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We sought to describe the fellowship experiences and current practice habits of pediatric cardiologists who counsel patients with fetal heart disease (FHD) and to identify fellowship experiences related to FHD counseling perceived as valuable by respondents as well as opportunities for improvement. A cross-sectional survey of attending pediatric cardiologists who care for patients with FHD was performed. The respondents' demographics, fellowship experiences related to FHD counseling, reflections on fellowship training, and current practice habits were collected. The Fetal Heart Society endorsed this survey. There were 164 survey responses. 56% of respondents did not have 4th-year subspecialty training in fetal cardiology. Observing and performing FHD counseling were the most commonly used methods of training, with the highest perceived effectiveness. The number of counseling sessions observed and performed correlated moderately with confidence in FHD counseling skills at fellowship graduation. Extracardiac pathology and neurodevelopment were the least frequently addressed topics in fellowship training and in current practice. Fewer than 50% of respondents received formal education and feedback in counseling techniques during fellowship training. A significant proportion of practicing pediatric cardiologists provide FHD counseling with only standard categorical training. This highlights the potential importance of expanding FHD counseling education into categorical fellowship curricula. We suggest increasing opportunities for fellows to perform FHD counseling and receive feedback as this is a valued and beneficial experience during training. A formalized curriculum including extracardiac pathology and neurodevelopment and the use of evidence-based workshops in counseling techniques may address identified gaps in fellowship education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We performed a novel Σ+ p scattering experiment at the J-PARC Hadron Experimental Facility. Approximately 2400 Σ+ p elastic scattering events were identified from 4.9 × 107 tagged Σ+ particles in the Σ+ momentum range 0.44–0.80 GeV/ c. The differential cross sections of the Σ+ p elastic scattering were derived with much better precision than in previous experiments. The obtained differential cross sections were approximately 2 mb/sr or less, which were not as large as those predicted by the fss2 and FSS models based on the quark cluster model in the short-range region. By performing phase-shift analyses for the obtained differential cross sections, we experimentally derived the phase shifts of the 3 S 1 and 1 P 1 channels for the first time. The phase shift of the 3 S 1 channel, where a large repulsive core was predicted owing to the Pauli effect between quarks, was evaluated as |$20^\circ \lt |\delta _{^3S_1}|\lt 35^\circ$|⁠. If the sign of |$\delta _{^3S_1}$| is assumed to be negative, the interaction in this channel is moderately repulsive, as the Nijmegen extended-sort-core models predicted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High intensity secondary beam in J-PARC enables us to perform strangeness nuclear physics programs in order to investigate the baryon–baryon (BB) interactions between the octet baryons. As one of the experiments at the K1.8 beam line, a high statistics Σ p scattering experiment has been performed. The differential cross sections of the Σ - p elastic scattering for the momentum region from 470 to 850 MeV/c have been successfully measured with an improved accuracy. The statistical error of 10% level was achieved with a fine angular step of d cos θ = 0.1 by identifying the largest statistics of about 4500 Σ - p elastic scattering events from 1.72 × 10 7 Σ - particles. The differential cross sections show clear forward peaking structure and the forward and backward ratio is large particularly in the higher momentum regions. The accurate data will impose a strong constraint on the theoretical models of the BB interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The J-PARC E40 experiment aims for measuring cross sections of the Σ p scatterings with high statistics by overcoming difficulties of hyperon-nucleon scattering experiment. The physics motivations are to verify the large repulsive force due to quark Pauli effect in the Σ + p interaction and to perform systematic study of the Σ N interaction. Physics data taking was performed at the K1.8 beam line in the J-PARC hadron experimental facility by 2020 June. Σ + particles were produced via the π + p → K + Σ + reaction and their momenta were tagged with spectrometers. Recoil proton of the Σ + p scatterings and proton from the Σ + → p π 0 decay were detected with surrounding detector system CATCH. The Σ + p scattering can be identified by checking the consistency for the recoil proton between the measured energy and the calculated energy from kinematics of the Σ + p scattering. In present analysis, 69M Σ + particles are tagged as the Σ + beam and 4500 Σ + p scattering events are identified. Further analysis to derive the differential cross sections is ongoing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation (VGAM) is a rare anomaly associated with poor outcomes from high output cardiac failure and neurologic complications. Studies addressing fetal cardiovascular status and outcomes in this population are limited. A single-center retrospective review was conducted on patients with a prenatal diagnosis of VGAM who underwent a fetal echocardiogram between January 2015 and July 2019. Fetal echocardiographic data, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and outcomes were collected. Nine fetuses [median gestational age at echocardiogram 34 (1.1) weeks] were included. All patients had superior vena cava dilation and reversal of diastolic flow in the transverse aortic arch. Median cardiothoracic (CT) ratio was 0.39 (0.09). Right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction was present in 66% and 11% fetuses, respectively. Four out of five patients that underwent postnatal endovascular neurosurgical interventions at our center were alive at follow-up (mean 2.7 years). Of the non-survivors (n = 5), 3 received comfort care because of severe brain damage and died in the neonatal period. Non-survivors more commonly had > mild tricuspid regurgitation (TR) (40% vs. 25%) and > mild RV dilation (60% vs. 25%). Combined cardiac index (CCI) was higher in non-survivors when compared to survivors (672.7 vs. 530.2 ml/kg/min, p = 0.016). Fetuses with significant parenchymal damage on brain MRI tended to have a higher CCI than those without (979.8 vs. 605.0 ml/kg/min, p = 0.047). RV dysfunction, TR and elevated CCI are more commonly seen in non-survivors with VGAM. A higher CCI is seen in those deemed untreatable due to significant parenchymal volume loss. Future multicenter studies are needed to assess for prenatal prediction of outcomes in this high-risk population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dielectric and magnetic properties of electric double layer (EDL) capacitor structures with a perpendicularly magnetized Pt/Co/Pt electrode and an insulating cap layer (MgO) are investigated. An electric field is applied through a mixed ionic liquid/ MgO barrier to the surface of the top Pt layer, at which the magnetic moment is induced by the ferromagnetic proximity effect. The basic dielectric properties of the EDL capacitor are studied by varying the thickness of the MgO cap layer. The results indicate that the capacitance, i.e., the accumulated charge density at the Pt surface, is reduced with increasing the MgO thickness. From the MgO thickness dependence of the capacitance value, the effective dielectric constant of the ionic liquid is evaluated. Almost no electric field effect on the magnetic moment, the coercivity, or the Curie temperature is confirmed in the top Pt layer with the thickness of 1.3 nm, regardless of the presence or absence of the MgO cap layer, whereas the a clear change in the magnetic moment is observed when the top Pt layer is replaced by a Pd layer of 1.7 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the temperature dependence of the magnetic anisotropy in Co/Pd/MgO system, in which magnetic moment in Pd is induced by the magnetic proximity effect. We demonstrate that the magnetic anisotropy is modulated by applying an electric field to the Pd surface. At temperatures below 100K, we find the nonlinear electric-field dependence of the anisotropy with the sign reversal. We obtain a huge anisotropy modulation efficiency of ∼1600 fJ/V m at 10K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose Mixed neurogenerative and vascular dementia has emerged as the leading cause of dementia in the elderly. Inflammation is implicated in atherosclerosis, cerebral small-vessel disease ( SVD) as well as cognitive impairment. However, longitudinal data on the predictive value of circulating inflammatory markers including gene variants and magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI) findings in incident dementia are scarce. It was investigated whether circulating interleukin-6 ( IL-6), C-reactive protein ( CRP) and gene variants increase dementia risk. Methods In a cohort of Japanese participants with vascular risk factors in an observational study from 2001, the association between baseline IL-6, CRP levels, gene variants [interleukin-6 receptor ( IL-6R), rs2228145; IL-6, rs2097677; CRP, rs3093059] and incident all-cause dementia was evaluated. Baseline MRI was used to determine SVD (lacuna, white matter hyperintensities) and atrophy (medial-temporal lobe atrophy, bicaudate ratio). Cox proportional hazards analyses were performed for predictors of dementia, adjusting for age, sex, apolipoprotein Eε4, education, cerebrovascular events, vascular risk factors and MRI findings. Results Of 803 subjects (mean 67.0 ± 8.5 years, males 59%), during a mean of 7.5 ± 3.2 years follow-up, 60 incident dementia patients (Alzheimer's disease 31; vascular dementia 17; mixed-type six; other six) were diagnosed. In multivariable analyses adjusted for age, sex, cerebrovascular events, MRI findings and IL-6R variant (rs2228145), IL-6 levels (relative risk 1.68, P = 0.048) or highest tertile (relative risk 2.38, P = 0.031) for all-cause dementia remained significant. Although subjects with rs2228145 carrier had significantly higher IL-6 levels, a significant association between rs2228145 and dementia was not observed. Conversely, CRP and remaining gene variants were not associated with dementia. Conclusions The deleterious effect of higher IL-6 on dementia remains consistent irrespective of conventional risk factors, MRI findings and IL-6R variant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose The involvement of metabolic factors in the development of dementia has received much attention. However, previous studies have yielded conflicting results regarding how blood adipocytokine level impacts cognitive decline and dementia. This study aimed to clarify whether serum high-molecular-weight ( HMW) adiponectin level is related to incident dementia. Methods Data were from 466 patients (mean age 67.8 years, male 57%) - who had normal cognitive function and received brain magnetic resonance imaging - from amongst the 1106 patients in the Osaka Follow-up Study for Carotid Atherosclerosis, Part 2, a prospective cohort study of cardiovascular events and dementia amongst patients with vascular risk factors enrolled between 2001 and 2009. Baseline HMW adiponectin levels were measured using frozen serum. Dementia occurrence was examined in June 2013. Results Serum HMW adiponectin level was 4.33 ± 2.95 μg/ml; the levels were lower in men than in women and negatively correlated with body mass index. During the follow-up period (median 6.9 years), 47 patients had incident dementia including Alzheimer's disease dementia (27), vascular dementia (13), mixed dementia (four), other dementia (three). Risks of dementia in patients with high versus low HMW adiponectin levels were almost identical ( P = 0.689). No association was found between adiponectin levels and Alzheimer's disease dementia or vascular dementia in the whole group or amongst men and women separately. Conclusions This study demonstrated that serum HMW adiponectin level has little association with future dementia. Determination of metabolic factors involved in dementia requires evaluation of other biomarkers or parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate organic single-crystal field-effect transistors with various ionic liquids as gate dielectric. We find that the mobility of the field-effect transistors for both p-type and n-type organic semiconductors increases with decreasing total capacitance of the ionic liquid. However, it does not depend on the ion species at the interface between the organic semiconductor and the ionic liquid. By choosing an appropriate ionic liquid, a high carrier mobility of 12.4 cm²/V s in rubrene single crystals (p-type) and 0.13 cm²/V s in 7.7.8.8-Tetracyanoquinodimethane single crystals (n-type) are achieved. This study clarifies the influence of ionic liquids on the device performance of organic field-effect transistors and shows a way to maximize carrier mobility at the solid/liquid interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose The association between vascular risk factors and dementia is of interest. Several studies have shown that cerebral small vessel disease ( SVD) is associated with dementia. However, the association between cerebral large vessel disease ( LVD) and dementia has not been thoroughly examined. Methods The Osaka Follow-up Study for Carotid Atherosclerosis, Part 2, was a prospective cohort study of cardiovascular events and dementia in which patients ( n = 1106) with vascular risk factors underwent carotid ultrasound. Of these patients, 600 who had normal cognitive function were included and underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging. The presence of lacunar infarction and carotid stenosis served as markers for SVD and LVD, respectively. Results Amongst 600 patients (mean 68 years, 57% men), 261 (44%) showed lacunar infarction and 94 (16%) showed carotid stenosis. During the follow-up period (median 8.0 years), 57 patients had incident dementia. Patients with carotid stenosis and lacunar infarction were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with dementia (log-rank test, P = 0.037 and P < 0.001, respectively). The association between lacunar infarction and dementia remained significant after adjusting for risk factors including stroke history, apolipoprotein E genotype and years of education (hazard ratio 2.64, 95% confidence interval 1.22-6.09). However, the presence of carotid stenosis was not associated with incident dementia after adjusting for age and sex ( P = 0.477). Conclusions This study demonstrated that carotid stenosis had little association with dementia, but lacunar infarction had a significant association. The impact of SVD on dementia could be much greater than that of LVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a method of obstacle detection for coupled-resonant wireless power transfer. 2 x 2 array antenna is used for power transmission and obstacle detection. Standard deviation of transmission coefficient and reflection coefficient is used as an index of detection. Feasibility of the proposed method is verified through numerical simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the J-PARC E27 experiment, we search for a K pp bound state via the d( π, K) reaction at 1.7 GeV/ c at the K1.8 beam line. The binding energy and decay width of the K pp bound state can be obtained in the missing mass measurement with a good energy resolution of 2 MeV/ c. A range counter array (RCA) was constructed to detect the two high-momentum protons from the K pp decay and to reduce the background such as quasi-free hyperon production. Recently, we have carried out a pilot run in June, 2012. The d( π, K) missing-mass spectrum has been obtained for the first time. In this report, an overview of the E27 experiment and a preliminary result on this pilot run are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We are planning to perform an experiment at J-PARC and produce new neutron-rich Λ hypernuclei by using the ( π, K) reaction (J-PARC E10). As the first step, we are planning to produce $${^6_{\Lambda}{\rm H}}$$ hypernuclei with a Li target. To conduct this experiment, we are developing new detectors, those are scintillating fiber tracker, and silicon strip detector, for high rate operation to aim at increasing beam intensity up to 10/spill. As a result of beam test in Jun 2012, we are going to use high-rate beam at least 10/spill. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We constructed an innovative experimental platform to study cross-situational consistency in driving behavior, conducted behavioral experiments, and reported the data obtained in the experiment. To discuss cross-situational consistency, we separated situations in which people use some systems to conduct tasks into three independent conceptual factors: environment, context, and system. We report the experimental results with the following systems: a laboratory system with a gaming controller and steering/pedal controllers and a real system, COMS an instrumented vehicle. The results are summarized as follows. 1) The individual behaviors in each system were stable, and consistency was retained. 2) The consistency of the behaviors was also confirmed when the participants drove using different interfaces in identical systems. 3) However, only slight correlation was observed across different systems in a specific situation where a strong high-order cognitive constraint (i.e., rapid driving) and a weak low-order cognitive constraint (driving with easy handling toward a straight-line course) were given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the relationship between vascularity within lymph nodes and lymph node size on Doppler ultrasound images of patients with oral cancer. Methods: A total of 310 lymph nodes (86 metastatic, 224 benign) from 63 patients with oral cancer were classified into 4 groups according to their short axis diameters: Group 1, short axis diameters of 4-5 mm; Group 2, 6-7 mm; Group 3, 8 9 mm, and Group 4, ≥ 10 mm. Vascular and scattering indices of lymph nodes on Doppler ultrasound images were analysed quantitatively. The vascular index was defined as the ratio of blood flow area to the whole lymph node area and the scattering index was defined as the number of isolated blood flow signal units. Results: For metastatic lymph nodes, the vascular index was highest in Group 1 and decreased as lymph node size increased. The vascular index of benign lymph nodes did not differ significantly among the four groups. The vascular index of metastatic lymph nodes was significantly higher than that of benign lymph nodes in Group 1. For metastatic lymph nodes, the scattering index increased as lymph node size increased and was significantly higher than that of benign lymph nodes in Groups 2 4. Conclusions: An increase in vascularity is a characteristic of Doppler ultrasound findings in small metastatic lymph nodes. As the metastatic lymph node size increases, blood flow signals become scattered, and the scattering index increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Differences in efficacy and toxicity between UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A1*1/*1 and *1/*6 or *1/*28 genotypes remain unclear in Japanese patients.Methods: Patients with advanced colorectal cancer who received irinotecan combined with 5-fluorouracil plus l-leucovorin (FOLFIRI) as first-line therapy were divided into two groups: those with UGT1A1*1/*1 genotype and those with UGT1A1*1/*6 or *1/*28 genotype. Efficacy and toxicity were compared between these groups retrospectively.Results: Forty-two patients (24 *1/*1 and 18 *1/*6 or *1/*28) were evaluated. The response rate was 48% in *1/*1 group and 56% in *1/*6 or *1/*28 group (P = 0.847). Median progression-free survival was 8.6 months in *1/*1 group and 8.5 months in *1/*6 or *1/*28 group (P = 0.888). No hematologic or non-hematologic toxic effects were clearly related to UGT1A1*1/*6 or *1/*28 during the first cycle or throughout the entire course of chemotherapy.Conclusions: There were no significant differences in the efficacy or toxicity of FOLFIRI between patients with UGT1A1*1/*1 genotype and those with UGT1A1*1/*6 or *1/*28 genotype. Our results suggest that patients with the latter genotypes can receive FOLFIRI at the same dose of irinotecan as those with the UGT1A1*1/*1 genotype receive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We determine ΛΛ scattering parameters from a ΛΛ invariant mass spectrum that was obtained by 12C(K-, K+ΛΛ) reaction at the KEK Proton Synchrotron. In the framework of Watson's procedure, the obtained scattering length $a_{\Lambda \Lambda} = - 0.10\,_{- 2.37}^{+ 0.45}\, \pm \,0.04$ and effective range $r_{\Lambda \Lambda}\, = 13.90\,_{< - 13.90}^{> + 16.10}\, \pm \,9.48\,{\rm{fm}}$ are most consistent with the values predicted by using the Nijmegen soft core models (NSC97's). However, the predicted values by using the Nijmegen hard-core ND (G-matrix) and the extended soft-core (ESC00) models are out of two standard deviations from the determined scattering parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent studies have shown that the levels of circulating inflammatory markers are associated with cognitive decline and cerebral small-vessel disease. Frontal lobe dysfunction is believed to be a relatively characteristic neuropsychological symptom in vascular cognitive impairment caused by cerebral small-vessel disease. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the levels of serum inflammatory markers are associated with frontal lobe dysfunction, particularly executive dysfunction. Methods: Between January 2003 and September 2007, 388 patients who had one or more atherosclerotic risk factors and subsequently underwent brain MRI and neuropsychological testing including mini-mental state examination (MMSE), frontal assessment battery (FAB), and modified Stroop test were enrolled in this study. We evaluated the effect of serum levels of inflammatory markers and white matter lesions on frontal lobe function. Results: The FAB score was negatively correlated with serum inflammatory marker levels (hsCRP; r = −0.170, IL-6; r = −0.143, IL-18; r = −0.175) and white matter lesions. In the modified Stroop test, interference measure was positively correlated with the levels of hsCRP ( r = −0.198), and IL-18 ( r = −0.152), and white matter lesions. However, the MMSE score was not correlated with either inflammatory marker levels. The association between hsCRP and FAB score or interference measure remained significant when controlling for other confounding factors and MRI findings. Conclusions: The circulating level of hsCRP is associated with frontal lobe dysfunction in patients with cardiovascular risk factors independent of white matter lesions in brain MRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]