bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cigarette smoking as a risk factor for influenza‐associated mortality: evidence from an elderly cohort
Authors: Wong Chit M. , Yang Lin , Chan King P. , Chan Wai M. , Song Liang , Lai Hak K. , Thach Thuan Q. , Ho Lai M. , Chan Kwok H. , Lam Tai H. , Peiris Joseph S. M.
Published: July 2012

Please cite this paper as: Wong et al. (2012) Cigarette smoking as a risk factor for influenza‐associated mortality: evidence from an elderly cohort. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 7(4), 531–539.

Background  The effects of individual lifestyle factors on the mortality risk after influenza infection have not been explored.

Objectives  In this study, we assessed the modifying effects of cigarette smoking on mortality risks associated with influenza in a cohort of Hong Kong elders with a follow‐up period of 1998–2009.

Methods  We used the Cox proportional hazards model with time‐dependent covariates of weekly proportions of specimens positive for influenza (termed as influenza virus activity), to calculate the hazard ratio of mortality associated with a 10% increase in influenza virus activity for never, ex‐ and current smokers. Other individual lifestyle and socioeconomic factors as well as seasonal confounders were also added into the models.

Results  The overall hazard ratio associated with influenza was 1·028 (95% confidence interval, 1·006, 1·051) for all natural cause mortality and 1·035 (1·003, 1·068) for cardiovascular and respiratory mortality. We found that influenza‐associated hazard ratio was greater in current and ex‐smokers than in never smokers for mortality of all natural causes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

Conclusions  The findings suggest that smoking might increase influenza‐associated mortality risks among elders.
Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus in Humans and Geographically Matched Food Animals in Egypt
Authors: El‐Tras W. F. , Tayel A. A. , El‐Kady N. N.
Published: July 2012

The aim of current study was to investigate the epidemiology of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) in humans and geographically matched food animals as a novel zoonotic assessment in Egypt. Blood samples were collected from patients who had a history of jaundice and attended to fever and general hospitals. Animal blood samples were collected from cows, buffaloes, sheep and goats convenient to HEV seropositive humans. Enzyme Immuno Assay (EIA) protocol was used to determine IgG anti‐HEV. Sex and pregnancy were investigated as potential risk factors for HEV infection. Of 134 examined humans, 51 (38.1%) were positive for IgG anti‐HEV. The males showed 26.8% seropositivity while the recorded female seropositivity was 50.8%, with a significant difference at P = 0.005, Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.35 at 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.17–0.73. There was a significant difference at P = 0.02 between seropositivity in pregnant (25%) and non‐pregnant women (59.6%); OR was 0.23 (95% CI: 0.06–0.81). Anorexia was the most common symptom whereas paraesthesia and back pain were the least within icteric seropositive HEV humans. Hepatitis E virus seropositivity was recorded in 21.6%, 14%, 4.4% and 9.4% from examined cows, buffaloes, sheep and goats, respectively. The infected food animals were convenient to positive HEV humans who may declare the epidemiological picture of potential zoonotic HEV.
Cohort study examining long‐term respiratory health, career duration and racing performance in racehorses that undergo left‐sided prosthetic laryngoplasty and ventriculocordectomy surgery for treatment of left‐sided laryngeal hemiplegia
Authors: MASON B. J. , RIGGS C. M. , COGGER N.
Published: July 2012

Reasons for performing study:The risk of respiratory conditions, such as inflammatory airway disease (IAD) and exercise‐induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH), are thought to be higher in racehorses that undergo prosthetic laryngoplasty with ventriculocordectomy (PLVC) surgery to treat left‐sided laryngeal hemiplegia (LLH) than in racehorses with normal laryngeal function. However, this has not been investigated formally owing to the difficulty of obtaining reliable follow‐up data.

Objectives:To determine the incidence of respiratory conditions (IAD and EIPH), duration of racing career, number of starts and number of starts for which stakes money was earned in racehorses that had undergone PLVC surgery to treat LLH, compared with racehorses that did not have LLH or undergo any laryngeal surgery.

Methods:A retrospective cohort study design was used, with surgical, clinical and race data of Thoroughbred racehorses obtained from the time of importation until retirement. The surgical cohort consisted of racehorses that had undergone PLVC for LLH and met specific inclusion criteria. Every surgical case was matched, according to trainer, year of import into Hong Kong and pre‐import international handicap rating, to 2 unexposed racehorses.

Results:Respiratory conditions, such as excessive tracheal mucus and epistaxis due to severe EIPH, were significantly increased in the surgical cohort, compared with the matched unexposed cohort (P values <0.001 and <0.004, respectively). Racing career duration in the surgical cohort was significantly shorter than in the unexposed cohort, which was primarily due to retirement because of epistaxis. The number of race starts was fewer in the surgical than in the unexposed cohort after surgery/matching, but the number of starts for which stakes money was earned was not significantly different.

Conclusions and potential relevance:Owners and trainers should be advised that racehorses with LLH that undergo PLVC surgery are at an increased risk of respiratory conditions (IAD and severe EIPH), which is likely to shorten their racing career compared to racehorses with normal laryngeal function. Racing performance in terms of race starts was significantly less in racehorses that had undergone PLVC surgery; however, the number of starts for which stakes money was earned was similar to those racehorses that were unexposed.
Direct Numerical Control (NC) Path Generation: From Discrete Points to Continuous Spline Paths
Authors: Liu Yu , Xia Songtao , Qian Xiaoping
Published: July 2012

Spline paths in NC machining are advantageous over linear and circular paths due to their smoothness and compact representation, thus are highly desirable in high-speed machining (HSM) where frequent change of tool position and orientation may lead to inefficient machining, tool wear, and chatter. This paper presents an approach for calculating spline NC paths directly from discrete points with controlled accuracy. Part geometry is represented by discrete points via an implicit point set surface (PSS). Cutter location (CL) points are generated directly from implicit part surfaces and interpolated by B-spline curves. A computing procedure for calculating maximum scallop height is given. The procedure is general and suitable for part surfaces in various surface representations provided that the closest distance from a point to the part surface can be calculated. Our results affirm that the proposed approach can produce high-quality B-spline NC paths directly from discrete points. The resulting spline paths make it possible for directly importing discrete points into Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines for high-speed machining.
Biomarkers of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and DNA damage: a cross-sectional pilot study among roofers in South Florida
Authors: Serdar Berrin , Lee David , Dou Zihong
Published: July 2012

Objective

The main goal of this pilot study was to assess the technical and logistic feasibility of a future study. The research hypothesis is that occupational exposures to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are associated with increased risk of DNA damage among roofers who work with hot asphalt.

Design

This is a cross-sectional pilot study.

Setting

The study included roofers from four different construction sites in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

Participants

19 roofers were recruited (six Hispanics and 13 African–Americans, all male), all of whom were eligible (no history of cancer and no history of chronic diseases of kidneys or liver). All participants provided pre-shift samples and 18 provided post-shift samples. Samples of one participant were excluded from the final analyses as they were considered unreliable.

Results

Levels of urinary PAH metabolites increased during 6 h of work. Linear regression models of post-shift metabolites included their pre-shift levels, post-shift urinary creatinine levels (for models of 1-OHPyr and 9-OHPhe), and skin burn due to contact with hot asphalt (for models of 1-OHPyr and 1-OHNap). Pre-shift levels of urinary 8-OHdG were not associated with any of the variables considered. For post-shift levels of 8-OHdG, however, post-shift 1-OHPyr (95% CI 0.091 to 0.788) and use of protective gloves (95% CI −1.57 to −0.61) during work explained 86.8% of its variation. Overall, highest levels of urinary PAH metabolites and of 8-OHdG were observed among workers who reported having skin burn and who did not use gloves during work.

Conclusions

Urinary 1-OHPyr is a promising predictor of oxidative DNA damage among roofers. Work-related skin burn and use of protective gloves appear to influence PAH exposure and DNA damage levels in this group, suggesting the importance of dermal absorption.
High expression of L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) predicts poor prognosis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas
Authors: Yanagisawa Nobuyuki , Ichinoe Masaaki , Mikami Tetuo , Nakada Norihiro , Hana Kiyomi , Koizumi Wasaburo , Endou Hitoshi , Okayasu Isao
Published: July 2012

Background and aims

Molecular target therapy against L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) is unique and expected to be developed soon. LAT1 expression was investigated in pancreatic cancer as a prognostic predictor.

Methods

Surgically resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC, n=66) were investigated using immunohistochemistry. For reference, intraductal papillary mucinous carcinomas (IPMC, including intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) with high-grade dysplasia or with an associated invasive carcinoma, n=13) and adenomas (IPMA, including IPMN with low- and intermediate-grade dysplasia, n=5) were also examined.

Results

LAT1 expression scores increased from PDAC to IPMA to IPMC. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed significant differences between LAT1-high and -low scores in PDAC. Even in each Ki-67-labelling index (LI) low and high PDAC group (cut off 40%), high LAT1 expression could also predict poor prognosis. Multivariable analysis showed that LAT1 expression, Ki-67 LI, tumour differentiation and size were individual prognostic factors.

Conclusions

LAT1 aberrant overexpression in PDAC predicts poor prognosis, independent of Ki-67 LI, and offers a potential target for future anticancer therapy with its inhibitors.
After treat-to-target: can a targeted ultrasound initiative improve RA outcomes?
Authors: Wakefield Richard J , D'Agostino Maria Antonietta , Naredo Esperanza , Buch Maya H , Iagnocco Annamaria , Terslev Lene , Ostergaard Mikkel , Backhaus Marina , Grassi Walter , Dougados Maxime , Burmester Gerd R , Saleem Benazir , de Miguel Eugenio , Estrach Cristina , Ikeda Kei , Gutierrez Marwin , Thompson Robert , Balint Peter , Emery Paul
Published: July 2012

For patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), remission can be achieved with tight control of inflammation and early use of disease modifying agents. The importance of remission as an outcome has been recently highlighted by European League Against Rheumatism recommendations. However, remission when defined by clinical remission criteria (disease activity score, simplified disease activity index, etc) does not always equate to the complete absence of inflammation as measured by new sensitive imaging techniques such as ultrasound (US). There is evidence that imaging synovitis is frequently found in these patients and associated with adverse clinical and functional outcomes. This article reviews the data regarding remission, ultrasound imaging and outcomes in patients with RA to provide the background to a consensus statement from an international collaboration of ultrasonographers and rheumatologists who have recently formed a research network - the Targeted Ultrasound Initiative (TUI) group. The statement proposes that targeting therapy to PD activity provides superior outcomes compared with treating to clinical targets alone and introduces the rationale for a new randomised trial using targeted ultrasound in RA.
The synthesis and properties of iron, ruthenium, and osmium octabutoxynaphthalocyanine
Authors: Kim Junhwan , Kenney Malcolm E.
Published: July 2012

New series of iron, ruthenium, and osmium octabutoxynaphthalocyanines were synthesized by inserting corresponding metals into the metal-free octabutoxynaphthalocyanine. Although preparation of axial ligand-free iron octabutoxynaphthalocyanines was reported before, we could not reproduce the synthesis by following the reported method. We attributed the failure to the instability of the iron octabutoxynaphthalocyanines. Bis-ligation increased the stability of the iron complex but only sufficiently for characterization. The application of iron complexes will be limited by their instability. However, ruthenium and osmium formed stable complexes with this macrocycle ring but with significantly lower reaction yields. These new complexes were characterized by NMR, UV-vis, and mass spectrometry.
Switchable Frequency Gaps in Piezoelectric Phononic Crystal Slabs
Authors: Hsu Jin-Chen
Published: July 2012

A numerical study of switchable frequency band gaps in two-dimensional phononic crystal (PnC) slabs consisting of piezoelectric inclusions in an isotropic matrix is presented. Instead of changing the geometry or orientation of the PnC units or inclusions, electrical boundary conditions are used to actively control the frequency band gaps. The electrical open and short boundary conditions are considered in this paper. With different electrical boundary conditions imposed on the surfaces of the piezoelectric inclusions, the dispersion relations can be modulated and the band gaps can be switched. The validity of switchable transmission and the dependence of its characteristics on the incident slab wave modes and electrical boundary conditions are investigated as well. Using the switchable frequency gaps, switchable linear PnC slab waveguides, which show the confined propagation of slab waves, are demonstrated. As a result, the confined wave energy flows can be switched on/off by changing the imposed electrical boundary conditions. The methodology presented here enables designing PnC structures of active controlled transmission, guiding, switching, and emission for slab waves.
Enhancement of Selectivity in Nonlinear Ultrasonic Imaging of Closed Cracks Using Amplitude Difference Phased Array
Authors: Ohara Yoshikazu , Shintaku Yohei , Horinouchi Satoshi , Ikeuchi Masako , Yamanaka Kazushi
Published: July 2012

Subharmonic waves realize a high selectivity for closed cracks. However, when a short-burst wave is used to achieve a high temporal resolution, not only closed cracks but also linear scatterers appear in the subharmonic image owing to leakage in frequency filtering. They are ghosts that degrade the selectivity for closed crack in the subharmonic image. Here, we propose an amplitude difference phased array (ADPA), where the ghosts are eliminated by subtracting a subharmonic image at a small input multiplied by the input amplitude ratio from that at a large input. We verified the ADPA method by a two-dimensional simulation based on the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method with damped double nodes (DDNs) for subharmonic imaging of closed cracks. Furthermore, the ADPA method was experimentally verified in a closed-crack specimen.
Effects of Mn Additive on Dielectric and Piezoelectric Properties of (Na0.5K0.5)NbO3–BaZrO3–(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3Ternary System
Authors: Ariizumi Takuma , Zushi Junta , Kojima Seiji , Wang Ruiping , Bando Hiroshi
Published: July 2012

High-density perovskite titanate zirconate-modified potassium niobate solid solutions 0.92(Na0.5K0.5)NbO3–xBaZrO3–(0.08-x)(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3(BBK) and Mn-added BBK have been prepared by the solid-state reaction method. The phase diagram summarized from the dielectric measurement reveals that there exists a tetragonal–rhombohedral morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) for both solid solutions. The piezoelectric properties show enhanced behavior at around the tetragonal–rhombohedral MPB. Mn addition could increaseQmas well askpandd33. The behavior is attributed to oxygen vacancy formation and grain size growth, respectively.
Wideband Multimode Transducer Consisting of c-Axis Tilted ZnO/c-Axis Normal ZnO Multilayer
Authors: Takayanagi Shinji , Yanagitani Takahiko , Matsukawa Mami
Published: July 2012

Wideband ultrasonic transducers are required for acoustic imaging and nondestructive evaluation. In this study, we have fabricated transducer consisting of c-axis tilted ZnO/c-axis normal ZnO multilayer on the Au(111)/Ti/silica glass substrate. We have investigated the crystalline orientations and frequency characteristics of the multilayer transducer. An X-ray diffraction analysis and a scanning electron microscopy analysis of the transducer revealed that the c-axis normal ZnO layer was grown on the Au(111) layer during the initial stage of ZnO layer deposition. As ZnO grain growth proceeded, c-axis normal growth change to the c-axis tilted ZnO layer growth. This multilayer transducer excited second-overtone modes of longitudinal and shear waves as well as the fundamental mode in the UHF range. Therefore, the frequency bandwidth of the multilayer transducer was broader than that of a single layer transducer consisting of a c-axis tilted ZnO layer.
Sensitivity of Surface Acoustic Wave Magnetic Sensors Composed of Various Ni Electrode Structures
Authors: Kadota Michio , Ito Shigeo
Published: July 2012

A shear horizontal type of surface acoustic wave (SAW) magnetic sensor composed of a magnetostrictive Ni electrode and an ST-cut 90°X quartz substrate was fabricated. In this study, in order to obtain a higher magnetic sensitivity, one-port SAW resonators composed of three kinds of Ni electrode structures on the ST-cut 90°X quartz, namely, (a) grooved Ni electrodes, (b) additional overlaid Ni films on grooved Ni electrodes, and (c) Ni electrodes on the quartz, were fabricated and measured. In addition to these, a SAW resonator composed of a magnetostrictive TbFe2 film electrode, which has a larger magnetostrictivity than the Ni film, on the ST-cut 90°X quartz was also fabricated. Their characteristics are examined.
Development of High Precision Metal Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems Column for Portable Surface Acoustic Wave Gas Chromatograph
Authors: Iwaya Takamitsu , Akao Shingo , Sakamoto Toshihiro , Tsuji Toshihiro , Nakaso Noritaka , Yamanaka Kazushi
Published: July 2012

In the field of environmental measurement and security, a portable gas chromatograph (GC) is required for the on-site analysis of multiple hazardous gases. Although the gas separation column has been downsized using micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) technology, an MEMS column made of silicon and glass still does not have sufficient robustness and a sufficiently low fabrication cost for a portable GC. In this study, we fabricated a robust and inexpensive high-precision metal MEMS column by combining diffusion-bonded etched stainless-steel plates with alignment evaluation using acoustic microscopy. The separation performance was evaluated using a desktop GC with a flame ionization detector and we achieved the high separation performance comparable to the best silicon MEMS column fabricated using a dynamic coating method. As an application, we fabricated a palm-size surface acoustic wave (SAW) GC combining this column with a ball SAW sensor and succeeded in separating and detecting a mixture of volatile organic compounds.
Gas Void Fraction Estimation in Gas-Bubble-Contained Sands with Difference Frequency Waves
Authors: Kim Byoung-Nam , Yoon Suk Wang , Choi Bok Kyoung , Jung Seom-Kyu
Published: July 2012

A nonlinearity parameter can be used for the estimation of the gas void fraction in gassy sediment. If two primary acoustic waves of different frequencies are incident on gassy sediment, nonlinear acoustic waves can be generated at the difference frequency. In the present study, the parametric acoustic array theory for the difference frequency wave was employed to estimate the nonlinearity parameters of gas-bubble-contained sands under laboratory conditions. The nonlinearity parameters of the sands were estimated between 103 and 104. Then, the estimated gas void fractions in the sands were between 10-6 and 10-4. They were similar to those estimated through the sound speed variation method. However, this linear acoustic method could not be applied to gas-bubble-contained sand with a low gas void fraction, because the sound speed variation was not observed in the sand. This study suggests that the nonlinear acoustic method seems very feasible to estimate the gas void fraction in gassy sediment with a low gas content.
Influence of Air Humidity and Water Particles on Dust Control Using Ultrasonic Atomization
Authors: Okawa Hirokazu , Nishi Kentaro , Shindo Dai , Kawamura Youhei
Published: July 2012

The influence of air humidity and water particles on dust control was examined using ultrasonic atomization at 2.4 MHz, an acrylic box (61 L), and four types of ore dust samples: green tuff (4 µm), green tuff (6 µm), kaolin, and silica. It was clearly demonstrated that ultrasonic atomization was effective in raising humidity rapidly. However, at high relative air humidity, the water particles remained stable in the box without changing to water vapor. Ultrasonic atomization was applied to suppress dust dispersion and 40–95% dust reduction was achieved at 83% relative air humidity. Dust dispersion was more effective with ultrasonic atomization than without.
Verification of Ultrasonic Image Fusion Technique for Laparoscopic Surgery
Authors: Zenbutsu Satoki , Igarashi Tatsuo , Mamou Jonathan , Yamaguchi Tadashi
Published: July 2012

Laparoscopic surgery is one of the most challenging surgical operations, because inside information about the target organ cannot be fully understood from the laparoscopic image. Therefore, a fusion technique of laparoscopic and ultrasonic images is proposed for guidance during laparoscopic surgery. The proposed technique can display the internal organ structure by overlaying a three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonic image over a 3D laparoscopic image, which is acquired using a stereo laparoscope. The registration of the 3D images is performed by registering the surface of the target organ, which is found in the two 3D images without requiring the use of an external position detecting device. The proposed technique was evaluated experimentally using a tissue-mimicking phantom. Results obtained led to registration accuracy better than 2 cm. The total computation time was 3.1 min on a personal computer (Xeon processor, 3 GHz CPU). The structural information permits the visualization of target organs during laparoscopic surgery.
Accurate Estimation of Carotid Luminal Surface Roughness Using Ultrasonic Radio-Frequency Echo
Authors: Kitamura Kosuke , Hasegawa Hideyuki , Kanai Hiroshi
Published: July 2012

It would be useful to measure the minute surface roughness of the carotid arterial wall to detect the early stage of atherosclerosis. In conventional ultrasonography, the axial resolution of a B-mode image depends on the ultrasonic wavelength of 150 µm at 10 MHz because a B-mode image is constructed using the amplitude of the radio-frequency (RF) echo. Therefore, the surface roughness caused by atherosclerosis in an early stage cannot be measured using a conventional B-mode image obtained by ultrasonography because the roughness is 10–20 µm. We have realized accurate transcutaneous estimation of such a minute surface profile using the lateral motion of the carotid arterial wall, which is estimated by block matching of received ultrasonic signals. However, the width of the region where the surface profile is estimated depends on the magnitude of the lateral displacement of the carotid arterial wall (i.e., if the lateral displacement of the arterial wall is 1 mm, the surface profile is estimated in a region of 1 mm in width). In this study, the width was increased by combining surface profiles estimated using several ultrasonic beams. In the present study, we first measured a fine wire, whose diameter was 13 µm, using ultrasonic equipment to obtain an ultrasonic beam profile for determination of the optimal kernel size for block matching based on the correlation between RF echoes. Second, we estimated the lateral displacement and surface profile of a phantom, which had a saw tooth profile on its surface, and compared the surface profile measured by ultrasound with that measured by a laser profilometer. Finally, we estimated the lateral displacement and surface roughness of the carotid arterial wall of three healthy subjects (24-, 23-, and 23-year-old males) using the proposed method.
Tissue Viscoelasticity Measurement System by Simultaneous Multiple-Frequency Excitation
Authors: Miwa Takashi , Yoshihara Yuki , Kanzawa Kouki , Parajuli Raj Kumar , Yamakoshi Yoshiki
Published: July 2012

Tissue elasticity measurements by an ultrasonic wave are a promising technique for the qualitative diagnosis of tumors and liver diseases. The viscoelastic characteristics in soft tissue can be quantitatively evaluated by considering the frequency dependence of the velocity of the shear wave propagating in the tissue. To improve the reliability of thein vivoviscoelasticity measurement, we propose a novel elasticity imaging method using continuous vibration wave excitation, which was realized by developing a three dimensional ultrasonic (3D US) wave Doppler measurement system with multiple-frequency excitation.In vivoexperiments on the brachial muscle were carried out in order to demonstrate the validity and effectiveness of the developed system. The experimental results show that this system can successfully measure the velocity of a shear wave propagating through a muscle layer. This system has the potential to obtain viscoelastic information from a target with high repeatability and reliability.
Improvement in Accuracy of Ultrasonic Measurement of Transient Change in Viscoelasticity of Radial Arterial Wall Due to Flow-Mediated Dilation by Adaptive Low-Pass Filtering
Authors: Ikeshita Kazuki , Hasegawa Hideyuki , Kanai Hiroshi
Published: July 2012

In our previous study, the stress–strain relationship of the radial arterial wall was measured and the viscoelasticity of the intima–media region was estimated from the stress–strain relationship. Furthermore, the transient change in viscoelasticity due to flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was estimated by the automated detection of wall boundaries. In the present study, the strain rate was adaptively filtered to improve the accuracy of viscoelasticity estimation by decreasing the high-frequency noise. Additionally, in a basic experiment, this method was validated using a silicone tube (simulating artery). In the basic experiment, the elasticity was estimated with a mean error of 1.2%. The elasticity measured at each beam position was highly reproducible among measurements, whereas there was a slight variation in measured elasticity among beams. Consequently, in in vivo measurements, the normalized mean square error (MSE) was clearly decreased. Additionally, the stress–strain relationship of the radial arterial wall was obtained and the viscoelasticity was estimated accurately. The inner small loop, which corresponds to the negative pressure wave caused by the closure of the aortic valve, can be observed using the adaptive low-pass filtering (LPF). Moreover, the transient changes in these parameters were similar to those in the previous study. These results show the potential of the proposed method for the thorough analysis of the transient change in viscoelasticity due to FMD.
Blood-Mimicking Fluid for Testing Ultrasonic Diagnostic Instrument
Authors: Tanaka Kouhei , Yoshida Tomoji , Sato Kazuishi , Kondo Toshio , Yasukawa Kazuhiro , Miyamoto Nobuaki , Taniguchi Masahiko
Published: July 2012

We present a blood-mimicking fluid (BMF) for the Doppler test object of medical diagnostic instruments. Accurate measurement in a flow Doppler test requires a BMF that has the acoustic velocity and density defined in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standard, and furthermore, they must be stable over time. To formulate a fluid with the desired density and acoustic velocity, we have developed a new fluid made of glycerine and water-soluble silicone oil. The new BMF includes dispersed polystyrene particles as scatterers. The density of the liquid can be adjusted to maintain it at the same value as that of the polystyrene particles, thus ensuring neutral buoyancy of the particles. The MBF was stable over a period of 2 weeks, during which the density and acoustic velocity did not change.
Therapeutic Array Transducer Element Using Coresonance between Hemispherical Piezoceramic Shell and Water Sphere: Effect of Load Masses of Support and Electric Contact
Authors: Otsu Kenji , Yoshizawa Shin , Umemura Shin-ichiro
Published: July 2012

For therapeutic ultrasound array transducers, it is necessary to reduce the electrical impedance of their elements so that the transducer can produce high ultrasonic power at a relatively low drive voltage. For this purpose, a new concept of a breathing-mode piezoceramic transducer element has been proposed. Numerical simulation showed its low electric impedance as well as good acoustical coupling between the concave hemispherical piezoceramic shell, with a diameter on the order of a wavelength in water, and the volume of a water sphere half enclosed by the shell. In the preparation of a prototype transducer, the effect of additional load masses of the flange supporting the shell and the electric contact for driving the element was numerically analyzed in this paper.
Performance Simulation of Direct-Sequence Spread-Spectrum Signal Considering Transmitter Characteristics for Range Estimation in the Deep Sea
Authors: Park Kyu-Chil , Lee Phil-Ho , Yoon Jong Rak
Published: July 2012

It is important to estimate the range between a transmitter and a receiver in the sea in position monitoring and navigation. For precise range estimation, the synchronous signal between the transmitted signal and the received signal must be extracted. However, it is difficult because of interference due to the multipath propagation. In this paper, we considered the direct-sequence spread-spectrum (DSSS) system with binary phase shift keying (BPSK) modulation generally adopted for range estimation in the deep sea and discuss the three different simulation results of range estimations from peak detection with cross-correlation. To examine how the transmitter characteristics affect the range estimation performance, the range estimation performance of DSSS signals with BPSK is simulated first with only random noise, then with random noise and the transducer band-limited frequency response, and finally with random noise and the inverse filter of the transducer. It is found that the frequency response characteristics of the transmitter affect the range estimation accuracy.
Evaluation of Acoustic Simulation Using Wave Equation Finite Difference Time Domain Method with Compact Finite Differences
Authors: Kawada Naoki , Yoda Takeshi , Tagawa Norio , Tsuchiya Takao , Okubo Kan
Published: July 2012

In this study, we examine the acoustic simulation method combining the wave equation finite difference time domain (WE FD-TD) method and compact FDs (CPFDs) for the second derivative. The wave equation compact finite difference time domain (WE CPFD-TD) method does not require calculation of the particle velocity; therefore, it can reduce the calculation time and memory used. Furthermore, for acceleration of simulation, we employ the recursive filtering algorithm and graphics processing unit (GPU) computing. As a result, we clarified that the three-dimensional WE CPFD-TD acoustic simulation using GPU is ca. 25–30 times faster than that using CPU with OpenMP.
Tidal Effect in Small-Scale Sound Propagation Experiment
Authors: Kamimura Seiji , Ogasawara Hanako , Mori Kazuyoshi , Nakamura Toshiaki
Published: July 2012

A sound propagation experiment in very shallow water was conducted at Hashirimizu port in 2009. We transmitted 5 kHz sinusoidal waves with M-sequence modulation. As a result, we found that the travel time concentrated in two time frames. When comparing the travel time with the tide level, the travel time was dependent on the tide level. In terms of the wave patterns, most of the wave patterns have two peaks. As the tide level changed, the biggest peak switched within two peaks. To discuss this, numerical simulation by finite difference time domain (FDTD) method was carried out. The result agreed with the experimental result. Finally, we changed the material of the quay wall in the FDTD simulation and concluded that the first peak is a multireflected combination wave and the effect of its reflected wave at a quay wall has superiority in the second peak.
Silicon-Wire Waveguide Based External Cavity Laser for Milliwatt-Order Output Power and Temperature Control Free Operation with Silicon Ring Modulator
Authors: Jeong Seok-Hwan , Tanaka Shinsuke , Sekiguchi Shigeaki , Kurahashi Teruo , Hatori Nobuaki , Akiyama Suguru , Usuki Tatsuya , Yamamoto Tsuyoshi , Akiyama Tomoyuki , Tanaka Yu , Morito Ken
Published: July 2012

We report a novel hybrid laser based on a silicon-wire external cavity filter. We characterize the hybrid silicon laser from the viewpoint of high output extraction efficiency and temperature control free operation with a silicon microring resonator. First, it is experimentally verified that output extraction efficiency of the laser is significantly improved by locating an optical coupler within the laser cavity. As a result, we show mW-order output power and wall-plug efficiency of ∼0.9%. In addition, we demonstrate that the operating window of the silicon microring modulator is adaptable to the oscillation wavelength of the hybrid silicon laser in regard to temperature change of a silicon substrate from 25 to 55 °C.
Intensity and Polarization Modulation Holographic Recordings and Vector Holograms Using Inhomogeneous Polarized Beams
Authors: Ono Hiroshi , Matsumoto Taro , Sasaki Tomoyuki , Noda Kohei , Takahashi Ryo , Nishioka Emi , Kawatsuki Nobuhiro
Published: July 2012

For realizing polarization-multiplex holographic recordings we have proposed theory and performed experiments on characterizing optical properties of vector holograms, which are recorded using both intensity- and polarization-modulated interference light, by introducing two susceptibilities of isotropic (α) and anisotropic (β) phase changes due to irradiation of polarized light on azobenzene-containing polymers as polarization-sensitive medium. The vector holograms were experimentally recorded using two radially polarized beams as inhomogeneous polarized light and polarized diffraction patterns from the resultant vector holograms were well-explained by our proposed theory.
Fabrication of Molds with 25-nm Dot-Pitch Pattern by Focused Ion Beam and Reactive Ion Etching for Nanoimprint Using Metallic Glass
Authors: Fukuda Yasuyuki , Saotome Yasunori , Nishiyama Nobuyuki , Saidoh Noriko , Makabe Eiichi , Inoue Akihisa
Published: July 2012

Here we attempted to fabricate molds (dies) of nanodot arrays with a 25-nm pitch and to nanoimprint metallic glass for developing bit-patterned media with an ultrahigh recording density of 1 Tbit/in.2. The mold-fabricating process consisted of mask patterning by focused ion beam assisted chemical vapor deposition (FIB-CVD) and reactive ion etching (RIE). We investigated the feasibility of a Pt-deposited metal etching mask on SiO2 on Si and diamond like carbon (DLC) on Al2O3 substrates, and achieved isolated convex nanodot arrays with a 25-nm pitch and an aspect ratio of 1.8 by RIE with O2 plasma on a DLC/Al2O3 substrate. Subsequently, we nanoimprinted Pt-based metallic glass by using the fabricated molds and successfully replicated fine concave nanohole arrays. The results suggest that the FIB-CVD/RIE process is a promising technique for fabricating ultrafine nanopatterned molds, and metallic glasses are ideal nanoimprintable materials for mass producing nanodevices such as bit-patterned media.
Sialofucosylated podocalyxin is a functional E- and L-selectin ligand expressed by metastatic pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Dallas Matthew R. , Chen Shih-Hsun , Streppel Mirte M. , Sharma Sidharth , Maitra Anirban , Konstantopoulos Konstantinos
Published: July 2012

Selectin-mediated interactions in the vasculature promote metastatic spread by facilitating circulating tumor cell binding to selectin-expressing host cells. Therefore, identifying the selectin ligand(s) on tumor cells is critical to the prevention of blood-borne metastasis. A current challenge is to distinguish between structures expressed by circulating tumor cells that can bind selectins in vitro from the functional ligands whose depletion suppresses selectin-dependent binding under flow in vivo. Interestingly, podocalyxin (PODXL), which can bind E- and L-selectin, is upregulated in a number of cancers, including those of the breast, colon, and pancreas. In this work, we show that metastatic pancreatic cancer cells overexpress PODXL compared with nonmalignant pancreatic epithelial cells. We further demonstrate via tissue microarray that 69% of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas stain positive for PODXL. In cases of focal expression, positive staining is restricted to the invasive front of primary tumors. By combining immunoblot, immunodepletion, short-hairpin RNA-mediated gene silencing, and flow-based adhesion assays, we evaluated the functional role of sialofucosylated PODXL in selectin-mediated adhesion under flow. Our data indicate that sialofucosylated PODXL is a functional E- and L-selectin ligand expressed by metastatic pancreatic cancer cells, as specific depletion of this molecule from the cell surface significantly interferes with selectin-dependent interactions. Cumulatively, these data support a correlation between sialofucosylated PODXL expression and enhanced binding to selectins by metastatic pancreatic cancer cells and offer additional perspective on the upregulation of PODXL in aggressive cancers.
Glucose oxidation and nonoxidative glucose disposal during prolonged fasts of the northern elephant seal pup (Mirounga angustirostris)
Authors: Houser Dorian S. , Crocker Daniel E. , Tift Michael S. , Champagne Cory D.
Published: July 2012

Elephant seal weanlings demonstrate rates of endogenous glucose production (EGP) during protracted fasts that are higher than predicted on the basis of mass and time fasting. To determine the nonoxidative and oxidative fate of endogenously synthesized glucose, substrate oxidation, metabolic rate, glycolysis, and EGP were measured in fasting weanlings. Eight weanlings were sampled at 14 days of fasting, and a separate group of nine weanlings was sampled at 49 days of fasting. Metabolic rate was determined via flow-through respirometry, and substrate-specific oxidation was determined from the respiratory quotient and urinary nitrogen measurements. The rate of glucose disposal (GluRd) was determined through a primed, constant infusion of [3-3H]glucose, and glycolysis was determined from the rate of appearance of3H in the body water pool. GluRdwas 1.41 ± 0.27 and 0.95 ± 0.21 mmol/min in the early and late fasting groups, respectively. Nearly all EGP went through glycolysis, but the percentage of GluRdoxidized to meet the daily metabolic demand was only 24.1 ± 4.4% and 16.7 ± 5.9% between the early and late fasting groups. Glucose oxidation was consistently less than 10% of the metabolic rate in both groups. This suggests that high rates of EGP do not support substrate provisions for glucose-demanding tissues. It is hypothesized that rates of EGP may be ancillary to the upregulation of the tricarboxylic acid cycle to meet high rates of lipid oxidation while mitigating ketosis.
The single biopsy approach is reliable for the measurement of muscle protein synthesis rates in vivo in older men
Authors: Burd Nicholas A. , Pennings Bart , Groen Bart B. L. , Gijsen Annemie P. , Senden Joan M. G. , van Loon Luc J. C.
Published: July 2012

We aimed to assess the reliability of the single biopsy approach for calculating muscle protein synthesis rates compared with the well described sequential muscle biopsy approach following a primed continuous infusion of L-[ ring-2H5]phenylalanine and GC-MS analysis in older men. Two separate experimental infusion protocols, with differing stable isotope amino acid incorporation times, were employed consisting of n = 27 ( experiment 1) or n = 9 ( experiment 2). Specifically, mixed muscle protein FSR were calculated from baseline plasma protein enrichments and muscle protein enrichments obtained at 90 min or 50 min (1BX SHORT), 210 min or 170 min (1BX LONG), and between the muscle protein enrichments obtained at 90 and 210 min or 50 min and 170 min (2BX) of the infusion for experiments 1 and 2, respectively. In experiment 2, we also assessed the error that is introduced to the single muscle biopsy approach when nontracer naive subjects are recruited for participation in a primed continuous infusion of isotope-labeled amino acids. In experiment 1, applying the individual plasma protein enrichment values to the single muscle biopsy approach resulted in no differences in muscle protein FSR between the 1BX SHORT (0.031 ± 0.003%·h−1), 1BX LONG (0.032 ± 0.002%·h−1), or the 2BX approach (0.034 ± 0.002%·h−1). A significant correlation in muscle protein FSR was observed only between the 1BX LONG and 2BX approach ( r = 0.8; P < 0.001). Similar results were observed in experiment 2. In addition, using the single biopsy approach in nontracer naïve state results in a muscle protein FSR that is negative for both the 1BX SHORT (−0.67 ± 0.051%·h−1) and 1BX LONG (−0.19 ± 0.051%·h−1) approaches. This is the first study to demonstrate that the single biopsy approach, coupled with the background enrichment of L-[ ring-2H5]-phenylalanine of mixed plasma proteins, generates data that are similar to using the sequential muscle biopsy approach in the elderly population.
Total sleep deprivation alters cardiovascular reactivity to acute stressors in humans
Authors: Yang Huan , Durocher John J. , Larson Robert A. , DellaValla Joseph P. , Carter Jason R.
Published: July 2012

Exaggerated cardiovascular reactivity to mental stress (MS) and cold pressor test (CPT) has been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Recent epidemiological studies identify sleep deprivation as an important risk factor for hypertension, yet the relations between sleep deprivation and cardiovascular reactivity remain equivocal. We hypothesized that 24-h total sleep deprivation (TSD) would augment cardiovascular reactivity to MS and CPT and blunt the MS-induced forearm vasodilation. Because the associations between TSD and hypertension appear to be stronger in women, a secondary aim was to probe for sex differences. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) were recorded during MS and CPT in 28 young, healthy subjects (14 men and 14 women) after normal sleep (NS) and 24-h TSD (randomized, crossover design). Forearm vascular conductance (FVC) was recorded during MS. MAP, FVC, and MSNA ( n = 10) responses to MS were not different between NS and TSD (condition × time, P > 0.05). Likewise, MAP and MSNA ( n = 6) responses to CPT were not different between NS and TSD (condition × time, P > 0.05). In contrast, increases in HR during both MS and CPT were augmented after TSD (condition × time, P ≤ 0.05), and these augmented HR responses persisted during both recoveries. When analyzed for sex differences, cardiovascular reactivity to MS and CPT was not different between sexes (condition × time × sex, P > 0.05). We conclude that TSD does not significantly alter MAP, MSNA, or forearm vascular responses to MS and CPT. The augmented tachycardia responses during and after both acute stressors provide new insight regarding the emerging links among sleep deprivation, stress, and cardiovascular risk.
Application of Soft Tissue Artifact Compensation Using Displacement Dependency between Anatomical Landmarks and Skin Markers
Authors: Ryu Taebeum
Published: July 2012

Soft tissue artifact is known to be one of the main sources of errors in motion analysis by means of stereophotogrammetry. Among many approaches to reduce such errors, one is to estimate the position of anatomical landmarks during a motion with joint angle or displacement of skin markers, which is the so-called compensation method of anatomical landmarks. The position of anatomical landmarks was modeled from the data of the so-called dynamic calibration, in which anatomical landmark positions are calibrated in an ad hoc motion. This study aimed to apply the compensation methods with joint angle and skin marker displacement to three lower extremity motions (walking, sit-to-stand/stand-to-sit, and step up/down) in ten healthy males and compare their reliability. To compare the methods, two sets of kinematic variables were calculated using two different marker clusters, and the difference was obtained. Results showed that the compensation method with skin marker displacement had less differences by 30–60% compared to without compensation. In addition, it had significantly less difference in some kinematic variables (7 of 18) by 25–40% compared to the compensation method with joint angle.
Mitotic Kinases and p53 Signaling
Authors: Ha Geun-Hyoung , Breuer Eun-Kyoung Yim
Published: July 2012

Mitosis is tightly regulated and any errors in this process often lead to aneuploidy, genomic instability, and tumorigenesis. Deregulation of mitotic kinases is significantly associated with improper cell division and aneuploidy. Because of their importance during mitosis and the relevance to cancer, mitotic kinase signaling has been extensively studied over the past few decades and, as a result, several mitotic kinase inhibitors have been developed. Despite promising preclinical results, targeting mitotic kinases for cancer therapy faces numerous challenges, including safety and patient selection issues. Therefore, there is an urgent need to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying mitotic kinase signaling and its interactive network. Increasing evidence suggests that tumor suppressor p53 functions at the center of the mitotic kinase signaling network. In response to mitotic spindle damage, multiple mitotic kinases phosphorylate p53 to either activate or deactivate p53-mediated signaling. p53 can also regulate the expression and function of mitotic kinases, suggesting the existence of a network of mutual regulation, which can be positive or negative, between mitotic kinases and p53 signaling. Therefore, deciphering this regulatory network will provide knowledge to overcome current limitations of targeting mitotic kinases and further improve the results of targeted therapy.