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Abstract Background We investigated the presence and distribution of the sentinel and the non-sentinel node micrometastases using complete serial sectioning and immunohistochemical staining (IHC), to inspect whether lymph node micrometastases spread to the sentinel lymph nodes first. Methods A total of 35 patients, who underwent gastrectomy with a sentinel lymph node biopsy for gastric cancer, were enrolled in this study. Total of 1028 lymph nodes of 35 patients having gastric cancer without metastasis of lymph node by permanent section with hematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E) were selected. There were 252 sentinel nodes and the other 776 were non-sentinel nodes. All nodes were sectioned serially and stained alternately with H&E and IHC. Lymph node micrometastases was defined as proving to be positive first either the IHC or the complete serial sectioning. Results Micrometastases were detected in 4 (11%) of the 35 patients, 6 (0.58%) of 1028 nodes. Of these 4 patients, 3 had micrometastases exclusively in sentinel nodes, and the other had micrometastasis in both sentinel and non-sentinel nodes. There was no patient who had the micrometasitases only in non-sentinel nodes. Conclusion These results support the concept that lymph node micrometastasis of gastric cancer spreads first to sentinel nodes.

An abstract for the article "MRgFUS treatment of uterine leiomyoma to resolve acute urinary retention: a case report" by H. Fukunishi, K. Funaki, and T. Maruo is presented.

An abstract of the research paper "What Maximum Measure of Fibroid Is Treatable at the First Mrgfus Procedure?" by H. Fukunishi and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "Two-year outcome of MRgFUS treatment of adenomyosis," by K. Kunaki and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the conference paper "Clinical efficacy of MRgFUS in treatment of adenomyosis: 12 month follow-up," by H. Fukunishi and colleagues, is presented.

An abstract of the conference paper "Ablation of uterine adenomyosis by magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS)," by H. Fukunishi and colleagues is presented.

Objective: This study was undertaken to clarify the relationship between the signal intensity of T2-weighted magnetic resonance images and the therapeutic effect of magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) on uterine fibroids. Study Design: Ninety-five fibroids in 63 patients were classified into 3 types based on the signal intensity of T2-weighted magnetic resonance images as follows: type 1, low intensity; type 2, intermediate intensity; type 3, high intensity. The treated area ratio of MRgFUS and the volume reduction ratio 6 months after treatment were used as the indices of therapeutic effect. Results: The treated area ratio of type 3 fibroids was the lowest among the 3 types (P < .01). The volume reduction ratio correlated with the treated area ratio (r = 0.64; P < .01). Conclusion: The efficacy of MRgFUS correlates with the signal intensity of T2-weighted magnetic resonance images. Type 1 and type 2 fibroids are suitable candidates for MRgFUS, whereas type 3 fibroids are not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: For near-future applications of REBa2Cu3O7 (REBCO) coated conductors to electric power cables, transformers and Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES), the long taped wires with high performance in the transport properties have been designed and fabricated. Moreover, in order to drastically reduce AC losses in perpendicular field configuration, advanced multifilament YBCO coated conductors (MFYCCs) fabricated with technique of a laser scribing process have been also developed. In the present study, from engineering viewpoints to utilize such advanced conductors, we evaluated the transport and AC loss properties of short MFYCCs with a repaired part or a joint by a diffusion joint technique with the saddle-shaped pickup coil method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AC losses are numerically evaluated in superconductors with a rectangular cross section and an infinite length for the application of either transport current or external magnetic field perpendicular to the broadest face. It is assumed that the electromagnetic response is determined by Bean''s critical state model, in which the critical current density is independent of the magnitude of local magnetic field. In this case, the AC loss per cycle can be estimated directly from the magnetic-flux distribution inside the superconducting wire at the peak of cyclic field. By investigating the influence of the aspect ratio of wire cross section on the losses, it is concluded that conventional expressions for a strip are almost applicable to a very thin but finite wire. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The magnetization properties in a cylindrical superconductor with an infinite length exposed to a pulsed external magnetic field are numerically evaluated by means of a coupled finite element method. In order to estimate the distributions of magnetic field and temperature inside the superconductor, magnetic diffusion and heat balance equations are alternately and iteratively solved at each time step. It is assumed that the superconductor has a transport property represented by the power-law model, where the critical current density depends on the local temperature. The adiabatic condition for the thermal analysis is also used, so that the temperature rise comes from the local energy dissipation due to the magnetic flux motion. The influences of the strength of external applied field and the initial temperature in the superconductor on the final trapped magnetic field are investigated toward an optimal design of bulk superconductor magnet. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Current distribution in Bi-2223 multifilamentary tapes with inter-filament barrier is numerically evaluated for the application of an alternating transport current. In the case of barrier materials with an infinite resistivity, the current distribution can be determined with a lumped parameter circuit model including the inductances and resistances of all the filaments. The mutual inductance between a pair of filaments is obtained by estimating their geometric mean distance. The power-law model is also assumed to take into account the effect of resistance in each filament. The influences of the silver ratio and filament number in the tape wire on the current distribution are discussed systematically as well as the power index and frequency. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We have been developing a lightweight and high-efficiency superconducting traction transformer for railway rolling stock. We designed and fabricated a prototype superconducting traction transformer of a floor-mount type for Shinkansen rolling stock. In this study, we present test results such as type test, system test and vibration test. We performed the type test in accordance with JIS, E5007. In this test, we measured the basic electrical characteristics. In the system test, we tested the transformer with a dynamic simulator for rolling stock, as a converter connected at secondary winding, and verified the operating characteristics. We performed vibration tests in accordance with JIS, E4031, vibrating the transformer on a shaking table with three-dimensional movement. As a result, we could verify that the transformer satisfied the requirement almost exactly as initially planned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new type of superconducting power transmission cable is proposed to fulfill both the conditions of low AC loss and rare leakage magnetic flux. A lot of superconducting tapes are arranged radially, and three-phase currents are applied one by another in the azimuthal direction. If the number of tapes is a multiple of three, the leakage flux can become very small. The AC loss in the superconducting tapes can also be suppressed because of the reduction of a magnetic field applied perpendicular to the tape face with increasing the number of tapes. The numerical estimation of AC losses in the proposed power cables is carried out by means of a finite element method as well as those in the conventional types of cables. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]