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Background Although the association between dysregulated coagulation and atherosclerosis is well recognized, individual assays have been of minimal value in understanding disease susceptibility. Here we investigated the association of global coagulation profiles with coronary artery disease with consideration of sex differences. Methods and Results The study included patients from the BioHEART‐CT (The BioHEART Study: Assessing Patients With Suspected Cardiovascular Disease for New Disease Markers and Risk Factors) biobank who had computed tomography coronary angiograms scored for coronary artery calcium score (CACS) and Gensini score. The cohort included 206 adult patients who were referred for clinically indicated computed tomography coronary angiography and had a median of 2 major cardiac risk factors; 50% were women and the average age was 62.6 years (±9.9 years). The overall hemostatic potential (OHP) and calibrated automated thrombography generation assays were performed on platelet‐poor plasma. CACS and Gensini score in men were significantly correlated in bivariate analysis with measures from the OHP assay, and regression models predicting disease severity by CACS or Gensini score were improved by adding the OHP assay variables in men but not in women. The calibrated automated thrombography generation assay demonstrated a more hypercoagulable profile in women than in men. The OHP assay showed hypercoagulable profiles in women with hyperlipidemia and men with obesity. Conclusions The OHP assay identified hypercoagulable profiles associated with different risk factors for each sex and was associated with CACS and Gensini score severity in men, emphasizing the associations between increased fibrin generation and reduced fibrinolysis with cardiac risk factors and early atherosclerosis. Registration Information www.anzctr.org.au . Identifier: ACTRN12618001322224.

Key Clinical Message Implantable collamer lenses (ICL) carry a risk of prolapse caused by direct ocular trauma, especially in mesopic conditions and when oversized ICLs are implanted. We recommend early surgical repositioning, as well as patient education that encourages goggle use during active sports.

A high-efficiency asymmetric Doherty power amplifier has been developed. This study proposed a harmonic suppressing technique at the second and the third harmonics and an impedance converting technique at a fundamental frequency with a T -shaped stub. Amplification efficiency was improved by a two-power-level impedance optimisation and harmonic treatment for the carrier amplifier and peaking amplifier on an asymmetric Doherty power amplifier circuit. The 10-W and 45-W GaN HEMTs released by Cree/Wolfspeed are respectively used for the carrier amplifier and the peaking amplifier. The fabricated asymmetric Doherty power amplifier with 58.6 % drain efficiency at a saturated output power of 46.3 dBm was achieved at 2.19 GHz. It achieved a 72.1 % drain efficiency at 8 dB output back-off condition from the saturation. Furthermore, the second and third harmonic spurious levels were reduced to −58.1 dBc and −62.8 dBc, respectively.

In this work, a 2-dimensional phased-array antenna is proposed for microwave power transfer. The purpose of this antenna design is to simplify the phase control system for beam steering. In this paper, we design and fabricate two-stage phase shifters and $3\times 3$ antenna array. The demonstration of 2-D beam steering based on only two dc sources was tried. According to a demonstration, the 2-D beam steering of 15.5° and 16.5° in azimuth and elevation axis are confirmed.

Introduction & Aim: Plaque micro-ruptures and associated thrombosis are a contributor to the progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). We sought to determine if disorders of haemostasis detectable by a global coagulation assay was a novel risk factor for CAD, or if hypercoagulation was associated with any of the traditional cardiac risk factors. Methods: Using the BioHEART biobank of clinical data, imaging data and pathology specimens, a cohort of patients (mean age 62.9 +/- 9.9 years, n=103 female, 103 male) had platelet poor plasma assessed by the overall haemostatic potential (OHP) assay. This assay measures the integrated effect of procoagulant, anticoagulant and fibrinolytic factors via calculation of area under a fibrin time curve. All patients had CT coronary angiograms scored; calcified plaque was identified by the coronary artery calcium score, and non-calcified plaque burden by a soft plaque score (SPS). Analysis was segregated by sex because of baseline differences in coagulation between males and females. Results: The OHP was found to be elevated in male patients who had non-calcified CAD [SPS>0 - 10.4 +/- 0.6 (n=62) vs SPS=0 - 8.78 +/- 0.5 (n=41), p=0.04], male patients with obesity [BMI >= 30 - 12.6 +/- 1.1 (n=26) vs BMI < 30 - 8.8 +/- 0.4 (n=77), p Conclusions: These results indicate that hypercoagulation is associated with more biologically active non-calcified plaque, and that disordered coagulation is associated with two significant cardiac risk factors in a sex-discrepant manner. These findings underscore the importance of global coagulation assessments as potential novel, sex-specific biomarker for subclinical atherosclerosis.

This work targets microwave power transfer to a flying drone. The rf transmitter is assumed to use a magnetron unit array. Each magnetron transmitter is attached to large-aperture antennas. Beam steering is provided by phased-array systems or mechanical gimbals on each antenna. The beams generated by the phase-controlled magnetrons and radiated from the transmitters are combined in free space. This report discusses the 5.8 GHz phase-locked magnetron characteristics. 60 % dc-rf conversion efficiency and 1 kW output are confirmed in a demonstration if self-excited oscillation. The phase-locked magnetron demonstration also confirms phase shifting of the output signal by controlling the phase of the injection signal.

Stratospheric platform attracts attention as a new communication infrastructure for expanding the communication area in many countries. In stratospheric platform, the unmanned airplanes stay at the stratosphere(an altitude of about 20km) and use as a communication relay station. In this concept, it is important to get a light and stable power supply for long term operation. Microwave power transfer is proposed as one solution. By using radio waves, microwave power transfer can transmit wirelessly and efficiently even at long distances. However, considering the shape of the airplane, it is desirable for the receiving antenna to be an elongated rectangle. An antenna shape such as rectanglar or circular affects the transmission efficiency even though the antenna aperture area is even. Therefore, when the receiving antenna becomes rectangular, it is confirmed that the transmission efficiency improves if the transmitting antenna is elongated according to its shape. Furthermore, we estimate the transmission efficiency including the attenuation of the atmosphere and the rainfall. In addition, since the airplane is assumed to move along the flight path, it is necessary to obtain how much power can be obtained over the entire flight path. Therefore, we also examined the received power in the entire flight path.

Introduction Patients with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) have higher rates of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) than the general population. PAH is a risk for perioperative respiratory and heart failure, and marked edema of colonic stoma after sigmoidectomy. We report a case of sigmoidectomy for sigmoid colon cancer in a patient with PAH associated with MCTD for whom perioperative treatment was planned to control pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), and a surgical strategy to avoid complications attributable to PAH and MCTD was employed. Case presentation A 52-year-old woman with sigmoid cancer and severe PAH associated with MCTD underwent surgery. We controlled PAH by using intravenous epoprostenol. We selected open surgery without laparoscopy and Hartmann's operation. After surgery, severe perioperative complications were not detected, and the patient discharged from hospital 17 days after the operation. Discussion During surgery under general anesthesia, the mortality rate of PAH is high because of heart and respiratory failure. We planned to switch the PAH treatment from an oral agent to intravenous epoprostenol only in the preoperative period, and selected open surgery. We ligated the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) and inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) below the branch of LCA to avoid marked edema of stoma. Consequently, we could avoid severe intraoperative and postoperative complications. Conclusions Controlling PAP using epoprostenol, open surgery, stoma and the ligation level for the IMA and IMV preventing are important to avoid perioperative complications of sigmoid colon cancer complicated by severe PAH., Highlights • The patient with PAH complicated by MCTD underwent Hartman’s operation for sigmoid colon cancer. • Control of PAH by epoprostenol preoperatively is important to prevent perioperative cardiac complications. • The level of ligation of the IMA and the LCA is important to avoid severe edema of stoma.

A non-syndromic, congenital bifid tongue is an extremely rare malformation, the details of which are largely unknown. A female neonate was referred to our division presenting with a bifid tongue. The cleft was located in the right anterior part of the tongue. In addition, 2 tumors (10 mm and 2 mm) were located at the base of the cleft. Seven days after birth, the tumors were excised and primary closure of the cleft was performed for correction of the bifid tongue. The postoperative course was uneventful, and follow-up examination 20 months later showed no functional disturbance. Furthermore, all published cases were carefully reviewed to improve our understanding of the etiology of congenital bifid tongue. Formation of a congenital neoplasm during the early stages of tongue development could be the main etiology of a bifid tongue.

PurposeTo predict the anterior chamber volume (ACV) after implantable collamer lens (ICL) implantation based on ICL size and parameters of anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).DesignRetrospective study.MethodsThis study included 222 eyes of 222 patients who underwent ICL implantation at Nagoya Eye Clinic. The patients were divided into two groups: prediction group, for creating the prediction equation (148 eyes, mean age: 32.11 ± 8.04 years), and verification group, for verifying the equation (74 eyes, mean age: 33.03 ± 6.74 years). The angle opening distance (AOD), anterior chamber width (ACW), ACV, anterior chamber depth, lens vault, angle-to-angle distance, angle recess area, and trabecular iris space area were calculated using AS-OCT. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed. After the creation of the prediction equation, its accuracy was verified in the verification group.ResultsThe ACV, AOD750, ACW, and ICL size were selected as explanatory variables to predict postoperative ACV. Mean predicted (114.2 ± 21.83 mm3) and actual postoperative ACVs (116.1 ± 25.41 mm3) were not significantly different (P = 0.269); absolute error was 10.59 ± 9.13 mm3. In addition, there was high correlation between actual and predictive ACV (adjusted R2= 0.6996, p < 0.0001). Bland-Altman plot revealed that there was no addition or proportional error between predicted and actual postoperative ACV.ConclusionPostoperative ACV was accurately predicted using AS-OCT parameters and ICL size. This prediction equation may be useful for making decisions regarding ICL size.

We describe a method termed Ex-Space to enable continuous, one-dimensional keyboard input on the home position. The method features thumb movement on the space key. We developed a prototype of the method consisting of a piece of conductive fabric attached to the space key to detect the position of the sliding thumb. In addition, we performed two preliminary experiments: an experiment to calculate the resolution afforded by touch position detection, and an experiment to explore the performance of menu command input using Ex-Space.

A 4.5–4.9-GHz high-efficiency GaN HEMT amplIfier has been developed based on a dual-band design regarding a multi-harmonic treatment technique considering up to third-order harmonics. To prevent narrowing of the high-efficiency bandwidths due to many reactance control transmission lines connected in cascade for the harmonics, T-shaped stubs which terminate four harmonics at one point on a transmission line were used instead of λ/4 open-ended stubs terminating the harmonics for each of the reactance control lines. The fabricated GaN HEMT amplifier exhibited a maximum power-added efficiency of 65% and a maximum drain efficiency of 71% at 4.6 GHz with a saturation output power of 36 dBm. In addition, a drain efficiency of more than 60% was obtained over a wide frequency range from 4.52 to 4.94 GHz.

Wireless body area networks (BANs) are attracting great attention as a future technology of wireless networks for healthcare and medical applications. Wireless BANs can generally be divided into two categories, i.e., wearable BANs and implant BANs. However, the performance requirements and channel propagation characteristics of these two kinds of BANs are quite different from each other, that is, wireless signals are approximately transmitted along the human body as a surface wave in wearable BANs, on the other hand, the signals are transmitted through the human tissues in implant BANs. As an effective solution for this problem, this paper first introduces a dual-mode communication system, which is composed of transmitters for in-body and on-body communications and a receiver for both communications. Then, we evaluate the bit error rate (BER) performance of the dual-mode communication system via computer simulations based on realistic channel models, which can reasonably represent the propagation characteristics of on-body and in-body communications. Finally, we conduct a link budget analysis based on the derived BER performances and discuss the link parameters including system margin, maximum link distance, data rate and required transmit power. Our computer simulation results and analysis results demonstrate the feasibility of the dual-mode communication system in wireless BANs.

This paper considers a model of legislative decision-making, in which information must be collected from a strategic lobbyist. The legislature appoints a committee to communicate with the lobbyist and propose a bill, and determines whether the proposal is processed under open or closed rule. Consistent with empirical evidence, it can be optimal for the legislature to appoint a biased committee and, depending on the lobbyist's bias, both open and closed rule are used in equilibrium. For small lobbyist bias, it is optimal to choose closed rule and a committee whose interests are perfectly aligned with the lobbyist's. For intermediate lobbyist bias, closed rule remains optimal with a committee whose preferences lie between those of the legislature and those of the lobbyist. For large lobbyist bias, open rule and a committee biased against the lobbyist become optimal.

Due to the recent popularization of the Internet, continuous media data broadcasting such as audio or video have attracted great attention. Although continuous media data broadcasting can reduce the more necessary bandwidth than conventional on-demand delivery, waiting time from requesting data to playing it increases. In division-based broadcasting, many researches have proposed scheduling methods to reduce the waiting time. Although a division-based broadcasting system has also been proposed to evaluate these methods, this system does not consider wireless LAN environment. In wireless LAN environment, we have to consider the such problems as a communication protocol and a packet loss. In this paper, we implement and evaluate a division-based broadcasting system to solve the problem in the conventional system. In our proposed system, we confirm the effectiveness for reducing the waiting time using the scheduling method.

Due to the recent popularization of the Internet, continuous media data broadcasting such as audio or video have attracted great attention. Although continuous media data broadcasting can reduce the more necessary bandwidth than conventional on-demand delivery, waiting time from requesting data to playing it increases. In division-based broadcasting, many researches have proposed scheduling methods to reduce the waiting time. Although a division-based broadcasting system has also been proposed to evaluate these methods, this system does not consider the case of wireless LAN environment. In wireless LAN environment, we have to consider such problems as a communication protocol and a packet loss. In this paper, we propose a division-based broadcasting system to solve the problem in the conventional system. In our proposed system, we can evaluate the effectiveness for reducing the waiting time using the scheduling method.

Essentials Prothrombin Belgrade mutation leads to antithrombin resistance. Clinical and biochemical phenotypes in a large family with this mutation were investigated. In carriers, we detected decreased factor II activity and increased endogenous thrombin potential. Prothrombin Belgrade mutation represents a strong prothrombotic risk factor. SummaryBackground The recently reported c.1787G>A mutation in the prothrombin gene leads to Arg596Gln replacement in the protein molecule (prothrombin Belgrade). This substitution impairs binding of antithrombin to thrombin and results in inherited thrombophilia, known as antithrombin resistance. Objectives We aimed to elucidate the clinical and biochemical characteristics of thrombophilia associated with antithrombin resistance in a large Serbian family with the prothrombin Belgrade mutation. Patients and methods Nineteen family members were investigated, among whom 10 were carriers of the c.1787G>A mutation. In all subjects the clinical phenotype was determined and laboratory investigations of hemostatic parameters were performed. Results Six out of the 10 mutation carriers developed thromboembolic events, mainly deep venous and mesenteric vein thrombosis. The median age of the first thrombotic event was 26.5 (12–41) years, whereas the incidence rate of first thrombosis was 2.2% per year. In all mutation carriers prothrombin activity was significantly decreased in comparison with non-carriers, clearly distinguishing each group. However, the presence of the mutation did not affect the prothrombin antigen level in plasma. The endogenous thrombin potential was significantly increased in all carriers in comparison with non-carriers, indicating the presence of blood hypercoagulability. Interestingly, levels of D-dimer and the F1+2 fragment were similar in both groups. Conclusions Although rare, the prothrombin Belgrade mutation represents strong thrombophilia with early onset of thrombosis in the investigated family. According to our results, decreased prothrombin activity may be a simple screening test for detection of this mutation in thrombotic patients.

Orally administered bisphosphonates are generally considered a first-line medication for treatment of osteoporosis. As a side effect of bisphosphonates, osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ) has been reported worldwide. Most reports of osteonecrosis are attributed to the use of bisphosphonates administered intravenously for the treatment of bone disorders such as multiple myeloma. However, osteonecrosis has also been diagnosed in patients receiving oral bisphosphonates. The management of a patient with spontaneous removable partial denture prosthesis-related ONJ associated with short-term oral administration of bisphosphonate is described. (J Prosthet Dent 2009;101:289–292)

Wireless body area network (BANs) have attracted a lot of attention as a future technology of wireless networks. Wireless BANs are generally divided into two kinds of groups, i.e., on-body BANs and in-body BANs. However, the performance requirements and channel propagation characteristics of the two BANs are quite different from each other, that is, wireless signals are approximately transmitted along the human body as a surface wave in on-body BANs, on the other hand, the signals are transmitted through the human tissue in in-body BANs. As a solution for this problem, this paper develops a structure of dual-mode transceivers, which is composed of transmitters for in-body and on-body communications and a receiver for the both communications. Then, we evaluate the communication performance of the dual-mode transceivers via a computer simulation with realistic channel models, which can well represent the propagation characteristics of on-body and in-body communications. Our computer simulation results demonstrate the feasibility of the dual-mode transceiver structure in wireless BANs.

One of promising transmission technologies in wireless body area networks (BANs) is ultra wideband-impulse radio (UWB-IR) transmission, which can provide high data rate for real-time transmission, and extremely low power consumption for increasing device longevity. Moreover, energy detection scheme in UWB-IR transmission is advantageous in terms of simple implementation. On the other hand, UWB-IR signals suffer from large attenuation in wireless BANs, so it is important to secure high quality of UWB-IR transmission performance. In this paper, we pay attention to optimization for energy detection duration of the UWR-IR transmission to solve this problem. For this purpose, in addition to an experiment and a computer simulation, we derive the bit error rate (BER) performance by a theoretical analysis with Gaussian approximation. From the investigations, we have come to a conclusion that nevertheless several conditions are required, the theoretical analysis with Gaussian approximation can work well, that is, we achieve good agreements between the results by the experiment, the computer simulation and the theory. Furthermore, the UWB-IR transmission performance can be improved by using an optimal energy detection duration.

We fabricated single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) thin-films via the combination of inkjet printing and site-selective deposition based on the patterning of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) through an optical lithography mask. Previously, we patterned SWCNT films by ultraviolet light irradiation onto SAMs through metal masks, and the minimum film size achieved was 90 µm wide. In this study, we succeeded in achieving a width of 13 µm using SAMs and optical lithography masks, thus improving the performance limit of SWCNT printed electronics.