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This study evaluated the relationship between serum magnesium concentration, peri‑ and postpartum disorders, and reproductive performance in dairy cows. Blood samples were collected from 198 Holstein cows 4 weeks prepartum, after calving, and 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks postpartum to measure serum magnesium and/or progesterone concentrations. To determine the relationship between serum magnesium concentration and peri‑ or postpartum disorders, cows were divided into two groups based on their mean serum magnesium concentration 4 weeks prepartum and just after calving: a Low-Mg group (1.45–2.65 mg/dL, n = 110) and a High-Mg group (2.70–5.40 mg/dL, n = 88). Analysis of these groups showed that the incidences of dystocia, retained placenta, endometritis, and lameness were lower (P

We determined the associations between serum haptoglobin concentration and peri- and postpartum disorders, milk yield, and reproductive performance in dairy cows. Furthermore, associations between haptoglobin and some blood metabolites were also investigated. We collected blood from 112 Holstein cows 1 week postpartum to measure serum haptoglobin and metabolite/enzyme (aspartate aminotransferase [AST], total bilirubin [T-bilirubin], total cholesterol [TCH], non-esterified fatty acids [NEFA], and β-hydroxybutyrate [BHBA]) concentrations. Cows were divided into two groups based on their haptoglobin concentrations: a low-HP group ( 100 µg/mL, n = 40). The incidence of peri- and postpartum disorders (dystocia, retained placenta, metritis, and endometritis) was higher (P

The femoral nerve innervates the quadriceps muscles and its dermatome supplies anteromedial thigh and medial foot. Paralysis of the quadriceps muscles due to the injury of the femoral nerve results in disability of the knee joint extension and loss of sensory of the thigh. A child could walk independently even though he had injured his femoral nerve severely due to the penetrating wound in the medial thigh. We measured and analyzed his gait performance in order to find the mechanisms that enabled him to walk independently. The child was eleven-year-old boy and he could not extend his knee voluntarily at all during a month after the injury. His gait analysis was performed five times (GA1~GA5) for sixteen months. His temporal-spatial parameters were not significantly different after the GA2 or GA3 test, and significant asymmetry was not observed except the single support time in GA1 results. The Lower limb joint angles in affected side had large differences in GA1 compared with the normal normative patterns. There were little knee joint flexion and extension motion during the stance phase in GA1 The maximum ankle plantar/dorsi flexion angles and the maximum knee extension angles were different from the normal values in the sound side. Asymmetries of the joint angles were analyzed by using the peak values. Significant asymmetries were found in GA1with seven parameters (ankle: peak planter flexion angle in stance phase, range of motion; ROM, knee: peak flexion angles during both stance and swing phase, ROM, hip: peak extension angle, ROM) while only two parameters (maximum hip extension angle and ROM of hip joint) had significant differences in GA5. The mid-stance valleys were not observed in both right and left sides of vertical ground reaction force (GRF) in the GA1, GA2. The loading response peak was far larger than the terminal stance peak of vertical ground reaction curve in the affected side of the GA3, GA4, GA5. The measured joint moment curves of the GA1, GA2, GA3 had large deviations and all of kinetic results had differences with the normal patterns. EMG signals described an absence of the rectus femoris muscle activity in the GA1 and GA2 (affected side). The EMG signals were detected in the GA3 and GA4 but their patterns were not normal yet, then their normal patterns were detected in the GA5. Through these following gait analysis of a child who had selective injuries on the knee extensor muscles, we could verify the actual functions of the knee extensor muscles during gait, and we also could observe his recovery and asymmetry with quantitative data during his rehabilitation.

Introduction/Background Elevated D-dimer level has positive correlations with infarction volume and stroke severity on admission. Previous studies have demonstrated that D-dimer levels predict a progressing stroke, which is associated with poor short-term outcome in acute ischemic stroke. Conflicting data about the relationship between D-dimer level and functional outcomes were reported. We aimed to investigate the relations between serum D-dimer levels on admission and functional outcome of subacute stage in ischemic stroke patients. Material and method We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 68 first-ever acute cerebral infarction patients (35 men, 33 women; age 67.2 ± 13.8 years). Plasma D-dimer level was measured on admission within 24 hours after stroke onset. The patients were classified into elevated group (plasma D-dimer > 0.55 mg/L FEU, 31 patients) and control group (≤ 0.55 mg/L FEU, 37 patients) based on the level of plasma D-dimer. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was checked within a week after stroke onset. Modified Barthel Index (MBI) and PULSES profile were assessed on admission and at 3 months after stroke onset. Results (1) Plasma D-dimer level on admission was 0.32 ± 0.11 mg/L in control group and 2.59 ± 3.61 mg/L in elevated group. (2) NIHSS was 6.32 ± 3.80 in control group and 9.30 ± 6.63 in elevated group. There was no significant difference in NIHSS between both groups (P = 0.073). (3) ΔMBI was 23.39 ± 16.28 in control group, 12.00 ± 13.05 in experimental group. There was significant difference in ΔMBI between both groups (P = 0.004). There was a significant correlation between the level of plasma D-dimer on admission and ΔMBI (r = −0.304, P = 0.012). (4) ΔPULSES was 2.00 ± 2.42 in control group and 1.03 ± 1.83 in elevated group. There was no significant difference in ΔPULSES between both groups (P = 0.059). Conclusion Plasma D-dimer level measured on admission would be helpful for predicting the functional outcome at subacute stage in ischemic stroke patients.

The ITER vacuum vessel support systems located in the lower level sustain loads in radial and vertical direction. The support system consists of various sub-components like a linkage system, a pot type bearing, a vertical rope, a toroidal constraint, and dampers. In order to examine performance of the mechanism of the system, a mock-up of the linkage system which is comparatively complicated has been manufactured. Various fabrication methods were studied through the mock-up fabrication, and also several tests have been done using the mock-up. Those include assembly study, stroke test, static load test and fatigue test. In the full stroke test, the functional mechanism of the support structure has been demonstrated. In the structural test, the strength of the all components is evaluated by measuring reaction and strain of each component. In order to investigate the effect of tolerances and the damage due to the tests, the performance tests were conducted before and after the static and fatigue tests. The backlash for each stage is found from measured displacement hysteresis. As results of those tests, the performance of the ITER vacuum vessel support structure as well as its structural integrity has been evaluated in this study.

In this paper, the Coulomb friction law and the constant shear friction law were compared and investigated in detail using a rigid-plastic finite element method with emphasis on their application in bulk metal forming. The ring compression test for two different materials was used to evaluate the two friction laws, and then their effects on metal flow lines and forming loads for various friction-sensitive metal forming processes including strip rolling, ring gear forging, multistep extrusion, and pipe shrinkage and expansion were investigated. It was shown that considerable differences exist between the two friction laws, especially in friction-sensitive metal forming processes.

We present a general approach and procedures for developing a Grid-based remote monitoring system when the local control system employs Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS). A description is given of the prototype KSTAR remote monitoring system that has been implemented on the basis of the general concept. It is demonstrated that the Grid computing technology combined with Globus toolkit software tools, can be successfully utilized for the realization of a remote monitoring system for tokamak experiments. Discussions are made on requirements and a plan to build a complete remote participation system for future tokamak experiments.

The finite volume method for forging simulation is examined to reveal its possibility as well as its problem in this paper. For this study, the finite volume method based MSC/SuperForge and the finite element method based AFDEX are employed. The simulated results of the homogeneous compression obtained by the two softwares are compared to indicate the problems of the finite volume method while several application examples are given to show the possibility of the finite volume method fur simulation of complex hot forging processes. It is shown that the finite volume method can not predict the exact solution of the homogeneous compression especially in terms of forming load and deformed shape but that it is helpful to simulate very complex forging processes which can hardly be simulated by the conventional finite element method.

We present design concepts and features of the plasma control system (PCS) in Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR). A design structure of the PCS is proposed as an effort to achieve research objectives of the KSTAR project. The PCS architecture is characterized by the real-time data communication using reflective-memory network, the hierarchical organization of dedicated controllers, and the integrated generation of actuator signals. Discussions are made of the functions and present design choices of the KSTAR PCS.

The Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) is a medium size, fully superconducting tokamak, which is scheduled to begin operation in year 2006. The control system of KSTAR consists of a supervisory system, plasma control system, and local control systems for various subsystems. Modular system, high reliability, flexibility and long time maintainability are major factors for the system design. The EPICS is the first choice for the distributed system control and the MDSPlus will be utilized for the data handling and analysis. The reflective memory network will be used for the real time plasma control. A pilot system has been being developed with VME and Compact PCI buses. Current status of the development of KSTAR control system will be presented.

The efficiency of nitrification in a fixed bed reactor was compared to that found in an activated sludge reactor to determine their sensitivity to changing loads and lower temperatures. Two structurally identical lab-scale systems, using the anaerobic/anoxic/ aerobic (AAO) process to remove nitrogen and phosphorus simultaneously, were operated in parallel with secondary clarifiers and sludge return. The first aerobic system was operated as an activated sludge reactor, the second system as a fixed bed reactor. The aerobic fixed bed reactor was filled with porous ceramic materials for the immobilisation of predominantly nitrifying bacteria. The removal efficiencies of 99 % NH 4 +-N, 90 % DOC, and 98 % PO 4 3--P for normal loads of 0.11 g/L d DOC, 0.06 g/L d NH 4 +-N, and 0.0054 g/L d PO 4 3--P were achieved for both systems. However, the system with an aerobic fixed bed reactor was characterised by the following advantages over the system with an activated sludge reactor: a shorter time to reach almost complete nitrification, a higher nitrification rate at higher loads of NH 4 +-N and a lower sensitivity of nitrification at lower temperatures down to 12 °C.

Azo dyes can be only mineralised by chemical oxidation. In this paper the oxidation of Reactive Black 5 (RB 5) and Reactive Orange 96 (RO 96) with concentrations between 35 and 5,700 mgL(-1) (RB 5) and between 20 and 2,050 mgL(-1) (RO 96) was investigated in a lab-scale bubble column. The reactor was modelled for two cases, a completely mixed and a plug flow gas phase. The oxidation rate was influenced by mass transfer for all dye concentrations used. For low dye concentrations mass transfer alone was decisive for the reaction rate showing no enhancement due to chemical reaction, E approximately equal to 1. However, in the region of high dye concentrations, the slope of the ozone concentration profile inside the liquid boundary layer increases more and more with increasing dye concentration as a result of a chemical oxidation. Therefore, the enhancement factor depends on the type and concentration of the azo dyes. For RB 5, a diazo dye, an enhancement factor of E = 5.5 was observed for cd = 2,000 mgL(-1), RO 96, a mono azo dye, with a remarkably higher chemical oxidation rate shows an E = 16 for cd = 2,050 mgL(-1).

This paper is concerned with the development of a new method for making and separating ice and saving floated ice by installing an evaporation plate at underwater within a storage tank. In a conventional harvest-type ice storage system, a tank saves ice by separating a formed ice from an installed evaporation plate, which is located above an ice storage tank as an ice storage system. A new harvest-type method shows better heat transfer efficiency than a convectional method. It is because the evaporation panel is directly contacted with water in a storage tank. Also, at a conventional system a circulating pump, a circulating water distributor and a piping are installed, but these components are not necessary in a new method. In this study two kinds of ice storage systems are experimentally investigated to study the thermal characteristics of ice storage tanks. The results show the applicable possibility and performance enhancement of a new type.

Poor dyspnoea perception in asthmatic patients seems to be associated with increased risk of asthma exacerbation. We have studied the relationship between basel ne dyspnoea perception and inflammatory markers in sputum in eight patients with mild asthma and in 13 patients with moderate to severe asthma. The perception of dyspnoea was scored on the Borg scale. Eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) was measured by fluoroimmunoassay and by an interleukin (IL)-5 sandwich ELISA. The baseline Borg score was significantly higher in patients with severe asthma than in patients with mild to moderate asthma (4.1 +/- 0.29 vs. 2.28 +/- 0.28, P0.05). The proportion of eosinophil and ECP levels in the sputum were significantly higher in patients with moderate to severe asthma. IL-5 in sputum was significantly increased in moderate to severe asthmatic patients compared to mild asthmatic patients. A significant relationship was found between the baseline perception score and FEV1/FVC (r = -0.53, P0.01), sputum eosinophils (r = 0.70, P0.01) and sputum ECP (r = 0.62, P0.01). These findings suggest that the baseline perception score is related to inflammatory markers in sputum, and that the perception of dyspnoea as well as airway inflammatory markers may be considered to evaluate asthma severity.

The Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) project is the major effort of the national fusion programme of the Republic of Korea. Its aim is to develop a steady state capable advanced superconducting tokamak to establish a scientific and technological basis for an attractive fusion reactor. The major parameters of the tokamak are: major radius 1.8 m, minor radius 0.5 m, toroidal field 3.5 T and plasma current 2 MA, with a strongly shaped plasma cross-section and double null divertor. The initial pulse length provided by the poloidal magnet system is 20 s, but the pulse length can be increased to 300 s through non-inductive current drive. The plasma heating and current drive system consists of neutral beams, ion cyclotron waves, lower hybrid waves and electron cyclotron waves for flexible profile control in advanced tokamak operating modes. A comprehensive set of diagnostics is planned for plasma control, performance evaluation and physics understanding. The project has completed its conceptual design and moved to the engineering design and construction phase. The target date for the first plasma is 2002.

We evaluated the results of Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC) treatment in partially thrombosed aneurysms and determined if there is high rate of recanalisation on follow-up. Among 149 treated aneurysms in 141 patients, 25 CT- or MR-confirmed partially thrombosed aneurysms were selected for evaluation. The features of thrombosed aneurysms and percentage of occlusion were analysed on initial angiograms. Follow-up angiograms, which were available in 18 cases, were evaluated for aneurysm lumen recanalisation. The recanalisation rate was compared with that of non-thrombosed aneurysms treated with GDCs. Locations of aneurysms were as follows: cavernous carotid ten; ophthalmic four; p- com. two; MCA one; A-com. one; basilar tip four; midbasilar two; PICA one. The size of the aneurysm lumen ranged from 5 to 30 mm (mean 16.8 mm) on angiograms, but on cross sectional images the size of aneurysms ranged from 13 to 70 mm (mean 24.6 mm). The extent of aneurysmal thrombosis ranged from 10 to 90 per cent (mean 46.4 per cent). On initial GDC treatment, total to subtotal occlusion was achieved in 18 cases out of 25 (72%). Of the 18 follow-up angiograms, 14 cases (77.8%) showed recanalisation ranging from 10 to 60 per cent of aneurysm size. Luminal recanalisation was due to migration (10 of 14) or compaction (4 of 14) of coil masses. In two cases, symptoms recurred in association with aneurysm recanalisation, but in no instance was haemorrhage noted. Attempts for retreatment were made in ten cases with success in six. In comparison, 14 (15.9%) out of 88 non-thrombosed cases revealed recanalisation on follow-up angiography. Midterm follow-up angiograms in partially thrombosed aneurysms treated with GDC revealed a fivefold higher rate of recanalisation than in non-thrombosed cases. Close follow-up is necessary in patients with thrombosed aneurysms treated with GDCs.

A new air knife system for control of coating thickness was developed for a hot dip galvanizing line. The existing air knife system can manipulate only the mean coating weight. The developed new air knife system has the flexible nozzle structure, by which the transverse coating weight can be controlled. The controller is a multiinput-multioutput (MIMO) system which consists of m control inputs (measured value) and n control outputs (nozzle control). Multinozzle control is based on the optimal control algorithm. The controller calculates the m nozzle references according to the n coating weight deviations using optimal algorithm and the models between the coating weight and nozzle gap. The time delay problem was solved by the Smith predictor.

This paper presents ASIC design of Distributed Maximum Power Point Tracking (DMPPT) control for photovoltaic systems. This approach enables lower cost solution compared to a microprocessor-based solution. Functionality and performance of the MPPT algorithm selected was verified first by simulation and secondly by real-time testing using a FPGA, a PV emulator, an electronic loader and a DC-DC converter. A 0.35㎛ 1-poly 3-metal 3.3V process was selected for the ASIC development. MPPT peak efficiency of over 98% is achieved.

A dynamic Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) has been carried out to elucidate the dynamic mixing process and the atomic transport in Al-Pd bilayer systems. MCS results reveal that the inward atomic transport is controlled by both anisotropic and isotropic atomic transport, and the outward atomic transport is governed by only the isotropic motion. Thus the inward transport always dominates over the outward motion. Both the anisotropic and isotropic term have overlayer thickness dependence, which has a close relation with the mixing rate.

The manufacturing technique of D and I steel has been improved at Pohang Works, Poseo. The improvement of slag control, the utilization of RH-OB flux refining facility and the application of tundish filtering dam allowed the improvement of steel cleanness for D and I steel. Consequently, the flange crack ratio of D and I steel was significantly reduced.

A thin Cu layer (35 nm) deposited on SiO 2 has been mixed with 80 keV Ar + at room temperature, 550 and 650 K. Interfacial properties of irradiated samples were investigated with Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, grazing angle X-ray diffraction and scratch test. Adhesion of Cu films was improved by a factor of 3 at a dose of 1.5 × 10 16 Ar 4 /cm 2 in the case of ion beam mixing at room temperature, while the high temperature ion beam mixing enhanced the adhesion by a factor of 5. The ballistic mixing effects on the improvement of adhesion for the room temperature ion mixing and the creation of Cu 2 O phase at the interface, which contributes to the enhancement of adhesion induced by ion beam mixing at high temperature, are described in the present paper.

ZnO varistors with various formulations, such as A/spl sim/E, were fabricated according to the ceramic fabrication method. The microstructure, electrical properties and surge characteristics of ZnO varistors were investigated according to various formulations. In the microstructure, A-E's ceramics sintered at 1130/spl deg/C consisted of ZnO grain (ZnO), spinel phase (Zn/sub 2.33/Sb/sub 0.67/O/sub 4/), Bi-rich phase (Bi/sub 2/O/sub 3/) and intergranular phase, wholly. The lightning impulse residual voltage of A, B, C and E's varistors suited standard characteristics, below 12 kV at current of 5 kA. On the contrary, D's varistor exhibited high residual voltage as high reference voltage. In the accelerated aging test, leakage current and watt loss of B, C and D's varistors increases abruptly with stress time under the first AC stress (115 /spl deg/C/3.213 kV/300 h). Consequently, C's varistor exhibited thermal runaway. On the contrary, the leakage current and watt loss of A and C's varistors, which show low initial leakage current, exhibited constant characteristics. After high current impulse tests, A's varistor had broken the side of varistor but impulse current flowed. On the contrary, E's varistor exhibited good discharge characteristics, which the appearance of varistor did not show puncture, flashover, creaking and other significant damage. After high current impulse tests and long duration current impulse withstand tests, E's varistor exhibited very high characteristics where variation rate of residual voltage was 1.4% before and after the tests.

Aim: ASLAN001 is a potent, specific inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase domains of human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)-1, HER-2 and HER-4 (IC50 7, 2 & 0.195 nM). Approximately 30% of advanced gastric cancers (GCs) are known to co-express HER-1 and HER-2. Methods: This study was designed to evaluate the biological activity of ASLAN001 (formerly called ARRY-334543) in tumour biopsies from patients with relapsed or metastatic GC where there was either co-expression of HER-1 and HER-2, or amplification of HER-2. Pretreated patients with immunohistochemical evidence of HER-1 expression (at level from 1+ to 3+) and HER-2 expression (at level from 1+ to 3+) using standard criteria or with HER-2 gene-amplification by standard HER2 FISH were enrolled. Patients underwent endoscopic biopsy for screening on Day 0. Patients received ASLAN001 500 mg bid orally for 28 days. Post-treatment endoscopic biopsy was performed on D28. Activation of the downstream molecules involving signal transduction pathways was evaluated using antibodies to the total and phosphorylated forms of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and AKT using immunohistochemistry. Proliferation in the tumour was evaluated using Ki-67 and apoptosis by Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Results: Nineteen patients (12 HER-1/2 co-expressing and 7 HER-2 amplified) were enrolled between July 2012 and June 2013. Seven patients (58.3%) had activation of MAPK at the baseline in the HER1/2 co-expressing group. Of these, 6 (86%) had significant reduction in MAPK activity on D28. All of these patients also showed a marked reduction in Ki-67 staining. Two of these patients also showed reduction in phosphorylated AKT, and 5 patients showed an increase in TUNEL staining. The study demonstrated that ASLAN001 was biologically active in HER-1/2 co-expressing GC, and has the potential for future trial in this population. Conclusions: The pan-HER tyrosine kinase inhibitor ASLAN001 is a potent inhibitor of signal transduction in HER-1 and HER-2 co-expressing GC. Disclosure: M. Foster: not an employee of ASLAN, but an independent consultant histopathologist; M. McHale: co-founders and part owners of ASLAN Pharmaceuticals; A. Barge: co-founders and part owners of ASLAN Pharmaceuticals. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

A case of mycotic aneurysm of the intracavernous carotid artery is reported and the literature is reviewed on this uncommon entity. Nineteen cases have been reported, most often occurring in the clinical setting of meningitis. Management recommendations include angiographic confirmation of aneurysm and follow-up with magnetic resonance imaging during antibiotic therapy. Evidence of aneurysm enlargement is an indication for endovascular trapping of the aneurysm or carotid occlusion.

The production of charged Higgs particles via a two-photon process at the e-p collider (HERA) is calculated. We consider two cases. For Q 2 ⩽ 1 GeV 2 the process is considered quasi-elastically and the proton form factor was taken into account. For Q 2 ⩾1 GeV 2 the process is considered deep inelastically. It is shown that the production of charged Higgs particles via a two-photon process in the ep collider is the most significant one at the expected HERA and higher energy. Expected numbers of H + H − events at HERA are given.