All-Optical Modulation Format Conversion Between OOK, QPSK and 8QAM

Modulation format conversion is useful when the signal is transmitted through networks employing different modulation formats. It is also expected to increase the spectral efficiency and reduce power consumption in network nodes by applying all-optical signal processing to the modulation format conversion. In this paper, we propose an all-optical modulation format conversion system between on-off keying (OOK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) and 8-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (8QAM) using optical nonlinear effects in semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) and optical threshold device. We also evaluate the conversion performances of the system by numerical simulation in terms of optical signal-to-noise ratio, optical signal power, and accumulated chromatic dispersion

Percentage body fat and results of a periodic health examination

肥満や栄養過剰は多くの慢性疾患、とりわけ成人病と関連が強いことが従来から指摘されている。肥満の判定には体脂肪率を測定することが重要であるが、その方法の一つとして、集団検診に使用しやすい生体電気インピーダンス法（bioelectrical impedance analysis）がある。今回、1ビール製造工場の定期健康診断において、対象者男235人および女137人の体脂肪率をこの方法により測定した。まずこの体脂肪率とBMIおよび肥満度との相関関係を求め、男性より女性において相関が高いことを認めた。ついで肥満群と正常群に分けて、血圧および血液検査の異常率の出現頻度を統計的に比較したところ、肥満群では男女共に総コレステロールで、また男性では尿酸、γGTP、SGPTの各値で、異常者が高率であることを認めた。またSGPTは30才台から、γGTP及びTchは40才台からその傾向が見られた。しかし、肥満指数とこれらの検査値との相関係数は高くはなかった。Data from periodic health examinations such as ALP, UA, RBC, Hb, SGOT, SGPT, Tch(total choresterol), TG(triglyceride), blood pressure, body length, body weight and also percentage body fat(% Fat) as measured by bioelectrical impedance mehtod were obtained from 235 male and 137 female workers at a brewery factory in Okayama Prefecture and results were analyzed. The correlation coefficients for % Fat and Body Mass Index values(BMI) are found to be 0.678 for males and 0.803 for females. Examinees were then devided into normal and obesity groups respectively, and the frequency of values over normal ranges (classified by obesity indicators such as % Fat, BMI and obesity rate calculated from standard weight) were statistically compared. Results showed that % Fat and BMI were more sensitive than obesity rate and that the obesity group had statistically high frequencies of abnormality in some of the data as in the case of SGPT, γGTP and TG compared to the control group. Furthermore this tendency was found to be more significant among male workers than female ones

Effects of Z-Isomerization on the Bioavailability and Functionality of Carotenoids: A Review

Carotenoids, the most common fat-soluble plant pigments in nature, are beneficial to human health due to their strong antioxidant activities and abilities to prevent various diseases. Carotenoids have many geometrical isomers forms caused by E/Z-isomerization at arbitrary sites within the multiple conjugated double bonds. Several studies have addressed that the bioavailability as well as the antioxidant, anticancer, and antiatherosclerotic activities of carotenoids varies among the isomers. In addition, those variations differ among carotenoids: Z-isomerization resulted in “positive” or “negative” effect for carotenoids bioavailability and functionality, for example, Z-isomers of lycopene are more bioavailable than the all-E-isomer, whereas the opposite is observed for β-carotene. Thus, to efficiently promote the beneficial effects of carotenoids by ingestion, it is important to have a good understanding of the impact of E/Z-isomerization on the corresponding functional changes. The objective of this contribution is to review the effects of carotenoid Z-isomerization on bioavailability and functionality and describe their differences among carotenoids

Endothelin XIII

published_or_final_versio

A Workability and sustainability assessment of multistorey earthquake-resistant timber building

Although two-Thirds of the area of Japan is covered with forests, the domestic wood resources are not widely used in the construction sector. Due to the complex design process, construction work and high precision needed, most of timber constructions are limited to one or two-storey buildings. This paper aims to clarify the efficiency of a proposed joint system for CLT walls-steel beams hybrid structure. In addition, the workability and the environmental impact of the proposed hybrid system in comparison to other structures were analysed. The proposed joint system showed higher workability and efficiency compared to other conventional joints in Japan. The construction process of a prototype of a module with the proposed system was studied and confirmed its easier and faster work than the conventional system. A 4-storey building was taken as a case study to evaluate the environmental impact of the proposed system. Although the proposed hybrid system showed higher carbon emissions than a conventional CLT alternative, advantage in terms of the environmental impact was confirmed in comparison to a reinforced concrete and a steel structure

Crystallization of All Trans–b–carotene by Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Antisolvent via Co–axial Nozzle

The crystallization of b-carotene through supercritical antisolvent process with carbon dioxide (CO2) as an antisolvent has been demonstrated. The experiments were conducted at temperatures of 40 - 60oC and pressures of 10 - 14 MPa at a constant CO2 flow rate. As a starting material, b-carotene powder was dissolved in dichloromethane (DCM). Results of UV-vis spectrophotometry analysis showed that there was no remaining DCM solvent in the b-carotene particles products. It showed that CO2 has successfully removed DCM from b-carotene particles products. The product characterization by using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) showed that the CO2 solvent did not impregnate to the b-carotene particles products. Results from scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed that the b-carotene particles products were successfully prepared in plate-like shape morphologies with size around 1 mm

DEVELOPMENT OF A NOVEL JOINT SYSTEM FOR MID-TO-HIGHRISE CLT WALL BUILDINGS IN SEISMIC REGIONS

In Japan, the possibility of multi-story timber buildings is not yet practiced at a large scale due to the complex structural design process and construction cost. In conventional CLT buildings in Japan, a high number of complex steel connections are required. In this practice, complex processing of CLTs panel is also required. The objective of this paper is to propose easy-to-apply and easy-to-design steel joints. The proposed joint is designed to resist both shear and tensile forces to reduce complex steel parts. Single-bolt element tension tests were conducted to investigate the effect of the fibre direction, bolt diameter, and bolt embedded length. Cyclic loading for single and coupled CLT walls with the proposed joints was also conducted. The failure characteristics and strength of single-bolt connections could be predicted by the ratio of bolt embedded length and diameter. The fibre direction was found to have a minor effect on the connection strength. The proposed joint system showed high strength and ductility as found by the cyclic loading. The lateral strength of a wall with two panels was double the single wall case, indicating the lack of interaction between the two panels

Dissection of lung parenchyma using electrocautery is a safe and acceptable method for anatomical sublobar resection

BACKGROUND: Anatomic sublobar resection is being assessed as a substitute to lobectomy for primary lung cancers. However, persistent air leak after anatomic sublobar resection is prevalent and increasing surgical morbidity and costs. The use of electrocautery is being popularized recently in anatomic sublobar resection. We have retrospectively evaluated the safety and efficacy of intersegmental plane dissection using electrocautery. METHODS: Between April 2009 to September 2010, 47 patients were treated with segmentectomy for clinical T1N0M0 non-small cell lung cancers. The intersegmental plane was dissected using electrocautery alone or in combination with staplers. We evaluated the methods of dividing intersegmental plane (electrocautery alone or combination with electrocautery and staplers), intraoperative blood loss, duration of chest tube placement, duration of surgery, preoperative FEV(1.0) %, incidence of prolonged air leak, length of postoperative hospital stay, postoperative pulmonary function at 6 months after surgery and the cost for sealing intersegmental plane. RESULTS: Among the 47 patients, 22 patients underwent intersegmental plane dissection with electrocautery alone and 25 patients did in combination with electrocautery and staplers. The mean number of stapler cartridges used was only 1.3 in electrocautery and staplers group. Mean age, gender, number of patients whose FEV(1)% < 70 % were similar between two groups. There was no statistical difference between electrocautery alone and combination with electrocautery and staplers group in duration of surgery (282 vs. 290 minutes), intraoperative blood loss (203 vs.151 ml), duration of chest tube placement (3.2 vs. 3.1 days), postoperative hospital stay (11.0 vs.10.0 days), postoperative loss of FEV(1.0) (13 vs.8 %), loss of FVC (11 vs. 6 %) or incidence of minor postoperative complications [9 % (2/22) vs. 16 % (4/25), p = 0.30)]. However, incidence of prolonged air leak was higher in electrocautery alone group than in combination with electrocautery and staplers group [14 % (3/22) vs. 4 % (1/25), p = 0.025)]. The cost of materials for sealing air leaks amounted to €964 per patient in the electrocautery alone group and €1594 per patient in combination with electrocautery and staplers group. CONCLUSIONS: The number of patients with prolonged air leak was higher in the electrocautery alone group. The use of staplers in addition to electrocautery may lead to reduced prolonged air leak. However, the use of electrocautery for intersegmental plane dissection appeared to be safe with acceptable postoperative complications and effective in reducing costs

Matrilysin (MMP-7) as a significant determinant of malignant potential of early invasive colorectal carcinomas

Matrix metalloproteinases play a crucial role in tumour invasion and mestasis. Matrilysin (MMP-7) has been shown to correlate with nodal or distant metastasis in colorectal carcinomas; however, its implication in early invasive colorectal carcinomas has not been determined. This study was undertaken to clarify the association of matrilysin expression with clinicopathologic parameters in early invasive colorectal carcinomas. 38 early invasive colorectal carcinomas treated by local excision or radical surgery were examined. Tumour budding was evaluated as the number of dedifferentiation units along the entire invasive margin. Matrilysin protein levels were determined using immunohistochemical study. Univariate analysis showed that matrilysin expression alone was significantly associated with distant metastasis (P= 0.0339), and both tumour budding and matrilysin expression were significantly associated with adverse outcome (P= 0.0005, 0.0341). Histological differentiation, vessel invasion, and depth of invasion were not significantly associated with either distant metastasis or adverse outcome. Multivariate analysis confirmed that tumour budding and matrilysin expression were independently associated with adverse outcome, although the significance of matrilysin expression was marginal (P= 0.0488). Tumour budding at the invasive margin and matrilysin expression are more useful in identifying high-risk groups for adverse outcome in patients with early invasive colorectal carcinomas. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign www.bjcancer.co