Search

A consecutive( r , s )-out-of-( m , n ):F lattice system which is defined as a two-dimensional version of a consecutive k -out-of- n :F system is used as a reliability evaluation model for a sensor system, an X-ray diagnostic system, a pattern search system, etc. This system consists of m × n components arranged like an ( m , n ) matrix and fails iff the system has an ( r , s ) submatrix that contains all failed components. In this paper we deal a combined model of a k -out-of- mn :F and a consecutive ( r , s )-out-of-( m , n ):F lattice system. Namely, the system has one more condition of system down, that is the total number of failed components, in addition to that of a consecutive ( r , s )-out-of-( m , n ):F lattice system. We present a method to obtain reliability of the system. The proposed method obtains the reliability by using a combinatorial equation that does not depend on the system size. Some numerical examples are presented to show the relationship between component reliability and system reliability.

In order to investigate the connection between the bubble and the spiral form of vortex breakdown, experiments were conducted: an external disturbance in the form of an azimuthally spinning waveform was imposed in a pipe. The azimuthal wave number was varied by adjusting the phase difference among four oscillating pistons mounted circumferentially on the pipe. By imposing a disturbance of zero azimuthal wave number, a spiral was transformed into a bubble, and this occurred only for selective piston frequencies; the vortex breakdown which altered from the spiral to the bubble moved upstream, where it remained as a bubble as long as the external disturbance remained. Once the disturbance was removed, the bubble returned to a spiral. By imposing a disturbance of azimuthal wave number +1 (the first circumferential mode rotating in the same direction as the mean swirl), a bubble was transformed into a spiral for selective piston frequencies, and the spiral moved downstream. These preferred frequencies were found to be the same as the unexcited frequencies observed in the spiral in its natural state. As long as the external disturbance was imposed, the breakdown altered from the bubble to the spiral remained as a spiral; once the disturbance was removed, the spiral reverted to a bubble. By imposing a disturbance with azimuthal wave number –1 (the first circumferential mode rotating in the opposite direction to the mean swirl), no change was detected in either a bubble or a spiral. By imposing a disturbance with azimuthal wave number 2 (the second circumferential mode), for selective piston frequencies a bubble was transformed into what appears to be the so-called two-tailed type. Thus, it appears that hydrodynamic instability plays a role in interchanging vortex breakdown types, and a comparison with available stability theories is discussed.

This work is concerned with computing the reliability of redundant systems of three-state (e.g., good, failed-open or failed-short) devices. Allowing for multiple failures, formulas are presented for calculating the reliability of a parallel-series system or a series-parallel system which is formed from three-state, non-DFM (dual failure-mode) devices, and which might require multiple paths to function. The words series and parallel are used in the layout-diagram sense. The formulation encompasses cases which have been analyzed by complex methods in numerous papers on the reliability of three-state DFM device systems. The effects of dominant failure-modes on the relationship between reliability of a series system and that of a parallel system, and on the relationship between the reliability of a parallel-series system and that of series-parallel system are presented. >

This paper considers an estimation problem of the change point for failure-censored data. The data follow an exponential distribution and its parameter changes with progress of time. The time point when the parameter changes is referred to as a change point. We apply Bayesian information criterion (BIC) to the estimation of the change point of the parameter. Simulation analysis is conducted to investigate the accuracy of the estimate.

Physicochemical properties of glass ceramics in weakly buffered, supersaturated, metastable calcium and phosphate solution were studied. Formations of calcium phosphate precipitates were also analyzed thermodynamically. All biomaterials examined here showed primarily dissolution process and subsequent nucleation. Dissolution was enhanced in those which contained Na2O and/or SiC. The dissolution of calcium and phosphate ions from biomaterials and subsequent nucleation of calcium phosphate salts after induction time resulted in a stable equilibrium having solubility characteristics similar to octacalcium phosphate (OCP). The most soluble material, CPSN-SiC, showed an initial transient equilibrium with amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP). From above results, calcium phosphate ceramics had certain driving force of its own which kept the equilibrium of solution to OCP thermodynamically for 7 days. Despite the favorable solubility equilibrium attained, there still remain problems for clinical application.

This paper evaluates the tolerances of a synchronizing error for the uplink in a fixed wireless access system attaining 8 bit/sec/Hz/cell under the condition of 6-sectored cell. The system adopts CDMA/FDD/16QAM to increase spectral efficiency. In the proposed system, all subscribers attain an error-free condition by power control in the presence of inter-cell interference. The number of subscribers per sector is equal to process gain. Bit rate per subscriber is a multiple of 5 Mbit/s and maximum 20 Mbit/s. We estimate BER performance for the uplink in the presence of synchronizing error such as carrier frequency error and timing error among subscribers in a sector because the errors reduce orthogonality of codes. Simulated BER performance shows that all subscribers in a sector have to have a normalized carrier frequency error of 2% and a normalized timing error of 3% to keep the orthogonality of the codes for the uplink. The feasibility of the synchronization is discussed.

This study was carried out to examine the blood-brain barrier (BBB) transport of human basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and investigate its mechanism.The BBB transport of 125I-bFGF was measured by several in vivo methods including intravenous administration, in situ internal carotid artery perfusion, and intracerebral microinjection. The in vitro binding of 125I-bFGF was characterized using freshly prepared bovine brain capillaries.The distribution volume of 125I-bFGF in the postvascular supernatant increased with the perfusion time, and exceeded the space occupied by the brain microvasculature and its trichloroacetic acid (TCA) precipitability was more than 90%. 125I-bFGF avidly bound to isolated bovine brain capillaries with a Bmax of 206 +/- 48 pmol/mg protein, and a Kd of 36.5 +/- 15.7 nM. This binding was significantly inhibited by unlabeled bFGF and heparin in a concentration-dependent manner. The cationic peptides, protamine and poly-L-lysine (each 300 microM), produced over 85% inhibition of 125I-bFGF binding to brain capillaries. Furthermore, glycosaminoglycans with a sulfate residue, chondroitin sulfate B and C (each 10 microg/mL) also inhibited the binding of 125I-bFGF The in vivo transcytosis of 125I-bFGF from the luminal side to the brain was also inhibited by the presence of heparin (10 microg/mL) and poly-L-lysine (300 microM), whereas neither hyaruronic acid (10 microg/mL) nor insulin (10 microM) had any effect. In addition to these results, the brain efflux index method was used to confirm that the transcytosis of 125I-bFGF from brain to blood across the BBB was negligible.These results suggest that 125I-bFGF is transported across the BBB, possibly by an adsorptive-mediated transcytosis mechanism that is triggered by binding to negatively charged species on the luminal membrane surface of the brain microvasculature, such as heparan sulfate proteoglycans.

Arachnoid cysts account for about 1% of all intracranial tumors, in which about 50% arise from the middle cranial fossa, and rarely occur at the cerebral convexity. They sometimes are associated with chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) but the exact mechanism of their development is still unclear. A 15-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital with an arachnoid cyst at the right frontal convexity. When he experienced recurrent generalized seizure, CT and MRI revealed CSDH localized at the surface of the arachnoid cyst. Radical operation for the cyst with CSDH was successfully performed. As far as we know, it is rare that CSDH and hematoma are colocalized over an arachnoid cyst at the cerebral convexity. In this report, the operative findings of this patient and possible mechanism of CSDH formation were reported.

A correlative investigation of 125 eyes with senile cataractous lenses was conducted to determine the relationships between cortical (CC) and nuclear cataracts (NC), corrected visual acuity (VA), and contrast sensitivity (CS). The CS for the spatial frequency of 1.5 cycles/degree (c/d) and 12.0 c/d was analyzed in particular detail. The results were as follows: (1) CC and CS for both 1.5 and 12.0 c/d showed statistically significant negative correlations with a coefficient (CE) of -0.250 and -0.288 respectively. No correlation was found between CC and VA. (2) NC and VA showed a significant negative correlation with CE of -2.29. No correlation was found between NC and CS for at 1.5 and 12.0 c/d. (3) VA and CS showed a significant positive correlation with a CE of +0.436 at 1.5 c/d and +0.270 at 12.0 c/d. The CS at 1.5 and the CS at 12.0 c/d also showed a significant negative correlation with a CE of +0.477. (4) NC and CC showed a significantly negative correlation (r = -0.224, p0.01), suggesting that scattered light from the nucleus may be interfered with by cortical opacities during slitlamp examinations. (5) In 29 cases of no cortical opacity, nuclear opacity showed significant negative correlation with VA (r = 0.556 p0.01) but no significant correlation with CS of both 1.5 and 12 c/d. (6) In 30 cases with less than 0.085 of nuclear opacity, cortical opacity showed significant negative correlation with CS at 12.0 c/d (r = 0.364 p0.01) but showed no significant correlation with VA and CS at 1.5 c/d.

A case of intraosseous meningioma at the posterior fossa was reported. Intraosseous meningioma is very rate and only six cases have been reported in Japanese literature. A 64 year-old woman complained of progressive headache and was admitted to Ichinomiya Neurosurgical Hospital. On admission, neurological examination did not reveal any abnormalities. However, plain skull X-p showed a hyperostotic lesion in the right posterior fossa. CT scan demonstrated homogeneously enhanced mass by contrast medium. MRI showed a mass lesion of the posterior fossa on T1 and T2 weighted images. The right vertebral angiogram showed an avascular area in the right posterior fossa and no tumor stain. The tumor, which was partially attached to the underlying dura, was successfully removed surgically. The operative finding confirmed an intraosseous meningioma which had arisen from the right asterion. The post operative course was uneventful. Histological examination revealed fibroblastic meningioma.

Experiments on heat transfer between spheres and airflow were carried out in the range of Reynolds numbers from 3.5to 1.44 x 10/sup 5/ and Grashof numbers from 1 to 10/sup 5/. Empirical formulas for forced, natural, and combined convection are presented and comparison made with other investigations. A graphical procedure, based on experimental results, is used to predict the heat- transfer performance for combined natural and forced convection. (auth)

The follow up result of 33 cases lower femur end fracture was reported and the difference between open reduction and closed reduction was compaired.The result was following.1) The Range of Motion2) Amako's Criteriawith regard to the function of the knee joint, the jnjury of the supra patellar poach must be most carefully treated.

We experienced one patient with insensitivity to pain which caused pathologic fractures and deformity of the extremities. The patient, nine years old girl, has clinical manifestations of insensitivity to pain, which are described in the literatures, as corneal opacity, no response to painfull stimula, scarred tongue, deformity of joint etc.From her clinical history pathologic fractures have easily occurred with no subjective complaint.In this case congenital leucopathia is also observed. It is difficult to prove insensitivity to pain.

Three operated cases of congenital deficiency of factor XIII (fibrin-stabilizing factor) associated with intracranial hematomas were described and the diagnosis, replacement therapy of the factor were discussed. Congenital deficiency of factor XIII is quite rare coagulation disorder and only 100 patients were reported in the literatures in which we could find only one case who had craniotomy for associated intracranial hemorrhage. Case 1: A 41-year-old female with the history of unknown hemorrhagic diathesis complained of headache and right hemiparesis on August 2, 1980. CT scan showed left parietal intracerebral hematoma caused by unknown hemorrhagic diathesis and operated on under fresh blood transfusion. Postoperative state was uneventful but bleeding from the operated wound and rebleeding in the operated hematoma cavity were found on 5th postoperative day. The screening test for factor XIII was abnormal but replacement therapy with fresh plasma and factor XIII failed to control hemorrhagic diathesis. The patients died of GI bleeding and recurrent intracerebral hematoma on 21st postoperative day. Case 2: A 1.4-year-old boy with the history of umbilical bleeding on delivery and diagnosed as congenital deficiency of factor XIII in the other hospital fall down and struck his occiput on September 20, 1980. He vomited and became stuporous two days after injury, and was transferred to Ryukyu University Hospital. CT can revealed epidural hematoma at the left posterior fossa which extended to the supratentorium. The hematoma was successfully evacuated under infusion of fresh plasma and he showed uneventful recovery without rebleeding by postoperative appropriate replacement therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

In order to clarify the present problems in the treatment of acute subdural hematoma with low GCS score (5 or less), we studied the difference of the outcomes from two different surgical treatments for these patients. The present series included 30 patients who had GCS scores of 3, 4 or 5, and they were divided into two groups: 16 in DH group who had decompressive hemicraniectomy and 14 in HITT group who had hematoma irrigation with trephination therapy. The mean age of the patients was 47 years. They all had an intensive medical management including barbiturate therapy under intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring after the operation. Time course of ICP after operation was classified as controlled, high but reduced and uncontrollable, based on the ICP level of 30 mmHg. The outcomes of the patients were determined by use of Glasgow outcome scale and classified into good, poor and dead. In these patients, the outcome was good in 13.3%, poor in 23.3% and dead in 63.4%. There was no survived case in those with GCS score of 3. The mortality rate in older patients over 60 years was high as 81.8%. ICP was well controlled in 2 patients (12.4%) in DH group. But there is no such case in HITT group. Uncontrollable ICP was more frequently seen in HITT group than in DH group. The patients showed different outcomes in the two types of treatment. Good outcome was found in 18.7% and the mortality rate was 56.3% in DH group. On the other hand, only one patient (7.1%) showed good outcome and the mortality rate of 71.4% in HITT group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The Japanese National Railways has stretched its bullet train system to the north in 1982 and built a new type train radio system for it. The new system utilizes Leaky Coaxial Cable, a wired-wireless technique which offers many services such as train operation dispatching, passenger dispatching, public telephone, train status monitoring and so on. Taking advantage of sufficient receiving level from LCX, the system was designed to have 40 dB signal to noise ratio at more than 99 percent areas for voice communication channels and less than 10-4bit error rate at almost all areas for 1200 bit/s FSK data communication channel. Measurement after construction of the railway lines has verified that the intended quality is attained for both voice and data communication. Block error rate for triple transmission of same data also proved to be less than 10-3in the measurement. In this system, stable receiving level for relatively small power and efficient use of frequency resources are realized through isolat ion between zones and narrow dynamic range of LCX.

A selective beta 2-stimulating bronchodilator, dl-1- (4-amino-3-chloro-5-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-2-tert.-butyl-amino-ethanol hydrochloride (mabuterol), is mainly metabolized by oxidative deamination pathway. Unchanged mabuterol and the following 6 types of metabolites, M-1 (hydroxylation of tert.-butyl group), M-2 (glycol), M-3 (mandelic acid), M-4 (aldehyde), M-5 (benzoic acid) and M-6 (hippuric acid) were identified by thin-layer chromatography and mass spectroscopy. Pharmacologically, only M-1 had effects on the airway resistance, blood pressure and heart rate, and the isolated organs. But its selective beta 2-stimulating effect was 2-10 times lower than that of mabuterol. M-1 antagonized the positive inotropic action induced by isoprenaline (isoproterenol). Other metabolites showed no appreciable activity.

Two types of technologies of automatic car identification (ACI) under test in the Japanese National Railways are reported. Both of them use microwave at 2.45 GHz. In one year of field tests they yielded good results. The technologies are considered practicable as applied to all types of freight cars.

Pharmacokinetic studies on absorption, distribution, excretion and placental transfer of the beta-sympathomimetic 14C-labelled dl - 1 - (4 - amino - 3 - chloro - 5 - trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-2-tert.-butylamino-ethanol hydrochloride (mabuterol) have been carried out in rats. Mabuterol was easily absorbed from the whole length of the small intestine in a study in situ with the gastro-intestinal ligated loop technique. The blood and tissue levels of radioactivity reached the maximum within 1 h after oral administration. Concerning tissue distribution (excluding the digestive tract) after oral administration, the radioactivity in the liver, lung, kidney and several secretory organs was considerably higher than that in the blood. The levels of radioactivity in these tissues continued at almost the same levels for 2-6 h after oral administration, resulting from a slow gastric emptying of the radioactivity. The whole-body autoradiograms obtained after intravenous administration revealed the secretion of the radioactivity into the stomach. The radioactive concentration in the CNS was much lower than that in the principal organs with either route of administration. About 60% and 26% were excreted into urine and feces, respectively, within 24 h after oral administration. Although about 22% was excreted into bile within 24 h after intravenous administration, no other evidence of enterohepatic circulation was observed. The multiple oral administration of 14C-mabuterol indicated no, appreciable accumulation in the tissues of rats. A placental transfer in the pregnant rats in the last stage of gestation was not significant.

Disturbance of the hemispheric cerebral circulation and brain dysfunction in acute intracranial hypertension were evaluated noninvasively by ultrasonic Doppler technique and multimodality evoked potentials consisting of auditory evoked brain-stem response (ABR), cortical somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) and visual evoked potential (VEP) in 36 patients with severe head injury and cerebrovascular disease. Glasgow coma scale score was less than 8 in all cases and the age ranged from 17 to 75 years (mean of 46 years). Intracranial pressure (ICP) was measured from the extradural space using Gaeltec transducer and systemic blood pressure was simultaneously recorded. Common carotid blood flow velocity (CBFV) was recorded on both sides and mean velocity (M), diastolic mean velocity (Md) and mean blood flow were calculated. The abnormalities on MEPs were graded into 4 categories. M and Md values on CBFV were significantly (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.01) lowered on affected side (main lesion side) even when ICP was staying less than 20 mmHg comparing with control value obtained from the normal subjects (M: 19.48 +/- 3.52, Md: 15.98 +/- 2.01 cm/sec). With the increase of ICP more than 21 mmHg, CBFV on the contralateral side was also decreased and M as well as Md values were maintained at the lowered level during 21 to 60 mmHg of ICP. A significant rapid decrease of CBFV was observed at extreme intracranial hypertension more than 61 mmHg. Lowered CBFV was also noted when cerebral perfusion pressure was reduced less than 50 mmHg.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The effect of the phosphorylated protein, phosvitin, on the formation of the calcium phosphate crystal was examined in metastable calcium phosphate solution. Addition of glass ceramics caused consumption of hydrochloric acid, as a result of the dissolution of metal oxides. The activities of dissolution and nucleation were both high in the case of CPS-SiC. Phosvitin affected only the nucleation process, not the dissolution process. The decrease of phosvitin concentration after the addition of materials demonstrated adsorption of phosvitin by the material surface. The thermodynamic stability of solution after several days maintained equilibrium against tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and especially against octacalcium phosphate (OCP). From these results, it is concluded that glass ceramic implants have potential to stimulate hydroxyapatite formation, even in the presence of matrix substances.

We reported five cases of children with spinal injuries. Spinal injuries are rare in children, and most common from the occiput to C3 in children younger than 8 years. In our cases, two younger children had upper cervical lesions and two older children had lower lesions. These differences result from anatomical characteristics, such as special histological architecture of the growth zones in younger children. One patient had a delayed onset paraplegia without radiographic abnormality. This phenomenon seems to be one of the characteristics of the spinal injuries in children. Because of this, all children with head or neck injuries should be fully investigated. A nine-month-old child who suffered from a fracture of the odontoid process with atlantoaxial dislocation was treated by immobilization only, and the result was good. Generally, fracture of the odontoid process in young children can be treated by proper immobilization. One patient with fracture dislocation of the cervical spine died as a result of cord injury. So immediate surgical decompression is mandatory for patients with evidence of cord compression.

Efficacy and limitation of barbiturate therapy employed as postoperative treatment for acute traumatic intracranial hematomas were studied in 20 patients. The clinical cases in this series included 15 males and 5 females with mean age of 41.8 years who all were operated on for intracranial hematomas within 3 days after injury. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score was less than 7 in all instances and intracranial pressure (ICP) as well as arterial pressure was monitored postoperatively with Gaeltec and Gould transducers. Barbiturate therapy (5 mg/kg of thiopental as an initial dose and loading dose of 2-3 mg/kg/hour) was given when ICP rose above 20 mmHg and maintained for 3 days after operation. The outcome of the patients was assessed by Glasgow Outcome Scale 3 months after injury. The response of barbiturate on ICP and the changes of cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) during the therapy in relation to the outcome were studied. Final outcome of the patients revealed 5 of good (good recovery and moderate disability), 3 of poor (severe disability and vegetative state) outcomes and 60% of mortality rate. Eleven out of 20 patients responded to barbiturate therapy and 0-20 mmHg of ICP reduction (mean reduction of 10 mmHg) was obtained in these cases. Among these cases, 2 out of 3 dead patients were older than 60 years. There were no responses of barbiturate in 7 patients to whom the therapy was started when ICP rose above 40 mmHg. No response of the therapy on ICP was also observed in the patients with GCS score of 3.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)