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The concept of hair transparency has been claimed widely in the Japan (and now it is spreading to Asian) hair color market. Despite the general use of this concept, to date, there is no clear and objective description to accurately explain what it is. In this work, we have decoded and gave clarity to the concept of hair transparency via a technical model (validated for both Japan and China markets) composed of measurable parameters of hair property using a single device.A comprehensive study composed of various tests was used, starting with a qualitative identification of key parameters via in-depth workshop discussions with over 40 Japanese stylists and a panel of 12 consumers. These identified parameters (luminosity, color visibility, and Shine) were then translated into technically measurable parameters of the hair fiber (Diffused light intensity, ratio of RGB channel intensities of Diffused light, and luster) via a single instrument-Hair SAMBA (a dual-polarized imaging system). Afterward, 10 carefully selected anchor shades were used as visual stimuli in an online pairwise comparison (PC) study with 100 Japanese stylists to generate quantitative transparency perception data of the swatches. Technical parameters of these swatches were measured by SAMBA and consolidated with the PC output, for the creation and validation of the mathematical model. After, with another PC study (N = 100) in China, with seven shades from Japan study and 6 additional Chinese market shades, the applicability of the model in China market was validated.We have clarified and quantified the concept of hair transparency through a consumer centric approach and with objective data. Our findings will enable the development of optimum transparent shades which better suits consumer needs. Lastly, we would like to highlight the beauty of digitalization in the study: The digital evaluation pathways chosen allowed us to collect quantitative consumer data from two countries for the creation of a robust model under the impact of COVID-19 and would definitely be the way to go for our future consumer evaluation studies.

Photoimmunotherapy (PIT) is a new type of tumor‐specific treatment utilizing monoclonal antibody (mAb)‐photosensitizer conjugates and near‐infrared (NIR) light irradiation. One potential PIT target, the type I transmembrane protein TROP2, is expressed at high levels in many cancers, including pancreatic carcinoma (PC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC), in which its expression is correlated with poor prognosis and tumor aggressiveness. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of PIT utilizing newly developed humanized anti‐TROP2 mAb conjugated to the photosensitizer IR700 (TROP2‐IR700) for PC and CC. Immunohistochemistry on PC and CC tissue microarrays confirmed that TROP2 is overexpressed in about half of PC and CC specimens. Using cultured PC and CC cells, TROP2‐IR700 localized TROP2‐specific and target‐specific cell killing was observed after NIR light irradiation. In addition, TROP2‐IR700 was localized to mouse xenograft tumors expressing TROP2 after intravenous injection. PC and CC xenograft tumor growth was significantly inhibited by TROP2‐targeted PIT relative to controls. The efficacy of TROP2‐targeted PIT in vitro and against xenografted tumors in vivo suggests promise as a therapy for human PC and CC, both of which currently have dismal prognoses and limited therapeutic options., The recently developed photoimmunotherapy (PIT) method targets and disrupts cancer cell membranes by combining monoclonal antibody (mAb)‐based targeting with a photosensitizer IR700. By using newly developed humanized anti‐TROP2 mAb conjugated to the IR700 (TROP2‐IR700), both pancreatic cancer and cholangiocarcinoma cells were successfully treated with near‐infrared light both in vitro and in vivo. Given that there is no molecular‐targeted therapy in the standard of care for pancreatic cancer and cholangiocarcinoma patients, TROP2‐targeted PIT is an attractive candidate for clinical trials and ultimately treatment.

Background It is difficult to diagnose Bickerstaff’s brainstem encephalitis (BBE) in the acute phase, and emergency physicians could diagnose BBE as an unknown cause of consciousness disturbance. Case presentation A 75‐year‐old woman presented with dizziness and weakness in both arms 1 week after an upper respiratory infection. She experienced gradual worsening of consciousness, had dilated pupils and no light reflex. She was suspected of brainstem dysfunction at the upper part of the brainstem; however, there were not significant findings on magnetic resonance imaging, cerebrospinal fluid, or electroencephalography. The auditory brainstem response demonstrated a low voltage, but there was no prolonged latency. At a later date, she was diagnosed with BBE based on serum immunoglobulin G anti‐GQ1b antibody. She was discharged home without any neurological sequelae. Conclusion It is necessary to analyze serum immunoglobulin G anti‐GQ1b antibodies to diagnose BBE. Auditory brainstem response would be helpful in detecting lesions and predicting functional recovery., Auditory brainstem response of patients with Bickerstaff’s brainstem encephalitis demonstrated a low voltage, but there was no prolonged latency.

Introduction Incisional ventral hernia is one of the most common surgical complications after laparotomy. Laparoscopic repair of incisional ventral hernia has been conducted recently, and the advantages of this procedure have been reported. However, in large orifice cases, the recurrence rate is increased. To improve recurrence rates in large cases, a hybrid method combining laparoscopic primary closure and mesh repair can be applied. Materials and Surgical Technique Monofilament thread was inserted into the abdominal cavity for hernia closure and pulled from the other side of the orifice. The same procedure was performed from the upper side to the lower side without closure, and all thread was placed in line. Both sides of the thread were then introduced to the midline of the incision through a subcutaneous route. This procedure was conducted with an introducer. All threads were tied, and then a mesh was placed. Discussion Hybrid techniques already combine mini-laparotomy for hernia closure and subsequent laparoscopic intraoperative onlay mesh for reinforcement, but such techniques require laparotomy. In our technique, closure of the linea alba does not require laparotomy. All procedures were performed laparoscopically. This procedure is very easy and safe, and does not require the abdominal cavity to be opened. Thus, hybrid methods are effective for treating cases of incisional hernia involving a large orifice.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to find a reliable procedure for performing virtual touch tissue quantification of the liver. METHODS Twenty healthy volunteers were enrolled after informed consent was obtained. The liver and spleen of each volunteer were examined on the same day by two different sonologists. The shear wave velocity values at deep and superficial locations of the right and left lobes of the liver and the spleen were obtained before and after food consumption and with and without deep inspiration. The measurements were performed 5 times in each location, and the mean shear wave velocities were recorded. RESULTS No statistically significant difference was found between the mean shear wave velocities obtained by the two operators. A difference was found between the velocities obtained in the deep portion of the right lobe (5.5 cm from the probe; mean ± SD, 1.17 ± 0.25 m/s on the intercostal scan and 1.35 ± 0.45 m/s on the subcostal scan) and the superficial portion (3.5 cm; 1.56 ± 0.43 and 1.74 ± 0.74 m/s; P < .001; P < .002, respectively), and the values obtained in the deep portion of the right lobe on the intercostal scan were lower than those obtained on the subcostal scan (P < .05). There were no differences in the mean shear wave velocities of the liver before and after food consumption or with and without deep inspiration. The velocities of the spleen did not differ before and after food consumption (2.33 ± 0.47 versus 2.39 ± 0.58 m/s). CONCLUSIONS In healthy people, mean shear wave velocities were dependent on the measurement site in the liver, and food consumption or deep inspiration did not affect velocity measurements of the liver or spleen.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Transcranial color-coded duplex sonography (TCCS) is a useful tool for evaluating cerebral structures. The aim of this study was to examine whether TCCS is useful for evaluation of hematoma volume. METHODS Patients with supratentorial intracranial hemorrhage within 24 hours of onset were enrolled. We measured major longitudinal, sagittal in axial plane, and coronal diameter of hematoma on computed tomography (CT) and on TCCS. We estimated hematoma volume using the formula, V = longitudinal × sagittal × coronal/2. The correlation between the hematoma volume on TCCS and CT was studied. RESULTS Of 48 patients with acute supratentorial cerebral hemorrhage admitted to our hospital, 20 patients with temporal windows (age, 67.5 ± 14.8 years; male, 15) were enrolled. A good correlation was found between TCCS and CT for longitudinal, sagittal, coronal diameter, and hematoma volume (r= .907, P < .0001; r= .811, P < .0001; r= .595, P= .0056; and r= .856, P < .0001). Bland-Altman test showed a good agreement between CT and TCCS, the mean difference between both methods was .31. CONCLUSION TCCS appears to be a useful method for evaluating hematoma volume. J Neuroimaging 2011;21:355-358.

Most of the wireless sensor network's (WSN's) applications require getting accurate information as well as uninterrupted, prolonged service life. Among the constituting elements of WSN, an efficient routing protocol plays a significant role in attaining such service requirements. In this article, an energy efficient routing protocol, context-aware clustering hierarchy (CACH), is proposed where cluster formation is based on the context of the environment. Moreover, a technique is utilized to avoid similar data traffic across the network. The performance in the simulation shows energy saving which ensures prolonged service life. Copyright © 2009 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

In the United States, immigration has long been considered as a field at the core of sociological investigation. Its origins are associated with the Chicago School, which remained dominant in American sociology between the two world wars. Urban change in Chicago became a major focus of empirical inquiry in the early 20th century and was stimulated by large-scale immigration, primarily from Southern and Eastern Europe. The tradition and themes that stem from the Chicago School have deeply influenced subsequent research. Keywords: immigration; identity politics; ethnocentrism; assimilation and exclusion; social policy

In wireless ad hoc networks, collisions and congestion at some nodes cause degradation of network throughput. There have been some load-aware routing protocols proposed for load distribution and balancing by detouring congested nodes. However, they are for unicast communication. This paper proposes a load-aware protocol for the same purpose in multicast communication. The protocol has features to build a multicast tree with load distribution and balancing, and to reorganize the tree according to dynamic load changes. Simulation-based preliminary experiments result in that the number of highly loaded members in a multicast tree was smaller with the proposed protocol than that with a conventional one. Copyright © 2010 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Sodium dinitro(aminoethyliminodiacetato)-cobaltate(III) has been obtained by the oxidation of an aqueous mixture of cobalt(II) chloride, sodium nitrite, and a reaction product between ethylenediamine and sodium monochloroacetate. Several other complexes with the tetradentate ligand have also been derived from the dinitro complex.