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A hybrid cutting using both plasma and end mill was developed for safe and efficient dismantling of nuclear facilities. In this cutting method, a moving arc plasma heats up the workpiece before milling. Thermally softened part of the workpiece is then removed quickly and deeply with an end mill. For the cutting experiments, a three-axis numerical control (NC) milling machine was combined with a commercialized arc plasma torch and used to cut 25 mm thick stainless steel plates. Experimental results revealed that pre-heating by arc plasmas can improve the cutting volume per unit time higher than 40% by reducing the cutting load and increasing the cuttable depth when using an end mill without cutting fluids. These advantages of a hybrid cutting process are expected to contribute to quick and safe segmentations of metal structures with radioactively contaminated inner surfaces.

Particulate matter (PM2.5) is an environmental pollutant causing skin inflammatory diseases via epidermal barrier damage. However, the mechanism and related gene expression induced by PM2.5 remains unclear. Our aim was to determine the effect of PM2.5 on human skin tissue ex vivo, and elucidate the mechanism of T helper 17 cell-related inflammatory cytokine and skin barrier function. We verified the expression levels of gene in PM2.5-treated human skin tissue using Quantseq (3' mRNA-Seq), and Gene Ontology (GO) terms and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were performed. The PM2.5 treatment significantly enhanced the expression of Th 1, 2, 17 and 22 cell-related genes (cut-off value: │1.2 │ fold change and p 0.05). Most of all, Th17 cell-related genes are upregulated and those genes are associated with skin epidermal barrier function and Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a xenobiotic receptor, pathway. In human keratinocyte cell lines, AhR-regulated genes (e.g. AhRR, CYP1A1, IL6 and IL36G), Th17 cell-related genes (e.g. IL17C) and epidermal barrier-related genes (e.g. SPRR2A and KRT71) are significantly increased after PM2.5. In the protein level, the secretion of IL-6 and IL-36G was increased in human skin tissue following PM2.5 treatment, and the expression of SPRR2A and KRT71 was significantly increased. PM2.5 exposure could ruin the skin epidermal barrier function via AhR- and Th17 cell-related inflammatory pathway.

This paper presents the analytical and experimental results for transient temperature fields induced in a stainless steel plate by a low-powered arc plasma torch for plasma-assisted milling. For this purpose, we first measured arc efficiencies by using the calorimetric method for plasma power levels of (3–4) kW. The measurement results showed that low arc currents of ≤ 30 A can produce relatively low arc efficiencies of (35–36) %. Then, the heated stainless steel plate was cut to reveal the very shallow surface erosion by arc plasma heating that occurred within 1 mm depth. These experimental results indicate that the relatively low arc efficiencies resulted from the low arc currents designed to thermally soften the workpiece, rather than form a melting pool. Considering these arc heating effects confined to a shallow area near the surface, we employed a 2D surface Gaussian distributed heat source model in analytical modeling of the temperature evolution in the stainless steel plates. The unsteady temperature fields predicted by the analytical solutions show relatively good agreement with the experimental data, although the analytic results show the temperatures rising earlier and descending faster. From these comparisons, we expect that this work can contribute to the optimization of the plasma-assisted milling process.

Objective Burr hole trephination is a common treatment for chronic subdural hematoma, intracranial hematoma, and intraventricular hematoma due to its effective drainage of hematoma, minimal invasiveness and short operation time. However, cosmetic complications such as scalp depression can occur. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of an allogenic acellular dermal matrix (ADM) to prevent scalp depression at the burr hole site. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed with 75 cases in 66 patients who were treated with burr hole trephination from January 2018 to December 2019. These cases divided into 2 groups; based on the method used to cover the burr hole site: Gelfoam packing only (GPO) and ADM. The degree of the scalp depression was measured from the more recent follow-up brain computed tomography scan. Results There was a significant difference in the degree of scalp depression between GPO and ADM groups (p=0.003). No significant correlation between patient's age and the degree of scalp depression (GPO: p=0.419, ADM: p=0.790). There were no wound infection complication in either group. Conclusion ADM is a suitable material to prevent scalp depression after burr hole trephination.

In this work, a PAM(Plasma Assisted Machining) technology was applied to milling of high manganese steel, a typical hard-to-machine materials. For this purpose, a transferred type of arc plasma torch was coupled with a 3-axis milling machine, then, used to heat and soften the surface of a high manganese steel plate in front of a 16 mm end mill with 2 blades and hard coatings. From the test results, it was concluded that the cutting load can be significantly reduced down to 57 % by plasma heating with the power level of 3.9 kW, ensuring the improvement of tool life and surface roughness in milling of high manganese work pieces.

As a novel heat source available for high voltage - high power operation at high thermal efficiency, a hollow electrode plasma torch with inter-electrodes was designed in reverse polarity and tested to provide basic performance data. From the regression analysis of the test results, first, a V -I characteristic equation for the designed torch was obtained as V = 2364L0.61535˙0.104753I−0.0636 for arc current I, N2 mass flow rate m˙ and torch length L. As described by this V-I characteristic equation, arc voltages of the designed torch were observed to primarily depend on torch length while the influence of arc current was relatively limited. These effects of inter-electrodes insertion were confirmed by numerical simulations, which also clarified the influences of inter-electrode diameter on the arc voltage and the thermal efficiency of the proposed type plasma torch. Due to the proportional increase of arc voltages to the torch length, the high voltage - high power conditions were obtained by increasing the number of inter-electrode, which leads to the generation of high enthalpy plasma jet at high thermal efficiency. For example, a hollow electrode plasma torch with three inter-electrodes (L = 0.68 M) recorded the power level of 525 kW at the arc voltage of 880 V during the reversed polarity discharge, providing a plasma jet with high averaged specific enthalpy of 15.8 MJ/kg at thermal efficiency higher than 65%.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of systemic and ocular profiles on subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFChT) in treatment-naive eyes with diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods This study included patients with treatment-naive DR. They underwent routine laboratory evaluations, including complete blood cell count, liver function tests, kidney function tests, and urinalysis for macroalbuminuria. The systemic and ocular factors associated with the change in SFChT in DR were analyzed. Results A total of 136 eyes from 136 patients with diabetes and 30 eyes from 30 age-matched healthy controls were recruited. Generalized linear model analyses showed that the SFChT in treatment-naive eyes with DR was positively associated with the DR grade and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; P = 0.001) and negatively associated with age (P < 0.001) and serum phosphorus levels (P = 0.001). Treatment-naive eyes with proliferative DR (PDR; 313.4 ± 9.0 µm) or severe nonproliferative DR (NPDR; 299.7 ± 9.7 µm) had thicker choroid than eyes with mild to moderate NPDR (251.7 ± 11.1 µm) or no DR (231.2 ± 14.5 µm) after adjusting for age, eGFR, and phosphorus levels. Conclusions Choroid is affected by renal function and the grade of DR in patients with diabetes. Advanced retinopathy is associated with choroidal thickening, and the severity of concomitant renal disease is associated with choroidal thinning.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between renal function and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFChT) in treatment-na&iuml, ve proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) patients. This study included 85 eyes of 52 treatment-na&iuml, ve PDR patients who underwent kidney function testing and urinalysis and 42 eyes of 33 age-matched controls. Treatment-na&iuml, ve eyes with PDR were categorized into pachychoroid and leptochoroid groups based on the SFChT of the control group. Kidney function profiles were compared between pachychoroid and leptochoroid groups, the relationship between kidney function profile and SFChT was evaluated using regression analysis. Compared with the pachychoroid group, the leptochoroid group had significantly higher serum creatinine (p = 0.026), cystatin C (p = 0.004), and phosphorus (p &lt, 0.001) levels and a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (p &lt, 0.001). Multivariate linear regression analyses showed that SFChT was positively correlated with eGFR (Cystatin C) (p = 0.007) and negatively correlated with serum phosphorus (p = 0.001). SFChT of patients with eGFR &lt, 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 and serum phosphorus level &ge, 4.0 mg/dL was less than that of patients with higher eGFR and lower serum phosphorus level. The choroidal thickness of treatment-na&iuml, ve PDR patients is closely affected by renal function. Kidney function test should be considered if SFChT of patients with treatment-na&iuml, ve PDR is reduced.

We present a novel algorithm for physics-based real-time facial animation driven by muscle deformation. Unlike the previous works using 3D finite elements, we use a 2D shell element to avoid inefficient or undesired tessellation due to the thin structure of facial muscles. To simplify the analysis and achieve real-time performance, we adopt real-time thin shell simulation of [Choi et al. 2007]. Our facial system is composed of four layers of skin, subcutaneous layer, muscles, and skull, based on human facial anatomy. Skin and muscles are composed of shell elements, subcutaneous fatty tissue is assumed as a uniform elastic body, and the fixed part of facial muscles is handled by static position constraint. We control muscles to have stretch deformation using modal analysis and apply mass-spring force to skin mesh which is triggered by the muscle deformation. In our system, only the region of interest for skin can be affected by the muscle. To handle the coupled result of facial animation, we decouple the system according to the type of external forces applied to the skin. We show a series of real-time facial animation caused by selected major muscles that are relevant to expressive skin deformation. Our system has generality for importing new types of muscles and skin mesh when their shape or positions are changed.

PURPOSE To use morphological measurements to analyze changes in the position and shape of the lower eyelid after inferior orbital wall reconstruction. METHODS This study included 47 eyes from 47 patients with blowout fractures. Digital photographs were taken in primary gaze immediately before and after surgery; the degree of enophthalmos was recorded. Several eyelid parameters were measured, including marginal reflex distance 1 (MRD1), MRD2, lower eyelid length (LEL), lower medial palpebral fissure area, lower central palpebral fissure area (LCA), and lower lateral palpebral fissure area. RESULTS The exophthalmometry values (P

We propose a new as-rigid-as-possible approach to the real-time simulation of physics-based deformable models for interactive applications such as computer games. The key observation is that the efficacy of an embedded oriented particle representation and the stability of a variational implicit formulation of the projective dynamics are complementary to each other. We reformulate the variational implicit formulation to deal with an embedded graph of oriented particles. Our new formulation is extremely stable, and our alternating local/global optimization solver is both easy to implement and computationally efficient. Our method can deal with one-dimensional (cable and rod), two-dimensional (shell), and three-dimensional (solid) models in a uniform manner. Experimental results demonstrate that hundreds of deformable models with an extremely large number of polygons can be simulated robustly in real time using thousands of particles.

This paper presents the first free-space optical transceiver IC for social, psychological brain–computer interface experiments with multiple mice. The proposed IC embedded in a head-mounted module (HMM) includes 8-channel neural recorder and a neural stimulator in order to record extracellular action potentials and local field potentials while injecting diverse waveforms of monophasic intracranial stimulation current into the medial forebrain bundle for the activation of the nervous system. The HMM implanted on a mouse transmits the neural recording data to an optical base station by using a mandatory 591/624-nm (amber/red) visible behavior tracking LED as an optical transmitter to save power. The HMM is controlled simultaneously via a 940 nm infrared optical downlink to reduce interference to the visible optical uplink. The proposed IC fabricated in a 0.18- $\mu \text{m}$ HV BCDMOS process consumes 90 $\mu \text{W}$ while achieving a 2.048-Mb/s transmission rate.

Post burn pruritus is a common distressing sequela of burn wounds. Empirical antipruritic treatment often fails to have a satisfactory outcome, as the mechanism of it has not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the manifestation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 3 (TRPV3), transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) and other related receptors in post burn pruritus. Sixty-five burn patients with (n = 40) or without (n = 25) pruritus were investigated, including skin biopsies. Keratinocytes and fibroblasts from skin biopsy samples were separated. Real time-PCR showed that mRNA of TRPV3 was significantly increased in keratinocytes from pruritic burn scars than in keratinocytes from non-pruritic burn scars. With TRPV3 activation, intracellular Ca2+ concentrations were more significantly increased in keratinocytes from pruritic burn scars than in those from non-pruritic ones. Additionally, mRNA and protein levels of protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) and neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) were also significantly increased in pruritic burn scars. In conclusion, we confirmed that TRPV3, PAR2, and NK1R were highly expressed in pruritic burn scars. These results may help determine a novel mechanism for post burn pruritus. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Orthostatic lightheadedness in healthy young adults often leads to syncope in severe cases. One suggested underlying mechanism of orthostatic lightheadedness is a drop in transient blood pressure (BP); however, a decrease in BP does not always lead to a drop in cerebral blood flow (CBF) due to cerebral autoregulation (CA). We present a direct assessment method of CA using a multichannel continuous-wave near-infrared spectroscopy (CW-NIRS) device that measures the temporal changes in oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin concentrations in the prefrontal cortex. Twenty healthy young adults were recruited. During the experiment, continuous beat-to-beat BP and heart rate were simultaneously measured during repetitive squat-stand maneuvers. We introduce a new metric termed ‘time-derivative hemodynamic model (DHbT)’, which is the time-derivative of total-hemoglobin concentration change that reflects the changes of cerebral blood volume and CBF. Although the absolute levels and the variations of systolic and diastolic BPs and mean arterial pressure showed no significant difference between the two groups, the proposed model showed a distinct difference in slope variation and response time of DHbT between the subjects with frequent symptom of orthostatic intolerance and the healthy control subjects. Thus, these results clearly demonstrate the feasibility of using CW-NIRS devices as a CA performance assessment tool.

To determine the effects of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection on dry eye signs, symptoms, and tear cytokine levels in patients with intractable dry eye disease (DED). In this prospective study, patients with intractable DED were randomized to a BTX-A (group A) or control group (group B). Patients were injected with BTX-A or normal saline in the medial part of the upper and lower eyelids. Before and at 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, and 4 months after injection, dry eye signs; tear film break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer I test, corneal fluorescein staining (CFS), and symptoms; ocular surface disease index (OSDI); and frequency of lubricants were assessed. The tear levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and serotonin were measured before and at 1 month after injection. Fifty-two eyes from 26 patients (mean age, 57.7 years) were included. The TBUT was higher at 2 weeks and at 1 month in group A. The Schirmer I test and OSDI scores were also better in group A for up to 2 months. The CFS grades in group A were significantly lower until 4 months. Repeated measures analysis of variance (RMANOVA) demonstrated significant differences between the two groups over time for the Schirmer I test (p = 0.002), CFS (p = 0.025), OSDI (p = 0.020), and frequency of lubricants (p = 0.029). The MMP-9 conversion rate of group A (76.92%) was significantly higher than that of group B (38.46%, p = 0.005). The tear serotonin level in group A was reduced from 2.76 ± 0.34 to 1.73 ± 0.14 ng/mL (p

Because the inverse problem in diffuse optical tomography (DOT) is highly ill-posed in general, appropriate regularization based on prior knowledge of the target is necessary for the reconstruction of the image. The total variation L1 norm regularization method (TV-L1) that preserves the boundaries of a target is known to have excellent result in image reconstruction. However, large computational cost of the TV-L1 prevents its use in portable applications. In this study, we propose a dimension reduction method in DOT for fast and hardware-efficient image reconstruction. The proposed method is based on the fact that the optical flux from a light source in a highly scattering medium is localized spatially. As such, the dimension of a sensitivity matrix used in the forward model of the DOT can be reduced by eliminating uncorrelated subspaces. The simulation results indicate up to 96.1% reduction in dimensions and up to 79.3% reduction in runtime while suppressing the reconstruction error below 2.26%.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical and histopathological characteristics of patients with post burn pruritus. The authors took skin samples from 62 burn patients with or without pruritus. The measured skin condition includes thickness and paresthesia. Various clinical features were rated on patient assessment scale (PSAS) and observer scar assessment scale. The samples were stained with hematoxylin & eosin, Masson's trichrome, Verhoeff's elastic, and toluidine blue stain. The stained samples were analyzed in terms of epidermal thickness, mononuclear cell infiltration, collagen bundles, elastic fibers, and mast cell distribution. A total of 62 patients were divided into group A (43 patients with pruritus) and group B (19 patients without). The mean (±SD) intensity of itch in group A patients was 4.58 (±3.24). Group A patients had thickened epidermises and higher scores on the PSAS and observer scar assessment scale, especially on the PSAS score. Sensations, including stinging and electric shock sensations, were more frequent in group A than in group B. Histological analysis revealed that group A patients had thinner collagen bundles and more increased mast cell counts, while others did not. Patients suffering from post burn pruritus had distinctive clinical and histopathological features, such as prominent mast cell deposition and thin collagen bundles, compared with group B patients. These results may help better understand post burn pruritus.

In this research, p-type Bi2Te3–75% Sb2Te3 thermoelectric alloy powders were produced by gas atomization and subsequently sintered by hot pressing at different temperatures. The grain growth of the hot-pressed samples was observed with increasing sintering temperature from 380°C to 460°C. The compressive strength increased with increasing hot-pressing temperature due to the high relative density of bulk samples obtained at high temperatures. The effect of sintering temperature on thermoelectric (TE) properties was studied. The maximum power factor 3.48 mW/mK2 was obtained for the sample hot pressed at 420°C due to the resulting high electrical conductivity and enhanced Seebeck coefficient values.

Electronic products are a major part of evolving industry and human life style; however most of them are known to emit electromagnetic waves that have severe health hazards. Therefore, different materials and fabrication techniques are understudy to control or limit transfer of such waves to human body. In this study, nanocomposite powder is dispersed into epoxy resin and shielding effects such as absorption, reflection, penetration and multiple reflections are investigated. In addition, nano size powder (Ni, , Fe-85Ni, C-Ni) is fabricated by pulsed wire evaporation method and dispersed manually into epoxy. Characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy and Transmission electron microscopy are used to investigate the phase analysis, size and shape as well as dispersion trend of a nano powder on epoxy matrix. Shielding effect is measured by standard test method to investigate the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of planar materials, ASTM D4935. At lower frequency, sample consisting nano-powder of Fe-85%Wt Ni shows better electromagnetic shielding effect compared to only epoxy, only Ni, and C-Ni samples.

Purpose: Many patients presenting with headache also complain of constipation; the relationship between these two symptoms has not been explored in detail. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between primary headache and constipation. Methods: This retrospective study included all children who attended the Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital complaining of headache, and who had been followed up for at least 100 days. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group A, in whom the headache improved after treatment for constipation, and group B, in whom headache was not associated with constipation. Results: Of the 96 patients with primary headache, 24 (25.0%) also had constipation (group A). All 24 received treatment for constipation. Follow-up revealed an improvement in both headache and constipation in all patients. Group B contained the remaining 72 children. Comparison of groups A and B indicated a significant difference in sex ratio (P =0.009, chi-square test). Patients with probable tension-type headache were more likely to be in Group A (P =0.006, chi-square test). Conclusion: Resolution of constipation improves headache in many patients diagnosed with primary headache, especially those with probable tension-type headache. We suggest that either constipation plays a key role in triggering headache, or that both constipation and headache share a common pathophysiology.

Recent studies have given ample evidence that atopy is associated with a T-cell deficiency. This deficiency appears to be primary and not merely a consequence of disease manifestations. Several studies have indicated that the T-cell defect displays a certain selectivity, resulting in imbalance between helper and suppressor T-cell in atopics. Suppressor cells, carrying Fc IgG marker (T gamma cells) or being inducible by concanavalin A, have been found to be deficient, and recent data suggest that there is an imbalance between T8+ (cytotoxic/suppressor) and T4+ (inducer/helper) T-cells in individuals with severe atopic disease. There appears to be a negative correlation between suppressor cell activity and serum IgE levels. These findings suggest that there is a causal relationship between the T-cell deficiency and hyperproduction of IgE in atopy. The immunological abnormalities in atopy cannot be easily explained by the beta-adrenergic blockade which is associated with the disease. Further immunopharmacological studies may help to elucidate the pathogenesis of atopic disease.