium-8 Universities (CIRC-8U) in East Japan between 1997 and 2014 (2.3% of 10,278 AMI patients). The authors conducted a retrospective observational study to analyse the correlation between the subtypes of MCs with in-hospital mortality, clinical data, and medical treatment. We observed a decreasing incidence of MC (1997-2004: 3.7%, 2005-2010: 2.1%, 2011-2014: 1.9%, p < 0.001). In-hospital mortality among patients with MCs was 46%. Thirty-three percent of patients with MCs were not able to undergo surgical repair due to advanced age or severe cardiogenic shock. In-hospital mortality among patients who had undergone surgical repair was 29% (VSR: 21%, FWR: 33%, PMR: 60%). In patients with MCs, hazard ratio for in-hospital mortality according to multivariate analysis of without surgical repair was 5.63 (95% CI 3.54-8.95). In patients with surgical repair, the hazard ratios of blow-out-type FWR (5.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.22-13.76), those with renal dysfunction (3.11, 95% CI 1.37-7.05), and those receiving venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) (3.79, 95% CI 1.81-7.96) were significantly high. Although primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with decreased incidence of MCs, high in-hospital mortality persisted in patients with MCs that also presented with renal dysfunction and in those requiring VA-ECMO. Early detection and surgical repair of MCs are essential.

1,2-Epoxyalkane: Another Precursor for Fabricating Alkoxy Self-Assembled Monolayers on Hydrogen-Terminated Si(111).

This work describes the UV alkoxylation of a series of 1,2-epoxyalkanes on the hydrogen-terminated silicon (H-Si) substrate. The formation of alkoxy self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and the nature of bonding at the surface of H-Si were examined using water contact angle goniometer, spectroscopic ellipsometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and atomic force microscopy. UV exposure to 1,2-epoxyalkane mesitylene solution for 60 min formed alkoxy-SAMs onto H-Si with hydrophobic properties. The local molecular environment of the alkyl chains transitioned from a disordered, liquid-like state to an ordered, crystalline-like structure with increasing the chain length. XPS and FTIR indicated that the reaction of H-Si with 1,2-epoxyalkane produced Si-O-C linkages. The Si-H bond homolysis and electron/hole were the plausible mechanistic routes for the grafting of 1,2-epoxyalkanes.

Vacuum Ultraviolet Treatment of Acid- and Ester-Terminated Self-Assembled Monolayers: Chemical Conversions and Friction Reduction.

We have prepared COOH- and COOCH3-terminated self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) from undec-10-enoic acid (UDA) and methyl undec-10-enoate (MUDO) molecules on hydrogen-terminated silicon (H-Si) substrates through ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The as-prepared UDA- and MUDO-SAMs were exposed to 172 nm vacuum-UV (VUV) light in a high vacuum environment (HV, <10-3 Pa) for different periods. The presence of COO components at the surfaces of these SAMs without prior oxidation would simplify the understanding of the origin of the chemical conversions and the changes of surface properties, as the prior oxidation would change the surface properties and generate different oxygenated groups. After the HV-VUV treatment, the abundance of COOH and COOCH3 components of these SAMs decreased without significant dissociation of their C-C backbones. Degradation of these components occurred through dissociating their C-O bonds, resulting in different C═O components. Also, the occurrence of Norrish type pathways resulted in a slight decrease of carbon content and produced CH3 components. We have applied the HV-VUV lithography to control the abundance of COOH and COOCH3 components in well-defined areas and to investigate the friction differences between the irradiated and masked areas. The irradiated areas exhibited lower friction than the masked areas without observing significant height contrasts between these areas. The reduction in friction was attributed to the conversion of the COOH and COOCH3 components to less adhesive components such as C═O and CH3. These experiments suggest the HV-VUV treatments as an approach for low damage dry surface modifications and reductive lithographic techniques at surfaces terminated by acid and ester groups.

Low Damage Reductive Patterning of Oxidized Alkyl Self-Assembled Monolayers through Vacuum Ultraviolet Light Irradiation in an Evacuated Environment.

Through 172 nm vacuum ultraviolet light irradiation in a high vacuum condition (HV-VUV), well-defined micropatterns with a varied periodic friction were fabricated at the surface of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) terminated with oxygenated groups. No apparent height contrast between the HV-VUV-irradiated and -masked areas was observed, which indicated the stability of the C-C skeleton of the assembled molecules. The trimming of oxygenated groups occurred through dissociating the C-O bonds and promoting the occurrence of α- and ß-cleavages in the C═O-containing components. Hence, the HV-VUV treatment trimmed the oxygenated groups without degrading the C-C skeleton. The HV-VUV treatment influenced the order of the assembled molecules, and the step-terrace structure was distorted. The decrease in friction at the HV-VUV-irradiated domains was attributed to the dissociation of oxygenated groups. (3-Aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane (APTMS) aggregated at the masked areas of the HV-VUV-patterned SAM, where the oxygenated groups worked as anchors. APTMS aggregations did not exist at the irradiated areas, indicating the trimming of the oxygenated groups at these areas. The direct assembling of APTMS on the Si substrate at the irradiated areas was prevented by the remaining C-C skeleton.

Immobilization of Reduced Graphene Oxide on Hydrogen-Terminated Silicon Substrate as a Transparent Conductive Protector.

Silicon is a promising electrode material for photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic reactions. However, the chemically active surface of silicon will be easily oxidized when exposed to the oxidation environment. We immobilized graphene oxide (GO) onto hydrogen-terminated silicon (H-Si) and reduced it through ultraviolet (UV) and vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) irradiation. This acted as an ultrathin conductive layer to protect H-Si from oxidation. The elemental evolution of GO was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and it was found that GO was partially reduced soon after the deposition onto H-Si and further reduced after UV or VUV light irradiation. The VUV photoreduction demonstrated ca. 100 times higher efficiency compared to the UV reduction based on the irradiation dose. The saturated oxygen-to-carbon ratio (RO/C) of the reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was 0.21 ± 0.01, which is lower than the photoreduction of GO on SiO2 substrate. This indicated the H-Si played an important role in assisting the photoreduction of GO. No obvious exfoliation of rGO was observed after sonicating the rGO-covered H-Si sample in water, which indicated rGO was immobilized on H-Si. The electrical conductivity of H-Si surface was maintained in the rGO-covered region while the exposed H-Si region became insulating, which was observed by conductive atomic force microscopy. The rGO was verified capable to protect the active H-Si against the oxidation under an ambient environment.

Pravastatin improves postprandial endothelial dysfunction and hemorheological deterioration in patients with effort angina pectoris.

Postprandial hypertriglyceridemia and hyperglycemia may promote endothelial and hemorheological dysfunction. The present study investigated the effects of pravastatin on endothelial function and hemorheology in patients with stable angina pectoris (AP) before and after eating a test meal. We recruited 26 patients with stable AP who had impaired glucose tolerance and mild dyslipidemia and six healthy men as controls to assess endothelial function and hemorheological behavior. In each group, we measured forearm blood flow (FBF) during post-ischemic reactive hyperemia and obtained blood samples before and 2 h after the test meal. Pravastatin 20 mg/day was then commenced in the 26 AP patients. The above tests were repeated after 2 days and 6 months. Maximum FBF during hyperemia in the baseline fasting phase was significantly lower in the AP patients than in the controls (p < 0.05). Fasting and postprandial FBF during reactive hyperemia time-dependently improved after pravastatin treatment (p < 0.05 vs. baseline data for each phase). Pravastatin treatment for 6 months, but not for 2 days, inhibited leukocyte activation and improved hemorheological parameters. In conclusion, pravastatin treatment for 6 months improved fasting and postprandial endothelial and hemorheological dysfunction in AP patients.

Effects of pitavastatin on walking capacity and CD34+/133+ cell number in patients with peripheral artery disease.

This multi-center prospective non-randomized comparative study investigated the effects of pitavastatin in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) in terms of exercise tolerance capacities and peripheral CD34+/133+ cell numbers. At baseline, a peripheral blood test was administered to 75 patients with PAD, along with a treadmill exercise test using the Skinner-Gardner protocol to measure asymptomatic walking distance (AWD) and maximum walking distance (MWD). Each patient was assigned to a 6-month pitavastatin treatment group (n = 53) or a control group (n = 22), according to the patient's preference. The tests were repeated in both groups at 3 and 6 months. Baseline AWD and MWD correlated positively with the ankle-brachial pressure index (r = 0.342, p = 0.0032 and r = 0.324, p = 0.0054, respectively). Both AWD and MWD values improved at 3 and 6 months compared with baseline, and the degrees of their improvement were higher in the pitavastatin treatment group. CD34+/133+ cell numbers did not change over time or between groups. Eighty-seven percent of patients in the treatment group attained low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL after 3 months. The study shows that pitavastatin may be effective in increasing exercise tolerance capacity in patients with PAD.

Correction: Chemical conversion of self-assembled hexadecyl monolayers with active oxygen species generated by vacuum ultraviolet irradiation in an atmospheric environment.

Correction for 'Chemical conversion of self-assembled hexadecyl monolayers with active oxygen species generated by vacuum ultraviolet irradiation in an atmospheric environment' by Ahmed I. A. Soliman et al., Soft Matter, 2015, 11, 5678-5687.

Chemical conversion of self-assembled hexadecyl monolayers with active oxygen species generated by vacuum ultraviolet irradiation in an atmospheric environment.

Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV, λ = 172 nm) irradiation of alkyl self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) in the presence of dry air alters their surface properties. In this work, UV photochemically prepared hexadecyl (HD)-SAMs on hydrogen-terminated silicon substrates were irradiated by VUV light in dry air, which generated active oxygen species upon excitation of the atmospheric oxygen molecules. These active oxygen species converted the terminal methyl groups of the SAMs to polar functional groups, which were examined quantitatively by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and chemical labeling. At the first stage of VUV irradiation, the surface of SAMs was functionalized, and the ratios of the generated polar functional groups markedly increased. With the elongation of the irradiation period, the SAMs gradually degraded, and the total polar group percentages gradually decreased. The difference between the oxygenated carbon components derived by the deconvolution of the XPS carbon (C1s) spectrum and the chemical labeling of polar groups revealed enormous quantities of ethereal and ester groups that cannot react with the labeling reagents but are included in the C1s spectral envelope. These modifications were reflected on morphological structures of SAMs, which were gradually distorted until a complete amorphous structure was obtained after the complete elimination of HD-SAMs.

Molecular pillar supported graphene oxide framework: conformational heterogeneity and tunable d-spacing.

n-Alkylamines were grafted on the basal plane oxygen functionalities of graphene oxide (GO), yielding molecular pillar supported graphene oxide frameworks (GOFs) with tunable interlayer spacing. A major fraction of n-alkylamines was found to covalently interact with the basal plane epoxy groups via nucleophilic substitution reactions. The d-spacing in GOFs could be tailored between 10.5 and 28.9 Å by varying the chain length of the n-alkylamines. (13)C SSNMR explicitly showed the coexistence of both trans and gauche conformation modes. The relative populations of these modes control the conformational heterogeneity and orientation of n-alkylamines in the GOFs. A plausible bilayer structural model of the GOFs was demonstrated. The terminal methyl and methylene units of the n-alkylamines grafted on the GO basal plane were interdigitated with the counter layer and afforded a double-layer structure of alkyl chain supported GOFs.

Relationship Between Increased Oxygen Uptake and Lactate Production With Progressive Incremental Electrode Skeletal Muscle Stimulation: A Pilot Study.

Background Belt electrode skeletal muscle stimulation (B-SES) is an alternative exercise therapy for those with difficulty performing voluntary exercise. However, it is unknown whether oxygen uptake (VO2) in B-SES is comparable to cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX) as assessed by voluntary exercise. This study aimed to evaluate oxygen uptake (VO2) and lactate (LA) production in incremental B-SES compared to ergometer CPX and to determine the relationship with ergometer CPX. Methods This study included 10 healthy young Japanese participants. Using a crossover design, all participants underwent incremental B-SES CPX and ergometer CPX using a 20 W ramp. Serum lactic acid concentration (LA) was measured serially before, during, and after B-SES. The tolerability of B-SES was adjusted with the change in LA level (⊿LA). Results Peak VO2 during B-SES (14.1±3.3 mL/kg/min) was significantly lower than ergometer peak VO2 (30.2±6.2 mL/kg/min, P<0.001). B-SES peak VO2 was similar to the anaerobic threshold (AT) VO2 on ergometer CPX (15.1±2.6 mL/kg/min). LA (Rest: 1.4±0.3, Peak: 2.8±0.8 mmol) and plasma noradrenalin (Rest: 0.2±0.1, Peak: 0.4±0.1 ng/mL) levels increased after B-SES. No significant correlation was observed between B-SES peak VO2 and ergometer CPX. However, after adjusting for B-SES, tolerability, it (peak VO2 of B-SES /⊿LA) correlated with peak VO2 (r=0.688, p=0.028) on the ergometer. Conclusion Peak VO2 of the passively progressive B-SES almost reached the AT value of the ergometer CPX without adverse events. Peak VO2 of B-SES adjusted with ⊿LA may be used to predict peak VO2 in ergometer CPX.

Effects of salt intake reduction by urinary sodium to potassium ratio self-monitoring method.

Effective and feasible educational methods are needed to control salt intake. We performed a single-center, non-randomized controlled study to investigate the effectiveness and feasibility of self-monitoring using a urinary sodium/potassium (Na/K) ratio-measuring device in patients with difficulty in reducing salt intake. This study included 160 patients with hypertension, chronic kidney disease, or heart disease who were followed up in the outpatient clinic of the Dokkyo Medical University Nikko Medical Center. Urinary Na/K ratio measuring Na/K ratio meter were loaned for 2-6 weeks to the treatment (T) group (n = 80) and not to the patients in the control (C) group (n = 80). In the T group, patients were instructed to measure the urinary Na/K ratio at least three times a day and maintain a Na/K ratio below 2.0. Salt reduction education and home blood pressure measurement guidance continued in both groups. The mean device loan period in the T group was 25.1 days, the mean number of measurements was 3.0 times/day, and the proportion of patients achieving three measurements per day was 48.8% (39/80). Self-monitoring using the urinary Na/K ratio meter successfully reduced salt intake by -1.9 g/day at the second visit (p < 0.001) in the T group. In contrast, no change was observed over time in the C group. Self-monitoring using the urinary Na/K ratio meter successfully reduced salt intake in patients with difficulty reducing salt intake.

Fundamental and higher eigenmodes of qPlus sensors with a long probe for vertical-lateral bimodal atomic force microscopy.

The detection of vertical and lateral forces at the nanoscale by atomic force microscopy (AFM) reveals various mechanical properties on surfaces. The qPlus sensor is a widely used force sensor, which is built from a quartz tuning fork (QTF) and a sharpened metal probe, capable of high-resolution imaging in viscous liquids such as lubricant oils. Although a simultaneous detection technique of vertical and lateral forces by using a qPlus sensor is required in the field of nanotribology, it has still been difficult because the torsional oscillations of QTFs cannot be detected. In this paper, we propose a method to simultaneously detect vertical and lateral force components by using a qPlus sensor with a long probe. The first three eigenmodes of the qPlus sensor with a long probe are theoretically studied by solving a set of equations of motion for the QTF prong and probe. The calculation results were in good agreement with the experimental results. It was found that the tip oscillates laterally in the second and third modes. Finally, we performed friction anisotropy measurements on a polymer film by using a bimodal AFM utilizing the qPlus sensor with a long probe to confirm the lateral force detection.

Successful Transvenous Implantation of a Permanent Pacemaker in a Patient with Situs Inversus with Dextrocardia Supported by Preceding Three-dimensional Computed Tomography: A Case Report.

We herein report a 76-year-old woman with situs inversus and dextrocardia who underwent pacemaker implantation for sick sinus syndrome. Situs inversus with dextrocardia, which is frequently associated with cardiovascular malformation, is a rare congenital malformation wherein the thoracic and abdominal viscera are inverted compared with their normal positions. This renders the implantation of cardiac devices an arduous task. We therefore decided to gather preoperative anatomical information on patients with situs inversus and dextrocardia. We used three-dimensional computed tomography to collect preoperative information in order to facilitate the safe implantation of cardiac devices.