Search

Background The exact differences between the TU wave complex of ATS1 and that of healthy individuals remain to be investigated. We sought to characterize the TU wave complex of Andersen–Tawil syndrome type 1 (ATS1) using high frequency electrocardiogram (ECG) data. Methods Electrocardiograms were recorded as time series data with a 2 kHz frequency ECG amplifier in 13 patients with ATS1 (positive for KCNJ2 mutation, ATS1 group) and age‐matched healthy individuals (control group). Conventional ECG parameters were measured, and principal component analysis (PCA) and independent component analysis (ICA) were applied to the TU wave complex. Results Time from T peak (Tp) to U peak (Up), time from bottom (B) to Up, and time from B to U end (BUe, U duration) (0.232 ± 0.018 vs. 0.165 ± 0.017, p

Summary The inhomogeneous structure of poly(styrene-ran-butadiene) (SBR) rubber crosslinked by sulfur has been investigated with the combination of Focusing small angle neutron scattering (Focusing SANS) and conventional small angle scattering (SANS) methods. A new inhomogeneous structure is found at smaller q-region in the SBR rubber in swollen state with Focusing SANS method, in addition to crosslinked network mesh and crosslinking inhomogeneity, which have already been found in chemical gels by several authors. The new inhomogeneous structure may be originated from the inhomogeneity of Sulfur or ZnO.

The flocculation of silica during vulcanization is monitored using the ultra small-angle X-ray scattering technique for two different types of silica: a highly dispersible silica (HD) and a conventional silica (CV), mixed into a blend of S-SBR and BR rubbers. The cutoff length of the silica aggregate Rss and the mass fractal dimension Dm, which indicate the degree of flocculation of aggregates, are estimated according to the modified unified equation. The aggregate radius Ra is estimated to be related to the lower cutoff length Rss, indicating the radius of gyration of the mass-fractal structure. For both silicas, Ra increases during vulcanization. For the CV silica, an increase of Dm is observed, whereas no significant increase of Dm can be seen for the HD silica. The Ra of CV is relatively high compared with that of HD. On the other hand, the CV silica shows a relatively lower Dm compared with that of HD. These results indicate that CV has a larger size of aggregates and lower degree of agglomeration of its aggregates. The presence of di(tri-ethoxy-silyl-propyl)tetrasulfide (TESPT) as coupling agent between the silica and rubber decreases the aggregate radius of silica. However, in the absence of TESPT, a low mass-fractal dimension, which means a low degree of agglomeration of aggregates, is observed. This results from a lower mobility of silica aggregates, depending on the size of the aggregates. The silica loading also has an influence on the flocculation process. The aggregate radius increases as the silica loading is increased. At the same time, a higher mass-fractal dimension, and therefore also a higher degree of agglomeration, can be seen at higher silica loading.

Since the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident, radioactive substances have been continually monitored in foods collected in the city of Kyoto, Japan. The importance of the monitoring was increased by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in March 2011. Here, the detection rates and concentrations of radioactive substances were compared among food samples collected before and after the accident in Fukushima prefecture. Before the accident, (137)Cs was the only radioactive substance detected in foods. The detection rate was 70% for fish and shellfish samples and the highest concentration was 1.7 Bq/kg. It was also 83% for fresh mushroom samples and the highest concentration was 7.5 Bq/kg. In contrast, the detection rate was low for vegetables and the concentrations were also lower than those of the above samples. On the other hand, after the accident, (131)I was detected in food produced in the Tohoku and Kanto areas. Actually, (131)I (3,400 Bq/kg), (134)Cs (280 Bq/kg), and (137)Cs (280 Bq/kg) were detected in mizuna, a leaf vegetable, on March 23, 2011. These radioactive substances were detected in all leaf vegetable samples examined in March and April 2011, but they were not detected in samples examined in November 2011. (131)I was not detected in any food sample examined after May 2011. However, (137)Cs (average=7.9 Bq/kg) was consistently detected in fish and shellfish samples until November, although the concentrations were less than the regulatory limits. It appears unlikely that foods containing radioactive substances over the regulatory limits are currently being distributed in Kyoto.

The use of iron pistons is increasing due to the higher power requirements of diesel truck engines. Expansion of the iron piston is a common concern. The purpose of this study is to clarify the lubrication conditions of cast iron and steel pistons. Friction of steel and cast iron pistons were measured using the floating liner method. The friction of conventional aluminum pistons was also measured for comparison in this study. The measurement of the secondary motion of each piston was carried out to analyse piston friction, and the following findings were obtained. The cast iron piston showed boundary lubrication at compression top dead center (TDC). This is presumably caused by the larger tilting angle of the piston induced by the larger piston clearance. Steel pistons showed hydrodynamic lubrication conditions at TDC and BDC through each cycle, due to a good oil supply.

In a previous study [Takenaka et al., Macromolecules 42, 308 (2009)], we have investigated the polymer layers absorbed on silica (Si) particles in rubber–Si systems with the contrast variation small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) method. We have investigated the polymer layers absorbed on carbon black (CB) particles in rubber–CB systems with contrast variation SANS method. The scattering intensities of specimens swollen by the solvents having various scattering length densities were measured. The contrast variation SANS for the specimens yielded partial scattering functions: the scattering function for polymer–polymer correlation SPP(q), the scattering function for CB–CB correlation SCC(q), and the scattering function for polymer–CB correlation SPC(q). The analyses of SCC(q) explored the structures of the aggregates formed by CB particles. The analyses of SPC(q) and SCC(q) clarified the existence of dense polymer layers around CB aggregates. Several characteristic parameters are estimated from the analyses, such as the size of aggregates, the thickness of layers, and the volume fractions of polymer layers and matrix. We found that the adsorption layer around CB aggregates is thicker than that around Si aggregates in rubber–Si systems.

Background— The main ECG criteria for the diagnosis of long-QT syndrome (LQTS) include abnormal T-wave morphology as well as prolonged QT interval. The T wave in LQTS probably includes additional components of the myocardial repolarization process, which are derived from aberrant ion currents. We investigated whether independent component analysis (ICA) can extract such abnormal repolarization components. Methods and Results— Digital ECG data were obtained as a time series from 10 channels using 20 surface electrodes in 22 patients with genetically confirmed LQTS type 1 (LQT1) and 30 normal subjects. In each case, T-wave area was analyzed by radical ICA after noise reduction by the wavelet thresholding method. Furthermore, inverse ICA was applied to determine the origin of each independent component (IC). Radical ICA revealed that a T-wave consisted of 4 basic ICs in all control subjects, whereas ≥5 (mostly 6) ICs were identified in all 22 patients with LQT1. The extra ICs, which were not evident in normal subjects, were assumed to contribute to the formation of abnormal T-wave morphology. The extra ICs were identified even in patients with normal QTc values and in those taking β-blockers. Inverse ICA indicated that the additional ICs originate predominantly from the late phase of the T wave of the left ventricle. Conclusions— Extra ICs appear during repolarization in all patients with LQT1 but not in normal subjects. ICA is a potentially useful multivariate statistical method to differentiate patients with LQT1 from normal subjects.

Frictional experiments of rubber against spherical hard solids were carried out. The contact states between the rubber specimens and the spherical solids were observed by using X-ray imaging method in SPring-8; Beam line 19B2; X-ray energy = 25 keV; Pixcel size of X-ray images = 10 μm. The real time observation by using the brilliant X-ray of the synchrotron was applied to characterize the contact states of opaque rubbers during friction. Under the following conditions, diameter of glass sphere as the mated surface = 3 mm and transverse velocity of the mated surface = 0.3 mm/s, the contacting geometry and frictional force were measured simultaneously, and then relationship between the contact state and the frictional force was investigated. The frictional force shows a correlation with the contact area or the shear stress of the rubber. Consequently, it was summarized that the real time observation during friction using X-ray imaging is very effective to understand the mechanism of rubber friction. The synchrotron radiation experiments were performed at BL19B2 in the SPring-8 with approval of the Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI) (Proposal No. 2005B0877).

The polymer layers adsorbed on carbon black (CB) aggregates in rubber/CB systems have been investigated with contrast variation small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) method. Specimens were swollen by toluene/deuterated toluene solvents having various scattering length densities and their scattering intensities were measured with SANS. The contrast variation SANS for the specimens yielded partial scattering functions: the scattering function for polymer-polymer correlation Spp(q), the scattering function for CB- CB correlation Scc(q), and the scattering function for polymer- CB correlation Spc(q). The analyses of the partial scattering functions explored the existence of dense polymer layers around CB aggregates. Several characteristic parameters are estimated from the analyses, such as the size of aggregates, the thickness of layers, and the volume fractions of polymer of layers and matrix.

Long QT syndrome is a high-risk condition associated with arrhythmia due to its sudden cause of death. Prenatal diagnosis of long QT syndrome, however, is impossible using the fetal echocardiogram. Here we present the first reported case of long QT syndrome in which a prenatal diagnosis was made using non-invasive fetal electrocardiogram. We consider that the non-invasive fetal electrocardiogram may be a good method for diagnosing fetal QT prolongation.

The polymer layers adsorbed on silica particles in rubber−silica systems have been investigated with the contrast variation small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) method. The scattering intensities of specimens swollen by solvents with various scattering length densities were measured. The contrast variation SANS for the specimens yielded partial scattering functions: the scattering function for polymer−polymer correlation SPP(q), the scattering function for silica−silica correlation SSS(q), and the scattering function for polymer−silica correlation SPS(q). The analyses of SSS(q) explored the hierarchical structures formed by silica particles. The analyses of SPS(q) and SSS(q) clarified the existence of dense polymer layers around silica aggregates. Several characteristic parameters are estimated from the analyses, such as the size of aggregates, the thickness of layers, the volume fractions of polymer of layers and matrix, and the correlation length of the matrix network. The contrast variation SANS is fo...

Our aim was to demonstrate a digital analyzing method that could extract the potential of early excitation derived from accessory conductive pathway (ACP) from fusion of the QRS complex wave of the electrocardiogram of Wolf-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. A 13-year-old boy with WPW syndrome received successful catheter ablation therapy. ECG was recorded and analyzed using independent component analysis (ICA) and inverse independent component analysis (I-ICA), at pretherapy and posttherapy. We identified the ACP potential and the following potential spread to the ventricle. Results agreed with those of intracardiac mapping, locating the ACP in the left posterior side of the heart. ICA and I-ICA might be useful for noninvasive analysis of WPW syndrome ECG and other electrocardiac abnormalities.

We studied 96 mass outbreaks of infectious gastroenteritis due to Norovirus in winter 2006-2007. Of these, 56 occurred in welfare institutions for aging adults 31 in hospitals, and 9 in other facilities such as kinder gardens. Affected staff accounted for 25.9% and users (inpatients, etc.) for 74.1%. The shortest outbreak lasted 10 days and the longest 67 days. We found a positive corelation between periods from the beginning of an outbreak to warnings by public health centers and periods from the beginning to the end of outbreaks. The sooner advice was aired by public health centers, the sooner outbreaks ended. Dementia among users and insufficient knowledge and skills of staff were high risk factors in outbreaks. All 74 of specimens which we examined showed the GII4 genotype. We observed reoutbreaks at three institutions. We compared first and second specimens from the same institution. Two specimens from the second outbreak belonged to the same cluster as the first outbreak. We analyzed 310 bases of RT-PCR products in Capsid regions in both specimens, finding three point mutations accompanied by amino acids changes. This may change the antigenicity of Capsid protein, and may be why reoutbreaks occurred so quickly.

The network structures in rubber containing silica particles have investigated with contrast variation small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) method. The contrast variation SANS for the rubber specimens swollen by the solvents having various scattering length densities yielded partial scattering functions: the scattering function for polymer-polymer correlation Spp (q), the scattering function for silica-silica correlation Sss(q), and the scattering function for polymer-silica correlation SPS(q). The analyses of the partial scattering functions explored the following features:(1) Silica particles form aggregates consisting of several silica particles, and (2) there are relatively dense polymer layers around silica aggregates. Several characteristic parameters are estimated from the analyses, such as the size of aggregates, the thickness of layers, the volume fractions of polymer of layers and matrix, and the correlation length of the matrix network. This result suggests that the contrast variation SANS is a powerful tool of the analyses of the structures of the rubber-filler systems.

Instrumental characterization of an adhesion interface in a rubber-brass system often faces a difficulty in exposing a clean surface due to a stick of rubber residue on a brass surface. We have succeeded in isolating an interface from the rubber matrix by inserting a filter paper between rubber and brass during the vulcanization. Clean interface was obtained by removing the filter paper after the vulcanization, enabling a detailed characterization of the interface by XPS and SEM-EDX from a practical rubber formulation. Formulation of cobalt naphthenate did not contribute to a formation of adhesion interlayer in an initial stage of cure, but greatly affected the composition of copper sulfide during the vulcanization. It was found that a dosage of cobalt improved a growth of interface at aging. Copper sulfide particles were found to be spherical at the interface for unaged specimens. It was revealed that excess growth of copper sulfide was a main feature at a humidity aging, while the growth of zinc oxide was eminent under a hot water aging. Scheme of an aging reaction was considered to depend on an interaction between brass and external factors such as heat, water, and oxygen.

Aqueous film coatings often contain some electrolytes, organic acids, and pigments to give functions of sustained release, time-controlled release, or protection against light. Additions of some electrolytes or organic acids into latex dispersion for an aqueous film coating affect its colloidal stability. We characterized the aqueous polymeric latexes used in the pharmaceutical industry by measuring zeta potential and particle size, and evaluated this colloidal stability using DLVO theory. Three polymethacrylate-based aqueous polymeric latexes, Eudragit L30D-55, Eudragit RS30D and Eudragit NE30D, having anionic, cationic, and neutral polymer, respectively, were used in this study. The Hamaker constant of the polymethacrylate-based latex was determined to be 6.35 x 10(-21) J, and the total potential energy of the latex dispersion was calculated. The total potential energy of interaction between pairs of latex particles changes by altering the salt concentration and pH. The experimental results of stability in the anionic and the cationic latex dispersions can be explained by the total interaction energies. However, the stabilization of the neutral latex did not match the calculated result. The steric interaction produced by the surfactant likely resulted in the stable dispersion of this latex.

Once the fetal electrocardiogram (FECG) waveforms from ECG on the maternal abdomen are detected, the fetal P wave and T wave cannot always be identified by using continuous wavelet transform (CWT). We took noninvasive FECG from the maternal abdomen, extracted it from the maternal electrocardiogram waveforms after an Independent Component Analysis (ICA), and identified the features of those waveforms by using CWT. We also simultaneously analyzed the observed signals by Primary Component Analysis (PCA). FECG has been extracted by ICA from 25 of 30 pregnant women. The fetal P wave and T wave could be identified in 21 of the 25 cases. FECG was extracted by PCA in only one case. ICA is superior to PCA, whose separation quality highly depends on the careful positioning of the electrodes. We believe that after ICA, FECG obtained by the wavelet theory based method will become a powerful tool for the differential diagnosis of fetal arrhythmias.

Instrumental characterization of an adhesion interface in a rubber-brass system often faces a difficulty in exposing the clean surface due to the stick of the rubber residue on the brass surface. We have succeeded in isolating the interface from the rubber matrix by inserting a filter paper between rubber and brass during the vulcanization. Clean interface was obtained by removing the filter paper after the vulcanization, enabling the detailed characterization of the interface by XPS from a practical rubber formulation.Formulation of cobalt naphthenate did not contribute to the formation of adhesion interlayer in an initial stage of cure, but greatly affected the composition of copper sulfide during the vulcanization. It was found that the dose of cobalt improved the nature of interface at aging.It was revealed that excess growth of copper sulfide was a main feature in the humidity aging, while the growth of zinc oxide was eminent in the hot water aging. Scheme of the aging reaction that depends on the interaction between the brass and external factors such as heat, water, and oxygen was considered.In conclusion, the XPS analysis using the specific sample preparation shown in this study was found to be a powerful technique to characterize the adhesion Interlayer in not only model systems but also practical rubber formulation systems.

We report an autopsy study of late-onset familial amyloid polyneuropathy with a variant transthyretin Val30Met in 2 brothers living in Kyoto, Japan. The disease onsets were at 64 and 59 years, and they died at 71 and 74 years old, respectively. They exhibited almost the same postmortem findings. Amyloid deposition was remarkable in the hearts, but was not seen in the renal glomeruli. In the peripheral nervous system, amyloid deposition was most prominent in the nerves immediately caudal to ganglia, moderate in the dorsal and sympathetic ganglia, and mild in the spinal roots, sciatic nerves, and distal nerves. The difference between the amyloid deposition in the proximal portion and distal portion of the extremity nerves appeared to be greater in the late-onset type than in the ordinary type, and this proximal deposition of amyloid may have induced severe distal nerve fiber degeneration.

In Japanese society there remain many forms of traditional discrimination against women. Especially,in equality between men and women in enterprises occupies a crucial role in society. Abolishment of discrimination against women in enterprises is an important issue which Japanesesociety should grapple with. This paper discusses the question of discriminationagainst women in enterprises in the wider social perspective,since the inequality between men and women must be considered in the context of more complex social power politics. First of all,this paper presents the actual examples of discriminationagainst women in the process of job hunting and during their employment. Secondly,it points out the labor management policy of the business world as a deliberately programmed factor of the discriminationagainst women and analyzes "Japanese Way of Management" in the New Era (1995) by Japan Federation of Employers' Associations as its latest manifestation. Thirdly,it examines the shift of American economic andmilitary policies after the breakdown of the USSR as a major influence on reorganization of discrimination against women in Japanese society in the 1990s. For example, it is clear that the new American policies have triggered the latest development of labor policy affirmed by the three consecutive Summits since the Tokyo Summit. Fourthly,it illustrates how Japanese government and business world follow and promote the new American policies,which have induced overseas dispatch of the Japanese "Self-Defence Force" and the"Structural Reformation" of Japanese economy. Fifthly,however,it calls attention to the strengthening ofreverse trend in economic and military policies of Japan,Europe,developingcountries,as well as USA herself. Finally,based upon the above discussed perspectives to consider discrimination against women in Japanese enterprises,it raises questions as to theoretical problems of capitalisticsystem and patriarchy.

A 38-year-old Japanese male who had traveled in China from September 13 to October 5, 1997, developed fever and severe conjunctivitis from October 20. After he was hospitalized in Kyoto City Hospital for persistent high fever on October 29, he developed muscular weakness and dysphagia which continued for two weeks. An electromyogram showed a myogenic pattern, and laboratory findings showed significant elevation of serum enzyme levels of muscle origin: CPK, 3,095 IU/l; aldorase, 195 IU/l; myoglobin, 7,570 ng/ml, and myoglobinuria, 94,700 ng/ml. The WBC was 10,800/microliter with 45% eosinophils. Muscular biopsy showed degeneration of muscle fibers with infiltration of macrophages and lymphocytes. On further inquiry, it was revealed that the patient had eaten smoked bear meat in China on September 30, three weeks prior to the onset of symptoms. A dot-ELISA serologic test for parasites was positive for Trichinella. Further, a coiled 1.2 mm long Trichinella larve was recovered from approximately 100 mg of frozen biopsied muscle by an enzyme digestion method. Mebendazole was given to the patient at a dosage of 200 mg/day for seven days. CPK levels were normalized within 3 days of the beginning of the treatment, and he was discharged without any symptoms. Physicians must be aware of trichinellosis and should include it in their differential diagnosis when examining patients with myositis and eosinophilia of unknown origin.

We detected and isolated human metapneumovirus (HMPV) and isolated another respiratory virus in pharyngeal swab specimens from 502 pediatric patients with acute respiratory infection, seen at 3 Kyoto City sentinel hospitals from January to December 2011. Our prospective study detected 43 positive HMPV cases (8.6%). Phylogenetic analysis showed that subgroup A2 was most common, followed by B1 and B2, and that A1 was not detected. HMPV was detected mostly in specimens from patients less than 3 years old, and positive HMPV was identified most in spring, peaking in March. Our clinical study showed that positive HMPV patients had fever above 38 degrees (86%) and cough (65%). Among the 30 whose chest radiography was examined, radiological findings were recognized in 18 cases. We found inflammatory infiltrative shadows around the bronchus and peribronchus near the hilum of the lung. Lobar pneumonia and diffuse infiltrative shadows coinciding with peripheral alveolar involvement were not recognized. No difference affecting illness severity was seen among subgroups, viral isolation results, or mixed coxsackie virus or influenza virus infection. In hospitalization, mean disease lasted significantly longer in those with lower respiratory tract symptoms at first'examination than in those without such symptoms. We detected HMPV RNA in pharyngeal swabs and stool specimens from patients admitted to the hospital for rhabdomyolysis.

The reduction of both exhaust gases and carbon dioxide emissions is necessary to meet future emissions regulations for diesel engines. Exhaust after-treatment devices are gradually being applied to diesel engines to reduce exhaust gases. Diesel particulate filters (DPF), an after-treatment device for diesel engines, in some cases require fuel post injection for regeneration. Post injection is usually conducted at the midpoint of the expansion stroke, and therefore causes fuel adhesion to the cylinder wall. However, using biofuels in a diesel engine is an effective way of reducing carbon dioxide emissions. It is well known that biofuels are chemically unstable, but the effects of biofuels on piston lubrication condition have not been thoroughly studied. In this study, piston lubrication condition during post injection in a single cylinder DI diesel engine using biofuel was investigated. Piston and ring friction forces were measured under engine operating conditions by means of a floating liner device to investigate the lubrication condition of the piston and rings. Both light fuel oil and biofuel were used in the measurements, with rapeseed methyl ester (RME) being used as the biofuel. Lubricating oil on the cylinder wall was also sampled under engine operating conditions, and the effect of post injection on fuel adhesion to the cylinder wall was analyzed. It was found that the effect of post injection on fuel adhesion to the cylinder wall was remarkable around the top dead center (TDC), and the fuel dilution rate reached approximately 90%. The results of the measurement of the piston friction forces showed that post injection caused an increase in the friction forces at the compression TDC (CTDC) in the cases of both RME and light fuel oil, and the friction forces at CTDC increased according to the delay of the post injection timing. The increase in the piston friction forces was moderate in the case of RME. It seems that the higher viscosity and the oiliness of RME suppressed the increase in piston friction forces at TDC. The following effects were found in this study. Fuel post injection caused fuel adhesion to the cylinder wall. Such phenomena affected the lubrication condition of the piston. In the case of RME, the increase in the piston friction forces caused by post injection was smaller than that of light fuel oil, but the effects on piston lubrication condition in the case of using other biofuels needs to be investigated.