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Background/Introduction Little is known about the prevalence of high-risk plaque features or cardiometabolic predictors in diverse patient populations with underrepresented minorities, in the setting of stable chest pain. Purpose The goals of our study are to 1) describe plaque characteristics in a diverse patient population with underrepresented minorities and 2) characterize cardiometabolic risk factors associated with high prevalence of high-risk quantitative low attenuation noncalcified plaque (LDNCP) burden. Methods Our study included patients with chest pain undergoing CCTA between June 2016 and October 2021 for stable chest pain, who had a complete cardiometabolic panel including lipoprotein(a) and lipid panel, and at least one blood pressure recording before CCTA. Patients with prior PCI or CABG where excluded. CACS was performed before CCTA as per Agatston method and quantified in Agatston Units (AU). Stenosis was graded as per SCCT guidelines by cardiologists and radiologists with level 3 cardiac CT expertise. Plaque measurements were performed using previously validated semiautomated software (AutoPlaque version 2.5) in all patients with CAD-RADS >0 by expert readers blinded from patients' characteristics. Coronary atherosclerotic plaque volumes were measured. Independent predictors for plaque on CCTA among patients were examined using Wilcox multivariate logistic regression. Results A total of 227 consecutive patients were included in our study (see table; age 55.00 [47.50–62.00] years, 63% female, 16% diabetes, 44% hypertension, 40% hyperlipidemia and 32% with current or previous smoking history). Majority of patients were Hispanic (64%) and the rest were Black (27%), White (6%) and Asian (3%). Patients with LDNCP burden >4% were older (60.00 [52.00–66.50] vs 53.00 [43.75–61.00]; p4% had non-obstructive disease (CAD-RADS Patient with LDNCP burden >4% were more likely to be on statin therapy (46.0 vs 30.4%; p=0.041). There was no differences in ethnicity, hemoglobin A1C, TC, LDL-C, HLD-C, TGs, lipoprotein(a), SBP or DBP. By logistic regression analysis, age (OR [CI]: 1.06 [1.01–1.08]), hypertension (2.20, [1.06–4.63]) and hyperlipidemia (2.73 [1.37–5.47]) increased the likelihood of LDNCP burden >4%, but not Lipoprotein (a)>175 nmol/L (OR [CI]: 1.07 [0.48–2.31]. Conclusions In our cohort of patients with high number of unrepresented minorities presenting with stable chest pain, almost all patients (94%) with LDNCP burden >4% had non-obstructive CAD (CAD-RADS4%. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Background Pulmonary artery pressure (PAP)-guided therapy in patients with heart failure (HF) using the CardioMEMS device (CMM), an implantable PAP sensor, has shown to reduce HF hospitalizations in previous studies. We sought to evaluate the clinical benefit of the CMM device in regard to 30-day, 90-day and 180-day readmission rates in real-world usage. Methods We queried the National Readmission Database (NRD) to identify patients who underwent CMM implantation (ICD 9 & 10 codes) between the years 2014 to 2019 and studied their HF readmissions. We compared CMM patients and their readmissions with a matched cohort of patients with HF without CMM. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to adjust for other predictors of readmissions. Results Prior to matching we identified 5,326,530 weighted HF patients without CMM and 1842 patients with CMM. After propensity score matching for several patients and hospital related characteristics, the cohort consisted of 1839 patients with CMM and 1924 with HF without CMM. Before matching, CMM patients were younger (67.0±13.5 years vs 72.3±14.1 years, P Conclusion The CMM device was associated with reduced HF rehospitalization rates in a nationally representative cohort of HF patients. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Background Durability of different transcatheter heart valve (THV) is critical as the indication of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) expands to patients with longer life-expectancy. Purpose We aimed to compare the durability of THV systems (balloon-expandable [BE] and self-expandable [SE]) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) prosthesis. Methods PUBMED and EMBASE were searched through February 2021 for randomized trials investigating parameters of valve durability after TAVR and/or SAVR in severe aortic stenosis. A network meta-analysis using random-effect model was performed. Synthesis was performed with 5-year follow-up data for echocardiographic outcomes and longest available follow-up data for clinical outcomes. Results Ten trials with a total of 9,388 patients (BE-THV: 2,562; SE-THV 2,863; SAVR:3,963) were included. Follow-up ranged from 1–6 years. SE-THV demonstrated significantly larger effective orifice area, lower mean aortic valve gradient (AVG), and less increase in mean AVG at 5-years compared to BE-THV and SAVR (Figure 1). Structural valve deterioration (SVD) was less frequent in SE-THV compared to BE-THV and SAVR (HR 0.14, 95% CI 0.07–0.27; HR 0.34, 95% CI 0.24–0.47, respectively) (Figure 1). Total moderate-severe aortic regurgitation and re-intervention was more frequent in BE-THV (HR 4.21, 95% CI 2.40–7.39; HR 2.22, 95% CI 1.16–4.26, respectively) and SE-THV (HR 7.51, 95% CI 3.89–14.5; HR 2.86, 95% CI 1.59–5.13, respectively) compared to SAVR. Conclusion TAVR with SE-THV demonstrated favorable forward-flow hemodynamics and lowest risk of SVD compared to BE-THV and SAVR at mid-term. However, both THV systems suffer an increased risk of aortic regurgitation and re-intervention, and long-term data from newer generation valve is warranted. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Background Based on a recent randomized control trial (RCT), prasugrel is recommended in preference to ticagrelor for patients with non-ST-segment elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS), however, limited data exists. Objectives We aimed to investigate the effect of P2Y12 inhibitors on ischemic and bleeding events in NSTE-ACS patients. Methods Clinical trials enrolling NSTE-ACS patients were identified and relevant data was extracted. We performed a network meta-analysis on efficacy and safety outcomes. Results Our study including a total of 37, 268 patients with NSTE-ACS from 11 RCTs. Prasugrel decreased major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) when compared to clopidogrel (Hazard ratio (HR): 0.84; 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.71–0.99]). For MACE, prasugrel showed the highest likelihood of event reduction (P-score=0.97) in comparison to ticagrelor (P-score=0.29) and clopidogrel (P-score=0.24). Prasugrel decreased myocardial infarction (HR: 0.82; 95% CI [0.68–0.99]) but increased major bleeding without statistical significance (HR: 1.30; 95% CI [0.97–1.74]) when compared to clopidogrel. Ticagrelor reduced cardiovascular death (HR: 0.79; 95% CI [0.66–0.94]) but increased major bleeding (HR: 1.33; 95% CI [1.00–1.77], p=0.049) in comparison to clopidogrel. There was no significant difference between prasugrel and ticagrelor for each endpoint, but prasugrel had higher likelihood of event reduction than ticagrelor for all endpoints except cardiovascular death. Conclusions Prasugrel and ticagrelor had comparable risk for each endpoint, but prasugrel had the highest probability being the best treatment in reducing the primary endpoint. This study highlights the need for further large-scale RCTs to investigate the optimal P2Y12 inhibitor selection in NSTE-ACS patients. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Ten alloys and nitrogenated compounds of (R,Zr)(Fe,Co) 11.0–11.5 Ti 1.0–0.5 N y (y=1.0–1.4 for R=Nd, y=0 for R=Sm) with a ThMn 12 -type structure were prepared. The average Fe–Fe interatomic distances, d(Fe–Fe), for Fe sites were calculated based on the reported atomic parameters. The hyperfine splittings (inner field (IF), in teslas) were measured by Mossbauer spectroscopy, and the IF increased with increasing d(Fe–Fe) for Fe sites, indicating a magneto-volume effect. The order of IF magnitude in Fe sites was Fe(8i)>Fe(8j)>Fe(8f) in all alloys. Co substitution for Fe sites, (Fe 0.75 Co 0.25 ), increased the IF by 25% for the R=Nd alloy and 15% for the R=Sm alloy. Decreasing Ti content from −Ti 1.0 to −Ti 0.5 , which increased the Fe and Co content, preserved the ThMn 12 structure with Zr substitution for R(2 a ) sites, and caused a slight increase in the IF of 2% for the R=Nd alloy and 7% for the R=Sm alloy. Nitrogenation, where N was introduced into the 2b sites, also increased IF in R=Nd alloys, by 23% for the Co- and Zr-free alloys, NdFe 11 Ti 1.0 N 1.5 , and by 7% for the Co-containing, (Nd 0.7 Zr 0.3 ) (Fe 0.75 Co 0.25 ) 11.5 Ti 0.5 N 1.3 alloy. The IF values of the R=Nd alloys were slightly larger than those of the R=Sm alloys. In conclusion, the magneto-volume effect was clearly observed at the Fe sites, and Co substitution into Fe sites and nitrogenation (R=Nd alloys) compensated for the increased IF. Increasing the Fe and Co fractions also increased IF slightly.

(R,Zr)(Fe,Co) 12−x Ti x (R = Nd and Sm) alloys of ten different compositions were prepared by strip-casting. The elemental distribution of the sample particles after annealing was quite homogeneous. Existing phases in the prepared alloys were determined by X-ray diffraction and the occupation sites of the substituted elements (Ti, Co, and Zr) were determined using spherical aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy. The ThMn 12 structure is stable in Ti 1.0 compounds for both R = Nd and Sm, but exhibited obvious precipitation of α-(Fe,Co) phases in low Ti content compounds with Ti 0.5 . Ti substitution into Fe(8 i ) sites is important for the stabilization of the ThMn 12 structure. Furthermore, the stability of low Ti content compounds could be recovered by the substitution of Zr into R(2 a ) sites. Co was mainly in Fe(8 j ) and Fe(8 f ) sites, which contributed to the stability of the 1–12 structure by increasing the configuration entropy. Analysis based on three Fe hexagons and two local sub-structural units suggested that the stabilization of ThMn 12 structure by Ti and Zr substitutions mainly originates by resolving local mismatches in interatomic distances in the structure.

We previously reported a new compound for permanent magnets, (Nd0.7Zr0.3)(Fe0.75Co0.25)11.5Ti0.5N0.56, which has a high saturation polarization (Js) of 1.68 T and a high magnetocrystalline anisotropy field (Ha) of 2.88–4.0 MA/m. Here, we examined the effects of substituting Co and Ti at the Fe sites and Zr at the Nd sites. Js increased with Co substitution at the Fe sites, and higher Fe and Co content could be achieved by decreasing the Ti content to −Ti0.5. The ThMn12 structure with high Fe and Co content (i.e. low Ti content) was stabilized mainly by −Zr0.3 substitution at the Nd sites. The Zr substitution resolves the local mismatch in atomic size in the structure. Specifically, the atomic radius of Zr is about 88% that of Nd, so the local structure surrounding Nd (2a site) shrinks as a result of the substitution and resolves the size mismatch in the three types of local Fe six-fold symmetric hexagons in the structure. The effect of the α-(Fe, Co) phase on Js was evaluated from the phase's volume fraction measurement of 7.7% (8.1 wt%) by electron backscatter diffraction. Nitrogenation of the starting alloy also resulted in augmentation of the c-axis magnetocrystalline anisotropy. Finally, we confirmed a high Js(−N1.3) of 1.71T (=1.67 T, −0.04 T for the α-(Fe, Co) phase) and Ha of 2.9–5.25 MA/m (Ha(−N1.3)=5.25 MA/m) in the (Nd0.7Zr0.3)(Fe0.75Co0.25)11.5Ti0.5Nα (α=0.60–1.30) compounds.

The domain structures of standard Sm2Fe17N3 particles and three almost α-(Fe,Co)-free magnetic compounds with a ThMn12-type structure, namely, (Sm0.9Zr0.1)(Fe0.8Co0.2)11.3Ti0.7, (Nd0.8Zr0.2)(Fe0.9Co0.1)11.3Ti0.7N1.5, and Nd(Fe0.8Co0.2)11MoN1.3, were examined via magnetic force microscopy. Using the observed domain widths (d) and particle sizes (D) in conjunction with classical equations, the domain wall energy (γ), critical single-domain particle size (Rc), exchange stiffness (Aex), and exchange integral (Jij) of the compounds were calculated.

The law of approach to ferromagnetic saturation (LAFS) method is required for the accurate measurement of the magnetic properties of magnetically isotropic materials. In this study, we examined the accuracy of the following two LAFS methods for determining the saturation polarization (Js) and anisotropy field (Ha) of isotropic magnets: (1) the method based on the relationship between polarization (J) and applied field (H; 1/H2); and (2) the method based on the relationship between susceptibility (dJ/dH) and 1/H3. We used an isotropic magnet prepared from a commercial ferrite magnet powder with well-known magnetic properties and low Ha as a standard magnet for evaluating the two LAFS methods. Then, we measured the Js and Ha values of our -Ti0.7 compounds with a ThMn12 structure, (Nd0.8Zr0.2)(Fe0.9Co0.1)11.3Ti0.7N1.5 and (Sm0.9Zr0.1)(Fe0.8Co0.2)11.3Ti0.7, including in the high-temperature region (>373 K), where the reduction of Ha was observed. Finding the adequate maximum magnetic fields, where the Js and Ha values obtained by the two LAFS methods agree well, is important for the proper application of the method to isotropic magnet samples. The results of the LAFS methods revealed that the Js values of the new compounds are similar at RT, but higher than that of the Nd2Fe14B phase in the high-temperature region. Because the -Ti0.7 compounds are almost α-(Fe,Co)-phase-free, their Ha values are also higher than that of Nd2Fe14B over the whole temperature region.

We present the 13CO/C18O (J=3→2) Heterodyne Inner MilkyWay Plane Survey (CHIMPS) which has been carried out using the Heterodyne Array Receiver Program on the 15 m James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT) in Hawaii. The high-resolution spectral survey currently covers |b| ≤ 0°.5 and 28° ≲ l ≲ 46°, with an angular resolution of 15 arcsec in 0.5 km s-1 velocity channels. The spectra have amedian rms of~0.6 K at this resolution, and for optically thin gas at an excitation temperature of 10 K, this sensitivity corresponds to column densities of NH2 ~ 3 × 1020 cm-2 and NH2 ~ 4 × 1021 cm-2 for 13CO and C18O, respectively. The molecular gas that CHIMPS traces is at higher column densities and is also more optically thin than in other publicly available CO surveys due to its rarer isotopologues, and thus more representative of the three-dimensional structure of the clouds. The critical density of the J = 3 → 2 transition of CO is ≳104 cm-3 at temperatures of ≤20 K, and so the higher density gas associated with star formation is well traced. These data complement other existing Galactic plane surveys, especially the JCMT Galactic Plane Survey which has similar spatial resolution and column density sensitivity, and the Herschel infrared Galactic Plane Survey. In this paper, we discuss the observations, data reduction and characteristics of the survey, presenting integrated-emission maps for the region covered. Position-velocity diagrams allow comparison with Galactic structure models of the Milky Way, and while we find good agreement with a particular four-arm model, there are some significant deviations. © 2015 The Authors.

Tsurumachi T, Kuno T. Autotransplantation of a maxillary first premolar to replace an ankylosed maxillary incisor: 7-year follow-up. International Endodontic Journal, 44, 863–875, 2011. Abstract Aim To present the combined endodontic, surgical and orthodontic treatment of an autotransplanted maxillary first premolar for the replacement of an ankylosed maxillary incisor. Summary This case report describes the autotransplantation of a maxillary premolar after the extraction of an ankylosed incisor in a 13-year-old boy. To allow better adaptation of the donor tooth, the buccal root of the first premolar was removed using a diamond bur and the denuded root site was filled with acid-etched composite resin. The palatal root canal was dressed with calcium hydroxide for 2 months before filling with gutta-percha. Autotransplantation of a remodelled maxillary first premolar was achieved to substitute for the ankylosed maxillary central incisor. Orthodontic treatment was performed to correct an Angle Class II malocclusion. Seven years after root canal treatment, the autotransplanted tooth and supporting tissues appeared healthy both clinically and radiographically and were functioning well. Key learning points • Autotransplantation is a viable option for the treatment of a missing tooth or for the replacement of a traumatized tooth when there is a donor tooth available. • Autotransplantation of a premolar for replacement of a missing anterior tooth is sometimes a suitable alternative to conventional prosthetic rehabilitation or implant treatment in young individuals. • Proper combined endodontic and orthodontic treatment of autotransplanted teeth might be possible without periodontal complications.

A combination of micro-analytical techniques was used for the characterization of spherical particles in the size range 9–12 μm as a part of nuclear safeguards verification activities pursuant to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The particles were removed from cotton swipe samples taken in a nuclear facility under safeguards and examined first by scanning electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM–EDX). Particles of interest were then relocated under an optical microscope and manipulated. One such particle was subjected to destructive analysis by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) in order to determine if uranium was present in the core of the particle. A second particle was examined using focused ion beam (FIB) etching to allow an examination of the interior by SEM–EDX. The particle manipulation and relocation techniques presented here allow the sequential examination of a single particle of interest by a combination of analytical techniques, thus yielding surface morphological, elemental, isotopic and depth-profiling information. The objective of these investigations is to provide assurance of the absence of clandestine or undeclared nuclear activities in States coming under comprehensive safeguards obligations.

The fracture toughness of a glassy polycyclo-olefin (PCO) was investigated by the essential work of fracture (EWF) method using a double-edge notched specimens. It was shown that the PCO follows the EWF concept in the temperature range between room temperature and glass transition temperature Tg where the ligament yielding appear at a maximum point on the stress-displacement curves and subsequently the necking and tearing processes take place in the post yielding region. The essential work of fracture required for the ligament yielding drops as the temperature approaches Tg. The non-essential work of fracture attributed to tearing process after yielding is consumed to expand the plastic region and causes molecular chains to orient to the stretching direction.

Mechanical properties of polycyclo-olefins (PCOs) were investigated in the vicinity of the glass transition temperature (Tg). According to tensile tests, the fracture modes of PCOs such as brittle, ductile, and impact processes were largely dependent on the elongation speeds below Tg. In addition, the stress-strain curves were found to be superimposed by the shift factors on transverse and longitudinal axes, giving a typical master curve for tensile fracture behavior.

This research clarified the anomalous electric resistance change of ultrastrained multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT), as well as its mechanical properties, using the Electrostatically Actuated NAnotensile Testing device (EANAT) mounted on the in-situ SEM nanomanipulation system. The Young's modulus of MWCNT and its shear stress during interlayer sliding deformation were estimated from the load-displacement curve. The electrical resistance of the MWCNT was 215 kΩ without strain, which was similar to the previously reported value, however the anomalous resistance change was observed under enormous strain. Although the resistance change ratio was almost constant during interlayer sliding of the MWCNT, it specifically showed a sharp raise at the end of the sliding in spite of the MWCNT not breaking mechanically. The molecular dynamics (MD) simulation provided a good understanding that the atomic reconfiguration due to the hard sticking at the edge of extracted outer layer of MWCNT might induce the sharp raise of resistance without its mechanically breaking. This result reported here is extremely important for reliability of MWCNT interconnects.

We have investigated local structures of ErP grown by organometallic vapor phase epitaxy Er source: tris(ethylcyclopentadienyl)erbium (Er(EtCp)3 by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurement. The EXAFS analysis revealed that NaCl-type ErP and Er–O(–C) compounds coexisted in the case of ErP growth by using Er(EtCp)3. The NaCl-type ErP was preferentially formed on InP(1 1 1)A compared with InP(0 0 1) and InP(1 1 1)B. It is considered that formation of unexpected Er–O(–C) compounds is due to low but significant concentration of residual O and/or C in Er(EtCp)3.

ErP has been grown on InP (0 0 1), (1 1 1)A and (1 1 1)B substrates by low-pressure organometallic vapor-phase epitaxy. The morphological change with growth temperature has been explored by atomic force microscope. On all the substrates, ErP is grown in island structure. Height and area size of the ErP islands on (1 1 1)A substrate exhibit an obvious dependence on growth temperature. ErP islands grown at 540°C, that is the suitable temperature for ErP formation, gather to step edges to make wires.

InP capping layers have been grown on ErP/InP(0 0 1), ErP/InP(1 1 1) A , and ErP/InP(1 1 1) B heterostructures by organometallic vapor phase epitaxy. Morphological change of the InP capping layers has been investigated by scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope. Coverage of the capping layers on ErP/InP(0 0 1) and ErP/InP(1 1 1) B particularly depends strongly on capping growth temperature. The use of the optimum growth temperature for InP buffer layers results in island growth of InP. By decreasing the growth temperature, the islands connect each other and become a complete layer. On the other hand, morphology of the capping layer on ErP/InP(1 1 1) A shows limited improvement with the decrease in growth temperature. Twin defect exists in the capping layer as well as the buffer layer on InP(1 1 1) A .

ErP has been grown on InP(0 0 1) substrates by organometallic vapor phase epitaxy (OMVPE) using a new liquid organic Er source: tris(ethylcyclopentadienyl)erbium (Er(EtCp) 3 ). Morphological change of an ErP layer on InP(0 0 1) is investigated together with that of an overgrown capping InP layer. Optimum growth condition of InP causes islanding on over-monolayer-ErP. A relatively low overgrowth temperature of InP is a key factor for attaining complete capping coverage on ErP.

AIM To describe combined endodontic and orthodontic treatment of a maxillary lateral incisor fused with a supernumerary. SUMMARY A rare case is presented in which combined endodontic and orthodontic treatment was performed on a cross-bite fused tooth. Clinical and radiographic examination showed the maxillary lateral incisor fused with a supernumerary and an impacted canine. The fused tooth required nonsurgical and surgical endodontic treatment for functional and aesthetic reasons. The root canals were dressed with calcium hydroxide for 2 months before they were obturated with thermoplasticized injectable gutta-percha. Then, the distal part of the fused tooth was removed and the mesial part of the tooth was replanted and fixed. Three months after the completion of orthodontic therapy, the impacted canine erupted between the remaining tooth and the first premolar. Recall examination, 3 years after completion of root canal treatment, showed clinical and radiographic evidence of healing. KEY LEARNING POINTS Fusion has been described as a development anomaly characterized by the union of two adjacent teeth. Proper combined endodontic and orthodontic treatment resulted in maintaining one tooth half and solving the aesthetic and functional problem of a fused tooth.

Summary Solid horns for power ultrasonics usually magnify the vibration amplitude by reducing the cross-sectional area along their axis. However, these horns are usually too heavy to handle easily, and their fatigue strength is reduced by the stress concentration induced by their profile. The authors have therefore attempted to develop a new type of horn based on a different magnification principle by connecting two simple round bars with different specific acoustic impedances. Vibration of the round bar horn has been analysed by longitudinal wave theory and FEM to achieve a practical design. New types of horn were fabricated and tested to confirm their displacement amplitude magnification capabilities. The analytical and experimental results showed that the simple round bar horn is satisfactory for practical use. On this basis, an attempt was made to fabricate a simple round bar horn using a friction-welded joint consisting of SUS304 stainless steel and 6061 aluminium alloy dissimilar metals. The vibrati...

Adhesion between epoxy molding compounds (EMCs) and encapsulating mold surfaces is becoming a critical issue for integrated circuit (IC) packaging. Such adhesion results in IC damage or a serious reduction in productivity of the packaging process. It is thus highly desirable to develop mold materials that have excellent releasing properties for EMCs. In this study, the adhesion strengths of various oxide ceramics selected as model surfaces for mold materials for conventional EMCs were measured at room temperature. Some rare-earth oxides, which have surface isoelectric points (IEPs) of the oxide of approximately 9, exhibit excellent releasability from EMCs. This is considered to be caused by inhibiting acid-base interactions between EMCs and the oxide surfaces.

A special purpose image preprocessor for the visual system of assembly robots has been developed. The main function unit is composed of look-up tables to utilize the advantage of semiconductor memory for large scale integration, high speed and low price. More than one units may be operated in parallel since it is designed on the standard IEEE 796 bus. The operation time of the preprocessor in line segment extraction is usually 200 ms per 500 segments, though it differs according to the complexity of scene image. The gray-scale visual system supported by the model-based analysis program using the extracted line segments recognizes partially visible or overlapping industrial workpieces, and detects these locations and orientations. In recognition test using plastic workpieces, the recognition time was about 9 seconds for five pieces. In most of conventional model-based vision systems, the feature extraction time was extremely longer than that of the model-based analysis. The image preprocessor we have developed reduces the time ratio of feature extraction and model-based analysis to about 1/10.

This paper presents a new transmission technology which promises a high reliability for large capacity 16 QAM (for land mobile communications) based on a newly proposed analytic receiving and data on envelopment (DOE) technique. Such degradation as caused from Gaussian thermal and rather frequency selective fading are recovered through differential detection both for amplitude and phase.

A coil feeder has been developed which permits the use of coiled bar stocks for hot-forging facilities to manufacture nuts and other parts of automobiles. This coil-feeder for hot-formers was developed with a high-accuracy frequency control system. It consists of an uncoiler, a straightener, and a pair of pinch rollers. This system improves the product yield rate dramatically compared with conventional feeders while maintaining high product quality. The control equipment is described, and test results are presented. >

Accumulating evidences suggest that tumor growth and metastasis depend on angiogenesis. At present, plenty of efforts are made to discover a chemical compound that specifically inhibits tumor angiogenesis either by reducing pro-angiogenic factor or increasing anti-angiogenic factors.SU5416, a novel, synthetic, potential inhibitor of angiogenesis specifically blocks the Flk-1/KDR tyrosine kinase activity. In vivo effect of SU5416 in the treatment of intracranial tumors has not been previously described.We transplanted GS-9L cells into the right caudate nucleus of male Fisher 344 rats and administrated SU5416 intraperitoneally (i.p.) to investigate the impact of SU5416 on tumor angiogenesis and growth in vivo. Starting on Day 1 or Day 8, forty-two animals were treated with SU5416 at three different doses (e.g. 12.5, 25.0 and 50.0 mg/kg body weight) via i.p. injection every day until the end-point. As a control, seven animals received no treatment and after implant fourteen animals were treated with vehicle (DMSO) only.SU5416 prolonged the survival in the treated groups without any significant systemic adverse effect. Median survival in the treated group started on Day.1 was statistically longer compared to that in the control groups (p0.01). Histological analysis of the treated tumors showed an increase in necroses and reduced in vascularity compared to the control tumors. Furthermore, the number of apoptotic cells increased in the treated tumors on a TUNEL stain.Small molecular compounds, such as SU5416 may be useful therapeutics that specifically inhibits the enzymatic activity of Flk-1 kinase and downstream events of tumor angiogenesis.

1. Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cyclic GMP)-mediated mechanism plays an important role in vasodilatation and blood pressure regulation. We investigated the effects of high salt intake on the nitric oxide (NO) - cyclic GMP signal transduction pathway regulating relaxation in aortas of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). 2. Four-week-old SHR and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) received a normal salt diet (0.3% NaCl) or a high salt diet (8% NaCl) for 4 weeks. 3. In aortic rings from SHR, endothelium-dependent relaxations in response to acetylcholine (ACh), adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and calcium ionophore A23187 were significantly impaired by the high salt intake. The endothelium-independent relaxations in response to sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and nitroglycerin were also impaired, but that to 8-bromo-cyclic GMP remained unchanged. On the other hand, high salt diet had no significant effects on the relaxations of aortic rings from WKY. 4. In aortas from SHR, the release of NO stimulated by ACh was significantly enhanced, whereas the production of cyclic GMP induced by either ACh or SNP was decreased by the high salt intake. 5. Western blot analysis showed that the protein level of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) was slightly increased, whereas that of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) was dramatically reduced by the high salt intake. 6. These results indicate that in SHR, excessive dietary salt can result in downregulation of sGC followed by decreased cyclic GMP production, which leads to impairment of vascular relaxation in responses to NO. It is notable that chronic high salt intake impairs the sGC/cyclic GMP pathway but not the eNOS/NO pathway.

To investigate the phosphate kinetics in hemodialysis (HD), 8 patients in a stable condition, who were receiving HD three times a week for 4 hours per session, were investigated. Plasma phosphate was under 7 mg/dl, and residual renal function had almost disappeared. Dialysate containing phosphate was prepared by adding Na2HPO4 using a micro-infusion pump from the inlet of single pass dialysate in the individual dialysate delivery system. In the first week, Na2HPO4 was not added as the control period. In the second session of the second and third week, Na2HPO4 was added to give a phosphate concentration of 1.0 and 2.0 mmol/l in the dialysate, respectively. Total phosphate mass removal was 777 +/- 46.64 mg in the control period, 403 +/- 67.21 mg in the second week, and -230 +/- 214.8 mg in the third week. Total phosphate mass removal in the second and third week was significantly lower than that of the control period. Plasma phosphate concentration was significantly decreased after the HD compared with before the HD in the control and second week. There was no significant difference in plasma phosphate concentration between the period before HD and at 48 hours in the control and the second week. Plasma phosphate concentration before HD not only depended on phosphate mass removal by HD, but also on other factors. We suggest that dialysate containing phosphate might prevent excessive phosphate removal from non-extracellular compartments during HD.

A 22-year-old male was admitted to our hospital with abrupt onset of upper abdominal pain. Abdominal US and CT revealed dilatation of the small intestine between the abdominal wall and a lateral segment of the liver. After a diagnosis of an internal hernia through a defect in the falciform ligament, emergency surgery was performed. Laparoscopic investigation showed incarceration of the small intestine in a defect of the falciform ligament. After releasing an incarceration, the hernia orifice was opened to prevent relapse. He was discharged on the 4th postoperative day. Internal hernia through a defect in the falciform ligament is extremely rare, with six reported cases including our own in Japan. Characteristic images of abdominal US and CT enable preoperative diagnosis of this condition. Surgery should be performed at an early stage after onset. In patients with no prior history of surgery, laparoscopic techniques may be useful.

A 3-month-old male infant was referred to our department with a generalized brown, thickened leathery skin and blisters which had been present since birth; the blisters developed recurrently at sites of minor trauma, healing without scar formation, although Darier's sign was positive. Microscopically, biopsy specimens showed a dense dermal band-like infiltrate with mast cells, whereas a biopsy from a vesicle showed subepidermal bulla formation. Physical examination did not reveal any systemic involvement with mastocytosis and the patient was treated with cyproheptadine, which has considerable anti-serotonin activity and, interestingly, reduced the degree of blistering; this treatment might therefore be tried in other cases.

Thanatophoric dysplasia (TD) is a sporadic lethal skeletal dysplasia with micromelic shortening of the limbs, relative macrocephaly, platyspondyly and reduced thoracic cavity. It has recently been reported that TD is caused by mutations in the FGFR3 gene. In the present study, we report a missense mutation in the FGFR3 gene in a Japanese patient with TD. The patient was noticed to have typical features of TD type 1 (TD1) at birth. The genomic DNAs of the patient and his parents were isolated from whole blood. DNA fragments of the FGFR3 gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction, and directly sequenced. The patient was revealed to be heterozygous for a missense mutation G370C, changing codon 370 (GGC) encoding Gly to TGC encoding Cys, but his parents did not have the G370C mutation. The G370C mutation introduces an unpaired cysteine residue in the extracellular domain of FGFR3, which may result in formation of an intermolecular disulfide bond between two mutant FGFR3 monomers and their constitutive activation. In conclusion, we have identified the G370C mutation in the FGFR3 gene in a Japanese TD1 patient.