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This publication is an English version of the Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology (JASTRO) and The Japanese Circulation Society official guidelines for patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). Several radiotherapy-associated malfunctions have been reported for CIEDs such as pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. Accordingly, guidelines for radiotherapy in patients with CIEDs have been issued by other countries and societies. In August 2010, JASTRO published the ‘Radiotherapy Guidelines for Patients with Pacemakers and Implantable Defibrillators’ (hereafter referred to as the former guidelines). Given new findings in this decade, a multidisciplinary working group of radiation oncologists, medical physicists, radiation therapists and cardiologists jointly reviewed and revised the former guidelines.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the opinions of radiation oncologists in Japan regarding treatment for lung cancer complicated with interstitial lung disease (ILD) by a questionnaire survey, and the risk of acute exacerbation (AE) after radiotherapy. Questionnaires were sent to all of the facilities in which radiation therapy is performed for lung cancer in Japan by using the mailing list of the Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology (JASTRO). The questionnaire survey was conducted to clarify who judges the existence of ILD, the indications for radiation therapy in cases of ILD-combined lung cancer, and the ratio of ILD-combined lung cancer in lung cancer patients treated with radiation therapy. Patients with ILD-combined lung cancer who received radiotherapy during the period from April 2014 to March 2015 were retrospectively analysed. Any cases of AE without any other obvious cause were included. ILD confirmation was performed by central radiologists using computed tomography images. A total of 47 facilities responded to the questionnaire. Radiation therapy was an option in cases of ILD-combined lung cancer in 39 (83%) of the facilities. The indication for radiation therapy was based on image findings in 35 (90%) of the 39 facilities in which radiation therapy was acceptable or was a choice in some cases of ILD. The final indication was based on the opinion of the pulmonologist in 29 (74%) of those 39 facilities. In fiscal year 2014, a total of 2128 patients in 38 facilities received chest irradiation. Seventy-eight (3.7%) of those 2128 patients had ILD-combined lung cancer. Sixty-seven patients were included in patient analysis. AE occurred in 5 patients (7.5%), and one of those 5 patients (20.0%) died from radiation-induced AE. The median period from radiotherapy to AE was 4 months (range, 2–7 months). The following four independent risk factors for AE were identified in univariate analysis: non-advanced age (<75 years), increased C-reactive protein level (≥0.3 mg/dl), adjuvant chemotherapy and ≥ Grade 2 radiation pneumonitis. Radiotherapy was an option for lung cancer even in cases with ILD in 83% (39/47) of the facilities in Japan. Seventy-eight (3.7%) of 2128 patients who received radiation therapy for lung cancer had ILD. Radiotherapy for ILD-combined lung cancer may induce AE at a substantial rate and AE can be life-threatening. Minimizing the risk of radiation pneumonitis might enable the risk of AE to be reduced.

Small cell carcinoma of the bladder is extremely rare, accounting for <1% of all malignant tumours in the urinary tract. Thus, no standard therapy modality for this malignancy has been established. This study aimed to retrospectively analyse the clinical outcomes associated with definitive radiotherapy for small cell carcinoma of the bladder. A questionnaire-based survey of patients with pathologically proven small cell carcinoma of the bladder treated with definitive radiation therapy between 1990 and 2010 was conducted by the Japanese Radiation Oncology Study Group. The clinical records of 12 eligible patients were collected from nine institutions. The median age of the patients was 70.5 years (range: 44-87 years), and the median follow-up period was 27.3 months (range: 3.3-117.8 months). The median prescribed dose was 60 Gy (range: 50.0-61.0 Gy), and a median of 2.0 Gy (range: 1.2-2.0 Gy) was administered per fraction. Systemic chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy was performed in eight cases (66.7%). The 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 50.0% and 33.3%, respectively. And the 3- and 5-year local control rates were 66.7% and 55.6%, respectively. Chemotherapy significantly improved overall survival and relapse-free survival (P = 0.006 and 0.001, respectively). No serious adverse events occurred in the observation period. All patients who achieved local control maintained functional bladders. In conclusion, radiotherapy is a potential local treatment option and has an important role in maintaining quality of life. Systemic chemotherapy combined with local radiotherapy seems to be effective in improving survival.

Schematizing railway networks for better readability is often achieved by aligning railway lines along the octilinear directions. However, such railway map layouts require further adjustment when placing station name labels. In this article, the authors present a novel approach to automating the placement of station names around the railway network while maximally respecting its original layout as the mental map. The key idea is to progressively annotate stations from congested central downtown areas to sparse rural areas. This is accomplished by introducing the sum of geodesic distances over the railway network to properly order the stations to be annotated first, and then elongating the line segments of the railway network while retaining their directions to spare enough labeling space around each station. Additional constraints are also introduced to restrict the aspect ratios of the region confined by the railway network for better preservation of the mental map.

We aimed to determine whether synovial fluid (SF) biomarkers can predict the progression of articular cartilage damage as determined by arthroscopic evaluation during and after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Arthroscopic assessment of articular cartilage damage was performed twice in 62 patients, first during ACL reconstruction and then approximately 2 years later during implant removal for ligament fixation. SF levels of the collagenase-generated cleavage neoepitope of type II collagen (C2C) and proteoglycan glycosaminoglycans keratan sulfate (KS), chondroitin-4-sulfate (Δdi-C4S), and chondroitin-6-sulfate (Δdi-C6S) were measured at ACL reconstruction. Associations between baseline biomarker levels and subsequent progression of cartilage damage were determined using receiver operating characteristic analysis and multivariable logistic regression analysis. No radiographic changes were observed in any of the patients. Progression of high-grade cartilage damage, observed arthroscopically, was negatively correlated with levels of Δdi-C6S and KS, as well as the ratio of Δdi-C6S to Δdi-C4S (C6S/C4S). Logistic regression analysis revealed significant associations of Δdi-C6S (cut-off: 55.7 nmol/ml, odds ratio (OR) 0.231, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.061–0.879), KS (cut-off: 10.6 μg/ml, OR 0.114, 95% CI 0.024–0.529), and C6S/C4S ratio (cut-off: 4.6, OR 0.060, 95% CI 0.005–0.737) with the progression of high-grade cartilage damage after adjusting for age, the duration from injury to first surgery, sex, and the number of high-grade lesions (grades III and IV) at baseline. The progression of high-grade cartilage damage was significantly associated with baseline levels of proteoglycan glycosaminoglycan biomarkers; namely, Δdi-C6S, KS, and C6S/C4S ratio.

A FroudeMach similitude law for seaseabed interaction phenomena is established from the nonlinear Coulombdamped poroelastic theory recently developed. Generally, the similitude law requires that the three Mach numbers which are the ratios of water wave phase velocity to those of the fast and slow compressional waves and the shear waves in the seabed should be equalized in the prototype situation and the physical scale model in addition to the Froude number and the geometrical similarity. Laboratory wave tank experiments using sand beds and clay beds substantiate the theoretical similitude law. It is found that the response of sand beds to water waves is linear and quasistatic. The effect of the Coulomb friction in sand beds on wave attenuation is usually larger than that of percolation of pore water through sand beds. The response of clay beds to water waves is highly nonlinear and dynamically amplified. The Coulomb friction in clay beds is by far the largest wave damping mechanism compared to other damping mechanisms.

Abstract:: The purpose of the present study was to accurately measure anterior tibial translation during passive terminal extension (ATT-PTE) in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient knees, and to investigate correlations between various characteristics of such knees and the magnitude of ATT-PTE. The subjects were 79 patients with unilateral ACL-deficient knees and little flexion contracture. All patients were confirmed to have ACL injury of one knee by arthroscopy. Lateral radiographs of the bilateral knees in passive terminal extension were compared, and ATT-PTE was measured using an original superimposition method. The inter-observer and intra-observer reproducibility of measurement was significantly greater for this method than for the method without superimposition. In 42 of the 79 patients (53%), ATT-PTE was greater than 1 mm, while it was greater than 4 mm in 15 patients (19%). ATT-PTE was significantly larger in patients with a large anterior displacement difference (as measured with the KT-1000 arthrometer) (ATT-KT), a long period since injury, a history of reinjury, injury to the meniscus, and the presence of gross pivot shift. On the other hand, ATT-KT was equal to or greater than 2.5 mm in all 79 patients and showed no significant correlation with the time since initial injury, history of reinjury, on injury to the meniscus.

The purpose of the present study was to accurately measure anterior tibial translation during passive terminal extension (ATT-PTE) in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient knees, and to investigate correlations between various characteristics of such knees and the magnitude of ATT-PTE. The subjects were 79 patients with unilateral ACL-deficient knees and little flexion contracture. All patients were confirmed to have ACL injury of one knee by arthroscopy. Lateral radiographs of the bilateral knees in passive terminal extension were compared, and ATT-PTE was measured using an original superimposition method. The inter-observer and intra-observer reproducibility of measurement was significantly greater for this method than for the method without superimposition. In 42 of the 79 patients (53%), ATT-PTE was greater than 1mm, while it was greater than 4mm in 15 patients (19%). ATT-PTE was significantly larger in patients with a large anterior displacement difference (as measured with the KT-1000 arthrometer) (ATT-KT), a long period since injury, a history of reinjury, injury to the meniscus, and the presence of gross pivot shift. On the other hand, ATT-KT was equal to or greater than 2.5mm in all 79 patients and showed no significant correlation with the time since initial injury, history of reinjury, on injury to the meniscus.

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Wave damping by wave‐soil interactions is examined quantitatively. The dispersion relation is obtained explicitly. It is found that the Coulomb friction between soil grains is by far the most important wave damping mechanism in soft soil beds, e.g., clays and silts. This mechanism is highly nonlinear owing to the dynamic softening behavior of soils. Large waves damp much quicker than small waves. Simple formulas and charts are presented for estimation of the wave damping by soil motion. Wave lengths are also modified by the bed motion by up to ±15&percent;.

A Froude‐Mach similitude law for sea‐seabed interaction phenomena is established from the nonlinear Coulomb‐damped poro‐elastic theory recently developed. Generally, the similitude law requires that the three Mach numbers which are the ratios of water wave phase velocity to those of the fast and slow compressional waves and the shear waves in the seabed should be equalized in the prototype situation and the physical scale model in addition to the Froude number and the geometrical similarity. Laboratory wave tank experiments using sand beds and clay beds substantiate the theoretical similitude law. It is found that the response of sand beds to water waves is linear and quasistatic. The effect of the Coulomb friction in sand beds on wave attenuation is usually larger than that of percolation of pore water through sand beds. The response of clay beds to water waves is highly nonlinear and dynamically amplified. The Coulomb friction in clay beds is by far the largest wave damping mechanism compared to other damping mechanisms.

Objectives. This study used cyclic voltammetry to examine the effect of the composition of dental amalgams on their electrochemical behavior, including reactions occurring outside of oral conditions.

Commissioned by the Japanese Ministry of Transport, the Coastal Development Institute of Technology has developed an oscillating water column-type (OWC) wave power converter. The wave power extracting converter was designed especially for composite breakwaters. A breakwater with a wave power converter will efficiently reduce power generation costs, at the same time improving a breakwater's wave-resisting stability by absorbing wave energy. Basic research was conducted for a period of 5 years, starting in 1982. A field verification experiment for the breakwater has begun in 1987 and a test breakwater was constructed in the summer of 1989 at Sakata Port. The power generator went on-line and the experiment started in the winter of 1989.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) after extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). A total of 15 patients who received VMAT after EPP were enrolled. All patients were males, and the median age was 67 years (Stage IB in two, II in six, and III in seven patients). The clinical target volume (CTV) included the entire preoperative ipsilateral hemithorax and involved nodal stations. The CTV was generally expanded by 10–15 mm beyond the planning target volume (PTV). The dose prescription was designed to cover 95% of the PTV with 54 Gy in 30 fractions. The median follow-up period was 11 months. Treatment-related toxicities were evaluated by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) ver. 4. One-year local control, disease-free survival, and overall survival rates were 55.7% [95% confidence interval (CI): 25.6–85.8%], 29.3% (95% CI: 5.3–53.3%), and 43.1% (95% CI: 17.1–69.0%), respectively. According to the histological analysis, the one-year LC rate was significantly worse in patients with non-epithelial type (biphasic and sarcomatoid types) than in patients with epithelial type [epithelial type: 83.3% (95% CI, 53.5–100%), non-epithelial type: 0% (95% CI, 0%), P = 0.0011]. Grade 3 pneumonitis after VMAT was observed in three patients (20.0%); however, no patients died of pulmonary toxicity. VMAT appears to be relatively safe for patients with MPM after EPP because of the low pulmonary dose.

The effect of partial replacement of Y site with Ca or Ba site with Sr on the thermal and electrical properties of YBa2Cu3O7−δsuperconductors was investigated. For Y(Ba1−XSrX)2Cu3O7−δsystem, the characteristic enhancement of the thermal conductivity κ(T) below the transition temperature Tcwas decreased more slowly by substitution than that for (Y1−XCaX)Ba2Cu3O7−δsystem. Electron-phonon interaction in these systems were discussed based on the phonon heat conduction model under the weak coupling d-wave energy gap.

Visual analysis of 3D diffusion tensor fields has become an important topic especially in medical imaging for understanding microscopic structures and physical properties of biological tissues. However, it is still difficult to continuously track the underlying features from discrete tensor samples, due to the absence of appropriate interpolation schemes in the sense that we are able to handle possible degeneracy while fully respecting the smooth transition of tensor anisotropic features. This is because the degeneracy may cause rotational inconsistency of tensor anisotropy. This paper presents such an approach to interpolating 3D diffusion tensor fields. The primary idea behind our approach is to resolve the possible degeneracy through optimizing the rotational transformation between a pair of neighboring tensors by analyzing their associated eigenstructure, while the degeneracy can be identified by applying a minimum spanning tree-based clustering algorithm to the original tensor samples. Comparisons with existing interpolation schemes will be provided to demonstrate the advantages of our scheme, together with several results of tracking white matter fiber bundles in a human brain.

For Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.