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An 80‐year‐old man underwent catheter ablation for atrial tachycardia (AT), which developed after catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. The AT was diagnosed as dual‐loop tachycardia, which included peri‐mitral and roof‐dependent ATs. An ethanol infusion into the vein of Marshall resulted in left phrenic nerve paralysis. During the procedure, the phrenic nerve paralysis was completely relieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vascular toxicity is one of serious complications following cisplatin‐based chemotherapy. This case suggests that cisplatin has a potential risk of delayed occurrence of vasospastic angina. It is important to perform careful history taking including discontinued drugs for differential diagnosis of chest pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study 1/N corrections to a Wilson loop in holographic duality. Extending the AdS/CFT correspondence beyond the large N limit is an important but a subtle issue, as it needs quantum gravity corrections in the gravity side. To find a physical property of the quantum corrected geometry of near-horizon black 0-branes previously obtained by Hyakutake, we evaluate a Euclidean string worldsheet hanging down in the geometry, which corresponds to a rectangular Wilson loop in the SU(N) quantum mechanics with 16 supercharges at a finite temperature with finite N. We find that the potential energy defined by the Wilson loop increases due to the 1/N correction, therefore the quantum gravity correction weakens the gravitational attraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the impact of assimilating satellite data into atmospheric reanalyses on trends in ocean surface winds and waves. Two experiments were performed using a numerical wave model forced by near-surface winds: one derived from the Japanese 55-year Reanalysis (JRA-55; experiment A) and the other derived from JRA-55 using assimilated conventional observations only (JRA-55C; experiment B). The results showed that the satellite data assimilation reduced upward trends of the annual mean of wave energy flux (WEF) in the midlatitude North Pacific and southern ocean (30°-60°S), south of Australia, from 1959 to 2012. It was also found that the assimilation of scatterometer winds reduced the near-surface wind speed in the midlatitude North Pacific after the mid-1990s, which resulted in the reduced trend in WEF from 1959 to 2012. By contrast, assimilation of the satellite radiances for 1973-94 increased near-surface wind speed in the southern ocean, south of Australia, whereas the assimilation of the scatterometer winds after the mid-1990s reduced wind speed. The latter led to the reduced trend in WEF south of Australia from 1959 to 2012. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The link between El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the equatorial Atlantic precipitation during boreal spring (March-April-May) is explored using a coupled general circulation model (CGCM). Interannual variability of the equatorial Atlantic sea surface temperature (SST) in the CGCM is excluded by nudging the modeled SST toward the climatological monthly mean of observed SST in the equatorial Atlantic, but full air-sea coupling is allowed elsewhere. It is found that the equatorial Atlantic precipitation is reduced (increased) during El Niño (La Niña) in the case where the interannual variability of the equatorial Atlantic SST is disabled. The precipitation anomalies in the equatorial Atlantic during ENSO are not strongly associated with the meridional migration of the Atlantic inter-tropical convergence zone. We find the reduced precipitation in the equatorial Atlantic during El Niño is associated with an enhanced Atlantic Walker circulation characterized by strengthened low-level easterlies and anomalous dry, downward winds over the equatorial Atlantic, while the Pacific Walker circulation is weakened. The upper-level anomalous westerlies over the equatorial Atlantic are consistent with a Matsuno-Gill-type response to heating in the eastern equatorial Pacific. Our results of the CGCM experiments suggest that changes to the Walker circulation induced by ENSO contribute significantly to changes in precipitation over the equatorial Atlantic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many coupled general circulation models (CGCMs) suffer from serious model bias in the zonal gradient of sea surface temperature (SST) in the equatorial Atlantic. The bias of the equatorial Atlantic SST (EASST) may affect the interannual variability of the equatorial Atlantic, which in turn may influence the state of the tropical Pacific. In this paper we investigate the impact of the bias and the interannual variability of the EASST on the tropical Pacific in a CGCM. To determine the impact of the interannual variability of the EASST on the tropical Pacific, we compare a run in a fully coupled mode (CTL run) and a run in which the EASST is nudged toward the climatological monthly mean of the SST in the CTL run, but full air-sea coupling is allowed elsewhere (AT_m run). We find that, when the interannual variability of the EASST is excluded, the thermocline depth in the eastern equatorial Pacific is deepened, and the amplitude of the El Niño/Southern Oscillation is reduced by 30 % compared to the CTL run. The impact of the bias of the EASST on the tropical Pacific is investigated by comparing the AT_m run and a run in which the EASST is nudged toward the observed climatological monthly mean SST (AT_o run). It is found that, when the bias of the EASST is removed (i.e. AT_o run), the Gill-Matsuno type response to the warm SST anomalies in the western equatorial Atlantic induces low-level cyclonic anomalies in the eastern South Pacific, which leads to a deeper thermocline and colder SST in the South Pacific as compared to AT_m. The colder SST in the South Pacific reduces the precipitation along the South Pacific convergence zone. Our results of the model experiments demonstrate the importance of the EASST to the tropical Pacific climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oceanic vertical mixing is known to influence the state of the equatorial ocean which affects the climate system, including the amplitude of El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Recent measurements of ocean currents at high vertical resolution capture numerous small vertical scale structures (SVSs) within and above the equatorial thermocline that contribute significantly to vertical mixing but which are not sufficiently resolved by coarse resolution ocean models. We investigate the impact of the vertical mixing induced by the SVSs on the mean state and interannual variability in the tropical Pacific by using a coupled general circulation model. The vertical mixing induced by the SVSs is represented as an elevated vertical diffusivity from the surface down to the 20 °C isotherm depth, a proxy for the depth of the thermocline. We investigate different forms for the elevated mixing. It is found that the SVS-induced mixing strongly affect the mean state of the ocean leading to a warming of sea surface temperature (SST) and associated deepening and sharpening of the thermocline in the eastern equatorial Pacific. We find that the SST warming induced by the elevated mixing is further strengthened through the Bjerknes feedback and SST-shortwave flux feedback. We also find a reduction in the number of large amplitude ENSO events and in certain cases an increase in the skewness of ENSO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been widely believed that the tropical Pacific trade winds weakened in the last century and would further decrease under a warmer climate in the 21st century. Recent high-quality observations. however, suggest that the tropical Pacific winds have actually strengthened in the past two decades. Precise causes of the recent Pacific climate shift are uncertain. Here we explore how the enhanced tropical Indian Ocean warming in recent decades favors stronger trade winds in the western Pacific via the atmosphere and hence is likely to have contributed to the La Nina-like state (with enhanced east-west Walker circulation) through the Pacific oceanatmosphere interactions. Further analysis, based on 163 climate model simulations with centennial historical and projected external radiative forcing, suggests that the Indian Ocean warming relative to the Pacific's could play an important role in modulating the Pacific climate changes in the 20th and 21st centuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Recent high vertical resolution measurements show small vertical scale structures (SVSs) are present in the flow above and within the equatorial thermocline and that these structures contribute significantly to ocean mixing. The SVSs are typically unresolved in OGCMs and thus their impact needs to be parameterized. We investigate the impact of the mixing induced by the SVSs on the state of the equatorial Pacific in an ocean general circulation model (OGCM). As a first step to determine the importance of the SVS induced mixing we introduce an enhanced mixing within and above the equatorial thermocline. It is found that this enhanced mixing reduces the stratification above the thermocline, and sharpens the thermocline through the Phillips effect. The sharpened thermocline limits the exchange of heat across the thermocline and traps the surface heating above the thermocline. The reduced stratification leads to less cooling of the mixed layer through entrainment, a reduced annual cycle and an increase in the annual mean of the sea surface temperature (SST) in the eastern equatorial cold tongue. The depth dependency in enhanced SVS mixing is crucial to its impact; when the enhanced mixing is applied throughout the depth of the ocean (as has been done usually in previous studies,) the cold tongue SST is cooled further. In the western equatorial Pacific, where the thermocline is deeper, SVS enhanced mixing induces a colder SST. We also find that the SVS mixing reduces the eddy kinetic energy associated with the tropical instability waves through a reduction of the meridional and vertical shear of the equatorial currents and temperature gradient. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Thirty-six cadavers (55 sides) were used to observe the innervation of the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and its circumference structures with gross anatomical and histological methods to clarify the cause of indistinct pain in the lateral part of the knee joint. The innervating branches of the LCL could be divided into three types: (1) from the muscular branch of the biceps femoris muscle at lower 1/3 level of the thigh; (2) from the common fibular nerve (CFN) at the higher level of the fossa poplitea; (3) from the CFN at the level of the caput fibular. Furthermore, the three branches could singly or plurally distribute to the LCL (six types). Two of the connecting tissue membranes surrounding the surface of LCL formed an incomplete sheath structure, and a shutting “gap” was observed between the two membranes. Fine peripheral nervous branches were also observed in the two of the membranes. On the other hand, three types of nerve endings in the LCL (Type Ι/Ruffini mechanoreceptor; Type ΙΙΙ/Golgi mechanoreceptor; Type ΙV/free nerve ending) were observed, and their presence was consistent with the ankle joint of humans. Therefore, the innervation of the two membranes (to form the shutting gap) in the surface of LCL may be associated with an indistinct pain when the knee joint is damaged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The compressive behavior of multiply delaminated composite plates was numerically evaluated considering both structural instability and delamination growth in order to clarify the reason for the significant reduction in the compressive strength of composite laminates that results from an impact. Embedded circular delaminations were placed at regular intervals in the thickness direction at the plate center. A three-dimensional block element was used to discretize the laminates, and a cohesive element was placed at the same planes as the delaminations. The cohesive element had a bilinear relationship between traction and relative displacement, and the element failed when the energy stored in it exceeded a threshold, that is, the critical energy release rate of the interface. Through the present numerical study we found that the applied load dropped after slight increase of the load when the delaminations started growing, and the delamination growth in the buckled laminate governed the compressive strength of the damaged composite laminates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction Methods and Results Conclusion Transvenous lead extractions (TLEs) for cardiac implantable electronic device complications often encounter difficulties with strong adhesions to the myocardium or vessels. In this report, we introduce a novel “Four‐Stage Rocket” technique for effective TLE in cases where conventional methods fail.Two challenging cases where conventional TLE methods failed were treated using a combination of four devices: Needle's Eye Snare, Agilis NxT Steerable Introducer, GlideLight Laser sheath, and GORE® DrySeal Flex Introducer sheath, employed via the inferior vena cava. The “Four‐Stage Rocket” technique successfully detached firmly adhered leads near the tricuspid valve annulus, where the traditional superior vena cava approach was inadequate.The “Four‐Stage Rocket” technique offers a potential alternative in complex TLE cases, aligning the laser direction with the adhesion detachment and reducing the tissue damage risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate the usefulness of a high-quality SiC mirror for the high-power operation of vacuum ultraviolet lasers. A void free SiC film of 400-µm thickness was deposited onto a highpurity graphite substrate by chemical vapor deposition. The super-polished SiC mirror, whose surface roughness was 0.2 nm rms, was used as a cavity reflector of a high-power Ar excimer laser, which operates at 126 nm. The highest output energy of 400 mJ/cm² per pulse, which corresponds to the energy density of 1 J/cm² on the SiC mirror surface, has been obtained without any damage to the SiC mirrors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

P-Chirogenic trialkylphosphonium salts were prepared from the corresponding free phosphines by treatment with a strong acid (HBF4 or HOTf). No racemization of the phosphonium salts occurred in methanol or water even at considerably high temperature. The salts were conveniently used in rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of enamides. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: The optimal slow pathway (SP) ablation site in cases with an inferiorly located His bundle (HIS) remains unclear. Methods and Results: In 45 patients with atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia, the relationship between the HIS location and successful SP ablation site was assessed in electroanatomical maps. We assessed the location of the SP ablation site relative to the bottom of the coronary sinus ostium in the superior‐to‐inferior (SPSI), anterior‐to‐posterior (SPAP), and right‐to‐left (SPRL) directions. The HIS location was assessed in the same manner. The HIS location in the superior‐to‐inferior direction (HISSI), SPSI, SPAP, and SPRL were 17.7 ± 6.4, 1.7 ± 6.4, 13.6 ± 12.3, and −1.0 ± 13.0 mm, respectively. The HISSI was positively correlated with SPSI (R2 = 0.62; P <.01) and SPAP (R2 = 0.22; P <.01), whereas it was not correlated with SPRL (R2 = 0.01; P =.65). The distance between the HIS and SP ablation site was 17.7 ± 6.4 mm and was not affected by the location of HIS. The ratio of the amplitudes of atrial and ventricular potential recorded at the SP ablation site did not differ between the high HIS group (HISSI ≥ 13 mm) and low HIS group (HISSI < 13 mm) (0.10 ± 0.06 vs. 0.10 ± 0.06; P =.38). Conclusion: In cases with an inferiorly located HIS, SP ablation should be performed at a lower and more posterior site than in typical cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 77‐year‐old man underwent catheter ablation of an atrial tachycardia (AT) after a pulmonary vein (PV) isolation of atrial fibrillation. The AT appeared to be a figure‐of‐eight reentrant AT by high‐resolution mapping: one reentrant circuit rotated clockwise within the right PV (RPV) carina and the other rotated counterclockwise via two conduction gaps along the previous RPV isolation line. However, entrainment pacing from the carina and conduction gaps suggested that the AT was an intra‐carina localized reentrant AT with a passive loop around the anterior RPV isolation line via those gaps. A radiofrequency application at the RPV carina terminated the AT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Average beat interval (BI) and beat interval variability (BIV) are primarily determined by mutual entrainment between the autonomic-nervous system (ANS) and intrinsic mechanisms that govern sinoatrial node (SAN) cell function. While basal heart rate is not affected by age in humans, age-dependent reductions in intrinsic heart rate have been documented even in so-called healthy individuals. The relative contributions of the ANS and intrinsic mechanisms to age-dependent deterioration of SAN function in humans are not clear. We recorded ECG on patients (n = 16 < 21 years and n = 23 41–78 years) in the basal state and after ANS blockade (propranolol and atropine) in the presence of propofol and dexmedetomidine anesthesia. Average BI and BIV were analyzed. A set of BIV features were tested to designated the "signatures" of the ANS and intrinsic mechanisms and also the anesthesia "signature". In young patients, the intrinsic mechanisms and ANS mainly contributed to long- and short-term BIV, respectively. In adults, both ANS and intrinsic mechanisms contributed to short-term BIV, while the latter also contributed to long-term BIV. Furthermore, anesthesia affected ANS function in young patients and both mechanisms in adult. The work also showed that intrinsic mechanism features can be calculated from BIs, without intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current Japanese guideline for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) recommends 500-m walk electrocardiogram (ECG) test for patients with STEMI during hospitalization. However, little is known regarding the association between acute phase 500-m walk ECG test and clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between 500-m walk ECG test and mid-term clinical outcomes in patients with STEMI. A total of 313 STEMI patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary interventions were included, and were divided into the successful 500-m group (n = 263) and the unsuccessful 500-m group (n = 50). The primary endpoint was the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), which were defined as the composite of all cause death, acute myocardial infarction, readmission for heart failure, and ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization (TVR). During the follow-up period (median 223 days), a total of 55 MACE were observed. The log-rank test revealed that MACE, all cause death, readmission for heart failure, and ischemia-driven TVR were more frequently observed in the unsuccessful 500-m group than the successful 500-m group. In the multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, the unsuccessful 500-m walk ECG test was significantly associated with MACE (OR 5.62, 95% CI 3.08–10.08, P < 0.01) after controlling confounding factors such as age, and serum creatinine levels. In conclusion, the unsuccessful 500-m walk ECG test was significantly associated with poor mid-term outcomes in patients with STEMI. Our results suggest the usefulness of 500-m walk ECG test to stratify the high-risk group from patients with STEMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, three cases of rough-sea navigation in the Southern Hemisphere were reproduced using the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's WAVEWATCH III. Different wind inputs with various spatial and temporal resolutions were considered, originating from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction Final (NCEP-FNL) Operation Model Global Tropospheric Analyses, the European Center for Medium-range Weather Forecasts Interim Reanalysis (ERA-Interim), and the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. The simulated waves (wave hindcasts) were validated using measured onboard ship motion data. Comparisons of measured and simulated pitch motion indicated that each of the different wind inputs produced reasonable first-order estimates of rough waves. However, for application to a ship's weather routing systems, wind input selection should be carefully considered. For example, near-surface winds from the ERA-Interim underestimated rough waves, while those from the NCEP-FNL Analyses had a contrary tendency. In addition, although the wind inputs from the ERA-Interim produced wave hindcasts that is more consistent with measured results, these same inputs generally underestimated the increasing-phase pitch motion under severe weather conditions, which poses a danger for ships. Thus, the use of wind inputs from NCEP-FNL Analyses or higher-resolution WRF model is recommended for application to ship weather routing systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distinct pattern of interannual variability in sea surface temperature (SST) in the South Pacific [i.e., the South Pacific subtropical dipole (SPSD)] is examined using outputs from a coupled general circulation model. The SPSD appears as the second empirical orthogonal function (EOF) mode of the SST anomalies in the South Pacific and is associated with a northeast-southwest-oriented dipole of positive and negative SST anomalies in the central basin. The positive and negative SST anomaly poles start to develop during austral spring, reach their peak during austral summer, and gradually decay afterward. Close examination of mixed-layer heat balance yields that the SST anomaly poles develop mainly because warming of the mixed layer by shortwave radiation is modulated by the anomalous mixed-layer thickness. Over the positive (negative) pole, the mixed layer becomes thinner (thicker) than normal and acts to enhance (reduce) the warming of the mixed layer by climatological shortwave radiation. This thinner (thicker) mixed layer may be related to the suppressed (enhanced) evaporation associated with the overlying sea level pressure (SLP) anomalies. Weaker-than-normal surface wind also contributes to the thinner mixed layer in the case of the positive pole. Furthermore, the SLP anomalies are linked with the geopotential height anomalies in the upper troposphere and are associated with a stationary Rossby wave pattern along the westerly jet in the midlatitudes. This suggests that the SLP anomalies that generate the SPSD are not locally excited but remotely induced signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the size of the isolated surface area and non-ablated left atrial posterior area after extensive encircling pulmonary vein isolation (EEPVI) for non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) on arrhythmia recurrence. This study included 132 consecutive persistent AF patients who underwent EEPVI guided by Ablation Index (AI). The isolated antral surface area (IASA) excluding the pulmonary veins, the non-ablated left atrial (LA) posterior wall surface area (PWSA), the ratio of IASA to LA surface area (IASA/LA ratio), and the ratio of PWSA to LA surface area (PWSA/LA ratio) were assessed using CARTO3 and the association with AF and atrial tachycardia (AT) recurrence was examined. At a mean follow-up of 13.2 ± 7.3 months, sinus rhythm was maintained in 115 (87%) patients. In the univariate Cox regression analysis, the factors that significantly predicted AT/AF recurrence were a history of heart failure, a higher CHA2DS2-VASc score, a larger LA diameter, and a larger PWSA/LA ratio. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the independent predictors of AT/AF recurrence were LA diameter [hazard ratio (HR) 1.120 per 1 mm increase; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.006–1.247; P = 0.039] and PWSA/LA ratio (HR 1.218 per 1% increase; 95% CI 1.041–1.425; P = 0.014). Receiver operating characteristics curve analysis yielded an optimal cut-off value of 8% for the PWSA/LA ratio. The Kaplan–Meier survival curve showed that patients with a larger PWSA/LA ratio had poorer clinical outcomes (Log-rank P = 0.001). A larger PWSA/LA ratio was associated with a high AT/AF recurrence rate in patients with non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Local impedance (LI) drops during radiofrequency ablation can predict lesion formation. Some conduction gaps during pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) can be associated with nonendocardial connections. This study aimed to investigate the incidence, characteristics, and predictors of endocardial and nonendocardial conduction gaps during an LI‐guided PVI. Methods and Results: We prospectively enrolled 157 consecutive patients undergoing an initial LI‐guided extensive PVI of atrial fibrillation (AF). After the first‐pass encirclement, the residual conduction gaps and reconnected gaps were mapped using Rhythmia (Boston Scientific) and a mini‐basket catheter. Right and left PV (RPV/LPV) gaps were observed in 22.3% and 18.5% of the patients, respectively: 27 endocardial and 49 nonendocardial gaps. The carina regions were common sites for the gaps (51 carina‐related vs. 25 noncarina‐related). The carina‐related gaps consisted of more nonendocardial gaps than endocardial gaps (RPVs: 90.0% vs. 10.0%, p =.001; LPVs: 76.2% vs. 23.8%, p <.001). A univariate analysis revealed that paroxysmal AF and the left atrial (LA) volume index for RPV endocardial gaps (odds ratio [OR]: 8.640 and 0.946; p =.043 and 0.009), minor right inferior PV diameter for RPV nonendocardial gaps (OR: 1.165; p =.028), and major left inferior PV diameter for LPV endocardial gaps (OR: 1.233; p =.028) were significant predictors. Conclusions: During the LI‐guided PVI, approximately two‐thirds of the conduction gaps were nonendocardial. The carina regions had more conduction gaps than noncarina regions, which was due to the presence of nonendocardial connections. Paroxysmal AF, a lower LA volume index, and larger inferior PV diameters may increase the risk of conduction gaps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The difference in the incidence and characteristics of silent cerebral events (SCEs) after radiofrequency‐based atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation between the different mapping catheters and indices used for guiding radiofrequency ablation remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the incidence and characteristics of postablation SCEs between the following two groups: Group C, Ablation Index‐guided ablation using two circular mapping catheters with CARTO (Biosense Webster); Group R, local impedance‐guided ablation using one mini‐basket catheter and one circular mapping with Rhythmia (Boston Scientific). Methods and Results: Of 211 consecutive patients who underwent an AF ablation and brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging after the ablation, 120 patients (each group, n = 60) were selected by propensity score matching. SCEs were detected in 37 patients (30.8%). Group R had a higher incidence of SCEs (51.7% vs. 10.0%; p <.001) and more SCEs per patient (median, 3 vs. 1, p =.028) than Group C. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that nonparoxysmal AF and being Group R were independent positive predictors of SCEs (odds ratios, 6.930 and 15.464; both p <.001). On the follow‐up MR imaging, all SCEs in Group C and 87.9% of the SCEs in Group R disappeared (p =.537). Conclusions: Group R had a significantly higher incidence of SCEs than Group C. Most probably the use of a complexly designed basket mapping catheter is the reason for the difference in the incidence of SCEs but further validation is needed. A nonparoxysmal form of AF may also increase the risk of SCEs during these ablation procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Air bubble intrusion through transseptal sheaths during left atrial (LA) catheter ablation can cause cerebral embolisms, especially when using complex‐shape catheters. This study aimed to compare the incidence of silent cerebral events (SCEs) after atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation using a mini‐basket catheter (IntellaMap Orion; Boston Scientific) between the following groups: group SP, strict prevention of LA air intrusion and group CP, conventional air intrusion prevention. Methods: We enrolled 123 consecutive AF patients (group SP, n = 61 and group CP, n = 62) who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging after a local‐impedance‐guided ablation using one mini‐basket catheter and one circular mapping catheter. The preventive strategy in group SP included (a) the insertion of the mini‐basket catheter into the transseptal sheaths in a container filled with heparinized saline and (b) no exchange of all catheters over the sheaths. Results: SCEs were detected in 67 patients (54.5%), and the incidence of SCEs did not significantly differ between groups SP and CP (55.7% vs 53.2%; P =.780). A multivariate analysis demonstrated that an older age, non‐paroxysmal AF, and radiofrequency (RF) power output were independent positive predictors of SCEs (odds ratios: 1.079, 5.613, and 1.405; P =.005, <.001, and.012). On the follow‐up MR imaging, 83.5% of the SCEs in group SP and 87.7% in group CP disappeared (P =.398). Conclusions: Strict prevention of LA air intrusion may have no additional effect for reducing the incidence of SCEs after local impedance‐guided AF ablation using a mini‐basket catheter. An older age, non‐paroxysmal AF, and high‐power RF applications may increase the risk of SCEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrated enhancement of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) emission at 13.5 nm from a lithium plasma by use of dual laser pulses. A single laser pulse produced a lithium plasma condition for the EUV emission far beyond its optimum. Utilization of dual laser pulses, however, enhanced the EUV emission energy, and its maximum in-band EUV conversion efficiency (CE) in a measured solid angle was observed to be 2.4% at a pulse separation time between 20 and 50 ns. The EUV CE became 1.8 times as large as that produced by a single laser pulse, which was one of the highest values ever reported. Enhancement of the EUV CE was attributed to the decrease of the plasma temperature and density to their optimum values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have characterized a discharge-produced potassium plasma extreme ultraviolet (XUV) source. Potassium ions produced strong broadband emission around 40 nm with a bandwidth of 8 nm (full width at half-maximum). By comparison with atomic structure calculations, the broadband emission is found to be primarily due to 3d-3p transitions in potassium ions ranging from K2+ to K4+. The current-voltage characteristics of the microdischarge suggest that the source operates in a hollow cathode mode and consequently the emitting ions may be localized on the potassium electrode surface at the hole into the capillary. To understand the spectral behavior from the potassium plasmas we compared the spectra from the discharge-produced plasma with that from a laser-produced plasma. The spectra from the different (electric and laser) plasmas at the same electron temperature (12 eV) were almost the same. This compact capillary XUV source with a photon energy of 30 eV is a useful XUV emission source for surface morphology applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is to propose an information management technique, which is easy to understand by humans and easy to utile analysis program, in order to manage complicated machines and facilities. To manage the facilities, we show a modeling that partly defines the structure of the facilities by set theory, further defines the requirements for joining the subset of structured identifiers on consistency. In verification of the proposal and programming method, we show how to control the amount of information of structured identifier as uniquely identifier. As a result, we show our proposal is useful to address real problems in management software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maritime transportation is becoming increasingly complex owing to the fluctuation of oil prices, the introduction of environmental guidelines, and the onset of climate change. Although optimal routing has been researched for decades, few studies have investigated speed loss in rough waves for ships with blunt shape and low speed. Onboard measurement of a 28,000DWT bulk carrier has been conducted for six years in rough sea voyages in the Southern Hemisphere. It is necessary to validate the wave and wind conditions in order to discuss speed loss in these situations. Here, numerical simulation of speed loss is developed and conducted for each estimated wave condition. The speed losses under different numerical models of added resistance are quantitatively compared in two rough sea voyages. The simulated results of speed loss are in good agreement with the measured results if the estimated wave is accurate and the wave direction is properly defined. The speed loss accuracy is significantly influenced by the wave estimation accuracy or wave direction setting compared to that in the numerical models of added resistance in actual seas. Simulated results provide important information to evaluate the performance of a ship with blunt shape in rough waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have demonstrated the photon-stimulated surface spectroscopy using broadband vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) emissions from a laser-produced plasma, in which adsorbed atoms or molecules on material surfaces were to be desorbed and dissociated as a result of absorption of the wavelength-selected VUV photons. Desorbed and dissociated atoms or molecules were then detected by a mass spectrometer. Mass spectra of polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride samples were obtained as a function of the irradiation wavelength. We have found sufficient characteristic differences of the mass spectra in the irradiation wavelength shorter than 200 nm in each sample. The desorption and dissociation of atoms or molecules from material surfaces depended on bond energy or molecular structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A terahertz linear polarizer was developed with a single crystal of methyl 4-nitrobenzoate. Several IR-active vibrations with parallel moments of transition were concentrated in a frequency range around 2.7 THz. These results establish a new category of polarizers. [Display omitted] • A terahertz linear polarizer was made of an organic single crystal. • A single crystal of methyl 4-nitrobenzoate has clear anisotropy. • The anisotropy is mainly due to one or two parallel fundamental modes. • The same strategy will allow the development of higher quality polarizers. A terahertz linear polarizer was developed using a single crystal of methyl 4-nitrobenzoate. Flat molecules are arranged in parallel in the crystal and the intramolecular vibrations efficiently absorb terahertz waves with high anisotropy. Several infrared-active intramolecular vibrations with parallel moments of transition concentrate in a frequency band between 2.2 and 3.2 THz. The highest degree of polarization of 76% was achieved at 2.74 THz (T max = 80%, T min = 11%). This result establishes a new category of polarizer that can be manufactured in a simple process at low cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) continua emitted from a laser-produced plasma have been utilized for the spectroscopy of a solid state laser material. An absorption spectrum of 0.1%Nd:LaF[sub 3] has been measured by use of the continuum emission. The minimum absorption coefficient of 1.4 cm[sup -1] was evaluated at 174 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose and demonstrate the use of a photostimulable phosphor material, BaFBr:Eu2+, for recording two-dimensional intensity distributions within output beams of vacuum ultraviolet lasers. The sensitivity characteristics were measured not only for nanosecond pulsed radiation from KrF, ArF, and Ar2 excimer lasers but also for quasi-continuous-wave synchrotron radiation. We designed and constructed a laser beam profiler to record, read, and erase images in vacuum. The intensity distribution in the output beams from an Ar2 excimer laser was measured with it, and then the threshold gas pressure for obtaining the well collimated beams was found to be 22 kg/cm2. The intensity is not uniform in the beams but stronger in the peripheral part than in the central one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have demonstrated a discharge-produced microplasma extreme ultraviolet source based on a pure potassium vapor. Potassium ions produced strong broadband emission around 40 nm with a bandwidth of 8 nm (full width at half-maximum). The current-voltage characteristics of microdischarge suggest that the source operates in a hollow cathode mode. By comparison with atomic structure calculations, the broadband emission is found to be primarily due to 3d-3p transitions in potassium ions ranging from K2+ to K4+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrated a low-debris, efficient laser-produced plasma extreme ultraviolet (EUV) source by use of a regenerative liquid microjet target containing tin-dioxide (SnO2) nanoparticles. By using a low SnO2 concentration (6%) solution and dual laser pulses for the plasma control, we observed the EUV conversion efficiency of 1.2% with undetectable debris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We measured debris characteristics of a tin (Sn) plasma produced by a 10-ns infrared Nd:YAG laser. A maximum kinetic energy of 7 keV of tin ions was observed. Such suprathermal tin ions emitted from a solid planar target consisted of singly and doubly ionized tin ions. Both suprathermal ions and neutral fragments emitted from a target showed the angular distributions of cos4 θ which were narrower than the 13.5-nm extreme ultraviolet (EUV) emission distribution of cos0.5 θ. These measurements would give important information on debris mitigation for efficient EUV sources in the next generation lithography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A proof-of-principle experiment was demonstrated to optimize a Li-based microjet target coupled to dual subpicosecond laser pulses as a 13.5 nm soft x-ray emission source. An optimum pulse duration of 450 fs to achieve a maximum emission at 13.5 nm was well explained by the resonant absorption process. Utilization of dual femtosecond pulses revealed that the optimum pulse separation around 500 ps was necessary to achieve a maximum soft x-ray conversion efficiency of 0.2%, where plasma hydrodynamics could not be neglected. A one-fluid two-temperature hydrodynamic simulation reproduced this optimum pulse separation behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) flash lamp using a binary rare gas mixture excited by a pulsed silent discharge. In a Kr/Xe silent discharge, the VUV emission spectral width was extended up to 26 nm full width at half-maximum (FWHM) at a center wavelength of 162 nm. According to kinetic analyses, such a spectral extension in mixed rare gases is attributed to the simultaneous emissions from heteronuclear rare gas excimers (KrXe*) and homonuclear rare gas excimers (Kr2* and Xe2*). © 1996 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have demonstrated an excitation method to produce Kr[sub 2][sup *] by using soft x rays emitted from a laser-produced plasma. We have found that Kr[sup 2+] ions were directly produced by photoionization of Kr atoms by soft x rays. The behavior of Kr[sub 2][sup *] emission was similar to that of Kr[sup 2+], indicating fast relaxation processes to produce Kr[sub 2][sup *] from Kr[sup 2+] during the plasma producing laser pulse. Numerical results based on a photoionization model of Kr reproduced the experimental results, which verified the production of Kr[sub 2][sup *] initiated by the photoionization of Kr. © 1998 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]