Search

An altimeter is a critical instrument in planetary missions, for both safe operations and science activities. We present required specifications and link budget calculations for light detection and ranging (LIDAR) onboard the Martian Moons Exploration (MMX) spacecraft. During the mission phase, this LIDAR will continuously measure the distance between the spacecraft and its target. The time-series distance provides important diagnostic information for safe spacecraft operations and important information for geomorphological studies. Because MMX is a sample return mission, its LIDAR must accommodate physical disturbances on the Martian satellite surface. This resulted in changes to the optical system design. Graphical abstract

The present paper proposes a measure for improving the wind-resistant performance of photovoltaic systems and mechanically attached single-ply membrane roofing systems installed on flat roofs by combining them together. Mechanically attached single-ply membrane roofing systems are often used in Japan. These roofing systems are often damaged by strong winds, because they are very sensitive to wind action. Recently, photovoltaic (PV) systems placed on flat roofs have become popular. They are also often damaged by strong winds directed onto the underside, which cause large wind forces onto the PV panels. For improving the wind resistance of these systems, we proposed to install PV panels horizontally with gaps between them. Such an installation may decrease the wind forces on the PV panels due to the pressure equalization effect as well as on the waterproofing membrane due to the shielding effect of the PV panels. This paper discusses the validity of such an idea. The pressure on the bottom surface of a PV panel, called the “layer pressure” here, was evaluated by a numerical simulation based on the unsteady Bernoulli equation. In the simulation, the time history of the external pressure coefficients, measured at many points on the roof in a wind tunnel, was employed. It was found that the wind forces, both on the PV panels and on the roofing system, were significantly reduced. The reduction was large near the roof’s corner, where large suction pressures were induced in oblique winds. Thus, the proposed method improved the wind resistance of both systems significantly.

AIM The new guidelines in Japan do not recommend a vancomycin (VCM) loading dose for patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 30 < and ≤ 80 mL×min-1×1.73m-2 (moderate renal dysfunction) or administration to those with the eGFR < 30 mL×min-1×1.73m-2 (severe renal dysfunction). We investigated the safety and efficiency of VCM in patients with moderate and severe renal dysfunction based on the new guidelines. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study involved patients admitted to our hospital between April 2014 and March 2018 with an eGFR < 80 mL×min-1×1.73m-2 and treated with VCM. VCM trough concentration and pre- and post-administration renal function were investigated retrospectively. The primary endpoints were the proportion of patients who achieved an effective trough concentration of 10 - 20 µg/mL and rate of acute kidney injury (AKI). RESULTS We included 64 patients (32 moderate, 32 severe). The mean VCM trough concentration achieved for the first time was 9.3 and 11.6 µg/mL in the moderate and severe renal dysfunction groups, respectively (p = 0.91). The effective trough concentration endpoint was achieved by 50% and 43% of the patients in the severe and moderate renal dysfunction groups, respectively, and no significant difference was found in the AKI rate. The serum creatinine change was significantly different between the groups - the moderate group showed a slight deterioration and the severe renal dysfunction group an improvement. CONCLUSION It may be necessary to increase the dose for these patients with severe renal dysfunction while implementing a VCM loading dose and monitoring trough concentrations and adverse effects.

In monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MNE) treatment, enuretic alarm devices are the first recommended treatment option. This study aimed to compare retrospectively the effectiveness of wearable wireless and wired alarm devices for MNE treatment in children aged 6-14 years.All children aged 6-16 with MNE who underwent alarm therapy as outpatients were included. A wired alarm device was used from 2012 to 2015, and a wireless alarm device was used from 2016 to 2019. The primary outcomes were the dropout rates during therapy and at last follow up. The full response(14 consecutive dry nights) and the partial response rate during therapy were also assessed.Of the 173 patients enrolled, 75 and 98 used a wired and a wireless alarm device, respectively. The dropout rate at the last visit was significantly lower in the wireless alarm group than that in the wired alarm group (6.1% vs. 20.0%; P = 0.006). The full response(FR) rate was significantly higher in the wireless alarm group than these in the wired alarm group at 4, 12, 24 weeks (4 weeks: 11.2% vs. 1.3%, P = 0.011; 12 weeks: 31.9% vs. 13.5%, P = 0.005; 24 weeks: 72.9% vs. 39.7%, P 0.0001).Wireless alarm therapy for MNE had lower attrition rates and a higher rate of FR than wired alarm therapy.

The objective of this study was to investigate the differences in the clinical characteristics of Kawasaki disease between older and younger children.This retrospective study examined 405 children with Kawasaki disease admitted to Showa University Northern Yokohama Hospital between 2015 and 2019.Eligible patients were classified into the older (≥3.0 years of age, n = 169) and younger (3.0 years of age, n = 236) groups. Skin rash was found in significantly fewer cases (112 [66.3%] vs 229 [97.0%], P .001 in the younger group). Cervical lymphadenopathy was more common in older children (153 [90.5%] vs 165 [69.9%], P .001) and in incomplete Kawasaki disease (3 or 4 findings) (34 [20.1%] vs 25 [10.6%], P = .0078). The diagnosis was more delayed in older children (median: 5.0 days vs 4.0 days, P = .003) than the younger group. Additionally, fever nonresponsive to a single intravenous immunoglobulin was more common, and the duration of fever was significantly longer in the older group (48 [28.4%] vs 47 [19.9%], P = .0479).Kawasaki disease should be suspected in children aged3.0 years with cervical lymphadenopathy and fever, despite the absence of skin rash. Additionally, incomplete Kawasaki disease, fever unresolved by a single intravenous immunoglobulin infusion, and the tendency to delay treatment initiation are more common in children aged3.0 years.

Few studies have evaluated the efficacy of ultrasonography (US) and abdominal radiography in assessing bladder and bowel dysfunction in children aged24 months. We aimed to investigate the association between the risk of urinary tract infection (UTI) recurrence and fecal impaction using imaging findings.The medical records of 121 children (aged24 months) with initial febrile UTI (fUTI) who were admitted to the authors' institution from January 2004 to September 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. We evaluated the rectal diameters of children with suspected fecal impaction that were measured using transabdominal US, or the rectal diameters divided by the distance between the ischial spines that were measured using abdominal radiography. Based on previous reports, we defined fecal impaction as a transabdominal US score of30 mm or an abdominal radiography score of0.5. The definition of functional constipation was based on the child/adolescent Rome IV criteria - i.e., a maximum stool frequency of twice per week.The median age at initial fUTI diagnosis was 4 months. The occurrence of fecal impaction identified via imaging was significantly greater in patients with UTI recurrence than in those without recurrence: yes/no: 17/9 (65.4%) versus 35/60 (36.8%); P = 0.013. On the other hand, the occurrence rates of constipation based on stool frequency did not differ between the two groups. In multiple logistic analyses, fecal impaction detected via imaging was identified as an independent risk factor for fUTI recurrence.Fecal impaction observed via US and abdominal radiography may be useful in predicting the recurrence of fUTI in children.

Background There is little information about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children with underlying chronic renal pathologies. Cases report From March until April 15, 2020, 16 children with chronic renal pathologies were diagnosed with COVID-19 in Spain. Of these, 6 had end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) (3 transplant recipients and 3 on chronic hemodialysis). The severity of symptoms was mild in all the patients, with little radiological involvement. Three patients were asymptomatic. Fever and upper respiratory symptoms were the most frequent findings. Basal glomerular filtration worsened in 3 patients; however, recovery was rapidly achieved with rehydration and drug dose adjustment. In 2 patients diagnosed with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome, COVID-19 provoked a disease relapse. None required oxygen therapy, and 7 could be managed as outpatients. Conclusions COVID-19 disease appears to have a similar clinical course in children with underlying chronic renal pathologies, even in immunosuppressed cases, as in healthy children of the same age; however, special attention must be paid to fluid management and drug dose adjustment.