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Gastric metastasis from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is extremely rare, occurring in 0.2% of all RCC cases. Owing to its low prevalence, metachronous gastric metastasis from RCC may be underdiagnosed, and the imaging findings have not been well-established. Herein we present a case of metastatic RCC manifesting as a gastric polyp in a 70-year-old female along with a literature review on the imaging findings of gastric metastases from RCC. In patients presenting with gastric hyper-enhancing polypoid masses, metastasis from RCC should be considered as a differential diagnosis.

Objectives: To determine the performance of virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs) of the portal venous phase (PVP) compared with the pancreatic-phase image for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) evaluation. Materials and methods: This retrospective study enrolled 64 patients with PDAC who underwent pancreatic CT with dual-layer spectral CT between February 2018 and January 2020. A polychromatic pancreatic-phase image and VMIs at 40 (VMI40), 55 (VMI55), and 70 keV (VMI70) of the PVP were generated. The tumor-to-pancreas contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), attenuation difference, peripancreatic vascular signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and CNR were compared among the four images. Subjective image analysis was performed for tumor conspicuity, heterogeneity, size, and arterial invasion. Results: VMI40 and VMI55 demonstrated higher tumor-to-pancreas CNR, attenuation difference, and higher peripancreatic vascular CNR and SNR than the pancreatic-phase image and VMI70 (p < .001). On subjective analysis, VMI55 showed the best tumor conspicuity. Moreover, the inter-reader agreement for arterial invasion in VMIs from the PVP was not inferior to that in the pancreatic-phase image. Conclusion: For evaluating PDAC, the VMI55 of the PVP was superior to the pancreatic-phase image in terms of tumor conspicuity and peripancreatic vascular enhancement. Therefore, the VMI55 of the PVP could be an alternative to the pancreatic-phase scan in patients suspicious of PDAC.

To validate the fire safety assessment of structures, many structural experiments under fire load have been conducted. However, most of these experiments were conducted in restricted environments, such as inside a furnace, and experiments were seldom carried out in open space. In this study, an experimental study on H-beams, frequently used as structural reinforcements, was carried out for validating the thermal-structural analysis method under development. A 1.8 MW burner fire was adopted with each end of the H-beam fixed without a mechanical load. Gas temperature, steel surface temperature, and displacements were then measured. During the experiment, gas and steel temperatures were obtained at 9 and 17 points near the H-beam, respectively. In addition, the vertical and horizontal displacements of the H-beam under fire load at 6 points were obtained. Furthermore, it was verified that the stable displacement measurements via the contact and non-contact methods were feasible in harsh environments where flames and smoke were both present.

This paper discusses the effectiveness of onboard measurements and data extracted from weather information for speed-power analysis. Furthermore, validation results of hull and propeller cleaning and painting during dry-docking are discussed. Wind and wave information can be obtained from onboard measurements or weather information from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The weather information of a specified position and time is extracted from NOAA weather data and compared with onboard measurements. In addition, to validate the effects of hull cleaning and painting during dry-docking, speed-power analysis results of before and after dry-docking are compared. The results show that both onboard measurements and weather information show acceptable reliability when added resistance and speed-power analysis results are compared with each other. Moreover, the ship performance analysis (SPA) software clearly shows the effects of hull cleaning and painting, and it can provide reliable analysis results with either onboard measurements or weather information. In conclusion, it is confirmed that the analysis method and SPA software used in this study are effective in analyzing the ship’s speed-power performance.

This study discusses data collection, calculation of wind and wave-induced resistance, and speed-power analysis of an 8,600 TEU container ship. Data acquisition system of the ship operator was improved to obtain the data necessary for the analysis, which was accomplished using SPA (Ship Performance Analysis, Park et al., 2019) in conformation with ISO15016:2015. From a previous operation profile of the container, the standard operating conditions of mean draft were 12.5 m and 13.6 m, which were defined with the mean stowage configuration of each condition. Model tests, including the load-variation test, were conducted to validate new ship performance and for the speed-power analysis. The major part of the added resistance of container ship is due to the wind. To check the reliability of wind-resistance calculation results, the resistance coefficients, added resistance, and speed-power analysis results using the Fujiwara regression formula (ISO15016:2015) and Computational fluid dynamics (Ryu et al., 2016; Jeon et al., 2017) analysis were compared. Wind speed and direction measured using an anemometer were used for wind-resistance calculation and the wave resistance was calculated using the wave-height and direction-data from weather information. Also, measured water temperature was used to calculate the increase in resistance owing to the deviation in water density. As a result, the SPA analysis using measured data and weather information was proved to be valid and able to identify the ship’s resistance propulsion performance. Even with little difference in the air-resistance coefficient value, both methods provide sufficient accuracy for speed-power analysis. The differences were unnoticeable when the speed-power analysis results using each method were compared. Also, speed-power analysis results of the 8,600 TEU container ship in two draft conditions show acceptable trends when compared with the model test results and are also able to show power increase owing to hull fouling and aging. Thus, results of speed-power analysis of the existing 8,600 TEU container ship using the SPA program appropriately exhibit the characteristics of speed-power performance in deal conditions.

Gastrointestinal tract involvement in undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) is extremely rare. To the authors’ knowledge, only 21 cases of primary small bowel UPS have been reported in the literature available in English. Reported CT findings in primary small bowel UPS have been nonspecific, and MRI findings have been reported in only one case. The present article describes a case involving a 72-year-old male with histologically confirmed primary UPS arising from the ileum, focusing on both CT and magnetic resonance enterography findings. On CT, primary small bowel UPS was noted as a heterogeneously enhanced small bowel mass without obstruction. Magnetic resonance enterography revealed heterogeneous intermediate T1 and T2 signal intensity, with hemorrhagic or necrotic foci within the mass and heterogeneous enhancement. The differential diagnosis included malignant gastrointestinal tumor; however, the prognosis of UPS is worse, with higher incidences of extra-abdominal metastasis.

Schwannoma is a benign nerve sheath tumor that involves Schwann cells mostly found in the head, neck, posterior mediastinum and extremities. Schwannoma develops rarely in the retroperitoneum; thus, renal schwannoma is extremely uncommon. Differentiation of renal schwannoma from renal cell carcinoma is difficult with radiologic analysis. A few cases of these tumors have been reported in literature, and little has been described regarding imaging appearances. In this study, we present a rare case of a renal schwannoma, resembling renal cell carcinoma, with radiological correlations.

This study investigates numerically gaseous CO2 leakage characteristics inside the containers of a transport ship and examines thermal effects on the structural damage that might happen in the containers. First, with consideration of the phase change, the ejected mass flow rate was estimated using the commercial code of DNV PHAST. Based on this estimated mass flow rate, we introduced an effective area model for accounting for the fast evaporation of liquefied CO2 occurring in the vicinity of a crack hole. Using this leakage modeling, along with a concept of the effective area, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations for analyzing transient three-dimensional characteristics of gas propagation in a confined space with nine containers, as well as the thermal effect on the walls on which the leaking gas impinges, were conducted. The commercial code, ANSYS FLUENT V. 17.0, was used for all CFD simulations. It was found that there are substantial changes in the pressure and temperature of the gas mixture for different crack sizes. The CO2 concentration at human nasal height, a measure of clear height for safety, was also estimated to be higher than the safety threshold of 10% within 200 s. Moreover, very cold gas created by the evaporation of liquefied CO2 can cool the cargo walls rapidly, which might cause thermal damage.

Ship damage caused by maritime casualties leads to marine pollution and loss of life and property. To prevent serious damage from maritime casualties, several types of safety regulations are applied in ship design. Damage stability regulation is one of the most important safety issues. Designs of ships for long international voyages must comply with these regulations. Current regulations, however, do not consider the characteristics of the operating route of each ship and reflect only ship size and type of cargo. In this paper, a damage safety assessment was undertaken for a ship carrying radioactive waste in actual wave conditions. Damage cases for safety assessment were constructed on the basis of safety regulations and related research results. Hull form, internal arrangement, loading condition and damage condition were modeled for damage safety simulation. The safety simulation was performed and analyzed for 10 damage cases with various wave heights, frequency and angle of attack on an operating route. Based on evaluation results, a design alternative was generated, and it was also simulated. These results confirmed that damage safety analysis is highly important in the design stage in consideration of the operating route characteristics by simulation. Thus a ship designer can improve safety from damage in this manner.

Background Particulate matter (PM) is a major air pollutant that affects human health worldwide. PM can pass through the skin barrier, thus causing skin diseases such as heat rash, allergic reaction, infection, or inflammation. However, only a few studies have been conducted on the cytotoxic effects of PM exposure on large-scale animals. Therefore, herein, we investigated whether and how PM affects rhesus macaque skin fibroblasts. Methods Rhesus macaque skin fibroblasts were treated with various concentrations of PM10 (1, 5, 10, 50, and 100 μg/mL) and incubated for 24, 48, and 72 h. Then, cell viability assay, TUNEL assay, and qRT-PCR were performed on the treated cells. Further, the reactive oxygen species, glutathione, and cathepsin B levels were determined. The MTT assay revealed that PM10 (>50 μg/mL) proportionately reduced the cell proliferation rate. Results PM10 treatment increased TUNEL-positive cell numbers, following the pro-apoptosis-associated genes (CASP3 and BAX) and tumor suppressor gene TP53 were significantly upregulated. PM10 treatment induced reactive oxidative stress. Cathepsin B intensity was increased, whereas GSH intensity was decreased. The mRNA expression levels of antioxidant enzyme-related genes (CAT, GPX1 and GPX3) were significantly upregulated. Furthermore, PM10 reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential. The mRNA expression of mitochondrial complex genes, such as NDUFA1, NDUFA2, NDUFAC2, NDUFS4, and ATP5H were also significantly upregulated. In conclusion, these results showed that PM10 triggers apoptosis and mitochondrial damage, thus inducing ROS accumulation. These findings provide potential information on the cytotoxic effects of PM10 treatment and help to understand the mechanism of air pollution-induced skin diseases.

Background: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors(IMTs) of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are rare phenomena, and the computed tomography (CT) findings of GI IMTs are not well-established. Objectives: To describe the characteristics of CT scans, pathological specimens, and histological subtypes of GI IMTs in adults. Patients and Methods: The multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scans of 11 adult patients (8 males, 3 females; age range, 19 - 76 years) with pathologically proven GI tract IMTs (stomach, small bowel, and colon) were retrospectively evaluated by two abdominal radiologists. The radiological features of IMTs were investigated. The imaging features were correlated with three microscopic IMT subtypes (myxoid vascular, spindle cell, and hypocellular fibrous). Immunohistochemistry was also performed on the specimens, including smooth muscle actin (SMA), vimentin, desmin, S-100, and anaplastic lymphoma kinase. Results: The tumor size ranged from 1.4 to 15 cm (mean, 5.7 cm). Two growth patterns were classified, namely, wall-thickening (n = 3) and solitary mass-forming (n = 8) patterns; each pattern was matched with a characteristic pathological subtype. All solitary, well-circumscribed masses corresponded to the spindle cell type. Low-attenuation wall thickening with perienteric infiltration was observed in three patients with a wall-thickening pattern. All solitary, well-circumscribed masses (n = 8) showed homogeneous enhancement with variable internal low attenuation, correlated with cystic degeneration, necrosis, myxoid change (n = 6), and hemorrhagic necrosis (n = 2). No patient showed bowel obstruction, while one patient showed regional lymphadenopathy. Immunophenotypes were not correlated with any growth pattern or histological subtype. Conclusion: The GI IMTs can be classified into two patterns, including wall-thickening and well-circumscribed masses, each matched with a characteristic pathological subtype, which can help explain the tumor behavior. Concomitant CT findings may also provide diagnostic clues for IMT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inconventional ultrasonography, the ultrasound image is not labeled with information on the location or orientation of the transducer. There is also no information on the parts of the body under examination. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of body navigation-loaded ultrasonography, including the real-time transducer location and the inspection site, compared to conventional ultrasound. Patients and Methods: After obtaining approval from the institutional review board, 29 healthy adult volunteers were prospectively enrolled in this study. One gastrointestinal radiologist performed an abdominal ultrasound, using an ultrasound navigation image convergence system, developed by the authors. Subsequently, an equivalent conventional ultrasound image set was prepared. Three radiologists independently evaluated the two ultrasound image sets for identifying the target organ (two points), transducer location (two points), and transducer orientation (one point). In a two-week interval, conventional ultrasound images were first analyzed, and then, body navigation-loaded images were examined. The score differences between the first and second evaluations were compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The inter-rater agreement of the three reviewers was determined by measuring the Fleiss' kappa value. Results: A total of 1,402 navigation-loaded ultrasound images were acquired in this study. The ultrasound operator carefully selected 203 images for analysis. The interpretation score of all three reviewers significantly increased for each examination in the second analysis using the body navigation-loaded ultrasound images (reviewer A, from 4.07±1.56 to 4.79±0.69; reviewer B, from 3.83±1.59 to 4.49±0.88; and reviewer C, from 3.43±1.60 to 4.19±1.01) (P < 0.0001). The inter-rater agreement of each examination also increased significantly in the second analysis using the body navigation-loaded ultrasound images (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: According to the results of this pilot study, the body navigation-loaded ultrasound technology can assist with a simple and objective interpretation of ultrasound images from organs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adherent perinephric fat affects operative complexity during partial nephrectomy (PN) and it could be predicted using computed tomography(CT) based on the Mayo adhesive probability (MAP) score. Objectives: To investigate reproducible measurement methods of perinephric fat with comparison of two tailored methods for measurement of posterior perinephric fat thickness (PPFT) on preoperative CT and examine the association between the methods and operative complexity in PN. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 72 consecutive patients who underwent robotic-assisted or open PN. The data on operative time, ischemia time, and pathologic results were obtained. Two radiologists independently assessed PPFT based on the MAP system in the first session, and subsequently by using two tailored methods in the second session and scored for perinephric fat stranding. The nephrometry scoring system was used for stratifying the complexity of renal masses. Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate the determinants of operative time and ischemia time. Results: For measurement of PPFT, intraclass correlation coefficients between the reviewers using two detailed methods showed no statistical difference (P= 0.173) but were significantly higher than the coefficients scored in the first session (P< 0.001). Nephrometry score was a determinant of ischemia time (P < 0.001 and 0.001 for two reviewers) and PPFT was identified as a determinant of operative time (P ≤ 0.023 in all the analysis using two different methods for both the reviewers) in robotic-assisted PN. Nephrometry score was identified as a determinant of ischemia time in open PN as per one of the reviewers (P = 0.006). Conclusion: The tailored methods presented herein were more reproducible than the MAP score and demonstrated that increased PPFT was related to longer operative time in robotic-assisted, and not in open PN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the study which aims to evaluate the correlation between the computed tomography urography (CTU) findings and histological grade of ureteral urothelial carcinoma (UUC) and to identify predictors of high-grade UUC. It states that Grade 3 or higher hydronephrosis on CTU may be predictive of high-grade UUC and that radical surgery should be considered.

Background Identification of clinical features to determine the aggressive potential of tumors is highly warranted to stratify patients for adequate treatment. Computed tomography (CT) imaging features of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) may contribute to personalized risk assessment. Purpose To assess the correlation between CT imaging features and Fuhrman grade of ccRCC, and to identify the predictors of high Fuhrman grade in conjunction with tumor size. Material and Methods CT scans of 169 patients with 173 pathologically proven ccRCCs were retrospectively reviewed in consensus by two radiologists for the presence of intratumoral necrosis and intratumoral cyst and tumor size. Histologic grade was classified as either low (Fuhrman grade I or II) or high (Fuhrman grade III or IV). Statistical significance was evaluated by using univariate, multivariate regression, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and Spearman correlation analyses. Results On CT, 20 of the 173 tumors had intratumoral cysts, 60 had intratumoral necrosis, and 93 showed entirely solid tumors. The odds of high grade were higher with intratumoral necrosis and entirely solid tumor than with intratumoral cyst ( P < 0.03). Intratumoral necrosis showed a significantly high odds ratio of 25.73 for high Fuhrman grade. The ROC curve showed a threshold tumor size of 36 mm to predict high Fuhrman grade for overall tumors (area under the ROC curve, 0.70). In ccRCCs with intratumoral necrosis or cyst, tumor size did not significantly correlate with Fuhrman grade. Conclusion Intratumoral necrosis on CT was a strong and independent predictor of biologically aggressive ccRCCs, irrespective of tumor size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The accurate evaluation of Crohn's disease activity is important for the treatment of the disease and for monitoring the response. Computerized tomography (CT) enterography is a useful imaging modality that reflects enteric inflammation, as well as extramural complications. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between CT enterographic (CTE) findings of active Crohn's disease and the Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Patients and Methods: Fifty CT enterographies of 39 patients with Crohn's disease in the small bowel were used in our study. The CDAI was assessed through clinical and laboratory variables. Multiple CT parameters, including mural hyperenhancement, mural thickness, mural stratification, comb sign, and mesenteric fat attenuation, were evaluated with a four-point scale. The presence or absence of enhanced lymph nodes, fibrofatty proliferation, sinus or fistula, abscess, and stricture were also assessed. Two gastrointestinal radiologists independently reviewed all CT images, and inter-observer agreement was examined. Correlations between CT findings, CRP, and CDAI were assessed using Spearman's rank correlation and logistic regression analysis. To assess the predictive accuracy of the model, a receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis for the sum of CT enterographic scores was used. Results: Mural hyperenhancement, mural thickness, comb sign, mesenteric fat density, and fibrofatty proliferation were signifi- cantly correlated with CDAI and CRP (P < 0.05). The binary logistic regression model demonstrated that mesenteric fat density, mural stratification, and the presence of enhanced lymph nodes (P < 0.05) had an influence on CDAI severity. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of the CTE index for predicting disease activity was 0.85. Using a cut-off value of 8, the sensitivity and negative predictive values were 95% and 94%, respectively. Conclusion: Most CTE findings correlated with CDAI and CRP in patients with active Crohn's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malakoplakia is a rare chronic inflammatory condition that results from defective phagolysosomal activity. Malakoplakia usually affects the urinary tract, and immuno-suppression is a predisposing factor in most patients. A 78-year-old woman undergoing long-term steroid treatment presented with right flank pain. CT demonstrated a large, multilocular cystic mass with focal enhancing solid portion in the right kidney and retroperitoneum. The patient underwent ultrasonography-guided biopsy for enhancing the solid portion, and pathologic examination revealed malakoplakia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the correlation between pathological and computed tomography (CT) findings of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) after imatinib mesylate (imatinib) treatment. Materials and Methods: Twenty-six patients with GIST (17 men, 9 women; mean age, 56 years) who underwent treatment with imatinib and who were registered at our institution were included. Eight patients had primary and 18 had metastatic tumors. The correlation between CT and pathological findings was evaluated for all 26 tumors, which were resected after imatinib treatment. Results: The mean size change in the tumors after imatinib treatment was -1.4 cm (range, -7.8-2.5 cm). A reduction in tumor CT attenuation value was observed after imatinib treatment (mean, 29.1 Hounsfield units) in 20 of 26 tumors. Reduced attenuation was associated with non-tumorous pathological findings, including cystic degeneration (6/20), hemorrhagic necrosis (6/20), hyaline degeneration (6/20), and combined pathology without a viable portion (2/20). Of six tumors showing increased attenuation values after treatment, four (66.7%) showed an abundant viable portion. The increase in tumor size was not associated with the presence of a viable portion in any tumor. Conclusion: CT attenuation changes in GISTs may adequately reflect the pathological findings in GISTs after imatinib treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concurrent renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and angiomyolipoma (AML) is a very rare condition, especially in patients without underlying tuberous sclerosis. We present three patients with concurrent RCC and AML in the ipsilateral kidney. Concurrent RCC is difficult to differentiate radiologically from a non-fatty component of an AML because they share several imaging findings. However, several noticeable radiologic features are helpful in the diagnosis of suspected cases. This report of two cases highlights the radiologic features that distinguish RCC from non-fatty components of AML [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate a new image acquisition method [four dimensional T1-weighted high resolution imaging with volume excitation (4D THRIVE)] which enables an accurate hepatic arterial phase definition. The feasibility and its potential for detection and characterizing focal liver lesions (FLLs) are being evaluated. Materials and Methods: 115 FLLs underwent liver MRI that included the 4D THRIVE-contrast enhanced timing robust acquisition order (CENTRA)-keyhole sequence. Triple arterial phase was obtained during a single breath-hold. Images were reviewed for image quality, lesion conspicuity, and lesion detection. Two radiologists independently assessed images from phase I, II, III and through the triple arterial phase, which were all reviewed separately and in random order. The image quality was scored by using the five-point scale, and then, one phase for lesion with greatest conspicuity was selected. The enhancement pattern for FLLs was analyzed. Results: The detection rate was the highest on phase III. The image quality was greater than grade 3 with fair inter-observer agreements. The phase III showed greater conspicuity than phase I and II. Hepatocellular carcinomas (n = 38) showed variable enhancement pattern. Metastasis (n = 14) showed rim enhancement (n = 6), homogenous [n = 3) and no enhancement (n = 5). Most hemangiomas demonstrated homogenous enhancement (6/9, 67%). Conclusion: Triple arterial MRI using the 4D THRIVE-CENTRA-keyhole technique is feasible in despite of the relatively low detection rate, and is thus, helpful for the characterization of focal liver lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To describe the characteristics of residual contrast enhancement (CE) in cryoablated renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with regard to eventual resolution and the presence of residual tumor on follow-up CT and MRI. Materials and Methods: 22 patients with 24 RCCs underwent laparoscopic renal cryoablation and follow-up CT (n = 19) and MRI (n = 3) for a mean of 28 months. Two radiologists retrospectively assessed the CT and MRI images for the tumor size and characteristics of residual CE in the cryolesions: peripheral rim (< 100/a of the maximum cryolesion diameter), focal eccentric (10-25%), and thick internal enhancement (> 25%). Results: Residual CE was seen in 13 cryolesions (54%) at 3-month follow-up. Peripheral rim and focal eccentric enhancement was seen in six (25%) and four (16.7%) cryolesions, persisted for a mean follow-up of 4.5 and 6 months, and disappeared completely at a mean follow-up of 10.5 and 12 months, respectively. Three (12.5%) cryolesions showed persistent thick internal enhancement at 6-month follow-up, and were treated with radiofrequency ablation or chemotherapy. The cryolesions had decreased in size by an average of 20.2% and 39.7% at 6 and 12 months after cryoablation, respectively. Conclusion: Follow-up for ⩾ 12 months is needed to assess treatment outcomes in patients with peripheral rim or focal eccentric enhancement of cryoablated RCCs, which may persist until 12 months postoperatively without remnant viable tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess gallbladder (GB) wall thickening and periportal tracking on CT in patients with acute pyelonephritis (APN) by each kidney involvement. Materials and Methods: A total of 117 patients diagnosed with APN by clinical examination and CT were included in this retrospective study. The patients were divided into three groups based on kidney involvement seen on CT: right APN, left APN, and bilateral APN. Two radiologists reviewed CT images in consensus for the presence of diffuse GB wall thickening and periportal tracking. The prevalence of these two manifestations was compared among the three groups. Results: The prevalence of GB wall thickening in patients with right APNJ (26.4%) and bilateral APN (19%) was significantly higher than in patients with left APN (0%) (p < 0.016). The prevalence of periportal tracking in patients with right APN (15.1%) and bilateral APN (26%) was higher than in patients with left APN (3%), with a significant difference between patients with bilateral ARN and left APN (p <0.016). Conclusion: GB wall thickening and periportal tracking are predominantly encountered on CT in patients with APN involving the right kidney (right and bilateral APN), and should be considered in differential diagnosis of diseases associated with GB wall thickening and periportal tracking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an emergency, the commanding officer may have limited information, and crew members may behave differently compared to how they behaved during training. In an emergency situation, if the commanding officer is aware of each crew member's location and role in that situation, one can disseminate orders expeditiously and precisely. To realise a faster and more precise dissemination of orders through better awareness of each crew member's location and role, real-time crew member tracking is needed. The technical feasibility of a real time crew-tracking system based on a wireless sensor network has been studied, with the intent to improve effective commanding in an emergency. Location tracking was achieved using instrumentation consisting of ZigBee tags, routers, and gateways, which were used to record the location and role data of moving crew members on a full-scale ship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: No consensus exists regarding the necessity of operative resection for patients with small, asymptomatic gastric submucosal tumors (SMTs). The purpose of this study is to evaluate clinical outcomes of resection by minimally invasive surgery. Methods: The medical records of 20 consecutive patients who had undergone laparoscopic or robotic wedge resection for small (<5 cm) gastric SMTs between March 2008 and February 2009 were reviewed. Operative indications included all SMTs unquestionably visible by endoscopy, irrespective of symptoms. The operative procedures, clinicopathologic features, and operative results were assessed. Results: Out of a total of 20 patients, 17 were asymptomatic, and 3 presented with vague abdominal discomfort. One patient had two tumors, therefore 21 total lesions were resected and evaluated (19 by laparoscopy and 2 by robotic procedures). There were 12 exogastric and 9 transgastric wedge resections. Mean operative time was 84 ± 28 min, and mean length of hospitalization was 4.7 ± 1.6 days. There were no major peri- or postoperative complications or mortalities. Mean tumor size was 2.4 ± 1.2 cm (range 0.6-4.8 cm). All lesions had microscopically negative resection margins. There were 16 gastrointestinal tumors (GISTs) and 5 other benign lesions. Fifteen of the GISTs had mitotic count (MC) <5 per 50 high-power fields (HPFs), and one lesion measuring 2.5 cm in size had MC of 38 per 50 HPFs. Conclusions: Small size cannot guarantee a specific malignant risk for gastric SMTs. Laparoscopic/robotic wedge resection is safe and effective in treating small, asymptomatic lesions. Therefore, an active surgical approach should be considered for management of patients with small gastric SMTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  In this study, basic experiments regarding the wireless sensor network were conducted on a 3,000-ton-class training ship as the first step in applying the ubiquitous technology to a real ship. Various application fields of the technology in terms of the provision of safety and convenience on a ship were identified through these experiments. To efficiently adopt the ubiquitous technology for ship application, it is necessary to identify the state-of-the-art ubiquitous technology and to prepare countermeasures against the harsh environment of a ship. The characteristics of the wireless sensor network were investigated on a test bed ashore as well as on a real ship before full-scale ship application. In particular, experimental results concerning communication depth, data transmission ratio, and battery consumption in a sensor node are described in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite continued advances in life-saving technological devices, communications, and search and rescue, people continue to lose their lives at sea Search time is a very important factor to determining the success of rescue operations However, visual searches by aircraft and ship can be restricted by weather conditions and are impossible at nighttime. The personal use light stick is not bright enough at daytime search and rescue Transponders(SART) for life-saving appliances are too large and too heavy to equip individual personnel, and moreover have limited range. Emergency position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) using satellite communication and generally have an error range of 3 nautical miles. Therefore, a new device that is simple, convenient and efficient is required to reduce search time and prevent toss of life at sea. In this paper, we undertake a study of a new rescue device based on Radar Cross Section characteristics to improve search and rescue (SAR) activities. First, the characteristics of current rescue devices were investigated; the characteristics Radar Cross Section (RCS), which is the measure of a target's ability to reflect radar signals, were also reviewed New radar-reflecting rescue devices for personal and life-saving use were also designed, and the RCS of these designed devices was analyzed. The proposed device will aid in SAR activities and save lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the real-time monitoring system is developed based on the wireless sensor network (WSN) and power line communication (PLC) employed in the 3,000-ton-class training ship. The WSN consists of sensor nodes, router, gateway and middleware. The PLC is composed of power lines, modems, Ethernet gateway and phase-coupler. The basic tests show that the ship has rather good environments for the wired and wireless communications. The developed real-time monitoring system is applied to recognize the thermal environments of main-engine room and one cabin in the ship. The main-engine room has lots of heat sources and needs careful monitoring to satisfy safe operation condition or detect any human errors beforehand. The monitoring is performed in two regions near the turbocharger and cascade tank, considered as heat sources. The cabin on the second deck is selected to monitor the thermal environments because it is close to the heat source of main engine. The monitoring results of the cabin show the thermal environment is varied by the human activity. The real-time monitoring for the thermal environment would be useful for the planning of the ventilation strategy based on the traces of the human activity against inconvenient thermal environments as well as the recognizing the temperature itself in each cabin.