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Background Blood pressure (BP) variability has reportedly been a risk factor for various clinical events. To clarify the influence of BP visit‐to‐visit variability on adverse events in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, a post hoc analysis of the J‐RHYTHM Registry was performed. Methods and Results Of 7406 outpatients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation from 158 institutions, 7226 (age, 69.7±9.9 years; men, 70.7%), in whom BP was measured 4 times or more (14.6±5.0 times) during the 2‐year follow‐up period or until occurrence of an event, constituted the study group. SD and coefficient of variation of BP values were calculated as BP variability. Thromboembolism, major hemorrhage, and all‐cause death occurred in 110 (1.5%), 121 (1.7%), and 168 (2.3%) patients, respectively. When patients were divided into quartiles of systolic BP‐SD (P =0.015 for thromboembolism; HR, 2.60, 95% CI, 1.36–4.97, P =0.004 for major hemorrhage; and HR, 1.85, 95% CI, 1.11–3.07, P =0.018 for all‐cause death) after adjusting for components of the CHA 2 DS 2 ‐VASc score, warfarin and antiplatelet use, atrial fibrillation type, BP measurement times, and others. These findings were consistent when BP‐coefficient of variation was used instead of BP‐SD. Conclusions Systolic BP visit‐to‐visit variability was significantly associated with all adverse events in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Further studies are needed to clarify the causality between BP variability and adverse outcomes in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Registration URL: https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/ ; Unique Identifier: UMIN000001569.

Targets for low-adiabat direct-drive-implosion experiments on OMEGA must meet rigorous specifications and tight tolerances on the diameter, wall thickness, wall-thickness uniformity, and presence of surface features. Of these, restrictions on the size and number of defects (bumps and depressions) on the surface are the most challenging. The properties of targets that are made using vapor-deposition and solution-based microencapsulation techniques are reviewed.Targets were characterized using confocal microscopy, bright- and dark-field microscopy, atomic force microscopy, electron microscopy, and interferometry. Each technique has merits and limitations, and a combination of these techniques is necessary to adequately characterize a target.The main limitation with the glow-discharge polymerization (GDP) method for making targets is that it produces hundreds of domes with a lateral dimension of 0.7–2 μm. Polishing these targets reduces the size of some but not all domes, but it adds scratches and grooves to the surface. Solution-made polystyrene shells lack the dome features of GDP targets but have hundreds of submicrometer-size voids throughout the wall of the target; a few of these voids can be as large as ∼12 μm at the surface. Keywords: Vapor-deposition, Direct-drive target, OMEGA, Target characterization, Solution-based microencapsulation, PACS Codes: 82.35.-x, 52.57.Bc, 07.79.-v

Background:An all-case post marketing surveillance (PMS) of baricitinib (Bari), that started in Sep 2017, collects safety and effectiveness for the first 24 wks of treatment and continues to collect serious adverse events (SAEs) for 3 yrs.Objectives:To evaluate Bari safety in RA patients (pt) in clinical practice.Methods:We report pt baseline demographics and adverse events (AEs) up to 24 wks for pts whose case report files for 24-wk data were completed as of Jun 2020.Results:Data from 3445 pts were analyzed (females=80%, mean age=64yr, mean RA duration 12yr). Bari dose regimen was as follows: 4mg, 60%, 2mg, 27%, 4mg→2mg, 5%, 2mg→4mg, 5%, and others, 2%. Concomitant use of MTX and glucocorticoid was 65% and 48%, respectively. 74% continued treatment for 24 wks. AE and SAE were recognized in 887 (26%) and 122 pts (4%), respectively. 6 pts died of pneumonia, aspiration pneumonia, bacterial pneumonia, cerebral infarction/ILD/aspiration pneumonia, adenocarcinoma, and colorectal cancer. Major AEs were as follows: herpes zoster=3%, liver dysfunction=3%, serious infection=1%, anemia=1%, hyperlipidemia=1%, malignancy=0.3%, interstitial pneumonia=0.2%, MACE=0.1%, and VTE=0.1%.Conclusion:Data do not show new safety concerns and encourage guideline-compliant use of Bari.Disclosure of Interests:Takao Fujii Speakers bureau: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.; Eisai Co. Ltd; Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K.; Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Consultant of: Asahikasei Pharma Corp, Grant/research support from: Asahikasei Pharma Corp; AbbVie Japan GK; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Eisai Co. Ltd; Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Co.; Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tatsuya Atsumi Speakers bureau: AbbVie Japan GK; Astellas Pharma Inc.; Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Ltd; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.; Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.; Eisai Co. Ltd.; Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co.; Pfizer Japan Inc.; Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., UCB Japan Co. Ltd., Consultant of: AbbVie Japan GK; AstraZeneca plc.; Boehringer Ingelheim Co. Ltd.; Medical & Biological Laboratories Co. Ltd.; Novartis Pharma K.K.; Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.; Pfizer Japan Inc., Grant/research support from: Astellas Pharma Inc., Alexion Inc.; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.Pfizer Japan Inc.; Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Nami Okamoto Speakers bureau: AbbVie Japan GK; Asahikasei Pharma Co.; AYUMI Pharmaceutical Co.Eisai Co. Ltd; Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Ltd.; Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Co.; Pfizer Japan Inc.Sanofi K.K.; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.; Novartis Pharma Co.; Teijin Pharma Ltd.; Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Nobunori Takahashi Speakers bureau: AbbVie Japan GK; Eisai Co. Ltd.; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co.; Pfizer Japan Inc.; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K.; UCB Japan Co. Ltd.; Astellas Pharma Inc.; Bristol Myers Squibb Co. Ltd., Grant/research support from: Bristol Myers Squibb Co. Ltd., Naoto Tamura Speakers bureau: AbbVie Japan GK; Bristol Myers Squibb Co. Ltd.; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.; Eisai Co. Ltd.; Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Glaxo Smith Kline K.K.; Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K.; Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Co.; Novartis Pharma Co., Atsuo Nakajima: None declared, Ayako Nakajima Speakers bureau: AbbVie Japan GK; Actelion Pharmaceuticals Japan Ltd., Asahi Kasei Pharma Co., Astellas Pharma Inc., Ayumi Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol Myers Squibb Co., Ltd.,Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eisai Co., Ltd., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Glaxo Smith Kline K.K., Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co. Inc., Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Pfizer Japan Inc., Teijin Pharma Ltd., Grant/research support from: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Pfizer Japan Inc., Hiroaki Matsuno Speakers bureau: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Consultant of: Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Grant/research support from: Astellas Pharma Inc., Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K, Naoto Tsujimoto Shareholder of: Eli Lilly, Employee of: Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Atsushi Nishikawa Shareholder of: Eli Lilly, Employee of: Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Taeko Ishii Shareholder of: Eli Lilly, Employee of: Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Tsutomu Takeuchi Speakers bureau: AbbVie Japan GK, Ayumi Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol Myers Squibb Co., Ltd., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd. Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. Eisai Co., Ltd. Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Gilead Sciences, Inc. Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K.; Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Co.; Novartis Pharma Co.; Pfizer Japan Inc.; Sanofi K.K.; UCB Japan Co., Ltd., Consultant of: AbbVie Japan GK, Astellas Pharma, Inc.; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd.; Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Eisai Co., Ltd.; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K.; Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Corp., Pfizer Japan Inc., Grant/research support from: AbbVie Japan GK, Asahikasei Pharma Corp., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd., DNA Chip Research Inc.; Eisai Co., Ltd., Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Corp., UCB Japan Co., Ltd., Masataka Kuwana Speakers bureau: AbbVie Japan GK, Astellas Pharma Inc., Asahi Kasei Pharma Co., Boehringer-Ingelheim, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eisai Co., Ltd., Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., Medical &Biological Laboratories Co., Ltd.; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co.; Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Nippon Shinyaku Co., Ltd.; Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; Pfizer Japan Inc., Consultant of: Boehringer-Ingelheim, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc.; Medical &Biological Laboratories Co., Ltd.; Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Grant/research support from: Boehringer-Ingelheim, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eisai Co., Ltd., Medical &Biological Laboratories Co., Ltd; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Michiaki Takagi Speakers bureau: Yes, but sponsored lectures without COI in the academic meetings, only.

Aims To determine differences in predictors of albuminuria and decreased estimated GFR in Japanese people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus without chronic kidney disease. Methods This single‐centre observational cohort study involved 1802 Japanese people with Type 2 diabetes with normoalbuminuria and estimated GFR ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (740 women; mean ± sd age 58 ± 12 years). Two separate outcomes were evaluated: onset of albuminuria ( ≥ 30 mg/g creatinine, albuminuria cohort; n = 1655) and decrease in estimated GFR (, What's new? This was a cohort study showing differences in risk factors for the onset of albuminuria and decreased estimated GFR (

Background: This study aimed to determine whether combination S-1 plus cisplatin (CDDP) therapy, the most widely used therapy for Japanese patients with advanced gastric cancer, and the novel oral antiangiogenic agent TSU-68 could contribute to gastric cancer treatment. Methods: Ninety-three patients with chemotherapy-naïve unresectable or recurrent advanced gastric cancers were randomised into two groups: TSU-68 plus S-1/CDDP (group A) and S-1/CDDP (group B) groups. Both patient groups received identical S-1 and CDDP dosages. TSU-68 was orally administered for 35 consecutive days. Group B patients received S-1 orally twice daily for three consecutive weeks, followed by intravenous CDDP on day 8. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Results: Median PFS periods were 208 and 213 days in groups A and B, respectively (P=0.427). Median survival periods for groups A and B were 497.0 and 463.5 days, respectively (P=0.219). No statistically significant differences were noted for PFS, survival or the adverse event (AE) incidence rate. All AEs were expected according to previous reports for TSU-68, TS-1, and CDDP. Conclusion: Combination therapy involving TSU-68, S-1, and CDDP was safe and well tolerated in patients with chemotherapy-naïve unresectable or recurrent advanced gastric cancers. However, factors related to therapeutic efficacy should be investigated further.

A neutron generator is developed using 1-mm-diam spherical deuterated polystyrene targets on a rotating disk irradiated with an ultrahigh-intensity (>1018 W/cm2) diode-pumped laser. It consists of ...

Background To clarify the influence of hypertension and blood pressure ( BP ) control on thromboembolism and major hemorrhage in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, a post hoc analysis of the J‐ RHYTHM Registry was performed. Methods and Results A consecutive series of outpatients with atrial fibrillation was enrolled from 158 institutions. Of 7937 patients, 7406 with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (70.8% men, 69.8±10.0 years) were followed for 2 years or until an event occurred. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg, a diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg, a history of hypertension, and/or antihypertensive drug use. Hypertension was an independent risk factor for major hemorrhage (hazard ratio 1.52, 95% CI 1.05–2.21, P =0.027) but not for thromboembolism (hazard ratio 1.05, 95% CI 0.73–1.52, P =0.787). When patients were divided into quartiles according to their systolic BP at the time closest to the event or at the end of follow‐up (Q1, CI 1.75–4.74, P CI 1.02–2.53, P =0.041) after adjustment for components of CHA 2 DS 2 ‐ VAS c score, warfarin use, and antiplatelet use. A systolic BP of ≥136 mm Hg was an independent risk factor for thromboembolism and major hemorrhage. Conclusions BP control appears to be more important than a history of hypertension and baseline BP values at preventing thromboembolism and major hemorrhage in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Clinical Trial Registration URL : http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr . Unique identifier: UMIN 000001569.

Radiologists often encounter intraosseous tumors of the calvarium. Compared with parenchymal lesions, information is limited. In this review, we list the calvarial tumors and correlate the radiologic appearance with the pathologic findings. We discuss primary intraosseous tumors and tumor secondary to systemic disease as well as metastatic malignant tumor. Differentiation between primary tumors and tumors secondary to systemic disease can be difficult. Physicians should explore the systematic disease. In the case of primary tumors, it is important to verify any soft-tissue component since this is an important differential diagnostic feature with the potential for malignant transformation.

Background: The pathogenesis of breast cancer in very elderly women is of interest, because estrogen levels are likely to be extremely low during the development of the disease. Estrogens have opposing effects on the pathogenesis of breast cancer and osteoporosis. In an effort to understand the significance of estrogens in the pathogenesis of breast cancer in this group, we examined the association between breast cancer and osteoporosis in women at least 85 years old, taking body mass index (BMI) and hormone receptors status into consideration. Methods:Clinical records of consecutive elderly women (≥ 85 y/o) who underwent breast cancer surgery at Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital (BC) and control women of the same age group (Cont) were reviewed; osteoporosis and BMI status in both groups were recorded and compared. The status of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) of breast cancers was examined immunohistochemically and compared between BC with and without osteoporosis (BC-OP and BC-nonOP, respectively). Results:Frequency of osteoporosis was significantly lower among BC than Cont. There was no difference in BMI measured after 85 y/o between BC and Cont; however, percentage of women, whose BMI measured when they were in their sixties or seventies was ≥ 20% higher than BMI measured when they were 85 y/o or older, was significantly higher among BC than Cont (31% and 2%, respectively. P = 0.0001). ER positivity of breast cancer did not differ between BC-OP and BC-nonOP, whereas PR positivity was significantly higher among BC-nonOP than BC-OP (P = 0.0359). Discussion: The inverse relationship between the incidence of breast cancer and osteoporosis suggests an important role for estrogens in the pathogenesis of breast cancer in the very elderly women. Our finding that one third of BC had ≥ 20% higher BMI when they were in their sixties or seventies suggests they may also had elevated serum estrogens during these earlier years, because increased BMI has been reported to be associated with increased serum estrogens in postmenopausal women. Expression of PR is regulated by estrogen-ER signaling, and PR positivity is considered to reflect the effectiveness of estrogen-ER pathway. Significant difference of PR positivity between BC-nonOP and BC-OP suggests the more importance of estrogens in BC-nonOP than BC-OP. Conclusion:Estrogens seem to play an important role in the pathogenesis of breast cancers in very elderly women, especially without osteoporosis. With increasing aging population in developed countries, those findings may have implications for breast cancer prevention in this age group. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-17-04.

Background and Purpose— The purpose of this study was to evaluate further the efficacy of 0.6 mg/kg intravenous alteplase on vascular and clinical outcomes in patients with middle cerebral artery occlusion in a postmarketing Phase IV trial of prospective cohort study design. Methods— Alteplase was given intravenously at 0.6 mg/kg to patients with ischemic stroke within 3 hours of onset with MR angiography-documented middle cerebral artery occlusion. Vascular outcome was evaluated by MR angiography at 6 and 24 hours after symptom onset based on the modified Mori grade. The primary end points also included a favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0 to 1 at 3 months after onset) and incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage within 36 hours after treatment. The impact of recanalization on clinical outcome was assessed by stepwise logistic regression analysis. Results— Fifty-eight patients were enrolled. Recanalization was noted in 51.7% on 6-hour MR angiography and 69.0% on 24-hour MR angiography. A favorable clinical outcome was achieved in 46.6%. None had symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. In logistic regression models, recanalization on either 6-hour or 24-hour MR angiography was an independent predictor for clinical outcome as well as the baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score. Conclusions— Early recanalization of an occluded middle cerebral artery can be provoked by 0.6 mg/kg intravenous alteplase and may induce a favorable clinical outcome. The rates of recanalization and favorable outcome are comparable to that previously reported with the 0.9-mg/kg dose.

The improvement of adhesion characteristics is important in electric commuter train. The electric commuter train has both a slip phenomenon and a slide phenomenon. Slip-and-slide phenomena degrade the comfortable riding performance of electric commuter train. We have already proposed an antislip/ antislide readhesion control system based on disturbance observer and sensorless vector control. The effectiveness of the proposed method has been confirmed by the experiment and the numerical simulation using the tested bogie system of electric commuter train. Then, we apply the proposed method to the actual electric commuter train of series 205-5000 of the East Japan Railway Company. In the experimental results of series 205-5000, this paper demonstrates that the proposed antislip/slide readhesion control system has the desired driving wheel torque response. Moreover, this paper discusses the evaluation method of readhesion control test results.

Mucolipidosis (ML) II alpha/beta is an autosomal recessive disease caused by reduced enzyme activity of N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase. Clinical symptoms of ML II are severe psychomotor delay and dysostosis multiplex; death usually occurs by 5-8 years of age from cardiopulmonary complications. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been attempted for ML; however, few reports have documented the detailed outcomes of HSCT for ML. A 26-month-old girl received a human leukocyte antigen 3/6-allele-matched transplant from cord blood. The preparative regimen consisted of fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, 6-Gy total body irradiation, and rabbit antithymocyte globulin. Although comparing before and after cord blood transplantation results, we observed that lysosomal enzyme activities in the plasma decreased by approximately 20-40%. Low serum levels of immunoglobulin A, G2, and G4 were also observed before HSCT; however, these values normalized after transplantation. Despite undergoing HSCT, she was treated twice for bacterial pneumonia with acute respiratory distress syndrome at ages 37 and 38 months. Although HSCT effects on the clinical manifestations were limited, laboratory data including plasma lysosomal enzyme activities and serum levels of immunoglobulin showed improvement.

It is difficult to define a comfortable space for people. This is partly because comfort relates to many attributes specifying a space, partly because all people have different preferences and also because even the same person changes his or her preference according to the state of health, body conditions, working state, and so on. Various parameters and attributes should be controlled in order to realize such a comfortable space according to the database of past usages. Information obtained from human bodies such as temperature, blood pressure, alpha waves, etc., can be employed to adjust the space to the best condition. The objective of the paper is to present the possibility that a space is able to be adjusted to a human condition based on human brainwaves.

Success in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) requires sophisticated, characterized targets. The increasing fidelity of three-dimensional (3D), radiation hydrodynamic computer codes has made it possible to design targets for ICF which can compensate for limitations in the existing single shot laser and Z pinch ICF drivers. Developments in ICF target fabrication technology allow more esoteric target designs to be fabricated. At present, requirements require new deterministic nano-material fabrication on micro scale.

Objective: To evaluate the acute effects on haemodynamic variables of biatrial pacing in comparison with high right atrial (HRA) pacing and left lateral atrial pacing. Patients and design: 23 patients were paced from the HRA site, the lateral site of the coronary sinus (CS), and both sites on two fixed atrioventricular delays (100 and 150 ms) during atrioventricular sequential pacing at 80 and 100 beats/min in random order. Main outcome measures: After five minute pacing, the maximum P wave duration on a 12 lead ECG, cardiac output, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and the transmitral flow pattern by transthoracic echocardiography were measured. Results: Biatrial pacing delivered the shortest P wave duration (133 (25) ms, 133 (27) ms, and 96 (15) ms during HRA, CS, and biatrial pacing, respectively; p < 0.001), and the most improvement in cardiac output and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (3.71 (0.93) l/min and 15 (7) mm Hg, 3.79 (0.97) l/min, and 14 (6) mm Hg, and 4.09 (1.01) l/min and 13(6) mm Hg during HRA, CS, and biatrial pacing, respectively; p < 0.01). Biatrial pacing most significantly decreased the intervals between the atrial pacing spike and the peak and end of the atrial filling wave (186 (16) ms and 250 (22) ms, 172 (19) ms and 242 (24) ms, and 153 (15) ms and 227 (23) ms during HRA, CS, and biatrial pacing, respectively; p < 0.001). It also significantly increased the mitral flow time velocity integral and peak atrial filling wave velocity (7.5 (3.4) cm and 63.8 (17.6) cm/s, 7.8 (3.0) cm and 62.4 (16.6) cm/s, and 8.3 (3.4) cm and 67.8 (19.3) cm/s during HRA, CS, and biatrial pacing, respectively; p < 0.05). The improvements in haemodynamic variables were especially remarkable in patients who had a longer interatrial conduction delay. Conclusions: Biatrial pacing yielded the most significant improvements in haemodynamic variables. These haemodynamic benefits may play a part in reducing intra-atrial pressure and preventing atrial fibrillation.

OAK-B135 New high gain designs for direct drive ignition on NIF require foam shells. Scaled down versions of these designs are needed for near term experiments on the OMEGA laser facility at the Laboratory Laser Energetics (LLE). These shells need to be about 1 mm in diameter and 50-100 {micro}m wall thickness and densities of 100-250 mg/cc. In addition, a full density permeation seal needs to be deposited for retention of the fill gas at room temperature or the ice at cryogenic temperatures. They have fabricated such shells using Resorcinol-formaldehyde (R/F) as the selected foam material due to its transparency in the optical region. Extensive characterization of the wall uniformity of these shells has been performed. The foam shells have {approx} 5%-6% non-concentricities on the average. A full density permeation seal has been deposited on the R/F shells using two different techniques. In the first technique R/F shells are coated directly with plasma polymer to thicknesses of 3-4 {micro}m. In the second technique, R/F shells are coated with polyvinylphenol, using a chemical interfacial polymerization technique. Data on surface finish and gas retention for R/F shells coated by both methods are provided.

Periprosthetic interface tissue and pseudocapsule samples surrounding aseptically loosened hip implants and control knee synovium were studied by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and monocyte/macrophages contained bone formation-enhancing insulin-like growth factors (IGFs). In interface tissue we found fewer IGF-I and IGF-II positive cells than in control tissue. In pseudocapsular tissue we found fewer IGF-I positive cells and an equal amount of IGF-II positive cells compared to control tissues. Decreased bone formation may contribute to net loss of bone around aseptically loosened hip implants.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of quantifying low temperature radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) lesions using a phased array intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) catheter—with better tissue penetration and in a deflectable device—in the canine model. Intervention: Low temperature radiofrequency (RF) energy (50–60°C at up to 40 W) was delivered to the left ventricle in 11 beagles for 60 seconds, using an 8 French catheter with a deflectable tip and a 4 mm distal electrode. Main outcome measures: Comparison of the width and depth of RFCA lesions measured by ICE with pathological findings. Results: 33 RF energies were delivered in 11 dogs. 31 lesions (94%) were confirmed at necropsy. 27 of 31 ablation lesions (87%) were detected by ICE. The mean (SD) width and depth of the ICE detected lesions were 10.4 (2.6) mm and 5.7 (1.9) mm, respectively. Pathological findings showed that RFCA lesions consisted of inner and outer layers. Macroscopically, the mean (SD) width and depth of the inner layers were 7.6 (2.3) mm and 3.6 (1.2) mm and those for the whole layers were 10.0 (2.8) mm and 5.3 (1.5) mm, respectively. Microscopically, the inner and outer layers corresponded to necrotic and oedematous areas, respectively. The ICE detected lesion size had better correlation with the pathological measurements of the whole layers in width (r = 0.911) and in depth (r = 0.756). Conclusion: The real time evaluation of RFCA lesion size using the phased array ICE is feasible, even with a low temperature RF application. However, ICE slightly overestimates RFCA lesion size compared with pathological necrotic lesion size.

Recently, we developed a new method for making spherical poly(α-methylstyrene) (PαMS) mandrels. The process utilizes a small amount (

Plastic spherical shells made by microencapsulation show a surface roughness over modes within the range 7–20, generically termed “the mode 10 problem.” The roughness mode number corresponds with t...

In a vacuum system of the KEKB accelerator that is a two ring electron-positron collider, there are nearly 10,000 control points. A large number of vacuum related components should be controlled and/or monitored at the rings and the beam transport line from the linac. Those component hardwares are connected to their sub-interfaces such as ADC interfaced by devices of CAMAC, RS-232C, GP-IB, and programmable logic controller (PLC) via GP-IB. The all device interfaces are controlled with newly developed softwares based on EPICS (experimental physics industrial control system) and single board equipment control computers through a high speed network using a UNIX-based workstation with X-terminals or emulators as operator consoles. The control points of the hardware for the vacuum system have been successfully implemented for monitor, control and data acquisition after the commissioning for 8 months utilizing EPICS software.

In the Current Sustaining Tokamak of the Nagoya University (CSTN)-IV research tokamak system, using a compact 40-kHz pulse width modulation (PWM) inverter power supply, which is controlled through the LabVIEW program, we construct a new tokamak discharge system with multimode including a stable alternating current discharge and a high-repetition high-duty one. These discharge modes can be operated continuously for as long as 60 seconds. The continuous discharge of long duration is able to simulate the important physical and chemical processes of long discharges in fusion devices, in which the heat load to the wall and the particle balance in the plasma-wall system are crucial topics in order to realize a long pulse fusion reactor, like ITER. An ergodic divertor is one of the tools used to control the particle balance and the heat load to the wall. In addition, we installed another inverter power supply to generate a rotating magnetic perturbation for a dynamic ergodic divertor (DED) with the appropriate measurement system so that we could carry out experiments on heat and particle control with DED in prolonged operation. © 2000 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 133(4): 8–18, 2000

The safety and immunogenicity of Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine (Nakayama strain, monovalent / BIKEN) was studied in 538 U.S. soldiers in 1990. Three doses of vaccine from three consecutively manufactured lots were given on days 0, 7, and either 14 or 30. Serum for antibody determination was drawn at months 0, 2, and 6. Japanese encephalitis plaque reduction neutralization tests were performed by three laboratories on each specimen. Five hundred twenty-eight (98%) participants completed the immunization series. All recipients without antibody before immunization developed neutralizing antibody against JE virus. There were no differences in geometric mean titer among the three test lots at months 2 and 6. Soldiers who received the third dose on day 30 had higher titers at both time points. Antibody to yellow fever had no significant effect on immune response to vaccine. Conclusions drawn from analysis of serologic data from the three labs were nearly identical. Symptoms were generally limited to mild local effects and were reduced in frequency with each subsequent does in the series (21% to 11%; P < 0.0001). Generalized symptoms were rare (e.g., fever = 5%) with no reported cases of anaphylaxis.

Objective To investigate the specificity and sensitivity of the combination of redistribution in exercise thallium-201 single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and exercise induced ST elevation for detecting the viable myocardium in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Design 37 patients were studied within seven weeks of onset of Q wave myocardial infarction (anterior in 22, inferior in 15). All patients underwent exercise four hour redistribution thallium-201 SPECT and positron emission tomography using fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and nitrogen-13 ammonia under fasting conditions. Results Sixteen patients showed exercise induced ST elevation ⩾ 1.5 mm, and 15 of these had increased FDG uptake in the infarct region. Eleven of 16 patients (10 of 11 patients with anterior infarctions) with irreversible thallium-201 defects and increased FDG uptake showed exercise induced ST elevation. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive accuracy of redistribution, exercise induced ST segment elevation, or both for detecting increased FDG uptake were 82%, 75%, and 67% (94%, 75%, and 91% for anterior infarctions), respectively. Conclusions In patients with acute Q wave myocardial infarction, the combination of redistribution in exercise thallium-201 SPECT and exercise induced ST elevation can detect the viable myocardium in the infarct region with high sensitivity and specificity, especially in patients with anterior infarctions.

The influence of metatarsophalangeal lesions on the position of the center of plantar pressure in rheumatoid patients was analyzed by a photoelastic method. Fifteen patients were divided radiographically into three groups (A to C) based on the degree of destruction of the metatarsophalangeal joints. Fifteen age-matched non-rheumatoid subjects were studied as a control group. As parameters expressing the position of the centre of plantar pressure, longitudinal ratio (λ) and transverse ratio (η) were defined and analyzed respectively. the λ of group B was significantly lower than those of group A and C (A: 44.6 ± 6.4, B: 39.0 ± 0.5, P = 0.0327; B: 39.0 ± 0.5, C: 44.7 ± 4.9, P = 0.0075). The η of group B was significantly lower than those of group A and C (A: 46.2 ± 3.4, B: 43.4 ± 7.4, P = 0.0161; B: 43.4 ± 7.4, C: 46.4 ± 1.9, P = 0.0075). By comparing the above data with the control data and combinations of patterns in both parameters, the positions of the centre of plantar pressure were divided into four types. The most common type in group A and C was ‘anterolateral (steady)', and that in group B was ‘posteromedial (unsteady)'. Based on the result, we conclude that the treatment of the lesions in group B is the most necessary to maintain the stability of standing.

Objective—To investigate the relations between myocardial metabolism and the kinetics of thallium-201 in myocardial scintigraphy. Methods—46 patients within six weeks after the onset of acute myocardial infarction underwent resting myocardial dual isotope, single acquisition, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using radioiodinated 15-iodophenyl 3-methyl pentadecaenoic acid (BMIPP) and thallium-201, exercise thallium-201 SPECT, and positron emission tomography (PET) using nitrogen-13 ammonia (NH3) and [F18]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) under fasting conditions. The left ventricle was divided into nine segments, and the severity of defects was assessed visually. Results—In the resting SPECT, less BMIPP uptake than thallium-201 uptake was observed in all of 40 segments with reverse redistribution of thallium-201, and in 21 of 88 segments with a fixed defect of thallium-201 (p

The progress of laser fusion research at the Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University is reviewed. They are physics investigations on target implosion, development of laser technologies, and R&D for laser fusion power plants. The long term strategy of Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) development has been reexamined taking into account the recent progress of implosion physics and reactor related technologies. 15 refs., 12 figs.

Purpose: The value of coronary angiography in the diagnosis of thrombus in the left atrial appendage (LAA) was retrospectively analyzed. Material and Methods: The study covers 34 patients in whom coronary angiography showed coronary neovascularity in LAA with coronary artery-left atrial fistula indicating LAA thrombus. All 34 patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography within one week of coronary angiography. Open-heart surgery was undertaken 2–31 months after angiography in 28 patients. Results: Coronary neovascularity and coronary artery-left atrial fistula arose from the left circumflex artery in 28 patients, and from the left circumflex artery and the right coronary artery in the remaining 6 patients. By echocardiography, LAA thrombus was detected in only one of the 34 patients. In 18 of the 28 patients who underwent open-heart surgery, LAA thrombus was found at surgery to have resolved. Conclusion: Coronary angiography is useful in the diagnosis of LAA thrombus, and coronary neovascularity and fistula formation may indicate that the thrombus can spontaneously resolve.

We have been developing an alternative scheme of fast ignition of inertial confinement targets with converging shock. Experiments were carried out on GEKKO-XII laser facility at ILE, Osaka University. We employed Au cone targets filled with low- density RF foam (2 mg/cm3). The foam-filled cone targets were irradiated by three beams of the GEKKO-XII, with pulse duration of 1.3 ns, intensity of ~ 1014 W/cm2 in 2 :λ(ω0.527μm). Self-emission at the tip of cone was observed by one-dimensional streaked optical pyrometer (SOP) and two-dimensional images.

Water intake structure is an important element technology for small hydroelectric generation. Currently, intake structures with bar screens have been broadly introduced; however, these require constant maintenance to avoid the clogging of bars by dust or gravel. This study considers the optimal structure of bottom intakes by focusing on two criteria: efficient water intake and prevention of clogs by trapping trash. Grating was selected as the intake structure because it is convenient to construct, widely available, and cheaper than other materials. A flume experiment was conducted to examine the relation between the grating structure and the intake efficiency and trash-trapping rate. Results indicate a clear linear relation between the installation angle and water intake capacity. Furthermore, the trash-trapping rate is low for gratings that have high opening area ratios because their surface areas are small and friction resistance is low.

Today, approximately three years since its development, the non‐contact micro soldering method (local soldering method) continues to be highly regarded due to its superiority over other soldering methods (i.e., soldering irons, etc.) and is being used in a wide range of applications in the industrial electronics field. This technology has been incorporated into the production lines of numerous plants worldwide including the USA and Japan. This paper focuses on introducing the following: (1) the micro spot soldering method, the method most frequently utilised in production lines; (2) the continuous soldering method newly developed for use with surface‐mount components such as connectors of PCMCIA memory cards; and (3) the upward soldering method in which the light beam is irradiated upward, enabling the components to be soldered without flipping printed circuit boards (PCBs). The paper will also include practical examples, the optimal circuit board design, and an evaluation of soldering quality.

We propose novel neutron source using high-intensity laser based on the cluster fusion scheme. We developed DPSSL-pumped high-repetition-rate 20-TW laser system and solid nanoparticle target for neutron generation demonstration. In our neutron generation experiment, high-energy deuterons were generated from coulomb explosion of CD solid- nanoparticles and neutrons were generated by DD fusion reaction. Efficient and stable neutron generation was obtained by irradiating an intense femtosecond laser pulse of >2×1018 W/cm2. A yield of ~105 neutrons per shot was stably observed during 0.1-1 Hz continuous operation.

In this paper, a built-in electrical test circuit is proposed to detect an open defect at an interconnect between a land in a printed circuit board and an IC. An inverter gate is used as an open sensor in the test circuit. An AC voltage signal is provided to a targeted interconnect and the sensor as a test input signal to detect the defect. The defect is detected by means of supply current of the sensor. We examine by Spice simulation whether open defects can be detected with the test circuit. The results reveal us that an open defect can be detected at a test speed of 1 MHz for each interconnect.

The telescience testbed experiments were carried out to test and investigate the tele-manipulation techniques in the intracellular potential recording of amphibian eggs. Implementation of telescience testbed was set up in the two separated laboratories of the Tsukuba Space center of NASDA, which were connected by tele-communication links. Manipulators respective for a microelectrode and a sample stage of microscope were moved by computers, of which command signals were transmitted from a computer in a remote control room. The computer in the control room was operated by an investigator (PI) who controlled the movement of each manipulator remotely. A stereoscopic vision of the microscope image were prepared by using a head mounted display (HMD) and were indispensable to the intracellular single cell recording. The fertilization potential of amphibian eggs was successfully obtained through the remote operating system.

Abdominal ultrasonographic screening for cancer was performed in 6001 Hiroshima and Nagasaki A-bomb exposed and comparison subjects, all members of the Adult Health Study of the Radiation Effects Research Foundation, formerly the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission. This study yielded 20 cancers, including 7 hepatocellular, 3 gastric, 3 renal and 2 urinary bladder cancers; one cancer each of the ovary, pancreas, colon and ureter; and one cancer metastatic to the liver, whose primary was unknown. Seventeen of these 20 subjects manifested no symptoms or signs of their disease. A variety of additional tumors, unproven and probably benign, including uterine myomata, and other abnormalities were also detected. Abdominal ultrasonographic screening greatly assisted in the detection of cancers, most of which neither the patients nor their physicians were aware. In this screened fixed population sample the cancer detection rate was 0.33%, exceeding any such rates previously reported in the medical literature.

We previously constructed an accurate displacement sensor for detection of eyelid movement, using an amorphous magnetic core multivibrator. Improvements in eyelid motion sensors are necessary to achieve independence of the magnetization direction of the cores as well as a broadened visual field. We constructed a second displacement sensor for detection of eyelid movement, this time using amorphous wire magneto-inductive (MI) elements. The elements were formed from tension-annealed zero-magnetostriction amorphous wires. The MI effect and the symmetrical MI characteristics of the elements were used to form thin sensor heads without coils. Inductances change independently of the magnet magnetization directions.

A case of osteoid osteoma (OO) in the mandible of 26-year-old female is presented. Her main complaint was intermittent pain during a 3 year period. The panoramic radiograph of the mandible showed diffuse sclerosis including an ill-defined circular radiopacity in the molar region. Computed tomography (CT) revealed an osseous lesion of 10 mm diameter that was located in the cortical bone of the mandible. Bone scintigraphy showed a localized region of high uptake of 99mTc HMDP. The lesion was diagnosed as an OO by histopathological examination of the surgical specimen and CT findings. Since radiological appearance has very significant meaning in the differentiation of an OO from other bone forming tumors, CT is the method of choice when the main symptom is pain and the conventional radiography was not informative.

We have started a new project of inertial fusion driven by all diode-pumped solid-state laser (DPSSL). 105 DD fusion neutron yield from a 500-µm-thick deuterated polystyrene film has preliminarily demonstrated by 10 TW HAMA laser.

Background Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a leucocyte enzyme that catalyses the formation of a number of reactive oxidant species. Objective The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between angiographic coronary plaque morphology in patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) or stable angina pectoris (SAP) and MPO levels. Patients and design Plasma MPO levels on admission were measured in 236 patients with UAP, 146 with SAP and 85 control subjects using an ELISA kit. The angiographic morphology of the culprit lesion was classified into two types, simple or complex, based on the Ambrose classification. In addition, 61 atherectomy specimens obtained from a different cohort of patients with UAP and SAP were studied immunohistochemically for MPO. Results Median (IQR) plasma MPO levels in patients with UAP with a complex lesion were significantly higher than in patients with a simple lesion (41.9 (21.7-73.7) ng/ml vs 20.5 (15.9-27.9) ng/ml, p

Two new algorithms, the moving area detection algorithm and the scanning line conversion algorithm, used in the MUSE 525 line progressive scan converter are described. The moving area detection algorithm is required to reduce the aliasing component. Scanning line conversion from 1125 2:1 interlace scanning format to 525 progressive scanning format is important because the characteristics of this conversion filter have a great deal of influence on the picture quality. A simple hardware structure for a higher picture quality system has been achieved by the scanning line conversion algorithm. >

THE facial nerve supplies motor fibres for movement of the ears, eyelids, lips and nostrils. Therefore, facial paralysis is generally seen as drooping of the ear, ptosis of the upper eyelid, drooping of the upper lip, and pulling of the nostrils toward the unaffected side ([Mayhew 1989aa][1]). This

Computers are recently applied to aerodynamics in two ways. One is computer aided flow visualization (CAFV) and the other is computational fluid dynamics (CFD). In the field of automobile engineering, both are very popular today. There are many varieties in CAFV, that is, mere computer graphics of velocity and pressure measurements, image processing of visualized flow fields, computed tomography and so on. The CAFV results give us more quantitative information than conventional flow visualization results. It means that CAFV enables us to understand flow fields more precisely. The flow fields around vehicle bodies can be solved numerically using several methods. These are panel methods, k-ϵ methods and direct simulation methods. The panel methods are suitable for the potential flow making it very useful to analyze attached flows. The latter two methods can deal with separated flows exactly, and they help us compute, for example, separated wake regions. The CFD results are inevitably combined with computer graphics and show us very realistic flow images. That is another advantage of CFD.

This paper introduces a free-drifting submersible digital holography system (holo-sub), shown in fig. 1, and issues associated with processing the massive amount of data involved. Studying behavior of marine micro-organisms in-situ requires the ability to follow them in time and observe their interactions with the local biological, chemical, and physical environment. Holographic imaging allows reconstruction of in-focus images of all planes within a sample volume that has a substantial depth. To facilitate observations of organisms over many frames, thus allowing for analysis of in-situ behavior, the holo-sub is designed to drift with the ambient flow. Two cameras record holograms simultaneously, each at 15 frame/sec. Two optional optical configurations have been implemented to-date. In one configuration, the sample volumes are perpendicular, allowing for 3D resolution of 7.4 mum in all directions. In the second, the first camera maintains a sample volume with a cross-section of 15times15 mm, while the other records holograms of part of the same volume at a higher magnification, enabling us to resolve smaller particles. This system was deployed in the Ria de Pontevedra, Spain in 2005, and in the Bay of Biscay, France in 2006, in collaboration with several European research groups. Over 3 TB of holographic data have been acquired during these deployments. Extracting relevant information from the large holographic dataset requires two important steps: 1 - locating and reconstructing the desired organism, and 2 - processing the reconstructed images to obtain quantitative data on behavior. A series of software tools have been developed to facilitate efficient manual search for organism location, followed by recording of their in-focus images, and tracking them in time. Analysis of reconstructed images to obtain quantitative data begins with classification of behavior, followed by development of image processing routines to perform specific measurements. For example, appendicularians, zooplankton that create gelatinous "houses" with which they filter small particles for feeding are one of the most numerous large organisms that have been observed in our data set. Software has been developed to provide swimming velocity, house shape and size, particle distributions within the house, organism size, and tail flapping frequency.

We studied the possible use of silicon carbide (SiC) as a ceramic coating material of titanium-based total hip replacement (THR) implants. The idea is to prevent wear debris formation from the soft titanium surface. SiC is a hard and tightly bonding ceramic surface material, and because of these physical properties it is not easily degradable, as is the case with hydroxyapatite. Our previous in vivo and in vitro studies have indicated that SiC and hydroxyapatite are equally biocompatible regarding particle size for phagocytosis. The present cytotoxicity test using JCRB0603 cells showed that 5 μm SiC particles inhibited colony outgrowth by one-third (67% + 10% vs control), while SiC-coated pins did not cause any inhibition and acted similarly to uncoated titanium pins. The results support the hypothesis that SiC is a promising ceramic THR implant coating material.

An 8-month-old Japanese Black heifer with severe erythropoietic symptoms was subjected to clinical, histological and cytological examinations. During the 1 month clinical observation period, severe increases in RBC count, packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentration were observed. The plasma erythropoietin (Epo) concentration of the heifer (20.7 mIU/ml) was similar to that observed in normal control heifers. Blood gas examinations of the arterial and venous blood revealed low levels of partial pressure O(2) (PaO(2)), partial pressure CO(2) (PaCO(2)) and O(2) saturation (SaO(2)), while the blood pH was within the normal range. Gross lesions could not be detected. However, microscopic observation revealed severe proliferation of erythroblasts in the bone marrow and in the spleen without evidence of neoplastic changes. Based on these clinical and pathological examinations, we diagnosed the heifer as being the first case of primary erythrocytosis in Japanese Black cattle.